Archive for June, 2009

Pioneer intros three Blu-ray players

Posted in Blu-ray by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009

Pioneer intros three Blu-ray playersPioneer is shipping three brand new Blu-ray players today. The trio initially debuted at CES, and now these Blu-ray players are making their way into the world. They include the Elite BDP-23FD, which has a Precision Quartz Lock System and capacitors to please audiophiles. Some other features include BD Live Support, 7.1-channel audio, RS-232 support and 48-bit color.

Next is the BDP-320, which also has PQLS, BD Live support, 48-bit color and high quality, but lacks the design of the Elite. The BDP-120 has 36-bit color, USB storage and a 1GB external hard drive. It does not have PQLS.

Combimouse: Keyboard and Mouse collide

Posted in Mouse by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009

Combimouse: Keyboard and Mouse collideThe Combimouse is a combination Keyboard and Mouse featuring a standard QWERTY keyboard and integrated standard mouse. It’s one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen with a QWERTY layout. Apparently they are still looking to bring this to market.

An early combimouse prototype was succesfully tested by Wichita State University and they say they have all of the issues ironed out. The left unit is stationary and provides the function of the left hand side of a conventional QWERTY keyboard. While the right unit has a similar mass and center of gravity to a typical mouse. It also has a similar grip.

Camper’s Kit in a Bottle

Posted in Outdoors by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009

Camper's Kit in a BottleCoghlan’s Camper’s Kit in a Bottle is just what you need in these tough economic times, if you want to go camping but don’t want to break the bank buying all of the camping accessories. We checked it out for you to see if it’s something you really want to check out.

The Camper’s Kit in a Bottle includes: 1 liter shatter resistant polycarbonate bottle with carabiner attached, camper’s multi-tool, sheath, flashlight, first aid kit pack (includes first aid guide, multi sized bandages, gauze pads, alcohol pad, moleskin, travel towel and steel needle) and a poncho.

Stocco Maitre touch screen mirror for your iPod

Posted in Home by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009

Stocco Maitre touch screen mirror for your iPodHere’s a cool concept for your bathroom mirror! Pretty girl not included. The Maitre mirror from Stocco of Italy comes with a touch screen console that includes a built in radio, clock and barometer, hell, even a mirror demister with a sensor.

It can control and playback audio on your iPod. But what’s the advantage to having these controls on a mirror? Well, you can watch yourself and practice for your American Idol audition. Plus, the mirror probably comes with speakers so you can sing in the shower.

InnoDisk shows off 128GB Nano SSD drives

Posted in SSD by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009


The InnoDisk 128GB Nano SSD drive is not your typical micro USB flash drive. It’s a full fledged 128GB beast in a micro form. Future netbooks will have more storage in less space with the InnoDisk installed, which leaves room for other cool stuff. And we do want it all in a small form factor.

It’s pretty awesome. In the video above, the tiny drive functions flawlessly with 20g’s of accelerative force being placed on it.

Fujitsu F-09A with exercise monitor

Posted in Fujitsu by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009

Fujitsu F-09A with exercise monitorIf you find that you can’t get in shape on your own and need the help of a gadget, the F-09A handset from Fujitsu will help by nagging you into shape. It features a large 3.4″ touchscreen panel which is capable of sliding and rotating to access different functions, while offering an integrated Exercise Monitor that lets you know how much physical activity you’ve engaged in.

Some other features include GPS navigation, an 8.1-megapixel camera, Bluetooth connectivity, 1Seg TV and the ability to keep you connected to the net wherever you are thanks to its high-speed FOMA, 3G and GSM compatibility.

Verizon announces BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230

Posted in BlackBerry by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009

Verizon announces BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230The BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 certainly took its time making an appearance on Verizon Wireless. It starts from the 19th of this month onward. Better late than never I guess. It will cost you $129.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate, with a 2-year contract.

As for specs, here’s a refresher: OS 4.6.0, 324MHz processor, external display, vertical QVGA internal display, SureType keypad, 2 megapixel camera with flash, GPS, etc. I don’t think it will generate very much excitement.

Clamshell ibook greeting cards

Posted in Mac by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009

Clamshell ibook greeting cardsRemember the old clamshell Apple iBook laptops? Well, here they are in greeting card form. For when you care enough to send the geekiest card ever. Hallmark really missed an opportunity here, as these aren’t from Hallmark. They are handmade by Etsy paper artist Cadiz Cards.

The iCard comes in sets of three, including classic blueberry, indigo and key lime iBooks. Each has a tiny screen that comes blank for you to fill in your own greeting, and a miniature keyboard. Custom colors are also available if you want something different. A set will cost you $12 bucks.

Wii gets camera motion gaming too

Posted in Wii by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009

Wii gets camera motion gaming tooWii can haz Project Natal tu? Yep. But it isn’t coming from Nintendo. The Wii will soon get camera-based, Project Natal-like motion sensing for at least one fitness game. From Ubisoft. It’s called “Your Shape”.

Ubisoft’s version is like a Project Natal Lite. That’s because it’s a game accessory, not a system accessory. It tracks some motion, but not all. In fact, not much. Your body is used more for feedback than game control. Video below.

Miyamoto: Super Mario Bros. Wii shows hardware limitations

Posted in Wii by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009

wii-sb1Well, we already knew that the Wii was weak compared to the other consoles. In Shigeru Miyamoto’s E3 2009 roundtable, the designer had a candid moment when discussing Wii hardware. Some might say he was a little too honest.

When talking about the New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Miyamoto said that since the game features four-player multiplayer and multiple camera views, the Wii’s processor is already being taxed pretty hard. Sounds like the Wii processor is already starting to show some limitations. Miyamoto also said that, “I would like to use Wii Speak more, but [in SMB] the Wii processor is already being taxed.”

Palm Pre’s iTunes support is questionable

Posted in Palm by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009

Palm Pre's iTunes support is questionableBy now everyone knows that the Palm Pre has iTunes support. But Pre’s identity to its host system when connected via USB has confirmed what was already suspected. The method that it uses to hook into iTunes is…questionable.

The Pre identifies itself as an iPod in Media Sync mode, but only on the system’s mass storage interface. The root USB node still comes through as a Palm Pre. Apple could, if they wanted to, easily block it. Would Apple do that? It would certainly help grow their user base to let it be.

SanDisk: “You Can’t Out-iPod the iPod”

Posted in SanDisk by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009

Sandisk 8GB Sansa Clip MP3 playerEli Harari, CEO of Sandisk, recently admitted what has become very obvious. That Apple rules them all when it comes to the portable media player market. Everyone else is just trying to keep up. In a recent Fortune interview Harari admits that “you can’t out-iPod the iPod.”

SanDisk is a distant second place in the sector, and its flash memory is used in all kinds of PMP devices. They can admit that Apple rules in that sector, because flash memory chips are Sandisk’s primary product, not PMPs. Still must have been hard to actually say it.

Black Nintendo Wii and red DSi coming this summer

Posted in Nintendo by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009

Black Nintendo Wii and red DSi coming this summerThe black Wii and red DSi are coming from Nintendo Japan, not Colorware. The black Wii (aka “KURO Wii”) has been rumored for over two years now. It’s nice to finally have some color options for both the Wii and DSi.

The black Wii with black Wiimote, nunchuck, and classic controller will hit Japan on August 1st for ¥25,000 and the ¥18,900 red DSi on July 11th.

Palm Pre stock levels at Best Buy for entire US now leaked

Posted in Palm by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009

Palm Pre stock levels for launch day at Best Buy leakedThere’s no way to know for sure if the linked document is authentic or not. It builds on the original, from a few days back. It sems like a lot of trouble to go through for a joke or hoax, but there are some sick and bored people out there.

I mean, it’s a 31 page PDF file showing Palm Pre inventories for every Best Buy in the US and Puerto Rico. If this is bunk, than someone has a very sad life. Make of it what you will. Maybe it will help you get a Pre.

nesPod iPod case mod

Posted in iPod by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2009

nesPod iPod case modWe’ve seen plenty of casemods, but the NES will always give us a warm tingly feeling. The nesPod is the work of flickr user recycledgamer. It’s a gutted NES controller and an iPod mini from around 2004-2005. The back has been cut out for the screen and clickwheel.

And that’s all there is to this mod. Pretty simple. NES in front, iPod in back. Your gaming mullet controller has arrived.