Pocket-lint

Jabra Arrow announced for November

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:01:38 +0100

The Jabra Arrow headset has launched into the company's JX range. The Arrow claims to combine automatic volume control, easy and functional storage and stylish good looks.

Jabra says: "When you're at the wheel, the last thing you want is the distraction of a headset which is never quite at the right volume". The Arrow gets auto volume control ("the clever technology recognises and adjusts audio coming into the headset before it reaches the user's ear") and DSP noise reduction, specifically for in car use.

Weighing in at 10 grams, the Bluetooth 2.1 Jabra headset comes with a charger and holder in one, can be used with two devices at the same time and offers 5-hours talktime. It's due to the UK in November, priced at around �49.99.

Sharp launches LX series Aquos TVs

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:43:23 +0100

Sharp has announced that it's bringing four new televisions to Japan on 10 November, called the LX Series. The products are being released to mark the start of the tenth anniversary of the first AQUOS LCD TVs, and feature LED backlighting, along with a newly developed LCD panel.

The televisions incorporate Sharp's UV2A technology that improves the contrast ratios, and combines with the LED backlighting to offer - according to Sharp - the industry's lowest level of energy consumption. There's also the company's image processing chip, which helps out with fast moving images, and it can control peripheral devices with the AQUOS Familink II technology.

There's a a 60-inch model, a 52-inch model, a 46-inch model and a 40-inch model, but there's no European pricing yet because these are just being released in Japan for now. When they come to these shores, we'll make sure that you're the first to know.

Medion launches AKOYA E3211 laptop

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:04:49 +0100

Medion has announced a 13-inch notebook that comes packed with a ultra-low voltage processor, 16:9 HD display, and an integrated optical drive - something which is relatively rare on 13-inch machines.

Insides, along with the optical drive, there's a 1.3GHz Intel Pentium SU2700 ULV processor, an Intel 4500M graphics card, 4GB of memory, a 320GB hard disk, a 1.3-megapixel webcam and runs Windows Vista - but ships with a free upgrade to Windows 7.

There's also a memory card reader, b/g/n Wi-Fi, 3 USB ports, an expresscard slot, and all the audio ports you'd expect. It weighs 1.7kg including the battery, and that battery should hold out for 4 hours, if you believe Medion's claims.

It's available now from medionship.co.uk and costs �500, including VAT.

O2 runs out of the iPhone 3GS

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:43:12 +0100

O2 has run out of the iPhone 3GS, according to reports. Ahead of the operator losing exclusivity of the high-end smartphone, stock issues have meant there are none to be sold.

An O2 spokesperson told the Telegraph: �We continue to see extremely high levels of demand for the iPhone which means it comes in and out of stock very quickly and will be why the website hasn't had any since Monday".

The O2 website states that both black and white iPhone 3GS are "not currently available" for contract or PAYG customers while the Telegraph suggests the majority of O2 shops across the UK have been without any of the 3GS models for the last 2 weeks.

Some are suggesting that the shortage may be due to Apple diverting stock to Orange ahead of the iPhone sales debut on that network, but back in July, Apple's CFO admitted: �We are currently unable to make enough iPhone 3GS to meet robust demand and we are working to address this".

Gran Turismo finally to get PSP release

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:28:51 +0100

Last October, we posted a story with a quote from Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida who said that the company had a development team working on Gran Turismo on the PSP, but that it wasn't ready yet.

Nearly a year later, Sony has finally announced that the game is getting a release on the console. The PSP edition contains more than 800 vehicles from real-world car manufacturers, all with driving dynamics specific to each model. There's over 4500 paint variations, too.

You can race them around 35 tracks, and "70 variations on those tracks" (which just sounds like you can go round each one backwards) that include original courses, world circuits, city courses and other racing environments.

Various gameplay modes are available - driving challenge, single player, time trial and drift trial, and multiplayer is accomplished through the PSP's ad-hoc mode with a series of head-to-head races that handicap faster drivers with slower cars. You'll also be able to trade cars with other players.

Gran Turismo PSP comes on UMD but also as a downloadable product via the PSNetwork for owners of the all-new PSP Go - which doesn't take UMDs. It's out in the United States now, we'll keep you posted on European availability.