GadgetFreaks :: Keep yourself up to date ! ::

Tqualizer with a graphic equalizer on your t-shirt

2008-01-25T19:19:00.000+00:00

Forget about having wearable computers. This is much hippier. Check out Tqualizer, the t-shirt that is a graphic equalizer, just like the one on your stereo. It flashes to the beat of any music, its fun, innovative, and was featured on the Ellen Degeneres show last week. Its powered by a battery pack that fits into a pocket inside the shirt or behind your back. It goes for $39. Now’s the time to look geeky and cool at that rave party.

Thanks to Michael, the Director of Operations for FlashTech Canada for this tip.

The Citizen W700 Bluetooth

2008-01-25T18:08:00.000+00:00

The Citizen W700 Bluetooth looks pretty plain according to the website that I found it on..I guess they are right. It does not looks fashionable and kinda cheesy….It only does 3 things :

1. Call alert via vibration
2. Caller ID on its LED
3. Alerts you if your phone gets too far from you. So that you don’t misplace it.

Other than that, I would buy this crap watch. I’ll stick to my sexy Seiko anyday, thanks…

The Citizen W700 Bluetooth simply looks too plain for you to show off to your friends. Its plain looking simply reminds me some of the watches that kids always got from their moms, which moms got it as gifts from buying cooking oils. The watch does a little good for those who always wears a wrist watch. No matter you’re too lazy to take out your phone from your pocket or just simply leave it in your drawer, then you can just look at this watch on your wrist for any incoming calls.

This watch is different from the Aussie wrist watch that we’ve seen before. By itself, it cannot make calls. It’s got only Bluetooth functionality for connecting to your cellphone to give you call alerts by vibration. It tells you who’s calling by your cellphone’s caller ID. It will also let you know if you’re away too far from your cellphone. Perhaps, this is another good, which you don’t tend to forget/misplace your phone. It can be charged wirelessly. When fully charged, its battery life can last about 5 days. Available in mid-March (in Japan at least), but no price info yet

petFINDER Pet ID Tag for lost pets

2008-01-25T17:57:00.000+00:00

With the prevalence of dog nappers around, it would be a good idea to tag your dogs or pets just in case people stumble upon them in the streets. The dog catchers will send them straight to the pound if they ain’t got a tag and your pet won’t like that.

With petFINDER the pet owner calls a toll free-number and programs in pertinent pet information: pet’s name, up to 3 phone numbers so owner will be reachable 24/7, and any vital concerns. Tag is secured to pet’s collar. When the pet is found, the Good Samaritan simply pulls out their cell-phone and calls the toll-free number on the petFINDER tag, enters the ID on the
tag, and voila–owners pick up on the first ring and pet returned home. No computer access is required. Of course, the collar must be secured, because lost collar = lost tag, a reason to strongly consider pairing the ID tag with the embedded micro-chip

Sony Aibo Can Blog

2008-01-25T17:52:00.000+00:00

Is this the end of humans ? Even Sony’s new AIBO can do blogging apart from reading the news from RSS feeds. Now that’s cool. I don’t need my wife to do that anymore. (just joking)

Sony’s robotic pup Aibo gives new meaning to the term newshound. In its latest evolution Aibo ERS-7M3/T has the ability for short-term memory mapping and news reads through a version of web syndication– RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds. “With one simple voice command Aibo can read the morning’s headline news while its owner folds the laundry,” said Toshi Kawai, senior manager of Entertainment Robot America (ERA), a division of Sony Electronics in a prepared statement. The AIBO Net News reader capability enables the robot to read its owner news or weather from a choice of RSS feeds available on many websites.

Puppy also comes loaded with the AIBO Diary in case owners want to know what he is up to while they are out of the house. Aibo can take pictures and add notes on its daily activities to its diary. (Yes but what if he’s lying?) The diary can be shared by uploading entries directly to a blog site. The dog has its own blog now.

Limited Edition Ferrari Motorola Z8

2008-01-25T17:23:00.000+00:00

Looks Ferrari is endorsing a lot of products, from perfumes to Acer laptops nowadays. For those who can afford, the Limited Edition Ferrari Motorola Z8 is definitely a must-have for gadget lovers with big pockets. The mobile phone is expected to be available around Q1 2008 and includes an array of videos, custom wallpapers and ringtones of the F1 Team. No word on the price yet but hopefully it costs less than the steering wheel of a Ferrari 599.

Interestingly, the Motorola Z8 slider uses the new Symbian 9.2 UIQ 3.1 version of the operating system, while the rest of us will be just pleased to know it is considerably faster, stable and user friendly than previous incarnations seen on other Smartphones. Applications include the Opera browser and email, a PDF viewer, an organiser, a 2MP camera with video and 90MB of onboard memory. Just wished it sported at least 3.2 MP on the camera lens but I am sure Ferrari lovers will still buy it to support the Team.

Limited Edition Ferrari Motorola Z8 specs:

* Quad Band
* Ferrari emblem
* 2 Megapixel Camera
* MP3 Player
* microSD Card Slot (TransFlash)
* HSDPA for super fast access
* 3G and EDGE
* Symbian OS v9.2, UIQ 3.1
* Messaging: SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
* Dimensions: 109 x 50 x 15 mm
* Weight: 112 grams

China’s clone Nintendo Wii called Vii

2008-01-25T17:15:00.000+00:00

Earlier this month, there were rumors saying that China planned to produce a fake Nintendo Wii known as the Vii. The Vii is a complete clone of Nintendo Wii’s console box and remote control. The quality of the clone is definitely not as good as the original unit. However, Vii would cost so much lesser than Nintendo Wii. There are already a few games announced to be released soon such as Happy Tennis and Catch Fish. From the game titles, you could have decide which console will suit you better.

Slim and Lite PSPs get Skype calls

2008-01-25T17:10:00.000+00:00

Sony wants Gamers to be able to use Skype in its latest update for PSPs. The full Skype system will allow gamers full PSP to PSP calls, PSP to PC calls and PSP to normal phone calls as long as there is credits. Owners who own the old version will frown as PSP Skype is only compatible with the newer Slim and Lite PSP 2000 series.

As we suspected, the arrival of Skype heralds a new peripheral, which Sony was demonstrating a prototype of. The new headset has a tiny boom mic and the ear pieces fit over the ear rather than in the ear like the normal set of buds. The new headset will be arriving at the same time as the firmware update and the Sony rep informed me that there is actually nothing stopping third party peripheral manufacturers from making their own Skype PSP headsets at the same time.

G-DRIVE mini Triple 500GB portable hard drive

2008-01-25T17:04:00.000+00:00

The G-DRIVE mini Triple 500GB is the world’s first portable hard drive. Wow, now that’s a lot of storage. It debuted at Macworld last week, together with the G-RAID mini (1TB). The cool think about this drive is that the G-DRIVE mini Triple 500 is bus-powered and doesn’t require an AC adaptor. Its got FireWire 800, FireWire 400 connectors and this small wonder fits into a computer, camera or camcorder bag. The new drive features a whisper-quiet, fanless cooling system, comes complete with cables, a protective leather carrying case and 3 year warranty. Available in March 2008.

Haier HG-N99 phone with dual SIM card

2008-01-25T17:00:00.000+00:00

Haier , that China electronics maker is ramping up their marketing efforts to launch HG-N99 phone on USA telco carriers. It features a dual SIM card function where a user can have 2 SIM cards active at the same time. Other features of the phone is a 2 MP camera, microSD slot, Bluetooth and GPRS/EDGE support.

Haier says that they are in the process of talking to US carriers to bring their HG-N99 device to the US shores. Even so, the dual SIM model is a rare feature for a smartphone, especially so for the US. Aside from its dual SIM capability, the HG-N99 seems pretty unremarkable as far as smart phones go, featuring a 2 MP camera, microSD slot, Bluetooth and GPRS/EDGE support.

Nokia Launching A New Application To Its Fans

2008-01-25T16:53:00.000+00:00

After the acquisition of the Navteq, Nokia is seems undefeated when they are preparing for a new base location application that using Navteq technology .This latest application will ‘attack’ the GPS compatible phone users and the iPhone users this year. This new application called Point&Find uses a GPS positioning and a picture ?? Ha..What I mean is you must snap a picture to make use of this application.

Here is an example of the application usage, on one lovely day, you are watching a television program and then there was a movie preview on your television,you snap the picture of the movie preview and then you will automatically connected to the internet and to your service provider,then wait for couple of minutes and after that you will receive the responses. The responses you should receive will be mainly about the picture you have snapped, such as Movie Merchandise,Movie Freebies,Contest and stuff like that.

This application has the power to recognize the picture that we snap

National Geographic’s iGEN NV20/20 Night Scope

2008-01-24T23:01:00.000+00:00

Thanks to National Geographic’s iGEN NV20/20 Night Scope, you can now go on that night safari you always wanted or go scout out dirty politicians. This cool night vision scope goes out April 2008 and pricing is at $520.

# Takes still pictures.
# Variable Frame Rate (from 2 fps to 30 fps)
# Amplifies ambient light by 650x.
# Functions in both day and night
# Infrared Intelligence (3 modes)
# Enhanced Infrared sensitivity
# Variable Display Brightness
# Color output choices
# Video composite output

iPod given waterproof suit

2007-11-18T15:27:00.000+00:00

What’s the best method to keep your iPod dry? The answer is simple - don’t bring it out to a poolside party or the beach. What happens if you absolutely must break that cardinal rule? This is where the Allsop Splash Pack DriPod provides full waterproof protection thanks to its air tight soft case. It not only keeps your iPod dry, but other similar sized electronic items as well. There is also a heat-sealed headphone jack for you to groove to your tunes while lounging about in a pool. The DriPod works great up to 10 feet of water before the laws of physics will breach its triple seals. You will still retain full control over your iPod even when it is inside the DriPod. Pick one up this summer for $19.99.

Akkufresh: just what a power-user needs

2007-11-18T14:11:00.000+00:00

Here’s something that’ if really effective, I’ll surely be recommending all around. The Akkufresh is a sheet of ‘exclusive IonXtra nanoceramic’ that you cover your gadget’s battery with, and which supposedly helps increase the battery’s overall efficiency by a considerable margin. It promises to enhance all of the battery’s properties.

What kind of makes me skeptical is the fact that they mix statistics/demos/technical explanations with irrelevant snake medicine.

There’s a nice page on their site that tries to explain in a simple way what’s going on there and how this helps. If you don’t want to read all of that, I’ll try to sum up its multiple useful features:

reactivates and redirects stray or idle ions, by using its own magnetic field
microvibrates, thus preventing oxidation of the electrodes
ionizes the air and keeps the battery at an optimum level of temperature
All you have to do is stick this in the battery compartment with the ‘active side’ toward the battery, and covering at least 80% of its surface. Then, in 5 to 10 charges, it should do its magic and give your batteries better lifetime, less aging and faster charging.

Read their site to see what I mean, there’s only this way to get a precise image about it. Also, I might just buy and try one of these, and I’m sure to report on it’s advantages. I’ll start counting stuff soon, to have something to compare.

Google thinks differently with open source cellphone initiative

2007-11-18T13:26:00.000+00:00

While Apple goes to extreme lengths to keep the vastly overpriced iPhone locked down so as to protect their lucrative deal with AT&T, Google has gone the other way in announcing their Open Handset Alliance. The alliance joins 34 companies which will accept the Google Phone and it’s open source mobile platform called Android.

The Android platform is the first step in this direction — a fully integrated mobile “software stack” that consists of an operating system, middleware, user-friendly interface and applications. In addition, handset manufacturers and wireless operators will be free to customize Android in order to develop new products faster and cheaper. This should give consumers worldwide more affordable access and hardware. That’s the theory anyway.

“Open is good because it’s about choice. It allows people to do what they want,” says Steve Horowitz, engineering director of the Open Alliance.

T-Mobile, HTC, Samsung, LG and Motorola are amongst the leading wireless providers who have joined together to provide an open format for cellular communications which will also foster innovation on mobile devices and giving consumers a far better user experience. The goal is to work corporately, rather than exclusively, to create better cellular service and provide more options for the wireless experience. And you can bet the Alliance won’t be bricking any phones should third parties want in on the party or prevent users from using cash to buy a new Google Phone.

Consumers should expect the first phones based on Android to be available in the second half of 2008.

Wind Up Phone Charger Keeps You Connected

2007-11-18T13:18:00.000+00:00

We’ve all had it happen to us. You’re out running errands and the battery in your Motorola RIZR dies. You’re at work with no charger and your Nokia N95 is chirping its low battery alert pathetically. You swear to the deity of your choice when you just can’t find the right charger for your Samsung M300. Or the worst of them all, you’re in a power outage and need to charge your cell phone.

The folks over at the Gadgetshop offers up the Wind Up Phone Charger. It is a great gadget that will provide power to your cell phone after a few minutes of turning the fishing reel-like hand crank. After those few minutes, you will have 25-30 minutes of charge restored to your cell phone.

The Wind Up Phone Charger also has a built-in flashlight so in case you misplace anything in that power outage, you can find it again with no trouble. Unless you lose the Wind Up Phone Charger. It also comes with a wrist strap for those of us who are clumsy.

Since it runs on “people power”, it is also eco-friendly - perfect for the gadget-loving green freak on your holiday shopping list!

Features:

Reusable and convenient
Lightweight and compact - perfect for when you’re traveling
Saves you money
Safe to use
Compatible with many of the following models: Nokia, Siemens, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung.
Specifications:

Dimensions: Height: 3.0cm Width: 5.0cm Depth: 6.0cm
Weight: 0.2Kg

Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard

2007-11-18T13:14:00.000+00:00

Ever get sick of using that tiny little keyboard on your Blackberry? Tired of scribbling out things into your Palm Tungsten?

It sounds like you need a portable keyboard. But the majority of portable keyboards are bulky, cumbersome and more trouble than they’re worth to take along with you.

X-treme Geek brings you the Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard. Virtual Keyboard is a lightweight projector that can be used with a Bluetooth-compatible smartphone or PDA. Once you’re ready to use it, you connect via Bluetooth and you tap the projected images of the keys and the Virtual Keyboard knows which keys you’ve typed and responds instantly with audible clicks. I don’t know how it works - but it’s pretty damn cool that it knows not only what keys you’re “pushing”, but to also add the sound of a clicking key to that motion. You can also adjust the key sensitivity.

Measuring a tiny 1″L x 1 3/8″W x 3 5/8″H and weighing in at a mere 2.3oz., the Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard will fit nicely in a purse or a bag without taking up too much valuable space. Includes AC adapter, carrying case and software on MiniCD. Requires Bluetooth device with HID and SPP profiles.

Pick one up at X-treme Geek for $199.00.

Compatible with:

Acer N50, Asus MyPal A716, Audiovox xv6600 PPC6601 Harrier, Blackberry 7100 Series, Blackberry 7130e, Blackberry 7250, Blackberry 7290, Blackberry 7520, Blackberry 8700, Dell Axim 50/X50V, Dell Axim X50V, Dell Axim x51v, Dopod 535 Qtek 8080 SPV E200 Xphone, Dopod 565 i-mate SP3 Qtek 8010 SPV C500, Dopod 576 i-mate SP3i Qtek 8020 SDA Xphone II, Dopod 585 Qtek 8100 SDA Music Xphone IIm, Dopod 699 M2500 Qtek 2020i XDAIIi, Dopod 700 i-mate PDA2K MDAIII Qtek 9090 VPAIII XDAIIs, Dopod 818 i-mate Jam M500 MDA Compact Qtek S100 XDA Mini, Gigabyte G-Smart, HP 6300 Series, HP 6500, HP iPAQ 2495B, HP iPAQ 4700, HP iPAQ H1940, HP iPAQ H2210, HP iPAQ H2700, HP iPAQ H5550, HP iPAQ hx2790, HP iPAQ rx 3417, HP iPAQ rx3715, HTC MTeoR, I-mate JasJar, M2000 MDA II Qtek 2020 XDA II, MIO 336 BT, Motorola A1000, Motorola MPx220, Nextel 7100i, Nokia 3650, Nokia 6260, Nokia 6600, Nokia 6630, Nokia 6680, Nokia 7650, Nokia 770, Nokia N70, O2 Atom, OQO, Palm LifeDrive, Palm Treo 650, Palm Tungsten E2, Palm Tungsten T3, Palm Tungsten T5, Palm TX, Palm Zire 72, Samsung i730, Sony-Ericsson P800, Sony-Ericsson P900, Sony-Ericsson P910i, T-Mobile SDA and XPlore M68.

Sony Ericsson Concept cellphone has full sized USB Port

2007-11-18T12:57:00.000+00:00

Putting a full-sized USB port in a phone is such a simple idea, even a caveman could think of it. Yet, until now, nobody has. Vincent Palicki's design features such a port by the number keys, allowing devices like thumb drives to plug in and transfer MP3s, movies and documents. Cellphone makers, pay attention...this is a good idea.

Sound Asleep Pillow is music to your ears, and only your ears

2007-11-17T16:29:00.000+00:00

Do you have issues falling asleep at night? I can’t really complain about falling asleep, it’s just staying that way that becomes an issue for me. However, for those of you that like to have some sort of noise (like music) playing when you lie down, you might want to check out the Sound Asleep Pillow. This pillow features an interesting built-in speaker that will play music only for the person lying on it.

I’ve seen a number of pillows that promise the world, but this has to be one of the first of its kind. It uses a speaker buried in the pillow to transmit sound that is only audible to those with their head on it. This is great because many times your spouse doesn’t want to listen to your music, and earbuds can be painful if left in overnight.

One corner features a headphone jack that allows you to hook up the speaker to your MP3 player of choice and allows you to select the music that you want to fall asleep to. The Sound Asleep Pillow can be had for just over $40. Just remember that any investment that helps you sleep better is always worth it. Provided that it does indeed help.

Duracell PowerSource keeps your laptop running an extra 2 hours

2007-11-17T16:14:00.000+00:00

Duracell PowerSource keeps your laptop running an extra 2 hours

If you’re anything like me, you tend to carry around a multitude of gadgets. Naturally, when any of these go dead while I’m away from an outlet, I tend to go into a panic. I try my best to keep them all charged up, but sometimes you just can’t help it. That’s why it’s handy to have some backup power for your gadgets.
Duracell has recently launched their PowerSource Mobile 100 unit which promises to provide more than a little extra juice to your portable devices. It features two USB ports and a single AC outlet which will let you power just about anything. This little guy isn’t like some other solutions that only powers your cell phone for an hour or so. This particular gadget will power a laptop for up to two hours, a cell phone for 18 hours (that’s talk time) or an MP3 player for up to 96 hours of play time.
Obviously, not all devices are created equally, so you’ll have to take those times with a grain of salt. One thing is for sure though, you’ll get plenty of juice out of this guy. It does however come with a hefty price tag. While it will set you back $140, it will definitely show its worth the first time your laptop dies on the road.