NetRobot basically “aims to establish a new concept of communication over the Internet, getting a feel of existence in the virtual world by using an actual robot, ‘AIBO’, as the interface.” Short video overview after the jump.
3D models of AIBO are displayed on a web page. You can operate AIBO avatars on the Internet, and you can also make a music session with two or more other avatars by typing and hitting keys
[via w-m-m-n-a]
NEC unveils its latest Media Center PC, the ValueStar VS700/GG. It comes equipped with a 20-inch WXGA+ display, an Intel Celeron M 430 (1.73-GHz) CPU, up to 2GB of RAM, a 300GB HDD, built-in TV tuner, ATI Radeon Xpress 1250 graphics, and a DVD Super-Multi drive. External interfaces include six USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire port, 3-in-1 memory card reader, 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi, and 3W+3W speakers. Available September 3rd, priced at $1,967. [via NEC]
MouseField is a device that “combines an RFID reader and motion sensors to detect an object and movements after the object is placed on it.” Watch a demonstration after the jump.
The system can interpret the user’s action as a command to control the flow of information, without using special controllers
[via w-m-m-n-a]
Chumby is a small computer that aims to replace your “bedside” digital clock. Put simply, it’s a full-featured PC stuffed inside a fuzzy shell. Boasting a 3-inch TFT-LCD display (320 x 240), a 266-MHz CPU, 32MB SDRAM, 64MB Flash RAM, Wi-Fi, USB ports, and 2W speakers. Pricing and availability have not yet been announced.
Basically, it does everything that your regular computer does (except smaller and a little slower), but it comes in a fuzzy little self-contained box so you can snuggle up to it at night
[via engadget]
At just 250g and 1.6cm high, Plextor’s PX-608CU is touted as the “world’s smallest” external DVD writer. This drive supports a host of DVD/CD media, including dual-layer discs, with 4x -8x write speeds (24x for CD-R/RW). It features 2MB of buffer memory and USB 2.0 connectivity. The PX-608CU ships in October, no word yet on pricing.
The company also launched an ATAPI-connected internal version of the drive, called the PX-608AL. It has a slot-load mechanism – the external drive pops open like an old-style portable CD player
[via RegHardware]
PCMag reviews the Sony VAIO VGC-LS1 Media Center PC. Just a quick refresher, this PC/TV features a 19-inch 1680 x 1050 display, an Intel Core Duo processor, 2GB of memory, 250GB HDD, analog TV tuner, DVR capabilities, 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi, and a DVD burner. Here’s the verdict:
With its gorgeous widescreen monitor, this all-in-one desktop may look like a 19-inch LCD HDTV, but it is so much more: It’s a Media Center PC that even my wife wouldn’t throw out of the bedroom. If it weren’t for a couple of glitches, I’d call it the perfect all-in-one PC
[via PCMag]
Logitech’s MX Revolution is claimed to be the “world’s most advanced mouse,” with a MicroGear Precision Scroll Wheel that “employs an electronically controlled ratchet that can engage and disengage on the fly.” When you disengage the scroll wheel, it can spin for up to 7-seconds (freespin mode), allowing you to scroll through even the longest of documents in mere seconds.The MX-R measures 124.8 x 85.8 x 42.9mm and weighs 147g. Expect to shell out $110 for the MX-R when it goes on sale September 15th. [via pc.watch – Gizmodo]
Microsoft has partnered with RAZER to bring you “Habu”, a “high-performance” gaming mouse that offers up to 2000dpi sensitivity, a 16 bit data path, 1000 MHz ultrapolling, and seven customizable buttons. Expect to shell out $69.95 for the “Habu” when it’s released in October.
Gamers get their speed on with movements up to 45-inches per second, 20-G acceleration and more than 7080 frames per second
(Thanks, Brian L)[via Microsoft]
RegHardware reviews the ATI Radeon X1950 XTX graphics card, which features 512MB GDDR4 memory (@ 2GHz), 48-pixel shaders and eight vertex shaders. The test system consists of an “Intel Core 2 Duo X6800 processor, an Intel D975XBX motherboard, a Western Digital Raptor X hard drive, 2GB of Crucial Ballistix DDR 2 memory and a Tagan 580W PSU.” Here’s the verdict:
The Radeon X1950 XTX is a very fast graphics card and the first card to feature GDDR 4 memory. ATI has fixed the noise problem that plagued its previous high-end cards. The launch price [$449] is very attractive
[via Reghardware – Gizmodo]
At just 2.9-pounds, the HiPAD II manages to pack dual OS’s (Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and Windows CE 5.0), a 10.4-inch touch screen display, an AMD Geode LX-800 processor, 256MB of RAM, 20GB HDD, Wi-Fi, DMB, and HSDPA support. External interfaces include CF and PCMIA slots. No word yet on pricing and availability.
The Win CE mode seems mainly aimed at quick access to media and navigation functions, but XP is always waiting in the wings if you need to do something silly like be productive