Developages - Development and Technology Blog

Filed under: Displays, Household

Look, we’re not going to argue that those chintzy clap lamps weren’t pretty sweet in their heyday. And we’re also not going to put up a fuss when you assert that snap bracelets were equally adorable in the early 90s. Nostalgia aside, Fraunhofer IPMS is headed straight for the future with its latest OLED breakthrough. Reportedly, the company has devised an OLED display that can be controlled via human touch or by simply waving one’s hand in front of the panel. Unlike similar applications that have come before it, there’s no additional hardware needed — and therein lies the magic. The outfit is currently showing off the design at the Plastic Electronic 2008 show, though it yet to reveal anything close to a release plan.

[Via OLED-Display]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

With Sprint snagging the vast majority of the WiMAX limelight of late, we aren’t going to complain with a similar network halfway across the globe yanking it back. Out of absolutely nowhere comes HTC’s first WiMAX-enabled handset, the sure-to-be-delightful T8290. Reportedly, this bugger packs a 3.8-inch 800 x 480 resolution display, 802.11g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, GSM and WiMAX radios and is expected to launch soon on Russia’s Yota. Granted, we can’t take this as hard truth or anything quite yet, but the images that reside in the read link are more than convincing. Oh, and HTC — given that you’re passing on the US with the Touch HD, do you think it’d be possible to get this over here for use with XOHM? We’d really, really appreciate it.

[Via Slashphone, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs

A fellow named Stuart Lowe installed Leopard on his Gigabyte M912X netbook / tablet hybrid, and we like the results. Though this isn’t the first Mac tablet hack, it’s a tightly wrapped little package: the interface seems smooth with either fingers or a stylus, and Inkwell’s onscreen keyboard allows complete functionality when the computer is folded into its slate configuration. Much of the necessary software functionality existed in Leopard already, and since installing OS X on something other than a Mac isn’t the challenge it used to be, we’re envisioning a pretty smooth ride for other would-be-hackers. We’ve embedded a video on the other side of the jump — take a look, and then cast your vote on what to call this niche category of netbook-like tablets.

[Via Slashgear]

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Continue reading Gigabyte M912X hack makes a smarter, cheaper Modbook

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Original post by Samuel Axon

Those of you looking for extra hard-disk space should check out Brando’s USB and eSATA Screw-less 3.5 Double HDD Enclosure. It combines two drives into one relatively huge drive and has a quick-release function that facilitates quick swapping of your 3.5-inch HDDs without the need to use screws. The built in fan should keep your hard disks cool, and it supports RAID 0 and RAID 1.

The enclosure has a built-in 60-watt power supply. The entire unit works with Windows Vista, XP and the Mac OS. The HDD enclosure retails for $199.

Original post by Chris Gampat

Here’s a paradox: this USB Golf Mouse comes with clubs that are smaller than its golf balls. Of course, it’s because this mouse looks and is textured to feel like a golf ball.

For $15, golf enthusiasts can get the mouse (2 buttons and scroll wheel), a gold course mouse pad (no specifics as to whether it’s fake grass or just green), golf flag, three golf balls, and a putter. When you get yours, be sure to search the Interwebs for a miniature golf bag to fit this package for golf enthusiasts.

Original post by Chris Gampat

Now, your friends can watch you make yourself look beautiful when videoconferencing with this USB Mirror Web Camera. The mirror contains 24 white LED lights. When you turn the LED lights on, your face will look brighter and prettier; kind of what actual lighting is used for during film shoots.

With a 1.3 MP camera, SuppoLens rotation for adjusting clear image, support for Windows XP/Vista, Mac OSX (10.4 or higher), and compatibility with ICQ, MSN, Skype, etc you can show your friends how beautiful you are for $79.00.

Original post by Chris Gampat

Ed Baig and I have to stop meeting like this.

Baig, USA Today’s tech journalist (one of three reporters Steve Jobs hand-picked to get the first Apple iPhone 3G) and all around good guy and I have a habit of meeting up around iPhone release dates. Last year I saw him at event shortly after he received the first iPhone. He was kind enough to let me spend 10 minutes with it. This year, I ran into him, and since our own 3G has yet to arrive, essentially shook him upside down until the new phone fell from his pocket.

Okay, that’s an exaggeration. Baig did hand it over after some gently nudging. Head-on, the iPhone 3G looks exactly the same as the old iPhone. I noticed the no-longer recessed headphone jack and that the chrome edging had been moved back a bit, to make the face seem larger (though the two phones are the same height and width) The big, and for some I think this will be really big, difference is the back. The much-reported-on bowed black plastic, which make the phone slightly thicker than the iPhone 1.0 and should vastly improve call quality, feels remarkably different than the rev one’s polished aluminum back.

The room Ed and I were in was busy and warm and I noticed that my slightly sweaty palms made the phone back feel sort of sweaty. It also made it sit more securely in my hand. Still, holding the original side-by-side, I noticed that the aluminum back on the first iPhone still felt silky smooth in my other hand.

A minor point, I’m sure. On the other hand, the iPhone’s cherished sexiness may have taken a bit of a hit here. This iPhone feels a bit more like other phones you might hold and, with that slightly sticky feel on sweaty hands, reminds you that you’re just some guy, holding a new Apple iPhone 3G in an over-crowded room.

Original post by Lance Ulanoff

Nokia today announced the release of a new cell-phone accessory designed for users with hearing aids: The Nokia Wireless Loopset works with T-coil equipped hearing aids or cochlear implants, and slips around the user’s neck.

The Wireless Loopset is compatible with Bluetooth-ready handsets, essentially transforming the user’s hearing aid into a headset. The device features adjustable sidetone levels, optimized volume range, single-button calling, and a vibrating alert.

“The Nokia Wireless Loopset provides hearing aid users with a
hassle-free and hands-free connection to their mobile phones,” said Nokia R&D Specialist, Peeta Piiparinen,. “Sound is amplified more efficiently, while the distance between the phone and hearing aid means that the possibility of interference is greatly reduced. The loopset filters out background noise, which increases speech discrimination, and offers excellent audio quality in a range of environments such as the car, office, or even in windy conditions outdoors.”

The device is expected to ship the first quarter of next year for 200 euros ($315.36 U.S.).

Original post by Brian Heater

In terms of innovative features, the new LG Decoy for Verizon has one major thing going for it: the phone is the first to feature a built-in Bluetooth headset. Beyond that, the Decoy is a pretty middle of the road handset.

After the jump, our lead phone analyst Sascha Segan gives us a hands-on video tour of the new device. And of course look for Sascha’s full review at PC Mag soon.

Original post by Brian Heater

In the world of consumer technology, there’s certainly a payoff in being the “world’s first” anything. Of course being the world’s first in anything useful is a difficult feat, which is seemingly the exact reason why things like “the world’s first 3-in-1 Bluetooth headset with laser pointer and LED flashlight” are born. And of course, it always helps to have companies like Brando pushing technologies to their illogical conclusion.

The logic behind the combination of a Bluetooth headset and laser pointer is that they’re both office-related technologies, and therefore it sort of makes sense to have them in one centralized location. You can take a call and then point to something on a PowerPoint presentation. Just don’t expect to complete both of these tasks simultaneously without a lot of clever maneuvering. “Having paired the BluePOINTER with a HID profile supported PC, you can remotely scroll your PC presentation,” says Brando.

The reasoning behind the inclusion of the LED flashlight, on the other hand seems to be a little less strategic. Once again, a quote directly from Brando: “The ultra-bright LED flashlight is a bonus unique feature.” So there you have it.

The BluePOINTER 3-in-1 Bluetooth headset with laser pointer and LED flashlight is available now from Brando for $90.

Original post by Brian Heater

SMK Corp, the same company which showcased the no-battery remote control at TEXPO 2008, also presented the first pen which lets users write on air quite literally. To be able to work its magic, the pen has an integrated triaxial acceleration sensor. This sensor is responsible for detecting spatial motion and recognizing the characters written. The characters are transmitted onto the screen via Bluetooth connection. The pen can reportedly still function for up to 10 meters away from the screen, although I assume the transmission time would be slower.

While the company claims the Wireless Input Pen is the first pen to allow users to write on what is virtually nothing, other companies have developed similar devices before, although all seem to require the presence of paper for the pens to write on rather than just air. The company is currently applying for a patent of the device, envisaging the Wireless Input Pen to be used as a better substitute for laser pointers during presentation.

Original post by Mariella Moon

Cool “Fusion” finish
gives this machine some panache
LEDs? Icing.

–Molly K. McLaughlin

For Lead Analyst (Laptops & Notebooks) Cisco Cheng’s full-length, free-verse Toshiba Satellite U405-S2830 review check out PCmag.com.

Original post by Blogging Molly

A touchscreen tablet
productive and also green
convertible too

–Molly K. McLaughlin

For Lead Analyst (Laptops & Notebooks) Cisco Cheng’s full-length, free-verse Toshiba Portégé M700-S7002 review check out PCmag.com.

Original post by Blogging Molly

If you’re used to sitting down at Starbucks and signing into the Wi-Fi network with your pre-paid T-Mobile Hotspot time, get ready for a change. Though you may hardly notice.

Starting this spring and rolling across the country by the end of the year, the coffee chain is dropping T-Mobile as its Wi-Fi provider in 7,000 locations in the United States in favor of AT&T. This comes after working with T-Mobile for several years, but there’s no word on why.

AT&T can now claim a 17,000 location strong hotspot network in the U.S. Many of those locations are actually operated by Wayport, such as the Wi-Fi found at thousands of McDonald’s restaurants. But AT&T, in turn, provides the backhaul connection for those Wi-Fi connections.

AT&T is going to be nice to current users. Starbucks says AT&T cut a deal with T-Mobile so current users can continue to access the Wi-Fi at Starbucks without paying extra. AT&T’s own press release states that Starbucks card holders can have two free hours of Wi-Fi per day; it usually costs $3.99 per two hour session (T-Mobile charged $6 per hour). Users can also pay $19.99 a month, flat. Current subscribers to AT&T broadband services at home get free access at hotspots any time they want — that goes for all the AT&T hotspots, Starbucks and non.

Bonus for you 100,000 baristas and other Starbucks employees: you get gratis access in any location. Hopefully, it’s not your only raise this year.

Original post by Eric Griffith

I’m not sure how I felt about this one. Part of me is a little sick of seeing my umpteenth wacky Wii peripheral of the show. The other part of me is genuinely excited by the prospect of a Wii crossbow, and while the applications for such a controller don’t seem altogether too numerous, perhaps one can play as Chewbacca in that long-promised Star Wars game, or the inevitable Wii version of Ted Nugent’s Kill It & Grill It cookbook.

WiPlay’s Wii Shooting Gun & Crossbow utilizes the Wiimote, featuring, like all good crossbows, a built-in sight, assuring that Bambi’s mom won’t be escaping any time soon. The crossbow add-on detaches, turning the controller into a standard gun. The gun can also be purchased sans-crossbow.

The Shooting Gun & Crossbow is available through WiPlay’s site.

Original post by Brian Heater