MODDING: blogs

An updated firmware, v30.0.015, has been made available for the Nokia N95 classic. Updates include the latest versions of Nokia service applications (Nokia Maps 2.0, Share online 3.0), inclusion of the full N-Gage client and smaller updates to a number of applications. The updates also adds automatic screen rotation to the N95 classic. Read on for more details and screenshots.

Nokia yesterday announced it has started shipping the Nokia N96, which means it will become available, SIM-free, in shops over the next few weeks. Availability via operators will take a little longer; the UK launch on the 3 network is scheduled for October 1st. The N96 is a high-end Nseries device with a focus on mobile TV and video (large 2.8 inch screen, video stand, DVB-H receiver, and preloaded movie content). It also features a 5 megapixel camera and integrated GPS. Read on for more details.

Dell today officially unveiled the Inspiron Mini 9. This small, easy-to-carry device stands ready to connect teens, tweens, travelers and Tweeters to their online world be it surfing the Web, chatting with friends, blogging, streaming content, uploading photos or enjoying favorite online videos, music and games. The Dell Inspiron Mini with Windows XP Home is available immediately starting at $399.

With a starting weight of 2.28 lbs., digital nomads will value the Inspiron Minis durable design, with sealed keyboard and reliable solid state drive (SSD) memory storage. A bright 8.9inch glossy LED display (1024×600) presents most web pages with no left-right scrolling, and the keypads are large and easy to navigate. Standard built-in Wi-Fi means quick and easy wireless internet access to hotspots in the home, on campus, in a local coffee shop, in the office or at a conference

Kingston Technology recently announced it is the first to release high performance, ultra low-latency 800MHz notebook memory. Shipping immediately
in 4GB memory kits, the HyperX PC2-6400 CL4 SO-DIMMs offer the additional benefit of Serial Presence Detect (SPD) capabilities to provide performance benefits to a wider array of notebooks. When it comes to pricing the MSRP on the 800MHz and 667MHz 4GB kits will be $257.00.

The new HyperX mobile memory is a perfect fit for notebook users who want to boost system performance by replacing standard notebook memory with high
performance modules that boot to the highest speed possible — without adjusting system BIOS settings. Targeting new P45/Centrino 2 laptops the 800MHz CL4 modules have two pre-programmed ultra low-latency profiles: DDR2-800 CL4-4-4-12 @1.8V and DDR2-667 CL3-4-4-10 @1.8V.

Sony Corp. is recalling 440,000 Vaio laptop computers worldwide because of a wiring flaw that could cause overheating. Sony said Thursday the recall involves 19 models in the Vaio TZ series manufactured between May 2007 and July 2008.

Sony has received 209 reports of overheating worldwide, including seven cases in which people received minor burns. The laptop problem comes two years after Sony had to engage in massive recalls of laptop batteries, which also caused overheating or even burst into flames.

Apple and its U.S. wireless partner AT&T are being sued for selling too many iPhones by a customer who says the high-speed phone network has been “overloaded” and unable to deliver promised performance. The iPhone 3G, designed to work with AT&T's faster third-generation network, switches over to slower networks because of the “high volume of 3G iPhones sold,” according to an Aug. 29 complaint filed in San Diego. Plaintiff William J. Gillis Jr. is seeking class-action, or group, status on behalf of other users.

Apple sold 1 million iPhone 3G handsets in the first three days after the device went on sale July 11. The company says the new model is twice as fast as the original Web-surfing handset, first offered in June 2007. Apple released a software update earlier this month to improve network connections after some customers complained about dropped calls and sound quality. AT&T is Apple's exclusive partner in the U.S. “Apple and AT&T have misrepresented to the public the speed, strength and performance of the 3G-bandwidth network,” according to the 14-page complaint.

ZOTAC GeForce 9800 GTX+ Zone Edition Video Card @ BmR and other reviews from around the web can be found by visiting our forums!

It used to be that if you wanted to overclock your hardware, you ran the risk of voiding a warranty. Supposing that you dared to accept that risk, your options were still limited by the cooling equipment available to you. So it stands to reason that ZOTAC is making huge strides with their ZONE series, which combines a silent liquid-cooled system to a 55nm GeForce video card. The AMP! Series is already a fan favorite because of the extreme speeds at which they are factory overclocked, and the ZONE series adds to this a dramatically improved water-cooling solution for the best performance with no worries of heat or noise. Benchmark Reviews tests the ZOTAC GeForce 9800 GTX+ ZONE Edition G92 video card against a comprehensive collection of competitors in this article.

Reports are surfacing around the net of a huge v30 firmware update for the Nokia N95 8GB. It’s not available in Europe yet, as I write this. Is it real? Comments welcome if it’s live in your part of the world. The Changelog is quoted below…

The Linksys SD2008 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit switch has been around since 2004 and is one of the most popular and widely available switches on the market. Many owners have noticed that the Linksys SD2008 version 2.x switches have been failing after several months of use. Our Linksys SD2008 switch also started having issues recently and we replaced it with a version 3.0 switch and the problems were solved.

Microsoft will lower prices Friday on its popular Xbox 360 game console, which was already priced to break even. The Xbox 360 Arcade will sell for $200, $80 less than its current price. And Microsoft knocked $50 off the price of two higher-end models: The 360 console will retail for $300, while the Elite will go for $400.

Sales of the Xbox drive the company's lucrative game sales, but result in thin margins. Higher Xbox sales have pushed up expenses in recent quarters, but the company's Entertaiment and Devices division recently moved into the black as Microsoft found ways to cut production costs. But the company is betting the price cuts will advance the company's game and online revenue. The console is also a key element in Microsoft's online strategy, as game players participate in live multi-player games on the company's Live service.