Vivitar is responsible for dirt cheap video cameras and the like. Their latest offering, which hasn’t received a detailed specification list, doesn’t look too bad at all; the DVR565HD will be a SD-card camcorder that will support recording in H.264/MPEG4 high definition at 720p, with a 30fps frame rate. Additionally, the video camera will be able to play back at 1080i, and with an HDMI cable included in the asking price for HD TV connectivity, this looks like a fun shooter for peeps looking for a decent, low-cost camcorder. Though the price hasn’t been announced, Vivitar are known for their wallet-friendly marketing, so be assured, it shall be reasonable. If we’re wrong, you can make fun of the interns. [Pocket-lint]

Via [gizmodo]

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Miami Device: Police To Use Hovering Spy Drones
We hate the idea of Miami spying on its citizens with flying autonomous drones, but as you can see in the photograph, these things have a absolutely cool Judge Dredd look to them. The16lb drone, called the Honeywell MAV (Micro…

We hate the idea of Miami spying on its citizens with flying autonomous drones, but as you can see in the photograph, these things have a absolutely cool Judge Dredd look to them. The16lb drone, called the Honeywell MAV (Micro Air Vehicle), is a pilotless flying automobile loaded with infra red and optical sensors.

Juan Villalba of the Miami Dade Police Department told Reuters that “Our intentions are to use it only in tactical situations as an extra set of eyes” – a kind of snake-o-scope to help SWAT teams see around corners.

We doubt it. The drone is set to go live in the Everglades, which makes us think that these things will be buzzing around searching for drug smugglers and other ne’er-do-wells.

Spy-in-the-sky drone sets sights on Miami [Reuters]

Pic: Reuters/Honeywell

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Comcast, BitTorrent Promise to Play Nice
Comcast, which prevented the BitTorrent file sharing system from working properly on its network and lied about it, will now “work together” with BT as part of Comcast’s reinvention, reports the Wall Street Journal. “The companies are in speaks to…

Comcast, which prevented the BitTorrent file sharing system from working properly on its network and lied about it, will now “work together” with BT as part of Comcast’s reinvention, reports the Wall Street Journal.

“The companies are in talks to collaborate on ways to run BitTorrent’s technology more smoothly on Comcast’s broadband network, and allow Comcast to transport video files more effectively over its own network in the future, said Tony Warner, Comcast’s chief technology officer.”

Comcast ultimately confessed to interfering with the bandwidth-sucking protocol, but presented its misbehavior as a form of quality assurance and management— which was precisely the kind of network engineering newspeak that Network Neutrality nerds always stated they’d end up excusing anticompetitive behavior with.

The new deal will have Comcast slowing traffic only for specific users who guzzle too much data, but they won’t stop messing around with BT until the end of the year. BitTorrent will work to “optimize” its software to run more effectively on Comcast’s network, which will be interesting to see in practice.

I keep thinking of what cellular networks are getting themselves into with these newfangled high-speed networks. Google offers no genuine results for “WiMax Bittorrent”,” a phrase I’d like to see more of.

Comcast, BitTorrent To Work Together On Network Traffic [WSJ]

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If you’re looking to drop a few Gs on a watch, might we advocate an alternative to Rolex or Tag Heuer? How about the Mr. Roboto Watch by Azimuth? While not plated in gold, it does capture the gloriously retro style of 1950s tin robot toys. Constructed from steel (otherwise known as “fuck you, gold”), the timepiece features automatic winding and up to 50M of waterproof fun. For a shot of its inspiration robot, hit the jump.

The Mr. Roboto Watch will sell for $4,800 when it’s released this September. [watchismo via gizmowatch][image]

Via [gizmodo]

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Windows XP Eee PC Available at Ideal Purchase in April, Pricing Stays Sweet [UMPCs]

Our buddies at LaptopMag have just published details about the long-rumored, US bound, Windows XP Eee Computer. The Windows XP version will go on sale at Best Purchase for $399, and you won’t have to wait too long either, as Asus anticipates the systems to ship on April 9th. The system that’ll run the Windows XP OS shall be the standard Eee Computer 4G, which LaptopMag have been putting through its paces for over a month. The machine makes a solid impression overall, however, the disk space is a bit limited to run Windows XP and additional applications on top. Asus are considering dropping in a 4GB SD card to aid in the disk space shortage, but nothing has been confirmed to that end. Jump for the complete spec of the Windows XP Asus Eee PC.

Colors: Pearl White, Black

LCD Size / Type: 7 Wide

LCD Resolution: 800 x 480 (~WVGA)

LCD Type: TFT

Graphic: Intel UMA

Chipset: Intel Mobile Chipset

Processor: Intel Mobile CPU

Memory: 512MB DDR2

S.S.D Storage (Solid Say Disk): 4GB

OS: Windows XP Home Preloaded

Software: MS Works, Windows Live

Audio: High-Definition Audio CODEC

Microphone: 1 Internal Microphone

Speakers: 2 Internal Stereo Speakers

Audio Jack-Out (3.5mm)

Audio Jack-In (3.5mm)

Wireless Included: 802.11 b/g

LAN / Connector: 10/100 Mbps / RJ-45

3 USB 2.0 ports

Memory Card Reader: MMC/SD(SDHC)

VGA Port 1 (D-sub 15 pin)

Integrated Camera

Battery: four-cell 4400mAh

Battery Life: 2.8 hours

AC Adapter Output: 9.5V, 22W

AC Adapter Input: 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz universal

Unit Weight: 2.0 lbs (with battery)

Unit Dimensions: 8.86 x 6.30 x 0.79 ~ 1.26 inches

If all you wanted for Christmas was an Asus Eee Personal computer running Windows XP, then Santa’s delivered. Yes, it’s a tiny late, but like a faltering parachute, it’s superior late than never. Checkout the hands on by clicking through to number two. (Dr Dre, I have the ability to rhyme all sorts of stuff, call me.) [LaptopMag; 1, 2]

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