Developages - Development and Technology Blog

Looking for a faster, bigger hard drive this Christmas? (Two days till Black Friday sales by the way) Well, I came across this funny Youtube video of the day - filmed at famous Mac Store Tekserve in Manhattan, New York and paid for by drive manufacturer Seagate. It’s a tad long, but it features a hip-hop office drama and the desire for “A new disk drive. 1.5 Terabytes….” (don’t let that little jingle get stuck in your head) Just in time for the Christmas holiday season.

Via 9to5mac.com

Tags: Black Friday, Christmas, funny, Mac Store, Manhattan, NYC, Tekserve, video, youtube

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Original post by nafiz

Filed under: Cellphones

The Fuze, otherwise known as the HTC Touch Pro, first turned up briefly on AT&T’s website more than a month ago only to be abruptly pulled down, but it’s now finally made a reappearance, and it’s apparently staying for good this time. As you might expect, however, there’s not exactly anything new to be found, with AT&T’s description of the device identical to the one it first put up, but if you had any doubts that the device was in fact headed to AT&T, and that it would indeed be called the Fuze, you can now safely put those to rest. Now, about that release date…

[Thanks, Steve]

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Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: Digital Cameras

It’s been less than a month since BenQ churned out its E1050 camera, but it looks like it’s already deemed it fit to let loose a new similarly spec′d but differently styled model in the form of the DC C1060. Those specs include a 10-megapixel sensor, a 3x optical zoom, and a 2.7-inch LCD, plus some added features like a “Super Shake Free” system, Smile Catch, and video recording at your choice of 720 x 400 or 640 x 480. As you can see above, you’ll also get a stylish leather texture grip. No word on a price or release date just yet but, if past BenQ cameras are any indication, you can pretty safely bet that this one won’t break the bank.

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Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: Gaming

There was a time — back in the mid-’90s — when Diamond Multimedia was tops in the burgeoning graphics acceleration game. Those days are apparently long gone (and look to stay that way) thanks to recent quality assurance issues affecting many of the company’s 512MB Radeon HD 3800 series cards. Those manufactured between January and July of this year are said to suffer problems ranging from a complete lack of power management to plain ‘ol “poor soldering.” Alienware saw a 10-percent failure rate and shipped back its entire stock, canceling any further dealings with the company. For the record, Diamond doesn’t actually manufacture these, acting as a reseller for GeCube, but perhaps was lax in its testing and now is perhaps being lax in its disclosure. The company has indicated that not only is there no problem with its products, its gone so far as to state that “Diamond manufactures the most reliable graphics cards in the industry and our customers’ satisfaction is our first priority.” Alienware would beg to differ.

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Original post by Tim Stevens

With the much-anticipated Rock Band 2 now on store shelves, rival franchise Guitar Hero is sneaking into the news on several fronts.

Most recently, Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash let it slip to Rolling Stone that Guitar Hero is working on a Jimi Hendrix special edition akin to what it did with Aerosmith.

Metallica is another band previously identified as heading for its own Guitar Hero title. Both are expected after the holiday release of Guitar Hero: World Tour.

(Expect to see an in-game playable Hendrix character in that one!) 

Additionally, Guitar Hero publisher Activision reportedly is mulling a subscription service for adding downloadable songs to the game. 

More at Reuters.

And thanks to www.jimi-hendrix.com for the graphic — check it out!

Tags: activision, guitar hero, jimi hendrix, metallica, rock band, slash, velvet revolver

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Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog

Original post by nafiz

Filed under: Gaming

Ah, how easily phrases can be misconstrued when you’re not absolutely precise in what you say. While the intarwebz have been ablaze with speculation about the elusive “new peripheral” on the forthcoming Guitar Hero: World Tour title, Neversoft project director Brian Bright has delivered a copious amount of non-potable water to the scene in the form of this sobering news. There actually won’t be any new “instrument,” per se; rather, the PS3 version of the game will include a MIDI import feature that gives PC-using musicians the ability to import rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass, keyboards and drum tracks in as a GH Tunes song. For undisclosed “hardware reasons,” the Xbox 360 version can only handle the skins. Eh, 2 stars.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy, image courtesy of GameZone]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

You play guitar, and we know you’re very gifted. You haven’t been to Juilliard, but it doesn’t matter because you’re inspired. What you need now is something to capture inspiration, so you can then drag it — in the form of a WAV — onto your desktop via USB 2.0. You need BackTrack by Line 6. Just plug your guitar into BackTrack, plug BackTrack into your amp, and start playing. The device begins recording when it detects a signal and it never stops as long as the battery has a charge (up to eight hours). When you let out a truly boss riff — or a tasty lick — you don’t have to worry about losing that gem. The basic package retails for $139.99, can capture up to 12 hours of audio and comes equipped with 1GB flash memory. BackTrack + Mic comes equipped with 2GB flash memory and an internal microphone, records for up to 24 hours and retails for $209.99. Both models are rechargeable via USB and have the standard 1/4-inch in / out and headphone jacks.

[Via CNET]

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Original post by Joseph L. Flatley

Filed under: Gaming, Robots

Not that we haven’t seen robotic Guitar Hero masters before, but Cyth Systems’ egotistically named Cythbot is just a full cut above the rest. Boasting some of the most advanced, high-dollar equipment known to mankind (okay, so maybe that’s a stretch, but just barely), the creation uses a highly sophisticated viewing method to determine which notes to hit, and it can even decide whether slamming the whammy bar is a good idea or not. Too bad you’ll be entirely too distracted by the introverted hosts to even notice how awesome this thing is, but the video’s in the read link if you care to try.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Wireless

Check it, Canucks — Air Canada is following in the footsteps of several other airlines by finally taking the plunge on in-flight WiFi. Similar to American Airlines, it has landed a deal with Aircell in order to bring the intarwebz to the friendly skies on select flights. Starting next spring, certain transborder flights from the Great North to the West Coast of America will give passengers the option of hopping online for C$12.95, and Charles McKee, the airline’s vice-president of marketing, has asserted that it has every intention of rolling the service out “across its North American fleet″ in the future. Now, if only every other airline would follow suit…

[Via Jaunted]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Wireless

With Belkin’s FlyWire just about to hit the market, JVC’s planning to ride the wave and produce a wireless HDMI box of its very own. The unit was said to be a last minute addition to its CEDIA arsenal, and the representatives on hand weren’t even briefed on what wireless technology the demo was using. Of note, there was a live demo involving no smoke nor mirrors, where the box received a 1080p signal via HDMI and beamed it out to a hidden receiver that was connected to an HDTV via (you guessed it) HDMI. JVC is obviously aiming for consumers with just one primary set-top-box (a PS3, for instance), and the plug-and-play nature means it can work with any source and any display so long as HDMI is involved. Pricing hasn’t been set, but we were told to expect a Q1 2009 launch. Check out the prototype in the gallery below.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Peripherals, Wireless

Belkin has been dangling its FlyWire wireless HD box for, what, ever now? Thankfully, it seems that all the kinks have been worked out, and the October ship date should actually stick. A few tidbits we learned while hanging out at the outfit’s CEDIA booth: first, we confirmed that the technology within the device is AMIMON’s, so we′re guessing it’s WHDI. Secondly, we heard that the retail price of the top-end AV69003 may scoot up to $1,499 when it’s finally released. We know, that’s a lot of coin to make your components cord-free, but the demonstration showing off Blu-ray streaming through thin air was nothing short of astounding. No hiccups, no jaggies, no hints whatsoever that there wasn’t a direct HDMI connection. Check the box (and the receiver) out in the flesh over at Engadget HD.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Home Entertainment, Peripherals

For awhile now, ultra-wideband (UWB) has been on the way down in terms of popularity, and all the while, AMIMON’s WHDI technology has been racking up an unprecedented amount of support. At this year’s CEDIA conference, we′ve got adapter manufacturer Gefen backing both sides by introducing separate wireless HD solutions built around Tzero’s UWB tech and the aforesaid WHDI. It’s hard to say if both of these formats will continue to be supported (though if we had to guess, we′d say WHDI has the upper hand), but at least for now, Gefen’s playing it safe rather than casting a vote. We′ve a term in Washington for your kind, Gefen, and that term is fencesitter.

Read - Gefen supports WHDI!
Read - But wait, Gefen supports UWB!

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Wireless

Be still, our hearts! After watching the wireless HD / HDMI sector fumble along for years on end, a team of mega-corps have finally agreed to push their self-interests aside and collaborate on a standard. WHDI creator AMIMON has joined forces with Motorola, Samsung, Sony and Sharp in order to form “a special interest group to develop a comprehensive new industry standard for multi-room audio, video and control connectivity” utilizing the aforementioned Wireless Home Digital Interface technology. Reportedly, the group will have a standard completed before 2009 dawns, but we all know how easily these things can get pushed under the rug. Nevertheless, the overriding goal here is to “enhance the current WHDI technology to enable wireless streaming of uncompressed HD video and audio between CE devices such as LCD and plasma HDTVs, multimedia projectors, AV receivers, DVD and BD players, set-top-boxes, game consoles and PCs.” A tall order, sure, but one we’re elated to see taken on. Full release after the break.

Continue reading AMIMON, Motorola, Sony, et al. join hands on wireless HD standard

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Gaming

We’ve seen plenty of attempts to use game console hardware as MIDI controllers, but they′ve usually involved complicated hacks and strange software kludges, so we’re pretty curious to see if Curious Inventor’s Midiator actually works as promised. The nondescript black box is supposed to map virtually any PS2 controller — including wireless models and partial support for Guitar Hero axes — to various standard MIDI controls, including use of the analog sticks as pitch bends and modulators. Not only that, but if you don’t feel like buying the assembled kit for $79, you can get the schematics for free, and if you’re handy with a soldering iron, you can even earn some cash by adding requested features like pressure-sensitivity and direct USB support to the unit. Check it all out at the read link, and make sure to cruise past the break for the sweet demo video.

[Via MAKE]

Continue reading Midiator lets you use a P̀ controller as a MIDI controller

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Bags that charge your gadgets aren′t exactly a new concept, but that apparently hasn’t stopped Philips from trying to patent the idea, as evidenced by its recently-revealed application for a so-called “Smart Handbag.” This bag is somewhat unique, however, in that it has separate compartments for your various gizmos, each of which contain their own electric conductive circuit that’s used to top off the devices as needed (the bag itself is apparently charged simply by plugging the strap into a power outlet). As if that wasn’t enough, the other end of the strap would apparently be outfitted with a USB connector, which’d let you plug the bag into your computer and instantly have access to all the devices contained within it. Of course, that’s assuming computers still have USB ports whenever this thing actually makes it off the drawing board.

[Via Unwired View]

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Original post by Donald Melanson