Voodoo’s new Envy 133 will be the thinnest laptop on the market at 0.7". It matches Intel’s most holy Metro concept laptop, and with good reason: Says Voodoo, the Envy 133 was "developed using the smallest available Intel Centrino technology and elements from an innovative Intel reference design." This means that, when it goes on sale, the Envy will bump the MacBook Air—at 0.76" thick in the middle—off the throne. Before you jump to the comment box, YES, there HAVE been even thinner notebooks, though none with this little compromise in power.
]]>Toshiba’s Japan-only new Dynabook SS RX1 is the first ever notebook to offer a 128GB solid-state drive (SSD), matching the storage capacity of conventional hard-disk drives with the speeds associated with flash drives. The model will be available about nine months after Toshiba also unveiled the first laptop with a 64GB SSD drive. In North America, the RX1’s equivalent is the Portégé R500, already a holder of many “world’s first” accolades.
The newest RX1 sports Intel’s Core 2 Duo 1.20GHz CPU and 2GB of RAM, Intel’s 945GMS Express chipset with integrated video as well as a DVD optical drive. The operating system is Windows Vista Business Edition. It also features KDDI’s CDMA 1X WIN high-speed 3G service capable of up to 2.4Mbps that carries a monthly subscription rate of about $60. The RX1 and R500 have a 12.1-inch WXGA widescreen LCD. Bluetooth 2.0 support is built-in.
The RX1 with the 128GB SSD drive should be available in Japan in mid-April, with other models launching later this month. No official pricing has been announced, but the 128GB SSD-equipped version is expected to cost 400,000 yen, or close to $4,000. A version with an 80GB HDD is 290,000 yen or $2,900. In the U.S., the R500 with the 64GB SSD starts at $2,700. SSDs fetch a premium as they are more shock-resistant, energy-efficient and quieter than traditional HDDs. Toshiba has not yet announced a similar option for its North American R500.
The 11Z and 121 both use 160GB hard drives for storage. Their other specs match those of the SSD models.
Their prices won’t be comparable, of course, though we can’t say for sure because Toshiba has yet to say what it’s going to charge for the new models. The current R500-10U has a 64GB SSD and a 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo U7600 processor and retails for around £1750.
Kingston Technology today unveiled the DataTraveler BlackBox USB flash drive, a Federal Information Processing Standard-validated USB flash drive in 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB sizes. The BlackBox carries FIPS 140-2 certified encryption, which requires the device to pass a Power On Self Test which verifies the encryption architecture is functioning. The DataTraveler BlackBox USB flash drives are currently shipping, starting at $165 and ranging to $425.
Gaining FIPS 140-2 certification requires a validation process that meets federal requirements set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Communications Security Establishment of the Government of Canada. This is critical because many governmental agencies in the United States and Canada mandate that sensitive “data at rest” (i.e., all information not in the network) must be encrypted with the FIPS 140-2 standard.
The FIPS Level 2 standard requires the DT BlackBox to run a power-on self test which verifies that the encryption architecture is functioning each time it is plugged into a USB port. Beyond the NIST certification, the DataTraveler BlackBox features 256-bit hardware-based AES encryption via a dedicated processor which automatically encrypts and decrypts data on the fly. The drive automatically locks down after ten consecutive failed password attempts, thus helping to prevent unauthorized access if the drive is lost, stolen or misplaced.
Granted, the majority of us won’t carry around information on our USB flash drives that are too incriminating should someone else pick it up due to our forgetfulness, but you can never be too careful, right? After all, with the deluge of passwords and PIN numbers that one has to memorize these days, it can get pretty tough trying to store all that information in our head hence some people use a USB flash drive instead. Kingston’s effort to increase security where USB flash drives are concerned is reflected in its latest release
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Two new portable multimedia projectors to its T-series line-up, the PLC-ET30L and PLC-XT21/L. With 1400×1050-pixel (SXGA+) resolution and 4200 lumens brightness, the ET30L offers consumers a less costly alternative to pricey 1080p projectors. The XT32/L, meantime, is a value-priced 1024×768 (XGA), 4,000 lumens unit that replaces the company’s volume XT20. Both are meant for use in classroom, boardroom or other areas where significant ambient light might be necessary.
If you want to take the home theater out of the darkened theater room into a large open space, either of these models has the power to do it. If you have a big back yard and a knack for careful installation, they would be perfect for setting up an outdoor theater; though at 300″ you might want to be a little careful what you watch. While there are no HDMI ports, both models offer D-Sub 15 and DVI-D as well as Composite and S-Video.
Both projectors feature a whisper quiet fan that produces just 35 dBA of noise, and something called the One-Way Flow System which uses a single intake and exhaust vent with easily accessible dust filters. They also come with SANYO’s PJ Network Interface which allows you to monitor the projector and adjust any settings from a web browser. While it requires you to buy the optional POA-PN03C networking module for this functionality, it’s a great solution if the projector ends up mounted on a high ceiling. With a lens the PLC-ET30L will set you back $6,495 while the PLC-XT21/L is a bit cheaper at $4,495
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Along with the announcement today of the two new notebook lines form Toshiba it also announced two new models to go along with the X205 gaming notebook line. The two new models are the Satellite X205-SLi5 and Satellite X205-SLi6.
The new models add dual graphics and Intel 45nm CPUs to the line. The systems also feature HDMI out for connecting to an HDTV and digital out for surround sound. The X205-SLi5 runs on an Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 at 2.4GHz. The system has 3072 MB of RAM and a pair of 160GB 7200 RPM HDDs. Graphics for the system are via dual NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512MB GDDR3. The system retails for $1999.99.
The X205-SLi6 retails for $2499.99 and runs on a Core 2 Duo T9300 running at 2.5 GHz and 3072MB of DDR2 RAM. The machine features a pair of 200GB HDD and a 17-inch LCD. Graphics are via dual 8600M GT with 512MB GDDR3.
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Granted, we’ve cast our glances upon DVI Extenders before, but IOGEAR’s latest comes in just south of the magical $500 price point and is apt to warm the hearts of digital signage professionals everywhere. The simply titled DVI Video / Audio Extender Kit consists of a pair of DVI units, a local transmitter and a remote receiver, which owners connect with a CAT5e / 6 Ethernet cable. You’ll also find an analog 3.5-millimeter jack for hooking up stereo speakers, and the three-year warranty should help you rest easy all the while. Available as we speak for $499.95.
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Introducing Video Recording for a new age! Blackmagic Video Recorder captures to H.264 files for iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, YouTube, IPTV or full resolution archiving from only US$119
Blackmagic Design Inc. today announced the new Blackmagic Video Recorder, a compact USB video capture product that captures files direct to H.264 files for iPod™, iPhone™, Apple TV™, YouTube™, IPTV, Web or full resolution archiving.
Blackmagic Video Recorder has high quality analog component, NTSC, PAL and S-Video input, and allows capture from any analog source, such as VHS, Video-8, DVD, Set top boxes etc. Blackmagic Video Recorder SDI features standard definition SDI input and RS-422 deck control for connection to any broadcast deck.
Broadcast Videohub Key Features
Capture direct to H.264 files for mobile devices such as iPod, iPhone, Apple TV. No video conversion rendering required because these devices play back native H.264 video.
Two low cost models, one analog, and one SDI.
Includes easy to use Video Recorder software for capturing video.
Compact size, USB powered “thumb drive” size.
The HKC W1000 was designed to take advantage of dual-SIM and dual-network technology, able to work under the heavy load of two SIM cards inserted in it and gathers signal from both networks at the same time. It has a stock market hotkey, enabling users to check on stock market info and make inquiries on the fly, with other features that are fully customizable.
As a pocket PC, the HKC W1000 should be able to prove quite useful. Packing a 200MHz Qualcomm CPU, 256MB ROM + 64MB RAM, support for Micro SD cards, USB connectivity, and the usual built-in office applications (Word, Excel and Powerpoint). It’s going to run on Windows Mobile 6 for Pocket PC, has a believable 120 hour standby time, a 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen and, regular PIM functions.
HKC was also kind enough to include leisurely features like a 2-megapixel camera, MP3 player, and Bluetooth A2DP for wireless headphones. It might not have a built-in flash, but the Apple iPhone doesn’t neither. A 3.5mm headphone jack? It has a data line earphone port, Jack.
And as earlier mentioned, since the world’s first dual-SIM PPC turned out to be so good that they had to make two, there is also another version, called the HKC G1000.
The HKC G1000 is presumably the English version, and the spec sheet lists much of the same features as the W1000. 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth A2DP, built-in office and PIM functions, no Wi-Fi or GPS, etc.
It still works the same kind of dual-SIM, dual-network magic as the first one, though. And you can see it in action with the video below. Here, the HKC G1000 is shown on video, demonstrating how it can have two SIM cards active at the same time during standby. You even have the option of turning off any of the two SIM cards with a stroke of the stylus. It’s not exactly genius, but I think it’s way more convenient than what’s currently available in the market.
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This is an excellent example of semi-conductor integration: components are getting so small that a standard USB-key form factor can now house 4GB of flash memory and a TV Tuner. Buffalo says that the key can store 4GB of video, and that probably means “low quality” video, but heck, it is still a cool gadget. ]]>
Nikon has added its first superzoom compact to its Coolpix range, the P80.
The compact sees a 10.1MP paired with a 27-486mm lens, while a 2.7in LCD screen sits at the rear. Nikon’s sensor-based Vibration Reduction accompanies an ISO range stretching to ISO 6400, while the Expeed processing concept seen in previous models also features.
Manual control is offered, and is joined by 15 scene modes. An ‘Optimise Image’ function, meanwhile, allows a choice of four black and white filters to be applied to photographs post-capture, while saving the original colour image.
Nikon COOLPIX P80 Other Features
• Three Unique Nikon Image Innovations - Improved Face-priority AF, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, D-Lighting
• 15 handy scene modes for optimized shooting in various settings
• Optimize image (including monochrome filter effect)
• Distortion control corrects for barrel distortion
• Macro shooting from as close as 1 cm (0.4 in.)
• Five movie modes with sound, plus time-lapse movie mode
• Time zone function for easy setting of multiple locations
• SDHC card compatibility
• Approx. 50 MB of internal memory
• USB connectivity