iTower Ipod Speaker System
November 30, 2005
There are several speaker systems out there that are designed especially to use with the iPod, but the iTower makes them all look cheap and paltry in comparison. At 42 inches tall and 9 inches wide, the iTower is sleek and shiny. The iPod is made to sit at the top of the iTower like a king on his throne. Below the iPod’s cradle are four aluminium cone speakers with a subwoofer built into the base. The iTower even comes with a wireless remote control.
Inside the iTower is an 18-inch retractable ZipConnect cable designed to hook up to your iPod’s docking station, and there are a variety of ‘made for iPod’ ZipConnect cables available for compatibality with every kind of iPod. Alternatively, you can use a standard cable that will allow you to play any MP3 player in the iTower via the headphone jack. The iTower retails for $199.95 at the Sharper Image, but if you choose to buy more then one, then each additional speaker costs $99.95. (Source: T3 Magazine)
uConnect VoIP Connecter brings together your Land Line with your VOIP Service
November 30, 2005
VOIP services like Skype and Gizmo are all the rage nowadays. Don’t get
me wrong, I love VOIP technology, but in some ways I’m an old-fashioned girl - I
prefer using a land line handset when having a conversation, as opposed to
speaking into the mic on my computer. Yes, there are VOIP phone-like handsets
out there that connect to your computer, but who needs another handset on your
desk. It just becomes too confusing and cluttered having a landline headset, a
VOIP handset and probably a cell phone handset as well. When the phone
rings, you’d probaly get all confused and think "Which one is ringing now,
argh!"
Bring Telemarketers Directly to your Desktop with Google’s Upcoming “Click-To-Call” Service
November 29, 2005
Just a couple of days ago Google threw their new Google Base service at
us. Now it seems that they have yet another new service in the works.
Their upcoming "click to-call" service will be an advertiser’s dream. A
phone icon will appear besides some search results, and if you decide
to click on the phone number, Google will dial the advertiser behind the listed phone number. But don’t worry, Google promises that your own phone number will be encrypted so that the
advertiser won’t be able to bother you unless you want them too.
What are the benefits of this service? Well supposedly it’ll make it
easier to talk to a company without having to sift through their web
site for their contact information. Ever try finding Amazon’s or
Paypal’s phone number!?
Ok, so this service might occasionally save you
from some aggravation, but on the other hand it seems like this has the
potential to be a telemarketing nightmare. (Source: Mobile Mag via The
Register)
Afra Karim Randwaha the Whiz Kid
November 28, 2005
Afra Karim Randhawa is no ordinary 10 year old girl. At age 5 she saw a computer
lab for the first time and that sparked in her a passion to learn about computers. At age 9
she managed to enroll in a local technology institute in
Pakistan. After 4 months she passed her final exams and became a Microsoft
Certified Professional, which is no easy task for most adults. Even Mr. Gates
took notice of this prodigy and had her and her father flown in to Redmond so
that he could meet her.
Nowadays, Randhawa can be found working on her lead developer certification as well as her plans to take
over the world by the age of 19. (Source: Wired Magazine, December 2005)
Make a Flip Book out of your Home Video with FlipClips
November 28, 2005
Back in days of yore, before motion picture films were invented, the mostanimated form of entertainment available were picture flip books. Thanks to
FlipClips.com you can now turn your modern day home video’s AVI or MPG clip into
a retro mini flip book of up to 150 pages (which is the equivalent of about 30
seconds of motion). The service starts at $9 and they also have a Greeting Card version that costs $11.
eNook Space Saving Desk & Charging Station
November 27, 2005
The eNook unfolds to reveal a desk with a chargingstation for your laptop and all your gadgets. It also stores your laptop and
electronics while charging them. Flip it up and all your stuff is hidden out of
sight. Flip it down and you have an instant desk. The customizable fabric covered
back panel also serves as a bulletin board for notes and photos. The eNook comes in pine or cherry wood, and white.
The eNook is a great space saving solution and
it looks like it’ll be especially welcome in dorms and Manhattan apartments. It retails for $399, and the optional accessory shelf to hold your gadgets costs $29 extra.
Hop-On 1886 iPod Rip-Off Phone
November 27, 2005
You’re thinking "Oh no, not another Ipod rip-off." Well you’re half-right.The Hop-On 1886 Digital Audio Phone is a lot like what the ROKR should have
been. It’s a triband GSM phone with click wheel controls, 1 gig of internal
memory plus a TransFlash card slot for expansion, it syncs with both Musicmatch
and Itunes, has a 2 megapixel camera, and is capable of 30-fps MPEG-4 video.
Hop-on announced this phone back in July and so far we can’t find
this phone anywhere on their web site, but
Wired Magazine features it in their December issue. Where are thou iPhone
rip-off?
Panasonic EB-VS2 Pink Flip Phone
November 24, 2005
Black Friday is just around the corner which means that every retailer out there
is vying for your undivided attention. Amongst the online retailers that are
having sales is Geeks.com which has the Panasonic EB-VS2
cell phone in pink on sale for $214. The EB-VS2
works with 900/1800/1900 GSM frequencies and features a 2.2-inch TFT screen, weighs 98 grams, has a 1.3 megapixel camera with a 4x zoom, supports video
recording and java downloads, has an infrared port, and is Mp3
"capable" - though I’m not sure exactly what that means. But if you’ve been
looking for an affordable shiny pink flip phone that doesn’t require renewing your wireless contract, then this just might be your chance.
The Storm Station All in One Rechargeable Power Source/Radio/Light
November 24, 2005
The Storm Station from Black and Decker is an affordable device which is meant to help keep you prepared for a natural disaster situation, but it would probably be useful for campers as well. The Storm Station has a weather radio, a 25 watt power source to power low voltage items such as your cell phone or a room light, and it also comes with a detachable flashlight. It also has a locator light that automatically turns on when the power goes out so that you can locate it. The Storm Station retails for $100.
YO-DK Portable Media Player Necklace
November 24, 2005
It’s not uncommon for people to wear their mp3 players like a necklace, the shuffle and the Ipod Nano both have accessories which essentially turn them into a wearable device. Here is an Mp3 Player that actually comes as a necklace straight out of the box. The YO-DK has a 1.1 inch OLED 65K color display with an integrated touch-sensor, it supports MP3 and WMA audio files, videos in MTV format, JPEG pictures, voice recording, and it’s available in capacities of 128mb through 1gb. Unfortunately it has a meager battery life of 8 hours. On the bright side, it seems to be tiny so it won’t strain your neck when you wear it, but being tiny has its drawbacks - a 1.1 inch screen isn’t very enjoyable for watching movies. Then again we will probably never get to see this thing state side anyway. (Source: Dapreview)
Buck the Animated Trophy
November 23, 2005
worthy of mentioning. Buck the Animated Trophy is a life size taxidermy
replica that comes with a remote control, and a wireless microphone. At the
touch of a button Big Buck will sing one of six tunes, including "Sweet Home
Alabama." And his lips will move in time to the music as he turns his head and
wiggles his ears. You can also speak into the included microphone and Buck will
mouth your words. It’s available at BoysStuff for £179.00
(about 322 USD). BoysStuff’s site even has an online video of Buck in action, and it is quite disturbing.
sick?
TVMYPOD - Buy an Ipod with Customizable TV Content
November 23, 2005
Ever since the Itunes store began offering TV shows to download and watch on the 5g iPod, the service has been an overwhelmingly big hit. Unfortunately their current selection of TV Shows is extremely limited. TVMYPOD has come up with a great way to cash in on this lack of content selection for your iPod; they are selling 5G iPods that are loaded with DVD content that you preselect. Basically you are paying for the price of the DVDs, as well as the iPod itself. They convert and load the content onto your ipod and then ship it out to you. The DVD’s are included in the package as well. Not a bad idea at all, especially for those who would find it to complicated to transfer DVD content to their new Ipod. (Source: TUAW)
Leather LED Strap Watch
November 22, 2005
The Leather Led Strap watch is the perfect blend of geekiness with fashion. With the touch of a button, the LEDs on this watch illuminate to display the time. The Leather LED Strap watch comes with Green or Red LEDs and retails for £80.00 (about $137 USD ) at the Gadgetshop.
The Things I Want
November 22, 2005
Tonight, after having unsuccessfully stood in the freezing rain for hours in the hope of acquiring an Xbox 360, there is no doubt that the console will remain on the list of things I want this holiday season.
Much to my chagrin, in the past I have discovered that if I do not provide a gift list for family members, such as my grandmother, I end up receiving odd gifts which I feel guilty for not using. Last year, my family actually used my Amazon.com wishlist, and that was great. But what about things from other online stores? The web is full of great boutique shops and specialty stores not associated with Amazon. That is why TheThingsIWant.com is so helpful. It helps you create multiple lists using any site on the web - anything from a general wishlist to wedding registry and birthday lists.
Oregon Scientific Music Sphere Audio Streaming Stereo System
November 21, 2005
The Music Sphere from Oregon Scientific is a neat audio-streaming device that wirelessly delivers high-quality audio from three separate sources such as your Mp3 player, iPod, stereo system or TV’s audio output into the Music Sphere’s 2.1 speaker system. So if for example, you want to listen to some tunes off of your iPod which is in the kitchen, you can connect the iPod to one of the three audio inputs of the Music Sphere’s transmitter unit and it will transmit the audio wirelessly (using 2.4 ghz Wi-Fi radio waves) into another room which has one of the members of the Music Sphere’s speaker system - as long as the Music Sphere’s receiver isn’t further then 30 meters away.
The Music Sphere has an LCD display that changes color depending on the audio source, and its also has a clock, volume, bass and treble display, as well as input selection and a battery level indicator. It runs off of an AC adapter or 6 C batteries and a wall mount is included if you fancy turning it into a sort of decoration. If you live in the U.K. and are interested in picking one of these up for £179.99 then you might want to check out Pocket-Lint’s review, overall they seem to like the little buggers.
Match.com Being Sued for Scamming Customers with Fake Romantic E-mails
November 20, 2005
I’m sure most of our readers won’t deny to having at least given a try withthe online dating scene. As for online dating sites, there are many, but the biggest
and most popular of them all is Match.com. Well it looks like Match.com now has
their hands full, the law firm Arias, Ozzello &
Gignac is accusing Match.com "of goading members into
renewing their subscriptions through bogus romantic e-mails sent out by company
employees. In some instances, the suit contends, people on the Match payroll
even went on sham dates with subscribers as a marketing ploy." It used to be
that you’d be nervous about meeting someone offline because you’d fear that
they’d be an ax murderer… now you can also worry about whether or not their
being paid to be there. (Source: News.com)
Tech Air 5504 Laptop Bag with Air Cushioning Protection & a Tracking System
November 20, 2005
The Tech Air 5504 laptop bag is extra-special because it comes with Tech Air’s protection technology, that means that your laptop is surrounded by interconnected pockets of compressed air, which safeguard against vibrations and shocks. It also comes with 12 months of i-Track, a unique world-wide tracking system which can text message you if someone finds your bag - if you should ever go through the horror of misplacing it. The bag also comes with a lifetime warranty, an adjustable shoulder strap, as well as a pocket for your cell phone, cd player, and other compartments for other devices. And even though it’s not exactly fashion-oriented, the bag has pretty decent looks. The Tech Air 5504 comes in two sizes that will fit most laptops up to 17" and it retails for about £59.99 (About $103 USD)
Packard Bell AudioStar Tiny PMP
November 20, 2005
You don’t see many Packard Bell products here in the states anymore, but overseas they are pretty widespread. The AudioStar is a coin-sized voice recorder and mp3 player that will even play DRM WMA
files from music subscription services such as Napster. It also weighs
a miniscule 49 grams yet manages to have a 1.8 inch color LCD for
playing back video and Jpegs. Unfortunately, you have to first convert
the video file to Packard Bell’s own ‘MTV’ format. The tiny PMP seems to be Packard Bell’s answer to Samsung’s YP-T7JZ, or maybe even an attempt to compete with Iriver’s U10. It’s a shame that the battery life is just barely decent at about 10 hours. The AudioStar comes in a 1gig capacity and retails for about $190 USD.
Create a Paper CD Case Online
November 18, 2005
A while back we posted about the PocketMod, a site that helps you design a disposable PDA created from paper. Papercdcase.com is a similar kind of thrifty site, but this one helps you design and create CD cases from plain paper. At papercdcase.com, you don’t have to worry if your origami skills are less than stellar. Not only do you get guides for folding, but the site also allows you to have your CD title and tracks printed on the case. A pdf file is then generated with your CD information and you can just print it out, fold it up, and place your CD inside. (Source: Downloadsquad)
The Computer Mouse that is Really a Mouse
November 18, 2005
It was just a few days ago that we posted about the wacky computer mice from Pat-Says-Now that come in some animal designs. Unfortunately those mice weren’t available to buy in the U.S. But here is some good news in case you had your heart set on one of them, FunFriends.com has a selection of computer mice including a panda, a bear, a frog, a koala, a tiger, a pig, a puppy, and my favorites - a grey mouse and a white mouse. The mice are available for $9.99.
Aside from these "fun" mice, they also have a large selection of furry animal covers for your remote control for $6.99, as well as furry animal cell phone covers for candy-bar style cell phones and flip-style phones for $9.99.