Sony's XDR-S16DBP wakes up from the DAB+ doldrums

Try as we might, we've never been able to get too worked up over DAB radio -- dab, just saying it rids the body of consciousness. But then we perked up after seeing the image above for Sony's retro-nouveau XDR-S16DBP micro -- a temporary burst of adrenaline nearly stifled by the more mundane XDR‑C706DBP clock radio found after the break. Both are compatible with the DAB+ digital broadcasting standard rolling out across Europe and offer ten DAB/DAB+ presets with an additional ten for FM. The £79 XDR-S16DBP portable brings a pair of 0.8W stereo speakers, a 16x2 character LCD display, sleep timer, and headphone jack while the compact XDR‑C706DBP is a more traditional DAB+/DAB/FM alarm clock with 0.4W speaker and 4 alarm presets. Both are available now.

Sony introduces first DAB+ radios

Retro-styled XDR-S16DBP portable radio and XDR‑C706DBP clock radio

XDR-S16DBP portable radio with superb stereo sound and natural wood cabinet
XDR-C706DBP clock radio with large, clear display and four alarm settings

Two new DAB/DAB+/FM digital radios from Sony add more style to enjoying your favourite broadcasts.

Blending subtly retro looks with outstandingly crisp stereo sound, the AC‑powered XDR-S16DBP portable radio offers beautifully simple operation and handy features. There's no excuse for oversleeping with the compact XDR‑C706DBP clock radio that features a large, clear display and four alarms.

The XDR-S16DBP and XDR‑C706DBP are the first micro radios from Sony that offer compatibility with the enhanced DAB+ digital broadcasting standard that's now rolling out across several European countries. Thanks to a more efficient coding scheme, DAB+ lets listeners enjoy an even wider range of radio stations, plus crystal clear, interference free digital sound. Both models offer a generous choice of 10 DAB/DAB+ presets for storing your favourite digital radio stations, plus a further 10 FM presets.

XDR-S16DBP portable radio
The XDR-S16DBP makes a distinctive design statement with its elegantly rounded natural wood cabinet. Clean, timeless lines emphasize the radio's simple, uncluttered controls that assure easy operation.

DAB, DAB+ and FM broadcasts are reproduced with clear stereo sound from the 0.8W+0.8W stereo speakers. The generously-sized 16x2 character LCD display gives a clear readout of DAB/DAB+ channel and programme information.

A Sleep Timer switches off the radio after a preset delay, saving power after you're dropped off while listening in bed. There's also a headphone jack for enjoying your favourite radio shows in private without disturbing others.

XDR-C706DBP clock radio
A smart addition to any bedroom, the compact XDR-C706DBP DAB/DAB+/FM clock radio lets everybody wake up to their favourite sounds in style.

The large, clear LCD display ensures you always know the right time. Up to four separate alarm settings can be programmed – ideal if you and your partner keep different schedules. There's also a snooze button and sleep timer.

The new XDR-S16DBP DAB/DAB+/FM portable digital radio and XDR-C706DBP DAB/DAB+/FM digital clock radio by Sony are available now.

Manual for Alienware M11x with Sandy Bridge confirms NVIDIA GT540M graphics

If the previous Alienware M11x R3 spec leak got you all giddy, then we have some good news for you: according to a manual dug up by one of our eagle-eyed readers, it appears that this year's M11x refresh will indeed be coming with second-gen Core i5 ULV and Core i7 ULV options, along with a faster DDR3 bus (1333MHz instead of 800MHz), a higher-res webcam (2MP instead of 1.3MP), an HD TrueLife LCD, and optional 3G / 4G mobile broadband. But of course, the real meat on this laptop is its graphics card, which turns out to be an NVIDIA GeForce GT540M with either 1Gb or 2GB of dedicated memory -- not bad for a laptop of this size. Unsurprisingly, no dates or prices are mentioned here, but given the early start of inventory clearance, it shouldn't be long before Round Rock reveals all. Dell (ZIP)

Test subjects with electrode implants use mind control to move a cursor

As trippy as mind-control still seems to us, we've already seen it implemented in everything from wheelchairs to pricey gaming (and car driving!) headsets. But the problem is that they measure brain activity outside the skull -- you know, the thing we've evolved to shield the murky goings-on in our minds from prying EEG sensors. Now, though, a team of Washington University researchers appears to have happened upon a more effective -- albeit, invasive -- approach. The researchers got some brave specimens to move a mouse cursor by implanting plastic pads containing electrodes underneath their skulls, with the sensors sitting on the surface of the brain . That, they say, gives them access to more telling, high-frequency waves that say a lot more about cognitive intentions. In the end, the subjects moved the cursors by thinking one of these sounds: "ee," "ah," "oo," and "eh." Brain-computer interfaces ain't new, of course, b...

Commodore USA puts the new C64 up for pre-sales, unveils far-less-retrotastic VIC-Slim

Desktops Commodore USA puts the new C64 up for pre-sales, unveils far-less-retrotastic VIC-Slim By Sean Hollister posted Apr 6th 2011 8:43PM Now that Commodore USA has sufficiently piqued your curiosity with a revamped Commodore 64 prototype, it's ready to capitalize on the idea. Quite literally, we might add. $595 buys you the basic basic model with an 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Atom D525 chip, NVIDIA ION 2 graphics, 2GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive -- which it promises to deliver by "early June" -- with hundred-dollar increments adding premium features like an additional 2GB of memory, a Blu-Ray drive, up to 1TB of storage, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth. However, if you're simply looking for a compact keyboard computer (rather than reliving 80's nostalgia) there's another option on tap -- a likely rebadged thin wedge of a machine that Commodore's...

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