Averatec’s 10.2-inch netbook just wants to be your Buddy

Filed under: Laptops

We knew it was coming, and now Averatec’s officially unveiled the Buddy, another 10.2-inch, Atom N270-based netbook. It’s not straying far from that template laid down by the Eee 1000 and Wind, but the more recent photos we’ve dug up seem to show that it’s not a straight up Wind rebadge as previously implied — which could be a good or bad thing, depending on Averatec’s attention to detail and / or OEM partner. The laptop manages 1GB of RAM, a 160GB HDD, Windows XP Home and WiFi for a reasonable $450, and should be hitting retail shelves and online stores soon.

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SDHC Driver for the Palm OS Released [Palm]

Palm gets lost in the midst of all the iPhone and Android hype, but if you still love your good old Palm OS, Dmitry Grinberg has finally released an SDHC driver that allows for card support. The program is available for devices like the Tungsten T|C, Tungsten E|2, Tungsten T|5, LifeDrive, Palm TX, Zire 31 and Zire 72, with other machines like the T|T3 and the Zodiac on their way. At $21, its really not a bad deal for all that extra storage. [TamsPalm]

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Filed under: Robots

The Rovio — one of WowWee’s finest if we should say so ourselves — is finally ready to roam around domiciles and keep baddies at bay. First announced (and spotted) at CES 2008, this long-awaited robotic sentry is up for pre-order right now, and it comes packing a 640 x 480 webcam to stream back live video in MPEG4 format. Furthermore, it can snap stills, head out on a customized patrol route and avoid obstacles with its infrared sensor. Get ready — this sheriff’s rolling into your town next Friday for $299.95.

[Via Random-Good-Stuff, thanks Juergen]

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Via [Engadget]

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Skybar Mechanical Wine Dispenser is a Shade Classier Than a Box of Franzia [Wine]

For serious connoisseurs, the preservation of wine is far more important that the stigma surrounding bottle caps or, in this case, dispensing your wine like a condiment at a restaurant. The Skybar features a precise temperature control and vacuum system to keep your wine tasting its best for up to 10 days. The pouring spout also delivers wine directly into your glass without disturbing any sediment—which means there is no need for a decanter. I’ve actually seen similar systems set up in wine bars and they seem to be quite effective. However, the $1000 price tag may be a bit of a sticking point. [Frontgate via Born Rich via Boing Boing Gadgets]

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Full, Reliable Instructions to Load OSX on Eee PC [Eee]

We’ve seen demos where clever ubertechie folk run OSX on the Eee PC, but in case you wanted to do it yourself, Wired has published a complete wiki detailing the installation process. It’s still not a one and done installation—plan to get your hands a little digitally dirty—but at least you won’t be digging through message boards full of guesses and contradictions to get the job done. Wired’s instructions are clear and easy to follow, and they mention the caveats like that the sound doesn’t work (bye bye, iPod fatto). Ignore such crippling limitations; you have a Mac mini-note to create. [Wiki via Lifehacker]

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Panasonic’s Tiny Lumix DMC-G1 DSLR-Killer Does Shoot HD Video [Digital Cameras]

On Friday, we introduced you to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, a tiny interchangeable-lens camera that’s not a DSLR, but rather built on the new Micro Four Thirds standard. Now it looks like the G1 will shoot HD video, even though last week’s US press releases were mum on the subject.

Like many of you who commented on the post, we too were puzzled by the lack of video shooting in the feature list: As a camera that uses a DSLR sensor but isn’t encumbered by the SLR mechanism, it only makes sense that it would shoot video. Today, TechOn says that, in the Japanese unveiling of the same G1 camera, Panasonic mentions AVCHD and non-specific HD video recording capability.

This is good news, because the whole point of the new body style should be added capability. Besides, the time for HD video on high-end cameras is nigh. [TechOn]

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Hands-On: Canon EOS 5D Mark II [5D Mark II Hands On]

We got our hands on Canon’s brand-new full-HD shooting 5D Mk II monster tonight, and well, yeah, we want it just as much as we did last night—even though Canon wouldn’t let us pop our own CF cards in for some test shots and vids. We’re not mad though—we ran through live view, video mode autofocus and everything else you can do with an SLR with no CF (ie: grope, grope, grope). Let’s look.

As you know, AF during live view and HD video recording is tricky business. But the 5D adds three distinct modes for AF during live view—color contrast and facial recognition, an “quick” mode which quickly drops the mirror. You won’t be able to track a fast moving object, but all are serviceable. Here you see the 5D correctly IDing Canon tech guru Chuck’s mug. Live view definitely takes a few seconds to pop to live, but it’s worth the wait for what you get in the end. As you’ll soon see here on Giz.

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Microsoft’s “I’m a PC” ad gently alights upon the airwaves

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Microsoft started airing its new “I’m a PC” advertisements on TV this evening, giving Mr. Seinfeld a bit of a rest while it faces Apple’s campaign head-on. It’s very touching “we are the world” kind of stuff: smug-free, heart-string-tugging and so forth, but basically it boils down to 100 points for zero Justin Long, minus 100 points for zero John Hodgman. The ad is embedded after the break.

Update: YouTube version added for the Silverlight-averse. Also, is it just us, or does Microsoft’s Hodgman-clone kind of look like Paul Dano? Just something to think about.

Continue reading Microsoft’s “I’m a PC” ad gently alights upon the airwaves

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Buffalo Portable HD Uses MacBook Air HD to Slip Inside Your Pants [Portable Hard Drives]

Like the Buffalo hard drive I bought in Japan to replace one that died, Buffalo’s generically named Portable HD is actually Samsung inside, but in this case, the same kind used in the MacBook Air, so it’s incredibly slim and totally pocketable, about the size of a biz card holder. The convenience makes for a low bytes to dollars ratio, though, at $120 for 30GB and $170 for 60GB. Still, I love the design.

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