Gadgets Future

Princeton has just released a new and very little USB Bluetooth adapter. The PTM-UBT4 measures in at just 4.5 x 23 x 14mm and has a working range of 300-foot. The adapter is Bluetooth 2.0+EDR which means you can expect speeds of up to 3Mbps. The adapter is expected to be available in Japan later this month and will retail for ¥2,980 (about $28).

Via [Engadget]

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AT&T Tilt users have a little update waiting for them in the form of a ROM update. The update seems like one you may want to grab, as it offers enhanced Bluetooth performance, enables DTMF tones for the slide-out QWERTY keyboard, improves overall device performance and stability and includes the Microsoft Adaptation Kit Update (AKU) 0.4.4. Sadly this update does not include anything to correct the recent video driver issues, that update is still rumored to be coming in March.

Read [HTC] Download [Update] Via [Mobility Site]

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In a follow up to the first reports that we say yesterday, Reuters is now reporting that Toshiba will be pulling support for HD DVD. According to a company source within Toshiba they are, “planning to give up on its HD DVD format for high definition DVDs, conceding defeat to the competing Blu-Ray technology backed by Sony Corp.”

With all the recent trouble, the poor showing at CES along with Netflix, Best Buy and Wal-Mart pulling support this latest news is not coming as a surprise. The official announcement is expected to come next week.

“We have entered the final stage of planning to make our exit from the next generation DVD business,” said the source, who asked not to be identified.

Just a few things left to wonder about, what will happen with the hd dvd early adopters, will we see a cult like following start to pop-up and just how soon will we see a rush of Blu-ray players sales.

Read [Reuters]

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King 5 has a nice little video, giving us a brief look into one of the fifty-two hubs that Netflix has nationwide. This location is the Northwest hub and it is just south of Tacoma, Washington. They have 40 employees and can process 110,000 movies per day.

At least one employee is averaging around 950 per hour (which is around 18,000 per week), while the company standard is around 650 per hour. Lets hope she gets a nice bonus every so often.

Employees are up at least every other hour for scheduled exercise breaks where they move around and stretch to avoid cramps and stiff bodies. It was also mentioned that the employees enjoy a free Netflix membership as a perk of the job.

Read [King 5] Via [Hacking Netflix]

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Posted Feb 16th 2008 11:43AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Gaming
Select owners of Guitar Hero III for Wii have been moshing uncontrollably as best they can in mono for months on end, but it seems as if Activision has finally got its interconnects sorted and will start issuing replacement discs. According to direct end-user reports and the (admittedly blurry) shots in the gallery below, the firm is now dishing out pre-paid envelopes in which customers have to ship back their faulty GH III disc and wait “3 to 4 weeks” before getting a new, stereo-enabled one free of charge. Live sans your favorite game for a month, or keep rockin’ in the monaural world? Tough call, indeed.

[Thanks, Sam K.]

Gallery: Activision cranks up Wii Guitar Hero III disc replacement program

MYBAG - Fold Up Shopping Bag

Being eco-aware just got even more trendy. This fold up shopping bag comes in a range of lovely, bright colours. The handle becomes the case which packs up to the size of your phone and tucks nicely in your hand bag or as a key-ring.  My Bagway is reusable and way cute, but it’s also way more comfortable than lugging plastic carrier bags around.

Technorati Tags: gadgets For Her

We love Internet. Our parents love Internet. Our children love the Internet. But some Internet content is not safe for our kids and it is so difficult to control the web surfing. Of course there are a lot of proxies which can block the access to certain website. But it is impossible to block all inappropriate content by a proxy. For this we need powerful software like Integard by Race River Corporation.

Integard works like an Internet content filter to help parents protect children from inappropriate content on the internet. Integard can blocks web pages with content not suitable for children, monitors chat to protect against predators and cyber bullying and supports multiple user profiles. Integard provides the Internet Protection for families, employers, and employees but unfortunately it works only in Windows. For Linux you should look for other solutions. Integard comes with a comprehensive database of websites and keywords that is continuously updated.

You don’t know if Integard can help you? Just download and install the trial version and test it for 14 days (it is fully functional). After 14 days when the trial period has ended, you can purchase a license or uninstal it.

The good news is that Integard can be installed on up to 3 computers per household.

New features in Integard V1.5 BETA

It’s hard not to see the handwriting on the wall. Literally. But let’s recap. First, it was select studios announcing the dropping of HD DVD and focusing on the better selling Blue Ray Line. Then, it was Best Buy announcing it would only sell Blue Ray. Then, Amazon announced a 50% off clearance on 150 HD DVD movies. Microsoft drops the price of their XBox hd dvd add-on player to $129. But the real killer was when WalMart announced it would drop HD DVD effective in June. So what to do when the war is over? Toshiba finally raises the white flag.

The news came from a report by NHK in Japan, which stated that Toshiba plans to withdraw from next generation high-definition DVD production and close plants in Japan. And that isn’t the worst of it as Toshiba is facing a shortfall in the neighborhood of several hundred million dollars U.S. as a result of losing the format war.

It was only a matter of time before HD DVD would come to it’s whimpering end. Recently, Blu-ray seized up to 90 percent of the Japanese high-definition DVD market after a price war which left it the only format standing.

And now it’s all over but the shouting.

Hat tip: Crave

Griffin EarThumps Headphones - Black

EarThumps are earbuds that are designed to isolate your listening experience from outside sound by fitting comfortably inside the ears, to deliver rich, crystal clear audio. Buying an iPod is an investment worth protecting! …one that deserves to reach its full audio potential. Griffin EarThumps deliver clean transparent atmospheric highs, and deep bass. EarThumps increase your iPod listening experience by an order of magnitude and come in either Status Symbol White or Undercover Black, to match the newer iPods. Features:Designed specifically for use with ipod Exceptional noise isolation Greater sound output and enhanced bass Lightweight (0.4 ounces/12 grams) Three different-sized silicone inserts for secure fit and maximum comfort Neodymium dynamic micro-drivers Includes nylon zippered carrying case

Technorati Tags: Headphones

The AT&T branded Centro has not officially been announced yet, but that is not stopping at least one AT&T retail store from selling the phone anyway. A lucky user over on the Treo Central Forums was able to make the purchase at a Denver retail store. What else is there to do after you purchase an unreleased and unannounced phone, unbox it and post the pictures. We can only assume that the official release will come Tuesday February 19, unless you are also lucky enough to get yours early. As you can also see from the above image, the Centro appears to be running the phone app from the Treo 680. Looking good.

Read [Flickr] Via [Treo Central Forums]

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