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In what is sure to not be the last time Google and Microsoft cross swords, here we have a quick comparison of the two’s online services.  Who has the upper hand: Google and their only in the clouds (for now) Documents or Microsoft’s no editing in the clouds Word Online.  Here is the summation:

The basic differences between the two really is the angle they come at the service.  For Google, it is all online.  Google puts editing, saving, sharing, and everything else you can do online.  For Microsoft, the online bit it just another in its broad feature spec.  There certainly is no focus on the online world, in fact, if you don’t pony up for Microsoft Word it is a no-go. 

From the collaboration: Real time for Google Docs to “checked out” loaner library for Office Live Workspace; to saving options: Googles open door policy to Microsoft’s assumption you want what ever you started in.  Don’t even get me started on Mobile access :Google: heck yeah and Microsoft: not so much.

Conclusion: Although it’s very close when it comes to basic features of the two services, each stands out in its own way. Google Docs, although limited in its capabilities, offers real-time collaboration. Office Live Workspace, on the other hand, may not have the collaboration features of Google Docs, but the workspaces feature is unique. Plus, you have the capabilities of full-featured Office software available (assuming you own it)!

It is a decent early review and worth a good read at the link below.

Read [ReadWriteWeb]

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Posted Mar 8th 2008 12:38PM by Paul Miller
Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment
If you’re all broken up about Pioneer’s seeming exit of the plasma business, take heart. Pioneer Executive Vice President Russ Johnston claims Pioneer’s plans aren’t to abandon Kuro-quality plasma displays in any way. The move to an outside manufacturer (Matsushita, parent company of Panasonic) is designed to cut cost in plasma production, but Pioneer still plans to maintain its premium edge over competitors. “The number-one goal is to make sure we can maintain our differentiation,” said Russ, “and specifically our Kuro difference in the marketplace.” Apparently Pioneer will be still be responsible for the video circuit and processing, the color filter strategy and other such secret sauce, and the company is confident Matsushita can step up to the Pioneer level of panel production — even if it might involve sharing a few trade secrets along the way. Apparently Matsushita is slated to start providing the modules by 2009.

Posted Mar 8th 2008 10:38AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals
Over a year (yeah, really) after this thing was originally announced, Nyko has finally slid the final piece in place in order to offer up the rumbling, bumbling Zero Wireless PS3 controller to end users. Granted, the version hitting shelves as we speak does include rumble, but since you’ve waited this long, you’re probably better off getting the real deal when it lands in April — for $5 less. Still, those who actually prefer 3rd party kit can look forward to being $59.99 poorer and receiving 25 hours of play on a full charge, LED-backlit buttons, “heat-dissipating aluminum panels (saywha?),” and your choice of black, white or silver.

[Via Joystiq]

Posted Mar 8th 2008 8:30AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment
Apparently, Steve Ballmer didn’t just take time to respond to the latest iphone announcements and give that whole Monkey Boy Dance another go during the Mix ‘08 event. Oh no, he most certainly took the opportunity to address Microsoft’s stance on where it was headed now that the format war has concluded. Granted, it’s not like it ever had much choice here but to pick up the pieces and support the Blu camp, but for those who put a great deal of stock in confirmation, Mr. Ballmer did say that it had “already been working on, for example, in Windows, device driver support for Blu-ray drives and the like.” He also noted that “Toshiba had moved on” and that it too was moving forward, but unfortunately, he didn’t make a peep about the recently rumored Xbox 360 BD add-on. Still, we’re hoping that one thing will lead to another, if you catch our drift.

[Via Gamespot, thanks rooshma]

Posted Mar 8th 2008 2:14PM by Paul Miller
Filed under: Laptops
In case you missed it, it was Eurocom’s Phantom-X that managed to swipe that “fastest tested laptop” mark from the MacBook Pro last year — and totally ruin a perfectly good commercial. Now the company is back for more with the M860TU Montebello 15.4-incher. We’ll have to wait for the benchmarks to see how this one stacks up against the recent crop of Penryn laptops, but what’s new here is that the Centrino 2 “Montevina” chipset is under the hood, which should support faster Penryn processors, lower power consumption and some new fancy security features. Other specs on the M860TU include a 15.4-inch 1920 x 1200 LCD, 512MB NVIDIA 8800M GTX graphics (with a future option for 9xxxM GTX chips once they’re announced), 4GB of RAM, HSDPA and external eSATA and HDMI plugs. Yeah, pretty hot. No word on price, but the laptop is slated to ship May 1st.

Darkness not only removes light from the scene when you’re driving, it also takes out contrast, leaving a night driver with the bright spotlight cast by the car’s headlights, and any other place where light is cast by streetlights, a full moon, billboard lights, etc. It’s a light/dark world with no degree of shade or contrast. High-end sports watch maker Tag Heuer has recognized that the ability to see varying degrees of light and dark can add that contrast and have created a pair of Night Vision glasses to help drivers to see – even when no light is cast. Here’s how they work:

Originally designed to help drivers in the 24 Hours of LeMans auto race, the Tag Hauer glasses amp up contrast by correcting the low-light short-sightedness of the human eye, which only sees about 10% at night. The pale yellow lenses offer constant clear, sharp vision with a very high light transmission rate in order to contrast dark blue and green surroundings without changing color perception. In addition, the lenses are anti-reflective to reduces glare and increase sharpness, taking added strain off the eyes.
The titanium frames come Wide and Panorama, and have anti-slip elastomere arms to keep them on your head.

Other designs include infra red glasses to see better in the harsh light environment of snow or beaches where ultra violet rays and infra read heat are reflected in the eyes up to 80%.

No word on pricing, but for those who make living on the road or at the beach or snow (like Ski Patrol), these glasses are easily must have tools of the trade.

Hat Tip - D’Vice

Overview

Onkyo has recently launched its first home theater with HDMI version 1.3a. The outstanding feature of Onkyo HT-SP908 HTS is its capability of passing 1080p video and studio-master-quality audio. One can precisely integrate ipod including the RI Dock into your home entertainment system for a party. Users can also experience audio playback via an S-A1X Remote Interactive (RI) control dock to the A/V receiver.

Features

With loads of features found in Onkyo’s high-def A/V receiver line-up such as Audyssey 2EQ, Faroudja DCDi, RIHD, HDMI and component video up conversion, the HT-SP908 is the ideal solution. The TX-SR605 receiver supports the latest high audio codecs as well as XM and Sirius satellite radio ready. With 1080p HDMI Simple Solution it is just one cable to TV with HDMI video up-conversion in AV Receiver.

Onkyo’s HT-SP908 supports Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD decoding. Additionally, it consists of Slim, wall mountable 7.1 speaker system with 230W powered subwoofer. Audyssey 2EQ Auto Speaker Calibration creates a larger listening “Sweet Spot” by using multiple calibration points.

Above mentioned features makes HT-SP908 ideal for larger area and family listening.

Price

Onkyo HT-SP908 home theater system is available with the estimated price of $1099.

Source: Onkyo

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Glowfish

You can have this for ?6.95

Outline

JVC has introduced a new JVC GZ-MG330 Everio Hard Disk Camcorder featuring a slender design. The company prides in unveiling the worlds smallest and lightest hard drive camcorder in the market. With this hard disk camcorder one can shoot actively without exhaustion, and with lots of space left over in your bags while travelling.

Features

The new JVC GZ-MG330 also proffers novel functions assembling simple and intuitive operation. JVC GZ-MG330 features Laser Touch, a touch-sensitive scroll bar that simplifies operation and a new design that’s some 20 percent smaller than the previous model.

Availability

JVC GZ-MG330 Camcorder is available in 4 different elegant colors as Pearl Silver, Cerulean Blue, Claret Red, and Stylish black

Warranty

JVC GZ-MG330 is backed up with a warranty of 1 year.

Price

The JVC GZ-MG330 is available at an ERP of $323.00.

Source: JVC

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While the Cloudbook may have gotten off to a rough very rough start, it seems we have some traction building. Initially you had to either make that purchase at ZaReason (who quickly dropped the Cloudbook after all those initial problems) or by placing your order, for delivery only at Wal-Mart.

Since then the reviews are starting to get a little better, while it may not be a perfect device (what is), we are starting to see some positive points being mentioned. With that the availability is also getting better. The Everex Cloudbook is now available at online retailer NewEgg and is also available at select Wal-Mart locations for in-store purchases. The Cloudbook retains the $399 retail price at both NewEgg and Wal-Mart.

Product [NewEgg] Product [Wal-Mart]

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