Latest iPod Nano Competitor- SanDisk Introduced

SanDisk today introduced a new MP3 player it intends as competition to the iPod nano -- the new Sansa Fuze MP3 player. It's coming in April in 2, 4 and 8GB capacities for $79.99, $99.99 and $129.99 respectively.

The flash-based Sansa Fuze features a 1.9-inch color screen, and has the ability to play MP3, WMA, secure WMA, WAV, Audible and Overdrive files. It can also play MPEG-4 video and display JPEG videos (it doesn't work with protected files from the iTunes Store, however).

The device also features a built-in FM radio tuner and a slot for microSD cards, so you can add additional content on the fly. It has a voice recorder, as well. SanDisk will offer the 4GB Sansa Fuze in colors including pink, red, blue, black and silver (the 8GB comes in silver only; the 2GB comes in black only). The device incorporates an internal rechargeable battery that plays audio for up to 24 hours and plays video for up to 5 hours between charges.

The Sansa Fuze includes Windows software, and also supports the Mac and Linux computers in MSC mode, which enables the device to work as a mass storage peripheral, where you can drag and drop audio or video files.

Via- [http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,143335-c,mp3players/article.html]

StarCraft II Zerg Gameplay Blowout

Unlike its predecessor, StarCraft II offers "custom 3D-graphics engine with realistic physics and the ability to render several large, highly detailed units and massive armies on-screen simultaneously."

Each race will be further distinguished from the others, with several new units and new gameplay mechanics, as well as new abilities for some of the classic StarCraft units that will be making a reappearance in the game.

Via- [http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/video-starcraft-ii-zerg-gameplay-blowout]

Facebook French- User translated French site

In the hopes of catching up with its rival social networking site in terms of localizing strategy, Facebook has launched a French language version of its site.

The launch followed the successful launch of its German and Spanish language versions a couple of months ago. The French language version of Facebook was made possible by its French speaking members who helped out in translating the site.

Translating Facebook into French was only logical since France is the sixth most active country on Facebook, with the U.S. in the number 1 spot in terms of user base activities. French speaking Facebook users will now have the option to change the language version of the Facebook site they visit. This can be done in their account settings. But for those members who directly sign onto Facebook, the French language version of the site will be automatically displayed.

Facebook is planning to empower its members in translating the site into other non-English language. Using a strategy popularized by Wikipedia, Facebook is hoping that members whose native language is other than English will contribute in translating the site into their own languages. Any Facebook members can help translate the site into non-English language by adding the translation application into their Facebook profile. All translations to be submitted by members will be approved through voting system by Facebook users themselves.

Via- [http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/comment/facebook-users-help-parlay-site-in-french/]

American Gladiators (NES)

In American Gladiators for the NES, "the events were morphed into side-scrolling and overhead mini-levels that only partially resembled the real-life events."

The Eliminator in this game combined elements of the first two seasons' courses. The treadmill run and handbike were the first two obstacles, followed by a run across the balance beam through a gauntlet of what appeared to be blocking pads. The cargo net climb and zipline were next, followed by the choice of a door which may or may not have had a Gladiator behind it.

Via- [http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/video-game-vault-american-gladiators-nes-]

Hands-free Cell Phone Use in Cars Not Much Protection

Carnegie Mellon University researchers say you're still likely going to be distracted.

The researchers used brain imaging to show that even just listening to a cell phone while driving cuts by more than a third of your attention to driving. Subjects inside an MRI brain scanner were tested on a driving simulator and were found to weave, similar to if they were under the influence of alcohol. The study showed lessened activity in the brain's parietal lobe, which is called upon for spatial sense and navigation, and occipital lobe, which handles visual information.

The findings by neuroscientist Marcel Just and colleagues Timothy Keller and Jacquelyn Cynkar, to be reported in an upcoming issue of the journal Brain Research, show that making cell phones hands-free or voice-activated is not sufficient in eliminating distractions to drivers. "Drivers need to keep not only their hands on the wheel; they also have to keep their brains on the road," said Just, who is also director of the Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging., in a statement.

It's unclear how much of a distraction talking or listening on a cell phone is vs. talking to a passenger or listening to a radio, Just said.

"Drivers' seats in many vehicles are becoming highly instrumented cockpits," Just said in a statement, "and during difficult driving situations, they require the undivided attention of the driver's brain."

Conventional Wisdom
It had been widely thought that driving could be made much safer by at least taking cell phones out of drivers' hands, and a number of states have enacted laws or discussed laws banning use of handheld phones while driving.

Other research, from the University of Utah, has shown that cell phone wielding drivers actually tend to drive more slowly and can create traffic jams.

Via- [http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,143292-c,cellphones/article.html]

Eee PC Revisions: Intel Processors, Windows XP, Bigger SSDs and More...

Joanna over at Laptop Mag just published an interview she held with Jerry Shen, Asus' CEO. She questioned him regarding the future of the Eee PC, and he sure did outline some interesting plans for future revisions. Jump for the low down on what Jerry Shen had to say.

• Although we already knew the 8.9-inch model was confirmed to be coming to market, the souped up edition will also come with 8GB, 12GB or 20GB SSD options. The 8GB model will run Windows XP, whilst the other two will support Xandros. Whether the OS will be fixed to those particular models only is not entirely clear.

• Asus will move away from the VIA processors, instead adopting Intel's Atom platform in Q2, this year.

• Additional colors will be added to the current selection. However, those will not be the only cosmetic changes; Shen promised a "very stylish" makeover, which will have a "New York city sleekness" about it. He coined May or June as dates for the newer, potentially sexier Eee PC.

Shen speculated that Asus were playing with the idea of offering HDD versions of the Eee PC, too. Unfortunately, he did not go so far as to confirm any plans on that front. Nevertheless, it all sounds very promising—1024 x 600 resolution, bigger SSDs, Intel Atom and a face job.

Via- [http://gizmodo.com/365670/eee-pc-getting-major-revisions-intel-processors-windows-xp-bigger-ssds-and-more]

Epson RX595 printer: Reviews

Epson’s RX 595 all in one printer has it all. It prints, it scans, and can even read memory cards and print directly to CDs.

After opening the box, I quickly set up the printer and scrounged around for a USB A male to USB B male cable (which, unfortunately, was not included with the printer) and popped in the software CD. I was a bit disappointed that my MacBook could not automatically detect and use the printer, but installing the software was for the best. Though this is probably not a universal problem, the unit I received had a problem during its initial setup with paper jams. However, after a few aggravating minutes, the jams stopped and printing was smooth as could be.
Printing

I began to put the device through many printing tests. After a numerous amount of 4x6 prints, both in black and white and color, the ink levels were still nearly full, and remain as such today; 2 weeks after I began to use this device. As for the prints themselves, the color is picture perfect (pun intended if you are so inclined :-), except the tones are a tad dark for my liking. For any size paper, the printing of photos is very good, though the printing time for photos is around a minute each, which is a little too long for my liking.
Scanning

Scanning is not anything special on the RX 595, as the all in one is easily no match for flatbed scanners, which serve that singular purpose. However, using the bundled Epson Scan software, the device falls nothing short of a serviceable scanner for digitizing whatever you have that needs to be digitized. Quality wise, the scanner is spot on, no matter how dense in color or texture the scanned item is.
Design

As far as all-in-one’s go, the RX 595 is on par for the course, in terms of design at least. The device has a black finish, both matte and glossy, all around, giving it an undeniable vibe of sophistication. The RX 595 is just as wide as normal printers, but a little taller and deeper, and much heavier. The menus are split up into three major areas; copy, memory card, and specialty print. These three can be accessed from dedicated buttons on the device’s face, but you can print no matter what position in the menu hierarchy you are in. Using the arrow and menu buttons provided, you can easily select the paper size, paper finish, and much more. All the vital information, and more, is displayed on the device’s 2.5-inch screen, which is gorgeous for viewing images from a memory card.
Overall

The Epson RX595 is a wondrous purchase, and for only around $100, you are certainly getting your money’s worth. It uses 6 individual ink cartridges, which altogether, will probably run you around 70 dollars, but they do last quite awhile. The included software is perfect, and the print quality is pretty good for the price value of the device. The few gripes I have are the fact that paper jams did seem to occur a lot on my device, and the print times are less than stellar.

Overall, I do recommend the RX 595 for anyone who needs a solution for their printing, copying and scanning needs.

Via- [http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/comment/gadgetell-review-epson-rx595-printer/]

Unlimited iPhone Usage Plan

AT&T and Apple quietly introduced a new rate plan for the iPhone yesterday. Now you can get unlimited minutes, in addition to unlimited data, for just $119.99.

Via- [http://www.gadgetreview.com/2008/03/unlimited-iphone-plan.html]