Handy Gadgets

Pass & Seymour have introduced the new Home Locator Switch which can be activated to indicate the location of your home to visitors unsure of the precise location. ‘The Home Locator combines security with convenience. Party guests, delivery people and first-time visitors can easily spot a house when the Switch is activated," said Maria Del Amo-Lombardo, product manager for P&S. "It also works like a regular light switch and can be used every day. A paddle switch allows residents to manually turn a porch or garage light on and off. A push button switch below the paddle activates the Home Locator, turning the light on and off automatically and continuously.’

Read: Locator Switch distinguishes house by flashing lights. – Thomas Net

Posted by Admin at 1:13 AM | Permalink

A review of the Westinghouse W4207 LCD TV has been posted over at CNET. ‘The elusive $1,000 barrier is about to be broken once again, and this time by the Westinghouse W4207, the least expensive 42-inch flat-panel LCD we've ever reviewed. This monitor lacks a tuner, so you'll need to connect a cable or satellite box to watch TV, but otherwise there's nothing missing. Decent picture quality, plenty of inputs, and understated style mark the W4207 as tough competition for the former champions of the LCD price space: Vizio's GV42L HDTV and L42 HDTV models. We gave those sets higher overall scores, but that's only because they include HDTV tuners. If you don't plan to connect an antenna, the Westinghouse W4207 is the best big-screen LCD bargain around, at least for now.’

Read: Westinghouse W4207 LCD TV - CNET

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The Dual Wireless Headphone Portable DVD Player from Hammacher Schlemmer allows two viewers to enjoy a movie at the same time using two separate pairs of headphones. This task is accomplished using an integral FM radio that transmits the audio wirelessly from the DVD. This is the perfect item to share a movie with that special friend on a night out when two is the only company around. 'The player has two neodymium magnet-driven speakers for use without the headphones that produce robust low-frequency sound without distortion. The headphones have padded earcups and adjustable headbands. It has a composite video ouput and coaxial digital audio output for connection to a TV or stereo system. Plugs into an AC or DC outlet, or can play movies for up to three hours on its rechargeable lithium battery.'

Hammacher Schlemmer: Product Page Via: Oh Gizmo

Posted by Admin at 2:49 PM | Permalink

If you ride a motorcycle (and even if you don't) the review of the Hyper Lite Motorcycle LED Lights on Web Bike World should be of interest since the information is geared to enhance the safety of the rider on the road. 'Hyper-Lites use LEDs exclusively in their products and they have several styles and configurations available, and some are specific to particular motorcycle makes and models. You can choose from two modules with 8 super bright LEDs in each, one 16 LED module or even two 16 LED modules. Now that’s some serious light with only a mere 280 milliamp draw! Some of their kits can also operate as additional running lights and turn signal lights in addition to functioning as brake lights. They can even customize a set for you.'

Read: Hyper Lite Motorcycle LED Lights - Web Bike World

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If you can live without the esthetics of its more classy competitors, the $15 Voz Headphones from C.Crane is advertised to deliver great sound at a fraction of the cost. 'These headphones may be the first great sounding headphones at a low, affordable price. They have very good bass response for music, and accurate audio for talk radio. Their amazing sound quality is especially apparent when listening to a good digital source such as a CD. Adjustable headband with large, ear cushions. 7-ft cord. Weight: 3.5 oz.'

C.Crane: Voz Headphones

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The new Vibe Modaphones [earphones] from V-Moda do not have to be inserted into your ear canals as most earphones are designed to be which can prove pretty unpleasant depending on the quality of the device. V-Moda however boasts of Vibe being a hi-fidelity earphone that “allows discerning music enthusiasts to experience state-of-the-art audio on the go”. The earphones weigh 12 grams and are”designed to coordinate with the iPod, the new Zune and other portable music players, as well as modern apparel and fashion accessories”. ‘Premium metal composition and superior technology enable a sculpted response curve fashioned for the discerning audio enthusiast, providing a precise balance of rich bass, warm mids and unprecedented clarity. Utilizing V-MASQUE dynamic driver technology, VIBE is able to achieve a precise yet natural soundstage in comparison to other high-end earphones. BLISS (Bass Level Isolating Soft Silicon) technology further reduces outside noise for a precise and rich bass response (frequency 12Hz to 22Hz).’

V-Moda: Modaphones Via: Popgadget

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Scared of using the snow plough? No Problem! The Liquid Ice Melt solution from Storm Team is one of the products on the market which only needs to be applied to the pathway or doorway to rid the area of accumulations of ice and snow. The process is achieved without the use of salt, brine, corn, magnesium chloride-or any flammable or corrosive ingredients of any kind. 'Storm Team(TM) Liquid Ice Melt, is among the most environmentally friendly snow and ice melt product available today. Ideal for side walks, parking lots, ramps, equipment, roofs and more. This unique formula features chemicals with special inhibitors designed to quickly melt ice or snow upon contact. Storm Team(TM) is easy and safe to apply and when used properly it melts existing ice and snow on contact.'

Read: Liquid Ice Melt instantly dissolves snow and ice. Thomas Net

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A "hands on" review of the Monster AVL-300 - Home Theater and Lighting Controller has been posted over at Popgadget. 'The configuration software is web based – Plug the remote into the computer via the USB cable, pick your settings, and just sync it up. Hooray! The real magic comes when devising control Activites to manipulate several devices with a single press of a button. With a little tweaking it's possible to fully automate all home theater compononts. I’ve found it useful to put the charging cradle on the table where I always throw my remote control to keep the battery fully charged. There’s no harm in constantly charging the remote so I’ve just been storing it on the cradle, but even after a week of trying to empty the battery I’m still at half power.'

Read: Face Time: Monster AVL-300 - Popgadget

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A review of the affordable SanDisk Sansa c250 MP3 Player has been posted on CNET. 'The physical design of the Sansa c200 is nothing special, but it works. It's almost identical to the c100, except controls (Fast-forward, Reverse, Play/Pause, Menu/Power, and a center Select key) are laid out in a square rather than a circle. The c200 measures 3.1x1.4x0.6 inches, so it's not the most compact device on the block, but it can fit in a pocket. Around the edges of the player you'll find a well-placed dedicated volume toggle, a MicroSD slot, a proprietary USB connector, a record button, a hold switch, and a standard headphone jack. The drab, 1.5-inch screen sits on the front of the c200, just left of the control pad. The Sansa c200 has one of the simplest interfaces we've ever used, yet it's also extremely boring. There's no album art support; text font is uninspired and displayed on a dull blue background--we get depressed just looking at it. At least the top menu is icon-driven, with images representing various selections. You can also view photos (while listening to music) on the c200, but we don't recommend it: photo color appears washed-out. You can adjust the screen's brightness, but resolution and contrast is poor. The FM tuner, however, is pretty decent, and includes a recorder, an auto-scanner, and up to 20 (oddly unnumbered) presets. A pin hole microphone lets you record voice. '

Read: SanDisk Sansa c250 (2GB) - CNET

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The Chinavasion MP4 Player Watch may for now only be available from the company website but this gadget is sure to capture the imagination especially of the younger consumer who have become accustomed to retrieving time from the cell phone instead of a wrist watch. The 'Watch MP4 Player 2GB' can display the time and date however this gadget is a digital media player with a 1.5-inch full colour video screen on which you can can watch videos and browse your digital pictures. Additionally, you can listen to your MP3 music files and and record sound on the player.

How The MP4 Player Watch Works:
• Earphones are supplied and plug into a 2.5mm jack in the side of the MP4 Watch.
• You can upload music and videos and pictures to the watch via USB from PC. A USB cable is supplies and plugs into a mini USB port on the side of the watch.
• The opening for the mini USB port has a built in microphone so you can record sound like a dictaphone.
• The watch charges via USB.
• To play videos you need to use the included conversion software to compress and resize the video for the watch (to NXV format)
• The on-screen menu lets you choose the mode (music + video / clock / voice rec) or select different setup options.

Chinavasion: MP4 Player Watch Via: Oh Gizmo>

Posted by Admin at 1:57 AM | Permalink

CNET have reviewed the "affodable" Nintendo Wii gaming console. 'Nintendo has ventured off the beaten path with its newest system, and the company knows it. While the Sony PlayStation 3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360 both emphasize their impressive graphical capabilities, Nintendo downplays the importance of graphics on its new console. While the Sony and Microsoft consoles keep the branding of their respective predecessors, the oddly named Wii is a semantic departure from Nintendo's more literally named 2001 console, the GameCube. And while the PS3 and the Xbox 360 both use conventional gamepads bristling with buttons, control sticks, and directional pads, the Wii uses a device that looks more like a TV remote than a gamepad to control its games. These strange choices could have spelled failure for Nintendo's newest endeavor. Underplaying processing power, using a strange new controller setup, and giving the whole package an odd name could have been major mistakes for Nintendo. (Consider some of the company's earlier attempts to go against the grain: the Power Glove and the Virtual Boy.) But if our early experience with the Wii is any indication, this particular Nintendo gamble seems likely to pay off. It's strange, it's new, and it's not as powerful as its competitors, but the Nintendo Wii succeeds in its primary mission: it's fun to play. '

Read: Nintendo Wii - CNET

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A review of the Sony's PlayStation 3 next-generation gaming console has been posted 0ver at CNET. 'Sony has been showing off prototypes of the PS3 for the last 18 months, and though the exact dimensions of the final unit were in doubt, the PS3's general shape and glossy finish have been set in stone for a while. Though it's been overshadowed in recent years by Apple's leading-edge MP3 players and computers, the PS3's sexy shape and futuristic look is ample evidence that the company's renowned design standards are alive and well. One look at its glossy exterior and touch-sensitive power and eject buttons on its face, and you can see why it might cost what it does. Like the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, the PS3 can stand vertically or lie horizontally in an A/V rack, though because of its curved top, it's not meant to have any other components resting on top of it. We saw early prototypes in white and silver colors, but at launch, the PS3 will be available only in black--the 20GB version is all black, the 60GB version is highlighted with a chrome trim--and there's no way to customize its look as you can with Xbox 360's interchangeable, if overpriced, faceplates. '

Read: Sony PlayStation 3 (60GB) - CNET

Posted by Admin at 1:32 AM | Permalink

The Toasty Toes Personal Heater described as the "heating pad for your feet", provides thermostatically-controlled heat to feet and legs, thereby allowing you to concentrate on your work or leasure without the distraction occasioned by "cold feet". 'Measuring 12 x 18 x 5 in., thermostatically controlled Toasty Toes offers 3 positions, including mat, ergonomic footrest, and vertical heat panel. Unit plugs into any 110 V outlet, drawing 90 W and 0.8 A. It produces no space-heater-related hazards such as fires, burns, explosions, indoor air pollution, or carbon monoxide poisoning. Applications include desk, conference room, shipping table, security or ticket booth, repair shops, and production lines.'

Read: Footrest provides heat relief to cold feet and legs. - Thomas Net

Posted by Admin at 12:36 PM | Permalink

The CCRadio plus from C. Crane is not only an AM- FM radio but provides access to Weather and TV Audio for channels 2-13 which should suffice to keep you up-to-date especially when you are away from the home or office. 'The first thing you'll notice when you take the CCRadioplus out of the box is the weight, on my digital scale it weighs in at slightly over 4 pounds without batteries, that's double the weight of any of my other portable radios. At first I wondered if the cabinet wasn't some other substance than plastic, when you tap it with a fingernail it's way more solid feeling and sounding than any other plastic radio I've ever owned. It comes in two colors Black Mica and Platinum, which is black and silver for you and me. My test unit is the Black Mica, and it's an attractive radio in an elegant, understated way. This is an expensive radio, and it looks like it and it feels like it.'

Read: Read the Hardware Maniac's CCradio plus Review

Posted by Admin at 9:49 PM | Permalink

Sony has launched the new Nav-U [Model NV-U71T] personal navigation system which "helps drivers map destination, locate points of interest, and avoid traffic congestion by providing alternate route choice". 'Ready to use right out of the box, this slimmer, easy-to-use device helps drivers map a destination, locate points of interest, find home again and avoid traffic congestion. With an included RDS-TMC real-time traffic receiver built into a supplied cradle, the device notifies drivers of heavy traffic areas and automatically gives them an alternate route choice. The real-time traffic service requires a separate subscription, but drivers will receive the first 90 days free of charge. For continued traffic service, a subscription will cost $4.95 a month after the initial trial period.'

Read: Personal Navigation System offers driver mapping tools. Thomas Net

Posted by Admin at 12:15 AM | Permalink

The Volta strapping battery pack add-on for your iPod is touted by its manufacturer, Sonnet Technologies, as being able to deliver 80 hours of music playback or 16 hours of video on a single charge. 'Featuring a slim and sleek design, Volta's case is made from rugged aluminum with a glossy black finish. The iPod simply docks to Volta, which clips to the back of the iPod (a spacer pad is included for the slimmer iPod model). The combined unit stands for easy viewing and features four LEDs on the front to indicate charging status and remaining charge level.' This device is available to Japanese consumers at present but the company has an English Language website where the it is priced at $70.

Source: Sonnet Via: Trusted Reviews

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James Kim writing over at CNET has reviewed the Sirius Stiletto 100 Portable Satellite Receiver.The Sirius Stiletto 100 features a built-in antenna that can receive live SIRIUS broadcasts without having to be docked in either of its optional car or home cradles. 'The device itself is unusual. Measuring 4.5x2x0.7 inches (and weighing 4.6 ounces), it appears very unstiletto-like. In fact, it's more like a clog. The device's thickness is accented by the standard battery pack that juts out the backside. Impressively, the Stiletto actually ships with two batteries, the second being thinner and sitting flush with the rest of the backside (more on the batteries later). The Stiletto's chunkiness doesn't bother me. It's durable and certainly pocketable, and the overall industrial design matches well with the device's musical heart. You can't fully understand the Stiletto, however, until you've seen its 2.25-inch screen, which is larger than the Inno/Helix. The screen is bright and rich with colors, although it does attract fingerprints. The icon-based main menu is simple: Satellite radio, Internet radio, Library, Radio replays, Recording, and Settings. Each menu option lights up as you pass over it, and the combination of the sharp fonts, oversized graphics and audio feedback gives the Stiletto 100 an aura similar to the Sony PSP. As one observer noted, it's like a video game.'

Read: Sirius Stiletto 100 - CNET

Posted by Admin at 4:11 AM | Permalink

Maha Energy, the maker of Powerex batteries and chargers has announced the release of the new MH-C9000 WizardOne Battery Charger & Analyzer. 'In addition to the standard charging, conditioning and discharging, the WizardOne charger-analyzer also offers two unusual operations modes. The “Break-In” mode allows the user to input the capacity of the battery and performs a “forming” charge designed to properly break-in new batteries. The “Cycle” mode allows user to charge and discharge batteries consecutively while storing the capacity for up to 15 cycles. There are ten selectable charging and discharging current from 0.2A to 2.0A and 0.1A to 1.0A respectively. The charger also features four independent temperature sensors using Maha’s latest temperature rise detection algorithm in addition to the usual peak temperature detection. It also armed with additional patented termination algorithms found in other Maha chargers.'

Read: Maha Announces a Battery Charger-Analyzer from the Future! - Flashlight News

Posted by Admin at 3:44 PM | Permalink

Streamlight has introduced the Twin-Task Laser Combo flashlight designed especially to assist technicians in identifying problems. 'The Twin-Task - 3AAA Laser Combo features a Xenon bulb that can be adjusted for spot-to-flood focus, five ultra bright white LEDs that last for 100,000 hours, and a pre-focused red laser cartridge. The flashlight offers push-button, three-position lighting, including a Laser/Xenon bulb setting with adjustable focus, an LED only setting and a Laser only setting. The laser pointer features a useable range of approximately 100 feet when in the Laser/Xenon position and approximately 100 yards in the Laser only mode Powered by three "AAA" size alkaline batteries and weighing 7.04 oz., the Twin-Task - 3AAA Laser Combo is lightweight, durable and versatile. The Xenon bulb provides up to 57 lumens (typical) of incandescent light for a maximum of 2 hours and 15 minutes, while the five white LEDs offer up to 21 lumens (typical) of LED light for up to 12 hours.'

Read: Flashlight combines Xenon bulb, LEDs, and laser pointer. - Thomas Net

Posted by Admin at 3:47 AM | Permalink

CNET previews the Sony PlayStation 3 (60GB) video console. 'Like the PS2 did for DVDs, the PS3 hopes to give a boost to the nascent Blu-ray movie format, going so far as to include the Blu-ray version of the Will Ferrell comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby as an add-in. The console's built-in Blu-ray drive allows it to double as a high-def movie player, making its otherwise hefty $500-to-$600 price tag seem like a bargain compared to that of dedicated stand-alone Blu-ray players, which bottom out at $1,000. Every PlayStation 3 will come with an HDMI port, which guarantees high-def playback of Blu-Ray movies and PS3 games, though the system will not ship with an HDMI cable. Blu-ray will be the format of choice for PS3 games, and the high-density discs offer much more storage space than those of Sony's competitors; Blu-ray discs max out at 50GB and can theoretically go to 100GB or 200GB, while the Microsoft Xbox 360 and (as far as we can determine) Nintendo Wii use standard DVDs, which top out at a comparatively cramped 8.5GB.'

Read: Sony PlayStation 3 (60GB) - CNET

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Microsoft's Zune Portable Media Player has been reviewed over at CNET. 'Earlier this year, the idea of a Microsoft-branded MP3 player was foreign to most consumers. After all, what could the software giant do to the iPod dynasty that Windows Media hardware partners such as Creative, iRiver, and Samsung had been unable to do? Well, we all knew that after Microsoft's September 14 announcement, the Zune would be a different kind of portable media player, one that integrates wireless technology for Zune-to-Zune sharing of files, and one that works within a closed Zune Marketplace ecosystem. The hard drive device, which comes in black, white, or the love-it/hate-it brown, will enter the real world on November 14. I was lucky enough to test-drive the device today, and here are my first impressions.'

Read: Microsoft Zune (30GB, black) - CNET

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The Disney Mix Max Player features a 2.2-inch color display and 512 MB of internal memory, holds up to 240 songs or 6 hours of video, plays full-length movies and TV shows, as well as music videos and digital photos. 'Designed for kids and tweens, the Mix Max Player (MMP) measures about 4x2x0.5 inches and weighs hardly anything. It has contoured corners and a soft, glossy plastic finish that can definitely withstand some punishment. It's extremely pocketable and fairly easy to use, even though it can play back music, video, and photo files. To the right of the 2.2-inch QCIF+ color screen (that's 220x176 pixels/30 frames per second) are the main controller buttons, which form the shape of Mickey Mouse's head. Mickey's face is actually a tactile five-way controller, and the left and right ears are the Menu and Mix It buttons, respectively. The Mix It button activates a fancy version of the shuffle feature (with brains). Thoughtfully designed for kid fingers, the petite buttons are actually a tad difficult to press; it's particularly noticeable when navigating menus.'

Read: Disney Mix Max Player (Pink) - CNET

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A review of the GPS enabled Mio DigiWalker P550 PDA has been posted over at Trusted Reviews. 'The device has the usual arrangement of four buttons surrounding a central joystick. One is an on/off button, but pressing any of the buttons wakes up the device. The bottom left is mapped to the contacts list, while the top right takes you back to the main menu screen. The top left button switches the screen between landscape and portrait mode and works quickly, which is good. On the left hand side you’ll find an SD card slot along with a headphone socket. The right hand side is devoid of anything save for serial numbers and a tiny hole that is a microphone – not a reset switch as I at first thought. This is in fact on the underside along with a ‘proper’ on/off switch and a mini USB port.'

Read: Mio DigiWalker P550 Navigation PDA - Trusted Reviews

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Unless you are prepared to shell out $1,275 for a classy clamshell phone, the new Serene handset may not be the one for you. The Serene phone from Bang & Olufsen is the world's first flip phone with a power-assist clamshell to boot. The phone is however a simple device for the user and it comes with music playback, video, games and custom ring tones; all the the features you have come to expect from your cellphone. Additionally, there is an external screen so you know who's calling before you open the phone. The Serene is set for retail in Bang & Olufsen stores in the coming months.

Read: The cell phone costs $1,275. In love yet? - CNET

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If you experience a problem with the annoying ring of an alarm clock on mornings, you may be relieved to learn of a less disruptive alternative which takes the form of a lamp. Phillips (Royal Philips Electronics) has designed a wake-up lamp which they claim to be medically proven that "Emits light that gradually increases to the intensity you have selected, simulating the rising sun in your bedroom thus gently preparing your body to wake up". As you are supposed to be in bed with the lamp close by, the light should fall on your eyes and send a message to your brain to reduce the production of melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone. The Wake-up light should therefore eliminate the uncomfortable experience of being jolted out of your slumber by an on-time alarm clock.

Phillips Products Via: Gear Live

Posted by Admin at 3:40 PM | Permalink

Mark Murphy writing over at the Gadgeteer has reviewed the Brando USB MP3 Pen. 'In the package comes a tiny instruction manual, a USB extension cable, an unlabeled mini-CD, a USB-AC adapter (for charging the device away from a computer), and earbuds – all packaged nicely in a gift tin. This device is a classic “jack of all trades/master of none”, in that while it does a wide variety of things, it doesn't do any of them terribly well. Let's start with its most refined, best implemented feature:'

Read: Brando USB MP3 Pen + FM Radio + Voice Recorder - The Gadgeteer

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The new scala-700 Bluetooth Headset features voice dial and re-dial, call waiting, conference calling, call reject, and noise reduction. 'At 2 inches long by 1 inch wide by 0.75 inch thick, and just 0.41 ounce, the Scala 700 is very compact and lightweight. The headset is shaped like a teardrop and is cased in silver and black. A large control button with the company logo sits on the face of the headset, along with a status light. A slender rocker wheel sits at the top of the headset next to the charger jack. We found the control button easy to press, and while the wheel is small, it's sufficiently tactile--we had no problem rocking it back and forth or pressing it while wearing the headset.'

Read: Cardo Scala 700 Bluetooth Headset - CNET

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