No strings attached: DisplayLink’s wireless USB monitors

December 12, 2007 It’s no secret that hooking up multiple monitors to a computer provides a clear productivity improvement and DisplayLink is aiming to make the setup even more efficient by incorporating Wireless USB technology into their designs. Alereon and DisplayLink have announced the availability of a reference design for a Wireless USB display adapter, which Alereon will display at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2008. The reference design will enable PC accessory Original Equipment Manufacturers to develop wireless display connectivity adapters and related products.

It’s now common for a home PC to be equipped with a wireless mouse and keyboard, but DisplayLink hopes that wireless monitors will have a larger effect on computer use. The company argues a point which most of us who have used multiple screens would agree with – having multiple, wireless monitors can streamline multitasking by allowing users to have different programs open at different resolutions and with little to no delay. Unlike fiddly, analog VGA connections, DisplayLink USB technology is simple to assemble, and delivers a consistent, high quality result. The Wireless USB design transfers information at fast ultra-wideband speeds, and supports resolutions of up to 1680 x 1050, with 16.7 million colors and smooth DVD video playback.

The reference design pairs Alereon’s Worldwide WiMedia Alliance-certified AL5000 chipset with DisplayLink’s network display technology. It is the only design available that allows manufacturers to produce a Wireless USB adapter that meets all international regulatory requirements, and all products based on it will be compatible with future Wireless USB enabled notebook computers from major PC vendors.

The Wireless USB design has appeared on the heels of DisplayLink and LG Electronics’ European presentation of the FlatronWide L206WU Windows Vista compatible USB computer monitor. The FlatronWide is a 20 inch monitor that features high-performance HD graphics display over a standard USB 2.0 link. Enabled by the DisplayLink DL-160 network display chip, the monitor also offers wide-screen 1680×1050 resolution for full-screen display of rich graphics and playback of widescreen video.

The FlatronWide has a multi-port USB hub built into the display that allows up to three LG FlatronWide monitors to be connected to a single PC, while consuming only one USB 2.0 port on the computer. Future improvements will enable up to six monitors to be connected to a single PC over USB 2.0.

Alereon’s AL5000 Worldwide Wireless USB chipset integrates all of the essential RF circuitry, including synthesizer VCO/PLL, anti-alias filters, LNAs and transmit/receive (T/R) switches, Media Access Controller (MAC) and Baseband Processor (BBP). The chipset is bundled with all the firmware and software drivers necessary to develop a worldwide Wireless USB product covering the entire WiMedia spectrum from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz.

DisplayLink technology is comprised of high-performance Hardware Rendering Engine (HRE) network display chips and Virtual Graphics Card (VGC) software that powers high-quality, fully interactive 32-bit true-color graphics with real-time video playback across a USB link. They are designed for monitor manufacturers, PC OEMs and PC accessory companies who want to develop easy to use high performance products such as USB-connected monitors, video-capable USB laptop docking stations, Skype video phones, picture frames, and other devices. The company’s adaptive compression algorithm and graphics protocol can also transmit graphics over other standard network interfaces, including wireless USB, Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

Video demonstration of the Wireless monitor technology can be seen here.

Video demonstration of six monitors connected to one computer can be seen here.

by Gizmag.com

Sony’s tiny XDV-D500 and XDV-G200 Bravia TVs

Let’s break it down TV junkie. Sony’s new ¥38,000 (about $355) XDV-D500 features a 3-inch, 432 x 240 pixel resolution display with 160-degree viewing angle, 500:1 contrast, and a battery capable of about 8-hours of TV reception. It can even record up to 10 hours of scheduled programming to 2GB of internal memory. The itty bittier XDV-G200 brings a 2-inch LCD to the show, AM/FM radio too, then ditches the EPG and recording function. This is Japan mind you, so these sets receive digital 1Seg TV — in other words you can kiss your import fantasies goodbye.

[Via Impress]
by Thomas Ricker – Engadget

Video: Ford offers 2009 F-150 with in-dash computer, printer, EVDO, GPS, and RFID tool tracking

Our dirtier, hairier sisters over at autoblog had the chance to get up close and personal with Ford’s 2009 F-150 at the Chicago Auto Show. Notable to gadget ruffians, and those of you posing as such on the suburban trek to the ice cream social, is Ford’s new “Work Solutions” option. It features a Microsoft Sync-powered in-dash computer (with wireless keyboard, Bluetooth printer, 6.5-inch touch-screen) from Magneti Marelli with built-in Sprint Mobile Broadband and Garmin GPS. It also features an RFID-equipped Tool Link system built in partnership with DEWALT and ThingMagic for a real-time inventory of your RFID tagged tools. The FWS option will be available on all 2009 F-150 XL, STX, XLT and FX4 trucks; F-Series Super Duty XL, XLT and FX4 trucks; and all 2009 E-Series vans. Couple FWS with Sony’s 700 watt, 5.1channel, 10-speaker system and Sirius Travel Link options already announced for the F-150 and we might have to take the Engadget Mansion mobile. Video after the break.

[Thanks, K Banton]

VIC Ltd rolls out NaviSurfer II in-car PC

It’s not quite as sleek as some in-car PCs, but VIC Ltd’s new NaviSurfer II looks like it’ll at least get the job done with minimal hassle, and at a relatively reasonable price to boot. Despite appearances above, however, this one is a bring-your-own-OS deal (supporting Windows or Linux), and you’ll need provide own USB or Bluetooth add-ons if you want to make good on the company’s claims that it’ll double as GPS unit. But still, for between $578 and $656, you’ll get a flip-out 7-inch touchscreen, along with a 1.0GHz or 1.3GHz processor of an unspecified sort, 256MB or 512MB of RAM, and a 40GB, 80GB, or 120GB hard drive. Not exactly enough for some Crysis tailgate parties to be sure, but likely more than enough to handle your basic computing and media playback needs.

[Via Technabob]
by Donald Melanson – Engadget

navisurfer II: a complete pc in your car’s dashboard

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen a computer designed to fit inside your car, but it’s definitely the first one I’ve seen which can fit entirely in the space of your old car stereo.

The Navisurfer II occupies a single DIN slot in your car’s dashboard, and manages to cram in an entire PC with a flip-out touchscreen 7-inch color display. The LCD monitor has a nice 800 x 480 resolution, and can be adjusted on both horizontal and vertical axes. Since it fits neatly into a standard radio slot, all you need to do is connect the computer just like you would with a car stereo, and you’re all set.

The system can run Windows XP or Linux (no OS is pre-installed, though) and can serve as a media player, GPS navigator, rear view camera, gaming console, or used to display vehicle diagnostic information, among other things. To enable these features, you’ll need to purchase additional USB or Bluetooth devices such as a GPS receiver or a video camera (only supported on the 120GB model).

It’s all packaged in a shock-resistant enclosure, and is designed to hold up to the voltage irregularities of cranking your car’s battery. The Navisurfer II is available in configurations ranging from 40GB to 120GB of hard-disk based storage, and from 256MB to 512MB RAM. Prices range from $578 to $656 USD.

from Technabob.com

Actiontec Introduces zControl Line of Home Automation Controllers

Actiontec Electronics today announced its new zControl™ series of home automation gateways, designed to centrally manage household electronics such as lights, security cameras, thermostats, motion detectors, garage door openers, motorized shades and automatic sprinklers through the home network. zControl will allow users to control all devices through a common interface at home as well as remotely by PC, mobile phone or Internet-enabled TV, making it possible to turn lights on and off or water your lawn even from hundreds of miles away.

Actiontec’s zControl was named a CES Innovations 2008 Awards Honoree as one of the most innovative products in the home networking category. The CES program has become recognized as the hallmark event for showcasing best-of-breed product design and engineering.

The first generation of the zControl product, scheduled to ship next month, will be a standalone unit that connects to the home router and can be accessed by PC or cellphone. Additional versions available later in Q1 will be integrated into Actiontec’s wireless routers and DSL gateways for sale through service providers. A companion set-top box to be released mid-year will add a media center with a TV interface, offering new conveniences such as the ability to display digital photo albums and view home security camera images on your TV screen. The TV interface will offer other innovations and be the first of its kind in the industry.

“zControl will change the way people manage their household electronics. The home network will no longer be limited to computers, printers and gaming consoles but instead encompass smart home products of all kinds,” said Brian Henrichs, Actiontec VP of Business Development. “Integrating this functionality into the home’s broadband connectivity equipment will also eliminate an extra box and supply broadband providers with a costeffective means of delivering new value-added services to subscribers.”

Control At Home or Away

zControl supports virtually any number of devices equipped with Z-Wave™ technology, the wireless home control standard developed to unify home electronics into an integrated wireless network for easy management. Z-Wave is now available as a built-in component or add-on to hundreds of household products ranging from lighting and appliances to heating/air conditioning, home security and home entertainment systems.

With zControl, consumers can define settings for light, heat and other household electronics that can be automatically triggered or manually activated by PC or mobile phone at specific times or for various scenarios. One setting might turn on the hallway light, heat and lawn sprinklers after work. Others might raise the shades in the morning, light the house to set the scene for a romantic dinner, switch lights on and off during the day while you’re on vacation, or let you turn on specific house lights from your phone when you’re sitting in the driveway late at night.

zControl also makes it possible to check on your teenagers, turn on a light in the family room and close the garage door with a few clicks even when you’re out of town; capture and store any activity recorded by your digital security cameras for a certain period of time; turn devices on and off with a remote control as well as by PC or phone; receive email, IM or smartphone alerts when security alarms are triggered or in other situations; and much more.

The interface can be accessed from any Internet-enabled PC anywhere in the world or from most mobile phones with a special service package available from Actiontec. The on-screen display automatically adjusts to fit disparate use cases. For example, a user accessing the system from a PC at work will see a dashboard of all home resources, while a user sitting in front of the TV with the zControl remote control may see a completely different view.

Press-a-Button Setup

zControl setup is automated with a unique discovery button on the front of the unit. Simply press that button and the corresponding button on the Z-Wave device, and the device is automatically added to the home network. The zControl editions that will be integrated with Actiontec routers and gateways will also offer this same buttonbased setup for WiFi and HomePlug devices, overcoming the barriers that continue to plague consumers who attempt to add products such as wireless-enabled printers to their home networks. zControl is the only product in its class with this automated discovery capability, eliminating the need to perform a two-step discovery process using a remote control or enter router IP addresses, SSIDs or other identifiers. It is also the only home automation controller that can use both PCs and Macs for scene setup and other functions.

Smart Home Management for Service Providers

The zControl-enabled Actiontec wireless gateways and routers will help generate new revenue streams for service providers by enabling them to offer home automation control as a value-added service. Carriers can create new service packages allowing them to get involved in smart home management for the first time, opening new opportunities for attracting and retaining subscribers as well as redefining their business model to help address the challenge of eroding profits.

The integration of zControl functionality into consumer premises equipment will simplify deployment of the new services, while built-in TR-069 remote management capabilities will streamline troubleshooting.

Pricing and Availability
The standalone Actiontec zControl Starter Kit will be available at www.actiontec.com next month at an MSRP of $399 including the zControl unit, one indoor camera with motion detector, one lighting control module, and a remote control. zControl-enabled wireless gateways and routers will be released in March.

About Actiontec Electronics, Inc.
Actiontec Electronics develops products and services enabling consumers to leverage broadband Internet connectivity to simplify and enrich their lives. Actiontec’s products include the market’s broadest selection of IPTV-capable broadband gateways as well as broadband modems, routers, wireless networking devices, VoIP adapters, and digital entertainment devices, sold through retail channels and broadband service providers. Founded in 1993, Actiontec is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, and maintains branch offices in Austin, TX; Colorado Springs, CO; Denver, CO; Basingstoke, United Kingdom; Shanghai, China; and Taipei, Taiwan. For more information, call 408-752-7700 or visit www.actiontec.com.

From ehomeupgrade

Sony’s Bravia B4000: the portable flatscreen

Shiny black 46in tellies look silly on a kitchen worktop, while humping one into the bedroom requires a small crane and a team of haulage experts. Sounds like you need a portable flatscreen – not one of those 14in CRT monstrosities found in caravans and kids’ bedrooms, but the Bravia B4000 series.

Now in less eye-squinting 20, 23 and 26in guises, they’re the perfect size for a second telly – or a main one, if you can touch all four walls of the living room from your couch. With a built-in handle, they’re also worthy of the name ‘portable’.

White and ‘mocha’ flavours help them blend in around the house, and there’s been no skimping on the features. HD-readiness, virtual surround sound and Sony’s visually pleasing Bravia Engine are all on board, plus Freeview to banish the need for a set-top box.

There are also two HDMI slots for your movie and console needs, and you can even give your green halo an extra buff: they draw a miniscule 0.7W in standby. If only Max and Paddy had found one before they nicked that plasma.

From Stuff.tv

Solio Magnesium Edition converts solar power to gadget juice

Like the broad, sun-catching leaves of a plant – nature’s original sun catcher – the Solio nabs that sun but, instead of creating carbs via photosynthesis, it powers your equally life-sustaining portable gadgets. While the Solio’s been around the block before, the new Solio Magnesium Edition is a little more rugged which, ideally, means it oughta stay away from the landfill a little longer than its predecessor. The unit comes with adapters and a wall charger (for those of you who live underground) and is available for £99.95. If you could care less about the fancy new shell, the original Solio has been redubbed the Solio Classic and is now available for under £50.

by Christopher Grant – Engadget

D-Link debuts DSM-210 10-inch WiFi photo frame

We love us a decent WiFi photo frame, and D-Link seems to have a keeper with this here DSM-210 10-incher. The frame can pull photos from RSS feeds, USB drives, flash cards and a special Yahoo Widget that lets you drop an image from you desktop and have it appear automagically on the DSM-210. You can also sync with calendar programs, and various online news and other info via RSS. There’s an Ethernet plug in the back if WiFi isn’t your style, and the frame also has a rechargeable battery if you’re looking to do things completely wire free. The DSM-210 will be out Q1 2008 for $250.

by Paul Miller – Engadget

Samsung announces slew of upconverting DVD players, recorders

Can’t get enough of Samsung’s new gear? Good, because there’s plenty more where that came from. Next up on the docket is a half dozen DVD players and recorders, so without further ado, let’s check out the DVD-F1080 ($99.99). This “ultra-compact” unit provides 1080p upconversion, HDMI-CEC, progressive scan playback and support for multimedia files including DivX, MP3, WMA and MPEG4. The DVD-HD1080P8 ($89.99) serves up the exact same features as the aforementioned F1080, but does so while residing in a slightly larger chassis. Moving on, we’ve got the über-slim (14.2-inches wide) DVD-P180 ($49.99), which upscales DVDs to 720p / 1080i, rocks an HDMI-CEC port and also plays nice with DivX. For the rest of the gang, we suggest you head on past the break.

Next in line is the DVD-R175 ($149.99), the first of the bunch to support 1080p DVD upscaling and feature DVD recording. Aside from boasting an EZ Record (read: one-touch) function and providing a front DV input, this unit records to practically every writable DVD out there and touts HDMI 1.3 with CEC, commercial advance / time slip and component pass-throughs. Amazingly enough, the next two units take us back to a simpler time in life, one where VHS players were ubiquitous and the next format war was simply a pipe dream. The DVD-V9800 ($99.99) does indeed rock a dual-format (DVD / VHS) design, but somehow manages to include a totally modern HDMI port as well as 1080p DVD upconversion. As for the DVD-VR375 ($179.99), it combines the recording functionality of the DVD-R175 with the vintage appeal of the DVD-V9800, resulting in a upscaling DVD / VHS player than also stores content to blank DVDs. You can catch the whole lot (or just the one you’re eying) this April.

by Darren Murph – Engadget

Philips launches SHB9000 Bluetooth headset

Philips’s claim that its new SHB9000 headset offers the best-ever music and conversation quality from a Bluetooth headset might be a bit optimistic, but it’s their PR, so we’ll let ‘em say what they want. The over-the-ear headphones offer native MP3 decoding for loss-less streaming, 40mm neodymium speakers and can automatically switch between calls and music. There’s a digital signal processor to filter out background noise and echo when on the phone, and you can connect to your phone wirelessly or via a provided cord. We’re not quite sure what the difference in SKUs is, but Philips is offering this one in the Spring for $99 and $129 “respectively.”

by Paul Miller – Engadget