Have you put down you deposit on a Wii yet? I for one have and think it will be THE console to get for Christmas, offering something a little different into the gaming arena. Now, part of the Wii experience is to create an online Mii, well, if you cannot wait that long why not try out this online Mii simulator courtesy of Joystiq. Check it out here.
Google Reader Delivers
I have been trying out Google Reader for the past couple of days and I must say that I am pretty impressed. For a long time now I have been trying several news readers, but never sticking with just one. My favourite to date was NetNewsWire Lite, which was great, a freebie and worked a treat. Where the new Google Reader wins out is that it is web based (although it is fast and behaves just like a desktop app), this has the advantage of being able to log in wherever you are and keep up-to-date with your subscribed news feeds. Check it out for yourself, you can find the reader here.
Lots of competition for Apple iTV
It seems that either Apple has impeccable timing or industry reaction to the forthcoming Apple iTV has had many other manufacturers launch or announce similar devices.
I reported a couple of weeks back about Netgear's Digital Entertainer (EVA700) which looks like a very promising piece of hardware. It will certainly be one to keep an eye on for both features and price. Now today I heard about the new RCA Akimbo Player, which seems to offer you a device only purchase for streaming your content wirelessly to your TV, plus a subscription based service offering content to download. The device itself offers composite, s-video and component video outputs, analogue stereo and coax/optical digital for sound, ethernet and a 80Gb internal hard drive (just what we are expecting in the iTV). What is surprising with the Akimbo is that the wireless is supplied by an optional USB adapter, hmmmmmmm... you would think this would be built in.
So things are hotting up, let us all hope that Apple really deliver the goods when they release the iTV (working name) early next year.
Zune Buzz - Zune News !!!
The www is buzzing with Zune news lately, lots of it, some good, some bad, some biased, but in true Geekanoids style here is the heads up on the important information.
The new Microsoft Zune will come in three choices: black, white or brown and should be in the hands of overseas users by November 14th 2006. It all starts with a 30GB digital media player and adds the twist of wireless connectivity to share selected full-length sample tracks, playlists, pictures or your home-grown tracks directly from your Zune to a friends Zune. You can then listen to the full-length songs that you receive up to three times in three days, flag the ones you like and easily buy them the next time you sync up. The Zune Marketplace allows you to shop for new songs and content, and show off your favorite pictures and videos on the big, bright screen. There is also a built in FM tuner.
The 30Gb Zune stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video. You can make playlists on the go and watch a slide show while you’re listening. Watching video is a different experience too, as you can turn the unit on its' side into landscape mode, for widescreen viewing.
A Zune Pass subscription gives you “all you can eat” access to discover and explore the Zune Marketplace, downloading tracks and other content. Plus, with the built-in FM tuner you can listen to local FM radio stations or tune in to programming while you’re at your local health club, for example. Advanced tuning capabilities allow you to see the name of the song currently playing on selected frequencies. It is these little extras like the FM tuner built in that seem to add to the overall value of the Zune.
A full selection of accessory packs and individual add-ons will also be available, with some of the offerings looking pretty neat.
It also seems that updates to the Zune player will be available over its' wireless connection, which sounds great. What would be even more interesting is if music could be downloaded on your PC and then transferred to the Zune wirelessly too.
So here I am an avid iPod fan, looking forwards to seeing what the Zune has to offer. It has nothing to do with brand loyalty, if the Zune delivers, Microsoft will have another paying customer on its' books.
Funky iPod Cases from Griffin
Wow, now that is what I call 'funky'. Griffin Technology just sent me details of their new iPod case offerings.
Going by the name of Centerstage and Disko, the latter 'Disko' lights up your click wheel with groovy LED's...
Centerstage shows off your iPod in a clear hard shell case, for maximum protection while carrying. But when you get where you're going, Centerstage reveals its hidden talents. The colorful anodized aluminum cover flips open and under to create a sturdy easel stand, allowing your iPod to stand and deliver. Centerstage is perfect for hands-free video viewing.
Like Griffin's best-selling iClear case, Centerstage is fully compatible with 30, 60 and 80GB video iPods. Crystal-clear Centerstage is available in your choice of silver, blue, black, or hot pink aluminum flipstand."
Pricing & Availability
Centerstage and Disko are available for this holiday season, priced at only $24.99, and $29.99 USD, respectively, at www.griffintechnology.com, and wherever quality iPod accessories are sold.
Intempo iDS-02 iPod Speaker System
I just love the look of all these new and innovative speaker systems for the iPod, but none more so than the iDS-02 from Intempo Digital. Two 7.5 watt speakers and a 15 watt subwoofer in this spherical design, looks really cool and available in black or white. I hope to bring you a review real soon, but until then, check out the link.
Zune extras plus exposed screen !
Well, I don't need to tell you that I am a true iPod fan, with all this Zune news really getting me wound up. Not that I think it will be any sort of threat, but I do think people may end up wasting there money and it effecting the MP3 market as a whole.
Anyway, Microsoft has made it official, along with details of accessories here.
Also, one thing worries me about the Zune, if you look at the images of it, the screen looks like a normal LCD, with no hard protection (like the iPod). So with people stuffing their Zune's into pockets and bags, I can see a lot of people crying with damaged screens. What do you think?
Grand Opening of Apple Store Manchester
The Apple Store Manchester Arndale will open to the public on Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. BST.
I love Apple Store openings, they make me tingle inside and I do not mind admitting that when I visit my local the hours just seem to fly past, even if my wallet stays in my pocket (which it does not very often). So it gives me great pleasure to bring you this news and to urge you, if you can make it down to the Arndale Centre in Manchester then you are guaranteed a great day.
From the press release:
At the Apple Store, knowledgeable salespeople are available to help customers learn about all the latest products from Apple including the all-new iPod® nano featuring a new aluminium body, 24 hours of battery life and more than twice the music capacity at the same price as the previous generation, and the new iPod with a brighter and more vibrant colour display perfect for watching music videos and viewing photos and album art. The hands-on Apple Store experience provides visitors with a chance to test-drive Apple’s entire product line including the critically acclaimed iMac® and MacBook™, featuring Intel processors, a built-in iSight™ camera and the breakthrough Front Row media experience. Customers can also visit the Genius Bar for free, face-to-face technical support and The Studio where Creatives are on hand to help with all of their creative projects from retouching photos to making professional quality movies.
Additional information about Apple’s retail stores is available at www.apple.com/uk/retail
Review update - coming soon
Thought it would be a good idea to give you an updated list of upcoming and just published reviews on the Geekanoids website. So here goes;
How to Get Rich Quick - book by Felix Dennis - on the site now.
Apple's 2G iPod Nano (4Gb model) - on the site now.
Griffin iTrip Auto - now legal in the UK.
Lineform - by Freeverse, a nice alternative to Illustrator.
M-Audio Podcast Factory.
Netgear DG834N - wireless ADSL2+ modem router - this week.
Extensis Suitcase Fusion.
Extensis Portfolio 8.
Buffalo LinkStation Pro - 320Gb NAS hard drive.
Fujitsu ScanSnap S500 & Scantango OSX Driver Software.
Canon Powershot A640 - digital camera.
Lacie Porsche 500Gb USB2 Hard Drive.
Lacie Mobile 100Gb Hard Drive.
...plus some very interesting software reviews.
Buffalo NEW DriveStation Duo
Dual SATA drives offer consumers and SME/SOHOs redundancy in plug-and-play external storage
London, UK, 26th September 2006 - Buffalo Technology has today launched its DriveStation Duo USB 2.0/FireWire external hard drive. This latest addition to the DriveStation family comes equipped with two drives offering RAID 1 full data redundancy for home and small business (SOHO/SME) users. The DriveStation Duo is available in capacities of 500GB (HD-W500IU2/R1), 800GB (HD-W800IU2/R1), 1.0TB (HD-W1.0TIU2/R1) and 1.5TB (HD-W1.0TIU2/R1).
The DriveStation Duo is the first Buffalo storage device to feature both FireWire and USB 2.0 interfaces. It incorporates configurable RAID 1 (Mirroring) for improved reliability and full capacity spanning modes for maximum capacity. It also comes with a Windows® RAID utility to easily change RAID modes. For increased storage capacity, the DriveStation Duo includes two high performance SATA drives, delivering speeds of 7200rpm for improved speed and reliability.
“Having a plug-and-play direct-attached storage device equipped with RAID 1 is a big step for Buffalo because it offers our users full redundancy of data,” stated Gerardine Lynch, product marketing manager at Buffalo Technology. “RAID 1 in a two-disk product essentially means no data will be lost if one of the disks fails, and users can still operate the product during the rebuilding process. The DriveStation Duo not only provides continuous backup of the other disk but is a quick and easy way to store, access and transfer your music, photos, videos and other important files.”
The DriveStation Duo includes Secure Lock Ware, a security software tool that secures the device or selected files/folders using 256 bit AES encryption. This, along with backup software from Memeo™, delivers improved backup options, including regular system backup, scheduled backup and password protection.
Like the rest of the DriveStation range, the DriveStation Duo offers three automatic features for user-friendly operation: The Auto Setup function ensures quick, easy and driverless installation*; the Auto Power-On feature allows it to associate with the power of the attached computer and automatically power-on or off; and the Auto Backup feature enables customised backup scheduling to protect data.
The DriveStation line of storage devices can be used as backup drives to Buffalo’s other Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices, including the LinkStation Home Server, LinkStation Pro, TeraStation Home Server and TeraStation Pro.
Backed by a limited two-year warranty, the DriveStation Duo will be available from October in capacities of 500GB, 800GB, 1.0TB and 1.5TB. Current estimated street prices (ex VAT) are as follows:
500GB - HD-W500IU2/R1 £135.99
800GB - HD-W800IU2/R1 £254.99
1.0TB - HD-W1.0TIU2/R1 £279.99
1.5TB - HD-W1.5TIU2/R1 £509.99
Apple Releases Aperture 1.5 at Photokina 2006
Apple have just released details of Aperture version 1.5 at the Photokina 2006 event in Germany. The new updated application will be available this week as a free update for existing users, or at the existing £219 price for new users.
Check out the new features such as iLife and iWork integration here.
Netgear Digital Entertainer (EVA700) News
In an age where movie downloads are becoming the norm and with the advent of Movie downloads from the iTunes Store, getting movies (and other visuals) to you main TV screen is something that more and more users are looking to do. I have personally just installed a network hard drive in my set-up and streaming to my computer is not a problem, but to my main TV, now that is a different matter. Netgear's new 'Digital Entertainer EVA700 could be the answer to all my problems, read on for Netgear's press release about their new product.
NETGEAR Announces the Digital Entertainer, Featuring Seamless Media
Streaming to TVs and Home Entertainment Systems from Intel Viiv™
Technology-Based PCs, Storage Devices and the Internet
NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700) First Digital Media Adapter Verified
to Work with Intel Viiv Technology; Two Popular Wireless Routers Also
Verified to Enable Access to Content and Services through Home Networks
Bracknell, UK — September 25, 2006 — NETGEAR, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR), a
worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking
products, today introduced the first Intel Viiv technology-verified digital
media adapter (DMA), the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700), bringing
home computers and home entertainment systems together. The sleek and
stylish Digital Entertainer enables consumers to stream digital media
content, applications and services from PCs, network storage devices, USB
devices, and the Internet via a home network to TVs and home entertainment
systems.
“Where people store their files and access the Internet shouldn’t limit
where, when or how they enjoy their digital entertainment,” said Vivek
Pathela, NETGEAR’s vice president of product marketing. “Previously you
used your PC, but now you can also enjoy the same videos, photos and music
on your TV, in the comfort of your family room. We’ve dedicated
considerable effort to ensure options for high-quality video streaming for
hours of uninterrupted video playback, so digital media and services can be
delivered from the PC to home theatres across multiple rooms. Like other
NETGEAR products, our Digital Entertainer and wireless routers verified to
work with Intel Viiv technology-based PCs are characterised by their
elegance, reliability and simplicity.”
The Digital Entertainer also supports services and applications through the
Intel Viiv Zone, which will provide over time a growing choice of
on-demand, Internet-delivered premium content including music and music
videos, information services, sports and TV shows, full-length movies, and
other entertainment. Other Intel Viiv technology features supported include
the ability to wake a sleeping PC from the Digital Entertainer, and
simplified device set-up via Intel Hub Connect Technology — which also
requires a verified router such as the NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless Router
(WPN824) and 54 Mbps Wireless Router (WGR614).
Consumers connect the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer to their existing home
networks through wired Ethernet for best results, or through an 802.11g
wireless standard-compliant router such as the Intel Viiv technology
verified NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless Router (WPN824) and 54 Mbps Wireless
Router (WGR614). For a proven wired Ethernet alternative, consumers can use
the NETGEAR 200 Mbps Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter Kit (HDXB101) (Geekanoids review here) to stream high quality video across multiple rooms in the house to ensure hours of
uninterrupted video playback.
User-friendliness is a hallmark of NETGEAR products. The NETGEAR Digital
Entertainer (EVA700) features an intuitive TV user interface that enables
families to browse their digital movie, video, music and photo files using
a single remote control. In addition to Intel Viiv technology based-PCs,
the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer supports access to content on standard
Windows XP PCs through Windows Media Connect as well as other Universal
Plug and Play (UPnP) media servers such as TwonkyMedia. The Digital
Entertainer can also stream content via the home network from the NETGEAR
Storage Central (SC101), associated with a PC, and many USB storage devices
such as flash drives, digital cameras and iPods. With its smooth burnished
platinum casing, similar in size to a standard DVD player, the Digital
Entertainer is a stylish addition to entertainment system cabinets.
The NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700) decodes many leading audio formats
(MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC), video formats (MPEG1/2/4, WMV, XviD) and image
formats (JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF, GIF). It integrates a 10/100Base-T Ethernet
controller, support for 802.11g wireless networking, and a USB 2.0 port for
additional connectivity with flash memory, digital cameras, iPod, or other
portable music and video players. The Digital Entertainer also includes RCA
connectors for composite and component video outputs with HD video support,
stereo RCA audio ports, an S-video port, and a SCART connector for regions
that require it. The Digital Entertainer complies with multiple
interoperability standards, including UPnP AV, Digital Living Network
Alliance (DLNA), and emerging digital rights management technologies such
as DTCP-IP and Microsoft® Windows Media DRM 10 for Network Devices. It
supports several security standards including WEP, WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK.
The NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700) is available now through select
retailers, e-commerce sites and value-added resellers. Backed by a one-year
warranty and 24/7 technical support, it has an MSRP of £200.
We hope to bring you a full review soon.