FocuSoft Tech Blog

FocuSoft Tech Blog

Dell’s $299 Mini 10v (Inspiron 1011) goes on sale, kind of

Posted: 11 May 2009 06:38 AM PDT

dell mini 10v inspiron 1011 denmark Dells $299 Mini 10v (Inspiron 1011) goes on sale, kind of

You won’t find it on-line yet, but Dell is already taking orders for its new Mini 10v netbook. At least in Denmark where Willy got his order in this morning. The biggest difference between the Mini 10v (aka, Inspiron 1011) and Mini 10 is the processor: the Mini 10v uses a netbook-standard N270 Diamondville-class Atom processor instead of the Z5xx Silverthorne-class processor found in the 10-inch original.

What you give up in video processing performance (and perhaps battery life) you more than make for in price as the Mini 10v starts at $299, not $399 like the original.

[Thanks, Willy N.]

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Dell’s $299 Mini 10v (Inspiron 1011) goes on sale, kind of


Fotomoto Lets Photographers Sell Photos On-Site Without The Hassle

Posted: 11 May 2009 06:02 AM PDT

0b4272e953tomoto Fotomoto Lets Photographers Sell Photos On Site Without The HassleA couple lines of code. That's all it takes for photographers and publishers with large inventories of images to start selling their work on their own websites, thanks to an ambitious fledgling company. You'd think that something so simple could be pulled off by many a startup, but in reality I'm having trouble finding other companies that do it the way the recently launched Fotomoto does it (i.e. the right way). Sure, there are multiple ways for photographers to sell photos on other websites, but that usually requires both them and buyers to have a separate account with the provider of the marketplace service.

Fotomoto does things differently: photographers only need to insert a few lines of codes in their website, after which the images on his or her website will automatically be indexed and automatically provided with a 'purchase photo' link. Sellers can tweak the settings so the 'buy' links appear completely integrated and branded to match their sites' look and feel, and the back-end of the tool enables them to set the availability next to the sizes and pricing of the photos. When visitors click the link to buy photos, a Fotomoto widget pops up and enables them to instantly purchase images through PayPal (with the ability to pay by credit card coming later this month). There's also a sharing link, which lets people send the picture to others as an e-card, with the ability to push to social networking and bookmarking services coming in a couple of weeks.

You can see the integrated code in action on photo websites daily dose of imagery and Chromasia (under the photos).

Photographers and publishers pay a commission when an actual sale takes place, so no paid monthly subscription or anything like that is required for them to start offering this service to their fans. The fee that they pay Fotomoto depends on the printing cost and the price the photo was set to in the first place - the startup asks for a 15% commission fee to cover cost and payment processing fees. Soon, Fotomoto will start offering a number of extra printing services, like postcards, t-shirts, merchandise and the likes which it hopes will drive more sales (and revenue for both them and photographers). It's also slowly going to make its main site a place where you can discover photos from various photographers.

What I dig about the service is that Fotomoto clients get to dispose over detailed statistics on which photos perform well in terms of view count, orders, etc. which helps them evaluate which direction best to take for commercial success. That's a really good selling point for starting and established photographers alike, but also for publishers (media groups etc.) who would like to cash in on that part of their content offering that rarely gets brought up in online media monetization discussions.

Fotomoto launched about 3 weeks ago and currently has close to 27,000 photos in its database from about 125 photographers, with over 100 orders completed successfully so far. The company was started in October 2008 and raised seed funding to the tune of $300,000 from early-stage financing firm Amidzad Partners and DFJ soon after. It's currently looking for an additional round of funding together with one of its notable board members, And Wood, former CEO of ShutterFly and also former CEO of PhotoWorks.

Information provided by CrunchBase

Crunch Network: MobileCrunch Mobile Gadgets and Applications, Delivered Daily.

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Fotomoto Lets Photographers Sell Photos On-Site Without The Hassle


Nanocrystal breakthrough promises more versatile lasers, world peace

Posted: 11 May 2009 06:02 AM PDT

led nanocrystals science Nanocrystal breakthrough promises more versatile lasers, world peace

For the longest while, scientists have been flummoxed by the incessant coruscating emitted by individual molecules; no matter their methods, they could never quite seem to overcome a troubling optical quirk known sensibly as “blinking.”

Thanks to a brilliant crew at the University of Rochester, however, we now understand the basic physics behind the phenomenon, and together with a team from Eastman Kodak, a nanocrystal has been created that can constantly emit light. In theory, the discovery could lead to “dramatically less expensive and more versatile lasers, brighter LED lighting, and biological markers that track how a drug interacts with a cell at a level never before possible.”

Indeed, one could envision that future displays could be crafted by painting a grid of differently sized nanocrystals onto a flat surface, making even OLED TVs look chubby in comparison. Now, if only we had a good feeling that such a device was destined for a CES in our lifetime…

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Nanocrystal breakthrough promises more versatile lasers, world peace


The Samsung Alias 2 launches today

Posted: 11 May 2009 06:01 AM PDT

alias2_qwertyfront1

Ready for an e-ink cell phone? If so, head down to a VZW store and pick up the Samsung Alias 2 starting today for only $79. The phone sports a keyboard that, through the magic of e-ink, changes to meet the phone's usage. It displays a standard number keypad when in normal phone mode and a QWERTY keyboard when in texting mode. Amazing. Too bad the phone comes with a horrid classroom-like theme.

alias2_openleft

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The Samsung Alias 2 launches today


Review of the Acer Aspire One D250

Posted: 11 May 2009 06:00 AM PDT

It does not seem all that long ago when Acer released its Aspire One D150 and at the time was a cool addition to the mini laptop range of computers. But now its replacement the D250 has arrived on the scene and as you would expect the D250 is more or less the same as the D150, except with a better processor and slightly different design.

3 7 09 acer aspire one d250 Review of the Acer Aspire One D250

Product Features and Technical Details

Product Features

Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz, 553 MHz FSB, 512 Kb L2 cache)
Genuine Windows XP Home Edition
10.1 inch widescreen display with integrated webcam
1 Gb Memory and 160 Gb Hard Drive
Multitouch track pad for gesture based control

Technical Details

Processor: Intel Atom (N270) 1.6 GHz 512KB (L2 Cache)
CPU Bus Speed: 533 MHz
Package: Micro-FCBGA
Memory: 1 Gb DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz (max. 2 Gb)
Hard Disk: 160 Gb
Keyboard: 84/85/88-key keyboard, 89% of standard-size keyboard, 1.6 mm (minimum) key travel
Control Buttons: 12 function keys, four cursor keys, one Windows key for Windows XP Home, hotkey controls, embedded numeric keypad, international language support
Display: 10.1 inch CrystalBrite High-Brightness WSVGA Colours
Display Resolution: 1024 x 600
Sound Device: High Definition Audio support
Sound Card Interface: Integrated
Speakers: Two built-in Acer 3DSonic stereo speakers
Integrated Microphone: Yes
Audio Features: MS Sound Compatible
Interfaces/Ports: VGA, RJ-45, 3 x USB 2.0, Mic-In, Headphone/Audio Line Out, DC in, Removable Flash Memory Media Card Reader
Network (Wired): Fast Ethernet 10/100Mbps Integrated
Network (Wireless): Acer InviLink solution supporting Acer SignalUp wireless technology
RF Network Standard: IEEE 802.11 b/g
Protocols Supported: Wi-Fi Certified
Graphics Device: Integrated
Webcam: Integrated CrystalEye Webcam 0.3 Megapixels
Software Included: Acer Recovery Management, Microsoft Works Work SE 9 with Office Home and Student 2007 Trial, Google Toolbar, Google Desktop, Google Setup, Adobe Reader 9, Adobe Flash Player 10, Microsoft.NET Framework 2.0, Customized Internet Explorer 7.0, eSobi, Carbonite online backup, McAfee Internet Security Suite (60-day trial), Acer Game Zone, Acer Video Conference Manager 4.0, Windows Live Essentials - Wave 3 (Mail, Photo Gallery, Live Messenger, Writer)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Battery: Lithium-Ion (3Cells) 2200mAh
Battery Life: 3.15 hrs
Power Supply: 30W adaptor with power cord
Form Factor: Mini Notebook PC
Case Colour: Blue
Dimensions (WxDxH): 258.5 x 184 x 25.4 mm
Weight: 1.11 Kg
Warranty: 1 year
Priced at $500

Source [Eee PC]

jv01whitestandard 01 150x150 Review of the Acer Aspire One D250 aspire one d250 and as3935 150x150 Review of the Acer Aspire One D250 3 7 09 acer aspire one d250 150x150 Review of the Acer Aspire One D250

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Review of the Acer Aspire One D250


Viliv S5 MID gets Windows 7 install [Video]

Posted: 11 May 2009 05:48 AM PDT

Squint hard and you can just about make out that this is Windows 7 Ultimate running on the Viliv S5’s 4.8-inch screen.  After all, we’ve already seen how the new Microsoft OS runs on netbook hardware and on a UMPC; now it’s the MID’s turn.  Arch-upgrader jkkmobile has done the honors, and the good news is that it’s a relatively straightforward install process.

viliv s5 windows 7 480x286

Video demo after the cut

As you might expect, you’ll need a USB keyboard and there’s some driver shuffling involved, but Viliv have catered for Windows 7 users well and, when everything is completed, there are no glaring issues with hardware.  Overall performance is “decent” though not excellent, but perhaps that would be too much to hope for from the S5’s 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z520 processor.

In fact the biggest problems come from Microsoft’s end, and some of the decisions they’ve made regarding touchscreen drivers.  IE8, for instance, won’t let S5 users scroll anywhere on the screen using the hand tool as the Viliv doesn’t have the correct touchscreen drivers; the same problem shows up elsewhere, too.  That, unfortunately, is up to Microsoft to fix and not really something for Viliv to address, but I imagine we’ll hear more voices raised in protest as more users install Windows 7 on existing hardware.

Click here to view the embedded video.


Relevant Entries on SlashGear

 Viliv S5 MID gets Windows 7 install [Video]

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Viliv S5 MID gets Windows 7 install [Video]


Samsung’s e-ink texting Alias 2 now on sale at Verizon Wireless

Posted: 11 May 2009 05:29 AM PDT

Samsung's e-ink toting Alias 2 now on sale at Verizon Wireless

Electronic ink ain’t just for readers. Samsung’s Alias 2 is here, making use of a cleverly segmented display to make a mighty-morphing, e-ink keypad, which you can now get thumbing at Verizon Wireless — right on time, no less. The price with a two-year contract is $129.99, but another $50 instant discount brings it down to a tick under $80. Go get your text on.

[Via PhoneArena]

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Samsung’s e-ink texting Alias 2 now on sale at Verizon Wireless


Colorware does up the Kindle 2

Posted: 11 May 2009 05:27 AM PDT

colorwarekindle

Who wants a boring, stock Kindle 2? No one! Thank God Colorware now has a multitude of colors available to spice up the Amazon Kindle 2.

Choose from awesome colors like Jade (green) Romance (light pink), and Smoke White (white). The paint job doesn’t come cheap at $599 which includes a new Kindle 2, but at least now you can you can pretty much guarantee that no one else will have the same exact Kindle 2 as you. Just don’t get Kindle DX envy. Already own a Kindle 2? Send it in to the company, along with $199, for the same coloring options.

Colorware via SlashGear

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Colorware does up the Kindle 2


PAPERduino Combines Circuit Boards with Paint by Numbers [Arduino]

Posted: 11 May 2009 05:24 AM PDT

3507563103 9848e7456f 01 PAPERduino Combines Circuit Boards with Paint by Numbers [Arduino]

Cheap, multifunctional arduino boards work brilliantly for DIY projects. Now this cheaper, semi-printable version makes the platform even more DIY.

PAPERduino is essentially a template for an Arduino board that, when mounted to cardboard, replaces your typical PCB. (It’s sort of like a printed circuit board, home edition.) Also, if you’re not interested in Arduino at all but would like some geek cred, the PAPERduino will add a free 10 IQ points when you tape it up beside your desk. [guilherme martins via MAKE]

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PAPERduino Combines Circuit Boards with Paint by Numbers [Arduino]


Verizon HP Mini 1151NR netbook launching May 17th?

Posted: 11 May 2009 05:08 AM PDT

verizonnetbook.jpg

May 17th is shaping up to be a big day for Verizon if this rumor is correctly stating the launch date of upcoming netbook. That day is also the launch date of the portable hotspot, MiFi. The HP Mini netbook comes packing integrated 3g wireless for Internet connectivity and will be available for $199 with a two-year data contract. Yeah, it's a bit pricey.

Purchasing a netbook this way isn't the cheapest solution. It will cost somewhere between $960 to $1,440 over the 2 years to own and use the netbook. But some folks still have the disposable income to pay for the convenience of walking into a VZW store and leaving with an always-connected netbook. The rest of us will purchase our netbooks and internet access separately.

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Verizon HP Mini 1151NR netbook launching May 17th?


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