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Eneloop Stick Booster supplies emergency power to your portable devices

Any time a company both enables our gadget addiction and discourages wanton battery consumption we have to consider it a good thing — and, indeed, Sanyo’s wicked-rechargeable Eneloop batteries already have quite a few fans here at Engadget HQ. But what’s a busy gadget hound to do on the go, you ask? Try this one on for size: the Eneloop Stick Booster ships with two AAs and can be used to charge them, via any USB source. From that point the device can be used to power your PMP for roughly 90 minutes. How great is that? To be released in Japan on December 1 for an unspecified price, and worldwide whenever the company sees fit. PR after the break.

Gallery: Eneloop Stick Booster

[Via Akihabara]

Continue reading Eneloop Stick Booster supplies emergency power to your portable devices

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Eneloop Stick Booster supplies emergency power to your portable devices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:23:00 EST. Please see our term…

Create your own programs or animations!

Have you or kids had interest in creating your own programs or learning to animate a small video clip? Well, the brilliant minds over at MIT’s Media Lab have made that possible. They created, Scratch, “A free programming tool that allows anyone to create their own animated stories, video games, and interactive artworks”.

“With Scratch, our goal is to allow people to mix together all kinds of media… in creative ways.” –Mitchel Resnick

Check out the video clip of the software in this BBC news article BBC NEWS | Technology | Free tool offers easy coding

Why the iPhone will change the (PC) world

Well, will it?  There have already been several pseudo competitors hitting the market or at least announced to hit the market later this year.  But will they stack up to the iPhone? Will the iPhone turn out to be a flop like the Apple Newton?  We will only know the answer to that question sometime during the month of July this year, but for now, check out these articles on why these guys think that the iPhone will make an impact on technology.

Macworld: News: Opinion: Why the iPhone will change the (PC) world

TEDTalks: Jeff Han

Dual-screen laptop sees double

The gadget blog has uncovered a new cool laptop.  Though I am not so sure if it is really that viable of a product, it is still pretty cool.  Check it all the specs on this device here.

Dual-screen laptop sees double | Crave : The gadget blog

Give your Mac a chill pill

The new smcFanControl software allows you to change the Apple standard minimum speed for your system fans.  So if you are really using your system intensively you can cool the sytem much quicker.  And with the new version 2 of the software you can put it in your MenuBar and monitor it.

It also allows you to set presets so you can easily change the fans to different speeds with just a couple clicks.  It will also detect whether you have a power supply plugged in or if you are on battery power and will adjust the speeds based on pre-defined settings you have made for each.

Really handy and it will keep your MacBook Pro from frying if you are using some high-end software that is CPU intensive.  I have been using this for a few weeks and I love it.

It works wonders to keep my system temps low and out of the danger zone.

smcFanControl2

iPhone to cost only $300-400 with contract?

 So if the iPhone only costs $300, are you going to get one?  There are new reports running around the web concerning a lower price point for Apple’s new iPhone, which is yet-t0-be-released, but is scheduled to appear for sale sometime in June.

The lower price, does however require a contract committment, which is no surprise.  This is the standard procedure for the major cellular companies, at least in the US.  If you agree to a term/ contract you can get a significant price reduction on your phone, and they typically offer one or more rebates to make the price of your new phone more attractive, as well.

I guess we will soon see if this move will be a profitable one for Apple, Inc and Cingular.

iPhone to cost only $300-400 with contract? – The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

Engadget Article

Aurora – iTunes alarm software

This software is made by the same guy that makes Home Zone.

This cool bit of software allows you to use your computer and iTunes to wake you up in the AM. Or for any such alert or notice you need to be reminded of and don’t want to be annoyed by a loud and obnoxious buzzer.

You can even set it to go off and get progressively louder over a user specified amount of time.   Or perhaps you want it to automatically start the Visualizer.  It will even start and play a specific Playlist in iTunes.

Lots of cool stuff and ways to make your alarm.  You can even have several different ones.  OH and another really cool thing…  You can have slowly fade out, like if you want to listen to music while you fall asleep but dont want the music running all night long.

Cool Beans.  Check it out.

Aurora – metaquark.de blog

Home Zone Beta 4

 Home Zone is really cool software that simply lets you “program” your computer to perform certain functions based on the presence, or lack thereof, a particular wireless network or Bluetooth device.

He has made significant changes to the software already, even in its infancy.  You can do certain things such as Enable/ Disable Screensaver password on entering or leaving of a device or Wireless Access Point (WAP).  You can also now have the system enable your screensaver as well.

A pretty cool piece of software. And still in Beta, pretty nifty stuff.  Kudos to the creator.  Keep up the good work.

Home Zone Beta 4 – metaquark.de blog

MediaFork – One ripper to rule them ALL

If haven’t heard of it or haven’t downloaded it yet get it.  And if currently use or have used Handbrake (the open source project that allows you to rip a DVD to your computer) you will want this.

This software is young and still developing but it is based on the source code from Handbrake, with some added functionality. Here is what the site says about the software:

MediaFork is a GPL’d multiplatform, multithreaded DVD to MPEG-4 ripper/converter originally based on HandBrake, available for MacOS X, Linux and Windows.

The following are the details on the software from the site:

Supported sources:

• Any DVD-like source: VIDEO_TS folder, DVD image or real DVD (even encrypted)
• PAL or NTSC
• AC-3, LPCM or MPEG audio tracks

Outputs:

• File format: MP4, AVI or OGM
• Video: MPEG-4 or H.264 (1 or 2 passes or constant quantizer encoding)
• Audio: AAC, MP3, Vorbis or AC-3 pass-through (supports encoding of several audio tracks)

Misc features

• Chapter selection
• Basic subtitle support (burned into the picture)
• Integrated bitrate calculator
• Picture deinterlacing, cropping and scaling
• Grayscale encoding

MediaFork

Did Bill Gates’ Lies Cause Apple’s New TV Ads?

Mr Gates has so graciously added to the fodder the Mac community can use to taunt him with.  In a recent interview Gates was questioned on his new operating system, Windows Vista, as well his biggest rival Apple, Inc’s current operating system, Tiger, and the to-be -released version of Mac OS X, Leopard (10.5), which is due in late March.

He apparently got flustered in the interview and just fed up with it all and started spouting information wasn’t entirely accurate. Many are now speculating that these claims were part of what prompted the latest string of Apple ads, jabbing at the new version of Windows and its “features”.

Check it out here.

War Of Words: Bill Gates Attacks Apple, Macs.

Mac360 – Did Bill Gates’ Lies Cause Apple’s New TV Ads?

Telecom Italias Cellular Book With Rollable Display

You just have to see this one to believe it.  A rollable display that really does show digital content on it’s screen.  Check it out at the link below.

DailyTech – Telecom Italias Cellular Book With Rollable Display

Apple – all-flash iPod models

Well its about darned time. Flash media has dropped dramatically in cost over the last couple of years. I honestly had expected this to be in existence already. But it would appear it has been cost prohibitive until now. My guess is that manufacturing reasons are mostly to blame, along with technical difficulties.

But at long last, large capacity flash based iPod’s are on the horizon. So are you going to get one?

AppleInsider | Apple may ax next-gen HDD iPod in favor of all-flash models

Vista confusion may aid Mac OS X

So Microsoft has put yet another thorn in their side with the release of Vista. Their new and shiny is appearing to get a lot of hype in the media. But in reality the whole hullaballoo is turning into a circus.

Microsoft chose to release a total of 10 versions of Windows Vista at launch, confusing customers and experts alike about the differences between the various editions. Upgrade versions of Vista are “poison,” according to Digit, because the requirements for each edition vary and demand an existing installation of Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Users hoping to reinstall Windows Vista on a freshly-formatted hard drive are forced to install Windows twice, and future hardware configurations may fail to support Windows XP to render the Vista upgrade versions useless.

So once you have spent weeks trying to figure out which version of Vista you need to purchase, then you will have to purchase another computer to run it. Then you will have to upgrade that NEW computer with more RAM and a better Video Card, just to be able to run the OS and get all the “new and shiny” features to run properly. Tell me how this is a viable model for a software company?

Analyst: Vista to Have Short-term Negative Impact on Apple || The Mac Observer

Even analysts are saying that Vista really isn’t much competition for Apple.  The copycat isn’t going to hold too much over on the Big Cat.

So are you still confused about Vista? Here is your simply answer. Wait until April… and buy a brand new and shiny from Apple that will be sporting a new Leopard print OS.

Then all your cares will just float away…

MacNN | Vista confusion may aid Mac OS X

It’s Coming: Mac BU Announces Intent to Deliver Office 2008 for Mac: New version brings enhanced compatibility and Mac-first, Mac-only capabilities.

SAN FRANCISCO — Jan. 9, 2007 — Microsoft Corp.’s Macintosh Business Unit (Mac BU) today revealed at Macworld Conference & Expo 2007 the news Mac fans have been waiting to hear: A new version of Office for Mac is on its way. The Mac BU announced its intent to deliver the first Universal version of Office for Mac for PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs — Microsoft^® Office 2008 for Mac. Scheduled to be available in the second half of 2007, Office 2008 for Mac will allow Mac users to work smarter and more efficiently with new and enhanced tools that are simple, intuitive and easily discovered.

The new version of Microsoft Office for Mac could prove to be more revolutionary than anyone anticipates. It appears that Microsoft is beginning to understand and accept their Mac clients as viable customers. So much so, that Office 2008 supposedly will have new enhancements and functionality that Office 2007 won’t have.

New Mac-First, Mac-Only Features

Microsoft continues to deliver new Mac-first, Mac-only features aimed at providing customers with a unique, engaging and definitively Mac experience. Office 2008 for Mac will carry on the tradition of Mac BU’s productivity software, helping users get organized and work smarter through these features:

•	Publishing Layout View lets users create incredibly layout-rich documents such as newsletters, fliers and brochures by uncovering desktop publishing layout tools and providing text box entry.
•	Ledger Sheets enable anyone to use Excel to handle common financial management tasks. Home and small-business users can balance checkbooks, track accounts or manage investment portfolios more easily than ever.
•	My Day allows users to track priorities and stay on top of daily activities no matter what application they’re currently working in. My Day is a stand-alone application that doesn’t take up much screen space, offers at-a-glance schedule and task viewing without launching Entourage, and lets users color-code everything for visualizing daily priorities.

You can read more of the press release from Microsoft here.

If this turns out to be true, it begs the question as to the future of Apple’s iWork suite. There have been rumors regarding the future of iWork and new additions to the software suite. But it could be possible that Microsoft might kill it off.

What do you think? Does Microsoft have what it takes to outdo Apple? Is Office good enough and flashy enough to beat out the possible future of iWork?

Weigh in and we’ll all wait and see what Microsoft is holding in the wings come the second half of this year.

Office 2008: Goodbye iWork?

It’s Coming: Mac BU Announces Intent to Deliver Office 2008 for Mac: New version brings enhanced compatibility and Mac-first, Mac-only capabilities.

Screenshots of Office 2008

Parallels Provides More Details on Desktop 2.5

Interested in running Windows inside your Mac, but not ready to leave the comfort of your Mac OS?  Give the new version of Parallels a shot.  There are many new features in this new version, not the least of which is the amazing Coherence mode.   Coherence mode allows you to get rid of the ugly Windows desktop inside an application window and run your Windows applications LIVE next to your Mac OS applications.

So if you should so choose you can run Microsoft Word 2004 right next to Microsoft Word 2007.  Pretty cool, huh?

The performance that Parallels provides in rather incredible.  They are also looking to do integrate 3-D graphics acceleration support in the near future.  Check out the new beta today and give Windows half-a-chance to experience the world of running on a Mac.

NOTE:  To install Windows even in a Parallels virtuallized envrionment, you will have to have a valid Microsoft Windows license key.Parallels Provides More Details on Desktop 2.5 || The Mac Observer

iPhone or not: What’s in a Name?

This article from The Apple Blog has an interesting perspective on the iPhone name.  He is basically pointing out the fact that the name “iPhone” is NOT emblazoned on the back of the phone product, as it is on other Apple products, such as the iPod and the iMac.

He also surmizes that the iPhone product name has become a generic identifier and therefore is open game for use on the product market.

A worthwhile read if you are not completely disgusted with all the Apple phone rumors and rumblings.

iPhone or not: What’s in a Name? at The Apple Blog

Hands (and fingers) on the iPhone

Jason Snell from Macworld Magazine had the amazing fortune to actually touch and use the new Apple iPhone at the Macworld Conference & Expo 2007.  His account of his experience as well as his editorial on the product will make you drool and covet the opportunity to do the same.

While I was at Macworld in San Francisco I “saw” the iPhone, at least behind the glass enclosure it was encased in.  And just from that I began to salivate and dream of owning one.  Now, Jason makes it even more of a desire.

This new phone has taken the idea of a phone, a music player, and a PDA and revolutionized all three into one device.  What more could anyone want.  And best of all… it runs Mac OS X, at least a stripped down version of it.  Which begs the question, what additional software will Apple make available for it.

Read the article by Jason to get a really good “feel” for the iPhone.

Macworld: Mac Word: Hands (and fingers) on the iPhone

Why the iPhone is going to be a hit

The Apple Blog has hit the nail on the head with this article.  The article explains how Apple has managed to enter already saturated markets with a new revolutionary product, and a high sticker price, and they still manage to sell them like hotcakes.

Good read and very interesting things to take into consideration concerning whether the new Apple iPhone will make it or not.

Why the iPhone is going to be a hit at The Apple Blog

Interview with Steve Jobs about iPhone

A 10 minute clip of an interview with Steve Jobs on CNBC, shortly after the announcement on January 9th by Steve Jobs revealing the new Apple iPhone.  An interesting interview, that also hits on and covers the current stock option fiasco concerning Apple, Inc. and the supposed coverup/ manipulation of prices to make Apple stock (AAPL) appear higher in value.

Worth the 10 minutes to watch.

YouTube – Steve Jobs on CNBC

iPhone Ringtone Remixed

Did you watch the Macworld 2007 Keynote? Did you see the iPhone demo? If so, I’m sure you heard the iPhone’s ringtone during the phone call exchange between Steve Jobs and Phil Schiller.So did you like it? Good, now you can download it here. Check out this link.

iPhone Ringtone Remixed Into 90’s RPG Soundtrack: Listen Here – Gizmodo

Your Desk Will Be Able to Charge Mobile Devices

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

This is something that is long overdue and a great invention.  Soon you will be able to purchase a desk or a pad to stick on any other flat surface.  This pad will charge any device with a rechargable battery pack in it.  It uses magnetic fields to charge devices laid directly on it.

This does beg the question of safety with these magnetic fields radiating from it.  But it is still an awesome idea.  This at least is a good alternative for now, until they can get wireless power working.  I can dream can’t I?

Read this article from DailyTech to find out more about this great new bit of tech.

DailyTech – Your Desk Will Be Able to Charge Mobile Devices

Steve Ballmer laughs off the iPhone

A brief interview of Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft Corp. on the recently announced Apple iPhone.  According to Ballmer the new phone device is the “most expensive” and not suitable for the business market, which is who Microsoft caters to.

My only comment to that is… that makes the Mac/ PC ads all the more accurate.   Thanks Stevie B, you just confirmed that the Microsoft market is strictly business.  Now my question is, since you are so geared towards business, what they heck is up with Vista.  It looks like a bubblegum machine exploded on my machine.  And quite honestly, most of it is eerily similar to Mac OS X.  Do you have a response to any of this??

Steve Ballmer laughs off the iPhone, deems it “most expensive” in the marketplace – Engadget

Screenshots: MS Office 2008 for Mac

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) has come acrossed some screenshots from the little talked about Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac.  Yes it is going to be called 2008 because it will not be released until third quarter 2007.  The new system is rumored to include much of the system backbone that Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows will be using.  Of course the new Mac version, has a much better Graphical User Interface (GUI) than its Windows counterpart.

Now I do have to admit that the Windows version has certainly started to do some things right.  Outlook for one has finally been “beautified”.  It is still Windows, but it has come a very long way in it’s GUI and feature sets.   If you can get a chance to get your hands on it, I would reccommend trying it.

But for now, check out this screenshots for the Mac version.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

New Apple products from Macworld 2007

The new Apple iPhone, click on the image for more information from Apple’s website.  I have seen this up close, unfortunately it was behind glass and unreachable, it is a glorious piece of craftsmanship, innovation and design.  Kudos Apple!  You have pushed the envelope again and we, the Mac faithful, Thank You deeply. 

The new Apple TV, click on the image to be taken to Apple’s website for more information.

Watch the Keynote presentation by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, Inc.from Macworld 2007