Filed under: GPS
Really, QSTARZ? You’ve actually had independent testers confirm that your BT-Q818 eXtreme is the most powerful GPS receiver on the entire planet? We’re guessing not, but for what it’s worth, the second incarnation of the BT-Q818 features 51-channel tracking, 32-hours of navigation time, -158dBm sensitivity, USB connectivity, built-in Bluetooth, adjustable 1 to 5Hz update rate and a 36-second signal acquisition time (when cold). Sounds pretty run-of-the-mill from here, but QSTARZ wouldn’t fib about this thing’s world ranking, now would it?
[Via NaviGadget]
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Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds
Late’s better than never — usually, anyway — and a rumored release date finally stuck long enough for the BlackBerry Curve 8330 to make an appearance on Sprint’s online store. In fact, as “mid-May” goes, May 9 is actually on the early side of things if you want to get technical about it, so we guess some kudos are actually due here. Sprint’s asking $179.99 on contract with rebates for the pleasure of indulging in its latest mobile productivity tool, which you’ll ironically be using to respond to emails during meetings that you’re supposed to be listening in on. Funny how the world works, isn’t it?
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
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Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds
Late’s better than never — usually, anyway — and a rumored release date finally stuck long enough for the BlackBerry Curve 8330 to make an appearance on Sprint’s online store. In fact, as “mid-May” goes, May 9 is actually on the early side of things if you want to get technical about it, so we guess some kudos are actually due here. Sprint’s asking $179.99 on contract with rebates for the pleasure of indulging in its latest mobile productivity tool, which you’ll ironically be using to respond to emails during meetings that you’re supposed to be listening in on. Funny how the world works, isn’t it?
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
Watch out, battery-powered MAVs — your viability could be seriously in danger. Based on a patent application from University of Florida aerospace engineer Subrata Roy, he’s reckoning that a micro air vehicle could be propelled by plasma. Scientists have known that passing a current or magnetic field through a conducting fluid generates a force, but exploiting it for use in moving an aircraft has proven futile thus far. The phenomenon, simply known as magnetohydrodynamics, has typically been tested on larger crafts, but Mr. Roy’s invention would boast a wingspan of less than 15-centimeters and resemble a flying saucer more so than a 747. Of course, this fantastic idea has yet to become much more than just that, but for armed forces and entities obsessed with surveillance, this could undoubtedly be big.
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Filed under: Portable Audio
Gear4 has been known to unleash a few unorthodox speaker systems, but the forthcoming Duo is particularly impressive — in finding a way to somehow differentiate itself in the expansive pool of alternatives, that is. At first glance, it doesn’t appear to differ much from every other one out there, but give that front panel a tug, and off comes a portable speaker system with its own rechargeable batteries, auxiliary port and power supply. When you arrive back, just reattach the magnetically-held panel and listen as the bass kicks in without missing a beat. Apparently the unit is set to go on sale on June 1st for £150 ($290), though we haven’t heard if it’ll ever arrive on US soil.
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Filed under: Desktops
Given the absurdity of the AlphaGrip Handheld Computer, we’re pretty stoked to see something fairly snazzy emerge from entries in Microsoft’s Next-Gen PC Design Competition. The Illusion PC is a 8.25-inch cube that hides a Mini-ITX motherboard, 200-watt power supply, slot-loading DVD burner and provides room for two internal hard drives. Theoretically, a 6-inch LCD and TV tuner card could also be thrown in, but we’re digging the minimalist feel, personally. Hit the read link for a gallery of shots — heck, the magician even reveals his secret to pulling the whole thing together. Like, that never happens.
[Via SlashGear]
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Filed under: Desktops
Given the absurdity of the AlphaGrip Handheld Computer, we’re pretty stoked to see something fairly snazzy emerge from entries in Microsoft’s Next-Gen PC Design Competition. The Illusion PC is a 8.25-inch cube that hides a Mini-ITX motherboard, 200-watt power supply, slot-loading DVD burner and provides room for two internal hard drives. Theoretically, a 6-inch LCD and TV tuner card could also be thrown in, but we’re digging the minimalist feel, personally. Hit the read link for a gallery of shots — heck, the magician even reveals his secret to pulling the whole thing together. Like, that never happens.
[Via SlashGear]
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Filed under: Laptops
We’re not at all certain what led Dell to ship European Vostro 1310s and 1510s with, ah, revised QWERTY keyboards, but it looks like the company is making good on its promise to remedy the situation. According to Dell, all affected customers will be contacted and offered a replacement keyboard beginning today. Apparently the switch isn’t too hard to make, so you’ll be able to either do it yourself, or Dell will send out a tech to do it for you at no cost. Sounds like Dell’s doing its best to make this right — but c’mon, how did this not raise all kinds of red flags during the design process?
P.S.- If you’re a touch-typist who’s having major issues, you can also jump to the front of the pack by emailing Dell — check out the read link for directions.
[Via Pocket-lint]
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Filed under: Wireless
Comcast, Time Warner, and Bright House all threw down in the new Sprint-led Clearwire venture yesterday, but it looks like Cablevision wants in on the fun as well: the company announced today that it’s spending $350M on a new wireless broadband network in New York. Unlike the Clearwire partnership, Cablevision is apparently going to use straight-up WiFi for the service, but it’s not revealing any details at the moment, saying only that it’ll run at 1.5Mbps and eventually handle voice as well. The plan is to get up and running in NYC within two years, and existing customers will be able to log on for free — and if this really is straight-up WiFi, we’d bet a lot of other people will be joining the fun as well.
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Filed under: Peripherals
If you weren’t enthused about the SteelSeries 7G for whatever reason, Gigabyte looks to have another alternative headed down the pike. At the company’s Spring Break event and Plug-Fest 2008, folks from Tweaktown were able to spend a few hurried minutes with the GK-K8000 gaming keyboard. We’re told that “design issues” were holding ‘em up from being released right now, but we get the impression that it’s certainly nearing completion. Initial thoughts were that typing felt great and the unit itself seemed mighty sturdy, but why take our word for it? Hop on down to the read link for a few more snaps.
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