Best Gadgets World

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 9:39AM
For the smattering of Canadians wealthy enough to pick up an iphone 3G from Rogers Wireless without worrying over the lack of an unlimited data plan, we’ve stumbled across what appears to be internal verbiage detailing the in-store activation process. Quite frankly, there doesn’t seem to be any real surprises here, but it is somewhat interesting that retail locations will be required to download and use a special version of iTunes with an “Activation Only Mode,” which will enable employees to unbrick the mobiles before customers leave. In any case, feel free to hit the read link if you’re anxious to know exactly what the sure-to-be-hair-raising experience will be like come July 11th.

[Via GearDiary, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Filed under: cellphones

Following up its entry into the global notebook market earlier this year, Lenovo this time marked its official entry into the consumer desktop market outside of China. To mark its debut in the global desktop market, Lenovo announced its new IdeaCentre K210 desktop machine boasting of a facial recognition technology called, VeriFace. Lenovo claims that it is the only desktop PC that offers such a feature. In addition, the IdeaCentre K210 also includes an anti-microbial keyboard that inhibits bacterial growth using a special material.

The IdeaCentre K210 also features the Lenovo Vantage Technology (LVT) menu which allows user to recover from system crashes or viruses with just a single touch. For its system specs, this desktop powerhouse machine is packed with Intel Core 2 Quad Processors, Intel GMA 3100 integrated graphics, Blu-ray/HD-DVD combo drive, high-definition 5.1 audio and a 512MB ATI Radeon 2600 XT graphics card will also be available as an optional upgrade.

This new Lenovo machine is now available at Lenovo.com and several US retail stores. Price starts at $379 with two options for the accompanying monitor that is either a 19-inch monitor for an additional $229, or a 22-inch monitor for an additional $299.

Product [Lenovo] Read [Business Wire]

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by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 1:28PM
As you’re no doubt all too well aware, there’s certainly no shortage of netbook options out there these days, but the number of convertible netbooks is considerably more limited — a situation that little known Aware Electronics now looks set to somewhat rectify. It’s apparently now set to jump into the game with this 7-inch number, which packs an Aday5G 800MHz X86 processor (all bets are off on that one), 4GB of NAND Flash, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth (with optional 3G and GPS), an integrated webcam, dual USB ports, an SD card slot, and the LINOS Linux distribution for an OS. Nothing particularly standout there, but Aware is promising that this one’ll sell for $300 when it launches in two months, which certainly evens things out — assuming that you can actually get one for that price.

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Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 1:59PM
Alright Lenovo, we get that you have a ridiculous obsession with Beijing and / or the 2008 Olympics, but seriously, enough is enough. We’ve got desktops, laptops, USB drives and even torches to show your unending love for the Games; the last thing we need is a questionably useful MID all dressed up in game day attire. Nevertheless, the company’s Ideapad U8 MID has been spotted recently with a colorful motif to commemorate the upcoming spectacle, but aside from the new design, we’re assuming everything else is just bronze-medal worthy (read: the same as the non-decorated version).

[Thanks, Ricardo]

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Filed under: Handhelds

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 9:12AM
Yo, heads up — the E71’s only half of the story with Nokia’s new line of business sidekicks. For those of us who bust out T9 text with aplomb, the E66 might be the better option, especially when you factor in its narrower form factor, arguably (okay, very arguably) nicer look, and an utterly brilliant slide mechanism. Having trouble deciding? Perhaps our little look at the E66 over on Engadget Mobile can be of assistance.

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Filed under: cellphones, Handhelds

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 3:09PM
Yes — more breaking electric car news! Just after Tesla CEO Ze’ev Drori announced Telsa’s plans to build the Model S, Elon Musk began discussing its development of electric car tech to get the price of future cars to (and below) $30,000. When asked when that technology would be commercially available, Musk said that it shouldn’t be any more than four years from now. Granted, a $60,000 car is affordable but still quite steep for most buyers — but a vehicle mass-produced at half the price is essentially mainstream, which could have a substantial impact on the automotive world.

[Image courtesy of Edmunds]

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Filed under: Transportation

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 4:08PMWhile those of us ’round these parts have pretty much given up on the idea of a DVD-playing Wii a long time ago, folks in Japan have had some cause for hope based on promises from the company that such a system was, in fact, headed for the country sooner or later. It seems like they’re now about to enter the acceptance phase as well, however, as Nintendo has just announced yet another delay to the system with no word about an eventual release date. According to IGN, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata would only go so far as to say that due continuing worldwide supply constraints on the current Wii, “the priority is on the current model.” One thing getting a boost in availability, however, is the Nintendo DS 1Seg TV tuner, which Nintendo says will get a retail release next month after previously only being available online.

[Via Joystiq]

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Filed under: Gaming

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 3:08PM
HCL’s MiLeap has long been forgotten amongst the swarm of other low-cost laptops to emerge post-CES, but a kind fellow over in Bahrain was able to handle one for a tick, snap a few photographs and dish out some early impressions. Essentially, this 7-inch netbook was more akin to a V-Tech toy than a bona fide computing instrument, and typing on the thing was apparently a very non-enjoyable experience. Still, those anxious to see what this critter looks like in the flesh can head on down to the read link, but don’t even pretend that you’re not going there with full intentions of pointing and laughing.

[Thanks, Mo]

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Filed under: Laptops

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 1:00PM
Around this time last year, we got wind of CCD-based projectors and cameras from Olympus that were outfitted with a curious “axial symmetrical free curved surface lens.” Now, said company is finally providing a few details about its current prototype, which essentially enables 360-degree photographs to be taken. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on perspective), the sensor isn’t quite ready to be pushed out into the world, but as you can certainly imagine, it’ll likely make a B-line for surveillance outfits just as soon as it’s ready.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 12:04PM
Viewsonic didn’t quite hit the mark with its recent attempt at a $500 projector, but it looks like it’s fared considerably better with its nearly $500 26-inch VA2626WM lcd monitor, which packs most of the features you’d expect from a pricier model. That includes the requisite 1920 x 1200 resolution, along with a 6,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, HDMI, DVI, and VGA ports, and even some 2.5 watt speakers, which can thankfully be removed. No word on specs like brightness or refresh rate, unfortunately, but those details should be cleared up by the time the monitor lands sometime next month for $529.

[Via Electronista]

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Filed under: Displays