Best New Technology

There is no need to talk about the significant role of cell phones in our life. The fact that they turned into something really necessary and important explains why almost everybody has a cell phone. Thus, people started paying more attention not just to the functionality of these devices, but to the way they look as well. As a consequence we got a great variety of them pretty looking phones.

Recently Swedish company Goldwish designed Le Million cell phone that is considered to be the most expensive in the world. It’s made of red, yellow and white gold and encrusted with diamonds of 120 carats. Moreover its backboard is covered with crocodile leather. As regards the price of this gadget it almost corresponds to the name that was given to this device, yet it’s a little bit bigger - 1,43 million dollars.

There is no information about the characteristics of this cell phone and probably this is quite an understandable fact, because they are of no importance. The edition of this gadget is very limited - just three Le Millions will be sold in the world. So everything shows that the uniqueness of the gadget is the only feature, with help of which designers intend to attract people’s attention, especially of reach ones.

As far as we - mere mortals - are concerned I don’t think that someone will really dream about this cell phone. Of course it looks great, but it’s too expensive. Such kind of things should be kept shut up in a safe and not put into the pocket.

Posted Jan 30th 2008 3:32PM by Donald Melanson
Filed under: Tablet PCs

General Dynamics Itronix sure took their time producing a follow-up to its original Duo-Touch tablet PC, but it has finally come though, with its new Duo-Touch II offering a fairly sizable leap after that nearly three year dry spell. It’s still far from a powerhouse, however, with it boasting a 1.2 GHz Core Duo U2500 processor and a max 2GB of RAM, although that’s somewhat made up for by its extensive connectivity options, including 3G support and GPS in addition to the usual WiFi and Bluetooth. Most importantly, the die-case magnesium unit should also be more than rugged enough for all but the most demanding users, with it meeting or exceeding MIL-STD 810F durability standards and thoroughly sealed to keep water and dust out. Just be prepared to shell out for all that durability, with the tablet set to demand a full $3,595 when it becomes available in March.

As the latest airline to begin offering free in-flight Wi-Fi, Continental has announced their plans to allow passengers to have limited wireless access. The service will be similar to the Jet Blue service and allow passengers to use e-mail or instant messaging. Sadly web browsing and even downloading attachments will not be allowed.

A bit of good news does come with the Continental announcement, after you get board checking your email you will be able to amuse yourself by watching TV. The LiveTV service will offer 36 channels through DirecTV, first class passengers will be able to view for free while the economy-class passengers will have to pay $6.

In-flight Wi-Fi seems to be nearing a necessity as we have seen recent announcements coming from other airlines such as Southwest and Jet Blue. Lets just hope these limited services take note and begin to offer a full experience similar to Virgin and American Airlines.

Via [TechCrunch] Via [CrunchGear]

I just received a press release, announcing that there was going to be a new videogame based on the “SAW” series coming out in 2009. Typically, I’d just avoid the whole matter altogether, given that I have never seen any of the “SAW” movies, generally dislike licensed videogames, and can barely keep track of what’s going on tomorrow, let alone something more than a year and a half away.

The violent language is no surprise, considering how terrifying and torture-filled the movies apparently are. Still, I was drawn in, and I thought I’d share it:

Oh yes…There will be blood.

Hello. I want to tell you about a game. A new SAW videogame from Brash Entertainment. Are you interested? I thought so.

Set to release in October 2009, in conjunction with the next installment of the film series, SAW the videogame will give fans of Jigsaw and these films a reason to live. Collaborating closely with Lions Gate and Twisted pictures, the game will have its own unique storyline, while answering questions left unanswered by the SAW films. In an effort to stay true to the movies, Brash is working closely with creators of the SAW franchise, Leigh Whannell and James Wan, ensuring the game pulls no punches, and delivers the horrifying suspense and disbelief that has floored fans worldwide. The SAW game is currently in development for next-gen platforms and will be built using the Unreal 3 game engine.

The SAW franchise, which has emerged as one of the most inventive and popular franchises in the horror genre, has grossed out audiences around the globe and grossed more than $500M worldwide, including selling over 15 million DVD’s.

This is your wake up call. There are rules….you have two hours to post this news. Let the game begin.

I like that the game is being developed in the Unreal Engine, but I want to get a look at something more than a flash website before I really get excited over it. Also, I said earlier, there are a lot of reasons to be wary of such a title. And I wonder if a “SAW”-based movie would get the kind of hate that Manhunt 2 got.

A lot of gaming enthusiasts would point to a movie like “SAW” when they talk about pushing boundaries in terms of violence, and the double standard between how society blasts videogames and allows even gorier movies. It looks like October 2009 will be the time to see what the ESRB does with what promises to be an extraordinary blood-soaked affair.

For more, please see the SAW videogame website.

Posted Jan 30th 2008 9:25AM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: Digital Cameras, HDTV

The kind, loving folks over at Sony claim that they’re about to explode the video conferencing market wide open — HD style — and we’ve got front row seats to the festivities. According to the electronics-maker, the PCS-XG80 is the industry’s first 1080i, HD conferencing solution, and will provide dual streaming, 30 FPS performance over IP or ISDN connections. The system is backwards-compatible with its older SD setups, and we assume it plays nice with the behemoth’s earlier HD effort, the PCS-HG90 — though you might want to double check on that before dropping the $8,999 that the company is asking for the system. Finally, you can really see just how ugly the home office is.

Posted Jan 30th 2008 9:03AM by Thomas Ricker
Filed under: Digital Cameras, Wireless, Storage

It may be a low-end DSLR contender, but Nikon’s D60 can still surprise. Seems Nikon and Eye-Fi are in cahoots as the D60 was just announced as the first shooter crowned “Eye-Fi Connected.” The D60 recognizes the Eye-Fi wireless 2GB SD card when inserted then automatically adjusts its “power timer settings” so that picture transfers aren’t interrupted. Kind of important when uploading hundreds dozens of 10.2 megapixel photos over WiFi. In return for the powerful industry nod, Eye-Fi will offer on-line integration with Nikon’s “my Picturetown” this Spring. We’ll be sure to go hands-on with the combo at PMA just as soon as we get the chance.

It seems that even Everex cannot keep up with the release date for the Cloudbook. They officially announce it, set a release date, cancel that release date, give a new release date and now seemingly have lost all track.

The Cloudbook was scheduled for a release on January 25, then after the initial delay Everex had moved the date to a reasonable February 15. A quick check of the site this morning first mentioned February 25, which made us think the delay was pushed back again. However its now showing January 25 again and we all know that is not accurate.

Come on Everex, lets get this release date set, you have people waiting to shell out their hard earned money.

Read [Everex]

Posted Jan 30th 2008 7:06AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Oh sure, one could argue (quite successfully, we might add) that Nyko’s Wireless Nunchuck was quite the blessing for those sick and tired of the factory tether, but what about all us chaps and dames who already purchased Nintendo’s version of the Nunchuck? Fret not, Wii faithful, as Nyko is coming to your rescue once more. The aptly-titled Cord-Free Adapter for Wii Nunchuck enables current wired Nunchuck owners to simply holster their peripherals, wind up the cord and enjoy all sorts of wireless freedom. Granted, we still feel that this February-bound accessory is priced a touch high at $19.99, but hey, it’s cheaper than buying an all new third-party ‘chuck, eh?

If you are the type who plans to take your gaming on the road, then Dell will have yet another option for you soon - its line of XPS M1730 gaming notebooks will soon ship with an option for NVIDIA’s 8800M GTX dual SLI graphics for the power gamer. The XPS M1730 will still retain its 17″ display, Core 2 Duo processors and dual drive configurations, although if you plan to run an SLI setup you’d best be near a power outlet at all times. Dell will also make this option available on its custom-themed World of Warcraft Edition. Prices start from $700 for this new notebook, and Dell has not forgotten about its older customers who can opt for the graphics upgrade program. Pricing details for the latter has yet to be announced.

[PMA 2008] Panasonic has just announced its Lumix DMC-FX35 digital camera that comes with Panasonic’s inaugural 25mm ultra-wide-lens. The inclusion of such a lens shows Panasonic’s commitment to create a camera that captures “remarkable and unprecedented width and depth” in a slim form factor that is tiny enough to carry in a pocket or small purse. Among the features that can be found on the DMC-FX35 include :-

• 10.1 megapixel count
• 4x optical zoom
• LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens
• 2.5″ LCD display with automatic brightness control
• Venus Engine IV image processor
• MEGA O.I.S.
• Intelligent ISO
• Intelligent Scene Selector
• Face Detection
• Digital Red-eye Correction
• Quick AF

The DMC-FX35 will hit retail stores this March in silver, black and blue colors for $349.95.