Developages - Development and Technology Blog

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Displays

Given that Digital Foci’s IMT-062 was getting a bit long in the tooth, we’d say it’s about time a suitable successor hit the streets. The IMT-063, or “The Executive” as its known around the office, is the outfit’s very latest Image Moments 6 digiframe, which features a 5.7-inch 640 x 480 display, LED backlighting, a two-tone chrome finish, 450MB of internal storage space, support for a multitude of card formats and USB 2.0 connectivity. Better still, the frame will also play back audio and video files, and the auto-rotate orientation sensor will keep your curious youngsters occupied for hours. Look for this one to leave the shipping dock next week for $149.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Displays, Wireless

After personally trying out Sprint’s AIRAVE, we’re confident that femtocells have a place in this world. Thankfully, Motorola’s already trying to make them less of an eyesore by integrating a CDMA femtocell into something we wouldn’t mind showing off in the den: an inconspicuous digital photo frame. The “3-in-1″ concept also includes a VoIP soft phone that would theoretically enable calls to be made right from the frame. Of course, Moto’s not handing out any sort of release time frame, but let us be the first to say that this thing needs to hit store shelves on the double — just make sure it’s not carrier specific, and toss in a GSM version while you’re at it, okay Moto? Check out the demonstration vid after the break.

[Thanks, Dave]

Continue reading Motorola shows off femtocell-in-a-digiframe concept

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/gadgets/Microsoft_officially_announces_new_Zunes’;

So much for that ta-da event tomorrow — Microsoft just confirmed the fall Zune lineup a little earlier than planned, and it’s almost exactly as leaked: capacity bumps to 120GB and 16GB, new WiFi music store, Zune 3.0 software with recommendations and pre-programmed theme channels, and two new games, Hexic and Texas Hold ‘Em. Oh, and that snappy blue flash Zune we just spotted. Pricing is similarly unsurprising, seeing as we’ve had it for a week: the 120GB Zune is $250, while the 16GB flash model is $199 and the 8 gigger is $149. Oh well, at least we still have those new mice and webcams to look forward to tomorrow, right? Certainly nothing else is going on.

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/gadgets/Microsoft_officially_announces_new_Zunes’;

So much for that ta-da event tomorrow — Microsoft just confirmed the fall Zune lineup a little earlier than planned, and it’s almost exactly as leaked: capacity bumps to 120GB and 16GB, new WiFi music store, Zune 3.0 software with recommendations and pre-programmed theme channels, and two new games, Hexic and Texas Hold ‘Em. Oh, and that snappy blue flash Zune we just spotted. Pricing is similarly unsurprising, seeing as we’ve had it for a week: the 120GB Zune is $250, while the 16GB flash model is $199 and the 8 gigger is $149. Oh well, at least we still have those new mice and webcams to look forward to tomorrow, right? Certainly nothing else is going on.

Update: The official PR is out, looks like Zune owners can look forward to the Zune 3.0 software update on September 16. Oh, and there’s new Audible support as well. Rock on, rockers.

[Via CNET]

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Cellphones

Still no baseband unlock, but if you’ve been dying to feel the marginal improvements of iPhone OS 2.0.2 while still rocking those crazy homebrew apps, the Dev Team has come through again with PwnageTool 2.0.3. A new Windows version of the QuickPwn tool is also out, with a Mac version to follow within the week — you know the drill, if you’re brave enough to update let us know how it goes in comments.

[Thanks, David]

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

It’s not that Electro Box′s miShake PMP looks especially like anything else we’ve seen, but it sure takes an awful lot of cues from, shall we say, more popular brands. We won’t even bother explaining the miShake name, but what is important to note is the 2.4-inch touchscreen, “explosive external loudspeaker,” 4GB of internal memory, miniSD expansion slot and support for a multitude of audio / video file formats. Oh, and don’t even bother fiddling through that questionable user interface to change tracks — just give it a good jerk (you know, like Sony’s Shake control) to hear the next jam begin abruptly. So much merriment for just £119.95 ($240).

[Via Pocket-lint]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Portable Audio

Apparently Creative is cooking up more than just the ZEN X-Fi as of late, according to a discovery made by anythingbutipod forum members. The crew stumbled onto the ZEN Krystal, a small Ṃ player that features 4GB of storage, a blue OLED display, an FM tuner, and support for Ṃ and WMA files. What really makes the device pique our curiosity, however, is the included built-in pedometer, which can track distance and speed à la Nike+, as well as the handful of games that come on-board the little guy. Right now the player is only up on Creative’s Hong Kong site, and we’ve got no word on price or release date.

[Via anythingbutipod]

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Original post by Joshua Topolsky

Filed under: Portable Audio

If you’ve been resisting the urge to believe that Samsung’s U4 was more than just a figment of someone’s untamed imagination, we’ve got just one question for you: why? The inevitable has finally happened, with the pocket-friendly DAP getting official half a world away. The unit will boast an OLED display, touch-sensitive buttons and 2GB or 4GB of internal storage. Reportedly, these critters will be available on August 7th in the Asia-Pacific region for S$89 ($66) / S$129 ($96) depending on capacity, though we aren’t sure yet what they’ll sell for when they (hopefully) make the trip Stateside.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Portable Audio

No, it’s not all Playstation news for Sony today — the company also announced the new NWZ-B130F Walkman, a slender little stick of a player available in several colors. The latest entry in the B series of Walkmans sports a 3-line LCD, MP3 and PlaysForSure WMA support, 90 minutes of playback on a 3-minute charge, an FM tuner, and voice recorder in both 1GB and 2GB capacities. We’re hearing pricing will come at least $20 below that of the iPod Shuffle, but it’s a little moot — it’s scheduled for an Asia-only arrival in August at the moment.

[Via SonyInsider]

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Finally we can toss out that old, boring Gemei X760 we’ve been fooling around with, and step up to some legitimate action. That’s right, the X760+ is on the scene, and that + isn’t just for show. The new iteration of the Chinese-made PMP / game playing device boasts 4GB of onboard storage, a 3-inch, WQVGA screen, a 400MHz CPU, FM tuner, and a TV output. The handheld is capable of playing Ṃ, WMA, APE, RM, MPEG, FLV, AVI, and VOB files (amongst others), but the main selling point here seems to be its built-in ability to emulate the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, as well as play “3D games.” The price? 599 yuan (or about $87). Availability? Call an importer.

[Thanks, Raz]

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Original post by Joshua Topolsky

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Teclast’s M26 seemed vaguely more interesting than the dozens of other garbage, status-quo portable media devices that get pumped out of Chinese factories on a weekly basis — and now we need not spend any more time wondering just where they got their design, um, inspiration. At least Meizu’s M8 sexed it up a little — this take is just a bit depressing.

[Via thegadgetsite]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Portable Audio

If you found yourself infatuated with Samsung’s YP-U3, you’re sure to love the U4… we think. There’s a complete dearth of information regarding the device itself, but given that it already has a placeholder and image on the outfit’s Korean Yepp site, we′d say there’s a pretty good chance it’ll be getting real soon enough. Hold tight, miniature DAP lovers, Sammy won′t keep you in the dark much longer.

[Via AnythingButiPod]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

These days, the cool kids are looking to do more than just play back the freshest jams on their portable media player. We′re talking video, PVR, WiFi, the works. Have a listen at Marco’s question, and if you think you could do one better, send in your inquiry to ask at engadget dawt com:

“I’m looking for a new PMP, but I want a unit that can do it all. A large screen, big hard drive, support for lots of codecs, PVR functionality, TV output, etc. I’d also like Bluetooth and / or WiFi if possible. I don’t mind units that are somewhat bulky, but I want one with a great user interface and decent battery life. Any help here?”

Yeah, he totally just called the Archos / Cowon fanboys from the woodwork, but seriously, what would you recommend to this fellow? Is your current PMP a dream come true? Would you advise against getting whatever you′ve got? Spill your soul in comments below.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

You’ve seen it toyed with, you′ve seen it unboxed and you’ve read the review. Now, the moment of truth has arrived. iriver’s Lplayer is officially on sale here in the USA, with the 4GB models going for $109.99 and the 8GB editions demanding $159.99. You’ll also have to choose between white, pink and black, but don’t sweat the details, okay?

[Thanks, Jenn]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video, Wireless

The Creative kids over at epiZENter have what looks to be a genuine scoop of an unannounced ZEN X-Fi. Not only did they receive this supposedly leaked photo, they also managed to dig out a “ZEN X-Fi Starter Pack” (software and user guide) from the bowels of Creative’s own site. Accordingly, we′re looking at DAP with SD expansion and built-in WiFi, speaker, FM tuner, voice recorder, and the ability to stream media from Creative’s “Public Media Server.” Additionally, users can chat with Yahoo! Messenger and Microsoft Live! users thanks to the 9-button, cellphone-like keypad. More details and genuflecting lie just beyond the read link.

[Thanks Tony and everyone who sent this in]

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Original post by Thomas Ricker