HP MediaSmart Home Servers Get New Software

HP unveiled new home media servers in the form of the HP MediaSmart line in late 2008. Today HP announced that it has updated the software that the MediaSmart servers use for converting video. HP says that the software upgrade provides the ability to take non-copyright protected video and convert it into a lower resolution for downloading onto a mobile device.

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Russian iPhone Sales to Hit 3.5 Million in Two Years

Electronics maker Apple expects to sell 3.5 million iPhones in Russia in the next two years, according to market sources familiar with new deals being struck by Russian carriers. Despite no official availability, up to 600,000 of the popular mobile devices have already flooded into Russia through unauthorized sales; now, at least two carriers have signed an official framework agreement with the manufacturer and one more deal is expected next week.

More at http://www.neowin.net

HP Launches 2133 Mini-Note PC, Disappoints With Processor Selection

HP swings for the fences with its 2133 Mini-Note PC

When ASUS launched its Eee PC 401 4G last year, not many people knew where the tiny $399 device would take the industry. Within months, ASUS flanked its original 4G model with the $299 2G model and the $499 8G model.

As sales skyrocketed, ASUS dropped another bombshell on potential customers with the announcement of its second generation Eee PC 900 with a larger, 8.9" display which calmed the fears of some of those upset over the original unit’s 7" display. ASUS' efforts to carve out a niche in the low-cost PC market along with a number of competitors arriving fashionably late to the party even enticed Microsoft to extend the availability of Windows XP Home by another two years.

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ASUS Eee PC 900 Coming May 12 With $549 Price Tag

When ASUS launched the original Eee PC 701 4G in late 2007, the notebook was praised for its relatively low price, respectable performance for an inexpensive notebook due to its internal solid-state drive (SSD), and compact dimensions/weight. ASUS announced its second generation model in early March along with a few notable upgrades to its screen and storage capacity.

Unfortunately, those upgrades come at a price that pushes the Eee PC 900 squarely into an even higher price bracket. When the Eee PC 900 launches on May 12 in the United States, it will be priced at $549 for both Linux and Windows XP versions.

The Linux version of the Eee PC will come with a 4GB SSD + an additional 16GB internal flash module for a total of 20GB of storage space. The Windows XP model -- due to the licensing fees associated with Windows -- will only feature an internal flash module of 8GB leaving it with just 12GB of total storage space.

The other notable upgrades for the second generation Eee PC include the larger, 8.9" 1024x600 display, 1GB of DDR2 memory, Multi-Touch trackpad, and the inclusion of a 1.3 MP webcam (up from 0.3 MP). Otherwise, the Eee PC still includes an undersized keyboard, three USB 2.0 ports, a VGA port, and an Intel Celeron-M processor which can run at 630 MHz or 900 MHz.

Read the full article at www.dailytech.com

MSI Launched R3870X2, R3600 and R3400 Series

MSI, a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative computer graphics cards, proudly unveils its latest 55nm – ATI R3870X2, R3600, and R3400 series graphics card. Using the latest Radeon™ HD 3000 series chip, users can enjoy the same industry-leading HD quality and ultimate experience for outstanding 3D graphics performance effectiveness.

www.vr-zone.com

Foxconn Set to Produce Keyboards with Screens Inside Keys

Foxconn Electronics, the world’s largest contract manufacturer of electronics devices, and United Keys, an engineering firm, announced a strategic partnership to produce a keyboard with keys that feature embedded screens. The keyboard will rival not only leading-edge devices from Logitech or Microsoft, but will pose competition to Art Lebedev design studio’s Optimus lineup.

www.xbitlabs.com

Microsoft Insider: Xbox 360 Team Knowingly Launched Faulty Hardware

Xbox 360 team skipped quality testing of console to beat Sony to market

Last summer, amidst a flurry of reports from Xbox 360 gamers, DailyTech exposed retailers’ estimates that up to one-third of Xbox 360 consoles experience hardware failures within the first year of ownership. Just days after the report, Microsoft extended its warranty to cover the specific hardware failure for three years from purchase.

www.dailytech.com