Gadgets and just Gadgets

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

Motus presents Darwin motion-based gaming controller

All you game-maniacs keep your eyes open and your playful little hands available.

Here is the Motus Darwin remote. It can be used with non-Wii consoles, including PCs, as a motion based controller.With motion-based technology, it gives those who can’t manage to track down a Wii the chance to control games by waving it in the air just like a Wii-mote.

Originally designed to compliment a Motus game, iClub, it can analyse the user’s form and stance, thus helping them onto the way to becoming The Next Tiger Woods. You can chose from various ,already existing or upcoming games that use the features and versatility of the magical controller.

So, unlike the Wii-mote, which connects to the console via an infrared sensor, the Motus Darwin actually employs the use of gyroscopes and accelerometers to determine the position of the controller to the actual earth. Have I lost you yet…?

It’s going to launch at $99, but isn’t available for a couple of months.

Tags: Motus, Darwin, controller, Wii, remote, Wii-mote, game, console

Fujitsu P1620, A Smaller and Cheaper Version for MacBook Air

Users who are searching an ultra-mobile laptop will want to look at the Fujitsu P1620. Following the steps of the P1610, some people would compare this laptop to the MacBook Air. Here are the highlights:

Quite frankly I think that they are in different category. Simply because of the screen size, they offer such a different experience, I don’t think that customers will really consider these two when purchasing. The Sony Vaio TZ would be a better match to the Macbook.

Steve Job’s comparison with the Vaio TZ is not really fair because that one includes an optical drive. I like the better display on the Vaio, but the display size is a little detrimental to the keyboard ergonomics. It is pointless to argue on the details, both laptops will offer a similar experience, but I think that Apple wins on the cool factor and on the price. Honestly, at somewhat equal configuration, the Vaio TZ is just too expensive, by a large margin. The Macbook Air wins.

Tags: macbook air, apple, fujitsu P1620, P1610, Fusjitsu, laptop, notebook, Sony Vaio

The Jelly Click Blow-up MouseSource

Do you ever have issues fitting all of your gear into your gadget bag? If you’ve ever attended a trade show or, indeed, gone on holiday, you’ll know it sometimes something of a challenge to cram all your geek gear into one bag. It can be done but usually means sore shoulders and unusual bulges.I tend to carry more than I probably should, so I’m constantly searching for smaller gadgets to take with me. This inflatable mouse has to be one of the most bizarre devices made to keep your travel bag light.

The idea is that you can still have a full sized mouse when you need it, but have it only take up minimal space. When it’s deflated, you can just stick it under the lid of your laptop and you’re good to go. Of course on the flip side, you’ll be the butt of jokes everywhere as you blow up your mouse. This Jelly Click takes mouse portability to the extreme. All the electronic circuity lives on a small flexible board. The body itself is just soft plastic. Whenever you need a mouse, blow up the Jelly Click, attach the USB cable and you’re good to go. As a bonus, it’s a total floaty for you swimming challenged people.

I’m sure there are some people out there that would find this interesting to use, but I’d certainly pass.

Tags: blow up mouse, mouse, inflatable mouse, yanko design

Is Sony’s PS3 getting a slimmer?

According to T3 magazine and a “particularly well-informed insider,” the PS3 is due not just for hard drive updates, but a total design revamp down to a slimmer and smaller package sometime in the Fall. If you believe what you read, the refreshed console will sport all the same specs, but will receive a fresh coat of paint, a trip through the shrinking machine, and probably a lightened load. Of course, this is all just wild speculation coupled with salacious, magazine-selling 3D render of the phantom device, as Sony denies the existence of an update and we don’t really know who this source is. While everyone knows that Sony will eventually shrink its very obese console, such news would come as a surprise given that Sony took many more years to shrink their PSOne and PS2 (though Sony has recently successfully shrunken their Blu-ray laser to fit in laptops). Still, Sony’s biggest goal at the moment is building consoles cheaper.

On the other hand, the company pulls this kind of “who me?” stuff whenever it’s got a new product up its sleeve — though we’re not feeling the timing on this shocker.Either way, T3’s mock-up looks sexy as hell, and they also think a new rumored 160GB model could appear in the new slinky, skinny-as-Kate-Moss form.

Tags: console, playstation 3, ps3, redesign, refresh, resize, rumor, slim, sony, speculation, update

The Moldable Mouse for playful PC usersSource

It’s made of “non-toxic lightweight modeling clay, covered with nylon and polyurethane blend fabric”, and can be shaped, Play-Doh style, to fit any hand. Once molded, it keeps its shape until you’re ready to play again. The Moldable Mouse is still in the concept stage, but it has already won a Red Dot design award.

The click buttons and touch-sensitive scroll pad of the mouse are stick-on parts with built-in RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device), which can be repositioned for maximum comfort.
The nylon and polyurethane blend fabric covering comes in a variety of colours. The texture of the material feels similar to silk, but is much more flexible.

Now we just sit and wait, hoping that this innovation will hit the shelves in a materialized form…There are big chances for not passing the concept step, but there is hope.

Tags: lite on, moldable mouse, red dot design award, mouse

Nintendo Announces Cobalt/Black DS LiteSource

It’s official. The Cobalt Blue Nintendo DS is real!Today Nintendo announced the Cobalt/Black DS Lite, which hits American stores on February 10th. It’s the seventh color for the DS Lite has release thus far for the US market, and we are sure it’s not the last.

Like a black T-shirt with a splash of color, the new Cobalt/Black version of the portable Nintendo DS grabs your attention. It looks good whether it’s toted in your school backpack, pulled from your purse or riding with you on a family trip. According to the press release :”Now there’s a Nintendo DS color to complement any outfit”

Nintendo DS just finished 2007 as the best-selling video game system in the United States, with more than 8.5 million sold last year alone. Since it launched in November 2004, Nintendo DS has sold more than 17.6 million in the United States.

It’s still $130 and still a fun, “how can I kill 15 minutes?” system.

Tags: Nintendo, Cobalt/Black DS Lite, DS LIte, Nintendo DS

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

 Adesso’s mouse with numeric keypad

Are you tired of having to remove your mousing hand from your mouse in order to input 10-key on the numeric side of your keyboard? If so, check out the Adesso AKP-170, which is an optical mouse with a built-in numerical keypad.

The 19 Key USB Numeric Keypad and Optical Mouse offers desktop and notebook users an instant benefit of a full-sized, external numeric keypad in a compact form. You will not worry to install drivers as it uses USB Plug-and-Play technology. It functions as a numeric keypad and an optical mouse it features a wide flip top transparent cover for the keypad and additional scroll wheel for easy web navigation. It is innovative and portable, definitely designed for mobile professionals.

Specifications:

I’m sure that this little gadget will draw gamers’ attention also.

Tags: Adesso, mouse, numeric keypad , gamers, input key

ASTRO Gaming launches pro A40 Audio SystemSource

When gaming competitively, it is important for gamers to have the best gear, that includes everything from the computer rig itself all the way to the headset. ASTRO Gaming and Major League Gaming realize this and have teamed up to release a new high-end gaming headset called the MLG edition A40 Audio System.

Just look at them. They look like they could play games themselves, they’re so professional. They come with an amp/hub that provides the base for their operation, and there’s a detachable microphone with noise canceling built in. The cans are Dolby Digital certified and the MixAmp does the mixing, as you might expect. I’d sure like to get my hands on a pair of these!

President and CEO of Major League Gaming Matthew Bromberg himself endorsed the product saying that he expects to see this product’s popularity rise among more competitive gamers:

“The A40 is the most sophisticated, highest quality approach to competitive gaming audio, so we’re proud to debut the systems at the 2008 MLG Pro Circuit as ASTRO Gaming’s exclusive partner. Developed with the needs of gamers in mind and tested by MLG Pros, The MLG-branded A40 will be highly sought after by demanding gamers who want to play with the same equipment used in our pro competitions.”

The MLG A40 Audio system is going on the ASTRO Gaming website for US$ 249.95

Tags: ASTRO Gaming , pro , A40 , Audio System, Astro, gamer, gaming, MLG Pro Circuit , Matthew Bromberg, Dolby Digital