Gadgets Blog

Of course, this isn’t the first time that we have reported on solar-powered devices that are designed for Digital Audio Players (DAPs), but the Q-SOUND, a concept device that is part headphones and part headband, definitely makes the most of days when the sun is beating down on your head.

As you can see, solar cells are placed directly on the user’s crown, absorbing valuable rays for power. Some of you might wonder how these solar cells can be curved when most are generally flat and stiff, but these cells are constructed of flexible plastic that uses silicon solar cells.

The Q-SOUND incorporates Bluetooth, which allows the user to sync their Bluetooth enabled mobile device for some wireless sound action. Not only can the user listen to their music, but he or she can also take phone calls from a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. In case Bluetooth isn’t available on the mobile device in use, a wired connection is also possible with the included 3.5 mm jack.

Shepeleff Stephen, designer of the Q-SOUND, has said that one hour of sunlight is sufficient to provide the user with 2.67 hours of running time. The headphones should be able to hold a forty hour charge with the two removable NiMH batteries.

Time will tell if this concept becomes reality, but I would not be surprised if the demand for solar powered mobile devices increases in a “greener” world.

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Yeah, that whole worldwide financial crisis has bankrupted a lot of businesses, and I, like many others, was completely shocked that Circuit City, one of the most well-known tech retail businesses in the world, was one of them.

It would appear that Systemax, the owner of CompUSA, has acquired Circuit City’s brand name on May 19th. It would also appear that the company wants to relaunch. At least the website aspect, for now.

If you go to the official website, you will see Gilbert Fiorentino, chief Executive of the Systemmax Technology Group tell all about it. Actually, the video is merely a placeholder “for a day or two” before they can get the official site in. So don’t be surprised if you go to circuitcity.com and find Circuit City completely up and running. If you want to see the video for yourself, I have it available here after the jump.

Fiorentino has promised that the site will be new, but it will still have a little of the old. Buzzwords such as “amazing pricing”, “same-day shipping”, and “world class customer service” are being thrown around.

By the way, did you know that Circuit City has been in business for 60 years? That’s what the placeholder website tells me. In all honesty, I didn’t even know we had consumer electronics for that long. I wonder if they meant to say that Systemax has been in the biz for 60 years, because this placeholder site also says that Systemax Inc. (NYSE: SYX) has been in business since 1949.

By the way, the video of Fiorentino comes to a weird end. It’s like he was going to say more, but then it quickly cuts to a conclusion.

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When I first heard that TV-M7 got an upgrade, I thought it was the rating on the latest kid’s show. It turns out that the TV-M7 is Trendnet’s IP camera monitor and photo frame.

For those of you who don’t know, it also turns out that the TV-M7 is part of Trendnet’s first-to-market seven-inch Wireless Internet Camera Monitor Kit, the TV-M7110WK. This set-up includes a wireless internet camera, the TV-IP110W. Both the IP Camera and monitor are connected to each other by a wireless network, which, according to my source, is a first in the business.

The camera provides real-time coverage in M-JPEG format, with an easy-to-use mounting kit. It also features motion-detecting recording, e-mail alerts, as well as scheduled recording times. Not only is the monitor designed to connect to the wireless network and camera, but it can also act as photo frame that can play videos and music.

Back to the upgrade on the TV-M7, the monitor has just received a feature that allows the user to customize their login screen. There is also a way to connect up to four cameras over the Internet.

The Wireless Internet Camera Monitor Kit, aka TV-M7110WK, is about $450 and comes with a two-year limited warranty. The monitor on its own costs $275.

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It has been a while since we heard from Creative and their Zen series of MP3 Players. The Zen Krystal came out a year ago with the Zen Mozaic, and they have recently unveiled two more in the Zen line.

The Zen Mozaic EZ300 comes in 4 to 8 gigabyte models that feature a 1.8 inch TFT color display, an FM radio, a built-in speaker, a voice recorder, as well as an alarm clock. It has a mosaic keypad that is a “one-of-a-kind” design, and uses a plug and play system for dragging and dropping your songs.

The Zen MX is a credit-card shaped player with 8 to 16 gigabtye models that feature a 2.5 inch screen with 320 x 240 resolution. It also includes an SD/SDHC slot, an FM radio,a voice recorder, as well as an alarm clock.

The Zen Mozaic EZ300 is available for pre-order now. The 4GB is available for $59.99, and the 8GB version for $79.99. The Zen MX is also available for pre-order, with the 8GB for $99.99 and the 16GB for $129.99.

Perhaps this would be better time for Creative to make a move to kill Apple’s semi-Monopoly on MP3 players. I’ve said this before: Creative’s Zen Stones are cheaper and better than iPod Shuffles. There, I said it. Deal with it, Apple.

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The winner of last week’s coolest gadget competition is the Amazon Kindle DX.

What do you do when you’ve made the leading product in the market, you’re onto your second version and you’ve sold an estimated 500,000 units? Make it bigger of course! And throw in a host of extra features including being able to view PDF files - surely you’ve now got the perfect electronic reader to replace newspapers and textbooks?

Congrats again to Zath.

In second place we have the Lightsaber Umbrella.

What better way to make you smile while out walking on a rainy day than to get your Lightsaber Umbrella out, flick its switch and voila… Not only are you now smiling and dry, but you are also instantly a bad ass, mofo…Jedi person.

Finally in third place comes the Starry Night Bed.

Are you having trouble getting that good nights sleep that you’re needing? Well not anymore why not take a look at the Starry Night Bed. The Starry Night Bed is a great new invention which will revolutionize the way in which you sleep. Not only is this bed stylish and comfy but it’s also a gadget heaven. With this bed you get many added gadgets including anti snore technology, movie projector with speakers, temperature control and many more.

Thank you to everybody who voted, submitted, commented or told a friend. The randomly drawn winner of the $50 Amazon vouchers is:

Ben (Benr@…), congratulations.

Thanks again everybody and good luck with the next CGOTW contest on Friday.

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.

If you enjoy being under water, then I suppose you should have a way to capture those memories.  Especially if you’re out in the ocean and have managed to find a spot with lots of brightly colored fish.  Thankfully, the infamous Thanko has you covered.  They’ve created a camera to go underwater that won’t have to be held.  This tube camera will take your underwater pictures and give the view from the side of your head.  Which might be difficult if you want a very precise shot, but would be great for general pretty underwater pictures.

The Thanko camera also can record video and has 2GB of internal memory to store it on.  The video records in 320×240 resolution at 25fps.  The camera will withstand the water up to 20m down.  To keep it powered, you’ll need to charge it for 2 hours in order to get 2-3 hours of use.  You can attach this to your goggles or Thanko provides a headband.  Although the headband works, somehow it looks even more dorky than wearing the camera on a set of goggles.  To purchase the camera as of now, you’ll have to be in Japan and pay up $130.  Although it’s possible that it’ll make its way onto the Thanko store branch that allows for the rest of the world to pick it up.

Source: Crunchgear

With as many gadgets as most of us cart around, finding ways to charge them in your car becomes an issue.  You could just attempt to spread them out so that you don’t have to have as many things plugged in within your car at once.  However, sometimes you really need your cellphone that happens to be dead and your GPS.  Well this In-Car Splitter would likely be plenty for even the most gadget addicted person out there.

It has 2 regular cigarette lighter sockets as well as two USB ports.  Giving you enough room to keep four gadgets powered up at all times.  The arm on the splitter can be angled in different directions, making it so that it’ll work in any vehicle you own now or in the future.  It also has a replaceable fuse as an extra safety feature.  You can read more on it on Santok’s website, but unfortunately they don’t give any pricing information on the splitter.

Source: GeekAlerts