They will also be showing HD streaming on the Mac via the Web-based SlingPlayer on Sling.com.

Posted in Audio/Video, Home Theater, CES, Gizmo of the Day, Phones

Lenovo has finally (officially) launched the world’s first dual-screen laptop, the ThinkPad W700ds, putting some of the mystery around it to rest. The limelight is obviously on the two screens – the main display being 17-inches, with a second 10-inches slide-out screen. And no, the second screen doesn’t weigh down badly on the laptop – just expect the ThinkPad W700ds to be half an inch thicker than its predecessor W700. The spring-loaded secondary display is housed within a “pocket door” configuration and can be angled upto 30-degrees.

The other specs include a NVIDIA Quadro FX 3700M graphics card, 8GB RAM, WiFi, support for Dual-Link DVI, Display Port and VGA, a 7-in-1 multicard reader and five USB ports. Some select models also offer WiMAX and an optional fingerprint reader, a smartcard reader and hard drives with full-disk encryption. The device is priced starting at $3,663 and according to Lenovo, it is to be available immediately from the Lenovo website, though a search on the site stills reveals no information on the availability. A must dekko if you are in the field of graphics design or the likewise.

Via Electronista and Engadget.

The name Targus ought to be familiar with people who own notebooks - after all, most of the standard notebook carry case that comes with each notebook purchase aren’t exactly up to par with what consumers want. How else would you explain the many other notebook carry cases that are available at your local computer store which offer much, much more in a compelling design, to boot? Targus is back with a bang, this time with its Spruce EcoSmart line of MacBook Pro carrying cases. As you can tell by the name itself, these were specially designed for Mac users, and I must say that Targus has done a pretty good job in making sleek bags to match the equally stylish MacBook Pros - all this without causing additional harm to the environment (more on that later) at a pocket friendly price.

These new cases will not exact a heavy toll on Mother Nature as they are manufactured from 100% recycled nylon and are PVC-free. In addition, the metal used inside the Spruce EcoSmart case is nickel-free, and best of all is, the entire range of plastic components used are fully recyclable, giving you the opportunity to go green the next time you upgrade your MacBook Pro to the latest edition and get yet another notebook bag for it. According to Al Giazzon, vice president of marketing at Targus, “Targus continues its commitment to developing environmentally conscious laptop bags. With the growing popularity of MacBooks around the globe, Targus’ new line of Spruce bags provides a stylish and eco-friendly alternative for carrying and protecting the MacBook Pro.”

There are several Spruce products to choose from - the Spruce topload (TBT049US) measures 15.63″ x 4.25″ x 13.25″ and weighs 1.80 lbs., while the Spruce messenger (TBM015US) measures 16.63″ x 4.50″ x 13.75″ and weighs 2.06 lbs., and they will both retail for $79.99 a pop. As for the Spruce backpack (TBB013US), this puppy measures 13″ x 8.25″ x 18.75″ and weighs 2 lbs. with a recommended retail price of $89.99. They will be made available later this spring.

Press Release

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We are a bit late announcing the winner of the last year’s final coolest gadget competition so without further ado it is the iMu Vibrating Speaker: Turn anything into a sound system.

The iMu vibrating speaker will transform any flat, hard surface into a top notch audio speaker.You can listen to your beats from things like tops of household appliances, cupboards and even car bonnets. It works thanks to a unique US Navy-developed composite called Terfenol-D.

Congrats again to Gaj-It.

In second place we have the Anti-Grav R/C Wall Racing Car.

Can an R/C car really impress nowadays? Yes, it definitely can. The Anti-Grav R/C Wall Racing Car races up walls. No special effects or camera tricks, just physics: the car generates a powerful vacuum underneath causing it to cling to any flat surface. Up

Finally in third place comes the The Datamancer Aviator Keyboard.

If you’re a fan of steampunk styled gadgets, then check out this cool keyboard, the Datamancer Aviator Keyboard.
This stunning looking keyboard comes with a brushed aluminum frame, a black felt face plate, and a bunch or jewel LEDs in blue, red, voilet, green or amber.

Thank you to everybody who voted, submitted, commented or told a friend. The randomly drawn winner of the $200 Amazon vouchers is…

jcarey (jeanlcarey@), congratulations Jean.

Thanks again everybody. As we will be busy covering CES 2009 for the next week or so CGOTW will return next week.

Want to hear about future contests first? Subscribe to our daily digest via email or RSS.

If you write for a gadget themed blog and wish to be included in next week’s contest check out the CGOTW instructions page.

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Sadly, it has been over a decade since I have been skiing, but I can tell you that nothing wears you out more than a day on the slopes. Your legs will get a great workout, and this is just one reason why you should have a SKIGYM.

The other reason is that it is probably one of the best virtual skiing simulators that I have seen. The SKIGYM was developed from Pro-Idee in Germany with some help from sports specialists, ski instructors, and physical therapists. The balancing-control technology is similar to that of the WiiFit, but this SKIGYM isn’t available for a gaming console, but for the PC.

The software includes Alpine Ski Racing 2007, which has 32 different ski slopes including 18 real life ones like Lake Louise, Beaver Lake, and Chamonix. The user also has the option of setting difficultly levels from junior, amateur, and even professional, and can choose between from six different disciplines including slaloms and super G.

Clearly, there are some fitness advantages to skiing at home, and it comes with a set of ski-poles for added realism. I’m not certain how much of a workout you would get on the SKIGYM compared to a real day on the slopes. This type of exercise/gameplay costs, as it will cost about $2,280.

Source

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Keep your home theater devices behind closed cabinet or closet doors, even when they’re in use. The All-in-One IR System makes sure that all of your A/V components receive the commands sent from your existing IR remote controls, even without line-of-sight access. A tiny receiver can be placed near your television or set up in a hole drilled in your equipment cabinet, and this system will deliver your commands to up to eight individual home theater components.

Suggested Price: $99.99

Buy Now!

Posted in Audio/Video, Home Theater, Gizmo of the Day

Everyone has dealt with those days where you’re running around and doing other things so much that you forget all about the load of laundry you put into the washer or dryer.  Then you come back and they’re either overly wrinkly or mildewed.  Now luckily dryers do have buzzers, however, if you have a house where the washer and dryer are away from the main living area, then that’s really not helpful.  Frankly, leaving your laundry to sit might be a rare occurrence, or one that happens every single time you do a load of laundry.  Either way, someone has decided to create a hi-tech fix that will work on even the most archaic dryer.

He has a video posted on YouTube that might help out those of you that are good at DIY projects.  Basically he has it set up so a giant flashing sign lets him know when to switch out the load.  However, for those of you geeks that like to keep your geeky style a little less obvious there are other options.  It can also be set up to Twitter you when the load is finished.  Now not all washers make you have to worry about rushing to change out the load, but I’ve had experience with a washer that you couldn’t leave the load in for even a few hours because it got a strange smell.  It was the only washer I’ve had that issue with, but it got overly frustrating after a while.  To watch the video, just follow the link.

Source: Techeblog

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I’ve always been a nut for a color, but frankly color combinations like this just give me nightmares about my childhood.  All those terrifying brightly colored pants, it’s just unnatural.  I don’t care what the latest fashion trend thinks, we have to save new generations from the horror of those bright colors.  Thankfully they do offer more natural color combinations than the ones shown here.  Plus they seem to be offering decent headphones for an affordable price.

These come in three different styles, Tank, Chopper and Matador.  The Chopper and Matador are just slightly different sizes, but Tank offers the extra perk of including an extra cable with a microphone.   They are said to offer DJ quality sound, with crisp highs and rumbling bass.  In addition to the Graffiti color combination shown here, they also offer two other color combinations.  The Azzurro, which is different shades of blue, and the Shade which features black, gray and white.  The prices range from $49.99 to $79.99, which isn’t anything outrageous in comparison to other headphones of the same style.

Source: ChipChick

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The electric door strike is hardwired to the delay timer/relay and both are powered by a power supply. The delay timer/relay is then connected to the output of the included I/O Linc - INSTEON Low Voltage / Contact Closure Interface (1 In / 1 Out), which simply plugs into an available outlet. When I/O Linc receives a signal from any linked INSTEON device, the built-in programmable relay can keep a door or gate open for up 25 seconds before automatically locking. By using the delay/timer relay, you gain the added flexibility of keeping a door or gate unlocked for up to 60 minutes. This kit gives you the control to regulate access to and from your property.

Suggested Price: $137.99

Buy Now!

Posted in Gizmo of the Day, Home Automation

Could this actually happen in the future, where people actually find themselves turned on by robots? Perhaps not in the form factor that you see above, where a robotic DJ and a robotic pole dancer (check out the way “she” wiggles her rear end) practise in bringing the house down on a future Saturday night. Well, I suppose when future robots have been properly skinned with something that resembles a hot broad, at least there won’t be any more STDs to worry about. But wait, does this mean mankind won’t bother to procreate any more? Guess this must be the master plan by robots to drive us to extinction.

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