Open Source Hardware Gift Guide

Open source 3D printers, TV-turn-off devices, iPod chargers, music players, Wi-Fi companions, educational electronic kits and more. Each of the kits, projects and open source hardware gifts in this guide represents more than just a holiday gift, it's a chance to support this nascent open hardware movement.

Zune Release Date Confirmed for 11/13

Microsoft's just confirmed with us the November 13 release date of the new Zunes. Whether or not the firmware for the old Zune is coming on 11/13 is still unconfirmed.

19-inch Monitor from Samsung Connects to your PC via USB

New from Samsung is the CX940UX, a 19-inch monitor that you can connect to your PC via USB. From the Syncmaster range, it's got all sorts of tricks up its sleeve, such as being able to control up to six further monitors linked to your computer. You can forget about needing extra graphics cards or new drivers to manage the multiple screens too, as Samsung claims the CX940UX can do it all itself. There's also a couple of USB ports, so you can use it as a mini hub.

The New Helio Fin

Helio today has announced the Fin, the first flip phone in the carrier's lineup. The Fin is only 11.4 millimeters thick making it the thinnest phone ever available in the US. The Fin also has a 3 megapixel camera wit 4x digital zoom, 100MB of internal storage with microSD expansion up to 4GB, a Magnesium body with changable faceplates, stereo Bluetooth support, and GPS. The software is comparable to the Ocean with a few extras like MyPet and H.O.T. Helio is also announcing Garmin Mobile navigation for the Fin and the Ocean, available for $2.99 per day with turn-by-turn navigation. The Helio Fin's MSRP is $365 outright, with a new contract it's $225, but for a limited time you can get it for $175.

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TiVo rolls out Vista-compatible, DivX-supporting Desktop 2.5

TiVo's official website still doesn't show any indication of it, but Dave Zatz of Zatz Not Funny! says the company's PR folks have confirmed to him that TiVo Desktop 2.5 is now official, and a download link has already been turned up on the TiVo Community Forum. Headlining the updates this time around is Windows Vista compatibility, not to mention support for the transfer and playback of DivX and Xvid files, along with support for conversion of previously transferred recordings. TiVo's also now finally added the iPod to the list of portable devices, and it'll kindly send converted files straight to your iTunes library.

Attack This: Cameras, Phones and Wi-fi Devices

Olivia gives you the scoop on a handful of cool, mostly portable, devices

Apple iPhone vs. Helio Ocean

Lil' Wil's Discount Warehouse: Portable Media Devices

Lil' Wil' dishes up some deals on multipurpose devices that allow you to capture and enjoy digital content

AOTS Hardware: Motorola H9 Miniblue Bluetooth Headset

Wil reviews the Motorola H9 Miniblue Bluetooth Headset

AOTS Hardware: Tech News

Wil reports the top tech stories of the week

Attack This: Video Recording and Storage Tools

Olivia suggests a handful of nifty gadgets that will help you record, store and view your next cinematic triumph

iPhone Release Date Confirmed for June 29th

The commercial just aired on 60 Minutes

Watch the ads here.

160GB Apple TV and YouTube For Apple TV On The Way

According to the iPod-maker, thousands of YouTube videos will be available at launch, with YouTube adding thousands more each week. Why aren't they all available straight away, you may be wondering? As it turns out, YouTube is apparently encoding all of their videos in the H.264 streaming-efficient compression format - a format that has that added bonus of very likely providing higher quality playback than the site's standard Flash video (FLV) format.

Optimus Maximus OLED Keyboard Only $1564.37

Well here it is. The keyboard to end all keyboards has finally come and at a low low price of just $1,564.37! Now available for preorder but you wont get it till January 2008.

Microsoft Multi-Touch Surface Confirmed for $5-10k

Microsoft expects prices to plummet over the next three to five years to the point they'll be in your homes. In the meantime you'll be able to play with them at T-Mobile stores as-well-as Harrah's and Sheraton hotels. Follow the link for the video.

AOTS Hardware: Sony DVDirect VRD-MC3

Kevin talks about the week's most pressing tech stories and reviews Sony's DVDirect VRD-MC3

SMS M500 GSM Watchfone

The first shipments of the M300 followup are said to be leaving Hong Kong as of tomorrow, May 30th. It's quad-band GSM phone with a 1.5-inch touchscreen with a built-in stylus; Bluetooth 2.0; and 120 x 160 MP4 video (or MP3/AAC audio) with 128MB of storage. The watch weights 60-grams and should last about 200 minutes of talk or 80 hours standby before needing a USB recharge.

Attack This: Media Gadgets

Olivia takes a look at portable and home based media gadgets

AOTS Hardware: Cell Phones

Wil talks about the MotoRAZR Maxx Ve and the week's top tech stories

AOTS Hardware: Mobile Devices

Wil reviews the latest in PCs, iPod accessories and cell phones