Hawt Gadgets

According to this Intel press release, Intel and DirecTV are working on the first Viiv Technology-Verified Digital Media Adapter (DMA) in a set-top box. Using the integrated DMA, the DirecTV digital set-top box will connect to Viiv-enabled computers providing access to digital media, such as photos and music, stored on the Intel-based computers.

The recently release DirecTV Plus HD DVR is currently in the final testing and verification stages needed for Intel Viiv compliancy.

Source: DVR Playground

There's still time to enter our contest to win a Pioneer AVIC-D2 GPS (valued at $1,500) for installation in your car.

Other prizes:
2nd place - Xtaxix Freefone
3rd place - two iSoundCaps

All you have to do to qualify to win one of these prizes is to sign up for our free email newsletter, and tell us an amusing anecdote about getting lost while driving.

Read the contest requirements then email your story, with the subject line "getting lost contest."

LocoRoco is said to be one of the best titles out there for Sony’s PSP. Unfortunately, all I know about the game so far derives from various online reviews, videos and screenshots. All I can say is that Loco Roco definitely falls into the category of cutest-looking-games-ever. I have been meaning to get myself a copy of the game for a while now, but …I got sidetracked by that one pair of boots… yet again.

Sony might have come to my rescue by organizing this Loco Roco online sweepstake; enter and you could be one of five lucky winners to get an adorable Loco Roco prize pack which contains two limited edition Loco Roco inflatables (small and large), a very special one-of-a-kind LocoRoco T-shirt, a beanie, and -- most importantly -- a copy of the game.

Unfortunately for me, the promotion is for US residents only. You can try and get your Loco Roco prize by entering the sweepstake until October 17th directly on the playstation.com site.

Good Luck!

Via PSP vault.

Creative has announced a the new affordable MP3 player MuVo V100. The lightweight player measures 74.5 x 36.5 x 15m and weigh in at 33 grams. It features a built-in microphone, 2GB of memory and a playback time of 18 hours. The player is available now in Singapore for $149.

Creative MuVo V100[creative.com]

Creative has announced a 8GB version of their popular Zen V Plus player. As you might already now the Zen V Plus player features a 1.5″ OLED screen and can playback videos, photos and music. It also features a built-in FM radion. The bigger 8GB version will be out in October with a suggested retail price of $429.

Creative introduces the small and beautiful…[creative.com]
via [Engadget]

Overall Rating
Design
Features
Performance

Navman ICN 320 Navigation System Introduction
Designed to be so simple that it’s ready to use straight out of the box. The iCN 320 delivers hassle-free top-quality GPS navigation.

Navman ICN 320 Navigation System Design
Enjoy the SmartST 2005’s highly detailed maps and Points-of-Interest convenience including gas, parking, airports, and more. The iCN 320 features a pre-powered rechargeable battery and a high resolution 2.8 inch TFT screen displaying 262,144 colors.

Navman ICN 320 Navigation System Features
A high-quality speaker delivers clear turn-by-turn voice instructions for reliable route guidance; large next-maneuver arrows alert the driver to the approach and direction of upcoming turns; a real-time progress bar and distance-to-turn information ensure users take action at the appropriate time; detailed junction maps help drivers make visible associations with their actual surroundings; and user-selectable data such as ETA, speed, current time, time-to-go and total distance can be accessed with the touch of a button.

Navman ICN 320 Navigation System Performance
With the iCN 320 you not only receive advanced distance warning to your next turn, you also have the reassuring Back-On-Track function returning you to your original course if you make a wrong turn. It also provides important data on its high definition, anti-glare color screen, as well as clear voice directions allowing you to focus on your driving.

What’s included in the package
Navman iCN 320, Smart-ST 2005 Navigation Software, US Maps on one pre-loaded SD card, In-car power charger cable, and car mount.

Conclusion
Navman iCN 320 provides top quality, easy-to-use GPS navigation capabilities to your vehicle without paying a premium price.

Cnet has confirmed that Cingular won’t carry the Blackberry Pearl 8100 until Q1 2007. Recent rumors had its release slated for Q4 2006, but we knew that was too good to be true. Expect the Cingular Pearl to sport a Push To Talk Feature and if we’re lucky high speed compatbility (the Pearl is Edge compatible but that don’t work with Cingular’s new Broadband service which rolled out earlier this year), although according to Cnet it should remain pretty similar to the Tmob version.

Cingular to get Blackberry Pearl [Cnet]

Motorola plans to begin distributing its products (phones and accessories) via vending machines. The machines, or “robotic retail stores” will carry up to 25 Motorola cell phone products and will land in 20 high traffic retail locations. The machines, operated by Zoom Systems, are already making appearance in SF’s Airport and a Macy’s in downtown Chicago. Expect to start seeing more machines in November 2006.

Motorola selling phones in vending machines [EETimes]

Overall Rating
Design
Features
Performance

Garmin Streetpilot i3 Introduction
This unit is a great GPS deal. The size of the i3 is smaller compared to other units on the market and you can still see and hear everything perfectly.

Garmin Streetpilot i3 Design
It is small, portable, yet it still has many of the same powerful capabilities as other premium automotive GPS navigators.
*Unit dimensions: 3.00” W x 2.74” H x 2.15” D
*StreetPilot i3 display: 1.7” W x 1.3” H, 220 x 176 pixels
*Weighs only 5.3 oz. (without batteries; includes vehicle suction cup mount)

Garmin Streetpilot i3 Features
The i3 features a 32k-color, sunlight readable TFT display with backlight. Motorists can choose from either a three-dimensional mapping perspective, or a 2D overhead view. For added convenience, drivers can power the unit with either two AA batteries (six hours, typical use) or the included 12-volt adapter cable. An interesting design benefit is that the unit moves easily from vehicle to vehicle thanks to the integrated suction cup mount.

Garmin Streetpilot i3 Performance
The Garmin StreetPilot i3 is a compact, affordable GPS that makes any trip easier. The built-in speaker let you follow along with mapping directions, while having instructions read to you, so you never have to take your eyes off the road. Should you miss a turn, the i3 will automatically recalculate the route to put you back on course.

What’s included in the package
StreetPilot i3, America’s Lite Routable base map, City Select North America DVD, PC/USB cable, 12-volt adapter cable, vehicle suction-cup mount, dashboard adhesive disk, 128 MB Transflash data card, setup guide, user’s manual.

Conclusion
The Streetpilot i3 features a vivid color screen, awesome features, easy to use, is really lightweight, and a low price.

According to Engadget, Japan will be the first to receive the HD DVD player add on for the Xbox 360. The HD DVD drive should emerge over seas sometime in November (17th or 22nd) of this year and sport a $170 price tag (this is Japan pricing but US pricing should be comparable). Stil no word on when we’ll see the add-on in the US, but we expect it some time shortly after its release in Japan. In more Xbox 360 news, Microsoft will provide a software update that will allow for 1080p resolution although we were under the assumption that the TV market didn’t currently have any sets that could actually display this resolution (I have a SXRD Sony TV that lists 1080p in it specs but according to numerous reviews it lacks this feature).

Although the announcement of the Helio brick and mortar stores were announced some time ago, I didn’t realize they were actually coming to fruition.  The other day I was in Santa Monica on 3rd Street and spotted the above.

Overall Rating
Design
Features
Performance

Mitac Mio 269 Introduction
The Mio 269 is the ideal navigation device for those traveling. The Mio 269 incorporates most of the usual GPS navigation features, including automatic route recalculation, a POI database, and a trip planner.

Mitac Mio 269 Design
The black and silver Mio 269 makes an attractive addition to your dashboard. Its 3.5-inch, 320×240-pixel touch screen displays 65,000 colors. The Home, Navigation, and Zoom buttons are to the right of the screen and the Mute and Back buttons and the four-way control pad are on the left.
Dimensions: 5.43 X 1.02 X 3.07 in.
Weight: 0.51 lb.

Mitac Mio 269 Features
The Mio 269 features a 2.5GB hard drive that already has maps pre-installed. This is a pure GPS device that offers voice command point-to-point navigation and points of interest location finder. There’s also 500MB of space available to the user for MP3 files, so you can use this device to play tunes.

Mitac Mio 269 Performance
The Mio 269 has been designed to make things as easy as possible from the word go. No installation is required - all software and maps are already on the hard drive, so you’re all set to go from the moment you take the Mio269 out of the box. The MioMap CE navigation software , featuring user-friendly interface, with both touchscreen and hardware buttons, has been created with simplicity in mind.

What’s included in the package
Car Charger, AC Adaptor, USB Cable, Ear Phones, Remote Control, Car Mount, Bicycle Mount, Integral Device Holder, and Carrying Case.

Conclusion
Mio pulls its weight with voice-prompted driving directions and onscreen tools. It features various kinds of information on screed, such as GPS status, route details, and distance to destination.