Priced at a mere $499 the T91 is an
8.9-inch touchscreen tablet running on an Intel Atom Z520 with 1GB of RAM. Its
16GB SSD might seem to be on the low end but such restrictions inevitably keep
the T91 at its bargain price. Another area where the T91 seems a bit dated is
in the OS department. Asus has decided to go with a slightly modified version
of Windows XP Home. The results are mixed.

There is a nifty Mac-esque launcher but it
can only hold up to five icons before you’re forced to ‘unlock’ more apps via a
slider, limiting what should enhance functionality and accessibility. The T91
does add some touch-oriented software with a drawing application, as well as
other mundane apps for photos and internet radio. However, there is an added
benefit to such limited offerings. The performance of the T91 is noticeably
high. It’s responsive to the touch and accurate to the stylus strokes. And the
apps run with nary a hiccup.

Ultimately, if you’re in the market for a
touchscreen tablet the T91 should only come up on your radar if your budget ceiling
is $500. One thing to consider is given that it’s running XP the internet is
awash with compatible apps, some of which like RKLauncher and RocketDock could
easily be used to replace the more limited apps packaged with the tablet. Otherwise,
you’re better off looking at tablets that reflect current generation
technology, especially with Windows 7 around the corner and its promise of
increased touch functionality and integration.

Asus Eee T91 (including full stats)

“What do you listen to your Dire Straits on?”

“Duh, on my Walkman.”

2009:

“What do you listen to your Coldplay on?”

“Duh, on my iPod.”

Times are certainly a-changin’. It wasn’t
all that long ago that ‘cassette tapes’ (a plastic cartridge with a spool of
magnetic tape inside) were the format du jour and if you were on the go chances
are they were being played on a Sony Walkman. Then music files were digitized
and the portable music player market was cracked wide open. Over a decade later
the king of the hill is assuredly Apple and their ubiquitous iPod. But there
are those that remain loyal to that brand that got them through some tough
times (and by tough times I mean the 80s). And Sony has in turn rewarded that
loyalty, updating the brand over the years. The latest additions include the
sleek, suave Walkman E series and the diminutive, ultra-compact Walkman B
series.

The E series is certainly the more
attractive of the additions. With a 2-inch QVGA colour LCD screen this ain’t
your daddy’s Walkman. On top of displaying track information and album art, the
screen can also be used for video playback, though at these dimensions it’s
more of an added bonus than a selling point.

Sony has also put some work into sound
quality, with the E series sporting their patented ‘Clear Audio’ package, which
reduces sound leakage and improved bass without the distortion. For you
audiophiles there’s also a 5-band equalizer and a dynamic normalize to balance
the volume between songs. It also has an FM tuner with built-in recording
software so you can get the latest Black Eyed Peas without dropping a dime (in
your face internet music pirates!)

For those that wonder how you get music on
a portable device that doesn’t rely on iTunes, the Walkmen E series makes use
of a ‘drag and drop’ system. Apparently, you just click files and ‘drop’ them
right onto the device. Apple should really look into this new technology. But
if you’re an iTunes junkie you can also sync up your Walkman with iTunes 8.1 via
the Content Transfer software.

The E series provides 30 hours of audio/6
hours of video playback on a single charge. At the moment it has no pricing or
storage info.

As for the Walkman B, it is essentially a
rebuttal to the iPod Shuffle with its small form design. One area where it
attempts to get the leg up is track searching in a menu-less environment. To
that end Sony has developed ZAPPIN:

“It’s also the first B series WALKMAN® that
simplifies music searches when you need to focus on other activities like
sports. ZAPPIN™ is a unique Sony feature that plays a few
instantly-recognisable seconds from within each song. It’s a great alternative
to conventional track searches, where it’s often hard to identify a song from
the opening few bars.”

Additional B series features:

• Small, Ultra-light
player in choice of four colours

• Easy operation with
drag-and-drop file transfers

• ZAPPIN™ for quick,
easy song searches

• Bass button for
powerful low frequency enhancement

• 18 hr music playback
and Quick Charge battery

• FM tuner with
recording facility

Despite the lack of pricing info both will
be available at the end of July.

Source

One way in which they’ve accomplished this
feat is the USB reader which is more than capable of interpreting media files
and broadcasting them on a screen. This might not seem like much until you
consider that this essentially removes the middleman (aka laptop/netbook) from
the equation. The GP1 is capable of recognizing and playing back avi, .mp4, and
.mov files, as well as numerous image types (however, the accompanying audio
codec leaves something to be desired, though when working the 2W built-in
speakers are up to the task).

As for the projecting itself, this is where
the GP1 really shines. With a possible 858X600 resolution, as well as excellent
scaling options, and the capability to display at both 4:3 and 16:19
resolution, the GP1 is near projecting perfection. The ability to adjust the
image colours based on the colour of the surface you’re projecting onto ensures
that you’ll be getting the best possible performance no matter where you’re set
up. What’s more, the projector has a flawless automatic keystone correction,
meaning that GP1 is capable of detecting the angle at which it is projecting
and correcting the picture (i.e. making it square).

This move towards streamlining
projector-playback goes a long way towards not just accessibility but selling
the mini projector brand itself. More than a few casual users are put off by
the complexity projectors can introduce to a presentation or just leisure use.

That being said, the GP1 is always
straightforward. It does present numerous navigational flaws, namely in the
using the buttons atop the projector and the remote. Sensitivity and logical
arrangement are both issues that hamper an otherwise fine machine. And while
the GP1 is a mere 5.4 x 4.7x 2.1 inches it also requires a bulky power brick.

Those shortcomings aside, the GP1 makes not
only a strong pitch for being your top choice in mini projectors, it makes a
strong case for buying one in the first place. It’s versatile, portable, and
with its USB reading capabilities, it can stand alone with just a thumb drive.
For $500 it’s certainly worth looking into, even if you aren’t in the market
for a projector.

Ah, memories. There once was a time when,
as a kid, you could do all sorts of goofy, hilarious, and oh-so embarrassing
things and only your folks would be the benefactors. Nowadays with digital
cameras and camcorders, you can go from potty-training mishap to YouTube in no
time. Consider Sony’s brand new 64GB HDR-CX520V and 32GB HDR-CX500V. Despite
the storage size, the specs for these handy cams remain the same. Each provides
12-megapixel stills, Optical SteadyShot (with three-way shake cancellation…there’s
gotta be a better way to say that), and FaceTouch auto focus (which enables you to
identify a face and prioritize it in the shot). All this at a solid 60p output
and backed by an Exmor R CMOS sensor with BIONZ processing, providing high-quality shots in low-light situations. But what about preserving those memories? 64
gigabytes is a lot memory, but in HD-quality the number of hours left can
quickly become measured in minutes. Enter the Sony DVDirect camcorder-to-DVD
recorder.

Sony’s camcorder-to-DVD recorder is capable of burning AVCHD DVDs with
5.1-surround sound directly from a camcorder’s drive or a memory stick. Once
burned the discs are playable on compatible Blu-ray drives, giving you memories
clearer than they were in reality. The recorder can also accept video files
over FireWire, USB, or composite, converting the files into videos with
accompanying chapters and customs menus in a painless and straightforward
process. While it may lack the robust features of a PC DVD creator suite, the
DVDirect record is an excellent fit for those looking at a streamlined means of
creating high-quality movies. The unit itself is compact, stylish and rather
idiot-proof, and is also capable of lesser tasks like making slide shows from
photo albums or burning albums from mp3s.

Both the camcorders and the camcorder-to-DVD
are coming out this Septermber. The new 32GB HDR-CX500V and 64GB HDR-CX520V will
for $1,100 and $1,300 respectively, while the DVDirect camcorder-to-DVD
recorder will set you back $230. All in all if you’re looking to buy get into
the home movie business Sony offers a robust package for about $1,300. Which is
about the same cost of the HD-TV you’d need to appreciate these things on.

Source and Source

The iPhone is capable of many things; making
phone calls, sending texts, simulating a monkey rolling around in a clear
plastic ball. But projecting images is not among its listed features. PhoneSuit
looks to change all that with the MiLi Pro iPhone / iPod Video Projector.

Building off your portable video affection,
the MiLi Pro promises to turn your iPhone movies, video podcasts, and images
into impromptu theatre experience. It has its own rechargeable power supply, so
it wont be draining the already power hungry touch-screen phone. At its best,
the projector is capable of a 640×480 resolution. The image can then be fine
tuned with an adjustment wheel to get the best picture, depending on the
surface you’re broadcasting onto.

Increasing its versatility is that the MiLi
Pro can project from various sources. While its primary selling point is for
use with an iPhone/iPod, it will also ship with a VGA cable to work with your
laptop/PC as well as a RCA cable which adds support for DVD player projection.
They’ve also included integrated speakers into the unit, so everyone can enjoy
the film you’re projecting onto the back of the seat in front of you on the
airplane (let’s face it, airplane movies are hit and miss).

The projector also comes with an
additional, rechargeable lithium-polymer battery so you can actually get
through a Lord of the Rings movie. Charge time for each battery is roughly
three ours, so if you play your cards right by the time The Fellowship of the
Ring ends you should have a fresh battery charged for The Two Towers. There’s
no mention of how long each battery lasts and you can bet with a second one
included, as well as the additional cables and functionality, PhoneSuit is
likely going to price this thing fairly high. We’ll know more when it’s
released in Septermber.

The Mili Pro is compatible with iPhone 3GS,
3G, 2G and iPod Touch.

Additional specs from www.phonesuit.com:

MiLi Pro Specifications

Projector Screen Size: 5-70 inches. Optimal
40 inches

Brightness: 10 Lumens

Charging Time: 3 Hours

Max Resolution: 480P, VGA, 640×480

LED Lifetime    20,000 Hours

AV Input Sources: iPhone / iPod Connector,
RCA, VGA

Source

The oft-rumoured upgrade has finally been
officially confirmed by Microsoft as the first touchscreen entry into the Zune
music player line up. The 3.3” 16:9 widescreen OLED screen will provide that oh-so-marketable
capacitive interface, bringing multi-touch to Zune aficionados at a 480×272
resolution. So, what makes it HD?

First, there’s the ability to output video
at 720p, meaning you can dump those Planet Earth episodes onto your Zune and
play them on your high-def television (if, that is, you purchase the docking
station. A sad tack-on that will no doubt hinder the products marketability
when commercials have to append the ‘HD video sold seperately’ disclaimer at
the end).

The second component of the Zune HD is the
HD radio functionality. This upgraded brand of radio enables broadcasters to
send out additional information, including artist and track info, along with a
much needed boost in sound quality. Whether you are aware or not, this
technology is already being used by most radio stations across North America. However, the
Zune HD will be the first portable music player to support HD radio.

Another area that has been greatly
overhauled is the internet integration. The Zune HD will sport a specialized
version of Internet Explorer that supports multi-touch browsing.

What we don’t know: Microsoft has been mum
on the exact release date, citing the window to be “early fall.” They’ve also
remained silent on the pricing front, though one should expect it to be
competitively priced with the iPod Touch. And finally, no storage capacity
information has been released to date.

One of the big questions leading up to the
Zune HD’s release will be whether this is enough to start tipping the scales in
Microsoft’s favour. A cursory glance of the highlighted features suggest that Redmond is still
interested in catching up than taking the lead on new features and technology.
What do you think? Sound off in the comments below.

Source

Looking like Data’s headset from StarTrek, these shades do more than shield your eyes form the sun. They are in fact are personal television screens, for your eyes only. Plug them into your iPod or media player like headphones and you’re free to watch your favorite movies, shows, or games anywhere you go. The original Myvu Solo Plus boasts a 320 x 240 resolution, which allows you to keep your peripheral vision intact, as well as 4 hours of battery viewing life and headphones that include noise reduction technology.

As of yet Myvu has three models of viewer, the original, the Shades, which can last up to 10 hours, and the Crystal, which give the largest field of vision at 640 x 480. Imagine sitting on an airplane or waiting at a station, and being able to watch your favorite shows is an interesting concept, and one a the heart of innovations lie the iPod Video, but what the Myvu does is both intriguing, and a little far-fetched. You are given your own personal theatre, but in everyday life when is this innovation viable? Besides the constant traveler who doesn’t want to interrupt the person next to them, the idea of completely covering your vision while out in public is a bit frightening, and while the original model does allow you to keep peripheral vision, the idea is still a bit unnerving. 

Which is perhaps why with all the sci-fi talk of virtual reality displays, they never really caught on. Myvu has attempted to bring our sci-fi dreams into reality, but perhaps that is never where they were meant to go. It would be interesting to see these headsets catch on, but in my mind there is a slim chance. Still, they are nice to think about as an idea. 

In the following chart comScore has ranked
the top 25 applications (available through the App Store) in terms of ‘Penetration of
Installs.’ Pene-what? Despite the odd moniker, the percentage simply represents
the portion of iTunes’ users that have download that particular app.

Recent estimates put the iPhone/Touch user
base in North America at 15 million, a number adroitly determined by estimating that of the 30
million units sold, 75 percent were sold in the United States and an estimated two-thirds of those users utilize mobile web or
applications (see here for the full analysis). This means that an app like Tap
Tap Revenge has reached nearly 4.8 million iPhones. A pretty sizable fanbase
and certainly a selling point for the digital digit-workout app. However, these
numbers also tell us that 3 million people have installed Bubblewrap, the game
where you pop bubblewrap…

Other notables include Virtual Zippo
Lighter, Flashlight, and Lightsaber Unleashed.

Comparing this with the App Store’s Top
Apps none of those listed in the comScore top 25 are contained within the top
paid or free apps. But this is almost like leaving out a giant bowl of assorted
candy and ranking who takes what kind; bottom line, it’s all free. So the free rockets get taken first and the milk duds are left behind, how does this benefit the developers?

Cue the advertisers.

Essentially comScore’s ‘penetration
statistic’ tells companies which apps the average user is installing, providing them with data that they can then use to entice advertizers. However, their sales pitch is based on the
hope that said apps are actually being engaged with on a regular basis (I can’t
really imagine Virtual Zippo Lighter is in the daily rotation for the majority
of the near 3 million people that have it installed). The difficulty Apple
faces, and by extension the developers, is how best to monetize this app
frenzy. Unfortunately for advertisers the most popular apps appear to be those
of the one-night-stand variety. And yet Tap Tap Revenge has to be a glimmer of hope with its large user base constantly ingesting adverts, as well as the growing success of the paid-versions of the app.

At the very least these numbers reveal the
kinds of applications users are gravitating towards: games, social networking,
and entertainment. Ah, the future…

Source

The Pogoplug is a streamlined method of
connecting a USB drive to the web for quick and easy file sharing. The smallish
white cube sports a USB port, an Ethernet port, and a power connection. Patch
in an ethernet cable and then jack-in your USB drive of choice for online
dissemination. Or interface it with a USB hub and connect multiple USB drives
for even more file-sharing fun. The Pogoplug supports drives formatted in NTFS,
FAT32, HFS+, and EXT-2/EXT-3.

Seems rather straight-forward, right? Well
manufacturers of so-called ‘straight forward’ products at times have a penchant
for muddling simple designs with complex interfaces and convoluted processes.
Thankfully, that’s not the case with the Pogoplug. In fact, this little cube is
the definition of streamlined. After making the aforementioned 3 cord
connection you simply logon to Pogoplug.com where you can upload/download and
view files. If you happen to be on the same local network the Pogoplug will deftly use
the more expedient means of file transfer, sending it over Ethernet rather than
routing it through the long way.

What’s more it’s all hip and cool because
it has an iPhone app! The free application allows users to stream music, files,
and PDFs over both Wi-Fi and 3G services. The service even manages to play-back tunes seamlessly; so if you find your iPhone over landen with artists A thorugh W, just load X, Y, and Z onto your jump drive and you’ll be jamming with Xavier Rudd in no time. You can even download files from the
device for storage on your iPhone.

Another more useful (though less cool) application
is that users can provide friends with custom access to the device by assigning their
email address as a unique login to the service. This would eliminate the arduous process of uploading files to file-sharing websites (many of which
enforce size and transfer limits), effectively 
making our lives easier to live.

The price isn’t exactly negligible as the
Pogoplug will run you about $100. But there are no service fees and considering the quality of the streaming this may very well offset the price tag.

For those looking for a painless, streamlined way to send files over
the ‘net the Pogoplug will be well worth every cent.

Source

Which is why we in the end are forced to rely on outside services for our gadget-recycling needs, but in case you’re really wondering “why should I recycle it, I’ve got a perfectly good garbage bin right here,” hold up and think. While gadgets are relatively self-contained little devices, they can, and oft times do, use potentially harmful chemical and non-chemical components that, when discarded in say a landfill, can leak into the surrounding environment and do quite a bit of damage.

In addition, when recycling gadgets many expensive parts and minerals can be re-collected and reused, cutting down on production costs and material use  and in the long run not only helping the environment, but saving you money. 

But every company- and every gadget- is different. Some major companies like Apple and Dell have programs for re-collecting old computers, while for smaller gadgets the best way to recycle is to look for community electronics and equipment disposals. Apple has even begun reusing old components in their newest line of “green” MacBooks. Many times local dumps even have specials days for disposing of your old gadgets. But one good guide to recycling comes from Wired.com, with a list of how and where to get rid of certain gadgets and how. 

So do a little eco-thinking next time you have an old phone or MP3 player- or any old gizmo- to get rid of. The environment will thank you.