BlackBerry Pearl 9100 set loose. [Update: Video added]

While many CrackBerry addicts live and die by the full qwerty keyboard that resides on their trusted loyal companion, some people just can’t deal with all of that width. The heft of a full qwerty BlackBerry (even though small compared to many others) turns some people off. To solve that problem, RIM brought us the 8100 BlackBerry Pearl several years ago. Following up the 8100 was the 8220 which took a slightly different flip phone form factor and retained the suretype goodness. And today we now have images of the new BlackBerry Pearl 9100 — suretype goodness reborn, optical trackpad, assumed 3G and all. Even though I wouldn’t go back to any suretype device after living with full qwertys for the last 2-1/2 years, it’s still a hot looking device that will no doubt bring in millions and convert many more people to team CrackBerry. As soon as we find out specs we’ll let all of you know!

Update: Video added Inside…

HDAiR wireless USB to HDMI/VGA converter gets audio support

Going wireless is a liberating experience that sets apart those who merely like technology with those who can’t live with out it. Die hard technology fans. Wireless, especially high performing wireless, is what we care about most. Besides, nothing says old and outdated like a junky cable poking out from your beloved gadgets. Building upon the success of their first gen HDAiR, Atlona Technologies took their customers’ ideas and requests to heart by adding one of the most highly sought after features — audio support. Perhaps we should backtrack a tad just in case you don’t even know what the HDAiR is.

• What it is: a wireless USB to HDMI or VGA converter.

• What it does: Allows users to connect any computer to any projector or TV via the wonders of wireless technology.

When the need arises, the HDAiR gives users the ability to distance their display from their computer by up to 30 feet while still offering up video resolutions of 720p or PC/VESA resolutions up to 1440 x 1050. Looking at the resolutions, it’s pretty admirable as this isn’t the standard 480p that many would think would come with cutting the cord. This updated HDAir packs one new addition however — the ability to output audio through the units onboard HDMI port or 3.5mm audio port.

The HDAiR is available to Windows users running XP, Vista, or Windows 7 for $219. I for one hope they eventually expand to offer Mac support as I’m sure quite a few Mac users would find such a device extremely useful. Agree?

[Press Release]

DealVista releases Black Friday spreadsheet. 5,512 deals to choose from.

Saving a buck or two is always a good thing especially with jobs not looking so hot and dollar bills going much less farther than they used to. We all hope to score a nice Black Friday deal each and every year but tracking all of the prices, stores, and items is a small chore to say the least. DealVista has got your back as they’ve compiled on massive spreadsheet highlighting the items, prices, and locations of all the best Black Friday deals. Being the tech head that I am, the gadget deals are naturally my top choice. See anything good? Share it with us! There’s 5,512 deals in all to be had, so what are you waiting for?

• View Black Friday spreadsheet via Google Docs onine

• Download DealVista’s Black Friday spreadsheet

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Class action lawsuit filed by banned Xbox modders

“Fighting the good fight” is a term that we often hear used to describe a seemingly insurmountable foe, force, or object. The term ftgf instills in us that while it may not be the easiest or most popular choice at any given moment, it is the “right” thing to do. So what would you call it when a group of pissed off banned Xbox modders joins together to file a class action lawsuit against Microsoft for banning them? Stupid. As much as I support hacking and modding your own personal hardware, filing a lawsuit is dumb because it’s clearly against Microsoft’s ToS. Again, I disagree with their ToS but suing them while knowingly violating several rules just doesn’t seem the right way to go about it.

It’s worth mentioning that they aren’t necessarily suing Microsoft for outright banning them, but instead playing on the idea of timing. They suit alleges that Microsoft timed the banning perfectly with the release of Halo 3 OSDT and Modern Warfare 2 in which to force gamers to purchase new systems specifically for those games. Ya, it’s a long, long stretch. A stretch that I don’t think is going to get very far. But hey, they’re simply “fighting the good fight….”

Nexux 404

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Looking for ways to tweet? Mount a coffee cup to your car roof…

I don’t know about you, but when I see a clever usage of Twitter whether it’s a tweeting beer keg or a tweeting cat, I find myself smiling and realizing the overall joys in life are small, nerdy, and just plain innovative. Innovative isn’t what some would call “GitEmSteveDave’s” crazy Coffee-on-a-car contraption with other honorable mentions being “dumb”, “stupid”, “retarded”, etc. I have a sense of humor and practice using it every day. It appears Steve has one too as the picture above shows his hobby — finding ways to tweet about things. And so the “RoofCoffeeCup” was born.

The gist is straightforward. He took a simple coffee cup and used two powerful magnets (pacemaker users beware!) to keep the cup from sliding, falling, or rolling off of his roof. See, easy as pie (never did quite understand that). After the painless install, he simply drives around and watches peoples’ reactions and tweets them accordingly. So far he’s had 13 honks, 5 along side riders, 4 double takes, 3 points, 3 stoplight tells, 2 laughs, 2 mimes, 1 flash, 1 wave, and 1 cute girl taking his picture.

Might I add that last one is reason enough to mount a paper cup to your roof… If you find his idea inspiring and would like to try it out for yourself, make sure to tweet all incidences and reactions on Twitter with the #RoofCoffeeCup hash tag.

• Steve’s Site

Boing Boing

Verizon sends rebadged Alltel employees packin’

Today is probably not the best day to find out you owe $2,500 in back taxes, receive a letter notifying you of your late rent payment, or even going out to spend money on a beer if you find yourself a new ex-Alltel/Verizon acquired employee. Though crying in your beer may be the only thing that makes you feel better. I must stress however that crying in good beer is a travesty — meaning a lesser beer is a more desirable tear collector. What constitutes a good beer? Anything that has “light” or “low-cal” absent is at least a good start. Now that I’ve somehow managed to start talk about beer, let’s say we get back on track. Shall we?

Job losses after acquisitions are hardly anything new or surprising. When company A acquires company B, it’s always assumed and known that at least some employees from the company being acquired are going to lose their jobs. You just don’t need a bajillion finance managers etc. etc. Also common knowledge, the dominant company isn’t going to cut their own staff to make room for new “foreigners”. With that said, the loss that many ex-Alltel employees are feeling today is certainly unfortunate. The bulk of the losses are coming from Alltel’s Little Rock building — which by the way, the local government wasn’t too pleased as many high paying positions are now removed from the local economy. Then again, few people on the “lower end” of a take over are ever pleased with how it goes.

But it could be worse…*insert insanely witty comment contrasting a good, bad, and ugly situation here while showcasing your ability to toy with the English language*

BGR > Wireless Week

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Chrome OS revealed!

Google junkies and all around simpletons with curiosity bouncing off the charts in regards to Google’s Chrome OS can finally have some visual treats to munch on. Taking a quick glance above, you can see that it’s a lot like the Chrome browser. To some that’s good, to others it’s bad. It’s highly effective though. After going through several different live blog events, the ease at which you switch between browser tabs and applications tabs really does blend the whole desktop/cloud line. But there’s more to know, so come on in…