Philips' sleek mobile entertainer

From the company which first brought us the CD and DVD comes yet another portable multimedia player, the 4GB GoGear SA6145. While the device could have done with a less daunting model name, it does offer a decent set of features.

There is a large 3.5-inch QVGA display which is great for watching video clips and viewing photos. Users have the option of using the onboard speakers or earphones (via the 3.5mm jack) for audio playback. Storage capacity is capped at 4GB, which may be a tad too small for some people, but there is onboard FM radio as well as a voice recorder. The common audio and image formats such as MP3, WMA and JPEG are supported, but videos are limited to WMV9 format only. A video converter software is, however, bundled to support other video formats.

According to Philips, the SA6145 will be available only in selected Asia-Pacific markets, including Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand and Malaysia. It is now retailing at S$309 in Singapore.

Canon's portable DVD recorder

So you're at a wedding. You've filmed the joyous day, in all it's rain-lashed tears-specked glory, on your new camcorder. You've fended off the uncles who want to play with it, and made it home. Now you have to transfer your footage to PC, burn it to DVD and fork out for fifty padded envelopes to send to every Cousin Tom, Uncle Dick and Auntie Harry. Or you could get the Canon DW-100 DVD recorder.

The DW-100 connects directly to your camcorder, for easy transfer of camcorder footage direct to DVD. A quick bit of in-camera editing while the best man makes his inappropriately revealing speech, and you're ready to start handing out DVDs by the time the toasts begin--in theory anyway, as there's no word on burn speeds yet.

It works with MPEG-2 standard-definition video, and AVCHD for all you posh high-definition types. That means those third cousins you never knew you had can watch it on their Blu-ray-playing PS3s.

The DW-100 also hooks up with your PC or Mac via USB. Where it may well come into its own is when used with flash-based HD camcorders like the Panasonic DMC-SD5, which goes through memory like a bridesmaid through wedding cake. No word on price yet either, but the Canon DW-100 will be available in Japan in March 2008.

Via Crave UK

Famicom DS Lite

Ever wanted to stick some of your old Nintendo Famicom cartridges into your portable gaming console? No? Neither have we actually. But surely there are some out there who would, and for them, there's the Cyber Famireta Lite (name translated by Google) Nintendo DS Lite addon from Japanese company CyberGadget.

This contraption not only allows you to plug in your old Famicom games, it even has a few extras. On its back is a TV-out jack so you can play those games on your spanking new LCD TV--8-bit games on a HD panel, a match made in retro geek heaven. There's no price yet, but it will be available in early December. So ask a mate in Japan to look out for it if you want to fire up that old copy of Twin Bee.

CyberGadget (via Kotaku)

Crave Talk: Nintendo must make a mobile phone

Playing games on a mobile phone is about as enjoyable as untangling a pair of headphones when you're stuck in the middle of a train during rush hour. The quality of titles available is very low, and today's phones simply aren't designed for fast, reliable button pressing. Don't get me wrong--things are getting better--but for the love of thumb-tapping, Nintendo must make a mobile phone.
Read more »

More new players from Cowon

Aside from the beast of a player that is the Q5W, Cowon also launched two other devices, the Cowon A3 Extreme and Cowon iAudio U5.

The A3 Extreme is a PMP with an 800 x 480 4-inch display. It may not have all the features of the Q5W, but is no slouch in the video department. It can process 720p (1,280 x 720-pixel) video clips, so you don't have to convert your high-definition files before transferring them to the player. Other features include USB 2.0 host, FM radio and lossless line-in recording. The A3 will come with either a 30GB or 60GB hard drive. Its price and availability in Asia Pacific has yet to be announced.

For something you can actually put in your pocket, there's the iAudio U5 music player. Its features are a little more pedestrian including a 1.8-inch color LCD, FM radio and built-in flash memory up to 8GB. This one is expected to be available in December, though no price has been confirmed.

Click for more images of the U5:

   

Crave is...

The name says it all. Crave is our new blog about cool gadgets and other crushworthy stuff.

Drop us an email if you have tips or suggestions.

Crave for...

» Mobile Phones (805)

» Digital Cameras (441)

» Notebooks (541)

» PC & Peripherals (566)

» Handhelds (276)

» Printers (45)

» Home AV (543)

» Music & Play (450)

» Gadgets (1027)

» Future Tech (176)

Previously...

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Subscribe to
Crave

Today on CNET |  Reviews |  Crave |  Blogs |  CNET TV |  Digital Living |  Downloads