Technience

Philips Android GoGear Avaliable Now

Daniel Georges — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:20:00 +0000

If you already have a phone you love, but are like me and want to play with Android, there aren’t too many options (especially if you want MarketPlace). Philips have now released what seems to be the first official Android 2.1 PMP which will support Android’s MarketPlace.
The handsome device features a 3.2-inch screen, 16GB of internal storage space (8GB available soon as well), a battery good for 5 hours of video playback (and 25 hours of audio), FM radio tuner, microSD expansion slot, camera of some sort and GPS. Unusually there is no word of WiFi or Bluetooth, which might make it awkward adding applications to the device.
While Android’s weakest point is the media playback software, it is nice to see Philip’s moving way from propriety crap and offer something a little different. I hope that for $340 there is a nice processor and a misprint on the lack of WiFi.

Via [Engadget]

Sony Busting Out Refreshed EReaders

Daniel Georges — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 02:58:48 +0000

After the news of the Kindle refresh it is a surprise that Sony didn’t spill the beans on their new devices earlier. The upcoming PRS-350 and PRS-650, will replace the old 5-inch and 6-inch. They don’t change the device to much, but they will feature a higher contrast and faster screen. They will also have a bump in storage (2GB up from 512MB) while still featuring the same array of colours.
No pictures of the new devices have been released as yet, and there is no release pricing, but expect them to be on the more budget side. I guess all Sony have done is taken the same screen stock that Amazon get for the Kindle and gave their own devices a slight performance bump. Please give me a PixelQi screen soon!

Via [Sony Insider]

Wildly Cheap Archos 32 Has Wildy Powerful Cortex A8

Daniel Georges — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:21:21 +0000

Anyone who knows the potential of the TI OMAP processors will know they are always to be taken seriously. The last gen OMAP’s found in devices such as the Nokia N900 have been wildly overclocked and have been shown to out perform even the current generation Snapdragon’s. It is good news that Archos have possibility decided to use them in their next move in the crowded Android market space.
The Archos 32, will be a 3.2-inch WiFi only iPod Touch (or Sony Walkman X series, or Microsoft Zune…) competitor except there is a good possibility the device will retail for under $150USD. The most important part of the device is the heart of it, featuring the brand spanking new OMAP3630 45nm ARM Cortex A8 processor. What it means is you can expect advanced OpenGL 3D acceleration, improved video decoding and encoding features which will make the alternatives look underwhelming.
There is no release date as yet, but the good news is that their may be an array of similar devices ranging from 2.8-inches all the way up to 10-inches. If the build quality is up to par and they keep keep the prices reasonable, Archos will have a winner on their hands for sure.

Via [Arm Devices]

Enzyme Turns Emissions Into Fuel

Daniel Georges — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:17:25 +0000

It is a well known fact that plants can turn that awful planet destroying carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide into much more useful things. It is a shame that even the greatest bonsai masters haven’t managed to find a way of growing small plants in our exhausts.
Silliness aside, scientists have found an enzyme found in the roots of many plants, like soy beans for example, can actually take the carbon around it and string them together into very basic molecules (propane in this case). This could mean that in a few years your car will use its own emissions, plus emissions around it to make more fuel.
While the enzyme, named Azotobacter vinelandii, does sound like a miracle cure for most of the words oil problems, scientist’s believe it is still may years of any practical use. Mix this with some of that EcoMotors tech, and we might be getting a hell of a lot of miles per gallon.

Via [EcoGeek]

HP Envy 14 Get Engadgets Thumbs Up

Daniel Georges — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:18:28 +0000

The HP Envy 14 has always intrigued me. On paper it is so incredibly great it makes me wonder how the hell HP came up with it instead of someone like Sony or Asus. Engadget have had a chance to run it through the paces and have found some interesting facts.
The Envy 14 is a definitely evolution of the old 15, coming in at almost the same size and only shaving a little bit of weight off. Otherwise it fixes the majority of issues, and has even got one of the best keyboards around according to Engadget. If you are interested in the notebook, I would definitely jump over for a very positive review.

Full review on Engadget.

Torchlight 2 Gets Lit

Daniel Georges — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:56:23 +0000

I was an immediate fan of the original Torchlight, with its Diablo style action and quirky graphics. It would run great on any system under 3 years old, and still managed to look good. Its only downfall was the lack of Co-op, which would have made it the best game ever made (slight exaggeration).
That is going to change with Torchlight 2. Coming with more surface gaming, instead of just the deep and ominous caverns from the past. Additionally they have said it will have “weather, time of day cycles, and random events” making the surface levels even more dynamic.
Pinned to be a downloadable title by Spring 2011, Runic must be working feverishly, especially considering they are also planning on making Torchlight the MMO. If they keep the price down and add interest multi-player options, this will surely be a well deserved update to an already fun game.

Via [ShackNews]

RIM Lights Torch To Brighten Bland Blackberry

Daniel Georges — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 03:03:24 +0000

RIM have today announced their latest and greatest Blackberry, the 9800 AKA Torch. The device looks similar to the Palm Pre, but seems to feature a better build quality and keyboard (from early reports). The biggest change coming is the introduction of OS6, which will feature a better looking UI as well as a web browser that actually works.
Tech sites are on both sides of the fence, with BGR predicting underwhelming failure and Laptop Mag believe it is a worthy evolution but only for current Blackberry owners. I believe the new Torch will be impressive, with some hardware specs like camera and screen size getting a boost over the other keyboard focused Blackberry’s. I also like the idea of an OS that feels newer with a better web browser. In the end though, at least until a few final hardware reviews come out, I believe it’s an underwhelming release from RIM and with it priced along side other premium handsets it is going to be a hard sell.
If you are a fan of the new design you will should be able to get your hands on one on the 12 of August for $199USD 24 month contract.

For more info, click over to Engadget.

StarCraft 2 Sells 1.5mil In Early Days

Daniel Georges — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 02:43:14 +0000

Blizzard, also known as the company that prints money, have struck gold again with StarCraft 2. 48 hours is all it has taken for Blizzard to move a hefty 1.5million copies. If they can keep up the rate of sale then hitting StarCraft’s 11 million sales will be easy.
While Blizzard might have sold a lot, the game did cost a lot to make and the developers put a ton of effort into the game. I haven’t brought a copy yet, but as soon as that baby goes on special I will be first in line.

Via [Digital Trends]

FaceTime Eats Data Allowance

Daniel Georges — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 02:35:20 +0000

Someone has done the unspeakable and used a jailbroken iPhone 4 to use FaceTime over 3G (instead of WiFi). If you were wondering why Apple haven’t allowed it as yet, you can stop. They found it used around 3MB’s a minute, or in other words would use you entire 200mb allowance in around an hour. As you could imagine, it could become an expensive novelty quickly.

Jump over to Gizmodo for more info.

Like The Phoenix, OQO Model 03 Lives Again

Daniel Georges — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 01:44:49 +0000

OQO didn’t create the first MID device, but they sure did make the most powerful and expensive devices (up there with the Sony UX series). Unfortunately, OQO died on the verge of releasing a breathtaking device designed with the budget conscious in mind. It seems that it might live on after all, but at a ridiculously high price.
For around $4700USD you get a 4.8 inch multi-touch screen, powered by an Intel Atom Z550 (2ghz), 128GB SSD, 2GB of RAM and all the wireless options you could desire. It will also continue the OQO tradition of a slide out keyboard with integrated mouse.
While it is priced right out of the market, it is good to see OQO trying to break into a market that seems to only be interested in tablets.

Via [UMPC Portal]