Archive for November, 2009

Creative unveils plans for Zii MediaBook

Posted in Creative by Shane McGlaun on November 2nd, 2009

creativeziimediabook-sgThe eBook market is quickly getting as hot as the netbook market with new eReader coming to market all the time. Over the last few weeks, the Kindle has had its price cut and Barnes & Noble has announced the Nook. Today Creative has announced plans to bring its Zii MediaBook to market.

The MediaBook will be a touch screen device with a color screen that offers much more media functionality than existing products reports Creative. The MediaBook will let users surf the net, access Twitter, and Facebook.

Lenovo unveils new A70z AIO computer

Posted in Lenovo by Shane McGlaun on November 2nd, 2009

lenovoa70z-sbLenovo is apparently trying to corner the market on all-in-one computers and has been releasing several of the machines over the last few weeks. Today Lenovo has announced a new AIO machine called the ThinkCentre A70z. Lenovo touts that the machine can start up in 35 seconds and shut down 40% faster than rival systems.

If you are in a hurry to get out the door on a Friday fast shut down is a nice feature. The machine sells for $499. For that, much loot you get a 19-inch screen holding the CPU, RAM, storage and all that jazz. The machine can support up to 500GB of storage.

Xbox 360 bundle comes with Star Trek and Transformers 2 movies

Posted in Xbox 360 Elite by Conner Flynn on November 2nd, 2009

Xbox 360 bundle comes with Star Trek and Transformers 2 moviesWhile we wait and see whether the Xbox 360 is getting a Blu-ray drive or not, there’s something else to look forward to. Thanks to a new marketing strategy, you will soon be able to buy the console with the Star Trek or Transformers 2 movie.

Right now it has been confirmed exclusively for the UK. The bundle includes an Xbox Elite, an extra controller and the movie on USB.

An entire baby Wiimote peripheral

Posted in Wii Accessories by Conner Flynn on November 2nd, 2009

An entire baby Wiimote peripheralYou thought the inflatable horse peripheral was a bad idea. That was before your kid could get a whole baby to use with their Wii. Every time I think that we have seen the height of weirdness in Wii-land, they drop something even weirder on us.

Bundled with the upcoming Wii game Baby and Me (in Australia), this doll-mote uses the Wiimote’s speaker to make the baby cry or laugh. You can even use the Wii Balance Board, which allows you to burp the baby, rock the baby and teach “her” to walk. (Which she will never learn because she’s just a doll with a Wiimote crammed in her insides.)

Turn your Windows 7 Laptop into a Wi-Fi hotspot

Posted in Wi-Fi by Conner Flynn on November 2nd, 2009

Turn your Windows 7 Laptop into a Wi-Fi hotspotVirtual Wi-Fi was going to be a Windows 7 feature that would turn your PC into a Wi-Fi access-point so devices could share a connection without needing special software. It didn’t make it into the final cut on the OS, but this free app finishes the work that Microsoft abandoned.

Some of the code that Microsoft Research used to virtualize one Wi-Fi card as several adapters still made its way into Windows 7, allowing Connectify to complete the job.

XM SkyDock now available for iPod touch and iPhone

Posted in iPhone Accessories by Conner Flynn on November 2nd, 2009

Sirius XM SkyDock converts your iPhone into a Satellite RadioRemember the XM SkyDock? It’s now available for purchase for $120. For that price it will give you full touchscreen control along with tagging capabilities over your in-car satellite radio. SkyDock features a built-in XM tuner and PowerConnect FM transmitter and will plug right into the cigarette lighter / power adapter socket where it will also charge your Apple device.

XM is making the App a free download from Apple’s App Store, but you’ll still have to run the antenna cable along the inside of your vehicle’s weather stripping to attach the magnetic antenna to your car’s roof (just above your front windshield) for optimal results.

iNo Mobile Cell Phone for kids, the elderly

Posted in Mobile Phones by Conner Flynn on November 1st, 2009

iNo Mobile Cell Phone for kids, the elderlyKids need phones with large buttons because they don’t yet have the ability to use small buttons. The elderly need large buttons because they’ve lost the ability. The iNo CP09 is a new GSM cell phone that’s perfect for both kids and the elderly.

It features a basic calculator-like screen with a large font display, large buttons, FM radio, torch light, a headphone jack, and text messaging. There is also an SOS button for emergency situations. The phone will send a text alarm to a configured number and will call that number.

Wireless USB Digital Microscope

Posted in USB by Conner Flynn on November 1st, 2009

Wireless USB Digital MicroscopeYou love Science right? If you could, you would look at germs all day under the lens. Well check this out my Science geek friend. It’s a new Wireless USB Digital microscope from ThinkGeek that uses the 2.4GHz wireless frequency with a switch on the cradle/wireless receiver for choosing one of 4 channels.

The microscope can magnify the object from 10x to 200x and comes equipped with 8 white LEDs around the lens for extra illumination. Some other features include a built-in Li-ion battery that can be recharged in the cradle.

Nokia Storyplay wooden e-reader for kids

Posted in ebooks by Conner Flynn on November 1st, 2009

Nokia Storyplay wooden e-reader for kidsWe adults have the Kindle and the Nook, along with other e-readers. But what about the kids? It’s the kids who we want to get reading. Nokia is at least thinking about the children.

The Storyplay e-reader is a new take on storytelling and reading. It will feature Elmo from Sesame Street on a removable paper book that’s attached with magnets. The reader has two screens. One will display Elmo and his antics, while the second screen will display a live video screen. (Displaying what?)

Coke can Spy Cam actually looks real

Posted in Spy Gear by Conner Flynn on November 1st, 2009

Coke can Spy Cam actually looks realWe’ve seen our share of spy gadgets, but the problem has always been that most objects do not resemble the real thing and so are useless. This one on the other hand looks just like a real Coke can and so should fool just about anyone.

These fake Coke cans have a camera and DVR built inside. It even goes so far as to have a fake bottom that can be removed to reveal the USB port and on-off switch. Not good enough for you? How about a remote control so that it can be started and stopped from a distance.

Gavari violin is a modern take on an old classic

Posted in Musical Instruments by Conner Flynn on November 1st, 2009

Gavari violin is a modern take on an old classicThe typical violin is based on designs created over 300 years ago. It’s worked well and has given us some beautiful music, but it’s time for an upgrade. Modern design techniques and 21st century materials can surely improve it.

That’s the idea behind the Gavari Semiacoustic Violin from Austrian designer Gerda Hopfgartner. Hopfgartner was inspired by modern yachts and “feminine curves and sundry corset outlines of the Baroque, Rococo, and Biedermeier ages”. We have no idea what she’s talking about, but we love the results.

Mini HoverDrone is sure to annoy those around you

Posted in R/C Toys by Conner Flynn on November 1st, 2009

Mini HoverDrone is sure to annoy those around youThe Mini HoverDrone is said to be the smallest flying R/C device yet. It boasts a diameter about the size of a silver dollar, with a lone propeller at the bottom that lets it hover in the air, spin and flash its blue LEDs to annoy everyone you love.

Most RC toys are hard to fly and complicated. A simple slider control handles up-and-down movement, so just about anybody can control it easily. It’s only $19.99. The only downside is that all it does is your basic up and down.

Wadia 170i iPod Dock, $379.99 worth of boring design

Posted in iPod Accessories by Conner Flynn on November 1st, 2009

Wadia 170i iPod Dock, $379.99 worth of boring designIf you’re looking for a boring and plain iPod dock and you are prepared to spend a small fortune on it, this one is for you. For $379.99, you can get the “high-end” Wadia 170i Transport iPod dock.

It’s the first product to offer the iPod’s audio output over S/PDIF coaxial (RCA), DVD quality video via component outputs, which is cool, but this thing is super boring design-wise. It’s a simple aluminum chassis. Audiophiles will love it, but not to look at.

Regen Reverb: A 3 foot tall Solar-Powered iPod dock

Posted in iPod Accessories by Conner Flynn on November 1st, 2009

Regen Reverb: A 3 foot tall Solar-Powered iPod dockWell, we all loved Regen’s Renu solar-powered iPod dock, but this guy pictured above towers over it. It’s called the Reverb and it’s 3-feet tall, living solely to crank out 60 watts of power using the power of the sun.

This bad boy will play your music for 4.5 hours at full volume or 12 hours at a normal volume. BUT, it takes 20 hours of outdoor sun exposure (or 40 hours indoor) to get a full charge. If you are not the patient type, the Reverb can be powered using a regular electrical socket.

Creative Zii MediaBook with eBook and PMP features

Posted in Creative by Conner Flynn on November 1st, 2009

Creative Zii MediaBook with eBook and PMP featuresWe don’t have many details, but what we do know that Creative has been busy developing a “MediaBook” that aims to combine video, pictures and text into an eBook form factor. The company is talking with publishers, primarily in Singapore, where they already have several e-learning initiatives.

Thanks to Engadget we have a nice blurry pic of the Creative UI, but that’s about it. There’s a touchscreen, making it different than an ebook like the Kindle and similar to the Nook.