How would you like 32 GB of storage on Sony's PSP? Theoretically, it could even shoot up to 64 GB! Sounds like an impossibility, right? Well, we recently picked up an email and some pictures from tipster Hitori Futari, who made mention of a special adapter that can do just that. Find out more the SDHC adapter after the jump!

Intel pulled up the curtains on a little surprise at 2008 Computex technology show in Taipei, and the shocking revelation is geared for taking connected gaming to the next level. Using Intel-powered PCs, they've demonstrated that mobile phones could play video, audio, and relay game control messages via streams on a new build of StreamMyGame software. More details revealed at the full story.

Taipei, Taiwan is home to Computex, the second largest computer show in the world, and the South China Sea island is responsible for the biggest chunk of laptop manufacture in the world. At the show, the theme, as far as manufacturers are concerned, seemed to be "smaller and cheaper."

Laptop makers are in search of the next big thing that will take the mass of consumers by storm. Most of them are in the same page as far as the core model is concerned. Designs presented in the show were sleeker and more low-cost, with the smallest units measuring only seven inches across and weighing in at about two pounds each. The most low-cost units were available for only about US$ 200.

The idea, manufacturers say, is to come up with something that has sufficient features, is lighter and smaller than a laptop, but is more reliable and versatile than a smartphone. The sleekest models exhibited in the show seemed to be closing in as most of them were small enough to fit in a lady's bag but could still house a full keyboard.

Alvin Kwock, an analyst for JP Morgan comments "computer companies are really boosting their industrial design capabilities to gain more business."

When Microsoft's David Hufford said that the ideal price for a console was a buck below US$ 200, he never thought that one of Taiwan's biggest hardware manufacturing moguls could match that price... on a laptop.

Introduced at the 2007 Computex showcase, the wee (yes pronounced "wii") ASUS EeePC 701 caught the eyes of many a techie not because of its size, but because of its starting price.

The product manager at the ASUS booth also revealed that each laptop would come pre-installed with a flavor of Linux, although the demo product was seen to have performed well with Windows XP. Users still hooked to Microsoft's OS will be given XP driver support, however.

SSD support now expands to 32 GB, while the manager hinted at a possible 3G module that would either be attachable as a dongle or built-in to the final model. A separate version of the "English speaking countries" has been estimated to be available as soon as August, but that remains to be seen. Engadget, however, eyed the demo unit in perfect, near-completion condition and speculates that the ETA could become a near-distinct possibility.

EeePC 701 Specification

• Display： 7 inches
  
• CPU & Chipset: Intel mobile CPU and Intel chipset
• OS: Linux/ Microsoft Windows XP compatible
• Communication: 10/100 Mbps Ethernet; 56K modem
• WLAN: WiFi 802.11b/g
• Graphic: Intel Unified Memory Architecture graphics solution
  
• Memory: 512MB, DDR2-400
• Storage: 4/ 8/ 16GB Flash
• Webcam: 300K-pixel video camera
• Audio: Hi-Definition Audio CODEC; Built-in stereo speaker; Built-in microphone
• Battery Life: 3hrs (4 cells: 5200mAh, 2S2P)
• Dimension & Weight: 22.5 x 16.5 x 2.1~3.5cm, 0.89kg

Maybe most of you are not aware of it but there's an expo currently happening at the Taipei World Trade Center in Taiwan known as Computex 2007. Generally, the show is for displaying new computer hardware and peripherals but time and again, we find something of interest or of value to the video game community.

Like this one for example: company SINOX introduced this rather sleek and interesting security device for game controllers. Despite that being said, we believe that the product is only compatible with PlayStation 2's controller and with PS3's SIXAXIS. This thing is attached at the controllers' analog sticks and is protected by a three-digit number combination.

To be quite frank though, it's kind of amusing whenever companies come up with this kind of devices. Does this mean there's a need to lock controllers? I mean, I have my saved games deleted or tinkered with by my sister every now and then but still... Oh well, as they say, whatever floats your boat.

 

 

Pretec, known for pioneering the world's smallest USB Flash Drive, has released the S-Diamond, the world's first memory card to implement the miCard standard. miCard is a new flash memory card standard from the MMC Association and is capable of supporting both USB and SD/MMC specs.

The miCard measures 21mm by 12mm by 1.95mm and has an area 40 percent smaller and a volume 18 percent smaller than a miniSD card. Through the use of an adapter, the miCard can also act as an SD/MMC card. Capacities will range from 128MB to 8GB. The card has a theoretical max capacity of 2048GB.

The S-Diamond will make its debut at Computex 2007 in Taipei. Official miCard specs will be released to MMCA members later this year, and the card is scheduled to go into production by Q3. A version using digital USB technology is also slated for a Q4 release.

Last year we posted an article that the PS3 would use the next-gen High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) to support HD video output. HDMI, for the uninitated, is an industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI interfaces between any compatible digital audio/video source (e.g. PS3) and a compatible digital audio and/or video monitor. HDMI, according to industry analysts, is set to replace the Digital Visual Interface (DVI) in consumer electronics products by 2008.

At last week's Computex 2006, new info on HDMI finally emerged with a "But" and a "However." The HDMI group, composed of several companies, announced that the HDMI 1.2 will be upgraded to a new version called HDMI 1.3. 

The HDMI 1.2 specifications are:

• Support for One Bit Audio format, such as SuperAudio CD's DSD (Direct Stream Digital)
• Changes to offer better support for current and future PCs with HDMI outputs, including:
• Availability of the widely-used HDMI Type A connector for PC sources and displays with full support for PC video formats
• Ability for PC sources to use their native RGB color-space while retaining the option to support the YCbCr CE color-space
• Requirement for HDMI 1.2 and later displays to support future low-voltage (i.e., AC-coupled) sources, such as those based on PCI Express I/O technology

Meanwhile HDMI 1.3 will support a feature called "deep color" that allows devices to process and display a great number of colors. In addition, its bandwidth will be upgraded from 165MHz to 225MHz (but can go up to 450MHz if necessary). The increased bandwidth enables displays to handle 1080i at 60Hz with 36-bit RGB color or 1080p with 90Hz refresh rate with 36-bit color. The new HDMI 1.3 will also support Dolby HD and DTS-HD audio standards (v1.2 only supports Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS standards). Nice, huh?

Here comes the "But..."

Unfortunately for early adopters of the HDMI 1.2 - including the PS3 (which already supports "deep color") - the new features of HDMI 1.3 cannot be enabled by either firmware or driver upgrades. While both the Blu-ray and HD-DVD specifications call for support of "deep color," they have yet to release any statement indicating support for it or any feature of HDMI 1.3.

Here comes the "However..."

The HDMI Group said ATI and NVIDIA can readily incorporate the new HDMI 1.3 standard into GPUs and cards.

  

If the Computex 2006 is the nursery of future must-have gadgets, you can start saving up for your own little bundle of joy, the Touch Screen GPS from Nobogo.  Aside from the 3.5" TFT LCD with Touch Screen function, the product also has the following features:

• 64MB SDRAM Memory
• Support SD Memory Card
• Removable Li-ion battery
• Built-in SiRF Star III 20 Channel GPS Receiver
• Built-in mic and speaker
• Mini USB PC adaptor
• Universal AC and Car Cigarette Lighter adaptors
• Hands-free calling
• Optional built-in Real Time Traffic Message Channel

Unfortunately, the company forgot to say when it will be available to gizmo addicts and how much it will set them back.  Don't worry, we'll keep you posted.

In the still on-going Computex 2006 -- a computer expo held annually at the Taipei World Trade Center in Taipei, Taiwan -- First International Computer, Inc. (FIC) presented a 40" LCD PC tagged as the 'Lumina'. The LCD PC received such warm reception from the expo-goers not only because of its physical attributes but also because of its other features.

This contraption is jampacked with features such as a core duo mobile CPU, built-in PC TV tuner, 400GB HDD, 7.1 surround media side panel, USB, and Wi-Fi access with an internal satellite options. There is still no information on its availability and price tag. This baby was presented together with another FIC creation, the highly praised Spectra-T Entertainment PC.