Gadgets and New Technologies

Hope you kept the original box your Eee PC came in because it looks like a lot of of these systems are going to be finding their way to eBay soon. That’s right, there is some official news on the new versions of the Eee PC. Laptop Mag’s blog has lots of good information on the 8.9-inch Eee PC 900 and the future of the notebook, all based on an interview with Asus CEO, Jerry Shen. The big news is that we will see an 8.9″ 1024×600 version of the Eee PC in the very near future. The projected release is April, but that is assuming there are no delays, like those we saw with the original date. This version will be available with Windows XP and 8GB of storage. (Read the full post about ‘8.9-inch Eee PC in April for $499, Diamondville on the way’…)

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I used to think that the fax machine would be one of those primitive gadgets that died off  once broadband internet became widely available. In the last few years I’ve come to understand that we’re probably stuck with this already-ancient technology for at least another decade. Sure, there are other methods of sending documents electronically, but fax machines are cheap and simple, which will make them very difficult to replace completely. However, if you’re stuck dealing with faxes, why not be as high-tech as possible? This Paperless USB Digital Fax Machine is a great way to cut down on paper if you receive a lot of fax transmissions. (Read the full post about ‘Save paper with this USB Digital Fax Machine’…)

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Allistar Croll over at GigaOm wrote an interesting piece on Saturday about Microsofts current battles on three fronts: Consumer, Enterprise and Developer as seen from Mix08.  In each battle, Microsoft is portrayed as a lumbering giant, struggling to catch up to where Croll says are the market drivers.  Multi-front battles are tough to win, how will Microsoft face each challenge? Here is a breakdown of his position: Consumer: We live fragmented lives.  We use Google for search, iPods for music, Windows for home PC needs…Microsoft will push it’s One OS theme that will effect our lives here, there and everywhere. (Read the full post about ‘Microsoft getting hit on all sides’…)

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Photo from Akihabaranews It might look like an mp3 player, but this is a cute little phone has enough brain and muscle to impress: Windows Mobile 6.1 HSDPA (3G) 624Mhz CPU GPS TV/FM Radio WiFi 3 Megapixel Camera Product line page (Read the full post about ‘Gigabyte GSmart MS808 Smartphone’…)

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Need to open a folder on your computer but you’re feeling a bit too lazy to move your fingers? Tobii Technology is here to the rescue, with the introduction of their OEM eye tracking technology during this year’s annual CeBIT trade show. This technology can further be applied to gaming, medical and vision diagnostics, market research set-top boxes, 3D displays, and as well as in automotive safety. The list goes on to include computer interfaces in medical, industrial and military environments. Personally, I think this would be a great feature in vending machines, where it would enable anyone to look at a particular product (a hot/cold beverage, tissues/napkins, etc.) and claim the item at the push of a single button without having to go through the currently difficult process of pushing two to three stubby nubs. (Read the full post about ‘Tobii Technology lets you control your computer with your naked eye’…)

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There is nothing quite like sipping on a cup of hot coffee in the morning, but how many of us are alert enough the moment we get out of bed to know that something is hot/cold? With this Hot-Cold Mug, you will be able to tell the difference verbally, as it is capable of changing its color gradually from total white to black, where the former indicates that it is as hot as the surface of the sun itself while the latter means there is no more heat left in the coffee. The Hot-Cold Mug retails for $25 a pop and makes for a great office present.

Product Page via GadgetRoad

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Atmel Corporation has just announced a new range of AVR microcontrollers that will be able to combine USB controller and high performance analog features. Both the ATmega16U4 and ATmega32U4 are able to reduce system cost in battery powered devices like gaming accessories. Currently, modern batteries require sophisticated algorithms that accelerate and optimize charging, and USB adds on additional constraints on the battery charging since both voltage and maximum current are limited. AVR’s new devices enable an optimized battery charging combined with USB functions. The analog to digital converter will be able to use sense motion or pressure in the end application, while the high-speed PWM is ideal for low cost motor control. (Read the full post about ‘Atmel Control releases new microcontrollers’…)

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If you are flying with a Macbook Air, you might run into luddite TSA agents. They were completely unable to fathom it: Wide Awake Developers: Steve Jobs Made Me Miss My Flight Fortunately for Michael, a younger agent recognized it and explained it to the senior TSA agent. Unfortunately, it was too late for Michael to catch his flight. The senior agent hasn’t been trained for technological change. New products on the market? They haven’t been TSA approved. Probably shouldn’t be permitted. He requires me to open the “device” and run a program. I do, and despite his inclination, the lead agent decides to release me and my troublesome laptop. (Read the full post about ‘The Macbook Air Befuddles TSA’…)

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If you’ve watched the “Lord of the Rings” films, then you’ve seen Massive Software’s technology in action. The huge battle scenes containing thousands of characters were all thanks to the company’s software, Massive Prime, and the same technology has been used more recently in the film “The Golden Compass.” The key aspect that makes Massive’s products so popular is the use of intelligent agents that show realistic behavior through their animations. This allows for a battle scene to be created without having to spend hundreds of man-hours animating different attacks, defenses, and movements. (Read the full post about ‘Massive Software turns talents to architecture and robotics’…)

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Posted Mar 10th 2008 1:31AM by Darren MurphFiled under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video Here’s a curious one. Straight out of JVC’s Japanese laboratory comes the Publio TX-700, which was seemingly created to be used in stores to play back video files and promotional stills depending on what type of sale was ongoing. Still, we see a fair bit more potential in this 7-inch gizmo. It does look a tad bulky — we’ll give you that — but it manages to feature MPEG1/2, MP3, JPEG and BMP format support, an SD expansion slot, built-in stereo speakers, USB 2.0 connectivity and a programmable on / off setting. Unfortunately, we’re left wondering what the screen resolution, price and availability dat (Read the full post about ‘JVC’s Publio TX-700 handheld helps advertise, doubles as PMP’…)

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