Tech News December 2005

 

Keynesis Portable Sweeper @ ThinkComputers.org
Think Computers :: Saturday, December 31, 2005

Quote: “Not long ago, I took a look at security software from Keynesis called Lockngo. Keynesis also has a program to compliment Lockngo called Portable Sweeper. The two programs together provide a great set of tools for anyone wishing to have their portable devices secure and safe. Portable Sweeper is a bit different in that it cleans your system or your hosts system of all traces that you were on it and what you were doing on it. Let’s take a closer look and you can get a better idea of what I am talking about.”

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DH Review: Crucial Gizmo! 2 GIG USB flash drive
Driver Heaven :: Saturday, December 31, 2005
“Their flash disk drive product line-up is dubbed ?Gizmo!? and they already are counting their 3rd revision. The 3rd revision is even faster and much smaller than the initial revision, plus features much higher capacities of course, as you can guess. Crucial was nice enough to send us a Gizmo! 2GB drive, the largest currently offered. 2GB worth of storage inside a device that is about the size of your thumb certainly sounds nice, so let us see what this little device is capable of.”
R

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Creative Zen Micro Photo Review @ WindowsAtoZ.com
Windows A to Z :: Thursday, December 29, 2005

“It’s been quite awhile since Creative announced that they would come out with a color Zen Micro handheld, but now the wait is over. The new Creative Zen Micro Photo is an excellent portable audio and photo viewer and that makes it a definite Apple iPod alternative. Our review of the Creative Zen Micro Photo tells you everything you need to know.”

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Logitech diNovo Bluetooth Laser Media Desktop Review @ Tweaknews.net
Tweaknews :: Thursday, December 29, 2005

“With the new diNovo, Logitech has taken an already great product and made it even better. Whether on an executive desk or the coffee table, the diNovo’s classic looks and outstanding feature set make it a good choice for the demanding user who wants wireless operation and uncompromising performance.”

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Apple iPod Video
Big Bruin :: Thursday, December 29, 2005
Quote: Apple’s latest offering, the iPod Video, includes everything found in previous iPods, but also includes video playback! While this technology is not new, Apple stepping into this medium will hopefully help the video market grow as the MP3 market did when Apple released the original iPod.

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Kingston 15-In-1 Hi-Speed Reader Pictorial Review Posted!
Tech ARP :: Thursday, December 29, 2005

Quote – “Today, we will take a look at the new Kingston 15-In-1 Hi-Speed Reader. As its name suggests, it supports 15 different flash formats! It also boasts a really compact form factor as well as really fast read and write speeds. Let’s check it out! ”

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Logitech G7 Laser Cordless Mouse @ ThinkComputers.org
Think Computers :: Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Quote: “Well, I have to admit, I am a Logitech ‘Fanboy’, and why shouldn’t I be? They make excellent products and they are at the top of the input peripheral market. The quality of Logitech’s products is legendary and what other companies strive for. I own quite a few Logitech products myself, that I have purchased and received for review. Their products never fail to impress me, they seem to be on the leading edge of what we want or need in a mouse, keyboard or other hardware device. Recently I reviewed the Logitech G5 corded laser gaming mouse, today I have the G7, which could be considered the bigger brother to the G5. Let’s take a look at it.”

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Logitech G5 Corded Laser Mouse
The Tech Lounge :: Wednesday, December 28, 2005
“I’m back at it again, testing laser mice. Previously I’ve taken a look at Razer’s Copperhead laser mouse as well as Logitech’s wireless G7 laser powered entry. Today I’ll be putting Logitech’s G5, the wired brother of the G7, through its paces.

I was quite impressed with the performance of the G7. Several innovations adorned the smooth and precise wireless mouse and I expect to see similar features on the G5. The G5 shares the same on-the-fly DPI switching and customizable SetPoint software.”

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USB Security Key UK-01 @ ThinkComputers.org
Think Computers :: Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Quote: “Not long ago I reviewed software for security of your files on portable devices. What about actually securing your laptop or desktop computer? Today I have something for review courtesy of Geeks.com that answers that question simply and easily. It is a USB Security Key, sort of like a ‘dongle’. It is coded to your computer or computers via software and hardware inside the USB Key itself. It look just like a USB Thumbdrive, but isn’t. Let’s take a closer look at it.”

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Digital Media 2005 Year In Review @ The TechZone
The Tech Zone :: Wednesday, December 28, 2005
With DVRs with big hard drives widely used in Japan, folks in the Americas and Europe are finally understanding that they don’t have to live their lives by the TV schedule and personalize their viewing. They’ve also found out that they can cut a half-hour show to 23 minutes just by cutting out all the ads. That wasn’t what broadcasters and advertisers had in mind when they first saw the units so now they’ve decided its time to embed products into the shows so you have to look at them!

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Gennum nXZEN Plus Bluetooth Headset Review @ Legit Reviews
Legit Reviews :: Wednesday, December 28, 2005
“The nXZEN (pronounced “nex-zen”) uses a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and a two microphone array setup to help improve noise reduction. Gennum ships the headset with two flavors: the nXZEN and the nXZEN Plus, which allows users to plug the headset into an MP3 or CD player for stereo sound and have the ability to answer incoming calls with the push of a single button…”

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Nikon Capture software version 4.4.0 and 4.4.1
DPReview :: Monday, December 26, 2005
Nikon’s image management software, Nikon Capture version 4.4.0 (Windows) and 4.4.1 (Mac) is now available for download. The Windows update adds support for D200 RAW images. A new black and white option in Advanced RAW tool palette has been added to Color Modes. And finally, there have been improvements to the way tones are reproduced in highlight areas to prevent a loss of detail when the exposure compensation is set to less than 0. The Mac update addresses a problem that caused a type 3 error to occur and the program to unexpectedly quit when attempting to print.

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9
DPReview :: Monday, December 26, 2005

Sony has today announced the newest addition to its slimline T range in the shape of the six million pixel Cyber-shot T9. As well as offering one million more pixels than the T7, the previous incarnation, it also offers a better macro mode of 1cm. The T9 maintains the large 2.5-inch LCD in favor of a viewfinder, has the same sliding up/down lens, but all the controls have been shifted on to the right hand side of the back plate, including the zoom rocker lever which was previously found on the top of the camera. The Sony Cyber-shot T9 comes in silver or black. Apologies but we have no further information as we have not received full specifications or a press release from Sony.

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Holiday Gift Guide ’05
The Tech Lounge :: Monday, December 26, 2005

“The year is just about over, and the Holidays are upon us. Normally we like to post these Holiday Gift Guide articles well ahead of Christmas to help people choose gifts for their techie friends and family, but not this year. So what’s different in this year’s guide? Well, for starters, it’s probably a little late to go buy presents now if you haven’t already done it – it’s possible, but it’s certainly not a great idea. Instead of taking the usual approach of telling people what to buy their loved ones for Christmas, we are instead going to tell YOU, receiver of crappy gifts from the likes of Aunt Edna and Uncle Joe, what to buy after returning those gifts.”

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Kodak takes number one sales spot in US
DPReview :: Monday, December 26, 2005
After all the bad news that has beset Kodak in the last year, things appear to be on the up as the company took the number one slot for sales in US in the first quarter of this year. It shipped 900,000 point and shoot digital cameras, a 41% increase on sales this time last year, according to a market research company. Kodak is followed by second-placed Canon (850,000 units), which recorded a whopping 72% increase, and perennial front-runner Sony was ranked third with sales of 800,000 units. UPDATE: Chief executive Dan Carp will step down as president in June, although he will remain in the post until he retires in January 2006. He will be succeeded by Kodak president Antonio Perez, who joined Kodak in April 2003 after 25 years at HP.

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Olympus E-500 firmware version 1.1
DPReview :: Monday, December 26, 2005

Olympus has just announced the latest firmware upgrade for its 4/3 digital SLR the E-500. Version 1.1 adds three new features. The first increases the time between when the button is pressed and when the camera reverts back to the current mode to eight seconds. Once the new firmware is installed users will also be allowed to select a WB OFF option. And finally, a new security step now warns users that when erasing RAW and JPG files of the same picture both images will be deleted. To download the new firmware follow the instructions at the end of the press release.

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Nikon View software version 6.2.7
DPReview :: Monday, December 26, 2005
Nikon has announced update version 6.2.7 for its software Nikon View. It addresses a number of problems for users on the Mac platform and just two things for Windows users. Both updates, however, add support for RAW images capture with the D200 and there are changes to the Color Aberration Control feature in Nikon Capture 4. Additionally, version 6.2.7 now supports Mac OS X version 10.4 and the structure of the Color Management tab in the Preferences dialog has been changed. The Open ColorSync button has been removed which leaves just two profiles provided; Default RGB Color Space and CMYK separation.

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Kodak launches high resolution CCDs
DPReview :: Monday, December 26, 2005
Kodak has announced the world’s highest resolution sensors for medium format cameras with the KAF-39000, 39 megapixels, and the KAF-31600 (pictured), which offers 31.6 megapixels. The CCD sensors will be used in Phase One’s upcoming P45 and P30 digital backs.The KAF-3900 covers an area of 36x48mm, while the KAF-31600 offers high performance in a 33x44mm imaging area. These two new sensors join three other CCDs in Kodak’s line up, including the KAF-22000, which used to be the company’s highest resolution CCD at 22MP.

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Kodak to cut 10,000 more jobs
DPReview :: Monday, December 26, 2005
Kodak is to cut up to 10,000 more jobs, while the company makes the tough transition from film to digital, reports the Altus Times. The announcement coincided with reports of a second quarter loss and shares dropped by more than 2%. The new cuts are expected to affect around 7,000 manufacturing jobs, many in Kodak’s home town. Eighteen months ago Kodak announced that it would cut around 15,000 jobs over the next three years. Despite the fact that Kodak will add around 8,000 employees, the workforce will eventually number under 50,000 compared to 86,000 people it employed in 1998.

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Kodak launches ImageLink website
DPReview :: Monday, December 26, 2005
Kodak has announced a new website for the ImageLink Print system, which is designed to simplify at-home printing. The system is supported by Kodak, Konica Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Ricoh and Sanyo and will mean that images taken with these manufacturers’ cameras can be printed just by pressing one button when the devices are docked in compatible ‘snapshot’ printers. www.imagelinkprintsystem.com, which will go live in March, will have links to compatible cameras and printers, a frequently asked questions section and news related to the specification.

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Kodak EasyShare P850 Review
DPReview :: Monday, December 26, 2005
The EasyShare P850, which has an image-stabilized 12x zoom Schneider-Kreuznach, is a direct competitor to the likes of Canon’s S2 IS, Sony’s H1 and Panasonic’s FZ20 and is the first in a new class of ‘advanced digital cameras’, which Kodak hopes will provide an alternative to entry-level DSLRs.. As well as the new image stabilizing feature the P850 boasts RAW file capture and a flash hot shoe, plus a real wealth of photographic controls. Find out how it fared in our concise review, after the link.

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Canon EOS 5D and 1D Mark II N firmware updates
DPReview :: Monday, December 26, 2005
Canon has today posted firmware updates for the EOS-1D Mark II N and EOS 5D. Both updates improve the brightness of the LCD monitor and fix mistakes in the language menus. Version 1.02 for the EOS-1D Mark II N also fixes a file numbering error that occurred during bulb shooting. The 5D had a problem with the creation of large files (1.7GB) and operational abnormality in AEB shooting, which has now been fixed by firmware version 1.03.

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Carl Zeiss lenses for Nikon-F mount?
DPReview :: Monday, December 26, 2005
Carl Zeiss have gone all mysterious in their placement of a message on their home page, it reads “Millions of SLR Photographers Will Soon Discover a New Dimension in Photography.” At the moment we have no idea what this means, speculation on our forums and elsewhere ranges from a new Zeiss digital system (Sony?) to Zeiss lenses for Canon / Nikon mounts (a leaked image shows Nikon F-Mount Zeiss lenses). As predicted it looks as though this will be Carl Zeiss lenses for Nikon F-Mount, the latest reveal names ‘ZF’.

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Motorola RAZRWIRE Eyeware Headset @ CoolTechZone.com
CoolTechZone :: Monday, December 26, 2005
“We’ve all seen wireless Bluetooth headsets for cell phones, but have you ever seen a pair of eyeglasses and a headset? That’s the idea behind Motorola’s RAZRWIRE eyewear and headset hybrid. Every other product category is moving into the hybridization of two dissimilar concepts, so why not headsets? After all, we all want to look technically stylish…”

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Sony DSC-R1 firmware update
DPReview :: Monday, December 26, 2005
Sony has today announced a firmware update for the recently introduced DSC-R1 digital camera. This update appears to correct for hot pixel artifacts in certain exposures. This update is intended for application to a range of cameras as designated by their serial number (details inside). There is no other information about any other fixes included in this update.

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Creative Zen MicroPhoto @ t-break
t-break :: Monday, December 26, 2005
Feature-wise, the Zen MicroPhoto is loaded. Creative packs a whopping 8GB drive which is excellent for its size and can store roughly 4000 songs while an FM player is also included in case you’re up for something different. You also have a voice recorder which could come in handy. Although the unit can display pictures, the 1.5” screen is a bit small for that purpose.

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Logitech G7 Cordless Laser Mouse Review
OCIA :: Monday, December 26, 2005

“The USB dongle is similar in size and shape to a USB flash drive. The G7 communicates with the computer via this USB dongle, which uses a 2.4 GHz wireless frequency to send 500 reports per second to the computer. This should allow for a lag-free experience.”

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Bluetake BT450Rx I-PHONO Mini Review
Hardware-Pacers :: Thursday, December 22, 2005

“I-PHONO mini headphone set is a marvelous product. One can see that extensive time has gone into the product design and the production. Everything about this product screams high performance and solid craftsmanship. The headphones are compact enough to be tucked away in a pocket (safely tucked away in a pouch). When using these headphones for the cell phone conversations, the sound comes out of both earpieces and the microphone is sensitive enough to pick up whispers. Compared to some other Bluetooth headsets, this one doesn’t cut off in the middle of the conversation and it also retains good sound quality throughout battery life. This is a product with minimum flaws that delivers brilliant performance.”

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Kingston 2GB DataTraveler Elite AES-128 Encrypted
PCStats :: Thursday, December 22, 2005
“Kingston Technology has developed a novel product to address USB flash drive data security issues, while maintaining the quick data transfer speeds that USB2.0 affords. It has done this by embedding a hardware-based 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) co-processor to handle all algorithm processing within its flagship DataTraveler Elite series USB flash drives. The hardware encryption co-processor works in conjunction with Kingston’s TravelerSafe+ software to encrypt/decrypt files stored on a specified portion of the USB flash drive that is created by the owner. The entire AES-128 encryption process is transparent to the owner, and does not diminish transfer speeds nor draw CPU cycles away from the host PC. ”

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Holiday Gift Guide for Geek’s @ GruntvillE.com
GruntvillE :: Thursday, December 22, 2005

Today we have last minute Holiday wish list for geek’s. This list includes a geek version of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” by our own Brian “Boddaker” Carter.

Then out from my case there came such a clatter, I threw off the cover to see what was the matter. Exiting out of windows, the BIOS I did flash, But the motherboard was dead, and the hard drive had crashed.

Being hopeful and cheery I was not long to despair, For I knew that St. Nick would come through with my ‘ware. I had written up my list with no ounce of shame, There was to be no mistake so I spelled out each name:”

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