Digital Tech News - Digital Technology & Consumer Electronics

NYC RFID Subway Pass?

In Japan, they're already using contactless payment methods, so you know it was just a matter of time before the technology spread. Now selected customers of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will be able to pay for a ride at the subway entrance by tapping or waving a payment card at a turnstile reader.

Citigroup has teamed with MasterCard, which has installed its PayPass tag readers in some stations. The readers display a logo so people know which turnstiles accept their cards, embedded with radio frequency identification, or RFID, chips instead of a magnetic stripe.

read more | CNET News

Internet Explorer 7 beta now available

Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7 beta is available to the general public starting today. The new Internet Explorer 7 browser adds some of features that have made the Firefox web browser so popular, like tabbed browsing and RSS support. There are also Security upgrades, including a new antiphishing filter. The IE 7 browser is only compatible with Windows XP Service Pack 2, and there will surely be some bugs to work out in this beta version so keep that in mind if you plan to download Internet Explorer 7.

Motorola SLVR L7 ultra-slim Cellphone with iTunes Debuts at Cingular Wireless

Cingular Wireless and Motorola Inc. have announced the availability of the Motorola SLVR L7, the new ultra-slim iTunes-ready cellphone. The sleek SLVR L7 is less than half an inch, weighing only 96 grams (3.4 ounces)   SLVR's multimedia features include a VGA camera, video capture and playback, stereo headset, 262K TFT display, and 512 megabytes of optional expandable memory.

The SLVR L7 cellphone sports iTunes functionality (iTunes Digital Jukebox) for up to 7 hours of music or 100 songs, which might not be enough to leave your dedicated mp3 player home. The quad band (GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz) Motorola SLVR also allows for hands-free connections and Push-to-Talk (PTT).

Yahoo, Linksys Partner for Wireless Music

Yahoo Inc. has hooked-up with wireless equipment maker Linksys (a division of Cisco) to make it easier to stream digital music from computers to home stereo sound systems. The $99.99 Linksys Wireless-G Music Bridge works with Yahoo Music Engine, and Yahoo said it would offer a $20 rebate on the Wireless-G Music Bridge if consumers sign up for a one-year subscription to its music service.

A software plug-in links Yahoo Music Engine to the Linksys Wireless-G Music Bridge, allowing you to access your digital music. The Yahoo Music Engine software allows users to store, share, and play music as well as create play lists, listen to pre-programmed radio, and burn CDs can be downloaded for free in conjunction with a Yahoo digital music subscription.

via | PC World

more | Reuters

Related news: Linksys CIT310 Dual-Band Cordless Voip Phone for Yahoo! Messenger with Voice

Apple iTunes U - ePodcasting Arrives

Apple is about to take "e" Podcasting (education podcasts) mainstream with iTunes U, a service that makes course lectures and other educational materials accessible via Apple's iTunes software.

iTunes U is a free, hosted service for colleges and universities that provides easy access to your educational content, including lectures and interviews 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. iTunes U is the only content distribution system that offers one-click support for transferring content to iPod, ensuring that students and others wishing to access information to go can do so quickly and easily.

Netflix to Carry HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc Videos

Netflix Inc. online movie rental service has announced it will carry the first HD DVD and Blu-ray discs when these new high-definition formats launch, which should help Netflix continue its online DVD dominance. Toshiba will launch HD DVD videos in late March, while Sony's Blu-ray disc format is expected to be launched later this year.  Netflix Continues Online DVD Dominance.

"High-definition DVD is the next wave of excitement in home entertainment and we'll be there at its inception," said Netflix Chairman and CEO Reed Hastings.  "With far sharper images, better sound and more features, we expect high-def will greatly enhance DVD's consumer appeal and extend its popularity over the next decade or more."

Sony AIBO and QRIO Robots - Over and Out

Makezine's Phillip Torrone takes an affectionate look back at memories of the Sony AIBO robo-dog in a photo gallery, as Sony goes forward with plans to stop making both the AIBO and Qrio robots. It's a sad day for robot enthusiasts, but don't worry 'cause Honda's ASIMO robot is on the scene.

"Continuing the restructuring in its electronics business, the company said it would end its Aibo robot line, stop development of its Qrio robot, stop development and manufacturing of plasma televisions, and stop selling in-car entertainment products in Japan. It will also kill its Qualia line of pricey, high-specification products."

OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb

Scientists have discovered a planet that is said to be more like Earth than any other found before. The Earth-like planet, known as OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb is five times the mass of Earth. The planet is named after the OGLE (Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment) telescope. Planet OGLE is more than 20,000 light years away in the Sagittarius constellation, in the Milky Way. The discovery involved researchers from 32 institutions in 12 countries.

The method used to detect the planet is called "microlensing." Planetary team member Andrew Williams, of Australia's Perth Observatory, explained it as a method of allowing the gravity of a dim, intervening star to act as a giant natural telescope, magnifying a more distant star, which then temporarily looks brighter for about a month.  read more

The temperature around the OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb Planet is thought to be close to 428 degrees Fahrenheit, or 249 degrees Celsius below zero, with a rocky surface covered by frozen seas.

Nintendo DS Lite

The Nintendo DS game device has sold more than 14.4 million units worldwide since it was introduced, but how about a smaller, compact version?  The new redesigned Nintendo DS Lite is just 133.0 x 73.9 x 21.55 mm when folded and weighs 218 grams, while the current Nintendo DS measures 148.7 x 84.7 x 28.99 mm and weighs 275 grams. Nintendo has changed the location of a few things on the DS Lite like the Start and Select buttons, the microphone and speakers. The LCD screen is the same size, but brighter with the option to adjust the brightness between four different settings. 

MIDEM 2006: Loudeye Triple Play Digital Music Service

The MIDEM 2006 music conference in Cannes, France is celebrating 40 years of MIDEM and music, and this year Mobile Music is a hot topic. You know the deal: Digital entertainment media - anytime, anywhere.

Digital media solutions company Loudeye Corp., has introduced a "triple play" digital music service that they say will deliver a seamless music experience across Mobile, PC and Home Entertainment Interfaces.

Supporting multiple user interfaces, codecs and DRMs, the services usher in an enhanced era of music accessibility. Through a single account, whether at home, at the office or on the move, users will be able to retrieve and play a copy of digital tracks they purchase. Central to this offer is Internet- based interoperability among a "triple play" of digital media devices including PC, mobile phone and set top box. This initiative illustrates Loudeye's commitment to connect digital entertainment devices and related digital media services in the home and on the go.