DigitMemo.com

Creative’s new ZEN serves up 32GB of storage space, MSRP $329.99

Apple may know how to tickle the fancy of portable audio enthusiasts around the world with innovative features (i.e., the iPod touch), but manufacturers like SanDisk and Creative continue to lead the way in value and storage capacity.

Creative, not one to be left out of a capacity war, is following suit with the official unveil of its 32GB ZEN. The ZEN features a 2.5″ display, an FM radio turner, a Secure Digital expansion slot for those who crave even more storage space and includes support for a multitude of file formats (WMV9, MJPEG, MPEG4-SP, DivX 4/5, XviD, MP3, WMA, Audible 2, 3, 4 and non-protected AAC).

Creative says that the built-in lithium-ion battery is good for 5 hours of video playback or up to 30 hours of audio playback.

The new 32GB Creative ZEN will be priced at around $380 USD in Singapore. The player is priced at $329.99 for the United States and is currently available for pre-order on Creative’s U.S. website.

Although Apple is closing security holes with the update, hackers have kept opening up the devices.

Apple has released, only through their iTunes application, a 1.1.2 system update for the iPhone and the iPod Touch.

This addressed an “ImageIO” vulnerability that could allow the execution of malicious code through the viewing of a doctored TIFF image, according to Apple. The malicious TIFF image could cause a buffer overflow that could either crash an application or run code, according to Apple’s technical note on the issue. But in real life, its used to jailbreak iPod and iPhone.

Click for more on Apple Updates iPod Touch and iPhone »

Just like the good folks promised, the early look software development kit for Google’s soon-to-be huge phone OS has hit the streets… er, internet. From what we can tell, the OS is as comfortable on larger, VGA devices as it is on more traditional smartphone layouts. Oh yeah… and it plays Quake. Here’s what we know the software will support out of the box:

• Touchscreen
• 3G
• Webkit-based browser
• Optimized Java runtime layer (known as Dalvik Virtual Machine)
• Threaded text messaging
• MPEG-4, h.264, MP3, and AAC file formats
• Accelerated 3D graphics

Click for more on Google’s Android OS early look SDK now available »

Still few hours from the official release, Wired.com has managed to get the new Zune 2.

Microsoft was kind enough to drop off an 8GB and 80GB to Gadget Lab headquarters a few days ago and we’ve got all the unboxing photos for you to scope out. Scroll down to see ‘em all.

• Better building materials (glass screen instead of plastic.)
• Retooled controls (bye-bye scroll wheel, hello 4-way touchpad.)
• More native video codecs for h.264 and MPEG-4.
• Synchronization of video from your Media Center PC.
• Wi-Fi sync to a host computer.

Click for more on Zune 2 Has Landed: A First Look »

Google has unveiled software it hopes will power a variety of future mobile phones and boost the web on the move.

The software could lead to cheaper phones as it is designed to speed up the process of making mobile services.

Google is working with four mobile manufacturers - Samsung, HTC, Motorola and LG - but a Google branded phone was not announced. The first phones using the so-called Google “software stack” will be available in the second half of 2008.

Click for more on Google pushes into mobile phones, codename Android »

Stop. I mean, don’t stop reading this, but stop thinking what you’re about to think. Or, O.K., I’ll think it for you:

The thing is hard to type on. It’s too slow. It’s too big. It doesn’t have instant messaging. It’s too expensive. (Or, no, wait, it’s too cheap!) It doesn’t support my work e-mail. It’s locked to AT&T. Steve Jobs secretly hates puppies. And—all together now—we’re sick of hearing about it! Yes, there’s been a lot of hype written about the iPhone, and a lot of guff too. So much so that it seems weird to add more, after Danny Fanboy and Bobby McBlogger have had their day. But when that day is over, Apple’s iPhone is still the best thing invented this year. Why? Five reasons:

Click for more on Time labels iPhone as Invention of the Year »

Google will unveil its long-anticipated plan to bring its software to cell phones within the next two weeks, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday

The “Google-powered” phones are expected to make it to market by mid-2008, possibly from Taiwan’s HTC, South Korea’s LG Electronics, Deutsche Telekom AG’s T-Mobile USA, France Telecom’s Orange SA and Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.’s 3 U.K., the report says. In addition to the ad-supported phone services bundling Google Maps, YouTube and Gmail, the operating system would be open to developers to build additional features.

Click for more on More Google Phone rumor »

Wii has broken out of it’s intended mould and is being used for good in the world

It seems the Nintendo Wii games console may not just have fans amongst casual gamers, young kids and pensioners, but also physical therapists. The machines are actively being trialled as an effective rehabilitation system for stroke victims and a whole range of other injuries.

Newsday are reporting that the Bridgeport Hospital’s Rehabilitation Unit has introduced the Wii as part of it’s inpatient therapy and is already seeing results.
It tells the story of Barbara Everlith, a stroke victim who finds standing, walking and grasping objects difficult since falling ill. One thing she has started to do though is play tennis, using the remote controller and a copy of Wii Sports on the Nintendo Wii which the hospital has installed.

Click for more on Nintendo Wii used in hospitals for physical therapy »

Microsoft Corp., facing new competition from Apple Inc., is working with sellers of its Windows Mobile phones to cut prices below $100.

AT&T Inc. began offering the 3125 Windows Mobile model for $49.99. Another phone will go on sale for less than $100 next month, Microsoft said, declining to name the company selling the device.

Microsoft, the world’s largest software maker, competes with Apple and Symbian Ltd. in developing phones that handle e- mail and surf the Internet. More consumers are buying such devices, so-called smart phones, which had been the domain of corporate customers. As competition grows, Microsoft is cutting prices to appeal to a broader range of shoppers.

Click for more on Microsoft, Facing iPhone Challenge, Plans Phones for Under $100 »

An adjustment to one mirror should fix an autofocus problem that has tarnished the debut of Canon’s high-end EOS-1D Mark III camera, the company said Thursday.

“We’re pretty confident this countermeasure will resolve the issue completely,” said Chuck Westfall, a Canon spokesman and tech guru. “It feels nice to have a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel and know it’s not another oncoming train.”

Click for more on Canon has fix for high-end SLR autofocus »