Hands On: Griffin Simplifi dock/charger/reader/hub |
We got a chance to get our hands on Griffin’s new Simplifi desktop device recently and we feel they really got the name right on this one. The Simplifi is a small Swiss Army Knife of accessories packed into a smooth silver box that adds some convenience and maybe even a touch of sophistication to your desk.
For starters, the device is a dock and charger for your Apple iPhone and/or iPod. It has the docking port right on top and comes with little plastic adapters to custom …

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CyberPower has unleashed the Black Pearl. It will be powered by Intel’s recently announced Core i7 processor. Some of the features under the hood are: 3.2GHz 965 Extreme Edition processor, 12GB RAM, Two ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 PCI-Express cards (2GB each), Intel X58 chipset, Support for NVIDIA three-way SLI and ATI CrossFireX technologies, Triple-channel DDR3/1600 SATA RAID with eSATA and Dual GbLAN, USB 2.0 and FireWire connectivity and 7.1-channel audio support. Living up to it’s name as a rare gem, it will cost you $3,999, if you’ve somehow weathered the current economic climate.
The first time we heard of Tritton it was for a set of USB powered headphones that offered surround sound without the need for a surround sound card on your PC. The headphones worked fairly well and allow computers without a sound card to get a taste of surround sound gaming.
External storage can get expensive, but for keeping data safe, an external storage system is important. You can buy your own external hard drive ready to use form places like Seagate, or you can roll your own and save some cash.
We aren’t sure what to think about this one. Target is getting creative with their gift cards again. You can consider it either a gift card with a digital camera, or a digital camera with a gift card. Either way, it’s all good. This holiday season, Target will begin selling the combo gift card/digital camera, which is an interesting approach. It will give customers some added value to what is otherwise a pretty boring purchase.
Trickle out economics have you down? You know, Trickle out economics. When the money trickles out of your pockets because of plugged in, yet turned of appliances that are still sucking juice like a toddler building up a good diarrhea diaper bomb. TrickleStar of Hong Kong claims to have the first power-saving device in the world that is able to shave up to 12% off your monthly utility bill simply by killing standby power, while reducing a similar amount on your power usage.
Here’s something you don’t see everyday. A Windows CE 5.0-powered handheld device which a gamepad featured over the traditional keyboard. The Seabright PC430 features a Samsung 2443A 533MHz processor, Maximum 4GB of internal memory, SD memory card slot, USB 2.0 port, Optional Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS navigation, Webcam and a 4.3″ display.
Studying to be a proctologist? Just want to practice for your own impending exam? No problem. The USB Endoscope has got your back…side…all scared and puckered up. This two-foot-long USB-powered roto-rooter snake has LEDs and a camera at one end, as well as a powerful 40X microscopic lens. Nasty applications aside, it could be pretty useful for getting into tight spots, having a look in ancient tombs or whatever. I’m not sure it’s worth the $140 price tag, but if you buy one and complain, you know where you can stick it.
The notebook market is booming right now despite the bad economy. Netbooks are one of the hottest sellers in the notebook category thanks to the typically lower selling price. The netbook has come a long way since Asus pioneered the genre with its Eee and today most PC makers have a netbook of their own.
And thank god, cuz that one is fugly. Makes me queasy just looking at it. Fujitsu recently intro’d the new LifeBook A1110 15.4-inch consumer- oriented notebook with a swappable lid. That way you can show your style with a green mod labyrinth, bright pink with butterflies, or a cool blue Victorian print. The green mod labyrinth pis making me dizzy.
Sony’s PS3 SIXAXIS and Dual Shock 3 controllers being wireless, are going to need a charge after awhile. That’s why Sony has their own AC adapter for both controllers, for almost $30, available starting December 18th. With the AC adapter, you’ll get a few USB ports, allowing you to charge up to two controllers at the same time. We don’t know if this is going to show up outside of Japan or not, but we hope so. It’s better then leaving your PS3 powered up all night.
The makers of this lamp/iPod dock obviously believe in simplicity as well as educating people Sesame Street style on the letter C. It is a space saver. We’ve seen our share of iPod docks and USB lamps, but not together in the same device, that I’m aware of.
Desktops are quickly becoming a thing of the past. When you have an Intel Atom powered UMPC with an 800MHz processor, you really don’t need much more. The BenQ S6 is compact, and powerful. It’s a Mobile Internet Device with 512MB memory and a 2GB SSD, featuring Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi and HSDPA. It also sports a stylus-enabled 4.8inch WVGA touchscreen, built-in G-sensor, mini USB and microSD slot. It even comes with cool “free-surf” user interface. Great for the traveler who needs a powerful device. The BenQ S6 retails for $629.
Etsy seller NES Box didn’t like the fugly exterior of their external hard drive, and so did something about it. That something was to drop it in an old NES cartridge case. The cartridge was just the right size, allowing the drive to fit in perfectly.
Looking for a cheap USB thrill for your desk that will provide hours of fun and distract you from your work? You might want to check out this USB Ferris Wheel that’s powered by your typing. I don’t know about hours of fun. That kinda depends on your IQ level. 


