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Sunday, October 14, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
NPX and Mango team up for Mango Research Magic 380 portable GPS unit
by Paul Miller
(c) www.engadget.com
Monday, February 26, 2007
Minibot - friend of pain haters
Researchers from Ritsumeikan University and the Shiga University of Medical Science have successfully developed a miniature robot prototype that can be freely controlled when inserted into a patient's body through an incision. This extremely tiny robot will be able to perform medical treatment or capture images of affected areas without causing any discomfort to the patient. This minibot is encased in plastic and measures a mere 2cm in length and 1cm in diameter. It can be controlled by applying an external magnetic field near the patient. Hopefully the minibot will soon be advanced enough to perform treatment within the body in order to prevent the need for any surgery.
(c) www.ubergizmo.com
For the pig in everyone-the Piggy Vacuum
Feel the need to flaunt your pig-like traits? Now you can buy a vacuum that declares it to the world. It’s a little handheld vacuum shaped like a pig and powered by batteries. This means if you were brave enough you could carry this in your car.
My sister has this thing for pigs, I’ve never understood it, but she has pig everything. I generally try not to ask because it makes her happy and anything that can make a 13 year old happy is a friggin miracle. Odds are at some point she is going to find this and add it to her already massive collection, I guess if it makes her clean her room more my Mom would be ecstatic.
Personally, I think the only people who should own one of these are very young girls. It you are above the age of 20 it’s just not right. If you would in fact like to make a girlie in your life happy these only cost $16.
(c) www.slashgear.com
Pantech PX-500 EVDO Card
Real road warriors know that Wi-Fi’s coverage can’t be relied upon for professional purposes. The Pantech PX-500 is a PCMCIA card that can connect your laptop to Sprint’s 3G network and let you access your emails and data in a much wider area when compared to WiFi.
Once plugged, the card will stick out from your laptop by 1.2 inches. It’s not a lot, but I certainly recommend removing the card when packing your computer in its bag. At the end of the card, the antenna can be raised up to get a better signal, but in our tests, we saw no difference on reception.
The software is very easy to install and should not take more than 5 minutes. A connection icon will appear on Windows’s desktop and a simple click on the “Go” button will connect the user to Sprint’s network.
Let’s go to the crunchy part: performance. When Sprint’s EV-DO (3G) network is available, the connection gets a (real-life) speed* of 480 kbps downstream and 115kbps upstream. It feels like the basic DSL speeds that we were getting on DSL a few years ago, except that the latency is quite high: 330ms with the EV-DO connection, compared to 33ms with DSL. That translates into a less “reactive” browsing experience. Even though WiFi is much faster, I don’t think that it can be relied upon at the moment. EV-DO’s coverage is much wider and the Pantech PX-500 will get you online anywhere a Sprint wireless signal is available.
(c) www.ubergizmo.com
Spy-stick keeps an eye on your kids
Let’s face it, you can’t trust your kids. Give them an inch and they’ll take your credit cards, laptop and cellphone and run up huge charges on pay-per-view sex sites. So thank the sweet mother Bertie that fear-fuelling companies like CYBERsitter are around, with their remote tracking USB SnoopStick.
The SnoopStick is a two-pronged approach to monitoring your children. First off, you plug it into the family PC and install the software client; CYBERsitter promise that it’s completely invisible, so tech-savvy junior can’t spot it. Then, while you’re out sipping gin with your friends and have a sudden Spidey-Sense tingle that your daughter is chatting with a sex offender, you can plug the SnoopStick into your friends’ computer and it instantly connects online with the home PC.
Then you can monitor both sides of IM conversations, check what sites are being viewed, even send pop-up messages to warn your XXX-hungry son that his saucy-surfing days are numbered and you’re about to log him off.
The full feature list is pretty scary:
- Monitor all web site access.
- Works with all browsers and web enabled programs.
- Monitor both sides of all “instant messenger” communications.
- Works with all popular IM programs.
- Monitor all email access (SMTP, POP3, IMAP) to see who and when emails were received from and sent to.
- Monitor activities in real time, or retrieve activity logs from recent activity.
- SnoopStick records everything, whether you are monitoring in real time or not.
- Store up to 12 months of activity logs directly on your SnoopStick.
- All program modules are updated completely automatically so you always have the latest version.
- Send the user a pop up message alert. A good way to tell them they’re busted!
- Turn off/on Internet access with the SnoopStick locally or remotely.
- Set allowable times for Internet access.
- Prevent users from using certain types of Internet programs.
- Block access to specified ports.
- Block access to web sites.
- One click “Block Social Networking” option instantly blocks access to sites like MySpace.com.
- Completely secure. Only your SnoopStick can access your computer or change the settings you have chosen.
- Works with Windows 2000, XP, 2003, and is Vista ready.
Thank goodness you don’t have to teach your children good internet sense or supervise them any more, you can rely on $59.95 gadgets like this instead.
(c) www.slashgear.com
Maxtor Fusion 500GB Review
The Maxtor Fusion is a Personal Web Server that looks like an external hard drive connected directly to your Ethernet network. I said “looks like” because it’s not just a hard drive: it’s a little computer that acts as silent file/web server.
In the past, such devices where annoying to setup but Maxtor did a good job with the Fusion. The setup program detects the IP address of the unit and brings you to an administration page from which the user can set the IP address, port and even configure a dynamic DNS service, which is handy when the device is connected to the internet with a dynamic (changing) address.
The administrator can create individual accounts and let users upload and share their files. Each user has a private and a public area and it is even possible to create “micro-links” – a direct URL to a file hosted on the Maxtor Fusion. That’s nice if you want to share a single file or if you want to link to it from your web page.
I find this device to be very convenient for the tech-savvy user and small-businesses that want to share files but don’t need enterprise-grade security. In my opinion, the Maxtor Fusion is not ready for the average consumer: some knowledge of TCP/IP (network protocol) is necessary to do the setup and this could be a problem for many users. Opening a port in the firewall or in the router could be challenging as well. I can’t blame Maxtor for this, because TCP/IP was simply not designed to be used by consumers. IPV6 might solve some of that by removing the need for routers and network address translation (NAT).
The Maxtor fusion is a good product that lets people share files without leaving their main computer on. The user interface could use some improvements, but it should not stop you from considering using it.
(c) www.ubergizmo.com
The nurian Z1 from Hanuribiz does e-dictionary one better
by Paul Miller
The category of "electronic dictionary" was already stretched to its limits with all that MP3, game and video functionality manufacturers have been stuffing in, but it looks like we've officially advanced beyond any sort of reasonable definition with this here nurian Z1 from Hanuribiz. For starters, the 5-inch LCD display and Windows CE 5.0 should give you a decent hint that this thing isn't all about the dictionary action -- though there does happen to be English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean dictionary content on board. The unit can handle Flash content, MP3, video, games, PIM functions and even wireless internet. Probably the closest thing to this Z1 in size is HTC's decked Advantage handheld, so if you're looking for a more spacious keyboard, fine with CE 5.0, and can settle for about half the sexy, you can pick one of these up for 500,000 KRW, about $533 US.
(c) www.engadget.com
FoxFury LED Headlamps
by Evan Ackerman
FoxFury, well known for making seriously professional LED headlamps, is now offering models designed for personal use. Not only do FoxFury headlamps feature an array of 24 (!) LEDs, the LEDs themselves are customized to maximize lighting for different applications. The standard Outdoor model (shown above) uses a combination of white and green LEDs to provide better vision, since the human eye is most responsive to green light (which is one of the reasons that green lasers look so bright). Other versions are optimized in other ways… The scuba version, for example, uses blue and green LEDs, since marine life is most sensitive to red light, and you don’t want to scare the fishies.
The headlamp itself is rugged and waterproof, with recesses to protect the LEDs. It provides a 45 degree field of illumination at 430 candlepower, giving you a good view out to 150 feet. Some versions even have an ambient lighting sensor to help preserve the batteries; it takes 4 AAs and should run 8 hours at full blast. The Signature versions will set you back $169.99.
(c) www.ohgizmo.com
Apple TV -- now due mid-March
P.S. -For those who just got a pang of sadness on what you're missing out on, maybe these pics of the Apple TV we took at Macworld 2007 will cheer you up.
(c) www.engadget.com
Even Jedi Masters get wet in the rain
Even Master Yoda would have been unable to create a Force Shield over his head indefinitely to prevent the rain on Dagobah from wetting his coat. Hence, the existence of the Lightsaber Umbrella that helps keep pesky Sith Lords at bay as well as fulfilling its greater mission - keeping the owner dry as a bone. This umbrella's spine features the illuminating properties of an LED flashlight that is bound to thrill and excite the whole legion of rabid Star Wars fans. Even if you can't tell the difference between a Wookie and a Stormtrooper, there is no harm in owning one of these $41 babies.
(c) www.uberzimo.com
Even Jedi Masters get wet in the rain
Even Master Yoda would have been unable to create a Force Shield over his head indefinitely to prevent the rain on Dagobah from wetting his coat. Hence, the existence of the Lightsaber Umbrella that helps keep pesky Sith Lords at bay as well as fulfilling its greater mission - keeping the owner dry as a bone. This umbrella's spine features the illuminating properties of an LED flashlight that is bound to thrill and excite the whole legion of rabid Star Wars fans. Even if you can't tell the difference between a Wookie and a Stormtrooper, there is no harm in owning one of these $41 babies.
(c) www.uberzimo.com
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Coby MP3 player tastes like Chocolate
CES 2007 - With the astounding success of LG's line of Chocolate cellphones, there are plenty of other manufacturers who decided to implement the touch functionality on their devices, and the Coby C7XXX series is one of them. This portable MP3 player looks really good, featuring touch keys that are lit in red upon contact. There are three models available - the C7055, the C7085, and the C7095 which comes in capacities of 512MB, 1GB, and 2GB. I tested the C7095 and it sounded great even with a pair of generic headphones. Unfortunately, the 1.66" TFT LCD display is a little too small for my liking, and as with everything new and shiny these days, the C7095 picks up fingerprints faster than an investigator on CSI. Alternatively, you can opt for the 20GB hard drive version which supports video in addition to music and comes with a 2" TFT LCD display
(c) www.ubergizmo.com
CES 2007: Handheld navigation Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket LOOX N100
NAVIGON provides the mapping software and it has the interesting quirk of showing proper brand logos for various points of interest (read fast food joints) as you pass them. I had a quick check of the map of the surrounding area around the convention centre in Vegas and found a multitude of golden arches and Burger King symbols popping up everywhere. It also does speed warnings, road sign text and lane advice. Although the screen is a bit small to ever have much over a full blown in-car GPS, it all looks rather cute and the speed at which the screen refreshes makes it all nice and smooth too.
Programming the device uses predictive type, which worked very well, although I wasn't bowled over by the sensitivity of the touch screen display. You'll be able to pick the up from March in the US for a fairly hefty sum of $499.
(c) www.techdigest.tv
Harman Kardon Guide+Play GPS-500 Does Nav and HiFi
(c) www.gizmodo.com
CES 2007: Microvision to Debut Miniature Projector
(c) www.gizmodo.com
CES 2007: Clean your screen with Alpine Innovations Mini Spudz
They're basically a 2x6-inch micro-fibre cloth sewn inside a mini neoprene pouch, which clips onto your mobile phone, digital camera, PSP or whatever. When it needs a wipe, pull out the cloth, before stuffing it back in the bag when you're done.
Alpine doesn't sell them direct, mind. It manufactures them for companies with customised designs. But I thought they were pretty cool. If you fancy a few, you can order them in runs of 30, 150, 250, 500, 1,000 or 2,500.
(c) www.techdigest.tv
CES 2007: Sonos adds support Windows Media Player
“We’re excited about the tremendous support and enthusiasm Sonos is providing for Windows Vista at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show,” said Brad Goldberg, general manager for Windows Client at Microsoft Corp. “By working closely together we are helping to provide technologies that will connect, entertain and hopefully surprise people by how easy this next generation of computing makes their lives.”
In other news, which Microsoft probably wanted to dumb down, the Sonos 2.1 software release also includes improved playlist and volume normalization support for Apple iTunes 7.0.
(c) www.techdigest.tv
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Meccano to unveil WiFi-enabled Spyke Robot Set
(c) www.engadget.com
Wine Bottle Vacuum Seal
by Andrew Liszewski
So I don’t know for sure if this device would be any more effective but it sounds convincing. Before you stick that opened bottle of wine in the fridge just cap it with this vacuum seal which will automatically turn on and pump all the air out of the bottle. You’ll know when it’s completely sealed via a built-in LCD which also keeps track of the wine’s temperature letting you know when it’s the optimal time to be served. The Wine Vac runs on 2 AA batteries but I don’t know if it will maintain its seal if the batteries die. The Wine Vac is available from The Sharper Image for $34.95.
(c) www.ohgizmo.com
Micro-Helicopter, Evolved
CES Unveiled - Any CES event has to feature micro-helicopters. This year, what looked like a smaller version was presented and the in-crowd flight demo was quite impressive. There was also another model that is equipped with a webcam on the nose, in case you want to spy on the neighbors. (Last year’s demo)
(c) www.ubergizmo.com
CES Unveiled: Shure announces new line of in-ear headphones
by Doug Berger
I know all you loyal Gadgetell readers may be slightly confused, but yes, Greg , the podcast producer is taking a crack at writing! Under the watchful eye of my two fearless editors I will give it my best shot.
At CES Unveiled, we had the opportunity to speak briefly with the PR people from Shure - who said the company will be showcasing their new product line of in-ear headphones. The SE210 ($149.99), SE310 (249.99), SE420 ($349.99), SE530 (449.99), and finally the SE530PTH ($499.99)
The new line builds off the success of the E Series headphones that have proven to be popular with audiophiles and non-audiophiles alike. Shure took notice of the complaints about poor fit for their ears, and opted to introduce a new sleeve that they hope will alleviate the problem for those with the ficklest of ear canals. And let me tell you, they were damn hard to get off of the headphones.
Yes, $500 may seem a bit steep for earphones, check that….$500 seems a bit CRAZY for earphones, but as Shure has proven to be dedicated to providing an audio experience everyone can enjoy. The new line of earphones will be available to the public in February of this year.
(c) www.gadgetell.com
Avoid Scalding Burns With The Tip N’ Sip
by Andrew Liszewski
To avoid this problem the creators of the Tip n’ Sip have added a special ‘temperature control chamber’ to the top of the mug that can be used to cool down your next sip while the rest of the beverage remains piping hot below. Just tip the mug to fill the top chamber with a mouthful of your drink and then swish it around a few times to take advantage of their “thermodynamic transfer technology!” which cools it down to the “perfect zone” of 150-170º. The lid of the mug can be locked making it leak and spill proof for traveling and the temperature control chamber can be bypassed all together if you prefer to walk on the wild side.
The Tip n’ Sip mug is available from the Herrington Catalog for $19.95.
(c) www.ohgizmo.com
Uber high end audio components
by PJ Hruschak
Burmester Audiosysteme’s (aka Burmester Audiosystems) lineup of CES 2007 demo goodies will consist of several high-end audio/video products including mutlichannel components and speakers. So dig really, really, really mega uber deep if you plan to get even one of these for your home.The new multichannel Home Theater components will include two surround sound processors (for twice the surround sound? like, whoah, dizzying), three-, five- and six-channel power amplifiers, standard center channel speaker, sub woofer, cabinetry and interfaces for integration with home automation systems.
At the top of their list is the 007 Reference Surround Processor (SRP $39,995) includes Dolby Digital Ex, DTS ES, DTS Neo6, and Dolby Prologic II, Burmester sample rate conversion, DC couplings (to keep signals away from capacitors), automatic overload control, tons of inputs and, of course, a remote. Also, the processor has a modular design for hardware (and software) upgrades. In case the $39,995 asking price is too steep, the less expensive 057 Top Line Surround Processor is a paired down version of the 007 and priced at only (*sigh*) $19,995.
If these are worth the price, then expect hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses after CES for injured earn drums.
(c) www.gadgetell.com
RhinoSkin Case for Palm Treo 700
by John Andrews
Most leather cases come in black and the RhinoSkin is no exception. But I was pleased to see that RhinoSkin also offers a variety of colors including tan, red, pink, and buff in addition to the standard black. Pink and red were out of the question for me, but I had a hard time choosing between the black and tan cases. Taking the easy way out, I ended up getting both the black and tan cases with the thought that my wife (who has a Treo 650) and I (with my Treo 700p) could switch if we got bored with the color we had since the cases are supposed to work with either model.
Function
As can be seen in the following picture, the RhinoSkin cases are "flip" cases that have a large flap that protects the front of your Treo when closed and can be flipped open when you need to use the buttons or screen on your Treo. This flap has a sturdy piece of plastic inside that provides protection for your Trēo's screen from scratches or sharp pointy objects. The cover has slots to hold 3 credit cards and 2 SD cards, and an opening in the bottom that allows you to plug in a synch & charge cable when the cover is open or closed. Finally, there is a small flap with a magnetic clasp that holds the cover closed.
Materials, Construction and Fit
The leather used for the tan case felt quite soft and luxurious but the texture of the black leather was a bit firmer. The main surfaces of the case are covered in leather, but the inside is covered with a soft fabric or rubberized backing where the Treo is inserted. There is some sort of harder material underneath the leather to help the case hold the correct shape even when the Trēo is not inside. The tan case had white stitching while the black case had black stitching, and the stitching of both seemed to be of high quality.
(c) www.mytreo.net
Microvision Pico Projector
by Andrew Liszewski
While increasing the resolution is an obvious first step you can only take that approach so far before you reach the limits of what the human eye can see. So another clever approach is to increase the size of the screen via a built-in projector. Microvision is apparently developing the PicoP or Pico Projector that is small enough to be embedded into a cellphone or similarly sized device. The PicoP will be able to project a laptop screen-sized full color image onto any surface and will remain in focus at any distance which is important given these are destined for handheld devices.
I have no idea what the resolution, color-depth or contrast level of these embedded projectors will be but at least Microvision has announced they’ll be officially unveiled at CES which hopefully means we’ll see actual working prototypes.
(c) www.ohgizmo.com
The PC2TV EchoView FM ... think iTV but not by Apple
by Christopher Grant
Think of the Addlogix PC2TV EchoView FM as an iTV -- Apple's tentatively titled set-top box -- except that it doesn't come in white ... and it has a DVI input. The "codex agnostic" device will wirelessly receive video (up to 720p they claim) at 30 frames per second over 802.11g from any WiFi-enabled computer. Anything you can view on your computer you can stream to a display wirelessly (or wired, if that's your thing), so long as it accepts composite, component, or DVI input. We're not sure when Apple's going to launch the iTV or what they're going to charge, but expect the EchoView FM to hit in February for $199.99.
(c) www.engadget.com
Norcent readies new plasmas / LCD HDTV for CES
by Darren Murph
While it seems we really only hear from Norcent when CES is approaching, the California-based outfit is kicking it up a notch this year as well, as it plans to showcase a duo of new plasmas and a flagship LCD HDTV as well. Both PDPs will feature integrated ATSC / NTSC tuners, HDMI, component / S-Video / composite, VGA, 160-degree viewing angle, SRS-enhanced stereo speakers, and a "3D digital comb filter" for color processing. Additionally, the 50-inch PT-5045HD plasma will sport a 1,366 x 768 resolution, 1,000 cd/m2, and a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, while the 42-inch PT-4246HD gets stuck with a 1,024 x 768 resolution and 8,000:1 contrast ratio, but picks up a Clear-QAM tuner and a 1,200 cd/m2 brightness rating. Over on the LCD side, the 37-inch VION LT-3790 one ups the LT-3725 we saw just recently by touting a larger panel, 1,366 x 768 resolution, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 500 cd/m2 brightness, 176-degree viewing angle, built-in ATSC / NTSC (Clear-QAM) tuners, HDMI, component / S-Video / composite inputs, VGA, and the same SRS-enabled speakers as on the plasmas. For those interested in picking one up, the PT-4246HD is on the streets right now for a very reasonable $1,199.99, while the 50-inch flavor will land next month for $1,899.99, and the $1,199.99 VION LCD will hit stores sometime Q2 2007.
(c) www.engdaget.com
IntelliTouch Eos Wireless Speaker System for iPod
IntelliTouch has announced their Eos wireless iPod speaker system. The base system will happily dock your iPod, includes stereo speakers and a ported subwoofer and transmit wirelessly to the external speakers up to 150 feet away through walls, ceilings and even outdoors. The external speakers have a removable power supply—meaning it can plug directly into the a wall outlet, or be places on a countertop or mounted elsewhere and powered via cord. Each wireless speaker also includes two stereo drivers and a ported subwoofer.
The EOS system will be released in March. For $300 you get the base docking station/transmitter and one additional wireless speakers. Each additional speaker can be picked up for $129 and there is also an outdoor amplifier to boost signal for outdoor usage also for $129. – Travis Hudson
(c) www.gizmodo.com
Remote Control Metal Detector
by Andrew Liszewski
Granted this thing is probably not even close to the sensitivity or accuracy of a high-end metal detector but just keep in mind those pro-models don’t even have remotes. The mobile detector comes equipped with large, all-terrain wheels and can be controlled up to 50 feet away which probably limits your chances of ever stumbling upon that chest of pirate treasure you’re after. Also, I’m pretty sure given the price of this thing it’s not waterproof either so you’ll probably want to keep it well clear of the surf.
The RC Mobile Metal Detector is available from the Discovery Channel Store for $34.96.
(c) www.ohgizmo.com
Duracell FM transmitter, extended battery combo for iPod Video
by Christopher Grant
Already available for the iPod nano, Battery-Biz is rolling out their Duracell PowerFM line to the iPod Video, complete with FM transmitter, extended battery, and bonus protective silicon case. The extended battery more than doubles the iPod's run-time while powering the FM transmitter, with unlimited channel selection. It also replicates the iPod's dock connector, so you can still use all those other accessories without unplugging your 'Pod. No date yet (they're saying end of Q1, early Q2) but expect a retail price of $79.99.
(c) www.engadget.com
The ultimate winter gadget gloves
by David Edney
It’s freezing outside, especially if you live in blizzard areas, and touching the talk button on the cellphone with big bulky gloves is a daily problem we all face. Fortunately for us, a company in Montreal has solved the problem of operating all your gadgets while keeping your hands warm. The glove is called iTWYF or, I Touch With Your Fingers.(uhhhh?…) Three of the fingers have enhancements: the thumb has a velcro strap that exposes that finger, the index finger has a leather strip that can be used for “target-specific” fingering like iPoding, and the middle finger has a tiny stud on it that you can use as a stylus for touchscreens. The gloves actually don’t look bad [Of course, by this, David means they look horrible. Right? -Ed.] and they come in three colors and sizes to boot. They cost only $39 and will have you on your way to happier gadgeting in the cold.
(c) www.ohgizmo.com
Friday, January 5, 2007
$3000 piano mod reminds George Clinton of the mothership
Resourceful tinkerer "Proximasolaris" has put together a piano mod that would make even some Samic owners a bit envious. Retrofitting a Korg Triton Extreme, hiding two monitors behind a motorized cabinet, and placing a slew of blue LEDs and other mechanics, he managed to put $3,000 worth of gadgetry into an old fashion vertical piano. While it is not the first modification we have seen like this, you should still click on through to see the vid of his tricked-out instrument -- go ahead, bask in the glory of what's possible with a little extra loot and 250 solid man hours.
(c) www.engadget.com
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Iqua Snake 2: Hands-Free Bluetooth Weirdness
While I’m on the subject of companies at the Sands during CES, check out this device from mobile-communications manufacturer Iqua (the company’ll be at the Sands if you’re Vegas bound). With an MSRP of $179, the Snake 2 hands-free Bluetooth headset attaches to the headrest of a car seat (almost all car makes and models according to Iqua) and lets you talk for up to eight hours on your Bluetooth-enabled device.
Speakers are located on each side of your head and the neck is flexible, so you can adjust it according to the height of the user. However, if you were to use it in a convertible as the photo suggests, I doubt you could hear a damn thing. Looks like call-answer and -end buttons are on top of the mouthpiece making them easy to acccess without taking your eyes off the road.
What would be fun is pretending no one else is in the car with you and getting the person on the other end of the call to say something completely horrible. But maybe that’s just me.
(c) www.crunchgear.com
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Samsung plans to sell fuel cell for laptops this year
January 2, 2007 The major drawback of the laptop computer at this point in its short history is battery life and with battery technology the subject of massive global R&D, and the promise of fuel cell technology for laptops in the short to medium term, we are drawing ever closer to being able to survive off-the-grid indefinitely. Accordingly, it was heartening to see Samsung’s announcement last week that it intends to commercialise its fuel cell technology for laptops before the end of 2007. The announcement was in Korean, and some tech blogs (notably Playfuls, engadget and akihabaranews) have had a go at translating it, so if you want the original guff, maybe try it yourself with machine translation from Google, Babelfish or WorldLingo. The pictured Samsung is using a fuel cell dock which will apparently run a laptop for a month, though a smaller version is planned for commercialisation.
(c) www.gizmag.com
Gibson HD 6X Pro Digital Guitar
by Andrew Liszewski
Since I don’t know of a professional studio out there that doesn’t rely on digital technology these days for the recording and mastering processes it seems odd to me that analog pickups and mics are still a common means for recording instruments. Now I realize that most instruments are analog in nature but the sooner you can get that sound converted to a digital signal the cleaner it’s going to be in the end.
Gibson seems to be heading in the right direction with their new HD 6X Pro electric guitar. First off the most important aspect is that the guitar is a traditional Les Paul design so that the musician doesn’t have to compromise by playing on some weird digital hybrid. The pickups on the HD 6X are a new ‘Hex’ system designed by Gibson that uses 6 small humbuckers positioned under each string at the bridge that send 6 individual signals to studio-grade preamps allowing them to be immediately digitized.
These digital signals are then sent to a BoB (break out box) via a special ethernet port designed by Gibson called ‘MaGIC’ that can carry up to 32 bi-directional channels of audio over a single cable. The BoB can then be connected to a multi-channel sound card where the guitar can be recorded with a piece of professional software such as Cakewalk SONAR which is included with the instrument.
The Gibson HD 6X is available now and retails for about $5,000.
(c) www.ohgizmo.com
Hypercolor Spoons: Red When Your "Soup" is Hot
Labeled "powerful" by Gizmodo's own Brian Lam (he may have had some sarcasm in that IM), the Color Changing Spoons shift color based upon the temperature around them.
So let's run these spoons through a little field test scenario...
Scenario A
Jon: Male, 19 years old
Upon returning home drunk from the bars and amidst the courtship of a young lady, Jon decides to make a little snack for himself and his companion. Knowing Cambell's Chunky will give them the energy for "the big game", Jon heats some soup up in the microwave. When his date touches the steaming beef sirloin stew to her lips, it burns and disfigures them with puss-filled blisters. Meanwhile, the shock forces the girl to flail violently, causing her to knock her soup bowl, flinging the liquid into Jon's eyes. He is blinded for life.
Scenario B
Jon: Male, 19 years old
Upon returning home drunk from the bars and amidst the courtship of a young lady, Jon makes soup to power a night of romping. He also provides his lady with a Color Changing Spoon. She notices the soup is hot, waits, consumes and proceeds to get knocked up that eve.
3 spoons will only set you back $9.50, but a child will cost you much more. What's so powerful now, Brian Lam? – Mark Wilson
(c) www.gizmodo.com
World’s Most Expensive Office Chair
If you are one of those blessed rich tycoons, who wraps-up a million dollar deal every now, then this Gold Office Chair is just the throne for you! This gold plated chair, designed by Hadi Teherani, is the world’s most expensive office chair that flaunts a rich price tag of 50,000 euros! Now, this one seems fit for the Trump, so you can even settle for the less pricey silver version of this chair! The gold chair is also available in a variety of color options to compliment your office décor!
(c) www.bornrich.org
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