Motherboards

ECS KN1 Extreme @ HEXUS

Etc.

Hypercool 4+ Heatsink @ hi-techreviews  Clievideo Palm Webcam @ ARP

SunBeamTech Transformer Case @ TechTastic

If you're using a PDA to surf the web, you've most likely heard of AvantGo, even if you don't use it. Well, a new version has finally arrived, version 4.0 build 58, that incorporates tons of changes.

"... improved wireless synchronization; an integrated Internet browser; real-time searching of AvantGo channels; a redesigned user interface with tabbed navigation, customized channel layout and small-screen optimized navigation. Also, users will now be able to add and remove channels directly from their device."

It's CES coverage day around the web. Sites are posting their "Part I" summaries of what they've been seeing these first few days of the convention. If you haven't been keeping up with it, hit these links for some catch-up.

Designtechnica
VR-Zone
The TechZone
The TechReport

If any of you out there have picked up a vanilla 6800 recently, you'll want to give this article a look. The OCIA crew has laid it all out for anyone looking to turn their 6800 into a 6800GT.

"I began reading on various message boards that some people were actually able to unlock the remaining four pixel pipelines on their 6800 cards for a total of 16, matching that of the GT model. This seemed completely reasonable, as the 6800 is more or less a watered-down version of its GT counterpart."

By now I'm sure most of you have heard about MS getting into the Anti-Spyware business. I think DaK put it best when he said, "Doesn't it seem a bit off to you that the people writing the software susceptible to the spyware are now writing the software to prevent the spyware?" Conflict of interest at best, it would seem... are they writing software full of holes to push their own product later on? Anyhow, the gang at ExtensionTech have a first look at the MS AntiSpyware app, in beta form. I think this quote from their article puts it best:

"Microsoft may really have a winner here. Most definitely due to their own previous lackadaisical approach to security issues with Windows, and even more obvious, Internet Explorer. This is one program that should be considered in your arsenal to combat the current epidemic of Spyware that is going around for Windows based Computers."

Video Cards

HIS X700Pro IceQ Turbo VIVO 256MB PCIe @ 3DGameMan

Etc.

X-Trac Mad Wax @ Hard H2O  Samsung ML-2251n Printer @ OverclockersOnline

Evercool WC-202 Water Cooling Kit @ Madshrimps  Logitech MX1000 @ BigBruin

Vantec Modding Kit @ Virtual-Fusion  OCZ PowerStream 470W @ Virtual-Fusion

Proaim: Virtual Alignment Trainer @ AuphanOnline

While not stictly "tech news" the new Corvette does deserve a quick look. I'm not a huge Corvette thing or anything, but this model looks pretty sweet, plus, you get to hear John "Moto" Chow go on & on about it ;)

"The new Z06 achieves 500 horsepower in an approximately 3130-pound package and is expected to deliver 0-60 performance of less than 4 seconds, eclipse the quarter-mile in less than 12 seconds and deliver a top speed of more than 190 mph on a race track."

If you're looking to get that little extra oomph out of your X800-based card, ARP's got the guide for you. That is, of course, assuming that you're fine with busting out the soldering iron & going to town on that bad boy. They've updated their X800 voltage modding guide to rev. 2.0; here are the changes:

- Added two Vddq mods - resistor method and pencil method.
- Added list of required components and minor updates to the Over-Current Protection Mod (page 11)
- Minor updates to pages 4 and 6.

Video Cards

Gigabyte 6600GT (GV-NX66T128D) PCIe @ hi-techreviews  Gigabyte X600 XT @ Envy News

RAM

Mushkin 1GB PC2-5300 (667) DDR2 Dual Pack @ OCTools  PQI Turbo Memory PC4000 @ FastLaneHW

Corsair Flash Voyager USB 2.0 Drive 256MB @ OCTools

Cooling

Asetek VapoChill XE II @ Madshrimps  Evercool WC-301 mini-water cooler @ OverclockerCafe

Etc.

Raidmax Samurai 908 Gaming Case @ 3DGameMan  SMC Gigabit Equipment @ OCModShop

XTrac Pads Mousing Roundup @ Controlled-Insanity  DiscHub @ OverclockersOnline

RIO Forge 256MB Sport MP3 Player @ ARP  Panasonic Y2 Notebook @ Designtechnica

Awww crap. I just got a DirecTiVo for Christmas, too. I'd never even have wanted one if I'd have been able to figure out my IQ issues with my HTPC. Guess I maybe should've worked a bit harder on that, seeing as how the relationship between DTV & TiVo is now questionable...

"The combination of DirecTV's satellite service with products from subsidiary NDS , underscores News Corp.'s ambitions to spread its technology across its portfolio of companies globally. NDS also develops technology for BSkyB . DirecTV stepped down from TiVo's board last June creating speculation that the company would drop TiVo completely."

CNet's got a decent overview of the upcoming mobile offering from AMD. Looks like the Turion will possibly run quite a bit cooler than the current generation of A64 notebook chips, & be comparable as far as battery life with the Centrino.

"Notebooks sporting the new processor will come out at the same time as the chip, he added. Turion notebooks will be marketed for the consumer and business market. The company will also continue to produce the Athlon 64 mobile chips as well as budget Sempron notebook processors."

More info on the upcoming goodies from the DivX studios. Sounds uber-promising to me. They're compression is about as good as it gets, imo.

"The company on Thursday also previewed DivX 6, an upcoming version of its compression technology , which will allow consumers or film studios to fit an entire high-definition film on a standard DVD disc. DivX 6, which comes out in March, will appear in DVD players selling for about $100 later in the year."

Creative's expanding it's portable music player lineup to include a device that uses flash memory as its primary hard drive; among several others. 1GB cards are so cheap these days, & 4GB cards & higher are on the way... Not a bad idea, if the price point is cheap enough.

"All the players will feature support for both the MP3 and WMA formats, up to 12 hours of battery life, an FM radio and recorder, a voice recorder, vertical touch pad controls and access to 2 million downloadable songs through MSN Music and services such as Napster, MusicMatch and Wal-Mart, Creative said."