Digital Tech News - Digital Technology & Consumer Electronics

Xbox 360 Elite Now Available

The Xbox 360 Elite game console has hit store shelves and online sellers, but the new black Xbox is already selling out quickly. Best Buy, Target, Circuit City, EB Games, and GameStop are all promoting the Xbox 360 Elite that features a 120 Gig hard drive and a HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) port. The Xbox 360 Elite retails for $479.99.

Xbox 360 Elite Specs:

- 120GB hard drive
- HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) port
- Wireless controller (black)
- Xbox LIVE headset (black)
- HDMI cable
- Component/SD cable
- One month subscription to Xbox Live Gold

Cyber-shot S800 8.1MP Digital Camera

Sony's S series Cyber-shot camera line receives a powerful addition with the new Cyber-shot S800 8.1MP digital camera with 6x optical zoom. In fact this one also has 12x digital zoom, taking it way beyond the 3x optical zoom found on most of Sony's compact digital cameras. The Cyber-shot S800 has a brushed metal body and a 2.5-inch LCD with 230k resolution. It has a high sensitivity mode of ISO 1250, and comes with 56MB of internal memory. A simple function Guide will get you going, help you set-up your shots and choose optimal shooting modes.  The new Cyber-shot is expected to be available throughout Europe from end of May 2007, no pricing is available yet.

PlayStation Eye Camera for PS3

Sony has announced the new, next-generation PlayStation Eye camera accessory for voice, video chat and online gaming. The do-it-all camera is designed specifically for PS3 and promises to take interactive gaming on the PS3 to the next level, and enhance online communication on the PlayStation Network.

AT&T's LaptopConnect gets New ExpressCard and USB Modems

AT&T has some speedy wireless solutions for laptops on the way. As part of AT&T's LaptopConnect portfolio, the company has launched the Option GT Max 3.6 Express ExpressCard, and will follow-up with an early May release of the Sierra Wireless AirCard 875U mobile broadband device for USB ports. Powered by AT&T's 3G BroadbandConnect service, the Option GT Max 3.6 Express and Sierra Wireless AirCard 875U will get you connected wherever you are, and will allow you to download a 1 megabyte file in about 15 seconds on average. The Option GT Max 3.6 Express is designed to work in laptop computers with ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54 slots and supports Microsoft Windows XP, 2000 and Vista. It features a flip-up antenna and Advanced Receiver Technology for improved 3G HSDPA performance. The Sierra Wireless AirCard 875U mobile broadband device plugs directly into the standard USB port in laptops, and it supports Microsoft Windows XP, 2000 and Vista. An Apple Mac client will be available for download at no charge from the Sierra Wireless Web site.

Sony HDR-SR5, HDR-CX7 and HDR-SR7 Camcorders

Sony HDR-CX7

Sony has introduced three new high-definition camcorder models that support the AVCHD camcorder recording format based on the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec for video compression, and feature Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound recording. The new Sony Handycam HDR-CX7 model is said to be the world’s smallest and lightest AVCHD (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec) high-definition camcorder, at just 15 ounces. It records about three hours of full HD 1080 video on an 8-GB Memory Stick PRO Duo media card (LP mode).

Nokia N76 Phone Ships with Music

If you think the Nokia N76 phone looks a lot like a RAZR phone, you're right, but Nokia likes to call it a "multimedia computer" so you won't confuse the two. The N76 is now shipping in key European, Asian and Middle Eastern markets, and Sony BMG Music Entertainment is offering the award winning music of Travis to new owners of the Nokia N76 in select markets.  If you purchase the Nokia N76 in Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway or Sweden, your Nokia N76 package will include a special voucher that gives you the rights to download 5 pre-selected Travis songs from the MSN music shops in your country.

BlackBerry 8830 World Edition from Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless and Research In Motion (RIM) have announced the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition dual-mode CDMA/GSM smartphone. World business travelers will be happy to know that the Blackberry 8830 comes with a SIM card, and automatically switches between CDMA and GSM networks for seamless international roaming. This certainly is a "World Edition" Blackberry, with voice coverage in 157 countries, and e-mail coverage in 62 countries. Other features include fast EV-DO connectivity, media player, a speakerphone, voice-activated dialing, conference calling, 64MB internal memory, a microSD expansion slot, Bluetooth, and talk time battery life of 3.6 hours, and up to 9 days of standby time. As this Blackberry is aimed at enterprise business users, there's no digital camera on board.

Griffin AirDock for iPods

The Griffin AirDock for iPods has a nice modern design, coupled with a slick remote control that makes it more appealing to the eye than many other iPod docks we've seen around. Of course looks don't matter if it can't get the job done. Put your ipod nano, ipod mini, 4G ipod or 5g ipod on the Griffin AirDock and you'll recharge its battery, sync it with your computer, and play music in a snap. You can also connect the AirDock to your TV or stereo using the included Griffin HomeConnect cable. AirDock's full-function RF remote control makes it even easier to access your music, photos and videos, even through walls. The Griffin AirDock for iPod players is priced at $69.99

LG's new Portable Navigation Line

LG's new Portable Navigators (LN730, LN735 and LN740 models) are now available across the United States. These gps devices feature brilliant touch-screen LCDs ranging in size from 3.5- to 4-inches, turn-by-turn voice guidance, and pre-loaded maps covering the United States and Canada. The LGE Portable Navigators are compact, designed with super-slim cases for enhanced portability.

The LN740 and LN735 offer users turn-by-turn voice guidance with street name announcements ("Turn left on Main Street"), while the LN740 model provides access to a real-time traffic information service available in 50 North American cities with a 90-day free trial included.

FON Hooks-up with Time Warner Cable

We first took a look at FON about a year ago when the Wi-fi company announced plans to create a global Wi-fi network backed by Skype and Google. Today FON has announced a new partnership with Time Warner Cable in the U.S. which allows Time Warner Cable broadband subscribers to access the "world's largest and fastest-growing WiFi network." Time Warner Cable subscribers will now be able to become FON community members (called "Foneros") and create FON access points via their home or business broadband connection. Subscribers will also have free WiFi access around the world, wherever FON has partner ISPs.