Total Gadgets

What is [tag]Origami[/tag]?

Well, [tag]Microsoft[/tag] is somewhat secretive at the moment which is leading to a whole raft of rumors.

What we know is that it’s based on [tag]Windows XP[/tag] and that it’s a device rather than a replacement to a PC.  It’s not a pocket device but will fit into small bags and purses.  It is capable of supporting features like GPS, Bluetooth, 3G cellular technology and Wi-Fi. 

Oh, and Origami will cost around $600.

The hype-storm will soon give way to more details.

CNET is reporting that [tag]Sony[/tag] [tag]PlayStation 3[/tag] could be delayed until next year. This is according to a research report by Merrill Lynch which claim that the device is too ambitious (Sony Cell processor, Blu-ray drives) and that the costs will be high (cost of materials estimated at $900 at lauch, falling to $320 three years after launch).

This is currently just a research report but if it is true then [tag]PS3[/tag] could be where Sony trip up and really give Microsoft and the [tag]Xbox 360[/tag] the edge.

Is this the new Canon EOS 35D?

Reports are circulating that there is going to be a press conference on Feb 21st in Oslo where it will be unveiled. I guess we’ll have to wait and see!

Sony Pictures is the first major studio to set a price on Blu-ray discs (next generation, high-definition alternative to DVD) when they become available later this year.

Catalog Blu-ray discs will wholesale for $17.95, roughly the same as DVD was back in 1997.  However, new releases will come in at $23.45, a premium of about 15 - 20%.

Blu-ray discs will more than likely will start appearing in stores early this summer.  However, Sony is now turning to bundling DVD and the Universal Media Disc (UMD) format and it is likely that they may migrate UMD into Blu-ray.

[tag]Apple[/tag] have just announced that a cheaper [tag]iPod nano[/tag] will be launched - a 1GB version.  This is added to the currently broad base of [tag]iPod[/tag] players, ranging from the [tag]iPod Shuffle[/tag] 512MB for $69 to $399 for the iPod 60GB.

The 1GB iPod nano will be able to hold 240 songs.

Details at the Apple site.

The success of the Apple iPod has shown everyone interested in making a big impression on the music player market that style is a big selling feature.  The new [tag]Advanced MP3 Players[/tag] [tag]Pebble[/tag] combines both form and function.

The Pebble is small - 3.2 x 4.7 cm and weighing in at 20g.  The Pebble is stylish - incorporating a simple interface that makes use of organic LEDs, that not only looks great but works well at night and in low-light conditions.  The Pebble is multi-function - capable of MP3, WMA and ASF playback (but not protected WMA files), voice recording and it’s also an FM tuner/recorder.  It also incorporates a built-in stopwatch!

The sound output from the Pebble is impressive - 20 mW per channel, 40 mW total output!  To improve sound quality the Pebble supports various built in sound customization and enhancement systems such as preset EQ modes, user customizable EQ modes and 3D sound features.

The Pebble incorporates a built-in lithium batter that’s capable of 12 hours of audio playback.  The battery is charged not by a mains adaptor but directly from a USB port.

The Pebble comes in 512 Mb and 1 Gb memory capacities and works with both Windows and Mac.

We Like:

• The organic LED display
• The design
• The huge number of features
• The use of the USB port for charging

We’re Not Sure We Like:

• The battery (we like devices that use replaceable AA or AAA for long-haul use)

Included with the Pebble:

• Detailed User Manual
• Installation CD-ROM
• USB Cable
• Mini USB Cable
• Black Earphones
• Lanyard Earphones Adapter

Here is a complete listing of features as detailed by the manufacturer:

• MP3/WMA/ASF Playback
• Voice/FM Recording (MP3 ENCODING) function
• FM Tuner
• FM Recorder
• USB 2.0 high speed
• OLED Display (64×48,mono color)
• Rechargeable Battery (Coin type Li-ion): Continuous play time 12 hours
• EQ, User EQ, DBB, 3D Sound
• Logo/icon display & edit function
• Lyric & M-Sync support

Everyone needs more and more storage space nowadays for a variety of devices - such as MP3 player, mobile phones, digital cameras and PDA.

If you are looking for extra storage why not take storage to the next level and get something that is going to last you a long time - like a 4 GB (yes, that 4 GB) Secure Digital (SD) card.

This Centon [tag]Secure Digital card[/tag] is a fast 150x speed card that incorporates a lock switch to prevent overwriting or deletion of data.

$279.94 - eCost.

[tag]Western Digital[/tag] have announced that it has begun shipping the 500 GB [tag]SE16[/tag] [tag]Caviar[/tag] [tag]SATA[/tag] [tag]hard drives[/tag]. 

This is a massive hard drive - With that capacity you could store 142,000 digital photos, 125,000 MP3 files, 222 hours of DVD video or 60 hours of HD video.

Features:

• 500 GB capacity
• 16 MB cache
• 300 MB/s transfer
• 7200 RPM
• Whisper quiet technology
• Cool operating temperatures

For more information visit the Western Digital website.

Features Data Lifeguard™, Data Lifeguard Tools™ and Shock Guard™.

DigitalCameraInfo.com have a comprehensive review of the new 9 megapixel camera from - the [tag]Fuji E900[/tag]. 

The [tag]Fuji[/tag] [tag]E900[/tag] is not a DSLR (and in fact it has a higher resolution than any of Fuji’s own DSLRs).  It has a 4x optical zoom (equivalent to a focal length of 32 - 128mm) that spans the wide-angle to moderate telephoto range.  The 1/1.6 inch [tag]SuperCCD[/tag] supports a high ISO setting of 800 for low light work.

The likes and dislikes that come from the review are interesting. 

They like the manual exposure controls, the quality from the 9 megapixel CCD, the feel of the grip and the wide-angle capability of the camera.  However, they dislike the LCD, find the manual focus ineffective, the low ISO when compared to older Fuji cameras and the poor viewfinder.

This is a camera aimed at those who want manual control or the pro/serious amateur that already has a DSLR but wants a smaller camera for quick shots.

Read the full review here.