Mobile Devices

In a follow up to the first reports that we say yesterday, Reuters is now reporting that Toshiba will be pulling support for hd dvd. According to a company source within Toshiba they are, “planning to give up on its HD DVD format for high definition DVDs, conceding defeat to the competing Blu-Ray technology backed by Sony Corp.”

With all the recent trouble, the poor showing at CES along with Netflix, Best Buy and Wal-Mart pulling support this latest news is not coming as a surprise. The official announcement is expected to come next week.

“We have entered the final stage of planning to make our exit from the next generation DVD business,” said the source, who asked not to be identified.

Just a few things left to wonder about, what will happen with the HD DVD early adopters, will we see a cult like following start to pop-up and just how soon will we see a rush of Blu-ray players sales.

Read [Reuters]

Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed →

Pinky Punky (Mallet’s Mallet)
Now you can re-enact all manner of early morning televisual japery with the help of a completely authentic, Mallet-authorised version of Pinky Punky in your very own home - and get a free signed photograph of the man himself for good measure.

See price

Posted Feb 16th 2008 5:34PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Handhelds
You’re already well aware that Apple and Starbucks are buddy-buddy on at least some level, but this application would really cement their friendship. Quickorder, as you can probably imagine, would enable ipod touch users to swing by their local Starbucks, order up their favorite drink and avoid a good deal of that always questionable human interaction. Granted, what you’re peering at above is still a mockup for now, but it’s brimming with potential, no? Hit up the read link for lots more pics.

[Via DVICE]

AT&T Tilt users have a little update waiting for them in the form of a ROM update. The update seems like one you may want to grab, as it offers enhanced Bluetooth performance, enables DTMF tones for the slide-out QWERTY keyboard, improves overall device performance and stability and includes the Microsoft Adaptation Kit Update (AKU) 0.4.4. Sadly this update does not include anything to correct the recent video driver issues, that update is still rumored to be coming in March.

Read [HTC] Download [Update] Via [Mobility Site]

Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed →

Elmo coming back more funny than ever. Elmo Live waves his arms, sits and stands, crosses his legs, telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing games. He is smart now…

Link: 7×7 Toys

Posted Feb 16th 2008 11:43AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Gaming
Select owners of Guitar Hero III for Wii have been moshing uncontrollably as best they can in mono for months on end, but it seems as if Activision has finally got its interconnects sorted and will start issuing replacement discs. According to direct end-user reports and the (admittedly blurry) shots in the gallery below, the firm is now dishing out pre-paid envelopes in which customers have to ship back their faulty GH III disc and wait “3 to 4 weeks” before getting a new, stereo-enabled one free of charge. Live sans your favorite game for a month, or keep rockin’ in the monaural world? Tough call, indeed.

[Thanks, Sam K.]

Gallery: Activision cranks up Wii Guitar Hero III disc replacement program

I can imagine them as a tool for pranksters. But really, everyone can have a bit of fun every now and then, and these Echo Bots sure can do the trick.

Presenting Mel and Belle (decide which one is which), the two Echo Bots you can use to play tricks on unsuspecting passersby. Record anything you want on the Echo Bot — your voice, a TV commercial, your mum in the middle of nagging — as long as you get those juicy ten seconds in. With their three legs made of bendable material, you can leave or twist the Echo Bot anywhere you like, where it will repeat your recording like a parrot the moment it detects movement within 1 metre of its image sensor located in its single eye.

via

Posted Feb 16th 2008 8:05AM by Richard Lawler
Filed under: Home EntertainmentSamsung’s See’N'Search set-top box that intelligently and automatically pulls content from the internet to match whatever TV show is on sounded nice enough, but we wanted to see it in action. Apparently the good people at Samsung have also perfected their wish-granting technology to match the the unit’s metadata scrapers, because here’s a demo video. Check it out after the break, and be mindful of your thoughts, wouldn’t want to distract Samsung’s R&D from preparing that sandwich we just telepathically requested.

Microsoft has partnered up with the Russian cellphone company Mobile TeleSystems OJSC to offer a subscription based PC. The subscription based PC’s will become available to all of the 85 million customers in Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Turkmenistan and Belarus beginning in June through Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential program.

While the details on the PC’s are still light, they are reported to be running Windows Vista and will also include a built-in mobile broadband access. The two companies are also currently working on new mobile communication services that can be used on the PC’s, but have not made any mention as to what they will be. While we know the availability the pricing information has not been announced.

In addition to this partnership, Microsoft also has similar partnerships with TelMex in Mexico and Telefonica in Brazil.

Read [New York Times]

Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed →

Griffin EarThumps Headphones - Black

EarThumps are earbuds that are designed to isolate your listening experience from outside sound by fitting comfortably inside the ears, to deliver rich, crystal clear audio. Buying an ipod is an investment worth protecting! …one that deserves to reach its full audio potential. Griffin EarThumps deliver clean transparent atmospheric highs, and deep bass. EarThumps increase your iPod listening experience by an order of magnitude and come in either Status Symbol White or Undercover Black, to match the newer iPods. Features:Designed specifically for use with iPod Exceptional noise isolation Greater sound output and enhanced bass Lightweight (0.4 ounces/12 grams) Three different-sized silicone inserts for secure fit and maximum comfort Neodymium dynamic micro-drivers Includes nylon zippered carrying case

Technorati Tags: Headphones