Palm responds to Apple's veiled threat: "we have the tools necessary to defend ourselves"

We've been waiting for this. Ever since Tim Cook made his non-specific, veiled threats in response to a direct question about how the Palm Pre "almost directly emulates the kind of touch interface" found on the iPhone, the entire tech community has waited for the next move. Now Lynn Fox, a Palm spokesperson has stepped into the fray. In a response given to Digital Daily and presumably crafted by a team of lawyers over the 2 days since the Apple analyst call, Lynn says the following: Palm has a long history of innovation that is reflected in our products and robust patent portfolio, and we have long been recognized for our fundamental patents in the mobile space. If faced with legal action, we are confident that we have the tools necessary to defend ourselves. The gauntlet is thrown. Now, will Apple risk the ire of a million new and middle-aged fanboys and crush Palm's Cinderella comeback by forcing the Pre into some state of unreleased legal limbo? Or will Rubinstein and Jobs quietly sort it out over a yoghurt parfait in some strip mall in The Valley? Oh boy, this is going to be good.

 

Nokia ships half a million 5800 XpressMusic handsets in 30 days

If this were coming from any other mouth, we'd definitely second guess it. As it stands, though, it's hard to dispute the words of Nokia's CEO when it comes to matters involving Nokia. Mr. Olli Pekka Kallasvuo stated rather proudly during the firm's Q4 results call that it had shipped just over 500,000 5800 XpressMusic mobiles (better known as the Tube) in just 30 days. That figure becomes even more impressive when you realize that shipments only occurred in select markets, though it should be noted that "units shipped" and "units sold to end users" could indeed be very different things. Still, half a million in just a month ain't too shabby in today's economy, so here's the kudos you're clearly due, Nokia.

 

Lian-Li's PC-888: if the Burj Al Arab were a PC chassis

We're not sure what percentage of each PC-888 sale goes straight to the owners of Dubai's Burj Al Arab, but it better be a lot. Lian-Li's latest eye-popping PC chassis looks pretty much exactly like the aforesaid hotel, and it's constructed from a significant amount of blue anodized aluminum. As you can probably tell from just looking, you can fit practically anything you'd ever need (as far as PC internals go) in here, with the case measuring in at 11.6- x 29.1- x 18.1-inches. A price has yet to be publicly disclosed, but a quick search brings up figures in the high $400s. Yeah, ouch. [Thanks, John] Gallery: Lian-Li's PC-888: if the Burj Al Arab were a PC chassis

 

HP issues software update for MediaSmart Server

It's been forever and a day since HP issued a MediaSmart Server update, but now -- at long last -- owners can suck down some more new software in order to implement a few minor changes. The HPMSS-1.3-R1 update adds in a Rollback feature, improves image processing performance in HP Photo Webshare, corrects error messages displayed using SSL and TZO certifications and removes unnecessary temperature sensor displays. Give it a go and let us know how things turn out, will ya? [Thanks, Duane]

 

Sony's Webbie HD reviewed: cheap but not a bargain

With everything going on at this year's CES we didn't get a chance to do more than take a few pictures of Sony's unfortunately named Webbie HD (aka the MHS-CM1), a tiny little camcorder that shoots in high-def yet costs just $200. Michael at Diffusion had the opportunity to review one and, while he liked everything on the camera's spec sheet, in practice found it to be a "low priced, low quality disposable HD camera." It shoots 720p and not-quite-1080p video (maxing out at 1440 x 1080) as well as 5 megapixel stills through a 5x optical zoom lens. Overall image quality was found to be poor, thanks in large part to exposure settings that could never settle on the right values themselves yet couldn't be manually tweaked. Given the price really there's not much reason to complain, as it seems perfectly serviceable for those who worry about cost more than image quality, but if you were hoping for a prosumer cam at a plaything price, keep searching.

 

Tmsuk T-34 robot speaks softly, carries a big net

We've seen robots controlled by cellphones before, but nothing quite like the T-34 from Tmsuk, creator of an amazing variety of bots that range from whimsical to menacing. The T-34 falls somewhere in-between, looking decidedly like a purple monster truck that's been granted the ability to trap -- or at least inconvenience -- baddies. A remote operator can get a live feed of what the T-34 is seeing and then fire a large weighted net when the target is in range. As you can see in the video below it does look to be rather challenging for this loafer-wearing mock burglar to extract himself, but once free we're not sure what else the T-34 can do other than bleat helplessly while waiting for someone with arms to show up. Just the same, if you're looking to put a damper on your local criminal activity and have $9,000 to spare, Tmsuk will be happy to sell you one -- in about two years when they become available. [Via SlashGear, thx Chris]

 

nüvi 885T reviewed - speech recognition 'great,' detour function 'not so much'

Sure, when we first caught wind of Garmin's nüvi 885T a while back it seemed like the hotness (if your measure of hotness begins and ends with a GPS), but how does it really stack up? GPS Magazine just got their hands on one of these bad boys, and they've been kind enough to share their thoughts with us. "Great," they say, "if speech recognition is your number one priority." Besides voice recognition, the reviewer was really into the Enhanced MSN Direct (traffic, fuel prices, flight statues and more), the ever-useful Where Am I? feature, MP3 playlist support, lane assist, and well behaved Bluetooth. Problems? For starters, MSN Direct for this model costs $50/year (or $130 for life), while many cheaper nüvis get it gratis. Additionally, a few oversights -- there is no way to exclude a specific road from a route, for instance, and a very limited detour function -- and this reviewer thinks that some users would be better served by another Garmin, such as the nüvi 7x5. But don't take our word for it -- for the exhaustive review hit the read link. Filed under: GPS

 

Mili Phonesuit Power Pack for iPhone adds some style, weight to your device

Sure, iPhone chargers are a dime a dozen, and most of them are a snore-fest, we know. Mili's just-rolled-out Phonesuit Power Pack is eye-catching enough to bring to your attention though. The spiffy looking charger is packing an 1,800 mAh battery which supposedley gives up to 350 hours of standby time, 6 hours of talk / browsing (3G), 12 hours of EDGE use. The only mildly interesting feature of the device is the mini USB port which allows you to charge a device other than your iPhone. This baby comes in 8 designs, and it's going to run you about $80 if you want to nab one. [Via Engadget Spanish]

 

Huawei confirms Android phone, to be unveiled next month

Huawei published a list of products to be exhibited at the MWC next month which also includes a phone based on Android platform. There are no other details as Huawei deems it perfect to unwrap the device next month on the show floor. Apart from the phone, other products that will be on display will be the world's first commercial HSPA+ USB stick, world's smallest modem, digital photo frame and a few other products. [Via Engadget]

 

Wobbling boob app hits iPhone

Like most guys, I have a high appreciation for boobs. I sincerely think that cleavage is the only reason for Jessica Simpson to live. A new app for the iPhone has been announced that will help guys take their appreciation for Baywatch style boobage to a whole new level. The app is called Wobble and lets you take pictures of your favorite girl (or any other object) and choose specific sections of the image to add a Wobble effect to. Sure, you can make other things wobble like your friends beer belly, but that's not the real reason for this app. Once you apply the area of the image you want to wobble, you shake the iPhone up and down. The application wobbles the jubblies up, down, left, and right depending on how fast and in what direction you shake your iPhone. This may well be the best app ever released for the iPhone. ChilliFresh

 

Weekend Project: Ball of Sound (PDF)

Take two salad bowls and turn them into a spherical array, ball of sound with amazing results. Thanks go to Michael Zbyszynski for the original article in Make: Volume 11. View the PDF of this project and then pick up Make: Volume 11 here for other great projects you can do over the weekend.

 

Nokia shipped 500k 5800 ‘Tube’ phones in last 30 days [Updated]

It's obviously not just Londoners who fancy some Nokia 'Tube' action: according to company CEO, Olli Pekka Kallasvuo, over half a million Nokia 5800 handsets have been shipped in the last 30 days.  Not bad at all, when you consider that the touchscreen XpressMusic handset was only available in "limited markets", and enough to make Kallasvuo believe that "the Nokia 5800 has the potential to become our highest revenue and gross margin generating device in a fairly short order." Update: Nokia have just issued a release saying that one million 5800 handsets have now shipped.  Remember, that doesn't mean devices sold, just in circulation among consumers, stores and suppliers. "The response to this device and our new touch use interface has been beyond our expectations.  [Nokia] will continue an aggressive roll out and marketing plan throughout the first quarter" Olli Pekka Kallasvuo, CEO, Nokia The figures were revealed in Nokia's financial conference call this week, at which time the company revealed that their sales had dropped 19-percent and their market share reduced by 3-percent from 2007's 40-percent.  However smartphones - such as the company's Nseries and Eseries devices - actually rose in sales, suggesting a greater consumer interest in more advanced devices. While the 5800 'Tube' falls under the XpressMusic banner rather than one of Nokia's mainstream smartphone ranges, it nonetheless marks a significant departure for the company with the debut of the touch-enabled S60 OS.  This platform will later see more attention in the shape of the Nokia N97, which is expected to be well featured at Mobile World Congress next month.

 

Microchip Internet Radio Board

Building your own internet radio is now become possible with the help of this Microchip Internet Radio Board. The board itself comes pre programmed and ready to play out of the box. It features MPEG audio codecs, an RJ45 port, push button switches and an OLED for all your station, track and other display needs. Now you'll be able to listen to your favorite radio programs without having to be inside the reception range for your local radio station, ain't that cool! The Microchip Internet Radio Board retails for £71.51. [EMCelettronica]

 

Samsung and MSI spruce up their netbooks for the Valentines

Samsung and MSI both have launched their own version of Valentine edition netbooks. While Samsung's NC10 just paints the pink hue to please the lady, MSI goes a step extra with a heart design on the lid of its U100 netbook. No change in the specifications. Samsung's Pink Edition will sell for $347. No details on the MSI counterpart. Product Page - Samsung Product Page - MSI [Via Samsunghub]

 

Samsung almost confirms an Android smartphone for the first half of this year

Samsung's first handset to run on Google's Android platform might be closer than we think. While until now there have been reports saying the South Korean manufacturer intends to launch an Android smartphone sometime in the third quarter of 2009, it looks like this will happen sooner, namely before mid-2009.   PC World quotes Chi Young Cho, Samsung's head of digital media and communications unit, who says that, in the first half of 2009, the company's smartphones will come with "various OSes to satisfy the diverse needs of our customers."  Sure, there's no word 'bout Android in there, but it's very likely that Mr. Young Cho had Google's platform in mind when mentioning those various OSes.   Apart from talking about smartphones, Samsung's official also said that their touchscreen phones scheduled for H1 2009 will come with upgraded functions (including the UI). Well, Sammy, we're waiting to see what's cooking there in those Korean labs of yours.

 

Samsung reports $16m in last financial quarter; first loss since 2000

Samsung have announced their Q4 and full 2008 financial results, and for the first time since 2000 the company has posted a net loss.  Larger than expected losses in the Samsung's chip unit - a full 14-percent loss, in fact - helped push the quarterly operating loss to $682 million.  Net losses for the same period reached 22.2 billion won ($16m), down from profits of 2.21 trillion won ($1.59bn) in Q4 2007 and 1.22 trillion won ($877m) in Q3 2008. Samsung's mobile device division, which is second in global sales behind Nokia, posted an operating profit margin of 2-percent, down from 7-percent in Q3 2008.  Meanwhile the company's ailing display division fell from an 8-percent profit in Q3 to 8-percent loss in Q4 2008, both paling compared to Q2 2008's healthy 21-percent profit. Overall sales grew by 5.5-percent to 18.45 trillion won ($13.3bn) but nonetheless missed forecasts as the company had previously warned.  Samsung are joining many multinationals in declining to give definite financial outlook figures, suggesting only that they would invest "conservatively" and look to reduce capital spending.

 

Powers of 10 by Charles and Ray Eames

Charles and Ray Eames were incredibly influential American designers - one of their most famous projects was a short film called Powers of 10. It was produced in 1977 and I was a little surprised to find that it's still amazing to watch. It's available for viewing on the Powers of 10 site - you do have to register, but it seems pretty benign, they don't ask for money or anything. The ultimate Eamesian expression of systems and connections, Powers of Ten explores the relative size of things from the microscopic to the cosmic. The 1977 film travels from an aerial view of a man in a Chicago park to the outer limits of the universe directly above him and back down into the microscopic world contained in the man's hand. Powers of Ten illustrates the universe as an arena of both continuity and change, of everyday picnics and cosmic mystery. The film also demonstrates the Eameses' ability to make science both fascinating and accessible.

 

IDAPT i2 and i3 Universal Chargers

Universal chargers usually look like complicated octopus creatures, with multiple proprietary tips dangling off a cluster of cables, or maybe a single box and a bag of easy-to-lose adapters, but IDAPT's solution is bit more sturdy.  Saying that, the i2 and i3 Universal Chargers also require a bit more room, being intended for table-top rather than travel use.  Interchangeable plugs slot into the base plate, letting you centralise your commonly-used gadgets. As you might expect, the IDAPT i2 has room for two devices, while the IDAPT i3 can accommodate three at a time.  According to the manufacturer, there are tips for all manner of electronics: mobile phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, game consoles, PDAs, GPS and Bluetooth headsets.  Each can rotate, and there's a nice big power switch on the back to save wasting power.  The IDAPT i2 is priced at €34.95 ($45) while the IDAPT i3 comes in at €49.95 ($64); both include four tips of your choice.  Individual tips are priced at €7.99 ($10) each, and IDAPT is claiming that they'll keep up to date with new adapters. [via iTechNewsNet]

 

Overclocked A-DATA XPG 2133x memory breaks World Record

A-DATA XPG series DDR3 desktop memory may not process the native speed of the World's fastest firestix at 2200mhz, but is capable of pushing 2237Mhz from 2133Mhz though a combination of cooling methodology to break the SuperPI 32m world record. The SuperPi 32m test was conducted on the DFI Lanparty UT X58 motherboard and A-DATAs' DDR3-2133X v2.0 2GBx3 triple-channel kit. Pushing 2237 MHz at latency settings of 8-7-7-21, folks at A-DATA were able to achieve an unprecedented result timed at 6min 40sec 360ms. The A-DATA XPG DDR3-2133X v2.0 tripled channel kit memory comes with a heavy set of Aluminum heatspreaders and an active dual-fan cooling system to maximize RAM heat's dissipation. Its distinctive design was previously recognized with the prestigious Taiwan Excellent 2009 Award. Pricing information and product availability were not announced. Taipei, Taiwan - Jan. 22nd, 2009 - A-DATA® Technology Co., Ltd., a worldwide leading manufacturer in high performance memory products, announced today that its XPG™ DDR3 memory modules have broke a new world record on SuperPi 32m. The record was set by utilizing the DFI Lanparty UT X58 motherboard and XPG X Series v2.0 memory, the DDR3-2133X v2.0 2GBx3 triple-channel kit. The SuperPi 32m record of 6min 40sec 360ms was achieved at a speed of 2237 MHz and latency settings of 8-7-7-21 using DDR3-2133X v2.0 2GBx3 triple-channel kit. The XPG DDR3-2133X v2.0 is engineered with heavy Aluminum heatspreaders and active dual-fan to keep the RAMs operate in low temperature environment. Through the combination of the cooling methodology, the XPG DDR3-2133X v2.0 is able to maximize its OC performance. Moreover, it was awarded with the prestigious Taiwan Excellent 2009 Award for its distinctive design. A-DATA X Series memory represents the ultimate overclocking performance. It was developed to unleash the hidden power of CPU and motherboard by using A-DATA's latest overclocking IC sorting technology. A-DATA XPG modules are guaranteed to satisfy the needs of PC enthusiasts and overclockers for high-performance, compatibility, and stability on memory modules.

 

BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 With CDMA Networks

BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 originally uses GSM networks, but RIM finally announced that the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 will also available for CDMA networks. Apparently named BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230, the smartphone is said to be released soon in Canada, via Telus. We don't know the details yet but it is said that the phone will be released in Feb with two optional colors black and pink. [Ubergizmo]

 

Rain Drops

The RainDrops system allows people to adapt standard plastic bottles to an existing gutter system to collect rain water. The repurposing of these plastic bottles will also give value to many bottles that are otherwise headed for landfills. A large benefit to using plastic bottles as a water collection system is that it fits in nicely with the process called SODIS, which uses a combination of the suns UV rays and heat to remove pathogenic microorganisms that cause disease. This process is spreading across many developing countries due to its effectiveness and low cost. Extract from Yanko Design

 

Apricorn launches massive 1.5TB DVR Xpander

When you first get your DVR from the cable or satellite provider its 10 or 20 hours of recording time sounds like an eternity. Then you quickly realize that you can't get your full season of Oprah and The Price is Right without running out of room for necessities like Celebrity Rehab. Apricorn has announced a new DVR expander called (wait for it) the DVR Xpander that offers 1.5TB of storage space. With that much storage, you can record 843 hours of SD programs or 187.5 hours of HD programs. Surprisingly the price for the 1.5TB version isn't even that high at $239. Other capacities are available including 500GB, 750GB, and 1TB. All of the drives feature eSATA and USB interfaces and will work with a variety of DVR models including cable company boxes and Dish Network DVRs. Apricorn

 

Nielsen says 5.7% of U.S. homes still not ready for digital transition

Anyone who watches TV has to have seen the constant public service announcements and ads that are talking about the digital transition happening next month. Despite the tons of commercials, many homes in America who watch over-the-air broadcasts have yet to get a converter box. Nielsen reports that 6.5 million homes across the U.S. are still not ready for the transition. This is despite the fact that coupons for free or greatly reduced price converters have been available for a year or more. The digital transition is set to happen on February 17. However, there are reports that congress and the Obama camp may delay the transition until this summer to give the hoards of procrastinators time to get a converter. Nielsen

 

Vudu Releases An iPhone App

Here's another good news for iPhone lovers! Vudu has just released an iPhone app which enables you to browse, purchase and rent movies directly from your iPhone so by the time you get home you won't have to wait around. I love the idea! [Ubergizmo]

 

T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8900 arriving early: Video Unboxing

T-Mobile announced the BlackBerry Curve 8900 at the beginning of the month, and promised delivery in February.  Someone obviously hasn't told the carrier's warehouse staff that, though, as reports are coming in of premature arrivals well in advance of the predicted February 11th release date. One of those arrivals has been caught on camera, so if you're curious as to what comes in the box and how T-Mobile have packaged it, you'll want to see this video unboxing. Check out the T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8900 unboxing video after the cut Included accessories look to be pretty much par for the course, with RIM throwing in a data cable, travel charger, earbuds and a leather pouch.  One odd omission for a BlackBerry is the holster, which is strangely absent. The Curve 8900 then gets a little back-to-back snuggle time with the iPhone 3G; not too much, of course, just in case any IP accidentally gets rubbed off and RIM become the next targets in Apple's litigation roadshow.  Have you ordered the new T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8900?  Has it arrived yet?  Let us know how you're getting on in the comments. Click here to view the embedded video.

 

Pentax postponed the launch of DA Star 55mm F1.4 SDM to February

Pentax prime junkies will have to stick with consumer FA 50 just a little longer, Pentax Japan has postponed the long overdue professional build quality SMC PENTAX DA Star 55mm F1.4 SDM to next month (February 20, 2009), parts procurement delays were to blame. Pentax DA Star (★) series lenses are designed exclusively for the use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras with dust and water resistant features. The 55mm F1.4 employed Pentax's SDM AF mechanism, a supersonic ultra smooth and quiet autofocus system. Lens is constructed with a Super-low-dispersion optical element, rounded diaphragm blades and a newly developed Aero Bright Coating to deliver an outstanding edge-to-edge high quality images, with ability to produce a more circular aperture for smooth and beautiful bokeh at large apertures. The manufacturer has not officially announced the price for the DA Star 55mm prime but the street of Akihabara is forecasting 80,000 yen ($900). [via impress]

 

Pony Boots & Shoes

The first time I have seen this type of boots is on Victoria Beckham's feet in a newspaper. Pony boots and shoes… It's like walking on stilts… makes beautiful calf muscles. Extract from PunitiveShoes

 

Asus India announces Eee Top ET1602

Asus today unwrapped their Eee Top ET1602 touchscreen AIO PC. No real surprises as such from the last time we saw it but there are a few things which points to a troubled future of the device, at least in India. First is the price. The Eee Top carries a hefty price tag of Rs. 44,000 ($898). That's too much considering the thing you're getting is a netbook with a 15.6-inch screen display and some touchscreen apps to make it more usable. Secondly, Asus seems to target children and elders but I think this product suits more to businesses rather than end users. Thirdly, the keyboard and the mouse are not bundled with the Eee Top. Though they don't cost much but the non-inclusion of the input devices gives a point to the prospective buyer to look for some other options. Here are the full specifications: Model: Eee Top ET1602 LCD: 15.6" 16:10 wide panel Touch-screen: Single touch; accepts finger or pen input Operating System: Genuine Windows® XP Home with Express Gate Processor: Intel Atom N270 Chipset: 945GSE + ICH7 Memory: DDRII 1 GB Hard disk drive: 160 GB SATAII 5,400 rpm Graphics: Onboard graphics LAN: Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mbps Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11n Speakers: 4 W Hi-Fi speaker x 2 + SRS Premium Sound System Audio chip: High definition audio chip Side I/O ports: USB 2.0 x 2, card reader I/O ports: 3 audio ports for 5.1 channels, mic in, line in 4 USB 2.0 ports Power supply: 19 V DC, 4.74 A, 65 W power adaptor Net weight: 4.3 kg Advertisement: Samsung Hub - Tracking minute steps of the Korean Giant

 

Sony offers Super Bowl Blu-ray HDTV bundle deal

In a short 9 days, the Steelers and Cardinals will square off Super Bowl XL III at the Tampa bay, an estimated over 90 million viewers will be watching in front of their television sets, if wasn't for the game, would be the 3-millions-30-seconds spot Super Bowl ads. Traditionally, hot wings, pizzas and beers are not the only Super Bowl party staples, so are the flat screen TV sets. Last year, the national biggest Super event Super Bowl approximated over 2 millions HDTV sold, boosted over $2 billions sales. To be fair, the Super Bowl has been the Number one driver for HDTV sales, third straight year in a roll. If you're planning to get a brand new set, or for an upgrade, just walk right any local electronic store, you shouldn't have troubles finding sale campaigning the Super Bowl. If you prefer online shopping, there's still a week left for delivery, and Amazon is having a special Super Bowl deal, save up to $400 on a HDTV/Blu-ray player bundle. According to Amazon, the offer ends at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time, January 24. A $300 discount will apply when you purchase a Sony's BDP-S550 Blu-ray player with select W-Series BRAVIA HDTVs (KDL-46W4100, KDL-52W4100), or $400 with select XBR and V-Series BRAVIA HDTVs (KDL-46XBR6, KDL-40XBR7, KDL-52V4100). Some of the selections are Sony high-end series XBR sets, so does the Blu-ray player with key features from BD-live, DTS-MA audio decoding and 7.1 channels audio outputs. More details on the sets are listed at Amazon.