NVIDIA GeForce GT300 DirectX 11 graphics card coming this year

If things work as planned by NVIDIA then true NVIDIA gaming fans will have something to shop this Christmas. According to reports, the GeForce GT300 -- the first NVIDIA DirectX 11 supporting video card -- is "taped out" now. Meaning, the 40nm card will be out by Black Friday, i.e. 27th November. On the other hand if NVIDIA goes behind schedule then it might well unveil GT300 in December. But certainly no late.


Still, AMD has a lot of room to establish its Radeon HD 5800 series, which is currently the world's only DirectX 11 supporting graphics card series. And will remain so until late this year.

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Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD Media Player for media geeks

Seagate today announced a new media player for home users. The FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player is the latest product from the house of Seagate designed to instantly and easily connect your digital media library to your home entertainment system. The FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player leverages a docking system unique to Seagate FreeAgent Go portable drives and accessories, providing a quick and easy way to connect your external hard drive to your television or home entertainment center.


After loading the drive with your favorite movies, videos, music and pictures from the home PC, simply slide it into the FreeAgent Theater+ dock to get instant access to your digital media library.

The interface is easily navigated with the included remote control, and you can choose from video, photos or music with the up/down arrows on the remote to make your selection.

The Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player includes two additional USB ports for connecting other USB attached storage devices.

Also incorporated into FreeAgent Theater+ is an Ethernet port for network connectivity, which allows access to digital media through your home network. Seagate intends to launch a USB Wireless Adapter in October to enable this same access with 802.11n wireless connectivity to a home network.

The Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player is available as a stand-alone unit for use with any USB storage device for $149.99, or bundled with a 500GB FreeAgent Go drive for $289.99.

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Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 -- just a few millimeters thicker than a AAA battery

Microsoft today unveiled its thinnest keyboard (just a few millimeters thicker than a AAA battery), specifically designed for Bluetooth equipped notebook computers. Targeted towards mobile users, the Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 is a stylish keyboard with beautiful, appealing design.


To make your working experience more pleasurable, the keyboard boast of a unique Comfort Curve layout. The keyboard also features a portable Bluetooth Number Pad that helps number crunchers crunch number bit more faster.

The Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 and Bluetooth Number Pad will be available in October 2009 for $89.95 and $44.95.

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The compact Innergie mCube90 universal charger

For those on the go, a reliable source of power for various pieces of technology is a must. Innergie has released what is claimed to be the world’s smallest universal charger, the mCube90, featuring a tiny detachable charger for use in the car or in the air.


The mCube90 weighs in at around 263g and measures 5” (H) x 2.5” (L) x 0.90” (W) It has extensive laptop compatibility as well as being able to power up USB devices at the same time. Included are four types of built in surge protection and high power efficiency with an Energy Star rating.


The detachable air/auto charger for charging devices in cars and planes is also sold separately as the mCube90 DC and is around two thirds the size of a business card.


The mCube90 ships with wall, car and airplane input cables and several types of notebook tips. Available from the Innergie website, the mCube90 is priced at USD$99.99 while the mCube90 DC is USD$49.99.

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Quirky ideas: Scratch-n-scroll mouse-pad allows you to write with your finger

Older Gizmag readers may remember the Etch A Sketch, a child’s doodling utensil that used aluminium powder and a glass screen to draw horizontal and vertical lines and the Magna Doodle, a similar product that used a magnetic drawing board.


A cheap and cheerful version of the latter, often called the ‘magic slate’, consisted of a pad and stylus that allowed scribbles to be erased by lifting off and replacing a film of plastic. This concept has now been rather cleverly turned into a Mouse Pad called the Scratch-n-Scroll.


The quirky idea was, appropriately, brought to life by the quirky community, a social project designed to foster creativity and turn ideas into reality, and is the ninth such device that has been brought to the fore since its launch on June 2nd.

The idea of the pad is to provide a fast and reliable way in which to scribble down phone numbers, messages and other notes using the ubiquitous presence of a mouse pad to eliminate the problem of never having a paper and pen handy when you most need them. Notes can be taken using the provided stylus, a fingertip or any other pointed device that’s close to hand and to erase them simply lift off the semi-transparent top sheet and replace for a clean canvas.

It works with any optical or ball mouse and is available now at quirky’s online store for USD$9.49.

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Aiptek projectors are pocket rockets

Aiptek International has been busy adding to its already impressive V10 mini projector with three new models, the T20, T30 and the PocketCinema D10. What we liked most about the T30 when we witnessed a demo of the new device at IFA in Germany was the ease in which you can extract those great images and video from your iPod, iPhone – no apps, no drivers - with a special cable. Just find a blank wall and gather your friends around. And the PocketCinema T30 instantly connects to any device like a camcorder or media player with a 3-in-1 AV output.


Big pictures, no bulky power supply

The T30 uses RGB LED technology to deliver 12 lumens of brightness, a 200:1 contrast ratio and a wide color spectrum and - providing the light conditions are right - it can be used anytime and anywhere to project videos and photos at up to 165cm (65").

The Aitpek T30 has a built-in rechargeable battery and 1W speaker which really enhances its portability. This is a great improvement over other mini projectors, whose power supplies virtually double the size of the unit, and makes it ideal for whipping out at the end of a day’s adventures and reliving the moments with friends over a drink or two.


The palm-size T30 weighs only 137g and measures just 121 x 50.3 x 20.5mm (4.7 x 1.9 x 0.8in). The projection size is variable from 6"-65” (15-165cm) and is largely depending on the projection distance (max. 200cm or 60in). The power supply is via a 5V, 2A power adapter and built-in rechargeable 1700 mAh Li-ion battery.

The standard package includes the Pico Projector T30, a power adapter, a 3-in-1 AV cable, a 3.5mm AV cable and a mini stand, plus a pouch, operating instructions and a Media Converter CD. A connection cable set for iPods/iPhones is available as an option.


T20

The Pico Projector T20 can be used anywhere with a notebook, netbook, etc, and is great for business presentations with limited space and technology. It connects easily via USB 2.0, and therefore doesn’t require its own power source. It measures just 90 x 63.5 x 24.5mm (3.5 x 2.5 x 0.9in) and weighs only 117g (4.1oz) so it easily fits into luggage or laptop bags.

The projection size is variable from 6-50in (15-127cm) and is mainly dependent on the projection distance (24-240cm or 9.4-94in) The light source is a white LED with a brightness of 8 lumens.

The T20 Pico Projector package comes with a USB cable and tripod, plus a bag and operating instructions and costs EUR€229 (USD$327) at time of publishing.


The MobileCinema D10

The MobileCinema D10 is a mobile projector with built-in DVD player, stereo loudspeakers and a karaoke function. It projects videos up to 127cm (50") with 480 x 240 pixel resolution, has an external microphone for karaoke and uses LED technology that delivers a service life of 10,000 hours.

Great for camping, outdoor parties, etc because you don’t need a TV to show big pictures. Just find a canvas or a blank wall and you have an instant party. And the karaoke function is sure to be hit with party-goers (though probably not your neighbors or other campers!


The unit supports DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-Video, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, JPEG file formats and has typical DVD player functionality.

The D10 costs EUR€179 (USD$256) at time of publishing.

The new models will be available in the towards the end of this year.

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Altec Lansing’s Orbit USB 360° sound portable speaker packs a punch

Laptop speakers generally aren’t the most impressive sound reproduction devices going around so travelers either have to put up with poor sound quality, rely on a set of headphones, or pack a set of (often not so) portable speakers. Altec Lansing appears to have overcome this annoyance by unveiling its Orbit USB ultra portable speaker at IFA 2009 this week.


The Orbit USB is, as the name suggests, a USB-powered speaker that is small enough in dimensions to throw in a laptop bag, but big enough on sound quality to be used to pump out a little music in the campus quad, watch a movie with friends or for enhancing that all-important business presentation. Like the company’s previous Orbit models, the Orbit USB comes in a circular form factor to provide a 360° sound field, while its retractable stand allows users to direct the audio where it's wanted.

Being USB-powered means there’s no need to worry about batteries – apart from the one in your laptop of course. The plug-and-play device features integrated USB cord storage so the 16-inch cord can be wound up for tangle free travel. It also boasts Altec Lansing’s Alignment technology that precisely aligns the driver, the enclosure and the electronics within the small system. The unit’s portability is also enhanced through its aluminum and composite construction ensuring it can handle a few knocks.

We had a chance to listen to the Orbit USB at IFA 2009, where the diminutive speaker definitely punched above its weight with its impressive sound quality and sturdy construction.

Altec Lansing’s Orbit USB (iML237) will be available from October for USD$49.95 or UKP£39.99.

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LG adds UV lamp to dishwasher to improve family health

Ever come home from a weekend away to discover a nasty odor emanating from the kitchen? Yet you remembered to empty the garbage can and the fridge is free of rotting food. Further investigation leads to the unpleasant realization that your dishwasher is the culprit. And it’s not that you forgot to set the cycle before leaving; it’s just that dishwashers are wonderful havens for bacteria to breed - even after the wash cycle.


To this end, LG Electronics has just released a dishwasher with an ultra-clean hygienic edge. Developed to target and improve family health, LG designers incorporated a distinctive UV lamp to prevent bacterial growth and eradicate 99 percent of the bacteria remaining after a wash cycle. The UV lamp allows owners to store dishes inside the tub hygienically for up to four hours after the wash cycle. However, for those who prefer to leave the machine on overnight - and don't intend waking at 4am to unload their dishwasher - this feature could turn out to be less useful than it appears.


Nonetheless, LG’s dishwasher has considerable eco-friendly appeal. The use of a Direct Drive Motor provides more space and quieter operational properties. This slim design has increased the internal height of the tub, allowing for larger plates and room for up to fourteen place settings. The DUAL Washing System alternates water intensity between the upper and lower racks, while a height-adjustable third rack can accommodate more utensils and culinary tools. Could these features alone be the answer to the aftermath of Thanksgiving dinner?


Combined with LG’s own technology, the Direct Drive Motor achieves a silent operation of only 43dBA, a much lower level - according to LG - than dishwashers in the same price category.

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Lego Mindstorms Robot: Sudoku Player

The Swede Hans Andersson has used the kit to build the Lego Mindstorms robot that solves the Sudoku for him. With a chip structure with the robotic arm, he spends the day at sea and the robot goes home with Sudoku.

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Asus uBoom Sound Bar Speakers: Love It Or Hate It

Asus uBoom Sound Bar Speakers Let You Party Like It's 1999

The Asus uBoom Sound Bar Speakers will bring you back to the 1990’s where music comes booming out of house parties. The design of the Asus uBoom Sound Bar Speakers also speaks highly of its portability, albeit some might disagree with the idea that this is built for some serious music time.


This new speakers from Asus weighs 3 kilograms. Its 24-watt sound (total RMS) needs a power supply, however. The speakers can be powered by a USB connected to a PC or laptop. This 400-gram Asus uBoom Sound Bar Speakers requires 2.4 watts of power, and has an auxiliary audio input.


A microphone jack also allows the uBoom speakers to have a mic connection, allowing for audio recording and the like.You can check out the Asus website for more details on this new device as they have recently put up the detailed specs of the Asus uBoom Sound Bar Speakers. Price, however, has not been announced as of the moment.

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Samsung 256GB Flash SSD - Fast Processing

Samsung has recently launched its latest Flash Solid State Drive having a capacity up to 256GB.Samsung 256GB Flash SSD provides users fast processing power to creating a superior PC gaming experience. Samsung believes that Samsung 256GB Flash SSD will make strides as high-speed substitutes to traditional hard drives for PC gaming.


“In addition to processing power, advanced graphic cards and high-resolution monitors, gamers want a fast storage drive for reduced loading times and faster game performance,” stated Jim Elliott, VP of memory marketing, Samsung Semiconductor. “Our 256GB SSD provides much better overall performance than conventional HDDs, as well as longer battery life for the notebook gamer. Clearly, all PC gamers will benefit from the blistering speeds and dazzling photorealism enabled by the Samsung 256GB SSD.”

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RIM planning a BlackBerry watch?

RIM is apparently planning a BlackBerry watch that syncs up with your handset via Bluetooth to deliver alerts and information (and the time).

The watch accessory was let slip by Antoine Boucher, VP of accessories, stating it was codenamed Alpha 1, and can show when you have an email, BB Message, Facebook and those old text messages.


But ever cooler than that - it will likely have an FM transmitter on board too, so streamed Bluetooth Music can be sent to the car or home stereo, making you into a really diluted version of Iron Man.

Admittedly, it's not the greatest rumour source, as it was posted on a forum from a conference a few months ago, so take it with a pinch of salt.

Holster master

It makes sense as an accessory, as most BB users hate having to pull the phone in and out of a coat pocket (or even worse, holster.... yeesh), and simply glancing at the watch would be a much easier way of doing things.

Sony Ericsson has a similar range, with devices such as the MBW-150 offering similar functionality.

And of course don't forget the phone-watch wars between Samsung and LG - although we can never see talking to your wrist catching on.

No word on pricing or availability, but then again, we never really expected it.

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Palm Pre's 'secret' keyboard revealed

Users of the Palm Pre will be happy to learn that they no longer have to slide out the keyboard to type stuff in - there's a secret virtual keyboard.

The team at webOS Internals has modified a pop up menu (accessed when pressing the 'sym' key) to now include letters and symbols and an animation of a puppy playing with a leaf... OK, one of those was possibly made up.)


However, this isn't a complete re-skin, more unlocking the secrets of the Pre. The team says: "The Palm Pre already COMES with an on-screen keyboard. It works in portrait and landscape, in all apps, in all fields. This on screen keyboard provides a path to produce a fully functional on screen keyboard for the Pre."

Earlier than A

This is a pre-alpha build though, so it could contain more bugs than an ant farm after mating season, but hey, we wouldn't get all the fun stuff if we didn't have those prepared to break their prized possessions all for the sake of being able to write things via a screen.

It also seems like the team is looking at integrating some predictive text-style auto correction in future builds, much like that seen on the HTC and Apple iPhone range.

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