Gadgets Blog

Although at first glance this seems like your average walking stick, it actually has an electronic device stashed within the stick.  It doubles as a pedometer, letting the person using it know just how many steps they have taken as well as various other facts.  Which might motivate those that have a hard time walking to create new goals everyday and try to walk further and further.  Although it is just a small gadget added in, for some it could be a big help.

It also lets you know how many calories have been burned, the distance traveled and the time you have spent walking.  It shows all of this on an LCD screen that is built into the shaft of the staff itself.  The down side is that the location of the screen won’t make it easy to just glance at while you’re walking.  The walking stick also has an LED flashlight mounted to the shaft that will allow you to see where you’re walking at night, without having to hang onto both a flashlight and a walking stick.  You can purchase the adjustable walking stick for $99.95 from Hammacher and Schlemmer.

Source: TechFresh

I have often grumbled that cartoons these days aren’t nearly as awesome as the Roadrunner cartoons.  Now that everything has to be politically correct, blowing up a coyote or causing him to fall down a cliff is apparently damaging fragile young minds.  Personally, I think cartoons are just lacking those big cheesy explosions.  The ones with round bombs and long fuses that always seem to malfunction at bad moments.  Well you can show your love of those classic moments with this Big Bang Speaker.  Which very much resembles a very cartoonish bomb.

It even comes with the bright red cord that happens to stick out of the top, making it look like an already lit fuse.  It will work with any portable sound system just as long as it has a headphone socket.  To keep it powered up you can use either 4 AA batteries or opt for charging it up through your USB port.  You can purchase the Big Bang Speaker for £29.99 or about $49 from I Want One of Those.

Source: Technabob

This next device is, without question, still a concept. However, it is not one that I want to see made into a reality, unless motorists want to increase the number of accidents.

The IPSE (my source does not tell me what this is an acronym for, or if it is an acronym at all) is sort of a “virtual windshield” that can scan outside objects, and then “translates [them] into virtual objects and living things”. You will note that the setting in the photo is “Underwater World”.

A driver in Underwater World will see other vehicles as sea creatures. I wonder what they will see for the road, a channel? I believe there is a setting for “Natural Forest” so the driver doesn’t see cars or asphalt, but beautiful natural surroundings.

Surely this technology is just plain unsafe. You think your car has a blind spot now, just wait until all of your car is completely cut off from the real world. This technology does remind me of an episode of Sliders where Quinn and his alternate reality gang go to an Earth that has perfected its virtual technology. On that episode, everyone wore VR goggles and would see what he or she wanted to see.

I do give designers Jeongche Yoon and Hoyoung Kihl points for originality and trying to make something mundane like driving a bit more fun. Still, I think that IPSE technology best belongs in amusement parks rather than the real world.

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Some of you might remember last January at CES when we covered the Tunebug, an interesting little MP3 Player that could turn any flat surface into a speaker. It would appear that this technology is being imitated (hopefully not stolen) with the K-Box.

The K-Box (not to be confused with K-Pax, a Kevin Spacey movie where he plays a guy who thinks he’s an alien) is about the size of a mobile phone, and is designed to connect with devices like mobile phones or iPods to give your sound one dynamic boost.

If you watch the YouTube video after the jump, you will see that it connects quite effortlessly (and out of the box, if I might add) to the headphones jack and then turns any flat surface like a tabletop into a booming resonator.

Apparently, this technology is possible with patented gel audio technology. I believe that the Tunebug used NXT, but I’m not certain how long the Tunebug could last on a single charge. The K-Box says it can last for about 20 hours, but I would personally like to try that out for myself.

The K-box is created by a social networking site call Kerchoonz, and it is planned to retail for about $65.

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Every once in a while, some new video game technology is released that could change the way games could be played. We’ve already seen the announcement from Microsoft with their Project Natal, and Sony is chiming in with its own great advancement. Sony has recently announced that the PlayStation Eye webcam is going to have face-recognition technology as well as gender recognition technology.

I believe that we have already covered gender-recognition technology before, and Kish Hirani, Sony Europe’s head of developer services, says that it can “detect gender and even the age of the face, separate facial features such as the nose, eyes, and ears, and even detect whether you’re smiling or not”.

By the way, it is planned to work with the upcoming Sony Motion Controller, which I don’t think we have covered. It will accomplish this using the X, Y, and Z motion.

So, what are we looking at here? An age where you don’t have to use your own username, or set up an account? A time where your Sony Playstation just “looks” at you and knows you are? Does anyone else think that sounds a little scary, like Big Brother?

I mean, why not apply this technology to our webcams, and so our computers greet us with full knowledge of who we are? It sure beats the traditional Windows welcome screen. Unless, of course, you like anonymity.

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Numark is back yet again with their latest device - the STEREO|iO analog-to-USB DJ interface box with cable, targeting budding DJs as well as enthusiasts in the DJing scene.

STEREO|iO is an interface box with a USB cable. One end has female RCA phono plugs for use with virtually any audio equipment from DJ mixers to turntables, and the other end has a USB connector. DJs can connect any line or phono-level gear to their Mac or PC via USB for recording, mixing or processing. DJs can also use STEREO|iO as an output cable from their computer to inputs on an analog mixer, enabling them to mix MP3s and other music from their computer in their traditional DJ mixer.

The STEREO|iO is touted to be a low-cost problem-solving tool which could prove to be invaluable for DJs and musicians who are holding gigs or are based in the studio whenever there is a need for a connection. Since it runs on USB connectivity, it plays nice with both Mac and Windows machines without the need for software-driver installation or external power for operation.

Press Release

You might not have heard of IASUS Concepts before, but that’s because they operate mainly in the military marketplace. Well, guess the executive board decided that there’s also money to be made on the civilian front, offering their 500K headset which will target iPhone and BlackBerry power users, boasting a Special Ops look that will make you stand out from the crowd. These earpreces will be the first of its kind to feature an acoustic coil where the mobile platform is concerned, channeling sound through the mentioned acoustic earpiece which will fit comfortably in the ear without causing any discomfort even after a long period of time. It will even feel seemingly weightless, and features an answer button that also controls music playback for iPhones. You can choose from black or clear acoustic coil colors, where the 500K will retail for $100 with a 2-year warranty.

Source: Gizmag

TriGem USA has recently announced that they will be making available the Averatec 22″ D1005 all-in-one (AIO) computer to the masses, giving yet another option to folks who want a decent rig in their homes that won’t take up too much space, no thanks to the ever increasing population and inability for the masses to purchase a decent home as apartments get more and more popular in dense residential areas due to the lack of land. The Averatec D1005 might sound rather basic to some, but don’t let it fool you as it is perfect for business, home users and college-bound students who want the full functionality of a PC without compromising on performance despite being crammed into a chassis that is extremely space saving.

According to Henry Hewitt, vice president of sales at TriGem USA, “Our latest offering was designed with the college student and business professional in mind. Its sleek design and small footprint make it an attractive system to sit on top of your desk without taking up a lot of space. As people downsize their office space and college students head back to the dorm, saving valuable desktop real estate is top of mind. In addition, its ability to serve as a multimedia center makes it a great choice for those looking for a PC that can do ‘double duty.’ Its powerful dual-core processor, ability to play video at true 1080p resolution, and built-in megapixel webcam combines all the applications consumers are demanding these days.”

Underneath the hood, you will find that the 22″ Averatec D1005 AIO holds a 2.5GHz Intel Pentium dual-core E5200 processor, a massive 320GB hard drive, 3GB of memory, Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11n), gigabit Ethernet connectivity, Microsoft Vista Home Premium and a full-size USB keyboard and mouse to get you started. Just in case the $799 asking price might be a wee bit too high for you, there is always the 18″ D1133 version which is pretty capable as well, although those who can spend more might want to check out the 25.5″ D1205 instead.

Press Release

Verizon Wireless and Novatel Wireless have teamed up to offer the PC770 2-in-1 PC Card and Express Card to the masses, where you will be able to place an order online at www.verizonwireless.com, while those who prefer to interact with real humans and love visiting brick-and-mortar establishments can do so through their business sales channels. What makes the PC770 special? Well, this device offers customers access to Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Broadband service, which enables speedy, responsive access to e-mail, corporate data, the Internet and more regardless of where you are. Sounds like the perfect companion to any high powered executive who wants to remain on top of things no matter where he/she travels.

Some of the key features found on the PC770 2-in-1 card include :-

• Runs on Verizon Wireless’ high-speed network, which uses Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) technology
• Uses NovaSpeed technology that enables high-speed simultaneous uploads and downloads
• Includes VZAccess Manager software for easy connection management and automatic installation
• 2-in-1 card includes an adapter so the PC770 can be used with an ExpressCard or a PC peripheral interface slot and is compatible with both PC and Mac notebook computers

Not too sure where you fit in the big picture? Let us help - the PC770 is ideal for individuals and organizations who are currently making the transition from PC Cards to the newer ExpressCard format (boy, that sure is a long time in coming considering how the latter has been around for quite some time already), giving users the flexibility that enterprise customers require in their mobile broadband solutions. Available from August 2nd onwards, the PC770 will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. This sounds like another way for bosses to keep tabs on their workers regardless of where they are around the country…

Press Release

Blockbuster Inc. will further expand its horizons when it comes to the range of consumer electronics on offer in its stores, as the company has recently unveiled news that they will be selling a netbook as well across a thousand Blockbuster stores throughout the US. These netbooks are targeted to provide consumers with a way to access entertainment regardless of where they are (thought that was already made possible with the iPod many, many moons ago), where the netbook in question would be the Archos 10 developed by none other than the namesake itself, Archos. The Archos 10 will take the best from Archos’ capabilities when it comes to manufacturing quality portable media players, throwing in additional computing power with an emphasis on mobility, connectivity and multi-media capabilities in a single device. All Archos 10 netbooks sold from Blockbuster will come with an embedded link to www.blockbuster.com.

According to Joanne DeLorenzo, vice-president, product for Blockbuster Inc., “Blockbuster strives to provide consumers with convenient access to media entertainment when and where they want it. Enhancing our consumer electronics offerings with an affordably priced netbook that allows customers to access our online rental, retail and download services, whether they’re at home or on the road, is a natural fit.”

Blockbuster has priced the Archos 10 netbook at a mere $299.99, which is considerably cheaper than other netbooks in the market although we will have to take a look at the specifications to see whether the price is justified or not. We do know that the Archos 10 will tip the scales at no more than 2.8 pounds, where it will be powered by an Intel Atom processor, featuring a 10″ ultra-bright LED display, a small keyboard, Wi-Fi connectivity, 1GB RAM, a 160GB hard drive, an integrated webcam, all the while running on Windows XP Home with applications such as Lotus Symphony, Outlook Express, Internet Explorer, parental controls, virus protection and multi-media applications all pre-installed for instant out-of-the-box use. Image courtesy of Engadget.

Press Release

Love the DJ scene and want to be one of the top spinners on the world one of these days? Well, if you fall under that category, chances are you would have done your homework on the who’s who in the world of DJing, including all the equipment required to be a top notch deckmeister. Numark is one of those names that crop up time and again if you’re into quality DJ technology as well as equipment, and this time round the company will be offering a new range of tabletop CD turntables which include the NDX200 scratch CD turntable and NDX400 scratch MP3/CD turntable with USB input, where both models will make their official debut held over the weekend at the Summer NAMM Show at the Nashville Convention Center.

Let’s take a closer look at what these two tabletop CD turntables are able to do - the NDX200 is a scratch CD turntable with a heavy, rugged build and a large scratch wheel for comfortable performance. It will boast Numark’s Anti-Shock buffered skip-protection technology which ensures the music will keep on playing even when vibrations might cause other players to skip, so that the crowd won’t have to grapple with sudden stops in the music whenever you’re spinning. It also comes with seamless looping capability which is useful for creating and integrating loops in instant remixes. You can cook up your very own playlist thanks to single, continuous, and programmable playback, while the fader start feature allows the NDX200 to start playing when the DJ moves the crossfader on a compatible mixer.

As for the NDX400, it comes with all the features and capabilities found on the NDX200 including scratch, alongside throwing in additional key upgrades for your spinning pleasure. It not only does CDs up plays MP3 CDs as well for additional lengthy playback from a single disc. Not only that, you can also store music on your USB flash drive for added flexibility when it comes to toting gyour music around. The NDX400 also boasts advanced braking for vinyl-style startup and stopping of playback, and a reverse mode enables DJs to incorporate special effects. There are three hot cue points to choose from for quick access to key points in the track.

Press Release

Love rocking out on Guitar Hero with your mates on the PS3? Well, there is nothing quite like a carefully crafted gaming peripheral to increase the sense of realism when gaming, and Logitech takes the next step with its Wireless Drum Controller for Sony’s PS3. Officially licensed by Activision Publising for the Guitar Hero franchise, this new gaming device will come with premium drum heads with recessed rims, making it a snap for you to attack those drums just like a professional rock star (or at least, that’s what they want you to think). According to Ruben Mookerjee, Logitech’s director of product marketing for gaming“When you’re ready to experience a new premium drum controller or expand your band, you’ll want to rip on Logitech’s new drum controller. With the Wireless Drum Controller, you can mark time, keep the backbeat, color up your riffs and crash down on the cymbal pads. Joining the Logitech Wireless Guitar Controller, the new Wireless Drum Controller lets you rock out to your favorite songs on the PS3 system.”

The new Logitech Wireless Drum Controller will boast a trio of fully adjustable drum heads and a couple of cymbal pads. Individual pieces can be readily position to fit just about any reach and suit virtually everyone’s playing style for a totally unique playing experience. You get quiet, responsive heads that deliver a lively feel, ensuring you won’t be distracted from the music, all the while being specially designed to let you take advantage of all the latest features of Guitar Hero games.

The main reason behind the recessed rims is to make it easier to score points and avoid accidental rim shots. As for the kick pedal, it relies on a stainless steel surface and an adjustable spring for a highly durable, responsive drumming experience. A couple of AA batteries are said to offer up to 50 hours of gaming time, which ought to be more than enough to drum your heart out without going broke. Expect to see the Logitech Wireless Drum Controller for the PS3 sometime this month onwards for $229.99.

Press Release

Logitech is an old hand when it comes to building computer speakers, and this time round they’re back yet again with a quartet of systems that boast the unique 360-Degree Sound feature, comprising of the Logitech Speaker System Z320, Logitech Speaker System Z323, Logitech Speaker System Z520 and the Logitech Speaker System Z523. These new systems will work great regardless of whether you’re working on a desktop computer or a notebook of Mac and Windows varieties, as the 360-Degree Sound feature (better known as omnidirectional acoustics) are able to create a substantially wider sweet spot which comes in handy if you often move your computer all over the place, where the speaker drivers will face forward and backwards in each satellite, being capable of transmitting sound more consistently over a wider range of space for you to enjoy your music to the maximum regardless of where you are in the room.

Both the Logitech Speaker System Z523 and Logitech Speaker System Z323 are 2.1 Speakers Systems, where the former comes with a couple of sleek satellites and a 6.5″ down-firing subwoofer, capable of delivering deep lows for rich bass which you can literally feel. It pumps out 40 watts (RMS) of power, turning your small apartment into one thumping party in an instant. Convenient on-speaker controls allow you to turn down the volume in a jiffy should your neighbors start to feel irate. As for the Logitech Speaker System Z323, this 30 watts (RMS) of power speakers come with a ported, down-firing subwoofer, where both speaker systems will be equipped with an integrated dual RCA jack and a 3.5mm jack.

As for the Logitech Speaker System Z520 and Logitech Speaker System Z320, these are stylish enough to fill a room with decent audio even when you don’t have enough space in your cramped apartment for a subwoofer. The former will boast an amplified two-way design and 26 watts (RMS) of power, making them suitable for notebooks while the latter can be plugged in virtually anywhere you work with 10 watts (RMS) of sound. You can pick up the Logitech Speaker System Z320, Logitech Speaker System Z323 for $69.99 in August and September respectively, while the Logitech Speaker System Z523 will arrive this month for $99.99 a pop with the Logitech Speaker System Z520 going for $129.99.

Press Release

If you’re the type that enjoys nature and animals, then your gadgets might as well reflect that.  I know that the cuddly gadgets get a little more grief than the rest, but having a diverse selection of gadgets is always beneficial.  It means not everyone is stuck carrying around the same boring generic portable speakers everywhere.  Someone has to shake things up and keep things interesting.  Well this USB Mini Panda Speaker is definitely cute and not your average speaker.

He’s pretty basic, he has an on/off switch as well as an LED indicator to let you know if it’s on or off.  It can be plugged into your iPod or any other type of MP3 and MP4 player.  It’s a slightly more round speaker, so it’s probably not going to fit into your pocket.  It could fit into a book bag or purse fairly easily though.  The small speaker comes with an audio cable and a USB cable to help you keep it charged.  You can purchase the Panda Speaker for $14 from Gadget4all.

Source: GeekyGadgets

Although I fully admit to chuckling quite a bit after first seeing this cellphone with a built-in cigarette lighter, I can see some practicality with it.  After all, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard of my smoking friends losing their lighter.  I’ve been asked numerous times if I happen to have a lighter on me, despite that they’re fully aware I don’t smoke.  Having a lighter built into your cellphone would come in incredibly handy.  After all, your phone is almost always somewhere within reach.

I know, smoking is a nasty habit, but smokers catch enough grief as it is.  It only seems fair that they get the occasional high tech item to make their lives easier.  The phone comes in a few different colors, like red, brown, black and a silver/gold combination.  The phone has a dual SIM card, a 1.3MP camera, an FM Radio, Bluetooth and can play MP3/MP4.  You can check it out on Seabright.

Source: Gearfuse

This isn’t the first USB drive with a little fingerprint security thrown in.  It is definitely one of the cheaper versions though.  When it comes to extra security though, some might not like that the drive is remarkably cheaper than the rest.  That is, since it might be indication of a slightly more inferior product.  However, for those that are willing to give the cheaper drive a chance, you might want to check out this USB Fingerprint Security Lock Flash Disk.

It comes with a decent amount of storage packed into it, 8GB to be specific.  Which isn’t too shabby when you factor in that the drive is only going to cost you $37.61 a piece.  Other than that, it’s a fairly simple drive, it comes with a strap to make it more difficult to lose.  To get your data just press your finger to the USB drive.  It claims that even if your hands are highly greasy or have anything on them, it will still be able to read the print.  You can purchase the drive from Chinavasion.

Source: CoolBuzz

Forget about sunglasses that feature MP3 playback - those aren’t nearly as cool as the Spycam Video Sunglasses from ThinkGeek, filling up a hole in your voyeuristic instinct.

The Spycam Video Sunglasses are not intended to be part of any disguise - they are the disguise - concealing a tiny video camera in the center of the glasses. Capable of capturing excellent quality video and audio, these Spycam Video Sunglasses can be comfortably worn nearly anywhere to help you get the footage. Video is stored in AVI format on a Micro SD card. These glasses also feature easy-to-use controls which are located on the glasses frame. The built-in battery is rechargeable via USB connection and has a battery operating life of about 3-4 hours.

Would you drop $149.99 for this, or do you prefer other kinds of spy gadgets which are even more discreet?

Now here’s a device that will definitely grab your attention if you’re an entertainment buff - the Olevia HD Media Player, also known as the ZP-500. What’s so special about this, you ask? Well, this media player is able to decode, playback and output full HD video (1080p, baby!) via its HDMI 1.3 interface. Supported codecs include MKV, HD MPEG2, HD VC-1, HD AVC/H.264 movie and RMVB HD, while you can also transport stream from a USB flash drive or hard drive to your new HDTV. Heck, it even comes with built-in network connectivity, allowing you to go through all your files from a PC. screen. The Network function allows you to browse the video file in your PC, NAS which is in your room and play it on TV in the living room. You can pick one up from gadget mavens Brando for $177.