Eclectic Electronics |
| China developing Blu-ray alternative? HD format war round 2? Posted: 24 Apr 2009 08:00 PM PDT
The format will use the AVS audio and video codec, which is owned by the Chinese government. So, it is highly unlikely that we will see these players and discs anywhere else, unless of course, they are smuggled out from China in some way.
Warner Bros. stated that it will support CBHD and will start releasing titles before 2009 ends. At least 100 titles will be released, which includes Harry Potter and Blood Diamond.
CBHD players from Shinco and TLC are priced close to the $300 USD mark. Still not cheap compared to known-brand Blu-ray players. The biggest thing about CBHD are the media, the discs will reportedly cost somewhere between $7 to $10 USD, now that’s cheap! While the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) are trying to get player prices down in the US, China is starting its own country-exclusive Blu-ray-like format. This’ll definitely spark something up with CBHD and Blu-ray, at least in China. [via SINA and Ars Technica] Related posts:
|
| Apple billionth app download milestone achieved Posted: 24 Apr 2009 06:00 PM PDT
Congratulations to Connor, for winning loads of prices from Apple! At age 13, I doubt he’d be using all those though.
It’s truly amazing how a billion applications have already been downloaded from the App Store after just 9 months! Head on over to the page to see the all-time top 20 paid apps and the all-time top 20 free apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch. For the top 10 paid/free apps sorted by category, check this post. Related posts:
|
| Nikon D5000 now available for pre-order; set to ship April 27, 2009 Posted: 24 Apr 2009 04:30 PM PDT
The display-swiveling Nikon D5000 is now available for pre-order at Amazon. Apparently, 3 options are available, a kit with the 18-55mm VR, one with 2 lenses and body only. But only the 18-55mm VR kit is priced (at $849.95). I honestly don’t think the D5000 is worth that much. They priced it at $849.95 and they still couldn’t include autofocus capability on the body?! C’mon Nikon! Expect the camera to appear everywhere else soon, but be prepared to pay the D90-like price if you’re gunning for one. Related posts:
|
| Lime Green Nintendo DS Lite Cooking Bundle Posted: 24 Apr 2009 03:30 PM PDT
Just when you think Nintendo’s done popping out those DS Lites after releasing the DSi approximately 3 weeks ago, they’re coming out with yet another bundle and a totally new color! The Lime Green Nintendo DS Lite will come packaged with a Personal Trainer: Cooking, and a slick white/lime carry case that definitely goes with the body color of the DS Lite.
The Lime Green Nintendo DS Lite will hit stores on May 3, 2009. Pricing has not been mentioned but you can expect it to be around $130 or a little bit more than that since it’s a Special Edition Nintendo DS Lite. [via geeksugar] Related posts:
|
| Amazon Kindle 2 components cost only $186 Posted: 24 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT
The 2nd generation Kindle improves the following over the 1st generation: longer battery life, improved display, slim profile and text-to-speech capability. It only weighs 10.2 ounces and has a 6-inch 600 x 800 resolution electronic paper display.
Shown above is the “estimate” parts list along with corresponding prices compiled by iSuppli. While it does show most of the parts of Amazon’s Kindle 2, they clearly have not factored in costs such as labor, manufacturing, packaging and other things. Amazon CFO, Tom Szkutak, has stated that manufacturing the device definitely costs “significantly higher” than iSuppli’s estimates. Even though no sales figures were disclosed by Amazon, TechCrunch reported, sometime last week, that approximately 300,000 units of the Kindle 2 have shipped. The retail price for an Amazon Kindle is $359, nearly double of what iSuppli estimated. [via Business Insider and The Boy Genius Report] Related posts:
|
| LEGO USB flash drives and other small gadgets made using LEGO blocks Posted: 24 Apr 2009 12:00 PM PDT
Tired of those boring, conventional looking USB flash drives? While not as flashy as the limited edition Canon EOS 5D Mark II 4GB USB Flash Drive, these LEGO USB flash drives are certainly eye-catching! They come in various colors and thickness, as well as different LEGO block sizes. What’s nice with these LEGO USB flash drives is that you won’t easily loes the cap since you can merge it with the body while it’s being used. They’re quite pricey compared to your usual USB flash drives though.
Check out Etsy and Firebox for more electronics made using LEGO blocks. Etsy has a wide selection of gadgets ranging from a USB hub, Bluetooth dongle, paper clip holder and others. You can also DIY one for yourself. Pretty horrible photos showcasing the final product though. [via Geeky Gadgets and technabob] Related posts:
|
| AT&T begins internally bashing the Palm Pre Posted: 24 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT
Looking for some indications that the Palm Pre is nearing its release? The fact sheet above is going around AT&T employees in order to prepare for the arrival of the Palm Pre. AT&T seems very scared of the Palm Pre and highlights some of the differences that would make you go in favor of Apple without second thoughts. Not really surprising that AT&T hasn’t mentioned anything regarding the Pre being able to run classic PalmOS applications. While AT&T certainly has some valid points, such assumptions shouldn’t be made unless they’ve already compared both the Palm Pre and Apple iPhone 3G for a few days side-by-side. How can AT&T claim that the Palm Pre’s touchscreen gestures are not intuitive? Did they manage to get a prototype version of the Pre? Also, what is so bad about dragging-and-dropping stuff directly from the PC? I personally, highly prefer dragging-and-dropping over the non-intuitive iTunes interface. [via ElectricPig and PreCentral] Related posts:
|
| Palm Pre spotted with YouTube application Posted: 24 Apr 2009 06:30 AM PDT
This marks the second random sighting of the Palm Pre. It was first sighted at a San Francisco public event. Photos show that the Palm Pre supposedly has a built-in application for YouTube videoa and it is also put beside an iPhone for a size comparison. I would have the say that the Pre looks quite… “plasticky.”    Images sourced from TreoCentral and EverythingPre. [via CrunchGear] Related posts:
|
| Full HTC Touch Pro2 Russian review Posted: 24 Apr 2009 05:15 AM PDT
Mobile-Review, a Russian mobile phone site, has a full, detailed review of the upcoming HTC Touch Pro2. The guys over at Mobile-Review really don’t have much negative to say about the HTC Touch Pro2 except that the build quality/materials are not exactly up to par with the pricing. The two videos below, courtesy of Mobile-Review, are simply exterior and software tours of the device. The first video covers the exterior and hardware aspects of the device, showcasing thickness, how the QWERTY keyboard slides out, what the battery compartment looks like, and other things. The second video covers the software aspects of the HTC Touch Pro2, particularly the TouchFLO 3D interface. You can read the fully translated Russian review here. Loads of pictures to feast your eyes on. The HTC Touch Pro2 is basically the same size as the Apple iPhone, only thicker because it has the slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Related posts:
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from Eclectic Electronics To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
Inbox too full?  Subscribe to the feed version of Eclectic Electronics in a feed reader. | |
| If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: Eclectic Electronics, c/o Google, 20 W Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 comments:
Post a Comment