Samsung Unveils New Wi-Fi-equipped Wireless Optical Disk Drive

On Friday, Samsung announced a new Wi-Fi-equipped wireless optical disk drive that allows users to stream multimedia and files from CDs and DVDs to mobile devices and computers.

Dubbed as Smart Media Hub, the SE-208BW also has a dedicated app for Apple’s iPad and iPhone devices, and supports Mac desktop computers as external storage.

The SE-208BW wireless optical disk drive supports several reading and writing capabilities for burning discs directly from an iPad, iPhone or Mac, including 24X CD-ROM, 24X CD-RW, 8X DVD reading and 8X DVD±R, 5X DVD-RAM, 6X DVD+R Dual Layer, 6X DVD-R Dual Layer, 8X DVD+RW, and 6X DVD-RW.

The external device can also help connect to a broadband modem via Ethernet and use it as wireless access point; Samsung even claims that it is capable of being a Wi-Fi repeater.

With a USB port, the SE-208BW is DLNA-compatible and can connect to an external hard drive with Dynamic DNS support to use the attached drive as file server.

In addition to being an external disk reader/writer, the SE-208BW has wireless access point and repeater functionality to connect the drive to an Ethernet LAN cable. Doing so will turn the disk drive into a wireless media hub, which you can use to share content on the discs wirelessly. It can also act as a signal booster to amplify WiFi signals and widen connectivity range in homes.

Samsung has yet to announce the pricing details but the SE-208BW wireless optical disk drive will expectedly be available early 2012.

Sonos introduces its Play:3 Wireless Music Device

Sonos has updated its line of high-end wireless audio home systems with a new, relatively affordable model aimed at expanding its audience. The Play:3 will set you back $300, $100 less than the Play:5 (formerly known as the ZonePlayer S5), which is a step forward but you'll still want a couple of these to enjoy the full benefits of the Sonos system: easily setting up a multi-room system with access to a wide range of streaming music services.

The Sonos Play:3 can wirelessly access your local music collection or connect to streaming services including Last.fm, Mog, Napster, Pandora, Rdio, Rhapsody, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Spotify, Stitcher SmartRadio, TuneIn, and more. Of course you'll have to pay for whatever service you are subscribed to separately, but Sonos syncs up all of your accounts and organizes them in one easy-to-use menu on the free Sonos Controller app, available for Android, iPhone and iPad.

The Play:3 features three Class-D digital amplifiers and three drivers--one tweeter and two 3-inch mid-range drivers, as well as one passive, rear-firing bass radiator. The cabinet has volume and mute control and it measures up 5.2 x 10.5 x 6.3 inches (132 x 268 x 160 mm) while weighing in at 5.7 pounds (2.6 kg).

Besides its multi-room capabilities (up to 32 simultaneous streams) and quality sound, one nifty feature of the Play:3 is that it will detect when it's been turned vertically and switch from stereo to mono output. You can also pair it with another Play:3 and set them to play the dedicated left or right channel for some extra power.

Newcomers who don't have a Sonos set-up already will need to spend a bit extra for the Sonos Bridge, which connects via Ethernet to your home network and enables the wireless stream of audio throughout the house. The Bridge used to retail for just under $100, but Sonos is dropping the price to $49 with the release of the Play:3.

SoundCast publicizes OutCast 3.4 Wireless Speaker System

Soundcast Systems publicized the OutCast 3.4 multi-room, multi-source wireless speaker system with subwoofer.

OutCast 3.4's technology lets you easily access and benefit from up to 3-sources of your favorite music in up to 4 separate areas of your home or business, indoors or outdoors.

The OutCast 3.4 has a powerful wireless broadcast range of up to 300-feet. Clear, precise transmissions easily travel through walls, doors, floors, ceilings and roofs. You could enjoy rich, multi-directional, uninterrupted sound anywhere and anytime.

Additional features include:

• Tri-amplified, high-definition audio reproduction w/DSP
• Long-range, interference-free wireless technology
• Internal battery provides 10-to-20 hours of wireless music (+/- power level)
• Easy to use backlit top panel keypad for control

You set the stage and command performance with the built-in smart control system. In addition to allowing 3-source music selection and control for your iPod/iPhone/MP3/PC or Mac personal music library, take advantage of Pandora, Rhapsody, iTunes, Radio, HD Radio, Cable Music and even legacy audio sources for the receivers' zone 2 output. Like magic, music you choose is sent to each Soundcast 3.4-equipped listening area (zone).

Microsoft Arts-Up Wireless 3500 Mouse Series

Let's be honest, mice aren't the most exciting space in the technological industry. There are the few gems that make the average Joe do a double take, like the Arc Touch, but it's regularly the gaming category that tend to add all the spice and flare in the space. However, Microsoft is looking to tailor these navigational devices to fit your style with its 3500 Studio Series mice collection.

The 3500 mouse offers little in the way of a new form factor; it lacks any other buttons than the right and left click, and the button function on the scroll wheel. The device caters to both righties and lefties and the sides of the mouse have a soft rubberized texture. It connects to your PC via a wireless USB thumb stick, communicating with the mouse over a 2.4-GHz frequency. It does have plug-and-play capabilities, but for those who like to customize, software is available to adjust pointer speed and other options. The top of the mouse is really the highlight of the entire design, which can sport one of six illustrations by one of five artists commissioned for this project.

Microsoft held an unveiling event in NYC where artist Mike Perry gave a demonstration, creating several unique designs using white mice as his canvas. The other artists, who live as far away as Australia, were unable to attend, but their "pieces" were put on display in mice form and as portraits.

The Microsoft Artist Edition 3500 mice are currently available online for $29.99.

TRENDnet 450 Mbps Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter

Three-stream (3x3) Wireless-N routers capable of offering the new 450Mbps speed (as opposed to the 300Mbps of most N routers) have been available for a while (examples: the Linksys E4200 or the Trendnet TEW-691GR ). But unless you have a laptop with a built-in Intel 6300/5300 Ultimate N adapter, you can't take advantage of this faster speed until now.

Trendnet publicized that it is shipping, what it calls the first USB 3 x 3 Wireless-N adapters on the market: the 450Mbps Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter (model TEW-684UB). The device lets you upgrade your computer to support the faster wireless speed.

Like most recent N devices, the adapter features advanced multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology. Its antennas, however, can handle three streams, instead of two, and therefore generate a maximum wireless throughput of 450Mbps. The device is dual-band, meaning it can work with both 2.4GHz or 5GHz wireless networks, and integrates Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) that allows for connecting to wireless networks with the touch of a button.

Unlike most wireless adapters, which are shaped like a thumbdrive, the Trendnet TEW-684UB is much larger, about the size of a mini router and requires a separate USB cable to connect to a computer. This design means it's better suited for desktop computers than laptops. Apart from 450Mbps wireless networks, it's also compatible with existing regular 300Mbps and lower speed Wireless-N routers.

The 450 Mbps Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter TEW-684UB is available with a three-year warranty. The cost is estimated to be around $80.

Verizon Wireless participates in National Cell Phone Recycling Week

It's National Cell Phone Recycling Week.  Verizon Wireless is contributing with drop boxes in stores throughout the United States, free printable mailing labels, and an eco-friendly trade-in program.

The Verizon Wireless Trade-In Program lets users determine if their wireless phones and tablets have value, and if so, they receive a Verizon Wireless gift card for trading it in.

Verizon Wireless offers several options for recycling.  HopeLine from Verizon collects devices and accessories at the company's 2,000 Communications Stores nationwide, or by mail, to help victims of domestic violence.  The collected phones are refurbished or recycled.

Verizon Wireless, through the HopeLine program, provides wireless phones and airtime to victims of domestic violence and cash grants to local shelters and nonprofit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention, awareness and advocacy.

Since 2001, HopeLine has collected more than 8 million phones, has properly disposed of 1.7 million no-longer-used wireless phones, and has kept more than 210 tons of electronic waste and batteries out of landfills.

PCTV unveils Broadway 2T Wireless Streaming Device

At the Gadget Show in Birmingham PCTV, a division of Hauppauge Digital, has launched its Broadway 2T, a wireless TV streaming device.

The Broadway 2T might look like a broadband router at first, but it is actually a device for streaming Freeview TV and personal content to your desktop PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. The device is available at this week's Gadget Show for £159.99 and thereafter will cost £229.

The small box has dual DVB-T receivers and uses both WiFi and 3G so you can access content via LAN or the Internet via an existing router. You can in theory watch live TV or pre-recorded content on your device anywhere in the world, provided you have a WiFi or 3G connection. The Broadway 2T supports the Windows and Mac OS X operating systems along with Apple's IOS on Ipads and Iphones.

Support for devices running Google's Android operating system will come in the next couple of months with possible support for Windows Phone 7 devices afterwards. You can also connect the device to a set-top box or external hard drive for playback.

Unlike rival services, PCTV's device has no strings attached or hidden costs such as paying for the associated app for your phone or tablet because the system uses the existing web browser. Firmware updates will also be free of charge.

PCTV says that an audio and video input turn your Ipad or Iphone into a remote surveillance solution by connecting an analogue camera. You can apparently control your home content and perform tasks such as scheduling a recording.

D-Link intros Wireless-N Night Vision Camera

On Monday, D-Link introduced its Mydlink-enabled Wireless-N Day/Night Network Camera (model DCS-932L). According to the company, with a built-in CPU and Web server the DCS-932L provides a complete monitoring system for homes and small offices, at resolutions of up to 640x480 pixels.

D-Link states that the new camera is easy to install and has an intuitive Web-based interface. Consumers can integrate it into an existing network and view the streaming video from a PC, notebook, or mobile device such as an iPhone or Android-based smartphone.

The DCS-932L camera supports built-in Wireless-N and Wi-Fi Protected Setup, which makes hooking it up to an existing wireless network an easy job. It offers Motion JPEG and 20-frames-per-second streaming, as well as new infrared illumination technology for night viewing.

According to D-Link, the infrared technology used in the camera allows you to monitor a home or small office for up to 16 feet away from the camera. The DCS-932L Wireless-N IP camera is now available for $150.

Ford Focus Electric will connect with AT&T

Being a new breed of vehicles in the Ford stables, the Focus electric, the first passenger electric vehicle to be launched by the American manufacturer, needs more than the capability to use electricity to impress possible buyers. On a segment where the competition is increasing by the week, the Focus needs more high-tech features and gadgets.

Ford has chosen communications giant AT&T as the provider of wireless connectivity for the Focus electric. The service will be provided by AT&T through the MyFord Mobile smartphone app and will be used to allow Focus electric owners to send and receive data, voice commands and control of vehicle settings.

The main features of the app provided by Ford to support the wireless feature of the Focus electric are listed below:

• Locate charging stations and get the destination sent to the vehicle
• Know if the vehicle can reach a specific charge station from its current location with the current charge level
• Journey planning with multiple stops, and determine the likelihood that the car has adequate charge for the full journey
• Alerts if the vehicle isn't charging when it's scheduled to, or if charging stops unexpectedly due to a power outage, plug removal or other event
• Receive alerts during recharge when the vehicle has reached a particular preset charge level or has the ability to reach a particular destination
• Engage remote vehicle preconditioning, using grid power to heat or cool the vehicle interior
• Remotely lock/unlock doors
• GPS system.

"Connecting consumers directly to their electric vehicles in this new and innovative way is going to drive innovative and exciting levels of interaction," said Glenn Lurie, president of emerging devices, resale and partnerships, AT&T.

HTC's ThunderBolt to be Launched on March 17th

HTC's ThunderBolt, the first Smartphone to function on Verizon Wireless LTE network, will launch this Thursday, according to a document from Verizon received by the online retailer Wirefly.

This device features a 4.3-inch touch screen, Android 2.2, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 768MB of RAM, 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash and 720p video capture, 1.3 megapixel front facing camera, 8GB of built-in storage, microSD slot for 32GB of additional storage.

Wirefly.com has announced that it will begin accepting pre-orders for the HTC Thunderbolt LTE 4G Smartphone for Verizon Wireless starting at 3 a.m. EDT / midnight PDT (Tuesday) morning. The device is set to start shipping on March 17, 2011 - and Wirefly says that it will offer the Android powered Thunderbolt for a "special" price.

RIM plans two additional BlackBerry 4G PlayBook Models

Research in Motion plans to release two more BlackBerry Playbook tablets in the second half of 2011, one with LTE and one with HSPA+ networking technology, the company declared at the Mobile World Congress.

RIM already had announced a Wi-Fi only tablet and one using the WiMax wireless networking technology. LTE and HSPA+, though, are much more broadly accepted in the mobile market, if not necessarily widely installed.

In the ever-hotter tablet market, the competition presently is largely between incumbent power Apple and a number of Android-based challengers such as the Motorola Xoom and the newly announced Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.4. RIM hopes its BlackBerry models will find a foothold as well.

The biggest hurdle many of these products need to overcome today is shipping, but after that comes sales partnerships with carriers and retailers, application development with programmers.

"We are now building on the BlackBerry PlayBook's many advantages with support for additional 4G networks that will allow enhanced business opportunities for carriers and developers and unparalleled mobile experiences for users," said RIM Co-Chief Executive Mike Lazaridis in a statement.

Sony Ericcson reveals Playstation phone

Sony Ericsson publicized in Barcelona its hotly-awaited PlayStation phone, the Xperia Play, which is the company’s counter to a raft of sophisticated game-playing smartphones offered by rivals.

Just hours before the Mobile World Congress trade expo opened in the Spanish city, the Xperia Play was put on show. It is optimized for gaming and instead of the usual pullout keyboard offers a set of thumb-driven, PlayStation-style controls.

Sony Ericsson announced that the gadget would go on sale worldwide from next month. In the United States, Verizon is to lead the rollout. No details were given related to the European launch. The company is to offer with it many of the classic games played on the PlayStation and PSP (PlayStation Portable).

The company said more than 20 games design companies including Gameloft and Electronic Arts were currently devising new games for the Play and they would be sold via the Playstation Suite platform.

It added that the games would also run on other makers’ Android phones. The PSP and its rival, the Nintendo DS, once reigned supreme as the distraction of choice for children and teens, but have faced rising competition in the past year from smartphones with high-resolution displays that offer similar fun.

Sonos unveils New Android App for Wireless Music Control

Sonos' stable of wireless music offerings allow listeners to have a stereo system that covers every room in their home, and to control the whole system simply and wirelessly. Sonos makes a hardware remote control for the system and apps for iOS devices, and today the company publicized that Sonos owners can now also use their Android devices to control their music.

The Sonos Controller for Android is a free app that can access and play all the music available through the Sonos universe, which includes everything from computer-based media libraries to services like Spotify, Rhapsody, Rdio, Pandora, and Napster.

Choose a song, and a room, and music at once begins to stream wirelessly to your Sonos ZonePlayer. The Sonos Multi-Room System can play one song across the whole house, or different songs in different rooms—the whole system can be controlled with a single Android phone.

The app is a remote, but it's not actually handling the music stream, so you can make phone calls or surf the Web without interrupting the music stream. All the streaming and Web connectivity is managed by the Sonos devices. Users can interact with the app by typing or with voice commands, and the app works seamlessly in tandem with all the other controller options for Sonos devices.

The Sonos Controller for Android will be available in March for devices running Android 2.1 or later, and will be displayed publicly next week at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Mad Catz grabs exclusive rights to Xbox 360 wireless headphones

Although there are ample of surround sound headphones for the Xbox 360, none have been graced with Microsoft-sanctioned branding; until now. Mad Catz has finalized a fairly sweet agreement with Microsoft for exclusive rights to produce wireless gaming headphones for the Xbox 360. 

Those powerful headsets will be equipped with Dolby 5.1 technology. Mad Catz will also be working on other headsets for the Xbox 360 that are tied down by wires within the Tritton series, but no exclusivity there. Little else is known about the headphones currently, but it is expected to hear more at E3 2011.

Facebook to Unveil First Cell Phone

Smartphone manufacturer HTC will publicize two Facebook branded cell phones next month, London financial daily City A.M. reported Wednesday.

HTC is due to unveil the tie-up with the social network giant at the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The phones are likely to run on a tweaked version of Google's Android operating system and will prominently display users' Facebook messages and profile content on the home screen, City A.M. said.

HTC produced a design draft of the phone that bears the website's blue and white color scheme and official logo. It is unclear whether the Facebook phone will be tied to an exclusive mobile carrier.

Logitech Wireless Mouse M515 Designed For Your Living Room

Logitech has unveiled the M515 wireless mouse which features a sealed bottom case enabling easy and worry-free navigation on soft surfaces like a sofa, a cushion, a pillow, or a sleeved blanket. This rodent also boasts a hand-detection sensor so it will only be active when gripped.

"Millions of people are connecting their computer to the TV, and the M515 mouse was built to address the unique needs of this experience," said Marcus Harvey, General Manager UK & IRE, Logitech. "As technology evolves and consumers' habits change, Logitech continues to develop navigation devices that make it easier to control and access the things people love to do in the digital world."

The Wireless Mouse M515 comprises the Hyper-Fast Scrolling technology, which is bundled with a Unifying receiver; M515 has a battery life of up two years and is scheduled to be released in Europe this April at £49.99.

KFA2 announces World’s First Wireless Graphics Card

The KFA2 nVidia GeForce GTX 460 WHDI graphics card is the first wireless graphics card in the world. This graphics card uses AMIMONS’s WHDI technology which allows the user to wirelessly connect their desktop/tower PC to their HDTV or other display without the hassle of cables.

The KFA2 nVidia GeForce GTX 460 WHDI graphics card also supports Microsoft DirectX 11, nVidia PhysX technology and nVidia PureVideo HD technology. It’s great for gamers who want larger displays.

WDHI technology allows transmission over the 40MHz channel of the unlicensed 5GHz radio frequency. It also supports Intel's High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection 2.0 so it can wirelessly play protected content like Blu-ray films. The card has five aerials that can cope with sending uncompressed 1080p video at 60Hz wirelessly. All you have to do is attach the boxed receiver to the back of any screen you want and the company reckons it is, "the most robust and highest quality HD wireless connection for in-room and multi-room applications."

The card has a 100 feet range and should be able to transmit through walls without losing the signal. Aside from the bizarre use of wireless, everything else it standard stuff. Inside the card is Nvidia's DirectX 11-compatible Geforce GTX 460 with 1GB.

The card isn't priced yet but will be out in the UK soon.

Sony BDV-E780W Blu-ray Home Theater System

Sony publicized its flagship BDV-E780W is a full HD 1080p 5.1 channel 1000 watt Blu-ray Disc home theater system which features built-in Wi-Fi (802.11n), wireless rear speakers, 2-way front speakers that can deliver a wider audio sweet spot ideal for family viewing and an improved subwoofer.

The model also has a universal remote, as well as the "Media Remote" control app available for iPhone/iPod touch and Android devices. It is Blu-ray 3D capable and offers access to Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE technology.

It includes Sony's Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology to access disc cover art, actor, and production information, as well as IP Content Noise Reduction technology and Precision Cinema HD Upscaling to improve standard definition and web video quality.

Serving as a DLNA client, the model is compatible with DLNA devices and includes a front USB input for photo, music, and video playback and is compatible with Sony's new HomeShare Wi-Fi Network Speakers.

The model also comes with an iPhone/iPod dock and offers two HDMI inputs and will be available in May for about $600.