duo

V-Moda has always been able to combine quality with high fashion, not an easy feat considering the limited canvas afforded by something as small as an earbud. And now it's managed to cram a key new function into its headsets as well.

The latest version of its "Vibe Duo" model is designed for the iPhone with a built-in set of controls that include functions for calls as well as music--yet another reflection of the ever-converging worlds of mobile handsets and media players. Apple includes its own headphones with the iPhone but worked with V-Moda to develop its … Read more

TVs and PCs may be taking their own sweet time to morph into one appliance, but some designs are starting to betray the romance. Case in point: ViewSonic's new "Diamani DUO" series (dynamic duo?) are meant to be used both as a desktop monitor and an LCD TV, in 19- and 22-inch models with 1,440x900 and 1,680x1050 respective resolutions.

Unlike other PC-TV screens, which are often indistinguishable from desktop monitors, this one actually takes on some of the design characteristics of a plasma or LCD set, such as today's popular piano-black gloss finish, contoured … Read more

Hopefully, a shift in Intel's marketing strategy will put the Core 2 Duo dancers on hiatus later this year, Intel CEO Paul Otellini said Tuesday.

After Intel realized its fortunes had begun to turn last year, the company immediately began a marketing blitz called "Multiply," based almost exclusively around the Core 2 Duo brand. It was an interesting--if not somewhat perplexing--departure from the platform branding strategy that previously governed Intel's marketing, but any baseball manager will tell you that you've got to go with the hot hand while it's hot. The Core 2 Duo's performance … Read more

If anyone knows me, they know one thing: I love free PC shooters. The developers at Binary Zoo have made me very happy in recent years with their excellent releases Duo and Mono, and it seems like they've done it yet again. Their new game, Echoes, combines Asteroids and Geometry Wars to create another entertaining and addictive shoot-em-up.

The game menu is very similar to Duo and Mono, and easy for anyone to quickly understand and start playing. If you've never played either of those two games, before, a helpful "Instructions" button will break down the basics for you:

10 SHOOT STUFF 20 DIE 30 GOTO 10

If that's not enough info to get you started, there is an HTML document with instructions included in the Echoes package. The gameplay is as basic as it gets. You move your ship and fire independently in 360 degrees, and there are 10 levels of enemies for you to destroy: mini asteroids, small asteroids, large asteroids, extra-large asteroids, comets, meteor storms, asteroid belts, planets, black holes, and the sun. If you're hit by any enemies, you'll lose energy. The game ends when your energy reaches zero, or perhaps when you blow up the sun. I wouldn't know as I can't seem to get past those wicked blue planets.… Read more

Apple updated its MacBook line this morning, but the new models don't include many of the rumored features such as Intel's new Santa Rosa platform, LED-backlit displays, or solid-state hard drives. But what did you expect? Anything larger would have required Steve Jobs to take the stage. Using the same design, MacBooks now feature 2.0GHz or 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo processors, 1GB of memory, 80GB to 200GB hard drives, and 802.11n networking. Pricing still starts at $1,099.

And then there were two.

Samsung will join its archrival LG in releasing a combo HD disc player later this year. According to a brief press release, the Korean consumer electronics giant will introduce the BD-UP5000 "Duo HD" player this year. The release also specified that the player will "fully support both HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats and their interactive technologies, HDi and BD-Java." No pricing or additional feature details on the Samsung BD-UP5000 were made available.

The official announcement of the BD-UP5000 confirms rumors that have been percolating for months. Most recently, Home Theater Blog … Read more

In an effort to appeal to the "tech-wired and wireless younger generation," Energizer has announced the Energizer Duo, a charger that plugs into the USB port on your computer--or a wall outlet (thus the "Duo" name, get it?). According to the company's press release, the Duo charges two AA or AAA NiMH batteries in as little as two hours (for two AAAs anyway), though we're skeptical about that time when using USB charging.

In an apparent nod to youth's demand for choice, the Duo will come in three colors, and better yet, includes &… Read more

Thrifty laptop shoppers can easily put together a decent system for around $800 or so (or even dip down to $500 if they're brave), but these low-cost machines have always had major trade-offs in terms of components and performance.

We can't speak to the performance aspect just yet, but Systemax has hit the $999 sweet spot with a just-announced Vista Ultimate version of its Core 2 Duo 15.4-inch Pursuit 4155 laptop. It's also got 1GB of memory, a 60GB hard drive, and a built-in Webcam.

The Core 2 Duo T5200 processor is admittedly on the low … Read more

Motion Computing was going unveil its new LE1700 Core 2 Duo slate tablet PC to the world this morning, but thanks to some errant FCC documents, the blogosphere got wind of it a few days early.

The company is known for tablets aimed at industrial and hospital users--but with a Core 2 Duo CPU, built-in mobile broadband, and a 12.1-inch 1,400x1,050 screen that can switch between stylus and fingertip input--there's plenty of mainstream crossover appeal in the LE1700.

GottaBeMobile found a load of early details on the system on the FCC.gov Web site, but here … Read more