Toshiba unveils new line of stylish external hard drives
As the demand for stylish hardware increases, manufacturers are stepping up to the plate. The latest external storage line from Toshiba is designed with aesthetics in mind.
Available in colors like Carbon Grey, Hot Rod Red and Gecko Green, Toshiba's goal is to tap into trends currently being reflected in consumer electronics.
Good OS launches new cloud-oriented Linux 'Rocket'
While Linux remains popular among enthusiasts, its adoption among casual PC users lacks the power to really threaten Microsoft Windows. However a small handful of groups still create operating systems designed to make the transition over to Linux a little bit easier and less intimidating.
To that end, the makers of the Good OS distribution are unveiling a Linux version with a hopefully appealing metaphor.
Microsoft's turns Xbox 360 into IPTV device, but not in US
Earlier today, Microsoft and BT unveiled a new IPTV service dubbed BT Vision. Powered by Microsoft's Mediaroom software, the capabilities of the platform are leaps and bounds ahead of those offered by current cable providers.
Also new is the device customers can use to watch TV. BT Vision utilizes the Xbox 360, adding an option to the gaming console's media features to launch the television interface. Although the version on the console isn't an exact copy of the one provided on capable set-top boxes, Microsoft ensured BetaNews the end-user experience is identical.
Will Philips + RealNetworks deal threaten Apple and Microsoft?
A pact unveiled at CES around Rhapsody -- a joint venture between RealNetworks and MTV -- and Dutch-based manufacturer Philips looks likely to benefit both sides in the young and promising market of music players.
In the still largely untapped international music player market, Rhapsody will now gain a hardware device that could put it within closer reach of Apple's iTunes and Microsoft's Zune site, while Philips will get an online platform for selliing a new brand of consumer device in North America.
iTunes tagging comes to HD Radio
Joining Polk and JBL, Sony, Alpine and JVC have unveiled HD Radio-equipped units that take advantage of the data stream that accompanies the audio on an HD station.
With an iPod connected, consumers have the ability to "tag" a song being played for review at a later time. When the iPod is connected to a computer, all tagged tracks are highlighted for a more streamlined purchasing experience.
Motorola introduces ROKR E8 phone with iPhone-like touch screen
Motorola is showing off a new lineup of ROKR devices at CES, with the E8 mobile phone kicking off the next-generation of music phones from the company. While the original ROKR was iTunes compatible, the E8 focuses on MP3 and supports Windows Media files.
The E8 features a "ModeShift" button to quick change between the device's phone and music interfaces, a new "FastScroll" navigation wheel developed by Motorola to quickly browse songs, and a 2.0-inch QVGA display. The device includes 2GB of internal memory for storying files, and sports a microSD slot for expanding storage.
Lenovo IdeaPads for US market, IdeaCentres planned for elsewhere
A Lenovo executive told BetaNews his company's strategy for its new PC brands will differ according to continent. The new IdeaPad notebooks will be exclusively for the US, while its desktop line won't have an American rollout.
Remember those three IdeaPad laptops previewed last week on Lenovo's site? Well, they'll only be sold in the US -- through Office Depot, Microcenter, and three e-tail sites. One IdeaPad will be gaming-oriented.
Ford updates SYNC, adds HD Radio as standard option
Microsoft SYNC, an operating system that will soon be equipped in all new Ford vehicles, was recently updated to analyze the performance of the engine and deliver the results in easy to understand reports. SYNC 2.0 also includes a 911 Assist feature that calls emergency services automatically after a crash using a connected cell phone.
As Microsoft designed the platform to be upgradeable, all Ford vehicles currently on the road have the ability to be upgraded as well.
Panasonic develops 32GB SD card with Class 6 speed
It may be hard to spot on the hectic CES show floor, but Panasonic is showing off its new prototype SDHC card that holds a whopping 32GB of data. Although it won't be available immediately, the memory card is the world's first at that size.
The card, which surely won't come cheap, is being pitched as the solution for recording high-definition content. 32GB equates to about 8 hours of of 1440 x 1080i video and and five hours and 20 minutes of 1920 x 1080p full HD video. The Class 6 specification means the SDHC card can transfer data at 20MB/sec.
Vizio plans another strong year with Jive home theater
Several new HDTVs are due from the manufacturer, which saw significant growth during the past year.
Vizio came from basically nowhere to reach the top spot in LCD TV for the second quarter of 2007. Sales have cooled somewhat since then, but it still remains quite competitive in the market.
Panasonic president unveils 150-inch wireless 'life screen'
Tim Conneally, BetaNews: At a keynote speech here this morning at CES, Panasonic President Toshihiro Sakamoto showed the audience that his was definitely the biggest, and that he didn't need cables to hold it up. Specifically, he unveiled an 11-foot-long, 150-inch diagonal flat screen monitor he called the "life screen."
It's time to bring back family time, Sakamotosan said.
CEA president calls upon CES attendees to back free trade policy
Tim Conneally, BetaNews: In a keynote speech this morning at CES, Consumer Electronics Association President Gary Shapiro called upon members to back an initiative to give President Bush more latitude to negotiate trade agreements worldwide.
Gary Shapiro, President, CEA: [from notes] The chairman of the [Recording Industry Association of America] and the [Motion Picture Association of America] are joining me to send a formal request. We are calling on our government to eliminate all barriers on all technical projects around the world, and to give the president authority to negotiate trade agreements.
Sony confirms PSP will soon get Skype
It is now official: Sony announced yesterday afternoon that Skype calling service, including free conferencing and text chat capabilities, is due to be a feature of its PlayStation Portable, presumably with a future firmware upgrade.
While this doesn't exactly make the PSP the equivalent of a roaming cellular phone, this will give PSP users both presence and connectivity when in range of a Wi-Fi router.
TiVo to make Internet videos directly downloadable
Monday, TiVo said it will allow users to stay up to date on their favorite online videos much like they do with traditional television programs.
Ed Oswald, BetaNews: 'Season Pass' functionality will now work for Web videos, allowing the user to automatically receive Internet videos that use RSS feeds on their set-top boxes. This would allow users to watch online content from the networks as well as Internet-only programming like DiggNation in the same manner they do for their favorite shows.
Napster bids adieu to DRM with MP3 announcement
Most Commented Stories
BetaNews, your source for breaking tech news, reviews, and in-depth reporting since 1998.
Regional iGaming Content
© 1998-2025 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. About Us - Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy - Sitemap.