Everex throws its hat into the UMPC ring
It's first entrant looks less like the Origami UMPC's pushed by Microsoft, and more like the OLPC XO laptop, however.
Priced at $399, the CloudBook is slated to be sold on Walmart.com beginning January 25. Its battery is said to provide about five hours of continuous use, and features a 1.3 MP webcam, 4-in-1 card reader, DVI output, and 30 GB of storage running on a 1.2 GHz processor with 512 MB of RAM.
MusicGiants launches high-quality video service
The high-quality music download service is making the logical progression into high-quality downloadable video with the launch of VideoGiants.
A distribution deal has been signed with Paramount Pictures to make it the first to offer its films through the service. MusicGiants' MediaStore software has already been built into high-end media servers across the industry, and VideoGiants would see the same type of distribution.
First Trojan for iPhone discovered in the wild
F-Secure said that it had uncovered the first Trojan horse for the iPhone, which seems to erase user's files in their /bin directory.
Standard iPhone users have nothing to worry about. However, those who have opened up their phones (both locked and unlocked) to install third-party applications are at risk for the exploit.
Yahoo revises its browser-based MP3 player
The search company updated its application which plays MP3 files directly within the browser, this time allowing third party developers to use the functionality.
Previously, it had been intended for use with 30-second samples of music tracks from its Yahoo Music site. However, now Yahoo is opening up the code to allow anyone to use the application for his own purposes.
Origami Project resuscitated with new software version
Even though the platform has seemingly been forgotten by many in the media after lots of initial buzz, Microsoft is still pressing ahead in the UMPC space.
At CES, the Redmond company is showing off Origami Experience 2.0, its upgrade to the original UMPC experience. While details of the full platform are not yet being released, the company is offering a sneak peek of four applications to be included.
Imeem pens deal to bring MTV content to its service
Clips and television episodes from the Viacom division's broad lineup of cable networks will start to appear on imeem in February.
MTV Networks will be the first media company to strike such a deal with the social media provider. Among the cable channels included would be Comedy Central, MTV, Logo, VH1, Spike, and others, as well as content from its online media properties.
LG spiffs up its dual-format DVD computer drive
The Korean electronics maker debuted the second iteration of its external drive that can read both next generation formats, and write to Blu-ray discs.
Still missing is any kind of capability to write to HD DVD, which the previous model also lacked. But speeds writing to Blu-ray have increased. The drive can read and write to the format at 6x speed versus 2x, although read speeds to HD DVD remain at 3x.
Vonage tries again with VoIP device strategy
Although its first attempt has so far generally failed to attract consumers interest, the VoIP provider is announcing 'MyVonage,' an effort to promote devices, services, and features that allow the customer to choose how he uses the service.
The first of these devices and services launched under the initiative Monday at CES in Las Vegas was the V-Portal, a digital voice adapter and router with an LCD display, and Contact Book, a software platform that would allow customers to better manage their service.
The Hague blocks Dutch gov't attempt to levy MP3 sales
The Dutch equivalent of the RIAA lost its bid to put a tax on MP3 players Tuesday, as The Hague said it would not remove a government block on any further taxes.
Norma had sought to have a ban on further taxes on MP3 players lifted, however the courts said it had not seen enough evidence that the group was managing an already existing tax on blank CDs and DVDs.
HD VMD: The third format that would not die
Just when you thought the high-def format war was over, the red-laser high-def format HD VMD pops up once again, like a third-tier political candidate, to start it up all anew.
New Medium Enterprises used the backdrop of CES 2008 to announce that its HD VMD players would be shipping into the US market. Unlike Blu-ray and HD DVD, this format uses the old red-laser technology found in standard DVD to produce a high definition picture.
Apple rolls out double-quad-core Mac Pro, Xserve
The company introduced a version of its top-of-the-line desktop that is twice as fast as its predecessor, as well as a server that will offer a similar performance boost.
The Mac Pro would now feature eight processing cores consisting of two quad-core Xeons, and the Xserve would offer a similar option. The standard configuration of the desktop system would start at $2,799, while the servers would begin at $2,999.
Broadcom debuts reference design for HD DVD / Blu-ray SoC
Unphased by the recent string of bad news for HD DVD, the company has gone ahead with announcements for dual-format chips for both HD DVD and Blu-ray players.
Broadcom debuted a reference design built around the system-on-a-chip (SoC) design it had announced last year. Broadcom says it would be a 'turnkey solution' for those looking to build either format of player.
D-Link, Netgear team up with BitTorrent
The two companies have joined BitTorrent Device Partners, a licensing program aimed at creating devices that work with the file sharing service.
Both D-Link and Netgear announced products Monday at CES that would allow consumers to use the technology to share their content throughout the home and on the Internet.
Creative goes micro with two new MP3 players
Creative used CES to debut two new low-cost music players with built in speakers on Monday. Added to the company's existing Zen Stone and Zen Stone Plus product lines, both feature 2 GB of capacity at prices of $49.99 and $59.99 respectively.
While the Stone will just include the built-in speaker, the Stone Plus adds quite a few additional features, including a screen, FM radio, voice recording, clock with stopwatch and customizable equalizer settings.
JVC adds iPod integration to LCD HDTVs
Further evidence of Apple's increasing dominance in downloadable media can be found in the latest high-definition displays from one of Japan's leading high-end brands.
Called the Teledock, its port would flip out to allow for the connecting the iPod directly to the TV. The feature would appear on four of JVC's newest models including the 32-inch LT-32P679, 42-inch LT-42P789, 47-inch LT-47P789 and the 52-inch LT-52P789.
Ed's Bio
Ed Oswald is a freelance journalist from the Reading, PA area. Although he has written across a variety of subjects, Ed’s passion and focus has been on technology and gadgets. His work regularly appears on tech news sites BetaNews, PCWorld, and Technologizer, and has been syndicated to eWeek, Time’s Techland blog, VentureBeat and the New York Times.
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