Gadgets Blog

BeamBox moves away from their pico projector projects for the moment by offering something that most gadget lovers would find useful - the MiLi universal charger. This palm-sized block can be used virtually anywhere in the world that has a power plug, since it features interchangeable US, UK, Australian and European plug adapters alongside a flip-out in-car plug that offers further charging options thanks to a couple of USB ports. Seeing that this is all you need and can be used worldwide, it makes sense for the MiLi to play nice with 12-24V DC power or 100-240V AC power. Apart from that, there is also the inclusion of over-current and short-circuit protection for added safety. If you’re interested in picking this up, you can choose from 9 various colors, where the pre-order is going fro $37/£20.

Source: Slashgear

T-Mobile will be lining up HTC’s Touch Pro2 when August 12 rolls around later next month. This powerful yet stylish business-class device is pretty much similar to many other high end smartphones in the market, where it boasts an intuitive touchscreen display and a user interface that makes it a snap for customers to simplify their communication and mobile Internet experience while staying connected and informed at all times - subject to battery life, of course, as these kinds of high end devices tend to sap battery power like nobody’s business. Folks who want to pick up the HTC Touch Pro2 in mocha finish from T-Mobile can do so from August 12 onwards.

Easily making room for T-Mobile’s 3G network and helping you remain connected in most public places using built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) connectivity, one can definitely tell that the HTC Touch Pro2 is not meant for casual users who check their email accounts only once a week. The HTC Touch Pro2 boasts superior data delivery and an enhanced Web-browsing experience, where you will also be able to use this as an impromptu GPS navigation device as well as location-based services. The 3.6″ color WVGA touchscreen display can slide back and tilt upwards to reveal a full-QWERTY keyboard that would definitely go some ways in helping one decide whether you like to type messages using a virtual or actual keyboard. The screen’s position and size is good enough for reading and composing email, surfing the Internet, running applications and playing games on-the-go. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus capability, Straight Talk technology that integrates e-mail, voice and speakerphone experience into a simple manner that responds to e-mail via a call, making it a snap to organize conference calls from group e-mail.

There is no word on pricing, so we’ll just have to keep a keen eye out on this. Rest assured, the next 12 days ought to see more details revealed for the HTC Touch Pro2.

Press Release

AT&T has teamed up with Samsung Telecommunications America (aka Samsung Mobile) to bring the Samsung Solstice to US shores when August 2 rolls around. While the Solstice is no iPhone, that doesn’t mean it does not deserve its five minutes of fame, where this compact and seemingly fun touchscreen handset will open up a door of instant connectivity to social networking, messaging and multimedia features. Packaged in an easy-to-use, polished design, the Samsung Solstice is lightweight and sleek, making it look like a decent phone for your teens, although they might beg to differ and hanker after an iPhone just like the millions of other folks around the world. More on the Samsung Solstice’s specifications right after the jump.

The Samsung Solstice is equipped with a 3″ touchscreen display which will bring up a virtual, landscape QWERTY keyboard whenever you need to compose a text message or email, all the while remaining within Samsung’s unique TouchWiz user interface that enables one-touch access to frequently used applications and social networks through new widgets for Facebook, MySpace and Yahoo! oneSearch. In addition, owners of the Solstice will also be able to take advantage of staying connected virtually anywhere they are thanks to access to mobile broadband over AT&T’s 3G network, coupled with services such as AT&T Navigator and AT&T Mobile Music with Napster Mobile and eMusic Mobile.

Targeting those who tend to do a whole lot more typing than talking, the Solstice boasts multiple messaging options including Mobile Email, IM and MMS alongside a 2-megapixel camera with video recording capability. In addition, the tactile response with haptic feedback helps one know that a virtual button has been pressed, where the full QWERTY keyboard makes typing a snap with its sensitivity adjustment, accompanied by easy-to-use clear letters, numbers and symbols. The Solstice will also feature an integrated accelerometer, MP3 playback, Bluetooth connectivity and a microSD memory card slot. It can be yours for $99.99 with a 2-year contract after a $50 mail-in rebate.

Press Release

When the MacBook Air came out, there were several laptop sleeves that looked like nice tidy envelopes to store your MacBook within.  All of course imitating the tidy envelope Steve Jobs originally pulled the Air out of.  Well instead of going with something as clean and obvious as that, perhaps you could protect your laptop with something a little more on the subtle side.  With this it will just look like an old tattered envelope and might keep people from stealing your laptop.

It’s of course not a fool proof method, but it can’t hurt either.  Plus this case comes in two different sizes, one can hold all 8”-13” laptops and the other can hold 13”-17”.  It may look old and worn out, but it has plenty of padding inside to keep your laptop safe.  It’s also a waterproof and tearproof case to keep it from getting damaged.  So it might end up outlasting your laptop if it’s that durable.  You can purchase it for $29.79 or £19.99  from Lazybone UK.

Source: UberReview

Just recently, we reported on the Taser X3, a semi-automatic taser that can fire three rounds. Some of you may recall the testing video when shooter exclaims: “Taser! Taser! Taser!” and then fires three shock-shots from his Taser.

Of course, you ever encounter the Taser Shockwave, the last words you could hear is “Taser! Taser! Taser! Taser…” Well, you get the idea. The Taser Shockwave is just one big wall of hurt, isn’t it?

In fact, it has about 26 stun guns mounted on a rack. If someone gets within 25 feet of this shockwall, then they are going to feel the electric pain. The user can stand about 100 feet away, and operate this via remote control.

Of course, this rack looks pretty stationary, so it’s not like you could swivel the Shockwave via the remote. So perhaps the remote is just one button that says “ZAP!!!” on it. At least you can daisy chain several of these guys together and put an electric fence around your place that trespassers will never forget.

By the way, did I mention that you can mount this on your car’s front bumper? Honestly, I can’t think of a practical use for that except to shock pedestrians who cut in front of me in traffic.

Source

I’m not certain what it is with video game accessories these days. It’s almost like you can’t release a successful game without one. It would appear that Easy Piano has stolen a page from the Guitar Hero playbook by including a fake instrument with their game.

You will note the eight note full-octave keyboard peripheral that attaches directly to the DS itself, and playing it is, of course, part of the game. The end result looks like a sliced section of a Casio keyboard.

Eventually, the user will be able to play one octave’s worth of Mozart, Beethoven, as well as other fare like “Bohemian Rhapsody” or “Jingle Bells”. It also includes a recording function so the player can save his or her own one-octave hits.

I’m sure you detected the hint of sarcasm in my last paragraph. I guess it is because I feel that if you are going to make a “Piano Hero” type game, then couldn’t you make a keyboard with a full 88 keys? That way, the player could play the piano for real after he or she is finished playing the game, unlike the instruments on Rockband.

See, video games can teach you something. If you want to check it out for yourself, then you’ll have to wait until November.

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For those of you that always enjoy checking out the strange novelty lights, here’s one more.  This one is meant for your kitchen itself and uses an odd method to power the small ambient glow that it gives off.  It won’t stay on all the time, purely when the timer itself is on.  So it’s not something you could leave on at night next to the fridge to make it easier to sneak a midnight snack.

Oddly in order to power this LED light it uses mechanical energy.  When you rotate the base to set a time, it of course cranks the mechanism inside.  Then as it slowly unwinds, all of that stored energy will power the lighting aspect of the timer.  So there really isn’t much of a point to this at all, besides that when the glow goes out it’s another reminder that your food is done.  It might also be a good idea for those that are hard of hearing.  Sure, they could always check the numbers, but it’s much easier to spot when the light has gone out.  Right now this is just a concept design by Jasper Hou.

Source: GeekyGadgets

As city streets grow more and more crowded, it is more difficult for delivery trucks to get through them. The solution is to deliver the packages through the sewers.

Yes, that network of tunnels designed to move human waste from our homes could be used to bring packages to our homes. All of this is possible with the proper application of robots.

Some researchers are working on inventing the Urban Mole. Instead of digging through the dirt, the Urban Mole is designed to carry packages such as signed documents, groceries, and Amazon.com orders. Of course, there are limits, and my source has said it can probably deliver nothing bigger than a shoebox.

Of course, I don’t know how good of a condition your packaged materials would be if they have just been swimming through sewage. Perhaps it will be required from every Urban Mole to take a shower before it knocks on the door.

Another problem that I forsee is what do you do when there is some sort of breakdown in the system? Do you send someone in the sewers to fix it? That’s one of those “dirty job, but someone has to do it” thing.

This is one concept gadget that I don’t think will ever be made, but you never know. I have seen I, Robot, and I believe that robot delivery people will be walking, not swimming.

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Although this is probably one of the more odd sets of headphones out there, it’s always nice to see anything that changes things up.  Anymore, it’s almost difficult to find headphones that seem even remotely unique.  These are, if nothing else, are definitely unique.  They are also one of those things you’re either going to love them or hate them.

They’re pretty basic as far as specs go, after all, they are just a set of headphones.  They do offer a lightweight design with an adjustable metal headband.  They also have ear cups that are nice and padded to keep them comfortable.  They come in two different colors, you can pick them up in either the bright yellow or what they call orange.  If it’s orange, it’s probably considered more of a burnt orange.  You can purchase the WeSC Pickups Headphones for $60 from Urban Outfitters.  Admittedly, that’s not exactly the best price out there, but if you want something a little different, it might be worth paying the extra cash.

The advantages of having a small solar panel are endless.  I know mine has saved my rear on numerous occasions. However, even though mine is one of the smaller ones out there and it collapses to an even smaller size, it’s still just a little too big.  I don’t like to have a lot of heavy items weighing down my purse and it does exactly that.  Something as small as a luggage tag and just as flexible would make things a lot easier.  Especially for the guys, at least I can stash my clunky solar charger in my purse.  There’s no way a guy could carry it in his pocket.  With this, it could easily slip into a larger sized pocket.

The SolarStrap is also flexible, making it a little easier to stash away.  The battery has a 950mAh capacity, which is enough for your smaller gadgets like cellphones and MP3 players.  It has a velcro strap, which means it could be attached to things like a purse strap or the strap of a laptop bag as well as even a belt loop if you’re dying to make a geeky fashion statement.  It’s one of the more affordable panels too, it’ll only cost you $40.

Source: CraziestGadgets