ViewSonic tries real hard with $499 PJ513DB projector

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

We applaud the effort, we really do, but even $499 for a projector touting a lowly 800 x 600 native resolution, 2,000:1 contrast ratio and 2,200 lumens is a tad steep in our eyes. Then again, you'll likely find ViewSonic's 5-pound PJ513DB marginally cheaper on the street, and of course, it's quite obvious the outfit was aiming this one at those deep-pocketed boardroom bigwigs and district superintendents. Nevertheless, this DLP PJ promises to toss up a visible image even in well-lit rooms, and you'll find composite / S-Video / component inputs 'round back to go along with the VGA in / out ports and the audio input. Knock off another Benjamin or up that resolution a hair, and maybe then we'll talk.

[Via Electronista]

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Windows XP Service Pack 3 Ships to Manufacturers April 21st, Hits Windows Update April 29th [Windows XP]

Windows XP SP3 will start shipping to manufacturers and IT workers next Monday, 4/21. The Following Tuesday, 4/29, it will be made available for download over Windows Update. This is the final version of SP3, following the RC1 and RC2 builds offered earlier in the year, which promises to boost performance by 10% and network access protection. [ComputerWorld]

RAmos goes sleek with V8 portable media player

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Particularly of late, RAmos has really been exceeding expectations, and it seems to have raised its own bar once again with the easy-on-the-eyes V8. Sporting a svelte, black enclosure and a 4.3-inch display, this portable media player handles MP4, AVI, DivX, RMVB, MP3, WMA and FLAC file formats, boasts a TV output and even includes a text viewer. You'll also notice that it automatically detects rotation and orients the on-screen imagery in response. Per usual, price remains a mystery here, but at least this one is apt to be worth more than whatever change is currently residing in your pocket.

[Via Engadget Spanish]

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Xbox-Selling Mom Gets Rewarded with Free Vacuum for Solid Parenting [Justice]

Remember the badass mom who put her son's Xbox 360 up on eBay after he broke the vacuum to get out of playing chores and was busted surfing for porn on the web? Well, it looks like being a tough parent pays: Dyson is sending her a $500 DC25 vacuum cleaner free of charge. So remember this lesson, kids: if you're going to be a little brat, make sure your mom is creative and you get punished in a way that garners publicity. That way, she'll profit and you can claim that was your plan from the beginning. The system works!

Fring VoIP iPhone App

Fring has developed a piece of software to use VoIP, using the native app, it’s now possible to place and receive calls via your WiFi connection (Only jailbroken iPhones). Besides doing Skype, the iPhone app also lets you connect for chats via MSN Messenger, ICQ, GTalk, SIP, Twitter, AIM, and Yahoo!, which should make this [...]

Coway Megasonic Cleaning Device: If It's Too Loud, You're Too Dirty [Future Tech]

Coway's new cleaning device uses megasonic soundwaves to clean everything from meat, to produce, to dirty dishes — all with the frequency of a soundwave. The secret behind this gadget is inductive micro cavitation, which shakes dirty particles loose from the surface of the object.

The sanitizer also provides running water to prevent secondary contamination and all comes together in a box that resembles a retro future record player. This thing reminds me of those showers in sci-fi movies and shows where you step into a chamber, get sprayed with smoke for 5 seconds, and a soothing voice informs you that you are now sanitized. Except the megasonic cleaning device might actually appear sooner than later. [Appliancist]

Walk - Dont Walk New York Chair

The Walk - Dont Walk chair is built from authentic New York City signs. A remote control is included to turn them on and off. The legs are made from reconfigured, customized steel street sign brackets, with galvanized, heavy duty self-leveling feet.

Post from: gadgettastic.com
Walk - Dont Walk New York Chair

Mac Clone Maker Psystar Says Apple's EULA Violates Monopoly Laws, Wants to Challenge it in Court [Psystar]

Psystar, who's just announced that they're going to sell a $399.99 Mac clone called Open Mac, doesn't care that Apple's EULA prohibits using OS X on any machine not made by Apple. In fact, they say that Apple's terms "violate U.S. monopoly laws", posing the example of Microsoft theoretically saying you could only install Windows on Dell machines.

They also told Information Week that they weren't breaking any laws, and that they were going to continue to sell this system no matter what Apple says. Another example the employee gave was this: "What if Honda said that, after you buy their car, you could only drive it on the roads they said you could?" Even if Psystar's machines aren't anything spectacular, if they can set a legal precedent for third-party manufacturers selling OS X-bundled machines, that would be a win for everybody. [InformationWeek - Thanks Achal!]