Live From CES: DualCor Mobile Computer

Posted by Chris Cardinal Categories: CES, CES 2006, Handhelds, Internet, PC / Laptop,

CES affords us the opportunity to see many new and wonderful devices that will never make it to market. Fortunately, the DualCor cPC isn’t one of those. The Dual Cor is a relatively small form-factor, full-fledged mobile PC. It sports a 1.5 GHz processor (and another, lower speed chip), 40 GB HD and 1 GB of DDR memory. Its namesake is highlighted by two separate processors running two separate operating systems. The 1.5 GHz x86 processor runs Windows XP Tablet Edition. From the XP interface, you can switch cores and OSes to Windows Mobile 2005, allowing you to run your box considerably longer and allowing it to function on the road as a normal PDA (and, potentially, a cell phone).

The device is absolutely loaded with features, including Bluetooth, WiFi, EVDO, a headphone & microphone jack, a CF II slot, two full USB 2.0 ports and the ability to export to a regular VGA display at 1280x1024 resolution. It also features a touchscreen and utilizes the Tablet architecture for easy data entry on the go. The device is expected to ship in March 2006 for roughly $1500, which is a steal if you ask us.

Andru will have a full video interview with the DualCor CEO up as soon as we figure out an elegant way to get them off his camcorder.

Live From CES: Digital Experience, Nokia N80 & More

Posted by Chris Cardinal Categories: Smartphones, CES, CES 2006, Peripherals,

After quite the two hour, four mile (seriously) trek from the airport involving a chiseling shuttle driver, a misguided monorail stop, a late attempt into the Gates Keynote and finally getting our badgeholders at the only place still open at 8 pm, we arrived at Digital Experience. DE is a press-only event that took place in the Bellagio’s Grand Ballroom. Some 100+ companies were there showing off their latest and greatest, and here’s what we found out:

TiVo claims that we’ll finally have a standalone HD TiVo by “mid 2006.” We won’t be holding our breaths for this one. Logitech released a new set of Bluetooth headphones that allow you to playback music from your (compatible) cell phone, with an integrated microphone that lets you answer calls mid-jam, right from the unit itself. It also featured some integrated play controls, letting your track forward and backward at will. (Link goes to a unit that looks almost identical.) Logitech also released what appears to be one of the first cordless desktop keyboard and mouse kits built specifically for the Mac. It includes a two-button mouse and a ten-day warning LED when the battery is low.

Nokia showed off the new N80, their first 3 megapixel camera and an absolute beauty. I got some hands on time with it, and I’ll be publishing details about it shortly. For now, it’s a slide form-factor, has a dedicated shutter button, and switches to landscape mode when you go to take a photo. The temptation to steal it was strong, until the Nokia rep informed me it’s a pre-production model that has quite a few bugs still.

We’ll be posting a lot more throughout the day, including some video interviews and more pics. For now, enjoy the picture of the chocolate fountains at Digital Experience. Stocked with fresh strawberries, marshmallows and pound cake, it’s important you know the sacrifices we make for you.

Sony Ericsson Walkman W810i Announced

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, CES, CES 2006,

Earlier today Sony Ericsson announced the latest addition to its line-up of Walkman-branded music cell phones in the Satin Black W810.  The Sony Ericsson W810 is a Quad-band EDGE phone (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), which lets you listen to hours of music, capture and send high-resolution images, access the Internet, as well as take advantage of fast data download speeds for games and streaming video and stay connected through instant messaging or email.  The latest Walkman phone comes with a 512MB removable Memory Stick PRO Duo, which can be upgraded to a 2GB Memory Stick if one sees fit. There is also a 2 mega-pixel auto-focus camera.  As with all Walkman phones, your music automatically pauses when an incoming call is received and begins playing again when the call ends.  The phone also offers a music-only mode for those occasions when the phone function must be disengaged, such as during air travel. 

Look for this one to ship in Spring 2006. In the meantime, we will have a video up soon going over the phone in detail.

Philladelphia Orders Sony To Clean Up PSP Grafitti Ads

Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: Corporate News, PSP,

Recently, Sony hired grafitti artists to spray ads for its PSP around Philadelphia. In trying to appear cool and create buzz about its portable game machine, Sony’s plan has taken a turn in a direction it didn’t hope for.

We have a hard time pointing a finger at Sony only because advertising is shifting away from traditional venues to new fresh channels. While millions of Americans still watch television, not many people pay attention to commercials. In fact, less people are watching television now in the face of other ways to spend leisure time. For example, as everyone here knows, more time is being spent on the Internet as well as playing videogames.

As Sony’s traditional advertising channels haven’t been as strong recently as they have in the past, who can blame them for trying something new? And heck, even if Philadelphia is upset with the company for its grafitti, the PSP’s word of mouth is on the rise - as shown by this post and the linked story, as well as all of the other coverage out there on this ordeal.

Read More | Chicago Tribune

PS3 Will Be “Late and Full of Bugs”?

Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: Corporate News, PlayStation 3, Rumors,

According to the Inquirer, Sony’s upcoming home console won’t be ready for it’s expected March release date because it’s full of bugs. We haven’t expected the PS3 to launch in North America this Spring, although a Japanese launch within the time frame is fairly likely. Based upon the Inquirer story, the PlayStation 3 may not make it out quite so soon in Japan because bugs have been holding it up.

The Inquirer’s source, an anonymous industry employee, claims that based upon his experience with the machine, it isn’t close to being ready for release and neither are the PS3 games that are being developed. While this is some unfortunate news, it’s still a rumor. Stil, hopefully the supposed bugs will be fixed soon and the games in development will be finished up in time for a fall release. As The Inquirer writes, the cell may just be a little too powerful - but then again, didn’t we hear similar complaints early on about the PS2 hardware?

Read More | The Inquirer

2D Mario Sunshine Game

Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: Action, Nintendo Gamecube, PC,

If you’re longing for a new Mario platforming game from Nintendo, you’ll have to keep waiting. In the meantime, PT Games is hosting an interesting 2D take on Mario Sunshine - originally a 3D platformer on Gamecube. Check it out by clicking the link below.

Read More | PT Games

Nintendo Sells 13 Million DS’s, 1 Million Mario Karts

Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: Corporate News, Nintendo DS,

How about that Nintendo. In a recently released press release, the company announced that it has sold 13 million DS units worldwide. To top that off, Mario Kart DS has sold 1 million copies since its release seven weeks ago. And finally, over half a million gamers have logged into Nintendo’s wireless service. Not bad, not bad at all.

Read More | Nintendo

Sonos Debuts ZonePlayer ZP80

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2006, Home Entertainment, Music, Wireless / WiFi,

Sonos, Inc., the developer of wireless multi-room music systems for the digital home, has just introduced a new ZonePlayer to complement their original music system.  The Sonos ZonePlayer ZP80 allows you play all your digital music, all over your house, on all of your favorite audio equipment – a home theater system, powered speakers, a premium table top radio, etc. By connecting a ZP80 to any amplified audio device via the analog or digital outputs, that device instantly and seamlessly becomes part of a wireless, multi-room digital music system.  This provides the consumer with the power to use the full-color Sonos

remote control to manage all of their music, in all of their rooms. “We created the ZP80 because many of the rooms where consumers want to listen to digital music already have an amplifier,” said John MacFarlane, chief executive officer, Sonos, Inc.  “Our goal is to provide digital music lovers with a range of products for building a wireless digital music system throughout their homes.” These will be available in Spring 2006 at $349 USD a pop.

Read More | Sonos

Covering CES: Total Consumer Electronics Show Coverage

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, CES,

Okay, we are finishing

starting our packing and finalizing our CES schedules. We hit Vegas tomorrow afternoon, and plan on four days of gadget uber-love to exude from our pores. We are primed and ready to bring you up-to-the-minute coverage right from the show floor, from behind closed doors, and from those CES parties we know and love. That being the case, we figured we would create a destination you could go to for all your CES news. Thusly, Covering CES was born. Be sure to check out Covering CES constantly. We aim to please.

Read More | Covering CES

Micro Mosquito At CES

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2006, Misc. Tech, Toys,

This year Interactive Toy Concepts (ITC) is unveiling the world’s smallest, most stable and lightest indoor helicopter, the Micro Mosquito. In the vein of our aforementioned miniature flying helicopter, the Micro Mosquito is the world’s smallest, lightest and most stable indoor helicopter. Only inches long, its packed with high-tech ingenuity as this flying wonder fits in the palm of your hand. Based on award-winning coaxial rotor design, the Micro Mosquito flies in all directions with 3 channel digital control going up, down, forward, reverse, turning left and right and it even hovers. Its open structure design combined with glowing green eyes lets you see the inner workings while you watch in awe at its total control flight performance. A great gadget toy for the home or office.