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Category: Tech Gadgets
UK Company Named X2 to Launch iTablet
If Apple is going to use a laughable name like the iPad for its tablet device, then another company is going to come along and use the iTablet name. Wired reports a UK company named X2 is going to use the iTablet name for its upcoming tablets. The tablets will come out in April in two touchscreen sizes, 10.2 inches and 10.7 inches. The tablets are powered by Windows 7 and Linux
The iTablet also has items the iPad is missing including HDMI output, three USB ports and a 1.3-megapixel webcam. Other features include Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor and a 250GB hard drive. No details on pricing have been given.
(via Pocket Lint)
Posted on February 8, 2010
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Barnes and Noble's Nook to Go on Sale on February 10th
Reuters reports that Barnes & Noble is finally going to start selling its Nook ebook reading device. The device was delayed in December after Barnes & Noble failed to get enough of the devices in its stores. The Nook will go on sale in Barnes & Noble stores on February 10th. This date allows Barnes & Noble to give the Nook a Valentine's Day push.
Barnes & Nobles, based in New York, said it was shipping Nook e-readers to the majority of its stores beginning this week, with devices on sale in stores as of February 10.
The Nook's in store debut, originally expected in December, was delayed after Barnes & Noble sold out of the device before the holidays and was unable to get production sufficiently ramped up.
The Nook costs $259, which is the same prices as Amazon.com's Kindle. Amazon.com is also promoting its Kindle as a Valentine's Day gift. Both Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com are currently running free shipping offers with ebook reader orders.
Posted on February 8, 2010
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Apple iPad Accessories
When Apple introduced the iPad to the world on January 27, 2010 it also introduced several accessories for the tablet. The most interesting accrssory is the iPad Keyboard Dock. This allows a regular keyboard to be connected to the iPad for faster typing. The iPad can also be displayed upright like a computer monitor with the Dock.
Apple also introduced an iPad case for its new device. The case protects the iPad while still allowing the iPad to be used. Apple iPad owners will have lots of case choices as there will be lots of third party cases that launch over the coming months.
You will need this USB Power Adapter for your iPad. One of several downsides with the iPad is that it does not contain a single USB port. The adapter lets you charge your iPad through an electrical outlet. It comes with a 6-foot-long power cable.
Apple has not yet announced pricing for any of its iPad accessories.
Posted on February 7, 2010
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Mattel to Launch Puppy Tweets at Toy Fair
Mattel is trying to cash in on the Twitter trend with a new pet gadget called Puppy Tweets. CNN reports that Mattel will launch Puppy Tweets at next week's Toy Fair in New York City. The device is a tag containing a sound and motion sensor that attaches to your dog's collar. The tag's USB receiver is connected to your computer. You also have to set up a Twitter account for your dog's tweets. The tag contains some pre-recorded tweets that are sent when your dog is engaging in certain activities.
The tag is set with several pre-recorded tweets that are triggered by the dog's activities. So if he's running around, you might get a tweet that says "I finally caught that tail I've been chasing and...OOUUUCHH!"
If Sparky is napping, he'll tweet "Somedays it feels like my paw is permanently on the snooze button!" If he's making a ruckus, his tweet will let you know that as well, saying "YAHOOOOOOO! Somedays you just gotta get your bark on."
"Puppy Tweets capitalizes on two popular trends - the use of social media and real time communication, as well as peoples' extreme love for their dogs," said Susan Russo, Mattel's director of marketing.
It is a silly idea but it might sell well considering there are a lot of cat and dog Twitter accounts that people have set up on Twitter for their pets. The people running these accounts type in tweets for their pets, sometimes several times a day. Mattel's Puppy Tweets will retail for $29.95.
Photo: Mattel
Posted on February 7, 2010
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Hermes Launching Leather Binoculars
Hermes is launching an attractive pair of binoculars wrapped in saddle leather. The binoculars also include a leather carrying strap. Presumably, the binoculars will also come with an attractive leather carrying case. The retail price for the binoculars is expected to be around $2,500. The technology behind the stylish Hermes binoculars was made by Leica, German manufacturers of high-end cameras, lenses and photography equipment. The binoculars are not yet listed for sale on Hermes' website.
(via Duncan Quinn, Luxist)
Posted on February 6, 2010
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HP Planning Line of 3D Printers
Wired reports that HP has partnered with Stratasys to create a line of 3D printers that will cost around $15,000. The 3D printers will be marketed to businesses, designers and architects.
"This is the boldest step we have seen so far in 3-D printing," says Scott Summit, chief technology officer for Bespoke Innovations, a company that creates 3-D artifacts for medical use. "A lot of people want to do 3-D printing but it is a mysterious world. With HP embracing it, it is likely to demystify the idea to many consumers."
HP's printers will be manufactured by Stratasys, a company that specializes in 3-D printers.
The printers have long been used by designers and architects in computer aided design (CAD) to create prototypes before finalizing on the design for larg-scale production. But these printers cost many thousands of dollars and have been popular with only a select group of specialists.
At $15,000 the printers will be out of the price range for most hobbyists. Wired says there is a do-it-yourself 3D printer kit called Makerbot that hobbyists can purchase for around $950. You can read more about Makerbot here.
Eventually 3D printers will get cheaper and they will do much more. People will be able to download molding patterns from the Internet and create products like toys, cups, plates, vases and other products at home with their own 3D rapid prototyping machine. Some believe technology like this could revolutionize several industries.
Posted on February 6, 2010
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Amazon Stops Blippy From Revealing Its Purchase Data
Blippy is an unusual social networking service that blasts the credit card purchases of its users on to the Internet for everyone to see. Amazon.com asked Blippy not to publish anymore of its data and to delete all of the data it had collected to date. Blippy complied with Amazon.com's request. TechCrunch talked with Blippy cofounder Philip Kaplan about the situation. Kaplan says he hoping they can come to an agreement with Amazon.com about using its purchase data.
He says they didn't block Blippy, but simply insisted that the service stop pulling user purchase data, and erase all historical data they had already collected. They were also summoned to Seattle to speak with a "high ranking executive" of the company. Blippy complied (with both the summons and the demand to stop accessing user data).
Kaplan is soft stepping around the Amazon issue, and is hoping to come to some agreement with the company to allow them to access data in the future. He says "We believe our users feel strongly, as we do, that it is their right to access and use their data however they want. We're optimistic that Amazon will come to the same conclusion."
Blippy still posts updates when Blippy users spend money at Amazon.com but it no longer provides any information about what they purchased. You can read our previous post about Blippy here.
Posted on February 6, 2010
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FCC is Concerned Apple's iPad Will Clog Networks
PC Magazine reports that the FCC is concerned the new iPad could create congestion and clog the Internet. In a blog post, Phil Bellaria, Director, Scenario Planning, and John Leibovitz, Deputy Chief off the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, compare the situation to AOL's decision to offer unlimited Internet use in 1996.
Apple’s iPad announcement has set off a new round of reports of networks overburdened by a data flow they were not built to handle. These problems are reminiscent of the congestion dialup users experienced following AOL's 1996 decision to allow unlimited internet use. For months users had trouble connecting and, once they did connect, experienced frequent service outages. The FCC even held hearings on the problem.
The congestion problem circa 1996-97 revealed an intense latent demand for Internet access. Similarly, wireless network congestion today reveals intense demand for wireless broadband. Widespread use of smartphones, 3G-enabled netbooks, and now, perhaps, the iPad and its competitors demonstrate that wireless broadband will be a hugely important part of the broadband ecosystem as we move ahead.
Apple's iPad has not yet been approved by the FCC but it probably won't be a problem for Apple since they have a lot of time left before the March and April launch dates. Gearlog says Apple likely did not seek pre-approval because they did not want bloggers finding out about the iPad in advance of the Steve Jobs press conference.
Posted on February 6, 2010
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Google Might Be Running a Super Bowl Ad
Google may be running an ad in the Super Bowl tomorrow. Google CEO Eric Schmidt tweeted the following information, "Can't wait to watch the Superbowl tomorrow. Be sure to watch the ads in the 3rd quarter (someone said "Hell has indeed frozen over.")"
TechCrunch says the Google ad could be for the Nexus One phone or an ad for Google's search services to compete with Microsoft's Bing.
Posted on February 6, 2010
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No Cheesy 3D Super Bowl Commercials This Year
Last year many people, including President Obama, wore 3D glasses to see some of the 3D commercials that were being aired. Intel made 125 million pairs of 3D specs available for Super Bowl TV spectators in 2009. This year, despite all the interest in 3D movies, the Super Bowl ads appear to be 3D free. Real 3D television is still on the way with some manufacturers already gearing up mass production. Some experts believe 3D tv will be dead on arrival. Extra expenses - like the super expensive $200 3D glasses - will curb demand but there is so much interest in 3D technology that manufacturers will probably eventually find a way to reduce costs.
Photo: Official White House photo by Pete Souza
Posted on February 5, 2010
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Motorola Devour Smartphone Available on Verizon in March
Motorola, Inc. has announced its latest smartphone, the Motorola Devour. The Android powered smartphone will be available in March on the Verizon Wireless network. The phone offers a 3.1-inch touchscreen, 3-megapixel camera, slide-out keyboard, 8GB microSD card and Bluetooth support.
The Devour phone also includes Motorola's Motorblur software, which organizes your social networking accounts, tweets, email, photos and contacts and delivers them as updates to the home screen in easy-to-view streams. You can watch a video explanation of Motorblur here.
Motorola also offers Motorblur on its Cliq phone.
Posted on February 4, 2010
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