Content
15 January 2007, 13:00
MoGo Dapter: World's Smallest Bluetooth Adapter.
What is MoGo Dapter™?
Now you can add Bluetooth wireless capabilities to your USB tablet or notebook computer. MoGo Dapter™ is a technologically advanced wonder, featuring patent-pending mechanics, an ultra low-proile design.
 Newton Peripherals, the developer of the revolutionary MoGo Mouse™, today announced the MoGo Dapter™, a breakthrough in Bluetooth™ adapters that makes it easier than ever for millions of laptop users to use Bluetooth-enabled wireless devices.
The MoGo Dapter is the world's smallest Bluetooth adapter, specifically designed for "road warriors" and other mobile computer users. Newton Peripherals' engineers designed the Dapter, miniaturizing and encapsulating the patent-pending technology so that the adapter simply plugs into any free USB port and virtually sits flush, without protruding like standard adapters. In doing so, the Dapter delivers "set it and forget it" Bluetooth functionality, eliminating the current requirement of unplugging and carrying a bulky adapter when traveling.
MoGo Dapter™ is speciically designed for road warriors who do not have embedded Bluetooth functionality on their laptops and hate carrying around full-sized bulky adapters, that are quite often left at home. MoGo Dapter™ provides business travelers with a solution to their problem, making it easier for them to work on the road.
 What’s so special about MoGo Dapter™?
MoGo Dapter™ makes quantum leaps over other Bluetooth adapters when it comes to mobility and usability. Its design lets business travelers use MoGo Dapter in virtually any environment. MoGo Dapter™ Ultra low-proile, only .4", supports “plug it and forget it” for the ultimate in portability. Once you install MoGo Dapter™ into your USB connector you do not need to unplug the unit during travel, as its mechanical design does not protrude.
Features
The market for such a device is tremendous. Figures from IMS Research and the Bluetooth Special Interest Group indicate that there may be as many as 250 million older laptops still in daily use worldwide, without embedded Bluetooth support. The MoGo Dapter now enables owners of those laptops to use the award-winning MoGo Mouse, recently named as one of IT Week magazine's "Products of the Year," as well as other Bluetooth-enabled devices. More importantly, the MoGo Dapter essentially becomes an integrated part of the laptop, giving users one fewer device to misplace or lose. • Ultra low-proile design allows “plug it and forget it” for mobile user. • Bluetooth 2.0 EDR supports higher transfer than v1.2
Speciications
General • Supports up to 7 slave devices
Standards • Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
Transfer Rates (Max) • 3.0Mbps Asymmetrical
RF-Wireless Frequency • 2400 - 2483.5 MHz for USA/Europe/Japan
"The MoGo Dapter is consistent with our corporate objective of producing powerful and easy-to-use products that enable mobility on the go," said Matthew Westover, Newton Peripherals' President and Chief Executive Officer. "Many laptop computer users refuse to use adapters of any kind, because they can catch, break off or become lost. As a result, they are not getting as much as they can from their mobile computing experience. The MoGo Dapter solves that challenge, and represents a significant step forward. We believe the ultra-low profile of the Dapter will become the standard design for adapters of all kinds." • 2dBi On-Board • Integrated Chip
Receiver Sensitivity • 80 dBm typical across passband under high interference environments
Range • Up to 30 feet (peer-to-peer)
RF Technology • Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum
System Requirements For Windows Computers • Windows XP/2000/Me/98se with USB Support • One Available USB Port • CD-ROM Drive For Macintosh Computers • Macintosh OS X v10.2 with USB Support • One Available USB Port
The MoGo Dapter will be available in the second quarter of this year from a worldwide network of authorized resellers, at an MSRP of $49.99. • 5VDC +/- 10%Power Consumption • Max 33mA in transmit mode • Max 38mA in receive mode • Max 259uA in sleep mode
Dimensions • L = 0.4 in. • W = .73 in. • H = 0.37 in.
Weight • 0.09 oz (39g)
Content
14 January 2007, 15:32
New camcorder Hitachi DZ-GX5300, Sony HDR-HC7, Sony HDR-HDR-
New 3.3M CCD Camcorder From Hitachi - "Wooo" DZ-GX5300
Adding yet another item to what's likely one of the oddest titled product lines to ever grace the consumer electronics universe, Hitachi has now introduced the Wooo DZ-GX5300 DVD camcorder.
 According to its press release, Hitachi is going to release its latest 3.3M CCD camcorder, Wooo DZ-GX5300.
Measures 66 x 143 x 92mm and weighs 470 grams, this digital video recorder offers a 2.7-inch colors widescreen display and supports for variety DVD media, including DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, and DVD-R. It can also take a series of still photo shot automatically
Sony HD Camcorder Line...
Technical Specifications Sony HDR-HC7
 General
• Imaging Device: 1/2.9" 3200K Gross Pixels ClearVid™ CMOS Sensor • Pixel Gross: 3200K • Recording Media: MiniDV Cassette, Memory Stick Duo™ Media, Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media • Recording and Playback Times: High Definition: 60 minutes; Standard Definition: SP=60 min., LP=90 min. • Video Actual: 2280K Pixels (16:9), 1710K Pixels (4:3) • Still Actual: 2280K Pixels (16:9), 3040K Pixels (4:3)
Place the pinnacle of high definition in your hands with the HDR-HC7 camcorder. It’s never been easier to capture the highest quality, high definition video possible on a MiniDV cassette. Convenience• USB Streaming: N/A • SteadyShot® Image Stabilization: Yes (Super; Optical) • Accessory Shoe: Yes, Active Interface Shoe • White Balance: Auto/Outdoor/Indoor/One Push • Memory Stick PRO™ Media Compatibility: Tested to support up to 4GB media capacity; does not support high speed transfer function; does not support Access Control security function. • Still Image Mode(s): JPEG • Minimum Illumination: 2 Lux (0 Lux with Super NightShot® Infrared System) • Low Light Capability: Super NightShot® system
HD camcorders are the big thing for 2007, with prices for consumer models turning them into the mainstream camcorders to have. Sony's HC7 includes several next-generation technologies, including support for the xvYCC color space, which facilitates better colors for capture and display. Sony's HDR-HC series also has a proven track record of excellent MiniDV performance. Convenience Features• Easy Operation: Yes • Fader Effects: Black, Monotone, Mosaic, White • Multiple Language Display: Yes • Slide Show Mode: Yes • Titling: N/A • Light/Flash: N/A/Yes • Scene Mode(s): Beach, Candle, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Sports Lesson, Spotlight, and Sunrise & Sunset • Picture Effect(s): Monotone, Mosaic, Negative Art, Pastel, Sepia, Skin Tone and Solarization • Digital Picture Effect(s): Cinematic Effect, Flash • Motion, Old Movie, Still, Trail • PictBridge Compatible: Yes
HD is more than just high resolution and huge TV screens--it's also better color. In this case, XvYCC color, a space that's able to encode a larger variety of colors that predecessors such as sRGB or YCC. Sony is first out of the gate to support XvYCC with its 2007 prosumer models, the HDR-HC5/7 and HDR-UX5/7, hard drive and DVD-based AVCHD models, respectively. Inputs and Outputs• LANC Terminal: Yes (Stereo Mini) • Analog Audio/Video Input(s): N/A • Analog Audio/Video Output(s): Yes (Multi A/V) • Digital Audio/Video Input(s): Yes (via i.LINK®) • Digital Audio/Video Output(s): Yes (via i.LINK®) • USB Port(s): Yes (1.1 compliant) • i.LINK® Interface: Yes • Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output(s): Yes • Headphone Jack: Yes • Microphone Input: Yes • S-Video Input(s): N/A • S-Video Output(s): Yes (via optional accessory) • HDMI™ Connection Output(s): Yes
HDR-HC7This is an HDV-based camcorder, with a 3MP CMOS shooting stills up to 6.1MP. It has a 2.7" LCD...and is pretty standard. Its less-loved sibling, the HC5, has a downgraded 2MP CMOS allowing for 4MP stills Interestingly, the lower end camera also features more digital zoom, as if Sony believes cheaper consumers will be impressed by the pixel-screwing zoom. Hardware• LCD: 2.7" (211K Pixels) Wide (16:9) Touch Panel Clear Photo™ LCD PlusDisplay • Lens Type: Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* • Viewfinder: Color, 123K Pixels • Docking Station: N/A • Microphone: Yes (Built-in; Stereo)
Optics/Lens
Sony HDR-UX7
This camera has identical specs to the HC7, but records to DVD in the MPEG4 AVCHD format, allowing you to put 1080ion 3" DVD. It is also the only model in the lineup with a slightly larger, 3.5" screen.• 35mm Equivalent: 40-400mm(16:9 Camera Mode), 49- 490mm (4:3 Camera Mode), 40-400mm (16:9 Memory Mode), 37-370mm (4:3 Memory Mode) • Aperture: f1.8-2.9 • Exposure: Touch Panel (24 steps) • Filter Diameter: 37mm • Focal Distance: 5.4-54mm; 450mm; Telemacro • Focus: Full Range Auto/Manual (Dial, Touch Panel) • Progressive Shutter Mode: N/A • Shutter Speed: Auto, 1/2-1/500 (Scene Selection Mode) • Optical Zoom: 10X • Digital Zoom: 20X • Resolution: 3MP
Sony HDR-HC5/7
These models use 2- and 4-megapixel versions of Sony's ClearVid CMOS--it'll be interesting to see if it's up to the task of a broader color range--and now have an automatic slow-shutter mode for when the light starts dimming. The specs do claim a we-hope-its-true minimum illumination of 2 lux.Power• Power Consumption: HDV-4.2W/4.5W; DV-4.0W/4.3W (VF/LCD) • Battery Type: InfoLithium® with AccuPower™ Meter System (NP-FH60)
Software • Supplied Software: Picture Motion Browser ver. 2.0
Video • Analog-to-Digital Converter: N/A • Format(s) Supported: HDV 1080i and MiniDV
The HDR-HC7 and HDR-HC5 will ship in February for about $1,400 and $1,200, respectively. The HDR-UX7 and HDR-UX5 follow in March for about $1,300 and $1,100, respectively. Dimensions
Weight: 1 lb. 6 oz. (650g) with tape and supplied batteryMeasurements: 3 1/4" x 3 1/4" x 5 1/2" (82 x 82 x 138mm)
Supplied Accessories• Power Adaptor/ In Camera Charger (AC-L200) • InfoLithium® Rechargeable Battery (NP-FH60) • Wireless Remote Commander® Remote Control (RMT- 831) • A/V Cable • Component Video Cable • USB Cable • i.LINK® Cable (VMC-IL4415)
See also:
Sanyo Xacti HD1A 5.1MP MPEG4 High-Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom.
Content
13 January 2007, 16:03
Skype offers phones for Web and conventional calls...
Skype, which has popularized Web telephone calling, on Monday marked progress in extending its low-cost calling services beyond computers to new types of phones.
 Netgear today introduced a new cordless phone that combines plain-old telephone service and Skype calling in one handset. It's not a new concept (Linksys is already doing it, for example), but the new Dual-Mode Cordless Phone with Skype SPH200D is a handsome little package. And it looks easy to use. The handset LCD shows you the option of selecting a SkypeOut or landline connection, and your can scroll through your Skype contact list. The wireless functions use the DECT standard, so reception should be good even if you have lots of other wireless devices flooding the hosue. It's available now for $200.
The base station supports up to 4 handsets, but we're not sure how useful that is. You can only make one phone call at a time. And the clueless Netgear flaks didn't even know if you can use two handsets at the same time (say your two kids want to get on the phone with grandma at the same time.) We can't imagine the phone not supporting that. (But then, neither can we imagine Netgear's top marketing people not knowing how their own products work).
 Unlike many existing Skype-ready phones that need to be tethered to a personal computer, the new model requires only the phone and broadband cable connection.
The Philips VOIP841 uses the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) frequency, an 1.8GHz band that was set aside to allow both security and better battery life than other cordless frequencies. The base-station allows you to plug in a normal land-line connection as well as your ethernet broadband connection. This means you're able to make calls on both Skype and your traditional house phone. However, the Philips doesn't require a PC at all, making it truly standalone
The only problem, if there is one, with this unit is that it uses DECT instead of WiFi, which means you can't take it to wireless hot-spots like you can with the Belkin WiFi Skype phone. It would be fine as a home phone, but not one you can travel with.
 In addition, Skype said it was working with Nokia, IPevo, a Silicon Valley-based unit of major Taiwanese Internet service provider PChome Online, Philips Electronics NV of the Netherlands and Topcom NV, which is based in Belgium and Hong Kong.
Interestingly, the VOIP841 runs an embedded version of Linux, so it’s going to be qute interesting what hacks people come up with in the future. Personally, I really like the idea of this phone but without WiFi I won’t be buying it. But it is encouraging to see major manufacturers like Philips embracing VoIP and making it more accessible.
Combine your cordless phone and Skype calls, all in one.
• Connect the base station to your phone line and router
• Use the cordless phone to make phone calls or Skype calls
• Crystal clear voice quality and longer range with DECT cordless technology
• Talk for free to Skype users anywhere, without a PC*
• Call any phone worldwide for pennies a minute using SkypeOut ASUS's AiGuru S2 connects to a computer through a USB cable connection and comes with both Apple Computer Inc. iTunes and Microsoft Corp. Windows Media Player for listening to music anywhere around a house with a wireless radio connection.
 Other products include a speakerphone that connects to a computer using a USB cable from IPevo and a Philips USB handset aimed at travelers using laptop computers.
How it works
Simply plug the Dual-mode Cordless Phone Station into your Internet router (Ethernet port) to enjoy making Skype calls. In addition, you can plug the base station into your phone line (PSTN) wall jack to make land line calls—from the same cordless phone. Up to 3 additional phones can be added—so you can replace your current cordless phones throughout your home with NETGEAR’s Dual-mode Cordless Phone with Skype. By expanding to offer a growing variety of phone models including cordless, computer-connected and dual-mode Wi-Fi/mobile phones, Skype is making it easier for consumers to spend more of their calling time using the company's services.
• Manage your contact list and see who’s available to talk to
• Use premium services like SkypeIn, SkypeOut, Skype Voicemail (additional fees apply)
• Supports up to 4 handsets per household (additional handsets sold separately)
• DECT Cordless–ideal for long range and clear voice quality
• Multiple Languages Supported Calls made to other Skype users are free, while calls placed to non-Skype users worldwide incur charges that are typically lower than standard telephone company calling plans. Skype counted 136 million registered users of its phone services worldwide at the end of September.
 The shares of eBay dropped $1.08, or 3.5 percent, to close$29.70, while Netgear gained $1.13, or 4 percent, to $29.60. Both trade on Nasdaq. Nokia dropped 1.01 percent, or 20 cents, to $19.64 in New York Stock Exchange trading, echoing a similar decline in Helsinki market trading.
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