USB Firefly Squid

You can always expect the craziest USBs from Japan and one of the latest finds is a deceptively edible-looking squid in a supermarket-style package. But, upon close examination and use of some Japanese language skills, you’ll soon realize this squiddy wont be able to satisfy your appetite for some raw ika, but it will help you transfer files.

Created by SolidAlliance, the Firefly Squid USB contains an LED that glows when plugged in giving it a nice squiddy luminescent effect. And surprisingly, it actually does something useful with its 512MB memory capacity, unlike the USB Humping Dog that just, well, humps. It will be available by the end of January 2007 and would probably make a great gift to any of your squid-loving friends.

[original post: www.slashgear.com]

La Feel Multimedia Mouse, a MX610 Clone?

It seems that integrating media controls in the keyboard is not enough anymore. Now we can get media controls on our mice as well thanks to the La Feel Optical Mouse. The La Feel is available in both blue and red colors and sports an 800 DPI sensor. The mouse also has a four-way scroll wheel, internet forward and back buttons and play/pause/volume keys as well as forward and backwards music track keys. I will say the mouse is rather ugly to me and the name is odd. If you want a proper mouse, get the Logitech MX610.

[source: www.everythingusb.com]

Duck Image's Super Secure USB Drive Design

If you are really paranoid about the data on your USB drive you will feel really good about this high security drive integrating both physical and software security methods. The Duck Image 007 USB Flash Drive starts its security off with a bike lock looking chain that keeps the cap on the drive unless you know the combo to open it. Once the cap is opened, you need a password to access the drive when connected to a computer and the data on the drive is encrypted as well for maximum security. This little drive is featured on a designer’s website and there is no mention of if the product is real or not. Might be an interesting product, but it feels like vaporware to me. I am surprised they didn't include biometric security as well similar to that of the LaCie SAFE drive.

[source: www.everythingusb.com]

It's a Small, Wonderful Life with this Digital Camcorder

 

Capturing the moment with a camcorder has typically meant having to lug a big, bulky device. RCA's new EZ105 Small Wonder ($129 list) digital camcorder is perfect for those who want to chronicle those special (or even mundane) moments in life without spraining an arm.

This wonder of an MPEG-4 point-and-shoot camcorder can store up to 60 minutes (or 30 minutes of high-quality) video, which can then be transferred to a PC for instant playback, and an AV out lets you connect to a TV. The EZ105, which runs on two double-A batteries, also features a 1.5-inch LCD, which lets you preview scenes and delete what you don't like.

You're not going to get the same level of video clarity as you would with a large camcorder, but you'll be able to bring this with you just about anywhere, which is a wonderful thing.

[source: www.gearlog.com]

Parrot Bluetooth photo frame

WiFi-enabled photo frames are old hat by now, and in line with technological tradition, a new kind of wireless photo frames have arrived to take their rightful place atop the hill. Parrot has unveiled its new Bluetooth photo frames that enable you to transfer photos from your Bluetooth-powered cellphone or digital camera in a flash. Each of these photo frames come with a 3.5" 262k color TFT LCD display in 320 x 234 pixels, a built-in light sensor that turns on the backlight automatically, 32MB of internal memory, and a portrait or landscape position sensor. Too bad it does not come with a memory card slot of any kind, as 100 photos don't just quite make the cut these days. There's no word on pricing details at the moment.

[source: www.ubergizmo.com]

Give someone the gift of clean air with a Cleanaer.

Aerstream Technology's Cleanaer is the first liquid ioniser and has been given the British Allergy Foundation Seal of Approval for the reduction of house dust mites and cat allergens.

It's not just for allergy sufferers, though. The Cleanaer works on odours such as cigarette smoke and mould, so it's great for banishing nasty smells from your home without using chemical deodorisers.

Easily portable and just a foot tall, the Cleanaer gives big performance; in tests it cleared 75% of cat allergens and 69% of dust mite allergens.

And all without evil propellants or compressed gasses which themselves pollute the environment and can cause allergen hypersensitivity. Hurrah!

[source: wirelessdigest.typepad.com]

Hitachi's world first hybrid DVD/HDD camcorder

 

December 4, 2006 After inventing the DVD camcorder in 1999, Hitachi have another world first under their belt with the release of their hybrid DVD/HDD camcorders. Their catch cry is "Shoot for hours, edit in minutes, share in seconds" and unlike some Franken-gadgets that tack on functionality without rhyme or reason, the multiple storage mediums included here make infinite sense - utilising the upsides, and negating the downsides of devices that use one or the other.

After inventing the DVD camcorder in 1999, Hitachi have another world first under their belt with the release of their hybrid DVD/HDD camcorders. Their catch cry is "Shoot for hours, edit in minutes, share in seconds" and unlike some Franken-gadgets that tack on functionality without rhyme or reason, the multiple storage mediums included here make infinite sense - utilising the upsides, and negating the downsides of devices that use one or the other.

DVD & HDD camcorders have their own inherent advantages and limitations. A hard disk allows on board editing capabilities, but once you've filled it, you're not shooting any more footage until you can get to a computer - and having to lug around a laptop isn't an attractive solution. DVD means no editing, but the discs are inexpensive and readily available, .

The 1.3 Megapixel DZ-HS301E (AU$1449) and the 3.3 Megapixel DZ-HS303E (AU$1649) have an 8 gigabyte hard disk, which is enough room for 110 minutes of video at full resolution. Unlike other devices, once you've filled this, you can easily export the entire/desired contents to DVD - without the need for a computer.

The one second Quickstart, which Hitachi claims to be the fastest out there, means that anyone missing out on that once-in-a-lifetime footage can only blame themselves, and all the functionality here has been squeezed into a surprisingly compact and lightweight package that is very comfortable to hold - and would presumably remain so for periods of extended use.

The only potential downside we see here is that the included battery will provide a fairly uninspiring maximum shooting time of 90 minutes, however an optional larger battery will supply up to three and a half hours of recording, which should satisfy all but the most snap-happy.

The DZ-HS301E and DZ-HS303E are now available worldwide, for more information visit Hitachi's website.

[source:  www.gizmag.com]