ASUS Eee 900s come with stunted battery

So according to El Reg, it turns out ASUS is selling its Eee 900 laptops in the UK with 4400mAh batteries -- quite a bit smaller than the 5800mAh batteries that come in the US version. It's insult to injury when you consider that the larger screen necessarily sucks down more juice than on the 700 series, but ASUS explains that overseas users get a tradeoff in exchange: UK warranties last two years, supposedly longer than their US counterparts (although to be fair, we've heard of retailers listing the US Eee's warranty at two years as well). Caveat emptor, and all that.



comes from: engadget.com

AUDI releases cellphone

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Audi metroproject concept was the the iPhone-like device that slots inside the dash. Imaginatively titled the “Audi mobile device,” it functions as an access authorization system for the vehicle, mobile phone, navigation unit and audio and video player all in one. The menu is modeled on the Audi MMI interface used inside high-spec Audi models.

Equipped with both Wi-Fi and 3G UMTS technology, the Audi phone allows the driver to interface with the car and use the device as a MP3 player or input tool for the nav system. It can even be used to turn on the vehicle’s heating systems before you leave your house, making cold mornings a little more bearable. You won’t have to fumble for your keys in the cold either, as the phone can open and close the car for you.

The touch-sensitive screen is capable of recognizing both Latin and Japanese characters, and is even able to decipher handwriting. As if the device wasn’t already on your wish-list, it can also store images taken by your Audi’s on-board cameras, so your car can snap pics of a would-be intruder and send you a mugshot via the wireless connection. Then it will switch on the car’s tracker to keep you apprised of the car’s location. Yep, it’s a LoJack too.

With an interface obviously stolen derived from the Apple iPhone (check out the cover-flow style album art if you don’t agree with us), the Audi mobile device has just four main softkeys for accessing all the main features. Though it was released as a concept only, we can see carmakers developing such devices in the future as automotive electronics systems keep advancing. Pretty soon, it won’t be the key that lets people know what you drive, it’ll be your phone.

Sony's Walkman A810 series

Hey, didn't we just see this little guy yesterday all blurry and rumory like? Sure enough, the new Walkman A810 series was just loosed in the US and doing pretty much everything the NW-A800 was doing for Europe and beyond. It's available in white, pink, or silver getups while maxing out storage with a black-only 8GB model (NWZ-A818BLK) just like we heard. 8GB will cost you a full $230 while the 2GB and 4GB models drop off to $140 and $180, respectively. That NWZ-S615F (with FM tuner) remains aloof but we're bound to hear something shortly.

LG T54 PMP introductions

Are you in the market for a totally original and exciting PMP that's unlike anything you've ever seen before? Well, don't get too excited -- because this isn't that product. What it is, however, is a slick looking mini player that boasts a pretty decent feature set. The new LG T54 has all of the regular PMP features you've come to know and love from mainland China (or in this case, South Korea), such as a 2.4-inch, color touchscreen, MP3, OGG, WMA, WAV and AVI playback, plus a sweet 25-hour battery lifespan on a single charge (for music). Actually, LG's entry does have one feature that you don't see on every player -- though we suspect that may be changing -- namely, a DMB receiver, which will net you live TV and radio broadcasts, provided you're in a country where they exist. No word on storage capacity, release date, or price.

Guitar Hero 3 on Nintento DS

It's not set in stone, but in an interview with CNET.au, RedOctane cofounder Charles Huang suggested that the DS version of Guitar Hero III would include a guitar controller "as long as it makes sense and it plays well." Huang went on to say that RedOctane is "exploring ways to get peripherals on a DS game," and that the company is working on approach with Nintendo's assistance. Given the novel controllers we've already seen hit the DS, RedOctane's got some work to do to back up Huang's assertion that GHIII on the DS "will play probably unlike any other DS game that has come out," but we're willing to give the company the benefit of the doubt -- they seem to have a handle on that whole "gameplay" thing.

Becker with the Traffic Assist Highspeed 7934 GPS

Becker comes to the US with the Traffic Assist Highspeed 7934 GPS

After releasing the Harman / Kardon Guide + Play a few months ago to positive reviews, Harman International looks like it's diversifying its GPS offerings here in the States with the introduction of a US-spec Becker Traffic Assist Highspeed 7934 GPS. The 6.5-ounce box features a 3.5-inch touchscreen with night mode, 64MB of memory expandable via SD, 400MHz processor, built-in NAVTEQ maps of the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, and a speed limit display that can alert you when you get a little too exuberant. Other frills include a WMA / MP3 player and JPEG viewer that hopefully no one will ever use while driving, and optional bicycle mounting kit. Becker's giving this one exclusively to Office Depot, and it looks like they're already in stock for $299.

Lenovo's T61p - Roadwarrior!

Lenovo's T61p packs UWB and roll cage for the ham-fisted road warrior

Lenovo is prepped to loose their ThinkPad T61p laptop on July 17th with a little surprise: UWB. Hells yes, we're talking 'bout that high-speed, short-throw ultra-wideband data transfer perfect for untethered port replication a la the Portege R400. The 15.4-inch lappie comes slathered in the Santa Rosa chipset and Nvidia Quadro FX 570M graphics all protected by an internal roll cage meant to steady even the drunkest of execs. Prices start at $1,814.