Archive for February, 2008

Nokia N96

Nokia N96 Multimedia Computer

The N96 is the latest ‘multimedia computer’ offering from Nokia, set to be released in Q3 2008. The mobile phone is designed to be more video oriented with a huge 16GB of internal memory and a 2.8” screen. Other highlighted features includes an integrated DVB-H receiver to receive live video broadcasts in certain markets, WLAN, HSDPA, Carl Zeiss lens 5 megapixel digital camera, a kickstand for video watching and A-GPS. The estimated retail price is 550€. link

US to Shoot Down Disabled Spy Satellite

SM3 Photo

US spy satellite USA 193 was launched on December 14, 2006 but malfunctioned shortly after being placed in orbit. In January the satellite was reported to have lost orbit and falling back to Earth. This prompted the US government to form a plan to destroy the satellite with a missile due to the 1000lbs of toxic hydrazine fuel stored onboard.

The USS Lake Erie will fire a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) missile at the satellite 130 miles above the Earth. The impacts of the two objects colliding will hopefully destroy the target. link: 1, 2

UPDATE: US Department of Defense confirms that on February 20, 2008 at approximately 10:26PM EST the SM-3 missile was launched and hit the satellite USA 193. link

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HP iPAQ 210

HP iPAQ 210

HP has recently launched the new iPAQ 210 Enterprise PDA at the pricey MSRP of $449USD. The unit is equipped with Microsoft Windows Mobile 6, Marvell PXA310 624MHz processor, 128MB SDRAM, 256MB flash ROM, SDIO & CF expansion slots, 4 inch transflective VGA resolution display, 802.11b/g wifi, Bluetooth 2.0, and a high capacity 2200mAh lithium ion battery. link

Blu-ray Wins HD Format War

Toshiba officially announced today they will discontinue HD-DVD products but will still provide support for existing customers.

The recent fall of HD-DVD:

Jan 04, 2008: Warner Bros. Entertainment to Release Its High-Definition DVD Titles Exclusively in the Blu-Ray Disc Format Beginning Later This Year

Feb 11, 2008: Netflix, Citing a Clear Signal From the Industry, Will Carry High-Def DVDs Only in Blu-ray Format

Feb 11, 2008: Best Buy to Recommend Blu-ray as the Customer’s Digital Format Choice

Feb 15, 2008: Wal-Mart Moving Exclusively Toward Blu-ray Format Movies and Players

Feb 19, 2008: Toshiba Announces Discontinuation of HD DVD Businesses

Continue reading ‘Blu-ray Wins HD Format War’