MBL's US$180K space-age speakers

We've come across many speakers, from the naked Jamo Reference R 909 to the see-through Martin Logan Summit. But nothing comes close to the funky MBL's 101 X-treme. This has a pair of melon-like omni-directional drivers held in place by a structure of wood, metal and plastic. This is a guaranteed headturner together with the companion dual 6ft-tall subwoofers! At US$180,000 a set, it's more than enough for you to drive home a fully equipped BMW Z4 Roadster. That said, we're pretty sure there are enough millionaires around Asia with enough spare change for these one-of-a-kind MBL speakers.

Via Luxury Launches | Photo credit: MBL US

More LifeBooks get the 3.5G treatment

Believing that mobile broadband is the way to go, Fujitsu is giving more of its LifeBooks HSDPA functionality.

Despite the fact that the three major telcos in Singapore have made mobile broadband affordable and easily accessible, most portables still require the use of an external USB dongle or PC Card to connect to the 3.5G networks as models with integrated HSDPA modules are still rare. The latest series announced today by Fujitsu may change the landscape, as they include models like the Fujitsu LifeBook S6510, Fujitsu LifeBook U1010, Fujitsu LifeBook T2010 and Fujitsu LifeBook P7230 which have the 3.5G hardware integrated into the machine and, as such, offer a more elegant mobile surfing experience.

However, being untethered comes at a price and these new notebooks do not come cheap. Realizing that the value-for-money market shouldn't be ignored, the Japanese maker has also launched its cheapest LifeBook to date. The LifeBook V1010, which made its maiden appearance at the recently concluded SITEX show, is priced at S$1,388 (US$913.16) and joins the refreshed LifeBook A6110 as value propositions from Fujitsu. However, it is based on an older Centrino platform, though for basic users they shouldn't really feel the difference.

On the premium end, the LifeBook S6510 is the first to feature the SlimEdge design by Fujitsu. Though it is an upgrade from the 13.3-inch S6410, the S6510 manages to increase the screen size to 14.1-inch while maintaining the same form factor as its predecessor.

Look out for our detailed breakdown on these new LifeBooks tomorrow.

World's slimmest and lightest 14.1-inch notebook

How often have we lamented that were the bezel around the LCD minimized, we could have a larger screen without having to increase the notebook's footprint. Well, Fujitsu obviously heard those comments and came up with the SlimEdge design that pushes the screen real estate to the edges of the LCD.

The LifeBook S6510 is the first model to benefit from this technology. Though it is essentially an upgrade from the 13.3-inch S6410, the S6510 manages to increase the display size to 14.1-inch while maintaining the same form factor as its predecessor. As a result, Fujitsu claims it is the slimmest and lightest 14.1-inch portable in the world and, at 1.7kg light, we find it hard to disagree. A Fujitsu representative intimated that the SlimEdge technology will be extended to at least another LifeBook model, though he was unable to disclose exactly which line this would fall under.

However, expect to pay a premium for this HSDPA-connected machine as, at S$3,988 (US$2,623.68), it certainly takes a big heart and an even bigger wallet to buy one as a Christmas gift.

Nabaztag gets defaced, looks ugly

Who thinks French graffiti artist Andre's take on the Nabaztag looks, erm, amazing? Being one of the early owners of a Nabaztag (a smart Wi-Fi-enabled rabbit that can connect to the Internet and download information such as weather data or read its owner's emails), it breaks our hearts to see our digital hare, lovingly named Nellie, being defaced with a cross on one eye, a circle with a dot in the center on the other, a squiggly line across its body and a tattooed ear. It's just wrong! The Nabaztag is supposed to be a pet, not a pirate. Nabaztag brothers and sisters unite! Or maybe we have a different definition of beauty. At US$300 a piece for the limited-edition design, it's going to take more than graffiti on a bunny to convince any buyer to part with cash.

Via CNET Crave

WM6.1 Standard has threaded SMS

If you've read our review of the Palm 500v, you'd know we gave it a bit of flak for not including the famed threaded SMS feature associated with the Treo series of devices. Well, we may now know why that awful omission was commited--threaded SMS may be a default feature of WM (Windows Mobile) 6.1 Standard.

Technology blogger The Boy Genius posted 100 screenshots of a Motorola Q9 he has which comes with Wi-Fi and the new version of WM. Among its new features are threaded SMS and the ability to copy and paste text. It seems the Internet Explorer browser has also been improved. It's not a major update of the OS, but the improvements are significant enough for most users to want one.

According to another blogger on New Zealand-based Geekzone, the update for WM6 is planned for release to manufacturers in Q1 2008. We hope all manufacturers will release it quickly and for free to users of WM6 Standard devices when it becomes official. Finally then, the Treo 500v will become a true Treo--but of course, so will every other WM6 Standard smart phone.

Image credit: The Boy Genius Report

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