Plextor is extending its personal storage range with its new portable hard disk drive, small enough to fit in your pocket.

Coming in a brushed aluminum case the PX-PH16U2 (160GB) is compatible for both the Mac and PC. It can deal with all types of media including video, music, photos and office files.

The compact size (only 17mm thick and 200g in weight) with a 2.5-inch width means you can easily slip it into your pocket, briefcase or handbag. Plus it comes with a carry case to protect the finish.

The portable hard drive disk is bus powered and USB2 with specs of Max 480Mbps, USB1.1 Max 12Mbps. For added security Windows users can set a password protection on the model.

It’s being sold to business users, but for anyone looking to save a little space the HDD maybe worth getting.

The device is available from this month, although affordable we haven’t been sent any prices.

Tags: Hardware Storage Plextor

Plextor launches affordable pocket hard disk originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 17:00:52 +0100

One-third of workers do their jobs outside the standard hours of 9 to 5, according to a survey by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).

Commissioned by First Direct, the report found that evenings are no longer just for the entertainment industry. The study found 58% of manufacturing employees, half of all trades people and 36% of managers now work at least some of their day between 5pm and 9am.

Chris Pilling, the chief executive of banking firm First Direct, which commissioned the report, says employment patterns are having to change because consumers are demanding services 24 hours a day.

The UK is the only country in the EU in which all workers can opt out of the maximum 48-hour working week - with 13% of British workers exceeding that limit. Full-time British employees also work the longest average hours in Europe - 43.5 per week, compared with 39.9 in Germany and 38.2 in France.

Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, said: "What we are seeing is the beginnings of a complete revolution in the way we work. The changes are unavoidable, and crucial if the UK economy is going to be able to compete in the global economy in the face of competition already emerging from India and China".

Tags: Biz Surveys First Direct HSDPA Wi-Fi Microsoft 3 megapixels GPS Plasma televisions

Working day no longer 9 to 5 originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 16:38:48 +0100

LG Electronics unveiled its latest plasma TV range, including two models inspired by the fashionable design of the LG Chocolate Handset.

The 60-inch 1080P Full HD PF95 and 50-inch HD-ready PB65 goes for the chocolate of the famous phone.

LG has taken its minimalist style further to own in its plasma range, it’s look leads with an ultra glossy black finish and glowing red touch-sensitive buttons.

The manufacturer is also introducing the PC55, an HD-ready screen available in 42- and 50-inches, and has updated last year's 71-inch MW-71PY1M plasma screen, which is one of the largest screens out there.

The PF95 features 1080p Full HD, 1 x 1 pixel matching for the clearest image possible, XD Engine Full HD Image Processor, blade thin 98.5mm depth and touch-sensitive buttons

The PB65 and PC55 have slightly different features still HD-Ready, blade thin design, less than 89.5mm depth, high contrast ratio of 15,000:1, and Clear Filter Pro, which replaces the traditional thick glass filter with single thin film filter, eliminating reflection and glare while improving brightness by 30%.

The new models have LG SimpLink, enabling consumers to control all LG compatible equipment such as DVD recorders and home cinema systems from a single remote control. Plus two HDMI connections for the convenience of a single cable to connect to HD components.

The massive model, if you’re ready for it – has a 1080p full-HD picture quality on its 71-inches. It also has a PC input making it easy to watch downloaded movies or view photos and an XD engine image enhancing processor that upscales the picture to cinema-like quality.

Tags: Home Cinema Televisions Plasma televisions LG

LG goes chocolate for plasma originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 16:19:32 +0100

Mopay is relaunching to help people recycle their old mobile phones and give back to charity.

The simple service that just takes the mobile details from you through the website will find a way to recycle the handset. Users just need to send the phone using a freepost address and will receive the cash when Mopay receives the device.

Rather than receiving money, the customer can request a chosen charity receives the cash instead. Currently Mopay helps ChildLine, Help the Aged and WWF.

With so many phones renewed a day and networks considering offering handset free tariffs this is a way to ensure your handset is going to a good home.

"An estimated 1700 phones are thrown away in the UK every hour which is a serious waste of resources and harmful to the environment", commented Simon Walsh, Co-Founder, Mopay. “Consumers need to become more aware of the environmental impact of not recycling old handsets.”

Tags: Phones Eco Recycling

Phone recycling website relaunches originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 15:55:04 +0100

Thousands of photo sharing users will have to move their photos from Yahoo's Photo service because the company has said that it is closing its doors.

"The strains of running two photo sharing sites has always seemed impractical", one industry insider told us.

Yahoo is moving on and closing down Yahoo Photos encouraging users to move to its Flickr photo service instead from June.

It's though that Yahoo are trying to push Flickr up the rankings, since competiting website, PhotoBucket's extraordinary growth from a quarter of the market to around 40%.

At the same time Yahoo's shares rise 14.6% with two independent rumours that Microsoft has stepped up a gear to buy Yahoo. The two have discussed options over the years but only now with Google's massive growth is a deal expected to happen.

Yahoo is reportedly worth approximately $50 billion. "It's been talked about for a long time, ever since Google came into the picture. I can't imagine a more perfect deal", said Peter Lobravico, vice president of risk arbitrage sales/trading at brokerage Wall Street Access. "You can't find a stronger buyer than Microsoft and while it would spur a lot of political and regulatory noise, everyone knows in the end that the deal would go through."

Tags: Biz Yahoo Microsoft Mergers Spam Statistics iPod Car And GPS Rumours

Yahoo Photos closes, Microsoft to buy Yahoo originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 15:36:22 +0100

Yahoo's mobile searching technology has been localised and launched in the UK.

oneSearch was only previously available in the US and as part of Yahoo's integrated 2.0 search application. It has now been localised and introduced across Europe.

The tool makes searching for information across a range of category types easier on mobile handsets, and had only made the service available via any mobile web browser in March. oneSearch enhances mobile searching for the small screen by making results more relevant and by giving higher billing to listings and other content types.

The localised service covers UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Canada although the Go 2.0 application still does not work on many handsets - it bundles a further range of Yahoo! services in a widget application suite.

The model will be very similar to the American version, ads will be placed on European oneSearch results as Yahoo's innovations look to steal a march on rivals.

Tags: Software Search engines Yahoo oneSearch

Yahoo's oneSearch launches in Europe originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 15:03:14 +0100

Warner has signed a deal with MySpace to begin offering music to it’s members on the social networking site - but with DRM intact.

Many expected Warner to follow EMI's move with Apple to offer DRM-free downloads; however the record company has decided to offer its music in the copy-protected version on Microsoft's Windows Media format.

MySpace uses Snocap who provides the download infrastructure on the site and although small labels and individual artists sold music online directly - this new deal means a major record label will support the social networking phenomenon. MySpace users are used to downloading MP3 so this will be an interesting and restrictive move by News Corp.

While DRM was an easy issue for MySpace, the HD DVD row with Digg deepened this week. The AACS Protection Body has said that bloggers crossed the line when they published the HD DVD crack code.

Over 700,000 pages have published the key to date.

The key code has now been revoked and the AACS plan to take the illegal activity further.

Tags: Audio Biz DRM HD DVD Warner MySpace

DRM takes two further steps originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 14:45:27 +0100

DirecTV has launched its first satellite TV with a 17-inch LCD display.

The satellite provider’s new product, Sat-Go, uses a satellite receiver for avid TV fans. Coming in a brief case to protect the large screen the dish, tuner, and display is all built-in. It includes a flat antenna and replaceable/rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

The device uses either an AC and DC power sources and can also connected as a second satellite tuner when you're not travelling. The TV has S-video and component inputs for throwing content on the LCD at up to 1280 x 1024.

This means wherever you are, you can watch your favourite non-terrestrial channels. It promises to get reception and begin transmitting programmes within minutes.

It's not widescreen, but it is still capable of 720p. Currently the device is available to existing customers who can purchase the unit for $1499. It is expected the TV will be available wider on the market soon.

Tags: Home Cinema Satellite DirecTV

DirecTV launches Portable Satellite TV service originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 13:03:24 +0100

For the first time in 10 years mobile phone call volumes have dropped according to research by JD Power.

Nearly 3000 UK mobile phone users were surveyed and found that the number of phones made on average per week is dropping. Pre-paid customers made four less calls a week compared to 2006, (14-10) and contract users averaged 27, down from 35.

However, texting is taking over with customers now sending 46 texts a week compared to 32 - making an average of 7 a day.

It is believed that now people of all ages are using the tool to communicate, text messaging will get ever-more popular - it used to be only the youth who could operate the text.

Change in habits has also affected the amount users are paying with pre-pay customers now spending an average of £12.35 compared to £19.29 last year, and contract customers have dropped nearly £8.

Tags: Phones Texts Surveys Biz Coca-Cola Yahoo

Text takes over talk originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 12:19:13 +0100

Bang And Olufsen has used its expertise and quality audio technology to develop a Bluetooth headset with what it claims is "added clarity".

The headset, which promises to cut background noise, features audio technology able to filter out environmental noise. Two omni-directional microphones filter and suppress wind noise, giving the best voice transmission possible.

Bang and Olufsen always deliver quality although at a price, together with upmost style - the EarSet 2 features a loudspeaker which is a miniature closed cabinet loudspeaker unit, supported by air vents and a bass port together with an ergonomic design.

The company uses its Digital Signal Processing (DSP), which monitors both the dynamic technical and tonal qualities of the signal in order to accurately reproduce the human voice, in each of the cells.

Bang & Olufsen never do anything half-hearted and have included a specially composed ringtone which has been composed for placement near the ear. The aluminium and soft-plastic device is three-way adjustable and features a short fold-old microphone arm.

The EarSet 2 is available now, we have no details on price yet.

Tags: Phones Headsets Bang And Olufsen Bluetooth Gaming

Bang & Olufsen cut background noise with new headset originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 12:00:05 +0100

It has been found that telcos are the worst offenders when it comes to ignoring customer emails, totalling a 42 percent response rate.

eGain tested 125 major UK companies on response times as well as quality of information through email. Staff actively contacted businesses requesting information on high value products and services through the customer contact pages on websites.

The study found that only 36% responded to customer emails within 24 hours, while 16% managed to reply within 1 hour.

The retail sector was found to be the best overall performer with a 70% response rate, though they only managed to achieve 49% for quality replies.

The response was so slack that just 19% of companies provided an accurate response to queries, and only 18% sent an acknowledgement of the email.

In a world of Web 2.0 and businesses pushing its customers online for details and information, the lack of response through its enquiry sections does not lend itself to supportive customer relations.

However, the experiences eGain found during this experiment was over the Christmas period - perhaps not an ideal time to check efficiency of online customer relations.

Tags: Biz Email Research Surveys

One in three customer emails ignored originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 11:37:32 +0100

Tiscali has announced a partnership and the availability of a TV service on demand from its homepage.

Following in the footsteps of BT, BBC, ITV, Joost the broadband provider has teamed up with Arts Alliance Media for a new service, Movies Now, where users can download or watch films.

The European digital film distributor is supplying the content to the Tiscali site that will include over 500 films and TV programmes for rent or download to own.

Users access the downloads through the Tiscali portal, however it is only being made available for PC users in the UK and Ireland. There are no details on Mac access yet.

Those renting the downloads have access to them for a seven-day viewing period with prices starting from 99p and the latest releases coming to rent at £2.99. They are offering high-quality viewing formats for £3.49.

Research out early this week found that a third of broadband users in Europe are accessing TV on-demand online.

Tags: Software Video on demand Tiscali Joost BBC ITV

Tiscali launch on-demand Movie Now service originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 11:24:20 +0100

Xbox Live account users will have content blocked from other countries in order to protect Global Digital Rights Management.

Microsoft has had to act after users have set up fake foreign accounts to access downloads and data from other countries for which they have no right. In next week's update, Microsoft will be tightening territory controls especially on the Xbox Live.

This will have no effect on users with a legitimate account where details match the point of origin of player, but it will for those who have set up additional accounts. For example, a UK player who may also have set up a US account will no longer be able to access US account through that second portal.

The practice is used to access downloadable films and TV shows made available to US customers, this also happens with gamers seeking to try out Japanese or US games.

Microsoft has acted on government regulations and licensing agreements: "As a general policy we try to get global rights to content, but in some cases, it's not possible because of legal restrictions", the statement added. "In other instances, we have to get legal rights on a country-by-country basis, which unfortunately results with us having content on the service that has to be filtered based on geographical location."

Tags: Gaming Xbox 360 Microsoft

Fake Xbox Live accounts blocked originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 11:13:28 +0100

A new accessory has been launched that allows digital camera users to transfer data to and from an SD to Apple's iPod.

The new product is meant to bridge the gap between memory and PC uploads. In other words, photos don’t need to be loaded onto iPods through the computer but using a special SD card reader that will fix into the iPod.

iWay only works with certain iPod models including the iPod Video 80GB, iPod Video 60GB and iPod Video 30GB. It is understood that it is not compatible with the iPod Photo or iPod Nano.

The device will allow you to erase images and upload them to the iPod however, you won't be able to to view the images, but just use the iPod as a larger storage device.

The iWay is currently available for $69.95.

Tags: Gadgets iWay Memory card readers iPod

iWay SD card reader for iPod launched originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 10:36:28 +0100

Details have emerged about Microsoft's new Internet Explorer browser even though the application isn't due for another 12 months.

According to rumours on the web, the new IE8 will have improved RSS, CSS and AJAX support and work as a real hub for the net.

The interface will also host Microsoft's Silverlight application expected to take on Adobe's Flash.

With the developments of Microsoft becoming a user-orientated environment, IE7 missed out on its ability to be customised which will be a key feature for the next model.

Integrated into the upgrade of the popular web browser due 18 months after the launch of IE7, it has been hinted that it will support microformats, small tags will be embedded into the HTML code that can be used in synchronisation for software applications like calendars and contact managers.

At the same time, Firefox 3 will be contending with similar microformat support features.

We will keep you updated on launch dates.

Tags: Software PC software Browsers Microsoft Firefox

Internet Explorer 8 details exposed originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 10:26:35 +0100

Fed up of his MP3 player sticking awkwardly in his pocket, a designer has come up with a nifty shape for the humble MP3 player.

Seeming as well mainly carry the players in our pockets, he has taken the liberty to shapre it according to our bodies.

Matthias Lange's bright orange and white MP3 player works to have a snug fit in the back or front pocket complete with an easy viewing display screen.

This is a concept, but it may come into production.

We will keep you posted.

Tags: Audio MP3 players Photos

Pocket MP3 player gets bent originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 10:15:06 +0100

Ringtone fan looking for that personalised touch have been offered the chance to transform their own voice into a ringtone.

Called ReVoice, the new service promises to turn your warbles into a ringtone within 2 seconds of recording so you sound like a professional popstar.

The software is downloaded from the website and you can then create a recording of yourself singing along to a favourite track, enhances and mixes it and then save it as a mobile ringtone.

Masterfully the software can blend your recorded voice seamlessly into your chosen track, making you sound just like the A-list popstar - this can be done on a phone or a PC.

Tags: Software ReVoice Synchro Arts

ReVoice lists its vocal secrets originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 10:06:36 +0100

O2 has announced that it has expanded its Xda portfolio with the exclusive launch of the Xda Argon.

The new device is suprisingly powered by Windows Mobile 5.0 rather than Microsoft's latest mobile OS platform and features Microsoft direct-push email, with internet access and the familiar Microsoft Office applications including built-in wireless LAN.

The handset hosts a 3.5-inch colour touchscreen and with no moving parts or keyboard.

The Xda Argon has key consumer features a 2.0 megapixel camera, including video capability and MP3 player, Bluetooth support for integration with car kits and hands-free headsets. O2 also offer the CoPilot Live satellite navigation software with the PDA and a Bluetooth GPS receiver.

As standard, users can synchronise with Outlook and open, edit and send Microsoft Office Excel Mobile and Word Mobile attachments as well as viewing existing presentations using PowerPoint.

For business travelers the Xda Argon includes tri-band functionality, supported by a battery life of up to 200 hours standby and up to 4 hours talk time for making all those important calls.

The Xda Argon is available now from O2 on selected tariffs.

Tags: Phones Mobile phones O2 Palm GPRS EDGE

Xda Argon comes to O2 originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 04 May 2007 09:27:27 +0100

New customers of the Nokia N76 will be offered an exclusive version of Groove Armada's new album "Soundboy Rocks" as long as they've got a PC to download it to.

From this weekend, anyone buying the phone or receiving an upgrade will be given a card and PIN to download exclusive content from the band's website via the Vodafone store online.

Nokia, who has previously teamed with Jamiroquai in 2006, will be the key sponsors for the launch event for Groove Armada's new album which is released Monday.

“Creating opportunities for consumers to download music through non-traditional retail channels is a huge priority for us and ‘Soundboy Rocks’ is such a great album for this project”, said Alex Vlassopulos, Business Development Manager, Sony BMG UK.

Tags: Phones Music downloads Nokia Vodafone Sony

Nokia and Vodafone offer Groove Armada exclusive originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 03 May 2007 17:13:52 +0100

Last week we reported that Google had relaunched its personalised homepage under the name iGoggle.

However in the past week many users have been unable to access their data as the company moved customers over to the new system.

In some cases, users are reporting that their homepage settings had been lost since last Friday however Google says it has now rectified the problems.

In a statement Google said: "We are aware that a number of Google users have not been able to access their iGoogle pages, and the team is working as quickly as they can to resolve the problem. We are committed to connecting our users to the information they want whenever they want it, and we take issues like this very seriously".

"We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused for our users. We encourage anyone who is having technical difficulty of any kind with iGoogle to contact the Google Web Search Support Team through the 'Help' link on the bottom of their iGoogle page."

Tags: Software Online Google Currys Skype Nokia

iGoogle experiences hiccups originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 03 May 2007 16:57:12 +0100

The days of trawling around Career shows touting your wears could be over following the launch of a new website from UCAS.

Turning to the web, the student organisation has developed a user-generated site to help build student careers.

The site, yougofurther.co.uk, uses social networking and forums tools with content from brand partners to supposedly support students' futures.

It aims to focus on student achievements by giving them space to place their own content to promote, get recognised and receive rewards. The concept has been developed to help students enhance their CVs, although it does bring them closer to brands.

The site cleverly uses the UCAS student database to promote the model with leading brands taking part including iTunes, doctorjob.com, Lonely Planet, Fopp Records and Cult Clothing, plus the charity Shelter.

The new student site has six sections to navigate and use Jobs, Money, Lifestyle, Network, Exposure and the Shop.

The interactive elements include an "Exposure" channel for students to rate work published by their peers and is also in response to briefs set by commercial partners.

This is a selective site just for students with a UCAS ID.

Lisa Feege, Project Manager at UCAS Media comments: “Yougofurther.co.uk will offer real value to students throughout their university or college career. By combining innovative Web 2.0 features with exclusive content from our brand partners and opportunities for students to get involved and get their work displayed, we have created a fantastic new platform for students to help them get the most out of their time at university and ultimately progress their careers”.

Tags: Software Online Social networking

UCAS create YouGo student career site originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 03 May 2007 16:48:25 +0100

A new gadget has been launched that will allow DJs up and down the land to go to the toilet mid mix and still have control over what is being played.

The handheld mixer reports to your laptop or PC to manage songs and create mixes via a Wi-Fi connection.

It has a two deck controller with mix, scratch and synchronise MP3 and WMA files, all the software comes included.

The integrated double LCD screen mixes the music away from the PC which displays the tracks you’re mixing. Plus it only measures 17 x 15 x 3cm and below 500g.

It comes with sound effects and can be operated with a simple link and mix connection.

Tags: Audio Photos

Wireless mixer minimises equipment originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 03 May 2007 15:54:56 +0100

The makers of BlackBerry has unveiled its latest model to be aimed at the consumer market with a host of multimedia accessories.

The new BlackBerry Curve (Called the 8300 in the US) from Research In Motion has included a 2MP camera, music player and video viewer as well as the traditional email and calling functions.

They have managed to make the phone yet smaller, but kept the full QWERTY keypad, maeasuring 4 x 2.5-inches.

The handset also hosts stereo Bluetooth, a true 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD expansion for when you exhaust the 64MB of internal ROM. The web browser is fast although it has no 3G feature, nor does the camera work for recording film.

Tags: Phones Mobile phones RIM

BlackBerry Curve gets European launch originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 03 May 2007 15:46:42 +0100

This simple, yet effective design comes especially for swimmers trying to beat a summer bulge.

The underwater lap counting and timing device works with all types of pools. It is ready for immediate use straight out of the box, just insert 2 AAA batteries.

Lap Track includes: lap counter, lap timer, elapsed time, best lap record, memory recall and records up to 50 laps; gives total time, best lap time, average lap time, average speed, total distance and total calories burned. Plus to help that bulge it has a accumulated data function: which shows accumulated distance and calories burned.

These devices are available now for $60.

Related links:

• Shop - waterproofmusic.com

Tags: Sports Fitness Swimming Gadgets Rip Curl

Swimming lap counter originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 03 May 2007 14:48:38 +0100

Coming to a browser near you is Yahoo's new tool that will allow its instant messaging service in a web browser without the need of IM software.

Also working with Microsoft's MSN, the browser function is designed for someone without immediate access to the IM product, in an internet cafe or using someone elses computer.

The product does not need to be downloaded and can even be used if the standalone software is blocked.

If you are cheeky and want to message friends from work but the company has blocked Yahoo! Messenger this will be an ideal service to get back to chatting.

It's available now, both Google's IM and AOL's AIM Express have chat options for browsers.

Tags: Software Online Yahoo Instant messaging

Yahoo Messenger integrates IM into browser originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 03 May 2007 14:41:17 +0100