Gadget Lounge

We Like the Exhibitors at CeBit Technology Show in Germany

Gadgetman — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:36:02 +0000

So we keep closely apprized of developments in technology and the newest and coolest gadgets. To do that, we review the highlights of the larger industry shows. Well, when reviewing some of the photos from CeBit in Germany, we came to realize that they have a real knack for utilizing creativity and some great looking exhibitors at that show. This is especially true if you like body paint. While perhaps a bit racey in the United States, it is all perfectly okay and everything that should be covered is, by paint.

In any case, we aren’t showing you any new gadgets in this post (we do love the flying alarm clock though) but we do indeed admire the CeBit way of showing off the newest high tech wares. Here are a few shots for you to consider for yourself.

We Like the Exhibitors at CeBit Technology Show in Germany

Gadgetman — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:29:52 +0000

We Like the Exhibitors at CeBit Technology Show in Germany

Gadgetman — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:29:47 +0000

We Like the Exhibitors at CeBit Technology Show in Germany

Gadgetman — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:27:44 +0000

So we keep closely apprized of developments in technology and the newest and coolest gadgets. To do that, we review the highlights of the larger industry shows. Well, when reviewing some of the photos from CeBit in Germany, we came to realize that they have a real knack for utilizing creativity and some great looking exhibitors at that show. This is especially true if you like body paint. While perhaps a bit racy in the United States, it is all perfectly okay and everything that should be covered is, by paint.

The Sleeping Giants Awakes . . . Sony to Apple: Competing Against You is Our New Top Priority

Gadgetman — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:39:59 +0000

On many levels Sony intends to starting taking proverbial swings at Apple and we think Sony is trying to punch Apple in the mouth this time. The rumor is that Sony is going to package a kindle type reader with a touch sensitive smartphone with the PS3 technology platform. Oh and perhaps most important is that Sony is really going to pay attention to DESIGN. In other words, Sony wants it to be beautiful to the eyes and appealing to the senses, does that sound a little like Apple’s core competency?

It is the focus on design that should scare Apple. Sony has a history of great technology development and making good ideas fit in a smaller package. They’ve been hurt on the design front recently and have suffered as Apple has risen. People like design, they intuitively enjoy simplicity and Apple has delivered that consistently over the last ten years or so (no, even Apple did not always do this well. Think about your Apple //c in the basement).

Sony is planning to hook everything together ala the PS3 network that they are already running online. This is a swipe at iTunes, no?

And YES, we know the below image more clearly depicts the epic battle of Apple vs. Microsoft, but Sony develops on the PC platform and we really like the graphic . . . so we ask you to kindly go with the flow.

Flying Alarms Clocks!

Gadgetman — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:55:37 +0000

This is pretty cool. These types of gadgets make great gifts because no one expects them at all. We really had not considered a flying alarm clock before this, but hey, anything is possible — clearly.

When it is time to rise and shine, you can not procrastinate with this little baby in the room. As the alarm goes off, it starts it propeller and takes off around the room. You must get up and chase it or you might be dived bombed at some point by the swirling copter. This is an innovative job by the folks over at GetDigital. We look forward to seeing their next creation . . .

Greener Gadgets Conference — Pretty Cool Gadgets to Gander Upon

Gadgetman — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:13:19 +0000

The Greener Gadgets conference just took place in NYC this past week and popular mechanics was there to talk about the cool gadgets on display there. There is a pretty nifty solar tent from the U.K. and a whole array of other nifty gadgets.

One of the more popular items however is a human powered cell phone charger in India for people that are off the grid, as most of the country is in fact. Ahh, the global attitudes towards the United States are sometimes amazing to the guys at gadgetlounge when, for example, in this instance, the United States invented cell phones. As far back as 1907 there was a U.S. patent involving radio transmissions on telephone calls, later better perfected by the venerable Bell Labs in the 1940’s. In fact the most powerful support for the growth in “emerging markets” or “third world countries” is cheap communications provided by cell phones.

What are some of the other ones? The internet, the personal computer . . . those are pretty big ones as well. Ahh yes, they were also originated by U.S. technology and know-how. Also, known as good ole Yankee Ingenuity. Bell Labs is a shell of its former self, given the break up of the Ma Bell and its monopoly, but wow did they create some amazing things. They’ve still got some funding, but it isn’t what it used to be. DARPA is a U.S. government entity that has pushed the envelope a lot as well. In any case, this is a total sidebar from the Greener Gadgets Conference, but sometimes we like to bring up the macro picture that people forget or never knew.

Tsunami Warning for Hawaii and the Technology Behind It

Gadgetman — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:07:54 +0000

A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile today and therefore a tsunami warning has been issued for Hawaii, Polynesia and Tonga, with the first potential waves reaching Hawaii around 11:30 AM local time in Hawaii — 4:30PM eastern time.

Tsunamis are triggered by undersea earthquakes. A research team led by Geoffrey Blewitt of the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology and Seismological Laboratory has demonstrated that a large quake’s true size can be determined within 15 minutes using Global Positioning System (GPS) data. This swift exchange of information is critical to determine if an earthquake might trigger a tsunami. Together with a seismometer and ocean buoy data, GPS is an important tool in improving tsunami danger assessments, Blewitt said. “The advantage of including GPS in warning systems is that it quickly tells how much the ocean floor moved, and that information can directly set tsunami models into motion.”

Let’s sincerely hope that Hawaii and other areas in harm’s way avoid the tsunami. The improved tsunami detection technology sure will help with getting people out of harm’s way though in the future. Thanks to the researchers at Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology and Seismological Laboratory to working on making our systems even better. Below is an illustrative view of how tsunamis work.

Celebrities are Digging the Bloom Box . . . Ugh Oh!

Gadgetman — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:51:56 +0000

The new highly touted bloom box is a very interesting device indeed. It lends the promise of going off the grid someday even in your home. The likes of Ebay have already used it successfully and evidently are saving about 15% in electrical costs at their HQ so far (a savings of around $100k USD). We will see how everything develops and we certainly wish them the best. However, the early sign of celebrity endorsers is never good news in the world of high technology. We hope the bloom box will represent something different however. It sure will be great if it does . . .

HTC Pulse Mini In Your Face (or is that your hand?)

Gadgetman — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:57:17 +0000

HTC and T-Mobile UK have scaled down their android phone to make it a wee bit smaller and get it in everyone’s hot little hands.

The comparison between the larger HTC Pulse and the new HTC Pulse Mini is as follows:

A 2.8″ Screen - as opposed to of 3.5″
HSPDA 3.2 - as opposed to 7.2
Android 2.1 - as opposed to 1.5
Also includes a 3.15MP Camera, Wifi, Bluetooth and GPS

The smaller size also comes with everyone’s favorite, a lesser price. It sells for about 100 Pounds (that’s around $150 US Bones). Android is a very cool system. I think bringing down the price will further put it in competition with the iphone. Now, will the apple iphone be offered on other carriers with its next version? I know a lot of folks in the U.S. hope so — rumors of Verizon and T-mobile getting the iphone are popping up, but that is of course, just rumor. Apple has a way of surprising everyone with its changes. In the meantime, take a look at the new t-mobile HTC Pulse Mini. Pretty cool.