Gadgets Blog

Canon is a household name when it comes to printer technology, and this time round they have unveiled a couple more PIXMA Wireless Photo All-In-One (AIO) printers, alongside a new PIXMA Inkjet Business Printer with PgR technology and a SELPHY Compact Photo Printer with a new voice guidance system. Depending on your needs, there is a PIXMA available to fill those so why not head on after the jump to know more about each individual printer in greater detail?

What makes the SELPHY ES40 Compact Photo Printer so different from the rest is its ability to offer step-by-step instructions for printing as well as adding graphics to images without the need for a manual, making it easy even for grandad to do so, thanks to its voice guidance system (hopefully a female voice). which provides step-by-step instructions for printing and adding graphics to images without having to rely on a manual. Other features include a large 3.5″ LCD display and Easy Scroll Wheel that makes printing and navigating through menus and images a whole lot more intuitive compared to its predecessors. You can also personalize your photos with new frames and clip art that are pre-loaded under the Creative Print function to unleash your creative juices on the spot. The Canon SELPHY ES40 Compact Photo Printer will retail for $149.99.

As for the PIXMA MP990 and PIXMA MP640 Wireless Photo AIO printers, they come with the Auto Photo Fix II feature that allows users to correct the photos before they’re even printed out, kissing goodbye to common photo errors including underexposed images. Auto Photo Fix II is smart enough to help you out with features including Multi-Zone Exposure Correction, improvements in overall face detection, scene analysis, plus brightness and saturation correction.

The inclusion of PgR technology on the Canon PIXMA iX7000 Inkjet Business Printer allows one to recreate professional-looking documents in-house without forking out a fortune - we think this would be good for small and growing businesses, but huge corporations ought to look elsewhere for a heavy duty multi purpose printer. The PIXMA iX7000 printer is tipped to retail for $399.99.

Press Release

Up next is the Logitech Anywhere Mouse MX that also features a similar Darkfield Laser Tracking technology that allows you to use your mouse even on glass surfaces as long as they are at least 4mm thick. This compact notebook mouse is the perfect traveling companion for those who are always on the move, where $79.99 will net you a travel pouch that offers protection to the mouse while you’re in-transit. Great news for southpaws as this model comes in an ambidextrous contoured shape that is able to fit naturally into most hands, while back and forward buttons are placed within easy reach of your thumb to increase your Web surfing efficiency (most folks would be pretty efficient by now we figure).

Press Release

Logitech attempts to break new ground with their Performance Mouse MX device which skirts with what was deemed to be impossible for most mice even until today - it is able to to be used on clear glass (thicker than 4mm) as well as other high-gloss surfaces without missing a beat, thanks to the new Darkfield Laser Tracking technology. This full-sized mouse comes in a shape that was specially sculpted for right-handers, where it features a flexible microUSB charging system that allows you to juice up the mouse through a computer or when connected to a wall outlet even when it is in use. Apart from that, customizable thumb buttons allow you to place the most frequently used controls within reach for a more productive day at the office. Expect the Logitech Performance Mouse MX to retail for $99.99 when it arrives later this month.

Press Release

There is steampunk and then there is the spooky morbid form of steampunk.  This would be the morbid kind, obviously.  Despite that it is truly morbid and somewhat wrong, you have to admit that they did a great job with this mouse and it’s most definitely a very original mouse.  Somehow I doubt you’ll ever run into one like it.  This skull mouse is also bound to turn heads, of course it might then scare off the people that happen to see it.

It’s made out of a sheep’s skull as well as brass of course.  The creator, Ivan Mavrovic, does want to reassure people that the poor sheep died of a natural death.  He didn’t kill the sheep just to create a sadistic looking mouse.  That was nice of him.  Of course, this is an original work of art and  you won’t be able to buy your own anywhere.  You could however attempt to create your own though, but please try to find an already dead sheep to borrow a skull from.

Source: Technabob

Here’s another drive that will help keep your data safe, just in case you feel the need to be extra careful about the contents stored on your USB drive.  This one even requires a combination for the data to be unlocked, which if nothing else will make you feel just a little extra important.  It also will make your coworkers endlessly curious as to what is so special on your USB drive that you need something as complex as this.

The Pocket Safe USB Drive even has a self destruct feature, for those times when the drive is lost and someone is tampering with it.  If someone should attempt to force access, it will automatically destroy absolutely all of the data on the drive.  If that makes you nervous, not to worry there are services to ensure that your data is safe elsewhere.  There is also an optional PIN replacement service as well.  It is a bit expensive to purchase this Personal Pocket Safe though.  It’ll cost you £59.99 or about $99 from Thumbs Up UK.

Source: SlipperyBrick

When you’re a PC gamer, those extra buttons sometimes are what keeps you from dying nearly as often in the game.  However, there are some mice that tend to take things just a little too far.  At this point it just seems like they’re all competing to see who can fit the most buttons into one mouse.  Which seems a little silly, because frankly after a while I start to forget what buttons go with which function.  When it gets to that point, extra buttons just stop being useful.  However, if you have a fantastic memory, you might be able to keep up with all the extra buttons.

Well this Razer Naga manages to cram in a total of 12 different buttons on the side.  All of which will rest on the same side as your thumb.  I suppose if you never really set a good portion of the buttons to anything it’d give you something to fiddle with when you’re bored.  If you’re interested in getting a mouse with 12 extra buttons you can find the Naga mouse for $80.

Source: OhGizmo

The last time I covered anything by Nyko, it was the Wand at CES. I have recently tried out the company’s Action Pack, and I am pleased at the company’s efforts at creating a more excellent gaming experience.

The Nyko Action Pack comes with the Wand, as well as the Pistol Grip. Nyko’s exclusive Trans-Port technology allows “a pure digital connection between the grip and the Wand for maximum compatibility with action based games”. I’m not sure what all that means, but I believe it just translates to Wiimote accessories that play better.

This is definitely the case of the Pistol Grip, which is the best gun attachment for the Wii that I have played with so far. Most of these Wiimote gun attachments are usually just plastic plug-ins that allow the player realistic trigger controls for the B key, but forget that Nintendo Wii First Person Shooters actually use the A key.

This A key control is located conveniently on the edge, where someone would cock a gun in real life. Thanks to this gun attachment, Lara Croft can now shoot and jump, instead of just shooting and having me do some awkward move to hit the A key as she is jumping. There is even a tiny switch on the bottom of the grip that allows the user to make the trigger the A key, and the “cocking thing” the B key.

By the way, the Action Pack is good for games that don’t require shooting. I’ve recently been re-playing Lego Indiana Jones, and have had a fun time with this Wii action pack.

In short, I recommend the Nyko Action Pack and highly recommend you head over to the company site and purchase one yourself for $49.99, especially if you are into FPS games.

Last time we covered something from iHome, it was their new iHM10B Portable MP3 Player Speaker System. Today is it is the iHMP5 Series, which is something that I have been seeing more and more of these days: a speaker system/headphone combo.

The iHMP5 Series is designed to work with all sorts of music players which include the iPhone, iPod, laptop, and just about anything that has a headphone jack. You put them on your head to enjoy the music in private, and put them down to share it with their friends. That sounds like the slogan for the product, doesn’t it? I actually made that up myself.

Of course, you could probably do the same thing with any stereo headphones, maybe even a pair of earbuds and then crank the volume to 10. Apparently, what makes the iHMP5 Series work is that it has a “magnetic proximity switch which activates the power amplifier and kicks the music to room volume”.

I know for sure that I have reported have reported on another pair of headphones that double as stereo speakers before, but I cannot remember the name. If you know any other headphones/stereo speakers out there, feel free to put them in the comments.

If you are looking for a product like this, feel free to head over to the iHome site and lay down $69.99 in silver, red, and blue.

If you are a subscriber to Entertainment Weekly in New York and Los Angeles, then you might open the September 18th issue to find a big surprise.

Yes, you will actually see a video ad in the magazine itself. It begins by seeing a small screen loading its program, and then the boys from “The Big Bang Theory” will explain what to do from there. It looks as easy as selecting the five buttons to see video collections from popular shows such as “How I Met Your Mother”, “Two and a Half Men”, as well as previews for new shows like “Accidentally on Purpose”, “NCIS: Los Angeles”, “The Good Wife” and “Three Rivers”.

As you might have guessed, the ads are sponsored by CBS, who worked together with Pepsi to create this “Monday to the Max” ad campaign in Entertainment Weekly’s Fall TV Preview. This ad is also marketed as an ad for Pepsi Max, and the in-magazine video player will also feature a video for the soda.

This is the part where I talk about how this could be the start of a new way of promoting, and that soon all our magazines will be full of video ads, and blah blah blah. This is also where I discuss the problems that will arise from this new technology, the first being the obvious high cost of video players in the magazines themselves.

Source

For those of you that have been sucked into World of Warcraft and are happy to stay right there, there’s a new WoW themed gadget you’ll want to check out.  Creative will soon be releasing a World of Warcraft headset to go along with your WoW gear that you likely already own.  The best part about this headset is that you’ll get to show your Horde or Alliance pride right on the headset itself.

The headset uses Creative’s THX TruStudio PC Surround to give you a little more realistic surround sound.  You’ll also get to make the choice between a wired and wireless headset.  It of course has a built-in microphone too, so it’ll work out great for those of you that use vent while you’re raiding.  These won’t be released till this November though, but at least they’ll be around just in time for some holiday shopping.  At that time they will range in prices from $100 on up to $150.

Source: Crunchgear

This is one of those gadgets that it’s most definitely debatable as to whether or not it’s useful or completely pointless.  I suppose it purely depends on your perspective and what you need out of a device like this one.  This USB hub will at the very least offer you a few more ports to make plugging in your gadgets a lot easier.  Plus it does tell the time, although so does your computer.

It seems a little silly to have a clock to sit directly next to your computer that typically displays the time anyway.  Of course it can flip between 25 different cities around the world, so you can know the time elsewhere.  Again, you’re already at your computer, so you could just as easily look it up on the internet.  However, if you deal with one specific time zone a lot, you could set it to a different time zone than your computer is set to.  The hub has a total of 4 different ports and the clock will automatically illuminate when it’s plugged into your computer.  You can purchase the USB Hub and World Travel Clock for $29.99 from Oregon Scientific.

Source: OhGizmo

Designer Salvatore Matteo’s Interactive Robotic Pod Computer, or Iropod, is not designed to be Johnny Five’s taller brother, but a simple way for users with one PC to move it throughout the house.

I mean, if you think about it, it really does make sense. We are clearly becoming a society that requires a computer in every room. We keep recipes on a database in the kitchen, watch video files in the living room, and other tasks that run us amok throughout the house.

The Iropod is a stand with wheels for the computer that is designed to take the computer wherever it needs to go without worrying about wires getting caught or whatnot. It is also flexible enough to allow the user to stand or sit, depending on his or her needs.

Even though the Iropod site shows the device being used all around a home (even in the backyard), I actually think this would work better at businesses. If it is easier for an employer to take a PC and show their boss something rather than having to bring the boss to the PC, than the Iropod can be a great help.

In short, keep working on the Iropod, Mr. Matteo. It is a good idea. That is, until we get homes with computer screens on every wall. I suppose that idea is pretty futuristic, but so is the Iropod.

Source

For those of you who are addicted to Skype’s video communication or just love making webcam videos might want to invest in Microsoft’s attempt at revolutionizing the webcam industry.

The LifeCam (also known as the Cinema) can shoot in HD resolution with 720p (1280 x 720 at 30 frames per second). It can record video footage a little better than the average, run-of-the-mill webcams that you can get at your local Wal-Mart.

Of course, you will need a dual core 1.6GHz processor in order to get this thing to work, and that is just the minimum. Microsoft recommends 3GHz, as well as 2GB worth of memory. I just thought I would get all that fine print out of the way before I talked about all the other features.

For example, it has a glass lens (as opposed to the plastic that most aforementioned average webcams use), auto-focus, aluminum housing, noise-canceling microphone, and it syncs very will with Windows Live Messenger with a Windows Live call button.

In short, it appears that Microsoft has created a finer model for the webcam connoisseur, and it can be purchased on September 9th for a price of $79.99. Maybe you can purchase it at one of those Microsoft retail stores, as soon as they open.

Source

If you’re worried that someone might make off with some of your smaller valuables, you might need something to keep them safe.  Sure, one of those big expensive combination safes would be nice, but they’re big and they’re expensive.  Which makes them unrealistic for while you’re traveling and completely out of the question if you’re on any kind of a budget.  Well this will look just like an average run of the mill surge protector to most people, but you’ll know the truth.

It is in fact a hollow surge protector to store your expensive jewelry within.  It’d be great for travel, because even hotel maids wouldn’t think much of it.  Plus it’s so lightweight that it wouldn’t weigh down your luggage and could easily be stashed in your suitcase without taking up too much space.  The surge protector can be plugged in, but all it does is power a small red light behind the switch.  You can purchase the safe for $29.99 from Be Wild.

Source: NerdApproved

Sure, we have a cameras for recording sight and sound, but how in the world can we record how something tastes? It would appear that researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have constructed an electric tongue sensor.

As you can see, it changes colors depending on the type and quantity of sweeteners that are in the food itself. This sensor is about the size of a business card, and can be dipped in for a colorful readout. I suppose that will be an excellent tool for diabetics, who need to constantly check their glucose levels.

In other words, we are probably far along from electric tongues that can detect exactly how everything tastes. The possibility of that is pretty powerful. Maybe we can shut those wine-y guys up who think they know all the ingredients of their wine with one sip. That, and it could be a way to test our food to make certain that it is not poisoned.

I wonder if the inspiration for this came from Ratatouille. Remember the scene where the rat eats food, and we see it interpreted as shimmering lights? I tell you, that scene always makes me hungry, and that’s probably the best interpretation of the sense of taste on the “sight and sound” screen.

As of now, the U of Illinois electric tongue was merely on display at the American Chemical Society’s 238 National Meeting, and I think we are long way from a prototype.

The Window Phone concept works this way - it comes in a translucent piece of glass while holding all the technology within to operate a cellphone alongside the ability to receive daily weather reports. Not only that, since the phone itself is transparent, it will graphically depict the day’s weather conditions directly, hence what you see above would mean it is advisable to carry an umbrella with you wherever you go. We do have one gripe about this handset though - is the battery transparent as well? How about the rest of the components - where do they fit in? If it rains cats and dogs, won’t it be hard to make out just who’s calling or read text messages through the virtual downpour? Pretty cool concept nonetheless.

Source: Yanko Design

When the mercury drops, either you put on more layers of thick clothing, or feed the fireplace with more wood while staying within a few feet of it. Others who are more fortunate can always rely on their electronic heater, but that tends to consume a whole lot of power. The Remote Temperature Sensing Space Heater helps you maintain just the right temperature no matter where you are in the room, offering a sense of uniformity for folks who like stability in their lives.

This is the only space heater that monitors the ambient temperature from the remote control, ensuring your preferred air temperature is maintained wherever you are located. When the temperature falls below or rises above the preset level, the remote control automatically sends a signal to the heater (up to 30′ away) to increase or decrease the wattage and fan speed. Deeply pitched fan blades and a specially designed air duct create a vortex of warm air that circulates throughout a 256′ sq. room, heating the air evenly from the floor to the ceiling and eliminating hot and cold spots. The heater uses only the necessary energy (between 750 and 1,500 watts) to achieve the preferred temperature, ensuring optimal efficiency. The remote also allows you to adjust heat output or set the timer with the touch of a button, and all functions can be changed using the heater’s LCD touchscreen.

This $199.95 home appliance comes bundled with a remote control, where you will need to throw in another two AA batteries to get that up and running. The heater itself can be plugged straight into an AC outlet.