Considering just about every other laptop maker has entered the ULPC arena, it comes as no surprise that Sony’s thinking about dipping its toes into netbooks as well. Sony exec Mike Abary told Laptop Magazine to “stay tuned” about the company’s netbook plans, and added that “we are letting the pioneers of the market make the mistakes… We have to participate.” What? You have to participate in creating a consumer product that’s been key to keeping the PC industry from sinking with the rest of the economy? Crazy talk! [Laptop Mag]
The year is 3022. Persons of rank wear amazing lightning-bolt gloves that can fend off smallish missiles, and billowy white powdered wigs are finally back in style. The Space Olympics are being held on Zargon, but lo, due to funding issues, popular sports such as Space Disk, Space Swords and the ever-popular Space Luge may be cancelled. Oh, and the facility’s oxygen may also run out. Note: Third time’s definitely the funniest, and that f’n’ bleepin’ Swiffer ad isn’t ours, so don’t yell at me. [SNL]
The Gadget: Slacker G2, a slimmer, updated version of the original Slacker portable internet radio player.
The Price: $200 for 25-station 4GB, and $250 for the 40-station 8GB unit. The free service is ad-supported and allows six skips per hour, while the premium service costs about $10/month and is ad-free, offers unlimited skips and the ability to save songs to the device.
The Verdict: The Slacker G2 looks a million times better than its first-gen sibling. The older player was bigger and thicker than a deck of cards, with poorly placed buttons and a capacitive touch strip that felt somewhat cheap. The G2 trims the fat from the device, leaving a screen just big enough to show album art, and controls that are far more intuitive than its predecessor. The 2.4″ display is clear, text is very readable, menus are simple and its about as tall and thick as an iPod dock (but much lighter), a good size for the hand.
For this portable Pandora-style player to succeed, it needs two things. The first thing is, it needs a great selection of songs, tailored to the users tastes. In this respect, it’s awesome—even pre-programmed stations (think satellite radio rather than Pandora) have a wide ranging and thoughtful collection of artists, and stick mostly to singles or fan favorites so you don’t get many strange deep cuts. Custom built stations (which you have to create in the web player) are even better. In both cases, you can favorite or ban song suggestions that you don’t like, but if you design a station with more than 200 songs, you won’t get any outside suggestions (though you probably no longer count as a true “slacker”).
The other thing the G2 absolutely needs is a solid connection for refreshing stations. Sadly, this is where it falls short. A full refresh took almost two hours; stations took at least 10 or 15 minutes apiece to download. Adding a custom station for the first time took forever, and so did refreshing stations that I listened to often, favoriting and banning many songs. You can’t refresh one station at a time—only all stations at once—and you can’t create stations directly on the device either. I’d love to see these two things in a firmware update. Slacker may have shown us its more viable future in smartphone software with its recent BlackBerry announcement. Still, with some software tweaks and better networking, the company could make the G2 a decent alternative for those who fear convergence. [Slacker]
HP has dropped two notebooks catering to portable home theater addicts. Both computers run Windows Vista SP1 and come with Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processors, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M graphics chips, 4GB DDR2 RAM, Wifi, Bluetooth, and a DVD±R/RW drive. The HDX16 has a 16 inch 1366×768 pixel Brightview display and comes with a 320GB hard drive while the HDX18 boasts an 18.4 inch 1920x1080p LCD screen and gives you an extra 180GB storage.
Other features include one-touch access to entertainment, video-upscaling to view standard DVDs in hi-def, a 55% wider viewing angle, a built-in bass subwoofer, an integrated fingerprint reader and… “lustrous sophistication with HP Fluid Imprint finish in titanium,” though I’m not really sure I see what’s so lustrously sophisticated from the press photos. The HDX16 will drop in late September for $1299, while the HDX18 will cost you $1349.
The HP HDX Experience*
• HP MediaSmart for one-touch access to entertainment plus video-upscaling to view standard
DVDs in high-def.
• Platinum Support via direct line (866.408.5408) to speak with an HDX Specialist. (U.S. only)
• Project lustrous sophsitication with HP Fluid Imprint finish in titanium.
• Get a 55% wider viewing angle plus enhanced brightness, color intensity and clarity with the
18.0″ diagonal HP Full HD Ultra BrightView Infinity display.(8)
• Experience thunderous audio with built-in HP Triple Bass Subwoofer.
• Immerse yourself in simulated surround sound with Dolby Home Theater.
• Get extra protection from accidental drops with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection.
• Simplify your password management with the integrated fingerprint reader.Key Specifications
• Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor Technology featuring Intel® Core™2 Duo
Processor P8400 (2c)(3)(4b)
• Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-bit with Service
Pack 1 (1)(20a)
• 18.4″ Diagonal High Definition (8) HP Ultra Brightview Infinity Display
(1920x1080p)
• NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with up to 2302MB Total Available Graphics
Memory with 512MB dedicated
• 4096MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 500GB (5400RPM) Hard Drive Dual HDD – 250GB + 250GB(SATA) (7)
• LightScribe Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Double
Layer (6d)(16a)(16c)(16d)
• Intel® WiFi Link 5100AGN & Bluetooth™(10)(10b)(10d)
Luxurious Style
Expanding on the elegance of the current line, the new HDX series is defined
by fluid, modern lines and metalized finishes with surprising innovations
inside and out. High-gloss HP Imprint finish in titanium and chrome now
encases all surfaces visible during normal use for greater durability, and a
sleeve is included for extra protection. The HDX series Fluid Imprint features
an flowing linear pattern that enhances the reflective qualities of the metallic
finish. The streamlined look is enhanced with a color-matched keyboard and
touchpad. And touch media controls light up and become visible only when
the system is powered on further enhancing the clean appearance. HP’s
mobile products have won coveted International Red Dot, iF and CES
Innovation design awards and been recognized by other leading design
institutions.
Extreme Entertainment
Extreme entertainment is at your fingertips with everything you need to enjoy
content in the highest-quality formats – and create your own
show. Introducing HP MediaSmart for access to DVDs, videos, photos, music,
karaoke, games(25), Internet(15) TV, and streamed or recorded TV at the touch
of a button.
• Watch standard DVDs in high definition with Video Upscaling.
• Connect to your HD TV via the HDMI port to view content from your HP
HDX notebook.
• Control playback with the HP ScrollSmart Remote Control.
• Edit and burn HD content with Cyberlink DVD Premium.
• Create movies complete with special effects fast with Muvee autoProducer
Premium.
• Enjoy thunderous audio enabled by the HP Triple Bass Subwoofer.
• Get simulated surround sound with Dolby Home Theater and Altec Lansing
speakers.
• Experience true immersion in 3D games with NVIDIA G9600 series
graphics and discrete video memory with DirectX 10 support.
Platinum-tier Support
• One-year limited hardware and software warranty with 24/7 phone
support
• Toll-free phone support during warranty via direct line to an HDX Specialist
in the U.S. @ 1.866.408.5408 and toll-free support in Canada @
1.800.HP.INVENT.
• Easy-to-use dashboard for system diagnostics and updates with preinstalled
HP Advisor
Designed to Captivate
For those who want the latest performance technologies enabling a premium
home cinema and computing experience, the HP HDX 18 delivers in an
elegant desktop-replacement design. Its reflective Fluid Imprint finish encases
leading-edge mobile architectures from Intel and NVIDIA. HP HDX notebook
PCs provide the options you need to connect, enjoy and experience peace of
mind.
• Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 Ultra Wide Display. Enjoy a viewing angle of
140 degrees (vs. standard 90) and significatnly enhanced brightness, color
and clarity with the HP Full HD Ultra BrightView Infinity display.(8)
• Connect(15) with the HP Webcam. Turn your next instant message into a live
video chat with the integrated webcam, omni directional microphone and
an IM solution. Optimized for low-light environments, it’s great for
capturing short videos to share on your favorite social networking site.
Personalize your videos with included YouCam software.
• Enhanced security options. HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection locks
your hard drive into place when it senses abrupt motion to help prevent
data loss. The eSATA/USB Combo port enables fast backup to an external
hard drive. And the dual hard disk drives provide an easy back up option.
The integrated fingerprint reader offers greater security and ease-of-use by
associating passwords to your system and online accounts with unique
fingerprints.
• Personalized disc labels with LightScribe. Create custom laser-etched disc
labels right in the drive with LightScribe and preinstalled Cyberlink DVD
Premium. Just burn data on the disc, flip it over and burn the cover image
using any scanned image and/or text.(16a)
• Full-memory access. Windows® Vista®(1) 64-bit operating systems are able
to fully access system memory to support 3D games and complex
applications.
HP and the Environment
• Help conserve energy with this ENERGY
STAR® qualified and EPEATTM Silver
registered PC.
• Reuse or recycle your HDX series
packaging to help minimize waste.
• Please recycle your computer hardware
and printing supplies. HP recycling
services make responsible disposal easy.
Learn more about HP’s environmental
initiatives and recycling at:
www.hp.com/go/ecohighlights
HPs Touchsmart all-in-one, launched earlier this summer, was a pretty good all-in-one PC, and now it got a few more features that sweeten the deal. The key updates for the Touchsmart IQ816 are that it now comes with a 25.5-inch LCD, Blu-ray drive and VESA wall mount capability.
Other new features include a drive bay for HP’s Pocket Drive line of portable hard drives, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M video card and a multi-color light that illuminates the space under the computer for the keyboard (previously it was just fluorescent white). Other than that, the technical specs and touchscreen technology remain the same, as does the general design. Also available is the IQ804, which lacks the Blu-ray drive and NVIDIA 9600M.
The Touchsmart IQ816 starts at $2100 and will ship on October 12, while the IQ804 starts at $1900 and will be available on September 21.
The next generation touch computer
The next-generation, touch-enabled PC combines a 25.5″ diagonal hi-def27 widescreen with a powerful energy efficient Intel® CoreTM2 Duo28 processor in a single, integrated design. Includes HP Touchsmart software, webcam29, media card reader, and premium speakers for fast, easy access to photos, videos, music and applications. HP recommends Windows Vista® Home Premium.
Your digital life at your fingertips
•Touch-screen technology puts your digital life at your fingertips with fast, easy access to info, entertainment and social networks.29
•Next-generation HP TouchSmart software simplifies access to photos, videos, music and applications.
•Quick and easy touch access to your digital world.The slim, stylish, next-generation PC
•Sleek, next-generation design combines a 25.5″
diagonal hi-def1 widescreen with a powerful energy
efficient Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo28 processor.
•Plug one power cord into the wall and you’re ready to go.
•Wireless keyboard and integrated WLAN30 offer a truly wireless experience.
•Low profile wireless keyboard stows away when not in use, freeing up valuable desk space.
•Colored HP Ambient Light lets you select a color lighting to set a mood, or see your keyboard in the dark.
•Sleek piano black design with elegant espresso side-panel highlights.Watch your photos, movies and music come to life
•Next generation HP TouchSmart software brings a new
level of fun to your photos, videos and music.
•Watch your favorite shows on the integrated 25.5” diagonal hi-def27 widescreen–makes for amazing slideshows too!
•Enjoy high quality sound through the integrated premium stereo speakers.
•Watch and burn your personal videos with the built-in DVD burner.31
•Add an additional hard drive (HP Pocket Media Drive6) easily and without any tools.HP is committed to behaving in an environmentally responsible manner
HP is committed to reducing our own environmental impact, as well as that of our customers, partners and suppliers. We do this by providing products and services that are environmentally sound throughout their lifecycle and by conducting our operations in an environmentally responsible manner.
•All HP TouchSmart IQ 800 series PCs have earned ENERGY STAR® and EPEAT silver qualifications.
•All HP TouchSmart IQ 800 series PCs use HP power management technology providing up to 45% energy savings compared to PCs without power management enabled.32
Award winning service and support (touchsmart) HP stands behind our products and protects your investment with award-winning service and support
available around the clock by phone, e-mail, and online.29•Every TouchSmart PC comes with special HP Total Care.
– 24/7 service and support for the first year via our North America call center.
– Dedicated toll-free telephone support at 1866.408.5408 in English and Spanish in the United States or English and French in Canada.
– Real-time online chat.
– E-mail, usually answered within one hour.•A desktop icon offers one-click access to online technical support, troubleshooting and downloads.
HP has two new mice out dedicated to gaming. The HDX Laser Mouse gives you five mouse setting profiles, five programmable macro buttons, and is allegedly eight times faster than conventional mice. The slightly more advanced Laser Gaming Mouse with Voodoo DNA gives you everything the regular laser mouse has, plus HP’s VoodooDNA GUI software for even speedier mousing. The company also released pictures of its wireless Vector Mouse, but no details as of yet. The regular Laser Mouse will set you back $40, while the Voodoo DNA version is $60.
The Laser Gaming Mouse with Voodoo DNA is pictured above. Here’s the more ho-hum Laser Mouse:
And here’s the mysterious Vector Mouse:
Plug and Play Performance
• Customize your mouse for an effortless gaming experience personalized to the way you playFeatures & Benefits:
• Keep up to 5 mouse setting profiles
• Five programmable buttons to store macros
• 8x faster than conventional mice. Delivers blazing speed and instant acceleration
• Polytetrafluoroethylene Gaming Feet. Large, frictionless feet for effortless smooth glide
• High resolution engine churns images at an astounding 6.4Mpixels/sec. Large sensor array and precision laser technology allow the HDX Laser Mouse to deliver best-in-class performance and tracking
• Gaming laser mouse with four on the fly selectable DPIs
• DPI=400/800/1600/2400 *
• 4 multi-color DPI settings
• Up to 35 inches/second **
• Up to 8G
• Up to 500 reports/second
• Full speed USB 2.0
• 5 programmable buttons
• 5 individual setting profiles
• 4 large Teflong feet, 3D racing rubber tire pattern scroll wheelSystem Requirements:
• Genuine Windows Vista® or Genuine Windows® XPWarranty and Support:
• One-year, worldwide parts-and-labor limited warranty
• 24×7 HP technical phone support during warranty periodWhat’s in the Box:
• Laser mouse
• Documentation
• Software Driver
• 1 year limited warrantyAdditional Information:
Questions about the HP HDX Laser Mouse?
Look us up online at www.hp.com
OK, OK…so it’s another damn digital photo frame, but bear with me. Equipped with a 3.5-inch, 320×240 display, it may not do anything that the average frame doesn’t, yet it’s appealing to the eye. It’s simple design is appropriate for its overall lack of complexity — it has a USB 2.0 port, MP3 support, a single SD card slot, internal memory that accepts up to 45 JPEG photos and a few navigation buttons. Plus its small and thin and doubles as a clock/calendar on the go.
The battery lasts for 2 hours, or you can opt to use USB or AC power. HP also announced a 10-inch wood-accented digital photo frame that does all the same things as the smaller one, but also has Pictbridge capability, support for all the major flash formats, and MPEG video playback. In addition, it has a remote and stereo speakers.However, it looks like it’s more your grandmother than anyone else.
Both frames are available now, with the 3.5-inch HP Digial Picture Frame selling for $60, and the 10-inch selling for $220.
HP has expanded its easy-to-use digital picture frame portfolio to help consumers show
off photos, create slide shows and play videos – with no computer needed. The picture
frames come in a variety of sizes, including a portable, 3.5-inch pocket frame and an
attractive 10-inch cherry wood-finish frame. The frames feature clock and calendar
options, support MP3 and other audio formats, and play music through stereo speakers.A variety of interchangeable, double-matting options give HP frames a more professional
look and allow easy personalization. PictBridge functionality allows consumers to print
photos right from the digital picture frame.
