Modaphones, a New Concept for the Earbud

I know what you’re thinking, oh no, another pair of decibel busting earbuds in different colors! Oh quite contrary my friend, the distinction ends there, with the v-moda modaphones. The folks at v-moda have managed to cram all of the goodness associated with having high-quality headphones: Noise reduction, bass reflex, and light weight materials that won’t tire out your ears, thus providing hours of pure listening bliss and style all wrapped into one small package.

The modaphones come in two flavors with various colors: The remix m-class and the bass freg class both promise to take you to exhilarating heights of listening pleasure (well, not in those exact words), and they claim it will be a listening experience that you will not forget. And at $50.00 bucks a pop for these earbuds, er, I mean modaphones, it should be! Oh, and they are of course compatible with your ipod and standard digital audio player. - Kevin Geter

The Ultimate PSP Makeover

Do you enjoy your Sony PSP, but are getting tired of staring at it in all of its "plain glory’? Believe it or not, you can add some pizazz to your PSP and in the end you’ll be glad that you did. Look at it as an on-going investment for the betterment of your continued enjoyment!

Let’s begin by adding a custom skin! Then let’s replace that paltry 32 MB Memory that was included with your PSP (shame on you Sony)! with either a 1 or 2 GIG Memory Stick. And while we’re at it why not add some funky wall paper into the mix (the wall paper is free…we like free!). And to get all of your movies, music, files and wallpaper onto your PSP, Sony has it’s PSP Media Manager Software.
All you need is a computer and the special USB cable that is included
with your PSP to set up and install the software and you can then transfer your media files from your computer onto your PSP.

Lastly, Roxio has software that allows one to compress their DVD movies (for archival purposes) to either the Divx or the Windows Media format that can be played on portable devices such as the PSP!!! There you have it, your very own custom "tricked out" PSP! Ain’t life just grand! - Kevin Geter

The Emotional Computer

Currently being developed by British and American scientists is an "emotionally aware" computer, which  will be able to read an individual’s
thoughts by analyzing a combination of facial movements. It will for example, be able to interpret a raised eyebrow, a nod, or a quizzical look.

"The system we have developed allows a wide range of mental
states to be identified just by pointing a video camera at
someone," said Professor Peter Robinson of Cambridge University
in England.

He and his collaborators believe the mind-reading
computer’s applications could range from improving people’s
driving skills to helping companies tailor advertising to
people’s moods. Geez. Talk about taking advantage of a person.

Is anyone else outright spooked by this trend to make the personal computer, even more personal? Then again, this could give online dating a whole new meaning ;). -Natalie Mayslich

1GB USB Soccer Ball Key Chain

World cup fanatics rejoice. This 1GB USB 2.0 flash drive looks just like a soccer ball, making it the best key chain ever for a soccer fan. It retails for just
$27.00 at EverTek.

Calvary CAPP06 Pocket Multimedia Player with Flip Out Stereo Speakers

We’ve never heard of Calvary, but their CAPP06 Pocket Multimedia Player doesn’t seem half bad. It plays MPEG4 movies and JPEG files on its 2.5 inch TFT screen. It also comes with FM Radio, a voice recorder, and MP3 & WMA support. Ok, well maybe that is nothing that we haven’t heard before but what is special about this PMP is that it also has flip out stereo speakers, it comes with a prop stand, and it has an A/V connector for connecting it to an external monitor. Unfortunately it doesn’t come with too much memory - just 512mb, but you can expand the memory via it’s SD/MMC reader. The CAPP06 Pocket Multimedia Player retails for $119.99 at Geeks.com

How to Cheat a Cheater

I’m not sure if you remember the motivation behind my SpyCamera (SpyFinder?) story. Anyway, I recommended that same company to a friend of mine who was convinced that her boyfriend was cheating on her and wanted confirmation. They ended up recommending quite a few products to her and she chose a combination of them. I figured I’d post my favorites as a sort of guide  - a guide that will help you "cheat a cheater" - for the tech savvy woman that finds herself in the same situation.

• Placing a digital voice recorder in the glove box of his car. It’s a pretty good idea if you ask me – you can listen to both his cell phone and in-car conversations. Sure, its a violation of his privacy, but hey, he is violating your trust! Plus, thus way youll be producing material evidence to confront him with. The technology: they obviously range in price and handle time but they are all voice activated so they won’t waste valuable space recording air.

[Read more]

Google Desktop Gadget Contest

Love Google’s Desktop Gadgets? If you haven’t tried them out, you should! Their kind of like Google’s alternative to Yahoo’s Widgets. Anyway, how about getting paid $5,000 to design one of your own? That is right, create a submission for their contest and you can win big. Can there be a better way to spend your summer than with Google?

The contest runs until July 31st, 2006 and, while supplies last, each
developer who submits an approved gadget will receive a limited edition
Google Desktop Developer T-shirt and have their gadget shown to
millions of Google Desktop users around the world. A panel of judges
will also award three prizes based on popularity, visual appeal, use of
new features and creativity. We’ll award $5,000 to the first place
winner, $2,000 for second place, and $1,000 for third place.

Enter here: Contest

Old School Meets New School with the Nano Arcade Cabinet

This is totally our kind of arts and crafts project.
The 5 inch tall Ms. Pac-Man arcade cabinet houses an arcade-emulating iPod Nano. It was very creatively constructed by Scott Lawrence.  Photos of the step-by step building of the cabinet can be seen on his web site. (Source: Electronic Gaming Monthly)

Four port USB Illuminated Mouse

Do you work a lot in the dark? (We won’t ask why). This four port USB 2.0 illuminated mouse pad is a cool
way to add more real estate to your maxed out USB ports on your computer. This neon illuminated mouse pad can run
via USB or with an AC adapter, which is sold separately. Now surfing at night
has taken on a new meaning! The mouse pad sells for about $26.99. -Kevin Geter

Zoho Show, Free Web-Based Powerpoint Alternative

AEVOE’s PockiT Digital Camera Case Review & Win It!

A while
back we posted about the hip AEVOE’s PockiT digital camera cases. AEVOE sent us
over a few samples and we’re totally loving these cases. I’m currently using a
Sony DSC-T9 camera, and while it’s a great ultracompact camera, its large LCD
screen can be prone to scruffs and scratches.
Fortunately the PockiT case has
come to the rescue. The case is made out of combination of a leather and stain
repellant micorfibre and viscotex, a visco-elastic foam insert that effectively
absorbs shock. There is enough cushioning to protect from shocks from drops,
but not too much or else the case would become bloated and ugly.

   

[Read more]

Scrolling LED License Plate Frame

Nothing cries desperate for attention more than the Scrolling License Plate Frame. The Scrolling License Plate Frame is the perfect accessory to compliment the LED belt buckle. You can enter up to 5 messages, each up to 120 characters each, and its "super bright leds will ensure your message is seen day or night". It retails for $59.95.

Swapsets Headbands with Optional Headphone or Headset Attachments

Headbands are back in fashion. Not only do they keep your hair out of your face, they now moonlight as headsets and headphones. Swapsets has a line of chic headbands wrapped in various fabrics and patterns, the headbands come with receptacles that are compatible with their large selection of Steffi Thomas headsets and headphones. They even have a selection of bangles to attach to their headsets and headphones. And in case you want to try out all of these accessories at once, they have several combo packs to choose from as well.-Leah Cheng

LG’s Direct Drive Washing Machine uses Steam to Clean your Clothing

Who needs
detergent when you can wash your clothing with steam. Yep, you heard right. LG’s
newest Direct Drive Washing machine uses steam to clean your clothing. This is
real good news if you cant stand ironing because it also has a 20 minute steam
program that claims to get rid of creases in your wash. We’re sold!

How Spyware Savvy Are You?

Practically everytime I sit down at someone’s computer I notice how bloated their system is from Spyware. The average consumer assumes that anti-virus protection is enough to keep them safe, but it’s not. Using 1 or even 2 good spyware programs to routinely scan your system is the ideal way to keep your system clean and running fast. It’s also important to be savvy enough to identify which sites are obviously full of Spyware. Unfortunately, not everyone can pick out the bad apples from the good ones. McAfee Site Advisor has a Spyware Quiz that measures just how gullible you are when it comes to the wicked world wide web of ad-ware. They also have an analysis page where you can input a site address that you might be suspicious of, and they’ll give you the low-down on how kosher or unkosher the site is.

Saatchi Sets up “Open Source” Virtual Art Gallery

Charles Saatchi, a reclusive artist, has set up a virtual gallery on the Internet to let
unknown artists from around the world showcase their work and talents. In three weeks, Your Gallery on Saatchi’s Web Site, averaging 1.7 million hits a day, has evolved into a hute gathering site for some 5,000 artists in 60 countries around the globes. Some of the works have been sold at prices of up to 100,000 pounds (which, at the currest exchange rate, amounts to $184,000). Best part of all? There is no fee for commission and no red tape with the dealers.

"Many artists find it very hard to break into the gallery
world. If they don’t have the connections or aren’t skilled at
selling themselves, even good artists can struggle," Saatchi
said in a statement to Reuters. "This site is intended to create a community of artists who
can easily show their work to a global audience of collectors,
dealers and curators on a level playing field," he added.

In the art world, this is probably the closest to "open source" as it can possibly get. -Natalie Mayslich

The Multicolored Virtually Indestructible Mouse

The Virtually Indestructible Mouse claims to have an exceptionally soft and very comfortable feel. The silicon-based optical mouse also claims to be spill-proof enough to withstand most liquids such as water, coffee and cleaning solutions. If that isn’t enough to sell you, it also comes in several colors including black, yellow, blue, tangerine and even multicolor. The Virtually Indestructible Mouse retails for $24.99.

Smile! Your Panties are on Camera

With all the current security hype, all types of security
that is: computer, homeland, home and etc., I’m continuingly gravitating
towards security type gadgets. Ugh, I hate when I buy into media hype. Anyway,
a couple of weeks ago I came across a reliable looking security site, found here, and contemplated buying the SpyFinder Hidden Camera
Detector. Why? Well, before you ship me off to the loony bin, let me just
say that I loved its simple technology and saw real potential in the device. Then
I realized that it was just about $100 over my then current budget. That was a
couple of weeks ago.

Yesterday, I was shopping with some girlfriends in the city. I don’t usually
shop in Banana Republic and the like, their not my style. But here I was hauling
armloads of unsuitable clothes to the fitting room and guess what I found? A
man! Apparently fitting rooms are now unisex. That was quite a shock. Then I
got to thinking: it would be pretty easy for someone to plant a hidden camera
in the fitting room—and that irks me. The last thing I need is footage of me desperately trying to squeeze into a size 2 pair of pants.

[Read more]

Hi-Grade MicroDMS P60 Media PC with TV Tuner Attempts to be Mac Mini Competitor

Zoho Writer & Zoho Sheet, Free Web-Based Word & Excel Alternatives

Back in March we posted about some free online Word and Excel alternatives. We’ve discovered a great new one to add to the list. Zoho Sheet uses excel style forumulae, allows you to create and publish charts, and it also allows importing and exporting of excel stylesheets. Zoho Writer allows you to open up several documents at once, and you can export your document to PDF, DOC, or HTML files. And of course there is No installation required. Not to shabby for Free, eh?

Next Page »