ZOTAC, best known for their HD capable mini-ITX motherboards, has added a new mini barebones HTPC to their relatively unknown mini-PC lineup. The ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 (MSRP $209.99) features the power combo of NVIDIA’s next-generation ION GPU (aka ION 2 / GeForce 9400) and Intel’s 1.6Ghz dual-core D510 Atom CPU on top of an Intel NM10 Express chipset. In addition, the ZBOX HD-ID11 provides room for a single 2.5-inch SATA hard drive and offers HDMI (HDCP w/8-channel digital audio) / DVI video connections, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n Wi-Fi, eSATA, 6 x USB 2.0 ports, and a 6-in-1 memory card reader among other niceties. All you really need to bring to the equation is a hard drive, DDR2-800 RAM stick, and a Windows or Linux OS of your choice to install via USB. MORE »

It’s time to put that credit card back in your wallet, if you’re thinking about buying an HD capable nettop to function as your living room’s HTPC. Shuttle has just announced that they will be debuting the Shuttle Barebone XS35 Mini-PC, featuring Intel’s Atom D510 1.6Ghz dual core processor and NVIDIA GT218 (ION 2) graphics, at CeBIT 2010 (release date: Q2 2010). Besides the impressive processor and graphic components, the XS35 is a remarkable 1.3-inches (3.3cm) thick and offers room for a 2.5-inch hard drive and an optical slimline drive. Other niceties include: 5 x USB ports, multi-card reader, HDMI, VESA mounting interface, and passive (fanless) cooling. MORE »

If the slew of QWERTY keyboards recently launched for your HTPC haven’t fit the bill, have a look at Adesso’s latest full size, 30 foot range, 2.4Ghz RF wireless multimedia keyboard. What makes the $119.99 Adesso RF SlimTouch Pro Touchpad Keyboard (WKB-4200UB) different from most other wireless keyboards is that it places the built-in touchpad (with left/right buttons and a scroll strip) where the number pad usually goes and includes 6 multimedia buttons right along side it for quick access. Adesso’s designers even thought ahead and included sleep mode and power on/off buttons to help users extended the keyboard’s battery life (requires 2 x AAA batteries) when not couch surfing. Overall the WKB-4200UB’s design is quite nice and can be easily be used as a replacement desktop keyboard, if one wanted to. [via] MORE »

It seems that just about every month or so we see a new software based remote app for your HTPC — some good, some with limited functionality. Well, here’s another one to add to your list. However, judging by the functionality of Remotely Possible, this may be the iPhone / iPod touch HTPC remote app to have [$2.99 - iTunes Link]. As you’ll see in the video, Remotely Possible can detect all networked Windows PCs with its accompanying installed software via Wi-Fi and control selected computers. Once a PC is selected, one can then launch any application (i.e. Windows Media Center, Hulu Desktop, SlingPlayer, etc.) and control it via touchpad gestures or virtual buttons (editable: look, layout). What’s more, users can download control button profiles to match product remotes and even use the iPhone’s hardware volume controls to adjust sound. MORE »

Feeling experimental or just bored with the current crop of HTPC remotes? Have a look at the $149 GlideTV Navigator — a wireless, touchpad remote with media and smart navigation buttons that’s compatible with Windows Media Center, iTunes, Apple Front Row, Boxee, Hulu Desktop, and others applications. The remote is designed to be held in the palm of your hand and operated by just your thumb. GlideTV Navigator is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation 3, as well as any set-top device that supports “standard [USB] mouse and keyboard HID devices.” And, if you plan on using the GlideTV Navigator with Windows, you can install custom GlideTV software that will provide your HTPC with an on-screen keyboard and a media search portal to your favorite sites on the Net. MORE »

Brother, this looks like something that we’d like to see released worldwide! Fujitsu at IFA unveiled their latest Mini PC addition called Esprimo Q1500 running Windows 7. This little bugger packs an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of RAM, a slot loading Blu-ray drive, HDMI, and a 320GB hard drive. What’s more, it only uses 19 watts of power when in idle mode. Now that’s lean and mean! Pricing: 699€ and comes packaged with a Windows Media Center remote. [via / via]

Niveus Media today is announcing the addition of the Niveus ZONE PRO to the ZONE family of multi-room, small form factor Blu-ray HTPC products. The new ZONE PRO ($1,999) is now three times faster than the original ZONE ($1,499) and includes a solid state drive to make the player even quieter than it was before [spec sheet - PDF]. Like the original ZONE, the ZONE PRO functions as a multi-room and multi-zone PC that’s capable of receiving content from a central server, sharing media content with other ZONEs, and discovering content from networked PCs and storage devices. Also new and noteworthy… ZONEs will be able to “support sharing of HD cable content amongst other ZONEs on the home network.” MORE »

It seems like it’s the rise of the machines with all the new mini and small form factor HTPCs coming to market. This week Lenovo has unveiled what it hopes will be the top dog in the sub-$500 small form factor HTPC space and nudge some of the spotlight away from the mini Intel Atom N330 + NVIDIA ION products that everyone has been oh-ing and ah-ing as of late. MORE »

GeeXboX 1.2 has been released on the world! This is the final release of the free Linux Home Theatre PC distribution before GeexXbox gets a visually stunning overhaul in 2.0. This long awaited update includes several new features the community has been clamoring for. MORE »

Terrific news for our Linux HTPC enthusiasts. ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) version 1.0.19 has added 1000 new features including support for HDMI audio pass through via kernel 2.67.27-x. Previously getting audio through HDMI had been a bit of a chore. Now, hopefully, we’ll see a new surge in custom Linux HTPC builds and OEM set-top devices designed to serve HDTVs. [via]