Digital Technology for Digital Living.
August 30, 2005
Here Comes The Video iPod
Apple Computer is preparing a major announcement next week, dropping hints of something as critical to the company’s future as the release of the original iPod in 2001.
The company sent an invitation to reporters on Monday morning for a “special event” being held Sept. 7 in San Francisco.
ZDNet has more.
Related Website: dvd to ipod video converter
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | General, Music
August 29, 2005
iiNet Realeases iiNetPhone
29 August, 2005 – iiNet Limited (ASX: IIN) today unveiled its new Voice Over
Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, enabling customers to save money
by making and receiving calls via the Internet instead of over the traditional copper telephone network. iinetphone, is the first large-scale national offering of VoIP by an Australian telecommunications company, and is available to new and existing iiNet and OzEmail customers.iinetphone is available with no monthly rental fee and low cost call rates. Bundled
with iibroadband2 and iiphone — iiNet’s traditional phone service — the new VoIP
service provides customers with an additional phone number for premium-grade
Internet-based calls at substantially lower rates.iinetphone works by converting an analog voice signal from a regular telephone into a digital signal that travels over the Internet before being converted back to the analog format at the other end. Using additional equipment, such as an ATA (Analog Telephone Adaptor) plugged into a regular phone with a standard broadband router, a special VoIP-enabled router, or a VoIP handset, customers can make VoIP calls to anyone, anywhere at greatly reduced rates over traditional phone calls. VoIP calls from one iinetphone customer to another are free.
“We are proud to be the first Australian communications company to offer a premium grade,large-scale VoIP solution that’s easy to use, complements existing services and will result in significant call savings,” said Michael Malone, Managing Director, iiNet Ltd. “By using iinetphone, customers can economically contact friends and family all over the world – and that’s the best part about this innovative communication solution.”
Benefits of iinetphone include:
• Free second phone line and number using VoIP technology (not provided by
the “free” and other earlier VoIP providers)
• Low cost calls such as 10 cent untimed local calls, 10 cent untimed calls
Australia-wide to national capital cities and five cents per minute national calls
outside capital cites over fixed lines
• Free VoIP calls to other iinetphone VoIP users
• Premium-grade voice quality (unlike most “free” and earlier VoIP services)
• Free bonus phone features such as voicemail, caller ID and many others
• Online call cost calculator to determine call prices worldwideiiNet is using special VoIP hardware from its selected vendor Belkin, a technology
leader for computer and consumer electronics. Under an exclusive arrangement,
iiNet will provide leading Belkin VoIP-enabled modems and routers and ATAs to help customers easily set up their VoIP service.“We’re excited to be a part of iiNet’s innovative VoIP offering,” said Mike Bell,
Managing Director – ANZ for Belkin. “Leading VoIP hardware combined with iiNet’s premium quality voice service will enable customers to make calls in a revolutionary yet seamless manner, and reap the savings.”Customers can register for iinetphone from today, with standard connection
time for new customers averaging five to 10 working days. The Belkin VoIP hardware is available from iiNet from mid September 2005.
Gadgetman | Comments (1) | VOIP
August 26, 2005
PSP Web Browser
PSP users got something to cheer about this week. On Wednesday, Sony officially announced the next PSP firmware update, 2.0. The new firmware will let users surf the Internet from wireless “hotspots” using the device’s built-in Wi-Fi functions.
PSP owners have several ways to upgrade the firmware on their PSP:
- downloaded it with a wireless connection using the PSP’s Network Update function
- downloaded it to a Mac/PC and then transfer the firmware to the PSP with a USB cable
Another great feature of the 2.0 firmware update is the ability to play more types of music files. The MP4 audio codec was added allowing the playback of MPEG-4 based AAC audio files as well as WAV (Linear PCM).
The 2.0 firmware update is only for customers who own the PSP (PlayStation Portable) model number PSP-1001. If you don’t know what model PSP you own, take a look at the serial number located at the bottom of your PSP. The last seven digits of the serial number should end with PSP1001.
You can download the PSP Firmware System Update 2.0 here.
[Syndicated post via MethodShop.com]
methodshop | Comments (1) | General, Music, Wireless, Portable, Video, Toys, Software
August 25, 2005
iPod Survival Kits
For the low price of only $40, a company called Itzkitz has assembled a nice collection of both functional and fashionable iPod accessories into a handy little tin case.
Not only is it a great deal, but an iPodKitz makes a nice gift for anyone with an iPod.
Here’s the full review.
[Syndicated post via MethodShop.com]
methodshop | Comments (0) | Music
August 18, 2005
Google Moon
To commemorate the anniversary of the first lunar landing, Google has taken Google Maps and Google Earth offshore a few million miles. Google Moon lets you browse and zoom in on the 6 Apollo landing sites.
From the Google Moon FAQ: “July 20th, 2069, in honor of the 100th anniversary of mankind’s first manned lunar landing, Google will fully integrate Google Local search capabilities into Google Moon, which will allow our users to quickly find lunar business addresses, numbers and hours of operation, among other valuable forms of Moon-oriented local information”. So look forward to that.
Make sure you zoom in all the way for a special treat. Did you find the Apollo crew’s footprints or something better?!
[Syndicated post via MethodShop.com]
methodshop | Comments (0) | General, Software
August 03, 2005
Apple’s Here To Save The Day
Apple has released a multi-button mouse, named the Mighty Mouse. Intel Macs, multibutton mouses … can a video iPod be that far away?
Kap | Comments (0) | General
