smartech

Just when you were thinking that Creative has abandoned its X-Fi2 users in favor of the Zii EGG ones, the Asian corporation has rolled out a new firmware update, version 1.10.04, that reportedly includes some neat add-ons to Zen devices, but first and foremost fixes some responsive issues that bothered many users for quite some time. Besides that it brings games like Sudoku, new set of colorful icons, accelerometer usability (at last) and plenty items more. Download link is right in here, while a walkthrough demo was added right after the break.

[via DAPreview]

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MSI is about to enlarge its growing HD PMPs lineup, proudly releasing the MT-V887, which apparently follows the company’s high-def trend, packing a Rockchip RK2728B chipset that can broadcast H.264 and 720p videos, once get pumped on a tele, via composite/component outputs, already built into the chassis. However, those who prefer watching through the integrated 4.3 inch display, will have to settle with merely 480 x 272 screen resolution, which practically downgrades their view quality to usual standards and make it look less sharp, less crisp than they really are. Besides that, for an undetermined price/availability, this Chinese media player will also offer either 4GB or 8GB capacities at your choice, together with a text reader, a multi-language interface, a built-in mic, and slick robust frame, crammed with silver or black colors. Western arrival is doubtful, our desires are mute. Stay tuned for further updates.

[via imp3]

Here we are, standing again with Chinese corp Newman, that recently announced its latest A36HD device, which apparently boasts a regular 3-inch display (no touchscreen), along a microSD card slot, 4GB or 8GB capacities to choose from, the regular audio-video lineup and a nice slick silver frame, covering it all from every possible direction. As probably figured from those “HD” initials, marked in its name, this 8mm thick PMP supports 720p videos when pumping them out on your LCD TV, through the integrated TV-output, already been included. Other than that, it packs a usual built in mono speaker, to let you share your music loud, and a 3.5mm Jack in case you want to have some privacy. No price or availability details to be mentioned yet, but be sure they will probably stay relevant for Eastern residents only.

[via akihabaranews]

So, Google has finally rolled out its highly expected Chrome OS, which was demoed live across the net by Mountain View’s engineers few hours ago, and practically suppose to go out somewhere towards next year’s holiday season. Regretfully, the system won’t be free and it seems you’ll have to buy it pre-installed on portable devices approved by Google, either it’s a netbook, tablet PCs, smartphones, MIDs, etc. The Chrome OS is said to include third-party applications, but won’t support, at this point, any Android materials. The system itself is based on Linux and the Chrome browser, both packed together to run on a web-based platform that will operate any outside content, coming from USB drives or other different sources. Basically, it’s a cloud system but that should not set you apart from it, unless you guys really afraid of taking new tech “adventures” and start new liabilities. Nevertheless, the operating system will run everything that was originally placed in the application panel – and we’re talking about features like Gmail, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Hulu, Google Talk and many more. Google Docs was also included in Google’s OS compatibility list, while drivers from other companies, such as Flash and Silverlight suppose to work as well (although Google wasn’t very clear about it and has chosen to say this: “We are working hard to integrate plugins closely”).

Hardware wise, details are scarce at the moment, and Google will not share those nitty gritty things until next year, but looking at the overall picture, Chrome OS will probably run in compatibility with both x86 and ARM processors, while regular hard-drives support seems to be excluded  – which means you’ll have to use SSDs instead. In general, booting time is set to load up in 7 seconds only, and login process will take 3 seconds more. That, in our opinion, should do best with any standard netbook available in the market, now and in the future (with SSD drives), and just in case you were wondering, Google itself was using an Eee PC machine to run the demo for the first time.

Update1: We’ve tossed some videos after the break, that will walk you through Google’s new system.

Update2: Looks like Google’s Chrome OS is now available free, in case you’re using a VMWare software on your desktop machine. The good part is that you don’t need to actually make it your primary bootable system at all, and by running any VirtualBox software, you can set any of your system folders to be used as a Chrome OS unit. If you think you’re qualified for using this pre Beta platform, you can download the image either from this torrent (we have no clue about this source background) or the build the guys at GDGT recently uploaded. TechCrunch team was all over it in passing hours as well, so you can read their step-by-step instructions in here, if you don’t feel safe to do it on your own.

Update3: Dell Mini 10V owners can now install the Chrome OS as their primary operating system, thanks to a Dell employee who’s managed to hack the USB-bootable edition via WiFi and make it available on Dell’s popular mini laptop, despite fussy restrictions from Mountain View’s direction. Truth is it’s not the perfect OS and in fact, many things are yet to be solved, but for early adopters who are willing to give it a try – it should probably be a great experience that’s worth a shot. Source code and explanations are now available on Direct2Dell‘s page. Enjoy the Chrome.

Update4: Mac and Linux users can finally use the Google Chrome Beta-version browser with their computing machines – as Mountain View’s searching giant officially announces in its blog. And although we face a lot of crashes while trying, you don’t really want to skip this experience, especially when Google has recently launched the extensions, do you? Checkout the video we’ve added after the break (3rd one).

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Although we’ve only chosen to put the reddish color in this post, Malata’s new R108T tablet netbook offers couple hues more. But either it’s the Ferrari Red, Piano Black, Coffee, Gold or Champagne flavor  – they’re all comprised of the same specs – which technically sport a 10-inch 1024×600 LED backlit display, along with a 160GB HDD, 1GB od RAM, a 1.3 megapixels webcam and Atom N270 processor. The rest, pretty much goes as usual with SD card slot, WiFi, ethernet and 2 USB ports, to hook your stuff wherever you go. Windows 7 is also bundled in that resistive convertible touchscreen device, as price is merely at $435 and availability is yet to be determined.

[via Shanzai]

Android is the key word in here, no doubt, but the tablet issue is no less important, and as you can see, we see a lot of them lately, better with an Android OS loaded onboard (it’s good for the marketing). And Japanese company, Hikari, is no different in that scene, realizing it should implement Google’s magical platform with its new iFrame tablet, which boasts (besides that Android power) a 7-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen display (that can be used as a photo frame) along with an SD slot expansion, WiFi connection, a built in speaker and multiple widgets like weather, calendar, news and recipes on top. Price range is claimed to be at $220 and $330 when this thing comes out in 2010. Until then, you can watch the video after the break.

Update: The guys at Akihabara news have managed to put their hands on one of those Android-based iFrame Tablets, which suppose to go live in Japan somewhere around March 2010. Hit this link to catch the action.

[via CrunchGear]

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Yes, you’re probably fed up with all those mids and tablets we’ve been constantly pumping you, up and down, in recent months. But life, as you may know, still goes on and technology as you’ve already learned, keeps moving forward. One of those newbies – representing the new portable era – is ICD’s 16mm thick Vega Tablet machine, claimed to see light across the globe in the first half of 2010, packing either  7-, 11-, or 15-inch 1366 x 768 resistive touchscreens at your choice, with no visible price tags, seen in the horizon. Besides that, this slick Android 2.0-powered device features powerful NVIDIA Tegra graphics chipset, sitting next to 3G WWAN, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 connections, while memory is at 512MB DDR RAM and storage capacity stands at 512MB only. Battery will serve you up to 4 hours lifetime, as a microSD slot and USB 2.0 host are also being included. See you next, at the coming CES show, with further more details.

[Innovative Converged Devices]

Viewsonic officially gets into the portable HD-compatible world, announcing the VPD400 MovieBook, a 4.3-inch 800 x 480 media player, supporting 720p video files along other common media formats, including AVI, RM/RMVB, FLV, MP4, MOV, PMP, MPG, VOD, DAT, H.264, H.263 and MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC, APE, OGG for audio. Other than that, this stylish all-in-one device – sized only 113mm x 74.5mm x 13.8mm – sports 8GB of internal memory, together with a micro SD slot expansion and AV Output for full sized TV entertainment. Battery is set to work 12 hours of audio playback and six if you’re watching a video. that, as a fact, would give you the benefit of watching HD movies, view photos and read any digital book whenever on the go. Too bad it lacks a WiFi connection, but color wise you get to choose out of Black, White or Pink. No price or availability details available at this point.

Update: Checkout the unboxing video, made by the good guys at NetbookNews, and added after the break. BTW, just in case you were wondering, the VPD500 comes with a 5-inch display while the 400 version packs only 4-inch screen.  

[Viewsonic]

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Korean manufacturer SAFA has rolled out a new mp3 player, SAFA XING LED, cramming both audio and style in one  small device. The Xing LED, which comes with 27 LED lights that can be tweaked with various icons at your choice or used for playing simple enjoyable games like Rock, Paper, Scissors or Dice, packs a 12 hours battery, paired with a G-sensor mode, one USB connector, a mono speaker lump and 4-directions touch keys. Price and availability are yet to be released while storage capacity is still under examine – well, nothing that’d stop us announcing the XING as our new fashion accessory.

[via Safa]

You didn’t really think Archos was going to give up the Vision 1 mp3 lineup, after already launching Vision 2 and Vision 3 in the past few months, did you? Well, given the fact a vision 1 device, equipped with 4GB of storage and 1.5-inch LCD display is rumored to be out at the end of this month, we’d surely say “NO”. And, despite the absolute lack of video support inside this 28 grams weight and €30 ($45) money, the added 20 hours battery, pumped in one single charge, would probably give this tiny Frenchi chap an extra fervency value.

Update: Archos 1 is now available around Europe, priced at £24.99 ($40), stores up to 4GB of content and plays almost every common format available around, like MP3, WMA, APE, WAV and FLAC for audio, and JPEG or BMP files for photos. Still no word on a US release.

[via LeJournalDuGeek]

Check this out guys, Microsoft has just rolled out firmware version 4.3 for its fabulous Zune HD players. The update, originally released in order to solve pesky playcount syncing issues, surprisingly adds/upgrades some neat UI features – amongst you can find the long awaited 3d games and applications support, together with a wider touchscreen keyboard and autofill text suggestion bot. Other improvements offer a faster browser and better webpages rendering engine, while apps and loading time have turned slightly snappier than before. The v4.3 release is now available when clicking “Player Update” in your Zune, so hurry up and make it vibrant.

Update: In addition to that new Zune HD firmware update, Microsoft has released a slew of pretty cool (and free) 3D games – already available through the Marketplace slot – amongst you can find titles like PGR: Ferrari Edition, Lucky Lane Bowling, Vans Sk8: Pool Service, Piano, Checkers, and Audiosurf. Full PR was added after the break, along with a gaming experience demo.

[Via MobileTechWorld]

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Think there are too many portable machines out there? Make a room for one brand more – this time from Litl – a Boston-based company, recently unleashed the Webbook “web computer” netbook, that looks somehow different and priced above the average. It comes with a 12.1-inch 1280×800 display, uniquely featuring an upside down flipped patented-pending hinge comprised with an integrated scrolling wheel, right on top (the blue button). In addition, for a whopping $699, you get a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, paired with 1GB of RAM, 802.11b/g WiFi connection, USB 2.0 ports and HDMI output, pumping 720p from your family video shots. Storage capacity ridiculously stands at 2GB(!) only, but the platform for itself  – specially designed by Litl – is exclusive, and mainly shaped to serve as a web-optimized OS, with Flickr, Facebook, and Weather Channel widgets, perfectly displayed on the front. A tiny remote control is also included, as long as you pay $19 more, which bring us to our price rates index, that eloquently gives the Webbook a one big EXPENSIVE score.

Update: We’ve added a nice hands-on video from CES 2010, featuring Litl 12.1-inch Webbook in action. It looks great and works pretty well as a secondary device, targeted for multimedia or Web content users, but it won;t make you coffee in the morning, although it might wake you up with this cool animated alarm clock inside. Check it out after the break (courtesy of engadget)

[Via Netbook News]

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Still in development, the Zii EGG prototype – which hopefully will go live somewhere next year – is one desirable media device we’d like to see floating around. With a 3.5-inch multi-touch display, WiFi, GPS, and 1080p HD support – it just can’t go wrong. In fact, it seems to be walking the right directions, with its mother company, Creative, choosing the Android 1.6 path, and making it look pretty promising on this new nifty portable bud. Too bad the entire UI is a bit sluggish and the integrated webcam is not exactly functional (not to mention the inaccurate signal marks at the top). Yet, it’d surely improve in the next build, we’re positive, very very positive. But ’till then, hit the jump and watch the video.

[via anythingbutipod]

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