Archives for October 2007
USB Cassette Deck
Juniper Foo | Oct 09, 2007
First, there was the USB turntable. Now the ubiquitous USB format is going down memory lane to fast-forward ye old cassette deck into the digital future. If you still actually own a box of moldy cassette tapes somewhere in the home and have warm fuzzy memories of carefree youth spent listening to hissy romance mixes, well, this oughta make it easy to reminisce. It converts those compilations into a digital format that's easier to archive. For the full retro effect, the gear even looks like the original 1980s deal, complete with tape counter and metal/CrO2 tape selector. Oh yeah, let's play that funky music!
Price: US$203.90
Availability: At Firebox.com
Device: USB cassette ripper
Specs: 42 x 13.5 x 22cm, USB cable, stereo RCA cable, Audacity and EZ Tape Converter software CD, quick-start user's manual
E-Ten glofiish M800 leaked
John Chan | Oct 09, 2007
We have heard rumblings about a QWERTY-enabled E-Ten handheld with specifications similar to the glofiish X800 for some time now, but just haven't seen anything concrete. Now, Dutch site Pocketinfo has an image and details of the new M800, a handheld with all the features of the X800 plus a slide-out keyboard. This means it will come with HSDPA connectivity, a SiRFstar III GPS chip and a 500MHz Samsung processor.
Looking at the image, it appears the keyboard design is very similar to its predecessor, the M700. The main difference is the inclusion of LEDs which indicates when the Caps and Fn keys are pressed, similar to those found on the HTC TyTN II. Feature for feature, the M800 will compare very well to the TyTN II with the added advantage of having a VGA screen.
According to Pocketinfo, the M800 will be available in Europe in November with an expected price of between 599 (US$839.90) and 629 euros (US$881.96). We have contacted E-Ten about its Asian availability and are awaiting a response.
Via Engadget
KDDI's Infobar 2 debuts in Ceatec, Japan
Damian Koh | Oct 09, 2007
I think it's pretty safe to say we're sick of hearing about all the wonderful technology in Japan. It probably assumes that anywhere outside the land of the rising sun still belongs to Dark tech Ages. But that's not going to stop us from writing about all the gadgets we can't get (actually we can, but then we may end up writing about the iPhone again). Anyway, here's another one that surfaced at the recent Tokyo Ceatec exhibition in Chiba, Japan--the KDDI Infobar 2.
According to Yahoo News, the Infobar 2 is expected to debut in November in Japan at an estimated price of 20,000 yen without a service contract. Although we're not particularly excited about the handset's 2.6-inch OLED 240 x 400-pixel screen, 2-megapixel camera, 100MB onboard memory and microSD expansion slot, its embedded FeliCa chip allows for contactless electronic payment and is something the world is still trying to play catch-up with.
Besides free digital television broadcast (in Tokyo, there are envy of envy seven channels), KDDI offers a music download service for its users via its Lismo music store. Particularly of interest is the search feature which lets users look for a track by typing the artist's name, song title, or even humming into the handset and letting the system do the match. Really, who needs the iPhone after this?
[Thanks Steve Levenstein for the tip]
Via Yahoo News
Because headphones need respect too
Mike Yamamoto | Oct 09, 2007
If you're going to spend an arm and a leg for headphones, the last thing you want to do is have them lying around where they'd be most vulnerable to the occasional spilled beer. (Not that we would ever allow such wasteful behavior, at least where alcoholic beverages are concerned.) The Audio-Technica AT-HPS500 headphone stand has a solution that addresses this practical concern with a clean and simple design as well.
Made of acrylic and natural beech, this showcase pedestal isn't cheap at US$65, according to Audio Junkies. But if you have a pair of US$1,670 ebony cans from the same company, it's well worth the invesment.
Via CNET Crave
Why I chose the iPod touch (and not the iPhone)
Reuben Lee | Oct 08, 2007
You'd think that years of being a CNET Asia reviewer would have taught me a thing or two about making tech purchases. Apparently not.
Prior to arriving in San Francisco for an Intel event, I had done my homework and somewhat set my mind on getting an iPhone. The US$200 price cut that the Cupertino company had recently announced was just too good to pass. Not to mention that I was as fallible as the next customer when it came to the iPhone, from the impressive touch display interface down to the sleek Apple styling that's simply irresistible. A further bonus was the fact that the iPhone would officially be launched in Asia only next year, giving me early adopter status in the league of extraordinary geeks and making me (naturally) the envy of my fellow scribes back home. And if it turns out I don't like the iPhone after all, well, there's always eBay.
However, when I finally found myself standing inside the Apple Store in San Francisco late in September, the iPod touch in one hand, the iPhone in the other, I started having second thoughts about the iPhone. Aside from not having faster connectivity options such as 3G and HSDPA, the iPhone needs to be unlocked by third-party options in order to be used with SIM cards other than AT&T's, and that's additional cost.
As much as I didn't like the glossy chrome finish of the iPod touch and its lack of a camera and cellular support, its slimmer design and larger 16GB capacity made it really attractive over the iPhone. Also noteworthy were the touch's video-out capabilities and normal 3.5mm-jack, both of which aren't found on the iPhone. The iPhone's 3.5mm audio jack is recessed into the slot, making it compatible with only a selected number of earphones out there (unless it is used with an additional adapter).
Eventually, on my sixth visit to the Apple store, during which the Apple staff now readily recognized me, I finally got the 16GB iPod touch. My rationale being that I'm still convinced a better iPhone will come along to Asia next year, complete with 3G and further improvements. There was that plus the limited availability of the iPod touch--the 16GB version was perpetually sold out on my first five visits to the store--which decided me. Am I happy with my decision now I've gotten it? You betcha!
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