Gadgets Blog

Considering the amount of online movies on Hulu and Cracke that I watch, it would appear that three studios (MGM, Paramount, and Lions Gate) are going to have a different approach to online films.

The films that Epixhd.com will show are the ones that you will want to see. These are the films that have already had their run in the theater, but haven’t come out on DVD just yet.

Wow, I could really access these films in Full HD (720p streaming) from my computer? That sounds too good to be true. Well, it sort of is. You see, Epix wants to use servers in IPS data centers, so you would have to sign up with TV distributors for it. So unless you have a TV cable provider that is also the same provider as that Internet service, good luck at seeing Epix.

Oddly enough, it would appear that if you did have this arrangement, Epix would be free to you. Okay, so you are telling me that I could watch Wolverine on my computer in the next few months for nothing? And not that one Wolverine film that got released before the movie was out in theaters, but this version would be before the movie comes out on DVD.

An application like Epix could change the movie industry in an epic way. We shall see. Right now, it is only available in private beta.

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Although the fact that the shuffle has no buttons makes it look nice, it does make certain situations a little obnoxious.  Especially for those that enjoy listening to their Shuffle in the car.  In that case the headphones aren’t plugged in, which is where the controls normally are located.  With this Scosche case, it allows for you to control your iPod and has larger sized buttons to keep things easier while you’re on the road.  After all, trying to mess with buttons when they’re tiny can be a little dangerous while driving.

The Scosche tapStick case comes with a 3 foot long aux cable.  When you plug in your iPod, it leaves an opening to plug that cable in and then you can plug it into your radio.  These aren’t out just yet though, so you’ll have to tough things out a little longer.  You can pre-order them now though and they will be shipped out as of the first week of July.  To pre-order the tapStick it’ll cost you $29.99, which isn’t too bad of a price as far as iPod accessories go.

Source: GeekyGadgets

Considering that we live in the age of the iPod and other MP3 Players, it is very easy to forget that some of us still crave Hi-Fis. In all honesty, I am betting that there is a whole generation that does not know what a Hi-Fi is.

It would appear that JVC is prepared for this brave new world with the UX-LP5. As you can see from the picture, the UX-LP5 has a retractable front flip dock made for the iPod. Not only can the user listen to his or her iPod audio tracks, but the UX-LP5 comes with a video output so he or she can play iPod-stored video to a connected TV. It also has a front audio input to connect to other audio products.

This 30 Watt, two channel Hi-Fi has a total power output of 70 watts with its twin speakers, and has a CD Player, AM/FM radio tuner, and it its compatible with MP3 and WMA audio files. There is also a USB port for accessing other files as well.

Kudos to JVC for merging the Hi-Fi crowd with the iPod crowd. The next time I want to purchase a new Hi-Fi, I know exactly where to go. Of course, I can’t remember the last time in this decade that I was in the market for a Hi-Fi. It is amazing how times have changed.

I believe the JVC UX-LP5 is currently out now, for a price of about $149.95.

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We at Coolest Gadgets reported on the Pill USB Drive not long ago, and it reminded me of the Pill MP3 Player that is under development.

Hopefully you can see how small it is from this photo, but if the keyboard isn’t enough to give it scale, then you should know that the Pill MP3 Player is 2.7 inches long and approximately one inch in diameter.

What you can’t tell from the photo is that the user has to pull it apart in order to access the controls, and he or she must twist it forward or back to skip tracks. Other than that, this is all I know about this presently conceptual product. I have no idea how many audio files it can hold, but if it is anything like the Pill USB, it is good enough for 30 minutes of MP3s. That really isn’t much.

I am going to go out on a limb and assume that the user needs to download their tunes by some USB to mini-USB connection.

The Pill MP3 Player is planned to be in production (or should I say prescription) later this year. So, is this the dawning of pill-shaped electronics? Why don’t they just make our cell phones pill shaped, so we can just swallow them whole to take our calls?

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For those that have to travel on a regular basis and they have a pet they can’t take with them, it can be frustrating.  You have the options of leaving them there and just attempting to find someone to feed them on occasion or you can take them to a kennel of some kind.  Either option works, but a kennel costs money and sometimes having someone stop in isn’t exactly a reliable method.  Instead, you can try out this feeding system that also allows for you to see exactly how your pet is doing while you’re away from home.

You can view your pet from anywhere in the world, as long as you have the internet and remote access to your at home computer.  When you purchase the feeder you’ll receive a large autofeeder, dishwasher safe bowl, 24hr programmable timer and a non-chewable cord.  The non-chewable cord would definitely come in handy for those leaving this for a dog.  They seem to get even more adventurous when no one is around to keep them entertained.  Really, I’d think this set up would be better for cats, but it’d work for either dogs or cats.  It also includes all needed software, the camera and any other hardware you might need.  You can purchase the large feeder for $289.99 on SmartHome.

Source: Gizmodiva

It was a long time before I became used to actually parking my car in a garage and everyone has their tricks for dealing with getting in far enough.  The most common one I’ve seen is hanging a tennis ball from the ceiling, but that trick has its own list of problems.  You have to make sure it’s hung at just the right spot, which can be a little more tedious than utilizing a gadget such as this.

Just place it on the ground at the spot you need it, which is a touch more simple than trying to hang something from the ceiling.  Then when you’re pulling in, you have a big red indicator to let you know how far you can pull in.  To top it off, once your car bumps the sign, it has flashing lights that will go off on contact.  It’s also on a flexible stand, so you won’t have to worry about breaking the gadget.  There’s no assembly required and the batteries are included.  You can purchase it from Vat19 for $16.95.

Source: Techeblog

Belkin is no stranger when it comes to iPod accessories, and this time round they’re offering more than just mere protection for your iPod nano 4G, but intend to suit those portable media players up in a way that will also attract positive attention. Both the Micra Chex and Fuse Cases reflect the re-emerging iconic checkerboard design and bold color trends of the 1980s, where the former will feature subtle graphical detail that enhances your iPod without hiding the color of your nano. All of these new cases will be available worldwide - that means the US, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia, while the Micra Flow Case will only make its way to Europe, the Middle East and Africa. They’ll retail for $19.99 (single) and $24.99 (2-pack).

Press Release

Over 1,000 Target stores around the US will finally sell the new ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD from this week onwards, bringing the tough, ultra-thin clear film that protects personal electronics from scratches and nicks to the masses. You will find five of the most popular invisibleSHIELD designs from ZAGG in store shelves, where they will include custom-made shields for Apple’s iPhone 3G, iPod touch, and iPod nano. Personally, which protective solution would you go for - something like the invisibleSHIELD that makes it look as though you’re not using any physical case, or a rugged version that will do infinitely more in absorbing the impact of a drop (assuming it is a good quality model)?

Press Release

Sanyo isn’t exactly one of the more famous names when it comes to the cellphone market here in the US, although they have come up with some pretty good looking clamshells in the past like the Katana series. Well, the latest handset from Sanyo to hit Stateside would be the SCP-2700 from Sprint that ought to make for a great graduation gift if you happen to know anyone in college or high school seniors who have yet to own a cellphone (a rare number, I suspect). What’s up with this handset? Well, let’s take a closer look at what it can offer right after the jump.

The Sanyo SCP-2700 will come with a 2.2″ color LCD display that isn’t touchscreen - now isn’t that a welcome change from the slew of touchscreen handsets that have been making their way across markets all over the world lately? Well, call it old technology, but it does have its niche. The compact candybar handset will feature its own QWERTY keyboard to help you get those text messages and email out in double quick time. Not only that, it will cater to either gender with Impulsive Pink and Deep Blue colors, and with threaded text messaging, it will be much easier to keep track of your conversations each time an email or text message comes in. For folks who can’t live with emoticons, there is a dedicated emoticon key that makes it a snap to insert smiley faces and other symbols into their text messages and emails.

Heck, to make the entire graduation a much more fun affair, why not purchase two SCP-2700’s for free (both mom and daughter can get one apiece to help them keep in touch about the latest in fashion as well as boyfriend advice across a long distance once the “little girl” grows up and leaves the nest) as long as they’re new-line activations and tied down to a two-year service agreement on two Individual Plans with messaging, or a Family Plan with messaging.

Press Release

Kensington has dealt with notebook and desktop accessories for quite some time to date, and their expertise in this department is not to be underestimated, otherwise they would’ve pulled out from such a market a long time ago as the customer is certainly always discerning. Well, this time round Kensington will aim to help you secure your precious new notebook wherever you go, not by arming it with some sort of magical electrical force field that will only deactivate at your command, but a more simple solution that is pretty much secure in its own right - the Kensington MicroSaver DS Keyed Ultra-Thin Notebook Lock. Boasting a modern design that functions to safeguard while providing a physical deterrent against theft of valuable business equipment and the sensitive data stored within them, the new MicroSaver DS Keyed Ultra-Thin Notebook Lock will come in a ground-breaking ultra thin design without sacrificing on performance and reliability.

This notebook lock is special as it can secure even the thinnest notebook around, so all you MacBook Air users as well as the new MSI X-Slim series will be pleased to note that this $49.99 anti-theft device will also handle those notebooks perfectly. Some of the features and specifications available include :-

Advanced disk style keyed locking mechanism - the most secure available
• Revolutionary slim design, ideal for Ultra-thin notebooks
• A rotating head and pivoting cable allow you to easily connect to your notebook and position the lock
• Attaches to most notebooks via the Kensington Security Slot found in 99% of notebooks
• Patented T-bar locking mechanism provides superior strength and theft protection
• Super-strong carbon steel cable provides greater security in a 10%-thinner design
• 5-ft carbon tempered steel cable
• Includes two keys
• Rubber tie for cable cord management and portability

You can place your pre-order for the Kensington MicroSaver DS Keyed Ultra-Thin Notebook Lock from Amazon.com and Kensington.com, where it will ship at the end of the month to other major retailers.

Product Page

Few things bring out the kid in adults like having their hands on a water cannon.  You don’t have to run around, you just choose an unsuspecting target and blast them with water.  With this you don’t even have to be anywhere near them.  Giving you plenty of time to get a head start before they tackle you to the ground and steal the cannon from you.  You just have to make sure that you’re quick on your feet, otherwise you might find yourself being the one getting shot by the cannon.

This water cannon can hit a target from 100 feet away and works by attaching to a garden hose.  Even better is that it has a remote that works from up to 30′ away.  The cannon has three different interchangeable nozzles that allow for you to choose between a stream, mist or spray.  I suppose if you switch it to mist it’d be perfect for watering the lawn or a garden.  Giving you a practical reason to own one, if you predict you might have issues explaining to your significant other why you need it.  It has a base on it, so you can set it down on the ground or up on something a little more high up.  It also can tilt to hit the target.  It uses 4 C batteries, not included, that will power the cannon for 10 hours.  You can purchase this from Hammacher and Schlemmer for $59.95.

Source: NerdApproved

Alright so you won’t be setting any kind of fashion statement with these, but the full sized metal detector that is typically seen, isn’t exactly classy either.  So it’s safe to say that most that use a metal detector aren’t entirely concerned with how they look.  Plus this way you don’t have to really carry anything, just wear a goofy pair of sandals and you’re set.  Plus if you’re wearing pants, no one will even see the strange black box attached to your leg.

On the right sandal is a copper coil built into it, that is powered by the awkward looking battery pack that wraps around your leg.  When you come within 2′ of a metal object it alerts you in one of two ways.  It flashes a light and then you can either set it to gently vibrate or give a much louder buzzing noise.  To keep the pack up and going, it requires a 9V battery, which is of course not included.  That battery will get you up to six hours of use while you’re out wandering the beach.  They offer both men’s and women’s sizes.  You can purchase them for $59.95 from Hammacher and Schlemmer.

Source: OhGizmo

One thing I’ve always preferred is to own an older retro looking phone.  However, I’m not so fond of actually using one as my main phone, since I like being able to move throughout the house without having a cord to deal with.  Which makes it a little pointless to even bother owning an older phone.  If you’re into the retro technology though, here’s a great idea on how to utilize that old phone.  This way it finds a new use and you don’t have to deal with a corded phone.

These are created just from a regular old plastic phone, which you could probably find at a thrift store if you don’t already own one.  Then the maker used flexible pipe and electric parts to create the lamp.  It’d definitely make a great lamp to have on your desk, especially since it could be easily repositioned and the angle of the light changed.  Sadly this isn’t something you can just purchase.  It’s a concoction cooked up by Junk+ion.  At least they were nice enough to list off the materials used though, so you could whip it up on your own.

Source: CoolBuzz