Must have GIZMOS

Verizon and Google's newest commercial for the Droid -- Very Cool

2009-11-04T07:03:15-05:00

Batch Conversion to PDF with Google Docs

2009-10-27T06:44:53-04:00

Batch Conversion to PDF with Google Docs

Do you have a massive amount of Word Documents, Excel Spreadsheets and PowerPoint Presentations on your hard drive that you would like to convert into PDF? Now you can use Google Docs as a batch PDF converter.

While it has always been possible to convert Office documents into PDF using Google Docs, the new export feature makes it even easier for you to batch convert Microsoft Office and OpenOffice file formats into PDF (or HTML) in three easy steps.

Step #1 – Create a new “input” folder in Google Docs where you’ll upload all your documents and presentations that are to converted into PDF.

Step #2 – Now select the Upload Document option in Google Docs, set the destination folder to the one that you created in Step #1 and upload* all your documents.

[*] You may also use the email option to upload documents onto Google Docs but that would put everything on the main folder and managing documents can therefore become an issue especially when you have too many files.

Google Docs officially supports the following file formats though you may also upload images:

Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pps).
Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx), OpenDocument (.odt) and StarOffice (.sxw).
Microsoft Excel (csv, .xls, .xlsx) files and OpenDocument Spreadsheet (.ods).

Step #3 - Once all files are uploaded onto Google Docs, open the dashboard again and select the “input” folder from the right sidebar. Select all the files in this folder and choose “Export” under “More Options”.

Here’s select “PDF” (or HTML) as the output format and all your Word Documents, presentations, spreadsheets, etc. will be instantly converted into PDF.

And if you are converting a large batch of documents into PDF, you don’t have to wait in the browser for the conversion to finish as Google Docs will automatically send you an email once the processing is over. The email will have a link from where you can directly download all the PDF files in one large ZIP.

Draw Your Accident with AccidentSketch.com

2009-10-21T06:38:17-04:00

Here's a site that lets you draw a diagram of your traffic accident: Accident Sketch.

Drag your own vehicle from the upper left into the drawing area by using the left mouse button. You can drag the other party's vehicle from the upper right into the sketch. Rotate the vehicle by holding down the right mouse button. All further drawing objects can be dragged, moved and rotated in the same way as the vehicles.

Here's a sketch I made of a nasty accident involving two cars, a bus, a motorcycle, and a pedestrian.

inPulse Bluetooth Watch for Blackberry Phones shows SMS, emails and more -- Not made by/for BlackBerry

2009-10-20T07:11:13-04:00

CrackBerry.com has sources. The wrist-worn peripheral itself, believed to be called the inPulse, won’t be made by or for RIM and won’t carry the BlackBerry logo, but it will be designed especially to work with the messaging-friendly smartphones:

it has been designed specifically for use with BlackBerry Smartphones from the ground up - developed by a new BlackBerry-dedicated accessory company
it features an OLED screen that we hear is "big, bright and beautiful" and optimized for displaying text clearly, and thanks to OLED has solid battery life
it's designed to show you notifications and previews of messages arriving on your BlackBerry
judging by the filename of the photos as they were sent in to us, we're thinking it's going to be branded the inPulse smartwatch

As for functionality, there’s an OLED display which CrackBerry have been told is “big, bright and beautiful” and the frugality of which amounts to lengthy battery life for the watch. Notifications and previews are shown on the color display, though there’s no provision to reply to emails; instead, you’re expected to check whether new messages are important enough to whip out your BlackBerry or leave it until you’re back at the office.

Definitely a cool accessory.

3D Eyetracking Cellphone UI

2009-02-25T06:43:49-05:00

3D interfaces are generally a bad idea and usually impede user experience rather than improve it, but since the 3D implementation on this cell phone UI is minimal, I think it really does bring an interesting touch to it.

The concept, which gives traditionally flat interface elements a very convincing sense of depth and layering, relies on eyetracking and TAT’s in-house 3D engine, which renders in real time in the video. This isn’t your dad’s eyetracking, which analyzes your eyeballs for control cues—no, it really just uses your eyes’ locations, along with the orientation of the device, as part of the perspective equation that creates a convincing 3D effect.

Nevada casinos alerted to card-counting iPhone app

2009-02-17T06:50:45-05:00

The business model for casinos always includes the simple idea that in general, gamblers will lose more than they win. Every game is constructed to fulfill that expectation, while still allowing enough winnings to keep hopeful gamblers interested. Any factor that alters those odds, therefore, threatens the casino business.

It isn’t illegal to count cards when playing blackjack, even though knowing what’s left in the deck gives you a considerable advantage. There isn’t any way to prove what’s going on in the gambler’s head (at least, not yet) – though if he or she is suspected of card counting, they’d probably be asked to leave.

On the other hand, using a device to aid you in counting cards is a felony in Nevada (gives you an idea of how much the gambling industry means to that state’s economy, eh?). If discovered, casino operators are given the latitude to decide whether to hand you over to authorities or deal with you in their own (gulp) way.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has sent out a warning to casinos about a new IPhone app by TMSoft called Card Counter. They were tipped off by California gaming authorities, who were in turn notified of the app by operators of an Indian Casino in the northern part of the state. Supposedly, this app can be used to count cards during a game, and can even be operated in “stealth mode” with the screen off. If you know where the right keys are, I guess you can hold it in your pocket and avoid detection.

The app is available through iTunes. Its description there and on the TMSoft site says a lot about how it can teach you the strategies for card-counting, but nothing about being able to use the app as a card-counting aid while gambling.

Soyo 21.6" Widescreen Lcd Monitor (dylm22e6) MT-DYLM22E6 $139.99

2009-02-17T06:38:00-05:00

OfficeMax has the Soyo 21.6" Widescreen Lcd Monitor (dylm22e6) MT-DYLM22E6 for the Bottom Low Price of $139.99 with free shipping.

21.6" WSXGA Widescreen LCD Display, 1680x1050 Resolution, 1000:1 Contrast Ratio, 2ms Response Time, 300 nits Brightness, Integrated Stereo Speakers, 1-Year Limited Warranty.

Read Users Reviews I Write a Review I Discuss Before You Buy

SanDisk 16GB Cruzer Micro U3 USB Flash Drive $29.99

2009-02-17T06:35:30-05:00

Staples has the SanDisk 16GB Cruzer Micro U3 USB Flash Drive for the Bottom Low Price of $29.99 .

Cruzer Micro is an incredibly small, portable, and smart USB flash drive. The small, compact size fits easily on any keychain. The retractable USB connector design eliminates the need for caps and protects the connector..

Read Users Reviews I Write a Review I Discuss Before You Buy

Corsair Voyager 8GB Flash Drive $26.99

2009-02-17T06:31:38-05:00

Amazon has the Corsair Voyager 8GB Flash Drive for the Bottom Low Price of $26.99 with free shipping.

This 8GB Voyager USB Flash drive is rugged, stylish, compact, reliable and exceptionally fast, making it ideal for transporting MP3s, digital images, presentations and more. With a data transfer rate up to 19MB/s, this drive is fully Hi-Speed USB 2.0 compliant and is backward compatible with USB 1.1. The drive also has data transfer read rates up to 33MB/s and write rates of 16 MB/s. It supports Plug and Play with many operating systems. Its durable rubber casing is easy to grip and water resistant..

Read Users Reviews I Write a Review I Discuss Before You Buy

Kindle 2

2009-02-10T06:42:49-05:00

At Gizmodo: Kindle 2: First Hands On.

Still no color. Same size but a lot more memory (1,500 books instead of 200). But "overall handfeel is a lot nicer," and the display is much better. Faster page-turning, and a new text-to-speech feature -- so any book can be an audio book.

The price is the same ($359). Pre-order it now and it will ship February 24.

Details:

Display: 6" diagonal E-Ink® electronic paper display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi, 16-level gray scale.
Size (in inches): 8" x 5.3" x 0.36".
Weight: 10.2 ounces.
System requirements: None, because it doesn't require a computer.
Storage: 2GB internal (approximately 1.4GB available for user content).
Battery Life: Read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to two weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.
Charge Time: Fully charges in approximately 4 hours and supports charging from your computer via the included USB 2.0 cable.
Connectivity: EVDO modem with fallback to 1xRTT; utilizes Amazon Whispernet to provide U.S wireless coverage via Sprint's 3G high-speed data network (check wireless coverage). See Wireless Terms and Conditions.
USB Port: USB 2.0 (micro-B connector) for connection to the Kindle power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer.
Audio: 3.5mm stereo audio jack, rear-mounted stereo speakers.
Content Formats Supported: Kindle (AZW), TXT, Audible (formats 4, Audible Enhanced (AAX)), MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; PDF, HTML, DOC, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion.
Included Accessories: Power adapter, USB 2.0 cable, rechargeable battery. Book cover sold separately.

Verizon to offer 2 BlackBerrys for price of 1

2009-02-06T06:40:56-05:00

Starting today, for every BlackBerry purchased, Verizon Wireless will throw in another for free.

It's a buy-one-get-one-free special that will run until March 31, and it applies to all BlackBerrys--including the brand new Storm. That's what makes this promotion kind of surprising: the touch-screen Storm is Verizon's supposed answer to AT&T and the iPhone and they're giving them away now?

Well, not entirely. The second piece of hardware will be free, but you still have to sign two-year contracts on each phone involved in the deal. And in the long run, Verizon extracts more money from customers through contracts than on hardware. Still, we won't see AT&T doing a two-for-one iPhone deal probably ever.

Best Buy feels bad about Circuit City, really

2009-02-05T06:34:57-05:00

Combination Lock for USB Drives

2009-01-30T06:51:38-05:00

If you want to keep your precious data from prying eyes, there are plenty of ways to go about it. You can password your files, you can get a USB stick that supports encryption or has a fingerprint reader, or you can do things the old fashioned way and lock them with a padlock. Unfortunately, being just three digits long, it wouldn’t take too much persistence to brute force the thing, but it is a deterrent and it is available in a choice of three colors.

Invention Keeps Birds from Crashing into Windows

2009-01-29T07:08:39-05:00

It is nice to see the youth of today being inventive. For his science fair Charlie Sobcov designed a plastic film that is in the shape of a falcon. This plastic is tinted with a color that humans can’t see under normal lighting conditions but birds can. The tint was already being produced for the Glow Bowling industry so it was just a new application of the color. I wish Charlie great success with his inventing future!

Politician Proposes Mandatory Shutter Sound on Camera Phones

2009-01-29T07:05:02-05:00

A new bill, the “Camera Phone Predator Alert Act,” introduced by New York Republican Rep. Peter King would requires mobile phones with digital cameras “to make a sound” whenever a photograph is taken.

The bill states:

Requires any mobile phone containing a digital camera to sound a tone whenever a photograph is taken with the camera’s phone. Prohibits such a phone from being equipped with a means of disabling or silencing the tone. Treats the requirement as a consumer product safety standard and requires enforcement by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Something like this is already done in Japan, though I don’t believe there is an actual law. However, the practice of taking “upskirt” photos is so prevalent there that nearly every cell phone makes a sound when the camera is activated, even the iPhone. But what will they do when we can record HD video on these phones?