IT-Code-News: IT News HeadLines (HotHardware) 29/12/2009

AT&T Halts NYC iPhone Online Sales
According to some reports, AT&T has apparently stopped selling the iPhone in New York City. If you listen to certain customer service representatives, it's because "New York is not ready for the iPhone." It may not be all that cut and dried, however.The story begins as The Consumerist, where a reader discovered that he was unable to buy an iPhone online from AT&T's website when he entered his zip code (11231, or Brooklyn). He's right; we tried it ourselves and upon entered that zip or any other New York
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Sanyo Eneloop Music Booster Recharges Your Portable Tune Makers
Sanyo's Eneloop charging system has been growing at a rapid pace, but obviously not quite rapid enough. The company has just unleashed its latest in the line: the Eneloop Music Booster. As you might expect, this device is a rechargeable DV9V battery unit made specifically for music devices, and while most modern day music players will last at least half a day on a full charge, there's always that pinch when traveling where you just don't have time to sit by an AC outlet and let the battery recharge. Put simply,
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Asus Gets Into Robot Vac Game With ECleaner
Asus, making vacuum cleaners? What on Earth is the world coming to? We know 2012 is supposed to bring about some fairly crazy happenings, but we aren't even out of 2009 yet! As the Roombas dominance in the robotic vac arena streaks towards its end, Asus--a mainstay in the consumer PC market--has decided to take a shot at ousting the king. For years now, the robotic vacuum has been synonymous with the Roomba name, but all that could be changing with the introduction of the ECleaner. This announcement comes just
Read More ...

Samsung CL80 Point And Shoot Camera Offers 14MP Sensor And 7x Zoom
If you somehow managed to not get that point and shoot camera for Christmas that you had been begging for, Samsung just might have something that'll suit your fancy coming up. We suspect that the company will make this "more official" sometime soon, but given that a fully detailed product page has already been erected, we're assuming that you can go ahead and mark this one down as a sure bet. The Samsung CL80 is one of the more advanced point and shoot cameras that we've seen in quite some time, boasting a 14MP
Read More ...

Amazon's Kindle Is Most Gifted Item Ever For Company (And Other Fun Facts)
As the decade winds down, it's fun to look back and think just how different our world is now compared to this time in 1999. One of the easiest ways to see just how drastic the chances have been is to look at Amazon, which just put out some rather staggering fun facts. Without a doubt, the company's own hardware device (the Kindle) was its most popular gift, and just ten years ago e-reading devices were but a pipe dream in some back corner lab that probably wasn't even being taken seriously. The Kindle became
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How to convert iTunes music /movie /TV shows and burn DVD?

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Part 1 How to convert iTunes protected music to MP3 WMA WMV or OGG?

Part 2 How to burn protected iTunes rentals movie and TV shows to DVD?

Part 1 How to convert iTunes protected music to MP3 WMA WMV or OGG?

Step 1

Download Tunebite from here,, then install the software on your computer.

Step 2

Sound card and recording settings: Launch the program, follow the configuration wizard to set the sound card (there will be some sounds which are necessary to detect your sound system). Click "Next" to config high-speed digital dubbing which can accelerate digital recording.

Step 3

Set output audio formats from MP3, WMA, OGG: Click "Next", select the audio format you'd like to output from MP3, OGG or WMA. Let's take "MP3" for example.

Download MP3 encoder by clicking "Search for lame_enc.dll" or download it from here. Then click "Import lame_enc.dll", browse to the .dll file and load into.

Step 4

Set output video formats from WMV, MP4: Click "Next". If you want to record and convert protected M4V or WMV files, please check "record video, when original music file contains video" and click "Next" to continue. Then select the output video format you like from "MPEG4" (Playable on iPod, PSP, MP4 players) or "WMV" (Most portable media players).

Step 5

Start converting: Add media file(s) or complete folder(s) you want to record by clicking "add" button or by dragging and dropping them into the window. Click "GO" to start recording and converting. If you only want to recode audio, please check "audio only" box.

Part 2 How to burn protected iTunes rentals movie and TV shows to DVD?

Many users want to burn DRM protected iTunes videos/movies/TV shows to DVD playable on home DVD player and enjoy on the widescreen TV. I know you can enjoy iTunes movie on TV with Apple TV, but why do you have to spend more $299 if you can do that with some easy software.

Step 1. Remove DRM protect from purchased iTunes video/movie/TV show

Download and install Tunebite Platinum. Just follow the install wizard, the software will install four high-speed dubbing to speed up the conversion, it will also test your video and sound card.

Step 2.

Located your iTunes purchased movie on your computer; after you purchased movie or TV shows from iTunes online store, you should find the downloaded movie in the iTunes install folder. And then run the Tunebite and click “Add -> Add files” to import your iTunes movie.

If you want to customize the output video, just click the “Option” button and then video tab. Select “Optimized for PC” and “WMV (Windows Media Video)”. This software can also removed DRM from video for other mobile player such as Zune, PSP, Creative Zen, etc. If you want to do that, in the video tab, just select “Optimized for Mobile devices” and “MPEG-4”

Step 3.

Click “Go” button to start conversion. That’s all.

Step 4. Burn the non-protected video to DVD

Please download and install the Cucusoft Video to DVD Burner[/b] at first.

Launch Cucusoft AVI to DVD/VCD/SVCD Converter pro, you will see the right UI.
1. Select radio button "To DVD"
2.choose the "merge" or "batch" tab.
3.Click "Open" button to open your movie file(s)
4. (optional) Set your preference. Region "4" in red frames can set the output MPEG properties.
5. (Optional) Set the advanced settings as following.

6. Click "Convert" button to start the conversion task
7. After you click "Convert" button, the following dialog will pop up automatically.

8. After video conversion done, the "CD/DVD Burning engine" will be launched automatically. Please choose the DVD burner.

9. Please place a DVD-/+R/RW disc into your DVD burner. If it is a rewritable disc, the program will erase the disc before burning DVD disc.
10. When burning DVD is done, the DVD disc will be eject automatically. You can also find the output file at the output folder.

Done!

Download Tunebite Now!

Amazon's Kindle Is Most Gifted Item Ever For Company (And Other Fun Facts)

As the decade winds down, it's fun to look back and think just howdifferent our world is now compared to this time in 1999. One of theeasiest ways to see just how drastic the chances have been is to lookat Amazon, which just put out some rather staggering fun facts. Withouta doubt, the company's own hardware device (the Kindle) was its mostpopular gift, and just ten years ago e-reading devices were but a pipedream in some back corner lab that probably wasn't even being takenseriously.

The Kindle became the company's most gifted item ever (yes, ever!) thisChristmas, and what's crazy is that we have another stat that justmight be even more impressive. On December 25th, for the first timeever, customers purchased more Kindle Books than physical books. Inother words, more digital book copies were sold than actual paperbooks. It's sort of hard to wrap your mind around just how crazy thatis. Ten years ago, paper books were the only books; today, just adecade later, they're already being seriously rivaled by an electronicalternative that still hasn't hit its stride. My, how the times are achanging!

Meanwhile, the Barnes & Noble Nook was seeing a raft of complaintsfiled by angry users who received their reader on Christmas day. Theactual book store was down for the bulk of the day, and while itemscould be purchased, many found it difficult or impossible to transferthose purchases onto their device. Still, just the fact that masses ofpeople were eager to buy electronic books is a clear signal thatsomething is seriously changing in our world.

Among the other incredible facts is this gem: OnAmazon's peak day, Dec. 14, 2009, customers ordered over 9.5 millionitems worldwide, which is a record-breaking 110 items per second. Justtake a step back and think about how many individuals order online nowversus in-store. It's kind of baffling. Amazon also shipped items toover 178 countries this holiday season, with the most remote going to Atqasuk,Alaska. On its peak day this holiday season, Amazon's shipping centersmailed out over 7 million units, with more than 99% of them arriving ontime. In what has to be one of the closest cuts ever, a Seattlecustomer ordered a Kindle on Christmas Eve at 1:43PM, and just overthree hours later it was in his/her hands. Here's a few more fun factsthat prove just how digital the world we live in has become--and ohyeah, Happy Holidays!

Amazon Worldwide 2009 Holiday Facts (includes www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.co.jp and www.amazon.ca):

Amazon shipped to over 178 countries.
One of our most remote shipments contained the EMU Australia Toddler Boot and was delivered to Atqasuk, Alaska.
On the peak day this season, Amazon's worldwide fulfillment network shipped over 7 million units.
Amazon shipped over 200,000 units to APO/FPO addresses.
Amazon shipped more than 99 percent of orders in time to meet holiday deadlines worldwide.

Amazon.com 2009 Holiday Facts (www.amazon.com only):

Amazon customers purchased enough fruit cake to equal the weight of a 1967 Volkswagen Bug.
Amazon customers bought enough gingerbread house kits that if stacked on top of each other would be as tall as the Sears Tower.
If all the computers customers purchased this holiday were stacked one on top of the other, they would be more than twice as high as Mt. Everest.
Amazon customers bought over 50 times more Light Therapy devices this holiday season than there are sunny days in Seattle the entire year.
For the holiday time period alone, Amazon customers purchased enough shoot-and-share camcorders to supply 50 years' worth of non-stop YouTube watching.
Amazon customers bought enough Levi's jeans to clothe everyone at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
Amazon customers purchased so many Blu-ray disc players that if you lined them up side to side, they would stretch for more than 27 miles.
During the 2009 holiday season, Amazon customers bought enough 8 GB iPod touches to play 442 years of continuous music.
In 2009, Amazon customers purchased enough heart rate monitor watches to put one on the wrist of everyone who finished the New York City marathons in 2008 and 2009.
Amazon customers purchased enough Frustration-Free Package items to eliminate over 32,000 pounds of frustrating plastic materials, such as plastic clamshells.
The last One-Day Prime order that was delivered in time for Christmas, was placed on Dec. 23 at 9:17 p.m. Pacific and shipped to Boca Raton, Florida for delivery on Dec. 24. The item was a pair of Yellow Gold 8-8.5mm Freshwater Cultured Pearl Stud Earrings.
The last Local Express Delivery order that was delivered in time for Christmas, was placed by a Prime member and went to Seattle. It was a Kindle that was ordered at 1:43 p.m. on Christmas Eve and delivered at 4:57 p.m. that evening.

Amazon.com's Hot Holiday Bestsellers (Nov. 15 through Dec. 19, based on units ordered):

Electronics: Kindle Wireless Reading Device; Apple iPod touch 8 GB; and Garmin nuvi 260W 4.3-inch GPS
Toys: Scrabble Slam Cards; The Settlers of Catan; and Scene It? Twilight Deluxe Edition
Video Games and Hardware: Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board; New Super Mario Bros; and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Sports & Outdoors: Razor A Kick Scooter; Victorinox Swiss Army Champion Plus Pocket Knife; and P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program
DVD: "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince;" "Star Trek;" and "Up"
Books: "Going Rogue" by Sarah Palin; "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown; and "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
Music: "I Dreamed A Dream" by Susan Boyle; "My Christmas" by Andrea Bocelli; and "Crazy Love" by Michael Bublأ©
Jewelry: Sterling Silver Marcasite & Garnet Glass Heart Pendant; 10k White Gold Diamond 3-Stone Heart Pendant; and 18k White Gold Round Diamond 4-Prong Stud Earrings
Watches: Casio Men's Waveceptor Atomic Dual-Time Watch; Invicta Men's II Collection Chronograph Stainless Steel Blue Dial Watch; and Timex Kids' Camouflage Stretch Band Watch
Beauty: Sephora Brand Color Play Palette II; Santa's Lump of Coal Christmas Soap; and Sephora Brand Ultimate Blockbuster
Home & Garden: Keurig My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter; Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator; and Oster Electric Wine-Bottle Opener
Clothing & Accessories: The Mountain Three Wolf Moon Short Sleeve Tee; Levi's Men's 550 Relaxed Fit Jean; and Levi's Men's 501 Jean
Shoes and Handbags (Amazon.com and Endless.com): Steve Madden Women's Bonanza Tall Shafted Flat Boot; Hunter Original Tall Welly Boot; and EMU Australia Women's Hip Boot
Health & Personal Care: Omron HJ-112 Digital Pocket Pedometer; Philips Sonicare Essence 5300 Power Toothbrush; and Farouk CHI 1 Inch Ceramic Flat Hairstyling Iron
Gourmet Food: Bon Appetit Gift Basket; Grand Ghirardelli Chocolate Gift Basket; and 50's Decade Box Gift Basket
Home Improvement: Black & Decker MSW100 Ready Wrench; Bosch Laser Distance Measuring Device; and Joby Gorillatorch Adjustable and Flexible Tripod Flashlight
Automotive Parts & Accessories: Wagan 12V Heated Seat Cushion; 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System; and Autel MaxiScan MS300 CAN OBD-II Scan Tool
Baby: Baby Einstein Takealong Tunes; Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether; and Baby Einstein Bendy Ball
Software: Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007; Adobe Photoshop Elements 8; and Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Home & Student Edition
Grocery: Coffee People Donut Shop K-Cups for Keurig Brewers; Coffee People K-Cup Santa's Buzz; and Vita Coco 100% Pure Coconut Water
Wireless: Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Unlocked Phone; Plantronics 510 Bluetooth Headset; and BlackBerry Bold 9700 Phone (AT&T)

Toyota Plans Solar Charging Solution For Electric Cars, The Environment Smiles

Electric vehicles sound fantastic in theory, but there's still theissue of charging the vehicles. Energy, even the kind not found intraditional fuel pumps, requires fossil fuels or a green alternative tomake, and burning loads of coal in place of petrol doesn't exactlysound like a great compromise. Toyota seems to agree, with theautomotive giant recently announcing that it had developed a solarcharging station for plug-in hybrid automobiles and purely electric cars.

Essentially, this kind of charging solution really would enable anelectric vehicle to cause a serious impact for good; not only would itavoid or lessen its use of petrol, but the energy used to recharge itsbatteries would come from non-harmful solar power. The municipalgovernment of Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture, Japan has already boughtinto the idea, with plans already in place to build 21 of thesestations at 11 different locations (like the municipal office, itsbranch offices, train stations, etc.). If all goes to plan, the citywill begin operating these solar charging stations in April of 2010,shortly after some of the next-gen Prius plug-in hybrids hit theJapanese streets (in trial form, of course).

Essentially, the solar stations suck in energy during the daylight andstore it locally; when vehicles pull up for charging, it taps into thestore energy until that runs out. Once the solar energy is depleted,the traditional energy grid kicks in until more power can be capturedand converted. If there's ever excess energy in the solution, thatsolar power can be channeled out into the grid to help lessen theimpact of other companies using energy. Too bad we haven't a clue as towhen North America will begin to adopt this stuff with any kind ofhaste.

Asus Gets Into Robot Vac Game With ECleaner

Asus, making vacuum cleaners? What on Earth is the world coming to? Weknow 2012 is supposed to bring about some fairly crazy happenings, butwe aren't even out of 2009 yet! As the Roombas dominance in the roboticvac arena streaks towards its end, Asus--a mainstay in the consumer PCmarket--has decided to take a shot at ousting the king. For years now,the robotic vacuum has been synonymous with the Roomba name, but allthat could be changing with the introduction of the ECleaner.

This announcement comes just a week after Neato Robotics introduced itsown Roomba competitor, and it should retail first in China and Taiwan(by the end of the month, actually). It will be made available throughAsus' AGAiT Technology subsidiary, and much like the iconic Roomba, itwill be circular in shape and will suck the dust/dirt right out of yourcarpet without you having to stand behind and push/tug. We're told thatit will include a "6000-hour UV light for disinfecting the floor, aslot for spreadingfragrance and a remote control that fits neatly on top of the vacuum."

Outside of that, details have been tough to come by. The vac will boasta few pre-programmed patterns, but it remains to be seen what exactlyAsus has going on inside in terms of mapping. Have a look at the videobelow to get an idea of what this could bring to your flooring, butdon't get too excited until we hear an official US price/release date (though it should sell for around $150 overseas).

Samsung CL80 Point And Shoot Camera Offers 14MP Sensor And 7x Zoom

If you somehow managed to not get that point and shoot camera forChristmas that you had been begging for, Samsung just might havesomething that'll suit your fancy coming up. We suspect that thecompany will make this "more official" sometime soon, but given that afully detailed product page has already been erected, we're assumingthat you can go ahead and mark this one down as a sure bet.

The Samsung CL80 is one of the more advanced point and shoot camerasthat we've seen in quite some time, boasting a 14MP sensor, built-inWi-Fi capabilities, a 3.7" AMOLED touch panel, a compact size, 31mmwide-angle lens, frame guide, smart album and 7x optical zoom. You'llnotice that the rear is completely devoid of buttons, so it you're notmuch on interacting with a touch screen, you'll probably want to lookelsewhere. Still, a 14MP sensor and a 7x optical zoom on a camera ofthis size is nearly unheard of, so it definitely bodes well for thefuture of compact cams given that the competition will be forced toreact and put out something similar to compete.

There's also a dual image stabilization module, which helps tocompensate for wrist shake and other environmental distractions thatcause shake. It can even shoot HD movies (captures are at 1280x720p),and with the integrated Wi-Fi, users can upload photos as soon as theytake them to Picasa, Facebook, Flickr or Photobox (assuming they arenear a hotspot). You can even upload your videos directly to YouTube.Talk about handy--you won't even need to offload media to a PC beforegetting it to the web. Samsung has yet to make clear a price or releasedate, but we suspect this one will be priced far outside the range ofbargain hunters.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

IT News HeadLines (HotHardware) 29/12/2009

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