Only- Electronics http://www.only-electronics.com All new Electronics Buzz and gadgets Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:10:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 en Author Nick Hornby not feeling the fever pitch over e-books http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/05/author-nick-hornby-not-feeling-the-fever-pitch-over-e-books/ http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/05/author-nick-hornby-not-feeling-the-fever-pitch-over-e-books/#comments Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:10:00 +0000 Joshua Fruhlinger http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/05/author-nick-hornby-not-feeling-the-fever-pitch-over-e-books/ Filed under: ,

Irex Iliad
This won't come as a massive surprise to most, but author Nick Hornby isn't so into e-books. After walking into a British Borders book store to find the £399 ($790) Iliad for sale next to some £4 paperbacks, he poo-poo'd the platform in a guest column on the Penguin Blog. So here we have a book author blogging on a book publisher's site about the downfalls of a technology that could supplant his industry. To be fair, he does make some salient points about the unlikelihood that e-books will replace print in the same way iPods have undermined CD sales. He points out that people, on average, only buy seven books a year compared to the number of CDs they used to buy. In addition, book readers just like books and tend to be suspicious of new technology. Finally, he goes back to the iPod: the popularity of portable entertainment devices, what with their TV shows, games, movies, and other fancy schmancy doohickeys will continue to make the notion of reading a book -- even in electronic format -- not so tempting.

[Via Shiny Shiny]
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Irex Iliad
This won't come as a massive surprise to most, but author Nick Hornby isn't so into e-books. After walking into a British Borders book store to find the £399 ($790) Iliad for sale next to some £4 paperbacks, he poo-poo'd the platform in a guest column on the Penguin Blog. So here we have a book author blogging on a book publisher's site about the downfalls of a technology that could supplant his industry. To be fair, he does make some salient points about the unlikelihood that e-books will replace print in the same way iPods have undermined CD sales. He points out that people, on average, only buy seven books a year compared to the number of CDs they used to buy. In addition, book readers just like books and tend to be suspicious of new technology. Finally, he goes back to the iPod: the popularity of portable entertainment devices, what with their TV shows, games, movies, and other fancy schmancy doohickeys will continue to make the notion of reading a book -- even in electronic format -- not so tempting.

[Via Shiny Shiny]
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]]> http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/05/author-nick-hornby-not-feeling-the-fever-pitch-over-e-books/feed/ OS X-installing EFiX device gets a price, release date http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/05/os-x-installing-efix-device-gets-a-price-release-date/ http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/05/os-x-installing-efix-device-gets-a-price-release-date/#comments Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:05:00 +0000 Donald Melanson http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/05/os-x-installing-efix-device-gets-a-price-release-date/ Filed under: ,

The folks at EFiX don't exactly have the best record of sticking to promised release dates, but the company's CEO and lead engineer, Wilhelm von Vnukov, now tells us that the V2 edition of the OSX-installing device for desktop PCs will be available on Monday (July 7th), "I think," with the V1 version set to follow three to four weeks later (still no word on the promised device for laptops). According to the website, the only difference between the two is the addition for support of "several motherboards" on the V2, as well as "experimental support for some prototype motherboards." What's more, the company has also now confirmed that the price for the initial batch will be €80 (or about $125), although availability seems to be confined to Taiwan and Bulgaria at the moment, with a number of other countries (including the United States) listed as being "in negotiation." The company is also promiising that the price will be substantially lower once the device enters mass production, although it's unsurprisingly not making any promises as to when that might happen.
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The folks at EFiX don't exactly have the best record of sticking to promised release dates, but the company's CEO and lead engineer, Wilhelm von Vnukov, now tells us that the V2 edition of the OSX-installing device for desktop PCs will be available on Monday (July 7th), "I think," with the V1 version set to follow three to four weeks later (still no word on the promised device for laptops). According to the website, the only difference between the two is the addition for support of "several motherboards" on the V2, as well as "experimental support for some prototype motherboards." What's more, the company has also now confirmed that the price for the initial batch will be €80 (or about $125), although availability seems to be confined to Taiwan and Bulgaria at the moment, with a number of other countries (including the United States) listed as being "in negotiation." The company is also promiising that the price will be substantially lower once the device enters mass production, although it's unsurprisingly not making any promises as to when that might happen.
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]]> http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/05/os-x-installing-efix-device-gets-a-price-release-date/feed/ 87% of PlayStation 3 owners watching Blu-ray movies? Survey says yes http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/87-of-playstation-3-owners-watching-blu-ray-movies-survey-says-yes/ http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/87-of-playstation-3-owners-watching-blu-ray-movies-survey-says-yes/#comments Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:09:00 +0000 Richard Lawler http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/87-of-playstation-3-owners-watching-blu-ray-movies-survey-says-yes/ Filed under: ,


Buried under predictions that 2012 will bring dominance for Blu-ray over DVD and breaking news that the PS3 just may have had a hand in winning the format war the Entertainment Merchant's Association 2008 Annual Report on the Home Entertainment Industry holds survey results showing 87% of PS3 owners reported they watch Blu-ray movies on their console. That's a stark contrast to last year's NPD survey indicating 60% of owners didn't even know it played them. We don't know what's behind the jump, be it better marketing/consumer education, or something wrong with how one the surveys were conducted. You can mull that one over during the fast money round while also peeping results that say 22% of HDTV owners think they're watching HD programming, but in fact are not -- not like we haven't heard that before.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]
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Buried under predictions that 2012 will bring dominance for Blu-ray over DVD and breaking news that the PS3 just may have had a hand in winning the format war the Entertainment Merchant's Association 2008 Annual Report on the Home Entertainment Industry holds survey results showing 87% of PS3 owners reported they watch Blu-ray movies on their console. That's a stark contrast to last year's NPD survey indicating 60% of owners didn't even know it played them. We don't know what's behind the jump, be it better marketing/consumer education, or something wrong with how one the surveys were conducted. You can mull that one over during the fast money round while also peeping results that say 22% of HDTV owners think they're watching HD programming, but in fact are not -- not like we haven't heard that before.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]
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]]> http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/87-of-playstation-3-owners-watching-blu-ray-movies-survey-says-yes/feed/ How would you change Roku’s Netflix Player? http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/how-would-you-change-rokus-netflix-player/ http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/how-would-you-change-rokus-netflix-player/#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:30:00 +0000 Darren Murph http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/04/how-would-you-change-rokus-netflix-player/ Filed under:


Now that you've had a little over a month to cram down popcorn while enjoying your shiny matte new Roku Netflix Player, we're interested to find just how pleased (or displeased) you are with the $99 purchase. Has it lived up to your expectations? Is the quality sufficient for you? How does it look on your HDTV? Is wireless performance up to par, or were you practically forced to run an Ethernet cable all the way downstairs? We already know what the paid professionals said -- we want the cold, hard facts straight from the users themselves. Let us have it comments below.
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Now that you've had a little over a month to cram down popcorn while enjoying your shiny matte new Roku Netflix Player, we're interested to find just how pleased (or displeased) you are with the $99 purchase. Has it lived up to your expectations? Is the quality sufficient for you? How does it look on your HDTV? Is wireless performance up to par, or were you practically forced to run an Ethernet cable all the way downstairs? We already know what the paid professionals said -- we want the cold, hard facts straight from the users themselves. Let us have it comments below.
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]]> http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/how-would-you-change-rokus-netflix-player/feed/ Fujitsu Siemens’ Lasso external graphics card get spotted, should hit retail soon http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/fujitsu-siemens-lasso-external-graphics-card-get-spotted-should-hit-retail-soon/ http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/fujitsu-siemens-lasso-external-graphics-card-get-spotted-should-hit-retail-soon/#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:09:00 +0000 Darren Murph http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/04/fujitsu-siemens-lasso-external-graphics-card-get-spotted-shoul/ Filed under: ,


An external graphics card that's actually nearing release? Be still our hearts! Fujitsu Siemens' recently leaked external unit, which will be based on ATI XGP technology, is actually really, really close to hitting retail -- according to a piece over at Fudzilla, anyway. Slated to be titled Lasso, the RV670-based device should be more than enough to handle basic tasks, but unfortunately, benchmarks were off limits. On the upside, digital photography was not, so head on down to the read link for a few more snaps.
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An external graphics card that's actually nearing release? Be still our hearts! Fujitsu Siemens' recently leaked external unit, which will be based on ATI XGP technology, is actually really, really close to hitting retail -- according to a piece over at Fudzilla, anyway. Slated to be titled Lasso, the RV670-based device should be more than enough to handle basic tasks, but unfortunately, benchmarks were off limits. On the upside, digital photography was not, so head on down to the read link for a few more snaps.
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]]> http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/fujitsu-siemens-lasso-external-graphics-card-get-spotted-should-hit-retail-soon/feed/ Most dial-up users don’t want to upgrade their connections http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/most-dial-up-users-dont-want-to-upgrade-their-connections/ http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/most-dial-up-users-dont-want-to-upgrade-their-connections/#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:41:00 +0000 Joshua Fruhlinger http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/04/most-dial-up-users-dont-want-to-upgrade-their-connections/ Filed under:

Pew Internet & American Life ProjectSo here's a bit of brilliant statistics work for you: The Pew Internet & American Life research project has determined after endless polling and number crunching that 62 percent of American dial-up users have no interest in upgrading their connections to something a bit more peppy. In fact, only 14 percent of them would upgrade if they could. They cite high prices, barrier to entry, and -- ooh, is Survivor on? We look at it this way: if you're not already on broadband with the multitude of options, and you can get broadband (i.e. you're not stranded out in the wilderness) in one way shape or form, you probably just don't really care, and we can make fun of you because you're not reading this post anyway.

[Via Switched]
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Pew Internet & American Life ProjectSo here's a bit of brilliant statistics work for you: The Pew Internet & American Life research project has determined after endless polling and number crunching that 62 percent of American dial-up users have no interest in upgrading their connections to something a bit more peppy. In fact, only 14 percent of them would upgrade if they could. They cite high prices, barrier to entry, and -- ooh, is Survivor on? We look at it this way: if you're not already on broadband with the multitude of options, and you can get broadband (i.e. you're not stranded out in the wilderness) in one way shape or form, you probably just don't really care, and we can make fun of you because you're not reading this post anyway.

[Via Switched]
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]]> http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/most-dial-up-users-dont-want-to-upgrade-their-connections/feed/ iPhone 3G lines start at the Apple Cube… one week early http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/iphone-3g-lines-start-at-the-apple-cube-one-week-early/ http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/iphone-3g-lines-start-at-the-apple-cube-one-week-early/#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:53:00 +0000 Joshua Topolsky http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/04/iphone-3g-lines-start-at-the-apple-cube-one-week-early/ Filed under:


var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/iPhone_3G_line_camping_begins_now'; So we heard some really over-eager folks have decided to get a jump on the iPhone 3G line -- a really, really big jump. Obviously, we had to head down and see if it was true... and it is. Right now, about ten people have started a line outside of Apple's flagship store on 5th Avenue in New York. Word is that the family at the head of the queue are attempting to break some kind of record which involves their baby -- which kind of sounds a little intense if you ask us. On the other hand, you didn't hear Greg Packer complaining, right? We're going to wrangle some of these cats for an interview and video, so stay tuned! For right now, check some more pics after the break.

Update: So it appears that this group is all together, and we're about to talk to their "spokesman." We're not ruling out the possibility of this being some kind of stunt, but we should know more very soon.

[Via GearDiary]

Continue reading iPhone 3G lines start at the Apple Cube... one week early

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var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/iPhone_3G_line_camping_begins_now'; So we heard some really over-eager folks have decided to get a jump on the iPhone 3G line -- a really, really big jump. Obviously, we had to head down and see if it was true... and it is. Right now, about ten people have started a line outside of Apple's flagship store on 5th Avenue in New York. Word is that the family at the head of the queue are attempting to break some kind of record which involves their baby -- which kind of sounds a little intense if you ask us. On the other hand, you didn't hear Greg Packer complaining, right? We're going to wrangle some of these cats for an interview and video, so stay tuned! For right now, check some more pics after the break.

Update: So it appears that this group is all together, and we're about to talk to their "spokesman." We're not ruling out the possibility of this being some kind of stunt, but we should know more very soon.

[Via GearDiary]

Continue reading iPhone 3G lines start at the Apple Cube... one week early

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]]> http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/iphone-3g-lines-start-at-the-apple-cube-one-week-early/feed/ Non-planar devices promise downloadable hardware, interactive soda cans http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/non-planar-devices-promise-downloadable-hardware-interactive-soda-cans/ http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/non-planar-devices-promise-downloadable-hardware-interactive-soda-cans/#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:04:00 +0000 Joshua Fruhlinger http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/non-planar-devices-promise-downloadable-hardware-interactive-soda-cans/ Filed under:

Flexible Computing
Scientists have been up to some wacky (and amazing) stuff in the world of flexible computers and organic user interfaces. Putting standard our standard concept of computers aside, researches are the Human Media Laboratory at Queen's University in Canada are developing what are called "non-planar" devices: computers that can change shape while using three-dimensional and touch-driven interfaces. The "tank top" user interface is a smart fabric based around two-handed, multi-finger touch sensing. Paired with flexible displays and computers that can change shape to achieve different computing outcomes, you have what they call the computer of the future: computers that can download (and turn into) new hardware, foldable paper computers, and interactive / disposable product designs, because, you know, the advertisers won't be able to wait to get their hands on the first interactive soda can.
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Flexible Computing
Scientists have been up to some wacky (and amazing) stuff in the world of flexible computers and organic user interfaces. Putting standard our standard concept of computers aside, researches are the Human Media Laboratory at Queen's University in Canada are developing what are called "non-planar" devices: computers that can change shape while using three-dimensional and touch-driven interfaces. The "tank top" user interface is a smart fabric based around two-handed, multi-finger touch sensing. Paired with flexible displays and computers that can change shape to achieve different computing outcomes, you have what they call the computer of the future: computers that can download (and turn into) new hardware, foldable paper computers, and interactive / disposable product designs, because, you know, the advertisers won't be able to wait to get their hands on the first interactive soda can.
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]]> http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/non-planar-devices-promise-downloadable-hardware-interactive-soda-cans/feed/ New solar sail aims to not repeat recent history http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/new-solar-sail-aims-to-not-repeat-recent-history/ http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/new-solar-sail-aims-to-not-repeat-recent-history/#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:41:00 +0000 Donald Melanson http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/new-solar-sail-aims-to-not-repeat-recent-history/ Filed under:

Attempts to launch a solar sail into space haven't exactly been met with success in the past, but NASA now looks set to try to notch one up in the win column, with the agency reportedly on track for a launch of its own as soon as July 29th. As the name suggests, its new NanoSail-D is smaller than previous sails, with it consisting of four 3-meter wide sails made of a plastic film coated with aluminum. Also, like similar missions, this one is primarily a proof of concept one, which NASA hopes will demonstrate the feasibility of deploying sails in orbit, including the possibility of using them to bring satellites back down to Earth when they've outlived their usefulness to keep space a bit tidier. As NewScientist points out, however, NASA already has some of the odds stacked against it, with its launch craft, the Falcon 1, having failed on its two launch attempts so far.
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Attempts to launch a solar sail into space haven't exactly been met with success in the past, but NASA now looks set to try to notch one up in the win column, with the agency reportedly on track for a launch of its own as soon as July 29th. As the name suggests, its new NanoSail-D is smaller than previous sails, with it consisting of four 3-meter wide sails made of a plastic film coated with aluminum. Also, like similar missions, this one is primarily a proof of concept one, which NASA hopes will demonstrate the feasibility of deploying sails in orbit, including the possibility of using them to bring satellites back down to Earth when they've outlived their usefulness to keep space a bit tidier. As NewScientist points out, however, NASA already has some of the odds stacked against it, with its launch craft, the Falcon 1, having failed on its two launch attempts so far.
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]]> http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/new-solar-sail-aims-to-not-repeat-recent-history/feed/ Group Sense’s Palm OS line-up give way to lone, Linux-based phone http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/group-senses-palm-os-line-up-give-way-to-lone-linux-based-phone/ http://www.only-electronics.com/2008/07/04/group-senses-palm-os-line-up-give-way-to-lone-linux-based-phone/#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:37:00 +0000 Donald Melanson http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/04/group-senses-palm-os-line-up-give-way-to-lone-linux-based-phon/ Filed under:


Well, it looks like Group Sense's once mighty line-up of Palm OS-based handsets has finally been shown the door with the whole lot now replaced by a single, Linux-based device. From the looks of it though, it doesn't seem like the new handset is about to work any wonders for the company, with the "real smart" Xplore WF100 boasting only a 1.5-inch 128 x 128 display, and such exciting features as a built-in antenna, speed dial, and "call shock." No word on price or availability just yet, but we're guessing most folks won't have much trouble containing their excitement over this one.

[Via The Inquirer]
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Well, it looks like Group Sense's once mighty line-up of Palm OS-based handsets has finally been shown the door with the whole lot now replaced by a single, Linux-based device. From the looks of it though, it doesn't seem like the new handset is about to work any wonders for the company, with the "real smart" Xplore WF100 boasting only a 1.5-inch 128 x 128 display, and such exciting features as a built-in antenna, speed dial, and "call shock." No word on price or availability just yet, but we're guessing most folks won't have much trouble containing their excitement over this one.

[Via The Inquirer]
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