StoneLion writes “After months of development and controversy, the KDE project announced the release of KDE 4.1 today. Linux.com (a Slashdot sister site) took a hands-on look at the new code, and reviewer Jeremy LaCroix says, ‘KDE 4.1 simply rocks.’” Bruce Byfield’s review is quite positive, as well.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Original post by timothy
andrewmin writes “Recently, Gnome’s been gaining a lot of ground on its KDE counterpart in the desktop environment wars. The KDE developers were hoping to change this with KDE 4, the new radical release of KDE, but it was not to be. KDE 4.0 was buggy and unstable, leaving everyone except the hard-core KDE lovers. Mainly, this was because it just didn’t work most of the time. However, the developers were not without hope. They promised that KDE 4.1 would be more stable and fix all the holes and problems with KDE 4.0. That time is coming soon: in just four days, K Desktop Environment 4.1 will be released to the Linux masses.” A release candidate for 4.1 came out just over a week ago, with binaries available “for some Linux distributions, and Mac OS X and Windows.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Original post by timothy
Filed under: GPS
Believe it or not, the Berlin-based IFA trade show is nearly upon us, and Becker is more than prepared. Reportedly, the Z100 Crocodile will be making the journey, complete with a 4.3-inch display, an SD card slot, European NAVTEQ maps, a SiRFstarIII GPS receiver and RDS-TMC support. Furthermore, the unit will sport an ultra-rugged exterior meant to handle nearly any jungle excursion you set out on. Expect to hear more (a price and release date would be just fine, Becker) when IFA commences late next month.
[Via NaviGadget]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Original post by Darren Murph
Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video
Believe it or not, JATY is far from being the first gadget maker to think of stuffing a breathalyzer into something completely unrelated (like a wristwatch), but this do-it-all navigator really has included everything save for the kitchen sink (and an N64 emulator, but you get the point). Specs wise, you’re looking at a 7-inch touchscreen, 533MHz CPU, WinCE 5.0, 64MB of NAND Flash / SDRAM, an SD expansion slot, built-in GPS / T-DMB receivers, USB connectivity, integrated speakers and support for MP3, WMV, OGG, AC3, MPEG1/2/4, DivX, XviD, AVI and JPG formats (just to name a few). Chances are you’ll never see this on US soil, so you’re looking at a flight to Seoul in addition to ₩296,000 ($294) in order to procure one.
[Via Tech Digest]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Original post by Darren Murph
Filed under: GPS
It’s been a hot minute since we’ve seen anything fresh from FineDigital, but the firm has just introduced the slim and seductive FineDrive X700 over in South Korea. Humorously, the company is asserting that this particular unit is the first of its kind to offer voice recognition, but even a light amount of research would help it understand such a statement is far from being true. Nevertheless, the unit does look to offer a spacious screen and a bundled remote, but details beyond that are unfortunately absent.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Original post by Darren Murph
Filed under: GPS
We aren’t suggesting that these problems are widespread or anything, but a fair number of users over at AVIC411 seem to be having all sorts of issues with their (admittedly pricey) F-Series navigators. According to owners, the issues range from complete lock-ups to distorted voice commands to quirky iPod interactions — and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Have any of you taken the plunge only to find a litany of problems after installation? Or is your unit humming along just fine? Chime in below and let us know what’s up.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Original post by Darren Murph
Filed under: Cellphones, GPS
That sound you hear is the not-yet-released nüvifone trembling in fear, as TomTom has just announced that an iPhone-ready version of its famed navigation software is practically ready to rock ‘n roll. More specifically, a TomTom spokesman was quoted as saying that its “navigation system runs on the iPhone already,” and he made the statement hot on the heels of the iPhone 3G announcement. Sadly, he wouldn’t disclose an estimated release date for the software, but it’s safe to say that the TomTom touch could make Apple’s darling a formidable nüvifone opponent.
[Via GPSReview]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Original post by Darren Murph
Filed under: GPS
If you’ve ran smack into any flavor of foreign object while waiting impatiently for your navigator to “recalculate,” you’ll likely be salivating for Sanyo’s latest duo. The NVA-MS1280DT and NVA-MS1180DT each feature a 4GB SSD drive (though the former adds a 4GB SD card and DVD support), a 7-inch QVGA display, 43-watt x 4 internal amplifier, MP3 / WMA / AAC playback, a 1-seg TV tuner, 3D maps, FM tuner and iPod support. In all seriousness, the SSD is bundled in not so much for its speed, but for its reliability — either way, we can’t help but be enamored. Both units are slated to land in June for ¥181,650 ($1,761) and ¥155,400 ($1,506), respectively, so it’s fairly easy to see those solid state discs aren’t being thrown in gratis.
[Via NaviGadget]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Original post by Darren Murph
Filed under: GPS
Chances are, you didn’t really need another option for a pink travel guide, but if that rosy nüvi just isn’t as sparkly as it once was, Medion’s lookin’ out for you. The outfit has just released its GoPal E3215 Glamour Edition, which reportedly features a perfectly average 3.5-inch color touchscreen, 1.7-centimeter thick frame, speed camera database and maps of Western Europe. Of course, a pink GPS wouldn’t be a pink GPS without a matching carry case, but all things considered, we still can’t see spending £149.99 ($296) on a cute-but-ho hum piece such as this.
[Via TechGadgets, thanks Yossi]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Original post by Darren Murph
Filed under: Podcasts, Portable Video
As lovely as the D2 is, we’ve always had a secret wish for it to offer up a bit more internal capacity. Apparently the higher-ups at Cowon have heard our inner cries, as a 16GB edition of the player is now available through JetMall. Aside from being more capacious, nothing else has changed, but if this was just the thing to push you over the edge, you can hand over your $240 right now and join the club.
[Via AnythingButiPod]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Original post by Darren Murph
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Household
Remember Thingamagoop, the little synth monster controlled by light thanks to the photocell governing the main oscillator? Well, this alarm clock mod requires a 9-volt DC jack and adapter, switch SPDT, and some audio cable and wire to bring it all together. A few snips and solder burns later and voila, the monster Moog alarm clock is born. Man, robots… synthesizers… it’s like the ultimate nerd sub-cult. Video after the break, detailed hacking instructions on the other side of that read link.
P.S. Yes, he has throw-switch nipples and a uh, knob.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Original post by Thomas Ricker
Filed under: Portable Audio
Yeah, there’s a lot of good, civically-minded things you could do with your cash… but wouldn’t it be more fun to blow it on a 1GB iPod? If you’re dying to prove how little £20,000 (or around $40,000) means to you, here’s your chance. A jeweler named Thomas Heyerdahl has created an 18 karat, diamond studded, white and pink gold iPod shuffle, meant to be auctioned at a charity in London. We’ve seen an almost identical version which appeared to be selling just for the heck of it — at least this one seems to be going to good cause.
[Via Mobile Magazine]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Original post by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: Wearables
Oh sure, we’ve seen gadgets used as motivational tools before, but Sega Toys is apparently banking on you not being a hothead. Otherwise, you just might fling its Body Trainer headset from your dome as soon as you hear “please exercise a little bit harder” over your incessant panting. Nevertheless, those with oodles of self-control may actually benefit from having a personal trainer (of sorts) in their ear while working out, and by monitoring the wearer’s heartbeat via a sensor, it can blurt out messages at the appropriate time to help users through their session(s). Reportedly, this nifty exercise buddy is set to launch in Japan this April for ¥5,775 ($54), and while we’ve no idea if this thing is destined for US soil, we can definitely see it being used more so for its musical abilities and less for its steadfast encouragement.
[Via CNET]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Original post by Darren Murph
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
We’ll be honest with you — IDL Motors’ installation at Toy Fair 2008 was a bit short on details, but we’re certainly digging what we saw. Apparently, both the Bullet Train & Cars and Z-drive creations were on display, and while the former used linear propulsion to whiz magnet-laden “cars” around a track, the latter enabled similar vehicles to climb steeper slopes than their previous prototypes. Still, we know what you’re here for, so click on through to take a peek at the video.
[Via MAKE]
Continue reading IDL Motors’ linear propulsion system gets demonstrated
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Original post by Darren Murph
Filed under: Handhelds
Not that we’d put any stock in a prognosticator — digital or otherwise — but for those looking for a bit of fun, Bandai’s Mirai Scope is apt to deliver. Reportedly, this digital fortune teller starts out by dousing you in pixie dust and asking a myriad questions about your personal life. After that, we’re told it somehow aligns with galactic bodies and helps you figure out your true purpose in life. Hopefully, it’s pretty clear that this thing is marginally more than a novel heap, but hey, what else did you expect for ¥2,980 ($28)?
[Via Technabob]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Original post by Darren Murph
Developages - Development and Technology Blog