Developages - Development and Technology Blog

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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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]

Read | Permalink&nbsp|&nbspEmail this | Comments

Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Hey, is that the fabled blue flash Zune, all priced up and sitting on a Walmart shelf in Knoxville, Tennessee a whole day before it’s scheduled to launch? Indeed it is — let’s hope those rumored LifeCams are pretty spectacular, because we done just scooped every other product Redmond has on tap for tomorrow. You’re next, Stevie.

[Thanks, Christian]

Permalink&nbsp|&nbspEmail this | Comments

Original post by Nilay Patel

1. Click on the link below:
   More Savings on Some of the Hottest Laptops at Newegg.com
   
2. Look for the “ASUS M50Vm-X1″. Click on it.
3. To verify, click on “Specifications” and see if the “Memory Size” is “4GB DD̶″ and that “Video Memory” is “Dedicated 1024MB”
4. Click Add to Cart
5. $1199.99 + $16 3-day Shipping = $1,215.99

That’s all you have to do! Though take note, as a 15.4″ laptop, the Asus M50Vm-X1 isn’t as portable as say, the Dell Inspiron Mini 9.

Share This

Original post by Rico

Filed under: Laptops

You know, we’re really (really) proud of ASUS for letting the N10 strut its stuff in the wild without the crutch that is the completely oversaturated Eee brand. And look, the 10.2-inch netbook looks mighty fine, now doesn′t it? Sure, it’s not relying on hordes of siblings for moral support, but with that LED-backlit display, GeForce 9300GS and Intel N270 processor, who needs meaningless pats on the fanny? Hit the read link for a few more shots.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Laptops

Although ASUS’s “premium” N10 netbook managed to ditch the Eee branding, it looks like the 𔒝 is having a harder time breaking loose from the fam — the 10.2-inch netbook just showed up in the FCC database sporting the Eee PC name, even though ASUS told us it won’t be an Eee when it goes on sale. We’ll see how it’s is labeled when Uncle Sam gets done with it — we’ve got a feeling ASUS is going to take its already-confusing Eee marketing to a whole new level with this one.

Read | Permalink&nbsp|&nbspEmail this | Comments

Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Laptops

Ready to inhale some serious Intel technobabble? Here goes. As it stands, MIDs and UMPCs that utilize Windows operating systems are pretty much restricted to using Vista due to their incongruence with the “low-cost” requirement for still using XP. On top of that, Intel′s chipset used in these critters (you know, with those Silverthorne Atom CPUs) only supports 1GB of RAM. We don’t need to explain how underwhelming performance can be when mixing Vista with just 1GB of RAM. Now, however, a new PDF from Intel details updated System Controller Hub (SCH) specifications that include support for up to 2GB of RAM. What isn’t clear is whether current systems can be updated via a BIOS update, but we’ll be keeping an ear to the ground in hopes of hearing “yes.”

[Thanks, Itto]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Laptops

Whether counting its 23 Eee PCs or 50 plus models of traditional laptops, ASUS isn’t exactly known for its frugality. So seeing yet another press release touting the launch of its bamboo — a renewable material with immense tensile strength rivaling that of many metal alloys — laptops shouldn’t be a surprise. What’s new here, perhaps, is the detail. Now in mass production, these partially biodegradable laptops come with either 11.1- or 12.1-inch, 1,280 x 768 pixel displays, your choice of 3/6/9-cell batteries, and ASUS’ Super Hybrid Engine allowing you to dial down the power when the wails of the Arctic penguins become too much to bear. The 12.1-incher is the relative powerhouse of the pair offering Vista a ride atop your choice of Intel T9400/󅚘/󅗐 Core 2 Duo processors, 256MB of NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS graphics, a 320GB hybrid hard drive sporting 256MB of flash, and Intel’s WiMAX / WiFi Link 5100 chipset. Pricing? Sorry, we’ll likely have to wait for another press release for that detail.

[Via The Inquirer]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Thomas Ricker

That’s because Asus is coming with, get this, fragrant laptops!

Ok, this is totally weirding me out. What is it with smelly gadgets? I like the USB Fragrance Oil Burner but to have your laptop have a fragrance is just totally (again) weirding me out.

I mean seriously, what if the fragrance runs out? I’m sure it’s going to leave some weird residue smelling scent, hahaha.

Well my dear, this probably means laptops are becoming ubiquitous as pens. Remember when we were kids and scented ballpoint pens were all the rage? This is the next-generation version baby!

Now go read the Gadgenista’s post on this development (for the specs and more pertinent details)—before you agitate her further!

Tags: ASUS, fragrant laptops

Share This

Original post by Rico

Filed under: Laptops

Hey, remember when the Eee PC was announced, and everyone got all hot and bothered, and we couldn’t wait for it to ship, and we couldn’t wait to get it into our hands? Then remember how ASUS created so many annoying variations that it became almost impossible to pay attention? Well, pay attention — the Eee PC 900HD has hit the FCC. Excited? Yeah, we thought so. Hit the read link to see what the label and undercarriage of your new supposedly-hard-drive-equipped netbook look like, and feel free to browse some SAR reports while you′re there. Of course, this reveals nothing about the actual hardware save for the fact that this bottom casing is different from previous models, so… that’s one thing.

[Via jkkmobile]

Read | Permalink | Email this&nbsp|&nbspComments

Original post by Joshua Topolsky

Filed under: Laptops

While ASUS’s new, quietly-launched Eee Download service would seem to be a welcome addition for most Eee PC users, it looks to have caused nothing but confusion in the few days it’s been live. The main problem is that all of the files on the site are in the so-called Click ‘N Run (or CNR) format, which is a quick and easy way to install Linux apps — when the Linux distro supports CNR, that is. Unfortunately for ASUS (and Eee PC users), the Eee PC’s Xandros distrubition does not. As some on the EeeUser forums point out, however, Xandros now actually owns Linspire (the company behind CNR), so it would seem to be entirely possible that CNR support could be coming in a future version of Xandros, but that still doesn’t explain ASUS putting the cart before the horse like this.

[Via Eee PC News, EeeUser]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: Laptops

ASUS took a break from cranking out an endless series of Eee PCs to revamp some of its traditional laptop lines today, here’s what you need to know:

• ᧺A business laptop: 15.4-inch screen, Penryn Core 2 Duos on Intel’s Gṁ Express chipset with ASUS’s Expressgate SplashTop implementation and integrated X4500 graphics, max 4GB RAM and 320GB drive, spill-resistant keyboard, Bluetooth, WiFi, dual-layer burner, 1.3 megapixel webcam.
• F8 laptops (pictured): 14.1-inch WXGA screen, Penryn Core 2 Duos with 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 graphics with Express Gate, TV tuner with remote control, up to 4GB RAM and a 320GB drive, 1.3 megapixel swivel webcam, five available colors.
• F6 “scented” laptops: 13.3-inch screen, lids feature five available graphics and fragrances (really), Penryn Core 2 Duos with 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 graphics with Express Gate, TV tuner with remote control, up to 4GB RAM and a 320GB drive, fingerprint scanner.
• ᰃV and ᯮV “Republic of Gamers” laptops: 17-inch (ᰃ) and 15-inch (ᯮ) gaming laptops with up to Intel Core 2 Quad QX9300 processors and 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT graphics, 4GB of RAM, 2x 500GB hard drives, dual-layer burner, 2.0 megapixel swivel webcam, LED lighting effects, gaming hotkeys.

No pricing or ship dates yet, but we’ll get you those as they come in.

Read - B50A
Read - F8
Read - ˂
Read - G71V and G50V

[Via i4u, thanks Vinit]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Laptops

It looks like ASUS knows how much it’s trashed the Eee brand — the company’s new, higher-end 10.2-inch netbook is simply labeled “Ẃ″ in an effort to give the rig some premium cachet, and it looks like it deserves it, with a slick new case, Altec Lansing speakers, HDMI out, and a 1024 x 768 display. Apart from Digitimes saying pricing will be in the range of €300 - €400 ($446 - $595) — which we’re not buying — that’s really all we know, but we’re sure to find out more soon. Anyone else think it’s funny that ASUS so diluted the Eee brand in under a year that it has to start a new premium line? Tons more pictures at the read link.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

It’s been mostly hugs and cupcakes for Intel’s Atom processors lately — they’re apparently selling like hotcakes, and they′re the stars of the Intel Developer Conference this week. But although Intel was confidently predicting that supply would meet demand by next month, it sounds like Atoms might still be hard to come by — PC World quotes an unnamed ASUS exec as saying there’s a “serious shortage” of the chips, leading the PC manufacturer to turn to Celeron chips to meet demand. Intel reps are sticking to the party line and saying that the supply issue will be resolved by the end of the third quarter, but we’ll see how it goes — something tells us ASUS isn’t helping itself out too much by cranking out an endless string of Atom-based Eee PCs, either.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Desktops

It’s one thing to see a device unboxed in pictures, but we all know a video tells a million (give or take a few) words. HotHardware’s Dave Altavilla has posted up a sub-5 minute clip detailing the ins and outs of ASUS’ Eee Box 𐊚, and even from an enthusiast of all things cutting-edge, he was pretty impressed by the Atom-powered machine. The most interesting bit is probably the video playback test; we won’t spoil how it handled (or mishandled) 1080p playback for you — jump on past the break and have a look for yourself.

Continue reading ASUS Eee Box 𐊚 detailed and tested on video

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph