Archive for March, 2009

iBUYPOWER intros Intel gaming system Power 906, under $750

Posted in iBuyPower by Conner Flynn on March 18th, 2009

iBUYPOWER intros Intel gaming system Power 906, under $750iBUYPOWER has teamed up with Tiger Direct to launch the new Gamer Power 906, which sports an Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 Processor, 4GB DDR-2 RAM, Nvidia 9600GT1GB GPU, 500GB SATA storage and 600-watt PSU. It’s an affordable performance system with enough juice for graphic intensive games.

The components inside the Power 906 are housed in a roomy NZXT Alpha Chassis with a silent cooling solution, professional cable management system, clear side panel and is preinstalled neon lights. Not bad for under $750.

Psystar launches new Mac clone PC

Posted in Mac by Conner Flynn on March 18th, 2009

Psystar launches new Mac clone PC Psystar might be in the middle of a court battle with Apple over the use of the Apple Mac OS X operating system, but that didn’t stop the Mac clone company from releasing a brand new Open Computer model on Tuesday.

The new model, the Open (3), will be “Smaller, Faster and Sexier” and includes Intel’s E7400 Core2Duo processor running at 2.8GHz, which is over 50% faster than the previous processor. They’ve phased out the mini-tower and opted for a “slim form-factor” that is 47% smaller.

solChat solar powered bluetooth speaker phone

Posted in Bluetooth by Conner Flynn on March 17th, 2009

solChat solar powered bluetooth speaker phoneScosche just launched a new solar powered gadget in the Solchat Bluetooth Speaker Phone. It’s designed to be used in your car, and features a built in lithium ion rechargeable battery and a solar panel so you can charge it up it in your car’s windshield.

In addition to being able to be charged by the suns rays, it also can be recharged via USB or via a car adaptor. It’s available now for $99.99.

Fly-Goodbye pistol keeps your magazines clean

Posted in Home by Conner Flynn on March 17th, 2009

Fly-Goodbye pistol keeps your magazines cleanIf today’s beautiful weather was any indication, spring is finally here. Sadly, the bugs have arrived with it. The fly-goodbye will keep their population down and keep your magazines insect-gut free. Just insert the front tube that has some glue at the bottom, give it some pump action and fire.

If you are skilled enough that buzzing sound will cease and the fly will be trapped in the tube with glue. Brilliant. It’s like an insect carbonite freeze. It works more like a vacuum that sucks the fly in when the trigger is pushed, and you have to be about 1 to 3cm away from the pest, but still. Pretty nifty way of killing some insect game.

USB Arrow optical mouse points, you click

Posted in Mouse by Conner Flynn on March 17th, 2009

USB Arrow optical mouse points, you clickThose who like to take pointing and clicking literally will love this arrow shaped like a mouse. You get my point? It’s a point well taken. It will even get your point across. And point you in the right direction.

That’ll be enough of that. It’s got 800dpi, a scroll wheel, it will probably cripple your hand too. It’s available in red or black. Too bad it isn’t wireless, but it comes with a retractable attached USB cable. The USB Arrow Optical Mouse retails for $12.00.

Spaulding iHoop Basketball hoop

Posted in iPod Accessories by Conner Flynn on March 17th, 2009

Spaulding iHoop Basketball hoopIf you’ve been waiting patiently for something that combines your love of both the iPod and Basketball, your wait is over. I present to you the iHoop. Yeah I know, they thought it sounded cool, but you and I both know that it’s just iHop with an extra “o”.

You’ll be swishing shots to your favorite tunes with the new Spaulding iHoop. A standard adjustable tempered glass basketball hoop with an iPod dock built into the base and 3 speakers (two 3″ speakers and a 5″ subwoofer) pumping out a total of 30 watts.

Philips Xenium X810

Posted in Mobile Phones by Conner Flynn on March 17th, 2009

Philips Xenium X810The Xenium X810 is Philips latest arrival in the cell phone arena and it’s quite different from what we’re used to seeing from this brand. This model comes equipped with a touchscreen to slurp up power like a little vampire.

Some features include: a 240 x 400 pixel TFT touchscreen display with 262K colors, Navigation, Quad-band GSM connectivity with EDGE, 3.2 megapixel camera with flash, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, 45MB internal memory, microSDHC memory card slot, and up to one month of stand-by time. We don’t know when this will arrive, but it will likely debut in China.

Scope Node Mouse, as Precise as a Pen

Posted in Mouse by Conner Flynn on March 17th, 2009

Scope Node Mouse, as Precise as a PenElecom Japan introduced their latest hi-end mouse, which is a bit unusual. The Scope Node M-SN1UL. They’ve completely redone the design for “pen and paper” like precision for pointing at things with your favorite tool, the mouse.

It has a laser sensor (1600dpi) placed where a pen point is typically located in your hand. With the device’s off-center laser, Elecom claims a high level of precision. For some reason it also has a weird exposed scroll wheel, that looks kinda neat. It’s only available in Japan, so if you live anywhere else, you’ll have to make due with less than accurate pointing.

iPhone 3.0 features cut-and-paste, a whole lot more

Posted in Apple by Conner Flynn on March 17th, 2009

iPhone 3.0 features cut-and-paste, a whole lot moreAt frakkin last! Cut and paste. Apple fans have something to be happy about this afternoon with the news of the iPhone 3.0 update. The new OS delivers a number of features Apple iPhone users have been waiting for since the iPhone’s launch.

It adds features like cut and paste, turn-by-turn navigation, MMS, 3G tethering, shake to shuffle music, voice memo application. And a whole lot more too. There’s peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connectivity, maps inside other applications, a rumbling for games, and even audio recording.

Sony Ericsson intros round cellphone speaker

Posted in Sony Ericsson by Conner Flynn on March 17th, 2009

Sony Ericsson intros round cellphone speakerIt’s round. It’s a speaker. It’s from Sony Ericsson. I’ll be honest, I don’t get these cell phone speakers, but Sony Ericsson thinks that you will want the MS500, so you can share music with your friends and whatnot.

It’s exactly what it looks like, a round portable speaker that connects to your phone via Bluetooth to play your tunes wherever you happen to be. It can hang on your belt loop with the included strap, and has 5 hours of battery life. Tell me honestly dear reader, do any of you actually use these cell phone speakers? I don’t. I just don’t get it myself.

Sony working on downloadable comic service for PSP

Posted in PSP by Conner Flynn on March 17th, 2009

Sony working on downloadable comic service for PSPLooks like SCEE is prototyping a new addition to the PSP PlayStation Store. According to a tipster, Sony is planning a service that will let you download digital comics directly to your PSP. Survey participants were asked to watch the video below and to help determine a pricing scheme: subscription or a la carte prices.

Digital comics aren’t new to the PSP, like the Metal Gear Solid comics for instance. The interactive comics were enhanced with slight animation, music and even sound effects. The PlayStation Store currently only has one digital comic available for download: The Cryptics, which will cost you $2.99.

The E-Pod iPod dock

Posted in Concepts by Conner Flynn on March 17th, 2009

The E-Pod iPod dockThe latest conceptual iPod dock is called the E-Pod Dock and has a lot of functionality. It’s compatible with your iPhone, iPod touch and iPod classic and functions as a speaker, movie projector and an alarm clock.

Forget its compact size, it will offer you quality hi-fidelity audio. Quite a device. As long as we’re dreaming, how about if it tweets everything you are watching and listening to. One thing is for sure, it would look good on any late night talk show host’s desk.

Pillow-filled clothing for those late nights at the office

Posted in Apparel by Conner Flynn on March 17th, 2009

Pillow-filled clothing for those late nights at the officeLate nights at the office just got a lot fluffier thanks to this concept from Polish designer Maja Ganszyniec that turns your collar, tie and sleeve into a pillow and looks very very comfortable. So whether you finish your work and slowly lay your head down or just plain pass out, it’s all good.

You work hard, so why not dress soft? Serta or some other bed manufacturer needs to start churning out clothes like this and completely cover us. I don’t know about you, but I want to live in a world where everyone looks a little more like the Stay-Puft marshmallow man.

Motorola VE465 clamshell is built tough

Posted in Motorola by Conner Flynn on March 17th, 2009

Motorola VE465 clamshell is built toughMotorola introduced its VE465 semi-rugged clamshell handset, available on Alltel’s website. But there’s no word on pricing details just yet. Those living in Canada can check out the VE465 on Telus if inclined, where it shall be known as the “Motorola VE465 Active Edition”.

Some specs include: CDMA 800/1900/1700/2100 connectivity, 1.9″ TFT internal display with 176 x 220 pixels and 65k colors, 1.05″ CSTN external display with 96 x 80 pixels, Brew OS, Stereo Bluetooth, Music/video player, 1.3 megapixel camera, USB 2.0, and a microSD memory card slot.

Modified Roomba detects stress, runs away from its abuser

Posted in Robots by Conner Flynn on March 17th, 2009

Modified Roomba detects stress, runs away from its abuserThis modified Roomba avoids users when it detects high levels of stress. Which is good for it because otherwise it would just be willing to take your abuse if you’re the sick sort that kicks puppies, cute kitties and helpless roombas.

It was designed by researchers at the University of Calgary, who interact with the bot via a headband for gamers that detects how much muscle tension is in your face. The more tension, the more space the Roomba will put between itself and you. The idea is to explore human and machine interaction on an emotional level.