Archive for November 19th, 2009

Zepto Computers files for bankruptcy

Zepto Computers may not have exactly made a huge name for itself during its relatively short existence, but it did stand out from the pack somewhat with some high-end, unusually understated gaming laptops (amongst other things). That apparently wasn’t enough to keep the Danish company afloat in the tumultuous computer business, however, as it has now announced that it’s filed for bankruptcy after not being able to secure some much needed financing. It’s not saying much more than that at the moment though, and it still seems to be business as usual on its website — though you might just want to hold off an any purchase you were planning.

[Thanks, Ian]

Filed under: Laptops

Zepto Computers files for bankruptcy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink NotebookReview  |  sourceCision Wire  | Email this | Comments


AOL’s Slow Death Continues: A Third of Staff Must Go [AOL]

After telling its investors that $200 million has been put aside to jettison a third of its payroll, AOL is looking for 2,500 staff to take voluntary redundancies—jump now, or be pushed later. It’s all designed to shave about $300 million off its annual 1.8 billion operating expenses. Instant messaging client, ICQ, is also up for sale, and Mapquest could be next. As always, we’re surprised that AOL still even exists. [Business Insider]




What is Google Chrome OS? (Explained by Google) [Clips]

You should read our summary of Everything You Need to Know About Chrome OS. But if you never learned to read (a prospect so full of holes in this circumstance that I won’t begin to address them), watch these clips:

Google Chrome OS UI Concept Video




FAA Computer Glitch Causing Widespread Flight Delays [Transportation]

For the second time in 15 months, an FAA computer glitch has rippled through airports across the country, causing major delays. Clearly, when one computer goes down in Salt Lake City and it drags down our entire air traffic system, something needs to be done. At any rate, if you have a flight to catch today, make sure to check its status before heading to the airport. [AP]




Shoot 3D Photos Using Two Hacked Canon Cameras [DIY]

Sure, basic stereoscopic images can be created using software to merge two slightly offset photos, but that only works for stationary subjects. For moving targets, there’s Fuji’s Finepix Real 3D W1, or this $20 hack using two Canon PowerShot cameras.

Maximum PC’s how-to uses 3D picture synchronization software called StereoData Maker, a nonvolatile firmware update based on the Canon Hack Development Kit (CHDK).

You’ll then need to build a mounting rig, and use a small enclosure (such as an Altoids tin) to make a simple USB switch remote. Free software called StereoPhoto Maker is used for post-processing. And yeah, you’ll still need a pair of red/cyan glasses. Still, it looks like fun. Full instructions at: [Maximum PC]




Army, Lockheed Martin team up for DisOPS ‘battlefield PDAs’

Remember the Land Warrior program, which only took 15 years and half a billion dollars outfit our troops with high-tech battlefield uniforms? With DisOPS (”distributed operations”) Lockheed Martin is taking a different tack. Deployed to Special Forces in Afghanistan, the system is comprised of the Connect software which runs on ruggedized laptop computers, allowing squad leaders to plan missions on a map, and View PDAs that receive info over tactical radio, cellphone, or even WiFi networks. The PDAs provide “friendly force tracking of other team and squad leaders, land navigation tools, photo capture and transmission, and the ability to annotate and share maps in real time with other leaders.” In addition to all that, the handhelds include a sniper detection system for locating the origin of enemy fire and distributing it to other units in the area. Reportedly the system is working quite well — which means that, barring any further obstacles, DisOPS might see widespread use before 2030.

Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops

Army, Lockheed Martin team up for DisOPS ‘battlefield PDAs’ originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Wired  |  sourceTechBriefs  | Email this | Comments


A Guide To Choosing The HDTV That’s Right For You [HDTV]

If your holiday plans involve buying a new HDTV, HD Guru has put together a quick and dirty guide to help you avoid some of the pitfalls many consumers fall into.

You will learn important lessons like: sizing your TV to optimize resolution, whether to choose LCD vs plasma vs LED and why you don’t need to spend money on a 240 Hz TV. So, make sure to check out the following link before you shop. [HDGuru]




Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

If our gift guides didn’t give you enough ideas for the upcoming holiday season, check out today’s Deals. You can get 10% off a Zune HD stocking stuffer or even bigger savings on a TV that everyone can enjoy.



Top Deals:
15.6″ Dell Vostro A860 Laptop for $399 with free shipping (normally $549.99 - use coupon code 4ZBXHXW$W33R05 ).
Star Trek The Next Generation: Complete Series DVD for $245.00 plus free shipping (normally $351).
Fayju Ball (iPhone) for $0 (normally $.99).

Computing and Peripherals:
Lenovo IdeaCentre Q700 Desktop PC for $349.00 plus free shipping (normally $499 - use coupon code: USP30151A).
18.5″ HP MS214 All-in-One Desktop PC for $550.99 with free shipping (normally $599.99 - use coupon code SVMY65443).
15.6″ Dell Vostro A860 Laptop for $399 with free shipping (normally $549.99 - use coupon code 4ZBXHXW$W33R05 ).
15.4″ Lenovo ThinkPad SL500 Laptop for $426.55 with free shipping (normally $685 - use coupon code: USPLAPTOPS)
14.1″ Lenovo T400 Laptop for $670.65 plus free shipping (normally $1,255 - use coupon code USPTSAVINGS).
13.3″ Lenovo Ideapad U350 CULV LED Laptop for $449 plus free shipping (normally $749 - use coupon code USPU3527U).
Four 24″ Samsung 2494SW 1080p LCD Monitors for $702 plus free shipping (normally $1,040 - use coupon code H?1TXKHKCWNN3J).
24″ Dell S2409w Widescreen LCD for $189.00 plus free shipping (normally $279).
2TB Hitachi Deskstar 7200RPM HD for $139.99 plus free shipping (normally $170 - use this form).
2TB Cavalry CAUM3702T0B External HD for $159.99 plus free shipping (normally $225 - use this form).
1TB Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 3.5″ HD with Dock for $84.99 plus free shipping (normally $124).
Western Digital WD TV Mini Media Player plus Passport Elite 320GB Portable Hard Drive for $99.98 plus free shipping (normally $129).
Western Digital WD TV Mini Media Player plus My Book 640GB External Hard Drive for $99.98 plus free shipping (normally $129).
Thecus N0204 miniNAS Pocket RAID Enclosure for $130 plus free shipping (normally $162).

Gaming:
Band Hero Bundle (360, Wii, PS3) for $168.99 with free shipping (normally $199.99).
Where the Wild Things Are: The Videogame (DS) for $19.99 (normally $27.20).
PSP 3000 Rock Band Pack with Free School of Rock Download for $169.99 plus free shipping (normally $199.99).
Half-Minute Hero (PSP) for $18.98 (normally $27.99).
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (360) for $21.99 plus free shipping (normally $32.92).
Sega Dreamcast Console for $79.49 plus free shipping (normally $88.99).
LEGO Batman (PS3) for $14.49 (normally $18.99).
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Collector’s Edition (PS3) for $59.99 plus free shipping (normally $69.99).
Battlefield: Bad Company (PS3) for $14.49 (normally $18.99).
Razer DeathAdder Mac 3G Gaming Mouse for $40.69 plus free shipping (normally $49.99).

Home Entertainment:
52″ Toshiba 52XV645U Regza LCD HDTV with Toshiba BDX2000 Blu-ray Player for $1,299.98 plus free shipping (normally $1389).
46″ Toshiba REGZA 46SV670U 1080p LED-LCD HDTV $1,349 plus free shipping (normally $1,549).
42″ Panasonic VIERA TC-P42G15 1080p 600Hz Plasma TV, Plus Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray Player $921.17 with Free Shipping, after coupon at Sixth Ave Electronics (normally $1055 - use coupon code BONUSBUY).
37″ Sceptre X370BV-HD LCD HDTV for $379.99 with $19.99 shipping (normally $699.99).
Samsung BD-P4600 Slot-loading Blu-ray Player for $264 with free shipping (normally $499.99).
Sling Media SB300-100 Slingbox PRO-HD + SlingLink Turbo 4 Port for $299.99 plus free shipping (normally $422 - use coupon code EMCMMMV37).
Onkyo TX-SR607 7.2-Channel Home Theater Receiver for $379.99 plus free shipping (normally $419).
Polk Audio Monitor 70 3-Way Speaker for $169.99 plus free shipping (normally $200 - use coupon code EMCMMMV33).
TiVo Series 3 HD XL 150-Hour High Def Dual Tuner Digital Video Recorder (DVR) for $419.97 plus free shipping (normally $599).
Star Trek The Next Generation: Complete Series DVD for $245.00 plus free shipping (normally $351).
Transformers and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Blu-ray for $41.99 plus free shipping (normally $56).

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
3-Pack SanDisk Extreme III 8GB CompactFlash Cards for $69.95 plus free shipping (normally $149 - use this form).
Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Studio High-Definition Headphones for $249.99 plus free shipping (normally $300).
8″ Aluratek Digital Photo Frame with 512MB Memory for $55 plus free shipping (normally $67).
Nokia N97 Unlocked 3G Touchscreen Mobile Phone for $449.99 with free shipping (normally $699.99 - use coupon code H?1TXKHKCWNN3J and use this form).
Microsoft Zune HD 16GB MP3 Video Player for $197.99 with free shipping (normally $219.99 - use coupon code MSSTORE10%OFF).
Viewsonic HD MovieBook VPD400 Portable Video Player for $119.99 plus free shipping (normally $130).
Apple iPod Nano 8GB MP3 Player (4th Generation) for $109.97 (normally $149).

Hobomodo:
Fayju Ball (iPhone) for $0 (normally $.99).
Buddha-Lounge 6 Track Sampler (MP3) for $0 (download here).
Cinnastix from Dominos Pizza for $0 (use code CINNASTIX).
Redbox Rental Code through 11/19 from Meijer for $0 (use coupon code:code 7CMEJR9 and this form).
Movie for Registered DivX Product Owners for $0 (use this form).
Historical Figures Bookmarks from Federal Reserve for $0 (order here).
Hyundai Genesis Coupe Car Pack for Forza Motorsport 3 game for $0.

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it’s a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]




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