RAmos tends to tease us with slick product photos / renders all the time and then pump out shoddy, derivative crap, so we're not going to get too excited about the new T8 iMovie (sigh, terrible name), but here it is looking pretty slick on video -- and the specs are solid for $219. That's a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 touchscreen in a 10mm (.4 inch) thick case, with 32GB of storage and decent codec support, TV-out, and micro speakers. Too bad we don't know if it's coming Stateside, but if you're headed to the Olympics, it's probably worth checking out. Video after the break.

[Via PMP Today]

You know, we kind of like the approach here. Rather than just dousing one of its current players in pink and calling it fit for a female, RAmos decided to really investigate the true desires of our lady friends. The Mumu iPearl is an elusive white-framed PMP with no obvious buttons, though the entire interface is delightfully pink. Here's where the company goes wrong, though -- it totally fails to mention any specifications whatsoever, acting as if that August release date is the only thing gadget-loving dames will care to know. We'd say you've still got some growing up to do, RAmos.

[Via PMPToday]

We're onto your game, ZVUE. Just days after giving us a reason to laugh with the introduction of the 1GB Journey DAP, you're delivering yet another media player with yet another icon on it. This go 'round, we're looking at none other than The King -- an Elvis Presley-emblazoned media player with 1GB of Elvis video clips, a 2.4-inch display, FM tuner, voice recorder, photo / text viewer and USB connectivity. Those looking to shake things up can toss in a microSD card for additional tunes, though you'll be forced to hand over $49.88 to Wally World in order to claim your own. We're tempted to say it's now or never, but really, it's from August 12th onward.

Oh yes it is. iriver's 3.3-inch Spinn media player with AMOLED display has finally been captured on video. That gives us a first look at the new SPINN Wheel controller and how it assists with navigating the touch-screen display with haptic feedback. Gotta say, the navigation looks extremely impressive causing our want factor to burrow a bit deeper down into our wallets. Check the UI in action after the break.

[Via iriverfans.com]

In further evidence of our rapidly eroding civil liberties, the Department of Homeland Security disclosed today that US Customs and Border Protection and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement have the right to confiscate and search a traveler's laptop or other electronic device without any suspicion of wrongdoing. The rules -- which we reported on in February -- allow for searches of hard drives, flash drives, cellphones, iPods, pagers, and video or audio tapes, and specify that the agencies can "detain" belongings for a "reasonable period of time," (i.e., as long as they please). Additionally, the DHS can share the data found with other government agencies or private entities for translation, decryption, or (astoundingly vague) "other reasons." The DHS says the policies apply to anyone entering the country -- including US citizens -- and claim the measures are necessary to prevent terrorism. In other news, Big Brother issued a statement today guaranteeing a bonus for turning over family members suspected of crimethink to the Thought Police.

[Via Switched]

Sony's China-only PMPs have always been a little more interesting than the gear we see Stateside, and the new PMX-M80 is no exception. The 4.3-inch touchscreen player packs 16GB of storage and decent codec support into a sleek white box, as well as a new mapping application that's apparently a novelty in China. Too bad this thing won't ever make it over here -- although at 2,260 yuan ($331), it probably wouldn't shake things up too much.

[Via PMP Today]

We've been following the rumor since January, today it's official: LG's BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player will begin streaming Netflix movies in the US this September. The player will cost "well under $500" and allow Netflix members to stream more than 12,000 standard definition TV and films through the device at no additional increase to their monthly paid subscriptions. Members will use the Netflix website to add movies or TV to their individual instant queues. Movies will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds when selected from the TV where users can browse, make selections, read synopses, rate movies, and fast-forward / rewind video streams using the BD300's remote control. While specs on the player itself are scarce, we do know that it supports BD Live and LG's SimpLink technology to integrate easily with LG TVs and AV products. One thing's for sure, with this deal announced and those with Roku and the Xbox 360 in the bag, it looks like Netflix is grown-up and ready for the digital age.

According to a report from AppleInsider, the Cupertino giant is issuing "advisement bulletins" to some of its channel partners suggesting they get their hands on iPods and MacBooks / MacBook Pros while the gettin's good. It seems that Apple is telling resellers to place orders for a four-week block's worth of top-selling iPods, saying that within the next seven days supplies will become extremely limited, while recommending a three-week supply of MacBooks and MacBook Pros. The article claims that this practice is familiar to third-party sellers, and indicates Apple is ramping up for its holiday season (and new iPods and MacBooks / Pros, presumably). Of course, right now this is just whispers in high school hallways, but we can promise you this: Apple will be selling something this holiday season. You have our word.

In what appears to be an increasingly common problem, hairline cracks are beginning to form on Apple's new iPhone 3G. While most of the cracks are reportedly affecting the white model, this is likely due to the increased visibility of the dark fracture on the white case as opposed to any differences in materials between the white and black units. At the moment, the issue seems largely cosmetic and doesn't appear to interfere with the operation of the phone. Now bust out the magnifying glass and let us know if you're seeing the same.

Update: Reader Darius shows off a whisker crack on his kid-glove handled black iPhone 3G with the help of some blue lighting -- meow. See it after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read -- MacRumors forum
Read -- Apple Discussions

Step aside HD700, Sanyo just replaced you with its DMX-HD800 720p camcorder. According to Akihabara News who is attending the launch event, the HD800 features a "HUGE step forward in video quality" coupled with reduced noise thanks to Sanyo's 3DDNR filter. Spec-wize, we're looking at an 8.0 megapixel 1/2.5-inch CMOS sensor, SD/SDHC support, 5x optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD, face tracking, and easier to use drag-and-drop to pull AVC/H.264 video from the camera to your PC. We'll have to wait for the reviews to know for sure but it looks like Sanyo just made one of the best 720p camcorders even better. On sale in Japan on August 22nd for ¥50,000 (about $463).

[Via Impress]

Who knows how much this is worth, but there's a lot of chatter flying around today about some text strings in the beta release of iPhone OS 2.1 that make reference to an "iPod2,1." Seeing as the current iPod touch is designated "iPod1,1," that's a pretty strong hint that a new model is coming -- but hey, guess what? Of course a new model is eventually coming. What's more, we'd bet it's going to be almost exactly the same as the current iPod touch, with maybe the addition of GPS -- it's not like Apple is going to position this thing above the iPhone. Wake us up when tapping in Steve's birthday backwards spits out a ship date, pricing, and specs, and maybe then we'll be more excited.

Man, it has been quite awhile since we've seen an iPod of any sort get dressed up in limited edition attire. Thinking back to those Harry Potter, Madonna and Tony Hawk editions, we can't help but wonder how this one missed the boat. Coincidentally (or not) enough, the CBS Store has decided to offer up a special run of 8GB Beverly Hills, 90210 iPod nanos just as The CW pushes the all new rendition of the show. Buyers can add up to 30 characters of text and choose black, pink, green, blue or silver hues, but you better hurry -- who knows how fast raving fans will be handing over their $269 in hopes of securing one.

[Via ChipChick]

[Via DAP Review, thanks Al]

If you haven't noticed, China's going all out to improve itself before the world fixes its eyes upon Beijing in just over a week. Rather than plunking down license fees to use a protocol that's widely accepted, China has chosen to create its own digital TV standard: CMMB. Amazingly, RAmos has actually churned out a PMP to take advantage of said standard, and just in time for the 2008 Olympics. Unfortunately, we really know nothing about the iTV except that it can understand CMMB, so screen size, internal storage and everything else remains unknown. Heck, we don't even know how expensive it is -- but hey, it supports CMMB (for the three weeks you're in China, after which it's partially worthless)!

[Via iTech News Net]

You've probably heard by now that the infamous Zune Guy ("Microsoft Zune") was so disappointed with Microsoft that he's elected to have his ink removed in place of something more in line with his shifted priorities. In addition to the reconstructive work he's going to have, ZG claims that Microsoft actually lied to him about his free trip to the Redmond campus, which (as you might imagine) further tarnishes his image of the company. Unfortunately, according to reps from Microsoft we spoke with, the trip was never confirmed -- only discussed -- and ultimately canceled due to the very reasonable fear that it might lead a lot of "hyper-engaged users" to expect a trip of their own (though they did hook our man up with a free Zune and some related swag). What you probably haven't heard (or seen) is his sprawling video rant, in which he accuses the big M of dropping the ball on his favorite PMP before going on a general rage-bender. We've included the video after the break (careful moms, it's full of expletives), as well as link to a zunescene forum where the Zune Guy reveals he's just purchased a new PMP... an iPod.

[Thanks to everyone who sent these in]

Read - Something else I have been hiding....
Read - Bought my new PMP today....