All 4 Toys

Calling this Rachael UI an Android “skin” is like calling Windows 95 a “DOS skin,” but that’s not to say there’s nothing to love about it. In fact, we’re rather relieved that Sony Ericsson seems to be addressing Android’s incredibly lackluster media playback interface, the SE “mediascape” version of which dominates this particular video — a sequel to the first Rachael UI tease we got back in July. You know what else is great? The video title name drops the same lucious screen resolution as the DROID, 480 x 854, which spells all sorts of good things for SE’s first Android entry. Video is after the break, and if that doesn’t do the trick for you, the Rachael hardware is being teased over on this end of the internet.

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For the most part, we’d say that Sony addressed the concerns of many when it introduced the PlayStation 3 Slim. The console was smaller, cheaper and easier on the eyes, and of course the 120GB hard drive didn’t hurt matters either. That said, we know that the redesign didn’t please everyone, and we’ve heard more than a few PS3 diehards complain about the new design. If it were you designing a newer, less expensive PlayStation 3, what would you have done differently? Kept PS2 backwards compatibility? Colored it white? Added HD DVD support? Don’t be scared to get a little crazy — besides, they call that “innovation” in the corporate world. Read more »

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times, stop trying to make robots into “friendly companions!” MIT must have some hubris stuck in its ears, as its labs are back at it with what looks like Clippy gone 3D, with an extra dash of Knight Rider-inspired personality. What we’re talking about here is a dashboard-mounted AI system that collects environmental data, such as local events, traffic and gas stations, and combines it with a careful analysis of your driving habits and style to make helpful suggestions and note points of interest. By careful analysis we mean it snoops on your every move, and by helpful suggestions we mean it probably nags you to death (its own death). Then again, the thing’s been designed to communicate with those big Audi eyes, making even our hardened hearts warm just a little. Video after the break.
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First comes the Apple TV 3.0 update, and next comes the iTunes update to make the two play nice. It’s a beautiful thing, we tell ya. As of right now, iTunes 9.0.2 is available via Software Update, and with that comes compatibility with Apple TV 3.0, an “improved look and feel,” and an easier-to-explore iTunes Store. Hop on past the break for the full changelog, and feel free to get your download on now if you’re still not scared of blindly installing software from Cupertino. Read more »

Given the timing of Storm 2’s launch and the Motorola DROID’s unveiling, you’d think Verizon had all but abandoned its touchscreen BlackBerry. But lo and behold, we do have a new television spot. “Who says lightning never strikes twice” — who said it ever struck the first time? Video after the break.

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The EKING S515 which also known as the re-branded of the DigiCube Z8 MID phone is currently up for pre-order at Amazon China. Retail for 4569 yuan or about US$669, the EKING S515 packs an Intel’s Atom 1.2GHz processor, bundled with a 16GB SSD, 1GB RAM and a 5-inch WVGA touchscreen display. According to the product page, the S515 should begin shipping on October 28.

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Mmm, flash. Fusion-io’s product line has largely targeted enterprise users, but with the introduction of the ioXtreme PCI Express SSD back at E3, it was clear that the next-gen storage outfit was serious about breaking into the consumer market. Today, the 80GB ioXtreme and ioXtreme Pro (which was previously unheard of) have both broke cover over at Hot Hardware, with the former being useful for single-drive installs and the latter good for multi-drive setups. We should note that Fusion-io is obviously behind schedule on these, and there still doesn’t look to be a definite price and release for the laypeople out there. That said, if the company’s shipping out products that punch out an average write rate of 300MBps and read rate of 775MBps (yes, seriously), we’d say it’s darn near ready for the real world. Read more »

The Nintendo DSi in its current form is just about to round its first Japanese birthday on November 1st, and if Nikkei has anything to say about it, the two-screener’s all set for an oncoming growth spurt. According to a report from the publication, who has a good track record on Nintendo reports thus far, a new DSi with 4-inch screens (versus 3.25 currently) is coming to the land of the rising sun sometime before this year’s out. No other spec differences, the report claims this was in response to older gamers having trouble seeing the action. It’ll replace the current model and retail for the same price, ¥18,900 (US $205.50). If history tells us anything, we’ll be waiting a lot longer for this new model to make it overseas.

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Vivitar have came up with its latest DVR 150 Flip camcorder which will be able to operate underwater for up to 5 meters deep, alongside an Infrared Night Vision for Any Low Light Situation. Priced at $49.99, the camcorder also features a 1.8? LCD display, a webcam mode, 8X digital zoom, TV out, 2GB of internal memory, an SD memory card slot and a direct USB connector. The Vivitar DVR 150 is available in violet, pink, blue and black colors.

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