Digital Tech News - Digital Technology & Consumer Electronics

Internet e-Commerce on the Rise

Online Internet sales have risen 23.8 percent to an incredible $19.8 billion in the United States alone, up from $16 billion a year ago. Bling seems to be on shopping lists, as Jewelry is a hot e-commerce category. Online movies will add to the total online Internet sales in the near future. ItFacts also reports that 15.9% of U.S. households will buy movies online by 2008. Only if the movie industry finds a solution to illegal downloads though. ( Star Wars : Episode 3 - Return of the Sith has been circulating on the net this week! )  In the coming years when you're able to shop online securely with your mobile phones these e-commerce figures will skyrocket.

Blu-Ray & HD DVD Disc Formats Competing

Sound & Vision Online has a thorough report on Blu-ray and HD DVD discs, and how they work. These new formats can squeeze large high-definition digital content on to a DVD-size disc.  While today's DVD discs can hold 4.7 gigabytes, a single-sided, single-layer HD DVD can hold 15 GB, and a comparable Blu-ray disc can hold 25 GB.

In related news, TDK Electronics Corp. said this week that it has successfully demonstrated a 100-Gigabyte Blu-Ray disc using Durabis coating.  This coating resists scratching and dust, which reduces errors and eliminates the need for a protective cartridge. 

Sony, a leading developer of Blu-ray technology announced that they will incorporate a Blu-ray drive into the PlayStation 3 Game console, to be released in 2006.  There was talk of unification of the two formats (Toshiba's HD DVD and Sony's Blu-Ray) into one standard, which would certainly make it a more consumer-friendly proposition. Toshiba has denied these rumors. The battle continues!

read | Sound & Vision Online

Samsung 40-inch OLED TV Display Breakthrough

Samsung is on a roll lately, delivering a non-stop flow of ground breaking digital entertainment gear. This time they're talking OLED (organic light-emitting diode) 40-inch flat screen display.  What is OLED?  It's only the most anticipated breath-through in display screens. According to Samsung, Motion pictures with ultra-high quality images can be impeccably reproduced by employing OLED's rapid video response capabilities for image processing of HD-class resolution. The ultra-thin shape of the panels will allow future TV set designers to create televisions with a total thickness of only 3cm or less. In other words, these displays are ultra-slim, ultra-sharp - perfect for high definition Televisions.  OLED display screens will also be appearing on mobile phones, digital camera, and handheld PCs soon!

more @ Samsung Digital World

LiveStrong Laptop PC from AMD and HP

Computer chip maker AMD and HP have teamed up with the Lance Armstrong Foundation to help people with Cancer Live Strong.  They have developed the HP Special Edition L2000 Notebook PC, a one-of-a-kind laptop PC that bears the LIVESTRONG logo and an autograph by Lance Armstrong.  50 dollars from each notebook sale will go to the Foundation to help fund its public health, advocacy, research and education initiatives for people with Cancer.

The popular LiveStrong wristband, launched last year, has sold over 47 million "officially", but there have been many fake imitation wristbands in circulation.  That can't happen with the LiveStrong L2000 Laptop PC.

read details | AMD

Pepper Pad Wireless Handheld Gadget

We like this idea. A handheld that's got the power to handle tasks on-the-go. It may be larger than your average PDA, and won't fit in your pocket, but your average PDA doesn't have a 20 gig hard disk, 256 MB SDRAM, keyboard, built-in speakers, and an 8.4 inch SVGA TFT color display!  The new Pepper Pad Internet Media Player allows you to access the Internet, digital media, and control in-home devices with its 802.11b Wi-Fi (what happened to 11g?) and it has a water-resistant design. This should be the start of a new flow of similar products from other manufacturers as it becomes easier, and less expensive for them to pack features into compact devices. Click to enlarge photos.

Available Now - $799.99
details:

Pepper Pad

Phillip Torrone Make Magazine Presentation

Don't know about Make magazine?  You need to!  Second issue has just been released and is full of cool info, mods, hacks, and DIY (do-it-yourself) projects. It's unique...go get it.  Was that direct enough for you?   Here's a short video about the latest edition, which has a special feature on audio / podcasting.
Make: Technology on Your Time

more on Make

Bill Gates Working on New Book

Word is, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is working on a new book about how technology is changing the way we live.  Microsoft spokesman John Pinette says, "This is going to be a book about where Bill thinks technology is headed."

We can only imagine.

read | Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Digital Home Connected

The CONNECTIONS (TM): Digital Home Conference and Showcase, held last week, looked towards future challenges in Digital Living.  The conference focused on the development of technologies and services for the digital home industries.

KODAK EasyShare V-Series Digital Cameras

Does your camera phone do, or have this?

• Record TV-quality video, up to 80 minutes.
• Shoot 5-megapixel resolution for up to 20x30 inch prints
• Recharge and transfer in a sleek Dock like this
• Have a up to 2.5" high-res LCD display

These are just a few of the features of the newest EasyShare digital camera line from Kodak.  The Easyshare V550 and V530 allow you to leave the camcorder behind by capturing your photos and videos in a device that is smaller than a deck of cards.  These cameras might even convince you to finally get a dedicated digital camera, instead of using your cellphone to capture average quality photos. Maybe Kodak should enter the mobile phone business. Kodak phone anyone?

read details | imaging resource

Adam Curry's Podshow and Podcasting News

In a revealing interview, Adam Curry lets it all out about Podcasting the way he See's it.  He talks about the history of podcasting and the possibilities for the future.  There are some interesting points made about Adam Curry's Podshow on Sirius Satellite Radio, and his Daily Source Code podcast. Check out: "The man who's got mainstream radio quaking."

more | CNET News