Developages - Development and Technology Blog

Filed under: Desktops

Really, eMachines? You’re honestly going to give your newest cheap-o PC this kind of tagline? Truth be told, we’re not exactly sure what a standard sized dictionary even looks like (there’s this thing called the internet…), but apparently, it’s exactly the same size as the EL1200 desktop. Not sassy enough to be called a nettop, this here mini-tower is 40% smaller and 55% lighter than the company’s second tiniest rig, and while it won’t handle the likes of Crysis, it shouldn’t have too many issues surfing the web and opening Word documents. As for specs, we’ve got a 1.5GHz AMD Athlon 2650e 64-bit CPU, NVIDIA’s GeForce 6150SE integrated graphics, 1GB of DDR2, 160GB hard drive, a dual-layer DVD burner, 14-in-1 multicard reader, seven USB 2.0 ports and a $298 (MSRP) price tag. That system we just rattled off is available now at Wally World, while a slightly more stacked edition can be had at Best Buy for $349.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Handhelds

It’s shocking to even hear ourselves admit that we’re licking our chops for a particular MID, but it’s true. BenQ seems to have nailed most everything on the long-awaited MID S6 by including an 800MHz Intel Atom CPU, 4.8-inch WVGA (800 x 480) display, 512MB DDR2 RAM, a 2GB SSD, Bluetooth 2.0 / WiFi, microSD slot, inbuilt G-sensor and support for a myriad of multimedia file formats. On top of all of that, the Italian superstar could be coming to other corners of the globe as evidenced by an elaborate press page on its Global website that details its features in plain English. Said said provides an exhaustive list of capabilities and specifications, not to mention a bevy of press shots. The real kicker? That little note telling us that the built-in 3G module supports UMTS / HSDPA on “Band: 2100″ and GSM / GPRS / EDGE on “Band: 900 / 1800 / 1900). Sound familiar, Americans? Hype video posted after the break.

[Via Pocketables]

Continue reading BenQ’s potent MID S6 headed for worldwide release?

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Handhelds, Wireless

Is it really time to shine, BenQ, or are you just foolin’ again? Judging by a product page at Italy’s TIM website and a fresh report from the Italian branch of Tom’s Hardware, the S6 (or MID Aries2, or BenQ MID… gosh, we’re so confused!) is finally ready to order. The Atom-based MID impresses with built-in 3G capabilities, 512MB of RAM, a 2GB SSD, 4.8-inch 800 x 480 resolution display, WiFi / Bluetooth 2.0 and — just to really pound the message home / incite jealously — 7.2Mbps HSDPA. The current asking price sits at €429 ($626), and while the value proposition may be debatable, the amount of possibilities packed into a frame this small (6.2- x 3.5- x 0.86-inches) definitely isn’t. Let’s get these out to other nooks and crannies of the wide world, eh BenQ?

[Via UMPC Portal]

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Original post by Darren Murph

In the iPod age, music sound quality has been dumbed down to “Fisher-Price toy” levels, said one of my all time favorite rockers, Neil Young, at Fortune’s Brainstorm Tech Conference.

“Apple has taken a detour down the convenience highway,” he said, talking about what he considers to be the poor audio quality of MP3.

He’s currently working on a multimedia archiving project of his entire career, which he says should be available as a series of Blu-Ray discs later this year. He hopes that becomes the basis for an alternative digital platform featuring higher audio quality that will be made available to other musicians. 

Read more at Fortune.

Or check out the unique NeilYoung.com.

Tags: audio, blu-ray, Fortune, ipod, neil young

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Original post by nafiz

Filed under: Gaming

It looks like Sony is aiming to put ColorWare out of business with all the new, brightly-colored PSP models it’s introduced as of late, a streak that continues with the company’s just-announced metallic blue model. This one is available exclusively in a new Madden NFL 09 bundle, which includes said game, along with a 1GB Memory Stick, the NFL: In Just One Play video on UMD, and a PSN voucher that’ll let you download the Beats rhythm game free of charge. Look for it land on August 12th with the usual bundle price tag of $199.99.

[Via Joystiq]

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Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: Robots

We’re a little ambivalent about robots performing surgery autonomously and unattended, but there are clearly cases where it’d be beneficial, and it seems like an inevitable future. Duke researchers working on robo-doc lab feasibility studies announced this week a proof of concept using 3D ultrasound mapping to enable machines to “see” what they’re doing. The first test procedures have focused on use of those ultrasound transducers in catheter-based procedures using fluoroscopy, so it sounds like we’ll still have a few years before we say ahhh for a machine.

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Original post by Ryan Block

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Okay, so we’re not exactly doctors, but we couldn’t help but be intrigued by PEAK Surgical’s announcement today that its PlasmaBlade electrosurgery scalpel had completed preclinical testing with positive results. Unlike traditional electrosurgery tools like the bovie cutter, the PlasmaBlade operates at low temperatures, using pulsed plasma energy to cut tissue and control bleeding. Then, stupidly, we watched the video. Let’s just say now that it no longer matters to us that surgeons using the PEAK PlasmaBlade produce “minimal collateral damage” to tissue and that bleeding was reduced. Sure, it’s great for the surgeons, but our eyes? Not going to be the same.

[Via MedGadget]

Read - PEAK PlasmaBlade press release
Watch - PEAK PlasmaBlade demo video (WARNING: not for the squeamish, we mean it!)

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Original post by Nilay Patel

IT and enterprise solution provider EMC Corporation today finalized an agreement to acquire consumer and SMB storage device manufacturer Iomega for approximately $213 million.

“Iomega will play a key role in EMC’s strategy to expand our information storage and management capabilities deeper into the high-growth consumer and small business markets,” EMC president, chairman, and CEO, Joe Tucci said in a statement. ” In addition to industry-leading products and a household consumer brand, Iomega brings to EMC a deep knowledge of and established business practices for servicing consumers and small businesses. Iomega and EMC represent a powerful combination that ultimately will benefit these customers through the protection, security and simplified management of their rapidly growing information.”

The acquisition, which is set to be completed in Q2 2008, will put Iomega’s existing business at the center of EMC’s new consumer/SMB divition, set to be led by Iomega’s CEO, Jonathan Huberman.

Said Huberman of the acquisition,

Today begins an exciting new future for Iomega and our customers. Once the acquisition is final, Iomega will be able to fully leverage EMC’s vast assets to grow our business globally. EMC brings to Iomega a new opportunity for accelerated innovation that will translate into new product capabilities for Iomega’s extensive customer base. Through the renowned Iomega brand; thousands of retail, direct marketing and distribution channel partners; and Iomega’s talented people, EMC will be able to extend its reach into the high-growth consumer and small business market segments.

The successful bid values the Iomega’s outstanding shares at $3.85 a piece. It follows a rejected offer in January from EMC for $3.25 each.

Original post by Brian Heater

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Canon’s got another three new PowerShots going out this evening. What you need to know:

• SD890 IS (above) - 10 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, 2.5-inch display, sub 1-inch macro
• SD790 IS - 10 megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, 3-inch display
• SD770 IS - 10 megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch display

They’ll be out in April, and will run you $399, $349. and $299, respectively.

[Thanks, Dave]

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Original post by Ryan Block

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

If you thought a 4K x 2K resolution was a bit much for an 82-inch display, imagine what 3,840 x 2,160 pixels looks like on a 56-incher. Astro Systems is apparently gearing up to launch the DM-3400 to appease the “needs” (read: extravagant desires) of its digital cinema and broadcast studio clients, and by the looks of it, we doubt it’ll have any issues accomplishing that. This bad boy also supports four channels of DVI and HD-SDI for some of that quad-view action, and there’s even contrast, gamma and brightness adjustments for each RGB channel. Unfortunately, we’ve no idea how much coinage this beast will demand, but there’s little no doubt that this is one of those “if you have to ask…” type scenarios.

[Via StudioDaily]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Transportation

As expected, Sir Richard Branson has just unveiled the final designs of SpaceShipTwo and White Knight Two, Virgin Galactic’s planned commercial “spaceliner” and its corresponding carrier plane. At today’s American Museum of Natural History launch event, Branson once again reiterated his lofty expectations for space tech in general and the six-passenger vehicle in particular, promising to promote privatization and more widespread research by offering outside organizations access to its launch system schematics. So far, Virgin has reportedly signed up 200 committed passengers willing to pay $200,000 for a 2010-or-later suborbital flight, but for now, all they can do is look at the pretty pictures in the gallery below.

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Original post by Evan Blass

Filed under: Displays

Yeah, we’ve got HMDs for the visually impaired, but seriously, who’s for sporting one of those things just to catch an afternoon soap? Thankfully, Dr. Eli Peli (and colleagues) from Harvard Medical School is lookin’ out for said sect, and has developed a method for “enhancing the contrast of images of people and objects of interest on their digital televisions,” which, during trials, was found to enhance legibility and overall enjoyment when watching. Furthermore, the technology is said to be the first to play nice with digital TV images, which seems fairly important considering that analog signals have but a few months to live here in America. Purportedly, the all-important modification that made the adjustments possible could be applied to HDTVs and digital STBs in the future, and sure enough, Peli has already sparked up conversation with Analog Devices in order to create a prototype chip for use in forthcoming sets. Now, if only clearing up those Get Smart reruns were this simple…

[Via InventorSpot, image courtesy of Harvard (PDF)]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds

Sure, you’ve bought every console since the original NES, monitor forum threads religiously for any Wii bashing, and may even have a Koopa tattoo somewhere on your body, but are you enough of a fanboy to pay $500 for first-generation Nintendo DS emblazoned with a wire-frame cartoon dinosaur? Well apparently eBayer “joedick” is one such individual, whose $480 Buy-It-Now-dollars earned him one of the only 200 “Hot Summer Yoshi” edition DS Phats ever made, which were part of a larger series of six versions available only to Club Nintendo members in 2005. Congratulations, good sir — just remember not to play with it or anything, or you won’t be able to sell it for ten times what you paid a few years down the road.

[Via DS Fanboy]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Original post by Evan Blass