Gadgets and just Gadgets

The MiNi Electronic Cigarette gadget, represents the latest trend in Europe, especially in the UK. By using them you can avoid smoking bans, as it only simulates the process of smoking. It is a lot healthier than smoking normal cigarettes and also helps those wanting to give up smoking.

It even feels like you are inhaling smokeit lets you enjoy those tactile sensations without the health risks associated with tobacco. But it has no carbon monoxide, no tar and no cancer-causing chemicals. You don’t need any matches or lighter for smoking it as nothing actually burns. Not to mention that passive smoking doesn’t exist.

The small white stick, which looks just like a proper cigarette, contains a chamber that vapourises pure liquid nicotine into a puff of steam. Nicotine is its only ingredient, unlike tobacco alternatives which contain over 4,000 chemicals and tar. The electric cigarette is battery powered (UK charger included), has a glowing red tip and even tastes like the real thing. The MiNi cigarette cannot cause lung cancer as it only contains nicotine.

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

iWave Cube- your portable microwave

Here comes the time in every young person’s life where they decide to graduate from the microwave to the stove. And fail miserably. Now instead of retreating dejectedly back to the kitchen microwave, where the rest of the appliances can point and make fun, you can hide your shame with the iWave Cube.

It is pretty convenient — a personal, portable microwave! Forget all those trips to the kitchen or treks to the cafeteria — now you can reheat coffee right at your desk; or nuke some soup for your brown-bag lunch; or pop some `corn in the entertainment room.

The innovative iwavecube personal microwave has all the electronic controls and safety features you expect, but it takes up less than a cubic foot of space. Plug it in anyplace that’s handy — work or home office; home gym; family room; nursery; wet bar; dorm room; work bench; pool house.everywhere! The quiet, super-energy-efficient iwavecube measures just 10″ x 10.5″ x 12″ and weighs only 12 lbs. Features a built-in carry handle and view-through door. T

he little microwave measures one cubic foot (about the size of a Kleenex box), and weighs just 12 pounds. Unfortunately, you’ll still need to plug it in, so there’s a limit to how far you can run. The iWave Cube comes in black, red or silver, and retails for $130.

Tags: iWave, microwave, portable, iWave cube

New Crumpler bags for photo lovers

Meet the Crumpler bags. They are often better known for their fun “dig-in” looks, silly names and playfully obtuse catalogue descriptions; than they are for their pure functionality to photographers. While that doesn’t change a lot with their latest offerings from PMA 2008, they’re still fun bags (hee-hee) nonetheless and that’s important too, ya know?

On the one hand, there’s The Rufous Whistler ($90), a “Limited Edition” bag designed for bird and nature photographers. We don’t know if “designed” is the right word, though. This bag seems more “drawn” for bird lovers, with a bright red and yellow color scheme, and cute pictures of birds throughout including a stitched red “birder” with a pair of binocs on the side. Looks like, at most, you could fit a digital SLR and lens into this cute little bag. Maybe some small binoculars as well.

Then there’s The Period Charmer ($550), which is two photo bags in one. First it’s a photo trolley bag, complete with wheels and a collapsible handle, making it a great piece of luggage for dragging through airports and stowing away as a carry-on item. Inside The Period Charmer is the Cork & Fork removable insert, which can be pulled from the trolley bag and used as a photo backpack. The Cork & Fork — yes, we know this is all kind of confusing — has padded shoulder straps, an adjustable waist, and a soft tricot-lined adjustable “snake” wall to cradle your cameras and lenses.

Tags: bag, period charmer, photo bag, trolley bag, rufous whistler , crumpler, crumpler bag

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,

Polaroid gets killed by digital films

One of the unfortunate aspects of the so-called digital revolution is that older, analog technologies get left behind. With digital cameras, Polaroid photos are being replaced. Digitals are more instant, and usually look better, though there’s something about the primary colors and blurry edges of a Polaroid that will always rule.The Concorde company that pioneered instant photography is getting out of the film business to focus on digital imaging.

Polaroid says it will close its two remaining film manufacturing plants in Massachusetts. The facilities in Norwood and Waltham employed about 150 people and made large-format film for commercial use.

Polaroid has already halted the production of instant cameras. Chief Operating Officer Tom Beaudoin told The Boston Globe the company will focus on digital photography equipment and flat-panel TVs.

The Concord-based company will retain about 150 administrative workers in Massachusetts.

In its heyday, Polaroid employed some 15,000 people in the state. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2001 as the advent of digital technology dampened demand for instant photography.

Tags: polaroid, concord, film, camera, digital

Desktop holograms with Holocube

After years of promises, it seems that holograms are finally starting to gain a little attraction, although the applications for the technology so far have been fairly limited. At least one company thinks that’s about to change, however, with it now touting its retro-styled Holocube as an all-purpose solution for company’s to advertise their products “like never before.”

Measuring about 20-inches square, the Holocube packs a 40GB hard drive for storing up to 18 hours of compressed video, which can magically float at 1080i resolution within the cube at the flick of a switch. Of course, the fact the company is targeting the device solely as a means of advertising should tell you something about the price (which is on a need to know basis, it seems).

Still, it’s a start, and we’re guessing there are at least a few folks out there that’ll snag one of these to fully round out their Star Wars-inspired home theater no matter what the cost. Head on past the break for some video of it in action.

Tags: hologram, cube, holocube,

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

The Col-Pop = Food and Soda Cup
Proving yet again that South Korea is light years ahead of everyone else in fast-food technology is The Col-Pop. This is, hands down, the hottest convergence device in the last months. You love your nuggets and you soda, yeah? But you only have two hands and you’re multi-tasking so what are you supposed to do? Enter the Col-Pop from BBQ Chicken. The South Korean chain is thinking ahead knowing the American public will want these immediately

The Col-Pop is the brainchild of a South Korea–based fried chicken chain that has recently set its sights on worldwide chicken domination.

From the looks of this container, on-the-go America will certainly eat it up. It’s perfect for handy snacking while walking, driving, talking on the phone, or—as we discovered the other day—blogging.

And the genius doesn’t stop at popcorn chicken. In South Korea, sister company BHC Chicken also offers spaghetti, french fries, and fried mozzarella balls in Col-Pop containers. The Col-Pops we inspected come in two sizes: small (20 ounce cup) and large (32 ounce).

Tags: colpop, south korea, BBQ Chicken, col-pop