Archivi Blog
HP ships 27-inch Z1 all-in-one workstation, touts ‘power without the tower’
We’ll hand it to HP — “power without the tower” is pretty fab. And so is that drop-dead gorgeous 27-inch IPS panel dominating the front of its Z1 workstation. Designed to handle stresses normally thrown exclusively at floor-sitting wind tunnels, the Z1 offers up Intel Xeon server-class CPUs, NVIDIA Quadro graphics, USB 3.0 sockets, a slot-loading Blu-ray writer, SSD / RAID options, support for over a billion colors and a seductive starting tag of just $1,899. Intrigued? Hit the source link to get your order in.
Source: hp.com
Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook with Intel Core i7 can be yours now, SSD in tow
The recently announced Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook is now available with a solid state drive (SSD) and energy-efficient second-generation Intel Core i7 processor power. This new breed of ultra-light-weight PCs are just half-an-inch thin and weigh about 3 pounds. New technology lets them power on instantly and connect to the Web in seconds. Available this week at several retailers including Amazon, NewEgg, TigerDirect and BestBuy.com, the Core i7 version of the Aspire S3 Ultrabook retails for $1299 (Core i5 versions begin at $899).
Gibson’s Firebird X robot guitar finally ready to ship after a very, very long delay
Like the Droid Bionic of the guitar world, the Firebird X was announced almost a year ago, packed with piles of impressive technology, and delayed so many times that practically everyone forgot it existed. Well, on September 30th the Firebird X will finally start filtering into retail channels for the rather excessive price of $5,570, in your choice of either Redolution of Bluevolution finishes. On board are a boatload of effects as well as an automated tuner, which we’ve come to expect from the so-called “robot guitar” series. The Pure-Analog sound processing engine is also open to developers, allowing owners to add on new effects and sounds down the road. But, enough with our ramblings. You know the drill, gallery below and PR after the break.
LaCie ships Little Big Disk Thunderbolt, promises 240GB SSD variant in mid-October (Video)
It’s taken its sweet time, but folks who weren’t exactly keen on the Promise Pegasus finally have a compact option for putting their Thunderbolt port to good use. LaCie has just announced that it’s Little Big Disk Thunderbolt external drive — a first for the outfit — is available to purchase. For those keeping count, it’s only the second overall T-bolt drive to hit the scene, with this 1.4-pounder boasting a pair of 2.5-inch drives, support for JBOD / RAID 1 / RAID 0 and a typically metallic chassis that measures 1.6- x 5.5- x 3.3-inches. We’re promised speeds as high as 480MB/sec (for SSD arrangements) and 190MB/sec (for HDD models), and users can daisy chain several of ‘em to hit transfer rates of around 800MB/sec. These guys should be available starting today (though Apple’s online shop currently has a “one to two week” wait), with the 1TB 7200RPM edition retailing for $399, and the 2TB 5400RPM model listing for $499. We’re still awaiting word on the specifics surrounding the October-bound 240GB SSD variant, but those who’d rather press their luck for a free one can enter the ongoing contest in the More Coverage link below.
Tokyoflash reveals Kisai Night Vision wristwatch, makes telling time fun again
Tokyoflash is on the loose once more, and this time it’s introducing a concept that has been in the works for months on end. The Kisai Night Vision — which was made official moments ago, first appeared on the company’s blog as a mockup in August of 2010 — and as they say, “what a difference a year makes.” As of today, the LED wristwatch is up for grabs, constructed with black stainless steel, sub-surface LEDs, a hexagonal form factor and support for USB recharging. Despite your initial assumptions, it’s actually capable of displaying both time and date, and there’s even a built-in alarm with a “light-up animation.” Fancy! It’s available in black with blue, green or red LEDs, and if you order soon, you’ll be able to snag one for $129 / £79 / €89; procrastinators will face a sticker of $149 / £91 / €103. Take a shufti in the gallery below.
Olympus PEN E-PM1 Mini gets a $500 price tag, September release date
Remember that cute little Micro Four Thirds camera that Olympus unveiled in June? Well, we just got word that the PEN E-PM1 Mini will ship next month, with an equally petite $500 price tag — including a 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. The company is positioning the 12.3 megapixel camera as an upgrade for point-and-shoot users, as “the easiest PEN to use,” thanks to a new, simpler user interface and 23 Scene-Select modes. Still, the E-PM1 is a very capable interchangeable lens camera (ILC), and includes a 3-inch 460k-dot LCD, 1080i HD video capture, RAW shooting and a maximum sensitivity of ISO 12,800, along with Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority shooting modes. The Mini will be available in purple, pink, brown, white, silver, and black — our color of choice. Jump past the break for the full scoop from Olympus.
Motorola's Photon 4G ships to Sprint on July 31st: $200 on contract
Too often, “expected summer launches” translate into “the very last day possible,” so we were happy to learn that Sprint’s latest collaboration with Motorola, the Photon 4G, will be available July 31st for the usual $200 on contract. To say the upcoming Android device will come loaded is an understatement: it’ll ship with Gingerbread, a Tegra 2 dual-core 1GHz CPU, one full GB of RAM, a 4.3-inch qHD display, dual cameras (8 megapixel rear, VGA front) and 16GB of internal memory. Not surprisingly, Sprint’s also integrating its signature Sprint ID feature into the user interface. While the device will be available to the general public on July 31st, Premier Customers will have the golden opportunity to get it online three days earlier. If you were perched on the fence about the HTC EVO 3D, this may be the only Sprint phone that’s ready to push you in either direction. Full PR following the break.
Omnio's WOWKeys keyboard now shipping, ready to dock your iPhone for $100 (video)
Remember that Omnio WOWKeys keyboard we mentioned back in November — the one that brings full-sized QWERTY functionality to your iPhone or iPod Touch? Well, it’s now available for your consumption. Once you lock your iDevice into the port on the right, it will automatically begin charging and syncing with iTunes. From there, you can start typing text directly into your handheld, or use the keyboard’s twelve hotkeys to control music playback functions, turn off the display, or switch between PC and iPhone mode. You can even use your mobile’s touchscreen as a trackpad for your Mac or PC, though you’ll need an app like Mobile Mouse Pro to do so. Basically, it’s an EeeKeyboard. All told, this kind of synergy will cost you around $100, so if you’re interested, hit the source link for more details, or head past the break for a pretty cringe-inducing video.
Sigma SD1 starts shipping in June for $9,700, has its sights set on medium format lovers (Video)
Sigma knows that $9,700 is a lot of money to pay for, well, anything, so it’s couching the hefty price tag on its new flagship DSLR, the SD1, in the context of it competing against medium format digital cameras — whose prices don’t generally fall below five figures. Trouble is, as professionally inclined, well designed, and durably built as the SD1 may be, it still only packs a 15.3 megapixel CMOS sensor that spans 24mm x 16mm (or APS-C size). That means it’ll have to earn its stripes on the battlefield of image quality, which it’ll be ready to march onto in less than a month’s time. Sigma promises to start shipping units in early June, so if you have the cash to spare (plus a little extra to fund a suitably awesome lens), you can start building up your anticipation today. Full PR and camera specs can be found after the break.
Grace One electric bicycle is ready for purchase, our bank accounts are still preparing (video)
Your average electric bicycle has a basket on the front and a lot of shame in the rear. Not the Grace One. When we first saw it almost two years ago, in the fall of 2009, it looked… well it looked like a pretty kickass bike. Since then the design has been thoroughly refined, the frame redesigned, but still the stacked projector headlamps remain in their aluminum housing in front of the bars. They’re a hint at the high-tech nature of this bike, which features integrated Li-ion batteries that charge in about an hour and spin a hub-mounted motor in the rear wheel, giving you a top speed of 30MPH and a range of up to 31 miles — all for a mere €4,199 ($6,000). If your finances can manage it the bike is available now, but if they can’t you’ll have to make do with a celebratory video of the thing in action after the break. Word of advice: get those glow sticks cracked and shaken up before you hit play.
Samsung's 22-inch Transparent BLU LCD TV shipping next week, eyes-on at SID 2011 (video)
We weren’t actually allowed to get our hands on Samsung’s 22-inch Transparent BLU LCD TV — the showcase was accompanied by a “Do not touch” label — but we were able to get our first in-the-flesh look at the see-through display at SID this week. According to Sammy’s rep, the monitors, which can operate with or without a backlight, will start shipping to manufacturers as soon as this week, but consumers will have to wait until Q3 to get their hands on one. While our hands remained mostly at our sides during our little meeting, we did sneak them behind the display to see just how transparent these things are. Sure enough, we could see our phalanges wiggling quite clearly through the ghostly panel. When the backlight was flipped on, the screen became a touch more opaque, but didn’t fully obstruct the view of the potted plants lurking in the background. For now, the screens are focused on the commercial market — specifically advertising — but we wouldn’t mind adding one of these things to our living room. Hop on past the break for a little video love.
Fujitsu's LifeBook T901 tablet PC now on sale in the US, starting at $1899
That machine looming large at the top of this page is Fujitsu’s LifeBook T901 tablet PC and it’s now for sale in the US of A. Powered by an Intel Core i5-2520M processor, the T901 features a 13.3-inch, 1280 x 768 LCD that supports NVIDIA’s Optimus graphics. The display also rocks an active digitizer, though you’ll have to pay an additional $100 for the dual digitizer that enables five-finger capacitive multitouch. For those in need of some extra life, there’s a modular bay that allows you to swap in a second battery or hard drive, along with an integrated fingerprint sensor that’ll keep your kids away from your precious TPS reports. Prices start at $1899, so hit the source link if you’re interested in adding an yet another tactile dimension to your digital existence.
Samsung RF712 gaming laptop promises ultra-bright 3D, an end to dimness (video)
Dell has already put 3D to good effect in its high-end Alienware models, but Samsung claims the screen on its new RF712 gaming laptop will have industry-leading brightness, helping it to overcome the dimming effect of wearing 3D glasses. The 17.3-inch screen will employ the same Super Bright Plus technology that stunned us in its Series 9 laptop, but this time at a higher Full HD resolution. The stated brightness is 400-nits — as much as double what you might to expect to find in an average LCD and perhaps even enough for a LAN party outdoors in the sunshine (ok, maybe not). Other specs include a second generation quad-core Intel CPU, 2GB-worth of AMD HD6650M graphics, 750GB hard drive and USB 3.0. The RF712 will start selling in South Korea on May 2nd for ₩2.6million (about $2,400), but it could be a while before it hits international shores. Until then, we will be standing here wearing our active Bluetooth 3D glasses and looking out for a 400-nit speck on the horizon.
GoPro ships $99 3D Hero expansion kit, acquires CineForm in its spare time
Remember that 3D Hero expansion kit we ogled back at CES? How would you forget is likely the superior question. At any rate, GoPro has just announced the general availability of that very module, with $99.99 getting you a waterproof 3D expansion kit for the insanely popular HD Hero camera. For those who’ve forgotten, the kit allows a pair of 1080p lenses to form a single 1080p 3D camera, and it’s waterproof to 180 feet, too. In related news, it seems as if GoPro has also taken this opportunity to snap up CineForm, and it’s wasting no time in putting the outfit’s compression and workflow technology to good use. Customers can surf over to to GoPro’s website in order to suck down a gratis copy of CinaForm Studio, which makes it easier on 3D shooters to create, watch and share their three-dee imagery. The app also converts 2D material into 3D H.264 files, and for the price mentioned here, it ain’t a half bad inclusion. PR’s after the break, if you’re so inclined to visit.
Xperia Play meets shipping delays in UK, Vodafone and Three bump launch to next week
Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Play isn’t having the best of starts in the world, having been delayed by UK carrier O2 due to “software issues,” and it’s now missing its targeted launch date of April 1st with two more of the local operators, Vodafone and Three. Both have today announced that, due to shipping issues, they won’t be able to meet tomorrow’s launch date — leaving only Orange on track to release it on time. T-Mobile, Orange’s partner in Everything Everywhere, says it’ll have the Xperia Play in “mid-April.” Still, the wait isn’t that much longer as Three hopes to sell you a Play “early next week” and Vodafone, a bit more cautiously, is shooting for availability “as soon as possible.”
Acer slaps $1,200 price tag on dual-screen Iconia-6120 touchbook, lets US and Canada pre-order
Acer’s had its fair share of Iconia’s land in the past few months, but none are as breathtaking (and potentially world-changing) as the Iconia-6120. Said machine was priced at €1,499 earlier in the year, but that doesn’t mean an awful lot to folks situated in America and the Great White North. As of today, consumers in both of those nations have a price and release date to ponder, with $1,199.99 (both US and CAD) netting you a touchbook with two 14-inch Gorilla Glass touchpanels, a Core i5 CPU, 4GB of memory, integrated Intel HD graphics and a 64-bit copy of Windows 7 Home Premium. You’ll also get USB 3.0 support, a 640GB hard drive, a 1.3 megapixel camera, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, an HDMI output, gigabit Ethernet and a chassis that weighs in at 5.95 pounds. Lookin’ to dive right in? Amazon, as well as “other” fine e-tailers, should be taking orders momentarily.
ThinkPad Edge E420s now shipping for $699, E220s coming in April (Video)
Don’t tell us you’ve forgotten about Lenovo’s pair of new Edge machines! Sure, they’ve taken a while to get to market, perhaps having been inconvenienced by a little hiccup with Intel’s Core 2011 chipsets, but the first of them is now well and truly on sale and the other is looking eager and ready to go too. The 14-inch E420s is up on Lenovo’s web store, starting at $699 with a 2.1GHz Core i3-2310M CPU, while its 12.5-inch sibling, the E220s, is expected on the 8th of April, judging by the roadmap doc we’ve uncovered below. The E420s touts what Lenovo calls an Infinity Glass display, meaning simply edge-to-edge glass, alongside a fingerprint reader, a fetching new matte black lid, a HD webcam, 4GB of RAM and 250GB of HDD storage at a minimum, and a 48.8Wh battery. A 1366 x 768 resolution is your only option, unfortunately, though you can spruce up performance by quite a bit if you opt for the i5-2410M, which does 2.3GHz at default speeds or 2.9GHz when only one of its two cores is pushed to the limit … or should that be to the Edge?
Lexar now shipping 128GB and 64GB SDXC cards from the future straight to your door
One of the great many announcements of CES 2011 was Lexar’s new pair of Class 10 SDXC memory cards, one sized at 64GB and the other touting a spectacular 128GB capacity. The two performance — minimum transfer speeds of 20MBps — and storage enhancers for DSLRs and camcorders have now started shipping, asking for a measly $200 and $330, respectively. Those are steep price hills to climb, to be sure, but they’re peanuts compared to the initial $400 and $700 MSRPs that Lexar was touting back in January. And hey, that Professional label adorning the new cards isn’t there accidentally either, Lexar’s offering a limited lifetime warranty with each storage cell. Full press release and locations where you can buy the new SDXC lovelies await after the break.
'Soul by Ludacris' headphone series priced from $69 to $299, shipping in May
You know what they say — if you can’t Beat ‘em, undercut ‘em. Signeo’s Soul by Ludacris headphone series — which made its debut a couple of months ago at CES — has just been priced, and sure enough, each pair is cheaper than what Dr. Dre and co. are charging for the HP Beats assortment. The top-end SL300 is set to sell for $299, while the similarly styled SL150 goes for $199. The more conventional SL100 will list for $149, and if it’s earbuds you’re craving, the SL99 will sport an MSRP of $99 while the low-end SL49 offers itself for just $69. Specifics on each one are hosted up after the break, and Americans can expect to see the whole crew this May. As for everyone else? There’s no time table yet, but we’ve been assured by the company that international distribution is being worked on as we speak. Word.
