Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Monday, September 29, 2008

Megapixel race hits the mobile realm

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/405404699/

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

When the megapixel race unofficially started in the point-and-shoot world, it didn't take long before every last camera manufacturer out there was cramming 14-megapixel sensors into any ole pocket cam. Now, it seems the same race is headed to the mobile realm. Of late, we've seen a new batch of 8-megapixel handsets and a 9-megapixel sensor, and a recent interview with LG's sales and marketing director John Barton points to even more of those in the near future. According to him, "the megapixel race that we saw amongst camera makers is now being battled out between mobile manufacturers," hinting that 10+ megapixel phones (not to mention handsets with HD video capability) are closer than we may have imagined. Mmm, the possibilities.

[Via Cell Phone Feeds]

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Press shots of Verizon's BlackBerry Storm surface

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/405899305/

Filed under: Cellphones

So you've already seen what RIM's BlackBerry Storm looks like in Vodafone garb, but if your feeble mind just can't envision what it'd look like with a Verizon logo on there, feast your retinas on this. A few new press shots of the VZW Storm have swooped in, though there's nary a surprise to be found. Still, we know you enjoy gawking, so hit the read link for a few more angles. As for a hard release date? Puhlease.

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Nero LiquidTV / TiVo PC brings TiVo interface to the PC

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/405977326/

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Rejoice, HTPC fans -- that partnership between Nero and TiVo has finally borne fruit in the form of Nero's new LiquidTV / TiVo PC DVR package, which brings the TiVo interface and featureset to Windows. The $199 package comes with a year of TiVo service, a Hauppage USB ATSC tuner, an IR receiver, and a Nero-branded TiVo remote, and does exactly as you'd expect -- it's TiVo on your PC. There are some interesting PC-specific features bolted on the usual kit -- you can navigate using the keyboard and mouse (there are even some nifty contextual menus) and you can export directly to iPod and PSP-compatible .mp4 from within the interface -- but for the most part it's the same TiVo experience you're used to, including streaming shows to and from other TiVos and TiVo PCs. If you're already running an HTPC setup, you can get the TiVo PC software and a year of service for $99, but your Media Center remote might be a little wonky without a remap, and Nero reps didn't make any promises about CableCARD compatibility apart from "it should work if Windows recognizes it." Obviously we'd like to see that firmed up a bit -- and maybe get some tru2way support in the deal -- but it's definitely a start. Should be available now.

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iriver's SPINN up for pre-sale, shipping October 3rd

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/406020585/

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

If you've been seriously jonesing for a viable and attractive alternative to Apple's iPod offerings, you may just be in luck. According to iriver, the geek-lust SPINN PMP will be available -- and shipping -- on October 3rd in both 4GB ($249.99) and 8GB ($289.99) varieties. In case you're unclear on the specs, the unique widescreen device sports a 3.3-inch, 480 x 272 AMOLED display, support for MP3, WMA, OGG, APE, FLAC, AVI, and WMV (amongst other) files, FM tuner, and Bluetooth 2.0. Of course, the devices are destined for XP / Vista setups, and don't feature any of that fancy wireless connectivity users are likely getting used to -- but then again, they certainly don't look like other players on the market.

[Via Pocketables]

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Toshiba's Dynabook NX laptop is sleek, not terribly cheap

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/406100038/

Filed under: Laptops

Hot on the heels of its NB100 netbook, Toshiba is launching another little new laptop -- a 12.1-incher known as the Dynabook NX. The diminutive model comes equipped with a 1280 x 800 display, a 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo CPU, up to 3GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD or 160GB standard hard drive, 802.11b/g/n, and a handful of the expected ports. No solid word on price, though Akihabara News is speculating the HDD version will run you about €1200 (or around $1736), while the SSD model will clock in at a hefty €1930 ($2793). The laptop is due out in late October, so if this sounds like your cup of tea, you might start saving the pennies right now.

[Via Akihabara News]

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