Developages - Development and Technology Blog

Filed under: Peripherals

As if a keyboard split down the middle wasn’t enough, Kinesis has now rolled out a pair of new accessories that promise to make its Freestyle keyboards, including the Solo (pictured above), even more ergonomic — or, if you desire, even less so. Those include the Freestyle V3 accessory, which clips onto the base of the keyboard and gives you three different slope settings, and the Freestyle Ascent Multi-tent, which’ll let you independently set each keying module in ten degree increments all the way up to 90 degrees, and lock ‘em in at the desired distance apart from one another. If that sounds like the solution your wrists have been looking for, you can apparently grab both of ‘em now, with the V3 running $25 and the Ascent setting you back a hefty $200 — the Solo keyboard itself demands an even $100.

[Via BIOS]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: Home Entertainment

We hadn’t heard from struggling content-delivery service Akimbo in over a year, so it’s not really surprising that the latest news isn’t exactly cheerful: the company is shutting down, leaving only a “skeleton crew” behind to find a buyer for its remaining assets. Akimbo seemed like it was searching for a viable business model from the start (eventually leading the company to drop its hardware offerings entirely), and like other would-be set-top box vendors, it looks like the economics of content delivery were simply too skewed to wrestle into profitability. Any bets on who’s next?

[Via GigaOM]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Although DISH Network’s previous quarter wasn’t anything to write home about, it sounds like the satcaster (EchoStar, technically) isn’t going to allow its set-top line to grow stale in the process. During the recent Team Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, DISH’s CEO Charlie Ergen reiterated that it would be beaming out “more than 100 national HD channels” by the end of 2008, and he also made mention that the EchoStar 11 satellite would lift off in July. Most interesting, however, was all the talk about the new STBs. The forthcoming ViP 722 will be the first HD DVR from the outfit with loads of Sling technology built in — not too shocking considering the recent acquisition. Additionally, the box is said to feature an all new interface and the ability to browse to (select) websites, double as a SlingCatcher and even handle Clip & Sling duties. There’s plenty more where this came from, so be sure and hit the read link when you’ve got some spare time for reading.

[Via GizmoLovers]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

Great news, T-Mobile USA fans — the roller coaster ride is finally over. After we thought T-Mobile’s 3G network was but moments away from launching, we soon found that data may be left out. Oddly enough, a few reports hailing from the Big Apple claimed that data actually was included. At long last, the carrier is coming clean and announcing its official 3G rollout in the States. Unfortunately, the UMTS / HSDPA network is initially launching in New York City alone, but the good news is that data will be included and the operator expects the high-speed data network to “be available in cities where a majority of its subscribers currently use data services” by the year’s end. Yeah, it’s safe to celebrate now, we promise it’s not a(nother) false alarm. Full release posted after the jump.

Continue reading T-Mobile clears everything up: 3G rollout (with data) is on

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

Great news, T-Mobile USA fans — the roller coaster ride is finally over. After we thought T-Mobile’s 3G network was but moments away from launching, we soon found that data may be left out. Oddly enough, a few reports hailing from the Big Apple claimed that data actually was included. At long last, the carrier is coming clean and announcing its official 3G rollout in the States. Unfortunately, the UMTS / HSDPA network is initially launching in New York City alone, but the good news is that data will be included and the operator expects the high-speed data network to “be available in cities where a majority of its subscribers currently use data services” by the year’s end. Yeah, it’s safe to celebrate now, we promise it’s not a(nother) false alarm. Full release posted after the jump.

Continue reading T-Mobile clears everything up: 3G rollout (with data) is on in NYC

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Storage

Here’s a novel idea: rather than stressing over the choice between solar or hydroelectric power sources to keep that green data center running, just build the thing near a community pool. Apparently that’s exactly what’s happening in Uitikon, Switzerland, as an IBM-built center erected for GIB-Services AG is using its excess heat to warm a local swimming pool. Put simply, the warmth emitted by the computers will be piped through a heat exchanger to boost the temperature of water used in the neighboring pool, and while the town had to cover some of the equipment costs to make it come together, it’ll reap the oh-so-steamy benefits for free.

[Via FashionFunky, thanks Yash]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Gaming

No matter how we might try and stop it, Nyko’s wireless Wii nunchuk adapter / abomination ceaselessly advances upon the unsuspecting American consumer, stopping at nothing to ruin the delicate aesthetics of the Wii controllers and pump us full of even more unnecessary RF. The adapter and its receiver have just hit the FCC, and our nation’s government has managed to use every ounce of photographic skill at its disposal to render these mutant hunks of plastic in as flattering a light as possible — just look at that stained blue backdrop. Seriously, is anyone going to drop $20 on this thing? Isn’t that money better spent on games? Explain yourself in comments, in ten words or less.

[Thanks, Mickel]

Read - Wireless adapter
Read - Receiver

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Gaming

Remember Johnny Chung Lee’s self-made VR head-tracking system cobbled together from a Wiimote and IR-equipped safety glasses? Good, because it’s now one step closer to its destiny as the ultimate controller for a first person, Wii shooter. The video experience in a 3D wireframed world does look admittedly rough, but the idea is sound: step forward to move forward, to the sides to turn, and jump to (you guessed it) jump. Fortunately, with Nintendo’s WiiWare service now live in Japan, maybe, just maybe someone will see the potential and commercialize this. Watch the Insight VR people hunt down the evil Marshies after the break.

[Via Make]

Continue reading Wiimote head tracking meets First Person Shooter: die Marshies, die

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: Gaming

Do you ever feel like your Wii accessories aren’t niche enough? Does it seem like fitting your Wiimote into a simple gun-shaped cradle to play Link’s Crossbow Training doesn’t completely capture the realism you’re after? Well you’re in luck, because the Wii Laser Sight Crossbow is here! That’s right, it’s a crossbow meant to lovingly hold your Wiimote, and turn any game into a trip to the Renaissance Fair. C’mon, you’ve got the Nerf Blaster, lightsaber, and teddy bear add-ons, isn’t it time to complete the collection? Available now for the totally odd price of $27.54.

[Via technabob]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Joshua Topolsky

Filed under: Features, Laptops

While everyone and their second cousin third removed had something to say about Apple’s ultra-sexy, ultra-hamstrung MacBook Air, we’ve a sneaking suspicion that folks previously eager about this week’s MacBook Pro updates will be equally vocal. For whatever reason, Cupertino faithful had February 26th pegged on their calender, and while the addition of a Penryn or two was nearly a given, the dreamers in the crowd had much higher hopes for that fateful Tuesday.

Nevertheless, the time came and went, and the re-opening of the online Apple store brought a whole heap of disappointment to many. Sure, folks still (somehow) enamored with the aging MBP design were thrilled to have access to a more potent, less scalding iteration of their favorite machine, but honestly, we’re still using the GeForce 8600M GT? Really, Apple? Needless to say, this refresh likely did little to satisfy your desire for a revamped MacBook Pro, but we’re interested in finding out exactly what it is you really wanted. An option for an SSD? What about a built-in Blu-ray drive? Would integrated HDMI make things more appealing? Or is a top-down case redesign the only thing stopping you from abusing your credit card in the name of Steve Jobs? Go on, we know you folks are chock full of good ideas, so let’s hear ‘em, shall we?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Features, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Look, we’re not out to whip the proverbial dead horse, but after taking a long, critical look at how the format war played out from day one, it’s just too inviting to not take a step back and ponder how things could’ve been different. Looking back, we noticed numerous scenarios where it truly looked as if HD DVD had this whole thing wrapped up, and while analysts galore boasted that this grueling war would go on for eons, now we’re staring the other camp in the face as the victor. Believe it or not, folks voluntarily caught up in all of this are quite passionate — shocking, we know — and we’ve all ideas players from both sides would have liked to see a few different moves made along the way.

From the get-go, Toshiba proudly proclaimed that its format wasn’t a work-in-progress, and while Profile changes left early Blu-ray owners out of luck when trying to access more advanced features, sales numbers just seemed to always fall in Blu’s favor. Truth be told, we know many of you simply wish the two would’ve nailed down a pact from day one and cranked out a single next-generation format, but being that said scenario didn’t exactly pan out, how would you have done things to change the outcome of the format war? Would you have tweaked the approach of either side to get this mess over with months ago? Do you feel the “best” camp won out? And would you have bit the bullet and offered up a combo drive in the Xbox 360 if you flew the flag in Redmond? We’ve all ideas this one’s going to get raucous in no time flat, but for everyone’s sake, try to think more with your mind and less with your heart, cool?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Features, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Yeah, the Apple TV (take 2) update took a bit longer than promised to actually arrive on the scene, but now that it’s available for existing ATV owners to chew on, we’re interested in hearing from its toughest critics. Rumors of Apple finally enabling some sort of HD movie / television show download service had been making the rounds for what seemed like ages, and after months of waiting for a move to be made, take 2 made its debut under the shadow of the MacBook Air.

Aside from finally offering up 1080p support and giving users the ability to rent HD flicks (though only some with Dolby Digital 5.1), the v2.0 upgrade changed up the look and added in Flickr integration. Granted, the innards here have remained the same, but we’re not just interested in finding out what you adore / detest about the newest update. Oh no — we’re also curious to know how you think the existing hardware is handling its new duties. Has anything slowed down? Are you still (or were you ever) satisfied with the port assortment? Have you found yourself itching to downgrade? We know, software updates as substantial as this one hardly ever never leave everyone happy, and while we’ve done some sizing up of own in regard to HD quality, how would you like to see things tweaked for take 3?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Features, Laptops

Ah, the MacBook Air. Scorned by many who felt the price tag too high, but loathed by few who actually have an eye for good design. Apple’s latest ultraportable is certainly one of the most polarizing products to emerge from Cupertino in quite some time, as it makes no apologies for throwing utility to the wind in favor of absolute sexiness. After Stevie J’s keynote at Macworld 2008 concluded, many were left wondering why Apple didn’t (re)introduce the compact MacBook Pro, and while this little bugger did indeed demand a double take (for a couple of reasons), the initial excitement of such a minuscule machine was quickly deflated after taking one solid look at the specifications.

Make no mistake, the MBA has quite a bit going for it. Three pounds, ultrathin, oodles of attractiveness, a LED-backlit display and a trackpad worth drooling over. But for all the things this device is, it seems that folks are honing in on everything it isn’t. During our time with the unit, we found plenty of reasons to love and hate it, but folks looking for an impressive showing at the benchmark marathon won’t find it here. We already heard quite a bit of ranting when we polled you dear readers and asked if you were plunking down the $1,799+ that Cupertino was demanding, but now that the MacBook Air has shipped to early adopters and has landed in Apple stores everywhere, how would you owners go about changing this hot hot hunk of aluminum? Integrate a user-serviceable battery? How about the ability to upgrade your RAM? Would you toss in an option for built-in 3G? Beyond the typical hopes and dreams, we’re also curious as to how you actually will change your MacBook Air. Got an eye on a specific USB hub? Springing for a Bluetooth mouse to keep that sole USB port open for more critical tasks? We’re absolutely positive the choices are endless, so don’t be shy — here’s your chance to tell Apple how you really feel about its tiniest laptop ever.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Features, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Spotted at CES and out this month in Korea, Samsung’s 3D-capable plasma is going to be making an appearance Stateside in March. The 42-inch and 50-inch PN42A450P TVs use the TriDef 3D tech from DDD Group, which costs $200 for two pairs of 3D glasses and the TriDef 3D software. Samsung’s calling this the “world’s first 3D-ready flat-panel HDTV,” but didn’t leave out the other fixins like a 15,000:1 contrast ratio, 18-bit color processing and three HDMI-CEC plugs. No word on cost, but you can’t put a pricetag on those migraines.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Paul Miller

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Every so often, we see a firm go out of its way to let loose not just one or two new products, but enough fresh kit to totally overwhelm anyone trying to digest it all. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on perspective) for us all, Panasonic has done just that with a smattering of televisions. Up first is the 17-inch TH-17LX8 LCD TV, which will be available in five different hues and offer up a 1,366 x 768 resolution, HDMI input, VIERA Link and built-in SD slot. Next in line, we’ve got a trio of new LCD TVs in the LX series ranging from 20- to 32-inches in size, all featuring a 1,366 x 768 resolution and an analog / digital tuner to boot. Lastly, we’ve got three new plasmas (37-, 42- and 50-inches) with lackluster resolutions, a 15,000:1 contrast ratio and a bevy of inputs (including an SD slot and Ethernet port). The whole lot is slated to land in mid-February, so be sure and tag the links below if any of these just happened to tickle your fancy.

Read - 17-inch TH-17LX
Read - Three new mid-sized LCD TVs
Read - Three new plasmas

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph