Microsoft multi-touch Sphere surfaces in Redmond
July 28, 2008
Filed under: Displays
There it is, right on cue Microsoft's Surface has gone spherical over at Microsoft Research. Rumored since March, the prototype relies upon an infrared system to detect hands, fingers, and objects as well as an internal (not external like Surface) projection system developed by Global Imagination (and customized by Microsoft) to deliver its multi-touch UI. At the moment, Microsoft is demonstrating photo manipulation, a spinning globe, 360-degree video, and a simple Pong-like game, the latter giving us a taste of future gaming possibilities. Sphere is expected to make its first public appearance Tuesday at Microsoft's Faculty Summit in Redmond. Ultimately, it will appear in public spaces like lobbies as part of a larger ecosystem of Surface gear. The prototype UI looks a bit jumpy compared to its tabletop cousin -- hit the read link to see for yourself.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsDell’s new Inspiron 13 and Inspiron 518 are after your back to school dollar
July 28, 2008
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Continue reading Dell's new Inspiron 13 and Inspiron 518 are after your back to school dollar
Permalink | Email this | CommentsDell’s new Inspiron 13 and Inspiron 518 are after your back to school dollar
July 28, 2008
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Continue reading Dell's new Inspiron 13 and Inspiron 518 are after your back to school dollar
Permalink | Email this | CommentsDell debuts Studio Hybrid line of “petite” desktop PCs
July 28, 2008
Filed under: Desktops

Dell debuts Studio Hybrid line of “petite” desktop PCs
July 28, 2008
Filed under: Desktops

Scent-emitting advertising trial sniffs out suckers in Japan
July 28, 2008
Filed under: Displays, Misc. Gadgets
Apparently July is a hot month for ad trials in Japan, as just weeks after a number of 65-inch digital posters were installed in a Tokyo train station, in flies word that yet another consumer-luring installation is being tested. Recruit and NTT Communications are delivering Scent-emitting LCD Display Systems to an underground mall in the heart of Japan, each of which rely on a 42-inch LCD and a scent-sprayer that emits delightful odors to correspond with the on-screen imagery. The goal is to attract onlookers and get them to grab a nearby coupon book, but considering that the experiment shuts down on August 1st, you should probably get your nose down there in a hurry if you're looking to score some savings.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsMacBook rumors swirling: glass trackpads, custom chipsets, ponies, ice cream
July 28, 2008
Filed under: Laptops
An interesting wave of MacBook rumors hit today, for some reason, following up on these weird case images we saw a while back. First up, Seth Weintraub at Computerworld says the new machines will be manufactured in an all-new process out of one sheet of aluminum and feature glass multi-touch trackpads -- which seems entirely unnecessary, since there's no reason for the trackpads to be clear if there's no screen underneath them. (No, there's not going to be a screen underneath them. Stop it.) Second, AppleInsider says that the inherent suck of Intel's integrated graphics solutions is pushing Apple away from using the Centrino 2 / Montevina platform in the MacBook, and that the company's planning on doing its own custom chipset instead. That'd be a big step for Apple, since it's basically used Intel reference designs ever since it went x86 -- but given how useless Intel's integrated graphics are when really pushed, we can see why Apple's ready to walk away. Of course, this is all nothing more than rumor and speculation, so we wouldn't expect any of this to actually come to pass, but hey, it's fun to dream, right?Read - Computerworld
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Buffalo solders up 32GB and 64GB SSDs for Eee PC
July 28, 2008
Those fine folks at Buffalo are working on 32GB and 64GB PCI-E SSDs for the Eee PC 901 (and others, we're guessing), to be released in September. That's all well and good, but what's even more exciting are the price points: 32GB will be retailing for around 16,800 yen (about $157 US) while the 64GB will go for 33,600 yen ($313 US). Sure, a storage device the same price as your computer is never ideal, but with SSD prices continuing to plummet -- as evidenced by this nearly-wallet-friendly pair -- they should be in striking distance before long.[Via jkkmobile]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Navigon 2150 Max now shipping in the UK
July 28, 2008
Filed under: GPS
Navigon's 2150 Max isn't revolutionary in terms of design nor specifications, but it does feature a rather delicious list of features for just £229.99 ($458). All-too-trusting UK motorists can look forward to a 4.3-inch display, pre-loaded maps of 39 countries, built-in Bluetooth, text-to-speech and support for live traffic information. Oh, and in case our header was unclear, it's shipping this very moment in time.[Via BIOS Magazine]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Navigon 2150 Max now shipping in the UK
July 28, 2008
Filed under: GPS
Navigon's 2150 Max isn't revolutionary in terms of design nor specifications, but it does feature a rather delicious list of features for just £229.99 ($458). All-too-trusting UK motorists can look forward to a 4.3-inch display, pre-loaded maps of 39 countries, built-in Bluetooth, text-to-speech and support for live traffic information. Oh, and in case our header was unclear, it's shipping this very moment in time.[Via BIOS Magazine]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments






