Gadgets Technologies

CTIA Wireless 2008 was the platform where Elektrobit released its dual-mode satellite terrestrial HSPA handset, and this modern marvel has stirred quite a fair bit of interest. It touts itself to be the “first fully IP-based Quad-band GSM-satellite phone” which features a touch screen display, a full QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, USB, and GPS navigation, all powered by the Windows 6.1 mobile operating system. It will come in a PDA form factor, where users in the US will be able to seamlessly and securely connect via both the satellite and terrestrial components of the TerreStar network. That is currently the sole carrier at this stage, so who knows whether there will be others in the future? (Read the full post about ‘Elektrobit unveils HSPA handset’…)

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Our server virtualisation project is moving along apace recently - we have decommissioned a number of physical servers and moved to a virtual server platform and I can happily report that virtualising takes time but it is worth it, especially as we have been seeing green recently. Mind you the reduction in power requirements from the physical servers is definitely a small step in the green direction for improving technology and the environment - not only that but the uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) last longer as their load is less - win win so far. Receiving the “call out” request in the middle of the night because the UPS has ran out is never a happy call especially when it has been a long late night trying to get the kids to bed but the phone vibrates away and duty calls.

(Read the full post about ‘The technology week in view: 7th April 2008′…)

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Great news for all Photoshop Express users! After careful deliberation (I’m guessing somewhere between 2 seconds a couple thousand emails), Adobe has decided to trash the section in the Photoshop Express EULA where it says that Adobe owns any and all photos you upload, and can do whatever the heck they want with it, including using it for monetary gains. As of April 10, they say that they’re only going to claim “those limited rights that allow [them] to operate the service” and not “claim ownership of your content and won’t sell your images.” Good. I was fearing they might find a way to make money from all of the greasy mugshots I’ve uploaded to their service. (Read the full post about ‘Adobe disowns photos uploaded in Photoshop Express’…)

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So you’re thinking of rocking to a Windows Mobile smartphone, but am not sure on just which handset to settle upon? Gresso from Russia has the solution which might answer your prayers by offering the “Sol Steel” and “Luna Steel” that will retail for approximately $5,500 each. The cases themselves are made out of luxurious materials according to Gresso, including 200-year-old African Blackwood, sapphire crystal glass, steel, and titanium. Now that’s luxury if I ever saw one. Good thing no diamonds were thrown into the fray as that would’ve definitely put this out of reach for most people, but that isn’t to say every Tom, Dick and Harry has $5,500 to spare in their bank account in the first place. (Read the full post about ‘Gresso adds some steel to your smartphone’…)

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Posted Apr 4th 2008 9:43PM by Nilay PatelFiled under: Misc. gadgetsHey, remember that Microsoft / Alcatel-Lucent patent fight from 2006? Yeah, we didn’t think so — but the two companies have been duking it out in court over about ten different patents for a couple years now, and a jury ruled today that Microsoft infringed two user interface-related patents and owes damages to the tune of $376M. The two patents both cover touchscreens, with one describing a system of form data entry, and the other describing stylus data interpretation. Sexy, we know. (Read the full post about ‘Jury says Microsoft owes Alcatel-Lucent $376M in patent damages’…)

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Posted Apr 5th 2008 12:15AM by Darren MurphFiled under: Storage Though it’s not the first box we’ve seen built to take your local backups elsewhere, the Datto Backup NAS drive could certainly fill a gaping security hole at many small / medium-sized businesses that are currently operating without any kind of off-site storage. Said devices come in 100GB and 500GB versions, play nice with Windows, Mac or Linux setups and pipe your data to secure external servers (using AES+ SSL key-based encryption, too) in order to keep the process load off of your machine(s). Granted, the annual service fee is $99 for 100GB and $249 for 500GB (monthly plans available), but that does include free support, 24 / 7 backup monitoring and the promise of bringing you back up to speed in under 24 hours should disaster strike. (Read the full post about ‘Datto Backup NAS brings off-site storage to the little guys’…)

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 NCSoft has taken the decision to introduce advertisements to their popular MMO City of Heroes. The ads will be provided by in-game advertising company Double Fusion who sees the modern urban setting as an ideal environment for serving up ads to users. Players need not despair, however, as NCSoft are making the ads optional and to turn them off you just untick a box in the game options. Brian Clayton, general manager of NCSoft’s Northern Californian studio said: I want to make it very clear that we are not ‘forcing’ in-game ads upon our players … Thus, the word ‘optional’ is of key importance. None of our players have to change their game experience in any way if that’s what they prefer. (Read the full post about ‘City of Heroes gets in-game adverts’…)

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Since its launch in January 2008, the Social Gaming Network (SGN), are offering now 60 games to Facebook users. SGN launches this week-end the Game Feed, allowing players to see who is playing what and to track scores and rankings. To get it, click this link and add the SGN app to your Facebook profile. Their new addition to their popular game Jetman, JetDelegate, is fun to play. Pick one candidate: JetObama, JetMcCain or JetHilary, start to fly and avoid obstacles. Each user score is added to the global score in the race, since launch, JetObama and JetMcCain are neck to neck. SGN is a social gaming platform for developers which helps them to cross-promote their games in Facebook with the SGN GameBar (see picture: the bar with icons just below Facebook menu). (Read the full post about ‘The Social Gaming Network launches the Game Feed for Facebook’…)

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Apple has reached yet another milestone with their very successful iTunes music and video download service. The service has risen to become the top music retailer in the country beating out Wal-Mart. iTunes has been steadily moving up the MusicWatch survey charts, which are tracked by the NPD Group, to its current position.

In June 2007, we reported that iTunes became the #3 music retailer. Then, less than a year later, we reported that iTunes moved up to the #2 spot in February of this year. Now, two months later, Apple has reached the top of the mountain according to a survey which puts iTunes against brick-and-mortar stores.

(Read the full post about ‘iTunes becomes top music retailer in US’…)

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We first featured the AeroGarden a looong time ago when they essentially only had 1 model and since then AeroGrow, the manufacturer has launched a number of additional models including this new $100 model. The AeroGarden 3 has everything you need to grow your own organic herbs and vegetables, using CFLs and less energy than a single 60W bulb. Using its built-in computer, the AeroGarden monitors and adjusts the nutrient delivery, light and water for specific plants. There’s also a reminder system to tell you when you need to add more water and nutrients. (Read the full post about ‘Aerogarden 3 Starter Kit (Aeroponic Gardening)’…)

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