Handy Gadgets

Dong Van Ngo writng over at CNET.com reviews the Apricorn 60GB Aegis Mini Ultra Portable Hard Drive. 'The Apricorn Aegis Mini Ultraportable hard disk drive is a tiny hard drive fit for the road. It comes with an extension cable, a padded pouch, a quick-start guide, and a software CD. Despite the extra accessories, all you really need is the drive, as the cable is integrated into the drive and tucks right into the side of the drive--a thoughtful design touch for a portable drive. Take it out of the box, plug it in to a PC or a Mac, and start using it. It comes in USB and FireWire versions (30GB and 60GB capacities for each connection type), but not both together. The USB version we tested performed well in our Labs-based tests. At $159 for the 30GB USB version, though, it's a bit pricey. Plextor's Plextor Shock-Proof Portable Hard Drive costs $169 for an 80GB drive. However, Plextor doesn't include backup-and-recovery software, so that's what you're paying for with the Apricorn drive.'

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Vonage America Inc., subsidiary of Vonage Holdings Corp., a leading Internet telephony provider in North America, and D-Link, the end-to-end networking solutions provider have announced the availability of the Voice Terminal Adaptor (VTA), a two-line Internet Phone Adaptor configured with the Vonage service. The D-Link VTA phone adapter can connect up to 2 Vonage lines through your high-speed Cable or DSL Internet connection. This small device is great for all your phone needs and perfect for existing home networks. Just plug into your current router and use the two standard telephone jacks to connect your existing phones or phone and fax machine.

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Are on the lookout for a truly "pocket sized computer" with all the computing capability [and more!] of your standard desktop or laptop? Akihabara News gives a up-close view of just such a device from Sony. 'The Sony VGN-UX50 measures 150.2x95mm or 100.5x23.2mm for 520g. The ultracompact computer adopts a 4.5" WSVGA 1024x600 touch screen, a Core Solo U1300 at 1.06Ghz (UX50) or a Core Solo U1400 at 1.2Ghz (UX90) (Celeron is optional), a 20 or 30GB HDD, a 1.3MP camera and webcam, Wireless a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, a CF and MS slot. Battery life should be 3.5 hours.' These devices go sale at the end of May and they most likely will be priced around the $1500 and above range.

Continue reading "Akihabara News: Sony Vaio U VGN-UX50 and 90 Ultra Compacts" »

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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. '

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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.'

Continue reading "Coffee On The Go! Drink And Drive?" »

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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. '

Continue reading "BlackBerry 8700g Wireless Handheld™" »

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Gizmondo has offered what must be among the first public photos of the Microsoft mini-tablet device. 'News.com is saying that the Origami devices run a “variant” of Windows XP (and can run other x86-compatible operating systems) and are small enough to fit in a “large pocket.” (That’s pretty wishful thinking for a device with a 7-inch screen.) While some models leave out the keyboard entirely, one model—the red and white one seen previously, which is said to be a prototype that’s two years out’—has a twist-top that reveals a QWERTY thumb board underneath.'

Continue reading "Gizmondo: Origami - Small PC based on Windows XP" »

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If you have ever been disappointed at not being able to produce laminated printouts similar to those done by professional printers you may well have a solution at hand but with a $2995 price tag. 'Sony’s new UP-D75 Dye Sublimation printer not only prints crisp, clear pictures but laminates a clear finish onto the photo with a glossy, textured or matte finish. This prevents the photo from being smudged and covered with dirty fingerprints. It can print a 300dpi 8” x 10” page in 80 seconds.'

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In this commentary by Clive Thompson of Wired News, it seems he is more than overjoyed with his "new toy" from Nintendo. 'As many people have noted, Electroplankton -- Nintendo's hot new DS title -- is not really a game. It doesn't have any goals; all you do is nudge virtual plankton around onscreen until they produce pleasing tunes. Technically, Electroplankton is a toy -- yet it's modeled after the music-editing software professional sound engineers use to produce songs. And the results, in the right hands, can be remarkably similar.'

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If you are thinking of acquiring a laptop/notebook for your home/office, or personal use, it may be wise to delay your purchase until the most recent technological innovations have been added to models across the more popular brands. Engadget has reported on Toshiba's announcement of the upgrade of some of its Teccra line of notebooks citing the inclusion of new Centrino chipset as the main feature of these portables. 'The new Centrino chipset is the main feature here, the Tecra A6 and A7 notebooks sport 14.1 and 15.4-inch displays at 1280x800 resolution, integrated Intel graphics for the A6 with your choice of integrated or NVIDIA acceleration for the A7, and 5400 RPM SATA drives, with prices ranging from $1149 to $1399'.

Continue reading "Toshiba Releases New Business Tools: Tecra M5, A6 and A7" »

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For sure you could purchase a different model above or below the asking price of around $300 -$420 for the NEC/Mitsubishi 19” flat screen monitor but a perusal of CNET's preview of this item reveals favorable comments on the features /specifications of this item. If you detest peering at small screens this monitor could well provide some satisfaction. 'In contrast with the less expensive, less adjustable 19-inch Acer AL1951B, the NEC MultiSync LCD1970VX illustrates the importance of subtleties such as design and ease of use. The 19-inch LCD1970VX performs about as well as the Acer but has a more user-friendly control panel and better ergonomic flexibility. And at $439.99, it costs only $60 more. Unless you're trying to save every dollar, the NEC LCD1970VX is a better overall choice.'

Continue reading "Adequate Flat Screen Monitor: NEC/Mitsubishi 19” MultiSync® LCD1970VX-BK" »

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It is generally noted that laptop sales are surpassing those of the destop PC but there will always be be the pros and cons for the use of both type of devices. While notebooks are coming with larger screen sizes, the norm is generally one of a "compact" view from a relatively small screen. With the PC you can purchase any measure of flatscreen monitor to suit your viewing needs. The specifications for such monitors are improving and competition ensures you can purchase a reasonably sized monitor for a decent price.'With above-average image quality and a competitive price, the Dell 1905FP is well worth the money. The 19-inch LCD retains the basic look and flexible design of its predecessors--though the stand feels a bit sturdier--and it offers the same height adjustment range of about five inches. It also smoothly tilts, swivels, and rotates from Portrait to Landscape mode. You can lock the monitor at its lowest height position and remove the panel from the pillar by pressing a release button, which makes this display easy to transport and store.'

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I saw mention of this device on the Gadget Spy and the Raw Feed. 'The MII-Flashcam is the World's First Tactical Flashlight featuring a Video Camera System and Patented Night Vision Technology with Audio Recording all-in-one Convenient Unit!' With a price tag of $2,500 this flashlight is not meant for small pockets but is targeted at persons in the various security agencies. This flashlight is a video camera, night vision device with infrared illumination and comes standard with an LCD monitor, 2 hours of storage and it can also take snapshots.

Continue reading "MII Flashcam: The Ultimate Led Flashlight - Night Vision - Video Camera Combo" »

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'The world’s best designed and easiest-to-use desktop just got faster. Now with the Intel Core Duo processor with two execution cores on a single chip — iMac brings a new generation of power to the amazing. Apple claims the new iMacs show speed boosts two to three times that of the old iMac G5.' CNET reviews the the Apple iMac Core Duo (17-inch, 1.83GHz). ' And aside from the CPU, the new iMacs have the same features as the preceding models, including the integrated iSight camera, Apple's Front Row media player software, and integrated wireless networking and Bluetooth capability. Getting the same features and an allegedly faster CPU for the same price as the preceding iMac G5 sounds great to us, especially considering that we just gave the iMac G5 an Editors' Choice award.'

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'MacBook Pro is the first Mac notebook built upon the revolutionary new Intel Core Duo. It’s actually two processors built into a single chip — which makes this by far the biggest leap in mobile Mac power you’ve ever seen.' CNET reviews the Apple MacBook Pro (1.67GHz Intel Core Duo). 'Bar none, the best thing about the MacBook Pro is that Apple has shelved IBM's plodding G4 PowerPC processor in favor of Intel's new Core Duo. We're also psyched to see a decent graphics card onboard, ATI's Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB of memory, along with x16 PCI Express architecture. Designwise, the MacBook Pro looks a lot like the 15-inch PowerBook and, at 5.6 pounds, it weighs about the same. Still, the MacBook Pro offers a slightly larger screen, a nominally thinner profile, and a fetching bundle of specs.'

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In this review of the Soldius1 'solar-powered recharger for some handheld devices' on Technology Review, the reviewer laments the fact that the review is done in the dead of winter and hence the absence of sunlight. 'The Soldius1 was great at doing its thing outdoors, even on a cloudy day. But I wasn't about to sit in subfreezing temperatures to get that good light. Forget how uncomfortable it would be for me -- sharp cold isn't good for gadgets.All that said, the Soldius1 ($90 directly from its Dutch maker at mysoldius.com) is a great idea and works well. I could see it coming in very handy on car trips and camping excursions or during daytime power outages.'

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Apple has added Intel processors to the iMac which it is claimed will make the machine operate several times faster. 'The Core Duo is the first chip built using Intel’s ground breaking 65-nanometer process — resulting in transistors so small, you could fit a hundred inside a single human cell. With smaller distances for electrons to travel, and two processors designed to share resources and conserve power, Intel Core Duo achieves higher levels of performance as it uses fewer watts which is what makes it possible to design a super-powerful MacBook Pro that’s only one inch thin.' The low-end MacBook Pro, sells for $1,999. It comes with a 1.67GHz dual core processor, a high-resolution 15.4-inch screen, an ATI graphics chip, an 80GB drive, a DVD/CD burner and 512MB of memory. The high-end MacBook Pro sells for $2,499 and comes with 1. 83GHz, 1GB memory and 100GB drive.

Continue reading "Apple's New Tools: MacBook Pro" »

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CNET's Justin Jaffe reporting from the CES 2006 show/exhibition reviews the handheld DualCor cPC that has two independent CPUs--one from Intel and one from VIA--and a switch that toggles the user interface between Windows XP Tablet and Windows Mobile 5. 'While Intel is beating its chest about its new Napa dual-core platform, a company that's actually called DualCor is going a step further...or sideways. Or something. DualCor has taken Intel's PXA chip, typically found in PDAs, and put it in a box with a VIA processor, designed for laptops, to make something like a Frankenstein's monster palmtop PC. Called the cPC, this chunky little device, thicker but narrower than a PSP, combines the power of a purebred laptop with the instant-on accessibility of a PDA.

Continue reading " Powerhouse of a PDA:The DualCor cPC" »

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