Digital Tech News - Digital Technology & Consumer Electronics

Google NASA Mission

Yes, it's true that NASA and Google are hooking up to work on future projects, and Google will even have its own base on NASA territory. But I found it interesting the way the union is described in the press release. No need to re-write, or explain the deal. Hear it from the horses' mouth, especially the parts I underlined.  Excerpt:

NASA Ames Research Center, located in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, and Mountain View-based Google Inc. today announced plans to collaborate on a number of technology-focused research-and-development activities that will couple some of Earth's most powerful technology resources.

NASA and Google have signed a memorandum of understanding that outlines plans for cooperation on a variety of areas, including large-scale data management, massively distributed computing, bio-info-nano convergence, and encouragement of the entrepreneurial space industry. The MOU also highlights plans for Google to develop up to one million square feet within the NASA Research Park at Moffett Field.

"Our planned partnership presents an enormous range of potential benefits to the space program," said NASA Ames Center Director G. Scott Hubbard. "Just a few examples are new sensors and materials from collaborations on bio-info-nano convergence, improved analysis of engineering problems as well as Earth, life and space science discoveries from supercomputing and data mining, and bringing entrepreneurs into the space program. While our joint efforts will benefit both organizations, the real winner will be the American public," he added.

I can only imagine what "Earth's most powerful technology resources" will develop in the future. GoogleNanotech?, GoogleRobots?, GoogleBiotech?, GoogleSpacecrafts?...Google...?

Press Release

Blackberry 8700

The word is, the new Blackberry 8700 will be available December 2005 or early 2006. The photo reveals a pretty slick modern black-case design for the new Blackberry 8700 PDA, with a bunch of new features to match. We'll see if it's enough to get devoted "Crackberry" users to upgrade to the new device. The Blackberry 8700c will be available in the U.S. from Cingular.

Dell XPS 600, XPS 400, XPS 200 desktops, Dell XPS M170 notebook

Dell has announced its XPS brand of high-performance computers, including the Dell XPS 600, XPS 400, XPS 200 desktops, and XPS M170 notebook. All XPS systems are equipped with leading-edge technologies, high standard features and stylistic designs. They include Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005, and 17-inch displays -flat panel monitors for desktop computers, a 17-inch display for the notebook.

Dell says the XPS series is for "sophistication of consumers who are using computers for advanced multimedia and entertainment applications in environments ranging from dens and offices to living rooms, gaming rooms and home theaters."

Dell XPS desktop models are priced from $1,849 to $1,099. Two versions of the M170 notebook are going for $4,260 and $2,699.

more details | Dell XPS

Disney Mix Sticks

This thing just might catch on. Disney Mix Sticks MP3 players target pre-teen kids ages 6 to 12, and allow kids to use memory cards called Mix Clips that feature pre-recorded music from Walt Disney Records. The Digital Mix Stick above is called "Princess and Mickey Digital Mix Sticks MP3 Player", but you can be sure there will be LOTS of different Disney themed Mix Sticks to come.

From Disney
Our innovative digital music players combine Disney design magic with the latest technology. Each plays MP3 and WMA audio formats and offers 128MB of built-in memory, expandable up to 1GB via SD/MMC slot. Features built-in, rechargeable battery for up to 10 hours of playback time. Disney Music samples, an audio-jack, lanyard and ear-bud headphones, USB port, and rechargeable batteries are all included. Easily portable. Stores music and data files. Also plays Disney Mix Clips, sold separately. Average battery life 8-10 hours. 4 1/5'' H x 1 1/2'' W x 3/5'' D. Plastic/metal.

Disney Mix Sticks cost $49 and have storage capacity of 128MB, enough for about 60 songs. With the SD/MMC card slot  and 1GB of storage, bump it up to 500 songs.  more details at Disney

Motorola RAZR V3x

More details have emerged about the Motorola 3G RAZR V3x flip phone. The Motorola RAZR V3x features SCREEN3, an innovative technology solution from Motorola that gives you zero-click access to news, sports, entertainment, and other premium content directly from your mobile phone home screen. RAZR V3x has a 2 mega-pixel camera that can capture still and moving images combined with a VGA camera for 2-way video calling.  AAC+, MPEG4, WMV, WMA, MP3 and Real Video/Audio media files are supported.

 

SUMMARY OF FEATURES:  
 
* Sleek streamlined housing with large, vivid color external and internal displays * 2 megapixel camera with 8x zoom, macro mode setting and, LED    
* VGA camera for 2-way video calling    
* Bluetooth wireless technology supports wireless stereo sound through Motorola’s Bluetooth Stereo Headset and other compatible Bluetooth enabled accessories for hands-free communication    
* Up to 512 MB of removable optional TransFlash™ memory    
* Motorola's SCREEN3 technology solution featuring zero-click access to news, sports, entertainment, and other premium content.    
* Progressive downloading to view media files on demand    
* Support of AAC+, MPEG4, WMV, WMA, MP3 and Real Video/Audio files    
* Advanced speaker-independent voice recognition: state a number/name and be connected without pre-recording    
* Over the air synchronization with the PC via SyncML    
* WAP 2.0 browser*

Restore your Scratched iPod nano to New Condition

The Apple ipod nano scratches and screen problems have been big news lately, and it was good to see the Apple response to the ipod nano drama, but who's coming up with solutions?  Todd Dailey takes on the scratched iPodnano ordeal and shows how to restore your iPod nano to new condition with a $4 can of Brasso.

So, you have a black nano and now realize that you should have purchased a case or a cover for it. But, it’s too late now, it’s already covered with barely visible scratches and marks that you can only see under a 500-watt lamp. Oh no! What will you do? Never fear, I put my nano at risk for your sake. I had read on Slashdot and a few other places that Brasso can restore an iPod to like-new condition, but I didn’t believe it myself, and I was a bit worried that it would have some sort of bad reaction with my iPod, such as melting it. :) After all, a $4 can of Brasso can’t compete with $20+ third party creams and polishes, can it? Read on…

more iPod nano news

100 Dollar Laptop Computer

Remember the story we had on the $100 laptop computer back in May? It looks like the project, aimed at bridging the digital divide by providing a laptop for every child in the developing world has made progress. The plan was initiated by Nicholas Negroponte, chairman of the MIT Media Lab.

The design calls for a laptop with 500 MHz processor, 1GB memory, four USB ports and a dual-mode display usable in full-color or in black-and-white, sunlight-readable mode. Power will be provided either via conventional electric current, batteries, or via a windup crank attached to the side of the notebook for usage in remote regions without a power grid. The systems will be WiFi-enabled and able to connect via cellular networks, as well as including built-in mesh networking allowing multiple machines to share a single internet connection.  more | Engadget 

Fly With Me Podcast - Listen Up!

The excellent "Fly With Me" Podcast captured some audio from the Jet Blue A320 Airbus emergency landing at LAX airport that occurred last week. You heard about that scary event right?  Listen as the Pilot (what a pro!) Captain discusses his options with maintenance and his dispatcher on this incredibly engaging Podcast.

via | Micro Persuasion

CTIA WIRELESS I.T. and Entertainment 2005

CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment 2005 conference is in full swing this week in San Francisco, and a popular topic is Mobile Entertainment. MocoNews.net editor Rafat Ali and principal correspondent James Pearce are both on the ground at CTIA, and are reporting on their CTIA Wireless 2005 conference blog.

CNET News is also covering the Industry bigwigs and gadget makers as they gather at the CTIA Wireless IT and Entertainment show in San Francisco.

One Show Two Personalities

CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment 2005 brings together the two entities of wireless data: Enterprise and Entertainment. On the Enterprise side the spotlight is on incorporating wireless technologies into the enterprise and vertical business markets. On the flip side, the show reflects the explosive growth in wireless Entertainment - encompassing everything from mobile content (music, video, wallpapers, etc.) to digital camera to interactive games.

more | CTIA Wireless I.T.

Olympus Evolt E-500 Digital SLR Camera

Olympus has introduces the new EVOLT E-500, the most full-featured digital SLR camera in its class of sub-$1000.00 SLR cameras. Designed for photographers of any skill level, the E-500 features innovations like the exclusive Dust Reduction System for spot-free photos, 8 million pixels, a TruePic TURBO Image Processor for fast response time, and an easy-to-view 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD .

Olympus Evolt E-500 camera details | Consumer Electronics Net