Remember the sidetalkin‘ N-Gage? Yeah… well, this isn’t it. This is Nokia’s new N-81 gaming device built upon their revamped N-Gage gaming platform. The S60 device packs HSDPA (sorry, no US band support) for on-line gaming, integrated speakers (and 3.5-mm headphone jack), and D-pad navigation for getting your game on. Still, it’s not just for gaming as it fully supports all the audio and video you’d expect in a new “pane-driven,” UI which carousels your windows instead of lining them up in tabs — a UI which will evolve in the coming months in line with Ovi. On sale Q4 in Europe in an 8GB flash model (€431/$585) or €360/$490 pre-bunged with a 2GB microSD card. You did see our hands-on, right?

Gallery: Nokia’s N81 slider is a real N-Gager

    
from engadget

We’ve seen a couple interesting gaming mice come out of Leipzig this year, and the SteelSeries Ikari Professional Gaming mouse is right up there with Microsoft’s new Sidewinders and Razer’s Lachesis. The outer shell is built to accommodate the “three major gaming grips” of “Swipe, Claw, and Palm,” and gamers can select their choice of models: a high-res optical version for FPS gamers, or a laser system for RPS and MMO addicts. Both feature switchable DPI settings and five programmable buttons, with a proprietary 500MHz transmitter to reduce any lag or interference. No word on price, but SteelSeries says these’ll be out in Q4, so you gamers had better start saving your pennies.

[Via IGN]
more info
from engadget

Olympus is in a tizzy this morning with four new shooters from their FE-series of compact digital cameras. The 12 megapixel (1/1.72-inch CCD) FE-300 is the big pixel-huntin’ dog of the bunch packing a TruePic III image processor, 17 scene modes, xD expansion, and 2.5-inch LCD in a 22.1-mm thick package. Next up is the 7.1 megapixel (1/2.5-inch CCD) FE-290 which lacks the face detection of the FE-300 but squeezes in a 3-inch LCD and 4x wide angle optical zoom lens. The FE-280 then, crams 8 megapixels into a 1/2.35-inch CCD and super slim 19.1-mm body. Ammusingly, it features a “Smile Shot” mode which automatically tracks faces and then throws the shutter when your subject smiles, or grimaces presumably, when snuggled up with aunt vinegar. Bringing up the tail-end is the ho hum 7.1 megapixel FE-270. Look for ‘em all to ship starting September.

Gallery: Olympus’ FE-Series of shooters detect smiles, not snark

[Via Impress]

Read — FE-300
Read — FE-290
Read — FE-280
Read — FE-270

From engadget

Alright, Nikon’s two new flagship DSLRs are officially announced. (Better images coming right up.) Here’s what you need to know:

D3

• 12.1 megapixel, full-frame friggin sensor! (23.9 x 36mm) Finally. ISO up to 6400
• 3-inch VGA live view LCD
• Two (count ‘em, two!) CompactFlash card slots for overflow, backup, or copying
• New EXPEED image processor
• 9fps in full frame, 11fps in DX crop; 51 point autofocus (with “3D focus tracking”)
• HDMI out with optional cable
• $5000, November release

D300

• 12.3 megapixel DX (1.5 crop) sensor
• 3-inch VGA live view LCD
• New EXPEED image processor
• 51 point autofocus
• $1800, November release

Lenses

• AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
• AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
• AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR
• AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR
• AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR

Gallery: Nikon D3 press shots

Gallery: Nikon D300 press shots

Read – D3 press release
Read – D300 release
Read – Pro zoom Nikkor lens release
Read – Super telephoto lens release

From engadget

If ruggedness is your primary consideration when buying a camera then by all means, look no further than Olympus’ latest lineup of Stylus (AKA, Mju outside the US) shooters. The $300 Stylus 790SW is the most like, totally extreme of the bunch dude, offering waterproofing up to 3-meters and shockproofiness from a height of 5 feet. Oh, and it also just happens to include a 7.1 megapixel sensor, 3x non-protruding zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD, a 30fps VGA video mode, and ISO sensitivity up to 1600. Olympus also rolled out a trio of less rugged, “weatherproof” cameras: the 12 megapixel Stylus 1200 ($350); the 8 megapixel, image-stabilized Stylus 830 ($350), and 8 megapixel Stylus 820 ($300) with 5x zoom. All loose on the mean retail streets starting in September and October.

Gallery: Olympus’ rugged Stylus series bumped to 12 megapixels

Read — 790 SW
Read — 1200, 830, 820
from engadget

As if cramming its third-generation optical sensor in the Diamondback wasn’t good enough, Razer is out to up the ante once more its newly-unveiled Lachesis. Compared to Microsoft’s shiny new SideWinder, this creature touts double the DPI (that’s 4,000 here, for those keeping score), and according to Razer, the 3G laser sensor “stops tracking at much lower lift-off levels than any other laser sensor, preventing tracking errors when the device is lifted off its tracking surface.” Of course, you’ll still be able to switch DPI on-the-fly sans special drivers, and the Ultraslick, Teflon-coated feet ought to glide around effortlessly for a good while. Razer’s latest USB gaming mouse will go on sale globally this October for $79.99, and will be available in Phantom White and Banshee Blue colors.

[Via MaxitMag]
more info
from engadget

Wouldn’t it be great if we could use a 32 GB SD Memory Card to use with our Palm and Treo devices. Well yes please and although we simply cannot Toshiba have just announced their availability in Japan for a whopping $700.

(The 32 GB card will be available in January 2008, along with an 8 GB microSD card. A 16GB SD high capacity card is out this October.)

http://gadgetress.freedomblogging.com/toshibas-sd-card-now-supersized-at-32-gb/

From palmaddict