The Kumara Patch » 2007

Enough Said !

Blog Category: Rumours — Blogged by: Kumara Kid on January 23, 2007 at 12:09 pm

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Wireless Windows Gaming

Blog Category: Technology — Blogged by: Kumara Kid on January 17, 2007 at 4:40 pm

Another wee goodie arrived on the desk today, the Xbox 360Wireless Controller for Windows.

Yup, your normal wireless Xbox Controller but this time with the USB reciever to hook up to your Windows XP or Windows Vista (download required) based PC.

Funny question though, how often do you really sit that far away from your PC that you would need to 30 foot range of the device ?, but hey, nothing like a little freedom though, guess that’s why its so much fun running the streets commando styles.

The setup (on my HP Pavillion / Vista Ultimate Laptop) was a breeze, I inserted the supplied driver disc, hmmm XP only but this time instead of canning out on the install it prompts you to search the web for the current software version, it linked out to the Microsoft Hardware pages and within 2 minutes i was downloading the 16mb file to run this under Vista Ultimate.

The software install was seamless, no user input and voila, hey presto your away laughing. Connection is simple and there is even a funky wee widget on your desktop indication your device status.

Off to play a little and see if i can break it

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Intelli Type/Point Driver Support for Vista

Blog Category: Gadgets — Blogged by: Kumara Kid on January 17, 2007 at 2:23 pm

The Microsoft hardware pages have been update with the latest version of Intelli Type and Intelli Point software thus enabling full support for Microsoft Hardware under Windows Vista

Lazy link below.

Microsoft Hardware Pages

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A keyboard to rule them all . . . nearly

Blog Category: Technology — Blogged by: Kumara Kid on January 17, 2007 at 1:57 pm

One of the joy’s of working inside the hallowed halls of a company like I do is that from time to time you get to have a rip with the new goodies, and even more find one that you are blown away by.

The Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 is one of those, right from the funky packaging you know that your onto something pretty cool, Bluetooth, Wirelss, Bells & Whistles included.

The feature are outlined below

1 Rechargable mouse

2 2.4GHz Bluetooth connectivity, features 1st connect technology, connects right out of the box, no mess no fuss

3 One touch Windows start button, optimised for Windows Vista index searching

4 Ultra thin comfort curve design with quiet touch keys

5 Dual battery staus indicators - know when your running low

6 Navigation pad, allows control of your PC from the keyboard, when at the desk or from the confort of your couch

7 Windows live call button, press and take control of you live messenger buddies list

Overall the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 is a great additoin to a standard PC or and welcome add on to your Media Centre, allowing you to drive your experience in a more improved manner than with the standard Media Centre Remote, the only down to this is the fact that there is limited ability to customise keys and the fact that there is soon to be the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000, a more advanced keyboard with all the features for a true Media Centre Experience.

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Finally a decent ethernet over power option

Blog Category: Gadgets — Blogged by: Kumara Kid on January 9, 2007 at 1:07 pm

Linksys announced the PowerLine AV Ethernet Kit, its first HomePlug AV release. The bundle includes two PLE200 PowerLine AV Ethernet adapters and companion cables, and allows data to flow around your house as fast as 100Mbps (as in Ethernet, theoretically enough to support HD streams). Currently a HomePlug AV network will support up to 16 devices, and can “combat electrical noise generated by appliances, electronic [products] and halogen lights.” A quick refresher for those unfamiliar with the concept, PowerLine allows you to create a home network via electrical outlets rather than running CAT-5 cables up and down the stairs. You plug any internet ready device into one adapter, and connect the other adapter to your router, plug both adapters into a wall socket, and like magic you’ve got internets. It is backwards compatible with PowerLine 1.0 (a sigh of relief for early adopters) and the kit and additional adapters are available now for your enjoyment.

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