Maxit Mag

OCZ Technology has introduced the Throttle eSATA drive, which offers performance and versatility for enthusiasts that demand the best hardware.

A sophisticated alternative to conventional USB drives, the OCZ Throttle’s primary eSATA interface offers an incredible 90MB/second read speeds and 30MB/sec write speeds. With true plug-and-play capability, you can instantaneously access your data from any computer without the need to install any additional hardware or drivers.

It also features an additional mini USB 2.0 port, in case the PC you want to use does not have an eSATA port.

“We are excited to introduce the Throttle eSATA drive, which delivers many of the key benefits of external SATA including faster transfer rates and a cost effective expansion storage for high performance computing,” said Eugene Chang, Director of Product Management for the OCZ Technology Group. “The Throttle is available in high densities and offers exceptional peak interface speeds for high performance notebooks, desktops, consumer electronics and entry level servers.”

The price has not been disclosed yet, but OCZ Throttle eSATA flash drive will be available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB capacities.

Link: OCZ

MSI Computer has announced its new EX300 Notebook. The EX300 features an Intel Core2 Duo Mobile Processor P7350 and Intel PM45 + ICH9-M Express Chipset to deliver unrivaled processor performance.

It also features ATI Mobility Radeon HD3450 graphic card with DDR3 256MB VRAM, to deliver a fluid and detailed movie viewing experience. It offers 13.3 inch widescreen display, 250 GB SATA hard disk drive, a built-in 3 in 1 Card Reader, 2.0 webcam, a multimedia burner drive, and finger print scanner for added security. It weighs just 4.5 pounds (with 8-cell battery).

EX300 allows internet access over high-speed 802.11 a/g/n. The built-in Bluetooth V2.0+EDR allows you to simultaneously connect to various kinds of Bluetooth peripherals.

MSI EX300 is available for $999 in fashionable Brilliant Red or Dazzling Blue options.

Link: Engadget

NewerTech has announced Voyager, the world’s first ‘Quad Interface’ SATA I/II Hard Drive Docking Station supporting FireWire 800/400, USB 2.0, and eSATA. It can turn any 2.5" or 3.5" SATA I/II hard drive up to 2.0TB into a fully bootable and hot-swappable external drive solution.

Voyager provides Plug and Play ease of use for a fast external hard drive solution that works with both Macs and PCs. User needs to insert any standard 2.5" or 3.5" SATA I/II hard drive (up to 2.0TB) into Voyager’s compact docking base and select the fastest of the four interfaces for read/write data speeds of up to 3.0Gb/s. The dock also supports hot-swapping functionality for fast access of multiple hard drives.

The weighted base and non skid rubber feet help in stable operation, while offering push button drive eject for safe hard drive removal.

Voyager includes all its supported interface connector cables and an auto-switching power supply for worldwide compatibility. NewerTech Voyager is available at MSRP of $100.

Link: NewerTech
 

Nokia has unveiled the ‘the world's most advanced mobile computer’ with N97.

The Nokia N97 offers a large 3.5" touch display with a full QWERTY keyboard, providing an 'always open' window to favorite social networking sites and Internet destinations.

The Nokia N97 offers 32 GB of on-board memory, expandable with a 16 GB microSD card, continuous playback time of up to 1.5 days. 5-Megapixel camera with high-quality Carl Zeiss optics, 16:9 and DVD quality video capture, and support for services like Share on Ovi for immediate sharing over HSDPA and WLAN, making it a ‘true mobile computer’.

The 16:9 widescreen display can be fully personalized with frequently updated widgets of favorite web services and social networking sites. The physical QWERTY and virtual touch input ensures efficiency in blogging, chatting or emailing. The integrated A-GPS sensors and an electronic compass help the intuitively understands where it is. The Nokia N97 makes it easy to update social networks automatically with real-time information.

"From the desktop to the laptop and now to your pocket, the Nokia N97 is the most powerful, multi-sensory mobile computer in existence," said Jonas Geust, Vice President, heading Nokia Nseries. "Together with the Ovi services announced today, the Nokia N97 mobile computer adjusts to the world around us, helping stay connected to the people and things that matter most”.

Nokia says it expects to begin shipping N97 in the first half of 2009 at an estimated retail price of EUR 550.

Link: Nokia
 

Dell is taking customization to the next level with Dell Design Studio. Design Studio is an interactive gallery of original contemporary artwork commissioned exclusively for personalizing Dell Studio 15 and 17 laptops.

With more than 100 creative and colorful personalization options, Design Studio provides individuals nearly unlimited potential to turn their laptop into works of art. Online shoppers in the U.S. can apply a design, change viewing angles, zoom in on details, and read an artist’s inspiration or bio with a few mouse clicks. They can also share their favorite images with friends through links to FaceBook, My Space, Stumbleupon, Twitter and Digg.

After you have found your favorite design, it can be permanently tattooed into the laptop, making the design extremely durable, at a cost of $75. For easy browsing in the gallery, personalization options are categorized by artists, colors and (PRODUCT) RED. Each purchase of a new Dell Studio 15 or 17 laptop with a (PRODUCT)RED artwork directly contributes $20 to The Global Fund, which helps fund AIDS programs in Africa.

Link: Dell

Iomega has introduced two new models in its award-winning eGo Portable Hard Drive line: the new ultra-secure eGo Encrypt Portable Hard Drive with hardware-based encryption for double data protection, and the new eGo BlackBelt Portable Hard Drive with Drop Guard Xtreme data protection.

USB-powered Iomega eGo Encrypt Drive offers 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for storing critical business data or precious videos and images. Encryption software is pre-loaded onto the drive. To keep the data secure, the drive automatically "locks" and requires the owner's password for data access after the USB cable is disconnected from the laptop or desktop at any time.

Iomega eGo BlackBelt Portable Hard Drive sports a 250GB capacity from its 2.5-inch HDD. It provides top-notch data protection in a cool black-on-black style. Its sleekly curved black chassis protects data from accidental drops of up to seven feet (84 inches).

You can have your eGo BlackBelt Portable 250GB Hard Drive for $119.99. The Iomega eGo Encrypt Portable Hard Drive 320GB is expected to be available worldwide this month for $149.99.

Link: Iomega

Nokia has announced a bright new addition to their CDMA portfolio, the Nokia 2608. Nokia 2608 fold phone has been designed for style enthusiasts and consumers who want convenient functionality when they’re on the go.

Nokia 2608 has high-gloss exterior, racy stripe down the middle is available in three colorful options, fuchsia with pink stripe, silver with green stripe or black with blue stripe.

Nokia 2608 offers easy to use functions such as quick touch access to one’s PC, using the phone as a modem; a voice recorder for capturing those key thoughts and an integrated speakerphone for conference calls on the run. It features a quick-press flashlight, FM radio, LED indicator light that blinks when there is an incoming call or message waiting. There is also an option to send a business card or calendar appointment via SMS.

Nokia says the phone is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2009, in select CDMA markets outside the US. There is no word on price yet.

Link: Nokia

Blockbuster has introduced the 2Wire MediaPoint digital media player, offering movie fans instant access through their television sets to thousands of titles from the latest movie releases to classic favorites.

The MediaPoint player is being offered free with advance rental of 25 Blockbuster OnDemand films for $99. After the initial 25 rentals, movies will be available for as little as $1.99 each.

The MediaPoint digital media player works seamlessly with any broadband connection, either wirelessly via built-in Wi-Fi or wired via Ethernet cable. The player uses progressive playback, not streaming, so the video quality is consistent irrespective of the internet connection. Movies can be played right away or saved to watch later. Additionally, the player supports HD video content and can be connected to HDTVs. It can be integrated seamlessly into home entertainment systems through composite cable, HDMI, component cable, or Toslink.

"The MediaPoint digital player, featuring BLOCKBUSTER ONDEMAND, is entertainment made easy. We are bringing Blockbuster, and the thousands of movies in our digital library, straight to customers' televisions," said Jim Keyes, Blockbuster Chairman and CEO. "The player is simple to use, delivers DVD quality video, and there's no monthly subscription commitment.”

Link: Blockbuster

Nokia has announced a smart home platform, Nokia Home Control Center, offering the basis for next generation security, smart home solutions and household energy management systems.

Nokia Home Control Center is based on an open Linux based platform enabling the home owner to build a technology-neutral smart home that can be controlled with a mobile phone, using a unified user interface. Nokia says it supports the most common smart home technologies, including Z-Wave. It allows third parties to integrate their own smart home solutions and services.

It will allow consumers to monitor and control their electricity usage, switch devices on and off, and monitor different objects, such as temperature, camera, and motion. In future, entire systems within the home can be connected to the Nokia platform. All solutions based on Nokia Home Control Center can be used through a smart phone or PC locally or remotely.

"We see there is growth potential in the smart home market", said Teppo Paavola, Vice President, Head of Corporate Business Development, Nokia. "The home of today has intelligence everywhere, but to date there has not been a solution that is interoperable with wide range of home systems that can easily be controlled. We believe that the mobile device is an ideal interface to control home intelligence, especially when the user is not at home."

Nokia expects the solution to become commercially available by the end of 2009.

Link: Nokia

According to a survey, more than 50% of all business travellers have confidential company data on their notebook and 65% do not take any security precautions at all against loss or theft. As the number of notebooks with sensitive data being stolen is increasing rapidly in recent years, Fujitsu Siemens Computers has offered its latest security package based on the latest anti-theft technology from Intel and Computrace.

The complex anti-theft protection, that uses the security solutions SystemTrack and DataProtect, meets the increasing requirements of its customers for effective security concepts and company data protection. It will be available as an option in select ESPRIMO Mobile models and in the Lifebook T5010 and Lifebook E8420.

The users are required to register their laptops with the Computrace Customer Centre. In case of a theft or a loss, the customer can report to Computrace Customer Center directly by telephone or online, just like the loss of a credit card. While the SystemTrack tracks stolen hardware in real time and detects its location as soon as the device is connected to the Internet or Intranet, DataProtect is used for particularly sensitive data.

The support desk can access the system and save the confidential data centrally in the system or completely delete the data. If the device is returned to the customer, he can remove the protection and boot the system again using a special password.

FSC says the anti-theft protection solution will be available in selected models from the first quarter 2009.

Link: Fujitsu Siemens

Toshiba has reinforced their memory card line-up with the launch of a 16GB microSDHC card. Toshiba further announced the addition of ultra fast read/write 8GB and 16GB SDHC cards to its line-up.

Weighing 0.4g, the 16GB microSDHC card supports class 2 SD speed with a maximum write speed of 6MB per second. It can store 270 hours of music at a bit rate of 128kbps.

All of the new SDHC memory cards comply with the SD memory standard Ver. 2.00. The two new SDHC cards support class 6 ultra fast read/write speed with a maximum write speed of 20MB per second.

Toshiba says the mass production of the new SDHC cards will start in December, while the production of new microSDHC card is slated to start in January 2009.

HP has brought the multi-touch technology to consumer notebooks with TouchSmart tx2.

Described by HP as the industry’s first convertible notebook PC with multi-touch technology designed for consumers, TouchSmart tx2 is build upon the touch innovation developed by HP for its TouchSmart desktop PCs.

The tx2 gives customers the choice to set aside the keyboard and mouse in favor of a more natural user interface - the fingertip. The HP MediaSmart software suite on the tx2 allows users to more naturally select, organize and manipulate digital files such as photos, music, video and web content by simply touching the screen.

With the ‘capacitive multi-touch technology,’ the tx2 enables the use of gestures such as pinch, rotate, arc, flick, press and drag, and single and double tap. The convertible design with a twist hinge allows consumers to enjoy the TouchSmart in three modes: PC, display and tablet.

Hp’s tx2 is powered by the AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile Processor or AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor and is built on Windows Vista Home Premium. It offers a 12.1-inch diagonal BrightView LED display.

The HP TouchSmart tx2 is available for ordering in the U.S. with a starting price of $1,149.

Link: HP