Archives for January 2007
ASUS gets tough on gaming 
Darius Chang | Jan 04, 2007
| Editors' note : Both the ASUS G1 and G2 will be available in Singapore from January 2007, with a cost of S$3,588 (US$2,360.53) and S$3,988 (US$2,623.68), respectively. |
Looking to give Dell's XPS a run for its money, ASUS is hoping to hit the sweet spot with its latest mobile gaming portables.
The ASUS G1 and G2 belong to the same lineage and have similar specifications. Only the 15.4-inch display on the G1 and 17-inch LCD of the G2 physically separate them. Besides running with the latest Core 2 Duo processor, the G1 races ahead with the high-end 512MB Nvidia GeForce Go 7700 graphics card, while the G2 opts for the equally speedy 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1700. We expect to see some blazing 3DMark06 scores when our review units come in.
Unfortunately, we may not get to see the ASUS G1 outside of Taiwan. The G2, on the other hand, will be making an appearance in the near future wearing a tag of S$3,988 (US$2,623.68). A reasonable price to pay for a speed demon.
Music in the Rain
Juniper Foo | Jan 04, 2007
Step aside, Umbrella Photo Browser. Here comes the musical brollie. Only a matter of time this popped up, Korean designer Bong Kyu Song's invention is at least far more sensible than attempting to watch a projected movie on the insides of your canopy while on the move. However, it can't get anymore original considering Bong's choice of name for his creation--Music in the Rain. According to writeups, the dome structure acts as an amplifier, while the handle (where else?) contains the controls to music playback. What's a little more nifty is the forward/backward modes. You spin the brollie right for forward and left for reverse. Just watch who you splatter. As a final touch, you can dock your umbrella when not in use in a cradle and continue to play off it. No word, though, on the power source, battery life or how heavy this little player is as we had some issues accessing Bong's Web site. But at least Gene Kelly wont' be the only oddball singing in the rain.
Get upclose
Via Yanko Design
Price: N.A.
Availability: Concept
Device: Music-enabled umbrella
Specs: N.A.
Slim Sony Ericsson Ai to debut at CES 2007?
Reuben Lee | Jan 04, 2007
Rumors of a supposed Sony Ericsson Ai W880 handset have been circulating on the Web the past few weeks, with several sites predicting that it would be announced at next week's CES 2007 tradeshow in Las Vegas. While we are usually skeptical about such online tattles, the pictures posted on popular gadget sites such as Gizmodo and Engadget look extremely believable this time.
We gave it our best shot, naturally, but received a negative on details from Sony Ericsson Singapore (also naturally). However, based on the images, the Ai W880 looks to be a 3G candy-bar phone (due to a camera on the screen side of the handset in the picture). The buzz has it also that there will be a 3.2-megapixel camera, FM radio and a 2GB hard drive, with color options in black or white. With CES just around the corner, we shouldn't have to wait too long to verify if the Sony Ericsson Ai W880 is for real or merely another Web hoax.
ASUS XG Station
Darius Chang | Jan 03, 2007
It is about time someone came up with an external graphics solution. ASUS's latest tech toy is a dream for those who have been hampered by the weak integrated video processor in their portables.
The ASUS XG Station is a docking solution for your notebook. It houses a PCI-e slot in which you can plug in the latest graphics card (GPU) and an ExpressCard interface to hook up with your laptop. By freeing up video-rendering resources in your system, ASUS claims the device boosts graphics performance by a factor of nine over integrated solutions. The XG Station is also capable of delivering cinematic 5.1-channel surround sound and enables real-time GPU overclocking via a knob. An LED display shows critical system information.
The XG Station will be available between March and April this year, with pricing details yet to be released. The docking station will come bundled with an Nvidia GeForce 7900 GS graphics card.
Click here for larger image
Gen-two HD ALiS
Philip Wong | Jan 03, 2007
Following a successful launch of its world's first HD ALiS plasma TV, Hitachi has recently updated the lineup with two new entries from the latest 9000-series. Besides bragging rights for a stunning 1,024 x 1,080-pixel resolution, the highest among its class, the panels also comes equipped with an upgraded engine and input capability.
The 42PD9800TA and 42PD9500TA now features a second-generation Picture Master HD II image-processing engine and dual HDMI connectivity future-proofed with 1080p-compatibility. As the new flagship model, the former also offers onboard multimedia playback and a motorized swivel stand for added value and convenience.
Both models are now available, with the 9500 and 9800 retailing at S$2,999 (US$1,973.03) and S$3,999 (US$2,630.92), respectively.
More info here
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