Best Gadgets World

The HTC S730 has been spotted on the FCC’s website. A nice combination of diagram (seen above) and the internal code name “WING200” makes it seem like we should be seeing the S730 in the US soon.

Currently the S730 Wing is a 3G handset that works only over in Europe. If or when it hits the states one would imagine that specs would be similar to the European version. Which would mean it will be running Windows Mobile 6 and featuring a Qualcomm MSM 7200 400MHz CPU, 256MB ROM, 64MB RAM, Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), a 2-megapixel camera on the back and second VGA camera on the front, a microSD slot and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

Like most FCC ‘leaks’ we still cannot get any information regarding pricing or availability.

Read [FCC] Via [IntoMobile]

Posted Jan 23rd 2008 2:52PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment
It’s hard to tell exactly what’s so special about Swedish Valei Computer’s ZC-HV0105, but we’ll do our best to translate. This self-proclaimed Home Media Center looks an awful lot like a jazzed up router at first glance, and appears to tout a front LCD, DVI / component / S-Video / composite outputs, 720p / 1080i upscaling, support for an internal HDD, USB 2.0 connectivity, Ethernet and a slew of audio outs to boot. Best of all, this piece will play nice with a whole bucketful of formats including MP3, WMA, OGG, WMV, DivX, XviD and MPEG1/2/4. Sadly, we’ve no idea on the price, and worse still, we’ve a really bad feeling about it ever coming stateside.

[Via Readle Gadgets]

Pentax has announced the 14.6-megapixel K20D digital SLR, which is a follow up to the current K10D. The Pentax K20D features a large 2.7-inch LCD monitor, improved PRIME image processor, Shake Reduction and a weather and dust resistant body. Other notable features of the K20D include:

• A new CMOS image sensor that brings out the optimum performance of Pentax interchangeable lenses.
• A Live View function so you can see the image on the LCD monitor while shooting and also confirm the Shake-Reduction effect on the monitor while shooting.
• Custom Image functions that will allow users to select between six preset options that include Natural, Bright, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant and B&W. Users can also further adjust image processing to include saturation, hue, contrast and sharpness.
• A Live View which allows users to see the full image area to confirm composition, focus status and lighting on the monitor.
• Improved Dust Reduction system that features the new Dust Alert function. This will allow users to find the exact location of the dust particle.
• A PC sync socket for those who use studio lighting.

“The K20D builds on the technology of the award winning K10D and is ideal for the advanced photographer seeking maximum resolution from their camera as well as complete control over how the camera captures images.”

The K20D will retail for $1299.95 and be available beginning in April 2008.

Product [Pentax]

Verizon Wireless has announced that it will raise the price of text messages by 5 cents starting March 2nd. The hike will result in customers paying 20 cents per message. Sprint Nextel became the first U.S. carrier to charge 20 cents per message when it raised its rates in October of 2007. Text messaging currently accounts for about 45% of all wireless data revenue.

Read[CNN Money]

Zune owners take note, Microsoft has dropped the latest update for the Zune, the software update which is 2.3 will include lots of fixes, but sadly not any new features. With a slight confusion possible with the ‘2.3’, this is not the previously released firmware update 2.3. The software update 2.3 includes “performance enhancements around set-up, sync and as always general reliability.”

Via [Zune Insider]

My hometown is in Northern Virginia, but you wouldn’t know it now that I’m equipped with 9 months of hard New York learning (I made a lot dumb mistakes). Part of my street smarts has to do with strategies for keeping myself and my things safe. I spend most of my time walking with a purse or bag full of expensive gear (laptop, phone, iPod, etc.).

Pacsafe’s DailySafe H100 Bag looks stylish and modern, but its design is theft-proof. It’s made from durable twill, nylon, and high-tensile stainless steel wire, and concealed within is the eXomesh® Slashguard front panel, snatch-proof shoulder strap, and tamper-proof zippers.

My street smarts never looked so good.

Price: $83.95 at Zappos.

Posted Jan 23rd 2008 12:59PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Gaming
Apparently, the Eye Toy craze has extended well beyond Sony’s famed PlayStation brand, and it looks as if the ANEO GX-10 is a new (and inexpensive) way to get the same kicks in a different fashion. Offered up at none other than Brando, this USB-connected device enables PC users to interact with a trio of games (Kungfu, Super Knight, and Funny Stair for those already on the edge of their seat) as well as spark up a video chat on a whim. Granted, we don’t expect this thing (nor the software) to be of top-shelf quality, but hey, it’s hard to knock for $33.

[Via I4U News]

According to the Apple Insider, the Mac OS X 10.5.2 (due out next month) will have nearly 100 fixes and could be the most significant ‘dot release’ of Mac OS X ever.

Currently in private testing among developers are twenty new fixes in Mac OS X 10.5.2 build 9C16, which was released during last week’s Macworld Expo including fixes with Time Machine backups and previewing PDF, image and mail attachments. The latest build includes thirty seven core focus areas. Of course, support for Apple’s newly announced Time Capsule backup application and a revised version of the company’s “Stacks” desktop feature are expected to be included.

Posted Jan 23rd 2008 12:05PM by Ben Drawbaugh
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment
While we’ve become accustomed to Blu-ray players being released every six months, it’s a little ridiculous when we’re forced to wait for a new player longer than it’s on the market. Eventually we expect the cycle to slow down — like when BD Live players are out for example — and many believed that the Samsung BD-UP5000 could be one of those players based on promises when announced. Once you have an Ethernet port for internet content, REON video processing, internal decoding and bitstream support for every codec, discrete analog output, as well as HDMI 1.3, what else could possibly warrant a mid year revamp? We suspect the problem is that the player isn’t delivering, and on top of that, we don’t think it’s Samsung’s fault. You see, just like the LG BH200, the BD-UP5000 is based on Broadcom’s Reference design BCM97440, and the word on the street is that it isn’t ever going to deliver. So it’d make sense that Sammy would change the platform for one that’s actually able to get the job done. So yeah, this Broadcom bit is just speculation, but we did contact the outfit to figure out what the deal was, and while it was very responsive at first, as soon as we asked about the troubles with the BCM97400, it must’a lost our email address (or maybe its servers have been down for a week). The good news is that Samsung doesn’t see the BD-UP5500 as a replacement, and promises a suitable replacement for the high-end dual-format customer in the second half of ‘08.

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When I was little, I use to love playing with slider puzzles and when I received word from Jellio that they were taking a childhood favorite and turning into a masterpiece, I thought it was my duty to let the world know about it.

From the site:

Remember those little sliding puzzles? You usually got them in the birthday party gift bag along with a noisemaker and some balloons. Well those little puzzles are the inspiration for the newest item in the Jellio store…Slider. The Jellio Slider Wall Art piece is a handmade, 2ft x 2ft sliding puzzle…that actually works! So you can display it with the letters in order, or mix them around for something a little different.

And if you want something a little more personal, we can even customize Slider with your very own pictures. Can you think of a cooler birthday gift? Anniversary? Whatever! Just email us the image you’d to use (hi-resolution art…remember, we’re blowing it up to 2 ft wide) and we can send you your own custom sliding wall art puzzle in 2-3 weeks. A truly unique conversation piece!

Price: $750 or a Personalized Slider for $900.00

Thanks Mario!