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Sony Ericsson Launches W810 Walkman Phone And Accessories

Sony Develops First LCD TV Compliant With "xvYCC" Hi-Res Signal Processing System

Lots Of Flash Novelties From Sandisk

Pretec Unveils 4GB i-Disk Touch And e-Disk II+

PNY Expands Flash Product Family

Tyan Introduces Tiger K8SSA (S3870)

MacBook Pro: Apple's First Notebook On Intel Core Duo



Sony Ericsson Launches W810 Walkman Phone And Accessories

Sony Ericsson announced the latest addition to its line-up of Walkman-branded mobile music phones - the Satin Black W810 quad-band EDGE phone (850/900/1800/1900 MHz). The latest Walkman phone comes with a 512MB removable Memory Stick, which can be upgraded to 2GB currently available in retail outlets. The phone comes complete with HPM-70 stereo headphones which feature a standard 3.5mm headphone jack.

Consumers can load music to the phone by either uploading their legacy CD collection onto the W810 from a PC via USB 2.0 using the provided Disc2Phone music management software, or by purchasing new music from operator-specific over-the-air download services.

As with other members of the Walkman phone family, music automatically pauses when an incoming call is received and begins playing again when the call ends. The phone can also operate in a music-only mode for those occasions when the phone function must be disengaged, such as during air travel.

The Sony Ericsson W810 also enables users to capture still pictures and video with an integrated 2-megapixel, auto-focus camera.

The Sony Ericsson W810 starts shipping globally in Q1 2006: W810i - Quad Band EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz for Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Americas; W810c - Quad Band EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz for Mainland China.

Features:

  • 2-megapixel camera with autofocus
  • 4x digital zoom
  • 176x220 pixel, 265K-colour, 1.9" TFT display
  • Video recording
  • Email, SMS and MMS
  • Internet browser
  • Speakerphone
  • MusicDJ and VideoDJ
  • Media player (MP3/AAC)
  • MPEG4, 3GPP
  • 3D games
  • Java applications (games)
  • Video playback and streaming
  • OMA DRM phase 1
  • 40 polyphonic ringtones
  • 20 MB Internal memory
  • 512 MB External/Removable memory
  • Quad-band EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
  • USB 2.0
  • PC synchronization
  • Bluetooth and Infrared
  • SyncML

The new handset is supported by two new music accessories, the Portable Speakers MPS-60 and the Music Desk Stand MDS-60.

The Portable Speakers MPS-60 are powered from the mobile phone; simply plug the speakers into your music mobile phone to enjoy stereo sounds. Sized 30x55x42 mm, these speakers come in grey, white, orange and silver colors and with a travel case. The MPS-60 starts shipping globally in Q1 2006.

The Music Desk Stand MDS-60 allows you to charge your phone while enjoying your favourite music. It can be plugged into a wall outlet ran off batteries. Colored silver, white and orange, this accessory is sized 54x120x200 mm. The MDS-60 starts shipping globally in Q2 2006.

Source: Sony Ericsson

Sony Develops First LCD TV Compliant With "xvYCC" Hi-Res Signal Processing System

Sony announced the development of an LCD TV with the world's first color range "xvYCC"-compliant high-resolution signal processing system, which enables a wider color reproduction capability of TVs. This technology will be developed in conjunction with an 82-inch LCD TV.

The color range "xvYCC" is the international standard for wide color space of video applications, and was accepted by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in October 2005, and will be issued in January 2006. This standard will expand the current color data range by approximately 1.8 times more based on "Munsell Color Cascade" (color chart that defines all natural object colors; it's used to evaluate color expression of displays) and it was successfully reached due to the newly developed high-resolution signal processing system. Video cameras complying with this standard will be able to record a color variation that is very close to what human eyes can recognize, the press release states, and TVs complying with this standard will be able to reproduce visual images almost in the same picture quality as it was recorded. In addition, LCD TVs will be able to show the detailed color variation of movie scenes, the different shades of a color, e.g. the red color of a paprika or a tomato, as well as numerous color tones of petal.

This LCD TV incorporates the so-called "TRILUMINOS", the backlight that uses the LED with three independent colors (red, green, and blue), resulting in a further enhancement of "xvYCC". Furthermore, for the first time, the 82-inch LCD TV features a full HD panel (1920x1080 pixels).

Source: Sony

Lots Of Flash Novelties From Sandisk

SanDisk introduced a large number of new products at CES 2006.

Firstly, there was a "gaming-oriented" USB smart drive – the SanDisk Cruzer Crossfire. It will be available in four color-coded capacities: 512MB in green, 1GB in white, 2GB in black and 4GB in blue. The drive comes with an attractive metallic lanyard that attaches to a snap-on cap. When connected to a USB-enabled device, the Crossfire’s indicator light pulses lime-green. The SanDisk Cruzer Crossfire is U3-enabled, thus providing a platform to store a variety of applications, including PC games. It features the U3 user interface, called the U3 Launchpad.

Suggested retail prices for the SanDisk Cruzer Crossfire are $54.99 for 512MB, $99.99 for 1GB, $169.99 for 2GB and $329.99 for 4GB. The gaming drive will be sold in many of the 135,000-plus retail outlets worldwide where SanDisk products are available.

Secondly, there were two new Cruzer Micro and Cruzer Titanium USB flash drives. The models feature a sleek new design and include software that turns them into "U3 smart drives" so users can access their software programs, personal preferences, files and data as well as the means for managing them within a secure environment — on any personal computer running Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000.

The new Cruzers are small, 1.875 x 0.75 inches (4.76 cm x 1.91 cm) and easily fit on a keychain. Each features a retractable USB port for protection from dust and damage. They ship preloaded with four free U3-smart programs:

  • SKYPE for Voice over IP (VoIP) capabilities (Cruzer customers will receive 30 free SkypeOut minutes for free PC to landline calls worldwide to any phone at any time)
  • Avast! Antivirus software
  • SignUp Shield password vault
  • CruzerSync, which synchronizes with Outlook data.

The Cruzer Micro will be available in March in capacities that range from 512MB to 4GB priced $49.99 to $299.99, while capacities for the Cruzer Titanium (available in April) will be 1GB and 2GB ($119.99 and $189.99, respectively).

The next novelty is SanDisk Sansa e200 MP3 player sporting 6GB of flash memory and a color screen. The company also introduced the Sansa c100, a value-conscious MP3 player with a color screen as well.

The Sansa e200 series features a slim new design and a 1.8" (4.572 cm) TFT color screen (QCIF+) along with audio, photo viewing and video playback capabilities. It is also available in 2 and 4GB models. The back cover is made with an advanced Titanium alloy from Liquidmetal Technologies that is stronger than steel and is said to be highly resistant to scratches and wear. It includes a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery that can be replaced by the customer to ensure ease of use. Dimensions of the Sansa e200 are 1.7 x 3.5 x 0.5 inches (4.4 x 8.9 x 1.3 cm).

The Sansa e200 series players will support Microsoft PlaysForSure so consumers can download and pay for songs individually or download an unlimited amount of music for a monthly subscription fee from music stores such as Rhapsody To Go and others.

Other features include icon-based menu, slideshow function, FM tuner with on-the-fly recording, microSD expansion slot, support for SanDisk TrustedFlash and gruvi content cards that can be shared with mobile phones, and the universal accessory connector.

Prices are as follows: Sansa e250 (2GB) - $199.99, Sansa e260 (4GB) - $249.99, Sansa e270 (6GB) - $299.99. The Sansa e200 series will be available in March in the U.S. and Europe.

The Sansa c100 series is, as it has been mentioned, for the value-conscious consumer. It is available in 1- and 2GB capacities along with 1.21" (3.07 cm) color screen.

The Sansa c100 line will support Microsoft PlaysForSure subscription. It also includes an FM digital tuner with 20-channel presets, FM on-the-fly recording and voice recording capabilities with its built-in microphone. The new player uses a single AAA battery to power the unit and features a universal accessory connector for the easy addition of future accessories.

Prices for these models are: Sansa c140 (1GB) - $119.99, Sansa c150 (2GB) - $169.99. The Sansa c100 series will be available in March in the U.S. and Europe.

Ok, the only novelties left are flash memory cards that Verizon Wireless Communications Stores will sell for its new V CAST Music service. These include a new 1GB microSD card formerly known as TransFlash. The card comes with an adapter allowing it to be used in a standard SD slot.

SanDisk also expanded its mobile line today by introducing a SanDisk 2GB miniSD card.

SanDisk’s suggested retail prices for the newest cards are $119.99 for the 1GB microSD and $199.99 for the 2GB miniSD.

Speaking of the new mobile service, Verizon Wireless plans to launch V CAST Music on January 16 with several phones, including the Samsung a950 and the LG VX8100. Both are clamshell V CAST-enabled phones with 1.3-megapixel digital cameras. The Samsung a950 has a microSD card slot that features an external thumb dial to select music files; the LG VX8100 has a miniSD card slot.

Source: SanDisk

Pretec Unveils 4GB i-Disk Touch And e-Disk II+

At CES 2006 Pretec Electronics announced its largest capacity fingerprint USB flash storage device: i-Disk Touch, a multi-function 4GB USB flash storage device with fingerprint biometrics security. The fingerprint security makes sure data can only be accessed by up to ten authorized users without the need to bring keys or remember passwords. It not only secures data access, but the data itself; depending on user requirements individual files or entire directories can be securely encoded with Pretec i-Disk Touch and made available again when needed. The biometrics security function of i-Disk Touch is only one part of a suite of security offerings which also includes additional software and/or hardware protection of data access through password protection; a protected key which can lock the PC from unauthorized use; or as a parental guard to prevent unauthorized access to forbidden websites, etc.

Instead of using the traditional "area" fingerprint sensor which requires the use of multiple devices, the "stripe" fingerprint sensor in i-Disk Touch is coupled with a new monolithic single-chip solution.

Another Pretec USB product that debuted at CES was the Pretec e-Disk II+, a multiple function 512MB USB flash drive with built-in card reader, which such device can expand from 512MB to 4.5GB by inserting an optional Pretec 4GB SD/MMC card.

Pretec e-Disk II+ supports both full-size SD/MMC cards and RS-MMC 4.1 (or MMCMobile). e-Disk II+ with different style housings which supports specific memory card interfacing such as miniSD or Memory Stick Duo are also available now. Different capacities of embedded flash memory can be custom-tailored for specific OEM/ODM customers upon request.

Both i-Disk Touch and e-Disk II+ are available now with mass production scheduled next month.

Source: Pretec Electronics

PNY Expands Flash Product Family

PNY Technologies has unveiled a number of new flash products at CES 2006.

First there's Maxfile, an 8GB USB 2.0 external hard drive. The novelty weighs only 60 grams and is is compatible with PC, MAC and Linux systems. The drive comes with a one-year warranty and will be available from major consumer electronics retailers and e-tailers during the first half of 2006. The suggested retail price is $200 for 8GB capacity.

Other novelties include:

  • Mini Attache 2.0 USB Drive – has proprietary swing design, which eliminates the risk of lost caps. The Mini Attache is available in 256MB, 512MB, 1GB and 2GB (late Q1) storage capacities for an MSRP starting at $34.99.
  • Pro Attache USB 2.0 Drive – encased in a durable, titanium housing, this drive has a retractable USB connector that slides in and out of the titanium casing, eliminating the hassle of lost caps. The PNY Pro Attache is available in 512MB, 1GB, 2GB and 4GB (late Q1) storage capacities for an MSRP starting at $69.99.
  • Evolution Attache USB 2.0 Drive – includes a seven-in-one flash card reader and USB drive — an economical choice for the photo enthusiast. The storage device offers 128MB or 256MB of embedded flash memory which is expandable to 2GB+ with compatible card formats. The PNY Evolution Attache supports Compact Flash, Secure Digital, SmartMedia, MultiMedia Cards and MemoryStick as well as MicroDrive. It is available for an MSRP starting at $29.99.
  • All-Terrain Attache USB 2.0 Drive – designed specifically for the "adventurous type". It is shock, dust, water and UV resistant allowing the user to carry the drive anywhere. This durable drive features a rubberized housing that comes in black or a camouflage print. The PNY All-Terrain Attache is available in 512MB, 1GB and 2GB storage capacities for an MSRP starting at $59.99.

These new PNY USB drives will be available in the first half 2006, in multiple storage capacities, to ship to retail and e-tail outlets.

Source: PNY Technologies

Tyan Introduces Tiger K8SSA (S3870)

Tyan is introducing the Tiger K8SSA (S3870), a compact dual AMD Opteron server board designed in an ATX form factor with features such as:

  • Dual AMD Opteron 200 Series Processor support, with Single and Dual Core capability
  • Broadcom/ServerWorks core-logic (BCM5785/HT-1000)
  • Support for up to 12GB of DDR400/333/266 Registered memory with ECC and ChipKill
  • Quad-rank memory support
  • 2 x Gigabit Ethernet ports for incredible network connectivity
  • Full-speed PCI-X 133/100MHz expansion slot and legacy PCI expansion slots
  • Serial ATA-II with NCQ and RAID functionality
  • Built-in XGI Volari Z7 16MB server graphics
  • TAROstorage add-on card support, for additional SAS/SATA-II/SCSI functionality
  • ATX form factor (12" x 10.2")

The Tiger K8SSA (S3870) is set to begin sampling in early Q1'05 and will reach mass availability by mid-Q1'05.

MacBook Pro: Apple's First Notebook On Intel Core Duo

So, it has finally happened: on the first day of Macworld Expo in San Francisco Apple's Steve Jobs demonstrated the new MacBook Pro notebook based on Intel Core Duo. According to Apple, the new 2.5-kg machine works up to 4 times faster than PowerBook G4.

The 15.4" display of MacBook Pro provides 300cd/m² brightness, graphics engine is ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128/256 MB VRAM, Core Duo clock rate ranges from 1.67 to 1.86 GHz, HDD varies from 80GB to 120GB, and RAM reaches 2GB.

Also onboard are Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR, AirPort Extreme 802.11g as well as MagSafe connector that disables power in case someone stumbles over the power cord, for example. The package also includes iSight camera and Apple Front Row, Bluetooth Apple Remote software.

MacBook Pro is expected in February in two variants priced about $2,000 and $2,500.

Source: Apple

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