Archive for April, 2010

Wii Game Ando Kensaku uses Google search results

Posted in Google by Conner Flynn on April 7th, 2010

It’s a scenario old as Google itself. You have an argument and you settle it by comparing the number of Google search results. You wouldn’t think they could make a whole Wii game inspired by it, but they have done just that.

The game was developed in cooperation with Google and players have to choose which of the several search terms is most popular. There are 14 mini-games in total. Chances are it won’t be released outside of Japan, but for those in the land of the rising sun it will be out on the 29th of April.

iPad components cost as little as $259.60

Posted in iPad by Conner Flynn on April 7th, 2010

Well, you don’t expect Apple to sell the iPad at a loss do you? That $499 pricepoint nets them some nice profit. After checking out the iPad’s internals, iSuppli has calculated a bill of materials as low as $259.60 for the 16GB iPad, including a $95 screen and $26.80 processor.

The device turned out to be more complex inside than iSuppli was expecting. They originally estimated the device at $219.35 in materials.

iPad Private Eye 2-Way Privacy Screen

Posted in iPad accessories by Conner Flynn on April 6th, 2010

So you have your iPad now and you love it, but everyone can see what you are doing. You just want a little privacy. Well the Private Eye 2-Way Privacy Film for your iPad is available now from XGear LLC. I’ve never heard of them either, but the product seems useful.

It offers 2 way viewing protection similar to the 3M laptop and monitor privacy screens. It’s available right now for Pre-order for $49.99 on Amazon.

Mitsubishi launches new 23-inch Eco-friendly LCD monitor

Posted in Mitsubishi by Conner Flynn on April 6th, 2010

If you’re looking for something a tad more Earth friendly in a monitor, this may be for you. Mitsubishi Electric has released a new addition to its Diamondcrysta WIDE family of monitors, the RDT232WLM. This new model features a 23-inch TN panel as well as an ECO Mode that will lower power consumption by as much as 35%.

That’s pretty decent my eco-loving friends. It’s available in black or white and has a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, a 5ms response time, a brightness of 250 cd/m2, a 1000:1 contrast ratio (5000:1 DCR), D-Sub, DVI and HDMI outputs, and a couple of 1W speakers.

Adidas Calculator Watch

Posted in Watches by Conner Flynn on April 6th, 2010

Adidas wants a piece of the calculator watch market and they hope that you will choose theirs to unleash your inner math nerd. This one comes in several colors and looks super retro. The colors include black, gold,blue and lilac colorways.

These calculator watches may be awesome, but make sure you stick to simple math. I don’t want to hear a news story about how some dude tried to do his taxes on his wrist watch and got himself into trouble. Just use it for simple stuff and to look cool.

ITG-Vidix iTVGoggles make girls look like bugs, let you read e-books

Posted in Video Glasses by Conner Flynn on April 6th, 2010

iTV Goggles put a 50″ TV screen or larger in your face via the eyewear and the latest version is the ITG-Vidix which comes equipped with a built-in Micro SD card reader to play videos, images, music and more. There’s also a Built-in Media player and browser to view eBooks and other media formats.

The Micro SD card slot will support up to 32GB of extra storage and will also work as a memory card reader when connected via USB. Ready to up your fashion? The iTVGoggles ITG-Vidix retails for $279.99.

iPads reportedly overheating in the sun

Posted in iPad by Conner Flynn on April 6th, 2010

The iPad may be a bit of a vampire. While it’s reflection will show up in mirrors, it tends to want to avoid the sun and come out and play at night. Apparently, many users are reporting that their iPads are giving a warning stating “iPad needs to cool down before you can use it”.

According to Apple, the operational temperature of the iPad is 32° to 95° F when on, and the nonoperational temperature is -4° to 113° F. Sounds reasonable. But one user received this warning outside of NYC, where it hasn’t been much hotter than 70° or so.

Is Nokia working on a Windows 7 Tablet?

Posted in Nokia by Conner Flynn on April 6th, 2010

Keep in mind that this is still in rumor territory, but according to Ashok Kumar, an analyst at Rodman Renshaw, Nokia is working with suppliers and design manufacturers on a touchscreen tablet. One that might be available as soon as this fall.

We don’t have many details, but we are guessing that it will be powered by Microsoft’s Windows 7. Again, there’s nothing official on this yet, but we wouldn’t mind a Nokia tablet at all. Now that the iPad is out, competitors can offer all of the things that the iPad lacks and we look forward to seeing what they can do.

Fujitsu Energy Monitoring Power Strip

Posted in Power Strips by Conner Flynn on April 6th, 2010

Fujitsu has an interesting power strip for those who give a hoot about their electricity usage. It measures the electrical energy used in each outlet in real time, to help figure out how much electricity is being used in an office.

This data is combined with a scheduler to let you know how much energy is consumed even in the absence of the user. Each outlet has a contactless power sensor that can measure up to 2,000W. The data is transmitted over the network via a transmitter in a USB port on the side of the power strip.

Lego Nikon IR remote

Posted in Cameras by Conner Flynn on April 6th, 2010

Who says camera gear has to all look the same. If you want to add some geeky style into your picture taking world, check this out. It looks nothing like camera gear. Instead it looks like a Lego creation.

Because that is what it is. This person has jammed a compact IR remote for his sister’s Nikon into a simple yellow Lego brick. Your subjects won’t know what to think when you use this in your next photo shoot.

World’s most expensive mouse, also the tackiest

Posted in Mouse by Conner Flynn on April 6th, 2010

It looks like the world’s cheapest mouse, but actually it’s the most expensive. All they have done is add some rare gems on it. That’s it. The World’s Most Expensive Computer Mouse. That’s actually the mouse’s name. It’s made by Pat Says Now.

You’ll get 59 brilliant cut diamonds, with three different casts available: white, yellow or red 18 carat gold. True to its name, it will cost you $26,730. If you actually order one, you are the world’s stupidest person.

Steampunk All-in-one workstation

Posted in DIY by Conner Flynn on April 6th, 2010

We’ve seen our share of Steampunk items, but few are as large as this Victorian Organ Command Desk. It took the creator about 6 months to complete, and it sure looks worth it, as there is a ton of detail. It looks like a full organ behind it all.

The whole setup offers 3 monitors, a printer, scanner, webcam, horn speakers, iPhone dock, card readers and a built-in clock. H.G. Wells and Jules Verne would love to sit there and write.

Geek makes street legal BSG Viper car

Posted in Automotive by Shane McGlaun on April 6th, 2010

I was really into the original Battlestar Galactica back in the day when it was on TV. I had the toys and never missed an episode of the show. I was mad when it got cancelled. When Sci-Fi bought the show back to TV, I was excited and mad again when it was cancelled the second time.

A BSG loving mechanic at an amusement park has created his own street legal Viper from the original BSG series that he can drive around. I bet he gets all the geek boo-tay he can handle in this thing.

Crazy Tikicase for iPhone surfaces

Posted in iPhone Accessories by Shane McGlaun on April 6th, 2010

There is no end to the number and styles of cases that are on the market for the iPhone and other devices. If are ready for the summer to get here and are looking for summer like gear to outfit your iPhone in the Tikicase might be perfect.

The device is a case for the iPhone that looks like one of the tiki statures you would find in Hawaii. The gaping mouth of the Tikicase holds the iPhone and the case itself is made from silicone material that is soft.

JVC Everio GZ-HM1 ships

Posted in Camcorders by Conner Flynn on April 6th, 2010

JVC has started shipping the Everio GZ-HM1 camcorder which handles native 1080p video capture and has the ability to capture in low light conditions with its 10.6-megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS sensor. The sensor works in lighting as dim as four lux while being sensitive to light sensitivity as high as ISO 6,400.

The HM1 will also boast manual controls that can override aperture, bracketing and shutter speed when you need to. It comes with 64GB of internal memory that can be expanded by another SDHC memory card.