Apple has announced the long awaited iPhone to the world. After years of rumors and mockups, it was unveiled today at Macworld.

The 11.6 mm thick iPhone will feature a 3.5-inch multi touchscreen display, 2 megapixel camera, proximity sensor, accelerometer, and ambient light sensors, Quad-band GSM/EDGE/ WiFi/ Bluetooth 2.0, full soft Qwerty keyboard and a battery life of 16 hours for audio and 5 hours for actual phone use. It is scheduled for a USA release in mid 2007, end of 2007 for Europe and 2008 in Asia.

MSRP is $599 for the 4Gb model and $499 for the 4Gb model. It will initially be available to Cingular phone customers only.

iPhone Tech Specs

Product Page [Apple]

Microsoft has released a firmware update, version 1.2. The zune firmware patch is around 22MB. The updates do not add any new features, but it improves the existing features such as image lag, switching modes, and switching from videos to music.

Instruction for updating for Zune player firmware from Microsoft:

1. Install the version of the Zune software that was included with your Zune device.
2. Connect your Zune device to a computer, and then put your Zune device on a stable surface.
3. Note If the battery in your Zune device is critically low, we recommend that you charge your Zune device before you continue.

For more information about how to charge your Zune device, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 927348 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927348/) How to charge the battery in your Zune device

4. Open the Zune software. You receive a message to update your Zune device. If you do not receive this message, follow these steps: a. Click Options, point to Sync, point to , and then click Check for Zune Device Updates.

Download the Zune firmware

Via [Zuneboard]

Travelers and those of us who live in cramped urban apartments make it a daily habit to try to minimize the number of separate items that we own without having to simultaneous minimize our accumulation of new toys. This is no easy task. Every new gadget that we get comes with cords to attach it to computers or docking stations to charge it. And as soon as we get just the right travel bag or shelving unit, we either get new gadgets or we get new attachments for the old gadgets.

HoMedics is doing their part to provide some relief from the burden of space-sucking toys with its new iSound Spa system. It acts as an iPod docking station and speaker system, a radio, a clock which projects the time on to your wall, and an alarm. And to further help you decrease the stress which sometimes comes with having just a little bit too much in your life, the iSound Spa system also offers six different nature sound options for your enjoyment.

Of course, we all know that the space we save by using the iSound Spa system will most likely be taken over by other new toys. Our appetites for new gadgets are deservedly insatiable. But at least we?ll be able to fit the newest thing in to our travel bags now!

Read [Staten Island Advance]

Thanks to Popular Mechanics the staff for giving us this Zune vs. iPod comparison.

Japanese manufacturer Logitec (not to be confused with Logitech) has come up with an industry first portable slot/ front load DVD drive.

The LDR-PMC9U2 supports standard format CDs and DVDs and can be powered through the USB port. A slim 0.7 inches thick, the maximum read/write specifications are 8x DVD?R/+RW, 5x DVD-RAM, 6x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+R DL/-R DL, 24x CD-R/-RW 24, 8x DVD-ROM and 24x CD-ROM.

This will hit Japan’s retail outlets at the end of the month and costs around $200. It has yet to be determined whether the company will attempt to sell it within the US consumer market.

Source [Logitec]