Survey finds Optimism among Tech Execs

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SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Despite turmoil in global markets, two-thirds of senior technology industry executives polled in a new survey say the economic slowdown will not hurt them as badly as the bursting of the tech bubble in 2000.
However, more than three-quarters of respondents say their business has been impacted by the financial crisis, according to the study, which was released on Monday by the law firm DLA Piper.
Read more

Posted on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Americans put revamped Voting Technology to Test

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By Mary Milliken
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - In California, cradle of the computer industry, most voters will use paper and ink to cast ballots in the U.S. election on November 4.
In contrast, voters in Brazil and India press buttons in all-electronic elections that take digital voting technology to the Amazon and Himalayas.
Read more

Posted on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:53:48 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

AbleNet Bluetooth Access Tech for PC

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AbleNet has announced some new access technology to allow those with physical limitations to use a computer. The access technology uses Impulse Bluetooth Technology. The products are designed to allow people with limitations to use any muscle surface like the face, jaw, neck, arm, leg and more to control a computer.

AbleNet says the products are particularly aimed at those with ALS, MS, and MDA or paralysis. The device uses an electrode to measure Electromyography (minute muscle contractions) to provide control of computers. Read more

Posted on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Logitech Illuminated Keyboard Review

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Everything USB published a review of the recently introduced Logitech Illuminated Keyboard.
Quote from the review: "Wired USB keyboards still have an appeal in the market of USB peripherals due to no battery dependencies, no link disruption due to other wireless devices operating in the near vicinity and better compatibility with USB hosts than wireless keyboard variants. Even though they are primarily intended for professional gaming, there is still a lot of room for improvement as our operating systems migrate from our computer room into our bed room and living room. Read more

Posted on Wed, 8 Oct 2008 11:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

XDepth Raw Jpeg-compatible RAW Image Format and Compression Tech

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Many photographers prefer to shoot with the higher quality RAW image format to Jpeg. The problem is that RAW images take up significantly more storage space and the images aren’t as compatible with different software as the Jpeg.

A new photo format has been announced called XDepth RAW and it is the only image format and file solution able to function as both a RAW image and a Jpeg at once. XDepth Raw can store at 72-bit/pixel full dynamic range. The average image taken with the XDepth Raw format is 0.2MB. Read more

Posted on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:15:30 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Media, Technology Companies unite to fight Piracy

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By Alex Dobuzinskis
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A group founded by several major media and technology companies plans to promote the Web as a place for consumers to get songs, television shows and movies without resorting to piracy.
Organizers of the group, which is called Arts+Labs, are touting it as the first time technology companies and content creators have met in a room -- instead of fighting in court.
Read more

Posted on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:49:04 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

SimpleTech Updates Pro Drive External HDDs

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Fabrik has announced updates to its Pro Drive external storage solutions. The new updated drives are the 1.5TB SimpleTech Pro Drive and the Duo Pro Drive 3TB RAID 0/1 solution. Both of the external hard drives include a quad interface with eSATA, FireWire 800, FireWire 400, and USB 2.0 connections.

Data transfer rates are up to 3Gbps with eSATA. SimpleTech offers a ProSpeed eSATA PCI adapter card for $69.99 to add eSATA to desktop systems lacking the significantly faster connection. The Dup Pro drive is $279.99 for 1TB, $419.99 for 1.5TB, and $549.99 for 2TB. Pricing is not yet set for the 3TB version that will ship in late Q4. The Pro Drive is $159.99 for 500GB, $209.99 for the 750GB, and the 1.5TB version will ship in Q4 at undisclosed pricing. Read more

Posted on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:31:58 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

CyberLink PowerDirector Adds NVIDIA CUDA Technology

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CyberLink is the latest company to announce it is taking advantage of NVIDIA's CUDA technology for its software. CyberLink PowerDirector now delivers faster video rendering and a better experience when processing HD video.

NVIDIA has been pushing its CUDA technology hard in the market place and software firms are now starting to take advantage. CUDA is the name NVIDIA uses for its C-language compiler. PowerDirector uses CUDA to accelerate video effects like Gaussian radial blur, pen ink, and more. Read more

Posted on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:07:10 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Dell sees further Signs of weak Tech Spending

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dell Inc's customers are cutting back further on technology spending, the company said on Tuesday, sending the computer maker's shares down more than 7 percent.
Dell, the second largest computer maker after Hewlett-Packard , has already been hurt as buyers hold back on purchasing decisions. It posted a steep drop in second quarter profit in August, saying the that companies are becoming more conservative.
Read more

Posted on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:12:25 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Logitech Pure-Fi Express Plus and Pure-Fi Anytime iPhone and iPod Dock announced

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Logitech unveiled two new iPod and iPhone speaker docks with the Logitech Pure-Fi Express Plus and Logitech Pure-Fi Anytime.
The new Logitech Pure-Fi Express Plus offers omnidirectional acoustics, like the new PC speakers Z-5, also announced today.
Besides the surround acoustic the Pure-Fi Express features AC or battery power and a wireless remote.
The Logitech Pure-Fi Express Plus omnidirectional speaker for iPod or iPhone is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in October for a suggested retail price of $99.99. You can already order it on Amazon.com.
Read more

Posted on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:58:49 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Logitech Z-5 Omnidirectional Stereo Speakers unveiled

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Logitech introduces the Logitech Z-5 omnidirectional stereo speakers for PC and Mac.
Unlike standard PC speakers that focus sound in one direction, the Logitech Z-5 speakers use omnidirectional acoustics that create a substantially wider sweet spot – an especially helpful feature if you move your laptop around your home or office often.
An innovative speaker technology previously found only in expensive home-theater systems, omnidirectional acoustics on the Logitech Z-5 speakers use forward- and backward-firing drivers to transmit sound evenly in all directions. Read more

Posted on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:48:29 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Logitech Illuminated Keyboard Review

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Today we are looking at the new Logitech Illuminated Keyboard. The keyboard is the first from Logitech that is backlit and not aimed at gamers.

The keyboard offers great typing feel and a wealth of features that make it an excellent general use keyboard. It also has a thin profile that makes for comfortable typing. Read more

Posted on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:40:12 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

StarTech Docking Station Connects Notebooks to Video and More

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StarTech.com has announced a new USB dock for notebooks that connects the notebook to multiple devices via one single USB cable. The dock provides USB, VGA, RJ45 and audio connectivity. The USB ports include four USB A female ports, one USB B female port, mic input, line out, and 10/100 Ethernet.

The VGA output can support widescreen resolutions of 1680 x 1050 or 1600 x 1200 on standard displays. The video output can be used to extend the desktop or simply add a new display. The dock has the part number USBVGADOCK is $129.99. Read more

Posted on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:09:37 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Microsoft Announces New Mouse, Webcams, and Mouse Tech

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Microsoft has been working overtime today. It has officially unveiled a proprietary tracking technology for a computer mouse it calls BlueTrack that promises to combine the width and power of optical mice with the precision of laser mice allowing for tracking on virtually any surface. The technology will debut in the Microsoft Explorer Mouse and Explorer Mini Mouse this fall. The two mice will be available with the full size mouse going for $99.95 and the mini going for $79.95.

Microsoft also officially announced its Wireless Arc mouse that was leaked a few months back. The mouse is a crescent shape and comes in either red or black. The mouse folds down for easier portability when not in use. The wireless mouse uses 2.4GHz technology and has a carry case. The Arc Mouse will ship in September for $59.95. Read more

Posted on Tue, 9 Sep 2008 13:32:34 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Gefen Technology Cuts HDMI Cables with UWB

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Gefen has announced a new wireless HDMI extender that uses UWB technology from Tzero Technologies. The no cable extender delivers wired quality HDMI from Blu-ray and other HDMI sources to the TV or projector.

The extender features built-in interference elimination technology for optimal picture quality. The device can stream full 1080p with 5.1 surround sound up to 10 meters across a room. The extender offers dual HDMI ports, component video, and analog audio. Pricing and availability are unknown at this time. Read more

Posted on Thu, 4 Sep 2008 13:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Gaming Keyboard Review Roundup: Logitech, OCZ

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Icrontic published a Gaming Keyboard Roundup featuring Logitech, OCZ, and Razer. Compared are the new OCZ Alchemy Elixir keyboard against reigning gamer favorites; the Razer Lycosa and Logitech G15. Read on to see how the value crusader stacks up against the aging heavyweight pros.
Quote from the review: "While the Razer Lycosa's superb configuration versatility and clever WASD lighting option overshadows its flaky touch-panel by a wide margin, there might be no better value in the gaming board market than the OCZ Alchemy Elixir. The only thing holding this keyboard back, in my opinion, is the software. Read more

Posted on Wed, 3 Sep 2008 18:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Logitech unveils Cordless Desktop S520

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Logitech is announcing lots of new keyboards and other items for the holiday season and back to school. One of the new desktop systems is the Logitech Cordless desktop S520. The desktop includes a wireless mouse and keyboard.

The keyboard has programmable buttons and LED indicators that flash when battery life is low. The keyboard batteries are good for up to a year according to Logitech. The keyboard has one-touch access keys for files and websites. Read more

Posted on Tue, 2 Sep 2008 07:19:31 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Logitech Announces diNovo Edge for Notebooks

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Logitech announced the diNovo Edge for Notebooks today. The keyboard is 17.01" x 6.81" x 0.87" and weighs 1.63 pounds without batteries and 1.98 with four AAA batteries. It uses wireless 2.4GHz technology to connect to the laptop and uses the perfect stroke key system for typing feel.

Logitech says that the batteries are good for three years in the keyboard. Visually it looks very similar to the di Novo Edge that has been around for a long time, only cut down for portable use. Read more

Posted on Tue, 2 Sep 2008 06:32:06 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Logitech Illuminated Keyboard unveiled

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Logitech unveiled the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard, which offers an optimized backlight experience, Logitech PerfectStroke key system and is Logitech’s thinnest keyboard ever.
The Logitech Illuminated Keyboard makes typing easy even in the dark. To optimize existing backlight technology, Logitech combined microlens reflectors, a multilayer painting process and laser etching creating a backlight experience that is brighter, sharper and easier to read. Read more

Posted on Tue, 2 Sep 2008 04:27:41 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Logitech Squeezebox Boom Unveiled

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Logitech has announced its latest Squeezebox network music player called the Squeezebox Boom. The Boom has an integrated amp, high-performance speakers, and simple setup. The portable system only needs to be plugged into an AC outlet and your PC based music collection can be streamed with no problems anywhere in the home.

The Boom will automatically find available networks and supports password protected networks. Multiple Squeezebox Boom players can operate on one network and allow users to listen to different music at the same time. Wi-Fi connectivity with the Boom is 802.11g and it has dual antennas. The Boom will be available in September for $299.99. Read more

Posted on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:50:59 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Logitech MX 1100 Cordless Laser Mouse Review

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Today we are looking at the Logitech MX 1100 Cordless Mouse. This mouse has some features you don’t commonly see outside of gaming mice.

The MX 1100 has adjustable sensitivity up to 1600 dpi and ten programmable buttons. The mouse uses AA batteries for power and is designed for right-handed users. Read more

Posted on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:06:42 CDT | by Shane McGlaun