Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Computers, Netbooks  Today, as you probably already know, is the release of Windows 7. The day comes not only with the new OS, but with a number of new computers to go along with the release. One of the biggest features is that Windows 7, unlike Vista, works fairly well on netbooks, which means today there’s a few new netbooks being released. It only makes sense then, that the cellular networks would take advantage of it.
Verizon Wireless has announced that it is now carrying two new HP netbooks that are released today. The new netbooks are the HP Mini 311-1037NR and the HP Mini 110-1046NR. The Mini 110 is a standard netbook running Windows XP, while the Mini 311 runs Windows 7. The Mini 110 will sell for $199 and the Mini 311 will sell for $249, both after a $100 mail-in rebate. The extra $50 will get you an extra GB of RAM (The 311 has 2GB, compared to 1GB) in addition to the upgraded OS. The plans for both are the same as the current Verizon Wireless netbook plans, which is to say expensive. It’s great to see that Verizon is supporting the new OS on day one so users don’t have to try to find a way to get 7 to work nicely with the network after upgrading. What would be nice, would be if Verizon lowered the price of the data. $60 a month for 5 GB of data is not a good deal at all. Plus, its locking users into the same netbook for two years. It might just make more sense to get a new Windows 7 netbook with a Sprint MiFi. There’s no usage caps, you can upgrade the netbook, and the data is usable by more than just the one device. Read [PR Newswire] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Gadgets / Other, Green  Toshiba has announced the launch of a device using direct methanol fuel cell (“DMFC”) technology. Dubbed the Dynario, it's a charger for small gadgets like cell phones, mp3 players and digital cameras and will go on sale today on Toshiba's website. Methanol fuel cells produce electricity via a reaction between water, air, and methanol, with harmless byproducts like water vapor and carbon dioxide. This makes it a greener, cleaner energy source than traditional chargers and batteries.
Unfortunately this device comes with a steep price. The chargers will go for 29,800 yen (about $328 US). 50 milliliter bottles of methanol for refilling the charger will go for 3,150 yen (about $35 US)—one of these bottles will allow the Dynario to charge a cell phone twice. Right now, it seems like a tremendously impractical device and Toshiba seems to agree. They are only offering 3,000 for sale and will throw in 5 free bottles of methanol for all purchases made in the next month. That's enough for 10 cell phone charges. The Dynario makes Toshiba the first major consumer electronics maker to offer the new DMFC technology and they say the next step is to make devices with the fuel cells embedded. One has to wonder how much such cells would add to the price of the device and whether the price of the refills will come down to a reasonable level. So far Toshiba has no plans to sell the Dynario here in the U.S. and claims to be working on a cell phone containing DMFCs for a Japanese carrier but has no estimated date of release. Read [PCWorld] Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Video, Accessories, HDTV, Portable Video, Gadgets / Other, Lifestyle, Gaming, Accessories 
Another day, another video eyewear announcement, right? Wrong. Down at the very bottom of the release announcing the shipping of the Vuzix Wrap 310 is something about 3D compatibility; this gadget is compatible with the major 3D formats. That got me thinking: with all the push from studios and home entertainment to 3D, maybe this revolution will skip the TV. My biggest problem with 3D is getting around the glasses: to get 3D today, you’ve got to wear glasses. So, why not have glasses with screens inside them; turn a requirement into something better by adding super big, super clear images (Vuzix says their Wrap 310 has the equivalent of a 55 inch screen at 10 feet)? If the wave of the future is 3D, then Vuzix might just have their timing down. The Vuzix Wrap is available starting today for $245.95 and they do look very similar to a pair of sunglasses (scoring much lower on the dork factor, thankfully). These shades offer regular video viewing like other video eyewear. Besides being upgradeable, input accessories are coming: "The Wrap 310 also brings advanced features to the video eyewear category that no product has. With capabilities to add tracking and cameras that enable augmented reality and incredible gaming experiences; there is nothing like it on the market" added Vuzix CEO, Paul Travers.
So now we are talking about augmented reality and potentially live video input along with 3D capabilities. So many issues just became solved that video eyewear could become the LCD Flat panel of the next decade. Imagine sharing #D-immersive content with family, each in their own video eyewear in what used to be called your TV room. This is going to be a pair of video eyewear to watch and the pair to grab if you are in the market. Product page: [Vuzix]
. Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Mobile  Cellufun, a host of one of the largest communities for mobile gaming, has announced the inclusion of a series of Halloween games and activities, called Hallofun. Using your cell phone, you can decorate your Cellfun homepage, dress up your avatar and trick or treating on your friends' pages. Additional activities include a costume contest, haunted hayride and bonfire building. They are also relaunching their popular Captives of Witch Hall game.
The costumes are available for free as well as for a small fee ($2 to $4). Some examples you can choose from are Betty Boop, French maid, astronaut, alien, robot and ghost. You can also add Halloween themed pet friends, including pet dragons and pet bat. Hallofun is available to subscribers with a data plan through their mobile phone and can be downloaded from the mobile Cellufun website: m.Cellufun.com. To start playing, you need to set up a free profile by giving your mobile phone number, email address, screen name and password. Site: [Cellufun] Full Story » | Written by Heather Wood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Software / Applications, Gadgets / Other, ebooks With the ebook reader market getting bigger and bigger, Amazon is trying to keep relevant. You could access Kindle books on your Kindle and on the iPhone app—now there is the Kindle reader for Windows so you can read on your laptop. Sure a computer screen is usually hardly optimal for long reading periods, but having the option to read your books on multiple machines may be of interest to some. Maybe this kind of thing will help out the new tablet PCs that are coming out. With Windows 7, the Kindle reader can zoom in and out using the pinch gesture. Turning pages can be done using a finger swipe. Right now you can head over to the Kindle for PC site and sign up for a notification when the software is available. It's a free download that will be available next month and it will be compatible with Windows 7, Vista, and XP. Notification Site: [Amazon] Full Story » | Written by Iyaz Akhtar for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Gadgets / Other, ebooks In what can only be seen as a move to compete with the Barnes & Noble Nook, especially considering the international edition Kindle was only announced less than a month ago—Amazon has made some changes to the current Kindle lineup. Good news! Due to strong customer demand for our newest Kindle with U.S. and international wireless, we are consolidating our family of 6” Kindles. As part of this consolidation, we are lowering the price of the Kindle you just purchased from $279 down to $259. You don’t need to do anything to get the lower price—we are automatically issuing you a $20 refund. This refund should be processed in the next few days and will appear as a credit on your next billing statement.
It seems that they have consolidated the Kindle lineup, well in short they have ditched the $259 US only version in favor of the US and International version. The good news here is that Amazon has also lowered the price on that model from the original $279 down to $259. In other words it is now priced the same as the Nook. In addition, anyone who has purchased the US and International version for the original $279 price tag will be getting a $20 refund. And the better news here is that refund will be automatic. According to Amazon, anyone that falls into that category should see the refund come in the “next few days.” Personally, I am still sporting the original Kindle, but have been dreaming about the Nook since it was announced the other day. I am thinking a trip to a local Barnes & Noble may be in order. But that said, I will most keep my original Kindle until either Barnes & Noble or Amazon release an ebook reader for Android. Product [Amazon] Via [Engadget] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Smartphones, Mobile, Gadgets / Other, Transportation Trendy, hip, affluent, savvy, and disproportionately good looking. That’s the iPhone audience (I might have made the last one up) and that is who VW is looking to reach with a ground-breaking launch: launch the 2010 VW GTI via an iPhone game. As of this morning, Real Racing GTI is a free download that allows users to experience the thrills and benefits of VW’s latest GTI. Tim Ellis, Vice President of Marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc. says "the GTI customer is a tech-savvy consumer who enjoys social networking, playing games and spending time on mobile devices – most often an iPhone. Launching the all-new 2010 GTI via the Real Racing GTI App allows us to connect with this savvy GTI consumer within his or her everyday life in a way that no 30-second spot ever could." What’s more, to encourage game play, six registered players in the US will be chosen over six weeks to win a numbered, limited edition GTI. The game was built by Firemint, an Australian developer with over 30 titles in the app store including Real Racing and Flight Control. Real Racking has been modified to highlight VW and their new GTI. The game features a VW showroom that takes you through some of the cars details, such as images of the “carbon fiber inspired” trim (which is like saying tofu is “meat inspired product”). The game walks the fine line between keeping true the original without become just an advertisement hidden in a cheap game. If the GTI handles like the game, users will be impressed. The game is available now for free in the App Store. Personally,I believe this is great marketing. The company is reaching out to make a connection with customers by making it a win-win. Customers get a free game, VW gets people racing their cars, creating more awareness, and the developer gets VW to foot the bill for some hard work. Who doesn’t love that? iTunes: [ App Store Link] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Broadband Cards, Mobile, Computers, Wireless  It looks like Novatel has released the first firmware update for the MiFi 2200, which means the update is now available for those who purchased a MiFi on either Sprint or Verizon.
The update is said to offer some bug fixes, add some new admin options, make improvements to international roaming as well as remove the hibernation mode while the device is running on AC power. For those with a MiFi, you will need to head on over to your MiFi admin page to find and perform the update. Personally, I have not yet updated mine, but would advise a little caution as things can go wrong from time to time when messing with firmware. Read [EVDOinfo.com] Via [Pocketables] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
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