Archive for February, 2009

Ultrasone Edition 8 headphones

Posted in Headphones by Conner Flynn on February 14th, 2009

Ultrasone Edition 8 headphonesUltrasone has rolled out it’s new Edition 8 headphones, offering the highest quality acoustic output and transparency. This special edition headphones uses the company’s S-Logic Plus technology for an “impartial acoustic feeling that allows the listener even more of a spacious tonal perception.”

These headphones are all about luxury. It comes in elegant black and silver colors with each ear cup covered in soft Ethiopian sheepskin. Because sheepskin from anywhere else just won’t cut it apparently. The headphones will set you back $1,499, but if it’s any consolation they come with a leather bag.

Casio 9.1 Megapixel Hello Kitty edition with crystals

Posted in Hello Kitty by Conner Flynn on February 13th, 2009

Casio 9.1 Megapixel Hello Kitty edition with crystalsHello Kitty has re-spawned yet again. This one is an upgrade to the Casio Exilim 720. It’s the latest digital camera to pimp out Japan’s favorite cat and packs in 9 Megapixels and a 2.6 inch TFT. You’ll also get a 3X optical zoom lens and it can shoot video in MOV format.

Some other specs include digital image stabilizer, red eye reduction, 41Mb of internal memory and SDHC card slot. It also features a ring of pink crystals around the lens, so Hello Kitty can focus her evil energies on your subject.

AirMan Tire Repair System gets you home safely

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on February 13th, 2009

AirMan Tire Repair System gets you home safelyFlat tires stink. specially if you don’t have a spare with you. You could drive home with 3 tires and a rim, but that just leads to a shower of sparks as you tear up the asphalt and ruin your rim. The AirMan Tire Repair System will fix your flat tire “at the touch of a button”.

It works by injecting some kind of sealant into the flat tire while inflating it at the same time. So it should be a useful thing to keep in your car. They claim that it’s fast and give you safe driving for 200 miles, which should be enough to get you where you need to go.

Onkyo intros two new iPod speaker systems

Posted in Onkyo by Conner Flynn on February 13th, 2009

Onkyo intros two new iPod speaker systemsOnkyo has released two new cool looking iPod speaker systems. The X-T2CR sports a CD player and the X-T2 plays MDs. Both have built-in iPod docks that are compatible with any generation iPod.

Both also feature AM and FM tuners, and A-OMF Cone and 8cm driver units for the speakers. They’re a little more stylish than your average iPod speaker deck, and actually look pretty nice. ipod docks are a dime a dozen and we like to see some that look good occasionally.

Acorn MP3 player for music loving squirrels

Posted in MP3 by Conner Flynn on February 13th, 2009

Acorn MP3 player for music loving squirrelsThis Acorn MP3 player, which they are calling the “Pine Cone MP3 Player” is to be purchased, buried in the backyard in a small hole that you have dug by hand, then dug up to help to get you through a harsh winter when music is scarce.

This MP3 player comes with 1GB of storage, and features a controller on the top so you can select your tracks easily. It goes with all of your other wood gadgets, like the Scrabble keyboard and your wooden earbuds.

Tokyoflash MP3 Tower

Posted in MP3 by Conner Flynn on February 13th, 2009

Tokyo Flash MP3 TowerLooks like our friends over at Tokyoflash got tired of making hard to decipher watches. And so the Tokyo Flash MP3 Tower was born. It features an integrated speaker on the base and a USB port to hook up USB flash drives with music files.

Red LEDs display the time straightforward for once, with volume and control buttons on top of the case. The device is powered by three AA batteries. And since the MP3 Tower is waterproof, so you take it with you in the shower. Just remember that you’ll need a waterproof USB flash drive too.

Micro Innovations goes all bamboo

Posted in PCs by Conner Flynn on February 13th, 2009

Micro Innovations goes all bambooTwo creatures love bamboo a whole lot. Pandas and eco-loving hippies. I make fun, but both creatures are smart, because bamboo grows super fast so chopping it down to be used in electronic devices, or to eat, is a good idea. Micro Innovations is the latest company to feature accessories made with a bamboo shell.

Those accessories include speakers, a card reader, a webcam, USB hub, keyboard and a mouse. Hopefully the guts of these devices are a little greener as well, not just the casing. These should be available in an electronics store near you around April or May.

50 million PSPs sold worldwide

Posted in PSP by Conner Flynn on February 13th, 2009

50 million PSPs sold worldwideSony claims to have sold 50 million PSP handhelds worldwide as of January 2009. That number includes all PSP-1000, 2000, and 3000 devices sold since December 2004. That’s a pretty impressive number, for sure.

But not so much if you’re sitting in Nintendo’s corporate offices, looking at 96.22 million DS handhelds sold between December 2004 and December 2008. I guess since they can’t brag about how many PS3 units have been sold, they have to have something to give them hope.

Review: WarnLaser 120mW Tiger Series laser

Posted in Review by Darrin Olson on February 12th, 2009

WarnLaser laser reviewPowerful laser pointers are something that many people are often curious about, however not too often does someone get a chance to handle one. The folks over at WarnLaser recently gave us at the ‘Brick a chance to try out one of their lasers to see what we thought. This is not the first time we’ve had our hands on a laser of this caliber and through this we’ve learned that all lasers are not created equal.

The sample we received is a 120mW Tiger Series GX, running on a couple of standard AAA batteries in a frame about the size of a large pen. In fact, this laser has pen-like clip and can pretty easily fit in a shirt pocket, but might be a little bit heavier than most of the items in your pocket protector at 55 grams. The Tiger Series is a nice balance between power and portability in the array of lasers from WarnLaser. It’s about in the middle of the road – you can get weaker lasers and you can get them much more powerful.

IBuyPower intros two Dragon-based gaming desktops

Posted in Desktop PCs by Conner Flynn on February 12th, 2009

IBuyPower intros two Dragon-based gaming desktopsIBuyPower has two new affordable gaming rigs that look good and boast great specs. The Gamer HAF 91B and the Gamer Fire, both based on AMD’s latest Dragon platform and Phenom II CPU. The Gamer HAF 91B starts at $999 and includes the Phenom II X4 920 processor, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a 500GB SATA II hard drive, a dual-layer DVD writer, ATI’s 512MB Radeon HD 4850 graphics card, a CoolerMaster HAS 932 case and a 550-watt power supply.

It’s big brother turns up the heat with a Phenom II X4 940 CPU, a 750GB HDD, LG GGC-H20L Blu-ray drive and an NZXT Guardian 921 chassis. The Gamer Fire will cost you $1,439.

NES Controller modded into a mouse

Posted in Nintendo by Conner Flynn on February 12th, 2009

NES Controller modded into a mouseSomeone has taken an old NES controller and modded it into The Compwnent USB Nintendo Controller mouse by adding a new chip and USB cable. It will work with any OS. We’re not sure how comfortable it would be to use, but it’s not like it will injure your wrist over time. Why not?

It will show up as “Compwnent USB NES Controller” on your device list and boasts a Mouse Mode. Hit A, B, Start & Select simultaneously and you can use the D-pad and A/B buttons to control mouse movement and left/right click! The NES Controller will cost you $35.

Control A Cat remote

Posted in Humor by Conner Flynn on February 12th, 2009

Control A Cat remoteA remote control for your cat. No batteries are required as it’s powered by positive thinking. Just point it at your cat, press some buttons on the remote and hope for the best.

Some of the buttons include “Stop Scratching”, “Show Affection”, “Remain Aloof”, “Meow”and others. Your cat will be doing what you command it to in no time. Only $7. The “Fur Ball” button is loads of fun.

Acer’s dual-side, dual-cam touch phones

Posted in Acer by Conner Flynn on February 12th, 2009

Acer’s dual-side, dual-cam touch phonesLooks like Acer’s smartphone strategy at Mobile World Congress will involve at least two handsets. The DX650 would be a unique dual-sided phone with a dedicated number pad and small screen on the back to make calls easier. It will sport a 2.8-inch touchscreen and Windows Mobile 6.1 providing full app support on the phone’s front. The DX650 should also have GPS and a camera. 3G over HSPA and Wi-Fi are assumed.

The X960 looks like a more conventional 2.8-inch touchscreen phone and is known to have a fast 533MHz ARM processor and a front-facing camera for video calls to complement a back 3.2-megapixel shooter. It also runs Windows Mobile and carries HSPA-based 3G, GPS and Wi-Fi.

Timeless Garden lets you grow grass, tell time

Posted in Concepts by Conner Flynn on February 12th, 2009

Timeless Garden lets you grow grass, tell timeWhy you would want to grow grass indoors just to have a clock, is anybody’s guess. Especially since almost every device these days has a clock. Who knows, maybe you just really love weeds indoors. If so, the Timeless Garden may be for you.

It’s powered by the chemistry between mud and metal, so that toxic batteries aren’t required. They describe it as “an indoor plant with a self-sustaining digital clock”.

Samsung Blue Earth Phone is made from water bottles

Posted in Samsung by Conner Flynn on February 12th, 2009

Samsung Blue Earth Phone is made from water bottlesSamsung’s upcoming Blue Earth smartphone is a little different. In front you’ll find a touch screen, while the entire back takes advantage of the space with a solar panel. If you can believe Samsung, they are claiming that the panel produces enough electricity to place a call any time you need to.

We’ll believe that one when we see it, but as far as eco-phones go, this one is interesting. Keeping energy in mind, the phone includes an Eco Mode, which adjusts screen brightness and deactivates Bluetooth. Not only that, but most of the phone is made from recycled water bottles. Both the handset, and it’s charger are free from harmful substances.