smartech

This isn’t the best year to find new media players at the CES show in Vegas. Still, if you look closer, you just might see a few, hidden, while walking down the halls. One of them, which looks quiet similar to the Cowon S9, is iRiver’s 3.5-inch K1, also known as “Smart HD”, which may give you a sense of what it can play, besides the usual batch of formats we all know. Screen resolution is at 480 x 320 and the PMP itself boasts a DMB TV tuner,along WiFi, web browser, a built-in mic and integrated FM tuner. Internet support is definitely the trigger that caught our attention here, but mind you, it can also be used as a mini e-book reader, out of the box, the moment it comes out in South Korea at the end of the month. No price or US release info at the moment.

Update: It looks like iRiver’s K1 PMP will go live initially in Korea only. It will be offer in variant flavors, including the basic 8GB version, priced at â‚©229,000 (about $205), while a DMB mobile TV tuner add-on will run for â‚©279,000 (about $250) and the 16GB model for â‚©299,000 (about $265). In case you’re into the full fledged pack with WiFi, DMB tuner and 16 gigs of storage, the K1 will cost you â‚©349,000, or $310 US dollars.

Not sure if any of this necessarily relates to Microsoft’s search-engine (AKA: Bing) announcement, that suppose to take place in the following days, but this way or another, Google has definitely managed to steal some focus from Redmond’s coming events, by catching our eyes with its latest innovative meshing application – also known as Google Wave. And while many of us tend to separately use IM clients, mail services or word processing editors to work our day, Google’s Australian team has diligently strove for the past two years in putting together these three daily assignments into one amazing collaborative tool which was built into the web-browser sphere in the form of HTML 5.0 and about to be released in the following months.

What is Wave? It’s a new model for communication and collaboration on the web, as a group of people can communicate and work together with rich format text, photos, videos, maps, blogs and more, while any participant can reply anywhere in the message, edit the content and add even more participants at any point in the process, with a “playback” mode, allowing newcomers to rewind the wave to see who said what and when, before joining the service. And if that wasn’t enough, the entire gathering process, which makes the Wave such a great collaborative tool, surprisingly happens on a real-time platform, where different group members can concurrently read (character-by-character) whatever you type, as you type, without waiting long (private mode is optional).

Still in an early build, with so many useful embedded features around, Google’s online sharing platform undoubtedly shaped for changing our common old-fashioned traits while vigorously aiming to completely revamp any sort of existing mailing interaction, which currently controlled by – you’ve guessed right – Microsoft itself. But turning Wave into such a powerful application that sincerely pretends to revolutionize our fixed behavior, certainly requires a joint effort involvement from diversified groups across the globe, which probably explains why Google has deliberately decided to widely open up its API platform for 3^rd party developers, explicitly asking their generous assistance in building extensions and outsourcing widgets in order to enhance and maximize interface usability. And speaking about widgets and extensions, it seems there are plenty interesting ways to use Wave, either collaborating together on a new document, sharing embedded photos and videos among friends, IM chatting with multiple users (real-time spelling correction and translation robots included), handling real-time RSVP invitations, or simply playing casual entertaining games – At this point, all options available – and yet it looks like Wave is only halfway through to reach its full potential. Hit the links below to start learning the protocols. Additionally, you can watch Wave’s full demo introduction after the break (long video).

Develop
Learn how to put waves in your site and build wave extensions with the Google Wave APIs.
Visit code.google.com/apis/wave.

Build
Google Wave uses an open protocol, so anyone can build their own wave system.
Learn more at www.waveprotocol.org.

[Google]

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It was back in March, when we first reported that Sling wants to have an iphone application, and we’re glad to relize it’s actually happening, as the company announces that the long awaited app is ready to be released and will be demonstrated in San Francisco moments before the software will get to Apple app Store. Still no pricing info, but the full press release is after the break.

Update1: Regretfully, older SlingBox devices won’t be able to stream any TV content directly to iPhone machines (except Slingbox PRO). That means, if you happen to have one of those first editions, you’ll have to shell out extra money and upgrade to Slingbox SOLO or Slingbox PRO-HD in order to enjoy a complete mobility via handhelds, and not just because of technical issues, but more of a greediness from the company itself. We do hope this weird desicion will eventually end up somewhere in the history pages of “failed-to-be-executed”.

Update2: May 12th 2009 – Regretfully, AT&T has issued an official statement, claiming it’d pull the plug out of Sling’s 3G streaming capability, which was integrated into the iPhone with the SlingPlayer. According to the company, this application -

“which would use large amounts of wireless network capacity, could create congestion and potentially prevent other customers from using the network. The application does not run on our 3G wireless network. Applications like this, which redirect a TV signal to a personal computer, are specifically prohibited under our terms of service. We consider smartphones like the iPhone to be personal computers in that they have the same hardware and software attributes as PCs.”

That said, users will be able to use WiFi connectivity in order to log into any web site that lets them view videos. In simple words, 3G – Out, WiFi – In. Now, it’s up to you to search one of the 20,000 hotspots AT&T has deployed across the US, in places like Starbucks, McDonalds, airports, etc.

[via engadget]

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Archos fans can be very pleased, as the company has just released firmware update 1.0.87 for the Archos 5 and Archos 7 internet media tablets, coming up with OGG / Flac formats support, after so many years. As an Archos avid, I must admit, it wasn’t expected at all and from my personal knowledge, many media junkies haven’t made any contact with the French players because of that specific reason, so I guess these are great news, wherever you are. Additionally, the new firmware version substantially improves the battery life to 22 hours of audio and 7 hours of video, together with some major bug fixes. It is also been reported that the wifi range was increased and the USB transfer rate has been raised. You can download firmware version 1.0.87 from here.

Meanwhile, we hear that the guys at Pocketables.net have compared websites loading time between the Archos 5, iPhone 3G and the Nokia N810, and the results are truly amazing, as the Archos 5 was the clear winner in every aspect, thanks to the strong 600MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor. Checkout the comparing table after the break.

[via Archos]

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Do you feel reluctant standing in another long tiresome queue to buy an iPhone 3G? It seems Apple has decided to end this torture by announcing a new online tool that can assist potential customers shorten the process. From now on, you can go online and type-in all the billing forms, including name, address, payment details, etc, choose your desirable plan and schedule the time and date you wish to get to any nearby Apple store, in order to collect the merchandise and complete the activation. Regretfully, you get no home delivery and still bound to a 2 years contract, but Apple’s intention is affirmative.

[Apple]

Online digital music market is getting warmed up, as US retail giant, Best Buy, announces it will acquire Napser for an astonishing $121 million price tag. The transaction is set to be accomplished in Q4 of this year and we have no doubt it was carried out in order to try snatching a substantial share from iTunes’ market dominance. Napster allows its 708,000 subscribers to access an unlimited library of music or using the “Napster Mobile” platform, on their mobile phones, for a small monthly fee of $15. Having said that, the company has never turned a profit, during its long years of existence.

Best Buy president Brian Dunn confirms the company’s desire to expand Napster services and to use “Napster’s capabilities and digital subscriber base to reach new customers with an enhanced experience for exploring and selecting music and other digital entertainment products over an increasing array of devices.” Be sure it’s just the beginning and we expect more developments to take place in the near future. We do hope this move will increase the competition and at the end of the day, will be profitable for the consumers.

[via ZDNet]

Twitter users, if you happen to own a Nintendo DS device, you might be interested knowing you can use them both as your microblogging tool, thanks to DSTwitter, a cool twitter application with multilanguage support, that lets you easily twit your friends after ending another Mario Kart game playing. Actually, you can use it whenever you like but before doing so, you will have to make an effort installing the application by setting up the WiFi connection on your DS, Register to Scene Beta website, download the DSTwitter 1.3 version file, extract the contents of the RAR in the root of the memory card and run the program. Complicated but definately worth a try!

[via techdigest]

First time we had a chance to see this amazing Atom-based MID (Mobile Internet Device) was back at the CES show in January, as Intel introduced its latest Menlow system on the Aigo devices. Now we hear that this amazing Aigo P8860 MID is about to go live in Hong Kong with a 800MHz Atom Z500 processor, a 4.8-inch display, Bluetooth, Wifi, microSD slot expansion, 4GB SSD storage capacity, sliding QWERTY keyboard, GPS navigation system and HSPDA, running on MIDLinux system, also known as Midinux. Prices start at $5,228 HKD ($679) and a Windows XP version is expected later on. Stay tuned for more to come. Meanwhile, checkout the video after the break.

Update: September 29th – The Aigo P8860 makes a worldwide debut, via an official reseller, named Direct From Japan. Just log in and order your device from all over the world, for $699 (including free shipping).

[via Pocketables]

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Alright, so Microsoft has officially backed off from bidding on Yahoo, after a roller coaster of ups and downs, that started with an official offer to buy the company for $44.6 Billion, price that reflected $31 per share, back in February. The generous bid has never made any impression on Yahoo’s management, as the company’s directors has officially decided to turn off Microsoft’s hostile acquisition, claiming the bid is substantially lower than its real value, and whoever wants to buy them should hit $40 per share, meaning extra $9 to Steve Ballmer’s offer. Still, Microsoft clutched to its original bid (desperately trying to stay a major internet player in the growing online advertisement and searching markets) and considered an hostile takeover, by pursuing Yahoo share holders, but at the end of the day, after taking off their threatening suit, the Redmond’s were willing to raise the bid to $33, which was rejected by Yahoo as well and lead to today’s proposal withdraw announcement.

“Despite our best efforts, including raising our bid by roughly $5 billion, Yahoo! has not moved toward accepting our offer. After careful consideration, we believe the economics demanded by Yahoo! do not make sense for us, and it is in the best interests of Microsoft stockholders, employees and other stakeholders to withdraw our proposal,” said Ballmer.

Again, that wasn’t much of a squall to Sunnyvale, as Yahoo’s CEO, Jerry Yang, has apathetically responded:

…”With the distraction of Microsoft’s unsolicited proposal now behind us, we will be able to focus all of our energies on executing the most important transition in our history so that we can maximize our potential to the benefit of our shareholders, employees, partners and users.”

End of story? I’m not so sure, Temporary cease-fire? definitely yes.

[via Microsoft]

Sling Media, the company that turns any Internet-connected PC, Mac, or smartphone into a home television, wants a foothold in the iPhone application festival. The company has downloaded the SDK package (along with other 100,000 people) and started developing a designated Sling app. (hypothetically) which means, by the time Apple officially releases the new firmware version 2.0, around June, and launches the App store, you could watch TV virtually anywhere in the world through the iPhone, and although EDGE streaming is pretty lousy, it can really work great via WiFi connection. Stay tuned !

[via slashgear]

The upcoming PS3 firmware update, will bring some substantial improvements to the game console. According to Sony, version 2.20, which is just days from launch, will feature Blu-ray spec 2.0 and BD-Live capabilities that include online downloading of video content, ringtones and interactive movies or audio. In addition, you will be able to copy to your PSP photos and music playlists via USB connection. The update will also add movies bookmarking function, so you can return back to the exact point and resume play from where you left off. Furthermore, “Audio Output Device” function will enable the PSP console to serve as a remote control for music played through the PS3. Check the full details after the break.

Update: users will be able to copy Blu-Ray movies directly from the PS3 to the PSP.

Update 2: update one turns to be untrue.

[via gizmodo]

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    is a new web service, allowing you to search the internet visually. The company has developed a nice and intuitive search engine that will change the internet navigation and our searching behavior. Like any other search engines, you start by typing the word or inquiry you look for and searchme will offer related categories. Choose any category and the engine will pop up pictures of web pages that answer your search. Just flip between the visual pages and click through. If you need more info, read the short brief at the bottom of the visual results and pick your likable page. Unfortunately, Searchme is a closed beta, but i do hope it will go live ASAP and change the way we search the web. I was lucky to get an invitation and test Searchme, it is new, refreshing and very fast to use. Still, there are many things to improve, like adding more web pages to the engine’s data, increase the size of search results and make them more accurate. Check out the video:

Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Flash video.

Finally, after 18 weeks of closed beta, Hulu.com opens its doors to everyone in the U.S who looks for free video streaming service. The site offers over 100 full-length movies, full-length episodes, and other content line-up from libraries of giants like FOX, NBC Universal, MGM, Sony and Warner Bros. Among the videos, You can find hit shows like The Simpsons, The Office, classics like The incredible Hulk, Miami Vice and Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Arrested Development, Firefly and Friday night lights. Among the full movies you can find The Usual Suspects, The Big Lebowski, Myself & Irene, Three Amigos and many more. As for the sports, it seems the guys from Hulu have teamed up with the NBA management to bring you the best moves and clips, and we expect more events to be added soon. Mind you, the TV episodes will be available for only 5 weeks after broadcasting date. Meanwhile, you can enjoy hours of fun clips, videos or movies, read users reviews and share them with others in your web site – COOL !!

[via Hulu]

This mysterious teaser snappily appeared on PS3 official site for a very short time, alluding messaging capabilities support for the game console. If this info is real, and we assume it is, PS3 users finally get voice and video chat services, allowing them to connect with their friends whenever they pop up online or during a game. The sneaky image reads “Talk to others during game play, say hello anytime you’re online, or have a video chat with an Eye camera; USB Camera or headset.” Hopefully, Sony is going to embed the messaging services in the next firmware update, so here’s a very good reason to anticipate the next version.

[via slashgear]

BenQ has decided to make it official, introduces its new 4.8″ 3G HSDPA Mobile Internet Device (MID) at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The new Mid features the Menlow platform from Intel with a shaking technology to minimize open windows, changeable desktop icons and more. Available in Q2 2008.

Specifications:

• Display: 4.8″ WVGA TouchScreen (1024 x 600).
• Processor: Silverthorne 45nm, Intel Menlow platform.
• Features: HSDPA, WiFi, sliding icons, 0.3MP camera
• Price: unknown.

[BenQ via jkkmobile]

Another picture after the break.

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Yahoo’s board of directors officially decided to turn off Microsoft’s hostile acquisition offer for 44.6$ Billion, price that presented $31 per share, a week ago. The rejection adds 2% to Yahoo’s share, 0.2% to Google’s share and -2% reduction on Microsoft’s share. In a press release, Yahoo says the bid is substantially lower than its real value and refuses to consider any offer under 40$ per share.

…”Yahoo! Board of Directors has carefully reviewed Microsoft’s unsolicited proposal with Yahoo!’s management team and financial and legal advisors and has unanimously concluded that the proposal is not in the best interests of Yahoo! and our stockholders.”

“After careful evaluation, the Board believes that Microsoft’s proposal substantially undervalues Yahoo! including our global brand, large worldwide audience, significant recent investments in advertising platforms and future growth prospects, free cash flow and earnings potential, as well as our substantial unconsolidated investments.”

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Rumors come true, Microsoft submitted an official offer to buy Yahoo for $44.6 Billion, price that presents $31 per share, 62% over Yahoo’s closing price, 19.18$. Microsoft is making tremendous efforts to carry out this deal, in order to stay a major internet player and to be able to compete Google in the growing online advertisement and searching markets. Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer said: “We have great respect for Yahoo!, and together we can offer an increasingly exciting set of solutions for consumers, publishers and advertisers while becoming better positioned to compete in the online services market.” The bid was submitted after Yahoo announced the cutting of 1,000 jobs and reported 8 consistent quarters of dropping shares value. With the anticipation for a difficult year, Yahoo’s board of directors might accept the offer, though we hear the company is not in a rush. Yahoo shares responded with increasing of 47.9%.

Update: Google is reluctant with current developments. Senior VP for Corporate Development and Chief Legal Officer, David Drummond, has just posted a preliminary comment in Google’s official blog, attacking Microsoft for the hostile bid to acquire Yahoo and raises troubling questions:

“Could Microsoft now attempt to exert the same sort of inappropriate and illegal influence over the Internet that it did with the PC? While the Internet rewards competitive innovation, Microsoft has frequently sought to establish proprietary monopolies — and then leverage its dominance into new, adjacent markets.”

And more:

…”Could a combination of the two take advantage of a PC software monopoly to unfairly limit the ability of consumers to freely access competitors’ email, IM, and web-based services? Policymakers around the world need to ask these questions — and consumers deserve satisfying answers.”

To those of you who haven’t heard about Slacker, we are talking about an internet radio service that hosts hundreds of radio stations. Slacker announced the release of a portable internet radio player, back in January 2008 at the CES show and now it goes live and getting shipped to retailers. The new Slacker player comes with three 4-inch screen models:

• 2GB – stores 15 stations and free 500MB for your personal media – 200$.
• 4GB – stores 25 stations and free 1.5GB for your personal media – 250$.
• 8GB – stores 40 stations and free 4GB for your personal media – 300$.

The stations are loaded to the player through your USB-PC sync or through wireless hotspots, via the WiFi connection. Each station is presumably loading 100 songs to the player and it seems they are doing a good job in learning your music taste, Pandora style. A satellite car dock is expected to be released in the near future.

[via slashgear]

Check the video after the break.

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As mentioned earlier, Sony announced the availability of Skype on PSP and despite a small delay, it is here, included in the latest firmware update 3.90 . For the time being, it is only available through network update for PSP-2000 models, but the new firmware expands the Playstation Network support to all models – Rock on.

Update: The M33 team has released a custom version of the 3.90 firmware update, available through Network Update.

[via gizmodo]

Sony has started distributing its new portable surfing device, the Mylo 2. As we mentioned couple weeks ago, this cool mini PMP device is a portable wireless player with a neat QWERTY sliding keyboard that features WiFi internet surfing, Flash Lite 3 support (for youtube) and instant messaging communication. Price is set for $299.99.

[via gizmodo]