Microsoft: Vista SP1 beta in september, due in Q108

Looks like Microsoft is finally ready to tell people what the hell is going on with the first Vista service pack: chock full o' bug fixes, performance optimizations, and improved reliability, Microsoft is shooting the beta to between 10,000 - 15,000 people in September (which means it'll be about 10 minutes after release before you can get it on BitTorrent -- not that it isn't already) and is intending to launch it officially in Q1 of 2008. We're reserving judgment on just how badly it's needed or just how many people are itching for it, we just want the thing out, and ASAP.

Sony's Walkman A810 series now loose in the us

Hey, didn't we just see this little guy yesterday all blurry and
rumory like? Sure enough, the new Walkman A810 series was just
loosed in the US and doing pretty much everything the NW-A800
was doing for Europe and beyond. It's available in white, pink, or silver getups while maxing out storage with a black-only 8GB model (NWZ-A818BLK) just like we heard. 8GB will cost you a full $230 while the 2GB and 4GB models drop off to $140 and $180, respectively. That NWZ-S615F (with FM tuner) remains aloof but we're bound to hear something shortly.

Parrot announces DS3120 Bluetooth stero,Ds1120 Bluetooth speakers

• Always one to cut cords at every corner, Parrot has taken advantage of IFA to unveil a range of new Bluetooth-equipped devices, including the stereo and speakers seen above. As you can no doubt surmise, the DS3120 Bluetooth stereo will pull tunes off your cellphone or other Bluetooth-equipped device and pump 'em through the unit's 20W speakers. Those looking to add a bit more ooomph to their phone calls can also use the stereo for some handsfree calling, with the integrated 1.8-inch LCD able to display phonebook information in addition to track and album details. On the non-Bluetooth front, the stereo packs a line-in port to accommodate other devices, along with an SD card slot and a built-in FM radio. If that's all a bit too much for you, you may want to consider Parrot's new DS1120 Bluetooth speakers, which ups the power output to a full 30W, with a Class-D digital amplifier in each speaker. Parrot's also thoughtfully bundled a Bluetooth USB dongle with the speakers, along with an RCA input to let you use 'em other devices. Look for both to be available this October, with the stereo running €169 ($230) and the speakers setting you back €199 ($270).

Talking CD case spruces up those mundane disc gifts

As if singing cards weren't zany enough, along comes a product that takes the idea one step further. Pre-vu's talking CD case enables customers to cram burnt home videos or any other optical disc into an enclosure that actually plays back up to sixty seconds of pre-recorded chatter. 'Course, this would probably be most effective when mailing out gifts to those you won't actually be meeting face-to-face, but for £2.50 ($5) apiece, it's not a half bad way to avoid writing out paragraphs of stereotypical well-wishes.

Emtec announces Movie Cube -R Multimedia hard drive

It looks like Emtec is continuing to branch out from its media-based roots, with the company now following up its recently-announced PMP with its new Movie Cube -R "multimedia hard drive." In addition to offering ample amounts of storage, this one boasts both video-in and video-out ports to hook it up to your TV, letting you record and view content without ever touching a PC (a remote control is included to help in that process). You can also, of course, hook the device up to your PC if you like, either by USB or Ethernet, with a memory card slot also provided to let you offload photos from your digital camera. As far as format support goes, you can look for all the usual suspects, including MP3, WMA, and OGG audio, along with MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, and Xvid video. While the image above looks suspiciously polished, Emtec assures us that the real deal will be rolling out next month in capacities from 160GB to 500GB (or without a hard drive, if so choose), with prices starting at £150 (or about $300).

Wrist Ringer - Fossil Mobilewear Abacus

This watch syncs with Symbian phones over Bluetooth. It vibrates when you get calls and shows callers’ names or numbers on its LCD screen.
Fossil Mobilewear Abacus $250

Skate Faster with Easton Synergy 1500C hockey skate

The 1.7-pound Easton Synergy 1500C hockey skate doesn’t sacrifice power to save weight.The fi rst-ever one-piece carbon-composite boot has no joints to rob it of rigidity, so itresponds quickly and evenly to movements from your foot.



Cost - $450