Gadgets Blog News

The quintessential luggage-toting image of bookworms has long gone. Now, even more so with something like the Sony Reader Digital Book available. The Sony Reader Digital Book can carry up to 160 ebooks in its 1/3-in. think frame. Weighing a mere 9 ounces, the Sony Reader is perfect for a bookworm on the go. You can download files from the Sony Ebook store, although you can also view files of various formats such as PDFs, texts, RTFs, Word documents and BBeBs. It features a six-inch display and boasts paper-like screen technology. You can use the Sony Reader until 7,500 page turns before the need for a recharge. In my opinion, this is the next best thing to the Amazon Kindle, especially since the Kindle costs a full USD$100 more. (Read the full post about ‘Sony Reader Digital Book’…)

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It’s 2007 and cell phones can already do the following: access your e-mail, act as a pager, instant message, text message, take pictures and videos, play video games, browse the Web, play back music, videos and radio, wake you up, be your addressbook, be a map, with built-in GPS figure out where you are and give you directions, and there’s even one that has a built-in breathalyzer.

Nokia is already testing using phones as payment systems and electronic wallets. How long before our phones also act as your biometric ID or more? How about those keyless entry systems that are now common in cars and also available integrated into home security systems?

(Read the full post about ‘The All Important Personal Mobile Device - How to Keep it Safe?’…)

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Posted Jan 12th 2008 1:12PM by Darren MurphFiled under: Misc. Gadgets With CES in the books, banners flying up and rumors running rampant, only one thing could be on the horizon: Steve’s Macworld 2008 keynote. Unfortunately, it seems he’s a bit short on time, and needs you to access a totally awesome web-based game to help round up garb, VIPs and top-secret gear before taking the stage. (Read the full post about ‘SteveNote Expo game: only you can get Jobs prepped for Macworld keynote’…)

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Posted Jan 12th 2008 10:11AM by Richard LawlerFiled under: HDTV, Home Entertainment Tucked away in the HD DVD booth, Imagion AG — creators of the first HD DVD with internet connectivity, the first European HD DVD and the first Blu-ray Profile 1.1 release — was showing off its end to end tools for creating next gen interactive features. Despite being a Blu-ray exclusive movie in the U.S., Imagion is working on the Terminator 2: Ultimate HD Edition release for Europe, which will let fans view the script and/or storyboard during playback, share special edits of the movie via the internet, and track their interactive Blu-ray and HD DVDs via tuneHD.net, powered by their dynamicHD tech. (Read the full post about ‘Hands-on with Imagion AG’s dynamicHD HD DVD & Blu-ray technology’…)

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Posted Jan 12th 2008 9:03AM by Darren MurphFiled under: Portable Video, Wearables It’s not often that we see a pair of new wearable PVRs within the span of 24 hours, but sure enough, Ajoka is launching its Belt Buckle DVR just after we peeked the VIEVU PVR-PRO. ‘Course, we’re fairly certain this one’s arriving a little late to be an official member of the “multifaceted belt buckle” fad, but with all the utility crammed into this one, it’s got a fair shot at gaining traction, regardless. As for specs, this hidden camera can record video at a paltry 176 x 144 resolution, and considering that no built-in memory is included, you better bring your own SD card. (Read the full post about ‘Ajoka makes belt buckle, crams a video camera in it’…)

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A USB Memory card reader that can read up to 62 formats? Are even 62 card formats in existence? There must be if this baby is on the market. The reader plugs into an internal 3.5 inch connect bay, with access to USB, Firewire and SATA slots, as well as audio in to microphone and audio out to headphone or any other minijack capable device. But the secret is that those 62 formats boil down to the major categories of compact flash, secure digital/MMC, MS, SM & SD all their various incarnations (especially when most would be downward compatible). So, in reality, while it can read 62 different formats, it can realistically only read five different card types, which makes this a at basic card reader at best, and a marvel of marketing at worst. (Read the full post about ‘A Card Reader for 62 formats? Gives me a headache’…)

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Posted Jan 12th 2008 2:20AM by Thomas RickerFiled under: Portable Audio, Wearables Regardless of its looks, the MP3 Smart Jacket won’t save your life. In fact, if you wear it you’ll likely be risking a few limbs by way of a geek pummeling. A good thing we guess since you’re supposed to wear it while exercising. No price is available, but you’ll find it taking up space over at the appropriately named Tech Tools USA URL.Tags: lcd, players, M4A, audio, wireless, consumer electronics, mobile devices, tests, Hi-fi, MP3 (Read the full post about ‘The MP3 Smart Jacket is neither smart, nor a jacket’…)

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Posted Jan 12th 2008 6:20AM by Darren MurphFiled under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio, Portable Video Phiaton — not to be confused with Volkswagen’s futile attempt to break into the luxury sedan market — is setting out to grab dollars from audio geeks that have a thing for style. The firm is actually part of Cresyn, and is attempting to put its name on the map by introducing four new exotic looking headphones, a pair of oddly-designed earbuds and a vivid music docking station. Regrettably, there are no prices to share on any of the aforementioned gear, but if you’ve ever secretly craved cans wrapped in faux alligator skin, this company is sure to impress. (Read the full post about ‘Phiaton brings the visual delight to audio gear’…)

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LP Dock. Whoa, an iPod dock that is actually a tad more useful than the average. Slot your ‘pod into the socket and you can instantly transfer your aging vinyl classics into digital. No need for a computer, amplifier or even cables. Cool stuff. The thing also comes with a line out and USB port, so you can move stuff from vinyl to your other digital recorders or why not just play the old Pink Floyd platters through your stereo and kick back in a nostalgia fest? You’re going to have to cough up a goodly $259.95 for the privilege though citizen, so be prepared.  LP DOCK includes EZ Vinyl Converter 2 for PC (EZVC2) and EZ Audio Converter for Mac (EZAC); the best way to record and convert vinyl directly to iTunes. (Read the full post about ‘LP Dock - straight from vinyl to your iPod without passing go or PC’…)

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Posted Jan 12th 2008 5:58AM by Ryan BlockFiled under: CES The Tole Pure is alright, but the live demo was pretty awkward.Tags: digital, Ogg, DVD, consumer technology, CD, robots, toys, video games, mobile phone, gps (Read the full post about ‘Crapgadget CES finale, round 18: Tole Pure really is a crapgadget’…)

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