Archives for May 2007
After a long wait, ATI's next-gen 3D cards arrive
Rich Brown | May 15, 2007
ATI's new Radeon 2000-series 3D graphics cards (code-named R600) were at one point supposed to ship this January. After a few more months of fine-tuning (and plenty of Internet rumors), today brought the official launch of the 512MB Radeon HD 2900 XT. This card is designed to compete directly with Nvidia's 640MB GeForce 8800 GTS. Both CNET and GameSpot will have full reviews of this card up shortly.
The takeaway from the reviews around the Web is that the Radeon HD 2900 XT is loud, requires a lot of power, and stays competitive with Nvidia as far as performance and image quality, depending on the game. We found a similar conclusion in our soon to be posted review of a dual Radeon HD 2900 XT-equipped Velocity Micro desktop PC (which we rate and test differently then we would a standalone graphics card).
With no next-generation DirectX 10 games out yet and both cards' driver software still works in progress, we expect that the performance story will evolve over the next few months. We should also add that ATI has announced its mainstream Radeon HD 2400 and Radeon HD 2600 cards, to be released in June, as well as its complete line of Mobility Radeon 2000 series graphics chips. Since all of these cards and chips can decode HD video, even if Nvidia becomes the eventual 3D performance winner, there's still another battlefield on which ATI and AMD can come out on top.
Samsung YP-U3: Hunting down the shuffle
Nate Lanxon, CNET.co.uk | May 15, 2007
A new week and a new MP3 player. This time it's Samsung causing our saliva glands to work more overtime than a Chinese sweatshop, with the unofficial announcement of the YP-U3. The U3 is a flash-based MP3 player and is the successor to the YP-U1 and YP-U2.
It comes in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB capacities and supports MP3, WMA and good old OGG-format music files. There's a built-in RDS FM radio (very nice indeed, Samsung), a built-in USB plug (less nice) and it still sports a trippy blue LED on one end (oh dear).
Samsung told us this morning the YP-U3 is definitely going to be coming to the UK within the next two months, at the same time as the US release, but no price point has yet been announced.
The U3 is going after a similar audience as Apple's iPod Shuffle, but it does so with a significantly larger body and, like previous models, by having a non-color screen. However, we get the feeling that while this is a nice-looking little guy it's just not outstanding enough to make a significant impact on the market, unless it a) costs significantly less than the Shuffle's £55, or b) comes with an 8GB capacity--the latter being a definite no-chancer.
We'd love to have seen an 8GB version and feel such a capacity would do very well in a player of this size. We guess we'll just have to wait for the YP-U4 for that. Either way, it looks lovely and if it's cheap enough it'll do alright. Watch this space, Samsungites.
Via CNET UK Crave
Ashtray Clock
Juniper Foo | May 15, 2007
Nothing revelationary on the surface here. Just an ashtray with a clock. In fact, it's so subtle, your smoking buddy won't give it a second notice. But we like it. It's a good reminder that time's running out for those who persist in burning out their lungs. A countdown timer next? Wicked!
Via New Launches
Price: US$35.99
Availability: Check it at Merlin's Box
Device: Ashtray
Specs: N.A.
LG Z1 gets two faces 
Darius Chang | May 14, 2007
| Editors' note:
LG has announced that Singapore will be the first in the world to launch the Z1 (Dual LCD) (also known as the Chocolate Notebook). We have updated the article below with the latest information.
|
Following in the footsteps of the ASUS W5Fe, the latest LG Z1 notebook will ship with dual LCDs to take advantage of Windows Vista's Sideshow concept.
The LG Z1 (Dual LCD) is a 12.1-inch widescreen notebook with Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz processor, 1GB memory and comes in at a light 1.86kg. The top lid holds a second display with signature red touch-sensitive buttons reminiscent of the LG Chocolate phones. Strangely enough, though the system uses the ATI Mobility Radeon X1350 graphics card, the secondary panel is powered by Nvidia's Preface technology and Windows Vista's Sideshow concept, allowing users to access system information, emails, music playback and more on the smaller LCD.
This model is currently launched only in Singapore, with availability to other countries to be announced at a later date. The LG Z1 (Dual LCD) retails for S$2,999 (US$1,973.03) and should be available in the upcoming PC Show 2007.
View larger image here.
E-Ten leads the pack for WM6 updates
John Chan | May 14, 2007
Users of the E-Ten X500 and M700 handhelds rejoice--the Windows Mobile 6 (WM6) upgrade for these two devices is available.
Soon after the Taiwanese company announced its plans to provide WM6 free for current users, the upgrade is now available on the glofiish Web site. It requires registered users to obtain an "Action Key" via email, which users can request through E-Ten's support page. From there, the update can be downloaded by inputting the provided access code and the device's IMEI number.
This makes E-Ten the first company to roll out its WM6 update. O2 could have been the first but a delay in its approval process with Microsoft has postponed its upgrade for the Atom Life.
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