Gadgets Blog News

If you’re into strange-shaped watches that feature top-notch technology, I guess you already know the Twelve 5-9, Q Version?

If you’re not familiar with it, the next paragraph describes the working mode:

A single touch of the button sparks a brief animation of lights before the time is displayed. A second touch of the button skips this function, presenting the time instantly.

The time is displayed via LED lights that have different colors - green, red, yellow - and each LED line represents an hour/minute.

(Read the full post about ‘Twelve 5-9 Wristwatch - Q version’…)

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So you’re part of the remnant on this earth that still owns video tapes but have run out of players to play them. Why not digitize these video tapes instead? At least you will be able to loop them infinitely on your PC, and best of all is there is no need to rewind those tapes once you’re done as everything can be done at the click of a button. ION Audio has just released its VCR 2 PC device that connects to your PC via USB 2.0, with an adjacent composite connection for camcorders, while RCA output is located on the back to playback previews on a TV. In the PAL version, you will find the SCART output as well. All digital conversion will be in the H.264 for ipod/PSP or MPEG-2 for DVD authoring formats. (Read the full post about ‘ION VCR 2 PC digitizes old memories’…)

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by Nilay Patel, posted Apr 21st 2008 at 3:28PMThe recent shakeups at the top of the OLPC hierarchy have apparently claimed another victim, as OLPC News is reporting that Software and Content chief Walter Bender has just left the project. Rumor is that Nicholas Negroponte is going to transition the OLPC XO entirely to Windows XP to spur sales soon, and Bender is reportedly unhappy about that. What makes this all the more interesting is that when security director Ivan Krstić left the OLPC project last month, he specifically said he was unhappy that the restructuring no longer required him to work with Bender, and said that he could no longer “subscribe to the organization’s new aims or structure in good faith.” Looks like something’s afoot at OLPC, and the old guard isn’t happy about it. (Read the full post about ‘OLPC head of software and content resigns, possibly over transition to XP’…)

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by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 21st 2008 at 2:54PM We’ve already seen one hack to automate Guitar Hero, but it had the slight disadvantage of having to be pre-programmed for each song, and even then it was slightly hit-and-miss. Now, a father looking for a way to finally beat his son at the game has taken things considerably further, with his hack actually using the composite video input to determine which notes need to be hit in real time. That, as you might have guessed, is way beyond any notion of practicality, and far outside the realm of the average DIYer’s skill level, but it seems like it does indeed work, although there are apparently a few minor kinks left to be worked out. (Read the full post about ‘Guitar Hero hack takes cheating to ridiculous new levels’…)

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The current economic conditions have begun to take its toll on US companies. Among them is AT&T, which is in the process of cutting 1.5-percent of their workforce. This news was revealed by a ruling filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T employees who will be hit by the layoffs are those who have no direct contact with AT&T customers and are said to include those in management. The plans for the layoff’s are part of AT&T’s ongoing streamlining of operational activity. Despite laying off a big chunk of their employees, AT&T is expecting to get a pre-tax charge of $374 million as a result of this layoffs. (Read the full post about ‘AT&T to cut 1.5% of workforce in effort to streamline operations’…)

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In my second gadget for Earth Day 2008, this gadget is one that will help your pocketbook. In this time of soaring gas prices and the desire for people to find alternative ways of getting around (biking, walking, etc.) the one need with all these alternative forms of transportation is hydration. With the latest news coming from the Nalgene/BPA controversy, people are confused as to what types of water bottles / hydration packs they should use to not only be eco-conscious, but also be safe. Skullcandy has a hydration pack that has more than just hydration in mind. The Hydration Backpack has the capability to keep you hydrated and refreshed - but it also syncs with your mp3 player or cell phone. (Read the full post about ‘Earth Day Gadgets: Skullcandy Hydration Backpack’…)

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Only days after the announcement of the NFC-enabled Nokia 6212 Classic, there is already an NFC-compatible accessory that goes with it. The Parrot PARTY Black Edition, according to its makers, is the first in the world to commercialize Near Field Communications Technology or NFC. What this means is that not only is it small and portable, but it will be very easy to pair up with compatible devices and pump up the volume. It’s not just easy, it’s ridiculously easy. Think knocking the two devices against each other and you get the picture. Other than being NFC-enabled, this baby also comes with a built-in Class-D amplifier, two drivers that collectively pump out 6 watts of power, Stereo Widening, and a so-called Virtual SuperBass technology.

(Read the full post about ‘Parrot rolls out world’s first NFC-enabled speaker’…)

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Are you one to work with multiple monitors? Well, I would assume that you have a pretty beefy computer system to be able to handle a multiple monitor set up, but do spare a thought for folks who want to do the same without splurging on expensive new hardware. IOGEAR thinks it has the solution with a USB 2.0 External DVI Video Card, instantly opening up an additional DVI or VGA computer screen via a USB connection. All you need to do to start rocking to two monitors is to hook up the adapter to the USB port, install the included driver and you’re good to go. There is no more hassle of opening up a dusty computer case nor running the risk of suffering cuts whenever you try to slide in a new video card. (Read the full post about ‘IOGEAR USB 2.0 External DVI Video Card’…)

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What you see here is an ultra-rugged AM/FM Construction Radio, featuring hard side framing and not only allows you to rock to your favorite radio station, it also doubles up as an ipod docking station as well! It looks as though it is begging to be trashed just to see how far it can go, but I don’t think you would treat any device worth over $100 harshly just for the sake of it, right? The $130 ultra-rugged AM/FM Construction Radio comes complete with a couple of DC power ports, a USB charger for cell phones as well as two AC outlets that enable folks to plug power tools right into their portable entertainment center. Neat! (Read the full post about ‘Ultra-rugged AM/FM Construction Radio’…)

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The Eee PC made by Asus was a big hit due to the cheap price, small dimensions, and overall performance. In less than a year it got upgraded and the “soon to be released” version - 900 - is considered a top-notch UMPC. With all the success, it was only a matter of time until other companies started copying the plan and creating their own products. That is what happened with MSI, which has announced the Wind notebook. One of the big differences when comparing each device is the screen size. While the Eee model goes for the tiny screen of 7-inches, the MSI Wind offers two options: 8.9-inch or 10-inch monitor, with 1024×600 as the resolution. (Read the full post about ‘MSI unveils the Wind PC’…)

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