Digital Tech News - Digital Technology & Consumer Electronics

Logitech V220 Cordless Optical Mouse gets New Color Designs

Logitech has added a splash of color and new pattern designs to its V220 Cordless Optical Mouse for Notebooks. The V220 mouse works with an RF-based nano USB receiver that plugs into a notebook, and it's compatible with Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows PCs. A variety of limited-edition patterns and colors are now available for $29.99

Eviant T7 - 7" Portable Widescreen LCD Digital Television Set

Eviant is conviced that they have the perfect gift idea for Father's Day with their new 7"  T7  portable widescreen LCD digital television set. It features a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio and a 480x234 resolution display, and a built-in TV tuner that is ATSC/NTSC compatible, allowing it to receive free digital channels without the need for additional component, or subscription service. 

The Eviant T7 measures 7.3"x 1.1"x 5.7" and weighs about 1.39 pounds. The unit has a built-in rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery, built-in speakers, AC, six-button remote control, and it comes with a protective carrying pouch.

New Amazon Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device Sports a 9.7-inch Electronic Paper Display

Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos has officially unveiled the new Kindle on the block, the Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device, featuring a 9.7-inch e-Paper display, built-in PDF reader, auto-rotate capability, and 3.3 GB of storage for up to 3,500 books. Kindle DX’s display is larger than the 6-inch display found on the Kindle 2, and it offers the same 16 shades of gray on a screen that uses real ink instead of backlight to make reading easy on the eyes.

Customers will be able to read The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Washington Post on the Kindle DX, and subscribers of those newspapers will even get a deal on the Kindle DX if they live in areas where home-delivery is not available, or sign up for a long-term subscription to the Kindle edition of the newspaper. Also, joining the more than 275,000 books that are already available in the Amazon Kindle Store, leading textbook publishers are set to offer textbooks to students starting this Fall.

The new Kindle DX will be available this summer for $489, and you can pre-order one now.

Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset with Noise and Wind Cancellation

The new Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth headset has been introduced, featuring the next generation AudioIQ2 digital signal processing (DSP) technology which is said to help deliver superior noise and wind cancellation while at the same time assuring that you can hear and be heard clearly.

Designed for those who need all-day wearing comfort and excellent audio, Plantronics Voyager PRO features an adjustable dual-microphone boom which captures your voice close to your mouth so the AudioIQ2 technology can get to work removing ambient noise and provide natural sound. Wind noise is also cut down significantly using WindSmart technology, dual external stainless steel microphone screens and acoustic fabrics that surround the microphones. Inbound audio quality on the Plantronics Voyager PRO is made possible with a custom speaker, an adaptive 20-band equalizer that delivers distortion-free audio, with AudioIQ2 making sure to automatically adjust sound levels for maximum audibility.

SpacePilot PRO 3D Mouse Launched by 3Dconnexion

File under ultra-cool!  The company 3Dconnexion has introduced its slick SpacePilot PRO 3D Mouse which they say will "meet the rigorous demands of design engineers working in powerful 3D applications."  So what's the difference between your average mouse and this monster? The SpacePilot PRO 3D Mouse enables 3D design engineers to move in all three dimensions simultaneously, using something they call six-degrees-of-freedom sensor technology. Can your mouse do that? The advanced mouse features a new color LCD Workflow Assistant, second-generation QuickView Navigation technology, Intelligent Function keys, and an improved design for enhanced comfort and control.

The SpacePilot PRO 3D Mouse is available now for $499.

Nintendo DSi Hand-held Video Game System Released in the United States

The new Nintendo DSi portable video game system system is available now for of $169.99 in sky-blue and black colors, and as Nintendo America's President/COO Reggie Fils-Aime points out in the video below, the device offers a few new tricks including Nintendo DSi Camera, Nintendo DSi Sound and Nintendo DSi Shop features.

The device has two cameras, one on the external body, and one that points at the user when the device is flipped open, and it features 10 different interactive “lenses” that can manipulate your photos. The Nintendo DSi Sound application is both a voice recorder and music player, and users can tweak music while they listen to it with various audio filters and pitch controls. There's also a mic located between the two screens when the device is flipped open, and a stereo headphone output, and SD card slot.

In the world of software, Nintendo DSi will be the platform for the most relevant and fun on-the-go games and applications. The Nintendo DSiWare application will populate Nintendo DSi with software that can be downloaded using Nintendo DSi Points directly to the portable system, just as WiiWare has with Nintendo’s Wii console. Developers big and small are invited to create software that makes use of the properties and functions of the hardware. Nintendo DSiWare games and applications will be available at a range of values, starting at 200 points.

In addition to downloadable games, Nintendo DSi is able to play games made specifically for the system and sold at retail. The system can also play most Nintendo DS™ games, and will have access to a library of more than 850 titles originally made for that system.

Also on April 5, a new Nintendo DS game, Rhythm Heaven, will join this roster of games available for both Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DS owners in the United States. Having sold more than 1.6 million copies since its July 2008 launch in Japan and still increasing sales today, this infectious game challenges players to tap and slide the stylus on the touch screen in time to original music created by legendary Japanese pop-star producer TSUNKU♂. Simple gestures with the stylus combined with fun music and quirky visuals make Rhythm Heaven a completely unique musical experience for players of all ages.

Carl Zeiss Cinemizer Plus Video Eyewear for iPhone and iPod

Already compatible with Apple video iPods, the Cinemizer Plus video eyewear from Carl Zeiss now works with the iPhone as well, having earned “Works with iPhone” approval from Apple. The high tech video glasses let iPhone users watch TV, movies, and 3D-vide anytime, anywhere, and it comes with clips to fit your iPhone or video capable iPod. Look for the Cinemizer Plus to be available in the USA in May for $449,00, and remember to watch where you're going when you rock these.

Sony Reader Digital eBook Store gets 500,000 Public Domain Books from Google

Sony's eBook Store has added a half-million public domain books from Google to its offering, which now totals 600,000 ebooks for the Sony PRS-505 ($300) and PRS-700 ($350) Reader Digital Book users. Traditional titles include “The Awakening,” “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” “Black Beauty,” as well as The Letters of Jane Austen “Sense and Sensibility” and “Emma.” Titles in French, German, Italian, Spanish and other languages are also available at the ebook store where customers can search or browse by subject, author, or featured titles.

Nintendo DSi Portable Gaming System to be Released this Spring

An April 5, 2009 release date has been set for the next-generation Nintendo DSi portable gaming system, which will be available in blue and black colors for $169.99. Built into the system are the Nintendo DSi Camera, Nintendo DSi Sound and Nintendo DSi Shop. In fact there are two interactive digital cameras, one on the exterior and one located inside when the device is flipped open. The cameras feature 10 different interactive “lenses” which you can use to manipulate your photos, and then share the photos with friends. Another new feature, the Nintendo DSi Sound application, is both an interactive voice recorder and music player that allows you to play with music while you listen to it. For instance, you can manipulate audio filters, control the pitch and speed of recorded voice or music files, and change the tempo of a song. The device also has a mic located between the two screens, a stereo headphone output, and SD card slot for adding music. Expect game developers to take advantage of the interactive abilities Nintendo DSi in forthcoming games for the device.

Orange to Release LG Touch Watch Phone in Europe

Orange customers in Europe will get first dibs on the innovative today LG Touch Watch phone (LG G910) where it will ship with a Bluetooth headset when it's released later this year. It features a full touch-screen interface, 7.2 Mbps 3G HSDPA, video-calling capabilities, and a built-in MP3 player, but let's not forget it is also a phone that is capable of sending text messages, making phone calls, and keeping time.

Rubik's TouchCube - The Electronic Rubik's Cube Hits the American International Toy Fair

This week's American International Toy Fair attendees will get a close-up of the new electronic version of one best-selling games ever (about 350 million sold) and an old favorite, Rubik's Cube.  Since "touch" is all the rage these days, it's no surprise that the new version is called Rubik’s TouchCube. Look for it to hit stores during the second half of 2009 for about $149.99

“We’ve been working on Rubik’s TouchCube for the last three years—with engineering teams on two different continents—and are really excited to share it with the world,” says Eric Levin, president, Techno Source. “Rubik’s TouchCube is the ‘dream cube’ for anyone who’s into high-tech gadgets—it combines today’s most current technologies with the iconic Rubik’s Cube.”

modu Mobile Phone and modu Jackets Ready for 2009 Mobile World Congress

About a year ago modu mobile announced its plans to develop its modu mobile ecosystem which includes modu jackets, and compatible modu devices. Now the company has released new images of what we can expect. The modu modular phone, one of the world’s lightest mobile phones, is a music player and a mass storage device with 2 GB of internal memory that can slide right in to a modu jacket to further extend the capabilities of the phone. Look for modu cellphones and modu jackets to start shipping later this year.

Dell Wasabi PZ310 Pocket Mobile Photo Printer

Dell's Wasabi PZ310 ultra-mobile printer is good-to-go if you need to print photos anytime, anywhere. It works best with Bluetooth wirelless enabled devices like camera phones, digital cameras, netbook PCs, and prints out instant wallet-size photos. As you can see, the Wasabi PZ310 comes in a few different colors for your style, and it fits in the palm of your hand...or in your pocket. Dell is launching it at a promotional cost of $99 for a limited time. After, you'll pay $149.

Protective Jackets and Cover Accessories for Amazon Kindle 2 from M-Edge

The new Amazon Kindle 2 eReader already has a collection of protective genuine and synthetic leather jackets designed specifically for the device from M-Edge Accessories. The Kindle 2 Executive Jacket and Platform Jacket covers come in a variety of vibrant colors, and are available with an e-Luminator booklight accessory for reading in low-light environments.

ARCHOS Internet Media Tablet gets Android Smartphone Functionality

The ARCHOS Internet Media Tablet will soon integrate voice capabilities by merging Google's Android telephony stack and ARCHOS' multimedia framework. The new ultra-thin Internet Media Tablet (IMT) will also incorporate the OMAP 3 platform from Texas Instruments, making this device a pretty powerful smartphone / tablet for mobile entertainment and web-browsing. The new Android-based IMT with voice functionality will be released in 3Q 2009.