I’ve been hesitant to post any info on the rumored Microsoft Courier Booklet, but Gizmodo seems to keep getting their hands on leaked video and photos of the device that makes it too hard to ignore [Video: 1, 2]. Essentially, the Courier Booklet (which supposedly is going to be produced by Microsoft) is a dual-screen, touch PC Internet tablet featuring Microsoft Surface like capabilities. However, what really steals the show on this device is the pen and multi-touch driven UI that offers familiar cues to how we navigate the physical and digital world. Personally, I love the sketchbook / notebook vibe of the device. And the web page integration, contacts, sticky notes, and “pocket” holder functionality is executed superbly (well, at least in the demo). But truth be told… I’m not too sure how close Microsoft is at rolling out this product when their “Codex” prototype (if it’s based on that) is still rough around the edges — see video below. MORE »

We first got a glimpse of the QNAP NMP-1000 at CeBIT back in March. The device, which has just now been released to the public, provides four essential duties: 1) playback of stored media from its 3.5-inch SATA HDD to a TV; 2) a central location for networked PCs to send their shared media; 3) easy access to online media from sites like YouTube and Flickr; 4) automatic network PC backups. The best way to think of the NMP-1000 is that it’s a 1080p HD capable digital media adapter with NAS capabilities which can play nice with Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs. Unfortnately, the price remains a mystery since it’s not listed on any of the partner websites at the moment (will update once the device makes an appearance). MORE »

Ok, I’m impressed. The folks behind the UPnP Media Server app, TwonkyMedia, have launched a new product that will definitely get your attention. TwonkyBeam, as the video below will demonstrate, is a FREE plug-in for Windows Internet Explorer 6.0+ (Firefox and Mac support planned) that allows you to zap media from any web site that has photo, music, or video content directly to a DLNA / UPnP compatible device. In the video you’ll see how TwonkyBeam can send an MP3 track from Last.fm to a Sonos Music Player, Flickr photos to a digital media adapter and photo frame, and a NASA.gov video to a digital media adapter or network enabled TV. The best part (and one that I was worried it might not be able to do) is that TwonkyBeam can detect and play a selected piece of media or everything found on a web page with “play all”. MORE »

I’m not much of a gamer, but I can appreciate innovative technology. Check out Spawn Labs‘ demo presentation at TechCrunch50 earlier this month. In a nutshell the $199 Spawn HD-720 is a game console adapter that broadcasts the availability of your networked game console over the Internet and allows friends (as well as yourself, if you’re away) to remotely play a game loaded on your home console from just about any PC. Currently, it works with Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 / 3, Gamecube and does not require a subscription fee to make use of the service; however, you do need to install Spawn Labs’ PC software to manage the experience and each remote player needs to purchase a $29.95 Spawn Gamepad Adapter. MORE »

You’ve heard about tru2way, right? The next-gen of CableCARD technology that provides two-way interactive television with and through your cable provider? Well, Intel is taking tru2way to the next level with a home DVR server, created for cable TV providers to license, that provides support for a 3 tuner, multi-stream tru2way CableCARD and converts the incoming data into an IP stream that multiple cable TV set-top boxes in a home can use. What’s more, the server is also able to stream recorded TV and other media to DLNA / UPnP supporting devices like PCs (see XBMC in use in the video demo below), digital media adapters, and game consoles. The server archeticture, which uses Intel’s CE3100 media processor (possibly later replaced by Intel’s Atom CE4100), is planned to debut by providers in 2011. Additional pics from Engadget @ IDF here. MORE »

It looks like Intel has bigger plans for Moblin than just it being a lightweight, Linux-based netbook OS. At the Intel Developer Forum today, Intel unveiled a prototype Multimedia Internet Device (MID) running Moblin v2.1 powered by an Intel Atom processor. During the presentation, Intel also displayed a Smartphone running the OS as well and proclaimed: “Something big has happened to your mobile phone.” Pics from both devices definitely confirm that the Moblin UI for MID and Smartphones have been tweaked to suite the device’s screen dimensions and functionality. It’s apparent now — if it wasn’t already — Intel has ARM and portable OSs like Android and Maemo in their sights.  Engadget @ IDF has additional details and pics here and here.

Today NETGEAR is introducing a new 2-bay home media server called Stora, which has been designed for “non-technical” users. The consumer-friendly NAS provides remote file access and music streaming from any Internet location via MyStora.com, is DLNA / UPnP compatible (works with DLNA-enabled photo frames, media adapters, game consoles), has the ability to export photos to online services like Flickr, can automatically backup network PCs, and is able to provide mirrored RAID storage when an optional second drive is used. Out of the box NETGEAR Stora (MS2110) comes with a single 1TB hard drive and retails for $229. NETGEAR Stora is compatible and accessible with Windows, Mac, Linux PCs and Smartphones. MORE »

Oh, my…. Belkin has stepped up to the plate with a seriously heavy handed hitter. The company is introducing the most advanced 4-port wireless USB hub we’ve seen to date. The $129.99 Belkin Home Base offers 1Ghz of processing power, 802.11n / Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, network access to USB storage / printers / cameras / SD webcams, Flickr / Picasa photo sharing, automatic Mac OS X / Windows PC backups, and DLNA / UPnP support for digital media adapters and game consoles like the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. With these attributes and price point, there’s little doubt the Belkin Home Base is going to be a hot seller – once people figure out exactly what it does. MORE »

HP has just launched a new category of device that’s not really a digital photo frame per se, but more a multimedia, network connected infotainment device designed to be accessed from any table-top. Dubbed the HP DreamScreen, the new device comes in 10.2 and 13.3-inch widescreen (15:9 ratio) versions, includes Ethernet and 802.11g Wi-Fi connectivity, 2GB of internal memory, multi-card reader, USB, micro USB, built-in speakers, headphone jack, remote control, and touch-enabled controls located on the bezel. MORE »

Seagate is really doing some interesting things with their FreeAgent Go portable hard drives. Yesterday we reported on the Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD Media Player and how it offers a custom FreeAgent Go dock so users can playback stored media on their HDTV. Now, today, the company is introducing the FreeAgent Go compatible FreeAgent DockStar with — get this — Pogoplug NAS capabilities. MORE »