Archive for August, 2009

Cassette Nano Case is awesome

Posted in iPod Accessories by Conner Flynn on August 5th, 2009

Cassette Nano Case is awesomeThese 45 Nano Cases are made from actual cassette tapes and will fit 4th gen iPod nanos. It doesn’t get much cooler than this. I would buy an iPod Nano just so I can put it in this case. You get 24 color options to choose from.

They gut the cassette, route it and make the Nano fit inside. Anyone rocking a Nano who actually used cassette tapes has to love this. It’s a law.

Hello Kitty limited edition Casio Exilim EX-Z2 with 12.1 megapixels available for pre-order

Posted in Cameras by Conner Flynn on August 5th, 2009

Hello Kitty limited edition Casio Exilim EX-Z2 with 12.1 megapixels available for pre-orderApparently it’s Hello Kitty’s 35th anniversary despite the fact that every year seems like an anniversary with all of the kitty branded crap that gets regurgitated onto the market like tasty gadget hairballs. This is not the first Casio digital camera we’ve seen carrying the face of HK, but the Exilim EX- Z2 is the first 12.1-megapixel version we’ve ever seen.

And what would it be if it were not covered in Swarovskis and dipped in pink? This Casio features a 2.7-inch LCD, and a 3 x optical zoom, plus it looks like the package comes with the following: a camera case, lanyard, and giant pink tribble thing.

Zune HD’s browser previewed

Posted in Zune HD by Conner Flynn on August 5th, 2009

Zune HD's browser previewedOver at CNET, they had a look at a recent build of the Zune HD. Apparently the device is getting close to a final product. The hardware received some praise as well as video playback and a the music player, which has been refined. They really liked the Zune HD’s browser and found it to be excellent.

It was built by the IE team, which is good news for prospective Windows Mobile 6.5 users, and it’s comparable to the iPhone in features as well as speed. You get pinch to zoom, accelerometer-based reorientation, and a decent onscreen keyboard. No Flash though. All in all it sounds fairly awesome.

Xbox 360 line to be reduced to Arcade and Elite?

Posted in Xbox 360 by Conner Flynn on August 5th, 2009

Xbox 360 line to be reduced to Arcade and Elite?Some leaked packaging images suggest that only two models of the Xbox 360 will be available in the future. Depicted in the above photo are current and planned boxes for the 360 Arcade; the latter box lists only one other 360, the 120GB Elite.

The Pro, in production since 2005, is MIA. It’s typically the best-selling Xbox system. The photo backs up earlier reports that Microsoft is phasing out the Pro. Game bundles may help clear out earlier stock, after which the Elite’s price is expected fall to that of the Pro in September.

Nikon Pro Battery Grip keeps your DSLR running

Posted in Cameras by Conner Flynn on August 5th, 2009

NikonWhen your Digital camera runs out of juice at the worst possible moment, it’s enough to make you want to scream. The Nikon Battery Grip can help. It holds six AA batteries which can be used to power your Nikon D200 through an adapter.

If you are a serious camera user, this one is a no brainer. Why chance missing out on that perfect picture? The Nikon Battery Grip will retail for £99.59 and save you a ton of frustration.

MouseBlister makes your mouse uglier than ever

Posted in Mouse by Conner Flynn on August 5th, 2009

MouseBlister makes your mouse uglier than everThis mouse looks like it has a deadly case of blisters. The MouseBlister claims to reduce tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, but we can’t see anybody shelling out good money to ugly up their mouse in this way. Can you say scam?

Is it a mouse or a rubbery porcupine? The funny thing is that apparently it took more than a year to develop the technology to stick little bits of rubber onto a mouse. Just get an ergonomic mouse and keyboard and move on from this horror show.

Homemade Wall-E USB drive is adorable

Posted in USB Flash Drives by Conner Flynn on August 5th, 2009

Homemade Wall-E USB drive is adorableWe love robot USB drives here at the ‘Brick. Wall-E is always cute, but there’s something extra adorable about this handmade Wall-E USB Drive. If this little guy doesn’t make you smile, there”s no hope for you.

It comes with 8GB of storage, and also functions as a keychain. If you love Wall-E, you better be quick as there is only one available for $65 from Etsy. Sure, that’s a lot of dough, but you’re getting a unique USB drive.

USB retro wooden speaker

Posted in USB by Conner Flynn on August 5th, 2009

USB retro wooden speakerThe USB Retro Wooden Speaker / MP3 Player Cube sure brings back memories. This is what gadgets looked like in the old days kids. Retro and wooden. Just insert a flash card or USB drive, and it plays back MP3 files through it’s two 3-watt stereo speakers.

It even sports vintage buttons that can skip tracks and pause and comes with a bundled remote. This retro speaker is also rocking a 3.5 millimeter auxiliary input and a built-in rechargeable battery.

Logitech offers Unifying Receiver for peripherals

Posted in Logitech by Shane McGlaun on August 5th, 2009

logitechunireceiver-sbOne of my all-time favorite mobile mice for notebooks is the Logitech VX Nano. The reason I liked the mouse so much was that it had a tiny Nano receiver that was so small you didn’t even need to unplug it to pack up your notebook.

Logitech has announced a new Nano receiver called the Logitech Unifying Receiver that eliminates the need for multiple wireless receivers when used with compatible peripherals. The tiny receiver protrudes from the USB port only 8mm and can connect with up to six different Logitech wireless peripherals.

Tachyon 2010 XC camera launches

Posted in Camcorders by Shane McGlaun on August 5th, 2009

tachyonxc-sbI am a fan of motorsports like drag racing and motocross. One of the coolest types of video on YouTube and other sites are the sort shot from inside the cockpit or on the helmet of people during their favorite motorsport.

A company called Tachyon has announced the 2010 model of its XC camcorder will be shipping in mid-September. The camera is designed to be shockproof, offer a wide field of view, and superior light gathering capability for good images.

Logitech unveils two new wireless presenters

Posted in Logitech by Shane McGlaun on August 5th, 2009

logitechr800presenter-sbWhen I was in college, I had the (dis)pleasure of sitting through more lectures than I ever care to endure again. One thing that I always hated was that the professors used a wireless presenter and would inevitably end up standing beside my desk so I had to pay attention.

Logitech has announced a couple new wireless presenters called the R800 and the R400 that are designed to allow business users to walk around while controlling their presentation for a PC. The two models include the R800 and the R400.

HDTVs now in over half of American homes

Posted in Home by Shane McGlaun on August 5th, 2009

samsung50plasma-sbIf you are like me, you have probably been rocking the HDTV for several years now. Many consumers still haven’t moved to the HD world. I feel like I am walking into the 60′s when I go to my in-laws and see their massive 27-inch CRT TV sitting on the entertainment center.

According to a new report from CTAM, HDTVs have gained significantly in reach in American homes. The report claims that 53% of America homes now have HDTVs in use. That number is up 18% over 2008. The report also says that of that 53% owning HDTVs, 59% own sets with screens 32-inches or larger.

FineDigital releases FineDrive iQ Special navigation device

Posted in GPS by Conner Flynn on August 4th, 2009

FineDigital releases FineDrive iQ Special navigation deviceFineDigital just unveiled their newest navigation device for the Korean market. It’s the FineDrive iQ Special. The FineDrive iQ Special will help drivers with the directions of course, but it also has a feature that helps drivers to study English while they are in the car.

The device comes loaded with eBoyoung’s Dictionary of English Conversational Expressions along with authentic native-speaker voice and A-B repeat function.

Sharp LE600 and LE700 LED TV Series

Posted in Sharp by Conner Flynn on August 4th, 2009

Sharp LE600 and LE700 LED TV SeriesSharp has unveiled the LE600 and LE700 LED TV series. The LE600 comes in 32-inch, 40-inch and 46-inch sizes, while the LE700 has all of those plus a 52-inch model. Both the LE600 and LE700 series feature Full HD resolution, LED backlights, a contrast ratio of 4,000:1, Sharp’s “X-Gen Panel” with proprietary “Mega Contrast” and “Brilliant colour Processor” technology.

The Sharp LE700 beats the LE600 with a quick 4ms response time, four HDMI ports, and a USB port for playback of MP3 and JPEG files from a USB Flash drive.

Parasync iPod and iPhone Docking Station

Posted in iPhone by Conner Flynn on August 4th, 2009

Parasync iPod and iPhone Docking StationIf you have several iPhones or iPods, you’ll want to get your hands on the Parasync docking station, which can sync up to 20 iPhones or iPods at the same time. That’s Apple overkill folks.

It’s about the size of a sheet of paper. The Parasync dock is compatible with the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPod Classic and the iPod Nano. It uses only one USB cable and has been certified by Apple to work natively with iTunes. No word on pricing so far.