Filed under: Wireless
When you’re the co-founder of Microsoft there’s always that nagging question of what to do with your millions billions. How ’bout bidding for some of that hot 700MHz action in the sweetspot of US spectrum? Seems that Paul Allen has filed to bid in the FCC auction with an entity called Vulcan Spectrum LLC — an investment company. Hint: Allen is also the majority shareholder of cable operator Charter Communications. Other notables on the list include Google and Verizon Wireless, naturally, as well as Qualcomm — protector of patents, MediaFLO mogul. Remember, Qualcomm already holds 700MHz licenses obtained in a June 2003 FCC auction. It all goes down on January 24th when the bidding begins.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops
While Microsoft is quick to downplay XP when comparing it to Vista, the legacy OS continues to shackle the hearts (and systems) of many. Fortunately, Microsoft just opened up their XP service pack 3 release candidate for general download — that means you. SP3 RC was previously only available by invitation. Now get going, you’ll need time to download all 336MBs of the last major update to the six-year old OS.
P.S. This is a “release candidate.” The final SP3 release isn’t expected until the first half of 2008.
[Via PC World]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
Despite our best attempts at trashing the planet in hopes that Al Gore will grow a beard again, we can’t help but love repurposed electronics. The Plink Jet, spotted at NYU’s ITP Winter Show 2007, uses the back-and-forth mechanisms out of four old ink jets to slide up and down four guitar strings, with various knob-controlled settings to control pitch and strumming patterns. The resulting noise is nice hybrid of robotic clicking and analog twang, but we hear HP charges a fortune for the strings.
Gallery: Plink Jet makes beautiful music with dried up ink jets
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video
It may be too late to snag one, get it delivered and wrap it with heaps of love before next Tuesday (or not), but if an IOU will do, we’ve found a stunning candidate for a last minute gift. Creative’s long awaited 32GB Zen has finally moved beyond the pre-order stage, which means anxious to-be owners can at long last place an order and expect shipment shortly thereafter. $349.99 and it’s yours, all yours.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Displays
So, Flight of the Conchords never made it quite clear what’s so special about New Zealand anyways, but Dell has heaped mystery upon mystery by leaking its upcoming 3008WFP UltraSharp onto its NZ online store. We knew the 30-incher was coming, with DisplayPort as its primary claim to fame, but there’s plenty else to like. The screen packs a 2560 x 1600 resolution, 370 nits of brightness, 8ms response times, a 3000:1 contrast ratio, and DVI-D (with HDCP), HDMI, S-Video, component and composite plugs just in case. Hopefully we’re looking at some sort of silly exchange rate silliness for the price, since NZ$2,699 (about $2,050 US) is roughly double what Dell is charging for its existing 30-inch 3007WFP display. Obviously, no word on when this will hit the States, but all signs point to soon.
Update: Ha! It’s now on the US site for $2,034 with a shiny green “Buy Now” button and 2 day shipping. Anyone want to purchase and tempt our envy? Also available in Japan starting tomorrow according to official Dell press release. Now, you do have a DisplayPort video card, right?
Gallery: Dell’s 3008WFP 30-inch LCD with DisplayPort sneaks available — in US too
[Thanks, JoseQ and dshankar]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
