Disney looks to be expanding their presence in the kids electronics space as they announced new products related to their themed Mix Stick MP3 players, which rank currently among the ten best selling flash memory based MP3 players. Being introduced by the Happiest Place on Earth is the Mix Max portable media player for $99.99, an upgraded Mix Stick for $49.99 and a new mini-version of the Mix Stick called the Mix Micro for $19.99.
Mix Max Portable Media Player:
The Disney Mix Max is a portable media player which lets your children enjoy full length Buena Vista Home Entertainment movies, digital music, TV shows and digital photos. The Mix Max is available in several colorful styles, according to Disney, which include two “High School Musical” models, floral themed “Tinker Bell” units in white or purple, “Forever Princess” and “Princess Flowers” designs in pink, a “Cheetah Girls” model in a leopard pattern, a “funky ‘Tween Bling” style and two contemporary “Ice Blue” or “Silver Chrome” models.
The Mix Max, which ships with stereo earbuds and a wrist strap, is designed specifically for kids with what Disney describes as “easy to use navigation for video and audio playback”.
This player has a 2.2-inch color LCD display, provides two hours of video or eight hours of audio enjoyment via its rechargeable battery and offers 512MB of internal memory, which is enough to hold up to 240 songs or around five hours of video. This memory is expandable up to 2GB via add-in SD memory cards. For the techies in the crowd, the Mix Max plays WMV videos, MP3 and WMA audio files and JPEG digital pictures. It also supports popular PlaysForSure online subscription services like Yahoo! Music.
Like the Mix Sticks, Disney offers add-in content for the Mix Max. Called Max Clips, these tiny memory cards priced at $19.99 each contain full length Disney films such as Cheetah Girls and High School Musical, and are loaded into a slot on the player for viewing enjoyment.
Accessories announced for the Mix Max besides the Max Clips include the Disney Jam Stand Max stereo speakers/re-charger, stereo ear clip headphones and carrying cases. Additional features include a stereo headphone jack, USB 2.0 connectivity and one button playlist mixing.
New Mix Sticks/Mix Micro:
The upgraded Mix Stick, which plays MP3 and WMA audio files, lets kids download music from popular music services, get music off of their favorite CDs or play music directly off of the Disney created Mix Clips. These clips, priced at $14.99, offer full length albums such as Disney’s Greatest Hits, Vol 1 and High School Musical Soundtrack. The Mix Stick itself offers as new features for 2006 512MB of internal memory (expandable to 2GB via SD/MMC memory cards) and on the fly playlist creation.
Designs of the Mix Stick include “White Tink”, “Princess Flowers”, “Tween Bling”, “Blue Chrome”, “High School Musical”, “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “A Nightmare Before Christmas”.
Joining the upgraded Mix Stick is the new Disney Mix Micro Player. This 2.5-inch by 1.5-inch portable audio player has no internal memory but instead a SD/MMC memory card slot for inserting your own memory storage size of choice. Other features include WMA/MP3 music file playback, Disney Mix Clips support and an AAA battery power source.
http://portables.about.com/od/portablevideo/a/disneykids06.htm
Friday, June 8, 2007
Sony Reader First Look
One particular category of portable electronic product which has never been overly successful is the portable e-book reader. Sony is hoping they can gain success where others have failed as they begin to roll out their new Reader Portable Reading System.
The Sony Reader is about the size of a paperback book, measuring 6.9-inches by 4.9-inches by 5.8-inches and weighing around nine ounces, making it somewhat easy to hold in one hand. The display panel of this e-book reader offers a viewing area of six inches. At the heart of the Sony Reader is use of e Ink technology, which makes on screen text appear similarly as it would on paper. This technology also reportedly makes the on-screen text high contrast, high resolution, viewable in direct sunlight and viewable at a nearly 180-degree angle.
One can also zoom in from standard print to a medium or large font size for easier text viewing.
The Sony Reader offers plenty of internal memory (64 MB) to hold upwards of 80 average size ebooks at the same time. This is on top of a slot built into the reader which lets one store hundreds of additional titles on a Memory Stick or SD memory card. Plenty of battery life is available to read a good number of these books, with Sony saying this device lets one make up to 7,500 continuous page turns with a single full charge on the internal rechargeable battery. The battery can be recharged through an AC adapter or USB cable.
As for specific ebooks available, Sony has a dedicated online store called Connect eBooks which lets one browse through thousands of popular, mainstream titles for purchase and download. Bestsellers are available as well as books across a wide array of categories like fiction, non-fiction, business, self-help and more. Publishers include Hyperion, McGraw-Hill Professional, Cambridge University Press, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, National Geographic, Kensington Publishing and Regnery Publishing, among others. These firms join Penguin-Putnam, Simon and Schuster, Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette Book Group USA and Holtzbrinck Publishers along with TOKYOPOP. To get these ebooks onto the Reader, it makes use of dedicated software to download, manage and transfer the files onto it.
In addition to being able to let one view Sony Connect ebooks, the Sony Reader also works with a variety of other type of media file types. With it you can view Adobe PDF and Microsoft Word document files, among others, as well as posts from select blogs and newsfeeds downloaded through Sony Connect eBooks for free. You can also view JPEGs and other images files, though since the screen is grey-scale you won’t be able to view these photos in color. Additionally, the Sony Reader lets you play MP3 and AAC music files stored in memory which you can enjoy through plugging in headphones and listen to while you read an ebook.
Accessories which come with the Sony Reader include the software, a soft cover, USB cable and AC power adapter. Optional accessories available for purchase include soft covers in colors like red, green and brown and a cradle which lets one dock the Reader more easily with a PC through its integrated USB and power ports.
http://portables.about.com/od/otherdevices/a/sonyreaderfl.htm
The Sony Reader is about the size of a paperback book, measuring 6.9-inches by 4.9-inches by 5.8-inches and weighing around nine ounces, making it somewhat easy to hold in one hand. The display panel of this e-book reader offers a viewing area of six inches. At the heart of the Sony Reader is use of e Ink technology, which makes on screen text appear similarly as it would on paper. This technology also reportedly makes the on-screen text high contrast, high resolution, viewable in direct sunlight and viewable at a nearly 180-degree angle.
One can also zoom in from standard print to a medium or large font size for easier text viewing.
The Sony Reader offers plenty of internal memory (64 MB) to hold upwards of 80 average size ebooks at the same time. This is on top of a slot built into the reader which lets one store hundreds of additional titles on a Memory Stick or SD memory card. Plenty of battery life is available to read a good number of these books, with Sony saying this device lets one make up to 7,500 continuous page turns with a single full charge on the internal rechargeable battery. The battery can be recharged through an AC adapter or USB cable.
As for specific ebooks available, Sony has a dedicated online store called Connect eBooks which lets one browse through thousands of popular, mainstream titles for purchase and download. Bestsellers are available as well as books across a wide array of categories like fiction, non-fiction, business, self-help and more. Publishers include Hyperion, McGraw-Hill Professional, Cambridge University Press, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, National Geographic, Kensington Publishing and Regnery Publishing, among others. These firms join Penguin-Putnam, Simon and Schuster, Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette Book Group USA and Holtzbrinck Publishers along with TOKYOPOP. To get these ebooks onto the Reader, it makes use of dedicated software to download, manage and transfer the files onto it.
In addition to being able to let one view Sony Connect ebooks, the Sony Reader also works with a variety of other type of media file types. With it you can view Adobe PDF and Microsoft Word document files, among others, as well as posts from select blogs and newsfeeds downloaded through Sony Connect eBooks for free. You can also view JPEGs and other images files, though since the screen is grey-scale you won’t be able to view these photos in color. Additionally, the Sony Reader lets you play MP3 and AAC music files stored in memory which you can enjoy through plugging in headphones and listen to while you read an ebook.
Accessories which come with the Sony Reader include the software, a soft cover, USB cable and AC power adapter. Optional accessories available for purchase include soft covers in colors like red, green and brown and a cradle which lets one dock the Reader more easily with a PC through its integrated USB and power ports.
http://portables.about.com/od/otherdevices/a/sonyreaderfl.htm
Jensen JPM-3005 SportFones First Look
Thomson, through their Jensen consumer electronics brand, has developed a MP3 player which is built into a headphone design and geared towards the sports inclined. The Jensen JPM-3005 SportFones are priced at around $70. This purchase price includes a zippered carrying case.
The Jensen JPM-3005 SportFones have 512 MB of internal storage, which is enough to hold around 160 MP3 or WMA music files. These music files are transferred into the JPM-3005 via a USB cable which you plug into your computer as well as a port on the headphones (this also charges the SportFones' internal battery). The SportFones are compatible with Windows-based PCs and Mac OS computers.
The design of the JPM-3005 is such that the earpieces have a contoured shape to provide looks and also comfort. A flexible neckband and allergen-free silicone earpiece covers add to the comfort factor.
Controls for this MP3 player are located on the outer edge of one earpiece. Four buttons - a play/pause/stop button, a shuffle on/off button, and a pair of volume up/down buttons - are geared towards keeping operation of the device easy. Pressing and holding the volume buttons allows for volume control, while tapping the volume buttons engages skip and review functions.
Technical audio aspects of the JPM-3005 headphones include frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, signal-to-noise ratio of 85 dB, maximum SPL of 100 dB and power output of 12 mW per channel (stereo).
http://portables.about.com/od/mp3playerfirstlooks/a/jpm3005fl.htm
The Jensen JPM-3005 SportFones have 512 MB of internal storage, which is enough to hold around 160 MP3 or WMA music files. These music files are transferred into the JPM-3005 via a USB cable which you plug into your computer as well as a port on the headphones (this also charges the SportFones' internal battery). The SportFones are compatible with Windows-based PCs and Mac OS computers.
The design of the JPM-3005 is such that the earpieces have a contoured shape to provide looks and also comfort. A flexible neckband and allergen-free silicone earpiece covers add to the comfort factor.
Controls for this MP3 player are located on the outer edge of one earpiece. Four buttons - a play/pause/stop button, a shuffle on/off button, and a pair of volume up/down buttons - are geared towards keeping operation of the device easy. Pressing and holding the volume buttons allows for volume control, while tapping the volume buttons engages skip and review functions.
Technical audio aspects of the JPM-3005 headphones include frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, signal-to-noise ratio of 85 dB, maximum SPL of 100 dB and power output of 12 mW per channel (stereo).
http://portables.about.com/od/mp3playerfirstlooks/a/jpm3005fl.htm
Toshiba SD-P1900 Portable DVD Player First Look
Toshiba has long been one of the more favored consumer electronics manufacturers when it comes to portable DVD players. It's no wonder why as they roll out interesting models year after year for the needs of business travellers and children in the backseats of SUVs alike. One of their newest models is the SD-P1900 ($200).
The SD-P1900 has a stylish black look to it and sports a nine-inch widescreen LCD panel on which to view your favorite DVDs. This panel offers up 480 x 234 resolution and a 110-degree viewing angle. On-board controls allow one to adjust the brightness and color on-screen as well as zoom in on select videos.
Audio on the SD-P1900 is in industry standard D/A 192 kHz/24 bit. This Toshiba portable DVD player is capable also of outputting DTS and Dolby Digitial when connected to a home entertainment system.
Other audio features include built-in speakers, virtual surround sound and dual headphone jacks.
The Toshiba SD-P1900 portable DVD player, besides playing back standard DVD movies, also supports a variety of other disc formats. On the video side, these include DVD-R, DVD VR, DivX and DVD-RW. Audio playback support is offered for standard CDs as well as CD-R, CD-RW, CD (CD-DA format) and WMA or MP3-encoded CDs. Digital picture CDs loaded with JPEGs are also supported.
Other features of the SD-P1900 include up to five hours of rechargeable battery life, an acrylic control panel with oversized buttons and switchable audio/video inputs and outputs. Those who buy this portable DVD player will also get the following accessories: AC adapter, car cord adapter, AV cable and a slim remote control.
http://portables.about.com/od/portabledvd/a/sdp1900fl.htm
The SD-P1900 has a stylish black look to it and sports a nine-inch widescreen LCD panel on which to view your favorite DVDs. This panel offers up 480 x 234 resolution and a 110-degree viewing angle. On-board controls allow one to adjust the brightness and color on-screen as well as zoom in on select videos.
Audio on the SD-P1900 is in industry standard D/A 192 kHz/24 bit. This Toshiba portable DVD player is capable also of outputting DTS and Dolby Digitial when connected to a home entertainment system.
Other audio features include built-in speakers, virtual surround sound and dual headphone jacks.
The Toshiba SD-P1900 portable DVD player, besides playing back standard DVD movies, also supports a variety of other disc formats. On the video side, these include DVD-R, DVD VR, DivX and DVD-RW. Audio playback support is offered for standard CDs as well as CD-R, CD-RW, CD (CD-DA format) and WMA or MP3-encoded CDs. Digital picture CDs loaded with JPEGs are also supported.
Other features of the SD-P1900 include up to five hours of rechargeable battery life, an acrylic control panel with oversized buttons and switchable audio/video inputs and outputs. Those who buy this portable DVD player will also get the following accessories: AC adapter, car cord adapter, AV cable and a slim remote control.
http://portables.about.com/od/portabledvd/a/sdp1900fl.htm
Archos 704 WiFi Portable Media Player First Look
Archos, a maker of portable media and MP3 players, is known for making portable electronics gadgets which are loaded with features. One of their latest products to market - the Archos 704 WiFi - is no exception to that rule as it adds wireless capabilities to the mix.
The Archos 704 WiFi uses 802.11g wireless technology to connect to Internet wireless hot spots so one can do things like browse the Web or use email via Web-based email sites like Yahoo! Mail. In addition this wireless technology lets one connect the 704 WiFi to a wireless home network to transfer files to the device or, when connected to an optional docking station, wirelessly bring digital music, photos and videos from a computer also connected on the network to the player so they can be enjoyed via your home entertainment system.
Outside of the wireless feature, the Archos 704 WiFi is much like any other portable media player.
It offers up a generous seven-inch widescreen color display with 800x480 resolution and 5"x7" dimensions which is touch sensitive. This touch sensitivity allows you control most features of the player by navigating menus on-screen with your finger or an included stylus.
In regards to storage, the Archos 704 WiFi is available in a maximum hard drive size of 80GB. This is enough memory to store up to 100 digital movies, 800,000 digital photos or 40,000 digital songs. A wide variety of various media format types, including MPEG-4, JPEG and MP3, are supported for enjoyment in this device. Select online music and video download stores (not including iTunes) are compatible with the Archos 704 WiFi and one can record their favorite television shows or other video programming directly to the player via an optional docking station.
A wide array of other features are available on the Archos 704 WiFi. These include transferring digital photos directly to the player from select digital cameras, being able to play music via selection options album or artist, on-screen video editing, camcorder like video recording via optional accessories, USB 2.0 high speed fiel transfers, built-in speakers, a headphone jack, 25 hours of rechargeable battery life for audio playback, five hours of rechargeable battery life for video playback or Internet access, a weight of 22 ounces, dimensions of 7"x5"x7.75" (all inches) and auto synching of media files with Windows Media Player 11.
More details on the Archos 704 WiFi, which is priced at $550, can be found at the Archos Web site
http://portables.about.com/od/firstlooks/a/archos704wififl.htm
The Archos 704 WiFi uses 802.11g wireless technology to connect to Internet wireless hot spots so one can do things like browse the Web or use email via Web-based email sites like Yahoo! Mail. In addition this wireless technology lets one connect the 704 WiFi to a wireless home network to transfer files to the device or, when connected to an optional docking station, wirelessly bring digital music, photos and videos from a computer also connected on the network to the player so they can be enjoyed via your home entertainment system.
Outside of the wireless feature, the Archos 704 WiFi is much like any other portable media player.
It offers up a generous seven-inch widescreen color display with 800x480 resolution and 5"x7" dimensions which is touch sensitive. This touch sensitivity allows you control most features of the player by navigating menus on-screen with your finger or an included stylus.
In regards to storage, the Archos 704 WiFi is available in a maximum hard drive size of 80GB. This is enough memory to store up to 100 digital movies, 800,000 digital photos or 40,000 digital songs. A wide variety of various media format types, including MPEG-4, JPEG and MP3, are supported for enjoyment in this device. Select online music and video download stores (not including iTunes) are compatible with the Archos 704 WiFi and one can record their favorite television shows or other video programming directly to the player via an optional docking station.
A wide array of other features are available on the Archos 704 WiFi. These include transferring digital photos directly to the player from select digital cameras, being able to play music via selection options album or artist, on-screen video editing, camcorder like video recording via optional accessories, USB 2.0 high speed fiel transfers, built-in speakers, a headphone jack, 25 hours of rechargeable battery life for audio playback, five hours of rechargeable battery life for video playback or Internet access, a weight of 22 ounces, dimensions of 7"x5"x7.75" (all inches) and auto synching of media files with Windows Media Player 11.
More details on the Archos 704 WiFi, which is priced at $550, can be found at the Archos Web site
http://portables.about.com/od/firstlooks/a/archos704wififl.htm
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Apple Computer gets failing grade on toxic chemicals, e-waste recycling
Apple Inc. has been ranked worst among 14 leading electronics manufacturers in a new Greenpeace survey that evaluated companies based on their use of toxic chemicals and commitment to recycling obsolete products.
Toxic waste arising from the manufacture and disposal of consumer electronics -- particularly cell phones, personal computers and similar products -- has become a major problem globally, and an increasing concern for environmentalists. In addition to toxins released during manufacture, many electronics are made with heavy metals or other dangerous substances. This means that the large volume of electronic waste finding its way into landfills each year -- tens of millions of tons -- has become a major health and ecological threat.
Much of this waste, which comes primarily from the First World, is shipped to countries such as China and India. In many cases, children or other laborers break it up to recover the scrap.
The "Guide to Greener Electronics" ranked companies based on the progress they have made in phasing out dangerous ingredients and enabling the recycling rather than landfilling their products. Chinese computer manufacturer Lenovo came in first with a score of eight out of 10, in large part for its commitment to take back and recycle its products in any country. Lenovo's top ranking is particularly notable when compared with its ranking last year -- last place.
That spot is now filled by Apple, which scored just 2.7 out of a possible 10 points.
"Apple has made no changes to its policies or practices since the launch of the Guide in August 2006," Greenpeace said. "The company scores badly on almost all criteria."
In particular, Greenpeace has criticized the company for a limited and difficult-to-use recycling policy and vague, unconvincing timelines on the phase-out of brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
In addition to Lenovo, Greenpeace gave Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Dell, Samsung, Motorola, Fujitsu-Siemens, HP and ACER above-average scores. Toshiba, Sony, LG and Panasonic all received less than five points each.
http://www.newstarget.com/021867.html
Toxic waste arising from the manufacture and disposal of consumer electronics -- particularly cell phones, personal computers and similar products -- has become a major problem globally, and an increasing concern for environmentalists. In addition to toxins released during manufacture, many electronics are made with heavy metals or other dangerous substances. This means that the large volume of electronic waste finding its way into landfills each year -- tens of millions of tons -- has become a major health and ecological threat.
Much of this waste, which comes primarily from the First World, is shipped to countries such as China and India. In many cases, children or other laborers break it up to recover the scrap.
The "Guide to Greener Electronics" ranked companies based on the progress they have made in phasing out dangerous ingredients and enabling the recycling rather than landfilling their products. Chinese computer manufacturer Lenovo came in first with a score of eight out of 10, in large part for its commitment to take back and recycle its products in any country. Lenovo's top ranking is particularly notable when compared with its ranking last year -- last place.
That spot is now filled by Apple, which scored just 2.7 out of a possible 10 points.
"Apple has made no changes to its policies or practices since the launch of the Guide in August 2006," Greenpeace said. "The company scores badly on almost all criteria."
In particular, Greenpeace has criticized the company for a limited and difficult-to-use recycling policy and vague, unconvincing timelines on the phase-out of brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
In addition to Lenovo, Greenpeace gave Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Dell, Samsung, Motorola, Fujitsu-Siemens, HP and ACER above-average scores. Toshiba, Sony, LG and Panasonic all received less than five points each.
http://www.newstarget.com/021867.html
Breakthrough in printed electronics
October 16, 2005 A world first in volume printed integrated electronics circuits was exhibited at the recent Plastics Electronics trade fair in Frankfurt. The Institute for Print and Media Technology at Chemnitz University in Germany has developed a new process that enables electronic circuitry to be produced with mass printing technology. The new process will enable the mass production of very cheap integrated circuitry in paper and cardboard and can be expected to have massive consequences in manufacturing, the future of RFID and the blurring of the line between printed objects and the virtual world.The first practical applications are expected to be electronic printed maps and printed paper keyboards, closely followed by labels for clothing, luggage, packaging, ticketing and after that … almost anything.
The circuit created for the demonstration was a ring oscillator consisting of 14 transistors. Ring oscillators are basic components for more complex circuits and generate clock signals. BASF and Bell Labs contributed their experience in material science. The circuits were designed, printed and researched by printed systems GmbH and the Institute for Print and Media Technology. The researchers tested all mass printing technologies such as offset, gravure and flexographic printing.
The circuits were printed at a printing speed of up to 0.8 metres per second which although slow for printing, is a new dimension of production speed for electronics. Millionfold print runs will become possible. The polymer printing method is based on especially developed printing methods i.e. polymer molecules that are either conductive, semiconductive or isolating are accurately printed in ultrathin layers, one above the other. These polymers can be processed similar to ink. Compared to traditional printing, however, the demands on precision as well as on the chemical characteristics of the printing inks are considerably higher. A single mistake in printing will immediately lead to malfunctions of the printed circuit.
A switching frequency of 1 Hz was achieved with the used structural resolution of 100 µm. Prof. Dr. Arved Hübler, head of the Institute for Print and Media Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology whose research team already introduced the first mass printed single transistor in 2003, explains: "We have successfully met a great challenge in this project because the printing of electronics put completely new demands on materials, methods and machines different from those known from traditional printing.
The researchers at the Institute for Print and Media Technology have realised new developments in mechanical engineering and process technology in order to meet the very high demands of electronic circuits on printing characteristics."
The project was coordinated by BASF Future Business and included researchers from BASF, Lucent Technologies Bell Labs, printed systems GmbH in Chemnitz as well as the Institute for Print and Media Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology.
http://www.gizmag.com/go/4749/
The circuit created for the demonstration was a ring oscillator consisting of 14 transistors. Ring oscillators are basic components for more complex circuits and generate clock signals. BASF and Bell Labs contributed their experience in material science. The circuits were designed, printed and researched by printed systems GmbH and the Institute for Print and Media Technology. The researchers tested all mass printing technologies such as offset, gravure and flexographic printing.
The circuits were printed at a printing speed of up to 0.8 metres per second which although slow for printing, is a new dimension of production speed for electronics. Millionfold print runs will become possible. The polymer printing method is based on especially developed printing methods i.e. polymer molecules that are either conductive, semiconductive or isolating are accurately printed in ultrathin layers, one above the other. These polymers can be processed similar to ink. Compared to traditional printing, however, the demands on precision as well as on the chemical characteristics of the printing inks are considerably higher. A single mistake in printing will immediately lead to malfunctions of the printed circuit.
A switching frequency of 1 Hz was achieved with the used structural resolution of 100 µm. Prof. Dr. Arved Hübler, head of the Institute for Print and Media Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology whose research team already introduced the first mass printed single transistor in 2003, explains: "We have successfully met a great challenge in this project because the printing of electronics put completely new demands on materials, methods and machines different from those known from traditional printing.
The researchers at the Institute for Print and Media Technology have realised new developments in mechanical engineering and process technology in order to meet the very high demands of electronic circuits on printing characteristics."
The project was coordinated by BASF Future Business and included researchers from BASF, Lucent Technologies Bell Labs, printed systems GmbH in Chemnitz as well as the Institute for Print and Media Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology.
http://www.gizmag.com/go/4749/
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