Handy Gadgets

The Matsunichi's MF228 Football MP3 Player may create a stir among some avid football fans but I am not too convinced the technophiles would be too "bowled over" with the design of this device. Be that as it may, the player features a 80 x 48 pixel display, supports MP3, WMA and WAV files, has FM and voice recording, 10 hours of battery life off of a built-in rechargeable battery, and an epic 256MB or 512MB memory capacity. The player also outsizes the 37.4mm diameter Shiro AS at 45.2mm and is due out on 1st May.

Sources: Engadget; The MP3 Players

Posted by Admin at 3:30 PM | Permalink

CNET previews the feature-rich Korean version of the Cowon iAudio 6 4GB MP3 Player set to launch in the USA on May 1. 'The Cowon iAudio 6 follows in the Cowon tradition of being packed to the gills with features. The iAudio 6 is an MP3, WMA (DRM 10), OGG, FLAC, and WAV audio player; an MPEG-4 (AVI) video player; a photo viewer, complete with a 3-by-3 grid of thumbnails; and a voice and line-in recorder. Graphics and data pop off the colorful, 160x180-pixel OLED screen. Photos and video, as small as they are, are sharp and easy on the eyes. The new icon-based main-menu system is arranged in a slick rainbow curve, and the dedicated menu and volume buttons come in handy as you tackle the iAudio 6's array of features.'

Read: Cowon iAudio 6 (4GB) Preview - CNET

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Associated Press reports on the news of the super-capacity Barracuda 750-Gigabyte Disk Drive which was recently released by Seagate Technology LLC. 'Scotts Valley-based Seagate, the world's largest disk-drive maker, is first releasing the product as an internal drive for PC makers. Next week, it plans to introduce external hard drives -- add-ons that consumers can use to supplement their existing computer setups -- with a suggested retail price of $559. After that, Seagate plans to introduce versions for other consumer electronics, such as digital video recorders that are growing in popularity as standalone set-top-boxes or part of cable and satellite television receivers. '

Read: Technology Review

Posted by Admin at 1:53 AM | Permalink

There is still a role for the pocket radio especially if you only desire to access programming from the AM and FM bands. Sangean has been providing quality radios for many years and in the heyday of shortwave broadcasting, the company manufactured some of the popular brands [sold as Siemens in other markets] of short wave radios. 'Tuck it in your pocket and enjoy AM, FM stereo and TV audio (channels 2-13) programs. Big features include 20 memory presets, auto scanning, Deep Bass Boost (DBB), power indicator and automatic 90-minute shutoff. Ea buds and carry case included. Runs for 35 hours on just ONE AAA battery (not included). 90-day warranty. Weight: 1.7 ozs. Size: 1.9" W x 3.7" H x 0.7" D.'

Source:C Crane

Posted by Admin at 12:30 PM | Permalink

The absence of a carrier translates into a somewhat higher price for the Sony Ericsson W810i but the impressive device comes with an improved keypad; great music quality; Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera, an MP3 player, a memory card slot, and a speakerphone. ' Last year, Sony Ericsson definitely had orange on the brain. Both its W800i and W600i Walkman phones came in orange skins (granted, you could replace the faceplates on the W600i), as did the Walkman music player interface. For the Sony Ericsson W810i, however, the company took a slightly different track and dressed the phone in basic black. Sure, the Walkman interface is still the color of the Florida-grown citrus fruit, but the black exterior provides a nice contrast. At 3.9 by 1.8 by 0.8 inches and 3.5 ounces, it's exactly the same size as the W800i, and it retains the solid, comfortable feel in the hand. Surpassing many other cell phones in quality, the rich, vibrant display supports 262,144 colors and measures 1.8 inches diagonally (176x220 pixels).'

Features:
•4X Digital zoom
•Camera 2 megapixel
•Camera integrated
• Photo light
•Video Clip
•Video record
•Video streaming
•Autofocus
• Picture editor
•Picture effects
•Picture phonebook
•Picture wallpaper
•Screensaver

Read: Sony Ericsson W810i Review - CNET

Posted by Admin at 1:12 AM | Permalink

Tech Digest highlights the The WMF espresso machine which is apparently engineered to fit into the car and deliver your latte right there in the middle of the downtown traffic. I am not altogether sure you would not be infringing some traffic regulation while sipping away but for sure you would not want to arrive for your driving test with this device ready to use. Of course, when you have stopped your engine and parked the vehicle, I can see just how the coffee machine would come in handy. 'The WMF espresso machine features in Audi's latest concept car (the Roadjet) and sits neatly in the central arm rest between the passenger. WMF claim their machine is "fully functional" and "provides fresh coffee at the touch of a button". Now presuming you'll have to top this up before you set off on a journey, I would be very worried about a spillage occurring during a traffic slowdown.'

Source: Tech Digest

Posted by Admin at 11:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Is your raincoat waterproof? Strange question isnt it? Well the truth be told most of the ordinary throw-away rain covers are more of a nuisance anytime time the raindrops come pounding down. When they are not filtering the water to your clothing underneath they are ensuring you become soaked as a result of the rise in temperature due to the non-breatheable fabric from which they are constructed.TravelSmith seeks to addres these two concerns with the $170 Men's Packable Classic Raincoat. 'Made of suede-soft microfiber, and a high tech membrane that's totally waterproof yet breathable - like Gore-Tex® - but at a fraction of the cost. Sealed seams throughout ensure water-tightness. Best of all, each folds into a compact travel pouch that slips easily into any carry-on. All styles are as impervious to fashion trends as they are to rain and wind. Generous fit. Machine wash on gentle cycle.'

Source: Travel Smith

Posted by Admin at 2:18 AM | Permalink

If you desire a Blu-ray Disc home player from Sony you will have to wait about mid-August before you can physically lay your hands on one. 'The Sony BDP-S1 features 1920 x 1080p output, the highest HD signal output currently available through a HDMI™ connection. If your HD-capable television does not have an HDMI connection, you can still get the Blu-ray experience - the 1080i analog output allows for HD-capable televisions without HDMI to enjoy Blu-ray Disc features. The BDP-S1 is also compatible with standard DVDs with the added feature of 1080p upscaling through HDMI, which gives new life to existing DVDs libraries3. BD-Java interactivity will further enhance the BD entertainment experience, allowing for development of advanced interactive features. '

Sources: Engadget; Sony

Posted by Admin at 10:56 PM | Permalink

Samsung gets out of the blocks with one of the first (and I daresay, affordable) high-definiton players using the Blu-ray format. 'While the BD-P1000 is among the cheapest of the first batch of Blu-ray decks, $1,000 is still a big chunk of change for any player--no, they don't record. By comparison, it's double the cost of the entry-level Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD player. Furthermore, the Pioneer BDP-HD1 offers one feature the rest of the competition does not: home networking courtesy of an Ethernet jack and some fancy software. The PlayStation 3's November release date is yet another reason to wait before you buy. The console promises to play Blu-ray discs for a price that, while currently undisclosed, is expected to be closer to $500 than to $1,000.'

Read: CNET's quick guide to HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray.

Read: Samsung BD-P1000 Preview - CNET

Posted by Admin at 5:21 AM | Permalink

Inside Line reports on the "show stopping" appearance of the 2007 Hyundai Elantra at a recent auto show. 'Hyundai has totally overhauled its compact Elantra sedan for model-year 2007, using the auto show here to stage the car's world introduction.The fourth-generation Elantra is the seventh new or redesigned product from the Korean auto giant in the past 24 months, what the company refers to as its "24/7" plan. In addition to all-new sheet metal, Hyundai also is bragging about the car's standard safety features — antilock brakes, six airbags, active head restraints — as well as its roomy cabin (more space than a Toyota Corolla or a Honda Civic, the company says).'

Read: 2007 Hyundai Elantra Makes World Debut - Inside Line

Posted by Admin at 4:16 AM | Permalink

Paul A.Eisenstein explains the reasoning behind the development of the "Hybrid vehicle" and previews the features of some of the 2006 automobiles. 'The concept behind the hybrid is simple: recapture energy normally wasted during braking and coasting and store it in a modest-sized battery. When the hybrid needs a burst of power, that energy can be used to run an electric motor paired up with the vehicle's internal combustion engine. Some hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius, can also operate in electric-only mode, though only at slow speeds and for relatively short distances. Then there are so-called "mybrids," or "mild hybrids," such as the hybrid version of Chevrolet's big Silverado. Its battery stores only a minimal amount of energy and doesn't provide much of a boost in range, but the pickup does have the ability to serve as a mobile, 110-volt generator for a work or campsite.'

Read.

Source: The Car Connection

Posted by Admin at 2:08 PM | Permalink

It was bound to happen sooner or later but with digital communication being applied to most consumer gadgets the "good ole brollie" was long due for makeover. Enter the "Forecast Umbrella" with the capacity to deliver forecast information to the user. 'The Forecast umbrella provides information about the likelihood of rain so that users can make a simple, informed decision about whether to take their umbrella with them as they leave their home. Using existing WiFi technology to wirelessly pull information from the internet, Forecast's lighted umbrella handle glows more intensely with the increased chance of precipitation offering a clear and unobtrusive signal to the user.'

Sources: Gizmodo; Yanko Design

Posted by Admin at 3:36 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (1)

With the courtroom battles of the recent past firmly out of the way, Research in Motion [RIM], makers of the much adored Blackberry handhelds, along with T-Mobile, has sought to solidify its hold on this segment of the market with the addition of Intel processors and other features to a new set of devices. 'Unlike the RIM BlackBerry 7290 it replaces, the RIM BlackBerry 8700g offers a sleeker and more compact package at 4.3 by 2.7 by 0.7 inches and 4.7 ounces. Sure, it doesn't have the cell phone form factor of the BlackBerry 7100 series, and if you're new to BlackBerrys, the device's squarish shape will take acclimation, but in return, you get a full QWERTY keyboard and a spacious 2.5-inch-diagonal QVGA display. '

Features:
•Phone; Email; MMS; SMS; Wireless Data Access; Address book; Internet Browser;Calendar; Memo Pad; Tasks
•Dynamic, highly responsive experience when viewing attachments and graphics, browsing the web and running applications
•Access up to 10 supported business and/or personal email accounts
•Integrated attachment viewing for popular file formats
• MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) allows you to combine text and images on a single message*
•Bright, high-resolution screen provides large viewable workspace and includes intelligent light sensing technology to automatically optimize screen lighting levels for ideal indoor and outdoor viewing
•Built-in speakerphone for hands-free dialog and convenient conference calls with excellent sound quality
•Bluetooth® hands-free headset and car kit support
• Polyphonic and MP3 ring tones can be assigned to your contacts
• Ergonomic, full QWERTY keyboard for a familiar typing and data entry experience
• Large, dedicated "Send", "End" and "Mute" keys, plus user definable convenience keys v64 MB of memory
•Intel XScale® processor
• Quad-Band network support on 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM™/GPRS and EDGE networks* allows for international roaming between North America, Europe and Asia Pacific

Read:RIM BlackBerry 8700g Review - ZDNet

Posted by Admin at 5:05 AM | Permalink

Do you you wish to listen to you music files on your PC via your stereo equipment? One of the devices which can assist you in this task is the Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge which does the job without running cables through the house. Using a wireless connection, the Music Bridge frees your digital music collection from your computer speakers to play in full glory through your stereo or surround sound system. The Wireless-G Music Bridge sits by your home stereo and connects to it using standard consumer electronics cables. It then connects to your home network by Wireless-G wireless networking, or, via standard 10/100 Ethernet cabling.
'At first glance, the Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge ($100 list, less online) is just another network digital audio receiver. With it, you can hear your MP3s through the big speakers of your home stereo system by streaming the music files from your PC via your wired or wireless home network. But what's the attraction of the Linksys box, which lacks a front-panel display or a remote control, when other network audio devices offer those important interactive features? Simply put, the Wireless-G Music Bridge is one of only a handful of network media devices that's immune to copy-protection or DRM (digital rights management) issues. As a result, it can stream any digital audio that you can play on your PC--including songs purchased from iTunes. '

Read: Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge Review - CNET

Posted by Admin at 2:47 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (1)

Ian Grayson has penned an informative article on the use of 'consumer' GPS [Global Positioning System] navigation devices on Australian IT News.com.au. 'Global Positioning System technology, originally designed for the US military, is coming to the aid of directionally challenged people everywhere. No longer the exclusive domain of well-heeled gadget lovers, GPS devices are appearing in pockets and on car dashboards around the country. GPS relies on a constellation of 24 satellites orbiting Earth constantly.The orbits have been designed so that at any given time, at least four of the satellites are visible from almost any point on the globe. GPS receivers listen for these satellites that continuously transmit accurate time information.'

Read .

Source: Australian IT News

Posted by Admin at 1:08 PM | Permalink

No longer is "steaming" to be associated only with pressing as far the laundry is concerned but now with the use of a LG Tromm Steam Washer, you can now remove the dirt and grime from those clothes with the application of steam. This device uses a water heater to project the generated steam into a huge 4 cubic foot wash tub. Combination cycles provide both steam and water during the laundry process. The advantages of steam include a better cleaning method as steam is able to get deeper into cloth than water. This LG washer comes with a matching dryer and a wireless remote-laundering device. Of course this washer is not cheap and you will most likely have to pay around $1,500 for one.

Sources: Ubergizmo Gizmodo

Posted by Admin at 3:03 PM | Permalink

Driving along large stretches of highway and unfamiliar territory without any form of navigational aide can be pretty challenging but with the "affordable" GPS devices such as the TomTom GO 510 you can have access to the required map of any location. 'Make no mistake, the TomTom GO 510 is not to be overshadowed by its full-featured brother, the TomTom GO 910. The plug-and-play TomTom GO 510's merits include a new design with a larger 4-inch touch screen; an automatic light sensor; integrated Bluetooth for hands-free calling; and the inclusion of the company's new TomTom Home software, which lets you manage, download, and store additional content from your computer. The GO 510 also supports TomTom Plus services so that you can get real-time traffic and weather information, though this requires an additional subscription fee. The TomTom GO 510 is a good fit for those drivers who don't need all the sophisticated features of the GO 910 but could still use help in the navigation department; all the detailed maps of the United States and Canada come pre-installed on a 1GB SD card rather than on its hard drive. The TomTom GO 510 will be available in mid-April for around $699'

Features:
• New cutting-edge design
•High resolution, extra wide, 4 inch LCD touch screen, making the new TomTom GO range even easier to use
•Even more precise GPS performance
•Hundreds of features and software improvements
•TomTom HOME dock and TomTom HOME software to easily manage, download and store additional content from your computer
•Renowned hands-free calling functionality for easy and safe driving
•A fully integrated MP3 player for playing music, audiobooks, and podcasts
•New and updated TomTom PLUS content & services - TomTom PLUS is TomTom's offering of content and services to enhance users' navigation experience and make journeys as stress-free, personal, safe and fun as possible. TomTom's already substantial TomTom PLUS offering (Voices, Traffic and Weather), TomTom has added Audiobooks and Buddies. In addition, the company has improved TomTom Weather and expanded the TomTom Traffic service to include Road Conditions. TomTom PLUS is now available throughout the US and Europe.

Read: TomTom GO 510 Review - ZDNet

Posted by Admin at 5:34 AM | Permalink

Since Sony seems intent on manufacturing short wave radios do you think we can rest assured short wave radio broadcasts are guaranteed for the foreseeable future? I certainly hope so! I listen to my Sony radio at home and to a Grundig Mini while on the road to access up-to-the-minute news and analyses, particularly from the BBC. The Sony CF-SW7600GR radio would be a handy source of news and information whether you are at home or on the go. 'Sony presents the ICF-SW7600GR FM Stereo Multi-Band World Band Receiver™ Radio. Features include an AM (LW/MW/SW)/FM Stereo, which provides accurate reception with stereo FM capability over a wide range of frequencies, 10 Key Direct Access™ Tuning, which lets you capture distant stations directly, and an LCD Display providing digital frequency read-out of the selected station. Use the 100 Station Memory Presets to save up to 100 stations in memory. Sony -- making listening easy.'

Features:
• AM(LW/MW/SW)/FM Stereo Reception
•10 Key Direct Access™ Tuning
• Short Wave Guide Book
•PLL Quartz Frequency Synthesized Tuning
• Hold Button
• Compact Antenna
• Synchronous Detection Circuitry
• Auto Scan Tuning/Memory Scan
• SSB Reception
• 1KHz Step Tuning
• 100 Station Memory Presets
• World Time Clock/Dual Clock

Source: Sony Style

Posted by Admin at 3:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Ubergizmo highlights a new gizmo from Samsung set to hit the stores in the coming weeks. The capacity of the Samsung SBH-300 to handle audio seems impressive and the facility for voice recording opens us a whole set of opportunities for which this device would definitely come in handy. 'Samsung’s new SBH-300 Bluetooth digital audio player not only plays music, it doubles up as a Bluetooth stereo headset as well when hooked up to a Bluetooth-enabled handset. The SBH-300 offers a crisp 262k color OLED LCD display, MP3 playback, an FM tuner, voice recording, photo viewing, 2GB built-in flash memory, a microSD slot, and A2DP stereo Bluetooth connectivity. It measures 33.5mm x 66.2mm x 148mm and comes in either black or silver.'

Source: Ubergizmo

Posted by Admin at 3:39 AM | Permalink