GADGETS & GIZMOS

Western Digital My Book Studio Edition II hits 4TB

2009-06-10T11:25:00.001-07:00

Western Digital has released its latest My Book Studio Edition II that will now come with 4TB worth of data, double from the previous version which had just 2TB capacity. This new My Book Studio Edition II dual drive storage system was specially built to play nice with Mac computers, bringing together a balance of high performance as well as power conservation. It works great with the Apple Time Machine automatic backup feature is specially formatted for Mac computers, targeting creative professionals, workgroups, small offices and folks looking for superior speed in data transfer courtesy of its dual-drive RAID 0 configuration and high-speed interfaces. Regardless of any system you use, the My Book Studio Edition II is able to hook up thanks to the four interfaces it offers - eSATA and FireWire 800 for maximum performance as well as FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 for maximum flexibility.

Not only that, since hard drives tend to sip up a pretty amount of juice off the grid, Western Digital has made sure that their My Book Studio Edition II will play nice with Mother Nature, featuring an eco-friendly system that complements WD GreenPower Technology for power savings and cool and quiet operation. According to Dale Pistilli, vice president of marketing for WD’s branded products group, “The new My Book Studio Edition II is the best choice for creative professionals who require massive capacity and extra-fast performance,” said . “With 4 terabytes of capacity, photographers, graphic artists, videographers, and home video enthusiasts alike will have the space they need to store hours of high definition videos as well as the performance they need for demanding video editing applications.”

Those who are interested in upgrading their backup storage solution can look to the My Book Studio Edition II dual-drive storage system that will retail for $649.99 a pop.

Magellan RoadMate 1475T hits the streets

2009-06-10T11:24:00.001-07:00

Magellan hasn’t exactly lit up the world with its offerings of late, but it is nice to know that they’re still in the GPS navigation system game with their latest device, the RoadMate 1475T. This model from MiTAC Digital Corp. will bring together premium features in a relatively compact body to make sure that you’ll always reach your destination using the most efficient route possible, regardless of whether this is your first time in a foreign land or not. What makes the Magellan RoadMate 1475T special is its ability to be equipped with traffic-enabled device (VPA) that offers subscription free, real-time traffic alerts, incidents and road congestion reports, letting you avoid all the potential traffic hotspots in the area..

Just like many other new models in the Magellan RoadMate series, the Magellan RoadMate 1475T will boast the revolutionary OneTouch favorites menu which will place personally selected addresses and searches within a mere click away. Once the user has identified and stored his/her preferred banks, restaurants and other destinations into the OneTouch favorites menu, they’re easily accessible regardless of where they travel, as the RoadMate 1475T dispenses with the closest preferred destinations there and then. In addition, the Magellan RoadMate series comes with searchable AAA TourBook listings that comprise of AAA Diamond Rated restaurants and lodgings, alongside attractions, events and campgrounds, making it much easier to plan your trip whenever you hit the road. You can also access AAA-Approved Auto Repair shops and businesses that offer AAA member discounts through the listings, and Magellan assures you they won’t bring you round the block like a headless chicken as all listings include the exact GPS location.

Features of the Magellan RoadMate 1475T include :-

New 4.7-inch, WQVGA - color, anti-glare touch-screen display in an ultra-thin design
Acclaimed easy-to-use OneTouch favorites drop-down menu with personalized search icons to easily find favorite places
Features AAA TourBook listings and member Roadside Assistance menu
6 million points of interest (POI)
Spoken street name guidance tells the user the street name and which way to turn before each maneuver
Highway Lane Assist points the user in the right direction and ensures the correct lane will be chosen before the next interchange or exit
Highway Exit POI search let the user find gas stations, restaurants and hotels near upcoming exits
QuickSpell with New SmartCity Search intelligently narrows searches and checks spelling when entering addresses
Offers multi-destination routing with route optimization lets the user plan trips with multiple stops in the order they want or optimize a trip for the most efficient route, saving them time and money
Includes NAVTEQ maps of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico

Expect to fork out a relatively affordable $299 for this puppy.

Logitech V220 Cordless Optical Mouse for Notebooks

2009-06-10T11:23:00.000-07:00

Logitech is an old hand when it comes to computer peripherals, and this time round they’ve released yet another model for those who do plenty of traveling and yet want something that isn’t too serious - the Logitech V220 Cordless Optical Mouse for Notebooks. This new notebook mouse will come in a variety of limited-edition patterns and colors, and is based off the design of the company’s most popular mouse. Color, comfort and convenience are rolled into a single device, where you can pick it up for $29.99 a pop.

Nano-Tech Japanese Aqua Dance Game

2009-06-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

Trust the Japanese to come up with the zaniest of ideas that actually work - the latest among them, the Nano-Tech Japanese Aqua Dance Game.

A cross between Pachinko and a waterfall the Nano-Tech Japanese Aqua Dance Game is Bandai Japan’s second foray into frivolous uses of nano-technology. The original Aqua Drop was a kind of simple puzzle game using hyper-beading water particles. Now the Aqua Dance turns water into a automatic cascading frenzy of beads that zoom and bounce their way to the bottom. The secret of course is an internal nano surface that causes water to hyper-bead using “Adesso WR”, a nano-tech agent invented and patented by Nikka Kagaku Co., Ltd. Japan. Simply fill the tank on the top of the Aqua Dance with water then push the pump a few times to pressurize. Turn the lever beneath to control the size and speed of the water beads as they drop repeatedly out of the tank. With the reduced friction the natural surface tension of the water takes over to create some unusual liquid dynamics. You’ll find beautiful patterns in the water that are different each time. The ridges and funnels on the surface scatter the water in unpredictable ways as it zooms like quicksilver to the bottom.

Well, if you have $39.99 to spare and would want something non-electronic in your hands for once that is able to keep you entertained and mesmerized, why not give the Nano-Tech Japanese Aqua Dance Game a go?

The iPod Stereo Pool Oasis with built-in massager

2009-06-10T11:19:00.000-07:00

I remember back in my day when a we just had normal blow up chairs in the pool. Normally they were the kind you have to lay flat on too. Now all these crazy kids have their new fangled technology tossed in. They can’t just have a normal blow up chair, no, they need speakers and cup holders. Well this blow up gadget would definitely make for a relaxing day out at the pool. Especially since you’ll have you tunes handy and playing right by your head.

It also has a vibrating massager that targets your lower and upper back as well as your thighs and calves. It has a spot to hold your iPod or MP3 player that will keep it safe, it stores it within a built-in waterproof dock. There’s an attached remote that fits into the armrest to control the massager, but no such remote to take care of the MP3 player. Which means you’ll have to either deal with a song or brave taking it out of the waterproof area to change the song. To keep the lounger powered it requires 4 AA batteries. It’ll cost you $199.95 from Hammacher and Schlemmer.

The 3-in-1 Digital Compass

2009-06-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

For those of you that enjoy wandering aimlessly throughout the summer months, you might want a little something extra to give you a little direction. Of course then it stops being wandering aimlessly and instead just simply wandering. This 3-in-1 gadget will make sure to point you in the right direction. Of course you’ll have to know what the right direction is, so you’re on your own there.

It’s of course a compass, but a digital one, instead of being the classic type. In addition to the compass function, it also has a clock to keep track of the time. Then a thermometer to let you know how warm or cold it is outside. Anyone else find it a little silly that they tell you the temperature? Especially when it’s likely that you’re already standing outdoors while you’re using it. Perhaps you could use it while you’re camping. Hold it outside of your tent long enough to find out how cool it is, before you decide to crawl out from under the warm covers. The LCD screen, that gives all of the information, can be tilted to make it easier for you to read it. You can purchase the compass for $25 from Gadget 4all.

LED Earphones respond your music

2009-06-10T11:11:00.000-07:00

For those that can’t be merely satisfied with plain boring earphones, these will definitely stand out from the crowd. There’s no chance of blending in when you have a set of earphones that not only have LED lights that shine, but they blink to top it off. It’s kind of like wearing a target on your chest, just begging people to stare right at you. They’d also make for a great way to make it easier for people to see you at night, of course it’d only work if they’re in front of you. I wouldn’t advise substituting the reflectors on your bike for a set of these.

These are just normal earphones, despite that they have lights, they’ll still work with any old MP3 player or iPod. They claim that they’re quite comfortable, but in all honesty, they don’t really appear to be all that comfortable. The lights don’t just randomly blink, they pulsate along with the beat of your music. Indicating to the world just what kind of mood you’re in, whether it be a slow song kind of day or a fast beat day. They’re fairly cheap too, despite that Chinavasion claims that these are exceptional quality. You can pick them up for $13.71.

Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headphones

2009-06-08T10:13:00.000-07:00

If your looking for a new set of gaming headphones then check out these new one from Psyko, the Psyko 5.1 gaming headphones.

The Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headphones are different from your standard 5.1 headphones, which normally use a simulated sound environment, but with these gaming headphones you get real sound from the 5 built in speakers and subwoofer.

These funky looking gaming headphone have been designed to provide a true 3D sound, exactly like your home cinema or PC setup.

The Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headphones are available for $299, I bet they sound amazing whilst gaming.

Creative HS-1100 - Tournament Gaming Headset

2009-06-08T10:12:00.000-07:00

Creative has launched a new gaming headset, the Creative HS-1100 Tournament Gaming Headset.

The Creative HS-110 features built in noise cancellation, with Creative’s new Silencer technology, which is designed to eliminate background noise.

“With the Silencer technology, gamers will be blown away whether they’re playing an intense 5 v 5 Counter Strike(TM) match or a raid in World of Warcraft(TM),” said Steve Erickson, VP and GM of audio and video at Creative. “Our award-winning audio engineers are passionate about gaming, so they had a lot of hands-on experience when they invented Silencer, which was developed specifically to give gamers a competitive advantage.”

The Creative HS-1100 gaming headphones feature 40mm neodymium drivers which are designed to produce excellent sound, they also feature Creative’s X-FI Technology.

Here’s the specs.

— X-Fi Crystalizer(R) technology leverages audio algorithms to intelligently and selectively determine how to restore the highs and lows from sound effects and voices that were damaged or diminished during the game audio compression process.

– X-Fi CMSS(R)-3D technology creates virtual surround sound in games so you hear your opponents in their precise location even when you can’t see them.

The Creative Tournament Gaming Headset HS-1100 also features:

– VoiceFX which offers up to 18 selectable voice-morph personas that range from Aliens to Orc, for more engaging in-game voice communication

– 40mm Neodymium magnet drivers for excellent sound quality

– A detachable microphone boom allowing the headset to be used as regular headphones in non-gaming scenarios

— Ultra-comfortable earpads for extended gaming sessions

— An in-line volume adjustment with microphone mute control

— Foldable earcups offer convenient storage

The Creative HS-1100 Gaming Headphones are available for $130 from Creative.

Geeky Gaming - The Gravitonus Workstation

2009-06-08T10:10:00.000-07:00

Check out this amazing PC workstation, the Gravitonus Workstation.

The Gravitonus Workstation features 3 large LCD displays, built in 5.1 surround sound and an array of LEDs all around the workstation.

Other specs include a ventilated seat to keep you nice and cool, plus a speacial keyboard attachment that lets you move you keyboard around and fix it in the exact location you want.

If you want one they are available to pre-order for $7,000 from Gravitonus.

2009-06-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

Olympus has launched a new entry level DSLR, the Olympus E-620.

The Olympus E-620 is apparently the ‘The world’s smallest and lightest D-SLR with built in image stabilisation’, it features a 12.3 megapixel sensor and a 2.7 inch LCD display.

Here are the full specifications.

The world’s smallest and lightest D-SLR* with Built-in Image Stabilisation and a portable creative studio!
Easy-to-apply Art Filters for enhanced creativity (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale&Light Colour, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole)
Multiple-exposure function with LCD monitor display of current view on top of previously captured image
During Live View shooting a choice of 4 different aspect ratios (4:3,3:2,16:9,6:6)
12.3 Megapixel Live MOS sensor
High sensivity (ISO 100-3200)
Spotless photography with a strong dust reduction system
Qualified image processing with new TruePic III+
Built-In flash (GN12) & wireless flash control directly from the E-620 Body
Face & Background Control for beautifully balanced exposures of foreground subjects and background scenery
Comfortable viewing with Autofocus Live View
6,9cm/2,7″ Multi-angle HyperCrystal III LCD with Live View for greatest flexibility and real-time monitoring
Built-in I.S. with max. 4 steps efficiency
Great image performance and large variety of bright dedicated-to-digital lenses thanks to Four Thirds Standard
High-precision, 49-zone metering system
Auto gradation adjustment to prevent blown highlights and blocked-in shadows
Live simulation function (effective monitoring)
Pre-control over White Balance & exposure compensation
Preview of shadow adjustment technology (SAT) for maximum image results
5x/7x/10x magnified view for precise focusing
Ergonomic design of body, control buttons and GUI for easy operation
AE/AF lock functionality for individual customisation
Accurate White Balance with two sensors
High-speed data writing and lossless compression for quick processing
Optional power grip ideal for portrait shooting and long battery life
USB 2.0 High Speed
Shadow Adjustment Technology adjusts dark areas in images.
Precise focusing
High-speed data writing
Dual slot for CF and xD-Picture Cards

The Olympus E-620 will go on sale in May for about $699.

Asus G71Gx Gaming Laptop - 12GB RAM, 1GB GeForce GTX 260M

2009-06-08T10:05:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a laptop that you can use for gaming then the latest offering from Asus might just do the job, the Asus G71Gx Gaming Laptop.

The Asus G71Gx Gaming Laptop has some serious specifications, which include a 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M graphics card, a 17 inch screen, a Blu-ray drive and Altec Lansing speakers.

You can also have up to a massive 12GB of RAM and dual 500GB SATA hard drives, unfortunately there is no word on pricing or availability as yet.

The Strike - Xbox 360 Fishing Controller

2009-06-08T10:04:00.001-07:00

Fishing fans will love this new accessory for the Xbox 360 called The Strike.

The Strike is a new game which will be coming out on the Xbox 360, and it comes with a very realistic fishing rod controller, check out the video below of the game in action with the controller.

It certainly looks like a lot of fun, and the controller looks very realistic and acts like a real fishing rod would, I think I will have to get myself a copy of this when it comes out later in the year.

OnLive - The Future of Gaming ?

2009-06-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

A new service is launching later in the year which is designed to bring console gaming to everyone, without the need for a games console, called OnLive.

All you will need to play games on the new OnLive system is either a TV, PC or a MAC, and it will work in a similar way to cloud computing, where the data is processed on its own servers, and then the information is sent over the internet.

The service will go into public beta this summer, and is expected to launch later on in the year, there is no word on how much the service will cost, but you can expect to pay a monthly subscription, plus the costs for the hardware.

It certainly seems very interesting, and if it gets decent game titles, it could really take off.

PSP Multi Shape Cobra Stand

2009-06-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting accessory for your Sony PSP, the PSP Multi Shape Cobra Stand.

The PSP Multi Sape Cobra Stand lets you place your PSP in virtually any position, be it around your wrist or your waist, ideal for some PSP gaming when you are walking down the street.

The PSP Multi Shape Cobra Stand is available for $23 from Brando.

Sony PSP Go

2009-06-08T09:59:00.000-07:00

Details have been revealed of Sony’s latest hand held gaming console, the Sony PSP Go.

The Sony PSP Go will come with a 3.8 inch display, and 16GB of built in memory, there is also memory stick micro slot, and it has full PlayStation Network support which means you will be able to download movies and TV shows to it.

The details are pretty scarce at the moment on the exact features, as the news was leaked just before E3, we will update you with full details as soon as they are available.

E3 2009 - Hands-on With The Logitech Flight System G940

2009-06-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Logitech launched their new Flight System G940, which looks awesome from the pictures. However, this is one of those products that you really have to get your hands on to really understand. I’ve never flown a plane (or anything else for that matter) so I have no real basis for comparison. However, if I were flying something, this is exactly what I’d want it to feel like.

I’ve used quite a few joysticks in the past, but this is the first that actually has rudder pedals which adds a whole new dimension to the game. Add in the dual throttles and the force-feedback and you’ve got yourself one hell of a setup. One of the best features about joystick itself the lack of springs. Instead it is handled entirely by small servos and motors, which makes handling so much smoother than your average stick. $300 is pricey, but if you’re an enthusiast it might be worth finding the cash.

Halo 3 ODST Xbox 360 Controller

2009-06-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

Microsoft has launched a new limited edition Xbox 360 controller, the Halo 3 ODST Xbox 360 Controller.

This limited edition Halo 3 controller will now come with the $99 collectors edition of Halo 3, it certainly looks pretty cool from the photo.

I guess we are still going to need to use controllers with our Xbox, as probably every game will not be able to be controlled by the new Xbox 360 Project Natal motion control system.

Nyko Charge Grip Flex For The PSP

2009-06-08T09:56:00.000-07:00

By Andrew Liszewski

With the announcement of a $250 price tag, Sony pretty much guaranteed there will still be a market for the old PSP once the PSP Go hits store shelves. And if the reason you’ve been holding off on getting a PSP 2000 or 3000 is because of the battery life and ergonomics concerns, you’ll be happy to know that Nyko has heard your plight.

Their Charge Grip Flex works with either model and features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that increases your play time by about 1.5x. I also like that it uses the PSP’s included AC adapter to charge both the PSP and the Charger Grip at the same time, so you don’t need to wrangle or store another cord. And when it comes to ergonomics, there’s a set of fold-out grips that extend from the bottom, making the unit feel more like a dual-shock controller.

GameDR Video Game Timer

2009-06-08T09:55:00.000-07:00

If your kids spend too much time on their Xbox, PS3 or Wii, then you may want to invest in one of these video games timers called the GameDr.

The GameDr is basically a lock that clamps onto a power cord, you can then set how long on the built in timer you want your kids to play on their games console.

Once the timer is up the GameDr automatically shuts down the console, no matter where you are in the game, which could be annoying if you haven’t saved your progress.

The GameDr is available for $29.99 from Digital Innovations, I better not let the Mrs see this as she might install it on my Xbox.

All You Might Need To Know About The Next iPhone

2009-06-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

We don’t generally go all bananas about rumors and hearsay, but when someone whips up a handy color-coded graphic that explains everything that might show up on the next generation iPhone, it provides a concise way to summarize what you might have to look forward to if you’re one of those people who feels sad and lonely and inferior without an Apple logo embossed on something expensive within immediate groping range.

This graphic was put together from many different rumors by TGR; the numbers next to the features denote a source for the rumor and there’s akey available here.

Maitre Mirror from Stocco with integrated touchscreen

2009-06-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

Although this incredibly hi-tech mirror looks more like a concept than something that is actually being sold, it is a real product. These cool mirrors integrate a touch screen directly into the mirror. That of course means you’re likely going to have the urge to clean it extremely often, since it’s going to accumulate fingerprints like crazy. However, it’d be well worth the extra effort you would have to put in to keep it looking great.

The touchscreen console has a built-in radio, clock, MP3 player and even a barometer to finish it off. The clock would be especially great when you’re in a rush and need to keep track of the time. It is mounted on an aluminum frame that is flush with the mirror itself. To plug your MP3 player into it, you’ll just need to access just below the screen on the underside of the mirror itself. The mirror can currently be purchased in sizes ranging from 90cm on up to 2 meters. How much it costs you will depend on your specifications, but it’s unlikely that it will be cheap. You can read more on it on the Stocco Website.

Blu Bottle Water Bottle Generates Its Own Water

2009-06-08T09:50:00.001-07:00

Blu Bottle combines a superb innovative design with mechanical processes and doesn’t require any high tech electronics or reliance on batteries to perform. By using the most underused source of energy in the world, the human energy, this bottle can harness the user’s kinetic energy via a manual pump, various pressure chambers and valves. Blu Bottle contains a coolant unit and sudden release in pressure on that unit results drop in temperature, therefore generating drinkable condensation. This compact and versatile bottle is best for using in remote areas, relief/aid purposes and personal or outdoor use.

A refreshingly bold and innovative concept, Blu Bottle is a suitably feasible, technically efficient and independent system. Intricately researched and designed, Blu Bottle dares to go further with a deeper, more versatile and sustainable solution that is more intrinsic than most.

GameOn Game Console Organizer

2009-06-08T09:48:00.002-07:00

Here is a useful accessory for your games console, the GameOn Game Console Organizer.

The GameOn Game Console Organizer is designed to organize your games console, controllers, games and all the leads that come with it.

It is designed to also keep you console cool as it is vented, which is great for Xbox owners who want to keep everything tidy but cant put it inside a closed media unit as it may get to hot.

The GameOn Game Console Organizer can be wall mounted, and it comes in a variety of funky colors including, red, yellow, blue, green, black and white.If you want one the GameOn Game Console Organizer is available for $59.99 from Amazon.

Combimouse: The Clash of Keyboard and Mouse

2009-06-08T09:48:00.001-07:00

Remember in the mid-nineties when all those ergonomic keyboards started coming out? I remember all of those consumers who thought: “hey, that just looks weird”. This is exactly my thought when I first saw the Combimouse.

I mean, look at the half of the keyboard on the right, it looks like an arrow pointing to the left half! Actually, the purpose of that right side is to slide around on your desk just like your mouse, only without the shifting of your hand to click anything.

By the way, the right side of the keyboard only acts as a keyboard if there is no movement on it. Once there is movement, the cursor will move and the keys become mouse buttons.

According to my source, it has been successfully tested at Wichita State University. However, this looks like one of those devices that will require you to relearn something that you already know by instinct. Let’s hope the few seconds you shave off your day from shifting your hand from the keyboard to the mouse is worth this re-learning experience.

Of course, you never know what accessory will be the next big thing, even if the user has to change his or her lifestyle. If you want to be a co-investor on this, just head over to the Combimouse web site.

Cornell Researchers Develop Algorithms To Simulate The Sounds Of Fluids

2009-06-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

By Andrew Liszewski

While I haven’t seen a perfect CG human just yet, I’m confident that it’s only a matter of time before Hollywood’s A-list are replaced by pixels. However, while we’re able to produce realistic computer generated images and animations, the same can’t be said for sounds just yet, but we’re now one step closer. Doug James and Changxi Zheng, researchers at Cornell University, have developed a way to simulate the sounds of flowing or dripping water, which in real life are produced by tiny air bubbles that compress and expand due to surface tension, creating sound waves in the water.

Now when it comes to movies and TV, the sounds of something crashing into the ocean or a babbling brook can be added by foley artists during post-production, but that’s not an option when it comes to video games or interactive simulations. So by using the geometry of a 3D scene, the Harmonic Fluids algorithm they developed can calculate where the air bubbles would have been created in real life and how they would have moved, which allows realistic accompanying sounds to be generated.

Sony PS3 Motion Controller

2009-06-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

Sony has announced a new motion controller for the PlayStation 3, the Sony PS3 Motion Controller.

The Sony PS3 Motion Controller is just a prototype at the moment, it features a color changing ball on top of the controller, and is designed to work in conjunction with the PlayStation Eye.

Unlike Microsoft’s new Xbox 360 Project Natal, Sony believes that some games need buttons, check out the video of it in action below.

From the video it does look pretty impressive, Sony are expected to launch the Sony PS3 Motion Controller in 2010.

Sylvania LED Placemat

2009-06-08T09:36:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried to eat dinner at 2:30 in the morning during an eclipse while in the middle of a power outage? Let me tell you, it’s almost impossible to see what you’re eating! Thankfully the forward thinkers at Sylvania have come up with the perfect solution. Through some manner of reverse-engineered alien technology they’ve found a way to embed LED lighting into your standard terrestrial placemat. You’d think that such a breakthrough would have been confiscated by the government, placed in a non-descript wooden crate and buried somewhere inside a giant warehouse, but believe it or not they’re actually available for sale to the public!

On a single set of coin cell batteries the placemats will stay lit for about 20 hours, and they’ve been treated with Scotchgard so they’re also spill-friendly. And they’re available in sets of 2 from the Sylvania online store for $24.99.

NEC CRV43 - 43 Inch Curved Monitor

2009-06-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

NEC has launched their new 43 inch curved LCD monitor the NEC CRV43, and from the looks of the photos this would be great for gaming.

The NEC CRV43 features a resolution of 2880 x 900, a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, USB 2.0 connectivity, a DVI-D and HDMI 1.3 connections, and it provides a 32:10 aspect ratio.

Here are the specifications

Seamless curved screen, which eliminates bezel and screen gap issues for increased productivity and decreased frustration (according to Center for Human-Computer Interaction - Shupp et al, presented at Graphics Interface 2006)
2880 x 900 double WXGA native resolution
200 cd/m² brightness
0.02ms Rapid Response
10,000:1 contrast ratio
Wide color gamut with 100% coverage of sRGB and 99.3% coverage of Adobe RGB
Single link DVI-D and HDMI 1.3 input connectors
USB 2.0 connectivity for easy use of peripherals
Front panel controls
On Screen Display (OSD®) and software-based GUI, which enables advanced display control options

The NEC CRV43 will go on sale shortly for a massive $7,999.

FSP Group Brings iON Battery Pack for iPhone to U.S.

2009-06-08T09:32:00.000-07:00

Yeah the battery life on my first gen iPhone sucks. Every time we stop somewhere, my kids want to play games on my phone and if I get bored while my wife drones on about whatever it is that wives talk about streaming YouTube videos kills the battery too.

There are already some iPhone batteries on the market and FSP Group is bringing another one to the U.S. in July via Newegg. The battery pack will carry an MSRP of $29.99 and offers 1500mAh of power. The device includes a universal USB adapter for any device charging from USB and includes a specific adapter for the iPhone and iPod.

The battery can be recharged up to 500 times and has an output voltage of 5W. The battery pack measures 3.39″ W x 0.35″ H x 2.24″L and weighs 0.05 pounds. That makes the device about the size of a credit card. The outside of the battery is rubber coated for better grip and it ships with a carry case.

GEN-X Genesis/NES Game System

2009-06-08T09:30:00.001-07:00

The GEN-X Genesis/NES Games System is a combination games console that will play NES games and Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) Games.

It features two cartridge slots one for NES games and ones for Sega Genesis games, and it has a built it switch which lets you choose 8 bit (NES) or 16 bit (Genesis) modes to play some of your favorite retro games.

Here are the specifications.

Game Console Plays Old Sega Genesis and NES Games
Two slots allow you to plug in a Genesis or NES cartridge
Switch chooses from NES (8 Bit) or Genesis (16 Bit) mode
Connects to your TV via standard composite video out
Stereo sound (depending on game)
Comes with two Genesis style controllers
Plays most Japanese import games
NTSC for USA market
Main console measures a compact 17cm x 15cm x 4cm high

The GEN-X Genesis/NES Game System is available for $39.99 from Thnik Geek.

Asus offers O!Play HDP-R1 HD Media Player

2009-06-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

Asus is one versatile company that seems to have dipped their hands into just about anything and everything imaginable. Their latest release would be the Asus O!Play HDP-R1 HD Media Player - offering users yet another way to stream and enjoy a vast array of high definition content on your flat panel displays at home (if you’re still stuck with a CRT, isn’t it about time you got on with the times, mate?). Let’s take a closer look at what the O!Play HDP-R1 HD Media Player is able to offer the home theater buff, hopefully it will be able to come up with satisfactory nods all around instead of being sold short.

The Asus O!Play HDP-R1 holds the distinction of being the first (and only, to boot) High Definition media player which will tout the ability to handle a wide range of file formats, and among those include MPEG1/2/4, H.264, VC-1, and the ever popular RM/RMVB. Playing nice with a vast array of video formats isn’t just the only thing the uniquely named O!Play HDP-R1 is good at - it also allows users to share both videos and photos straight from their PCs and notebooks in enhanced clarity and high definition with anyone else who has an internet connection, all straight from the living room (or conference room if you’re more of the business type of person).

The remote control even comes with a dedicated button for music shuffle, allowing you to indulge in some random audio goodness during moments when you want to be pleasantly surprised by your own digital music collection. The inclusion of an eSATA interface on the O!Player HDP-R1 itself enables users to experience up to 6 times faster transfer speeds as compared to USB 2.0 under selected situations, virtually doing away with delays that are normally associated with video streaming, what more in high definition this time round.

Nokia BH-905 Bluetooth Headset Debuts

2009-06-08T09:28:00.002-07:00

By Shane McGlaun

I am not a big fan of Bluetooth headsets. I think they have their place, like when you are trying to drive in a manual transmission car. However, if you use one while say walking in the mall you should be kicked in the balls (or punched in the ovaries if more appropriate).

If you are into music on your phone, most go for ear buds because they are compact and don’t look as strange on your head as say your massive headphones from 1984. Nokia has announced a new Bluetooth headset called the BH-905 that is quite large. The massive size looks like something you would see with a home stereo rather than a mobile phone or MP3 player.

The huge headset supports stereo streaming music and has microphones (yes there are more than two) for placing and receiving calls. Bluetooth headsets with two mics are common today and a pair wasn’t good enough for Nokia. The BH-905 has two mics for picking up the user’s voice, and eight of them for picking up external sounds to be blocked. The headset will go on sale globally in August at about EUR 285.

Black Nintendo Wii

2009-06-08T09:28:00.001-07:00

Nintendo has just announced that it will be launching a black Nintendo Wii in Japan on August 1st.

The black Nintendo Wii will go on sale for about $260, and they will also be selling a range of matching peripherals, including a black Wiimote for about $40, a black Nunchuck for about $19 and a black Classic Controller Pro for about $21.

There are no details on when we will see this Black Nintendo Wii in the US and Europe, I wonder if Nintendo will expand the range into other colors as well.

Sanyo releases two more projectors

2009-06-08T09:27:00.001-07:00

Sanyo is no stranger when it comes to projectors, regardless of whether they are of the LCD or DLP variety. This time round, they will be unleashing two more portable projectors to the market - the PLC-XW250 and the PLC-XW200, where these two models will target the education field without breaking the annual budget, boasting outstanding cost performance with an eco stand-by power mode that sips just 0.4 watts of juice. Coupled with their very own “Easy Setup Function”, getting one of these up and running even by a newbie should be a snap.

Their power consumption of 0.4 watts places both the PLC-XW250 and the PLC-XW200 under the category of “most ecological data projector” from Sanyo’s stable. When the eco power stand-by mode kicks in, it helps you save approximately 80% of the energy that is consumed by similar previous Sanyo projectors. This is made possible by a redesign of electrical circuits, fully complying with the EuP-Directive Lot 6 and the EU RoHS Directive. Not only that, the packaging that both of these projectors come in are also environmentally friendly, being made out of pulp molds that can later be recycled as used paper.

What’s so great about the “Easy Setup Function”, you ask? Well, it includes Auto Input Signal Search, Auto Vertical Keystone Correction and an Input Guidance Function. Firstly, the Auto Input Signal Search will be able to detect the input signal automatically and make the relevant changes to internal settings. Secondly, the Auto Vertical Keystone Correction function will be able to automatically detect its position angle and make corrections for any image distortion. Last but not least would be the Guidance Function that shows on-screen connection instructions whenever there isn’t any input signal detected. Sanyo will be rolling out the PLC-XW250 and the PLC-XW200 later this month, retailing for $895 and $795, respectively.

E3 2009 – ioXtreme

2009-06-08T09:26:00.001-07:00

Back at the end of 2007 I introduced you guys to a company called Fusion-IO, which was producing hard drives that ran on your PCI-Express slots. It was a pretty cool idea then, but unfortunately their offering was really salty, and aimed primarily at enterprise customers. Well since one of the co-founders is a hardcore gamer, they decided to branch out and try to bring the same incredible performance to a new crowd.

Enter the ioXtreme. This card holds 80GB of storage (NAND Flash) which is capable of giving you a performance boost that you won’t see by just upgrading your CPU and RAM. Games, large applications like Photoshop and Final Cut will open almost instantaneously. They likened it to bringing up a program that was minimized on your start bar, which is pretty incredible. They even said that it would be possible to boot Windows in just one second. Unfortunately this feature won’t be available at launch, due to them still working out bugs with a few different BIOS, it will however be available via a driver update. The card should be launching later this year for somewhere around $800, though the price is subject to change.

Maingear Pulse - The World’s Greenest Gaming PC

2009-06-08T09:23:00.002-07:00

Yesterday we saw the new Maingear ePhex Elite Gaming PC, today Maingear has launched a new PC which they are calling the World’s greenest gaming PC, the Maingear Pulse.

The Maingear Pulse is a powerful small form factor PC based on NVIDIA;s ION platform, and it is the first ION PC that can be upgraded with a GeForce GPU, which lets you choose between a low power ION solution and a energy efficient high performance solution with the GeForce GPU.

The ION version comes with an choicer of Intel Core 2 45nm processors, and an 80+ certified 300 watt PSU this is designed to be energy efficient.

The GeForce Option comes with a GeForce 9800 GT Eco GPU which uses 40% less power than a standard GeForce 9800 GT, users can choose either a 512MB or 1GB version, processing comes from Intel’s Core 2 Quad processors.

The Maingear Pulse features 802.11 b.g WiFi, up to 8GB of DDR2 RAM, optional Blu-ray and TV tuner, and a Windows Vista.

Prices start at $799 for the basic version, and it is available now from Maingear.

LaCie to release LaCinema Black Series

2009-06-08T09:23:00.001-07:00

LaCie is back this time round with not some variant of an external or portable hard drive, but the LaCinema Black Series of media players instead, coming in both PLAY and RECORD varieties. By expanding their range of Wireless HD media players, LaCie has certainly stepped out of their comfort zone, giving some competition to players in this market with Neil Poulton-designed products that are pleasing to the eyes this time round. Both models from the Black range were specially constructed to optimize the way consumers access and play content straight off from their HDTV.

The LaCinema Black PLAY and RECORD will boast some of the most up-to-date home networking capabilities right smack in your living room, at least that’s what the press release claims. Users will be able to select from a direct network connection, but I suspect that more people would prefer to opt for the Wi-Fi connection since that is more or less a given in most homes these days. Regardless of your choice of connectivity, you will be able to use this new player to store music, movies and photos from any computer on the local network. An integrated UPnP client player makes it a snap for users to access media content from a networked PC or Mac from anywhere in the home.

In tandem with the High Definition age that we now live in, the LaCinema Black PLAY and RECORD will enable users to enjoy downloaded HD movies and television programs straight on their new flat panel display, virtually ensuring that you will need to have a HD-ready TV in your home before you decide to pick up either player from LaCie. Shared features among the two include 1080p resolution decoding capability for movies and TV shows, HD JPEG photos and 1080i upscaling of Standard Definition movies. Prices for the LaCinema Black line will start from $429.99 onwards.

Pioneer Electronics Unveils Three Blu-ray Players

2009-06-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

Every now and again, someone I know will ask me what Blu-ray player they should buy to go along with their new TV. I always tell them to get the PS3 because I think it’s one of the best Blu-ray players out there. I had a guy tell me he didn’t want video games in his house the other day and preferred a stand-alone Blu-ray player to the PS3.

For people who feel the same way Pioneer has launched a trio of new Blu-ray players including the Elite BDP-23FD, the BDP-120, and the BDP-320 models. The 23FD is aimed at the professional integrator looking for a player with full control capability for integrating into high-end home theaters. It includes a special KURO Link Picture Mode and a precision quartz lock system that helps prevent playback jitters. The 23FD sells for $599.

The BDP-320 offers 48-bit deep color support, three video noise reduction circuits and 13 different picture adjustment capabilities and sells for $399. The BDP-120 is the entry-level machine and carries a MSRP of $299. All three machines also have a USB port for playing digital files.

Pocket Retro Game Emulator

2009-06-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

We have seen a few handheld game emulators here at Geeky Gadgets, the latest one is the Pocket Retro Game Emulator.

The Pocket Retro Game Emulator can play a variety of games from NES, SNES, GBA, Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) and Neo Geo, it comes with a 2.8 inch QVGA LCD screen, 4GB of built in memory and a Mini SD Card Slot.

Here are the specifications

Primary Function: Gaming and media player entertainment system
Display: 2.8 inch QVGA LTPS (Low Temperature PolySilicon) LCD Screen
Color: Black
Memory:
- Internal 4GB
- External Mini SD card
Controller Design: D-pad
Gaming Console Modes:
- NES (Nintendo Entertainment System - 8bit)
- SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System - 16bit)
- Sega Genesis (Sega Mega-Drive - 16-bit)
- GBA (Nintendo Game Boy Advance)
- Neo-Geo (SNK Neo-Geo)
- CPS1 and CPS2 (CAPCOM, arcade game systems, 1st and 2nd edition)
Compatible Video Formats: FLV, WMV, ASF, RM, AVI, MPEG, MP4, RMVB, SWF
Compatible Audio Formats: MP3, WMA, APE, FLAC
I/O Slots
- Earphone jack
- Mini-USB port
- Mini-SD slot (SDHC)
- AV OUT (output to TV - NTSC or PAL, 16:9 or 4:3)
- Stereo Speakers
Additional Media Functions:
- FM Radio with recording function
- Voice Recorder (MP3, WAV)
- Image viewer (JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG)
- Ebook reader (with text to speech function)
Bult-in li-battery gives 6-8 hours of runtime on a single charge
Dimensions: 125mm x 56mm x 14mm (L x W x H)

The Pocket Retro Game Emulator is available for $99.99 from Thnik Geek.

Sony Ericsson goes green with GreenHeart phones

2009-06-08T09:18:00.000-07:00

It is nice to see companies taking more responsibility in keeping the planet clean with each product release without sacrificing on performance, such as LCD monitors and now, cellphones. Sony Ericsson just unveiled a couple of GreenHeart pioneer products that underline the efforts the company is taking when it comes to environmental sustainability, featuring eco-friendly products that won’t compromise on product design and functionality. The two handsets on parade today would be the C901 GreenHeart as pictured as well as the Naite.

The flagship C901 GreenHeart will comprise of an electronic, in-phone manual that does away with the standard paper version - good thinking on their part. Now all they need to do is to sell a gazillion of these handsets in order to make a real, significant impact when it comes to deforestation prevention. Well, sarcasm aside, this move looks set to save more than 90% in paper, further reducing the environmental impact during transportation of the final product as it would mean a more compact packaging. As for the case, the C901 GreenHeart handset uses at least 50% recycled plastics within, while the optimized display light sensor will further reduce your carbon footprint.

Interestingly enough, the Sony Ericsson C901 GreenHeart will be equipped with a WalkMate application that enables users to literally walk the talk as it goes about calculating the exact number of steps you’ll take in an equivalent journey traveled by car, showing how much CO² you save in the process whenever you walk to your destination instead of drive.

Some of the features found on the Sony Ericsson C901 GreenHeart will include :-

Smile shutter
One-click uploading
Face Detection
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
UMTS/HSPA 900/2100.
5 megapixel camera with 16x digital zoom and xenon flash
Video recording capability
Bluetooth stereo A2DP connectivity
2.2″ 240 x 320 resolution TFT scratch-resistant display
Memory Stick Micro slot

Jabra BT2080 Bluetooth Headset Debuts

2009-06-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

Bluetooth headsets can be convenient when you are driving and can prevent you from getting a ticket in many states. The issue for some users is that most Bluetooth headsets are expensive devices. Jabra has unveiled a new Bluetooth headset called the BT2080 that is cheap.

The BT2080 headset sells for $39, which is much cheaper than many high-end headsets sell for. To prevent users from accidentally turning the headset off it has a dedicated power button. Support for Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR and eSCO is built-in.

The headset can auto pair with mobile phones and has six hours of talk time per charge. The device can also standby for up to 8 days per charge. The overall dimensions for the BT2080 are 53 x 16 x 9mm and it weighs 8 grams. The device ships with a micro USB cable and a universal car charger.

Could A Laser Oven Be In Our Future? Pew Pew!

2009-06-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

I have to give Electrolux credit, their design comprtitions have inspired some unique ideas when it comes to the possible future of houshold appliances. Like this “Cooking in the Futur” concept oven created by Ludovic Peperstraete. Instead of heating elements or an open flame, food is cooked via 3 harmless lasers that are targeted by the cook. And while a single laser supposedly isn’t strong enough to cook food, we all know that crossing two lasers can cook anything from a Thanksgiving turkey to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Now I’m not exactly sold on the open concept design, since the last time I checked cooked food is still hot and has the tendency to bubble and splatter, but the oven also features a new type of ventilation system to at least keep odors at bay.

Six Foot Remote Controlled RMS Titanic Is Doomed To A Life Of Scale Replica Disasters

2009-06-08T09:11:00.000-07:00

Oh Hammacher Schlemmer! Every update to your website is a cornucopia of gagdets and gizmos I never knew I needed. For example, last week I was blissfully unaware I had any desire to own a 6-foot remote control model of the RMS Titanic. But here we are, and I’m not entirely sure how I’m going to get through next week without this thing half-sticking out of my bathtub.

Of course the $2,500 price tag is a good deterrent, but you do get what you pay for. At 6-feet from bow to stern the 1:150 scale model is constructed from over 300 handcrafted pieces and each one involves over 400 man hours of assembly. The attention to detail is pretty impressive too, including miniature white maple planks for the decking that have been stained to replicate the color of the originals, as well as real mahogany and cedar used for other parts of the ship including the superstructure and detailing.

Its 3 propellers are powered by 3 x 550-watt electric motors, and 2 rechargeable batteries provide enough juice to propel the Titanic up to 5mph for about 3 hours. And the included remote has a range of up to 75-feet which is probably something you’d want to be keenly aware of as it would be a shame to watch one of these go sailing off into the horizon if you ever lost control.

The Car and Wall USB Power Charger

2009-06-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

This is a small gadget that would definitely come in handy. It’d be one of those things that makes traveling or even your day to day life a bit more simple. It can charge all of your USB gadgets and it does so in a versatile manner. Making it so you are unlikely to ever be somewhere that you can’t charge it up. Just plug it into your car and you can charge up your iPhone or iPod while you’re on the go.

It also can be plugged into the wall as well, so if you’re not able to get access to a computer someplace that has an outlet, you’ll still be able to get charged up. It doesn’t require a three prong outlet either, so if you’re visiting family that lives in a house where three prong outlets are scarce, this would be great to have handy. There is also a status LED light that lets you know that the outlet is providing the power you need to charge your gadget. You can purchase the Car + Wall Plug USB Power Charger for $12 from USB Geek.

The PC Mouse Ladybird

2009-06-08T09:09:00.000-07:00

Although this isn’t likely to appeal to the average geek, it might appeal to the very girly female and especially to young females. This cute ladybug works as a mouse and gives your computer a less boring look. After all, so often computer feature nothing but blacks and grays, which is fine, but it does get a touch monotonous. It also doesn’t have quite the cartoon-like look that the other ladybug mouse I’ve seen had. Since it’s not so cartoonish, it makes it a better prospect for women who enjoy anything with a ladybug theme.

It’s a mouse, so the specs are pretty basic, it’s thankfully an optical mouse. I have on occasion come across a novelty mouse that wasn’t optical. It connects through your USB port and since it is just a mouse it will of course work with either a PC or a Mac. It’d be a great mouse to take to work if you can get away with it. Just to add a little more color to your office environment. The mouse is being sold through Lazy Bone UK and not at a bad price either. You can purchase it for $28.95.

The Memory Pill USB Drive

2009-06-08T09:08:00.000-07:00

This is one of those drives that you wouldn’t expect it to be a USB drive concealed within. It looks more like something someone would stash a little Tylenol within. Instead it’s a small USB drive that allows for you to store random files inside. It’d be a humorous keychain for nurses and various medical workers to carry around. Of course it won’t discriminate if you’re not within the medical field, it’ll still safely store your files just the same. Plus it can be attached to your keys as a keychain.

Once again this is another one that the keychain part is attached to the cap. Which makes me a little concerned that it would stop clinging to the lid so well and the drive itself, with all of your data, would be dropped and lost. The serious down side of the drive is that it’s only a 64MB drive. That still leaves room for 40 photos though or 30 minutes of MP3s. Still, it’s not exactly a decently sized drive. The drive will cost you £10.95 or about $18 from GiftLab.

Pharos Traveler 137 GPS Smartphone

2009-06-08T09:07:00.002-07:00

Most smartphones these days come with GPS navigation capability, but they were made by companies that have phones as their primary business. Turn the tables around and you’ll get the Pharos Traveler 137 GPS Smartphone - this is a GPS unit with cellphone capabilities, or should we call it a cellphone with GPS navigation skills? Regardless of what you classify it under, we’re pretty sure you’d be well pleased with the following specifications :-

Qualcomm MSM7201A 528MHz Processor
3.5” WVGA 480 x 800, 65K color TFT LCD with touch panel
Tri-band AWS 1700/1900/2100 MHz, UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA: 384K/7.2M/2Mbps
Quad-band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, GSM/GPRS/EDGE
Built-in GPS
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
FM transmitter
3.1-megapixel camera
0.3-megpaixel front camera
Free real-time traffic, gas price, movie and weather information

This cute little number will retail for $599.95 - pretty hefty since it comes unlocked and is not subsidized by any carrier.

Belkin TuneCast Auto Live FM transmitter

2009-06-08T09:07:00.001-07:00

Belkin is back with the Belkin TuneCast Auto Live FM transmitter alongside their very own ClearScan Live software application that will allow both iPhone and iPod Touch owners to gain easy access to their FM transmitter, picking out the most suitable radio frequency to play music in the car.

ClearScan Live allows the iPhone to display the FM frequency and the controls on its screen. This hardware-software combination is the first to utilize an iPhone application to control FM transmission and utilize GPS coordinates to determine the clearest FM frequency at the user’s location. TuneCast Auto Live capitalizes on the ability of iPhone OS 3.0 to enable application control of hardware accessories, with ClearScan Live as the first application to interact with an iPhone FM transmitter accessory. Together, the Belkin hardware and software provide a powerful tool for people to easily control and listen to their music in their cars.

The Belkin TuneCast Auto Live FM transmitter will arrive across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia later this Fall, retailing for $79.99 a pop.

Thumb Stadium Electronic Game Kit

2009-06-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

Ah, handheld gaming sure has gotten a whole lot more complicated with releases from Sony like the PSPgo and the Nintendo DSi, so why not hark back to the good old days where the notion of handheld gaming did not mean the presence of some high resolution LCD display? Here’s the Thumb Stadium Electronic Game Kit
to get you started, and there are four different built-in games to choose from as described below.

Game 1 - ThumbWar
The object of ThumbWar is simple: press while the other player is pressing. If you do, you get a point.

Game 2 - SlapJack
During SlapJack, Thumb Stadium randomly flashes the center LED red or green. Be the first to press when center is green and get a point. Don’t press if it isn’t green or the other player gets a point.

Game 3 - Jai Alai
Center lights up ~ quickly press to “catch” your color. Press again to “throw” to the other player who has to catch on time and throw back. The time to catch gets shorter each throw.

Game 4 - Reflexy
Reflexy is a one-player game. The object is to quickly press the button that matches the color in the center LED. You go until you miss or are too late. The time to react gets shorter each turn. After the game, your score is flashed ~ Center = x10, Red LED = x1. Press the Red Side Button three times to restart.

The Thumb Stadium Electronic Game Kit can be yours for $19.99.

The always stylish Metal Detecting Sandals

2009-06-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

Alright so you won’t be setting any kind of fashion statement with these, but the full sized metal detector that is typically seen, isn’t exactly classy either. So it’s safe to say that most that use a metal detector aren’t entirely concerned with how they look. Plus this way you don’t have to really carry anything, just wear a goofy pair of sandals and you’re set. Plus if you’re wearing pants, no one will even see the strange black box attached to your leg.

On the right sandal is a copper coil built into it, that is powered by the awkward looking battery pack that wraps around your leg. When you come within 2′ of a metal object it alerts you in one of two ways. It flashes a light and then you can either set it to gently vibrate or give a much louder buzzing noise. To keep the pack up and going, it requires a 9V battery, which is of course not included. That battery will get you up to six hours of use while you’re out wandering the beach. They offer both men’s and women’s sizes. You can purchase them for $59.95 from Hammacher and Schlemmer.

The Remote Controlled 100 Foot Water Cannon

2009-06-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

Few things bring out the kid in adults like having their hands on a water cannon. You don’t have to run around, you just choose an unsuspecting target and blast them with water. With this you don’t even have to be anywhere near them. Giving you plenty of time to get a head start before they tackle you to the ground and steal the cannon from you. You just have to make sure that you’re quick on your feet, otherwise you might find yourself being the one getting shot by the cannon.

This water cannon can hit a target from 100 feet away and works by attaching to a garden hose. Even better is that it has a remote that works from up to 30′ away. The cannon has three different interchangeable nozzles that allow for you to choose between a stream, mist or spray. I suppose if you switch it to mist it’d be perfect for watering the lawn or a garden. Giving you a practical reason to own one, if you predict you might have issues explaining to your significant other why you need it. It has a base on it, so you can set it down on the ground or up on something a little more high up. It also can tilt to hit the target. It uses 4 C batteries, not included, that will power the cannon for 10 hours. You can purchase this from Hammacher and Schlemmer for 59.95$.

49-port USB hub

2009-06-08T08:56:00.000-07:00

Now here’s an accessory that you probably won’t need - the 49-port USB hub. This device should be able to cater for just about the next 100 years, assuming the USB standard remains well into the next century. After all, what the heck are you going to do with so many ports, unless you’re running some sort of USB flash drive copying center on a large scale? For those who have been looking out for a commercial version, you’ll be disappointed to know that this is just available in a laboratory environment, so any Tom, Dick or Harry won’t be able to get their hands on one.

Kensington releases new notebook lock

2009-06-08T07:43:00.000-07:00

Kensington has dealt with notebook and desktop accessories for quite some time to date, and their expertise in this department is not to be underestimated, otherwise they would’ve pulled out from such a market a long time ago as the customer is certainly always discerning. Well, this time round Kensington will aim to help you secure your precious new notebook wherever you go, not by arming it with some sort of magical electrical force field that will only deactivate at your command, but a more simple solution that is pretty much secure in its own right - the Kensington MicroSaver DS Keyed Ultra-Thin Notebook Lock. Boasting a modern design that functions to safeguard while providing a physical deterrent against theft of valuable business equipment and the sensitive data stored within them, the new MicroSaver DS Keyed Ultra-Thin Notebook Lock will come in a ground-breaking ultra thin design without sacrificing on performance and reliability.

This notebook lock is special as it can secure even the thinnest notebook around, so all you MacBook Air users as well as the new MSI X-Slim series will be pleased to note that this $49.99 anti-theft device will also handle those notebooks perfectly. Some of the features and specifications available include :-

Revolutionary slim design, ideal for Ultra-thin notebooks
A rotating head and pivoting cable allow you to easily connect to your notebook and position the lock
Attaches to most notebooks via the Kensington Security Slot found in 99% of notebooks
Patented T-bar locking mechanism provides superior strength and theft protection
Super-strong carbon steel cable provides greater security in a 10%-thinner design
5-ft carbon tempered steel cable
Includes two keys
Rubber tie for cable cord management and portability

You can place your pre-order for the Kensington MicroSaver DS Keyed Ultra-Thin Notebook Lock from Amazon.com and Kensington.com, where it will ship at the end of the month to other major retailers.

Sanyo SCP-2700 from Sprint

2009-06-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

Sanyo isn’t exactly one of the more famous names when it comes to the cellphone market here in the US, although they have come up with some pretty good looking clamshells in the past like the Katana series. Well, the latest handset from Sanyo to hit Stateside would be the SCP-2700 from Sprint that ought to make for a great graduation gift if you happen to know anyone in college or high school seniors who have yet to own a cellphone (a rare number, I suspect). What’s up with this handset? Well, let’s take a closer look at what it can offer right after the jump.

The Sanyo SCP-2700 will come with a 2.2″ color LCD display that isn’t touchscreen - now isn’t that a welcome change from the slew of touchscreen handsets that have been making their way across markets all over the world lately? Well, call it old technology, but it does have its niche. The compact candybar handset will feature its own QWERTY keyboard to help you get those text messages and email out in double quick time. Not only that, it will cater to either gender with Impulsive Pink and Deep Blue colors, and with threaded text messaging, it will be much easier to keep track of your conversations each time an email or text message comes in. For folks who can’t live with emoticons, there is a dedicated emoticon key that makes it a snap to insert smiley faces and other symbols into their text messages and emails.

Heck, to make the entire graduation a much more fun affair, why not purchase two SCP-2700’s for free (both mom and daughter can get one apiece to help them keep in touch about the latest in fashion as well as boyfriend advice across a long distance once the “little girl” grows up and leaves the nest) as long as they’re new-line activations and tied down to a two-year service agreement on two Individual Plans with messaging, or a Family Plan with messaging.

Belkin turns on the style in iPod nano 4G cases

2009-06-08T07:34:00.000-07:00

Belkin is no stranger when it comes to iPod accessories, and this time round they’re offering more than just mere protection for your iPod nano 4G, but intend to suit those portable media players up in a way that will also attract positive attention. Both the Micra Chex and Fuse cases reflect the re-emerging iconic checkerboard design and bold color trends of the 1980s, where the former will feature subtle graphical detail that enhances your iPod without hiding the color of your nano. All of these new cases will be available worldwide - that means the US, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia, while the Micra Flow Case will only make its way to Europe, the Middle East and Africa. They’ll retail for $19.99 (single) and $24.99 (2-pack).

The iLuv iPhone Dual Dock with weather alerts

2009-05-24T05:34:00.001-07:00

I have one of the later models of iLuv and so far have found it extremely convenient. Especially since I tend to flake on charging my iPod. Well now iLuv is offering a new gadget for us to drool over. This one has found its way to this year’s CES and won’t be out for a few more months, but they at least released a few details to draw in our interest. The dock has all the usual convenient speccs but with one extra to sweeten the deal. One great perk is that iMM183 will work with both your iPhone and iPod at the same time. That is as long as you have a 4th Gen or later iPod.

It features dual docks to help those of you that have both or a significant other with one as well. The dock has the regular features like a built-in alarm clock and is able to play your iPod/iPhone through the built-in speakers. It also has an FM radio and of course a way to plug in any other audio devices you have around. It also has an extra feature to do with the weather this time around. It has support for weather text alerts from NOAA and SAME that will automatically come through on the preset radio channels. It allows you to archive as many as 10 notices for ongoing situations as well as has an LED warning to show when there is a new alert. So far there is no price released, but it will be available in March.

Teac’s New iPod Docking Station

2009-05-24T05:33:00.000-07:00

New iPod docks are a dime a dozen. (Actually, iPod docks are usually more expensive than that, but my point is the numerous models and not the price.) In short, there isn’t much to say about any new iPod dock when it hits the market. This one that you see here is from Teac, and the TD-X300i looks like it might stand out in a few areas.

Let’s get the specs out of the way first. The TD-X300i supports CD-R/RW and MP3 audio files. The dock itself is compatible with all iPods from the fourth generation.

Some of you may have noticed the unique speaker configuration. It has a subwoofer with a maximum output power of 5Wx2 + 15W. You might also have noticed how flat the other peripheral speakers are, and they are a product of NXT technology.

I’ve been hearing a lot about NXT technology lately. I believe that they have invited me to their breakfast at CES, and I am anxious to see what else they have to offer. Stay tuned for that article.

Speaking of CES, Teac would be insane not to have the TD-X300i on display at Las Vegas this year. Especially when the new iPod docking station is planned to be released in January 2009 anyway. The price is reported to be at €235.

TruPhone update brings phone, IM to iPod touch

2009-05-24T05:32:00.000-07:00

The latest update to the TRUPHONE VOIP/IM software brings the iPod touch into the community of supported devices and adds Skype compatibility.

Similar to Truphone allows users to contact other Truphone users for free and landlines around the world for not a lot.

Unlike Skype, Truphone also allows you to talk or chat to your contacts on other services including gTalk and Skype making it a complete communications solution. Plus it works on the touch (you’ll need a separate headset to provide the mic though).

The Speaker Charging Valet

2009-05-24T05:30:00.000-07:00

Organizing your gadgets is always a pain, it’s much easier to let the wires tangle and have the gadgets strewn about on your nightstand. It doesn’t look very good, but it’s a bit easier than taking the time to sort the wires and figure out what method of organization works best for you. You can either work up some method of organization of your own, or fork out a chunk of cash to pay for a charging station of some kind. If you have decided to go the purchasing route, Pottery Barn’s teen division has an attractive Speaker Charging Valet.

It has a dock for your iPod, which will charge it and has built-in speakers to actually play your iPod as well. It also has a spot to tuck wires through and a power strip on the back, to allow you to charge up your other small gadgets, like your cellphone. This is especially great for your bedroom, because it has compartments that will work great to stash anything you carry in your pockets. On the plus side, this navy blue charging valet is marked down a great deal from the original price. On the down side, it’s still a bit pricey. You can pick it up for $74.99, which is a bit better than the original price of $169.

The Boynq Sabre iPod Dock

2009-05-24T05:26:00.000-07:00

This is probably the only iPod dock I’ve ever seen that I swear was modeled after an ancient chariot. I keep thinking there’s supposed to be a horse hooked up to the back of the dock. This cool dock would look great tucked in the corner of any room that you think could use a little more music. The sleek black look makes it even suitable enough to blend in with your dining room, if you chose to place it there.

The dock comes included with six different docking inserts to make sure that it will work with any of the iPods that you happen to own. Of course if you have a black sheep in the family that still carries something besides an iPod, those can be hooked up as well, it just can’t sit in the dock itself. The dock also is magnetically shielded against High Frequency interference, so your phone won’t cause any issues with it. The other features include Docking Station for data synchronization via USB, enhanced 2x 10W RMS full range drivers (3”) for optimal clarity. They are available in both pink and the black shown above. You can pick it up for € 64,97 or about $81.

iPWR SuperPack for your Apple devices

2009-05-24T05:20:00.000-07:00

We all know how Apple has defied the odds by churning a profit this quarter despite the overall doom and gloom feeling that we’re all experiencing at the moment, and it is a testament to the strength and desirability of their product line up. Surely nearly everyone we know has an iPod, while the iPhone 3G remains one of the most sought after smartphones in the market thanks to its multitouch capability and general ease of use. Well, with so many iPods and iPhones running around, one would have to be a fool in order not to see that there is a huge third party accessory market for the taking, and the iPWR SuperPack hops aboard the bandwagon with its claim of being the “smallest, lightest and longest lasting rechargeable 1800 mAh power source available for the iPhone 3G and other Apple products with a 30-pin connector dock in the world”.

The iPWR SuperPack uses direct-connect technology in order to juice up your device’s battery no matter where you are, and even when the device is in use (which makes perfect sense, of course). This SuperPack is touted to offer more than double the amount of time an iPhone 3G user can spend with their device before it gets exhausted, which translates to roughly seven hours of non-stop yakking, 10 hours of Internet surfing (although we think you’d do much better with a notebook’s screen size) or audio playback of up to 40 hours. When the iPhone 3G is left idle and being charged, it takes a mere 2.5 hours to juice up to the maximum, which is pretty impressive when you think about it.

The SuperPack uses a lithium-polymer battery and comes with sophisticated integrated switching circuitry that allows the battery to maintain a 100% charge state for up to a year - I know, that’s even better than what Sanyo’s Eneloop offers. Apparently, the SuperPack is also longer lasting, being able to be charged up to 100% for over 500 charge/discharge cycles. You can choose from black or white colors for the iPWR SuperPack at $59.95 a pop.

The ChocoShuffle disguises the Shuffle as chocolate

2009-05-24T05:18:00.000-07:00

At first glance I figured this was some chocolate themed MP3 player, but as it turns out it’s not. It’s actually merely a disguise to make your brand new iPod Shuffle look like a cheap MP3 player. Thankfully, cheap MP3 players aren’t quite as desirable to steal as iPods tend to be. It also has no need to leave space for controls, so there are absolutely no outside markings for others to figure out that an iPod is concealed underneath.

It leaves space so that you can still clip your iPod to your shirt, or wherever else you prefer to clip it. It also has an opening to make sure that you can plug in your earbuds as well as charge your iPod without having to take off the case. This chocolate case comes in three different flavors, white chocolate, milk chocolate and I’m guessing a strawberry chocolate. Either way though, there’s a pink chocolate option. The case won’t cost you much, which is nice since you’re just covering an extremely tiny gadget. You can purchase a case for $8.99 from Switcheasy.

The Chord Indigo Advanced DAC iPod Dock

2009-05-24T05:15:00.002-07:00

Most people are satisfied well enough with fairly affordable iPod docks. Usually it’s not really needed to go over a couple hundred dollars for even the biggest music lovers. However, if you’re looking for something extremely high end that will cost you a small fortune, this could be the dock for you. Just by glancing at the dock, most people would be able to guess that this is no ordinary dock. This is the kind of dock that you sell your car so that you can purchase it.

Of course typically these will be purchased by people who have a serious chunk of change just lying around. For the average person though, it’d take selling your car to be able to afford it. The dock has a built-in wireless radio link option that can stream any audio signal. That includes from your iPod itself, to any A2DP Bluetooth enabled device. Although I by no means think this is worth the money you’ll pay for it. It would be great for those that want top of the line electronics. You can pick it up for a whopping $12,000.

The Dexim DWP005 Hub Dock Station

2009-05-24T05:15:00.001-07:00

Instead of just plugging your usual iPod cord into your computer, there is now this Dexim DWP005. In some ways it initally looks like it’d just take up space. However, it’s slim, it’d keep your iPhone/iPod in the upright position, plus best of all it has other devices built into it. Giving you even more functions and a nice sleek dock to pop your iPod into. Since it is so sleek, you have the added perk of it being easy to just toss into your laptop bag for traveling purposes.

In addition to being a charger, it has a memory card reader and a 3-port USB hub built-in. Plus it has provided cables that work for devices that use micro and mini USB ports to recharge, such as the Blackberry. All around it gives quite a lot of function on a very small device. Sadly though, it is a bit pricey. It’ll cost you $69.99, which does seem a bit on the steep side. However, it offers quite a bit of functionality for that price.

The iRock Mini Guitar Amp works as iPod speaker

2009-05-24T05:13:00.002-07:00

There are times that those of you that are skilled with playing the guitar, that you don’t want to lug out your full sized amp. That’s where this iRock would come in handy. It’s not going to be anything overly special, but it does make it so that you can hear your electric guitar either through the speaker or through headphones. Making it ideal for a quiet practice session that won’t disturb anyone. Plus it does double duty by doubling as an iPod speaker.

Since it does hook up to your iPod as well, it’d definitely be worth the money. As far as amp specifications go it has all the usual features, including an overdrive distortion and volume control. It plugs directly into your guitar, and there is no extra cord needed. Then if you want to be even more quiet, just pop some headphones into the speaker. For

24.95$, it’d be worth picking up to give it a try.

LG HB954TBW Blu-Ray Player includes iPod dock

2009-05-24T05:13:00.001-07:00

Sometimes the most ingenious technological advances are really the most obvious. Case in point, the LG HB954TBW Blu-ray 5.1 Home Theater Combo.

I am assuming that it is called a Combo because this Blu-Ray player has a unique feature of a slide-out iPod dock. This feature really is obvious, really. Does anyone know if this is the first Blu-Ray player to offer such a painfully obvious feature? I would have thought that an iPod dock would have been a standard in all DVD players by now.

Unfortunately, my sources don’t have much information about the HB954TBW other than that. Most of them have said that it accepts all iPod models, but it is sketchy about whether or not it will accept the iPhone.

However, the real question is whether or not this will play video content from the iPod on the player. The next question would be what quality the video would be?

According to my source, the LG HB954TBW was on display at CES. However, I remember visiting the LG booth, and I don’t remember seeing it there at all. Well, it did take up a lot of conference space.

We do know one thing: the price. It should be about $1,000, and it will only be sold in Korea.

iPod nano Converter TV

2009-05-24T05:12:00.001-07:00

Ever wished you could upgrade your iPod nano (the third generation in particular) to come with a much larger screen so that you need not squint your eyes each time you want to watch a video on it? Well, thankfully there is a retro-looking upgrade known as the iPod nano Converter TV that offers another 2.8” of viewing real estate through the use of a magnifier, alongside two tiny built-in speakers for external stereo audio. Be warned though, whatever aesthetics the iPod nano has will be completely destroyed when you attach it to the £14.99 iPod nano Converter TV.

iPod-to-iPod Transfer Device

2009-05-24T05:10:00.000-07:00

Never mind if you don’t have a computer or notebook at the moment and yet want to share tunes on your iPod with a friend. The iPod, not being a Zune and hence does not have wireless capability to transfer tunes to another iPod, has this tool to help it out.

It automatically recognizes when you plug in iPods (either Mac or PC formatting) on either end, and it can transfer a three-minute song in five seconds and a 30-minute video in three minutes. The device can also transfer any files when the iPods are set to “disk drive” mode. Its rechargeable battery provides up to 1 1/2 hours of operation during transfers, and includes an AC adapter that recharges the device in four hours; iPods are recharged while connected. Songs transferred with digital rights management (DRM) formatting require appropriate iTunes password and authorization.

Hammacher is carrying this for $99.95.

Rumor of new Apple laptop

2009-05-24T05:09:00.001-07:00

Word on the street has it that Apple will be rolling out a new line of laptop computers sometime next week, including an entry level device that won’t break the bank while jumping on the coveted Apple bandwagon. Word on the street has it that this new Apple laptop will finally break the sub-$1,000 price point - a level somewhat like the Dow Jones, plunging to depths never seen before. Some of the analysts are so bold as to predict a $800 pricing, but I’ll leave that up to the Apple accounting department to decide just how much profit they want to make. Will this help bolster Apple’s stock?

Apple releases new MacBook line for the masses

2009-05-24T05:08:00.002-07:00

Rumors of the new Apple MacBook line are all true, and somehow or rather, the “wow” effect of seeing Steve Jobs unveil new products is no longer there since Apple failed to keep a tight lid on its upcoming devices in recent years. That doesn’t mean the new MacBook line are duds, but the initial shock attempt just isn’t there any more. I digress, and will move on to these new Apple notebooks that are constructed from a single block of aluminum with great new features despite seeing a much cheaper entry level price compared to similar class models of the previous generation.

The new MacBook line will be powered by NVIDIA’s new GeForce 9400M. Don’t scoff at it just because it is an integrated 3D graphics processor, as it is powerful enough to feature 16 parallel processing cores while delivering up to five times the 3D graphics performance as previous MacBook and MacBook Air designs. Another interesting aspect of the new MacBook and MacBook Pro lines that will definitely get tongues wagging would be the new smooth glass Multi-Touch trackpad that offers nearly 40% more tracking area than before, and ease of use is augmented with Multi-Touch gestures like pinch, rotate and swipe. In addition, new gestures enable users to activate Exposé or switch between applications at the touch of a finger.

The new range of MacBook, 15″ MacBook Pro and MacBook Air will come with a next generation, industry-standard Mini DisplayPort that can hook up to the new Apple LED Cinema Display. What makes the Mini DisplayPort so special? Well, it is able to deliver a pure digital signal that can drive up to a 30″ widescreen display without missing a beat, and is just 10% the size of a full DVI connector, making it blend in with the new MacBook family perfectly. Below are pricing details and specifications of the new MacBook family for your perusal.

The 2.0 GHz, 13-inch aluminum MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US), includes:

13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1280 x 800 glossy display
2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache
1066 MHz front-side bus
2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics
160GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor
Slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive
Mini DisplayPort for video output
Built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Gigabit Ethernet port
Built-in iSight video camera
Two USB 2.0 ports
One audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog
Glass Multi-Touch trackpad
60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter

The 2.4 GHz aluminum MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,599 (US), includes:

13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1280 x 800 glossy display
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache
1066 MHz front-side bus
2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics
250GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor
Slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive
Mini DisplayPort for video output
Built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Gigabit Ethernet port
Built-in iSight video camera
Two USB 2.0 ports
One audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog
Glass Multi-Touch trackpad
60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter

The 2.4 GHz, 15-inch aluminum MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US), includes:

15.4-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1440 x 900 glossy display
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache
1066 MHz front-side bus
2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT discrete graphics with 256MB GDDR3 video memory
250GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor
Slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive
Mini DisplayPort for video output
Built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Gigabit Ethernet port
Built-in iSight video camera
Two USB 2.0 ports
One FireWire 800 port
ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot
One audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog
Glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard
85 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter

The 2.53 GHz aluminum MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,499 (US), includes:

15.4-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1440 x 900 glossy display
2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache
1066 MHz front-side bus
4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT discrete graphics with 512MB GDDR3 video memory
320GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor
Slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive
Mini DisplayPort for video output
Built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Gigabit Ethernet port
Built-in iSight video camera
Two USB 2.0 ports
One FireWire 800 port
ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot
One audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog
Glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard
85 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter

The 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, for a suggested retail price of $1,799 (US), includes:

13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit high resolution 1280 x 800 glossy display
1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 6MB shared L2 cache
1066 MHz front-side bus
2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics
120GB serial ATA hard drive running at 4200 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor
Mini DisplayPort for video output
Built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Built-in iSight video camera
One USB 2.0 port
One headphone port
Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard
45 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter

The 1.86 GHz MacBook Air, for a suggested retail price of $2,499 (US), includes:

13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit high resolution 1280 x 800 glossy display
1.86GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 6MB shared L2 cache
1066 MHz front-side bus
2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics
128GB solid state drive
Mini DisplayPort for video output
Built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Built-in iSight video camera
One USB 2.0 port
One headphone port
Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard
45 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter

The 2.5GHz 17-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,799 (US), includes:

17-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1920 x 1200 glossy display
2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 6MB shared L2 cache
800 MHz front-side bus
4GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 512MB with GDDR3 video memory
320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor
Slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive
DVI output port for video output
Built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Gigabit Ethernet port
Built-in iSight video camera
Three USB 2.0 ports
One FireWire 800 port and one FireWire 400 port
ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot
One audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog
Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard
85 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter

Apple LED Cinema Display unveiled

2009-05-24T05:08:00.001-07:00

Apple is on a roll today with a brand new LED Cinema Display to tempt your wallets even in these harsh economic times. This stunning 24″ LED backlit widescreen display comes with an integrated iSight video camera, microphone and speakers - and Apple engineers and designers managed to cram all of the above into an elegant, thin aluminum and glass enclosure. Nice to see Apple continue to place product design a class above the rest, even if that means the ordinary consumer has to fork out much more money. Targeting the newly released MacBook family, this Apple LED Cinema Display comes with a built-in MagSafe charger, three USB 2.0 ports and the new Mini DisplayPort that makes it a snap for MacBook users to hook up in an instant, powering not only their notebooks but favorite peripherals as well.

This 24″ glossy, widescreen display as a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels, making it suitable for you to view all your videos in full High Definition. Thanks to LED backlit technology, you will be able to enjoy instant full screen brightness without having to cough up a bundle at the end of the month for your power bill. Power efficiency is definitely a positive point here, compared to older displays that depend on LCD technology. The LED Cinema Display is suspended by an aluminum stand with an adjustable hinge for almost effortless tilting. Thanks to the integrated iSight video camera, microphone and speakers, one is able to kick off video conferencing via iChat in an instant. I also like the idea of the built-in universal MagSafe charger that makes it much more convenient for users to leave their notebook’s MagSafe power adapter in the travel bag.

You will be able to pick up the new LED Cinema Display this November via the usual channels, including the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. So far the LED Cinema Display comes with a recommended retail price of $899 - granted, there are many other 24″ LCD monitors out there which do not cost that much, but none of them are able to compare to the sheer beauty of the LED Cinema Display. Just make sure you have a spanking new MacBook, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro with the new Mini DisplayPort or else it would be pretty much useless.

Latest MacBook Tablet rumor blazing up the internet

2009-05-24T05:07:00.001-07:00

We’ve read it before ad-nauseum. Cupertino is working on a tablet. Apple’s going to release a tablet. Multi touch screen patent applications prove a tablet is coming. All very tempting tidbits of information based on something seen in the wild of the world wide web. Now we can add another to the list. But this time, it’s coming from the Gray Old Lady herself – the NY Times. And it pretty much looks like an iPhone on steroids.

Seems that John Markoff at the New York Times got a phone call on the “Q.T.,” very secretive, from a guy we’ll all “Deep Throat.” Throat tells Markoff that a search engine company has confirmed details and pictures of a netbook Mac with, that can only be described as “ a display somewhere between an iPhone and a MacBook.” Sounds pretty cryptic. And this is usually where the theory begins to fall a part. But there’s one thing in it’s camp that helps a little way towards giving it the street cred it needs to be a viable piece of information …

The same thing happened just before news broke on the iPhone. Search engine traffic showing Apple and the iIPhone pointing to what became the hottest selling handset in cellphones today. Couple that with Apple’s previous patent application for a laptop sized multi-touch LCD screen, and it’s starting to sound like paydirt. Only one problem … Steve Jobs quite clearly said “we don’t know how to build a sub-$500 computer that is not a piece of junk.” I think it’s parsing his words pretty good though, as most netbooks are hovering around sub $800 prices. And he also said he’d never get into the phone biz. And look what happened.

The Giz speculates that it can’t be a netbook, but may be a 3rd generation – high definition iPhone. If so, that would tend to make sense for coming out sometime next year. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what MacWorld has in store.

Dontcha just love Apple rumors?

Logitech diNovo keyboard now for Macs

2009-05-24T05:06:00.000-07:00

No, Logitech has not forgotten about all you Mac users out there, although they are rather late when it comes to introducing the diNovo keyboard for the Mac. This product is essentially the same as the standard PC version, although you will find Mac-centric features such as special F-keys that offer one-touch access to Mail, Safari, iTunes, Exposé, Cover Flow, Dashboard, QuickLook and Spaces. It is also good to note that the Mac version features Logitech’s PerfectStroke key system that helps make your overall typing experience more comfortable. It will communicate with your Mac via 2.4GHz wireless technology and comes with an impressive 3-year battery life - the longest of all from Logitech so far. The Logitech diNovo Keyboard, Mac Edition cordless keyboard will hit the US and Europe this month for $99.99.

Incase Power Slider provides better iPhone battery life

2009-05-24T05:05:00.000-07:00

Most iPhone 3G owners will be having issues with their handset’s relatively poor battery life, which means it would be prudent to consider the Incase Power Slider for those who deem it essential to be on call all the time. This interesting accessory is the first of its kind, offering the ability to double the iPhone 3G’s battery life without sacrificing integrated sync and charge capabilities as well as all round device protection.

Power Slider features a low profile, complementary design and innovative functionality, serving as both a case and power solution. A custom engineered lithium-ion polymer battery with efficient circuitry was created for Power Slider to allow for a slim design and maximum power output. The optimized power management system provides continuous charge to the internal battery of iPhone 3G. When in use, power drains first from Power Slider so that the device’s internal battery remains fully charged and is only depleted once the battery of Power Slider has been drained. An integrated sync mode allows Power Slider users to easily sync and charge their devices while iPhone 3G is in Power Slider. A five-light LED battery status indicator gauges battery life and also denotes sync mode and charging. Included with every Power Slider is a custom USB 2.2 cable that allows for high capacity charging and data exchange for optimal charging and syncing. Additionally, Power Slider is compatible with all USB charging ports that provide 5V at 1A output.

The Incase Power Slider is also proud to offer the best in hardshell protection as well as the longest extended battery life for the iPhone 3G. It has certainly learned its lessons well from the previous Slider Case, and this evolution will retain the former’s durable, lightweight hardshell construction with soft-touch coating for added grip and durability. It has already received the “Works with iPhone” certification from Apple, and is more than able to meet Apple’s performance standards. Below are the detailed specifications of the Incase Power Slider.

Additional battery life provided by Power Slider
Standby time: up to 330 hours
Talk time: up to 5 hours on 3G network and 10 hours on 2G network
Video playback: up to 7 hours
Internet use: up to 5 hours on 3G network and 6 hours on Wi-Fi

The Incase Power Slider will be out in time for the holiday season, retailing for $99.95 via Apple Stores and Apple’s retail stores worldwide, in addition to Best Buy Mobile and the Incase webstore.

Speck QwickDraw case

2009-05-24T05:03:00.000-07:00

The days of the wild, wild west are over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be quick to draw on your urban weapon of choice these days - the iPhone 3G and its predecessor, the iPhone. Speck has created this niche with its QwickDraw holster-style case that features the super secure Speck “Qwick Latch” technology that keeps your phone locked in place so it wont fall out no matter what rigorous activity you’re involved in at the moment.

Featuring a sleek, unassuming design, QwickDraw’s soft, lined snug-fit cradle securely holds your phone without scratching or scuffing. The versatile rotating belt clip allows for a full range of horizontal or vertical positions on a waistband or belt and offers fast, easy access and removal of the phone via the Qwick Latch feature. The case comes in black and has a textured surface with stitching details. The QwickDraw fits both iPhone 3G and the original iPhone and is available now for 29.99$.

Well, if you know someone who is always on the up and about, the Qwick Draw Case would definitely make for a suitable Christmas present.

Microsoft rolls out first iPhone app

2009-05-24T05:02:00.001-07:00

How is this possible, you ask? Well, stranger things have happened, so it is no surprise to hear about Microsoft releasing its first iPhone application. Could this mean that Microsoft is more interested in a rival platform compared to its own Windows Mobile? You can’t tell for sure, but the Seadragon application for the iPhone is a “free image-browsing app that allows users to quickly “deep zoom” images while online”, showing off to users the possibilities of a mobile platform. A little bit of history class first - Seadragon is known as the backbone for Microsoft’s Photosynth, where the latter enables users to take a group of photographs while stitching them together later on into a faux 3D environment. Word on the street also has it that Seadragon won’t be the first or last iPhone app by Microsoft, as they might be working on a voice-activated search engine as well.

Wal-Mart sells iPhone 3G for slightly less

2009-05-24T05:01:00.000-07:00

Most of us who shop at Wal-Mart tend to think that we are getting a better bargain there compared to elsewhere, which is true most of the time if you want to put up with sub-par service and even the risk of getting trampled to death due to insufficient security during mad rush days like Black Friday. Still, for folks who have yet to jump aboard the iPhone 3G bandwagon after more than half a year and want to do so, they can now head down to their local Wal-Mart from Sunday onwards, although you won’t find it to be much cheaper compared to those found in AT&T and Apple Stores. In fact, it will retail for $197 - a (sarcastically) whopping $2 discount over the standard $199 price point for the 8GB version while the 16GB model is going for $297. Does this mean you get more value out of a shorter contract? No - the phones are still attached to a new 2-year service agreement with AT&T or with a qualified upgrade.

It is quite a disappointment, really, to see prices that Wal-Mart have announced. They’re pretty much in line with iPhone 3G prices everywhere else, so forget about rumors of Wal-Mart selling them on the cheap. Some Apple bloggers did point out the possibility of a $99 iPhone 3G, but I guess that is no longer a possibility considering how tight fisted Steve Jobs can be when it comes to having full control over his company and its products. Those who are interested will be able to make a bee-line for Wal-Mart stores from this Sunday onwards, but bear in mind not all Wal-Marts will carry the iPhone 3G - only 2,493 of Wal-Mart’s 3,200 locations will have it, so do call them beforehand. Image courtesy of Apple Insider.

Sensei offers Weight Loss for iPod touch and iPhone

2009-05-24T04:58:00.001-07:00

For the billion or so Chinese around the world who are celebrating Chinese New Year at the moment (count me in, hence this later than normal post due to the feasting, cheers Al!), it can be a difficult time to stick to the diet resolution that you made just three weeks plus ago. Well, good thing there are companies out there who are looking for you, and one of them is Sensei Inc., a familiar name when it comes to mobile and Web-based wellness solutions, having made available its innovative weight loss program known as Sensie for Weight Loss at Apple’s App Store. This means tens of millions of iPhone and iPod touch users will now be able to take advantage of this program at an introductory price of $24.95 for 3 months of Sensei Anywhere, which offers unbridled access on both their mobile device and desktop.

Sensei aims to be different from its competitors as it does not bother with calorie counts, points monitoring or even attending meetings and keeping journals - no sir, Sensei works on a supposedly higher level by offering expert advice from a team of psychologists, physicians, nutritionists and engineers in the form of a practical program that pushes forward simple changes in your lifestyle which can be easily implemented without feeling any noticeable drawbacks. When incorporated into one’s daily routine, it is more or less guaranteed that long-term weight loss will succeed. Here we are hoping that you achieve your weight loss goal before your iPhone or iPod touch breaks down.

Just for comparison’s sake, NutriSystem ($492) and Weight Watchers ($686/online program) can’t compare with the Sensei for Weight Loss Mediterranean diet meal plan that does not cost you more than two Benjamins monthly, whihc is a good thing in these times of economic turmoil. Then again, if you can afford an iPhone or iPod touch, you should have some sort of disposable income each month for more expensive programs, but hey - it’s all about maximizing the value of the dollar, right? We still think nothing beats a sensible diet plan, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

Sensei offers Weight Loss for iPod touch and iPhone

2009-05-24T04:58:00.000-07:00

For the billion or so Chinese around the world who are celebrating Chinese New Year at the moment (count me in, hence this later than normal post due to the feasting, cheers Al!), it can be a difficult time to stick to the diet resolution that you made just three weeks plus ago. Well, good thing there are companies out there who are looking for you, and one of them is Sensei Inc., a familiar name when it comes to mobile and Web-based wellness solutions, having made available its innovative weight loss program known as Sensei for Weight Loss at Apple’s App Store. This means tens of millions of iPhone and iPod touch users will now be able to take advantage of this program at an introductory price of $24.95 for 3 months of Sensei Anywhere, which offers unbridled access on both their mobile device and desktop.

Is Apple’s marriage to AT&T coming to an end?

2009-05-24T04:56:00.001-07:00

Apple’s very lucrative fee sharing arrangement with AT&T over iPhone fees may be coming to an end in favor of a new carrier … Verizon Wireless. If Apple’s interim CEO Tim Cook considers what to do with the current carrier arrangement over the iPhone, rumors are flying that Verizon wireless may be courting Cupertino for a similar exclusive arrangement for Apple customer loyalty. But most tech reporters agree that changing one deal with the devil for another is just as bad and Apple should consider tossing iPhone use wide open for all carriers, and customers to enjoy.

The initial arrangement with AT&T for subsidizing the cost of the iPhone was supposed to be for 5 years. In the course of such an arrangement, Apple has enjoyed a very lucrative profit sharing position as provider of what many call “the Jesus Phone.” But it seems that support for sticking with AT&T seems to be waining in the hallowed halls of Apple and considering that Verizon has been nipping at Apple’s heels since the iPhone’s inception back in 2007 with a promised iPhone killer (get in line) could it be that Cupertino is finally taking a look at the popular wireless carrier as a potential replacement to MaBell?

Rumors are rumors and Apple is no stranger to them. But frankly, it would be complicated, but a much more lucrative arrangement for Cupertino if they got out of the exclusive deal and opened the iPhone wide open for any carrier to carry. They’d probably sell ten times more phones that way.

Apple releases a hash of upgrades in consumer desktop line

2009-05-24T02:54:00.000-07:00

Apple is one company where their hardware refreshes are looked forward to by nearly the entire industry, and for good reason. After all, Apple products are synonymous with ease-of-use, great design and have that sense of exclusivity. We’re pleased to announce that Apple has recently announced new updates to its iMac and Mac mini desktop lines, and among these include a 24″ iMac which is priced more affordably compared to previous releases, while the Mac mini that has a long overdue update will feature more powerful integrated graphics. Expect to read all about them in greater detail right after the jump.

One thing good about new Apple releases is this - the price more or less remains the same, and you get much more features and functions within the device itself. Take the iMac for example - you will still have to fork out $1,499 for it, but instead of getting 20″ of viewing real estate, this iMac comes with 24″ for 30% more area. In addition, you will also benefit from doubling in its memory and storage capacity. As for the Mac mini, graphical performance has been increased by up to 500% thanks to the groundbreaking NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics that was announced with the aluminum unibody MacBook family in recent memory. Apple claims that the Mac mini is the most energy efficient desktop in the world, sipping under 13 watts of power when idle. Of course, those claims are tested only within controlled laboratory conditions, but we hope that real world use will be somewhere near that figure.

All the new iMac and Mac mini systems are powered by Mac OS X Leopard and bundled with iLife ‘09, Apple’s unparalleled suite of consumer applications for managing and organizing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music. You planning to get a new Mac mini or iMac now?

The Good and the Bad of the New iPod Shuffle

2009-05-23T12:08:00.001-07:00

In case you haven’t heard, the new iPod Shuffle is out. The boys at Apple have given the Shuffle a makeover, and it is both good and bad.

The good news is that it now has 4GB worth of memory on it. It is also smaller, measuring just 1.8 inches tall and 0.7 inches wide.

Another new feature is the VoiceOver, which will tell the user the name of the current track and also when it is time to recharge the battery. The VoiceOver feature allows the user to operate multiple playlists, as they can be navigated as the player announces their names.

All the buttons have been taken off of it, and placed conveniently on the headphones. Even though Apple thought this was going to be the good news, many tech blogs everywhere have been criticizing this feature as extremely bad news.

After all, the user cannot use just any earbuds anymore. It doesn’t look like there will be any newer models of these earbuds any time soon. When they do, it will probably be at exorbitant prices.

The new iPod Shuffle is available for the same price of the original, for about $79.99. I believe the iPod Shuffle is available in many colors, but the new is only in silver or black.

Computer Choppers add color to the Mac Mini

2009-05-23T12:06:00.001-07:00

Whenever I’m in the Apple store, I can’t resist drooling over the Mac Mini. I already have a tiny PC that does basically the same thing as a Mac Mini hooked up to my TV, but it’s nowhere near as pretty as the Mac Mini. I know, it’s sad to admit that I want an electronic device mostly because of how it looks. However, let’s face it, I’m not the only Mac fan that way. A large part of the reason Apple products are such a pleasure to own, is because they have such a nice sleek look to them. The down side with Apple products is that they lack a decent range of colors.

They all are white or gray with black accents. All around, nowhere near colorful, but we overlook it because we love the products too much. Those that can’t take anymore will usually resort to skins to spice up their laptops or iPods. Sadly though, there’s not much of a way to add color to the Mac Mini, that is until now. Computer Choppers is not offering to customize that bright white Mac Mini for you and give it a bit of color. The custom jobs start out at$199. They offer 16 different color choices and then 6 different patterns (including camouflage). It’s not something that would be cheap, but if you’re tired of bland colors and have some extra cash it’d be the way to go.

Unlock virtually any iPhone with new software

2009-05-23T12:04:00.001-07:00

The iPhone 3G is one of the more desirable handsets to date, and it has an impressive track record to back up that particular statement. How many people have thrown a glance of envy at somebody who walks by while fiddling with their iPhone? I myself have clamored for one, but the prohibitively high price tag when purchased unlocked ($599 for the 8GB and $699 for the 16GB model from AT&T themselves) is a major stumbling block. For those who want to have their cake and eat it, here’s one method to stay ahead of Apple’s own game by unlocking a supposed contract-tied iPhone to choose a network operator of your choice. While the latest iPhone firmware and baseband updates have already closed up a great many of the commonly exploited software loopholes, the UnlockAnyiPhone.net (www.unlockanyiphone.net) solution still has not been circumvented (much to the chagrin of the folks at Apple I presume) as it offers a safe, physical SIM insert designed to work with any iPhone model without having to cut or cause any loss of service.

According to Peter Smit of UnlockAnyiPhone.net, “Our solution is one of the most reliable unlocking products on the market, and we’re proud to offer our customers an easy route to unlocking their iPhone. Unlike many of our competitors, our SIM unlock solution is completely unaffected by the latest updates from Apple, and as a result, UnlockAnyiPhone.net customers can still enjoy safe, legal and easy unlocking thanks to our product. Those that provided software unlocking solutions have been closed off in later models, with Apple successfully closing down the security loopholes that made software unlocking possible. However, our physical unlock will continue to function regardless of modifications made to the 3G handset’s programming, allowing the user to bypass the automatic network configuration to choose their own preferred operator.”

You can pick up unlocking solutions for both models of the iPhone from $29.95 onwards.

DSLR Remote Controls Your Canon DSLR From Your iPhone

2009-05-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

Last year I finally saved up my cash and bought my first DSLR. While I’m still a novice at best, I’d say my money was well spent on my Canon Digital Rebel XTi. Sure, I don’t have a lot of fancy accessories aside from my two lenses and and nice tripod, but it still shoots far better than any of my old crappy digital cameras. One thing that I thought would be cool is a remote that would let me snap pictures with just a press of a button. To quote one of those silly Apple commercials “there’s an app for that.”

It hasn’t gone live yet, but soon you’ll be able to download a cool little application that lets you control the aperture, white balance, shutter speed and the shutter with your iPod Touch or iPhone. Granted you’ll need a laptop to act as the middle-man, but still a cool app nonetheless. Hit the jump for a full breakdown on how it works.

Okay, if you’re wondering how it works, here’s a quick run down.
1. You need either an iPhone or an iPod Touch
2. You need a supported Canon EOS DSLR
3. A laptop or desktop computer running the free companion DSLR Remote Server software
4. A USB cable to connect your supported Canon EOS DSLR camera to the computer running the free server software
The DSLR Remote app running on your iPhone (or iPod Touch) communicates to the DSLR Remote Server software via a WIFI connection.
From your iPhone you can control settings such as shutter speed, aperture and white balance. You can of course fire the camera shutter as well. If you have a Canon EOS DSLR camera that supports Live View you can even get a live stream of the camera’s viewfinder on your iPhone.

So just which Canon EOS DSLRs are supported? That’d be the Digital Rebel XT, Rebel XTi, Rebel XS, Rebel XSi, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 5D, 5D Mark II, 1D Mark II, Mark IIn, Mark III, 1Ds Mark II, Mark III. Oh, and don’t worry, the server software will run on both Windows and Mac OS. I’ll definitely be checking this out when it hits the App Store, so I’ll let you know how it goes.

Apple develops biometric reader for their products

2009-05-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

Information is king these days, and folks who control the most information in the world are often the ones sitting on top. After all, if you have knowledge of a company’s internal workings as well as where they’re headed, chances are you would make your next share purchase decision based on that in order to secure a generous windfall once the general populace knows about it, right? While data is becoming more available across all levels of society, it also pays to remember that we ought to take extra care in keeping our personal data secure, and this is what the latest patent filing from Apple is all about. The Cupertino-based organization is currently working on a new technique which helps hide a biometric reader within an iPhone or a Mac, allowing users to lock down their systems using fingerprints and perhaps even facial recognition software without having to break through their usual routine.

This patent filing was published for the first time this week, showing that Apple aims to offer a more secure way to prevent unauthorized access to an entire device in addition keeping busybodies out of your private information without relying on standard techniques such as passcodes. In addition, employing the use of biometric technology also reduces taking bites out of the owner’s time, and best of all is, you no longer need to remember yet another password or passcode, leaving those brain cells to do something more important. Apple hopes to employ this solution by using a sensor hidden within the device itself, or one that has been repurposed from its standard role. Imagine having the touchscreen on the iPhone or touchpad on the MacBook recognize your fingerprint or finger vein pattern by touching the display. As for facial recognition, that would mean falling back on a forward-facing camera that checks out retinal patterns.

How to make the Apple Logo on a MacBook into an LCD Screen

2009-05-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

You have to admire the people who make laptops. Every time you use one, you prominently display the logo of the laptop maker every time you use it. So every time I am using my laptop at a coffee shop or library, I am a sitting advertisement for Toshiba!

MacBooks may not have the word “Apple” written on them, but that picture of the fruit with a bite taken out of it is probably better than any company name. In today’s society, images are more powerful than words.

Designer Eddie Zarick has found a way to put that Apple logo on the front of a MacBook to good use by figuring out how to make the logo into an LCD screen. This is a total DIY project, but he has posted instructions for any DIYer on his Ed's Junck Site

You should probably ask yourself what you want to put on your LCD screen. I mean, do you want people to stare at it? If you are looking for business, you could put a little video ad for yourself, sans audio. Anyone at the coffee shop might see it and hire you for an assignment.

That’s probably what I would do with it. Personally, I think that this DIY feature is so cool that Apple should contact Eddie Zarick and pay him for his good idea, and then make it a standard feature for all MacBooks.

iPhone Unlocking Solutions enables iPhone 3G 2.2.1 to run on any network

2009-05-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

Do you happen to be shopping for a cell phone at this point in time, and are looking forward to picking up an Apple iPhone 3G considering everyone else already has one (well, it looks like that basically anyways)? Folks who are thinking of doing so and yet not wanting to fall under AT&T’s contract have a choice - to pick an iPhone 3G up as a refurbished unit from eBay or some other online shopping site and use an unlock software solution. iPhone Unlocking Solutuins has just the thing for you if you fall under that category thanks to their new one-click unlock software, where the software price has been temporarily lowered to a mere $29.92

Unlock-the-iPhone is already the number one iPhone unlock provider courtesy of its one-click solutions for unlocking the iPhone. This software takes the mickey out of unlocking one’s iPhone, so you don’t need to be armed with a whole bunch of technical knowledge apart from clicking through the software via obvious buttons and cues to help you along. According to iPhone Unlocking Solutions CEO Michael Cera, “When the iPhone was first released, that was the only way to unlock it. People with limited knowledge of electronics who tried opening their phones and soldering various components usually ended up with ruined iPhones and voided warranties.”

As other solutions ambled along, those were touted to be unreliable and could even render the iPhone a brick, but the software available at Unlock-the-iPhone.com takes the simple and affordable route, reliably unlocking the iPhone 3G 2.2.1 that the company is confident of offering a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee. Perfect for folks in other parts of the world who wants an iPhone 3G and yet do not want to remain stuck to a specific cell phone carrier. All iPhone firmware from 1.*, 2.0, 2.0.1, 2.0.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.2.1 and the iPhone 3G can be unlocked by this magical piece of software.