TiVo Launches Power||Watch Ratings
July 31st, 2008 
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TiVo launched a new service in conjunction with Starcom called Power||Watch that provides second-by-second ratings services for broadcasters. The service takes demographics segments from 20,000 homes that use TiVo hardware.
The service provides the broadcasters with information on what commercials viewers watch and what commercials they skip. TiVo says that the viewers in the passive panel have agreed to let it use personally identifiable viewing data to compile the findings.
The service showed in May that early adapters who have used TiVo for over 3 years show no more of likelihood to skip commercials that new users. The data also shows that all users place shift and skip commercials at a high rate. Specific commercials skipped by viewers did vary. Did they really need viewing details of 20,000 people to figure that stuff out?
World’s smallest hard drive right here
July 30th, 2008 
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Well that’s what its manufacturer Freecom is claiming (so take it with a pinch of salt). They also claim this teeny weenie 2.5-inch external hard drive is 27 percent smaller than its closest competitor (again - pinch, salt). Connect the hand-sized Mobile Drive XXS (ok, we get it - it’s small) to you computer via the USB cable provided and start filling it with your best tunes, favourite Lost episodes, porn and whatever else you need stored in this tiny technological residence. Design-wise, the drive is covered in a “form-fitting rubber sleeve for optimal grip” and is so small its measurements are given in millimetres rather than centimetres.
It only weighs a feather light 155g (in case you were wondering if it’s small size meant a heavy load), has transfer speeds of up to 480Mbps and will work with Macs and PCs. There are three storage sizes on offer too - 160GB (£44.99), 250GB (59.99) or 320GB (£79.99).
IOGear 4-Port Automatic HDMI Switch
July 30th, 2008 
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If you’re tired of swapping HDMI cables every time you want to connect a new device to your HDTV, then it’s time to add an HDMI switch to your home-theater arsenal. The $149.99 IOGear 4-Port Automatic HDMI Switch delivers solid performance, and—as its name implies—provides a useful automatic switching feature that eliminates the need for manual operation.
In the box you get the switch, a credit card–size remote control, a 6V power adapter, a 2-meter HDMI cable, and a quick-start guide. The tiny remote is similar in size to the one included with the Accell UltraAV HDMI Switch, and like the UltraAV’s, the IOGear remote performed well at distances exceeding 20 feet. But the remote’s off-axis performance tapered diminished at a relatively narrow 35 degrees. The switch is supported by Logitech’s Harmony universal remotes, however.
LG KT520 3G introduced in Taiwan
July 30th, 2008 
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LG, one of the world’s largest mobile phone manufacturer, launched in Taiwan the KT520 3G slider mobile phone. The KT520 is a slider with new finger mouse. The device is mainly targeted for the Net surfers, with its zoom in/out functions, dedicated Internet Hotkey and single band HSDPA. The highlights of the new LG is its 3 Megapixel camera with auto focus, 10x digital zoom and video recording. Unfortunately, there’s no flash on it. The new slider weighs 100 grams, measures 100 x 50 x 15 millimeters.
Other features beside its 3G support are: Bluetooth A2DP, 60 MB internal memory, a microSD slot, and a 2.2-inch TFT LCD display with 2000:1 contrast ratio. Its music player can play MP3, AAC, AAC+ and WMA file format. The 800 mAh batter included in the handset. Designed for Asia market, KT520 3G currently available in Taiwan with around $295 price tag.
Ultrasone HFI-580
July 30th, 2008 
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Typically, when a pair of headphones promises surround sound, I roll my eyes and just wish the manufacturer was touting plain old (better-sounding) stereo. Ultrasone’s reasonably priced $199 HFI-580 is outfitted with what the company calls “S Logic Natural Surround Sound Plus,” and it sounds crisp, accurate, and like…um…stereo. I didn’t detect any of the usual awful reverb or EQ effects that come with surround sound, nor did I sense any real “surround.” And our testing system showed a response that’s relatively flat (except in the very high frequencies). The ample low-end sounds full without going overboard, and the added brightness lends clarity to vocals and strings.
The sturdy, 10-ounce HFI-580 has a circumaural design, meaning that its padded earcups create a seal around the ear. The look is decidedly old-school—big and chunky, with a thick cable—but the fit is pure comfort. I’m not sure many people would want to carry these around, so it’s probably a better stay-at-home pair.
Asus USB-N11 is World’s first USB Adapter with EZLink
July 30th, 2008 
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ASUS has released the new ASUS USB-N11 wireless N USB adapter. This compact sized USB Wi-Fi stick allows users to simply push a button on the adapter and the router to create a protected wireless environment without complicated setups.
Additionally, the USB-N11 is fully 802.11n compliant allowing users to have easy interoperability with all draft-N devices. Last but not least, the USB-N11 supports a whole range of different operating systems that includes Windows, Linux and MAC OS to further provide support for users.
Users have always bemoaned the complexity of setting up a protected WiFi network. To aid in this process, the ASUS USB-N11 comes with a WPS button to simplify setup – allowing users to setup a protected networking environment with ease. All the user has to do is to connect the USB-N11, push the WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) button on the adapter and the router, and the set up is done – all without complex configurations. Being WiFi alliance WPS certified, this little marvel contains no compatibility and works for any WPS certified router.
There is no pricing information and shipping date available yet for the USB-N11.
Portable iPod speakers with added Sex and the City chic
July 30th, 2008 
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This isn’t any ordinary iPod speaker - this is the Sex and the City GraytlittleSpeaker. So, basically it’s a bog standard portable iPod speaker, given a funky name with Sex and the City illustrations emblazoned all over its outside walls (that is unless it has some Samantha, Miranda, Carrie or Charlotte commentary to accompany track changing - which it doesn’t). Covered in a fabulous shade of pink, with a martini glass and a pair of heels (got to be Manolo Blahniks), the design will hopefully make you think of cosmos, Mr Big, high fashion and sexy shoes.
Not a fan of the famous foursome? You could always go for the same speaker but lose the SATC reference. This will only excite those into the Sopranos or Entourage - not so much if you love Heroes. Both speakers are similarly branded, so that means (yep you guessed it) Sopranos or Entourage style imaging (which isn’t an obvious reference to the actual show) gracing its outer shell. The lack of effort in the design makes sense when you find out these portable iPod speakers cost a very reasonable $20 USD here.
HTC Touch Diamond passes FCC with U.S. 3G
July 30th, 2008 
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Yet another version of the HTC Touch Diamond has passed through the FCC recently, dubbed the ‘DIAM110′. While there is no confirmation in the FCC documents that this model will be carried by AT&T, the presence of dual-band UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850/1900MHz) support is a good indication that AT&T is its intended recipient.
The HTC Touch Diamond is a stylish handset with a large touchscreen display and 3.2 megapixel camera. HTC’s finger-friendly TouchFLO user interface makes using the handset a breeze, and Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional allows the handset to keep you organized on the go.
The FCC documents are available here.
Ricoh releases GX200 firmware version 1.10
July 30th, 2008
A high-end, 24 mm super-wide-angle, optical zoom, digital compact featuring high resolution 12 megapixel CCD coupled with the latest imaging engine SIE III 
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Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and CEO: Shiro Kondo) has announced today the development and release of the GX200. The GX200 is able to reproduce high quality images from edge-to-edge with low noise and natural gradation. This camera succeeds the award winning Caplio GX100 compact digital camera introduced in April 2007.
The GX200 inherits the popular features of the GX100 such as a 24 to 72 mm (35 mm film equivalent focal length) high-performance wide-angle optical zoom lens on a 25 mm thin pocketable compact body, a wide variety of manual shooting functions, and a removable tilting electronic viewfinder. The new GX200 achieves increased resolution via its 12 megapixel CCD and dramatic noise reduction with the addition of the new image processing engine Smooth Imaging Engine III.
Already a popular part of the Caplio GX100, the high-resolution wide-angle lens unit has been further configured to enable picture taking at an even higher resolution.
With a large wide-viewing angle 2.7-inch 460,000 dots HVGA LCD and an electronic level function, for horizontal and vertical shooting, the GX200 contains extensive shooting functions to enable camera lovers to enjoy and create stunning photographs.
This model comes in two package types with different accessories. The GX200 package contains: rechargeable lithium ion battery, battery charger, AV cable, USB cable, CD-ROM, strap, and lens cap. The GX200 VF KIT package contains all the above accessories plus the electronic viewfinder.
Additional information: Check-out the Ricoh GX200 specifications & reviews
Leaf introduces 56 megapixel AFi 10 camera system
July 30th, 2008 
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Leaf , member of Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group joins the battle of the giants with the new 56 megapixel Leaf AFi 10 camera system, positioning itself between the 50 Mp Hasselblad H3DII-50 and the 60 Mp PhaseOne P65+. The AFi 10 is equipped with a new 56×36 mm TWF (True Wide Frame) sensor, co-developed with Dalsa Corporation, to deliver 56 Mp in 9288 x 6000 resolution across the width of the 6×6 sensor area. Using Leaf’s Verto internal sensor rotation you can flip the sensor with one finger from landscape to portrait…