Developages - Development and Technology Blog

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio

Griffin may occasionally help out those that like to complicate their lives, but it also thankfully caters to those of us that prefer to keep things simple, and it looks like its new, appropriately-named Simplifi dock should appeal to quite a few in the latter camp. As you can see, it’ll not only accommodate a single iPod or iPhone, but your media cards of choice, and a pair of USB devices (the ports are on the back). It also includes an AC adapter for devices that required a powered USB port, which can be conveniently ditched if its not needed. You will pay a bit of a premium for clearing all that clutter though, as the device sports a somewhat hefty $70 price tag.

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Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: Displays

Researchers at Durham University in the UK are working hard to ensure that the academic sector isn’t left out of the multi-touch craze. The still-unnamed “interactive multi-touch desk” is a major part of the SynergyNet framework, an interactive classroom environment they’re building based on a gaming engine called jMonkey. There’s no word on how soon SynergyNet will change the world, but when it does the software will be open source — allowing anyone to get into the code and tweak it to their likeing. In the meantime, schools looking for a “high tech initiative” of their own will have to be content with throwing laptops at their students. Stunning video demonstration after the break!

[Via The Raw Feed]

Continue reading Classrooms of the future to have multitouch desks, probably a few Terminators

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Original post by Joseph L. Flatley

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Was it really 2006 when Linux lovers were sinking their gums into Neuros Technology’s OSD? Two years later, we’re finally seeing shipment of the OSD 2.0, which diverts quite significantly from the original in terms of design and ups the ante by adding support for encoding high-definition video at 720p in MPEG-4 and D1 resolution in the H.264 format. It’s built around a Texas Instruments Davinci-based CPU module and a mini-ITX motherboard / enclosure, but rather than just being a very hackable consumer product, this one is described as a “super-reference design” by CEO Joe Born. You’ll likely remember the WhereverTV, which is of course based on the OSD 2.0, and the firm has already landed another partner for the box in Hupla. For the individuals who just want an undisturbed unit, you can latch on now for $250.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

While Dell seems to be madly and passionately in love with Linux, rival Lenovo is breaking things off… or at least refusing to take things any further via IM. Reportedly, the computer maker has decided it best to stop offering Linux-based machines via its online sales portal, though open-source fanatics can still snap up Linux-infused rigs through Lenovo’s own or partner direct sales teams. Ray Gorman, a spokesman for the company, noted that its “commitment to Linux has not changed,” and he continued on to say that “what has changed is that customers will no longer be able to order Lenovo ThinkPads and ThinkCentres with pre-installed Linux via the lenovo.com website.” Truthfully, there’s no bitterness with Linux here — online sales figures simply didn’t justify keeping ‘em on there. And you know, money talks.

[Via The Inquirer]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops

We’re almost totally over the whole netbook craze, but Toshiba’s latest prototype shows there’s still interesting things possible, even if it isn’t a traditional laptop. The 5.6-inch touchscreen handheld runs Vista on Intel’s Atom processor with a 64GB SSD and a GPS chip — which like an awfully expensive setup, but Toshiba says they’re aiming for netbook pricing. Of course, that means almost nothing, since netbooks are all over the map — and that probably explains why Tosh says it’s identified “six or seven” segments of the netbook / UMPC market, and that it might not compete directly with Eee-class machines. Sure — but isn’t an expensive handheld touchscreen netbook just a straight UMPC? Nice try, guys.

[Thanks, Pete]

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Kodak’s got a new one for the semi-casual point-and-shoot crowd, the EasyShare Z1015 IS. The 10 megapixel Z-series camera manages a 15x optical zoom, a 3-inch LCD, HD footage at 720p and 30 fps, and Kodak’s Perfect Touch processing. Naturally the IS implies optical image stabilization, but the 6400 ISO should help out in the shaking department as well if grain is not an issue, and full manual controls should help out all the in-betweens. It’ll go for $350 come September.

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Original post by Paul Miller

Filed under: Digital Cameras

FujiFilm just busted out another of “Z” for Zoom, FinePix shooter. The 20-mm thin Z200fd follows-up the “surprisingly good” Z100fd with a 10 megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor; 5x, image stabilized, optical zoom lens; 2.7-inch LCD; SD/SDHC and xD card support; and ISO support up to 1600. It also features a new “love timer” with setting for near (1 heart), close-up (2 hearts), and sloppy-tongue-wrestling (3 hearts) depending upon the level of icky-sticky sweetness (or hipster annoyance judging by that pic) you’d like to capture. Set for release in Japan on June 7th for ¥40,000 or about $388 by the time it shows up Stateside to document your breakup.

[Via Impress]

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Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: Transportation

While most of the Automotive X-Prize entrants are vehicles built from the ground up for maximum gas mileage, Poulsen Hybrid’s entry takes a considerably different tact, with it consisting simply of a kit that can be attached to any old car. That kit consists of two hybrid electric motors with rare earth permanent magnets that (as you can see above) are mounted on the outside of the vehicle, which are tied to a 72V 120Ah Deep Cycle Lead Acid battery pack on the inside. According to Poulsen, once installed, the system effectively turns a front-wheel drive car into an all-wheel drive car, and results in a driving “effect” that is ” equivalent to freewheeling down a 3% grade,” with the accelerator needing to be depressed less or not at all to keep the car moving. Also unlike most other X-Prize competitors, Poulsen intends to make its kit available to the general public in the not to distant future, and for the relatively bargain price of $3,300, no less (add an extra $600 to that if you don’t think you’re up to installing it yourself).

[Via Autoblog Green]

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Original post by Donald Melanson

The price of the UK 8GB iPhone has dropped by £100 to £169.
O2 — the network with the exclusive right to sell it in the UK — and Carphone Warehouse, have announced that this will be until 1 June.

Original post by Simon Perry

The price of the UK 8GB iPhone has dropped by £100 to £169.
O2 — the network with the exclusive right to sell it in the UK — and Carphone Warehouse, have announced that this will be until 1 June.

Original post by Simon Perry

There’s no shock that Ofcom have today detailed new Broadcasting Code rules intended to control the once-bonanza income generating TV programmes using Premium Rate Services (PRS) phone lines.
The new rules make it clear that both radio and TV programmes cannot, as their primary focus, be encouraging viewers to call in using PRS. The focus should […]

Original post by Simon Perry

Filed under: Handhelds

As you’ve probably figured out from all the OLPC XO and Intel Classmate news we’ve hit, computers aimed at students are a pretty hot topic these days. A Chicago-based nonprofit called Innovations for Learning has joined the fray with a new $50 entry dubbed the Teachermate. The small PCs come equipped with a 2.5-inch LCD display, 512MB of RAM, an SD slot, and built-in microphone and speaker. The systems are being rolled out to a whopping 500 Chicago elementary schools over the next two years, with the aim of having a unit in the hands of every child. The kid-friendly computers will come with a special case that allows charging and data-sync of 30 units at a time, allowing teachers to collect score-data quickly. If you absolutely must have one, it looks like they’re going to commercially available on Amazon, so you will be able to add it to your collection.

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Original post by Joshua Topolsky

Filed under: Desktops

You don’t have to venture very far to dig up unofficial concepts for Apple products of all sorts, but this one from designer Nuno Teixeira is certainly more attention grabbing than most, even if it isn’t any more realistic. Dubbed the “iMac iView,” the main distinguishing feature here is obviously the curved screen, which isn’t actually all that far out there, but still a ways from becoming anywhere near commonplace. As if that wasn’t enough, the concept also boasts a second screen on the rear (pictured after the break), and webcams on both the front and back, which would finally let you have impersonal conversations with the person sitting right across from you. Hit up the read link below for a couple more pics.

Continue reading Curved iMac concept bends beyond the realm of plausibility

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Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Laptops, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Although Apple has said that it’s still on track to ship 10 million iPhones by the end of 2008, it looks like that rumor about scaled back production may have been true after all: several analysts are now reporting that the company’s pulled back iPod touch, iPhone, and MacBook production for Q1. Of course, Apple is known for managing its channel inventory pretty ruthlessly, so it’s not known if this is a permanent decrease or just a reaction to what some analysts are calling “overbuilding” in Q4, but there is some good news out there — strong sales of the iMac have led to a forecasted 35 percent production increase. You know, the last time the economy soured, Steve promised that Apple would “innovate out” of the downturn — we’d say some new MacBook Pros would be a fine start this time around, eh?

[Via X-bit Labs, thanks Mack]

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Late last night, Canon announced the EOS Rebel XSi, the company’s latest entry into the digital SLR field. Unveiled amongst a slew of camera announcements as companies get ready to converge on the Las Vegas Convention Center once again for next week’s PMA, the new Rebel sets itself apart as one of the most feature-packed D-SLRs in the sub-$1,000 category.

The EOS Rebel XSi, which replaces Canon’s XT1 is 12.2-megapixels and features a 3-inch LCD. The camera also offers a new CMOS sensor for improved image quality, and, perhaps most impressively, boasts the Live View feature, which had previously only been available in the far pricier Mark III.

Canon has built the XSi around the Digic III processor. The company also upgraded the model’s Analog-to-Digital conversion process, improving color accuracy, while a new sensor improves ISO sensitivity up to 1,600.

EOS Rebel XSi is set to ship in April for $800 (for the body only) or as $900 kit, complete with an EF-S 18-to-55-mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. More info and pictures are available at PCMag.com.

Original post by Brian Heater