Devices Site

Posted Mar 25th 2008 9:06AM by Paul Miller
Filed under: Laptops
We have some major doubts about this one, since Asus officially shut down those Eee PC touchscreen rumors a while back, and DigiTimes has been pretty far off in the past, but apparently the new word on the street is that Asus actually is building resistive touch into at least a some of its upcoming next-generation Eee PCs. Citing “sources at touch screen panel makers,” the technology is supposedly more mature than capacitive touch screens at this size, and will cost Asus about $10 extra per laptop. We still don’t see the point, but it looks like you dreamers can keep on dreaming for the time being.

Posted Mar 25th 2008 7:18AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Misc. gadgets
Believe it or not, this actually isn’t the first FDA approved personal hair remover we’ve come across, but for those looking for something capable of handling some seriously hairy ordeals, look no further than Silk’n. Created by Home Skinovations (har har), this unit relies on proprietary Home Pulsed Light technology to zap unwanted hair and bring back the smooth. Of course, this thing still has to be used “under the direction of a physician,” but after waltzing into his / her office with three inches of sprawling chest hair blossoming from under that halfway buttoned shirt, we’d wager you’ll have the requisite signature in no time.

[Via medGadget]

I generally don’t trust Chinese made goods and most Chinese-made cellphone available in my nick of the woods have a dodgy shelf life so you can well understand why I would have my reservations about this supposedly revolutionary new Chinese phone that claims to last almost two years without a charge. The phone has the almost mandatory features like a 3-inch touchscreen, a 1.3-megapixel camera, four built-in speakers, dual-SIM card support, Bluetooth, an mp3 player, an e-book reader and handwriting recognition in both the English and Chinese language. But the manufacturers have kept mum on how they have managed to get their battery to last for two years, choosing only to disclose that their 2-year long manufacturer-rated battery life will make it be ‘the last mobile phone you’ll ever need.’ Hmmm… I think I’ll need more than a makers’ assurance to splurge cash on this, like patent details or something.
[ Source ]

Fakes. We love them. We love them so much that we have a whole category dedicated to iClones. This knockoff of Nokia’s N95 keeps up the all-mouth-and-no-trousers tradition of Chinese clones. Before detailing the specifications, allow me to quote from the publicity:

STRAIGHT FROM THE CLONING GODS OF CHINA! […] A CLONE THAT IS TRULY WORTHY TO BE CALLED AN EXACT REPLICA! SAME DIMENSION, MARKINGS, FEEL …. OVER ALL CLOSEST TO THE REAL N95 BLACK 8 GIG.

The “Black 8 gig” actually contains just 256 MB (in SD form), and MP3/MP4 player, a 2MP camera and Bluetooth. The dual slider keyboards are also there, as is the rotating view. Otherwise, your $160 buys you nothing more than a fancy box which has actually been downgraded from the previous version:

NOT A PDA TOUCH SCREEN PHONE LIKE EARLIER CLONES

Product page [Sulit via Red Ferret]

Wine Btle Salt & Pepper Mills
These stunning Wine Bottle Salt & Pepper shakers are a fabulous alternative to the run of the mill mills - so to speak.

You can have this for ?29.99

I know, I know, it isn’t April 1st yet and I shouldn’t be pulling off such pranks. Sad to say, the cloners are at it again, this time victimizing the Apple ipod Shuffle 2G by including a much needed LCD display as well as an integrated FM radio - something the actual Shuffle sorely needs with requests for either falling on deaf ears at Cupertino. It retails for less than $10 on eBay (before shipping), which is a far cry from the real deal in terms of price despite packing in 1GB of memory too.
[ Source ]

Finally, something solid on the recently-rumored Netbook… or should we say, the 2go PC. The little laptop, manufactured by CTL, will clearly be aimed at the education market, though the specs imply that this will be destined for more than just the classroom. The 2go features an Intel Celeron M CPU on top of the 915GMS chipset, 512MB of RAM (upgradeable to 1GB), a 9-inch, 800 x 480 LCD display, 40GB hard drive, 802.11b/g, SD / MMC reader, and a full complement of standard ports and jacks. The systems natively run XP (though Linux appears to be an option), feature a VGA webcam, and are expected to go about three hours between full charges. Our contact says these will be on shelves in less than 60 days, and will retail for around $400. We’re working on getting our grubby mitts all over one of these puppies, but in the meantime, check out some more pics after the break.
[ Source ]

MIU Korea has just introduced its new wireless IP-based hybrid portable device also called the ‘HDPC (Hybrid Dual Portable Computer).’ The device comes with dual OS (Windows XP/Windows CE 5.0 or Linux Qplus) and features a PC-style keyboard. It also has a 4-inch display with 800×480 resolution, it supports dual-mode function and wireless internet function. The reason behind such functionality is that users can choose between any types of soft/hard ware according to their requirements. You can unite the stand-alone technologies of existing portable devices such as car PC, navigation, mobile phone, PMP, mp3, UMPC, electronic dictionary, internet phone, PSP, digital camera, voice recorder, mobile IPTV into HDPC.
[ Source ]

The Motorola Z12 is now known as MotoZINE ZN5, the 5-mega shooter phone. Here’s more information about it. The ZN5 is powered by Freescale SCM-A11 processor and running on Montavista Linux 2.6.1 OS. It comes with 2.5GSM/GPRS connectivity, 320 × 240 QVGA display, the 5.0-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, Morph keypad and support Mpeg4 playback. No words on the pricing and availability.
[ Source ]

Posted Mar 25th 2008 12:00AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs
While Panasonic’s rugged Toughbook 30 has been strutting its stuff with a Core 2 Duo within, the poor, poor Toughbook 19 has been going without. No more, however, as Panny has just announced that it’ll be boosting the speed and expanding the memory available in the beastly convertible tablet. Available now, the 5.1-pound rig is stuffed with a 1.06GHz U7500 processor (2MB L2 cache), up to 4GB of SDRAM, 80GB shock-mounted HDD, 10.4-inch daylight-readable display, a battery good for around seven hours, optional integrated WWAN / GPS / 2-megapixel webcam and a magnesium alloy case that won’t mind getting trampled. So, what’s the price for such an (almost) impossible-to-destroy machine? $3,199 and up, we’re afraid.

PANASONIC UPGRADES ITS RUGGED TOUGHBOOK® 19 CONVERTIBLE TABLET PC TO DELIVER MORE COMPUTING POWER, MEMORY

Toughbook 19 joins flagship rugged Toughbook 30 in delivering Core 2 Duo technology for mission-critical applications in extreme environments; Eleven independently-verified mil-spec tests and more than 500 internal quality checks combine for unparalleled Panasonic reliability

Secaucus, NJ, March 25, 2008 – Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, manufacturer of durable, reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers, today introduced upgrades to its Panasonic Toughbook 19 rugged convertible tablet computer. The next generation Toughbook 19F convertible tablet pc joins Panasonic’s flagship Toughbook 30F clamshell notebook with its incorporation of the Core 2 Duo processor and expanded memory capabilities. The 5.1 lb Toughbook 19 also offers an optional integrated camera for use in inspection and incident documentation applications for which the convertible tablet has become widely deployed in military, government and commercial applications.

These MIL-SPEC-certified notebooks incorporate the rugged features-such as magnesium alloy cases, sealed keyboards and ports, hard drive heaters, flexible internal connectors and shock-mounting-that combine to deliver the highest levels of reliability in the industry. Both the Toughbook 19 convertible tablet and the Toughbook 30 notebook include an anti-glare, anti-reflective sunlight viewable display, WiFi 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth, a mobile broadband-ready (WWAN) design, along with backlit keyboard, GPS wireless and many more options.

“Panasonic has always been at the forefront of engineering and building mobile solutions that incorporate enhancements in processing power while advancing durability, screen brightness, battery life and embedded wireless technologies,” said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. “Panasonic engineers tackle reliability from the inside out and we manufacture and real-world test to ensure that our technology can withstand the conditions our customers face every day-and over the long term. Panasonic’s technical superiority is further supported by our deep network of channel partners and solution providers who understand the environments in which our customers work and the applications they require to meet the high standards expected of them.”

Engineered for the Usage Environment
Rugged PCs must be purpose-built and engineered for the environments in which they will likely be used. This requires solutions for heat management and screens which can be read in bright sunlight.

Panasonic addresses heat dissipation-a critical component in truly water- and dust-resistant units running faster, hotter processors-through its heat-pipe technology, allowing next-generation rugged units to run fast but cool without using a fan. Internal fans create noise, add weight and are a significant potential source of failure in rugged computing environments where dust, sand, humidity and precipitation are common.

The Toughbook 19 has a sunlight-readable 550 nit tablet model or a 500 nit touchscreen – both come with an anti-glare, anti-reflective coating as well as innovative technology developed by Panasonic that dramatically improves contrast and viewability outdoors. In addition, the Toughbook 30 was the first notebook to achieve a 1,000 nit rating. Even with these bright screens, both PCs still deliver 7 hours of battery life. Panasonic also allows for its screens to be dimmed significantly for the security and safety of those working in dark environments, such as military or law enforcement operations.

Panasonic Factory and Independent Quality Testing
Rugged Panasonic Toughbook notebooks are tested using the MIL-STD-810F methodology for a range of extreme conditions including drops (36″, unit and hard drive), shocks, vibration, humidity, altitude, water-, rain- and dust-resistance, temperature extremes and thermal shock. Each of the eleven Mil-spec tests conducted on the Toughbook 19 (and the Toughbook 30) is validated by independent lab testing.
In addition, rugged Panasonic Toughbook notebook screens, cases, ports, and keyboards are IP54-rated for water and particulates. The products have achieved UL1604 Class 1 / Div. 2 certification for use in hazardous environments.

At the Panasonic computer factory, in addition to mil-spec tests, Toughbook notebook hinges endure 50,000 cycles and keyboards are subjected to 25 million keystrokes. Panasonic’s commitment to quality-at both the component and finished goods level-results in a total of more than 500 checks and tests before, during and after production, on every unit built.

Superior Warranty, Support and Professional Services
Every Panasonic Toughbook mobile PC is sold with a standard three-year limited warranty and access to 24/7/365 U.S.-based phone support for the entire life of the unit. Panasonic boasts an average call center hold time of less than 75 seconds. In addition, in the unlikely event of a hardware-related failure, Panasonic covers the cost of overnight shipping to and from its national service center, where the average turnaround time for repairs is less than two and a half days. Panasonic also offers a full range of professional pre- and post-deployment services, including on-site support.

Pricing and Availability
The Toughbook 19F is available now at an estimated street price of $3,199. The Toughbook 19 with integrated camera will be available in May 2008 with an estimated street price of $3,699. These and other Toughbook notebooks are available exclusively through authorized Panasonic Toughbook resellers nationwide. Please visit www.panasonic.com/toughbook for more information.

Panasonic Toughbook 19 Convertible Tablet PC: Select Features and Specifications

* Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor U7500 (2MB L2 cache), Processor speed 1.06GHz, 533MHz FSB
* 80GB HDD (shock-mounted and user-removable)
* 1 GB SDRAM standard, expandable to 4 GB
* Optional external USB Combo Drive
* Full magnesium alloy case with hand strap
* Touchscreen Display version: 10.4″ 1024 x 768 (XGA) transmissive, 500 nit daylight-readable TFT Active Matrix Color LCD
* Tablet Display version: 10.4″ 1024 x 768 (XGA) transmissive, 550 nit daylight-readable TFT Active Matrix Color LCD with Digitizer
* Dimensions: 1.9″ (H) x 10.7″ (W) x 8.5″ (D)
* Weight: 5.1 lbs.
* Battery Life: 7 hours, depending on use conditions
* Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AG 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth v2.0+EDR
* Optional integrated WWAN (EV-DO Rev. A or HSDPA)
* Optional integrated GPS receiver
* Optional integrated 2MP camera with 5 ft. LED flash
* Security features include: wireless on/off switch; Password Security: Supervisor, User; Hard Disk Lock; Cable lock slot; Trusted Platform Module (TPM) v.1.2 security chip; Computrace theft protection agent in BIOS; optional fingerprint scanner; optional SmartCard reader
* Genuine Windows Vista® Business (with XP downgrade option), Setup, Diagnostics, DMI Viewer, Online Reference Manual, Adobe® Reader, Panasonic Handwriting (with signature capture on Tablet PC version), Software Keyboard, Display Rotation Tool, Hard Disk Data Erase Utility, Recovery DVD
* 3-year limited warranty, parts & labor