Tascam unveils iM2 microphone add-on for iOS devices, makes live Foo Fighters bootlegs a breeze

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/tascam-unveils-im2-microphone-add-on-for-ios-devices-makes-live/

Sure, audio recording via the stock mic and iOS app is pretty serviceable for most tasks, but what about capturing that next Avett Brothers gig? You need look no further than Tascam's iM2 stereo microphone for your Apple handheld or slate. Equipped with a pair of condenser microphones -- the same kit as the outfit's DR-series recorders -- the iM2 plugs right in to the dock port of your iOS device. The duo is adjustable over 180-degrees for the perfect capture and it sports its own preamp and analog-to-digital converter to cut out unwanted coughs and increase those vicious banjo chops. Since the peripheral doesn't use the stock iPhone preamp, it is capable of capturing up to 125dB levels without distortion. And don't worry about that 4S dying mid-set, as the iM2 features a USB input that enables charging through the encore. If you're jonesin' for a closer look, hit the gallery below before grabbing yours for $80.

Gallery: Tascam iM2

Tascam unveils iM2 microphone add-on for iOS devices, makes live Foo Fighters bootlegs a breeze originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from Engadget http://www.engadget.com

iHomeServer for iTunes Runs Apple’s Media Player as a Service

http://www.wegotserved.com/2011/11/22/ihomeserver-itunes-runs-apples-media-player-service/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wegotserved_rss+%28We+Got+Served%29

I get a lot of email from WGS readers seeking to integrate Apple's iTunes media player into their Windows Home Server network - you may remember a walkthrough published last October that helped you do just that. The problem most users face is that iTunes simply doesn't run as a service, so you always need to be logged into your home server to keep the stream available. 2010's answer to that problem was an app called JTunes (which we featured), but that solution had a couple of limitations - it stopped working whenever iTunes put up a dialog box and adding media to your collection required stopping iTunes, adding the media and restarting it again. Better but not ideal. Here's 2011's solution.

from We Got Served http://www.wegotserved.com

Windows 8 gets faster installation, 11-click upgrade for casual users

http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2011/11/windows-8-to-have-faster-installation-11-click-upgrade-for-casual-users.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss

Microsoft is preparing a much simpler Windows 8 setup and installation process for less-advanced users, potentially reducing the number of clicks from 60 to 11. It  will also dramatically reduce the amount of time needed to upgrade systems loaded with lots of files and applications. In addition to the simplified setup, a separate (and more complex) process will be available to those who want to dual-boot multiple operating systems, configure partitions, or perform other advanced tasks.

Microsoft describes the new setup process in the latest post of its Building Windows 8 blog, which has been revealing details of the next version of Windows bit by bit. The overarching theme is reducing the amount of stuff users have to do to upgrade a Windows 7 (or XP or Vista) machine to Windows 8, compressing the size of the OS download, and cutting installation time by optimizing file operations.

Read the comments on this post

from Ars Technica http://arstechnica.com/index.php

Y-Cam Targets High Definition Security Monitoring With the Bullet HD

http://www.wegotserved.com/2011/11/22/ycam-targets-high-definition-security-monitoring-bullet-hd/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wegotserved_rss+%28We+Got+Served%29

Regular readers may recall our review of Y-Cam's Bullet Network Camera, which hit the web around this time last year. I loved the look of the hardware, but felt the software lacked a little grace and at the time, wondered just when the surveillance camera guys were going to move into the HD era. The answer, according to Y-Cam, is right now with the launch of the Bullet HD.

from We Got Served http://www.wegotserved.com

SlingPlayer for Connected Devices is here, arrives first on Boxee Box (video)

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/slingplayer-for-connected-devices-is-here-arrives-first-on-boxe/

Sling first expanded its SlingPlayer app to Facebook and Chrome a few days ago, and now the company is extending those streams to the TV (without a dedicated SlingCatcher or mobile device TV-out) with apps for connected devices. Today the company announced the Boxee Box app would be first out of the gate, arriving ahead of the promised Google TV version we're also expecting. Interestingly, there does not appear to be a charge for the app (which runs $30 on mobiles and tablets), so if you have a Slingbox Solo or Pro-HD and one of the green and black media streamers all you have to do is download and press play. We'll give it a shot and let you know how it works, until then just press play on the demo video embedded above for a quick look.

SlingPlayer for Connected Devices is here, arrives first on Boxee Box (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink @MisterSling (Twitter)  |  Sling, Boxee  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com

Revamped Xbox 360 dashboard to launch on December 6th, Microsoft confirms

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/revamped-xbox-360-dashboard-to-launch-on-december-6th-microsoft/

Earlier this month, Microsoft announced that its Xbox 360 dashboard would be getting an upgrade "in the coming days." Today, the company has clarified that statement, declaring that the revamped interface will launch on December 6th. As we've previously noted, the update promises to bring deeper Kinect integration (including sharper voice recognition capabilities), Facebook sharing mechanisms, and a cleaner interface. Redmond also says that the fall cleanup will introduce "a wealth of new content," including live TV, music and movies, available for streaming. For now, the dashboard is still in beta, though it certainly won't be long before the masses get their hands on it.

Revamped Xbox 360 dashboard to launch on December 6th, Microsoft confirms originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from Engadget http://www.engadget.com

DisplayLink adds DVI to its USB display adapter repertoire, in Japan

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/displaylink-adds-dvi-to-its-usb-display-adapter-repertoire-in-j/

Tired of all those USB to HDMI adapters? Got yourself a monitor sporting only an old-school DVI port? Well, don't worry, DisplayLink has your back... as long as you live in Japan. The cumbersomely named I-O DATA USB-RGB3/D USB 3.0 to DVI display adapter just hit shelves in the Land of the Rising Sun for the equivalent of $137. By hooking up to a computer's USB 3.0 port the adapter is able to push video at resolutions up to 2048 x 1152 over a standard DVI cable. It's a great way to salvage that aging, but still high-quality display if you've got a newer notebook that's gone the HDMI-only route. Hopefully some adapters powered by DisplayLink's tech will start making their way stateside soon. If not, there's always imports. Check out the complete PR after the break.

Continue reading DisplayLink adds DVI to its USB display adapter repertoire, in Japan

DisplayLink adds DVI to its USB display adapter repertoire, in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from Engadget http://www.engadget.com

Samsung in 'last-stage talks' to use Google TV, will show off hardware after CES

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/samsung-in-last-stage-talks-to-use-google-tv-will-show-off-ha/

The true second act of Google TV won't take place until new hardware hits the streets, and Reuters reports that while Samsung is still on board, it will unveil its product(s) next year at an event other than CES. There's no word on when or where we might see hardware from other partners like LG, but at last year's show Vizio and Samsung (pictured above) were the only ones to display their efforts. TV division prez Yoon Boo-keun confirmed the company was working with Google on the rollout, and apparently indicated Samsung's service would "differ" from competitors. We'll have to find out what that means, but i the meantime what we can expect to see in Las Vegas are OLED TVs, which he said Samsung would have on display. After being teased by countless concepts, we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for price tags and shipping dates, but those details will likely remain under wraps until January.

Samsung in 'last-stage talks' to use Google TV, will show off hardware after CES originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from Engadget http://www.engadget.com

Microsoft streamlining Windows 8 install process, promises setup in just 11 clicks

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/microsoft-streamlining-windows-8-install-process-promises-setup/

Trudging through Windows 7's upgrade process drags users through as many as four wizards, 60 windows, and more mouse clicks than anybody at Microsoft cared to count. In a recent study covering PC upgrades, Redmond found this was simply too much of a hassle for many customers. The fix? Consolidate and streamline -- according to the outfit's Building Windows 8 blog, upgrading customers will be able to power through installing Windows 8 using a single wizard in as few as 11 clicks. The new process scans the machine for compatibility, checks for the best version of Windows to install, and prompts the user through the process. Moreover, using Windows 8's upcoming web delivery method pre-keys the setup image, freeing users from remembering a 25-digit product key. Advanced users will be able to use a new Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit to create customized unattended setup configurations for multi-boot and specialized network installations. Want to read into all the juicy details? Hit the source link below.

Microsoft streamlining Windows 8 install process, promises setup in just 11 clicks originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink WinRumors, Slashgear  |  Building Windows 8  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com

Former military leaders bash GOP candidates

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/11/ap-former-military-leaders-bash-gop-candidates-112111/

WASHINGTON — Three former top military officials slammed the Republican presidential field ahead of Tuesday night’s GOP debate on foreign policy. The Democratic-leaning former officials said the entire Republican field has been all over the map but focused on GOP front-runner Mitt Romney.

from Air Force Times - News http://www.airforcetimes.com/rss_news.php

Universal Motion Simulator: real enough to evoke panic (video)

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/universal-motion-simulator-real-enough-to-evoke-panic-video/

A fighter sim just isn't realistic unless it makes you throw up and scream for your mother, which is why the sadistic folks at Australia's Deakin University created the Universal Motion Simulator. It's a barebones cockpit attached to the end of a seven-meter robotic arm that can pull up to six Gs -- indeed it's uncomfortable enough to mimic external disturbances, mechanical failures and crash scenarios as well as normal flying. The system also monitors a pilot's brainwaves, pulse and other bodily functions to discover if they have necessary nerve. Check out the video after the break and then imagine combining it with a 360-degree viewing dome for utter perfection.

Continue reading Universal Motion Simulator: real enough to evoke panic (video)

Universal Motion Simulator: real enough to evoke panic (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Hackaday  |  Deakin University  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com

The AOC Aire Pro: a 23-inch IPS monitor for $199

The AOC Aire Pro: a 23-inch IPS monitor for $199:

If your battalion of bargain-hunting web bots is doing its job properly, then you should already have been alerted to AOC's new sub-$200 IPS monitor. Oh, hold on, we're the bots? Right then, here are the key specs: you get Full HD at 60Hz spread over 23 inches, a meaninglessly high 50 million:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 5ms response time, twin HDMI sockets and built-in speakers, all housed in brushed aluminum shell that's less than 0.4 inches thick. The Aire Pro is available from today and there's further info in the PR after the break. Will that be all?

Continue reading The AOC Aire Pro: a 23-inch IPS monitor for $199

The AOC Aire Pro: a 23-inch IPS monitor for $199 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Nov 2011 01:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands On: Lite-On eSEU206 External Slim Blu-ray Disc Combo

Hands On: Lite-On eSEU206 External Slim Blu-ray Disc Combo: The last portable optical drive review I wrote was almost two years for the Lite-On eTAU208 DVD/CD Rewritable Drive. For a cost of only $50, you had a very compact DVD/CD optical drive you could hook up to a USB 2.0 port of any computer. A lot has changed since then and Lite-On is back with a BD capable version in the form of the eSEU206 Optical Drive.

3TB Home Build

My dream WHS

3TB Home Build

via MS Windows Home Server by Philip Churchill on 9/12/08

 
Reader Mike Johnson kindly sent us his Windows Home Server parts list with some pics. Mike's rig now has 3TB of storage, totaling 2.73 TB of formatted space which he has built into a COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 case.

Mike's Part List
Completed WHS Build with Pics
Home server Expansion