OLPC XO-1 Goes into Production

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

Three million OLPC XO-1s, at a price of $175.00 apiece, have been ordered by various governments around the planet, giving the company sufficient funding to start mass production of the units in October. No specific countries have been named, probably in an effort to dispel competition from other companies’ low cost computer sales efforts.

Even better news is that the non-profit organization may launch a commercial version for about $350.00 for children (and adults) who like many of the features, such as a sunlight readable display, low power consumption, and built-in wireless networking, and want their own XO-1s. This will be around that same time frame, right in line with the Christmas season. We hope that Santa will be packing lots of those in with his other goodies this year.

Read More | ABC

AXIS Cam is Wireless

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Misc. Tech, Wireless / WiFi,

The Korean company AXIS has designed a 1.3M 211W network cam with a choice of a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. With an omni-directional indoor antenna, it switches automatically between day and night. The cam also features a progressive scan sensor and advanced imaging, and is compatible with IEEE 802.11g standard as well as being backward compatible with IEEE 802.11b. With two-way, one-way, or audio off, and at a size of 44 x 88 x 200 mm, the cam is the perfect excuse to spy on employees of retail outlets, offices, and hotels, or just for peeking around college dorms.

Read More | Axis via Aving

Vroop’s Liveboard: A Real-Time Baseball Scoreboard

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, USB, Misc. Tech, Wireless / WiFi,

We recently told you about the Baseball Mouse, and now we have the perfect thing to go with it. Vroop’s Liveboard is a miniature replica of a baseball stadium scoreboard for your computer. After Liveboard wirelessly syncs to the included software via Bluetooth (a USB adapter is also included), it can track and display what’s going on during any Major League Baseball game, including the score, how many are on base and the count on the batter—all in real-time. There are three modes to choose from: follow your favorite team, a game in your team’s division, or all games in play (each displayed for 60 seconds). As baseball fans we love it, but feel the $299 USD price tag is too high. For that we’d rather buy a Yankees mini-plan, and watch the game in person.

Read More | Liveboard via Gearlog

BlackBerry 8820 To Be Released

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, GPS, Handhelds, Internet, Portable Audio / Video, Wireless / WiFi,

Research in Motion will be launching their BlackBerry 8820 with plenty of new and updated features, such as built-in GPS with BlackBerry Maps, 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi support, an enhanced multi-media player, voice dialing, trackball navigation, and a micro SD/SDHC expandable memory slot that will hold 32GB. Rim’s smartphone still has an easily manageable QWERTY keyboard, a 320 x 240 display, SMS and MMS text messaging, IM, and web browser. The BlackBerry 8820 will be available in Europe in the next few weeks, with a North American AT&T launch during the latter part of this summer.

Read More | RIM

iPhone Bluetooth Headset Available For Order

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Smartphones, Wireless / WiFi,

If you’re like me, you’ve been holding out on purchasing a Bluetooth headset for your iPhone because you wanted the official model from Apple. Well, it may not have been available for purchase at the launch of the iPhone, but it’s now available for order on Apple’s online store. For a price of $129 USD, you walk away with the iPhone Bluetooth Headset, the iPhone Dual Dock, and the iPhone Bluetooth Travel Cable which lets you charge the headset while on the go. The iPhone Bluetooth Headset give you 5.5 hours of talk time and up to 72 hours of standby time, and automatically pairs with the iPhone. Don’t get too excited, though, as the estimated shipping timeframe is 2-4 weeks according to Apple.

Read More | iPhone Bluetooth Headset Product Page

MX Air Mouse is Designed for the Terminally Lazy

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Home Entertainment, Music, Peripherals, Wireless / WiFi,

If you don’t want to get up to change music tracks on your computer, Logitech’s new wireless MX Air Mouse uses a combination of Freespace and motion control so anyone can point, select, and play without getting up from the sofa. Want to change the volume? A simple gesture to the left or right increases or decreases it. Circle your hand to the right to skip tracks or move it left to repeat the tune. Logitech has even replaced the scroll wheel with a touch-sensitive panel that is gauged by the speed of your finger and features buttons for play/pause, select, back, and volume/mute.

The MX works on a combination of MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) sensors, DSP, and RF wireless technologies, with some sophisticated algorithms thrown in to make it more capable. Rechargeable, the mouse offers a range of up to 30 feet and will become available in August at an MSRP of $149.99. We’re all for any new laser gadget that can do the work with half the effort.

Read More | Logitech

MusicPal is Wireless Entertainment

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Home Entertainment, Misc. Tech, Music, Wireless / WiFi,

 

Freecom’s latest MusicPal radio can access up to 5,000 stations or just create your own with your MP3s and WAVs. The black WiFi gadget will provide you with live RSS or blog feeds on its 128 x 64 LCD display, features a favorites button and convenient scroll wheels, runs on Linux Kernal 2.6, has an alarm clock, a full range, built-in loudspeaker and WLAN antenna. Use the stereo out 2 x cinch to connect to your HiFi/Amplifier or plug your headphones into its minijack. The MusicPal will be available in August for 129,00 EUR (~$178.00,) but you can pre-order.

Read More | Freecom

Going to a Mariner Game? Bring your DS Lite for WiFi Fun

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Video Games, Wireless / WiFi,

If you’re a Seattle Mariner fan with a Nintendo DS Lite, we are extremely jealous of you. Why? Because for a fee of $5 game (or $30 for 10 games), you can bring your DS to Safeco Field, and enjoy a trial run of the Nintendo Fan Network, with cool WiFi features designed for DS users. Watch a live televised feed of the game, obtain scores and player stats, and even stump your friends with trivia. You can even order food right from your seat! Sounds like immense fun with limitless possibilities for all sports, not just baseball. We really hope the “NFN” catches on—and comes to Yankee Stadium next if anyone’s listening…

Read More | Nintendo Fan Network on Flickr via engadget

Belkin to Release Wireless USB Hub

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, USB, Cameras, Smartphones, PC / Laptop, Wireless / WiFi,

Belkin has been very busy of late. Their latest offering is a Wireless 2.0 Hub that allows you a USB connection up to 30 feet away to devices such as scanners, printers, storage drives, and cameras. It will transfer at speeds of up to 480Mbps, and comes complete with hub, dock, and USB and power adapters. Available in North America in late August for $199.99, those of you in Asia, Europe, and Australia will just have to wait a bit longer. Contact Belkin for more information or to find a retailer near you. 

Read More | Belkin

Kensington Unveils New Ergonomic Mice

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Peripherals, Wireless / WiFi, USB,

Kensington is featuring a new line of mice that they claim are up to 35% thinner than most on the market. The “rouge” Ci75m is both PC and Mac compatible, features an auto-sleep state, an optical sensor with 1000dpi, is 27MHz wireless, and will work both left and right-handed. The mouse also has a low charge indicator on its scroll wheel, promises up to 6 months of battery life, and comes with a 5 foot USB extension cable. The Ci75m carries an MSRP of $39.99 and a 5 year warranty. Visit Kensington to see the rest of the Ci series’ specifications and/or order one to be the envy of your co-workers.

Read More | Kensington