Panasonic Debuts World's First 3D Consumer Camcorder: HDC-SDT750
It had to occur sooner or later, and at the rate that the 3D bandwagon is exploding, it was a safe bet to assume "sooner." In Japan today, Panasonic revealed what they are calling the "world's first 3D consumer camcorder." As you've seen based on the amount of 3D movies available in cinemas, this obviously is not the world's first 3D camcorder, but it's the first to be sold and marketed towards consumers. It's a bold move by Panasonic to be first at this, particularly since consumers have been slow to adopt
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One Click Root / Unroot Comes to the Droid X
The Motorola Droid X was rooted a few days ago, but that required users to follow a long and somewhat confusing set of instructions. This method is far easier: download the file, unzip, and unroot. Rooting an Android device is sort of along the same lines as jailbreaking on an iPhone. It allows you to run apps that require root access, and on some devices allows the installation of custom ROMs. The new, easier, rooting procedure comes via the same forum that gave users the "long method," AllDroid. The poster
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Bose Flies High with New A20 Aviation Headset
If you think PC gamers have an expensive hobby, well, you're right, but holy moly do those $150 headphones feel like Blue Light specials compared to the new Bose A20 Aviation Headset, the latest pair of earbuds aimed at pilots. These things run $1,095, or $995 without the the Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity feature thrown into the mix. So what does this have to do with PCs? Nothing really, but we're suckers for technology, and the A20s have that in spades. And if we're to believe Bose, the A20 is the "most
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WD Scorpio Black 500GB Notebook Drive Performance Quick-Take
Not long ago we took a look at Seagate's Momentus XT notebook drive. This little speed demon combines both 4GB of solid state storage along with 500GB of traditional rotational media into the industry's first "hybrid" SSD-infused hard drive. It offered great performance, especially after the drive's caching algorithms optimized data usage models on the drive but its cost was also about 2X of traditional notebook hard drives of similar capacities. So, as usual, there were trade-offs. Recently, WD
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Where Did All the Kindles Go?
What's that you say, Apple's iPad and other upcoming tablets will decimate the market for eBook readers? Maybe so (probably not), but if something like that is to play out, we'd need to see some seriously low-cost tablets come to market, ones that are not only easy on the wallet, but adept at fetching and reading eBooks. It all comes down to wampum, and the less these hardware makers try to take from you, the more product they'll be able to push. We need only visit Amazon's Kindle product page for evidence of
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MSI Ships GT660 Gaming Notebook To North America: Core i7, USB 3.0
MSI has been on a real notebook kick here lately, as it feels like a new one is produced every other week or so. Usually, the company's efforts are directed either overseas, or we Americans aren't told when to expect the latest debut. But the GT660 is definitely tailor made for the U.S. market, and it's on sale now at a variety of online retailers. This gaming/multi-media monster is said to be the first notebook to combine Dynaudio's surround sound capabilities with "massive memory" and USB 3.0. It's a rare
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Lenovo Enters Bargain Server Basement With New ThinkServer Family
It's a fact of life that the consumer-level desktops and notebooks see the bulk of the limelight, but we'd be nowhere without the servers behind the scenes. Those machines that power our Internet interactions, our e-mail hosts and our late-night deathmatch sessions deserve a little credit as well, and Lenovo's new bunch sure looks like they're reaching out for attention. The company famous for their IdeaPad and ThinkPad portable machines have just introduced a bunch of new products in their server line, with
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Super Talent Intros Dual Interface SSD For Internal And External Use
Apple has long since resisted the urge to add SSDs to their desktops, and with the introduction of the company's newest iMac and Mac Pro, that mindset changed. And you know when Apple starts adopting SSDs in their desktops, SSDs are as close to mainstream as they're apt to be for the next year or two. Super Talent has been playing in the solid state space for some time now, and while it's always entertaining to see a new capacity or speed record broken, the company is taking innovation to another level with
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Jailbreaking Voids Your Warranty (If You Are Caught): Apple
After losing a battle on Monday with the EFF over jailbreaking iPhones, which the U.S. Copyright Office clarified as legal, Apple decided it wanted to win the war. The company reminded customers that jailbreaking voids their warranty. What it didn't remind folks is how easy it is to un-jailbreak a device. Apple's official (yet unofficial) statement is: “Apple’s goal has always been to insure (sic) that our customers have a great experience with their iPhone and we know that jailbreaking can severely
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UAE Voices Security Concerns Over BlackBerry Handsets
BlackBerry smartphones have been the subject of much debate over the years. Some reasons are for good, and some are for bad. Regardless, BlackBerry devices seem to wind up being discussed along with security concerns quite often, and while it took South Korea years to finally accept these always-connected handhelds, the United Arab Emirates are now causing quite a stir. The UAE is obviously exploding, with Dubai being one of the most happening cities in the world right now. So it's no surprise that BlackBerry
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Intel Announces Laser Signaling Breakthrough
Electronic signaling using copper is officially old-and-busted—or at least Intel thinks it will be soon. The company announced today that it has constructed a silicon-based optical connection with an integrated laser that's capable of moving data at 50Gbps. The term "integrated laser" refers to the fact that the optical data connection is integrated into a microchip and interfaces with that component's circuitry. According to Intel, its Hybrid Silicon Laser technology has multiple advantages over
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Acer Introduces S1 LCD Monitor Line: Sleek And Slender
If you're after Acer's new Aspire "Predator" gaming desktop, you may also find yourself in the market for a new LCD monitor to go with it. If that's the case, the company has just the thing: the new S1 line of ultra-thin monitors. These resemble the Touch of Color LCDs that we have seen from Samsung in the past, with a slim black bezel, a glossy finish and a design that's so thin, it could easily be mounted on the wall. The S1 series LED monitors are available in a range of sizes, but the overall design remains
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Leak: Is This HTC's Windows Phone 7 Smartphone?
Last week, it was confirmed that HTC is one of the major smartphone manufacturers who will offer a Windows Phone 7 smartphone. Now, photos of what appear to be a near-final version of such a phone have leaked online. The photos show a smartphone with a 3.7-inch Super LCD screen. The leaked information also suggests HTC's Windows Phone 7 device will have a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, 8-megapixel camera, and three touch-sensitive buttons at the bottom of the device. Verizon Wireless and possibly Sprint have been
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Honey, SanDisk Shrunk the USB Drive
Is that a SanDisk Cruzer Blade USB flash drive in your pocket, or did you just take a cold shower? If we threw you for a loop on that one, it's because SanDisk's latest USB flash drive is about the size of a standard paper clip and weighs about the same as a U.S. penny, so stuffing it into your pants isn't going to give that you that confidence-inducing bulge. What it will give you is up to 16GB of storage space, or as little as 2GB, depending on what your budget allows. According to SanDisk, a 4GB Cruzer Blade
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Toshiba Touts Performance Oriented SFF Hard Drives
Toshiba this week lifted the curtain on a new line of small form factor (SFF) hard drives the company claims are optimized for demanding performance, power consumption, and durability requirements across a wide range of market segments. In other words, these wonder drives are supposed to be the best of all possible worlds. Capacities range from 160GB on up to 640GB, all of which spin at 7,200RPM. According to Toshiba, these drives are destined for high-end notebooks, gaming laptops, and mobile workstations,
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Honey, SanDisk Shrunk the USB Drive
Is that a SanDisk Cruzer Blade USB flash drive in your pocket, or did you just take a cold shower? If we threw you for a loop on that one, it's because SanDisk's latest USB flash drive is about the size of a standard paper clip and weighs about the same as a U.S. penny, so stuffing it into your pants isn't going to give that you that confidence-inducing bulge.What it will give you is up to 16GB of storage space, or as little as 2GB, depending on what your budget allows. According to SanDisk, a 4GB Cruzer Blade will hold up to 1,000 songs, 1,200 high-res photos, or 8 hours of 768kb/s video.
"At half the size of some other USB drives, our compact Cruzer Blade provides consumers with highly portable storage at a great value," said Kent Perry, director, retail product marketing, SanDisk. "The drive lets users transfer their digital data quickly between computers, and delivers a storage boost to devices such as netbooks that often need additional memory but are difficult to upgrade easily.
The SanDisk Cruzer Blade USB line is available now with prices ranging from $15 to $78.
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Where Did All the Kindles Go?
What's that you say, Apple's iPad and other upcoming tablets will decimate the market for eBook readers? Maybe so (probably not), but if something like that is to play out, we'd need to see some seriously low-cost tablets come to market, ones that are not only easy on the wallet, but adept at fetching and reading eBooks. It all comes down to wampum, and the less these hardware makers try to take from you, the more product they'll be able to push.We need only visit Amazon's Kindle product page for evidence of this. Remember that little price war the eBook reader makers waged with each other a few weeks ago? Amazon ended up lowering the price of its Kindle reader to $189, and as it turns out, that's a price point consumers can live with for what's largely a single-function device. If you were to head over to Amazon and try to purchase a Kindle right now, you could do so, but when it ships is anyone's guess. That's because the device is listed as "Temporarily out of stock," presumably because the lower price point has created a much higher demand than what existed before.
Unless we just weren't paying attention, this is the first time Amazon has sold out of its Kindle reader in nearly two years, and who knows when it's coming back in stock. Maybe tomorrow, maybe a lot longer. What we do know is that Amazon pulled the standard Kindle from its front-and-center position on the company's homepage and replaced it with the Kindle DX, which is in stock and sells for $379.
What do you think about the new lower price points? Are you tempted to buy an eBook reader from Amazon or Barnes & Noble now that both companies sell sub-$200 models?
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Leak: Is This HTC's Windows Phone 7 Smartphone?
Last week, it was confirmed that HTC is one of the major smartphone manufacturers who will offer a Windows Phone 7 smartphone. Now, photos of what appear to be a near-final version of such a phone have leaked online. The photos show a smartphone with a 3.7-inch Super LCD screen.The leaked information also suggests HTC's Windows Phone 7 device will have a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, 8-megapixel camera, and three touch-sensitive buttons at the bottom of the device. Verizon Wireless and possibly Sprint have been mentioned as likely carriers for the unnamed device.
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Acer Introduces S1 LCD Monitor Line: Sleek And Slender
If you're after Acer's new Aspire "Predator" gaming desktop, you may also find yourself in the market for a new LCD monitor to go with it. If that's the case, the company has just the thing: the new S1 line of ultra-thin monitors. These resemble the Touch of Color LCDs that we have seen from Samsung in the past, with a slim black bezel, a glossy finish and a design that's so thin, it could easily be mounted on the wall. The S1 series LED monitors are available in a range of sizes, but the overall design remains the same throughout. 20", 21.5" and 23" models are on sale, with the 20" being just 13mm thick and the others being 15mm thick. Of course, these monitors are also LED backlit, with the white LED technology providing up to 68% power savings. The S1 line is also Energy Star 5.0 compliant, and they each offer 12,000,000:1 contrast ratios, a 16:9 aspect ratio, 250 cd/m2 brightness and 16.7M colors. The 21.5" and 23" models have 1920x1080 resolutions, while the 20" presumably has a slightly lower resolution.
The Acer S1 series of displays will be available this month for U.S. customers at leading retailers for an MSRP of $169.99 for the 20-inch model (S201HL), $219.99 for the 21.5-inch model (S211HL) and $269.99 for the 23-inch model (S231HL).
 Acer Launches New S1 Line of Ultra-Thin, Space-Saving Displays With Advanced Eco-Friendly Technology and Packaging
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acer America today debuts a new line of ultra-thin LED monitors that feature an eco-friendly, space-conscious design. The new S1 series displays combine the latest LED technology with a slim 13mm to 15mm profile, making them ideal for users with limited space for work or entertainment.
   “In addition to the eye-catching design and crisp visual quality, the S1 series monitors were designed to be one of the slimmest monitors available today for consumers with a limited amount of desk spaceâ€
The S1 series LED monitors come in a range of sizes, delivering excellent video performance and innovative display technologies to deliver crisp, clear images.
“In addition to the eye-catching design and crisp visual quality, the S1 series monitors were designed to be one of the slimmest monitors available today for consumers with a limited amount of desk space,†said Irene Chan, senior product marketing manager for peripherals, Acer America. “Another key consideration was designing a monitor that delivers low energy consumption and environmental impact.â€
Designed with clean lines, a polished black display frame and rounded porcelain-like stand, the eye-catching S1 series is the perfect blend of sophistication and style. These modern looking displays are available in three sizes – 23-inch, 21.5-inch, 20-inch – and feature an ultra-slim profile, ranging from only 13 mm for the 20-inch to less than 15mm for the 21.5-inch and 23-inch models.
The S1 series of monitors leverages some key eco-friendly, energy-saving technologies. All of the S1 models feature white LED backlighting, which does not contain hazardous substances such as mercury or halogen gases, making it safer for the environment. Additionally, white LED technology consumes less power, providing up to 68% power savings to users.(2)
All of the new displays are RoHS and ENERGY STAR® 5.0 compliant, the latest and most widely used energy-conservation qualification, helping consumers streamline costs and preserve power while providing higher efficiency. To further decrease the environmental impact of the displays, the Energy Star 5.0 specifications incorporates stringent energy consumption and power management requirements while in the “On†mode.
For consumers with community recycling programs, the environmentally-friendly monitors all come in highly recyclable packaging materials, with all major plastic components properly labeled with the composition code and recycling symbols to facilitate future recycling based on ISO 1043/11469 standards.
Cutting-Edge Features Offer Excellent Picture Quality
The sophisticated new Acer S1 series of LED monitors provides consumers with a premium viewing experience and advanced features. The monitors all feature 12,000,000:1 contrast ratio via Acer Adaptive Contrast Management (ACM), for crisp graphics and stunning picture quality. The ACM features advanced technology that enables users to adjust images frame by frame for a dramatic improvement of gradation and detail, especially in very dim or very bright scenes.
Providing excellent high-definition picture quality, all of the monitors boast a 16:9 aspect ratio, allowing users to view high-definition digital content without the image distortion that arises from incompatible aspect ratios. The 21.5-inch and 23-inch display models all feature 1920x1080 resolutions, further enhancing the video quality.
Perfect for viewing high-definition videos, movies and other digital content, all of the S1 series of displays feature rapid 5ms response times, 250 cd/m2 brightness and 16.7M colors.
Each of the new displays ensure easy connectivity to home entertainment devices and office peripherals via a VGA port or DVI port with HDCP protection (depending on the model.) The 23-inch model also comes with an all-digital HDMI interface, delivering exceptional high-definition viewing and top-quality uncompressed video.
Software Solutions Enhance Visual Experience
Acer’s unique software solutions boost usability. The eColor Management on-screen interface allows users to tailor the performance of the display, such as brightness, saturation and contrast. The Empowering Key enables users to switch between viewing scenarios and create their own to compensate for application and environmental constraints. The eDisplay Management function is a powerful color enhancement and display rotation tool.Â
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Intel Announces Laser Signaling Breakthrough
Electronic signaling using copper is officially old-and-busted—or at least Intel thinks it will be soon. The company announced today that it has constructed a silicon-based optical connection with an integrated laser that's capable of moving data at 50Gbps. The term "integrated laser" refers to the fact that the optical data connection is integrated into a microchip and interfaces with that component's circuitry. According to Intel, its Hybrid Silicon Laser technology has multiple advantages over traditional wires. In addition to the increased bandwidth, optical signals degrade much more slowly than their electrical counterparts. As such, cables can be considerably longer and thinner and individual system components could be isolated and cooled more efficiently. It could also help alleviate server room crowding for much the same reason—non-critical components could be housed further away while the room was reserved for equipment that required its ventilation and cooling capabilities.
Like peanut butter and chocolate--two great flavors in one
"This achievement of the world’s first 50Gbps silicon photonics link with integrated hybrid silicon lasers marks a significant achievement in our long term vision of ‘siliconizing’ photonics and bringing high bandwidth, low cost optical communications in and around future PCs, servers, and consumer devices," Justin Rattner, Intel's Chief Technology Officer and the director of Intel Labs said. This 50GB link is a "concept vehicle" that allows Intel to continue testing new transmission technologies while demonstrating and researching real-world applications. Long term, Intel thinks it might be able to scale its HSL up to terrabit levels, though such performance is years away.
Intel describes the relationship between HSL and Light Peak is as follows:
This research is separate from Intel’s Light Peak technology, though both are components of Intel’s overall I/O strategy. Light Peak is an effort to bring a multi-protocol 10Gbps optical connection to Intel client platforms for nearer-term applications. Silicon Photonics research aims to use silicon integration to bring dramatic cost reductions, reach tera-scale data rates, and bring optical communications to an even broader set of high-volume applications. Today’s achievement brings Intel a significant step closer to that goal.Sounds great to us. Now where's our flying cars?
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UAE Voices Security Concerns Over BlackBerry Handsets
BlackBerry smartphones have been the subject of much debate over the years. Some reasons are for good, and some are for bad. Regardless, BlackBerry devices seem to wind up being discussed along with security concerns quite often, and while it took South Korea years to finally accept these always-connected handhelds, the United Arab Emirates are now causing quite a stir.The UAE is obviously exploding, with Dubai being one of the most happening cities in the world right now. So it's no surprise that BlackBerry handhelds would end up in the nation, particularly with business travel up to the nation. But now, the UAE's telecommunication watchdog group is saying that BlackBerry smartphones "are a potential threat to the country's national security." Given just how popular these phones are, and just how many nations have them, this is obviously quite the shocking revelation.
The group is now seeking to change how the device operates, with security officials seemingly concerned over the flow of information into the nation (which filters and censors some websites and other forms of media seen as harmful to national security or local values). According to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, RIM's famed phone line can operate "beyond the jurisdiction" of national laws because of the data that they carry. In other words, they don't appreciate the foreign nature of the data. Here's the quote: "As a result of how Blackberry data is managed and stored, in their current form, certain Blackberry applications allow people to misuse the service, causing serious social, judicial and national security repercussions. Like many other countries, we have been working for a long time to resolve these critical issues, with the objective of finding a solution that safeguards our consumers and operates within the boundaries of UAE law."
What's curious is that the agency isn't making public what changes are being sought. RIM obviously has yet to comment, but we have an idea that something will give so that BlackBerry devices can continue to be sold and used in the UAE. It's obviously a booming market for RIM, but if they change their whole platform for one country, what kind of precedent will that set?
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Jailbreaking Voids Your Warranty (If You Are Caught): Apple
After losing a battle on Monday with the EFF over jailbreaking iPhones, which the U.S. Copyright Office clarified as legal, Apple decided it wanted to win the war. The company reminded customers that jailbreaking voids their warranty. What it didn't remind folks is how easy it is to un-jailbreak a device.Apple's official (yet unofficial) statement is:
“Apple’s goal has always been to insure (sic) that our customers have a great experience with their iPhone and we know that jailbreaking can severely degrade the experience. As we’ve said before, the vast majority of customers do not jailbreak their iPhones as this can violate the warranty and can cause the iPhone to become unstable and not work reliably.â€It's in fact true that jailbreaking your iPhone will void your warranty. That's been known for years, and is old news.
Of course, Apple needs to be able to detect that you have jailbroken the device. What Apple didn't mention is that all that is needed is to restore your iPhone to a factory state. Let's assume you want to take your iPhone in to the Apple Genius Bar, in which case you want it totally clean. To do this:
- Delete your backups from iTunes. Your device does not need to be connected.
- Follow the instructions here to Restore your iPhone (do not create a backup). iTunes will download the latest official firmware for your device.
- Of course, activate your iPhone through iTunes.
- Follow the instructions here to do a factory reset of the phone (which will delete any residual jailbreak files).
That said, there are numerous programs for the iPhone that exist only for jailbroken devices, and many of them are so useful that once jailbroken folks can't resist doing it over and over again. Indeed, that's the biggest issue: each time a ROM comes out, you generally have to wait for hackers to generate a new jailbreak.
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MSI Ships GT660 Gaming Notebook To North America: Core i7, USB 3.0
MSI has been on a real notebook kick here lately, as it feels like a new one is produced every other week or so. Usually, the company's efforts are directed either overseas, or we Americans aren't told when to expect the latest debut. But the GT660 is definitely tailor made for the U.S. market, and it's on sale now at a variety of online retailers. This gaming/multi-media monster is said to be the first notebook to combine Dynaudio's surround sound capabilities with "massive memory" and USB 3.0. It's a rare combination for sure, as is any combination that involves USB 3.0. Unlike most laptops, MSI's GT660 has not two, but three DDR3 memory slots, and there's also a Core i7 processor, NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 285M GPU, support for 3D output, Turbo Drive Engine + technology, HD webcam, and a noticeable paint job.
The GT660 won't come cheap, starting at $1649.99, but it's available now in North America if you're in the market for a potent mobile machine.
 MSI GT660 is First Notebook to Combine World-Class Surround Sound from Dynaudio with Massive Memory and USB 3.0
Notebook Takes Gaming Market by Storm with Three DDR3 Memory Slots, Dual Hard Disk, USB 3.0 for Lightning Fast 3D Gaming, and True-to-Life Sound for a Superior Multimedia Experience
CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MSI Computer Corp., a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, today announced the North American availability of its powerhouse GT660 gaming and multimedia notebook. The GT660 is the only notebook on the market to come equipped with high-fidelity surround-sound from world-class sound system designer Dynaudio. To further enhance the multimedia experience, MSI added three DDR3 memory slots, and USB 3.0 technology to turbo charge data transfer speeds as well as the unit’s performance.
   “The GT660 has received positive feedback from gaming aficionados around the globe, and now we can offer our customers the opportunity to play the games they enjoy the most, with the highest quality of sound through our work with Dynaudio.â€
The GT660 features powerful hardware, including the Intel® Core™ i7 Processor and NVIDIA® GeForce™ GTX 285M top end discrete graphics cards for clear, smooth, and real-time 3D images.
“We’re pleased to announce the immediate availability of the GT660, our most powerful of the G-Series, here in the U.S. and Canada,†said Andy Tung, vice president of sales for MSI North America. “The GT660 has received positive feedback from gaming aficionados around the globe, and now we can offer our customers the opportunity to play the games they enjoy the most, with the highest quality of sound through our work with Dynaudio.â€
“Quality notebooks capable of high performance and extreme gaming are difficult to come by. My experience with the GT660 was phenomenal...never before have I been able to run the latest games without any glitches in performance,†said Team EG professional gamer, Jordan "n0thing" Gilbert. “Not only was my gaming experience flawless, but the sleek design and durability of the notebook means it will withstand the normal bumps and bruises that come with traveling around the world."
Specific GT660 product highlights include:
   * More memory and top-of-the-line graphics card: The GT660 features three DDR3 memory slots, giving the notebook computing power one would expect from a server. The notebook is also equipped with NVIDIA’s most advanced GeForce GTX 285M discrete graphics card with 1GB DDR3 of display memory.
   * Latest and fastest USB 3.0 data transfer technology: USB 3.0 can reach transfer rates of 4.8GB per second, 10 times the bandwidth of the current USB 2.0. A 27GB HD file – roughly the equivalent of a four hour HD video – can be transferred within 70 seconds, so HD video and 3D game playback speeds are even faster.
   * World-class sound: As a result of its partnership with world-renowned sound system provider, Dynaudio, MSI completely overhauled the speaker circuits and housing structures traditionally found in laptops to give the GT660 crisper, more true-to-life sound. The MSI/Dynaudio R&D team determined the most ideal locations for the unit’s speakers, and tested each frequency to ensure a balanced tone and to produce high-quality fidelity.
   * Powerful hardware delivers enhanced horsepower and speed: The GT660 includes the world’s most advanced Intel Core i7 quad core processor, which boasts superior multimedia performance and can retrieve data from Blu-ray disks or update online photo albums twice as fast as conventional dual core notebooks. The processor also comes with Intel’s Turbo Boost technology, allowing users to power up or down as necessary, depending on the load requirements of the task at hand.
   * TDE and overclocking technology: The MSI GT660 is the world’s first notebook to come with dual overclocking for processor and display performance. One touch of the Turbo hotkey kicks in MSI’s exclusive TDE+ technology (Turbo Drive Engine + technology) so the notebook remains highly responsive whether using high-load applications or gaming. Also with one touch, MSI’s Cooler Boost technology keeps the system’s temperature down in even the hottest conditions.
   * Entertainment in HD: The GT660’s wide cinema-class 16:9 ratio LED display delivers the sharpest colors while viewing HD films. The HD720p webcam allows for fast, interference-free web calls with friends and family.
   * Forged 3D supercar exterior: Designed to resemble a sports car hood, MSI’s white logo is set in the center of the GT660’s cover, framed by a raised black diamond trident above a glowing red slash.
The GT660, which starts at MSRP $1649.99, is available in e-tail stores including Amazon.com and Newegg.com in the U.S. and NCIX.com in Canada. For more information, including a complete list of specs, please visit http://www.msimobile.com/level3_productpage.aspx?cid=6&id=243.Â
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Super Talent Intros Dual Interface SSD For Internal And External Use
Apple has long since resisted the urge to add SSDs to their desktops, and with the introduction of the company's newest iMac and Mac Pro, that mindset changed. And you know when Apple starts adopting SSDs in their desktops, SSDs are as close to mainstream as they're apt to be for the next year or two. Super Talent has been playing in the solid state space for some time now, and while it's always entertaining to see a new capacity or speed record broken, the company is taking innovation to another level with their new UltraDrive MX.Unlike most SSDs, this new device has a dual interface that makes upgrading even easier, and it also makes the drive itself entirely more flexible. The UltraDrive MX features a new dual-interface for both SATA II and mini-USB connections, which enables the drive to function fine as an external SSD or internal SSD.
This setup makes the drive ideal for notebook upgrade consumers. First, they could mount it via USB in order to image their HDD contents over, and once that's complete, then can connect it internally via SATA in order to have a cloned SSD with little to no setup in terms of settings, files, etc. Performance is also being kept in mind, with Super Talent asserting that users will see 250MB/s read and 180MB/s write speeds, while also having support for TRIM and GC. The UltraDrive MX will begin shipping September 1st and will be available in 60GB, 120GB, 240 and 480GB capacities, but no prices are being announced just yet.
Super Talent Introduces new UltraDriveTMÂ MX
Dual Interface SSD makes the decision to upgrade to SSD even easier
San Jose, California - July 26, 2010 - Super Talent Technology, a leading manufacturer of Flash storage solutions and DRAM memory modules, today announced the new "UltraDrive MX SSD". The UltraDrive MX features a new dual-interface for both SATA II and mini-USB connections. The new dual-interface enables this SSD to offer a new level of flexibility and consumer convenience by enabling the customer to use this drive as either an internal SSD or an external SSD.
For customers thinking about upgrading their PC or notebook to a Solid State Disk, the dual-interface UltraDrive MX is a dream come true. Customers can first utilize the USB connector to create an image of their existing internal hard drive. Once complete, the drives can be swapped and the PC rebooted. In the past, creating such an image required an external hard disk enclosure. Now this operation can be completed, faster, easier and with less expense.
"Most customers know that Solid State Disks offer superior Performance, Reliability and Power Savings, yet they have been unable to makes the switch. The dual-interface on the UltraDrive MX enables a convenient bridge solution during this critical transition period". , Super Talent COO, C.H. Lee.
More than just convenient, the UltraDrive MX is also a real performer. The UltraDrive MX features the JMicron 616 which enables this SSD to reach an impressive 250MB/s Read and 180MB/s Write speeds. The UltraDrive MX also supports the latest GC and Trim features designed to keep this SSD running at optimum performance for the life of the drive.
This UltraDrive MX drive is an important addition to SuperTalent's SSD lineup. The new UltraDrive MX represents a premium consumer offering and fits nicely between our Value Line and Enterprise SSD offerings.
The UltraDrive MX will begin shipping September 1st and will be available in 60GB, 120GB, 240 and 480GB capacities.Â
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Panasonic Debuts World's First 3D Consumer Camcorder: HDC-SDT750
It had to occur sooner or later, and at the rate that the 3D bandwagon is exploding, it was a safe bet to assume "sooner." In Japan today, Panasonic revealed what they are calling the "world's first 3D consumer camcorder." As you've seen based on the amount of 3D movies available in cinemas, this obviously is not the world's first 3D camcorder, but it's the first to be sold and marketed towards consumers. It's a bold move by Panasonic to be first at this, particularly since consumers have been slow to adopt 3D technologies in the home.The HDC-SDT750 doesn't look drastically different than most any other handheld camcorder, but the head is a touch wider to make room for the dual lenses needed to capture a 3D image. What's interesting is that consumers aren't required to use the 3D conversion lens, so you could theoretically buy this and shoot 2D content as well. That dual purpose is a real boon for those who aren't quite ready for 3D playback just yet, but wish to be soon.
The device has a 3MOS system with improved noise reduction and improved low-light abilities. It can also record in 1080/60p for NTSC or 1080/50p for PAL, and there's a new Hybrid O.I.S. for keeping blur out of your shots. Further details are to come, but initial shipments will occur in Japan this August, with other countries to follow suit shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, no pricing information is available just yet.
 Panasonic Introduces World's First(1) 3D Consumer Camcorder
Panasonic's New Innovative Camcorder Unleashes 3D Recording to Amateur Home Videographers and Enables Superb-Quality 2D HD Videos
OSAKA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Panasonic Corporation (NYSE:PC), an industry leader in Full HD 3D and HD TV technology, unveiled today the world's first 3D camcorder for consumers1. The HDC-SDT750 camcorder allows anyone to create powerful, true-to-life 3D images by simply attaching a 3D conversion lens that comes with the camcorder. Even without the 3D conversion lens, this innovative camcorder offers many ways to take home video recording to a new level with a wide range of sophisticated features. The camcorder will go on sale in Japan2 on August 20, to be followed in other countries in autumn of this year.
At the vanguard of 3D technology, this year Panasonic launched its Full HD 3D VIERA plasma TVs and 3D Blu-ray DiscTM players for homes as well as the world's first professional 3D camcorder. The development of a consumer camcorder capable of 3D recording is a natural next step for the company.
Incorporating Panasonic's broadcast technology, the advanced 3MOS System SDT750 camcorder lets users easily create their own 3D movies, something that previously only professional image producers had been able to do. Combined with a VIERA 3DTV3 and Blu-ray DiscTM player/recorder4, the SDT750 camcorder makes it possible to save precious memories of friends and family in vivid, lifelike 3D images, thereby further expanding the world of 3D enjoyment at home.
Even without the 3D conversion lens attached, there are many ways to enjoy the SDT750 camcorder. The 3MOS system with improved noise reduction (NR) technologies records dimly lit images in greater beauty than ever before. Other sophisticated functions include 1080/60p for NTSC or 1080/50p for PAL recording (Full-HD 1,920 x 1,080, 60 or 50 progressive recording)5 for ultra-smooth images, iA (Intelligent Auto) mode5 in the new HYBRID O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization/Optical Image Stabilizer)5, and a wealth of manual functions controlled by a manual ring6 for easy, creative shooting.
The high-sensitivity 3MOS System provides an effective motion image pixel count of 7,590,000 pixels (2,530,000 pixels x 3). And even with this high pixel count, newly developed technology increases sensitivity, and further-evolved NR technology achieves bright images with minimal noise when shooting under low light conditions. This maximizes the 3MOS features of excellent color reproduction, high resolution and rich gradation, and lets the user capture vividly colored images in both bright and darkly lit places.
Recording in 1,080/60p for NTSC or 1,080/50p for PAL5, the SDT750 camcorder produces richly expressive images, with none of the detail loss and flickering of the conventional 1,080i (interlace) recording. In addition, the iA function, which was highly popular on previous models, makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful videos. The SDT750 camcorder also newly incorporates the HYBRID O.I.S. system5 to bring clear, beautiful HD image quality to telephoto shots as well.Â
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Bose Flies High with New A20 Aviation Headset
If you think PC gamers have an expensive hobby, well, you're right, but holy moly do those $150 headphones feel like Blue Light specials compared to the new Bose A20 Aviation Headset, the latest pair of earbuds aimed at pilots. These things run $1,095, or $995 without the the Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity feature thrown into the mix.So what does this have to do with PCs? Nothing really, but we're suckers for technology, and the A20s have that in spades. And if we're to believe Bose, the A20 is the "most advanced aviation headset ever." Ever!? Part of the reason Bose makes that claim is because the A20s come equipped a new way of battling noise reduction. As Bose explains it, a proprietary drives works in tandem with a pair of mics placed both inside and outside the earcup to better sense, measure, and silence cockpit noise on the fly.
"Since introducing the industry's first active noise reduction headset in 1989, we've continued our aviation research with a very specific goal: to improve the flying experience for pilots," said Sean Garrett, general manager of the Bose Noise Reduction Technology Group. "With the A20 headset, several proprietary technologies work together to deliver a combination of benefits that wasn't available until today."
One of those proprietary features Bose is so big on is a new ear cushion technology and new earcup design to keep those nasty outside sound waves from seeping in, while still allowing more room for your ears.
The A20 headset comes with an optional Bluetooth communications interface with a new portable control module. Bose says its integrated sidetone technology allows pilots to hear themselves clearly when the headset is disconnected from the aircraft. There's also an auxiliary input that allows users to connect the headset via a 3.5mm adapter to an external power source, like a portable GPS or traffic warning system. Groovy.
These U.S. made earbuds are available now at select authorized Bose dealers, Bose retail stores, through Bose's website, or by calling Bose at 1-800-242-9008. Airplane not included.
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