Gadgets 2008

by Nilay Patel, posted Jul 31st 2008 at 11:01AM
Sony’s China-only PMPs have always been a little more interesting than the gear we see Stateside, and the new PMX-M80 is no exception. The 4.3-inch touchscreen player packs 16GB of storage and decent codec support into a sleek white box, as well as a new mapping application that’s apparently a novelty in China. Too bad this thing won’t ever make it over here — although at 2,260 yuan ($331), it probably wouldn’t shake things up too much.

[Via PMP Today]

• Read
• Permalink
• Email this
• 17 Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Stress is a huge part of everyday living. I’ve seen a lot of ways people relieve themselves of it–from breaking plates to sweating it out to sleeping on it until it ebbs away. But what about for those of us who sit in front of the computer for long periods of time.

Professionals working in front of a screen could get so tired of the monitor, there are times when there’s this pressing desire to smash it to bits. That, of course, is not an option unless you can afford replacing computer parts every few months. With the help of ScreenSmasher though, you smash your monitor without actually breaking it. ScreenSmasher is a software which shows you a realistic smashed monitor complete with appropriate sound effects. And guess what, you even get a foam axe with which to “break” your monitor with!

Check out ScreenSmasher over at Amazon.

via

These robot toilet paper holders may not have a single hi-tech feature going for them, but the fact that they’re robot heads just makes up for it.  Although I do wish they automatically ate the toilet paper when too much was hanging down.  Maybe with a random sound effect to go with it.  However, I’m afraid although these are incredibly cool, they are about as low tech as they come.

Thankfully, the vendor has included a roll of toilet paper, just in case you don’t have toilet paper where you’re from.  Alright, so it may be 100% recycled toilet paper.  Seriously though, who includes toilet paper?  The head is made out of heavy duty ceramic.  It comes in several bright colors, which includes black, red, white and yellow.  They are a bit pricey though, they are being sold for $49.99.  Which seems like a bit much for something the just hold toilet paper, even if it is a robot head.

Source: bbgadgets

• Email to a friend
• Leave a comment

In an effort to use renewable energy sources and less polluting products, I’m surprised that I never see barbecues being targeted. Everyone always thinks of cars or big industrial factories as the ones that leave the huge carbon footprint, but no one thinks about grilling. I mean, if you’re burning something, that smoke has to go somewhere. And I’m certain that propane is some sort of pollutant because it smells so funny.

It appears that someone has addressed this issue with the Helios, an energy-efficient outdoor cooker. The dish that you see is not designed to pick up 400 stations, but for collecting solar energy. The solar dish, which is safely pointed away from you while cooking, is designed to heat a coil inside the barbeque and cook food.

Of course, what if you want to barbecue at night? Well, if the sun is not out for whatever reason, the user can always rely on electrical power. The Helios has a retractable plug that is stored in the base.

Unfortunately, this Helios is just a concept in its present form. Once it gets developed, the days of the Weber are over. Yes, the Helios is the barbecuing wave of the future!

Source

• Email to a friend
• Leave a comment

Samsung released some new additions to their Series 6 lineup of LCD HDTVs. Last week, the company went official with the release of their 2008 Holiday Showcase. Now, counting the latest three models, plus their previously announced Series 9, Series 8 and Series 7 units, Samsung has a total of twelve new HDTV offerings for the holiday season.

Samsung’s Series 6 consists of the 52-inch LN52A630, 46-inch LN46A630, and 40-inch LN40A630. These models have a Touch of Color bezel design, 1080p panel, 120Hz technology, three HDMI 1.3 ports, and a USB socket used for uploading photos. The Series 6 lineup is meant to cater to the price-conscious, while delivering to expectations on picture performance, and style. It is predicted that the models will be priced at $2,699.99, $2,099.99, and $1,699.99 respectively, and be available sometime next month.

Via [Yahoo! News]

Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed →

Now here’s a mouse that will help you keep your precious data safe and sound - the Biometric Fingerprint Encrypted Mouse. This $116 peripheral comes with the following specifications and features :-

PC-Lock
Windows login and Screen Saver prevent the unauthorized user access the computer (only the registered fingerprint is accessible after successful verification!)

Web bank
The Web Bank can “remember” personal data (i.e. user names and passwords), once it’s been typed into a webpage form. It can also automatically access and enter this data for you in the future, with just a simply swipe of a registered finger. No worries about the hacker hook the password.

Virtual Disk
Virtual Disk can hide the confidential data partition (i.e.: you can install the important application programs onto virtual drive, so that nobody can use the programs, only the authorized user can see partition label and manipulate after virtual disk is activated and fingerprint verification is passed).

File encryption/decryption
File encryption/decryption by fingerprint for particularly important or confidential files (encrypted File/folder can not be copied).

You can store up to 10 fingerprint templates in this mouse, so choose carefully. Oh yeah, I’d look out for my hands even more vigilantly from now on lest somebody walks by and hacks it off to gain access to all my passwords stored in the PC.

• Email to a friend
• Leave a comment

We first saw the UTStarcom TXT8010 hit the FCC back in mid-April using the codename of Elvis, since then it seemed to have disappeared, that is until now. The TXT8010 has resurfaced with Verizon and is now known as the Blitz.

The handset details are coming courtesy of a leaked Verizon Wireless Equipment Guide and what that means is we have some nice clean images, but lots of details are still missing.

The Blitz is a slider style phone that offers a full (albeit small looking) QWERTY keyboard, 1.3-megapixel webcam, stereo Bluetooth and a microSD card slot. It looks like the Blitz is headed for the prepaid market, and its expected to be launched at Wal-Mart on August 8 and Best Buy on September 28. No mention of pricing, however it does not look like a handset that is going to break the bank.

Via [Engadget Mobile]

Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed →

We first saw the UTStarcom TXT8010 hit the FCC back in mid-April using the codename of Elvis, since then it seemed to have disappeared, that is until now. The TXT8010 has resurfaced with Verizon and is now known as the Blitz.

The handset details are coming courtesy of a leaked Verizon Wireless Equipment Guide and what that means is we have some nice clean images, but lots of details are still missing.

The Blitz is a slider style phone that offers a full (albeit small looking) QWERTY keyboard, 1.3-megapixel webcam, stereo Bluetooth and a microSD card slot. It looks like the Blitz is headed for the prepaid market, and its expected to be launched at Wal-Mart on August 8 and Best Buy on September 28. No mention of pricing, however it does not look like a handset that is going to break the bank.

Via [Engadget Mobile]

Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed →

Now is this a weird looking fireplace or what - it comes in the form of a briefcase which sends a message that this is highly portable, handle and all. Perfect for the upcoming winter (better be prepared than never, I say), the Travelmate makes it a snap for you to stay warm no matter where you are. No idea on what the Travelmate uses for fuel, but it is highly possible that it uses some sort of alcohol gel that other smokeless fireplaces make do with. Magnets will keep the glass sides in place, so you’ll have to remove those before you light it up. Make sure the glass sides are placed back in order to prevent any untoward accidents. The Travelmate fireplace ain’t cheap though as it retail for $3,300 a pop.

Product Page via BBG

• Email to a friend
• Leave a comment

Sat Nav, move over, Sat Nag is here to take your throne. Aptly named, the system is a lampoon of Sat Navs and backseat drivers who can’t seem to keep it down.

If you’re a bit of a masochist and can’t drive without someone nagging you all throughout, the Sat Nag is the perfect device for you. The trenchant remarks go from PG to something that’s better if you don’t let your children hear, but nothing too outrageous. Complete with a caustic, naggy tone, examples are: “I know you’re a man, but it’s been 35 minutes now, so can you please admit you’re lost and ask someone the way” and “In 50 meters I’m going to put on my most annoying voice and say ‘Is your short cut really faster when we get stuck in traffic like this, well, is it darling?” My only gripe is that it’s a woman that’s doing the nagging–come on, where’s the version for us ladies? Men can be nags too.

Sat Nag @ I Want One of Those