Gadgets and just Gadgets

Mustek announces digital photo frame and alarm clock and….

Do you hate your alarm clock? I sure know I do. I’m still not sold on digital photo frames and I think it’s safe to say most you aren’t either. I only know one person who owns one.

But what would you say to a digital photo frame that’s also an alarm clock? What if it had a calendar, indoor temperature gauge and MP3 player? I sure as heck would want one of those. Well, Mustek has a 7-inch model, PF-E700, that does all that and supports SD/SDHC/MMC/MS-Pro Duo/CF memory cards. It also plays AVI files and supports M-JPEG formats. Oh, and the alarm clock does have a snooze button. Just be sure you don’t include a photo of someone or something you hate because you might get a fit of rage when you wake up and throw the $149 doohickey against the wall. You’ve been warned. Pick one up in April if you’re so inclined.

Features
* 7″ widescreen 16:9 TFT LCD
* Supports images files up to 12 Megapixels
(JPEG format)
* Photo slide show
* Supports USB thumb drives
* MMC/SD/MS/MS Pro/CF Type 1 card slot
* Compatible file formats :
MPEG-1(*.mpg),MPEG-4(*.avi), JPEG and MP3

Tags: photo fraem, digital photo frame, frame, photo

DLO’s iPhone-shielded Portable Speakers

For all the iLovers here is a new gadget for your fabulous piece of gadget. It is intended to make your life easier..I mean to ease your way to your favourite tracks stored on your “fabulous device” again, the iPhone. At least, now all the pinky gadgets for the iPods will disappear …and the pinky gadgets for the iPhone will be born.

Digital Lifestyle Outfitters has introduced its Portable Speakers for iPhone. The compact speaker system is shielded from TDMA interference, and connects to the iPhone via the handset’s headphone jack, making it compatible with a wide range of alternate audio sources, including every model of iPod. Other features include two compact speakers which snap into the base for greater portability, a rotating, removable stand, and the ability to act as a speaker phone when a connected iPhone receives a call.

The speakers are powered by either AAA batteries or by the included AC adapter, and the speaker base features a recessed area for cord storage and management. The DLO Portable Speakers for iPhone are available now and sell for $50.

Tags: dlo, dock, iphone, portable speakers, spekers

Jawbone- the best Bluetooth headset out there

The Jawbone is a great Bluetooth headset. It was rated as the best in its kind. Ever. This is what you can find out on their website. It passed the toughest test such a device can have : the streets of NYC.

Let’s start with the “Noise Shield”. Having this option on/off is like night and day. For those on the other end it was a pleasant experience so long as it was turned on. Any noise other than the voice was eliminated immediately. And I’m not talking about birds chirping or anything pleasant. We’re talking about cars roaring by honking their horns and all sorts of other loud and obnoxious sounds that reverberate throughout the streets of Manhattan. Once it was turned off, the noise was overwhelming and your voice was no longer the center of attention. Of all the Bluetooth headsets this is by far the best at blocking out excessive noise.

You can find it in on three colours: black, silver and red. It looks rather interesting and it is for sure a style statement. Without a doubt it is the best noise canceling Bluetooth headset out on the market. Now, I know it’s been out there for a while. It’s readily available for $120, but I’m sure you can find it elsewhere for cheaper.

Tags: bluetooth, devicebluetooth, noise shield, device, headset,

Game pad and mouse.2 in 1

All you gamers out there please pay attention. This “thing” I’m going to present, The Evergreen Navigator 365 really deserves a spot in your laptop bag.

However, as “all good things come to an end” the end is like here, at the description because the mouse is currently only available in Japan. It costs around $30 or so if you’re in the area and with a little luck, some hard work, and some perseverance, might just make it stateside some day so kids like me can buy it without the 14-hour plane ride.

Navigator 365 from Evergreen is a laser mouse cum game pad. You can use the mouse as a standard mouse and when playing games the mouse turns into a game pad. You can use either as a mouse or a game pad at a time. The mouse has the standard left, right and scroll button. The game pad has Turbo/clear and 6 buttons.

Evergreen Navigator 365 laser mouse with 1,600 dpi is compatible with OS Windows 2000/XP/Vista. The mouse measures 50 × 85 × 23mm, weigh 67 g and is available for approximately 3,499 yen ($32).

Tags: mouse, gamer, game, game pad, laptop, evergreen navigator

InFocus Launches IN83 1080p ProjectorSource

The InFocus Play Big IN82 was one of InFocus’ best home theater projectors. Recently word has gotten out that they are going to release a better projector in March, the Play Big IN83.

Starting with the most important specs, we see a native 5,000:1 contrast ratio, augmented to 15,000:1 using a dynamic iris, an impressive 1,600 lumens brightness, and DarkChip4 DLP tech from Texus Instruments for those of you to whom that means something. The projector also comes with an anamorphic lens adaptor for 2.35:1 aspect-ratio films, which some may consider a great addition.

Connectivity wise there are two HDMI 1.3 inputs, both supporting Deep Colour and as with the IN82, one of these is actually provided as an MA-D1 port, so it’ll take a large range of connections. Elsewhere the usual array of Component, S-Video and similar ports is also found.

As is pretty obvious from the spec the IN83 isn’t that huge a jump from the IN82, but luckily it isn’t much more expensive either with a suggested retail price of £3500. Hopefully that’ll be a bit lower at retailers when it’s available in March and the extra tweaks aren’t going to detract from the glowing review we gave to the older model. If you were currently considering the IN82, you might want to wait for this one.

Tags: projector, IN82, IN83, INfocus, Infocus , home theater

Teclast T50 multitouch PMP

Teclast has always came up with nice but not spectacular PMPs. The same thing is with the T50 which has the basic features and a multitouch dispaly in addition.

The Teclast T50 has an attractive design, WGVA widescreen display, similar to iPhone capacitive touch-screen, multi-point touch, RMVB / RM / FLV / AVI video support and  independent dual-core processors. Here are some definitions to see what the concepts mean:

Capacitive touch screen: capacitive touch screen is the main structure on the screen in the glass coating of a transparent thin film layer, then add a conductor layer of protection glass, double-glass design can completely protect the conductor layer and sensors

Multi-point touch: a traditional touch screen can only judge a touch, if at the same time with more than two points are touched,will not be able to make the right reaction, or reaction confusion. Touch the multiple tasks can be divided into two aspects of the work, first at the same time collecting more signal, the signal on every road the meaning of judgement, the so-called gesture recognition.

Tags: multitouch, pmp, t50, teclast

Razer Mako, best 2.1 audio systemSource

Razer is known for their gaming peripherals,their keyboards and mice . But, on the audio front, they still have a lot to fight and conquer. However,  the Mako 2.1 Advanced Desktop Audio’s’ promises a lot : rounded satellites with 360-degree, omni-directional sound. Yet Gadget Lab says “there’s nary another 2.1 system that can match the Mako’s performance.” Usually the 2.1 systems score a lot in looks but disappoint in the sound performance area.

The 300W RMS of THX-certified power probably help, pushing the audio everywhere it needs to go. Highs and mids are “especially clear and resonant,” though low fidelity is the where system hits a patch of weak sauce—at 400 bucks, that’s a bit troubling. The only other bit of blah is the slightly unresponsive touch controls, but they system looks hot, so we can forgive it being a little cold to the touch. Bass response is a tad disappointing, especially when considering the sub’s specs: 100 watts with a 120Hz crossover frequency.

PROs: Easy to install. Easy to set up. Easy to calibrate. Easy listening. Excellent audio performance with diverse separation at mid and high ranges. Gaming performance is exemplary — gunshots and explosions had us ducking for cover. Omni directional sound fills a room up with equally balanced sound.

CONs:Touch sensitive controller is beautiful but often unresponsive and ambiguous. Ho-hum bass performance is a head-scratcher. We want to feel our Barry White, not just hear him.

Tags: razer, mako, 2.1, sound, audio system, advanced desktop audio, audio, speaker

JVC presents GR-D870 and GR-D850 miniDV camcorder line

A new JVC miniDV camcorder line offers portability and shooting flexibility, with two new compact and feature-laden models. The compact design of the new JVC GR-D870 and GR-D850 belies a rich set of powerful features, such as a Konica Minolta lens with 35x optical zoom and a 2.7-inch 16:9 widescreen LCD monitor with automatic backlight control for easy viewing, even on a bright, sunny day.

For low-light shooting there is also the built-in Auto Illumi-Light LED. The GR-D870 provides a new level of versatility with Dual Recording and Live Slow features. With Dual Recording, users don’t have to choose between shooting still images or video: still pictures can be taken while shooting video.

Meanwhile, Live Slow - a feature unique to JVC - combines slow-motion video with live audio, a feature that is perfect for sports and other fast-moving action. Both models come with an array of features to enhance ease-of-use and ensure top quality footage. The Stick Control on the LCD makes navigating menus and settings a one-finger operation, while the Data Battery lets the user know how much recording time remains. Other standard features include Multi-Language On-Screen to switch the on-screen display language, a dedicated Auto Button to instantly switch between auto and manual modes, and Power-Linked Operation, which switches the camcorder on as soon as the LCD monitor is opened.

Nothing to get excited about but the GR-D870 can be purchased immediately for a nickel under $250, while the GR-D850 will run you $20 less.

Tags: JVC, camcorder, miniDV, JVC GR-D870, GR-D850, camera, recorder

Alienware’s media server for intelligent homesSource

This piece of gadget is not for everyone. Alienware is expanding into your home even more with this media monster, sort of a cross between an irradiated TiVo and an Apple TV on crack. With wireless high definition media streaming, full digital home automation readiness, up to 4 terabytes of hot swappable hard disk drive content storage, and Blu-ray high definition movies, your house just got a whole lot smarter.

The High Definition Media Server becomes the central electronic focus point of your home; storing and wirelessly streaming all your digital content including music, pictures, and movies throughout your home. Access internet videos and download music, movies, and TV shows from services such as, Amazon Unbox, Netflixs, and iTunes instantly and without the need of a separate PC or Mac.

Exciting Key Features Include:

-4 Hot-swappable easy access front panel hard disk drive bays.
Rack mountable
-Home automation ready with Lifeware software.
-High-Definition Digital Video Recorder for recording and playing back your HD content (up to 1080p) via an HDMI output.
-Blu-ray Disc, experience the next generation in 1080p high definition movie visuals and digital audio with this read and write optical drive. Store up to 50GB of content on writeable Blu-ray media
-Up to 4 TV Tuners
-Internal Cable Card port (OCUR).
-7.1 Optical Audio output (Toslink).
-Up to 4 terrabytes of hard disk drive storage
-Dolby Digital 7.1 pre-amp output, with digital audio out (Coaxial and Optical)

Tags: alienware, high definition media server, home automation, media, motherboard, media server

Microsoft wants to bring Surface home sooner

When people get a chance to try out Microsoft’s Surface touch-screen tabletop computer, they often wish they could take one home.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said Monday that the company is trying to speed up that process after getting a lot of demand for a consumer version.

When the company first launched the concept, they warned that it could be five years before a version of the products would be on shelves.But the company got a lot of pushback on that timing, Ballmer said. “We’re going to follow our nose,” Ballmer said, indicating that Microsoft hopes to shorten the gap before a consumer version is available.

That said, at the moment, Microsoft still has its hands full trying to ship the first machines to its handful of early customers: folks in the hotel, casino and retail businesses. The tech giant had hoped to start having models up and running for those customers by the end of last year, but now is aiming to do so by spring.

I bet Microsoft really, really wants to make their clients’ dream a reality; they could charge like $15,000 for the privelege.

Tags: microsoft, CEO, Steve Ballmer, tabletop computer, microsoft surface