Archive for July, 2009

iriver reportedly working up Android-based K2 media player

July 31st, 2009

Take it for nothing more than it is (a lovely, delicious and completely unsubstantiated rumor), but word on the Australian streets is that iriver may have an Android-based portable media player on the horizon. According to local distributor C.R. Kennedy’s iriver product manager, Danny Bejanoff, the outfit is looking to take on Apple’s iPod touch directly, with a 3.5-inch touchscreen, WiFi, built-in web browser, accelerometer, Bluetooth, a digital TV tuner and Google’s Android OS running the show. Sadly, it seems as if this pipe dream has yet to receive the proper final approvals, but we’re here to beg the brilliant designers at iriver to invest whatever it takes to make this so-called K2 a reality. Oh, and just in case that wasn’t enough for you, Mr. Bejanoff also noted that the firm was working up a new e-reader and internet tablet, both of which should be out for testing in short order.

Captain Obvious reports: AT&T sees surge in WiFi use post-iPhone OS 3.0

July 31st, 2009

You know, there’s something to be said about making something easy: people usually take advantage. So seems to be the case with AT&T’s WiFi connections after the release of iPhone OS 3.0, which finally became useful when users could seamlessly connect to one of the thousands of AT&T hotspots around the nation rather than having to stumble through a painfully long process on iPhone OS 2.x. According to an AT&T spokesperson speaking with AppleInsider, the amount of iPhone users linking up with AT&T’s WiFi network tripled in June, and overall, it saw a 41 percent increase in connections compared to the prior quarter. It comes as no surprise to hear that AT&T is working feverishly to expand said network in order to relieve strain from its house of cards-styled 3G network, and while we’d definitely prefer a bit more reliability with the latter, we’ll happily accept more WiFi in the meanwhile.

Lenovo slips out IdeaPad U450p, won't let you order one

July 31st, 2009

Hey Lenovo, that’s a pretty sweet landing page you’ve got there for this newfangled IdeaPad U450p. In fact, we’re crushing pretty hard on that glossy 14-inch display, ultrathin frame and patterned lid. If you’re really looking for candor, we’d even go so far as to say that the “energy-efficient ULV processor” and “integrated optical drive” have us all sorts of hot and bothered, but the inability to actually see a full build sheet or order a unit for ourselves is simply disheartening. Care to fix that? Thank you so much.

Wearable iRes uCorder keeps the voyeur working hard

July 31st, 2009

Mind you, this ain’t the first wearable camcorder we’ve come across, but it’s definitely amongst the first that isn’t meant to be seen by anyone. iRes Technologies isn’t going so far as to call this a peeping Tom’s dream, but the uCorder definitely fits the bill. Measuring in at just 3.5-inches high, 1-inch wide and 0.5-inches thick, the IRDC150 (1GB of built-in memory) and IRDC250 (2GB) are both designed to sit slyly within the casual shirt pocket, sleeve or fifth pocketâ„¢. Amazingly, the camera can shoot VGA quality clips as well as capture audio in WAV, with the big fellow capable of storing up to seven hours of Erin Andrews, er, undercover drug bust footage. Get your peep on for $80 (1GB) or $100 (2GB).

Eizo 24-inch FlexScan S2433W-H debuts, inspires blank stares

July 31st, 2009

When not thrilling us with their excessively ugly HDTVs, the kids at Eizo usually have a relatively benign monitor or two to send our way. The FlexScan S2433W-H is a 24.1-inch LCD that sports WUXGA resolution (1920×1200), a 16ms response time, a DVI-D (HDCP) port, DisplayPort, and a coverage rate of 96% of Adobe RGB. Look for this guy in Japan on September 1, with the PR listing the price as a cool Â¥94,800 about ($1,000).