We’ve got all kinds of news today… The majority of it is all about the new Intel Corei5 and Corei3 CPUs though.,..
I think this is on my Must-have list of 2010 already!
Freescale Semiconductor has unveiled the future of the smartbook category with a tablet reference design featuring a 7-inch touch screen with up to four times the viewing area of a typical smartphone and based on a form factor that is approximately one-third the size and volume of today’s typical netbook.
Continue reading “Freescale Evolves Second-Generation Smartbook Form Factors with New Tablet Design”
Happy New Year!! It’s so weird writing ‘10’ as the year… here’s the news:
This wasn’t supposed to be announced until the 4th of January but anotehr site out there broke the embargo and announced it, so here it is for you also:
Acer America today debuts the next generation of its acclaimed line of Aspire One netbooks. These new Aspire One AO532h netbooks are packed with powerful features and performance to boost productivity and battery life, enhancing the mobile computing experience.
Designed for all day mobility and connectivity, the Aspire One AO532h netbooks feature the latest Intel® technology with the Intel Atom N450 processor, 10 hours of battery life(3), fast Wi-Fi connectivity, a 10.1-inch LED-backlit TFT LCD and a large keyboard with a Multi-Gesture touchpad. All this power and functionality comes in a package that is only 1-inch thin and weighs just over 2-1/2 pounds, making it a true mobile companion.
It’s been a good year for us so far I think. I’ve got a bit of news for you today, and we’ll see you again next year!
Selected as a 2010 Innovations Design and Engineering Award Honoree in the highly competitive personal electronics category, Pocket Radar’s sleek, compact, palm-sized, ultraportable design, combined with break-through speed radar technology and point-and-shoot functionality, provides users with extremely accurate, real-time speed measurements of moving objects with the touch of a button.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you. Now here’s the news:
Christmas will be here in a couple of days, so I hope you’re ready. Here’s the latest news:
Acer America, part of the world’s second largest PC vendor , today introduced its new TravelMate Timeline series of notebook PCs for business customers. The new TravelMate Timeline 8571, 8471 and 8371 are ultra-thin mobile workhorse notebooks designed for on-the-go professionals who need prolonged productivity. A long lasting six-cell battery provides up to eight hours of power when Acer PowerSmart Manager is enabled.
With prices ranging from $899 to $999, the TravelMate Timeline series delivers excellent performance and the capabilities most important to travelling professionals.
Continue reading “Acer Debuts TravelMate Timeline Series of Notebook PCs for Business Customers”
Dell’s hot-selling Inspiron Mini 10 netbook is getting better with a fresh new look and longer battery life to go along with technology enhancements and easy connectivity capabilities that make it a fashionable and functional must-have for on-the-go people. Updates to the Mini 10 include optional high definition entertainment bundles that deliver rich, smooth playback of streaming HD video in addition to Web surfing, email, listening to music and sharing user-generated content in real time. Dell expects the redesigned Inspiron Mini 10 to be available the first part of January 2010.
“With an even better look and great battery life, we think Mini 10 is the perfect companion PC for anyone who wants to be entertained and connected wherever they go.”
Continue reading “Dell Makes Inspiron Mini 10 Even Better with New Design and Long Battery Life”
Last week I took a look at a decent notebook cooler from Thermaltake, this week I’ve got another one, but this one is very much different. The product I have for review today is the Thermaltake T3000 Notebook Cooler and what makes it special is that there are no fans so it is a truly silent cooling solution. The T3000 is made from aluminum and has heatpipes built-into it to help keep the notebook that’s on it cool. I’ve tested it out with three different sized netbooks and notebooks to see how it performs. So read on to learn more..
Continue reading “Thermaltake T3000 Fanless Notebook Cooler”
It’s almost Christmas, and I woke up to several inches of snow! It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Anyway here’s the news from our friends:
The computing equipment used to support the Olympic games have always been chosen for their stellar performance and reliability, the same qualities that drive the world’s leading athletes to the top of their game.
As a Worldwide TOP Partner in the upcoming 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Acer is proud to be providing more than 6,500 pieces of computing equipment and more than 100 engineers and technicians to support the management of what is probably the most complex sporting event in the world.
Continue reading “Acer celebrates Olympics with special edition notebooks and LCDs”
Modern computers give us the ability to compose both simple and complex text works with an ease that our previous generation tools could not provide. We can quickly build our literary magnum opus of the day, add in nice graphics or charts, check it for spelling, get a second opinion on our grammar usage, move everything around, and convert it to one of a dozen formats without once having to use a layout board. Everything is tight and digital, and the only time we hit the physical world is when we are finished. It has never been easier.
However, along with this ease of use we have sacrificed some of the mechanics that drove creativity. In the old days, the completed work was more than just the actual output. For example, you would have a running collection of notes to the side that detailed last minute changes or additional thoughts. You would have some material stacked to the side that were less important than the current work, yet they may be promoted in importance as the task went on.
Your source of information could be anything from a stack of index cards to a scribbled napkin, yet when it was all laid out in front of us it magically took shape to define a point we were trying to make. This point was often a mystery to ourselves until we saw this big picture, and then a moment of clarity formed.
But the digital world is working hard to bring this type of creativity to your desktop. There have been many attempts at recreating this thought space in software, from Mind Mapping to freeform desktop information packages.
Being a person who A. uses a computer and B. at least tries to have an occasional original thought, I have tried many of these packages, with a varying degree of success. But I have found them to be either too rigid in their design or too alien to what ticks inside my own head. That is, until I stumbled upon something on a Mac that works well for me. That creative program suite is iWork from Apple.
At first glance one would think that economically priced iWork 09 (the program I am using) would be a strict replacement for a standard office suite. I found that to not be the case. In fact, if you evaluate the package in those terms you may find that it comes up short for the spreadsheet power user.
Instead, let’s look at iWork from the creative viewpoint. Being a number freak, I like to use Numbers for my thought processes, although Pages shares the same great layout capability along with a handy full screen view for reviewing your conclusion. I’ll start with an example thought board about a getaway trip to a rustic cabin. (The same process could be used to create a vision board as well.)
As you can see from the actual numbers screenshot above, I can easily have my notes about the trip to the side on small index cards. I also have a graph card with notes about the cabin itself, a map stuck to the thought board for quick reference, a picture of the cabin (or one similar to it in this case), and a posted reminder note. I also have three small calculation tables for the cost, trip, and time away along with a large summary table for a quick glance.
By having everything in front of me in a single freeform document I can review all of the details of the trip and make changes as needed. I can also add another card or list as needed for additional detail. I also find that adding pictures helps to jog the memory about anything else I may be leaving out. This non-linear approach mimics exactly the way I would do it in the physical world, with the added bonus that the software does any calculations automatically for me. I also gain the benefit of being able to stick it on a flash drive to have a backup of the board with me.
Building a thought board with numbers is a very simple process. After doing a few of these, I assure you that the important thing is to start first with the immediate items you need, but leave space on the board for more things as they come up. Each item you add can trigger another item, until you have a rather robust board in a short amount of time.
The Tables
First, start a new Numbers file. You will find a single table on the screen. We’ll use this as our summary table, so resize it down as needed. You will find the tabs on the bottom left of the table to be a quick way to resize it, removing unwanted columns. Then take a moment to think about any groups of things that you may want to add up, and for each of these throw in a table. Having these free form tables lying in a workspace that can be easily accessed from a master table is probably one of my favorite things about Numbers. They can have their own column sizes and layouts without affecting the main table, yet I can easily see them all at the same time. Add the table, fill it in, then add a link to the summary table as needed.
The Index Cards and Other Page Notes
The index cards are simple shapes, but with an index card for a background. it is important to select “tile” for the image, otherwise the image will distort as the box resizes. Also, add a shadow in to make it appear a little more bold on the screen. I find a single index card image works well for me, as it limits the text to about that of a real index card. The other notes are done in a similar fashion, just with an appropriate image as desired.
The Pictures
Pictures can add a lot of visual information to a project, and they can trigger other thoughts about important items you may have overlooked. So by adding pictures you are making your planning more robust, giving a better end result. For the board, I simply add a shape, set the fill to the desired image, and add the pushpin frame. Add a shadow for a little visual pop, and finally slightly rotate (found on the inspector’s “ruler” tab) to add to the illusion that it is hanging by the pin.
The Yellow Note
The yellow note is quite simply a shape added to the board, changed to a yellow color, and slightly rotated. As you suspect by now, a shadow is added for graphic appeal, and the text is set to center. I use this instead of the regular comment mechanics because it does not include the close button in the corner – I want to be sure that this note stays put until it is done.
The Background Image
The background image is merely a shape with a picture fill, sized rather large and sent to back using arrange. While in no way crucial to the project, a good background image sets the frame of mind for the board. The important thing we are trying to capture here are thoughts about the item at hand, and the more related visual information we have, the greater visual thinkers are going to respond with quality input. Not to mention that it even looks nice.
So, with just a little work in iWork Numbers (or Pages) we can quickly build a board to encompass our thoughts on a given topic. We can add in any number of index cards, paper notes, posted notes, lists, calculated tables, media, and more, giving us a single point to focus all of our thoughts on a given topic. By having this “big picture” along with tabular data on a display, I find it quite easy to see where I may be overlooking something now that may be a major issue later. Once you try it (if not already), I think you may come to the same conclusion – it makes using a computer a more natural thought planning process.
I’ve got tons of news fro you today, lots of good reviews and a few chances to get some free stuff as well, so check it out:
Source R&D, a premier technology provider, announced today the availability of the Warpia Wireless USB Audio/Video (A/V) Display Adapter based on Wireless USB technology from Wisair, a leading provider of single-chip based Wireless USB solutions. The A/V set enables users to enjoy any PC and Internet content wirelessly on a Flat Screen TV, projector or monitor, including HD movies and streaming Internet video.
The A/V Set incorporates a PC Adapter connected to a USB 2.0 port, available in any notebook or PC. The Display Adapter, which connects to the TV, projector, or monitor, features both VGA and HDMI connectivity, the most common interfaces in the market today. Audio is supported through the HDMI port or via a 3.5mm stereo jack, offering complete flexibility. The Set provides a wireless range of up to 30 feet (in the same room) and is expected to be available soon in retail stores and online retail channels in at an MSRP of $179.99 USD.
Booq, a leading brand of premium laptop carrying cases for creative professionals, unleashes the striking Mamba shift. Mamba shift’s cool and compact exterior peels open to reveal a plush, well padded interior. With conveniently located side pockets and quickly accessible compartments, Mamba shift makes it easy to operate while on the go. Available at booqbags.com and retailers throughout the country, booq combines sophisticated design and functionality to deliver high-quality bags and cases for the next generation of ambitious professionals.
Continue reading “Booq launched Mamba Shift backpack / laptop case”
Today for review I’ve got another notebook or netbook cooler from our friends over at Thermaltake called the Massive23 CS. Not long ago I reviewed the Massive23 ST so the name might sound familiar, but the Massive23 CS is a bit different in that it’s all aluminum, the design is more open, and the fan features LEDs to add a bit of color to your day. I’ve tested it with both my Acer Aspire One D250 and the new Ion based HP Mini 311 netbook to see how well it handles the heat, so read on to learn more about the Massive23 CS and how it performs…
Hello, Happy Saturday to you! I’ve got news from our friends today, and Thermaltake has sent me over another notebook cooling pad for review, the Massive23 CS. I took a look at the Massive23 ST a little while ago, but this is different in many ways, and different for the better. So check for that review in the next couple days, but here’s the news for now:
News, News, News and More News for you!
Happy Tuesday to you all! It’s time again for another installment of the news from our friends!
Everyone knows that tech gifts make some of the really coolest gifts to give out as Christmas presents. But, with the current state of the economy as it is, I proposed to myself a challenge: To find respectable tech gifts for $20 or less. I know what you are thinking – the words “tech gift” and “$20 or less” go together about like Macs and plentiful FPS games, but nonetheless I believe that such a thing is possible.
Finished with the research, I present to you in no particular order my top choices for a budget friendly (“cheap”) tech gift for the tech lovers on your holiday list. These would work great for budget minded gifts, stocking stuffers, or even office gifts.
Wii MotionPlus accessory for Nintendo Wii
Practically everyone knows someone who now has a Wii. They may have spent many hours playing virtual tennis or virtual bowling on Wi Sports. But with the Motionplus Upgrade ($20), they can take their game to a whole new level.
The gadget, which attaches to their existing Wiimote controller, makes the remote much more sensitive to movements. Now with a flick of the wrist or or a small twist of the hand can spin that bowling ball just right. Their whole game gets a performance upgrade thanks to your thoughtful gift (assuming they are playing games that can take advantage of the upgrade). Available at game retailers everywhere.
USB Plasma Ball
Ever since they first burst onto the market quite a number of years back, I have been fascinated by the high voltage plasma ball. I bought one of the first models that Radio Shack produced , and spent hours staring at the glow from the arcs between my finger tips.
Fast forward to today. You can now get one of these highly entertaining if not practically useless gadgets that plug into a computer USB port for power. The USB Plasma Ball sells for only $9.99, and the six inch dome responds to your soft touches with a bright arc of color. It makes a perfect break after hours of coding, and a great gift that does not break the bank. It also makes a cool gift for office co-workers. You can find the USB Plasma Ball at Think Geek.
USB Pet Rock
Okay, so maybe this is not such a practical gift, but it certainly seems like it could be fun in the right situation. I started to not include it in the list, but it is just too much of a Zen thing to pass up.
What is the USB Pet Rock? It is a real natural rock with a USB cable that plugs into your computer.
What does it do? The pet rock spends all of its energy in being a rock.
Does it do any tricks? Only the types of tricks that you would normally expect from a pet rock.
What is the USB cable for? Without the USB cable it would only be a regular pet rock. With the addition of the USB cable it becomes a highly sophisticated and modern version of the original pet rock.
As you can see, the USB Pet Rock would make a great gift for the more profound tech heads on your tech holiday list. The highly advanced USB Pet Rock sells for $10, and you can find it at Think Geek.
“Fail Nation : A Visual Romp Through the World of Epic Fails”
The book version of the popular failblog.org, “Fail Nation : A Visual Romp Through the World of Epic Fails” brings you a collection of over 100 of the best reader submitted fails in the modern world. From wacky signs to silly machines, your gift recipient will enjoy reading and sharing the modern examples of great attempts that just didn’t connect all the dots. The book sells for $12, and you can find it at major book stores and online.
Ipod Building Block Speakers
So, you have a friend who has an iPod, and they still play with building blocks (secretly, you suspect). What could be a more perfect gift than an iPod speaker that is a building block. Imagine the hours they could spend jamming to music as they build their latest creation. They can even take it with them, having that musical block building experience as they work or travel (okay, that was a stretch). The speaker sells for $19.99 and you can find them at perpetual kid online and other places.
Mix Tape USB Drive
Back in the old days a person might build a custom mix cassette tape and give it to another person as a way of sharing an interest or expressing an emotion (usually love, but sometimes hate – to each their own) .
Now we have the modern version of the classic mix tape. Contained within the cassette tape holder is a 64mb USB stick. 64mb, you ask? Well, that is just about the right size for an hour of music, which happens to be the same amount the venerable C60 tape would hold. The cover has a place to list the tracks in your best penmanship (as if the player for some strange reason did not have a display) , and the whole package just screams retro. The Mix Tape USB Drive sells for $19.99, and you can find it at perpetual Kid.
E-books for the Masses
Does someone on your list own a spiffy new Kindle? If so, consider an Amazon.com gift card for $20. With most e-books selling for $9.95 or less, they could have two great reads of their choice thanks to your gift. You can get a physical gift card to send to them, a printable gift card to give as a gift, or you can opt for the electronically delivered gift card. They can then go online and choose their own titles for reading on their PC, iPhone or Kindle.
What’s that – they do not have a Kindle? Then do what I like to do, and head over to Barnes and Noble (bn.com). You can get a gift card there for $20 as well, and the books tend to run about the same price. As with the Kindle books, they can read their electronic wares on a PC or iPhone. They can also read the titles on their new Nook electronic reader, if so equipped. Unlike the Kindle titles, as of this writing the BN e-books also work on a Mac and a Blackberry, making it a more versatile choice.
Either way you go, it is hard to go wrong with the gift of reading. This is especially true with e-books, which are delivered instantly. This lets them bundle up and enjoy a new title over a cold holiday season without trudging to the book store first. (This would be a great time to insert a “Back in my day” story, but I will refrain.)
As I have discovered, it is not hard to find a gift for $20 or under that will please the tech minded person on your holiday list. Some will be more whimsical than useful, but many will bring a smile to the gadget-lover’s face. So go ahead, set your gift limit low – there are budget friendly potentially cool gifts out there for the taking.
It’s Friday and it’s time for the news:
WinX just came out with a new product called HD Video Converter, and they’re giving it away for free until December 15th. It’s regular price is $39.95, so I’d go grab it now if I were you.
Booq, a leading brand of premium laptop carrying cases for creative professionals, releases the Taipan shadow. Taipan shadow blends a slick messenger bag style with a professional appearance. Available at booqbags.com and retailers throughout the country, booq combines sophisticated design and functionality to deliver high-quality bags and cases for the next generation of ambitious professionals.
Booq’s sleek exterior design keeps the bag looking professional and polished. Once opened, Taipan shadow is surprisingly spacious, offering a luxurious interior that provides plenty of room for magazines, business cards, keys, laptop accessories, as well as a densely padded laptop compartment with a soft plush interior. Taipan shadow features an innovative luggage trolley pass-through. This unique feature unzips across the back, allowing the user to slide a luggage handle through the bag for easy transportation when handling multiple pieces of luggage. To ensure 360-degree laptop protection, a plush “bumper” is sewn along the inside of the laptop compartment’s high-end YKK zipper, keeping zipper and precious laptop separated at all times. Taipan shadow comes equipped with Terralinq™, booq’s innovative service which helps reunite the owner with a lost & found bag.
Continue reading “Booq Reveals Taipan shadow, Compact and Lightweight Everyday Messenger Bag”
Searching the internet for methods of tethering your phone to a laptop can be overwhelming. There are dozens of ideas out there depending on your phone model, service and software. Some look easy, some look complicated, some look illegal, and some look like they’ll end up costing you your first born child in fees. With everything out there and the evolution of the technology over the past few years, it’s hard to know which approach to take.
Tethering has become extremely useful, particularly for people on the go. Wi-Fi spots still don’t exist most places, and the busy person never knows when they’re going to need an internet connection. Whether you’re on the bus embarking on a lengthy stop-and-go trip through the city, or sitting in an airport trying to avoid using that hideous Boingo service – you may wish you could harness the internet power of your cell phone for your laptop’s use.
Some news for a chilly December day… it’s cold at least where I am anyway..
So you may have went and grabbed a great deal on a Netbook on Black Friday, but now you must have something to protect it. Let’s face it, we’re not the carefullest of creatures when it comes to our things, and of course accidents can happen anywhere and anytime. Netbooks are great for kids, but they’re especially not very careful with their things, they’ll certainly need some sort of protection for that nice new netbook if you want it to last for them. Either way, if it’s for you, or it’s a gift, you can do yourself a favor and get a protective sleeve at the very least to protect that netbook. The product I’ve got for review today is called the LA Rode netbook 10.2, it’s from a company called Be.ez that specializes in protection for laptops and netbooks. The 10.2 in the name is referring to the size that the sleeve can accommodate , meaning any laptop or netbook up to 10.2″ in size will fit in the LA Robe sleeve. The sleeve is nicely made with very thick shock absorbing material and it’s available in several colors as well, so you’ll find one that’s suitable for anyone you know. So read on for a brief review of the La Robe from Be.ez…
Later today I’ll have a review for you to check out, but for now here’s the news from our friends:
Will be off tomorrow since it’s Thanksgiving, so Happy Thanksgiving to you all! here’s the news:
Nice looking phone… it’s amazing all of these phones that come out all of the time, how can we decide which to get? Especially WinMo phones, they’re my favorite, I want them all, but just can’t afford them…
Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced the availability of the Samsung Omnia® II(TM), a full-touch all-in-one smartphone powered by Windows Mobile® 6.5 to keep customers connected to their corporate and personal e-mail accounts and synchronized with their schedules and contacts.
Continue reading “Verizon Wireless Announces the Availability of the Samsung Omnia II”
I like it!
China Mobile will soon become the first mobile operator to sell the Mini 3i, a sleek and slim new multi-touch smart phone from Dell designed to leverage the power, flexibility and applications of China Mobile’s new OPhone and Mobile Market platforms. Available in Red Passion and Oiled Bronze colors, the Mini 3i will begin arriving through China Mobile’s nation-wide channels (its authorized stores) by the end of this month and Dell direct to follow.
The Mini 3i runs China Mobile’s flexible OPhone open source platform, and includes the latest in popular entertainment including pre-loaded 139Mail e-mail, Fetion chat and digital maps for navigation. A large 3.5-inch widescreen creates a big-screen experience, making photos and videos bigger and more intense. The Mini 3i is also compatible with a range of consumer applications, e-mail platforms, and office productivity software.
Continue reading “China Mobile Becomes First to Sell Dell Mini 3i Smart Phones”
It’s Saturday… tomorrow I’ll have a review of great little netbook sleeve for you, but for now here’s the news:
This isn’t supposed to go out until Monday, but here’s the scoop:
Neese Products (www.neeseproducts.com), creators of tools and products that improve everyday household life, today launched their newest innovation, a handy iPhone application (app) that serves up money-saving promo codes for the popular Redbox video rental self-service kiosks found nationwide. Priced at just 99 cents, the easy-to-use app provides the latest promo codes for obtaining free DVD rentals at participating kiosks. Codes are updated twice daily and also feature a ranking system to ensure the validity and usefulness of each promo offered. The app allows users to quickly rate the successful use of each code, further improving the quality of those offered. This app pays for itself after one successful use.
Continue reading “RED BOX IPHONE APP SAVES MONEY – WITH JUST A CLICK”
My favorite holiday of the year is Christmas. The sounds of holiday music in the air. The smells of Christmas cookies baking in the oven. All the festive decorations to behold and the malls and shops with their hustle and bustle of shoppers looking for that special gift… how could you not get in the holiday spirit?
Often times though, trying to find the perfect gift for the “someone special” in our lives, can be stressful. You want to give gifts that they don’t already have… something that a person wouldn’t generally buy for themselves but would love to receive as a gift.
I found these unique gifts that I think fit the bill. So as you make your Christmas list this year, see if one of these cool gift ideas may be the perfect gift you’ve been looking for:
Animatronic Roommate – Is a good idea for a college student or guys (and gals) that live alone (well really, for just about anyone). Roommates tend to be nice to have around, but they can get on your nerves. Well, with technology you can now have a roommate that talks on your terms. Brian the Brain, a winner of Dr. Toy’s 100 best products award, uses voice recognition technology to interact with its users. Brian can have conversations, tell jokes, look up facts on his internal Concise Britannica encyclopedia, dial phone numbers, and generally be a best buddy for you or a child. That is, until the conversations turn dark and the word “kill” is thrown about a bit too often… Brian the Brain is on sell now for $60, therapy not included.
Automatic Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker – I scream , you scream, we all scream for ice cream. Unfortunately, an encounter with rock solid ice cream and a bent spoon can leave us screaming for real. But with the Automatic Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker, fresh soft serve ice cream is only a few (35 or so) minutes away. The unit dispenses the ice cream like a real soft serve machine, and even has a place to store the ice cream cones. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t love ice cream (I know I’d love this as a gift) and for $99.95 it can be yours.
World’s Largest Crossword Puzzle – Do you or a loved one like crossword puzzles? I mean, REALLY like crossword puzzles? If so, you should check out the world’s largest crossword puzzle. Measuring seven foot square, the 91,000 squares contain over 28,000 words to figure out. The hints are contained in a 100 page book, and the puzzle itself can be attached to a wall for personal entertainment. A warning, though – it might take more than a day to finish this puzzle. It sells for $29.95.
Self-Filtering Aquarium – Do you or someone you know have a fish tank that is less than clean? Have you been getting dirty looks from your pet fish because of the water condition? The Low Maintenance Clear View Aquarium is a round eight gallon tank that allows unobstructed views of its occupants while being highlighted by a built in natural light halogen light source. But the really cool part is in its multi-stage filtering system, which lasts twice as long as regular tank filters. Perfect for lazy fish owners or for kids, and it costs $119.45.
6 Foot Working Ferris Wheel Kit – Do you love county fairs and amusement parks? – this is the next best thing to being there. Personally, I was always terrified of the ferris wheel. This gift is a bit pricier but if you have the budget for it, it makes a great Christmas gift for the tinkerer and builder in your life. A bit steep at $499.95 but for just the right person… it may be worth it.
Monogrammed Barbeque Branding Iron – This is more of a novelty gift but if you know a guy that loves grilling and spends a lot of time during the summer barbequing… this could make a great gift. I mean what better way to let your guests know that you are the one that grilled their steak than with the griller’s initials on it. $58.95
Lego Digital Camera – I don’t know who doesn’t love Lego. Lego is for kids of all ages. If you’re looking for a gift idea for the budding photographer in your life, check out the Lego Digital Camera. This MP3 digital camera isn’t made of real Lego pieces but you can attach Lego pieces to the top and bottom of the camera. Holds up to 80 photos and sells for $65.95.
Complete Swiss Army Knife – Ever wonder what MacGyver dreams about? While we can’t say for sure – after all he is a fictional character – we think that the Complete Swiss Army Knife might be a good candidate. Although at a little under 3 pounds it might be a bit difficult to carry in a jeans pocket, the 87 tools on this folding wonder features over 112 functions. At $1400, the Swiss Army knife showpiece is not cheap, although it may answer the age old question – what would you want to take with you if you were stranded on a deserted island? (Outside of a good satellite phone, that is)… great gift for dads, husbands or any special guy in your life.
Junior Gravity-Defying Boots – Need to put a little spring in your step? The Gravity Defying Boots incorporate a patented T-Spring system that turns everyday mundane tasks (like walking to the bathroom) into an exhilarating, challenging, calorie burning adventure. The non-skid pads and high traction design allows you use the shoes practically anywhere. At $59.95 they’ll make a nice gift for a kid or teenager on your Christmas list.
Instant Pop-Up Two-Room Playhouse – Kids love to have places to hide and explore, but it isn’t always practical to build a playhouse with traditional construction materials in the family room. There is a solution – the Pop Up Playhouse. With over 50 square foot of play area, a child can get lost in their own adventures within the 4 foot high hideout. Once play time is over the unit stores in an included storage case. $89.95
Food Control Kitchen Scale – The Food Control Kitchen Scale is actually a perfect tool for any weight conscious eater on your Christmas list. The scales will not only tell you weight, it will also calculate calories, fat and protein. The four pound capacity is enough for all but the most demanding diet. $89.99
Total Body Support Pillow – Is a very large and long pillow that can actually wrap a person’s entire body. You can use it in a circle to use as a beanbag, or you can use it in a U shape and snuggle in the middle. A Perfect gift for someone you know that’s pregnant. There are almost an endless number of ways to use this 130″ behemoth, but it may not be the best choice for airplane travel. $119.95
Hydrodynamics Construction Set – While building block and tinker toys might be great to stimulate a child’s imagination, the Hydrodynamics Construction Set turns them into an engineer. The building set lets the user explore the physics of fluid in motion as they create working models of oil refineries, ice cream factories, and much more. Parents will be glad to know that the set includes a built in tray to collect any accidental model factory spills (if only we had those in real life). $89.95
Palm-Sized Indoor Remote-Controlled Helicopter – Once it was an expensive and challenging hobby to have a remote control helicopter. Now you can get them small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. The Palm Sized Indoor Remote Controlled Helicopter features 360 degree movement with a control range of up to 50 feet. You can even fly them at night thanks to two flashing LEDS on the small copters. The tiny choppers run for about eight minutes from its battery powered base, just enough time to have a quick low flying adventure. For $39.95 a great gift for boys… young and old.
Marshmallow Bazooka – With the ability to hurl a marshmallow up to 40 feet, the Automatic Marshmallow Bazooka takes the game up a notch. An onboard microprocessor automatically regulates air pressure, allowing you to launch five soft missiles within 60 seconds. Just load it, wait for the ready light, and fire. Primal scream on launch optional. Another gift that boys of all ages will love. $49.95
6 Foot Walk on Water Ball – You may not be perfect, but you CAN walk on water. At least with the Six Foot Walk on Water ball you can. The 6 foot inflatable ball allows you to get inside and walk to your heart’s content across the body of water of your choice. The ball features small indentions that serve to “grip” the water, giving you traction to move. Better yet, get two and have a race to a point of your choice (or a rough game of water tag). But be warned, at a weight limit of 170 pounds the more manly men may have to resort to more conventional means for water walking. $299.95
Infinitely Adjustable Reading Valet – Curling up with a favorite book is an enjoyable escape for most. However, for some of you out there it appears to be a problem to find an exact optimal reading position for this activity. The book stand telescopes, tilts, swivels, yaws, and generally assumes an inexhaustible number of positions to put your book at the exact position for preferred reading. And once that optimal position is obtained, you can fade to sleep after a few paragraphs secure in the knowledge that the book will not fall on your face. At $179.95 this could be a great gift for the reader in your life.
Star Wars Yoda Lightsaber – First, let me state this – Light Sabers are not real. They are an imaginary weapon that a Jedi Knight would put to use in vanquishing a foe. With that said, you can get an exact duplicate of the famous fake weapon from the Star Wars Saga. Fans of the movies will enjoy the original swooshing and humming sounds as they wield their trusty saber against any number of pretend foes. At $149.00, true fans of the series – may be the crowd paying $150 for a fake light saber – will want to note the color of the blade when ordering, typically green for good, red for evil.
Robotic Pugilists – The 21st equivalence of Rockem Sockem Robots (if you’re old enough to remember them), the Robotic Pugilists are remote control boxing robots that duke it out when you and a friend get down to business. The robots spin, jab, bob, hook, and punch each other until one is victorious. There is also a single player mode to practice, so that you can fine tune your skills before the big match. $59.95 (Rocky music sold separately)
CD/DVD Title Printer -With the proliferation of CD and DVD burners in today’s laptops, a lot of people are burning their own material. Now, there is nothing wrong with investing in a few good Sharpies, but the CD/DVD Title Printer gives you a more professional looking end product. Five fonts and 650 symbols allow you to be expressive in your labeling, and even let you mark those private video discs accordingly in large, easy to read warning letters. It will make a nice gift for those that make their own music and movies. $129.95
I think these gifts can make great presents to find under any tree this holiday season… especially the hard to buy for people on your list. Or maybe you would like to receive one of these as a gift? Which one is your favorite? And maybe if you’ve been a good boy or girl… who knows, maybe Santa will make a visit to your house this Christmas.
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Lots and Lots and Lots of new for you:
YouMail Inc., (www.youmail.com), the premier mobile consumer voicemail service, today announced that Sprint customers are now able to easily get YouMail on their mobile phones, with no extra charges. Sprint users can now access YouMail’s visual voicemail application on their BlackBerry® smartphones and Android phones, and take advantage of YouMail’s award winning features that unlock voicemail from their wireless phone and carrier.
Continue reading “YouMail Visual Voicemail Now Available on Sprint for Free”
Nokia today announced that the highly anticipated Nokia N900 is now on sale in the United States and shipping to consumers who jumped on the opportunity to be among the first to pre-order the Maemo-powered mobile computer. With the Linux-based Maemo platform and with multiple ways to connect to the Internet, the Nokia N900 enables users to be online as it happens with a powerful computer in the palm of their hands.
"Consumers from every segment of the population are looking for more out of their mobile device – more power, more ability, more connectivity. The Nokia N900 ushers in a new era with a very powerful mobile computer," said Alessandro Lamanna, Vice President, Retail Sales, Nokia. "With an open source operating system, incorporated technology like an OMAP processor, and real time web widgets, the Nokia N900 delivers the experience of a pocketable computer that has the information you’re looking for right there waiting for you thanks to the ability to be connected just about anywhere."
Continue reading “A Computer in Your Pocket – The Nokia N900 is Here!”
Today for review our friends over at MobileFun have sent me a very unique Bluetooth headset. It’s called the Bluetrek Bizz, it’s a BT headset and a USB drive in one, it might sound like a funky idea but it’s not. It utilizes a microSD card for storage actually that is hidden under the earpiece, it also doubles as a card reader as well. The USB connection though is not only for the card reader but that’s how you charge th headset as well, there’s no need for an additional charger, just any USB port will do. So read on…
Info:
Bluetrek Bizz Bluetooth Headset
The Bluetrek Bizz is a unique combination of a Bluetooth Headset and a portable Flash Memory Drive.
Features:
* Small and light Bluetooth headset.
* Also works as a flash drive and a microsd card reader.
* Over 6 days standby time.
* Works with any Bluetooth phones and devices.
* Supports voice dialling.
* Extra loops and buds for maximum comfort
Specifications:
* Talk time: Up to 7 hrs
* Standby time: Up to 150 hrs
* Weight:10.3g
* Bluetooth:V2.0
* Range: 10m
Box Contents:
* Bluetrek BIZZ USB Flash Memory Bluetooth Headset
* 3 x Ergobuds
* Lanyard
* USB cable
* 2 x Earhooks
What’s in the Box?:
The Bluetrek Bizz comes in a nice shiny black and silver box, it shows off the product nicely.
Inside the box you’ll find the headset, two ear loops (one attached already), lanyard, USB cable and four ear buds (one attached tot eh headset already)
The headset itself is small and very lightweight weighing only about 10 grams. It’s silver and black and only has one button on it for pairing, answering and ending calls. It’s kind of plain really, not too flashy.
There are two special feature here really, the microSD slot for storage and the ability to be charged from any USB port. You won’t need any extra charge to take with you, and I think that’s a great feature in itself.
The miscoSD slot is hidden right above the USB connection, if you’re not looking you might just miss it.
Installation, Performance and Comparison:
First off I have to say that I hate ear loops and I always have, I just find them extremely uncomfortable especially since I’ve got light sensitive eyes and wear sunglasses most of the time. Thankfully with the Bluetrek Bizz you don’t have to wear the ear loop, at least I didn’t have to. So there’s a major plus right there for this headset. As far as being comfortable, yes it is without using the loop, and it stays in place through regular activities.
The idea that you can use it also as a USB drive is an interesting concept that works well honestly, don’t expect super speeds, it’s average compared to any other card reader like this though. It works and works well. It truly is a nice idea though, to be able to not have to carry a USB drive with you, you can truly travel light and no one would even know you have a USB drive. It’s like a James Bond gadget really, kind of cool!
I used the Bluetrek Bizz with my AT&T Tilt and the Pantech Reveal, I had no problems pairing it with either phone and subsequent pairing worked well also.
It only has one button on it that’s used for basically making calls, there’s no volume controls at all on the headset. This might bother some people, but personally I use the volume control on my phone so it’s not a big deal for me.
Call quality was decent, not the best though, worse than my Jawbone2 that I use all of the time. It wasn’t horrible though, it was acceptable, I didn’t have to yell or anything, and the speaker volume is nice and loud so you can easily hear the other person, it just sounded kind of muffled.
I go the rated battery life from it with no problems there.
Most of our phones these days utilize the microSD card format, so basically the Bizz can double as storage for a second card if need be. It’s a neat little headset really…
Conclusion:
The Bluetrek Bizz BT Headset is not a bad choice if you’re looking for a very unique Bluetooth headset. If you want to travel light and be able to take your data with you clandestinely then this is the headset for you.
Call quality isn’t the best, but it’s not the worst I’ve heard either.
The fact that you can use it as a USB drive is a nice plus, as is the fact that you can charge it from any USB port.
Pros:
+Can be worn without ear loops
+Unique and useful idea
+Easy to use
Cons:
-Ear loop is rather uncomfortable
-No volume controls
-Not the best sound quality
I would like to thank MobileFun for the chance to review the Bluetrek Bizz and for their support of iGadget Life.
