Apple Rumored to be Testing Touchscreen Panels for New iMac

Apple is working on a new iMac. According to Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes, Sintek Photronics has sent samples  of capacitive touch panels to Apple for a new touchsreen all-in-one iMac desktop computer. The report claimed that the new hardware will have screen sizes of 20 inches and greater.

"The new iMac is rumored to have a good vertical and horizontal viewing angle, and its projected capacitive touch panel will adopt a one-glass solution, which integrates the touch sensor and cover glass, to reduce thickness and weight," the report said.

It noted that most touch panels are made by placing the sensor over the panel, and are then covered with glass. But it is said this method is costly, complex, and results in a dimmer screen.

The Aphelion Alarm Clock

This is an alarm clock that will really wake you up. It essentially wakes you up by throwing balls in your face (I am thinking about product recall after some broken jaws bone...)

If you are constantly late, the Aphelion alarm clock might just be the perfect form of punishment to kick you into gear. Aside from the cannonball setting, it also features an MP3 player, radio and large time display.

[Via sleepzine]

Samsung and Microsoft Join Forces to Create Windows Phone 7 Handsets

Samsung yesterday announced an agreement with Microsoft to use the Windows Phone 7 platform on upcoming smartphones. As part of the announcement, Samsung confirmed that several Windows Phone 7 devices will be launched in Europe, the US, and Asia.

According to the press release, Samsung’s Windows Phone 7 smartphones will combine the latest hardware design and technology, while benefitting from Microsoft’s software and innovation heritage. The Windows Phone 7 experience is designed to help people find and consume the data, information and services they care most about. The new phones are distinguished by unique and diverse experiences built from Microsoft’s portfolio such as Xbox LIVE, Office, Zune, Windows Live, Bing, and more.

[Via gadgetorama]

Zune HD gets Live Messenger and Games

Microsoft Zune HD now has Windows Live Messenger. The app is the Zune's first instant messaging app and supports most of the same features, up to Facebook chat as well as social feeds from Facebook, Flickr and MySpace. It doesn't truly multitask but will change status to reflect any currently playing music.

The new app comes in tandem with three action and puzzle games, Castles & Cannons, Dr. Optics and WordMonger.

Microsoft last gave the Zune HD a major non-game app through the Facebook client in March and is thought to be steering its attention away from the dedicated Zune HD player in favor of Windows Phone 7, which should have much broader app support.

[Via electronista]

Raytheon demonstrates XOS 2 – 2nd Generation Robotics Suit

After the first generation, now Raytheon is developing 2nd generation of exoskeleton suit which is lighter and stronger. The suit has been given the name XOS 2.

The suit which uses 50% less power than the previous generation can be used by the military in logistics since it would assist solders in carrying heavy supplies and armaments. Another version of the suit, which would cover just the legs, would help a soldier in the field to carry a heavy backpack over large distances.

Even with 50% less power draw the XOS 2 needs to be tethered for operation. Raytheon is working to create an untethered version, but that’s as much as 10 years away. We should expect to see the tethered XOS 2 in the field within 5 years, though.

[Via geek]

Denon Introduced The RCD-N7, Small Home Entertainment Center

 

Eloectronic company, Denon has introduced the RCD-N7, a new small home entertainment center that integrates a CD player and iPod  dock. This audio system supports the popular digital audio formats as well as Windows Media Player 11 for syncing through integrated Wi-Fi. It is also compatible with DLNA v1.5, along with Apple AirPlay support to push audio from an iOS device or iTunes.

AV Tuner lets users tune in to Internet radio stations, along with accessing Rhapsody, Napster, Pandora and Last.fm. AirPlay will be supported via a future firmware upgrade, letting users connect directly to the iTunes library. A USB port lets users connect other sources.

The RCD-N7 receiver costs $600 and the required SC-N7 Stereo Loudspeakers are priced at $200 for the pair and it will be available in October. 

[Via ipodnn]

Sony Ericsson LiveView Android Small Device

Sony Ericsson has introduced a new Bluetooth accessory for Android phones called LiveView. This device has a small 1.3-inch OLED display. With Bluetooth connectivity, the device allows you to check incoming calls like a cellphone, any calendar reminders you have and social networking apps like Twitter and Facebook.

Sony Ericsson LiveView can also be used on the arm as attached in a watch strap, on a keychain, user's clothing or a bag strap. Sony Ericsson has developed the Sony Ericsson LiveWare Manager application for this device. The LiveView accessory works with Android 2.0 and later smartphones, which is strange considering Sony Ericsson's own Android devices are stuck in Donut (Android 1.6) so far.

[Via cnetasia also sony-ericsson|]

RIM introduces BlackBerry Tablet - PlayBook

Research In Motion® (RIM) introduced the new professional-grade BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet.

The features are below:

• 7-inch LCD, 1024 x 600, WSVGA, capacitive touch screen with full multi-touch and gesture support
• BlackBerry Tablet OS with support for symmetric multiprocessing
• 1 GHz dual-core processor
• 1 GB RAM
• Dual HD cameras (3 MP front facing, 5 MP rear facing), supports 1080p HD video recording
• Video playback: 1080p HD Video, H.264, MPEG, DivX, WMV
• Audio playback: MP3, AAC, WMA
• HDMI video output
• Wi-Fi - 802.11 a/b/g/n
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Connectors: microHDMI, microUSB, charging contacts
• Open, flexible application platform with support for WebKit/HTML-5, Adobe Flash Player 10.1,  Adobe Mobile AIR, Adobe Reader, POSIX, OpenGL, Java
• Ultra thin and portable:
• Measures 5.1"x7.6"x0.4" (130mm x 193mm x 10mm)
• Weighs less than a pound (approximately 0.9 lb or 400g)
• RIM intends to also offer 3G and 4G models in the future.

[RIM]

Sharp Announces 5.5-Inch And 10.8-Inch Android Tablets Called Galapagos

Sharp Inc. announced e-book reader with the name “Galapagos” in Tokyo yesterday. There are two versions: the smaller one, the “mobile type”, has a 5.5-inch LCD screen (1,024 × 600 resolution) that’s optimized for displaying paperback books (it will be available in red and black). It also comes with a trackball to scroll through pages.

The other model, the Galapagos “home type”, need you to turn pages just like you do on the iPad. It has a 10.8-inch LCD screen (1,366 × 800) for magazine content formatted across a two-page spread. By way of comparison: The iPad has a 9.7-inch LCD screen featuring 1,024×768 resolution.

The Personal Towel Warmer

This is the warming bin that heats up to three bath towels in five minutes for spa-like comfort at home. It gently heats towels to a soothing 135º F and maintains the temperature for up to 20 minutes to ensure a warm towel will be waiting after a shower. The towel warmer requires as little floor space as a small garbage can, it begins to heat as soon as the lid is closed and the button is pressed, and signals when the towels are ready with an illuminated LED. The device also warms bathrobes, blankets, or clothing. Plugs into AC. 17 1/2" W x 12" H x 9 1/2" D. (8 lbs.) Price $79.95, available at Hammacher Schlemmer.

Vivitek H9080FD LED Home Theater Projector

Vivitek introduces a high-end home cinema projector, the H9080FD with LED light source that offers 800 lumens of brightness and up to 20,000 hours of operation. The H9080FD features Full HD 1920x1080p resolution, 100,000:1 contrast ratio, 1.85 to 2.4:1 throw ratio, and 1.3:1 manual zoom ratio.

The Vivitek H9080FD utilizes Single 0.95-inch DMD DLP Technology by Texas Instruments and is equipped with Gennum 9450 video processor. You can find two HDMI 1.3, component, VGA, composite, S-video inputs as well as RS-232c port and two 12V Trigger.

[Via itechnews]