Google unveils free, turn-by-turn navigation mobile app
Want another reason to rush and buy an Android 2.0 smartphone as soon as they come out? Well if you live in the USA, then an extra selling point is Google Maps Navigation, a free addition to Google Maps for mobile that will give your in-car satnav system a run for its money by providing things like 3D views, turn-by-turn voice guidance and automatic rerouting.
Currently in beta form, Google Maps Navigation is (for starters) available for Android 2.0 phones and it features the following highlight:
- The most recent map and business data - your phone automatically gets the most up-to-date maps and business listings from Google Maps - you never need to buy map upgrades or update your device.
- Search in plain English - If you don't know the address you're looking for simply enter the name of a business, a landmark or just about anything into the search box, and Google will find it for you.
- Search by voice - Hold down the search button to activate voice search, then tell your phone what you want to do (like "Navigate to Pike Place in Seattle"), and navigation will start automatically.
- Traffic view - Google Maps Navigation gets live traffic data over the Internet. A traffic indicator light in the corner of the screen glows green, yellow or red, depending on the current traffic conditions along your route.
- Search along route - Google Maps Navigation searches along your route to give you results that won't take you far from your path. You can search for a specific business by name or by type, or you can turn on popular layers, such as gas stations, restaurants or parking.
- Satellite view - Turn on the satellite layer for a high-resolution, 3D view of your upcoming route. Besides looking cool, satellite view can help you make sense of complicated maneuvers.
- Street View - If you want to know what your next turn looks like, double-tap the map to zoom into Street View, which shows the turn as you'll see it, with your route overlaid.
The first commercial device to enjoy Google Maps Navigation is the Motorola Droid which has just been announced and will be released next week. Check out the video below for a presentation of the new G-service.
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ASRock M3A785GM-LE/128M AM3 board coming up too
In addition to revealing the Intel-minded P55DE3, ASRock has today announced an AMD-powered motherboard, the M3A785GM-LE/128M. Based on the AMD 785G/ SB710 combo, the new micro-ATX board has support for AM3 processors, includes two DDR3-1600 memory slots, one PCI-Express x16 slot (Hybrid CrossFireX enabled) and DX 10.1-ready Radeon HD 4200 integrated graphics backed by 128MB of SidePort memory.
The M3A785GM-LE/128M packs six SATA 3.0 Gbps ports, 5.1 channel audio, Gigabit Ethernet, D-Sub and DVI outputs, the Instant Boot embedded Linux OS, and various other features, including OC Tuner, Intelligent Energy Saver, Instant Flash and OC DNA. No word yet on when ASRock's board will hit stores.
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Sharkoon releases tweaked X-Tatic Digital headset
Sharkoon has recently rolled out a new revision of its X-Tatic Digital Dolby-certified 5.1 headset, one that needs just one power supply to work and not two like its predecessor. The single supply offered with the updated sound gear can also be used by those who have the X-Tatic Digital Revision III, they just need to purchase one for about 8.90 Euro.
The 'new and improved' headset also provides a simplified connection to the Xbox controller and no longer comes in its heat-sealed Blister, but in a quick and easy to open re-sealable package. The X-Tatic Digital features four speakers per earpiece, an impedance of 32 Ohm, a detachable microphone, and is bundled with a Sound Control Unit (SCU) which has a built-in Dolby Digital decoder and various connectivity options.
The X-Tatic Digital R has a recommended price tag of 99.90 Euro.
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ASRock offering new, low-cost P55 motherboard
Taiwan-based manufacturer ASRock is now releasing its fifth P55-based motherboard, a value-minded upgrade solution that goes by the name of P55DE3. Seen below, the ATX board has 4+1 phase power design, it supports LGA 1156 processors, and features four DDR3-2400 memory slots, two PCI-Express x16 slots that can be used for CrossFireX setups (no SLI unfortunately), plus four SATA 3.0 Gbps and two eSATA ports.
The motherboard also boasts Gigabit Ethernet, 7.1 channel audio, the Instant Boot embedded OS, and the C.C.O. (Combo Cooler Option) which enables the use of LGA 775 coolers. The P55DE3 is up on pre-order in Europe for just under 87 Euro.
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Noctua serves up the P14 FLX 140mm fan
No nonsense cooling company Noctua has today announced the NF-P14 FLX, its first-ever 140mm fan. Borrowing the wisdom of the popular NF-P12 model, the new fan features a SSO (self-stabilising oil-pressure) bearing, an impeller with nine blades that have Vortex-Control Notches for a quiet operation, high precision CNC milled brass parts to reinforce the motor hub, and the SCD2 (Smooth Commutation Drive) system that also contributes to lowering the overall sound output.
The NF-P14 FLX has a MTBF (mean time before failure) of over 150,000 hours and is bundled with two adapters which enable the user to choose one of three speed settings - 1200, 900 and 750 RPM. At its lowest working speed the fan has a sound output of just 10,1 dB(A), while when working at 1200 RPM it 'outs' 19,6 dB(A).
"As more and more cases and coolers support 140mm fans, we've been receiving an increased amount of customer requests for a premium grade quiet fan in this size", explains Mag. Roland Mossig, Noctua CEO. "After more than 18 months of development and optimisation, we're proud to respond to this demand with the new NF-P14 FLX. Supporting both 120mm and 140mm mounting, the NF-P14 FLX will not only satisfy those looking for a reference class 140mm fan but also forms an ideal upgrade for 120mm case and CPU fans."
The NF-P14 FLX is backed by a 6-year warranty and will start reaching stores by mid-November with a price tag of $24.90 / 21.90 Euro.
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Buffalo also preps new 2-bay Link Station NAS
More network networked storage is coming our way from Buffalo as the company will soon release the Link Station LS-WXL/R1 Series of NAS servers. The 2-bay solution will be available in 1, 2 and 3TB capacities, it comes in a 86 (W) x 127 (H) x 204 (D) mm enclosure, has active cooling (one rear fan), boasts support for RAID 0 and 1, DLNA, Apple's Time Machine backup feature, and has Gigabit Ethernet and USB connectivity.
The new 1, 2 and 3TB Link Stations will be releases early next month and cost about $349, $465 and $582, respectively.
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Samsung shows off the Magic Station desktop line
This week Samsung has presented in South Korea the Magic Station 2010 series of desktops which, for starters, includes four models, the DM-Z200, DM-V200 mid-tower models, and the DM-R200 and DN-Z200 slim PCs.
Unfortunately Samsung hasn't said much about the DM-Z200 'premium model' or the DM-R200 and DN-Z200, but it did mention that the DM-V200 features a high-gloss Touch of Color design and will pack a 500+ GB hard drive, and either a GeForce 210 512MB or GeForce GT 220 1GB graphics card.
Hopefully the electronics company will provide more info about the Windows 7-powered Magic Station PCs soon. Next!
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Samsung releases the 933HD+ and 2333HD HDTV monitors
Well-known electronics maker Samsung has now introduced two shiny new HDTV monitors, the 19-inch 933HD+ and 23-inch 2333HD. Both displays have a glossy black finish and feature a built-in digital TV tuner, a stereo (2 x 3W) sound system (Dolby Digital added to the 2333HD), a 5ms response time, a dynamic contrast ratio of 10,000:1, and D-Sub, DVI, HDMI, Component and optical connectors.
"With more homes having multiple entertainment centers, the 933HD+ and 2333HD are the perfect companions for users who want integrated HDTV functionality from a desktop monitor. The added bonus is that both these monitors are self-contained and functional right out of the box, and can quickly connect to any entertainment device," said Doug Albregts, vice president, Information Technology Division, Samsung Electronics America.
The (1366x768) 933HD and (1920x1080) 2333HD monitors are bundled with a remote control and are now shipping with recommended price tags of $249.99 and $329.99, respectively.
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Firefox 3.0.15 up for grabs too
While a move to the 3.5 release is recommended, if you're still running Firefox 3.0 then know Mozilla has releases a new update for your browser too. Firefox 3.0.15 includes stability fixes and tackles ten security issues that could lead to crashes, buffer overflow, remote code execution and other nasty things.
Firefox 3.9.15 is available here for Windows, Mac OS and Linux.
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Buffalo readies 6x external Blu-Ray writer
Buffalo has just revealed the latest addition to its optical drive offer, the BR-PX68U2-BK external Blu-Ray writer. Looking all shiny and secsy thanks to its black coating, the drive measures 137 (W) x 142 (D) x 20 (H) mm and weights 340 grams, has a USB 2.0 connection interface, and provides write speeds of up to 6x for BD-R, 4x for BD-R DL, 2x for BD-RE SL/DL, 8x for DVD-R/+R/+RW, 6x for DVD-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, 4x for DVD-RW/+RW DL, 24x for CD-R and 10x for CD-RW.
Buffalo's external burner is bundled with the CyberLink PowerDirector 8 HE, PowerProducer 5, PowerDVD 8 BD edition, Power2Go 6, PowerBackup 2, InstantBurn 5 and MediaShow 4 software, and is planned for a release in Japan in early November at about $348.
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