New Gadget Design

XMI X-Mini Max 2 Capsule Speakers

2009-12-04T15:39:00.001-08:00

The XMI X-Mini Max 2 capsule speakers try to prove that size doesn't really matter. It is an ultra-portable speaker system that works well with portable media gadgets. It offers quite excellent sound quality despite its small size.

The XMI X-Mini Max 2 is designed like a small capsule that detaches to two small speakers. The speakers themselves are uniquely designed in that they sport an expanding column comparable to what you see in accordions that help improve bass output quality while maintaining the high notes as well by way of a sensitive speaker. It weighs only 178 grams and offers 2.5W of speaker output, quite good enough to use for your portable gadgets. It sports a rechargeable battery that allows up to 12 hours of play time. It's available in Amazon and is priced at around 33 UK pounds.

Chargepod Multiple Charger

2009-12-04T15:38:00.002-08:00

Ever had increasing problems with charging your multiple portable devices? You may be just one of the many people who might be experiencing hassles having to bring along different chargers for your different hand held devices just to ensure that you can keep using them when you're out and about. You might need a handy alternative like the Chargepod.

The Chargepod is a 6-way charging device that allows you to charge up to 6 portable devices such as cellphones, PDA's and other similar gadgets simultaneously. It eliminates having to bring along separate chargers for your devices which can be quite a hassle the more devices you have in your person. A variety of device adapters allow the Chargepod to accommodate almost all the current portable devices available in the market. It is also 120-240V compatible for all wall plugs. The Chargepod is available at Callpod for US$40.

Asus T91MT Eee PC

2009-12-04T15:38:00.001-08:00

Innovation has become the norm in the tight netbook market. Offering unique features seems to drive interest in this relatively new market segment that only gets more and more popular by the day. This may be one of the reasons why Asus may be coming up with different netbook ideas to offer such as the Eee PC T91MT.

Asus is coming up with the Eee PC T91MT, the second generation device from its popular T91 tablet netbook. The Asus Eee PC T91MT features a multi-touch display upgrade that allows users to manipulate images and web pages on the screen using multiple fingers simultaneously. It features a 1.33 GHz Intel Z520 Atom CPU, 1 GB DDR2 memory, and upgraded with a 32 GB SSD. Price for the T91MT Eee PC may be around US$550 although its availability in the market is not yet known.

Twitter 360 on iPhone 3GS

2009-12-04T15:37:00.002-08:00

Want to take online stalking to another level? Find where your Twitter buddies have been tweeting with the Twitter 360 application on iPhone 3GS. The augmented reality app from Presselite utilizes the iPhone 3GS' compass function to track your friends by geolocating their tweets. Now you get to realize that the Vanessa Hudgens you have been following is actually your next-door neighborhood postman. (The HSM celebrity claims she does not have a Twitter account.) Check the video demo here.

If you do not want to be tracked down by your tweets, don't worry. You can opt out of the geolocation feature. The Twitter 360 is now available in the iTunes Store for only US$2.99.

FlipShare TV

2009-12-04T15:37:00.001-08:00

From the makers of Flip pocket camcorder, now acquired by Cisco, come FlipShare TV, which wirelessly brings your Flip Video library of photos and video clips right onto your TV screen and even share files instantly with other FlipShare users.

FlipShare works by connecting the base to the TV through composite or HDMI cables then plug the USB key into your PC or Mac. The Flip videos stored on the computer are then transmitted wirelessly to the base, instantly enabling your home videos seen on the TV, even without any wireless home network. You can also navigate through the intuitive TV interface with a wireless remote.

FlipShare TV works with FlipShare 5.0, the latest software from Flip Video. It takes video sharing to a different level, as other FlipShare owners can watch videos shared by fellow users on their own TV.

The FlipShare TV is now available at different retailers and official Flip Stores for only US$149.99.

Nintendo Wii Gets Dissed for Substandard Software

2009-12-04T15:35:00.000-08:00

The Nintendo Wii is the leading gaming console today, but its sales have been declining and some think they know the reason why.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Lightning Fish Games CEO Simon Prytherch said the Wii's weak sales is partly because of its poor quality games that have flooded the market, leaving consumers with no other choice but to purchase games only within the Nintendo franchise. Lightning Fish Games develops "family-oriented" games for major consoles.

"I don't think you can ever write Nintendo off, but the Wii market-from a third-party software developer and publisher perspective-is over-saturated with product," Prytherch said. "Consumers have been damaged by a lot of substandard software, so now they only trust big Nintendo brands."

With their first title, NewU: Fitness First Personal Trainer for Wii, performing badly in the market, Prytherch added that their company will be focusing more on developing games for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 beginning next year.

Despite the lost love for Wii, Prytherch has hope for motion-based games, especially with the upcoming release of Project Natal by Microsoft and Sony PlayStation 3 Motion Controller in 2010.

"(Motion-based games will) only have a huge impact once people start designing specifically for those controllers," Prytherch cautioned.

LG Projector Phone Comes to U.S.

2009-12-01T12:31:00.001-08:00

Imagine a mobile phone. Now, imagine a pico projector. You see the two? Now, try to put them together.

Get the picture? Well, LG has figured it out! The South Korean company has unveiled the LG Expo, a smartphone with an integrated optional pico projector add-on. Yes, it may be an optional feature, but there have not any projector phone hybrids being sold in the United States anyway. Upon its formal launch in the market, this projector phone will be the first of its kind in the US.

The LG Expo runs on the company's spin on Windows Mobile 6.5 called S-Class user interface, which uses rotating wheels of icons, and is powered by a Qualcomm 1GHz processor. Both features will be a first on the US smartphone market. On its own, it features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 5-megapixel camera, a 3.2-inch screen with 800 x 480 resolution, a built-in fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, proximity sensor, FM tuner, GPS, Wi-Fi, HSDPA, and a 1500mAh battery. The projector add-on, which weighs about 2 ounces and has the ability to project an image up to 8 feet away, will be sold separately.

The LG Expo is set to be released in a few weeks from now for US$299.99, minus a $100 mail-in rebate along with a two-year agreement on AT&T. The projector add-on, if you really want one, will be available soon for $179.99.

Shareable Ink: Transfers Handwritten Text Wirelessly to Database

2009-12-01T12:30:00.002-08:00

For doctors, streamlining their billing can be a problem. For anesthesiologist Vernon Huang this is nothing new. Wanting to find a better way to bridge the gap between what's written on paper, and what must be entered into an electronic database, he designed a digital pen with a tiny camera embedded right next to the ink cartridge which captures every thing you write on film. The captured footage is later uploaded wirelessly and automatically to their database in Boston.

After filling out, for instance, a patients' medical record, all you have to do is dock the pen in a cradle or check an invisible box on the paper to initiate the wireless transfer, and encrypted in their server farm in Boston where the strokes are reapplied to the paper where they perform handwriting recognition, and type stamping. All the handwritings were converted into texts, however, charts and signatures were captured as graphics.

In his demonstration, the wireless transfer was done via a cellular network, but according to him at the hospital they will probably use USB cradles.

Camangi Webstation Launches Website

2009-12-01T12:30:00.001-08:00

Last November 25, Camangi went live with the launch of the Camangi-Webstation.com and also released the full details on its Android-based Webstation tablet/MID.

The Webstation tablet has a glass-encased resistive touchscren, and measures H 4.27" x W 7.84" D .57", and weighs a mere 13.75 ounces.

It has video, audio, and image viewing capabilities, and can supports ePub and TXT files. This being an Android device, means you need not download an eReader app. Still, it would make a great addition.

It is also preloaded with English, Japanese, French, Spanish, German and simplified language support.

Sadly, it looks like the webcam and 2megapixel camera did not make it. It would have been cool to make Skype conferencing on the go possible - had we option of coupling the integrated WiFi b/g and optional 3G capability (using a USB dongle) with the scrapped-out camera.

It also has a rather low screen resolution (800x480), a rather small memory (128MB RAM), and an equally small internal storage (256MB flash), although it does have a MicroSD slot that is upgradeable to 16GB (it does come with a complementary 8GB). Still it would make a nice sub for the netbook,

The tablet will be available in 3 colors: pearl white, piano black and light pink.

As for the Apps Market, there's nothing very interesting there so far. And the website still won't sell you a Webstation tablet.

Kohjinsha Dual-Screen DZ Series Portable Laptop

2009-12-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

Just when you thought dual-screen desktop computers are cool enough, wait ‘till you see a more portable version. Kohjinsha introduces the Dual-Screen DZ series, highlighted by a pair of 10.1-inch TFT screens with 1,024 x 600 resolution stuffed into a really thin, 4-pound portable laptop. The two screens work by sliding them away from each other.

Technical specs include a 1.6GHz AMD Athlon Neo processor with RS780MN chipset and ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics card, 1GB RAM (which can be expanded to 4GB), 160GB hard disk drive, an integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam, a 3-in-1 card reader, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth ver 2.1 + EDR, 3 USB ports, and a 4.5-hour battery life-or so they claim.

The Kohjinsha Dual-Screen DZ Series portable laptop is available at GeekStuff4U.com for "only" ¥95,800 (around US$1,110). It comes preloaded with Linux OS, although you can have it replaced with Windows 7 Home Premium for an additional amount of ¥5,000 (about $58). It also ships in the United States and Europe, plus shipping costs of course, in three weeks if your order it today.

Computer Heated Lunchbox

2009-11-26T07:06:00.001-08:00

Trying to save up on expenses as much as you can may make you bring out your lunch at the office more instead of eating out. This may be a more cost-effective alternative since eating out can sum up quite a lot in a month's time. Bringing a lunch box with you at the office may be something that you are not accustomed with, but it may be a necessity during these tough times.

One of your concerns when bringing a lunch box at the office may be eating food that ends up getting cold by lunch time. But such concerns have become something that the Japanese have been able to find quite a convenient answer to. Thanks to Japanese ingenuity, there is now a computer heated lunchbox available. This special lunchbox can heat up its contents by simply plugging it into the PC's USB port. It will keep any lunch well heated to be quite enjoyable even if it was prepared in the early mornings.

The computer heated lunchbox is made by Thanko in Japan and costs around US$20. Although it may not yet be available in the US, knowing that there is such a lunchbox available can be quite reassuring, especially if you often bring your own homemade lunch at the office.

Olive Opus 4 Digital Music Server

2009-11-26T07:06:00.000-08:00

The Olive Opus 4 digital music server is a unique device that allows you to store up your most treasured music files into a single device. You can say that it is the modern digital version of the jukebox. But unlike other modern music file storage systems, the Olive Opus 4 provides quality at a higher level along with quantity.

The Olive Opus offers higher quality music storage because it converts your CD music collection into high resolution DAC format, a loss less format that prevents your music files from fading in quality no matter how many times you use them. Storage capacity is equivalent to a total of 3,000 CD's, more than enough for any music collection. A touch screen display on the Olive Opus 4 allows easy access to your music collection.

The Olive Opus 4 can be used conveniently with your stereo system in order to provide a high quality listening experience. It is plug and play and does not require any complex set up. You can just connect it to your stereo sound system and enjoy. It is also Wi-Fi enabled and can be used to stream music wirelessly throughout the home using the Melody 2 Multi-Room Module.

Baseball King Ball Set Helps You Pitch Like The Pros

2009-11-25T07:05:00.000-08:00

Not many people can pitch like a professional baseball pitcher. And this is exactly why baseball fans are buying out the Baseball King Baseballl set.

If you want to pitch like a pro, minus their years of training, then avail of one of these - or buy the whole set.

Each of the Baseball King balls has a specially designed band running through the center which lets a pitcher control the air resistance flowing over the ball in relation to the balls in the band. Thus, it is easier to throw curveballs, knuckleballs, risers, or screwballs.

Still it is best to practice with real baseballs.

Because come game time, there is no way you will be allowed to use these Baseball King balls.

Each baseball costs $24 and is available at japantrendshop.com.

X-Flex Wallpaper Protects Against Bombs

2009-11-25T07:04:00.001-08:00

Not that anyone is going to bomb your home anytime soon but it's best to be safe, right?

If you've made a few enemies over the years or you forgot to pay your mortgage, maybe the X-Flex Wallpaper is the wallpaper for you. It is made of Kevlar-like material placed between an elastic polymer wrap. Considering what it could protect you from, the X-Flex wallpaper is surprisingly lightweight, portable and easy to install - simply peel off the back and stick it on to your wall. You can put wallpaper or paint over it if you're not feeling its design.

If you need proof of the X-flex's ability to blunt bomb and wrecking ball impacts you can watch it here and here. According to X-flex, a commercial version of the military grade wall paper will be available next year.

USB Grenade Flash Drive

2009-11-25T07:04:00.000-08:00

While creatively-designed flash drives are nothing new, this one could get you a few laughs - or maybe get you detained at the airport.

The USB Grenade Flash Drive by ThinkGeek is well - shaped like a grenade with 8GB of memory space. You son will love this, and may be your colleagues will too. Pull the cap, lob it to a co-worker and pretend to run for cover; or toss it in the direction of your boss' office and draw some laughs from your officemates.

If you're traveling by plane though, it is best to leave this thing at home. You know how paranoid airport security can get.

The USB Grenade Flash Drive is available at ThinkGeek for $39.99.

Han Solo Frozen In Carbonite Desk

2009-11-25T07:03:00.000-08:00

Fans of Star Wars will definitely be lusting after this Tom Spina-designed desk.

The Han Solo Frozen In Carbonite Desk is made of metal and fiber glass with a heavy glass top, with dials and fiddles detailing on the side.

According to the website, this table is a custom one-off design for a client; meaning it is almost certainly not an officially licensed Star Wars merchandise.

While I am not a huge fan of this particular piece of furniture-art (let's face it, it is kind of creepy) I am sure a lot of Star Wars fans would die to have this thing parked in their study, den, or office. While a some complain that the desk is too low, I'm pretty sure it's nothing an adjustable chair could not fix.

Samsung YP P3 MP3 Player

2009-11-24T07:03:00.000-08:00

With lots of mp3 players now available out there, getting attention seems to have become quite competitive in the market. Mp3 players that offer unique features seem to stand out among the others and it is one of the best ways to capture a certain segment of the market. Such is the reason why mp3 players like the Samsung YP P3 still gets some attention.

The Samsung YP P3 mp3 player, aside from its sleek and slim design, also has features that some gadget lovers may appreciate. It has a 3-inch touch screen display with haptic feedback that Samsung has been known for. Other features include DNSe sound enhancement, audio and video playback, FM radio and voice recording. Its more unique features include Bluetooth capabilities, stereo audio streaming and support for DIVX video files which can make video downloads faster and more convenient to view on the player. The Samsung P3 is available from its 4GB to 32 GB versions and priced from US$150 to $200.

Samsung BD P4600 Blu Ray Player

2009-11-24T07:02:00.000-08:00

Some people appreciate gadgets not only for its features but also by the way it is designed. Stylish looks tend to make gadgets stand out for the rest . Eye catching designs becomes an effective way to attract consumers enough to make them consider buying them.

There can be such a thing as an excellent mix of form and function whenever you see the Samsung BD P4600 Blu Ray player. What strikes the consumer upon seeing it is the uniquely stylish design unlike any other Blu Ray players out there. It seems that the Samsung BD P4600 was designed not merely to become an ordinary Blu Ray player but quite a conversation piece as well. Its slim and thin design not only allows it to look quite unique, but the materials used for its surface allows it to change colors once light strikes upon it from various angles. And for that reason, it has been given the CES Innovation Award for 2009. With that distinction, would it matter if the Samsung BD P4600 is Wi-Fi ready, supports video and music on demand streaming and HDMI capable? It is available at Samsung for US$350.

Cinemin Swivel Pico Projector

2009-11-24T07:01:00.000-08:00

The Cinemin Swivel is a portable pico multimedia projector. A unique device that offers an added touch to portable multimedia devices, the Cinemin Swivel makes video viewing a group activity rather than just something an individual can enjoy.

The Cinemin Swivel is a handy device that can provide a clear and crisp projection display that can be as large as 60-inches from a distance of 8 feet. That can show you just how powerful a projector this small device can be. It is a plug and play device that can easily be connected to your iPod, iPhone and a lot of other popular portable multimedia players as well as your laptop. It has its own built-in speakers as well as powerful rechargeable batteries that can last for up to two hours of continuous movie viewing. The Cinemin Swivel is available at WowWee for US$300.

LightForm Flexible LED Sheet

2009-11-23T07:01:00.000-08:00

LED technology really has come a long way. Imagine installing light-emitting diodes not only on your car's tail lights, but virtually anywhere on the vehicle's exterior and interior, thanks to a revolutionary technology introduced by Indiana-based Grote Industries, which introduced the first commercially viable LED marker lamp 20 years ago. LightForm is a paper-thin material lined with LEDs, which can be flexed, bent, twisted, and rolled.

Each LightForm LED film measures 10 inches long, one-half inch wide, and a measly 1 millimeter in thickness. Three films can be connected to each other illuminated even with just a single battery pack. Custom car enthusiasts would find this material easy-to-use, as it is installed much like putting on a sticker, using familiar adhesives. No need to drill holes, affix mounting brackets, and using traditional fasteners. Because it is bendable and twistable, Lightform can be put on any corner, over contoured areas, and even with complicated shapes. LightForm also passed a battery of stress tests, from salt baths, extreme humidity, heat, and cold.

Right now, the LightForm only comes in continuous illumination pattern but it is available in red, amber, green, and blue. The company, however, is considering having them in never-before-seen light patterns and configurations.

Grote Industries has yet to reveal when LightForm becomes available in the market and expect a lot of eager enthusiasts forming a bee line for it once it comes out.

HP Pavilion dm3t Ultraportable Laptop

2009-11-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Another awesome Christmas gift idea for your friend or loved one is HP's take on ultraportable laptops. The 13-inch HP Pavilion dm3t provides a balance of performance, mobility and affordability.

The dm3t series has a wide range of options from the type of OS, Intel processor, memory, and hard drive, thereby giving you a laptop that fits your lifestyle and demands. The base model runs on Windows 7 Home Premium OS, ultra-low-voltage Intel Celeron SU2300, 2GB DDR3 memory (with a free upgrade to 3GB), 250GB hard disk drive, and up to 10 hours of continuous battery life. You can simply work with your HP ultraportable in normal conditions without having to worry whether you should have brought the adapter with you.

The HP Pavilion dm3t comes in a sleek aluminum chassis (which explains the 4.2 pounds of weight), a 5-in-1 digital card reader, Ethernet connectivity, hard drive protection in case of an accidental fall, Altec Lansing stereo speakers, and an integrated webcam that performs well even in low lighting conditions.

Its downside, however, is the silver-mirrored touchpad that has a slugging performance according to reviews. Its glossy surface also makes the trackpad prone to fingerprint smudges. This comes in contrast with the touchpad buttons, which offered a satisfactory feedback despite its narrow size. The dm3t also has a slow cold start time, about two minutes long, and it takes 2.5 minutes to restart.

The HP Pavilion dm3t is available on its official website and other authorized resellers starting at US$599.99. They also come with AMD-equipped processors, thus reducing the price even further, although HP claims it would sacrifice the battery life.

Kiwi MPG Automotive Diagnostic Scan Tool

2009-11-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

These days, checking your car's speed and fuel is no longer enough. You also want to know detailed information about your vehicle's performance and fuel efficiency, and with the help of Kiwi MPG from PLX Devices it may do just that.

The Kiwi MPG is an engine scan tool that you plug into the OBD II port of any vehicle made after 1996, which includes SUVs and even hybrid cars, and can be mounted anywhere in the car's interior. At a push of a button, the Kiwi MPG displays your vehicle's miles per gallon (mpg), mpg per trip, and even the cost of gas consumed during the trip. It can also display how much fuel your car has used, distance traveled, distance to go before your fuel tank runs empty, coolant temperature, and so much more. These data come in both imperial and metric measuring systems.

The Kiwi MPG automotive scan tool can also read your car's engine code whenever it displays a "check engine" light in your console. Simply let the Kiwi MPG to take care of that tiny engine problem and save a lot of money off visits to a mechanic.

The Kiwi MPG car digital gauge is available on PLX Devices website for US$89.99.

Toshiba Satellite T135 Ultrathin Portable

2009-11-22T06:59:00.000-08:00

Despite its low cost and convenience, the one thing that would be bugging about the increasingly popular netbooks is its size. Not only typing on smaller keys can be cumbersone, but it is also uncomfortable watching video or browsing through websites on a much smaller screen. This paved way for the rise of "ultrathin portables," slim ultraportable laptop computers at a fraction of its price.

Toshiba introduces its take on the ultrathin portable with Toshiba Satellite T135 series, which they claim has a "perfect balance" of performance and battery life with its eco-friendly engineering and power saving options. This ultraslim may be smaller in size compared to traditional laptops--with its 13.3-inch widescreen LED backlit display, 3.9 pounds of weight, and measuring less than an inch thick-this portable computer packs an Intel Pentium SU2700 processor, 3GB DDR3 memory, Intel 4500M graphic chipset, Windows 7 Home Premium, built-in webcam and microphone, and 250GB hard disk drive.

It also comes in a gorgeous Fusion Finish, with your choice of Nova Black, Red, or White covers, while its USB Sleep-and-Charge ability enables this ultrathin portable to charge-up your USB gadgets even while it is asleep. The Toshiba Satellite T135 also contains a built-in hard drive impact sensor, which keeps your precious data safe in case of an accidental fall.

But the biggest selling point is its battery life, as the Toshiba Satellite T135 can be used for up to 9 hours and 22 minutes. That's a lot of power for a laptop, which is further improved with energy-saving Intel processor and LED backlit display. It is also free from any mercury, which damages the environment.

If there is something that would be worthy to nitpick on this laptop, it would have to be the keyboard and touchpad buttons. The keys on the keyboard have that rubbery texture to it, while the buttons under the touchpad are slippery and can be hard to use.

The Toshiba Satellite T135 is now available, starting at US$599.99.

Google Chrome OS Demo Coming Soon

2009-11-22T06:57:00.001-08:00

Representatives over at Google have confirmed that the company will be demonstrating its upcoming Chrome operating system at a press event next week. The demo will be hosted by Google's Vice President of Product Management Sundar Pichai, along with Engineer Director Matthew Papakipos. They also announced about the Chrome OS' launch in 2010.

A Google spokesperson said in an email sent to various tech publications that the event will be more of a technical announcement, not to mention showing a complete overview of their latest product.

Google would have to prepare to answer the queries of an inquisitive crowd, especially about the Chrome OS' hardware partners, which will include Acer, Hewlett-Packard, and Adobe, as well as how this OS would interact with and complement Android, Google's mobile operating system that has been gaining in popularity.

HP Announced New Thin Client Hardware

2009-11-22T06:57:00.000-08:00

Aside from introducing new Windows 7-powered desktop computers, HP has also provided an alternative to cash-strapped users: Low-cost thin client computers.

Unlike the traditional computers that are technically called "fat clients," thin clients depend heavily on an outside server to fulfill its computing needs, thus lowering costs, cutting energy use, and increase productivity. This new generation of thin clients from HP consists of three models, with the first two running on Intel Atom N280 processor. The HP t5740 (pictured) includes a Windows-embedded operating system, while the t5745 is powered by HP's ThinPro Linux OS. The third model, the HP t5325, is its first thin client that costs below US$200. Small as a paperback book, the t5325 uses a mere 5 watts of power.

Both t5740 and t5745, currently available on HP.com costing US$599 each, have the power to work with high-performance protocols, much like traditional desktop computers. And because there is a lower processor demand on thin clients, you could satisfy yourself watching movies in full screen without buffering or drag.

Meanwhile, the HP t5325 will start shipping on early December 2009, offering customers local Web access and basic multimedia support.

Apple Searches for Game Engineer

2009-11-20T12:25:00.001-08:00

It seems like Apple is set to give the Sony and Nintendo a run for its money after the former's dismal sales of PSPGo and mixed reactions over the latter's Nintendo DSi. The company has opened a job vacancy searching for a "Games/ Media Software Engineer," helping them design and implement "interactive multimedia experiences" (or video games in plain English) for both iPod Touch and iPhone.

Qualified candidates should be a "passionate gamer" with at least three years of experience in the industry, has published and shipped at least one "AAA title" (a gaming equivalent to "blockbuster hit" movie, meaning the video has a certain level of graphical polish not to mention hype factor), as well as knowledge for specific programming languages and applicable skills in audio systems, graphic pipeline, and network programming.

Apart from that, candidates also need to be creative thinkers who can contribute and comment on the design process, while being flexible enough to aid in all aspects of video game production.

Do you think you have got what it takes to be part of the Apple family? It won't hurt if you try.

Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700

2009-11-20T12:25:00.000-08:00

Samsung officially enters the Android phone market-after Motorola, T-Mobile, and Sony Ericsson-as they introduce the Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700. Running on Google's Android operating system, this new touchscreen mobile phone also comes with a number of Google services like Search, Maps, YouTube, and Google Talk.

Like any other Android phone, the Galaxy Spica will support the Android Market service for your application needs, but what sets this apart among its contemporaries is that it will be the first to support DivX videos without having to convert them. Other features include 800MHz processor, a built-in 3-megapixel camera, microSD storage, Bluetooth 2.1, a USB port, WiFi connectivity, and 1500 mAh battery

The Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700 is available in Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States (countries that were part of USSR), and is slated to be available in Africa and the Middle East. It is unsure whether this phone will be available in the United States.

Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition

2009-11-20T12:24:00.000-08:00

Nokia has launched their latest multimedia mobile phone, the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition, which enables users to watch live TV, connect with their social networks, listen to music, and get busy with games anytime and anywhere.

The Nokia 5330 features a one-click access to DVB-H mobile television, which is viewable through its 2.4-inch QVGA color display. It can even pick up all the available channels and set reminders for your favorite programs, or even create customized channels lists through its Electronic Program Guide. You can also plug in a headphone with 3.5mm jack for some private listening. Its battery life can last up to 6 hours of regular TV watching.

Apart from its mobile TV capabilities, this handset has a 3.2-megapixel camera with LED flash. It is also compatible with Nokia's Comes with Music service, which provides unlimited access to thousands of music tracks for free. Meanwhile, its social networking function gets you in touch with your friends in Ovi Contacts, Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube. You can even post status messages that can be seen by your friends and family or even send instant messages to them through Windows Live Messenger, Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, ICQ, and AOL. The Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition is available in Europe for 155 euros or US$232.

Samsung Corby 3G Debuts in Korea

2009-11-20T12:23:00.000-08:00

The youthful-looking Samsung Corby S3650, which was first launched in Europe last September, debuts in its homeland Korea. This time, the jellybean-colored Corby-formally tagged as either SCH-W900, SPH-W9000, and SPH-W9050, depending on the added features we suppose-is given an extra oomph with 3G, a larger 3.0-inch touchscreen display, 3D Motion Photo, and more than 100MB of internal memory, as well as DMB TV and Haptic user interface (the standard features for Samsung phones in Korea). The Korean Samsung Corby 3Gs are available in Jamaican Yellow, Cupid Pink, Minimal White, and Chic Black.

Purse-Like Japanese Video Camera for Women

2009-11-19T12:23:00.000-08:00

Japan-based electronics company Greenhouse has released a video camera specifically targeted for women. The GAUDI GHV-DV30HDLXW/P (let's call the Purse Cam for now) features a textured exterior that would remind you of leather bags with crisscross stitching on its body.

The Purse Cam is part of Greenhouse's introduction of its GAUDI brand (which took its name not from the famous Catalan architect, but from fusing "Greenhouse" with "Audio-Visual"). It features a 3-inch TFT LCD screen, 128MB of internal storage memory, extendable memory of up to 32MB with its SD/ SDHC memory card slot, and ports for both mini-HDMI and USB. It can record your precious memories in 1,280 x 720 resolution at 30 frames per second.

This women-only camera is only available in Japan for US$190, which includes a matching pouch and your choice of white or pink cover.

ViewSonic MovieBook VPD400

2009-11-19T12:22:00.000-08:00

ViewSonic has officially launched the MovieBook VPD400 portable multimedia player, which lets you watch HD-quality movies, listen to your playlists, view photo albums, read ebooks, and even record voice memos. With a 4.3-inch screen with 720p HD format and 800 x 480 digital high resolution, the stylish and ultra-thin VPD MovieBook can provide optimum entertainment for you and your friends. You can also hook it up to any PC or TV for some big-screen viewing.

The ViewSonic MovieBook VPD400 works with a full range of video and audio formats, including RM/ RMVB. It also includes an intuitive user interface, up to 12 hours of battery life, 8GB internal storage capacity, and a microSD card slot for extended memory.

This portable media player is available through authorized resellers across United States and Canada for US$129.99, with your choice of black, pink, or white color cover.

Spawn HD-720

2009-11-19T12:21:00.000-08:00

The gaming industry has become quite popular that more people today have around two or more different gaming consoles in their homes to play with. Too bad that the number of TV sets in the home may not follow such increases. This can sometimes mean that other family members may be using the TV set and prevent you from playing with your favorite video game for the meantime. It's a good thing that there is now the Spawn HD-720 available in order to help resolve such issues.

The Spawn HD-720 is a device that you can connect with your gaming consoles and allow you to access them through your PC or laptop. You do not have to wait for other family members to stop watching television before you can play your video games. Spawn HD-720 allows you to play them through your PC or laptop through a broadband Internet connection.

All you need to do is to hook up your gaming consoles to your Spawn HD-720 and a broadband Internet connection. You can then go to your computer, connect to the Spawn website through an account that you need to create and download the Spawn player in your PC to allow playing video games. You can them play your console games through your PC in real time speed, whether you are a a floor below or even thousands of miles away from your gaming console. You can also invite your friends for access into your gaming console in case you wish to play together with them. The Spawn HD-720 is available at spawn Labs for US$200.

Gunnar Optiks Wi-Five Eyewear

2009-11-19T12:20:00.000-08:00

Poor eyesight has become an increasing problem especially in the Digital Age where more and more people spend their time on a television set or a PC monitor for longer periods of time. This can lead to eye fatigue and may cause vision to deteriorate over time in case it is not being adequately protected.

It is because of such concerns that some companies like Gunnar Optiks have come up with eye wear such as the Wi-Five to help people enjoy better vision despite the increasing threats all around. The Gunnar Optiks eyewear such as the Wi-Five is made using lens incorporating the company's i-AMP technology lenses that helps reduce eye fatigue caused by viewing PC monitors for longer periods of time. What makes eyewear such as the Wi-Five quite appealing is that they are also elegantly designed and quite cool enough to wear without looking like a nerd. The Wi-Five is available at Gunnar Optiks for US$99.

Acer Ferrari One Netbook

2009-11-18T12:20:00.000-08:00

Want to have a netbook that screams "Status Symbol" and "Luxury" all over? Grab that Acer Ferrari One with a cavallino rampante-emblazoned glossy red finish and automotive-themed details like the metallic-like trackpad buttons, a wrist rest with that carbon fiber feel, and even a boot up greeting that sounds like a passing F1 racer.

But do not let all that fluff fool you, as Acer's Ferrari-inspired netbook is powered with an AMD dual-core Athlon X2 processor 1.2GHz, ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics chipset, 240GB of storage, and 4GB of memory, making it proficient in running graphics compared to other netbooks around although it may buff a bit while playing HD movie files. Nevertheless, the multimedia performance is impressive for a netbook.

However, if you find that too slow, you would be delighted to know that this netbook also comes with its own ATI XGP port, connecting the Acer Ferrari One with more powerful external graphics card for faster graphical processing and multitasking powers.

The 11.6-inch Acer Ferrari One also features a LED-backlit display, spacious keyboard, a wide array of audio settings from Dolby Digital Live to Dolby Pro Logic IIx, a multitouch-capable trackpad that allows pinch-zooms and two-finger swipes while navigating websites, USB ports, SD card slot, VGA output, and WiFi connectivity.

The Acer Ferrari One is already available through various resellers in the United Kingdom, starting at ₤400 (US$668). It is expected to become available across the pond in January 2010.

T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold Available

2009-11-18T12:19:00.000-08:00

T-Mobile has announced that the BlackBerry Bold 9700 is available beginning today (November 16) for US$199.99 on contract called the "Even More Plan," six days earlier than AT&T's launch of the same handheld smartphone.

The Bold 9700, which is the first 3G BlackBerry from T-Mobile, has all what has promised: a 3.2-megapixel camera with auto-focus and image stabilization, built-in GPS with voice-guided and turn-by-turn directions, a media player with over 100 radio stations available (through Slacker Radio app), and of course, high-speed 3G connectivity.

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is also available with an "Even More Plus Plan" costing $449.99, which does not come with an annual contract and a lower monthly payment.

enTourage eDGe Dual-Screen Ebook Reader

2009-11-18T12:18:00.001-08:00

I am not a fan of brands with capital letters in the wrong position.

Anyway, the enTourage eDGe dual-screen ebook reader also functions as a netbook with its 10.1-inch LCD resistive-touch screen apart from the 9.7-inch e-ink display. Designed with students in mind, the eDGE provides a fully-integrated device that includes a stylus for taking notes, 3GB of usable built-in storage, an SD card slot, two USB ports, headphone and microphone jacks, built-in stereo speakers, up to 16 hours of battery life, and connects you to WiFi, BlueTooth 2.1, and optional 3G.

The enTourage eDGe ebook reader will be shipped out on February 2010, with a suggested retail price of US$490.

Cranberry DiamonDisc Promises to Last for 1,000 Years

2009-11-18T12:18:00.000-08:00

People are beginning to discover that the files stored in DVDs lasts for only a few years. Even the Library of Congress has warned the public about the short life span of compact discs and DVDs, urging them not to use them in storing digital data because they may become obsolete and damaged in the future. Several companies have been trumpeting that they have the solution, but the problem is that those solutions have yet to see the light of availability.

Fortunately, one company brags that they can store your digital data like family photos or reunion videos for up to 1,000 years and it is available today. The Cranberry DiamonDisc is just like any ordinary DVD, but with a synthetic stone disc layer instead of the traditional dye, adhesive, or reflective layers. Not only these discs can store data up to 4.7GB almost permanently through time, the company also claims that these storage discs can withstand up to 176-degree Fahrenheit heat as well as UV rays that would have destroyed your precious DVDs. It is also backwards-compatible, so you do not have to worry about buying a separate player.

The Cranberry DiamonDisc is available on its online site for US$34.95 each. Special packages are also available.

Dell Mini 3i Coming Soon in Brazil and China

2009-11-17T12:17:00.001-08:00

The rest of the world goes green with envy over Brazil and China for being the first markets to receive the spanking-new Dell Mini 3i. A spokesperson from Dell Latin America told the press that the company has decided to "give priority" to the land of Great Wall and Ipanema, with China receiving the handsets in the coming days while Brazil getting them later in the year.

And while China Mobile-which will distribute the Mini 3i in Mainland China-would not include 3G service in their new handsets, Brazil's Claro will have 3G-enabled devices. How much would they cost? Dell is keeping a tight lip on that one.

Intel Reader

2009-11-17T12:17:00.000-08:00

Although an ebook reader provides a portable and convenient way to read books, most of those devices failed to address an important concern: not everyone can read, either due to dyslexia, low vision, blindness, or simply illiteracy.

Intel addressed that problem with its recently-launched Intel Reader, a mobile handheld device that converts printed text into digital text then reads it aloud to the user. About the size of a paperback book, it combines the power of a 5-megapixel text-scanning camera with an Intel Atom processor and a built-in optical character recognition.

The Intel Reader has been endorsed by the International Dyslexia Association as an important assistive device for an estimated 55 million people in the United States who have specific learning disabilities.

However, with a suggested retail price of US$1499 (available at selected retailers), it seems pretty hefty even for a niche product, especially if it only has 2GB built-in storage, a 4-hour battery life, and lack of support for other digital text files like HTML, PDF, DOC, and RTF.

FLO TV Debuts

2009-11-17T12:16:00.000-08:00

After a brief tease, the 3.5-inch FLO TV personal television is now available on various retailers in North America and websites like Amazon.com, Best Buy, and Radio Shack. FLO TV promises to provide live and time-shifted content from top entertainment channels like CBS Mobile, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, NBC 2Go, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Adult Swim Mobile. It also offers limited-time bonus channels for premium programs, special events, and original content.

As part of its launch, FLO TV is sold with a bundled package for a limited time, which includes the device and first six months of subscription for an overall price of US$249.99. A monthly service subscription fee will be charged after which.

Dell Zino HD Mini PC

2009-11-17T12:13:00.000-08:00

Dell recently introduced the Inspiron Zino HD mini PC, a compact desktop computer that is versatile enough to handle basic computing tasks and running a big-screen, high-def media files. It features a wide range of cover colors and spec options with up to 8GB dual channel DDR2 RAM, up to 1TB hard disk, DVD-CD RW drive with optional Blu-ray combo, your choice of AMD or Dual Core Athlon Neo X2 processors, built-in high-definition audio, four-in-one media card reader, four USB ports, and your choice of Windows OS from Vista Home Basic through 7 Professional.

Measuring at 7.75 inches square and 3.5 inches tall, it includes standard HD-capable integrated graphics card, HDMI output, and built-in networking, making an ideal home computer for word processing, e-mail, photo organization, music listening, and Internet browsing. The Dell Inspiron is available at Dell.com starting at US$229.

Leica C-Lux 3 Digital Camera

2009-11-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

The Leica C-Lux is not just any other compact digital cameras out there. It is something that might even come by as a fashion accessory. The name Leica itself has long been identified with photography. It just follows that the same name extend to being a fashionable gadget among the cool crowd.

In line with having a fashionable look, the Leica C-Lux 3 digital camera has a small, slim and yet elegant design. But the look is just part of its overall appeal. It does allow users to take great quality shots for a compact digital camera. Powerful zoom lens that Leica has been known for is included into this wonderful digital camera. For its large focusing range it can be used to capture wide cityscapes and even clear closeups. It is fairly easy to use and has other features that even make casual photographers appreciate both its form as well as function. It is priced at around US$499.

HP TouchSmart IQ816

2009-11-12T07:51:00.000-08:00

The HP TouchSmart IQ816is an all-in-one PC that may be quite unique in itself. First of all, it is probably one of the only few newer PC models out there that features a touch screen display. Yes, the HP TouchSmart IQ816 is a PC with a touch-based screen.

Not a lot of PC's you find today may have such a feature. But it is something that HP might be trying to explore. Just like typical PC's today, the specs are considered pretty good- 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB 800MHz DDR2 memory, 512 MB Nvidia GeForce graphics card and a 750GB hard drive among other things. But what might interest its users will be its touch screen functions that may be a quite unique experience even for those who have grown accustomed to other touch screen displays.

The touch-based screen of the HP TouchSmart IQ816 allows for added functions that may be absent in other standard PC's. Icons on the screen may be accessed with a mere touch. Scrolling up and down display may also be done the same way. These functions can make using a computer mouse not so convenient anymore. Imagine how this touch screen interface can make it more convenient using the PC as a media tool? It somehow does quite appeal a lot to the senses. It is available at HP for US$2,099.

Mobile DTV Tuner from Concept Enterprises

2009-11-12T07:49:00.001-08:00

California-based Concept Enterprises is proud that the standard for their first market-ready Mobile DTV tuner for cars has been approved by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), making the gadget allowed to receive live and local simulcast TV content.

Mobile DTV utilizes the same digital spectrum as local TV channels for HD programming, and then streams it without ghosting or pixilation while watching it inside a moving vehicle. The tuner is smaller than a BlackBerry and requires an inch of roof-mount antenna base with 6-inch antenna wire for installation.

The Mobile DTV will be sold for US$499 without monthly subscription, although date of availability has yet to be announced.

Casio GzOne Boulder Mobile Phone

2009-11-12T07:49:00.000-08:00

Many mobile phones have been introduced in the consumer market offering quite a variety of features. And it seems that there is a mobile phone out there that would be well suited for anyone's needs. Aside from the usual features, some people look for those that are unique and stand out. Some may consider mobile phones that can be quite durable.

In terms of durability as part of the feature, the Casio GzOne Boulder may be one of those that may fit the bill. From the way it may look, it might just be quite any other mobile phone- sleek, clam shell design, 1.3 megapixel camera, lengthy standby and talk time, and most other features of today's mobile phones that many users try to look into. But one thing that the Casio GzOne Boulder might be quite unique is that it is one tough mobile phone.

The Casio GzOne Boulder has underwent stringent military tests involving its durability and toughness. It is a mobile phone that has met the military standards when it comes to resisting shock, vibration, humidity and the other elements. It is this unique feature that makes the Casio GzOne stand out among the other mobile phones out there when it comes to being handy whenever the going gets tough out there.

Samsung P2770 Widescreen HDTV Monitor

2009-11-12T07:48:00.000-08:00

Samsung has recently introduced a 27-inch 1080p widescreen HDTV monitor called the P2770. It includes a built-in digital TV tuner, digital device support, a 5ms response time, and 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. You can connect this monitor to your cable or satellite box, Blu-ray player, gaming system, or desktop computer.

This HD monitor also features rich audio specs like Dolby Digital Plus, SRS TruSurround HD, and 5.1 optical SPDIF, coming out of its integrated speakers, reducing the need for added speakers that can take up space.

The Samsung P2770 monitor is now available in Korea for roughly US$473 and it will most likely be shipped to other countries as well.

Zune HD Now Comes with 3D Games

2009-11-12T07:47:00.000-08:00

Microsoft has announced that their Zune HD can now be used to play 3D games, making the device more than just the usual multimedia player.

The Zune Marketplace now has a selection of fun 3D games that utilizes the Zune HD's multi-touch OLED screen, accelerometer, and its NVIDIA Tegra processor, with titles ranging from the casual checkers and bowling, to interesting games such as Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition, Vans Sk8: Pool Service, and Audiosurf: Tilt-which turns your favorite songs into a unique roller coaster track you could steer on.

The best part about this is that all these titles can be downloaded for free. So what are you waiting for? Get downloading now!

Nokia N900 Now Shipping

2009-11-11T06:21:00.000-08:00

Only a few days to go and we will see for ourselves Nokia's first Maemo-based smartphone as the N900 is being shipped to Europe, Middle East, Russia, and North America. Set to compete against Apple's iPhone and BlackBerry by RIM, the Nokia N900 is both a mobile phone and a mobile Internet device. It runs on Maemo 5 Linux OS and the first Nokia phone powered by TI OMAP3 microprocessor with ARM Cortex-A8 Core. Apart from its touch screen display, the Nokia N900 also featues a 5-megapixel camera, portable media player, as well as e-mail and web browsing capabilities. Compared to other contemporary handsets, the N900 has a more "touch-friendly" interface and a customizable home screen that mixes application icons with shortcuts and widgets.

However, users in United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, and Austria are warned that the Nokia N900 will not be compatible with Hutchinson 3G SIM cards until a software update becomes available later in the year.

In the meantime, let's see whether the N900 will save Nokia from declining market share.

GoSpeak Pro Ultraportable Folding Speakers

2009-11-11T06:20:00.000-08:00

Now you can present in front of a large audience with ease and confidence even without a lectern and sound system. That is because there is a portable, foldable, speaker system that will do just that at a moment's notice.

SMK-Link Electronics introduces the GoSpeak! Pro "ultra-portable amplification system," a slim five-pound wonder that has the audio power to address an audience of up to around 200 people, making it ideal for business presentation, sales meetings, seminars, trade shows, and other small-to-mid-sized gatherings. The GoSpeak! Pro is so portable, you can stuff it right at your laptop tote bag.

This portable folding speakers is available through different consumer electronics retail outlets, online reseller sites, and on GoSpeak Pro's website. Suggested retail price is US$399.00, add $100 to purchase an optional wireless microphone.

Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera

2009-11-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

With the Flip by Pure Digital paving the way for pocket-sized digital video cameras, competition will soon follow. Kodak introduced the Zi8 that lets you caption HD videos up to 1080p at 30 frames per second, as well as 5-megapixel still images. It also features a built-in image stabilization to help you avoid the "shaky cam" effect and an external microphone jack that captures the sound you want to record and not your voice behind the cam.

Made from hard plastic, the Kodak Zi8 is durable to withstand casual usage. It user interface, meanwhile, is ideal for beginners because of its easy navigation.

The Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera is an ideal for your Christmas shopping, costing US$180.

Gateway One ZX All-In-One Desktop PC

2009-11-10T08:22:00.001-08:00

Once ignored due to the rise of laptops, desktop computers are now being given a cooler and more functional vibe as they evolve into all-in-one PCs that eliminate the need of bulky CPU towers.

Gateway has released its latest all-in-one desktop computer called the One ZX. With the integration of a widget-driven multitouch interface and Windows 7, the Gateway One ZX lets you navigate through your photo albums, music playlists, movies, online games, social networks, and other applications right at your fingertips.

This desktop comes with your choice of Intel Pentium Dual-Core or Core2 Quad Processors. The 23-inch ZX6800 is optimized for the multimedia user who loves his games and movies, featuring a 1080p LCD, 1TB hard drive, 8GB of RAM, an integrated HD webcam, DVD reader and writer, and 5.1 surround-sound card. Meanwhile, the ZX4800 is ideal for students or small businesses and costs about half as much. You can check out the other models on Gateway's website.

Blue Microphones Eyeball 2.0 Webcam

2009-11-10T08:22:00.000-08:00

As computers become faster and more stylish, wouldn't it be a drag if it still has a webcam that captures low-quality images on a per second basis? Now, you can have a webcam that complements the desktops and laptops of today with the Eyeball 2.0 by Blue Microphones.

This revolutionary new webcam captures two-megapixel videos and high-definition audio through its high-fidelity microphone so that you could look and sound as good. It has a retractable camera lens that hides behind the mic to ensure the webcam is off when you are not broadcasting, thus protecting your privacy when you needed it. You can either place it on a flat surface or install it on any laptop or desktop monitor through its custom-designed monitor adapter.

Samsung Go N310 Netbook

2009-11-10T08:20:00.000-08:00

Samsung may not yet be the go-to brand for netbooks, but their latest model delivers something different.

The Atom-based Samsung Go N310 comes in rounded edges and rubberized texture. Weighing just three pounds, this petite portable features an ergonomic pebble-style keyboard for faster and more comfortable typing, an edge-to-edge glass scratch-proof display, and comes in four crayon-like colors.

Because of its borderless screen, the LED-backlit display provides up to 30 percent more viewing space than ordinary screens. Also, the LED technology makes the screen thinner, brighter, more durable, and more power efficient.

This netbook also features many connectivity options such as a 3-in-1 memory card reader, 3 USB ports, and Bluetooth 2.1. It also boasts of a 9-hour battery life and now available for only US$479.99.

FLO TV Personal Television

2009-11-09T12:35:00.000-08:00

A Qualcomm subsidiary is about to take portable television to the next level. FLO TV Inc. introduces the FLO TV personal television that not only lets you watch major networks, but also popular cable channels such as ESPN, MTV, and Nickelodeon. This personal TV receives both live and time-shifted content on its dedicated multicast network so you can enjoy your TV viewing for up to five hours of battery life without the buffering, downloading, or waiting. Because it is a capacity touch screen, users can easily surf channels with just a swipe of the finger. The device also includes a built-in stand, stereo speakers, and the ability to set reminders of your favorite programming.

Although FLO TV comes in a 3.5-inch touch screen device, the company aims to provide service on multiple platforms including mobile phones, in-car entertainment systems, and other consumer electronic devices. Subscription service starts for as low as US$8.99 monthly, while the device will be available before the year ends at a suggested retail price of $249.99. Better save now before Christmas comes.

Makita LXT Cordless Lithium Ion Flashlight

2009-11-09T12:33:00.000-08:00

Heavy duty flashlights can be quite a godsend especially in dark places that one may experience during storms, blackouts and other unfortunate circumstances. Having a handy light source at home or in the car may prove to be valuable in times like these. The Makita LXT Cordless Lithium Ion Flashlight may prove to be just the thing you might look for.

This handy flashlight offers high illumination power at 4,500 Lux, thanks to its Xenon light bulb for extra brightness. It is powered by an 18 volt lithium ion rechargeable battery that can provide continuous lighting for up to 4.3 hours per charge. Its compact design makes it quite easy to use and handy to carry anywhere. A 4-point head position pivot provides added versatility when used. The Makita LXT Cordless Lithium Ion Flashlight is available at Makita for US$60.

Microsoft Zune HD

2009-11-08T09:14:00.001-08:00

The Microsoft Zune portable media has not been getting the love it deserves until they released its HD version recently. The latest incarnation is a big leap forward in terms of speed, usability, video quality, and design.

The new Microsoft Zune HD not only can play your favorite tunes, but also HD videos and even high-definition radio, as it can handle streams from multicasting Internet radio channels. Found a song that you like as you listen? You can simply tag it and purchase it through Zune Marketplace, which can also be your one-stop site to buy TV show episodes, stream music, and even receive expert recommendations from other Zune owners whom you share interests with.

This device also prides itself for having a longer battery life compared to iPod Touch. While the popular Apple player can run music for up to 30 hours (6 hours on video playback), the Microsoft Zune HD can play your audio files for up to 33 hours and 8.5 hours of video.

To maximize your enjoyment for this fab Christmas gadget, however, you have to purchase its premium services like the US$15-a-month Zune Pass to play your playlist of "unpurchased" songs from the Marketplace, as well as accessories like the $80-HDMI docking station so you can play 720p high-definition videos on your HDTV. On its own, the Microsoft Zune HD is available starting at $220.

HP DreamScreen 100

2009-11-08T09:14:00.000-08:00

Ideally, the HP DreamScreen 100 is a digital photo frame, but this does not just display your family portraits. It can actually function like a stand-alone tablet PC. Simply connect this 10-inch model to either WiFi or Ethernet and you get access to a multitude of built-in audio and visual applications.

For instance, the HP DreamScreen 100 can stream your favorite Internet radio stations, with up to 10,000 channels to choose from including Pandora and HP's own Net radio stations. You can also check your friends' updates or upcoming events on Facebook, your online photo albums on Snapfish, as well as other popular apps.

And before we forget that is works as a digital picture frame, you can transfer your photos, audio files, and even video clips from PC via USB to DreamScreen's 2GB internal memory, as well as your choice of popular media cards such as Memory Stick, SDHC, MMC, and USB flash drives. Wireless streaming of audio and photos can also be achieved here. It can display a variety of image formats such as JPEG, BMP, and PNG. You can even opt to show the clock next to the slide show.

The HP DreamScreen 100 is available at your favorite online stores, costing at least US$249.

LG SL90 HDTV

2009-11-08T09:13:00.000-08:00

In its quest to provide you with the optimum HD video viewing experience, LG has stepped up the HDTV competition by providing a "borderless" 1080p SL90 HDTV. You have seen television monitors getting slimmer and wider, but with a bezel only less than an inch wide it appears you are watching your favorite TV shows and movies right out of your wall.

The 42-inch LG SL90 is also one of the slimmest flat panels because of its LED backlighting that not only boost image contrast ratio, but also cuts energy consumption. The 120MHz refresh rate makes onscreen motion more pleasing to the eyes as it removes blur, a usual problem in 60MHz LCD TVs. It also has four HDMI ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB.

LG has yet to release its official date, but expect a beeline if the LG SL90 HDTV becomes available come holidays.

Samsung YP-R1 Yepp Portable Media Player

2009-11-08T09:12:00.001-08:00

The Samsung YP-R1 Yepp portable media player is the newest release for Samsung in the field where iPod's reign supreme. And yet Samsung tries to even out the playing field by adding some innovative and interesting features into their new media player. This will surely make the Samsung R1 capture its own niche of consumers, usually those who are of the creative kind.

The Samsung YP-R1 player is quite slim, measuring only about 8.9 mm thick and weigh quite alight 50 grams. And yet this player is considered as the first DivX certified mp3 player that also comes equipped with a 2.6 inch touch screen interface. It features the TouchWiz user interface that has proven to be popular in Samsung's full touch screen mobile phones. Easy navigation makes this portable media player quite convenient to use.

But the Samsung R1 mp3 player is not merely limited to that. It also features a "Beat DJ" mode that allows users to create their own brand of personalized music by adding sound effects as well as their own voices to their favorite songs. The Samsung R1 will be made available in 8GB and 16GB versions. Retail pricing is still to follow.

Q2 Radio Cube Controlled by Flipping

2009-11-08T09:12:00.000-08:00

The radio is one of the oldest and simplest devices to operate. You basically just have to fiddle a couple of knobs to adjust the volume and search for a decent radio station. Internet radio designers are trying to simplify it even further by losing the knobs and buttons. Cambridge Consultants came up with Q2 Cube.

The Q2 Cube is an internet radio that you can control by tilting it in different directions, or by flipping in onto another side. A disadvantage is that you always have to be near the Q2 in order to control it.

Still it sounds like an interesting way to listen to music. But then again how difficult is it to fiddle a knob or touch a button?

Reports say the Q2 could be in stores before the year ends. No advise yet with regards to pricing.

Creative ZEN X-Fi2 Portable Media Player

2009-11-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

Following its tradition of providing high-quality portable media players, Creative has unveiled the Zen X-Fi2, which features a 3-inch touch screen and Xtreme Fidelity (or X-Fi) audio technology.

With an ultra slim exterior, the Creative ZEN X-Fi2 has an intuitive interface for easy navigation while playing your favorite music, photos, and video clips. It also supports a variety of file formats, including iTunes Plus and FLAC files, as well as a video-out capability so users can view videos and photos on a TV with the help of an optional cable. A microSD card slot is also included for expanded memory.

X-Fi audio technology provides crystal-clear sound quality and detail, restoring generation loss while enhancing digital audio content, delivering the most acoustically natural headphone audio available for a media player. This Creative-exclusive technology can also move the conventional left-right earphone stereo source away from the ears, thereby providing depth to your favorite music.

The Creative ZEN X-Fi2 is available for pre-order at Amazon.com, Creative.com, and Frys.com. Costs range between US$129.99 to US$229.99, depending on the memory capacity.

Sonix7 Media Pro

2009-11-08T09:10:00.001-08:00

A small British electronics company is packing a punch against industry giants as it offers a big-screen, user-friendly media player at a much lower price. The British-made Sonix7 Media Pro has a 3.2-inch touchscreen (77% bigger than the Apple iPod Nano) and can play up to 30 hours of audio or 20 hours of video (up to five times longer than iPod Nano). Aside from the low-end price, the Sonix7 Media Pro also has features that major media players do not have: A built-in camera, e-book reader, and speaker.

Another advantage that Sonix7 Media Pro has over the competition is that it can play more audio and video file formats. It also does not lock into a single PC unlike the iPod, making your access to music and videos more convenient. It even does not need software to be able to load and share files.

And unlike hordes of media players, the Sonix7 Media Pro is not made in China but in the United Kingdom, assuring you of better quality without the high price.

Sony S Series Walkman Officially Released

2009-11-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

Sony has officially unveiled its S Series Walkman, a portable media player that can blare your favorite in high quality through its built-in stereo speakers, making music sharing just a bit louder.

The Sony S Series Walkman player has a slim, compact, and lightweight design, which is evident in its half-inch thick frame. It is highlighted with a 2.4-inch QVGA LCD screen that assures users a very quick response time as its playback can run up to 30 frames per second. The S Series also has unique technologies called "Unique Audio" and "Digital Linear Phase Speaker System" that ensure superior sound quality at all times.

This MP3 player also boasts its long battery life of up to 42 hours of audio playback and up to 6.5 hours worth of video playback when played through the headphones. Other features include voice and FM recording capability, enabling you to record your favorite songs straight from the radio or capture quick messages and reminders.

The new Sony S Series Walkman will be available in a variety of colors like black and violet. Both 8GB and 16GB models will be available starting September 2009 for abou US$110 and US$130 respectively.

Sony E-Series Video Walkman Soon Available in Europe

2009-11-08T09:09:00.001-08:00

Sony announces that a new line of Walkman music players will be available in Europe. If you love to have your very own OLED Walkman but you do not have the money to buy one, these entry-level video MP3 players might do the trick.

The Sony Walkman E-Series Video MP3 Players feature great looks and easy listening features that are packed with innovation that only Sony can provide. The E-Series appear in slim and light body (measuring just 9.3 mm thin) in choice of black or red, with high-resolution QVGA 2-inch color LCD screen, and clear stereo and bass technologies that assures you with superb sound quality.

These MP3 players also support video file format conversion, allowing you to convert other video formats if you have a decoder software. Its long battery life provides you with non-stop listening pleasure for up to 30 hours and up to 6 hours of video-viewing pleasure.

The Walkman E-series features the Clear Audio technology by Sony for high-quality and detailed sound. It reduces leakage between left and right channels while delivering powerful, controlled bass without distortion. This video MP3 player also has a 5-band equalizer that fine tunes your listening enjoyment, as well as a Dynamic Normalizer that balances volume levels between songs for that comfortable listening experience. Sony also throws in a high-quality FM audio tuner that can be recorded at a touch of a button and enjoy your favorite songs wherever and whenever.

ARCHOS 3 Touchscreen Personal Media Player

2009-11-08T09:09:00.000-08:00

MP3 players will always have a place in this broad consumer market, which ARCHOS would like to exploit with its latest personal media player.

The ARCHOS 3 boasts of a 3-inch touchscreen display, covering almost the whole surface of the device. The display features a brand-new virtual wheel selector, providing a whole new browsing experience. Compact and lightweight, the ARCHOS 3 is small enough to fit in almost every pocket, but pretty enough to show-off to friends and family. Other features include a voice and audio recorder, a stopwatch, and a calendar.

How you use the ARCHOS 3 is entirely up to you: Listen to up to 4,000 songs delivered in superb audio quality for up to 14 hours; view digital photos in amazing panoramic view; or you can choose to do both with music slideshows, all stored on a 8GB flash drive.

The ARCHOS 3 has enough features to keep you satisfied. Expect hours of listening and viewing fun with this nifty device.

iMuz Portable Media Players

2009-11-08T09:03:00.000-08:00

Every other new gadget seems to be trying to cash in on the popularity of the iPod by adding the "i" at the beginning of the name and this latest PMP from South Korea is unabashed with this marketing ploy.

The iMuz line of personal media players caters to different age group, with the flagship iMuz MX1 (pictured) targeting the young and hip techies with its tiny size and trendy design. Measuring just about 45 millimeters (around 1.7 inches), they are so small you can use it as a keychain. But beyond the stylish usage, the iMuz MX1 comes with a 1.5-inch TFT LCD screen, a built-in FM radio, voice recorder, and even an e-book reader (making it ideal for people with eyes like a hawk). The iMuz MX1 has a USB slot and is even compatible with Windows 2000 (who uses that these days?). This tiny PMP comes in two versions: the $31 2GB and $40 4GB.

Next on the list is the iMuz MX5, which measures about three inches long as well as a 3-inch, 240x400 LCD screen. It also has all the features you can find with the MX1 aside from the TV output and a 30-frame movie player. The iMuz MX5 can also store up to 16GB worth of data.

Finally, we have the iMuz MX3 Plus. Bearing almost the same features of other iMuz models, the MX3+ is a few differences away from being called an iPod Touch copycat with its wheel-like controller.

Although it is highly unlikely that it would hit the American or European stores any time soon, it is nice to see how other countries develop the years-old device such as the PMP.

MSI Wind12 U230

2009-11-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

It may appear as a netbook at first, but the MSI Wind12 U230 does not perform as such. For one, its 12.1-inch screen with 1,366 x 768 resolution, 1.6GHz AMD Athlon Neo X2 processor, and ATI Radeon HD 3200 integrated graphics chipset assure a high-quality viewing pleasure with HD videos and sharp images.

This device also comes with MSI's ergonomically-designed keyboard, a 1.3-megapixel integrated webcam, 1GB of RAM (which can be upgraded to 4GB), 160GB to 320GB hard drive, gigabit Ethernet, WiFi module, HDMI port, 3 USB ports, 4 hours of battery life, and Windows 7 Home Premium.

No word on when this will be released. Hopefully not too long.

Future Of 3D TV

2009-11-04T09:16:00.000-08:00

Current home entertainment systems have evolved to include high definition TV. But the future still looms brighter than just this relatively new TV standard. Further developments would easily render this technology obsolete like the advent of 3D TV.

Many technological advances in the field have made many industry experts believe that the arrival of 3D TV is near. The technology is already there and is currently being improved, including the aspects of 3D film making and projection. Soon, homes will have TV sets that enable 3D viewing. This sets will be capable of rendering 2D pictures with stereoscopic depth.

The promise of having 3D TV's at home would surely revolutionize the way people would see home entertainment. With a focus to a more realistic experience, 3D viewing at home would surely become quite a unique experience. Television viewing at home with the 3D TV's in the future would never be the same again.

New Wireless Data Transmission Protocols

2009-11-04T09:15:00.000-08:00

Many devices and gadgets today are taking advantage of wireless networks to send and receive data more conveniently. But as the need for faster and larger data transfers increase over the years, current wireless data transmission standards may not be able to hold on much longer in terms of performance or may be considered a hindrance if it is not able to compare with the speeds achieved by wired protocols. But is may be slowly getting there with the development of new wireless data transmission protocols.

There are two new wireless data transmission protocols being developed and planned for introduction around 2012. the two new wireless standards, called 802.11ac and 802.11ad, will allow the introduction of wireless data transfers for up to 1 Gbps or faster. At this speed, people may be able to accommodate larger data transfers faster among multiple devices in a wireless network.

The 802.11ac protocol will be an update on the current 802.11n standard currently in use for WLAN. This new future standard will enable a leap of data transmission speed between 300 to 400 mbps, more than what is needed to carry multiple compressed video streams in a single channel. But this future standard won't be able to carry the capacity needed for high definition streams.

In this case, the 802.11ad standard is being developed to accommodate the need for high definition video streams in the future over a wireless network. It makes use of the newly available 60GHz spectrum frequency band for data transmission, doing away with the current standard for today's Wi-Fi networks in the 2.4 GHz and 5GHz bands. With the 60 GHz spectrum, devices may be able to use multiple channels to transmit 1 gbps worth of uncompressed video signal each.

But the disadvantage of the 802.11ad standard is that its signal waves may not be able to penetrate barriers such as walls and the energy waves may be readily absorbed. And because of this, the future for the 802.11ad standard is for use in transmitting large data packets in short distances such as between several devices found in the same room.

USB 3.0 Technology

2009-11-04T09:14:00.000-08:00

USB or Universal Serial Bus is considered as the more popular means to connect a computer with various peripheral devices and portable gadgets. It was intended to replace the older serial and parallel connectors and ports. And currently, it has become a standard connection among newer devices today. It is also undergoing its own improvements with the introduction of the USB 3.0 in the near future.

With newer devices becoming more advanced and more modern, faster data handling and transmission between the computer and other devices become more and more essential. That is why many experts in the field have suggested more improved specifications in order to accommodate the needs for faster data handling and transmission. This eventually leads to the development of the USB 3.0 technology.

USB 3.0 is also more commonly known as SuperSpeed. It is said to be a faster version of its predecessor, the USB 2.0 which is the current standard. This is done by increasing the number of wires being used to transfer data from 4 to 9. This results in faster data transmission speeds of up to ten times that of current USB 2.0 connections. While USB 2.0 can only transmit data packets at 480 Mbit/s, the USB 3.0 will be capable of handling packet transfers of up to 4.8 to 5.0 Gbits/s.

The new USB 3.0 is also designed to have separate lanes handling data reception and transfer. This allows the new standard to transmit and receive data at the same time, unlike the USB 2.0 which can only perform data transfers in one direction at a time. The USB 3.0 is also backwards and forwards compatible. This means that the new USB 3.0 connectors will fit and work into older ports and vice versa. But backwards compatibility of USB 3.0 will not result in faster data transfers if used in older ports.

The USB 3.0 is currently being developed but is not yet being used as a standard for the current gadgets and peripheral devices. Newer gadgets that will be using the USB 3.0 technology will begin production sometime in 2011. Hopefully, it is being planned to replace the current USB 2.0 technology around 2012.

Sony VAIO Nebula FW

2009-11-04T09:12:00.001-08:00

Sony has been releasing limited-edition VAIO laptops called "Signature Collection," featuring different premium specs. Adding to that collection is the new Sony VAIO Nebula FW, which is distinct primarily because of its stellar-designed cover.

Mixing performance flair with premium multimedia technology, the Sony VAIO Nebula FW brings gaming and media experience to unknown frontier with its 16.4-inch LCD monitor with 16:9 aspect ratio, ideal for watching movies in their original cinematic format without the annoying black bars. This laptop also comes with Blu-ray drive for the ultimate HD viewing everywhere you go and 5.1-channel Dolby Sound Room technology for cinema-quality audio.

Gamers, meanwhile, would be delighted to this device's ATI Mobility Radeon HD4650 graphics card, promising fluid graphics processing and faster gaming without placing huge demands on the CPU. The VAIO Nebula FW also comes with the Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 8GB of RAM, a standard hard drive with up to 500GB of memory, and Windows 7.

This nebulous laptop is now available on Sony's online store with a starting price of US$809.99.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10

2009-11-04T09:12:00.000-08:00

Sony Ericsson keeps up with the Android race as its first "droidphone" hits the market next year. The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 has a 4-inch TFT touchscreen display and a customized user interface that keeps you connected all the time, all on Turbo 3G speed.

The SE-exclusive Timescape technology gathers all your connections in one program. Check out your Facebook, Twitter, emails, photos, and text messages in a single place, without having to load different apps. Meanwhile, Mediascape gives you access to all media files and media sharing sites like PlayNow and YouTube in one go. Its built-in aGPS helps you find your way to your destination, whether it is the hippest restaurant, the hottest clubs, or the next gas station.

Like any other Android phone, the Xperia X10 has access to Android Market where you can choose to download from hundreds of applications and customize your phone according to your preference.

Expect the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 to become available on the first quarter of 2010.

Lenovo ThinkCentre A70z

2009-11-04T09:10:00.000-08:00

Lenovo rolls out the carpet for its first all-in-one computer on its ThinkCentre desktop line. The Lenovo ThinkCentre A70z has a 19-inch screen with 16:10 aspect ratio, your choice of Intel Celeron or Core 2 Duo processors, a 500GB hard drive, a DVD burner, 3 USB 2.0 ports, integrated stereo speakers, webcam and microphone, and a bunch of particularly-business-minded features. Wait for its release by the end of November, starting at US$499.

Vue Personal Wireless Video Network

2009-10-31T08:16:00.000-07:00

Surveillance cameras have become an important part of many households that value security. But in most cases, some fail to have them because it can be quite complicated to install. But the Vue Personal Wireless Video Network can make it easy for homes to have their own video surveillance set up conveniently.

The Vue Personal Wireless Video Network makes it easier for people to install a security camera in their homes. It allows remote viewing through the Internet. The wireless gateway is plugged into the router and wirelessly connect two wireless cameras. The cameras themselves are easy to place anywhere since they come with peel and stick magnetic mounts. This is the basic setup but the wireless gateway can accommodate up to 50 cameras. Just place the camera within 300 feet of the gateway and they stay connected all the time.

The wireless cameras have their own internal batteries that can last for up to a year of continuous use. Users can then view what the wireless camera sees online through the VueZone site. First year of use is free although a monthly fee may be charged on the second year onwards. The basic Vue Personal Wireless Video Network is priced at US$300 and is available at VueZone.

HTC Droid Eris

2009-10-31T08:15:00.001-07:00

HTC is said to release a familiar-sounding mobile phone called the Droid Eris, which will become available right at the heels of Motorola DROID. Although both phones are exclusive to Verizon, it seems that the Motorola phone has been getting all the love even though the Droid Eris costs half the price (US$99 after rebate). Perhaps it is because the HTC Droid Eris runs on Android 1.5 while Motorola DROID comes in 2.0.

But that does not mean the HTC model does not have its advantages. For one, it will come with an auto-focus 5-megapixel camera with video recorder function and WiFi-according to sources over at Engadget.

Dell Latitude Z600 Laptop

2009-10-31T08:15:00.000-07:00

The Dell Latitude Z600 laptop is being touted by Dell as the world's thinnest and lightest 16"laptop. Looking at its slim design seems to make it quite so. But its features offer more than might be limited from its light and slim design.

The Dell Latitude Z600 is impressively light and slim, making it quite comfortable enough to bring along anywhere. It weighs only about 4.4 lbs and is about half an inch thick. the features include an Intel Core 2 Duo 1.6 processor with 4.0 GB DDR integrated memory, SSD drive, Wi-Fi connectivity, 16" high definition LCD display and a 2MP autofocus webcam. But what makes it also unique is that it comes with an inductive charging stand that allows wireless charging , probably the first laptop to do so. The price of the Dell Z600 starts at US$ 2,000, depending on its spec configurations.

Acer T230H Multitouch Monitor

2009-10-31T08:13:00.000-07:00

Just like every other computer company, Acer is also keeping up with the times. With the introduction of Windows 7, Acer is coming up with its own batch of multitouch monitors that will go well with its W7-compliant laptops and desktops.

The Acer T230H monitor measures 23 inches, close to what Dell and HP have been offering with just-as-good specs, such as a full 1920 x 1080 resolution, 2ms response time, a contrast ratio of 80,000:1, and a HDMI port. We still have to hear about its United States release, but it will be available in Europe for 349 euros (around US$500).

Samsung Displays E-Paper Prototype

2009-10-31T08:12:00.000-07:00

It seems like Samsung is trying to get that slice of the ebook market as they introduced their 10.1-inch prototype e-paper display during an exhibit in Yokohama City, Japan. The color e-paper device is merely 0.7mm thick, has a pixel count of 450 x 600, a really low contrast ratio of 10:1, and the ability to display only 7% of the NTSC color gamut. But hey, it's still in its prototype stage, so there's a lot of room for improvement.

Samsung plan on start its volume production of e-paper displays within one or two years, which is no surprise if PVI (the manufacturer behind Kindle's and Sony Reader's displays) and Bridgestone are keeping an eye on them.

Nokia N97 Mini

2009-10-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

The Nokia N97 mini is expected to become available in Europe by the end of October. Smaller in size compared to its predecessor, the N97 mini targets the very socially active people as this phone connects them to their different social networks.

This smartphone comes with the same software as the bigger Nokia N97 and also includes a tilting 3.2-inch touch screen display, a QWERTY keyboard, and a fully-customizable homescreen. It will be available in retail stores with an estimated retail price of 450 euros.

Ghostwire: Link to the Paranormal for Nintendo DSi

2009-10-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

Finally, there is a Nintendo DSi-exclusive game that may give enough reason to trade in your DS Lite. Majesco has announced that they will distribute Ghostwire, an augmented reality game, and will be released in 2010 under the new title "Ghostwire: Link to the Paranormal."

This A Different Game-developed title makes use of the Nintendo DSi's camera to fill a player's real surroundings with virtual ghosts. You can find these hidden ghosts with the help of a microphone and its in-game EMF tuner. Once the ghosts are detected, the player must be able to solve puzzles or work out their problems by tracking down objects that you bribe to them in an attempt to give them peace. However, not all ghosts react the same way as some will appear to be malevolent and less than friendly, like that scary dude who would appear from... just check the trailer.

Sony Ericsson Aino Multimedia Mobile Phone

2009-10-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

Opting for an unlocked phone? Sony Ericsson has heard your plea, as they just released its newest handset called the Aino, which features on-the-go entertainment and rich multimedia features. Its astounding 8.1-megapixel camera, for instance, also has auto-focus, flash, 16x digital zoom, image stabilization, face detection, auto-rotation, and even geo-tag.

Other multimedia options include a media browser with 3D navigation, music player, and easy access to your PC or Remote Play on your PlayStation 3. The Aino also has tri-band HSPA, a 432 x 240 display, stereo Bluetooth headphones, a charging base, 8GB microSD card, USB connection, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Sony Ericsson Aino is now available at Sony Style stores across United States for US$599.99.

Motorola DROID

2009-10-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

Verizon Wireless has officially announced that they will offer the Motorola DROID beginning November 6. Tagged as the first smartphone powered by Android 2.0, the DROID provides 3G-speed Internet with multi-window HTML browser, access to thousands of applications and widgets, and multi-tasking capabilities. It is also the first smartphone to feature Google Maps Navigation, a free turn-by-turn voice-activated GPS application. Simply say where you want to go and let your phone show the way.

Specs include a 3.7-inch high-resolution widescreen display; 5-megapixel camera with dual LED flash, auto-focus, and image stabilization; 16GB memory card; slide-out QWERTY keyboard; voice-activated Google Search; visual voicemail; and over-the-air Amazon MP3 downloads.

DROID will become available in the United States exclusively at Verizon Wireless online store and retail outlets for US$199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate.

Mac vs. PC Chess Set

2009-10-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

The battle has been going on for ages - or maybe just years. Either way, it looks like it's here to stay - The Battle of the Operating Systems; The OS Wars; or just simply Mac vs. PC.

However you like to call it, either side seems dead set on outdoing the other (I'm not one to complain, that only means more cool gadgets for us, right?).

Designer Adam Frederick capitalized on the OS wars and created a chess set made up of Apple and Microsoft pieces. From the design image, you can see Mac and PC products such as Zune, Xbox, netbooks, desktops, and iPods all lined up and ready to battle it out.

Hopefully a toy company picks up this concept soon - and that Adam Frederick polishes his creation a bit. Oh, and I'm hoping the "next edition" of the Mac vs. PC chess set features Steve Jobs and Bill Gates as kings.

Wii Bowling Ball Controller

2009-10-29T09:02:00.000-07:00

As if people can't get enough of throwing things at their TV set while playing Nintendo Wii, a firm called CTA Digital has come up with an innovative way to enjoy playing the hugely popular gaming console even more. Playing bowling on the Wii won't be the same without a bowling ball on hand. That is why they came up with just the thing- a Wii bowling ball controller.

The Wii bowling ball can make playing bowling games even feel more realistic by having a ball in hand for a controller. This unique bowling controller is composed of a realistic ball that can be opened in half where users may be able to put the Wii controller inside. It has buttons on the outside surface of the ball which can be used to navigate while playing the bowling game on the Wii. There are also three holes where users can put their fingers in, just like an actual bowling ball.

The motion of trying to roll the Wii bowling ball controller gives a more realistic feel to the game. The actual motions can be recreated without the fingers being released from the bowling ball itself. In fact, the makers of the Wii bowling ball controller insist that users do not try to release the ball in actual bowling fashion. The proper motions would be enough. But for those who might get in the mood for some actual bowling action using this unique controller, a wrist attachment is provided to prevent any accidental damage when released.

The 3D Balance Control Ball

2009-10-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

If you're the type of person who's heavy on brain training and intellectual fun, then this new toy ball is definitely for you.

The 3D Balance Control Ball is a tactical 3D maze that would undoubtedly keep you occupied and entertained for a while, but probably not as occupied as you would be with a Rubik's Cube. Nevertheless, this 7.5 inches ball is very educational and is guaranteed to improve your rusting problem-solving skills.

Buy it now and get stuck in understanding 3D visual space and movement. For $15, I'd say the 3D Balance Control Intellect Ball is worth a shot.

Dell Latitude XT2 XFR Rugged Tablet PC

2009-10-27T16:53:00.000-07:00

Every PC deserves a rugged counterpart and now it comes with the tablets. Dell releases the Latitude XT2 XFR rugged tablet PC, which is pretty much similar to its existing Latitude XT2.

The similarity is reflected to its 12.1-inch multitouch display and 5GB of RAM, but it also gets its upgrades such as the Core 2 Duo SU9600 processor and a wide range of hot-swappable modules (which will soon include GPS). Curiously though, it comes with just Windows Vista or a downgrade to XP. No signs that it will have Windows 7.

Of course, let us not forget its main selling point in the first place: The ruggedness. The Latitude XFR has been independently tested to meet military and IP54 standards. You can operate this tablet in extreme and challenging conditions including dropping it from up to 3 feet.

Nokia 6788 to be available in China Mobile

2009-10-27T16:31:00.000-07:00

Nokia has unveiled its first handset with TD-SCDMA, which is China's 3G standard. The Nokia 6788, a product of the company's collaboration with China Mobile (which is also the world's largest mobile phone operator), is an all-in-one device that features faster Internet speeds and download times. It also includes a 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens and dual-LED flash, a 2.8-inch QVGA display, 4GB of expandable memory, GPS, 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 2.0, and Symbian S60 OS.

The Nokia 6788 incorporates traditional Chinese design elements on its slide and battery cover. This handset is expected to become available to China Mobile's 500 million subscribers on December 2009.

Titanium ID Mouse from Intelligent Design

2009-10-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

Your computer deserves to be pampered with luxury, if you have the money that is. Those who care less about how much they spend would surely be interested about this latest laser computer mouse from Netherlands' Intelligent Design.

The ID Mouse is made with ergonomically-designed, handcrafted grade 1 titanium and high-quality plastic resin. A neodymium scroll wheel is also added to this Bluetooth laser mouse's modernistic design. It comes with a pair of AAA batteries and has a three-button layout. Available for "only" 800 euros (or US$1,200).

Bridgestone Announces Flexible Touchscreen E-Paper Display

2009-10-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

At this early stage of ebook readers, the technology comes in at a fast pace. It wasn't too long ago when we heard of e-readers in color displays, or with e-paper screens that are less glaring the LCD, or even with dual screens. Now comes Bridgestone and their introduction of the "world's first flexible e-paper display" for ebook readers.

The 10.7-inch e-paper device has all-flexible parts, including the drive circuit board. The company has also developed an e-paper device based on what they call Quick-Response Liquid Powder, which provides a higher reaction rate compared to other e-papers available such as refreshing a 13.1-inch screen in just 0.8 seconds.

Apart from the flexibility and quick reaction time, these devices come with data processing and security functions, as well as data communication via mobile phone.

Bridgestone plans on exhibiting their devices today (October 28) at the FPD International 2009 in Yokohama, Japan.

inPulse Smartwatch for BlackBerry Available for Preorder

2009-10-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

Allerta Inc. officially unveiled the inPulse Smartwatch for BlackBerry. This wristwatch connects wirelessly to your BlackBerry smartphone via Bluetooth, alerting you about incoming emails, SMS, and calls in an instant. In that way, you do not have to pull the BlackBerry out of your pocket every so often, especially in certain situations such as business meetings or going to church (if you still go to church, that is).

The inPulse has an elegant one-button interface that conveniently navigates you through important information such as caller ID, text messages, email titles, calendar alerts, which are then displayed on the colored OLED screen. Made of high-grade metal body and glass lens, the BlackBerry wristwatch also features a vibrating motor, microUSB port, and a rechargeable battery that lasts up to four days.

Next Gen Nokia Booklet 3G

2009-10-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

Although the Nokia Booklet will yet to see the light of day when availability is concerned, the folks over at Espoo, Finland, predict that their netbook would yield a high market demand. They are so confident of that forecast, they are actually in talks with electronics manufacturer Compal in developing a next generation model. Now, before we ask when the second version of Nokia Booklet will be released, let's see how the first gen Nokia Booklet would fare?

Lenovo Announces New IdeaPad and IdeaCentre Models with Windows 7

2009-10-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

Of course, every other new computer HAS to run on Windows 7, that goes the same with the latest batch of Lenovo machines that are set to be available today.

The latest IdeaPad laptops-U150 (pictured), U550, and Y550P-and IdeaCentre desktops-B500, K300, and H230-are all designed to coincide with Window 7's performance, style, and usability standards that today's multi-tasking consumers demand. And it is not just the usual Windows 7, but the exclusive Lenovo Enhanced Experience for Windows 7, which promises to provide faster system boot and shutdown, richer multimedia features, and easy system maintenance tools. All models will also be powered by ultra-low-power Intel Core processors.

Orange to offer iPhones

2009-10-27T12:04:00.000-07:00

While the United States would have to be contented with AT&T just to enjoy their iPhone, people across the pond will now have an option to choose their iPhone provider, and that goes for both the 3G and 3Gs varieties.

The Guardian has confirmed that iPhone will also be available in Orange beginning November 10 as O2's exclusivity with the Apple handset expires a day prior. However, instead of competing with O2's iPhone pricing, Orange has announced that they are offering "added value" plans. And if two providers are not enough, Vodafone users will soon enjoy the iPhone come early 2010.

The iPhone will be available on independent retailers Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U, aside from the provider's own shops.

TomTom iPhone Kit

2009-10-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

Feeling envious that United Kingdom got the TomTom iPhone Kit first? Do not worry, because Apple has just released the much-awaited GPS app, which includes the TomTom Car Kit, for the American market.

The TomTom for iPhone features a multi-touch interface that lets you tap your way from point A to B in order for you to find all the best routes possible. It also provides an option to view the roads in portrait or landscape view, as well as directing users to whoever it is in your iPhone address book. The GPS assures users that its program provides the most efficient routes, not necessarily the shortest paths.

This package also comes with the TomTom Car Kit, a secured EasyPort mount that users can place in their windshield or dashboard. The dock also lets the iPhone rotate the screen for the widescreen route display and folds flat, thereby making the TomTom Car Kit viewable at any angle.

High Tech Clip Board For Coaches

2009-10-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

Coaches are often seen with clipboards on hand where they try to plan and make plays. In its current state, it has not changed one bit over the years. But an innovative and high tech concept by Gordon Yeh from Iota Creations would try to change all that.

Mr. Yeh has designed what could be a high tech clipboard for coaches. Called the E-ink Electronic Coach Playboard, this unique clipboard may just be the most technologically advanced clipboard for coach use. It makes use of E-Ink Technology that allows coaches to draw up strategies on the playboard the high tech way.

For one, the clipboard comes with batteries as well as templates for fields and courts of different types of sports such as basketball, soccer, baseball, football and more. What makes it unique is that the plays drawn up by the coach can be reviewed and replayed several times to help the players keep it in mind. It also has animation and imaging features that allows coaches to review and examining image plays with the option for electronic writing above them on the clipboard. This high tech clipboard is quite a great concept for coaches and teams to use in practice as well as actual games. It is still on the design stage without any word on when it will become available though.

Gray Nicolls, Cricket Batting Gloves

2009-10-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

For cricket athletes out there, here's a new gear that will suit your sporting needs, whether for practice or competition or even for both. Designed to guarantee optimum comfort and excellent gaming performance, the Gray Nicolls Viper 5 Star batting glove is best for both cricket lovers and players.

Providing a comfortable fit, it has a flexible "V" design at the bottom hand of the first two fingers. It has a moisture reduction feature brought by its air flow gusset. In addition, it has a tri-flex square finger foam protection and SIP and EFP panels for over-all protection.

For optimal comfort, it has a calf leather palm which gives the wearer a smooth and soft feel. Also, it is resistant to perspiration. Since the Gray Nicolls Viper 5 Star gloves have end tabs, it improves protection at the fingertips.

Strida 5.0 Folding Bike

2009-10-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

UK-based manufacturer Strida is known for their belief that "products need not only sound engineering but also aesthetics and humanity." It is actually Strida designer and inventor of the folding bike, Mark Sanders' vision that got things started.

Their latest creation, the Strida 5.0 folding bike looks both old-fashioned and futuristic at the same time, yet also somewhat resembles a stationary exercise bike. But actually, it's fairly handy and use-friendly. In fact, it's called the "the world's simplest folding bike."

Comparing it to the previous Strida folding bike - the 3, Strida designers made some pretty nice changes. For one, it's light at 10kgs. It also uses disc brakes instead of the old drum brakes. They also used alloys for the rims and hubs instead of nylon and plastic, making more durable.

All of this and "world's simplest folding bike" folds in about 6 seconds so a storage-friendly.

Also, it comes 10 really cool colors.

lighter at 19.4 pounds (compared to 22), uses disc brakes (instead of drum) and has alloys for the rims and hubs (instead of nylon and plastic). All this, and it still folds down in six seconds to a handy, diminutive size that lends itself oh so well to the short commute.

Specs

Frame: 7000 Series Aluminum
Drive Train:Kevlar Greaseless Belt Drive (up to 50,000 miles)
Wheels: Alloy 16"
Rim Brakes: Disc Brakes
Speeds: Single Speed
Folded Size: 45" x 20" x 9"(114cm x 51cm x 23cm)
Grip: Gel Bottom Bracket: Welded
Luggage Rack: Plastic or Alloy new option
Weight Limit: 100 kgs
Height Limit: 153cm - 193cm

Clickfree C2 External Hard Disk Drive

2009-10-26T10:46:00.000-07:00

Clickfree has been known for its USB backup devices so it is not surprising that they come up with an upgraded version called the C2. This external hard drive has a built-in USB cable placed at its bottom, which Clickfree's representative claims that is strong enough to be left hanging while plugged (although pulling it deliberately like an electric socket is not recommended). It also has an easier backup interface that lets you transfer files in just one click.

The Clickfree C2 can handle iPod music, playlist imports, direct-to-DVD burning, media sharing, and a convenient migration function that makes transferring from Windows XP or even Macintosh OS X 10.5 to Windows 7 a breeze.

This external hard disk drive will be available in 250GB (called C2 227, costing $139.00), 500GB (C2 527, $199.99), and 350GB (available in January 2010).

Verbatim InSight Portable USB Hard Drive

2009-10-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

A popular name in the blank DVD industry, Verbatim has decided to branch out into the future and come up with its new line of portable USB hard drives using the InSight branding.

What really grabbed our attention was that these storage devices are small in size, weighing less than 6 ounces and measuring 6 inches in length. This sleek and durable portable hard drives have sophisticated piano black finish and are available in 320GB and 500GB.

Another catchy feature the Verbatim InSight contains is the "Always On" display, which automatically calculates and continuously display the customizable drive name and available free space, even when the drive is disconnected from the computer. How they do it? We are not sure for now.

Apart from the USB 2.0 port, this portable hard drive can transfer data for up to 480MB per second. It also has a 5400rpm spindle speed and 8MB cache memory for optimized performance.

The Verbatim InSight USB hard drives are compatible with PC and Mac and can connect to either desktop or notebook computers.

Star Wars Mimobot Flash Drives by Mimoco

2009-10-26T10:41:00.000-07:00

What a great way to display your geekiness over Star Wars! Mimoco introduces a collection of Star Wars-themed USB flash drives called Mimobots. Available in a wide range of badass Star Wars characters from C-3PO, Wicket, and even the unmasked Darth Vader, wrinkly face and all!

These high-speed USB 2.0 flash drives have capacities between 2GB and 8GB, depending on how much you badly need them, and are packed with preloaded with audio clips and wallpaper, as well as a slot to make it into a keychain attachment. Each Mimobot, which is both compatible to PC and Mac, is measured 2.5 inches tall and 1 inch wide.