Handy Gadgets

A "Hands-on" review of the Ziova CS505 high-definition network media player has been posted over at Gizmodo. 'First off, the format support is pretty complete, playing back just about everything we threw at it. There's DivX, of course, plus "Windows Media Video 9, XviD, Nero Digital™, MPEG-4, QuickTime MPEG-4, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, DVD and other formats." Audio support isn't taking a nap either, with FLAC, OGG, AAC, MP3, WM9, CD and various others. You'll be hard-pressed to find something this sucker doesn't play, unless you're talking about Real Media formats. The video quality is fantastic—noticeably better than the Helios and on par with the Oppo DV-981HD. Both DVDs and DivX files are played back at 1080i, which loses out to the Helios's 1080p, but isn't a huge deal unless you've got a very new set. It's the first player to support HDMI output with HDCP, but to most people that doesn't matter all that much.'

Read: Ziova CS505 Upscaling DivX/DVD Network Streamer Hands-on: Our Favorite Player Yet

Posted by Admin at 2:51 AM | Permalink

The Carry and Go Briefcase BBQ may not be too dissimilar in purpose from the traditional grill but the portable Barbeque has a lot going for it since, unlike the garage BBQ, it can be carried with you on the next hiking trip. 'The Carry and Go Briefcase BBQ is the latest in table-top, garden, patio, balcony, deck and park outdoor sizzlers - and it even comes with a carry case. Made from pressed steel, the 'Briefcase' folds out to provide a generous 48 x 35cm cooking area with integral wind breaks to stop your hot coals blowing all over the shop. Sturdy legs keep the whole caboodle off the ground to prevent you scorching anything, and it's a great deal more interesting and fun than a normal briefcase (and a lot less flammable). The carry bag is tough and comes with a shoulder strap, so it's a breeze to whisk off to your perfect BBQ spot. These portable barbeques are well made, well thought out, well good.'

Source: I Want one Of Those

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Laptop Magazine have published a review of the i-Theatre personal video display which offers big pictures on-the-go in a compact AV unit. 'Resembling the high-tech shades worn by the X-Men's Cyclops, i-O Display Systems' i-Theatre aims to bring the big-screen viewing experience to entertainment seekers on the go, whether they're sick of squinting at their iPod's display or want to block out their surroundings in coach class. While the headset offers mobile users private video screenings, the clunky nature of the i-Theatre-and the eye-strain that accompanies each viewing-keeps it from living up to its potentia Weighing only 3.5 ounces, the i-Theatre is about as light as a standard pair of glasses, which makes it comfortable to wear in everyday situations, assuming you don't mind people pointing and laughing at you. A rubber guard is included for cushioning the bridge of the nose from the i-Theatre's hard plastic body, and the included cords make connecting the headset to an iPod or other portable video player simple.'

Read: i-O Display Systems i-Theatre - Laptop Mag

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Web Bike World have published a review of the CamelBak Classic Hydration Backpack. 'I chose to go with the CamelBak "Classic", a 2.1 liter (70 ounce) backpack unit designed for bicyclists. In addition to its liquid holding capabilities, it features an external zip pocket for keys or other small items and a wraparound bungee cord system to hold a shirt or sweater on the back. It also has a low profile; mesh shoulder straps and even a few bits of reflective tape. I didn't have experience with a CamelBak and I didn't have my riding jacket with me that day, so I had to imagine how it might work while wearing protective gear and a full-face helmet. While trying various CamelBak units on for size I noticed that some of them had shoulder straps that would probably be much too short to fit around a riding jacket. But the “Classic” version seemed to have straps that would be long enough to fit.'

Read: CamelBak Hydration Backpack - Web Bike World

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You may consider the investment of $180 for the USB Digital Microscope from ThinkGeek a bit too much for the “fun-analyses” advertised on the site but the gadget represents a useful tool for coaxing the budding scientist in the household. ‘This USB Digital Microscope allows you to capture some incredibly high quality images and video and display them on your PC using a simple USB connection. View specimens collected around the house, backyard, your desk, or the fridge. Look at the micro-printing on a dollar bill or examine the traces on your motherboard. This microscope provides you an easy way to zoom in on a wide variety of objects to satisfy your curiosity of the world around you. Ever wondered what lint looks like or the mold growing on your week-old bagels? Now you can find out.’

Source: ThinkGeek

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CNET have published a review of the portable Genius SP i202U speakers which can be powered by batteries or USB connection. ‘The concept behind the Genius SP-i202u is noteworthy. Admittedly, it is hard to find inexpensive portable speakers that offer a choice between being powered by USB or batteries. The Genius SP-i202u speakers deliver this feature, but the sound quality is too poor to make them worthy of recommendation. While not prone to distortion like some budget speakers, the inability of these speakers to reproduce lower frequencies makes them not much better than the built-in speakers found in most notebook and desktop computers. To their credit, when connected over USB, the SP-i202u speakers were quickly recognized as an audio device under Windows XP, allowing the computer's audio to be played on the speakers with a simple USB connection. No software driver installations were necessary, which is good because no drivers are included. When connected over USB, the Genius SP-i202u speakers will only deliver two watts of power, 30 percent of the six watts of power it is technically capable of producing when powered by batteries. Mac support is also available, but I see no reason why any Mac user would prefer these speakers over the built-in audio available on nearly all Apple laptop and desktop models.’

Read: Genius SP i202U Portable Speakers – CNET

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14U News have published a review of the Micro-T RTR RC Stadium Truck from Team Losi. 'After spending lots of time with the larger 1/8 scale nitro powered cars and trucks opening a box and taking out a 1/36 scale truck is a change of pace. The Team Losi Micro-T is about the same size as the larger scale Hot Wheels cars that my son collects. While it is small don’t let that fool you into thinking that the Team Losi Micro-T is a fragile truck. This thing is built ruggedly and is hands down the fastest little RC truck I have ever seen. We have had lots of the little rechargeable RC vehicles in our home over the years. The types that recharge from their controllers like the Nemo RC fish I reviewed last year.'

Features:
• Fully independent suspension with friction dampers
• Differential-equipped transmission with adjustable slipper clutch
• Powerful, pre-installed micro motor
• Included Ni-MH battery pack with portable alkaline automatic peak charger
• Team Losi 27MHz radio system
• Electronic Speed Control with Reverse
• High-traction rubber tires on pre-mounted on durable nylon wheels
• Includes 8 AA heavy-duty batteries for transmitter
• Includes 8 AA alkaline batteries for charger

Read: Team Losi Micro-T RTR RC Stadium Truck - 14U News

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Tablet PC Review have published a review of the SwissGear Maxxum Computer Backpack which is a sporty backpack that can be used to carry your laptop, books and miscellaneous items. 'The Maxxum at first looks, well gigantor. It's huge, but it's also very busy, which might give one the sense that it doesn't have a whole lot of space to actually carry anything besides the notebook itself. This couldn't be further from the truth. It also looks like it was meant to take a beating, and while I can't say I've personally tested this, I'll just say I feel pretty safe having my notebook in there.'

Read: SanDisk Sansa Connect WiFi MP3 Player Review

Posted by Admin at 9:12 PM | Permalink

K-Tool International has introduced a new product line of extendable magnets and mirrors which feature an ergonomic grip and telescopic handles, which allow users to pick up metal, reach tight places, or inspect items hidden or located in hard to access areas. 'Suited for automotive aftermarket and professional mechanics, extendable magnets and mirrors feature ergonomic grip and telescopic handles that let users to pick up metal, reach tight places, or inspect items located in hard-to-access areas. Mirrors are offered with rectangular, square, or round reflectors and come in 6½-32 in. lengths. Able to pick up items weighing from 5-30 lb, depending on model, magnets have powder-coated steel casings and come in 6½-32 in. lengths.'

Read: Magnets and Mirrors safely extend mechanics' reach.

Posted by Admin at 10:18 PM | Permalink

PC Magazine have reviewed the Griffin iKaraoke gadget which sends the "music from your iPod to your stereo minus the lead vocals, so you can step up to the mic and sing the lead in your favorite tunes". 'As a karaoke junkie of sorts, and with a new American Idol season upon us, I was very excited to try out the Griffin iKaraoke ($49.99 direct). A slim, lightweight mic that plugs into your Apple iPod's dock connector, the iKaraoke brings the karaoke experience right into your living room with music that is stored on your iPod. With the iKaraoke, there's no worrying about having a limited song selection, because song choice is based only on the breadth of your digital music collection. Another perk is that the iKaraoke is compatible with all of the latest iPod models: specifically the fourth- and fifth-generation iPod, the first- and second-generation nano, and even the iPod mini.'

Read: Griffin iKaraoke - PC Mag

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14 U News have published a review of the SanDisk Sansa Connect MP3 player which features a 4 GB memory, expansion via microSD memory cards, bright 2.2-inch LCD screen for viewing your music library and photos, an internal speaker, and 802.11g Wi-Fi connectivity.

‘The Sansa Connect is designed to be used with the Yahoo! Music service, which is a subscription based or purchase based service. Most of the functions of the Sansa Connect are centered around using the WiFi connectivity to transfer music from Yahoo! Music to the Connect while on the go. This requires a valid subscription to Yahoo! Music Unlimited to Go. Without a subscription you won’t be able to download music to the Sansa Connect on the go via WiFi. Another really cool feature is the ability to stream LAUNCHcast internet radio via WiFi directly from the web. You can also browse the top Flickr images right on the Sansa Connect.’

Read: SanDisk Sansa Connect WiFi MP3 Player Review

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Laptop Magazine have reviewed the Jabra BT8010 Bluetooth Stereo Headset which can be converted from a mono Bluetooth headset into a stereo one with a second earpiece. 'Like the idea of listening to your tunes wirelessly but hate having both ears covered when making calls? The Jabra BT8010 attempts to make both frequent gabbers and music lovers happy with a Bluetooth headset that transforms into a set of headphones. The design could be sleeker, but you won't find a more versatile cell phone accessory.

Read: Jabra BT8010 Bluetooth Stereo Headset - Laptop Mag

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Should your car or truck break down on the highway when you least expect your vehicle’s hazard lights may not work to signal your presence to oncoming traffic hence the need to travel with an emergency beacon. There are several portable emergency beacons on the market, however the Magnetic Emergency LED Beacons available from Hammacher Schlemmer, are not only neat but the LED alternatives offer enhanced performance when compared to alternatives. ‘Unlike typical emergency flares that have a limited burn time, combustible chemicals, and risk fire, each of these battery-powered emergency beacons contain 12 LEDs that last up to 10 years. The beacons have a magnetic base that attaches to a boat or car, ensuring that a distressed vehicle is clearly defined to oncoming traffic from up to 3 miles, while its polycarbonate plastic shell is water resistant and crush resistant up to 4,500 lbs., allowing you to place the beacons on the ground without risk of damage from inclement weather or careless drivers.’ Price: $39.95

Source: Hammacher Schlemmer

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BusinessWeek.com have published a review of the 2007 BMW Z4 Roadster. 'One thing I like about the Z4 Roadster is what many reviewers revile it for: its looks. Perish the thought, but the Z4 actually looks different from all the other cars on the road. The Z3, the model the Z4 replaced, had a classic, almost retro, look to it, while the Z4 is perhaps the most unabashed example of BMW designer Chris Bangle's "flame surface" styling, in which the car's sheet metal is sculpted to have multiple surfaces reminiscent of a flickering flame. Adding to its distinctiveness, the Z4 has an extra-long front end and a stubby, humped rear end with an odd little ducktail on the rear deck.'

In an age of curvy, rounded vehicles that all look alike, the Z4 is instantly recognizable when you see it coming down the road. But it's a love-it-or-hate-it sort of design that has turned off many BMW aficionados. There are persistent rumors that Bangle's protégé, Adrian van Hooydonk, who became chief designer for BMW's car company when Bangle moved upstairs to oversee design for the entire BMW Group, will redo the Z4 for the '09 model year and give it a less radical design. I hope Z4 sales will continue to soar—proving that Bangle's bold design isn't a detriment to the model's commercial prospects. '

Read: BMW's Z4 Gets Its Props

Posted by Admin at 4:15 PM | Permalink

A review of the JVC SU-DH1 Surround Sound Headphone Adaptor has been posted over at PC Magazine. 'As the manual explains, Dolby Headphone turns multimedia material labeled with Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Digital Surround EX, DTS-ES, and MPEG-2 AAC into a two-channel, virtual-surround mix for your headphones. The box-shaped device itself has a digital input, an analog input, and a display that tells you what type of Dolby technology is being used. On the right side of the display is the Dolby Pro Logic II section, with "movie" and "music" modes (or "auto," which will switch to either mode for you if you have a digital connection). There is a button for switching between these modes, and next to it a button for the three available Dolby Headphone modes, also represented on the right-hand side of the display.'

Read: JVC SU-DH1 Surround Sound Headphone Adaptor - PC Mag

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Personal Computer World have reviewed the Buffalo Linktheater Media Streamer which allows the user to stream video, music and pictures around the home. 'Buffalo’s Linktheater offers the promise of streaming music, video and photos around your home from your PCs to your TV, all packaged in a diminutive silver box. The unit supports the standard formats you would expect, including jpeg for images, wmv, Mpeg1/2/4 and H.264 for video and mp3, wma and wav for music amongst others. And thankfully the Linktheater was easy to set up. Media streamers sometimes come with a reputation of being stubborn beasts, but this was a breeze. It found our wireless network immediately, accepted the security key, connected and quickly told us which computers were on.'

Read: Buffalo Linktheater Media Streamer - Personal Computer World

Posted by Admin at 4:31 PM | Permalink

CNET Asia have posted a preview of the new Sony KS-60R200A (60-inch rear projection SXRD) TV. ‘From afar and facing the KS-60R200A head on, it's extremely difficult to differentiate this RPTV apart from its sleek flat-panel counterparts aside from the generous 60-inch screen. Sporting an equally stylish front that's on par with most Bravias, many consumers would have easily passed the set off as just another LCD or plasma model. But two factors are sure giveaways of its rear-projection roots. For starters, there is the affordable S$7,999 (US$5,089.97) price tag that's unheard of in the supersized flat TV segment. If this is not enough to arouse your suspicions, a quick peep at its sides is all it takes to dismiss the perceived "slim" illusion. Unlike its peers in the market, this Sony is one of the new-generation models outfitted with its proprietary flavor of LCoS technology. At the heart of this TV is a three-chip Silicon X-tal Reflective Display (SXRD) optical engine, first debuted in its US$20,000 QULIA 004 projector. This not only delivers a future-proofed 1,920 x 1,080-pixel native resolution and ultra-high 10,000:1 contrast, it also does not exhibit any rainbow anomaly common in single-chip DLP sets. That’s besides its latest complementary Bravia Engine Pro with Digital Reality Creation Multifunction version 2.5 video-enhancement engine.’

Read: Sony KS-60R200A (60-inch rear projection SXRD) – CNET Asia

Posted by Admin at 11:26 PM | Permalink

Personal Computer World have published their review of the Mio Digiwalker H610 GPS navigation device which can also be used as a portable multimedia player. 'Mio’s Digiwalker range is part of a new wave of GPS solutions that combine traditional in-car navigation, multimedia playback and a collection of utilities for frequent travellers. Based around the MioMap v3 software navigation is pretty straightforward once you get used to the menu structure, but like the Mio C210 it suffers as an in-car solution due to the small screen and often fiddly controls. You do, however, get free speed camera alerts and a full range of POIs (points of interest) across Europe, and can buy a TMC (traffic message channel) module separately to provide traffic updates so it’s well in line with modern advances in navigation.'

Read: Review: Mio Digiwalker H610 sat nav

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A review of the Samsung YP-K3 (2GB, red) MP3 player has been posted over at CNET. 'Out of the box--which is nearly identical to that of the full-size iPod, interestingly--the K3 is simply stunning. Its glossy front is trimmed with chrome, giving it a sleek and stylish look. When you turn the player on using the side-mounted power/hold switch, the touch-sensitive controls light up, reminiscent of Philips' GoGear line of players. The controls consist of four directional arrows, as well as Select, Menu, and Back keys. Like the K5, the YP-K3 takes some design cues from the LG Chocolate phone, right down to the availability of black, red, and green versions--sorry, no white. The red version in particular is truly gorgeous, and the backlit controls give it a very jukebox-like appearance. The K3's 1.8-inch OLED screen is a bit larger than the Nano's 1.5-inch LCD, but like said iPod, the K3 has a bottom-mounted headphone jack and a proprietary dock connector. The K3 isn't as prone to scratches as the original Nano was, but ours picked up a few very minor scratches as well as lots of fingerprints. Navigating the menu system is snappy, and we like the animated icons on the main menu level. There are no significant differences between the YP-K5 and the YP-K3, other than the K3's lack of an alarm-clock function, which depends upon a built-in speaker. The touch controls are very sensitive, but they're spaced far enough apart to avoid too much frustration. Still, with no tactile feedback, it's impossible to operate the K3 without taking it out of your pocket.'

Read: Samsung YP-K3 (2GB, red)

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David Elosser writng over at Astromart has posted a review of his Vortex Spitfire 8.5x32 Binoculars. 'They are compact, but the 32mm objective gives a brighter image than the 25mm range, and the weight and balance make them comfortable to hand-hold. They weigh just a little over a pound. I choose the 8.5 power over the 10x32 version because it is easier to steady the image, and with more exit pupil you get a brighter image. The Spitfire is fully armored with a rubber/plastic material that is easy to grasp and hold onto. I really like the center focus wheel. It has ridges and when I put an index finger on either side, I can use the wheel like a rocker and focus quickly as I move the binoculars around. I can focus from 15 to 50 feet with the flick of a finger. You get twist-up eye cups, and eye relief is excellent. I can easily use these binoculars with my eye glasses on. The color of the body is a dull green so that it won’t attract attention in the forest. You get a neck strap for the binoculars, and a soft case with its own strap and belt loop. I would think that even a fully loaded sports hunter would easily find room to carry the Spitfire.'

Read: Vortex 8.5x32 Spitfire - Astromart

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CNET have posted their review of the LG Super Multi Blue HD player which plays back both HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. 'One of the first things you might notice when you look at the BH100 is that there are absolutely zero buttons on the front panel, not even a button to open and close the disc tray. What are you to do when the remote goes missing? Well, there are actually five touch-sensitive buttons located on the top of the unit. This arrangement is stylish, but it introduces a slight design issue--you can't stack other components on top of the BH100 if you plan on using the buttons. The other problem we had is that the buttons don't stay lit up, which makes them a little difficult to see in a dark home theater environment. Aside from that, we were actually pleasantly surprised by how well the buttons work--sometimes touch-sensitive buttons can be finicky, but these were nearly flawless in their responses.'

Read: LG BH100 - CNET

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The M.K. Morse Company has introduced its new bimetal hole saw kit which consists of professional quality hole saws that cut smoothly in wood, plastic, and metal surfaces and are suited for maintenance, plumbing, and electrical applications. 'Featuring Master Cobalt® bi-metal hole saws, the kit includes a broad range of popular diameters used by the professional tradesman for maintenance, plumbing and electrical hole cutting requirements for pipe and conduit through 4-1/2 inches. Morse's AV23M professional tradesman kit consists of 20 hole saws from 3/4 inch through 4-3/4 inches, two arbors and a 12 inch extension.'

Read: Hole Saw Kit targets professional tradesmen.

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Pocket Lint have publised a review of the 32-inch Regza C-series HDTV from Toshiba. 'The new Regza C-series from Toshiba, available in 32-inch and 37-inch and 42-inch sizes, aims to bring more weight to LCD's case as the current flatscreen technology of choice. The 32-inch screen we have on test is a nice enough looking unit, with a swivel stand, twin HDMI and a range of typical inputs. You'll also find a built-in digital TV tuner with Freeview, which is particularly impressive in its clarity and sharpness, outperforming a digital satellite signal which in itself is still pretty good.'

Read: Toshiba Regza C-series 32-inch television (32C3030DB) Review

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CNET have published their “test-driven” review of the 2007 Volkswagen GTI hatchback. ‘The two best hot hatchbacks, the Volkswagen GTI and the Honda Civic Si, showed up with new designs last year, keeping them firmly at the top of their class. But Volkswagen, not content to hold even with Honda, threw a curveball this year by adding a couple of extra doors to its car, ending up with the four-door 2007 Volkswagen GTI. Even with four doors, the GTI is a good-looking car. But we have to question Volkswagen's decision to alter a particularly fun car with the practical note of making access to the back seats easy. The rear doors might actually tempt people to use the back seat, which will add weight to the car and lessen its fun factor. Or even worse, imagine a baby seat back there, forcing the driver to temper her or his driving passion.’

Read: 2007 Volkswagen GTI – CNET

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Need an affordable case to secure your Gen 2 iPod Shuffle when on the road? Check out the review of the affordable black TechStyle-Puck carrier over at The Gadgeteer. 'Designed to protect the 2nd Gen iPod Shuffle and a pair of earphones with a ridged EVA plastic core, the outside of the TechStyle is covered with a durable woven nylon with a cheery asterisk adorning the center. A carabiner-style clasp is also provided so that the case can be secured on your person. Inside the case, mounted on scratch-resistant fabric, is a clamp that holds the Shuffle in place. This clamp serves double-duty in that it also provides a place to wrap a set of earbuds around, winding them like an extension cord or garden hose.'

Read: Speck Products TechStyle-Puck 2nd Generation iPod Shuffle Case

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