Archive for July, 2009

MicroFridge combines fridge, freezer, charge station, and microwave in one

Posted in Accessories by Shane McGlaun on July 16th, 2009

microfridge-sbConvergence is a great thing in the gadgets we know and love today. For instance the iPhone is a great converged device that can replace a GPS system, phone, MID, and MP3 player with one device. Convergence is usually associated with technology products, but not always.

A converged refrigerator is now being offered by a company aptly called MicroFridge. The device combines four things that the average college geek needs to make life livable. In one device you get a fridge, freezer, microwave, and a charging station for your gadgets.

Flex DVD is a greener DVD alternative

Posted in DVD by Shane McGlaun on July 16th, 2009

flexdvd-sbBack in the heyday of AOL it seemed like there was a CD or DVD in the mail each time I went to the box. Thankfully, I rarely get optical discs in the mail anymore. I wonder if some of the reason you don’t see optical discs being mailed today has to do with the cost of sending them.

A company called CD Digital Card has announced a new type of DVD called the Flex DVD. The Flex DVD is the same diameter as a traditional DVD, but about half as thick at 0.6mm. The Flex DVD can store 4.7GB of video or DVD-ROM content and weight 8 grams.

Verbatim unveils SureFire external storage line

Posted in Storage by Shane McGlaun on July 16th, 2009

verbatimsurefire-sbYears ago, you could find some Windows PCs that had FireWire ports and if you really want a FireWire port today you can probably still find some PCI cards that will add them. For the most part the FireWire port is something that you find on Mac computers today.

Verbatim has announced a new external hard drive line called the SureFire series that sports both FireWire 800 and USB 2.0 connectivity. The drive is compatible with Mac and Windows PCs. When used with a USB port no external power adapter is needed.

The Brand Keyboard, brought to you by…everyone

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on July 15th, 2009

The Brand Keyboard, brought to you by...everyoneThese days everything has to be branded with a company logo. It’s not just for race cars anymore. Imagine if keyboards were that way. You wouldn’t know what to type. Ignacio Pilotto is trying to make a statement about how these corporate brands have been “branded” in our consciousness.

And so the keys on this keyboard feature logos from some of the biggest and most famous brands ever. Sure, it’s an out there idea, but do you think these companies would mind one bit if they got some space on your next keyboard?

Satechi INSP3 WiFi radio

Posted in Radio by Conner Flynn on July 15th, 2009

Satechi INSP3 WiFi radioMaybe you’ve found that most internet radio designs are too traditional. Apparently Satechi thinks so too. Check out this odd design. Their INSP3 WiFi radio has a strange barrel shape, but forget looks. It can stream music from both internet stations and from any UPnP network device.

Either WiFi b/g or wired ethernet is used to get onto the network, and the INSP3 can be used without a PC or Mac turned on. The remote will navigate both internet radio and local streaming content, with twin 8W stereo speakers and both line-in/line-out connections for plugging in a PMP and headphones.

Teac LP-R550 CD Recorder

Posted in CD Player by Conner Flynn on July 15th, 2009

Teac LP-R550 CD RecorderLook, there’s a price to pay for liking all of grandma’s music. Like not being able to play an LP or cassette tape on your iPod. We aren’t judging ya. The classics are awesome. That’s why they’re classic.

Well here’s yet another device that will help you out and convert those LPs and cassette tapes into CD format. The Teac LP-R550 comes with a cassette tape recorder, LP disk player, and an AM/FM tuner. You can purchase the Teac LP-R550 for about $745. Which is pretty pricey. It may be cheaper just to hit iTunes and buy them all.

Seura The One HDTV Mirror

Posted in HDTV by Conner Flynn on July 15th, 2009

Seura The One HDTV MirrorSeura has released a questionable new 2-in-1 gadget called the One. It’s a 19-inch high definition LCD TV and a mirror all in one package. This unique television is geared toward the rich has a mirror embedded in it.

It supports a native resolution of 1080p and features 16:9 widescreen ratio, HDMI input, PC input, a ATSC/NTSC tuner and a waterproof remote control. If you can actually afford it, The One will set you back $3,500.

The Prism: A Laser Synth-Guitar

Posted in Musical Instruments by Conner Flynn on July 15th, 2009

The Prism: A Laser Synth-GuitarWhat do you get when you combine a guitar, a synthesizer and lasers? No, not a Pink Floyd concert. The Prism, which is a laser synth-guitar. The Prism is pretty unique in the world of of laser guitars and includes aspects of a Theremin and a laser harp for some really cool sounds.

The Prism features a voltage controlled oscillator and uses four laser beams as strings. It can apparently be played without the need for any programming. It’s designed to be attached to a regular guitar amp, with no computer needed. Check out a demo below.

DoCoMo SH-08A Solar Hybrid Phone

Posted in Mobile Phones by Conner Flynn on July 15th, 2009

DoCoMo SH-08A Solar Hybrid PhoneDoCoMo is working on the Solar Hybrid phone, a “solar-powered” phone that is also rugged enough to be “waterproof”, according to DoCoMo. It comes with an 8 Megapixel camera too, so this one is made for outdoor shooting.

It’s not entirely “solar-powered” as it can’t run on solar power alone. It’s more of a “solar assisted” device. 10 minutes in direct sunlight will give you a whopping 1 minute of talk time. Oh and “waterproof” means that the phone can stay in water for 30mn and no deeper than 1 meter.

Microcassette tape rewinds your headphone cord

Posted in Headphones by Conner Flynn on July 15th, 2009

Microcassette tape rewinds your headphone cordYou know what’s annoying? All of that excess cord you have when you wear your headphones. What can you do? Well, you can hide that spare cord and add a little retro flair to your look with this little gadget. It was designed by Jason Amendolara for Fred & Friends and is called the »REW cord caddy.

It looks like an old-school cassette tape and lets you conceal all of that extra wire inside. No info on pricing or a release date yet. Hopefully it will be available soon so you can get rid of that extra cord.

iPhone Server Farm puts old models to work

Posted in iPhone Accessories by Conner Flynn on July 15th, 2009

iPhone Server Farm puts old models to workIn all likelihood you have upgraded to to a new iPhone everytime they come out. If that sounds like you, you probably have a couple of old models lying around. Why not start a server farm? Sound good?

Created by Japan’s FreeBit, the prototype above is to promote the ServersMan app, which gives iPhone users the ability to use their phone as network storage, file viewer or even a mini web server. Why not? They’re just laying around.

Pizza Hut’s iPhone app

Posted in iPhone Accessories by Conner Flynn on July 15th, 2009


You have an iPhone and a hankering for some sweet Pizza Hut Pizza. What do you do? Well first you need to get Pizza Hut’s just unveiled new iPhone App. What other app will let you order food AND play a racing game? Suck on that Dominoes.

The app is as gimmicky as you might expect. Don’t believe me? When you order wings, you don’t just order wings. You need to shake your phone to get the wings covered in sauce. I guess that way, you only have yourself to blame if they taste like crap.

Mitsubishi TVs to come with free Vudu boxes

Posted in Mitsubishi by Conner Flynn on July 15th, 2009

Mitsubishi TVs to come with free Vudu boxesWe’re used to seeing free DVD or Blu-ray players with an HDTV purchase, but Mitsubishi is trying a new approach. Beginning July 16th, authorized retailers will give you a free Vudu box and $50 service credit with every Mitsubishi TV.

The box is only a $150 value, but then again Vudu is the only player out there offering 1080p HDX video rentals right now, plus it supports Pandora, Flickr, YouTube and local streaming, so bundling the TV with the box is an easy way for Mitsubishi to jump into the connected TV market without having to work very hard.

Microsoft confirms retail stores this fall

Posted in Microsoft by Conner Flynn on July 15th, 2009

Microsoft confirms retail stores this fallFor those who missed it, Microsoft hired former Wal-Mart exec David Porter to be its corporate vice president of retail stores in February. So it’s not much of a surprise that stores are on the way. COO Kevin Turner confirmed the plans at the Worldwide Partner Conference in New Orleans yesterday, saying the stores can be expected to open this fall (probably to coincide with the launch of Windows 7?).

He took the gloves off and didn’t mince words about taking the fight to Apple’s doorstep. “Stay tuned, because we’re going to have some retail stores opened up that are opened up right next door to Apple stores.”

EATR robots are hungry

Posted in Robots by Conner Flynn on July 15th, 2009

EATR robots are hungryHere come the flesh-eating machines. The EATR project has hit a new milestone in the development of the reconnaissance bot, successfully coupling a steam generator with a compact biomass furnace. This means that it is possible for an autonomous machine to forage for and refuel itself with biomatter, otherwise known as our corpses.

They call it fuel versatility, as gasoline, diesel, and solar power may also be used. But our guess is that flesh tastes much yummier to robots. So run until you fall, at which time an EATR bot will finish you off for lunch. Humans USED to be the top of the food chain…