AIM Triton Preview

By Matthew Deutsch · October 21, 2005 · 2 comments

AOL has recently released a public beta version code-named Triton (can be downloaded here), its newest instant messenging program. The change that stands out the most in Triton is the use of tabs. If you’re chatting with multiple people, the chats will be consolidated into one window. You can access each current chat by clicking on a tab in the left column. There is also another set of tabs that include audio and video messaging, viewing pictures, sending files, and playing games with buddies (located at the top row of each chat). These tabs make it much easier to access every feature Triton has to offer from one window, which saves lots of space. Speaking of saving space, you may notice an image in the screenshot above that takes up lots of space — the large ads that live in each chat tab are very annoying, and hopefully AOL will hear enough complaints to make the ads less obtrusive or get rid of them altogther. Read more at Technology News, Etc.

new iTrip

By Matthew Deutsch · August 31, 2005 · 1 comment

Griffin Technology has updated the iTrip, a very popular FM transmitter add-on for the iPod. The new iTrip includes an LCD and a knob to allow for much easier frequency changing than what was required in the older iTrip models. It also includes the option to change between DX and LX modes. (The LX mode transmits the audio in stereo, and the DX mode broadcasts a stronger signal, but in mono. The DX mode would be useful for radio talk shows or audio books, where stereo is not necessary). It will be available soon for $40.

Rio leaving the digital audio market

By Matthew Deutsch · · 1 comment

Rio Audio has announced that it will be exiting the digital audio player business by the end of September. I thought that they had been just beginning to regain market share after releasing their semi-popular Karma and Carbon (pictured above) lines, however the president, Vic Pacor, thought differently. “The digital audio market is evolving in such a way that our competitive advantage will be to focus on creating premium home network products that are designed for compatibility with a variety of client devices and services.”

Jobs’ one-price model for iTunes may have to go

By Matthew Deutsch · · No comments

Everyone knows that all singles on iTunes cost 99 cents. However, this may soon change, as major record companies would like some flexibility with the pricing, such as pricing songs by popularity. For example, a hot single could go for as much as $1.50, while a lesser demanded single could go for possibly 75 cents. While this may sound like an attractive deal for the record companies, this could discourage new customers from entering the market because of the higher prices. It may even be an incentive for people to return to using P2P software to download music for free. Read more at nytimes.com

ErgoClick

By Matthew Deutsch · · 2 comments

What makes the ErgoClick different from other traditional mice is that one mouse controls the pointer, while the other mouse is used to perform clicks. By using the palm to click rather than the fingers, supposedly your hand can “maintain a relaxed neutral supported posture” and will reduce pain in your wrist and forearm. While this device may reduce pain, I would think it creates more work for users because now they must have two hands on two seperate mice, and switching from the keyboard to the mice and back would be frustrating…but that’s just my opinion. [Find out more about the product at ErgoClick.com]

The customizable keyboard

By Matthew Deutsch · June 26, 2005 · No comments

From News.com:

Game fans like to gripe about the standard QWERTY keyboard layout. Everyone’s hands are sized differently, after all, and every player has a distinct way of darting around the keys to dodge a demon or win a fleet match of shoot and retreat.

It’s no surprise, then, that it was a game enthusiast who first conceived of the DX1 Input System, an innovative configuration of movable “smart” keys that can be assigned macros, or keyword combinations, to accomplish tasks such as implementing game cheats or executing software commands. Customizing the keys’ layout to your preferences and work style, the theory goes, improves efficiency and saves time–whether you’re piloting a flight simulation or flitting around a spreadsheet.

“These keys are like blank tapes,” said Pankaj Garg, a software architect at Mountain View, Calif.-based Ergodex, which developed the product. “You can make them whatever you want them to be.”

Goggle display

By Matthew Deutsch · June 25, 2005 · No comments

Katie Williams of Brunel University has developed software for goggles which displays the number of laps swam, the speed of the swimmer, and the elapsed time on the goggle lens itself. This can help swimmers stay focused on swimming rather than looking at their watches or other devices outside of the pool.

Japan wants a robot moon base in 2025

By Matthew Deutsch · June 21, 2005 · No comments

Japan wants to build a base on the moon within 20 years by using more advanced versions of today’s humanoid robots (Honda Motor’s Asimo and Sony’s Qrio). “Japan’s lunar robots would do work such as building telescopes and prospecting and mining for minerals,” said Keiji Tachikawa, the president of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. I doubt they have the money for this, as PCWorld mentions JAXA’s annual space budget is only about $1.5 billion (one tenth of NASA’s), which may delay this project for a while.