Digital Tech News - Digital Technology & Consumer Electronics

AT&T Releases Wi-Fi-Enabled RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8120 Smartphone

AT&T has launched the RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8120 smartphone with built-in Wi-Fi for business customers. Prices start at $199.99 with a two-year contract, unlimited data plan and $39.99 voice plan. The BlackBerry Personal Unlimited data plan starts at $30, and delivers personal e-mail access, and Web browsing with BlackBerry Internet Service. Business users can also opt for unlimited corporate e-mail and data access via BlackBerry Enterprise Server for as low as $45 a month, while world travelers may prefer the BlackBerry International Unlimited data plan for as low as $65 a month with a qualified voice plan.  

The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 from AT&T is a quad-band GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz) phone that features a 240 x 260 pixel display, a 2-megapixel camera with video recorder, an advanced media player, a 3.5-mm stereo headset jack, microSD/SDHC memory slot, and RIM's infamous SureType keyboard which is enhanced with word completion, built-in spell-checker and user-customized dictionary.

Pandigital 15-inch Kitchen HDTV, Digital Cookbook, and Digital Photo Frame in One

Digital Photo Frame manufacturer Pandigital has a new device that combines a 720p high-definition TV, an electronic cookbook and a digital photo frame in a single 15-inch LCD.  They call it the Pandigital Kitchen HDTV/Digital Cookbook/Digital Photo Frame and it's priced at $399.99.  It's wall-mountable, and comes with a countertop stand and an under-cabinet mount. Said to be easy to clean with a mess-proof design, this multi talented device supports JPEG, Motion JPEG, MPEG 1, MPEG 4 and AVI formats.

10-Megapixel PowerShot SD890 IS, SD790 IS and SD770 IS Digital ELPH Cameras

Canon updates its PowerShot IS Digital ELPH line with the new 10-Megapixel PowerShot SD890 IS, SD790 IS and SD770 IS Digital ELPH cameras. The compact, easy-to-use point and shoot cameras all feature Canon technologies like Motion Detection Technology, Optical Image Stabilization, Genuine Canon Face Detection Technology, and Canon's proprietary DIGIC III imaging processor.

The PowerShot SD890 IS, SD790 IS and SD770 IS Digital ELPH cameras are scheduled to be released early April, end of March and mid-April respectively, with each camera kit packing a battery pack and charger, a 32MB SD memory card, a USB interface cable, an AV cable, a wrist strap, and Canon's software suite. The camera kits are priced at approximately $399.99 for the PowerShot SD890 IS, $349.99 for the SD790 IS, and $299.99 for the SD770 IS.

Aspire 8920G Gemstone Blue Notebook PC

We saw Acer's impressive 16-inch Aspire 6920G Gemstone Blue Multimedia notebook, but if you're looking to go bigger, Acer's new "Gemstone blue" Aspire 8920G notebook PC is ready to deliver 1080p High Definition entertainment on its huge 18.4-inch Full HD CineCrystal LCD panel with 1920x1080 pixel resolution, 8ms response time and native 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. Powered by the latest Intel Penryn Core 2 Duo processors, the system ships with your choice of the NVIDIA GeForce 9650M GS graphics engine with up to 1280 MB of TurboCache, or by the NVIDIA GeForce 9500M GS with up to 1280 MB of TurboCache. Both support NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology, Shader Model 4.0 and Microsoft DirectX 10.

The Aspire 8920G includes a 6-in-1 card reader, a Blu-ray / DVD-Super Multi double-layer drive and an HDMI connector with HDCP support for connecting a HDTV. Like the Aspire 6920G's Gemstone blue design, the big brother integrates the second generation Dolby Home Theater technology with CineSurround, Tuba CineBass booster, and True5.1 output. The Aspire 8920G has no less than six integrated speakers, including a specially crafted tube-style CineBass 10 W subwoofer powered by Dolby Natural Bass technology. Acer's unique CineDash media console touch-sensitive interface offers a new way to control media like Acer Arcade, as well as navigate menus, and adjust volume.   

Acer Aspire 6920G Gemstone Blue Multimedia Notebook

Acer unveiled its shiny "Gemstone blue" series Aspire 6920G notebook PC with a fresh new 16-inch notebook design that features an innovative "CineDash" media console, a touch-sensitive interface that allows users to control media and quickly launch Acer Arcade, navigate menus, and adjust volume. Shipping with Intel Penryn processors, the notebook has a Full HD CineCrystal LCD panel with 1920x1080 resolution, or a HD CineCrystal LCD screen at 1366x768 pixel resolution, with 8ms response time and native 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. The Aspire 6920 is a nice choice for watching High Definition Blu-Ray movies or playing video games, as it comes with a NVIDIA GeForce 9500M GS graphics engine with up to 1280 MB of TurboCache, and support for NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology, Shader Model 4.0 and Microsoft DirectX 10.

The HD ready Aspire 6920G has an HDMI port with HDCP support, which is nice to have if you want to connect it with your HDTV to watch movies. The Aspire Gemstone blue design also boasts the second generation Dolby Home Theater technology with CineSurround, Tuba CineBass booster, and True5.1 output.

Acer CineSurround blasts virtual 5.1 surround sound through two speakers and the Acer Tuba CineBass booster; to set-up a True 5.1 surround system you just need to plug in three pairs of PC speakers, follow the simple steps of the eAudio setup application, and the immersive experience of True 5.1 surround sound becomes a home theater reality. The specially crafted tube-style Acer Tuba CineBass subwoofer exceeds 10 W, blasting the clearest low tones imaginable via Dolby Natural Bass technology. With amplified volume and no static or muffling, music enthusiasts can really feel the deep bass beats.

The Aspire 6920 includes up to 320GB of hard disc space, a 6-in-1 card reader, and Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate or Windows Vista Home Premium preinstalled.

LG Glimmer Phone Launched by Alltel Wireless

Alltel Wireless customers will be have be able to pick up the slim LG Glimmer phone exclusively at Alltel retail stores and online at shopalltel.com starting March 13 for $249.99 after a $100 mail-in-rebate. It's a slick looking cellphone with a slide-out keypad, 2.8-inch touch-screen interface, and multimedia features. The GPS capable LG Glimmer also boasts a 2 Megapixel digital camera with video capabilities, an MP3 player with customizable equalizer, 128MB of internal memory, and an expandable memory slot.

Alltel Axcess applications including Alltel Navigation, Axcess Search, CityID and Axcess TV are available for this new model, and LG Glimmer also supports Alltel’s Axcess Voice2TXT service, which converts incoming voicemails to text messages, and allows customers to store and forward converted voicemails as regular text messages.

12-megapixel GE E1235 Digital Camera Launched on HSN

General Imaging is launching its 12-megapixel GE E1235 digital camera on March 14 through multichannel retailer HSN and online at the special introductory price of $199.95. The package includes a black camera case and ArcSoft software like Print Creations Greeting Card, Print Creations Scrapbook, CD & DVD LabelMaker, DVD Slideshow, and PhotoImpression. Available in deep red or silver, the GE E1235 features a 2.7-inch LCD screen, 3X zoom, in-camera panorama stitching, and ISO 3200 sensitivity. Along with the usual face detection, image stabilization, and red -eye removal, there's a useful blink detection and smile detection mode to help you capture the best shots of friends.

"After a shot is taken, the blink detection feature alerts the user that the subject’s eyes were closed and allows another attempt. The smile detection feature works by tripping the shutter automatically when the subject smiles."

SanDisk Sansa Fuze Player Officially Announced

Yesterday we had a sneak peek at the Sansa Fuze and today SanDisk made it official, announcing 2, 4 and 8 gigabyte Sansa Fuze players. Better than your average MP3 player, the multi-faceted Sansa Fuze is a sweet little digital music and video player that also includes an FM radio, voice recorder, and microSD card slot.  The device supports MP3, WAV, Audible, Windows Media Audio, JPEG photos, and MPEG-4 video which you can watch on a bright 1.9” color screen in landscape mode.

The Sansa Fuze players will hit stores in the U.S. in pink, red, blue, black and silver colors with prices starting at $79.99 for the 2GB (black), $99.99 for the 4GB (black, red, pink or blue), and $129.99 for the 8GB (silver) Sansa Fuze.

Garmin nüvi 2x5 Series GPS, and nuvi 900T DVB-H Mobile TV Devices

Garmin recently announced new entry-level, budget-friendly nüvi 2x5 series GPS models with improved mapping and routing features, faster satellite acquisition, navigation by photos, FM traffic updates, and dynamic content from MSN Direct. The nüvi 2x5 models are available in widescreen 4.3”, or 3.5” screens with a new shaded elevation mapping display, and feature a 333 Mhz Microprocessor which delivers enhanced map drawing and routing capability.

Breaking down the models, there's the nüvi 255 ($319.99 USD) and 255W ($373.32 USD) which will be available for North America, Europe, Australia or New Zealand. The nüvi 255 and 255W devices for North America, Australia or New Zealand get more specific, announcing street names in their voice prompts like “Turn right on Walnut Street” rather than just saying “Turn right in 500 feet.”  The nüvi 205 ($213.32 USD) and 205W ($266.66 USD) will be available in versions that offer mapping choices for the United States, Canada or regional sections of Europe.

Each nüvi 2x5 series device comes standard with the “Where am I?” feature, which allows drivers to display their exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and gas stations with a single tap of the screen. An optional receiver enables each nüvi 2x5 to display important updated information from Traffic Message Channel or MSN Direct ($49.95 a year), plus updated traffic conditions, fuel prices, weather reports, movie listings, headline news items, stock listings, local events and custom locations are sent directly from Windows Live Local.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Game Now Available for Nintendo Wii

Available now, the new Super Smash Bros. Brawl videogame (Price:  $49.99) for Nintendo Wii features Mario and other Nintendo characters like Sonic The Hedgehog, Solid Snake and more playable characters. It's a fighting game that lets players battle online wireless by logging onto Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, where players can also share photos, swap replays, and team up for challenging minigames.

"A sprawling adventure mode called "The Subspace Emissary" lets players jump and brawl their way through enemy-packed side-scrolling levels, meeting up with other characters, watching incredible cinematics and taking on massive bosses -- solo or in a cooperative two-player mode. And, of course, there's the series hallmark: elaborate, action-packed battles that pit up to four players against one another in a brawl to see who's the last one standing."   

Official Super Smash Bros. Brawl website.