October Gadget News

RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook
This 7-inch tablet, known as PlayBook, has some features that the current iPad lacks like dual cameras for video conferencing and the ability to play Adobe Flash content. It runs a proprietary new QNX OS from a recent RIM acquisition that claims to be very robust and enterprise-friendly. It will be interesting to see how many developers sign on to create new -corporate- tablet apps.

Portable TV From Vizio
There are lots of reasons for people to own a small, battery-powered TV. It would be handy to watch TV anywhere you happen to be, like in bed or on a boat, for example. Since the digital transition rendered all the old analog-based portable TVs kaput, there have been a few manufacturers like Haier who have brought out ATSC (digital tuner) TVs. Vizio (yes, the maker of those inexpensive Vizio HDTVs) just joined the group with a 7-inch WVGA battery-powered TV that lists for $159.99. 9.

Ivi.tv Offers Cable Alternative but for How Long?
It sounds too good. For $4.95 a month you can stream TV from 25 different channels with a hardwire or wireless router high-speed Internet connection from the Seattle and the New York City markets. Wouldn’t it be fun to watch Eyewitness news from WABC, Channel 7 in New York City? The problem is WABC and just about everyone else associated with the programming is not thrilled about the idea and have been trying hard to get Ivi to -cease and desist.-

Latest Panny Micro Four Thirds
With no mirror to make the camera bulky and interchangeable lenses, we remain big fans of Micro Four Thirds cameras. The latest one from Panasonic, the Lumix GH2, even supports a 3D lens. It has some impressive specs like 3-inch touchscreen display, tap-to-focus, 1080p video, 14 megapixels and 5 fps burst mode. However, it costs as much as a decent DSLR at around $900.