Apple Launching Giant iPod Touch Next Fall:

Apple Launching Giant iPod Touch Next Fall:

Citing "three independent sources close to Apple," one who has "actually held the device," TechCrunch says Apple is planning to release a giant iPod touch device with a seven- or nine-inch screen next fall.

In other words, it's a tablet running the scaled down version of OS X that's on the iPod touch and iPhone—not the MacBook touch tablet fanboys have been dreaming of since multitouch became a part of their fantasy lexicon, but very much like the Son-of-Newton PDA with an embedded version of OS X we'd heard about a year ago. What makes this giganto iPod touch worthwhile, according to Arrington—over a full-fledged MacBook tablet—is the App Store. (Of course, we'd heard rumors of touch tablet running both the App Store and real Mac apps, though the inherent philosophical dissonance of an App Store + real Mac apps approach never quite neatly resolved itself in our minds.)

One piece of evidence pointing to something like Arrington describes (besides those earlier Son-of-Newton tablet whispers) however, was the mysterious tidbit in October about an Apple product with "a display somewhere between an iPhone and a MacBook" spotted surfing the internets. An iPod touch HD with 800 or 720x480 resolution would fit in that space pretty nicely, and be an "interesting" take on the netbook.

Still, TechCrunch doesn't say this is an absolutely guaranteed happening: "I’m not saying Apple is definitely launching a large form iPod Touch." As with all rumored Apple products, we'll see it when we see it, probably 12 hours before it's actually announced in a slightly grainy photo.

Phenom SpecialOps Cellphone Watch:

Phenom SpecialOps Cellphone Watch:

I don't care how big of a Dick Tracey you look like using the Phenom SpecialOPS cellphone watch; its adolescent awesomeness goes unspoken.

Having absolutely nothing to do with AMD Phenom processors, this Phenom watch is a completely unlocked GSM phone (ready to take any SIM card you've got) while simultaneously functioning as an MP3/MP4 player through a MicroSD port. Other features include a 1.3" touchscreen display, Bluetooth, speakerphone, numeric keypad and a video camera.

Yes, this cellphone watch handles video when the iPhone still doesn't.

If the SpecialOps' $300 asking price is a little high for your tastes, Phenom has other models available, including the $235 Mi5. None of the models are necessarily inside of impulse buy territory, but hey, no contracts needed!

The PS 3 Hybrid Console:

The PS 3 Hybrid Console:

As if the PS3/360 hybrid controller weren't enough, one modder has stuck an entire Xbox 360 inside a PS3 shell.

Despite the PS3's hefty stature, the fit was so tight that the modder had to slice down the actual cooling fan blades as to not disrupt other components. Oddly enough, the disc drive is still positioned on the left (a chunk was removed from the PS3 case so that the tray could extend) while the PS3's own elegant drive components go unused. Both the PS3's eject and power buttons still work, which was a nice touch.

If you're interested in owning this PS360, it's actually on eBay. We'll pass until someone manages to fit both a 360 and PS3 into either system of choice.

Lightning Review ZVOX 550 Speaker System and Flat Panel Stand:

Lightning Review ZVOX 550 Speaker System and Flat Panel Stand:

The gadget: The ZVOX 550, the only speaker system we've ever seen designed to hold a 50" flat panel TV while packing a 60W amp, 5.25" sub, and five 2" speakers in one frame.

'Help Lock' Doorknob Protects Olds From Bathroom Peril:

'Help Lock' Doorknob Protects Olds From Bathroom Peril:

Sometimes, old people fall and they can't get up. It's a fact! Designer Haishan Deng has proposed a simple, timed bathroom doorknob for folks who are prone to such accidents, living alone, or clumsy.

Here's how it works: In the initial setup, you program a time limit—say, 20 minutes—for your future bathroom. From that point on, whenever you close the door and activate the alarm, the Help Lock will sound a preliminary alarm after the allotted time, giving the bathroom inhabitant 30 seconds to deactivate it. After that, the doorknob will initiate an alert call to whatever number you've chosen to enter, whether it be a neighbor or emergency services.

The concept seems like a pragmatic approach to a real problem for senior citizens, but begs for one minor modification. Does forcing an old person to scramble from a bathtub to deactivate an alarm that your forgot about sound like a good idea? Throw another minute on there and we've probably got a winner. Check out a more in-depth description of the Help Lock's functionality at Yanko.

Tank Suitcase Can Go Through Every Obstacle:

Tank Suitcase Can Go Through Every Obstacle:

Stairs, big stairs, bigger stairs, you name it: Woo Moonhyung's Panzer-like threaded Climbing UP suitcase can be dragged through every airport obstacle with ease. A winner of the Red Dot 2008, for good reason.

D+Caf Detects:

D+Caf Detects:

I don't understand drinking decaf coffee. It's like non-alcoholic beer. Both are crappy, neutered versions of the original. But if you've absolutely got to drink decaf, D+caf will make sure it's the real (fake) deal.

D+caf test strips are simply little strips of paper coated with antibodies that tell if you a beverage is properly decaffeinated, turning up blue lines if it's got more than 20mg of caffeine per 6oz serving. Even modern decaffeination procedures can't remove every single trace of caffeine, but between 20 and 30 percent of coffee and tea drinks "contain unacceptably high levels of caffeine" according to the strip's maker, Silver Lakes Research.

The strips are 98 percent accurate for detecting caffeine, plus you have to use them before you add anything else to your coffee tea, like milk or sugar. And at $10 for a pack of 20, you're paying 50 cents a strip, instantly propelling even cheap decaf coffee into Starbucks pricing territory. So I'm not sure these are worth the small bit of security that some smartass doesn't occasionally slip you real coffee instead of decaf.

Besides, how the hell do you decaf people get through the day, anyway?

OQO Model 02+ to Launch at CES With OLED Screen, Atom Processor, Touch Technology:

OQO Model 02+ to Launch at CES With OLED Screen, Atom Processor, Touch Technology:

OQO will launch a revamped version of their Model 02 UMPC, dubbing it the Model 02+ and endowing it with an OLED display, embedded touchscreen, Worldwide 3G internet, and a 1.86 GHz Atom processor.

Referenced in an email by trade event organizers Pepcom, the Model 02+ will be announced at CES. Further details are pretty nonexistent, seeing as this was mentioned in passing, but it will apparently be twice as fast as the Model 02 and will be on display next week in Vegas.

Samsung Q30 notebook, in red for the ladies:

Samsung Q30 notebook, in red for the ladies:

Still not sure what it is that makes manufacturers think women will not buy gadgets unless they come in pink or red, but then again we also don't know anyone who would sling around a laptop on a shoulder strap, either, so maybe Samsung execs just hang out with a different crowd than we do. Technically, at 2.4 pounds, the Q30 may be light enough to waft along behind you, but we can't really advise that anyone test this out. And what, no fake jewels?

Samsung E800 rocks the girly phone:

Samsung E800 rocks the girly phone:

Okay, what is it about? Siemens, often we turn our gaze on you in the egregious feminization of phone department, but now we have the opportunity to give a resounding "WTF?" to Samsung on this one. This new incarnation of the E800, dudes — we're not feelin' it. There is undoubtedly some niche market for this phone (that's the sad but true part) but really — some of us would rather gouge our eyes out than have to look at this fake bling bling bejeweled monstrosity. And you know what? Enough with the pink already, thanks.

Three-OLED-Screened,28-Inch Gaming Laptop:

Three-OLED-Screened,28-Inch Gaming Laptop:

I never quite understood gaming laptops, what with them being heavy, bulky and priced exorbitantly. But hey, if you're going to do it, you might as well go all-out and design one with three screens.The Prime Gaming Laptop is a concept design by Kyle Cherry, and it's ridiculous. Yes, it's a 26-inch notebook. Since it's a concept, it's full of all sorts of magical features like all three screens being OLEDs and it folding up into the size of a 13-inch notebook.

If you discount the fact that there's no way you could stuff everything needed to power a gaming notebook with three screens into this design and the costs required for the screens along running over $10,000, it's certainly nice looking. Maybe in 5-10 years we'll see stuff like this, but this is a classic example of a designer making a pretty picture and then BSing some specs to make it sound feasible.

Palm, Xerox Settle Graffiti Dispute:

Palm, Xerox Settle Graffiti Dispute:

Well, it only took nine years and a now dwindling technology to settle this dispute over the patent of the PDA keystroke technology that Palm called Graffiti and Xerox called Uni strokes. Palm began incorporating this Graffiti keystroke technology in their PDAs way back in the day while Xerox believed they owned the patent on this technology with their Uni strokes.

Nine years later this keystroke technology is nearly obsolete thanks to the integrated mini-keyboards in a lot of devices, but Xerox still won the battle and Palm will have to pay $22.5 million to settle the patent dispute. Sucks to be Palm, but at least you still have the Treo. What does Xerox have? Copiers?

Mouse with 3G Infrared Sensor Technology:

Mouse with 3G Infrared Sensor Technology:

Razer has announced the Death Adder, their new mouse that utilizes the highly touted 3G infrared sensor technology.

Razer's 3G infrared sensor technology is a quantum leap over current generation optical technology with enhanced precision of up to 1800 Dots Per Inch (DPI) and is fully optimised for high speed motions, factors that are critical to high performance gamers. The 3G infrared sensor also minimizes the lift-off distance of the mouse and disables surface tracking immediately when the mouse is lifted off, thus rectifying swiping issues.Hrm, could be worth a shot, I guess. Although I'm wondering why Razer hasn't made the leap to laser mice. They have always been a couple years behind on technology—didn't they just ditch the mouseball a year ago or so?

ION Technologies Flashlite USB Drive:

ION Technologies Flash lite USB Drive:

ION Technologies is offering the Flash lite USB drive in sizes up to 1GB, with a built-in retractable USB port and LED torch (get it?). There's even a little rubber cover that flips up over the port when its nestled in its sheath, preventing dust and pocket salsa from jamming up the connectors. At $70 for a 512MB, it's a pretty average price (although I've been seeing other brand flash drives on fire sales lately for as little as $20).

Audi A3:

Dynamism and driving pleasure:

Dynamism, sportiness and sophistication – the Audi A3 holds an outstanding position in the premium compact class. Now its top-of-the-range version is ready to go, the new Audi S3 boasting 195 kW (265 bhp) and quattro permanent four-wheel drive. With its sparkling performance it pursues the ideal of pure driving pleasure coupled simultaneously with excellent everyday practicality – like all Audi S models.The S3 redefines the standards of its class – at the level of a sports car. The sprint to 100 km/h is accomplished in 5.7 seconds, and acceleration is only halted on reaching 250 km/h. Aggressively hard-hitting, free-revving and with a sonorous acoustic profile, the powerful two-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder unit with FSI petrol direct injection proves to be a smooth, high-performance engine.This power is transmitted by the six-speed gearbox and quattro permanent four-wheel drive to large alloy wheels with an 18-inch diameter. The new S sports suspension system on the S3 enables an extremely sporty driving style combined with the ultimate in comfort. This sporty compact model responds actively to steering movements, exhibits precise and safe handling characteristics and, thanks to quattro technology, enables maximum acceleration out of bends.

The dynamic potential of this three-door sports car is obvious at first glance. The single-frame grille sports chrome trim, the front skirt has a spoiler with large air-intakes and the side sills have been restyled. There is a contrasting platinum grey diffuser built into the rear skirt, along with two S-style oval chrome tailpipes. Aluminium-look door mirrors and a body-colour roof spoiler give added impact to the visual statement.

Interior: Sporty atmosphere

The interior conveys an atmosphere of sportiness, with materials of the highest quality and painstaking craftsmanship. The elements that dominate the styling are the sports seats with prominent side sections, the black headlining, also available in silver, and the instrument cluster with its special dials and needles.

The pedals, gear knob and air vents are in aluminium look, the inlays are in Piano finish black, or alternatively Aluminium or Fine grain birch wood grey. The red and silver S3 emblem is to be found on the leather sports steering wheel, in the instrument cluster, on the gear knob and on the door sill trims. The seats are upholstered in a combination of cloth and leather or, as an option, in Alcantara/leather or completely in leather. The two-tone leather seats are decorated with stitching in the same colour as their centre section.

TFSI in its most powerful form:

The power plant of the S3 delivers all that is expected of a powerful sports engine, and does it supremely well. The 2.0 TFSI, which combines direct injection and turbocharger technology, delivers 195 kW (265 bhp) at 6,000 rpm. And at just 2,500 rpm it already musters up an impressive 350 Nm of torque – this pulling power remains constant up to 5,000 rpm. In the combined driving cycle the 2.0 TFSI displays another welcome character trait, consuming just
9.1 litres of fuel over 100 km – further proof of the forward-looking efficiency of TFSI technology developed by Audi.Compared with the A3, this engine is an advanced version which has undergone fundamental changes. The new turbocharger with its enlarged turbine and compressor rotor generates 1.2 bar of boost pressure – an unusually high figure. A modified intercooler significantly lowers the temperature of the compressed air, thus increasing the air mass necessary for combustion.
Pistons with stronger pins and strengthened connecting rods with new bearings transmit the powerful forces to the crankshaft. The cylinder block has been stiffened up and the head is made of a new, highly heat-resistant alloy.The exhaust camshaft timing has been adjusted to accommodate the increased power output. High-pressure injectors with an enlarged cross-section squirt the fuel straight into the combustion chamber.Despite all this progressive engineering, the high-performance turbo weighs in at just 152 kilos, which is less than comparable power plants from direct competitors, and this has a positive effect on the axle load distribution. The compact dimensions of the 2.0 TFSI make it suitable for transverse installation, which brings benefits in terms of the S3’s interior space and luggage capacity.To go with its sporty nature and firm handling, the new Audi S3 has a six-speed, close-ratio manual gearbox. Gearshift travel has been reduced for the S3, enabling even sportier and more precise gear changes. As is the case for all Audi S models, the new S3 drives all four wheels by means of quattro permanent four-wheel drive. An electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, positioned at the rear for the benefit of weight balance, distributes the torque as needed – delivering plenty of grip and maximum driving safety. All the components in the drive train have been strengthened to cope with the high level of engine torque

Handling: Lightning-fast reactions:

In terms of handling, the Audi S3 exhibits all the qualities of a high-performance sports car; it responds immediately to steering movements and achieves high cornering speeds. The innately sophisticated suspension of the A3 – with sub frames front and rear, triangulated lower wishbones at the front and four-link suspension at the rear – has been further refined.


Springs and shock absorbers are stiffer, and the body sits 25 mm lower than an A3 with standard suspension. Aluminum pivot bearings and wishbones reduce the weight of the front suspension. Stiffer suspension mounts and a sportier characteristic for the elector-mechanical steering convey even greater dynamism and precision. 18-inch alloy wheels and 225/40 treys ensure firm adhesion to the road surface. A 17-inch brake system with sports brake pads ensure maximum deceleration; the black painted calipers bear S3 emblems.

The extras also include a leather steering wheel with flat-bottomed rim and – in the quattro GmbH range – folding bucket seats. In the infotainment area, Audi is presenting a new generation of audio systems. The premium package is rounded off by universal interfaces for mobile phone and i Pod, plus a sound system from Bose. Standard equipment includes deluxe automatic air conditioning, a driver information system with a new lap-timer function, and an anti-theft alarm. Front fog lights and xenon plus headlights with daytime running lights underline the impressive price/performance ratio. The basic price of the 265 bhp Audi S3 in Germany is EUR 35,150

Apple Patents iPod Acceleration:

Apple Patents iPod Acceleration:

According to this article posted yesterday on CNET, Apple has applied for a patent on technology which would allow an iPod (or other device) to detect when it is falling and shut down the hard drive, minimizing the potential damage to drive and data due to impact. How soon this technology will find its way into the iPod, assuming it ever does, is unknown. Considering that IBM has deployed similar technology in its ThinkPads, I wouldn't be surprised if it appears within the next generation or two.

Albatron Windows 7 Multi-Touch Screen:

Albatron Windows 7 Multi-Touch Screen:

It's only a matter of time before all the major manufacturers flood the market with multi-touch screens ready for Windows 7, but Alba tron is ready to show off their technology now. Their flagship 22" LCD (1680 x 1050) that has a sensor on each side of the display and promises to cost only 20% more than your average touch less LCD. And the technology is scalable to 24" and beyond through the addition of a single extra sensor. Of course, none of this would mean that much if the first hands-on experience wasn't absolutely glowing.

Dead Space:

Dead Space:

Gameplay:

The player takes the role of Isaac Clarke, an engineer who must fight his way through a stricken mining ship infested by the Corruption, a hostile, virus-like, free-roaming alien DNA with the ability to reanimate the bodies of the dead, turning them into grotesque monstrosities called Necromorphs. The game features an 'over the shoulder' third-person perspective, similar to games Resident Evil 4, Dark Sector and Gears of war. The interface does not feature a traditional head-up display. Instead, information is relayed to the player via holographic projection, which hover over or in front of Isaac's weapons and armor and can even be part of his armor; much like the 'health meter' which is integrated into his spinal armor. An in-game store can be accessed where items can be bought and sold. The only menu in which the game is not still in progress is the pause menu and the save console menu.

Zero gravity and decompressed environments also appear in Dead Space, and Isaac can navigate through them using his pressurized suit and magnetic boots. Some levels even lead out onto the surface of the ship's hull. Floating debris presents a hazard, however, and Isaac can lose his footing and simply float off into space. Isaac's suit also has a limited amount of air while in airless environments, which can cause him to suffocate, forcing the player to move faster when in these situations. In keeping with Isaac's profession as an engineer rather than a soldier, weapons in the game are mostly improvised from mining tools, such as a plasma cutter, a hydrazine torch used as a flamethrower, and a force cannon emitting powerful shock waves, although a triple-barreled automatic military rifle is also available. Stasis can be used in the game to slow down enemies and objects temporarily, and a kinesis module allows Isaac to pick up and throw items. Text, audio and video logs can be found throughout the game which serve to explain some of the game's plot, and detail the crew's plight as the ship is attacked and overrun by Necromorphs.

The game's themes pay heavy homage to director Andrei Tarkovsky's famous science fiction film Solaris, and appear to have been especially included by the game producers. The player is constantly pestered by visions of his girlfriend, in exact parallel to the film, and all the inhabitants on the ship are similarly haunted and controlled by visions of loved ones, raising the theme of mind control based on emotional attachments in outer space. Furthermore, like Solaris, the alien planet the ship orbits is later discovered to ultimately be the source of the mind control and devastation onboard. Free will, the limits of human mind versus the heart, and how far the mind persists in hallucinations to recover the memory of loved ones are explored in this game.

Ferrari 599 Pictures:

Ferrari 599 Pictures:

Midnight Club Los Angeles on Xbox 360,PS3:

Midnight Club Los Angeles:

Rockstar's street-racing franchise has always lived in the considerable shadow of Grand Theft Auto, but Los Angeles, its fourth iteration, is the best game in the series. As the name suggests, it takes place in a lovingly crafted and thrillingly recognisable virtual LA. Races are generally point-to-point or around a circuit, with checkpoints marked by plumes of yellow smoke; in some, you can win your opponent's car, and cash and reputation points are always on offer. A certain amount of influence from Burnout Paradise is evident — notably the cars' arcade-style handling and resistance to damage, plus the Google Earth-style map. But Midnight Club Los Angeles differentiates itself cleverly, by offering real cars with vast customisation options and some interesting gameplay mechanics: slipstream an opponent and you will accrue a nitrous boost, and when you progress, you can earn special abilities, such as a brief burst of invulnerability or time slowdown. Graphically, it is simply stunning and in every respect it is vastly superior to the heavily marketed Need For Speed Undercover. The aficionado's choice of street-racer.

Nokia N95 8GB

Nokia N95 8GB:

What's that we see? The Nokia N95 8GB listed on the Nokia US retail site? Okay, calm down, it's not the US-specific version (read: it uses 2100MHz WCDMA, i.e. European 3G), but you'll still have a 2.8-inch mammoth screen, A-GPS, a five megapixel camera, and the rest of the goodies that maybe, just maybe, you'll be willing to fork out $780 for, even knowing that a US version HAS to be right around the corner.

New Touchscreen Nokia 5800 XpressMusic:

New Touchscreen Nokia 5800 XpressMusic:

Nokia has joined the iPhone clone parade with its 3G HSDPA 5800 XpressMusic phone, which features a 3.2-inch touchscreen and a microSD slot that can support up to 16 GB of add-your-own memory. It's due to be available worldwide sometime this fall, but there's no word yet on whether it will be unlocked or available through a carrier in the U.S. It's announced price is 270 Euros, which comes out to around $384.93 (at least today), so figure a $399 price tag.

Sound a little expensive for a phone with no built-in memory? That's because the 5800 is one of Nokia's Comes With Music phones. The price includes free access and downloads of music tracks from most of the major labels. Early word is these tracks are heavily copy-protected, which probably means no burning them to a CD, but details are still sketchy. Or, you can buy and download tunes the old-fashioned way, from the Nokia Music Store.

Otherwise, the 5800 also offers one big plus compared to other touchphones with full HTML browser: support for Flash-based Web content, currently unsupported by iPhone (although word is Adobe has an iPhone Flash solution that could be available before the 5800 hits these shores).

Nokia is touting the 5800's Media Bar, a drop down menu that provides direct access to the phone's music and entertainment bells and whistles, which include favorite tracks, videos and photos. Being an XpressMusic phone, the 5800 includes the usual music essentials, including a graphic equalizer, support for all the major digital music formats, stereo Bluetooth and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It also has built-in surround sound stereo speakers.

It's non-musical attributes include WiFi, A-GPS and a 3.2 MP digital camera featuring Carl Zeiss Tessar optics with a dual LED flash and video recording, famously absent on the iPhone. There's also a Contacts Bar, which lets you track a digital history of text messages, emails, phone logs, photos and blog updates of up to four friends.

Motorola's Krave:

Motorola's Krave:

If you're a fan of really cool technology, you'll definitely crave the Motorola Krave ZN4, available from Verizon for $149.99 after contract and rebate. Krave's cool technology is what the company calls a "touch cover" – a clear plastic protective flip flap that covers the Krave's 2.8-inch touchscreen that also is touch sensitive. In other words, touch the touch cover, and the LCD touchscreen beneath it reacts, complete with haptic tactile feedback

Krave's credentials include a 2 MP camera and video recorder, an excellent MP3/AAC/WMA music player compatible with the Rhapsody subscription music service, stereo Bluetooth, the subscription-based V CAST TV live broadcast TV service, an HTML Web browser that connects via Verizon's EV-DO Rev.A network, complete email, text,messaging, instant messaging and chat services, and a microSD slot that can accommodate up to an 8 GB card.

There's also an accelerometer, which means when you rotate the phone from landscape to horizontal, pictures, the camera viewfinder and Web pages rotate as well.But back to Krave's main LCD touchscreen. Instead of the usual square-ish 240 x 320 pixel area, Krave's bright display is 80 pixels longer/wider, 240 x 400 pixels. This gives you a longer Web reading page and provides extra width for Krave's touch horizontal QWERTY keyboard.

But Motorola giveth and taketh away; with the touch cover up, you can't comfortably hold and tap out messages on the QWERTY keyboard with your left thumb.

That silver Motorola insignia on the edge of the touch cover is actually the Krave's earpiece. Don't ask how you can hear your caller with no visible wires connecting this speaker to the phone's main body. However it works, it's really cool and sounds good, too.

On the negative side, even though Krave has two touchscreens, you can't navigate the Web by direct touch. You have to finger-drag around an engagement ring-like cursor superimposed on every Web page to "point" at links. It doesn't always work as advertised, and the experience could leave you screaming at the phone in frustration.

Monolith Media Center:

Monolith Media Center:

If MythTV's promise of a free Windows Media Center alternative sounds exciting, but you can't quite bring yourself to navigate the trials of a Linux install on your own, then you might be interested in Monolith's pre-built Media Center PCs, which come with MythTV pre-installed on top of Ubuntu Linux. Models start at $650, and include a remote, an IRBlaster, and free electronic programming guide access -- none of those silly TiVo-style monthly fees. Specs range from a single analog tuner to dual HDTV tuners, and you can get a 400GB HDD and DVD burner as well. The 3.2GHz P4 CPU isn't exactly cutting edge, but all the same, the Monolith box should be fine for someone who doesn't want to mess with setup, and isn't afraid to spend a bit more than they would otherwise.

Dell XPS M2010 reviewed:

Dell XPS M2010 reviewed:

CNET's staff just strapped on their bionic suits and hoisted Dell's 20-pound XPS M2010 into the lab for a full, hands-on review. Calling this desktop/laptop hybrid a "striking feat of engineering" (that's a compliment, we think), the reviewer fawns over the M2010's premium components, bright 20-inch glossy display, and 8-speaker system with subwoofer which is said to deliver "rich, clear" audio and more low-end sound than any laptop he's seen. The guy's equally stoked by the magnetically held Bluetooth keyboard and gyroscopic Media Center remote which includes a small LCD screen for peeping music and video track details when not flittering the thing about to control the onscreen cursor. The M2010 also proved to be an "able gaming machine" though not the best. However, the M2010 is still "absurdly expensive" with a $3500 base config rocketing upwards to $8000 fully spec'd and the battery only lasted about 2-hours while the machine simply idled. Oh, and the pig is just too heavy to be truly portable thereby limiting its appeal. Still, if you're a smarmy sales type, LAN party trust-funder, or Ivy league media troll looking for a single all-in-one desktop / laptop / home stereo / TV(via optional USB tuner) then this hulk of Dell-icousness might be calling you home.

ADA's iHome Multi-Center:

ADA's iHome Multi-Center:

The iHome Multi-Center on display at CEDIA has been around for awhile but somehow managed to slip below our radar. Still, when a Windows Media Center Edition device touts the ability to playback Apple's DRM-protected AAC files, well, it makes sense to double-back and take notice. The device is said to exploit iTunes and the Quicktime APIs to create a two-zone (analog and digital audio) music server in addition to its MCE capabilities. The magic created by using Quicktime as the output driver makes the iHome the only server product we know of that will playback your FairPlay tracks purchased off the iTunes store. The slab even busts-out an IP control server which generates both full-sized and mini flash-based HTML pages for two-way control over the system from any networked device sportin' a web browser with Flash support. Sweet. The iHome MCE features a couple of 400GB disks (750GB disks coming early next year) and an HDTV video card for a luxurious, $8,000 addition to your home audio rack. You do have one don't you?

BlackBerry Storm:

BlackBerry Storms:

A storm is coming, the BlackBerry Storm, RIM's first touchscreen phone. It'll blow in first from Verizon in an CDMA EV-DO version this fall, although no one is saying exactly when or for how much. A Vodafone version of the Storm, officially the 9530, also makes landfall in Europe, which means there'll likely be a GSM HSDPA 3G Storm-front moving into for the U.S. at some point. I will now end the silly storm puns.

As you'd expect, since Storm is a full touchscreen device, there's no physical thumbpad. Instead, you get BlackBerry’s SureType two-characters-per-key QWERTY keypad (the one that's on the company's Pearl phones) when typing in portrait mode and a full QWERTY in landscape mode. Storm provides haptic feedback – RIM says the touch screen depresses slightly when pressed and releases with a light "click" – much like a physical keyboard. Like most iPhone clones, the Storm screen automatically re-orients itself when you rotate the phone.

Since this is RIM's answer to the iPhone, the Storm is equipped with all the digital all-work-and-no-play-makes-Jack-a-dull-boy toys you’d expect: a 3.25-inch 480 x 360 pixel screen, a full HTML Web browser, a 3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, auto focus, flash and video recording, GPS with support for location-based applications and photo geo-tagging, MP3/AAC/WMA music and MPEG-4/H.264-compatible video players, a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, and stereo Bluetooth.

There's 1 GB of memory built in and a microSD card slot that can support up to 16 GB, but no WiFi.

And, of course, Storm is loaded with all the usual BlackBerry email and messaging goodies, along with the DataViz Documents to Go suite for reading and editing Microsoft Office documents. There have been reports that RIM will open its own iPhone-like application store, but there’s been no official announcement.