Logitech Z506 review

Audiophiles are quick to name the umpteen flavors of Dolby, but at the risk of oversimplifying things a tad, there are just three types of surround sound today -- each easily identified by their plug. Virtual surround uses just simple stereo jacks, emulating multiple channels from two, while digital surround travels across optical or coaxial S/PDIF cables (or HDMI) and has to be decoded. Finally, there's analog surround sound -- the cheapest solution of all -- where you basically just plug a pair of dumb speakers into each of front, rear and center 3.5mm sockets on your existing PC sound card. Unsurprisingly, the $100 Logitech Z506 speakers use this last technique to deliver their true 5.1 sound, but that's no reason to count them out. The question is, do they deliver enough bang, boom and tweet for the buck? Read on to find out.

Truth be told, the Z506 is far from the company's first analog surround sound package -- it replaces the very similar X-540 setup from 2006, which was itself a upgrade of the $80 Logitech X-530 from 2004 -- but it's clear the company paid a bit more attention to aesthetics this time round. Where both previous packages were fairly symmetrical, boxy (in the case of the X-540) and had stands that jutted out, each of the Z506's satellites have a space-age elliptical design with gentle oblong curves. Here, the two-inch drivers aren't covered by metal grates, but rather gently protected by thin, springy mesh nets, and instead of two per satellite, each has one driver and a small tweeter -- except for the center, which has a pair of eyeballs that joyously remind us of Wall-E. We're also a big fan of the volume dial, if you can believe that, as it's smooth as can be -- just light enough to turn with a single finger, but still enough resistance that we could adjust the volume in fine increments. Yes, it's a pretty handsome looking package, all in all... but before you get too excited, know that it's a far less flexible one.

Read More @ engadget.com

NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 on sale at Newegg, ahead of official release

Just like its older sibling the GTX 460, NVIDIA's GeForce GTS 450 is hitting online stores, even though we've yet to hear a word from NVIDIA itself about the new Fermi-based graphics card. While we can't confirm rumors that the GTS 450's got a new GF106 chip under that plastic shroud, it seems evident we're looking at a somewhat less powerful board -- shipping samples from ASUS, EVGA, Gigabyte and Palit show just 192 CUDA cores (down from 336) and a narrower 128-bit memory interface.

That doesn't mean the GTS 450 won't necessarily be a capable gamer, though, as the graphics and shader chips are actually clocked closer to 800MHz and 1.6GHz respectively this time, and so far they're all paired with a full 1GB of GDDR5 memory with the same 3.6GHz effective rate -- no 768MB cop-outs. At around $130 a pop, we imagine dedicated graphics enthusiasts will spend the extra to get those bonus cores, but if you've only got three portraits of Ulysses S. Grant to spare, this might just be your board. Don't take our word for it, though -- if history's any indication, we'll have plenty of reviews come Monday morning.

Via : engadget.com Buy @ Newegg

LG's THX-certified PX950 3D plasma TV eyes-on

LG is touting its plasma PX950 as the first THX-certified 3D HDTV, and while we didn't run into it at IFA, the company held a press gathering this week in New York to make up for it. So if this set meets THX's rigorous demands -- 400 bench tests and 1,000 data points spread out over 30 test categories -- how does it look to the average consumer? Well, LG certainly has done a lot to prevent ghosting -- that is, image doubling from sync issues with the glasses -- and we were able to enjoy some pretty extreme horizontal viewing angles.

What did bother us, however, was the 600Hz sub-field refresh rate; though not an issue with slower-moving footage (a camera-loving fish from "Under the Sea" comes to mind), any quick movement felt jarring to our vision. Can't say for sure if it was the content or the display, but we'd like to presume LG would showcase with only the top-notch visuals. The tech is still young, but when you're asking $200 to $300 more over the 2D equivalent (and that's before having to pick up the requisite glasses separately), the benefit of 3D still isn't quite as prevalent to us yet.

Via : engadget

Ars reviews the 6th-generation iPod nano: all screen, all the time

The sixth-generation iPod nano's design marks the largest divergence from the nano line since the device was introduced in 2005. The new device is also the first iPod nano to have a touchscreen interface, and the last iPod with a screen to get a touchscreen interface (not counting the languishing iPod classic, as that would just turn it into an iPod touch). As of now, the nano no longer has the telltale circular click wheel that helped to make the iPod so iconic.

However, the new iPod nano differs from its touchscreen iDevice brethren in that it doesn't run iOS, or at least not a version of iOS that any of us are familiar with so far. In reality, the sixth-generation nano is kind of a mutant—a cross between the old iPod and the new, where you can move things around with your finger but can still only play music and perform a few other functions. What to make of this electronic chimera?

Read More @ arstechnica.com

Windows Phone 7 Likely To Launch October 11th?

Windows Phone 7 is almost upon us, months of development, testing, marketing are culminating in an October launch for which we have not had a definite date set.

The folks over at Pocket-lint have always been pretty good with their Windows Phone 7 information and have again come up with an interesting bit of news. According to their sources, Windows Phone 7 is set for an October 11th launch with the associated handsets coming later that month.

Microsoft, as usual, would neither confirm or deny these rumours.

As the Android operating system continues to thrive and Apple keeps releasing updates to its iOS software, Microsoft’s new OS can’t come soon enough for the company.

Expect Dell, HTC, LG, Asus and Samsung to have their handsets ready by October, we will of course cover them all.

Via : thenextweb.com

Pre-Order T-Mobile G2 On Best Buy Starting Today

Best Buy has announced that the pre-orders for the upcoming Android 2.2 handset, the T-Mobile G2 has begun and that the devices will be available in stores for purchase starting October 6. That’s less than one month away.

The new T-Mobile G2 running FroYo will come with a 3.7″ S-TFT WVGA display and is characterized by a unique hinge-type slider design. Besides this, the device will also include a 800MHz Snapdragon processor, 4GB internal memory, an 8GB microSD card that is expandable up to 32GB, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, LED flash capabilities. 720p HD video recording functionality is also supported.

Speaking about the price, the T-Mobile G2 will come unsubsidized at a rate of $499. However, you may also pre-order a subsidized unit from Best Buy at $199 which of course sets you with a 2 year contract from T-Mobile. That’s pretty much in line with rivals with similar specifications.

Via : gorumors.com

T-Mobile and HTC Are Set to Release the Successor of G1

After a smashing hit of the original G1 smartphone, T-Mobile and HTC are all set to launch the G2 now. Like its predecessor, this new smartphone also has Android OS 2.1. HSPA+ data network and 4G data speed packages. So when is the phone going to be released? Hmm, good question, read on;

If you’ve been following T-Mobile’s official website for latest smartphones, then there is a small video section, where the company has been showing a teaser trailer regarding the G2 smartphone. Below the small video box is a descriptive summary of the features related to the upcoming device.

Here is what we know so far about the G2.

• Screen size – 3.7 inches
• One click feature
• 3 home screens
• 8Gb MicroSD card included with packaging
• Internal memory = 4GB
• HD video playback and recording
• QWERTY keypad

As per some sort of titular features, chances are that the smartphone will be released with Android OS 2.2 by default. If this were to happen, then we can expect major support for Flash through a separate Flash media player, new Voice actions, security protocols and much more. Google even added a Voice function that lets you set up your own Voice activated preferences.

Via : shuttervoice.com

Phone Giants to Sell Samsung Tablet PC

Samsung Electronics Co. has cut deals with Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel Corp. and AT&T Inc. to carry its new Google-powered tablet computer, three people familiar with the matter said, a significant step as Samsung tries to take on Apple Inc.'s hot-selling iPad.

The distribution deals with the three largest U.S. wireless operators mark a significant win for Samsung as it tries to take on the iPad. A Samsung spokesman declined to comment.

Samsung is scheduled to unveil the Galaxy Tab in the U.S. market at an event at New York City's Time Warner Center on Sep. 16, two people familiar with the matter said.

While a price hasn't been set, Samsung product executive Hankil Yoon said in an interview last week that it would likely retail for between $200 and $300, although the final price would vary depending on different carriers' subsidies. Mr. Yoon expects to ship 10 million units and take a third of the global tablet market next year. Verizon is still considering whether to subsidize the device, a person familiar with the matter said.

Apple's cellular-equipped iPads are only carried on AT&T's network in the U.S. They aren't subsidized by the carrier and sell for $629 to $829. Apple, which also offers Wi-Fi only versions starting at $499, sold 3 million iPads in the device's first 80 days in the market following its launch in early April.

Samsung has been moving away from cutting exclusive deals with wireless operators for its growing slate of mobile devices. It launched its most recent smartphone, the Galaxy, with the top four U.S. wireless operators, Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile USA. T-Mobile USA, a unit of Deutsche Telekom AG and the fourth-largest U.S. wireless carrier, hasn't yet worked out a deal to carry the tablet, a person familiar with the matter said.

The Galaxy Tab is essentially an enlarged version of Samsung's new Galaxy S smartphone. The gadget has a seven-inch screen, runs on Google Inc.'s Android software, comes with a cellular connection and features a camera on each side.

Samsung launched the tablet on Sep. 3 at a technology conference in Germany. The tablet will debut in Italy, moving to other markets as Samsung locks in more carrier deals. Vodafone Group PLC, the world's biggest mobile operator, said it would start selling the Galaxy Tab in most of its European markets and a number of its other markets worldwide in October.

Samsung follows Dell Inc., which unveiled its Streak tablet through AT&T last month. More tablets are expected for the holiday selling season.

Via : online.wsj.com

Apple iPod Nano Wristwatch?

With so many of you purchasing the Apple iPod Nano, there is now something quite unique that may be of interest to you. The iPod Nano Wristwatch! If you are sitting there, the same as I have wondering how this will possibly work then wonder no more. Apple are already using this new concept.

According to Dave Freeman at CrunchGear, it seems that the wristwatch works when a band is fed through the nano clip making your iPod into the watch. For now as with any new gadget, there are positive and negatives. At this stage, reports indicate that the latter may be the case.

The battery life is not adequate enough as currently the battery is only good for 8-10 hours of constant use. Therefore, the battery would have to be charged continuously. Secondly, the iPod nano would not be water resistant and thirdly, the watch may be too large for some people. Problems could occur for some users when earphones are plugged into the watch, wires that were once allowed to run freely would then get tangled up!

Via : onlinesocialmedia.net

I think the idea to convert the nano into a watch is a good one, but at this stage I feel there may be some issues surrounding it. CrunchGear reported on the “Maratac” watch which will set you back $17.

watch band turns new ipod nano into a wrist watch

Geeky is as geek does I always say. If you really want to show off your new iPod nano and prove to the world that you are geek, what you need to do is turn your new nano into a massive square wrist watch. Having your nano on your wrist would also be a decent way to listen to your tunes while you exercise as well.

A company called CountryComm has some watchbands that are 22mm thick that can fit right through the pocket clip on the nano turning the thing into a large and sufficiently geeky watch. The bands come in a variety of colors and widths, but 22mm is the magic number for the nano.

A 22mm band like the red one in the pics here will set you back $17 (USD). The company also has a lighter case that will hold the nano if you want the thing on your belt. I will say that the idea is cool for a nano watch, but coming from a person that hasn’t worn a watch I years, the nano looks huge on the wrist.

Via : technabob.com

Turn iPod nano into iWatch with iLoveHandles Leather Strap Accessory

In early July we reported on a small touch screen panel which was leaked by a website and was rumored to be the next iPod shuffle with touch controls or the new Apple iWatch. Apple surprised us during the special music event where Steve Jobs announced the new iPod nano which turned out to be the smallest Apple device with multi-touch controls.

Apple’s best selling iPod was the nano before iPod touch surpassed the sales to become the #1. Previous gen iPod nano offered video playback, was capable of recording videos and was larger. When Apple introduced the new nano it was clear that they are trying to focus on offering more features in the iPod touch and restricting iPod nano’s and shuffle’s role as a music player only.

If you were disappointed about Apple not introducing an iWatch then you’d be happy to know that iLoveHandles has come up with a unique accessory for the new iPod nano. The company has started selling Rock Band, a leather strap which has been specially designed to support the new iPod nano and enables you to wear it as a wristwatch. The leather strap will cost you $19.95.

Have you bought the new iPod nano? Will you be buying iLoveHandles leather strap to turn your nano into an iWatch? Let us know your thoughts.

Via : touchreviews.net, Engadget

Garmin: 'we'll have to make decisions within the next couple of quarters' on future of phone business

It doesn't take a rocket scientist -- er, make that a smartphone industry analyst -- to figure out that Garmin's been underperforming in the handset game since it tied up with ASUS early last year; notable missteps have included lackluster hardware, a hopelessly delayed first model, banking fortunes on WinMo in its twilight years, and a general failure to capture the kinds of blockbuster carrier deals that can prop up your bottom line.

Indeed, it wasn't long ago that the company went public with the fact that Garmin-Asus' financials weren't where they needed to be, but things are getting a little more serious now: CFO Kevin Rauckman has mentioned in an interview that they'll need to decide "within the next couple of quarters whether [they] continue to invest or whether [they] pull back." Of course, "pull back" is probably code for "cut and run," since there's really no good way to half-ass your smartphone presence and still earn customer loyalty and turn a profit.

Looking at Garmin's bigger picture, it still doesn't really need to make smartphones to survive -- the PND market remains healthy, and the company has a huge presence in the marine and aviation industries -- but we're sure they'd like a piece of the cellular pie. Touch nut to crack, isn't it, guys?

Via : engadget, Reuters

iPod Evolution 2005 - 2010

Pod touch 1G - 4G

Het iPod-model dat in alle jaren qua uiterlijk het minst is veranderd, is de iPod touch . The iPod model in all years is the least changed in appearance, the iPod touch . The touch, first introduced in 2007, has always been a derivative of the iPhone, but without calling. Thus the third generation iPod touch launched in September 2009, with the the iPhone 3G Voice Control-known support.

The fourth generation iPod touch was announced in early 2010, has a new design that is almost identical to the iPhone 4 and the specifications are identical to the fourth iPhone. So does this latest iPod touch on a very clear retinal display, a front camera and the FaceTime application for video chat (only with other FaceTime users), a camera that lets you get HD video, recording and IOS 4 operating system.

Read More @ portablegear.nl

1284172260 Gaming, How would you change Microsoft's new Xbox 360?

So, you didn't wait for those forthcoming Kinect bundles to ship before picking up a new Xbox 360, huh? Good on you. Now that you've had all summer to break 'er in, we're keenly interested in knowing how exactly you -- the dear consumer -- would change Microsoft's slimmer, edgier Xbox 360.

Would you have crafted a more stackable case? Thrown in a Blu-ray drive for obvious reasons? Included four controllers and a game for a nominal fee? Packed more than 250GB of hard drive space? Retooled the controller at the time of launch, rather than... say, last week? Go ahead and get real in comments below. Just keep it halfway sane down there.

Via : engadget.com