Robot Deliveries of the Future

As city streets grow more and more crowded, it is more difficult for delivery trucks to get through them. The solution is to deliver the packages through the sewers.

Yes, that network of tunnels designed to move human waste from our homes could be used to bring packages to our homes. All of this is possible with the proper application of robots.
Some researchers are working on inventing the Urban Mole. Instead of digging through the dirt, the Urban Mole is designed to carry packages such as signed documents, groceries, and Amazon.com orders. Of course, there are limits, and my source has said it can probably deliver nothing bigger than a shoebox.
Of course, I don’t know how good of a condition your packaged materials would be if they have just been swimming through sewage. Perhaps it will be required from every Urban Mole to take a shower before it knocks on the door.

Another problem that I forsee is what do you do when there is some sort of breakdown in the system? Do you send someone in the sewers to fix it? That’s one of those “dirty job, but someone has to do it” thing.
This is one concept gadget that I don’t think will ever be made, but you never know. I have seen I, Robot, and I believe that robot delivery people will be walking, not swimming.
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Mechanical Timer with LED Light

For those of you that always enjoy checking out the strange novelty lights, here’s one more. This one is meant for your kitchen itself and uses an odd method to power the small ambient glow that it gives off. It won’t stay on all the time, purely when the timer itself is on. So it’s not something you could leave on at night next to the fridge to make it easier to sneak a midnight snack.

Oddly in order to power this LED light it uses mechanical energy. When you rotate the base to set a time, it of course cranks the mechanism inside.

 Then as it slowly unwinds, all of that stored energy will power the lighting aspect of the timer. So there really isn’t much of a point to this at all, besides that when the glow goes out it’s another reminder that your food is done. It might also be a good idea for those that are hard of hearing. Sure, they could always check the numbers, but it’s much easier to spot when the light has gone out. Right now this is just a concept design by Jasper Hou.
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Easy Piano for Nintendo DS

I’m not certain what it is with video game accessories these days. It’s almost like you can’t release a successful game without one. It would appear that Easy Piano has stolen a page from the Guitar Hero playbook by including a fake instrument with their game.
You will note the eight note full-octave keyboard peripheral that attaches directly to the DS itself, and playing it is, of course, part of the game. The end result looks like a sliced section of a Casio keyboard.
Eventually, the user will be able to play one octave’s worth of Mozart, Beethoven, as well as other fare like “Bohemian Rhapsody” or “Jingle Bells”. It also includes a recording function so the player can save his or her own one-octave hits.

I’m sure you detected the hint of sarcasm in my last paragraph. I guess it is because I feel that if you are going to make a “Piano Hero” type game, then couldn’t you make a keyboard with a full 88 keys? That way, the player could play the piano for real after he or she is finished playing the game, unlike the instruments on Rockband.
See, video games can teach you something. If you want to check it out for yourself, then you’ll have to wait until November.
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The Undercover Laptop Sleeve disguises your laptop

When the MacBook Air came out, there were several laptop sleeves that looked like nice tidy envelopes to store your MacBook within. All of course imitating the tidy envelope Steve Jobs originally pulled the Air out of. Well instead of going with something as clean and obvious as that, perhaps you could protect your laptop with something a little more on the subtle side. With this it will just look like an old tattered envelope and might keep people from stealing your laptop.


It’s of course not a fool proof method, but it can’t hurt either. Plus this case comes in two different sizes, one can hold all 8”-13” laptops and the other can hold 13”-17”. It may look old and worn out, but it has plenty of padding inside to keep your laptop safe. It’s also a waterproof and tearproof case to keep it from getting damaged. So it might end up outlasting your laptop if it’s that durable. You can purchase it for $29.79 or £19.99 from Lazybone UK.
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AT&T offers Samsung Solstice

AT&T has teamed up with Samsung Telecommunications America (aka Samsung Mobile) to bring the Samsung Solstice to US shores when August 2 rolls around. While the Solstice is no iPhone, that doesn’t mean it does not deserve its five minutes of fame, where this compact and seemingly fun touchscreen handset will open up a door of instant connectivity to social networking, messaging and multimedia features. Packaged in an easy-to-use, polished design, the Samsung Solstice is lightweight and sleek, making it look like a decent phone for your teens, although they might beg to differ and hanker after an iPhone just like the millions of other folks around the world. More on the Samsung Solstice’s specifications right after the jump.


The Samsung Solstice is equipped with a 3″ touchscreen display which will bring up a virtual, landscape QWERTY keyboard whenever you need to compose a text message or email, all the while remaining within Samsung’s unique TouchWiz user interface that enables one-touch access to frequently used applications and social networks through new widgets for Facebook, MySpace and Yahoo! oneSearch. In addition, owners of the Solstice will also be able to take advantage of staying connected virtually anywhere they are thanks to access to mobile broadband over AT&T’s 3G network, coupled with services such as AT&T Navigator and AT&T Mobile Music with Napster Mobile and eMusic Mobile.
Targeting those who tend to do a whole lot more typing than talking, the Solstice boasts multiple messaging options including Mobile Email, IM and MMS alongside a 2-megapixel camera with video recording capability. In addition, the tactile response with haptic feedback helps one know that a virtual button has been pressed, where the full QWERTY keyboard makes typing a snap with its sensitivity adjustment, accompanied by easy-to-use clear letters, numbers and symbols. The Solstice will also feature an integrated accelerometer, MP3 playback, Bluetooth connectivity and a microSD memory card slot. It can be yours for $99.99 with a 2-year contract after a $50 mail-in rebate.
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T-Mobile to bring HTC Touch Pro2 this August

T-Mobile will be lining up HTC’s Touch Pro2 when August 12 rolls around later next month. This powerful yet stylish business-class device is pretty much similar to many other high end smartphones in the market, where it boasts an intuitive touchscreen display and a user interface that makes it a snap for customers to simplify their communication and mobile Internet experience while staying connected and informed at all times - subject to battery life, of course, as these kinds of high end devices tend to sap battery power like nobody’s business. Folks who want to pick up the HTC Touch Pro2 in mocha finish from T-Mobile can do so from August 12 onwards.


Easily making room for T-Mobile’s 3G network and helping you remain connected in most public places using built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) connectivity, one can definitely tell that the HTC Touch Pro2 is not meant for casual users who check their email accounts only once a week. The HTC Touch Pro2 boasts superior data delivery and an enhanced Web-browsing experience, where you will also be able to use this as an impromptu GPS navigation device as well as location-based services. The 3.6″ color WVGA touchscreen display can slide back and tilt upwards to reveal a full-QWERTY keyboard that would definitely go some ways in helping one decide whether you like to type messages using a virtual or actual keyboard. The screen’s position and size is good enough for reading and composing email, surfing the Internet, running applications and playing games on-the-go. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus capability, Straight Talk technology that integrates e-mail, voice and speakerphone experience into a simple manner that responds to e-mail via a call, making it a snap to organize conference calls from group e-mail.
There is no word on pricing, so we’ll just have to keep a keen eye out on this. Rest assured, the next 12 days ought to see more details revealed for the HTC Touch Pro2.
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Nikon D3000 aims to endear with new features

Nikon Corporation has increased its family member by yet another model with the unveiling of its D3000 DX-format digital SLR. The D3000 will target folks who want to make the jump from a standard point-and-shoot compact digital camera into the world of digital SLRs, where it brings together in-camera assistance and supreme ease-of-use with Nikon’s renowned technology. There is a new Guide mode thrown into the fray, where it offers a hassle-free method for less-experienced picture-takers to get them used to snapping images using a digital SLR camera. This Guide mode will rely on its intuitive user-friendly interface to assist users in choosing shooting modes for a variety of situations and further explore advanced photographic techniques if they so desire. It doesn’t matter if you’re about to capture close-ups, landscapes or portraits with soft backgrounds, the D3000 has more than enough underneath its hood to handle most common photographic situations.

Apart from the new Guide mode mentioned, the D3000 will employ a 10.2-megapixel
Nikon DX-format CCD sensor that helps produce high-resolution images which enable beautiful enlargements without loss of sharpness. In addition, normal ISO sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to 1600 with the ability to kick in the Hi setting which increases sensitivity to ISO 3200 if the situation calls for it. Apart from that, Nikon’s EXPEED image processing system brings excellent resolution, long tonal scale and superb color to the fore. With Nikon’s Active D-Lighting function, details in the shadows and highlights of high-contrast scenes can be improved to an impressive level, thanks to the 420-pixel RGB sensor that analyzes a scene then adjusts exposure to achieve images that closely resemble what the human eye sees.

Other features in the D3000 include an SDHC memory card slot, compatibility with all NIKKOR AF-S and AF-I lenses that have an autofocus motor, Viewfinder grid lines that aid in picture composition and a bunch of image browsing and editing software to make it a snap whenever you want to organize your newly created albums.

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Eye-Fi unveils Eye-Fi Geo card

Eye-Fi is one name that pops into your mind whenever you think about a SD memory card that comes with built-in Wi-Fi functionality, but this time round the folks at Eye-Fi have gone the extra mile by releasing a new variant of their staple product, known as the Eye-Fi Geo. This wireless SD memory card will be made exclusive to Apple, where users are able to upload photos snapped from a digital camera to a computer automatically, while providing lifetime geotagging service so that when you look through those images many years from now, you’ll still be able to know where and when those images were taken instead of relying on an ever diminishing amount of brain cells. The Eye-Fi Geo card was specially built to seamlessly integrate with Mac products and applications, including iPhoto ‘09 and ‘08, the iPhone and MobileMe.

The Eye-Fi Geo will go about its business, wirelessly uploading photos directly to a folder on your computer or Apple’s iPhoto gallery whenever they they arrive automatically geotagged with location information about where the image was captured. This tight and seamless integration with Apple products and features will see iPhoto ’09’s “Places” allow users to search and sort photos by location using geotags from the Eye-Fi Geo card. Apart from that, users are also able to upgrade their Eye-Fi Geo card to share images online at MobileMe or over 20 other popular photo sharing and social networking sites as long as one is willing to fork out a $9.99 fee each year.

According to Jef Holove, CEO of Eye-Fi, “Apple users want simplicity and an effortless user experience, so it’s not surprising that a significant number of our users are on Macs. The Eye-Fi Geo is the perfect companion for iPhoto’s new ‘Places’ application to pinpoint photos on a digital map so memories are displayed in a richer, more meaningful way.” If you’re interested in the 2GB Eye-Fi Geo card, it can be yours at Apple stores and Apple.com for $59.99.

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Taser Shockwave Inflicts a Wall of Hurt

Just recently, we reported on the Taser X3, a semi-automatic taser that can fire three rounds. Some of you may recall the testing video when shooter exclaims: “Taser! Taser! Taser!” and then fires three shock-shots from his Taser.
Of course, you ever encounter the Taser Shockwave, the last words you could hear is “Taser! Taser! Taser! Taser…” Well, you get the idea. The Taser Shockwave is just one big wall of hurt, isn’t it?
In fact, it has about 26 stun guns mounted on a rack. If someone gets within 25 feet of this shockwall, then they are going to feel the electric pain. The user can stand about 100 feet away, and operate this via remote control.

Of course, this rack looks pretty stationary, so it’s not like you could swivel the Shockwave via the remote. So perhaps the remote is just one button that says “ZAP!!!” on it. At least you can daisy chain several of these guys together and put an electric fence around your place that trespassers will never forget.
By the way, did I mention that you can mount this on your car’s front bumper? Honestly, I can’t think of a practical use for that except to shock pedestrians who cut in front of me in traffic.
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Pig Speakers get a classy touch

I swear I’ve seen far more pig shaped audio accessories than I could have ever imagined I would. I even think pigs are kind of cute and I still think this is getting a little ridiculous. Although the other set of pig speakers I’ve seen have kind of gone towards the silly end of things. Whereas these new pigs go for a slightly chic piggy look. These are the high class pigs, clearly. So if you have a thing for pretty clean pigs that play your music, then this is the gadget for you.


Of course that’s provided you’re living in Japan too, otherwise you might have issues getting your hands on one of these. The ceramic pigs come from Japan’s I.D.E.A where there are several different color choices to choose from. You can pick between black, white, pretty pink and a very shiny gold. The skinny tail that comes out of the rear of the pig is the connector for your MP3 player. You can purchase one for ¥4,725 or about $50.
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Escort releases Redline radar detector

What’s the point of having a high revving sports car if you can’t push it to the limit on ordinary roads? Of course, most supercars can also be driven slowly to cruise past busy spots so that majority of working class folks would look on in envy, but paying off a speeding ticket (or tickets, depending on your luck) just because you wanted to let ‘er rip down that straightaway is a bummer. Escort hopes their Redline radar detector ought to prevent that from happening to you ever again since it features dual antennas that make the range a whole lot longer compared to other radar detectors. So long, in fact, that Escort proudly claims for it to recognize radar and laser signatures from as far as 13 miles away.

 No idea on how much truth is there, but the $499.95 investment you make here could save you thousands in speeding tickets sometime down the road.
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BeamBox unveils MiLi universal charger

BeamBox moves away from their pico projector projects for the moment by offering something that most gadget lovers would find useful - the MiLi universal charger. This palm-sized block can be used virtually anywhere in the world that has a power plug, since it features interchangeable US, UK, Australian and European plug adapters alongside a flip-out in-car plug that offers further charging options thanks to a couple of USB ports. Seeing that this is all you need and can be used worldwide, it makes sense for the MiLi to play nice with 12-24V DC power or 100-240V AC power. Apart from that, there is also the inclusion of over-current and short-circuit protection for added safety. If you’re interested in picking this up, you can choose from 9 various colors, where the pre-order is going fro $37/£20.

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Twilight Turtle

I’m not too sure about you, but am I the only one who wonders whether the Twilight Turtle will induce nightmares in your kid instead of having it put your little one to dreamland faster? After all, the skin on this turtle seems to be more shriveled up than having soaked one’s fingers and toes in the bathtub for a whole day, and it could give a very bad first impression to little ones about how turtles look.

The turtle emits a warm ambient glow from his shell, casting eight night sky constellations on to the walls of your child’s bedroom. This soothing night light, with 3 relaxing colours, not only helps your children sleep, but you can teach them 8 of the most recognisable constellations while reading them their favorite bedtime story. Besides making the Twilight Turtle look gorgeous in the dark, the three colours of the nightlight apparently have a practical use: the autumnal glow of amber radiates warmth, good cheer and peace; blue is supposed to calm the mind and the senses - it’s one of the most natural colours in the world (just think about how many blue things you see every day: the sky, the sea, that jumper your aunty knitted you for Christmas). It encourages relaxation and promotes a good night’s sleep; green is the colour of life - it too can be found everywhere in nature and is said to have healing and rejuvenating properties. So not only do you get a soft plush turtle with a star emitting shell, it’s also a great relaxation aid for your child.

If you’re adamant on bringing this Twilight Turtle home, it can be yours for £29.99.

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The Jenda Voice Calendar nags about upcoming events

Everyone has their methods to keep the household in line and under control. Some are a little more over the top than others, but if it works then that’s alright. This method is probably better suited for those that just love to micro manage every detail of their family’s lives, as well as those that prefer to have a gadget to do even the tiniest tasks. This electronic device will let you know of daily tasks that recur as well as new ones for that particular day.


The Jenda Voice Calendar will mount to your refrigerator door with heavy magnets, which are thankfully provided. Of course, if you really aren’t fond of listening to a recording of your own voice, you’re probably not going to be all that fond of this gadget. In order to work it, you just select the month, then the day and hold to record. It has a flashing button marked “today” when there is something that you need to know about that particular day. For recurring events, you just have to record once, you can also create an audio ‘to do list’. It runs on 3 AAA batteries and can be purchased for $39.95.
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Precision HSD Case for iPhone 3G and 3G S from AGF

AGF has decided to take advantage of the iPhone fever that has yet to die down worldwide despite the smartphone making its way to the third iteration as of now, introducing its Precision HSD case/carry solution for iPhone 3G and 3G S. The Precision HSD product line will boast a special and some say, an ingenious case design which will merge both superior protection, quality construction and ease-of-use.

The Precision HSD for iPhone 3G and 3G S blends durability and style in a unique case and carry solution that safeguards both the front and back of your the iPhone. The patented design will not scratch or rub the surface of the phone because of its innovative, easy-to-use, one-handed latch system. The unique case design does not attach directly to the phone and provides superior protection without wear to the phone’s surface. The Precision HSD case is available in custom finishes, all with a premium look and feel that is competitively priced.

Features include an engineered hinge to enhance use and durability, soft microfiber lining for added protection, an easy-to-open door to view calls or phone status and a patented AGF long-life 180-degree swivel belt clip. You can pick one up for $34.95 today.

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The Eyezone Eye Massager relieves sore eyes

Although it’d be nice to be able to just go off and get a massage on a regular basis, it just doesn’t usually seem to work out. Be it due to a busy schedule or just not enough cash flow to be able to afford it. Which is why at home massagers can be found in just about any possible form you could think up. Some are extravagant and nowhere near affordable, others are smaller and won’t break the bank. Thankfully this eye massager is one of the cheaper ones out there.


After staring at a computer screen all day or even flipping through a text book for hours on end, your eyes just get a little on the sore side. Instead of just ignoring it and pushing through, you could take a quick break and pull out this Eyezone Eye Massager. It straps to your head and uses vibrating foam pads. It claims to relieve not only sore eyes, but migraines, sinus problems and helps prevent age related loss of sight. You can purchase this for £14.95 or about $25 from Gizoo.
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Samsung announces new 8500 Series LED HDTVs

Samsung has recently unveiled their latest LCD HDTV to the world, and in the flagship model, no less. The all new 8500 Series of HDTVs will bring together superb picture quality without sacrificing style, where the thinness of Samsung’s older LED HDTVs alongside all the latest networking and interactive features are still retained in order to keep TV connoisseurs happy. Samsung has also thrown in the Medi@2.0 suite for a higher level of immersion when it comes to viewing movies and shows on the 8500 Series. More on this line right after the jump, especially if you’re looking to upgrade your current flat screen TV.

Samsung managed to turn a corner with innovative use of white LEDs as a backlight source, enabling the 8500 Series to be able to achieve a stunning 7,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for extreme detail and image depth. The inclusion of its Wide Color Enhancer Pro makes sure that colors remain consistently vibrant, while Samsung’s Ultra Clear Panel strives to offer improved image clarity and brightness regardless of a room’s ambient lighting. All of that does not mean that Samsung has forgotten about Mother Nature, and the 8500 Series is compliant with the latest Energy Star v3.0 ratings, while boasting an optimized energy savings mode which adjusts the backlight and picture quality, without having to sacrifice the overall viewing experience. Not only that, its “Natural” mode optimizes picture settings to model the brightness advantage of LCD displays and the cinema-like richness of plasma displays with any content.

The 8500 Series will carry an ultra-quick 2ms panel response time, coupled with Samsung’s up-to-date version of its Auto Motion Plus frame interpolation technology which brings true 240Hz refresh rate to the living room, helping improve playback of fast-paced content by a significant amount. Users are able to adjust levels of judder and motion blur reduction by going beyond the three standard Auto Motion Plus presets for superior picture control. As for Samsung’s Medi@2.0 suite, this enables users to access content from an expanded range of sources including Internet@TV - Content Service, web-based content from Yahoo! (Flickr, Video, News, Weather, and Finance), USA Today (Sports), Twitter, YouTube, and others. You can pick up the 8500 Series from 46″ and 55″ models for $3,599.99 and $4,499.99, respectively.
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Kodak releases bevy of devices

Mention Kodak, and chances are you’ll probably think about film and cameras. Well, the company is back with a bunch of new products that will definitely tickle your fancy, so let’s take a quick look at all of them before you decide whether to redirect some of your monthly resources to purchase one of these, eh? First off we have the Kodak Zi8 pocket video camera that will bring full high definition video recording within reach of the masses, while the EasyShare digital camera market will be expanded by the introduction of the Z950 and M381. As for digital photo frames, Kodak ensures it has that ground covered with the S730 and D830, while the Kodak Theatre HD player rounds off the list of recent product announcements.


First off is the Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera that offers integrated electronic image stabilization for vibrant and sharper full HD videos, a generous 2.5″ color LCD display, a swing-out USB arm for fast uploading, sharing and charging, a 5-megapixel 16:9 widescreen image sensor, an external microphone jack and easy uploading of snapped photos and videos to Facebook and YouTube.
Up next is the EasyShare Z950 digital camera that boasts a 10X image stabilized SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON optical zoom lens, a 12-megapixel sensor, Kodak’s Smart Capture feature and a fast click-to-capture speed of less than 0.3 seconds. The smaller EasyShare M381 digital camera, however, also comes with a 12-megapixel sensor with a 5X optical zoom lens and an advanced feature set which comprises of HD still image capture, easy uploading to Facebook, YouTube or Kodak Gallery, face detection of up to 5 faces and blue reduction technology.
The EasyShare S730 digital frame comes with a built-in rechargeable battery, allowing one to use this as a portable digital photo album without being restrained by the length of its power cord. It comes with a new Picture Finder feature that makes it easier to locate images you want to share with others on the spot. As for the D830, this new Décor Series will come in a choice of hundreds of traditional picture frames for those who want to maintain a visible link between old and new technology. Last but not least is the Theatre HD player that comes with YouTube support, Net video access and discovery collage views, giving you superior all round control of your photo collection.
The Kodak Zi8 pocket video camera, EasyShare Z950, EasyShare M381, S730, D830 and Kodak Theatre HD player will retail for $179.95, $279.99, $179.99, $139, $139 and $199.99, respectively.
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The Weather Station Shower Mirror

I’ve probably mentioned several times before that I have a lot of appreciation for weather stations as well as combination gadgets that simplify your life. Well this mirror might be a great gadget to have around for those of you guys out there that like to shave in the shower. It’d be nice if not only did this have the mirror, but a radio built into it as well. Instead though, they opted to put a weather station within your shower. While you’re shaving, you’ll know exactly what it’s like outside.


Personally, a weather station being in the shower wouldn’t quite work for me. That is since I always pick out my clothing for the day before I even get in the shower. However, if you do that afterward then this would work out nicely. It tells you the time, date, temperature, humidity and the daily forecast based on barometric pressure. It also has a spot to hold your shaving cream and two different razors. To hold it up it uses suction cups and requires 2 AA batteries as well as 2 AAA batteries. You can purchase it for $49.98 from Taylor Gifts.
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BSkyB brings 3D Channel to UK

In case you needed more proof that this 3D fad isn’t dying anytime soon, then you should know that there will be a 3D channel coming to the UK sometime next year.
BSkyB is the company responsible for trying to institute would could be the norm of television in the future. Apparently, the company is doing very well with its Sky+ HD box, a device which makes the 3D broadcasting possible.
Customers who want to watch the 3D channel will have to purchase a “3D ready” television, and yes, they will have to wear special goggles. Right now, a typical “3D ready” TV by Hyundai costs quite a bit. However, costs have been known to go down with user demands.

Of course, the price of the 3D ready TV sets isn’t the only question I have for BSkyB’s 3D channel. I am guessing that this 3D station plans to have 3D content 24/7, which means that all of the exclusive footage must be filmed with special cameras. I can’t help but wonder what type of shows they would have.
I would highly suggest that BSkyB carry content with 3D animation. You might notice that many CG movies like Up and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs are being released in 3D, and I believe it is because CG animation is easy to shift into 3D mode. There are a few computer animated shows on television now (mostly for kids), and if these were turned 3D, then you’d really have a hard time prying your kid away from the TV.
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Retro Mini X Handheld NES System

Despite technological advancements in the world of video games and consoles, there are times when some of us just want to sit back, relax and enjoy titles of yore. ThinkGeek fills up this need with their latest release, the Retro Mini X Handheld NES System. As you can tell by its product name, this device will be able to handle your entire library of NES games - just make sure that you have original (and still working) cartridges to begin with. If those do not work, do try out the classic blow-into-the-connector method, otherwise just pick up some titles off eBay and other online auction sites.
 
Back to the Retro Mini X Handheld NES System - this mini game system will hook up to a TV and comes with a wireless Zapper replica to boot! Unfortunately, you cannot use the Zapper with the integrated LCD display, as it will only function whenever the system is hooked up to a TV. Not only that, another limitation is, the Zapper will play nice only with a CRT TV, so folks running on LCDs and plasmas might want to think twice before picking up this $49.99 classic gaming tool. Read More...

Gemologist’s Diamond Authenticity Tester

Ladies, if you’re thinking of your next gadget purchase, might we suggest the Gemologist’s Diamond Authenticity Tester to you? After all, which woman doesn’t like it when they receive a diamond ring, earring or necklace from their beloved? If your man’s salary doesn’t seem to add up despite him showering you will all these glitzy presents, you’d best be aware as to whether these tokens of “love” are authentic or not, and the Gemologist’s Diamond Authenticity Tester would be just the right thing to have.

This device instantly verifies the authenticity of a diamond and detects the presence of moissanite and cubic zirconia, the two most common diamond simulants. The handheld unit uses thermal and electrical conductivity testing–the same verification methods used by gemologists–to determine if a stone is a natural diamond or a counterfeit. The device exposes stones to thermal and electrical currents and their ability to conduct these currents reveals the true identity of the stone (genuine diamonds are only thermally conductive; cubic zirconia is neither thermally nor electrically conductive; moissanite conducts both heat and electricity). Simply place the tip of the device on the stone in question and LEDs illuminate instantly on the handle to show the composition of the stone. Simply rubbing the probe tip on copy or printer paper prior to each use will clean the sensor and ensure optimal results.

Powered by a trio of AAA batteries, this $299.95 device comes with a travel pouch. Guess using this is somewhat a Pandora’s Box - you might end up breaking up with him because of his lies when it comes to insisting those are real jewelry instead of fakes until you shove the results right in his face.

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Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000

Most people would know Microsoft to be a software company, but they do have some pretty good hardware peripherals for the everyday computer user as well. I remember Microsoft’s early foray into the world of computer peripherals, where their ergonomic keyboard was split down the middle in a contoured manner - great for those who do plenty of typing in front of the screen each day, but not so conducive when you’re a hardcore Quake player, having bound a bunch of keys to selected weapons that are separated by a plastic chasm in the middle. Well, this time round, Microsoft has released its latest Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 series that will bring together the Microsoft Comfort Curve keyboard layout complete with a soft-touch palm rest.

The keyboard boasts design elements that will further enhance its look and feel, featuring an updated soft-touch palm rest, low-profile quiet touch keys and a contoured, compact shape which ought to find a place on any desk. It won’t be complete without the Wireless Mouse 5000 though, where this pointing device comes with rubber side grips and an ambidextrous shape that will cater to both lefties as well as right handers, boasting Microsoft’s BlueTrack Technology that offers a wider array of options when it comes to using the mouse on various surfaces compared to regular optical and laser mice. The mouse and keyboard will be hooked up wirelessly to your computer through a reliable 2.4GHz mini-transceiver which has a working radius of 30 feet.

The Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 will be out later this August, retailing for $79.95. Of course, you can place a pre-sale order on sites such as Amazon.com, where it will ship the moment it is officially released. Each purchase will be accompanied by a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty from Microsoft. Bear in mind this targets office drones and not gamers!

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First Projector on a camera: The Nikon Coolpix S1000pj

I’ve covered mini-projectors several times on this blog, greatly anticipating the day when every consumer has one. Yesterday, a landmark was made as Nikon announced that its Coolpix S1000pj will include a miniature LED projector.

This 12.1 megapixel camera comes with a 2.7 inch LCD viewscreen, a 5x wide-angle NiKKOR lens, and can capture HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels. Oh, by the way, Nikon also put out three other cameras, but who really cares about that, let’s talk about the projector on the S1000pj!

All the user needs is a flat surface and he or she can beam their images to a 40-inch size. The user can also mix music, and create effects along with transitions for these pictures.

So, is this the beginning of a new age of photography? In all honesty, I kind of hope not. After all, we already live in an age where people who want to share their photos can just put them on their iPod, or just show them on the digital camera itself. I mean, you could practically show a picture of you sharing your pictures.

Does anyone want to be the annoying guy or girl who just “has to” show his or her photos to everyone? Now that person is going to have a captive audience as they projecting their pics on any flatscreen nearby. My advice: have an excuse ready to leave the room.

Of course, current miniature projector technology has always been somewhat weak at best. I’m guessing that the S1000pj will seem antique within a few years. You should think before you purchase one, as it will set you back about $430.

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Logitech Unifying Receiver

Forget about having one ring to rule them all - the Logitech Unifying Receiver aims to free up your USB ports from the tyranny of USB gizmos around the desk by connecting up to half a dozen compatible devices, making sure your notebook or computer has free USB ports that can be used when the situation calls for it. This new Logitech Unifying Receiver won’t be too lonely where released, since it is bundled with new Logitech products including the K340 and K350 wireless keyboards, Marathon Mouse M705 and Wireless Mouse M505. You can always leave the Logitech Unifying Receiver inside your computer when traveling since it won’t stick out like a sore thumb, measuring just 8mm from the USB port. It keeps everything paired together via 2.4GHz wireless connectivity and boasts 128-bit AES encryption for added security.

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Nikon unleashes bevy of digital cameras

Nikon is a trusted name when it comes to digital cameras, and it is nice to know that the company doesn’t aim to rest on its laurels anytime soon with a new Coolpix line being unleashed upon us consumers, featuring the S70, S1000pj, S640 and S570. First of all, the S70 will continue from where previous touchscreen models left off, featuring Nikon’s most recent update to its internal technology with a 3.5″ Clear Color Display and a new generation of touchscreen controls that make photo shooting and playback a snap. Apart from that, it comes in a stylish dual-texture design with the ability to capture video in high definition at 720p resolution, although you won’t be able to get full HD with this. Other features include a 12.1-megapixels sensor, a 5x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR lens, ISO 6400, 5-way VR Image Stabilization System, Subject Tracking, Scene Auto Selector Mode and Nikon’s Smart Portrait System.

Up next would be something that many people have raved about - the S1000pj which is capable of turning your photo-sharing experience into a multimedia one with the touch of a button, as it will automatically project images and videos up to 40″ in size. With the camera’s special slideshow function, you can now playback pictures with background music to boot alongside pretty unique transitions, making gullible people think you’re an overnight PowerPoint sensation. Features of the S1000pj include a 12.1-megapixels sensor, a 5x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR lens, ISO from 64 to 6400, 5-way VR Image Stabilization System, Subject Tracking, Scene Auto Selector Mode and Nikon’s Smart Portrait System. Read more about it in detail here.

As for the Coolpix S640, this sleek and fast camera comes with enhanced speed capabilities for you to shoot images within the fastest start up time possible for a consumer level digital camera, clocking in at 0.7 seconds from the moment it is turned on alongside a short shutter release time lag. Other features packed into its slim, stylish all metal body include a 12.1-megapixels sensor, a 5x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR lens, a 2.7″ Clear Color LCD display, ISO from 64 to 6400, 4-way VR Image Stabilization System, Subject Tracking, Scene Auto Selector Mode and Nikon’s Smart Portrait System.

Last but not least would be the Coolpix S570 that is but an entry level digital camera, offering a decent shooting experience without breaking the bank. It will be powered by a 12-megapixels sensor, a 5x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens, ISO 3200 at full resolution, a bright 2.7″ LCD display, 4-way VR Image Stabilization System, Scene Auto Selector Mode, Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and movie mode.

You can pick up the S70, S1000pj, S640 and S570 for $399.95, $429.95, $249.95 and $199.95, respectively, when they arrive at store shelves later this September.

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Epson Perfection V500 Office scanner

When it comes to scanners, there is a handful of notable names that one can trust, and among them would include Epson, who recently released their Perfection V500 Office scanner that will target micro-business owners, home office users and consumers. This scanner is able to offer an above average scanning solution which effortlessly combines the productivity features of a document scanner and the image quality of a photo scanner without taking up too much footprint on your working desk. Epson has clearly done well to position the Perfection V500 Office for scanning a wide variety of items, ranging from important documents to receipts. It will feature a 30-page automatic document feeder that has scan speeds of up to three pages per minute, a quartet of push buttons for easy, one-touch scanning, and Epson ReadyScan LED technology that makes scanning a snap since it does away with pesky warm-up time, especially when you’re just about to start a scan or switching between reflective and film scanning. Guess getting this would be an unspoken signal from your boss that he expects productivity levels to increase, leaving you with less excuse to hang around the water cooler for the latest gossip because the scanner is “warming up”.

The Epson Perfection V500 Office comes with 6400 dpi resolution for superior image quality scans, while you will also benefit from a wide range of speciality photo features including a transparency unit for negative, slides and film scanning, Digital ICE Technology that handles dust and scratch removal in film scans and Epson Easy Photo Fix technology which comes in handy where old and faded image restoration, dust removal and grain reducing are concerned.

The Epson Perfection V500 Office is tipped to retail for $349.99 when it arrives in the market sometime next month. It will play nice with most operating systems including Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X.

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Sony releases new e-book readers

Sony is off the blocks with new e-book readers that come in the form of the Reader Pocket Edition and the Reader Touch Edition which we’ll look at in greater detail below. This isn’t the first e-book reader to be released from Sony, and will most probably prove to be quite the competitor towards the Amazon Kindle and its sequel. Both of these e-book readers from Sony will be available at the end of this month onwards from various sources including SonyStyle.com, SonyStyle stores and select retail partners. Apart from that, you can also pick up new releases and New York Times bestseller titles in the eBook Store from Sony for $9.99 apiece, making it cheaper compared to the actual paperback, saving you costs on purchasing a bookshelf as well.

First off is the Reader Pocket Edition that comes with a 5″ electronic paper display which is crammed into a stylish chassis. Nice to know that Sony has released it in a bunch of different colors, including navy blue, rose and silver. The Reader Pocket Edition is a snap to navigate through using but a single hand, where the relatively small size also means it can slip into a purse or jacket pocket without causing any noticeable bulge. Also known as the PRS-300, this model can hold up to around 350 standard e-books with its internal memory, and the battery is able to last up to two weeks of non-stop reading before it requires a trip to the nearest power outlet. The Sony PRS-300 Reader Pocket Edition will retail for $199, making it the most affordable dedicated reading device on the market at the moment.

As for the Reader Touch Edition, you can tell by its name that the PRS-600 (model number) will come with a responsive, menu-driven 6″ touchscreen display which makes it possible to take advantage of quick, intuitive navigation, page turning, highlighting and note taking with but a swipe of the finger or using the included stylus if you hate leaving fingerprints over all your devices. The stylus will also come in handy when one needs to take down handwritten notes on the go, while those who are more comfortable with a virtual keyboard can opt for that as well. It will come with a pre-loaded Oxford American English Dictionary to expand your word power, boasting memory card slots for Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD formats. $299 will net you the Sony PRS-600 in either red, black or silver colors.

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Casio Postcard Maker is puzzling

Design your own postcards with the Casio Postcard Maker

If Alton Brown was doing a show about tech, he’d call the Casio Postcard Maker a “uni-tasker,” something that only has one use and ends up spending more time taking up space than actually doing something you need. But they seem popular in Japan though, so what do we know? Let’s take a look and see what’s up.

Coming in two models, the PCP-300 and PCP-1300, the Postcard Maker comes with a full QWERTY keyboard and memory card expansion slots with which to upload photographs from the vacation you recently went on. Then, using the 7″ touchscreen display, you can then design and alter those photographs and print them out as a postcard to mail off to family and friends.

Honestly, I don’t get it. The whole idea behind a “post card” is to get them while you’re on vacation and mail them from where you are with the envious phrase “Having a wonderful time, wish you were here …” And there are some pretty well done and unique cards out there to even collect as pictures you can’t normally get.

Still, for those who fancy doing it yourself …

May be popular in Japan, but there’s no word on price or availability in the states though.

Hat Tip - Ubergizmo

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The iPod DJ Mixer

For those of you that can’t just sit back and enjoy the music on your iPod, there is this DJ Mixer. Of course you’ll also have to know someone that has a second iPod in order for this to work, but I doubt that’ll be too much of an issue. It’ll also work with random MP3 players, so if you have a spare MP3 player you could always use an iPod and an MP3 player. Although for those of you with music on your iPhone, it doesn’t say specifically that it’s compatible with the iPhone.

If you’re purchasing this for an iPod though, you could always give an iPhone a whirl and see how it works with the device. It is officially compatible with the iPod Touch, iPod Nano 1st, 2nd and 3rd generations, the iPod Classic 4th and 5th generations as well as the iPod Mini. It will actually charge up those iPods while it’s hooked up to the mixer, but it won’t charge your average MP3 player for obvious reasons. It includes an AC adapter and a set of headphones that fold up. You can purchase the DJ Mixer for$120.

Source: Likecool

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Trick Camera Lenses for your iPhone

Just because you’re taking pictures through your phone camera, doesn’t mean they can’t have an artistic flare to them. Now you can have that artistic twist added as soon as you take the picture with these various lenses. All of which have their individual effects that they add to the picture, some are a little cheesy, others are a bit more subtle. The lenses are affordable, so you might as well pick up a few of them and have fun playing with your photographs.

These come in a total of 5 different forms. There is the green wide angle lens, which you can guess what that does. There is then the blue kalediscope lens, the sparkle lens and a heart lens that adds the outline of a heart around the edges. There is also the starburst version, which is probably my favorite out of the bunch of them. You can check out how they will look on a picture when you go to the seller’s website. To purchase yourself one of these it’ll cost you $8 from Urban Outfitters. Unfortunately, they don’t get any cheaper if you buy more than one, but it’s still not a bad price.

Source: GeekyGadgets

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Touchable Holography? Almost.

It’s cool enough to have holograms, but what if you could actually touch them? This was a project that some researchers at the University of Tokyo took on, and have achieved some interesting results.

You can watch a video of what they have done after the jump, but here is a quick summary. First, they used two Wiimotes (yes, Wiimotes) to track a holographic object in realtime and space. So when that hand that you see in the picture tries to dribble that tiny ball, it responds like a real superball would.

Ultrasounds are then given so the hand can actually “feel” the impact. Experiements have shown that the ultrasounds can disrupt things from a distance, and if focused properly, they can create a sense of touch. At the end of the video is that hand underneath some raindrops, and it can apparently “feel” them.

This is definitely one of those “this could change everything” technologies, but it is still in its fetal stage. In other words, don’t be dreaming about having your own holodeck from Star Trek TNG anytime soon. By the way, I believe that technology used energy and matter conversion.

Man, I am such a geek sometimes. I’ll prove it yet again by saying that this technology reminds me of a short-lived show called Automan. It was about a guy who created a holographic man who others could actually feel. He even had an Autocar and Autoplane which were also tangible holograms.

Yeah, we are a long way holograms that we can feel. I suppose if they had this touch holograms in Star Wars, then Luke Skywalker could have felt Princess Leia saying “help me Obi-Wan Kenobi”.

Oh, that is so wrong.

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The Crosley Table Alarm Clock Speaker

I’m beginning to become a Crosley speaker fanatic, the first one I spotted was the Crosley Attic Speaker. That one is a little more unisex than this one, but I still really like the new one too. The Table Alarm Clock Speaker features the same retro look of the Attic Speaker, but gives it a bright blue coloring, which makes it perfect for women who want to listen to their iPod. It looks like something you’d find in a thrift shop, although, obviously, in far better shape.

The down side with buying something that just plays your MP3 player is that it doesn’t charge up your iPod, which makes it a bit of a deal breaker for me. However, if you prefer to charge your iPod someplace other than your bedroom, then this will work out just fine. The alarm clock would be a great gift to give any student that is headed back to school later this month. The clock plugs into the wall, so it needs no batteries, and has all of the usual things a clock radio would. Things such as AM/FM options, a snooze button and volume control and station knobs. You can purchase the Crosley Table Alarm Clock Speaker for $58.

Source: ChipChick

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iPhone Steering Wheel: MarioKart Never Had it so Good

Even though the included steering wheel for MarioKart was just a cheap piece of plastic, it pales in comparison to this racing wheel for the iPhone/iPod touch.

Digital Steering Wheel from CTA comes comes with grip with a bigger radius, not to mention a suction cup mount that adheres to any flat surface. The angle which the user wants to play is also adjustable.

It works for the iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch. It comes with about 4 “mounts” that the user has to insert their particular Apple device in, and then snap it in to the center of the wheel. I have included a video that you can see after the jump if you want more info.

Clearly, I need to get an iPhone just so I can try out all these racing apps. I suppose that it is not enough just to tilt the device, isn’t it. No, someone had to go make a steering wheel for it. I believe that they call that “progress”.

Unfortunately, my source did not give any word on the price. Anyone want to care to guess? Sure that piece of plastic for MarioKart is $19.99, but this piece of plastic has a suction cup and adjustable angle. If it turns out that the CTA Digital Steering Wheel is $20 or lower, then we need to storm Nintendo.

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IO data GV-SC31 1Seg USB TV tuner

Looking for new ways to turn your computer into an all-round entertainment system? Perhaps it might be lacking the GV-SC31 1Seg USB TV tuner from IO Data of Japan, where the free TVStation application that can be downloaded enables you to view live TV as well as recorded programs right off your computer. Just make sure you have sufficient storage space on your machine if you’re prone to record more than you watch. This USB device can also allow you to view said programs on your iPod touch or iPhone as it streams video straight from the PC onto said devices. It will arrive in Japan later this month for $70 a pop - there is no word on whether it will arrive elsewhere or not.

Source: New Launches

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WALL-E in thumb drive form

I’ve never run across someone that didn’t adore the movie WALL-E. So it’s no surprise that there would be small random WALL-E inspired items. Here’s a tiny whimsical flash drive that has a keychain attached to it. Which means you get to store files on it and show it off on your keys when it’s not plugged into the computer. Not only is it WALL-E, but it’s WALL-E clinging tightly to a fire extinguisher.

The flash drive stores 8GB of data, which is definitely not too shabby. This was a posting on Etsy and when it was it would have cost you $65. However, being Etsy, they only had one in stock and it’s managed to disappear already, which I’m not really surprised about. The great thing with Etsy though, is that you can easily contact the seller and see if they’ll create a duplicate for you. Sometimes it’s a one time deal and they can’t create another one, but it’s worth a shot.

Source: Technabob

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Old cassette tapes remade into iPod Nano Case

I swear the Nanos get the strangest cases, I suppose since they are so thin, it’s easier to create odd cases for them. Well someone has taken old cassette tapes and turned them into little iPod cases for your Nano. Of course these will only work for the 4th generation iPod Nanos, so as it turns out there is a perk to not rushing off to upgrade your technology. These cases are all handmade and each one will vary as far as coloring goes.

The way it’s set up, if you wanted to you could always write your own label on the front. In order to create these, the cassette tapes were “gutted, routered and rebuilt”. Which means for those that aren’t too fond of the price tag, you could always try your hand and creating your own. If nothing else, you could find someone crafty in your family to see if they can pull the job off. You can purchase the tapes for $49 CAD fromContexture Design.

Source: BBGadgets

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Zuvo Water Purator uses 5-step process

If you’re concerned about the purity of the water in your home, there are plenty of options out there to solve the problem. Anything from attaching something to your faucet, to pitchers that you pop in your fridge. Well this Zuvo Water Purator is probably one of the most thorough out there. It has a five step filtration process to make sure your water stays nice and safe. If that weren’t enough to convince you, they also donate 5% of their profits to water purification programs in developing countries.

The first step of the process is ozonation which treats the taste of the water, then there is the ultraviolet light that cleans the water, photo-oxidation combines the UV and ozone process and further treats the water. Then it does a filtration process that also removes lead and finally it does a post-filatration UV ensuring that the water is clean and healthy. You can install this on the counter or get rid of the extra clutter and keep it underneath your counter. They’ll of course include instructions for both ways. You can purchase the Zuvo Water Purator for $199.99 from SmartHome.

Source: SlipperyBrick

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Logitech Gaming Mouse G500

Gamers do take the challenges that come with their territory seriously, and it can end up as a pretty expensive hobby in the long run with the non-stop upgrades when it comes to video cards alongside bigger monitors, better keyboards, superior soundcards (and network cards to boot), headphones, and more importantly, the mouse. The gaming mouse is highly essential to any self-respecting gamer, since it functions as an extension of the said gamer’s hands and reflexes, doing its master’s bidding with each flick of the hand or press of a button. There is a handful of hardware manufacturers out there in the market today that have decent gaming mice offerings, and Logitech is among one of the pack to come up with pretty impressive models in the past, and they ain’t stopping with their latest addition – the Logitech Gaming Mouse G500.

Meant to be the successor to the classic Logitech G5 Laser Mouse, the Logitech Gaming Mouse G500 will bring game-changing precision despite your current hand speed. Thanks to its gaming-grade laser engine, you are able to perform at the highest intensity levels without worrying about your hardware giving up on you, being capable of achieving a maximum hand speed of 165 inches per second (ips) and a maximum acceleration force of 30 gs. Another feature that we tend to take for granted these days where gaming mice are concerned would be its on-the-fly adjustable-dpi that provides you with the right dpi level at all times, ranging from 200 dpi all the way to 5700 dpi for those who “twitch” when they fire. This won’t hook up wirelessly since Logitech believes that a USB cable is still the most reliable method of going around it.

The G500 comes with onboard memory that allows you to save various settings for different games, while giving you the opportunity to play with 27 grams of weight for a more personalized feel and control. What is most striking would be its rugged finish in a battle-worn accent that is totally different from its competitors in the market. Logitech has priced the Gaming Mouse G500 at $69.99 when it arrives in the US and Europe later this September.

Press Release

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Lifetone Bedside Fire Alarm Clock

Fire alarms and smoke detectors are more often than not overlooked in most homes, and some people who sleep like the dead through the night might want to take less chances with their lives by picking up the Lifetone Bedside Fire Alarm Clock. This unique alarm clock not only helps you wake up at the specified time in the morning, it will also be able to sniff up the screech of your home smoke alarm, pounding out a 90-decibel alarm into its immediate surroundings (which would normally be on your beside table) while working in tandem with a bed shaker located right under your pillow to make sure you can wake up in time to save your bacon from getting roasted. Surely$179.00 isn’t too much of an asking price?

Source: TRFJ

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Logitech unleashes new Presenters

Logitech is one Swiss company who are famous for their line of computer peripherals that not only ooze with quality, they also offer a decent to above average performance when the situation calls for it, be it speakers, mice, remote controls and even presenters for folks who thrive on PowerPoint slides whenever they’re at a business meeting. This time round we have a couple of devices that will certainly make corporate bigwigs and lecturers smile, as they can opt to be armed by either the Logitech Professional Presenter R800 or the Logitech Wireless Presenter R400 whenever they have an audience to watch over. These new presenters offer the confidence to move about freely in order to focus better on deliver a more effective and powerful demonstration.

First off we have the high end Logitech Professional Presenter R800. This model gives you complete control of the presentation as it allows you to address te crowd with your full focus instead of dividing it with the clock, thanks to an easy-to-set timer with silent, vibrating alerts. The timer can be viewed through its 1″ x 0.5″ LCD display, making it just nice to capture just how many more minutes you have left with a quick glance. In addition, it will vibrate whenever you have 5, 2 and no more minutes left. Once you’ve past the zero mark, it will begin to count upwards to let you know just how many minutes you have surpassed the allotted time. The Logitech Professional Presenter R800 has a working radius of 30 meters alongside a reception-level indicator so that you won’t stray beyond the preset boundaries.

As for the Logitech Wireless Presenter R400, this basic model will target those who delivers presentations in a much smaller meeting room, as it comes with a red laser pointer, a battery power indicator and a working range that is half that of the Logitech Professional Presenter R800. Expect to pick up the R800 for $99.99 later this month, while the Logitech Wireless Presenter R400 is tipped to arrive from next month onwards for $49.99.

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USB to SATA/IDE Combo Kit

waiting for us at home these days, considering the amount of information there is available for download online. In addition, those hard drives more often than not need to be upgraded after a couple of years or so in favor of larger capacities and higher performance, but what do you do with older ones? Why, get the USB to SATA/IDE Combo Kit and you ought to be just fine.

You can dock just about any of those old drives into this simple device. Sick a USB transfer cable into one end along with the power-cable, and in one of the other ends, you can connect a 3.5″ IDE hard drive, or a laptop 2.5″ IDE drive, or even a miniscule 1.8″ IDE hard drive! But, why stop there? You can connect a SATA drive, too! How about an optical disk drive? We’ve got it covered. Blu-Ray, DVD, CD, writeable, rewriteable… it doesn’t matter! We’re drive agnostic with our USB to SATA/IDE Combo Kit. Now your old drives have a brand new life. Or, if you’re the handy type, you can keep this one device handy to recover data from a drive in a dead computer. You won’t have to haul several different devices - just this one

Sounds like $24.99 well spent, this.

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Sprint unveils new Mobile Broadband Router products

Staying connected no matter where you are is something that most of us take for granted these days, and Sprint aims to enable you to stay in touch with anyone online from anywhere thanks to their new range of Mobile Broadband Router products. These new devices not only allow one, but multiple folks to stay connected at 3G or 4G mobile broadband speeds as long as there are Sprint 3G and 4G networks around. The two new 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Routers are known as the Sprint Personal Hotspot PHS300S and Cradlepoint MBR-1000 Broadband Router, where each of them boast 3G and 4G connectivity and can be used in conjunction with any Sprint 3G or 4G data plan which will set you back anywhere from $39.99 to $79.99 monthly, depending on your choice.

First off is the Sprint Personal Hotspot PHS300S which allows one to connect up to a quartet of simultaneous Wi-Fi connections, while the Cradlepoint MBR-1000 Broadband Router will target businesses and small organizations, where up to 32 simultaneous Wi-Fi connections are supported. Either device is able to handle the entire range of Sprint 3G and Sprint 4G mobile broadband USB devices, so no worries for those who have backwards compatibility in their minds. These devices allow one to connect Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones, notebooks, portable media players, digital cameras, gaming devices and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously to the Sprint 3G and 4G networks.

If you want to bring home the Sprint Personal Hot Spot PHS300S, it will cost you $159.99 outright without including any monthly plan charges yet, while those who opt for the Cradlepoint MBR1000 broadband router will have to fork out an initial amount of $249.99. Bear in mind that not all territories are able to support Sprint’s 4G networks just yet, so you might have to make do with 3G connectivity for the moment until an upgraded service is introduced in your area. Image from BGR.

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