Digital Tech News - Digital Technology & Consumer Electronics

Best Pocket PC PDA is?

This could be the best Pocket PC around!  The HTC Universal PDA is the closest thing to a handheld computer at this size. It will run Windows Mobile 5.0 OS, and should be available by September. You might have read about the HTC Universal PDA device here before, but the new photos on a Chinese website are the best around, so you can really get a close look at the details. The English translation is barely readable, but you'll get an idea of the coming features. You should start seeing more details about this Pocket PC soon as it becomes available around the world, until then these pictures should get you excited!

via | PocketPCThoughts

Microsoft Digital Home Lifestyle

Microsoft showed off its mHome (Microsoft Home) this month in London and demonstrated the latest digital technology and software to control digital media around the house. At the center of it all was Microsoft's Media Center 2005 software running things. The "mHome" was set up to feature digital technology and wireless gear that is available today, it's not meant to be a concept of the future. 

Microsoft has already made the "home of the future" near their headquarters in Redmond, Washington. This home of the future is based on what a home might be like in 10 years and what digital tech will be used in and around the home. The future home will get to know you, it will know what music you like, what lighting mood you want, what XBOX (and Nintendo or PlayStation I hope) games you want to load, and what movies and entertainment you want to access on your digital home theatre HDTV.  All with the help of your "voice" as well. Home Automation to the max!

PocketDish DVR = Archos AV700

It appears that the "Tivo to go" idea is going mainstream with the new EchoStar PocketDish DVR for the Dish Network satellite receiver. The recently announced Archos AV700 handheld DVR will be re-branded as the PocketDish, and will link to a set-top box / DVR via USB.  The PocketDish can download a full-length movie in less than 10 minutes from an EchoStar Digital Video Recorder (DVR). You'll have a choice of a 2-inch, 4-inch, or 7-inch screen size with this portable powerhouse.

Echo Star Pocket dish = Archos av 700

Yahoo PhotoMail Service Introduced

Yahoo! has launched in beta, a photo e-mail service that will allow you to send up to 300 photos.  They're calling this free service PhotoMail, and is part of the company's Yahoo Mail service. Apparently you'll be able to store unlimited digital photos on Yahoo's computers and then share them with others. With the Quick Select Tool, you can attach files easily to e-mail. more PhotoMail details

Thin Digital Camera Review

The NY Times reports on a variety of new small compact digital cameras that are hitting the market.  These "wafer-thin" models might be tiny (some the size of a credit card) but they are still feature rich, and capture high resolution five-megapixel digital photographs. These "credit card cams" might urge you to leave your big old camera at home.

Bit Torrent Star Wars Movie Drama

U.S. law enforcers (FBI) have shut down a computer network that distributed illegal downloads of "Star Wars Episode lll - Revenge of the Sith" movie. They seized the main server computer that made it possible for people to download close to 18,000 movies and software programs, including the newest episode of the Star Wars saga. The download site used Bit Torrent which makes it easier to transfer digital movies and files. The Star Wars movie was available on the network six hours before it hit the theaters, and was copied 10,000 times in 24 hours.  BitTorrent creator Bram Cohen announced plans for a Torrent Search Engine, which should really make Hollywood happy.

SYSTM Tech Show Reviewed

Phillip Torrone of MAKE reviewed the first episode of SYSTM, the new tech video show by G4 TV geek Kevin Rose and gang.  Kevin announced on the TWiT.tv (This week in tech) podcast that he was leaving G4 to persue a more geeky technology show with SYSTM. You'll need to downoad BitTorrent to see the SYSTM show, but it is highly recommended if you're into gadgets, mods, and hacks.

Nokia 770 Internet Tablet Wi-Fi Device

Today Nokia introduced its first Internet Tablet device the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet. Optimized for Internet browsing and email communications, the Nokia 770 features a high-resolution (800x480) wide-screen display with zoom, and on-screen keyboard for viewing online content over Wi-fi. The device runs on Linux and comes with a slot for removable storage to play music or video, an Opera browser, USB port, Bluetooth and Wi-fi.

Mobile Phone TV - 3 Part News Series

In the first of a three-part series, PDA Street takes a look at the emerging Mobile TV space, covering present and future mobile phone TV technology, trends, carriers, and costs for consumers. The article - Mobile Phone TV: Almost Ready For Primetime is very informative. Look for more in-depth views on the Mobile Phone TV market in parts 2 and 3 as well.

MSN Virtual Earth takes on Google Earth maps

With Bill Gates' announcement of MSN Virtual Earth the other day, I thought it would be a good time to point out how this will compete with Google's satellite imagery map service. Google acquired 3-D Mapping service Keyhole last year, and has renamed it Google Earth. It looks like Google has big plans for it in the future. Have you tried Keyhole maps yet?  You should, it's very impressive - I rank it high on the cool meter!  Back to Bill Gates. The Microsoft chairman previewed the new MSN satellite-mapping technology designed to compete with local-search tools from Yahoo! (SmartView), Amazon.com, AND Google.

Skype Affiliate Program Launched

You use Skype? You like Skype?  Now you can get with the Skype Affiliate Program, and earn some money with your blog / website.  Skype Technologies, a leading Voip (Voice over IP) internet phone service provider aims to generate more business from its Internet telephone service by rewarding partners who promote and sell Skype.  We're signed up!

With Skype you can make free calls over the Internet. Skype – the whole world can talk for free

Acer Ferrari 4000 Wins in Monaco!

Well, actually, the Ferrari F1 racing team did not win the 2005 Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo ( Schumacher finished in 8th place) but they did team-up with Acer computers to present the new Acer Ferrari 4000 laptop computer.  This model is an upgrade from the previous 3200 and 3400 versions. It has a sleek modern look and sports the well known Ferrari logo. Is it a speedy notebook? (what else would a Ferrari be) It's tricked-out with strong features so read on!
more - Pocket-lint

Archos AV700 Mobile DVR - Digital Video Recorder

PC Magazine puts the new Archos AV700  Mobile Digital Video Recorder to the test with an overall favorable review. They liked the huge 7-inch wide-screen LCD, but unfortunately it's too big to fit in your pocket. That might not matter for people who want to take their digital media with them wherever they go. Among the device's strong points is the ability to record video directly from most sources (TV, DVD player, VCR, cable box, or satellite receiver) via the included Archos TV Docking Pod. The Archos AV700 Mobile DVR will be available by June for $599.95 (40GB) and $799.95 (100 GB). 
More specs and details: PC Magazine
Check-out the cool flash presentation of the Archos AV700 Mobile DVR

Engadget, Vonage Talk VOIP

Engadget.com scored an excellent interview with Jeffrey Citron, the chairman and CEO of Vonage, to talk about the future of Voice over IP, and voip phone service competitors like Skype.  The interview reveals some key facts and trends in the fast moving Voice over IP market. Is voip be ready to go mainstream?

iTunes Podcasts !

It looks like Apple will finally be getting with the "Podcast program".  The next version iTunes 4.9, will support podcasting with ipodder-like podcasting features. So far, iTunes Podcasts will not be sold, they will be free downloads chosen by Apple.  We'll see who the lucky chosen podcasters will be.