Panasonic F8 Toughbook

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, PC / Laptop, Wireless / WiFi,

Panasonic is preparing to release some new Toughbooks. Included is the F8, which the company calls the planet’s lightest 3G-ready notebook. With a weight of only 3.7 lbs., the 14.1-inch system features an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, up to 4GB RAM, and a 160GB hard drive. It has the usual magnesium alloy chassis, flexible inner connectors, spill resistant keyboard, and the addition of a handle. Wireless options are also available. The company also has 2 more new Toughbooks designed for those who have a tendency to drop and/or spill. Look for them in November.

Read More | c/net

PC Remote Control II

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, PC / Laptop, Wireless / WiFi, USB,

The PC Remote II is similar to one made for TVs, except it won’t work on your TV and it acts as a wireless mouse. With a USB interface, no driver is needed and it works up to an 18m distance. It features four hot keys and runs on 2 AAA batteries (not included.) The remote supports Windows 2000/XP/VISTA and WMP, RealPlayer, KMPlayer, TTPlay, WinDVD, PowerDVD software. At a price of $21.00, it gives you one more thing to lose in your sofa.

Read More | Gadget4all

GM Finally Unveils Chevy Volt

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Design, GPS, Transportation, Wireless / WiFi,

If you live in Michigan, you couldn’t help but be inundated with news about the official unveiling of the Chevy Volt. Run on electricity from its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery, it has a gas/E85-powered engine to sustain the battery and keep the car moving. GM estimates that a driver who drives about 40 miles per day should save about $1,500 a year. Other features include a 7-inch touchscreen display, climate and infotainment controls, GPS, and Bluetooth capability. Unfortunately, GM won’t even begin production until 2010 on the $40,000 car.

Read More | Autoblog Green

Sotec E7 Media Center Computer with iPod Dock

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Home Entertainment, PC / Laptop, Portable Audio / Video, Wireless / WiFi,

Onkyo’s subsidiary Sotec has come up with an E7 series media center computer that we are surprised Apple didn’t come up with first. The PC has an iPod dock built-in. In addition, it has an Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 processor at 2.53 Ghz, a 21.6-inch LCD (1680 × 1050p,) up to 500GB hard drive, and a 1.3 megapixel webcam. Also included is a DVD multi-drive and SD card reader. The E7 package comes with wireless keyboard and mouse, speakers, and remote. Expect it next month in Japan for ¥144,800 (~$1,450.00.)

Read More | Newlaunches

HTC Touch 3G Smartphone

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Wireless / WiFi,

Thank goodness companies are finally starting to make cell phones that are not only functional, but look modern, too. HTC’s Touch 3G comes with TouchFLO 3D GUI. The 3G has a 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen, 7.2Mbps HSDPA, a 3.2M camera, and supports Bluetooth and Windows 6.1OS. At a size of 102 x 53.6 x 14.5mm and a weight of 96g, it should be available next month in your choice of 4 colors.

Read More | Aving

Free Wi-Fi access for Zune at McDonalds

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Wireless / WiFi,

Now that you know about the new Zune and are thinking about grabbing one, here’s another reason. Microsoft and Wayport, the network provider of McDonald’s, have made a deal to give Zune owners free WiFi over the next three years. You may not be able to check your email, but you can order tunes to go with your fries. This works on pre-existing Zunes as well. Sony’s Mylo COM-2 and Zipit Wireless Messenger Z2 can also receive the WiFi.

Read More | Gearlog

RIM Blackberry Pearl 8220

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds, Wireless / WiFi,

RIM has announced the flip version of its BlackBerry Pearl. At a size of 3.98 x 1.97 x .69-inches and a weight of 3.6 oz., the 8220 smartphone features video and music player, a 2 megapixel cam with flash, WiFi, video streaming, and Web browser. The handheld also has an abridged keyboard with SureType technology and Spellcheck. Look for it sometime this fall, with T-Mobile as the U.S. carrier.

By the way, Co-CEO of RIM, Jim Balsillie, said that 70% of mobile phone users in the U.S. use a flip phone. That seems reason enough for us.

Read More | RIM

Inventec Velocity 103 Smartphone

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Handhelds, Microsoft, Wireless / WiFi,

Inventec has announced that it will soon be shipping the Velocity 103, its new smartphone. Available in black, it features a 2.8-inch, 640 x 480 resolution touch screen with an Odyssey Interface. It also has 128 MB RAM, 256MB internal memory, a 2.0 megapixel cam, WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0 capability, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, microSD card slot, and TV out. You can pre-order the 103 at expansys for $499.99.

Read More | Velocity Mobile

Plastic Logic E-Newspaper

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: CES, Corporate News, Misc. Tech, Wireless / WiFi,

Plastic Logic’s black-and-white bendable plastic substrate e-newspaper is about to be sprung. Larger than the Kindle and eReader, it has a full 8.5 x 11-inch display and works by gesturing. The device can be continuously updated wirelessly and can both store and display hundreds of books, documents, and newspaper pages. It is compatible with Word, Excel and Powerpoint files as well as PDFs. Available during the first half of 2009, the price and name should be announced at the next CES.

Read More | The New York Times

iBike Console Duo for iPod nano

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Music, Portable Audio / Video, Transportation, Wireless / WiFi,

Now that you are cycling your way to work, why not reward yourself with all the money you saved on fuel by treating your iPod nano to an iBikeConsole Duo? The waterproof device will not only play your tunes, it has wireless control on the grips with glove-friendly keys and a 3.5mm stereo speaker/headphone jack. Push the mode button and the gadget will keep track of your speed, trip length, and total distance. At a size of 117 x 62 x 26mm and a weight of .5 kg, the basic Duo is available for $76.00 but is customizable for those who take biking very seriously.

Read More | iBike Console Duo Product Page