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Sony launches "Designed for Walkman" program -- accessory manufacturers point, laugh

by Thomas Ricker, posted Sep 8th 2008 at 3:17AM

Sony Corp just announced its new "Designed for Walkman" accessory program in a bid to boost third-party accessory development. Under the terms, any vendor that signs up gets full access to the specs for Sony's proprietary WM-PORT terminal... about 3.5 years too late. In return, licensees can prominently display this fancy, "Designed for Walkman" logo on their packaging and products as they grab for a slice of the meager accessory revenues made possible by the 4th place MP3 manufacturer owning just 2% market share. Hot Sony, hot.

PSP and 360 Chatpad are a match hacked in heaven

by Paul Miller, posted Sep 7th 2008 at 2:54AM


Some dedicated hackers have finally managed to get the PSP and Microsoft's Xbox 360 Chatpad typing. There are still a few kinks to smooth out, but the hard part seems over, with l0rdnic0 managing a tiny bit of soldiering using a PSP remote cable and some software from the Open Keyboard Project. It's all still pretty nerdy at the moment, and we're still miffed at that Logic 3 getting cancelled way back when, but we suppose this will have to do.

Continue reading PSP and 360 Chatpad are a match hacked in heaven

Crapgadget: pathetic peripherals on parade

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 6th 2008 at 1:44PM


Seriously, our hands are trembling at the mere thought of having to actually use any of these shameful peripherals. A camera that takes the good with the (mostly) bad? A star-shaped mouse guaranteed to accelerate the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome by 409%? A USB fan that blatantly lies about purifying the hot air coming from that clogged up tower of yours? All present and accounted for, sir, and that's not even the half of 'em. We have all ideas you too would want to keep your digits far, far away from any of the disasters linked below, but give the list a look and let us know which one you think is the most pitiful of all.

Read - Mouse pad / USB hub / mic
Read - USB Whack It
Read - Yang Ying Camera
Read - Star Mouse
Read - Key-shaped USB key
Read - Totally original touchscreen MP3 player
Read - USB fan with super-secret germ killing powers

Crapgadget: Which peripheral is most pitiful?

Belkin's FlyWire hands-on at CEDIA

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 5th 2008 at 3:39PM Featured Story


Belkin has been dangling its FlyWire wireless HD box for, what, ever now? Thankfully, it seems that all the kinks have been worked out, and the October ship date should actually stick. A few tidbits we learned while hanging out at the outfit's CEDIA booth: first, we confirmed that the technology within the device is AMIMON's, so we're guessing it's WHDI. Secondly, we heard that the retail price of the top-end AV69003 may scoot up to $1,499 when it's finally released. We know, that's a lot of coin to make your components cord-free, but the demonstration showing off Blu-ray streaming through thin air was nothing short of astounding. No hiccups, no jaggies, no hints whatsoever that there wasn't a direct HDMI connection. Check the box (and the receiver) out in the flesh over at Engadget HD.

ezJam Combo Guitar for Wii plays neutral in the battle of the (virtual) bands

by Tim Stevens, posted Sep 5th 2008 at 10:27AM

ezJam Combo Guitar for Wii plays neutral in the battle of the band games
Living room arenas around the world will soon become even more cluttered with toy instruments thanks to Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour. Axes for the two respective franchises haven't gotten along on the Wii, and while we're still not sure whether the next generation will cooperate ezGear is hoping to bring some peace (and eliminate some clutter) for current Nintendo rockers with its ezJam Combo Guitar. Inside its baby-blue Strat-esque styling there's port to plug in your Wiimote when playing Guitar Hero III as well as an integrated wireless transmitter for Rock Band. At $70 it's a little more expensive than other third-parties like the Nyko Frontman, but playing lead in two bands instead of one is totally worth it.

Gefen hedges its bets, announces UWB and WHDI-based wireless HD solutions

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 5th 2008 at 8:11AM

For awhile now, ultra-wideband (UWB) has been on the way down in terms of popularity, and all the while, AMIMON's WHDI technology has been racking up an unprecedented amount of support. At this year's CEDIA conference, we've got adapter manufacturer Gefen backing both sides by introducing separate wireless HD solutions built around Tzero's UWB tech and the aforesaid WHDI. It's hard to say if both of these formats will continue to be supported (though if we had to guess, we'd say WHDI has the upper hand), but at least for now, Gefen's playing it safe rather than casting a vote. We've a term in Washington for your kind, Gefen, and that term is fencesitter.

Read - Gefen supports WHDI!
Read - But wait, Gefen supports UWB!

Microsoft planning new Zunes and webcams on September 9th?

by Nilay Patel, posted Sep 4th 2008 at 3:24PM


So we know that Microsoft is gearing up to launch those new "Blue Track" mice on September 9th, but Ars Technica says that there's a good chance we'll be getting new webcams and -- surprise! -- Zunes as well. Sadly, the new mice might still be the most exciting things on the ticket -- the LifeCam VX-5500 and LifeCam Show NX-8000 are pretty much just webcams, and we're not expecting anything Zune hardware-related beyond bumps to 120GB and 16GB and perhaps that blue flash number. Still, there's a chance we could be surprised by those rumored new software and service announcements, but Microsoft's going to have to reach deep into the wow box to steal attention from a certain black-turtlenecked raconteur who'll be taking the stage in Cupertino to announce some minor new PMPs that day as well. Let the games begin!

Sony's SOCOM PS3 Bluetooth headset priced, detailed for North America

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 4th 2008 at 5:42AM

We know, we know -- you already know most everything there is to know about Sony's SOCOM PS3 Bluetooth headset, but up until now, the most important tidbit has remained a mystery. The device will be launching this fall as part of the SOCOM: Confrontation bundle for $59.99, or if you just loathe the whole SOCOM series, you can pick it up all by its lonesome for $49.99. Tough call, huh?

IOGEAR's USB to VGA transmitter gets USB-IF approval, October release

by Steven Kim, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 9:40PM

IOGEAR Wireless USB to VGA
Just in time for CEDIA, IOGEAR's Wireless USB to VGA Kit has received passing marks from the USB Implementer's Forum, so you can rest assured that the $230 kit will play nicely with any other USB gear you have now or may get in the future. You can expect to see the wireless duo on shelves in October, so Windows XP and Vista users with a free USB port can cut the cord, clean up the rat's nest of cabling and start beaming 720p signals around the living room or conference room -- just mind the 30-foot limit. Full release after the break.

Continue reading IOGEAR's USB to VGA transmitter gets USB-IF approval, October release

Airborne Ultrasound Tactile Display creates haptic 3D objects you can poke

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 9:08AM

Ultrasound Haptic
Sure, you may have your fancy vibrating controllers and liquid-injecting touch screens, but Takayuki Iwamoto wants you to play with the air. Iwamoto and some of his buddies at the University of Tokyo have come up with a way to use focused ultrasound to create manipulable virtual objects in space. Using multiple transducers, the "Airborne Ultrasound Tactile Display" creates an acoustic radiation pressure field. Holding your hand in the field allows you to "feel" the object, manipulate it, and feel response. Right now, the system only creates a vertical field, but you had better bet that Iwamoto is working on that. As for suitable applications, interest has already been shown from both industrial and gaming developers. No word on the hentai industry taking note, but that can't be too far away. Check the video after the break to see this tech in action.

[Via BBC News]

Continue reading Airborne Ultrasound Tactile Display creates haptic 3D objects you can poke

Logitech's Illuminated Keyboard: its thinnest keyboard ever

by Thomas Ricker, posted Sep 2nd 2008 at 5:18AM

Logitech just announced a trio of keyboards this morning starting with its thinnest keyboard ever, the 9.3-mm thin Illuminated Keyboard ($80 / October) pictured above. It features an adjustable backlight, soft-touch palm rest and dedicated multi-media keys for hot, one-handed night typing alone in the dark. Also announced is the portable, 2.4GHz wireless DiNovo Keyboard for Notebooks ($100 / October) with an unbelievable 3-year battery life followup by the Cordless Desktop S520 ($60 / September) keyboard and optical mouse combination. The latter features more of that same impressive power management capable of eking out 8 months of usage for the mouse and 15-months for the keyboard. Pictures of the other two just as soon as Logitech delivers 'em.

Gallery: Logitech's Illuminated Keyboard: it's thinnest keyboard ever


IOGEAR's DVI Net ShareStation networks one display for multiple users

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 2nd 2008 at 12:01AM

While we imagine that some folks are sick and tired of fighting over the sole display in the house, some people out there are looking for a reason to quarrel over the biggest one. IOGEAR's DVI Net ShareStation is here to help, providing one display with an Ethernet connection so that any and all computers on the same network can battle for it share. Debuting at CEDIA, the tiny box includes a DVI / VGA adapter and an Ethernet jack, and it supports streamed resolutions up to 1,600 x 1,200. Furthermore, users who just want to add an external display to their system can do so by simply connecting the device to a USB port. It's available now for $199.95, and the release can be seen in full by clicking through below.

Continue reading IOGEAR's DVI Net ShareStation networks one display for multiple users

Belkin JoyPod render surfaces: your App Store gaming controller

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 31st 2008 at 2:54PM


For better or worse, it looks like the so-called iControlPad is edging closer to reality -- or at least something really similar. According to a new image (and our limited Spanish translation skills), Belkin is actually looking to produce an App Store gaming controller, though we're still not entirely convinced that what we're seeing is legitimate. Whatever the case, the JoyPod would somehow, someway provide users who purchased Super Monkey Ball to play it using a bona fide game pad, though we can't figure out if the iPod touch / iPhone slips in behind the controller or if it just morphs to fit the JoyPod's space constraints. Guess we'll see (or not) soon enough.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: Belkin pinged us to say this is 100% fake. Ah well, at least you know the truth now.

Super Nintendo controller table signals a trend

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 30th 2008 at 10:35PM


Remember that fad where everyone had dining room tables of their favorite Disney character? Or the age in the 70s where tables were shaped like lava lamps? No? At any rate, the modders over at SCAD Inc. have spent all summer crafting a fully-functional Super Nintendo controller-table, which reminds us an awful lot of the fully-functional NES controller-table we saw in May of this year. So, which geek is gonna take on the N64 controller table? Or better yet, the Virtual Boy?

Stix 200 Wiimote wannabe reviewed: it's just as awful as we imagined

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 30th 2008 at 7:14PM


Be honest here, GoLive2's Stix didn't stand a chance at being taken seriously, and even when one reviewer attempted to have fun with the unashamed Wiimote knockoff, he failed epically. The Stix 200 looks strikingly like Nintendo's accelerometer-packin' controller, though this 2D-only rip was seen as "a set of slightly unresponsive, highly inconvenient arrow keys" rather than an exciting new controller. The PC games that can be played with the device are equally dreadful, and while the 3D-capable Stix 400 might be able to make up for some of the 200's shortcomings, we can't wholeheartedly say it's even worth the effort to check out after reading this review.

[Thanks, Robert]
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