Best New Technology

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 2:26PM

Honda’s been busy showing off its Walking Assist Device at trade shows and whatnot for some time now, but it looks like it’s now finally getting down to some actual trials of the contraption, with it set to begin some collaborative testing with the Shinseikai Medical Group at Kasumigaseki-Minami Hospital tomorrow. They will reportedly be using the device in rehabiliation training to help people learn to walk again, during which time the “compatibility and effectiveness” will be evaluated. In case you missed it, the Walking Assist Device uses some of the same technology that Honda originally developed for its ASIMO robot, including an array of sensors and motors that promise to keep the wearer upright and, eventually, give them a fighting chance against the machines.

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Filed under: Wearables

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 10:04AM

Ever since Motorola was tossing the Tetra name around in 2005, the brand has catered to those operating in less-than-beautiful conditions. The T-Pad smartphone is no exception to the rule, boasting a shock-proof (MIL-STD-810F) casing, IP65 waterproof rating and a keypad that resists dust, debris and any other manner of matter. Specs wise, you’ll find a 640 x 480 resolution display, Intel’s Xscale 400MHz CPU, Windows CE.Net 4.2, Bluetooth, 64MB of SDRAM, USB connectivity and optional WiFi / GPS. Unfortunately, this little bugger is reportedly stickered at £1,300 ($2,592), so unless your employer is picking up the tab for you to have a mobile while wrestling polar bears at the North Pole, we’d probably recommend a cheaper alternative.

[Via CNET, thanks Yogesh]

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Filed under: cellphones, Handhelds

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 5:54PM

Although Linux-based Tomato and DD-WRT firmwares work with a plethora of routers, Netgear is getting savvy with its marketing by actually aiming its WGR614L at tweakers who just melt upon hearing either term. The so-called open source Wireless-G router features a 240MHz MIPS32 CPU, 4MB of flash memory, 16MB of RAM, an external 2 dBi antenna and a second internal diversity antenna to enhance range. Additionally, the unit will “soon” support OpenWRT, and there’s also four 10/100 Ethernet ports in case you’re looking for a bit of wired action as well. Potentially best of all, the WGR614L is available as we speak for a very manageable $69.

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Filed under: Networking

Solar lights on occasion have a bit of a tendency to be dull.  The stakes you put in the ground to line your garden with are usually featured in every other yard around.  However, there are the ones that stand out from the rest, like these cute little lamps.  The silk-like waterproof nylon will stand up to storms a bit better than the pretty lanterns that are a similar style but made for indoors.

The lights are pretty straight forward like all solar lamps they charge with the sun, but they don’t come on automatically, they have a switch to turn them on and off.  They come with a AAA rechargeable battery, which I didn’t know was allowed.  I figured it was a rule that manufacturers were banned from including batteries.  The lamp comes in bronze and slate, to buy one it will cost you $36 and for a pack of three $99.  Each lamp is 18” tall, so it’s not like you’re getting three very small lanterns for almost $100.  The unfortunate side is that you can only buy a pack of three in bronze or slate, you can’t get one that has both colors.  So if you want to mix and match you’ll have to pay the individual price.

Source: thegreenhead

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by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 3:12AM

In case you missed it over the weekend, that’s Creative’s new ZEN X-Fi player with WiFi, instant messaging client, and built-in media streaming. Or so says EpiZENter. Why limit the device to just these capabilities? We’re not sure, though we don’t have all the details yet. Besides the built-in speaker, SD slot, FM tuner and voice recorder features we’re now hearing that the player pictured will include “premium quality headphones” in the box and a battery rated for 36 hours of audio and 5 hours of video — although it’s unclear if that’s with WiFi on or off (likely off). It’ll also support MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, and Audible audio as well as WMV, MPEG4-SP, DivX 4/5, Xvid, and MJPEG video formats. Otherwise, it’s presumed to be sporting a 2.5-inch display like its existing Zens in 8, 16, and 32GB capacities whenever it might feel fit to pop for retail. Ok Creative, you’ve got our attention again; not so much for this device as to the mystery of what the “ZEN X-Fi series” might have to offer. Go ahead, impress us (again)… this might be your last chance.

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Sony’s PS3 has just gotten another firmware update - this time round to 2.40 which will turn PS3 owners ecstatic as they will now be able to enjoy certain aspects of what Xbox 360 owners have long enjoyed. Some of these improvements include support for friends messaging within the game, music changing within the game, a built-in clock (so that you know when to stop and get ready for work), and achievements trophies among others. Well, for those who are just about to get their PS3 and MGS4, make sure you get the latest firmware instaled so that you won’t lose out on the mentioned features. FYI, several games that offer Trophy support are BUZZ!, Quiz TV, LittleBigPlanet. MotorStorm Pacific Rift, NBA 09 - PS3, PAIN, PixelJunk Eden, Resistance 2, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation and Warhawk.

Brando is offering the Sport In-Ear MP3 Player for health buffs, and the only drawback I can see for this device is the lack of waterproof capability. Sure, I don’t think you’d want to end up running while it pours but at the very least it shouldn’t fail under a slight drizzle. Definitely not an mp3 player you would want to share with considering the grime and sweat that has seeped into it over the many times it is listened to. Features include :-

• 1GB of storage space
• Lithium battery
• In-ears earbuds design
• Supports MP3, WMA and WAV file formats
• USB 2.0 connectivity
• 8-hours playback time

It will retail for $22 and comes in blue or red colors.

Lancerlink has just announced a new HD camcorder that is scheduled to become available in July. The DDV-1080HD offers up the ability to record 1080p video at 30 frames-per-second or 720p video at 60 frames-per-second, in .mov format. In addition the DDV-1080HD also has a 5-megapixel camera, 90MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC/MMC card slot for up to an additional 32GB of storage as well as a 3.0-inch LCD, USB 2.0 connectivity and rechargeable battery.

Unfortunately it looks like the DDV-1080HD is headed just for the Japanese market, however once available it will retail for ¥49,800 (around $474 US).

Via [Akihabara News]

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The team behind Opera Mobile has announced that they will have Opera Mobile 9.5 available as a “first beta” on July 15. The beta edition will be available for public download and will be based on the same engine as the desktop version of 9.5. The new version of the browser will offer support for Opera widgets, Javascript, AJAX and Flash (Lite 3.0).

Although Opera Mobile is available for both Windows Mobile and Symbian-based phones, this release announcement only mentions a Windows Mobile release. You can also already find a version of Opera Mobile 9.5 on currently shipping phones such as the HTC Touch Diamond.

Read [Opera Mobile Blog] Via [MobileCrunch]

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by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 8:46AM

Sony hasn’t forgotten about you loyal mylo 2 (er, COM-2 mylo) owners just yet, as a recently rolled out software update provides a nice list of extras for those who care. Revision 1.201, which is only available for the latest of mylos, adds support for video recording, provides a new menu for “easier photo and video uploading,” adds a function for formatting Memory Stick Duo media, adds support for 16GB MD Duo cards and improves Flash playback of YouTube videos. The upgrade also adds support for WMV files and the SHOUTcast widget while improving “system stability.” The download is slightly hefty at just under 60MB, so head on down and get the new stuff headed your way.

[Thanks, shanne]

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Filed under: Handhelds