Digital Tech News - Digital Technology & Consumer Electronics

LG Chocolate Phone Launched by Verizon Wireless in the U.S.

Verizon Wireless has released that sweet LG Chocolate phone in the U.S., with features like V CAST, V CAST Music, glowing red touch sensitive keypad, music player, microSD port, 1.3 megapixel camera, camcorder, and Bluetooth all within a modern slider design.  The LG Chocolate VX8500 phone also includes VZ Navigator, for  turn-by-turn navigation with audible voice directions to most addresses in the U.S.

V CAST Music customers can browse, preview, download and play high-quality digital music from their phones over Verizon Wireless' broadband network or in the Verizon Wireless V CAST Music online store. With more than 1.3 million songs to choose from, Verizon Wireless customers can download the songs they love most, accessing their music collection anywhere they go.

Archos 404 and 604 Portable Media Players

Archos 404 and 604 Portable Media Players have been spotted (or leaked), giving us an early view of Archos' upcoming PMP line-up. The 404 PMP is said to have a 3.5-inch QVGA (320x240px) 4:3 aspect ratio display, and Archos 404 plays audio, video, and photo with support for MP3, WMA, WAV, MPEG4 ASP (Level 5), XviD, DivX 4, DivX 5, WMV9. It has a PDF reader, microphone, speaker, camera, line-in audio, TV-out, 30GB of storage, and offers battery-life of 15h for audio and 4h for video playback. There is no FM radio tuner unfortunately. Expected cost is about 350 euro, or $450.

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LG KG920 5 Megapixel Cameraphone

Just as the cool LG VX8500 Chocolate phone is set to be released by Verizon in the U.S., MobileBurn reports that LG has also announced the launch of the LG KG920 5 megapixel cameraphone, a new tri-band GSM handset. The LG KG920 has a unique twist design that allows users to rotate the camera 180 degrees. The KG920's 4x digital zoom camera supports both landscape and sport modes, and has a 2" 262k color TFT display. Photos can be stored in the 8MB of internal storage, on a memory card (a 256MB card is included), or on a PC using synchronization software. The KG920 has a MP3/AAC/AAC+ capable music player as well.

RegHardware has more on the LG KG920

PSP firmware version 2.8 has Video Podcast Support

The new PSP firmware version 2.8 adds Video podcast support, allowing you to receive video - clips, vlogs, and podcasts through RSS feeds.  The PlayStation Portable firmware update also adds compatibility for the ".3gp" audio format used by some mobile phones, and greater access to content stored on Memory Stick memory cards.

Nice update Sony, we look forward to the next PSP firmware update that promises VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) telephony support, and the ability to boot games from Memory Sticks. Expect this late 2006.

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor PCs Launched

Timed perfectly with Intel's Core 2 Duo microprocessor launch announcement, several PC makers have introduced PCs with Core 2 Duo inside. PCs from Dell, Gateway, HP, Alienware, and Rock are first out of the gate, but we'll see many more Core 2 Duo based desktop and notebook PCs rolling out before the end of the year. Here's a round-up of Intel Core 2 Duo PC news and reviews.

* First Core Duo Desktops announced | read

* VoodooPC's Bad-Ass Core 2 Duo Gaming PC | BIOS

* Gateway Enhances Ultimate Enthusiast and Gaming PC Line With New
Intel Core 2 Extreme and Intel Core 2 Duo Processors | read

* Intel's Core 2 Duo for Notebooks Launched, Kinda | DailyTech

* Fujitsu Adds Intel Core 2 Duo to Flagship Laptop | GearLive

* HP Pavilion d4600y Review | Cnet

* Velocity Micro Raptor DCX (Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800) | Cnet

* The Alienware Area-51 7500 lands with Core 2 Duo and new chassis | Engadget

* Dell Precision Workstation 390  | Gizmodo

* Rock announces two Intel Core 2 Duo notebooks | TechDigest

Memorex iFlip portable video player for video iPods

iLounge got their hands on exclusive details and photos of a new Memorex iFlip portable video player for video iPods. The new iFlip features an 8.4-inch LCD display, stereo speakers, and of course an iPod dock. You can watch videos stored on an iPod, or just listen to music on the iFlip.

Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z700 Digital Camera

Casio's new Exilim Zoom EX-Z700 is the latest addition to their Exilim digital camera series. The slim, stylish EX-Z700 features a 7.2 megapixels CCD, 3x optical zoom, with Casio’s Super Bright 2.7 inch LCD for easy viewing in broad daylight.

The EX-Z700’s Super Bright LCD is both big and bright: the 2.7 inch screen with 1200cd/m2 brightness is easy to see, even on a sunny day. At 7.2 megapixels, the high-performance EX-Z700 ensures crystal-clear image output for both printing and screen, delivering extraordinary photographic detail. The long-life battery packs enough power for around 460 still images on a single charge, and the camera comes with Casio’s Anti Shake DSP to reduce photo blur due to shaky hands or moving subjects. All in all, the EX-Z700 strikes an extremely attractive balance between slim, stylish looks and high-performance functionality. It also adds brand new picture-taking functions in BEST SHOT mode.

more | Digital Photography Review

via | Gizmodo

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MOTOFONE = Motorola's thinnest phone yet

Introducing the Motorola MOTOFONE, Motorola's thinnest phone yet at approximately 9mm thin.  It's not only thin, but also made to be easy to learn and use, aimed at the next billion cellphone users in emerging markets.

The MOTOFONE offers an intuitive, new interface built on icons and voice versus text. By using images, the device makes it simpler and friendlier for first-time users to navigate, place a call, and retrieve messages. Its large, high contrast screen, powered by our revolutionary ClearVision display, helps eliminate glare from direct sunlight -- making it easier to use the phone outdoors, on-the-go.

The MOTOFONE is expected to be available in the second half of 2006 in both GSM and CDMA models.

more details | Motorola

MOTORAZR maxx Broadband Phone Announced

You might think you've got the top RAZR phone, but I've got news for you. Motorola's new high-speed MOTORAZR maxx broadband phone is a whole new ball game. This RAZR features a futuristic blend of metal and glass and touch-sensitive music keys that illuminate. The MOTORAZR maxx is one of the smallest broadband phones, using 3G High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and EDGE (Enhanced Data for Global Evolution) wireless technology for broadband-like speed and data capabilities.

MOTORIZR Slider Phone from Motorola

Motorola's new MOTORIZR is a thin, narrow slider phone that lets you do almost anything in both the open and closed positions, so no need to constantly slide open the phone. You can capture images with the integrated 2 megapixel digital camera and high-intensity camera light, and there's a dedicated side camera key and landscape viewfinder, allowing you to hold it, and use it like a digital camera. The large display acts as a full screen viewfinder for both photographs and videos.

The quad-band Motorola MOTORIZR is expected to be available in the second half of 2006.