Gadgets and just Gadgets

Zelco’s Outi Headphones Zap Sound Through Your Body Source

The idea of bypassing the air and sending sound waves directly through your body to your ears is nothing new—bone conduction technology has been around in some form or another for years. However, these headphones take it to a new level of ridiculousness, with some wonderful side effects.

Hang the Outi ($110) like a pair of clip-on earrings, and the sound reverberates through your earlobes. Because the “headphones” rely on sending the sound through your cartilage—instead of blowing waves at your eardrums—it’s very difficult for you to unintentionally damage your hearing.It’s generated by a battery-powered amp that runs for six to eight hours on a 90-minute charge.

But this is where it gets weird: Because the sound-producing part of the headphone is actually on the outside of the ear, your cubicle-mates will likely hear more of your music than with most earbuds. But you’ll hear far less of them. Even when the music is playing at a moderate volume, it drowns out any and all nearby conversations. And thanks to Outi’s physics, the perceived bass is both intense and felt through your entire body. Dig it! —Seth Porges

Tags: Zelco, Outi , Headphones , outi headphones,

Gilty Couture cases for Luxury iPodSource

Does your iPod yearn for more than the average looking case? How about one set in 14-karat gold.Metallo Design, a designer of luxury products, is set to outfit your iPod in its own take on iPod cases. The new Gilty Couture line prices from around $55 to $200.

I pitty those guys whos girlfriends have already seen this brilliant sparkly gadget. And it’s also Christmas….Poor guys!

The Gilty Couture cases are made of metal and designed to protect your iPod as any other hard case would. Where they vary is that each hand-crafted case “eatures brilliant bezel style settings with opulent Swarovski crystals, and each piece is draped in 14-karat gold or silver jewelry quality plating.”

Metallo said each case comes in its own designer box and includes a “micro polish storage and cleaning pouch.” The cases will offer full access to an iPod’s functions and connections and have on the inside an EVA foam interior lining for added protection. The Gilty Couture line should be available now.

Tags: iPod, jewel, gilty, iPod case, gilty couture

The Mobiblu cube

Mobiblu sure loves the cubes, and the Korean company busted out its latest take on the concept today, the Nanum. The screenless unit actually unfolds to a cross shape, but still features 1GB of storage, USB 2.0 connectivity, Lego-esque pop-out buttons, dimensions of just 1.1 inches a side, and support for MP3, WMA, and WAV. No word on Stateside availability or pricing, but travelers to Korea can get their box on (but not the Boxon) in red, white, or light green. Check a few pics of the unit folded and unfolded in the gallery today.

The point behind this is completely unapparent to me, but if you’ve ever found yourself yearning for a cube-shaped audio player that could unfold into a stupid little cross, then Mobiblu has you, and probably only YOU, in mind.

Tags: mobiblu, cube, Korean, Nanum,

So nice of them to appeal to one customer. That’s what I call service.

Denon AVR-2808CI

Good A/V receivers ain’t cheap and such it should be no surprise that the 2808CI will set you you back $1,200. And yet, the price is vaguely surprising due to how affordable it is compared to other high end models.The 2808CI packs in every feature you could possibly want from an A/V receiver, including 1080p up-sampling, DTS neo 6, neural sound, Dolby Pro Logic IIx and about a dozen other features that you need in your life to debatable degrees.

The only downside is that the receiver only supports two HDMI devices. Regardless, it’s bounty of other features that will keep you happy for years to come.

Suggested Denon accessories: ASD-1R iPod dock, ASD-3N or ASD-3W Network iPod docks, and Headphones.

Tags: Denon AVR-2808CI, Denon, 2808CI, HDMI

Motorola’s new Ming in 2008

Motorola’s Linux-based “Ming” phones will be getting a next-generation upgrade in the second quarter of 2008, including the introduction of an entry level offering. The first generation of Ming handsets came only as high-end phones. The new entry-level Ming models will apparently be coming to the US later next year. You can currently purchase unlocked GSM Ming phones on Amazon.com and similar sites but from the sounds of it, Motorola’s US division will be producing some specifically for this market.

Some interesting features of the currently available devices include a built-in business card reader, radio, voice recorder, Real Player, Bluetooth, 2-megapixel camera (photos and video), and a pretty small form factor with a flip down cover.

Tags: Motorola, new Ming, 2008, ming, cellphone, handset

Logitech G9 Laser MouseSource

The G9 is a serious gamer’s mouse. This thing is all about customization. Most prominently, it has that feature now common on high-end mice, on-the-fly dpi setting indicated by an LED display on the mouse (the color of which you can also change, a nice touch). The old MX700 had nothing like this and you used to leave it to the game’s options to adjust mouse sensitivity. With the Setpoint software, you can adjust how many settings there are to switch through, and what precise dpi value is used for each one. So you can cluster them around a common setting or spread them all over the board, though it gets pretty ridiculous at the extremes. As for the tracking itself, it goes without saying that it’s excellent; the improvement is obvious and there’s no problems with wobbly cursors, confused or delayed inputs, or anything like that.

The mouse itself is compact, attractive and well built. It comes with two different shells; the default one to be perfect; the textured finish is smooth but grippy, and has a thumb rest as well.

All in all, it is quite impressive. However, I think I’d like it better with wireless. The price point, I should say, seems a little high, but I think you can expect a lot from this device.

Tags: Logitech G9 Laser Mouse, logitech, mouse, gamer mouse, laser mouse, G9, MX700

iDiamond year for spoiled brats

Jeweller Thomas Heyerdahl in Oslo / Norway is launching ”iDiamond ear” for commercial sale.

Earlier this year, Heyerdahl created the world’s most expensive iPod, named ”iDiamond”. This was crafted as one unique and single piece of jewellery, not for commercial sale, and will be auctioned away for charitable cause in London 13th of March 2008.

Following the overwhelming response to iDiamond from media, customers and the industry, Heyerdahl decided to go ahead with his idea for the world’s most exclusive earphones for commercial sale. This new creation is named ”iDiamond ear”.

“iDiamond ear” uniquely and most innovatively combines traditional handcraft with modern technology into a high end exclusive piece of jewellery with comprehensive high-tech earphone functionality.

Each carefully crafted pair is set with 204 diamonds, adding up to a total of 1,65 carats. “iDiamond ear” will be produced in a limited edition series of 1000 numbered pairs for exclusivity.

“iDiamond ear” will be available at leading jewellery stores worldwide from February 2008.

Tags: iDiamond year, spoiled brats, iDiamond, diamond, ipod

Blancier’s custom Pilot Watch

Blancier makes handmade watches to order. You go on their cool flash builder and you select a case, movement, face,  strap, inscription, crown, lunette.Everything you want is there. Your piece is then hand-assembled and engraved.

Well, now they have a pilot’s model with large, luminous numbers and a bright hands. It comes in 42mm or monstrous 55mm models. This model looks great on a leather strap in steel and costs about $1,000, depending on your choice of movement and case. This stuff is truly one-of-a-kind, so it makes that whole “a grand for a watch” thing go down a bit easier. I would surely want something like this for Christmas. So I’ll be carefull to leave my browser open on their site….maybe someone will catch the ideea.

Tags: Blancier, custom , Pilot Watch, watch, custom watch, pilot model

Buffalo drops 100GB SSD Source

The Japanese company, Buffalo, has announced the SHD-UHRS line of SSDs. If you are wondering who is Buffalo don’t even bother. Few people even pay attention to them. But now the’re planning something big…and it seem that we should really take them into consideration from time to time.

So, as I’ve said, they’re launching a line of SSd. Big deal, right? It can’t get any bigger than 64GB. Are you sure?Positive?……

*Buzz*  Buffalo is dropping a 100GB SSD  at the end of the month. The only downside is that it’s USB so you won’t be installing the baby behemoth into your rig. That’s pretty sweet and all, but an $885 price tag may deter some folks from picking one up. For further information you can access buffalo.jp…and I wish you good luck because everything is in japanese.

Tags: buffalo, japanese, ssd, SHD-UHRS, 100GB, 64GB

Merrell’s Universal Jacket keeps you warm and dry

I’ve been hunting for a new winter coat because, well, I don’t like to wear my wool coat all the time. I don’t like getting it wet and sometimes I just want something I can throw on and go batshit crazy around the city in, but I still want to look fashionable, too. 

Check the looks of Merrell’s Universal jacket and all of its features. It has a Gore-Tex pro shell 3-layer that’s waterproof and breathes easily along with 8mm seam seals. I don’t imagine any moisture seaping through the front zipper, either, thanks to the bonded storm flap and pit-zips are nice because I get hot very easily. And the five cargo pockets should be sufficient enough for all your gadgets.  And it can be a pretty nice and useful gift also.

Tags: Merrell Universal, jacket, Merrell, Gore-Tex, waterproof