Special Report - First Look at Playstation PSP and Nintendo DS, plus news

[Computing Unplugged]

To see this issue of Computing Unplugged Magazine, you may have to tell your email browser to display pictures.
Also, to be sure to get future issues, please add address@hidden to your address book and
configure your mail filters or rules to allow Computing Unplugged Magazine into your email box.

A MEMBER OF THE ZATZ MAGAZINE NETWORK

May 14, 2004 INSIDE THIS ISSUE First Look: Nintendo DS and Playstation Portable This week's news

CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT THE BIBLE! Whether you're traveling around the world on business or around the block to church, Laridian software puts the entire Bible and more at your fingertips! Choose your favorite Bible translations--including the NIV. And enjoy the convenience of reading and studying the Bible on your Palm or Pocket PC handheld. Save 20% on your first order or try FREE demo.

STYLUSCENTRAL: WE'RE MORE THAN STYLI! Whether you're looking for soft cases or hard, auto holders, keyboards, memory cards, readers, software, cables, tethers, and, of course, the largest collection of styli, StylusCentral.com is the place to be. Home of the "What Fits My PDA?" perfect-fit database, if you need it for your PDA, we've got it. 100% Satisfaction guaranteed and free shipping on U.S. orders over $30. For the best selection of PDA Styli on the Web (and lots more), click here.

WIFILE GIVES YOU WIRELESS ACCESS TO YOUR FILES! Amazing new software lets your wireless Palm OS device access files on corporate networks, school servers and home computers. Edit documents and spreadsheets, listen to music, view or upload photos, and more. Works with smartphones, WiFi and Bluetooth devices. Download a FREE Trial at Hands High Software.

MAKE DIABETES EASIER WITH DIABETES PILOT Track carbs, glucose, medication, exercise and more. Diabetes Pilot helps you manage your diabetes. Organize your records, look up food info, find trends, print reports for you and your doctor. Diabetes Pilot features an integrated food database with information on thousands of foods. Visit our website today! Get a free trial and more information at http://www.diabetespilot.com.

TRANSFORM OUTLOOK INTO A POWERFUL SALES SOLUTION Tired of using Outlook and ACT? Goldmine too complicated? Be more organized and close more sales; Satisfaction Guaranteed; Do everything inside of Outlook! Click here to learn more about Prophet

FIRST LOOK
A first look at the Nintendo DS and Playstation Portable
By David Gewirtz

There are only a few trade shows where I'm categorically not permitted to attend. Among them are CES (the Consumer Electronics Show), AVN's Adult Entertainment Expo, and E3 (the Electronic Entertainment Expo), which is currently going on right now. In each of these cases, I just can't be trusted not to fall in love and bring too many goodies home with me.

Fortunately, we had correspondents on the floor at E3, reporting back on the two biggest announcements relevant to Computing Unplugged readers: the new Nintendo DS and Playstation Portable devices, shown in Figure A.

FIGURE A

Here you can see the Nintendo DS and Playstation Portable. Get out yer VISA, Marge! Click picture for a larger image.

The Nintendo DS
The Nintendo DS (which stands for dual screen) is notable because it has, uh, dual screens. In addition to the second screen, the DS has touch-screen input, voice recognition and wireless communication.

Satoru Iwata, President of Nintendo unveiled the highly anticipated Nintendo DS in Hollywood, as shown in Figure B.

FIGURE B

It's always fun to watch the formal announcements. Thanks to Bob Riha, Jr. for the excellent photo. Click picture for a larger image.

Nintendo tell us why these features are important:

Two screens offer two perspectives on the action at once. The touch screen could make accessing items, moving characters or navigating menus as easy as a tap or drag on the screen. Voice recognition could let players simply tell the game what they want it to do. Chat software will let users transmit text messages, handwriting and even drawings to one another. And wireless functions could link players in the same room -- or across the country.

There's still a lot that hasn't been answered, but so far, we know the device will offer two slots and 802.11 WiFi (although Nintendo hasn't specified which 802.11 they're using and claims to be using their own specific protocol).

Read more about these two new devices. Tap your mouse here to learn more.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOW TO BUY A DIGITAL CAMERA Your First Digital Camera is a comprehensive 4-CD audio workshop (also available on MP3) that will help you understand digital cameras. If you're thinking about moving from film to digital, if you're curious what really makes a digital camera tick, if you're confused by all the terms, buzzwords, and hype, or if you're looking to buy a camera and want to become a very informed consumer, this audio workshop is perfect for you. Enter coupon code CP921477 to save $20. Order today!

COMPUTING UNPLUGGED NEWS CENTER
This week's news
Want to get the very latest mobile and wireless news? The Computing Unplugged News Center is updated every day with news of product releases, industry info, tips, techniques, and pointers to great mobile and wireless resources on the Web. Here's this week's news:

Flaws in Symantec software
Symantec has released patches to fix four high-impact vulnerabilities in several of its popular antivirus and firewall products for Windows. An attacker who successfully exploits the holes could render targeted systems inoperable or execute remote code with kernel-level privileges.

Proporta Deluxe Screen Protector
Proporta has announced the latest addition to their PDA-protection product line, the new Deluxe Screen Protector. Each individual screen protector is made from a washable, high clarity plastic to improve the feel of your screen as well as protecting it from dust, dirt and scratching.

Chips for 6-megapixel camera phones
Qualcomm unveiled a new line of chips with ultra-high-resolution camera features and said it was making inroads in advanced new markets. Six-megapixel image quality would make camera phones based on Qualcomm chips competitive with the most advanced digital cameras being sold in consumer markets worldwide.

Hangman for the Palm
NoruSoft announced the release of MEGA Hangman 1.2 for the Palm OS. It features over 26,000 words from 4 to 12 characters long. The Norusoft site has more complete information.

Intel's digital home
Intel Chief Executive Craig Barrett said the company's upcoming big ad push would revolve around the digital home, with the personal computer serving as a hub for managing everything from digital photos to music files and video recordings.

New Windows CE laptop
Data Evolution Corporation has announced plans to release the Cathena, a laptop that will run the latest Microsoft Windows CE.NET operating system. The Cathena will use a 400 MHz Intel XScale processor and include 128 MB RAM with a CompactFlash slot for additional storage.

Fuel cells face challenge
Fuel cells will power nearly 15 percent of laptops worldwide by 2012, but their wider market acceptance may hinge on ironing out several service irritants, according to an ABI Research report.

Wallon virus hits Windows Media Player
A new mass-mailing virus called Wallon, which wipes out Windows Media Player and is activated when a user tries to play MP3 or video files from an infected PC, was discovered in Europe on Tuesday.

Mac Virtual PC delayed
Microsoft has delayed until later this year the release of Virtual PC 7, the latest version of a program that allows Windows software to run on the Macintosh. The software maker said the software needs more testing than anticipated.

Three new from Astraware
Astraware is proud to announce three brand new game titles for all Palm OS and Windows Mobile for Pocket PC owners. Strange Adventures in Infinite Space will be released in late May, while Toucan Tango, and Equilibria are available now.

Free Sierra Vista software
To make it easier for potential customers to evaluate the company's products, Sierra Vista Software offers a free CD to school teachers and other school personnel responsible for selecting educational software. The free CD contains trial and free versions of the following educational programs produced by Sierra Vista Software: Quiz-Buddy for Windows, Quiz-Buddy for Palm, Quiz-Buddy - Math for Windows, Quiz-Buddy - US States.

Double layer DVD burning for Mac
Roxio announced today that its Toast 6 line of software will soon be DVD Double Layer (DL) compatible, allowing Mac users to take advantage of this exciting technology for the first time.

Apple wins iTunes patent
Apple Computer has won a patent for the interface of its iTunes music software, underscoring the growing importance of the multimedia business for the company. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued Apple a patent for its media player software interface on May 4, along with several other features of the company's high-profile products.

More Alu-Leather from Proporta
Proporta has extended their Alu-Leather line of aluminum and leather cases to include the iPAQ 22xx Flip and Book Type, iPAQ 38xx/39xx/54xx/55xx Flip and Book Type, PalmOne Zire 71 Flip Type, Sony TJ37 Flip and Book Type, Sony TH55 Flip and Book Type, and the Sony Ericsson P900 Flip Type. Proporta's full line of Alu-Leather products can be found on their site.

VideoHound update
PocketSensei announced the release of version 1.1 of the VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever for Palm Powered handhelds and smartphones, coinciding with the Cannes Film Festival running from May 12 to 23.

MAGIX Music Maker 2005 Deluxe
MAGIX, maker of the professional audio and broadcasting solutions Samplitude and Sequoia, announced MAGIX Music Maker 2005 Deluxe, the newest version of MAGIX's music creation software. MAGIX Music Maker 2005 Deluxe delivers professional results with 96 stereo music tracks, video clips, MIDI file support, text and images, effect templates, and thousands of new loops and samples.

Sony takes aim at iPod
Sony has unveiled a new digital music player, but analysts say it has a long way to go before it challenges the industry dominance of Apple Computer's popular iPod. The "VAIO pocket" will be the first portable music player with an embedded hard disk drive to be sold under the Sony brand name when it hits stores in Japan next month.

Wireless FireWire
The 1394 Trade Association has approved a specification for the development of wireless FireWire applications, which will let 1394-enabled devices, both wired and unwired, to connect with each other.

Minidrives on the horizon
Sony and Philips plan to release minidrive-based music players toward the middle of the year in the United States to capitalize on the growing interest in small electronics devices. Other manufacturers are expected to come out with video cameras containing minidrives, while at least one manufacturer is planning to release a device that can function as a portable personal video recorder (PVR) and a handheld.

Difusi Bluetooth/USB adapter
Difusi Corporation, known for its development of Apple accessories, is introducing the latest Bluetooth/USB adapter for mixed computing environments.

BugMe! Notepad updated
Electric Pocket has released an update, v5.1, to its BugMe! Notepad for Palm OS 5.x. The update includes: landscape mode support, configurable alarm repeat/nag timings, Zire 72 camera support, fixed the crash with PocketTunes in background on T/T2, plus many more features.

JAVOedge Zire 72 products
JAVOedge has announced the JAVOScreen screen protector and JAVOSync retractable sync/charge USB data cable for the Palm Zire 72. Designed for the new Palm Zire 72, the JAVOScreen protects the value of the exposed screen while the JAVOSync gives portability and convenience.

Delkin USB Bridge
Delkin Devices announced a new device that connects two USB devices together without a computer. The USB Bridge fits easily in the palm of one's hand, and enables users to copy files by attaching a digital camera directly to a variety of peripherals such as an iPod, USB Flash Drives, external hard drives, CD-R burners and memory card readers.

Sony portable PC
The Vaio VGN-U70 will be just 6.6 inches wide, 4.25 inches high, and 1.0 inch thick and will weigh 19.4 ounces. Sony is calling it the world's smallest full-function Windows PC.

Zupera Smartpad Mini PC
Zupera Technology has designed the Smartpad, a wireless mini computer running on Windows CE .NET with an Intel PXA255 400MHz processor. The Smartpad has 64MB and 128MB SDRam with additional SD/MMC expansion capabilities, 7-inch TFT LCD that can display 16 bits at 800x600 resolution, integrated 10/100 ethernet and GPRS/CDMA 1X modules with support for 802.11b wireless.

New Version of Warfare Incorporated
A new version of Handmark's Warfare Incorporated has been released, adding multiplayer functionality, a complete Mission Editor, and access to dozens of original user-contributed missions.

USB Security Key
The Kanguru Wizard is a USB security key, which allows you to create multiple encrypted virtual drives on existing systems that have the drive space.

MS paying for Sasser tip
Based on a tip to Microsoft, a German high school student has been arrested in connection with writing and distributing the Sasser worm. Microsoft says it will pay a bounty to informants in the case of the teen being convicted.

Finding the best CD-Rs
Mike Johnston of Luminous Landscape shares his research and opinion on how to find the most archive reliable CD-Rs.

iPAQs in orbit
iPAQ Pocket PCs are now being used in space by the Expedition 9 astronaut and cosmonaut crew aboard the International Space Station Soyuz 8 space craft. The devices will remain aboard the space station and be reconfigured for each new crew.

Apple Bluetooth mouse
Gadgeteer guest reviewer Kate Murray gives us her impressions of Apple's new Bluetooth wireless mouse.

Dell Axim X3i
This review of the Dell Axim X3i from Pocket PC Thoughts builds on an existing review and concentrates on the Bluetooth implementation, how it interoperates with the Wi-Fi functionality and what the impact is on battery life.

palmOne at Philadelphia airport
palmOne announced the opening of a flagship store in Philadelphia to showcase and sell the company's Zire and Tungsten handheld computers, Treo smartphones, and accessories. The palmOne retail store at Philadelphia International Airport (Terminal B) is the 11th hybrid store that palmOne has opened following a pilot program that began in October 2002.

Sasser suspect arrested in Germany
German police have arrested an 18-year-old man suspected of creating the Sasser computer worm, believed to be one of the Internet's costliest outbreaks of sabotage. Security experts said this could be the single biggest arrest yet in bringing down a virus-writing gang.

Advertise in Computing Unplugged
Each week, Computing Unplugged reaches over over 300,000 highly mobile readers. Our editorial and news content reflects a broad mix of interest areas from handheld computers to PDAs, from GPS devices to digital cameras, from robotics to WiFi, and even more. If you'd like to bring your message to the inner-circle of power communicators, feel free to contact us at address@hidden.

Unsubscribing from this mailing list
This weekly announcement is delivered to you as a free service from Computing Unplugged Magazine. To be removed from the list, simply click here. If you're reading this in plain text, here's your unsubscribe link:

http://lists.zatz.com/public/unsub?list=computingunplugged&user=bug-dr-geo&domain=gnu.org

Copyright © 2003, ZATZ:Pure Internet Publishing, a unit of Component Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

Computing Unplugged is an independent publication of ZATZ:Pure Internet Publishing, a unit of Component Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Component Enterprises, Inc. ZATZ, the ZATZ logo, and Computing Unplugged are trademarks of ZATZ Publishing, a unit of Component Enterprises. All other brands and product names are trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective holders.