about-electronics.eu

PC Advisor: Pure Digital has launched the Evoke Flow, a DAB and internet radio with Wi-Fi technology that allows users to enjoy internet radio without being tied to a PC.

Utilising the styling of Pure’s Evoke 1-S, the sleek black device features touch-sensitive controls, a black chrome trim and an OLED display. It will broadcast DAB and FM radio stations through its 3in speaker. Alternatively, the integrated Wi-Fi connectivity allows users to stream audio stored on their PC or enjoy internet radio stations, listen again content and podcasts through its online media portal The Lounge.

A search function located on the Pure Evoke ensures internet stations can be accessed quickly and efficiently without having to scroll through hundreds of station names. Search topics include country, language and genre while the My Favourites facility ensures stations can be stored in the device’s memory.

read more

Eurogamer: Logitech has decided to make a force feedback racing wheel for Wii to work with Need for Speed Undercover.

The peripheral will launch this November and do futuristic things such as turn 200 degrees and feature built-in analogue gas and brake controls.

It’s also wireless, and reducing clutter further is the clever one-piece design.

Which all sounds rather pointless, although the Logitech Speed Force Wireless racing wheel will probably be rather good, judging by the quality of the PS3 version we tested recently.

read more

Stuff.tv: Sony yesterdat officially announced the much-rumoured PSP-3000.

While it sounds exciting and futuristic, the new model doesn’t bring a great deal to get the pulse racing – the screen has been boosted with more colours and apparently works better outside, and there’s a built-in mic to make Skyping a little easier (though you’ll still need to hunt down a Wi-Fi spot).

It also sports identical dimensions and design to the Slim & Lite, although there’s a new ‘PS’ button on the front instead of the ‘Home’ number.

read more

T3: Ok, it might not have the looks to match the big boys, but the Sanyo PLV-Z700 should have one thing on its side when it hits the European market – a reasonable price tag.

It’s a stripped-down version of Sanyo’s PLV-Z2000, offering 1080p full HD in all its big-screen glory, with a contrast ratio of 10,000:1, 1,200 ANSI lumens, a reasonably quiet 21dB noise level, a pair of HDMI connectors and the ability to throw up a 100-inch screen from just 10 feet away.

Will ‘entry-level’ equate to cheap when the PLV-Z700 launches in October?

read more

Electronista: Sony yesterday revealed a new 160GB version of the PlayStation 3.

The new version holds twice as much as the 80GB PS3 that now serves as the low-end model, and was built partly to hold extra content from the just-opened PlayStation video store.

The console still has the same expansion as the newer 80GB model, however, and is limited to two USB ports as well as backwards compatibility only for original PlayStation games. Wi-Fi and a DualShock 3 gamepad carry over from the other revised model.

Additionally, the company has also introduced a QWERTY keyboard add-on for the DualShock 3 and SIXAXIS that attaches to the front USB connector.

read more

ElectronicsWeekly.com: Blu-ray DVD markets in both the US and Europe continue to perform strongly now that the industry has a single standard to focus on.

By 2012, between 40% and 50% of consumer expenditure on video discs will be allocated to Blu-ray, according to a report from market analyst Futuresource. Market predicts suggest that close to 45 million Blu-ray discs will be sold in the US this year. This is a four-fold increase on last year. Uptake of the high definition DVDs is lower in Europe, but the UK Blu-ray disc market is growing.

“We expect 2% of unit sales in the lead markets of the UK and France to be on BD this year and this is likely to hit 5-6% next year,” said Mai Hoang, a lead analyst in the Futuresource Home Video team.

read more

Techradar.com: If you really want to dock your iPod on a speaker with built-in internet radio, you’ll soon be able to do just that. Intempo’s RDi-W looks to be the first such device to hit the high street, and promises “easy access to global radio in hi-fi quality sound.”

Although the radio feature should probably support DAB, it weirdly doesn’t – but the dock does include standard FM coverage as an afterthought, and the internet radio can be piped through the included LAN connection, or wirelessly.

The dock cranks out its tunes on a 30 watt speaker with integrated sub-woofer.

read more

SlashGear: InterAction Laboratories recently did a demo of their new Wii Sqweeze for the Wii.

The device was demonstrated using a bow hunting PC game, but the company expects it to be ready for the Wii in early 2009.

Essentially the Wii Sqweeze is a controller that holds your regular Wii remote, and has a pair of rubber handles that can “allow for shoulder abduction and adduction.”

No word yet on what games the Sqweeze will work with.

read more

PC Advisor: A new iPhone 3G case offers protection for Apple’s handset while allowing users to touch on-screen buttons.

US-based manufacturer IVYSKIN claim this to be a world’s first.

Mike Panahi, Founder and President of Ivyskin told Macworld UK: “Body and screen scratches are inevitable. We built a full solid screen cover into our new Xylo T3′s enclosure that’s specifically designed to protect the whole device”.

ICYSKIN is creating three separate cases in the range.
 

read more

Techradar.com: The CEO of Asian mobile phone manufacturer HTC Peter Chou has said he wants the company to become a top five manufacturer in the near future.

HTC is currently nestled in the top ten, but wants to break into the big time, with models such as the Touch Diamond and the forthcoming Dream.

In fact, it’s the latter model that is likely to propel it up the charts, with the Dream likely to be the first handset using the Google Android UI.

Chou, speaking to the Commercial Times, predicted the company will soon increase its sales from 15 million handsets by six times, usurping the 100 million phones sold by Motorola.

read more

Webware: For the most part, the only person you can socialize with on a handheld GPS navigator is the girl who tells you to turn left after 100 meters.

Garmin wants to change that. The device manufacturer has partnered with location-based app company ULocate to bring its Where.com software, previously available only on compatible cell phones and carriers, to some of its devices. (It hasn’t said which ones specifically.)

This will give Garmin owners access to Where’s own Buddy Beacon software, which shares users’ current locations with friends. It can be hooked up to Where’s Facebook application, too, so you can tell your friends where you are.

read more

Macworld: High-end audio company, Boston Acoustics announced a new audio system for iPod users. The i-DS2 resembles Apple’s own entry into the iPod speaker business — a rectangular speaker with the iPod sitting on top.

The company said the i-DS2 features an acoustically tuned chamber for maximum bass response. It also includes a remote and can use any model iPod with a dock connector. 

The unit also features a composite video output that also lets users show photos and videos from any video-capable iPod on their TV. A USB connector allows for iPod communication with iTunes and an auxiliary input allows connections to other media players.

The device is available from the company’s Web site.

read more