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The BBC has set its sights on conquering the portable world now by making iPlayer downloads available on portable media players (PMPs). As long as the media players support Windows Media-protected content, then downloaded - not streamed - iPlayer content can be used. The content referred to is downloads as many devices are not Net-enabled. Users download the content first to a PC or laptop and then ’sideload’ - drag and drop - the file to their PMP. So far, the service has been tested on the following devices:• Sony Walkman E and S series • Archos 605 WIFI and Internet Media Tablet • Philips GoGear 52xx series • Samsung YP-P2 and YP-Q1 • Nokia N96 Anthony Rose, head of digital media technologies, BBC Future Media & Technology, commented: “If you’re buying a portable media player and would like a model that allows you to play BBC iPlayer programmes on it, we have made a web page, Where To Get BBC iPlayer, where you can get a list of the model numbers of tested BBC iPlayer-compatible devices. Those on this list have been tested by the BBC iPlayer team. BBC iPlayer may work on devices which are not on the list - if the device packaging mentions “PlaysForSure”, that’s a good sign. We’ll update the list as we test more devices.” The content for the PMPs has been encoded in an additional file format: 320 x 180 pixels 500Kbps video and 128Kbps 48KHz sampling audio in WMV file format.-Martin Lynch [iPlayer] TV bbc iplayer

Original post by nafiz

I just love how USB sticks are cramming in more and more storage and with the Kingston 32GB DataTraveler 150, there’s a lot to like. Even that Gekko-like skin. This is Kingston’s largest capacity stick to date but it’s just about as late to market as any manufacturer could be. Last October EDGE Tech in the US launched one of the first 32GB stick but there is one key difference: that one cost £200, whereas the DT 150 costs around £63. What a difference a year makes. “The new DataTraveler 150 has broken through storage barriers by allowing users to store all their digital files ? business or personal ? all under one roof,” said Kirsty Miller, European Flash Product Marketing Manager, Kingston Technology. “As file sizes increase especially with content such as music and photos, the need for small form factor storage drives with high capacities will continue to go up. The DT 150 certainly addresses those needs today.” Kingston’s DataTraveler 150 measures 77.9 x 22 x 12.05mm and is compatible with Windows Vista, XP and Windows 2000 as well as Mac OS X 10.3 (and above) and Linux 2.6 (and above). The DT 150 comes with a 5-year warranty and 24/7 tech support.-Martin Lynch [Kingston] storage flash USB

Original post by nafiz

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Thanks, MIT. Why don’t you just make the rest of the world feel a little more useless. Every week or so, we’re forced to stare at yet another amazing invention coming from your doors; to be frank, it’s just downright unfair. All childish angst aside, the latest idea to come from the institution is one that could certainly be put to good use: a self-sustaining sensor network that taps into trees for power in order to continuously monitor forests for threats of fire. Moreover, the concept could be applied in other scenarios as well — to detect potential threats such as smuggled contraband along a nation’s borders, perhaps. Testing of the wireless sensor network (developed by the appropriately named Voltree Power) is scheduled to begin next spring, and we’re hearing that pot-sniffing turtles may even be brought in to create a completely natural self-policing environment.

[Via Inhabitat]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones

Perhaps a nod to Samsung’s corny candybars and Nokia’s wild Earth-friendly hardware, Sony Ericsson has unveiled its GreenHeart concept, a never-destined-for-production handset that incorporates a bunch of green technologies that it’d like to bring to market over the coming years. Most of the GreenHeart’s ideas are totally logical and could be executed today — online user manuals, bioplastic and recycled plastic materials, and a charger that draws just 3.5mW in trickle mode, just to name a few — but the company is shopping around the whole lot of it to customers and “selected partners” to determine which eco-concepts should be implemented for production and in what order. Unfortunately, Sony Ericsson isn’t seeing fit to show any pictures of the GreenHeart right now, which we take to mean it looks like a tree.

[Via Unwired View]

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Original post by Chris Ziegler

Microsoft has made a point over the last few years of attempting to steal some of the thunder (and market share) from Apple each time the Cupertino company makes announcements in the world of iPods. True to form, Redmond announced refreshes to its Zune line the night before Apple’s “Let’s Rock” Event.

So now that the dust has started to settle, how do the players compare? Check out some of the vital specs, after the jump.

–Both player lines now cap out at 120GB. In Apple’s case, the Classic gets the prize–the flash-based iPod Touch currently maxes out at 32GB.

–The Flash-based Zunes and the iPod Nanos go head to head in terms of price and capacity: Both offer 8GB and 16GB versions for $149 and $199, respectively.

–Both companies upped the recommendation ante. The Zune will make recommendations based on your listening history and offers new “expert” programmed Zune channels. The iPod, meanwhile, offers the Genius feature via iTunes 8, and now gives users the ability to make quick on-the-go playlists via a new pop-up menu

–As with the iPod touch, Zune users can now download songs via built-in Wi-Fi

–The Zune now ships with two new games: Hexic and Texas Hold ‘em. Apple, meanwhile, introduced a number of new App Store games, including Spore Origins, Real Soccer 2009, and a Need for Speed Undercover, all demoed at today’s announcement.

Original post by Brian Heater

Microsoft has made a point over the last few years of attempting to steal some of the thunder (and market share) from Apple each time the Cupertino company makes announcements in the world of iPods. True to form, Redmond announced refreshes to its Zune line the night before Apple’s “Let’s Rock” Event.

So now that the dust has started to settle, how do the players compare? Check out some of the vital specs, after the jump.

–Both player lines now cap out at 120GB. In Apple’s case, the Classic gets the prize–the flash-based iPod Touch currently maxes out at 32GB.

–The Flash-based Zunes and the iPod Nanos go head to head in terms of price and capacity: Both offer 8GB and 16GB versions for $149 and $199, respectively.

–Both companies upped the recommendation ante. The Zune will make recommendations based on your listening history and offers new “expert” programmed Zune channels. The iPod, meanwhile, offers the Genius feature via iTunes 8, and now gives users the ability to make quick on-the-go playlists via a new pop-up menu

–As with the iPod touch, Zune users can now download songs via built-in Wi-Fi

–The Zune now ships with two new games: Hexic and Texas Hold ‘em. Apple, meanwhile, introduced a number of new App Store games, including Spore Origins, Real Soccer 2009, and a Need for Speed Undercover, all demoed at today’s announcement.

Original post by Brian Heater

Filed under: GPS

Blaupunkt’s TravelPilot nav units have never really stood out from the pack, but it looks like that’s about to change — the new TravelPilot 700 and 500 feature an integrated camera that displays realtime video with nav overlays on their 16:9 screens. That’s definitely a novel and intriguing feature, but there’s not a lot of information on how it works or what kind of hardware is under the hood to keep it running smoothly — with the 700’s estimated list price of $740, we’re guessing it’s pretty beefy. Both units also feature voice control, DVB-T traffic, live traffic, Bluetooth, and the usual PMP features, and the 700 also has a browser, email app, and VoIP client that work over Bluetooth tethering with your phone. Yeah, definitely intriguing — hopefully we’ll see this thing make it Stateside soon. Video after the break.

[Via Navigadget; thanks, Khattab]

Continue reading Blaupunkt TravelPilot 700 and 500 overlay nav info on realtime video

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: GPS

Sony’s Nav-U line of PNDs hasn’t made big waves in the States yet, but the company’s keeping at it, releasing four new touchscreen navs today. The new $400 NV-U94T (pictured) takes over from the NV-U83T at the high end, featuring a 4.8-inch touch screen in a 30 percent thinner case, gesture commands, POSITION plus accelerometer and barometer (wild)-based dead reckoning in case of signal loss, Quick Links POI icons, and an RDS-TMC traffic receiver built into the cradle, as well as basic PMP functions, Bluetooth with A2DP output and Memory Stick Duo expansion; the $300 NV-U74T is basically the same package minus the PMP features and with a 4.3-inch screen and the $350 NV-U84 keeps the 4.8-inch panel but doesn’t have Bluetooth, dead reckonings, or traffic. There’s also a totally new 3.5-inch unit, the $250 NV-U44, which is pretty basic but seems like a fine deal: text-to-speech nav, maps of the US and Canada, and split-screen 3D views with lane guidance. All four shoud be out in September.

[Via CNET]

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: GPS

Garmin continued its contribution to the general, incremental advancement of technology today by spitting out a handful of new satnavs destined to be suctioned to your windshield in the very near future. The company introduced updates to its low-end 2×5 series, including the 265T, 265WT and 275T. The models include lifetime traffic alerts via NAVTEQ Traffic, Bluetooth connectivity, and are offered in 3.5-inch or 4.3-inch touchscreen iterations. Garmin also updated its higher-end 7×5 lineup, bringing the 755T, 765T, and 775T into the mix. The devices sport 4.3-inch touchscreens, those same NAVTEQ Traffic updates, 3D transparent building views, accelerated graphics rendering, and HotFix (which stores “critical satellite information”). No word yet on release date or pricing for the new models, though we expect to see them on display at IFA.

[Thanks, Tim]

Read - Garmin Expands Affordable nüvi 2×5 Series, Offering Hands-Free Calling and Lifetime Traffic Alerts
Read - Garmin Introduces nüvi 7×5 Series with Lane Assist, Giving Drivers a Clear Picture of the Road Ahead

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Original post by Joshua Topolsky

Filed under: GPS

Garmin continued its contribution to the general, incremental advancement of technology today by spitting out a handful of new satnavs destined to be suctioned to your windshield in the very near future. The company introduced updates to its low-end 2×5 series, including the 265T, 265WT and 275T. The models include lifetime traffic alerts via NAVTEQ Traffic, Bluetooth connectivity, and are offered in 3.5-inch or 4.3-inch touchscreen iterations. Garmin also updated its higher-end 7×5 lineup, bringing the 755T, 765T, and 775T into the mix. The devices sport 4.3-inch touchscreens, those same NAVTEQ Traffic updates, 3D transparent building views, accelerated graphics rendering, and HotFix (which stores “critical satellite information”). No word yet on release date or pricing for the new models, though we expect to see them on display at IFA.

[Thanks, Tim]

Read - Garmin Expands Affordable nüvi 2×5 Series, Offering Hands-Free Calling and Lifetime Traffic Alerts
Read - Garmin Introduces nüvi 7×5 Series with Lane Assist, Giving Drivers a Clear Picture of the Road Ahead

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Original post by Joshua Topolsky

Filed under: GPS, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Cowon’s sexy little S3 Curve PMP isn’t the only device we’ll see out of the company at IFA this year — there’s also the L3 nav unit and the O2 PMP. The O2 isn’t quite as much of a beast as the S3, but it’ll more than hold its own with a 4.3-inch touch screen, a T-DMB tuner, TV-out, and SD expansion, while the L3 nav has a 7-inch 800 x 480 touch screen, SiRF III GPS chip, hidden touch controls, a T-DMB tuner, and an FM transmitter. Well get a closer look at these when IFA starts later this week, but expect minor tweaks if these ever make it out of Korea.

Read - L3
Read - O2

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Original post by Nilay Patel

While traditionally known as a forum for HDTVs, the big IFA show in Berlin is also shaping up as a showcase battle for Korean DAPs. Hot on the arching heels of Cowon’s S9 Curve comes this, the (re)announcement of iriver’s P20. While we first saw the P20 as a plastic prototype at CES, we’re desperately hoping for a fully functional, 80/120GB media player this time around. The device is still spec’d with a 4.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen display capable of pumping 12-, 9-, or 8-hours of music, video, or DMB TV at a clip, respectively. It’s also likely sporting a SPINN UI judging by that thumb-wheel. Also on deck is the M3 portable GPS navigator / media player with 3.5-inch touch screen LCD. More details on Friday when trade show floor opens its doors.

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Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: GPS, Portable Video

We’re (so) looking forward to the day when we Americans don’t have to look longingly at the amazing navigation units that pop up every month or so in South Korea, but until that fateful day arrives, we’ll continue drooling courtesy of the Easycar U7. This screen-dominated conglomerate features a 7-inch LCD, DMB TV tuner, 19-millimeter thick frame and an integrated multimedia player / text viewer. All that for just ₩199,000 ($191)? Nah, we’re not envious at all.

[Via Techie Diva]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: GPS

Garmin’s Oregon 400 nav comes in a few different flavors depending on how you like to experience the outdoors, but the essential 3-inch touchscreen package is the same, and it looks like it’s a winner — the folks at PC Magazine just put the 400t variant through its paces, and found that it’s an “excellent hiking companion.” Of course, for six bills you’d damn well better get a sensitive GPS receiver with quick acquisition times, but the 400t also impressed with solid battery life on just two AAs and easy set up. Of course, as an outdoor-centric PND, the highway guidance features are a bit lacking compared to devices like Garmin’s Nuvis, but if you’re looking to tromp around the woods in style and you’ve got cash to spare, it sounds like the Oregon series is worth a look.

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: GPS

Navigon’s 2150 Max isn’t revolutionary in terms of design nor specifications, but it does feature a rather delicious list of features for just £229.99 ($458). All-too-trusting UK motorists can look forward to a 4.3-inch display, pre-loaded maps of 39 countries, built-in Bluetooth, text-to-speech and support for live traffic information. Oh, and in case our header was unclear, it’s shipping this very moment in time.

[Via BIOS Magazine]

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Original post by Darren Murph