NeoGadget Reviews & News

Meizu MX arrives at China at last » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:58:00 +0000

Meizu MX arrives at China at last

The original iPhone killer manufacturing company, Meizu, did not quite manage to live up to its nickname given by industry watchers, which explains the iPhone’s lofty position in the world of smartphones at the moment. Still, if at first you don’t succeed, try again – and it is nice to see Meizu not throwing in the towel, but perhaps this time around they are not too interesting in taking on that cursed mantle that no one has really come close to accomplishing – preferring instead to chart their own route where a smartphone is concerned.

The Meizu MX will first hit its home country, China, from January 1st onwards, making it the perfect way to kick off a new year if you happen to be on the lookout for a new handset. Well, this highly anticipated smartphone has already picked up a warm reception, with the local market showing a really huge interest in its home market, not to mention news portals showing interest on the international front.

It seems that with the pre-order process beginning from December 1st, 2012, Meizu has already picked up an overwhelming amount of pre-orders. The Meizu MX does seem rather familiar to some, considering how it is reminiscent of the Meizu M9 that was rolled out a year earlier. In fact, last year, long lines were formed in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai, so do expect the same kind of frenzied scenario to happen with the Meizu MX as well.

Ever since the Meizu MX engineering samples were released to the media on December 8th, Meizu has collected user feedback from across the world, and that will be implemented in the final model, making sure that a whole slew of improvements and bug fixes were introduced, affecting both hardware and software. Among the more prominent hardware improvements will comprise of a anti-fingerprint coating to the camera lens, not to mention a whole lot easier to use hardware buttons, improving the aesthetics of the internal circuitry, not to mention improvements in overall build quality.

Other hardware configurations include a 326PPI high resolution display, a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor, all working in tandem with the Flyme OS that is based on the Android operating system. Meizu has promised to deliver a Flyme OS version that is based on the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS later this year, too.

Stargate Coasters » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:56:00 +0000

Stargate Coasters

Love the Stargate series? Fret not, you are not going to open up any wormholes in your home to turn it upside down when an alien visits you with the Stargate Coasters, where they will retail anywhere from $24.99 to $29.99, depending on the model (SG-1 or Stargate Universe). I would not be surprised to hear from some of you that this was unearthed from some Egyptian sand dune or abandoned excavation site considering the amount of detail that was invested into the production process, but chances are, this is mass manufactured in some factory over at China.

Boasting felt-feet that ensures your tabletop remains unscratched, these coasters will measure 4.57″ in diameter and makes for the perfect ice breaker at any party, especially when the folks you invite over start to chat about Stargate and displaying their sci-fi side of them which you never knew existed before. It would be cooler if future versions had this glowing display to simulate the perfect wormhole effect, although the price might just increase five-fold then.

Enso Pearl clock helps you start off the new year right » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:55:00 +0000

Enso Pearl clock helps you start off the new year right

“Don’t be a clock watcher,” said the boss in my first job. Needless to say, the pretense of my presence in the office means more to him than my productivity, so I left shortly after that to a far more rewarding and fulfilling vocation. I am quite sure if he had the £79.99 Enso Pearl in the office all those years ago, things might have been a little different, and I might have stayed – just for a little while longer, actually. Enso, meaning ‘circle’ in Japanese, is so slim and is a beauty to look at, and it counts down slowly by forming a complete circle around the LCD face.

Perfect for those moments when your mind does not want to look at numbers as those could very well be too distracting, including moments when you are meditating, holding a yoga pose, or making sure you are burning those calories with a few spinning exercises on an exercise bike. The Enso Pearl delivers a precise and clear idea of how much time has passed, including the remaining time without having to work those brains of yours. You can set up to 50 sequential times, and if you opt to exercise with your eyes closed, fret not – the Enso will deliver audio cues to help you out, relying on the gentle chimes of Tibetan or Japanese singing bowls.

SeaBird personal submarine » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:53:00 +0000

SeaBird personal submarine

What are some of the big boy’s toys that only tycoons and magnates are able to afford? Super fast and exotic cars, taking the helicopter to the office because one does not want to go through the hassle of traffic jams, or even purchasing a private jet if that is one’s desire. But what happens when you prefer the seven seas instead of being stuck in a traffic gridlock or flying in the air? Yes, the clarion call of the sirens beckons, and you absolutely need to get your sea legs moving again.

A yacht can be ho-hum, but what about the confines of a submarine? Yes, we’re talking about the SeaBird personal submarine making an attempt to penetrate this particularly burgeoning market. It won’t be able to fire any nuclear missiles or warheads, being just a personal submarines, using electric motors that are powered by a rechargeable battery pack, so you need not worry about any nuclear fuel rods experiencing a meltdown. US-based AquaVenture’s attempt with the SeaBird is slightly different from conventional design, since it nixes the standard propulsion system but will be towed through the water by a surface vessel instead.

According to AquaVenture, this patent-pending tow system was used on the SeaBird in order to deliver the power of an internal combustion engine to an underwater vessel. At point of publishing, the fastest personal subs are limited to speeds of less than 10 mph (16 km/h), and the SeaBird is far speedier, having received certification to travel at speeds of up to 22 knots (25 mph/40 km/h), regardless of whether it is above or below the water’s surface.

Being towed on a cable of up to 400 ft (122 m) in length, it can operate in a large cone that is behind the towing surface vessel. A single surface vessel has enough juice to tow a couple of SeaBirds simultaneously, allowing the SeaBirds to operate to depths of 150 ft (46 m), with the option to double it to 300 ft (91 m) for “certain (non tourism) customers.” How long can you last in the SeaBird? It is said to provide a habitable atmosphere for 24-72 hours.

The Perch makes sure you take your charger with you » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:50:00 +0000

The Perch makes sure you take your charger with you

Some of you might remember the ZOMM, the intriguing little disc that syncs with your phone via Bluetooth. The ZOMM and your phone will not be separated without an alarm, and the purpose is to prevent theft and/or loss of a cellular phone.

What about the charger? Those get lost all the time. Fortunately, there is going to be a little bit of low-cost insurance for your charger called the Perch. It is essentially a device that “perches” between the charger and the outlet, and it will go off with a chirping sound when you remove your mobile device from the charger, provided the charging cord is plugged into the wall and the Perch.

The Perch is not available for purchase now, but it projected to be on display at CES. I am really surprised at its projected price, which is only $10. Generally, I see products like these for sale for at least $24.99. So, for a small price, you can have this bit of charger insurance.

Of course, there is another way to get yourself a charger if you lose yours. Just go up to a hotel’s front desk and say: “I stayed here last (insert appropriate time here), and I lost my charger. Do you have a lost and found for cell phone chargers?” Chances are, the guy behind the counter has a cardboard box full of cell phone chargers, and I’m sure that one of them is compatible with your model. Or, you can save some time and be honest and get yourself a Perch.

The Wii U could have an App store » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:44:00 +0000

The Wii U could have an App store

Now that we are in 2012, I’m sure we are all wondering if that whole Mayan calendar thing is true. Hopefully, we won’t hit the end of the world before the release of the Wii U, due sometime before the holidays.

The Wii U is probably the most anticipated devices of this year, but we will see something very interesting on the Wii U. I’m not talking about how it can be used without a TV, and other features that we talked about at E3 last June.

This new video game console is going to have apps, that’s right, apps. I guess if this Wii U is going to look like a tablet, then it will have apps like it.

Okay, if we are going to have applications, then I am going to assume that the apps are going to be better than WiiWare and an Internet connection is required.

So, are we looking at a world where no gaming discs are required? Oh man, this certainly brings the word “game changer” to mind. My Source even has rumors that the Wii U could allow third-party digital game platforms like EA’s Origin and Steam.

So far, these are more than rumors, but I can easily imagine them as fact. I suppose that we shall have to see.

World’s Largest Interactive 3-D Projection is world’s biggest claw game » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:42:00 +0000

World’s Largest Interactive 3-D Projection is world’s biggest claw game

GM has recently created an outrageous promotion for the Chevy Sonic at the famous Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. It involves the world’s biggest 3D projection and the world’s biggest claw game.

Yes, those claw games from the arcade has become bigger with bigger prizes. The ad agency Gooby Silverstein & Partners have created this fantastic 3D projection with an oversized gear shift as a joystick, with prizes of snowboards, electronics, and the 2012 Chevy Sonic.

There is a video of this after the jump if you want to see how it went. What really makes this cool is that the claw picks up a 3D version of the car for the lucky winner. Not only that, the 3D version of the car turns into a real version of the car after the projection has been “dropped”. You have to see it to believe it.

I wish I could say that I have seen this massive 3D display for myself, but it looks pretty realistic on video, especially as the walls of the hotel seem to shift. I’m guessing that was probably the hardest part.

Man, I really hope to actually see more of these types of promos in the near future, in person. It would totally make my trip to CES if someone big company had some gigantic 3D projection on the Las Vegas Strip.

LG improves on their 3D glasses collection » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:24:00 +0000

LG improves on their 3D glasses collection

When it comes to stereoscopic 3D entertainment, there are the mainstay names such as Sony, Samsung and of course, LG Electronics. I do wonder just how many people purchase 3D movies to watch at home, especially when the 3D TVs these days do not exactly have the kind of viewing angles that you will find at the cinema. Well, at least time has shown that improvements are slowly but surely being incorporated, and LG Electronics has taken the step to introduce their latest collection of 3D glasses, and fashionistas will also be pleased to hear that there is a pair that was specially designed by renowned eyewear designer Alain Mikli.

This pair of designer 3D glasses will roll out sometime in Q1 next year, and the new 3D glasses are known as the F310, alongside a clip-on version known as the F320, and the Alain Mikli F360. These are all far lighter and more comfortable to wear than what you can find on the market, while there are also upgraded design features including curved lenses and a clean frame structure which have made their transition to the 3D glasses world, making you look stylish while you enjoy the latest popcorn-loving blockbuster flick.

According to Havis Kwon, President and CEO of the LG Home Entertainment Company, “Compared to active shutter glasses, LG’s 3D glasses are far more comfortable to wear and much more affordable, making it possible for large groups and entire families to watch 3D programs and movies together. LG is addressing two of the biggest barriers to 3D acceptance head-on and we’re confident consumers will react favorably to our strategy in the coming year.”

You can tell the F310 right away thanks to its distinctive design which merges soft lines within a slim frame. The lenses are also specially curved in order to accommodate the shape of the wearer’s face. It is 80% the weight of its predecessor, tipping the scales at a mere 13.5 grams. As for the the clip-on F320, this puppy is unique to 3D TVs based on Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) technology. Last but not least would be Alain Mikli’s F360’s half-rim frame design, which is sporty in design, and sports lenses that have been curved to cover most of the wearer’s face.

LG rolls out new Smart TV features for next year » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:19:00 +0000

LG rolls out new Smart TV features for next year

Phones are not the only things that are smart these days, as you also have Smart TVs – and the South Koreans are at the forefront of things in this department, although Japan is nipping on their heels as well. LG intends to usher in 2012 by unveiling new Smart TV features for next year that will focus on rich content as well as ease of use. Just make a beeline for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next month, and you will be able to check out just what LG has in store.

Embedded within the new Cinema 3D Smart TV range for next year, LG intends to offer CINEMA 3D Smart TV owners with the most comprehensive yet easy-to-use home entertainment experience possible, and as the adage goes, “action is louder than words”, which is why there are more than 1,200 apps available (and growing, too). The new Magic Remote would also add more value to the entire Smart TV experience, in addition to a growing number of premium content services.

With LG’s Smart TV ecosystem, there are more than 1,200 Smart TV apps available, letting you access more movies and TV programs than ever, in addition to accessing social networking services (SNS) on your LG Smart TVs, make donations to charities whenever there is a need, and also check out famous art collections without having to leave the comfort of your living room. As for LG’s 3D Zone, it also offers a bunch of expanding 3D movies and TV shows, and those who want to enjoy older 2D movies, can do so thanks to 3D conversion via LG’s enhanced 3D conversion engine. Using Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) technology, LG’s 3D glasses do not require any battery to run at all, are lightweight and easy on your pockets, making them perfect for viewing 3D content in large groups and comfortably for longer periods of time.

MIT student develops self-balancing unicycle with the Bullet » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:16:00 +0000

MIT student develops self-balancing unicycle with the Bullet

You remember all that hype that came with the Segway about a decade ago? I believe that it was supposed to revolutionize pedestrian travel in the big city, but the city streets are still full of walkers with only the occasional Segway.

An MIT student named Stephan Boyer created this homemade self-balancing unicycle which he calls the “Bullet”. Yes, if you have problems balancing on a unicycle, the Bullet could be your solution.

Of course, the Bullet cannot steer, at least at this present time. It does go backwards and forwards, though. You can watch a video of this after the jump if you want to see it in motion, just a little warning though, there is no sound.

So, I guess if you want to take some shortcuts on that clown school, the Bullet isn’t quite ready for your unicycle act as yet.

I’m starting to realize that I went to the wrong school. If MIT students have the spare time to create self-balancing unicycles in their spare time, then I should have gone there. Do other students walk around with other experimental tech? By the way, I like the paintings on the doors on what looks like a dorm room here.

Gavio’s got a speaker for the iPod Nano called “The Pill” » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:13:00 +0000

Gavio’s got a speaker for the iPod Nano called “The Pill”

Some of you might remember when we covered the Kube 2 Player, and how that there is still a market for small MP3 players.

As long as there small MP3 players, there will be a market for small MP3 player speakers. This particular one is known as “The Pill”, and it is from a Singapore company known as Gavio.

There really isn’t much that my Source says about the Pill, other than it is a 5.8 inch speaker system designed for the iPod nano 6th Generation.

I like how the Pill looks, and I can’t believe that this is the first time I have seen an iPod dock that looks like this. The Pill is a pretty obvious shape for a speaker due to its round edges. The iPod nano can be controlled with its holder through its touchscreen display, and it has an external volume control as well.

If you want to get this, then go to Gavio’s website and pre-order it. I don’t seem to have a price, but I have the slogan: “Have You Had Your Pill?” Yeah, I don’t really think that is a good slogan, as it sounds like it is referring to someone’s birth control. Let’s hope the price is easy to swallow.

Protect the iPhone 4/4S with Professional Grade Underwater Housing » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:10:00 +0000

Protect the iPhone 4/4S with Professional Grade Underwater Housing

For those of you who desire to take their iPhone 4/4S underwater to about 100 feet should look into this Professional Grade Underwater Housing.

This FourPro mount allows you to place the iPhone 4/4S in a waterproof housing, and it comes with some handles made of Teak that will give the user the opportunity to have a more stable shot. The design reminds me of the OWL-E iPhone video/audio rig that we reported on a while ago.

This is yet another one of those Kickstarter projects, which means that they need your money to get this gadget up and running. If you want to see more information about it, go to the FourPro Kickstarter page and see a little video.

Not to be too much of a spoiler, but it shows these men going underwater with sharks with blood in the water. If I was in their finned shoes, I would be less concerned about getting a gash taken out of me than my iPhone getting water damage.

If you are willing to wait until the video is over, you can see some beautiful underwater footage of some non-carnivorous sea turtles with music that sounds like it is out of Titanic.

Pebble Pro Netbook Charger » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:52:00 +0000

Pebble Pro Netbook Charger

I know that the introduction of tablets has seen the netbook market somewhat cannibalized, and suddenly, these lightweight devices are not all that desirable after all. You cannot really fire them up in a jiffy to access your email or play some casual games, but at least it gets the job done when you have a lengthy document to type, and using a virtual keyboard just does not quite make the cut. This is where the netbook still maintains its relevance, and if you recently unwrapped a netbook under the Christmas tree, you might want to consider picking up the £69.99 Pebble Pro Netbook Charger – just in case you actually are about to run out of juice while you are working on that particular document.

This is certainly an essential tool to carry around, since there is far less cables to worry about considering it comes with just one connecting cable (USB on one end, with multiple connectors for you to slip on on the other). The 13,200mAh battery is said to offer a standard netbook up to 5 hours of additional battery life, while an iPhone can be juiced more than ten times! Definitely the perfect purchase for frequent travelers.

Internal Combustion Engine Kit » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:50:00 +0000

Internal Combustion Engine Kit

Ever wondered how your vehicle’s engine worked, if you are like one of the many millions out there with a standard car? Well, if you are curious enough to find out, there is always a Flash animation somewhere online to discover, but some of us prefer touching the real thing in our hands. The $49.95 Internal Combustion Engine Kit would be able to do the job just right, where it boasts of a working 1/10 scale model of a 4-cylinder internal combustion engine. This kit will feature more than 100 ABS plastic parts that will work in unison, as long as you use the included tools the right way.

The Haynes Manual that comes with it will help guide the entire construction process to completion, boasting step-by-step instructions as well as vivid, clearly printed diagrams. The transparent cylinder block will let you check out just how the connected parts work in tandem to get your vehicle up and running, while small applications of vegetable oil provide the necessary lubrication required. As for the engine itself, it will operate thanks to a small battery-powered electric motor that runs off a couple of AA batteries. I would say that I myself am mesmerized to see it work.

SiriusXM Lynx Portable Radio introduced » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:47:00 +0000

SiriusXM Lynx Portable Radio introduced

Sirius XM Radio has just announced the Lynx Portable Radio, touting this to be the first SiriusXM 2.0 radio which delivers spanking new features and receives an expanded channel lineup over satellite and Internet connections. Lynx is said to be the most advanced radio to date from SiriusXM, where it is full well capable of receiving the new expanded SiriusXM 2.0 channel range of commercial-free music, sports, and comedy, where among them include SiriusXM Latino – a totally new suite of Spanish-language programming.

Lynx was constructed with a flexible architecture that will pave the way for new features and capabilities that can be added via the path of software updates. SiriusXM 2.0 is said to be a major upgrade and evolution of SiriusXM’s satellite and Internet delivered service, and the ultimate goal would be to see this particular service span across hardware, software, audio, and data services.

Lynx intends to deliver more control to subscribers, especially when it concerns the area of how they tune in to SiriusXM satellite radio. This will enable them to begin a song from the beginning when tuning to a Favorite music channel, but just as how life is better with choices, one can also store broadcast content to listen to at a later time. Subscribers also have the option to restart their favorite content while remaining connected to SiriusXM Internet Radio over Wi-Fi. Thanks to the generous large touch screen display, you are able to enjoy full control of your listening experience. Lynx is also capable of streaming SiriusXM content to Bluetooth stereo speakers, headphones, vehicle stereo systems or optional accessories, where you are able to use it at home, in a vehicle or being generally up and about.

Considering Lynx’s versatility, it is no surprise to hear that it is based on the Android operating system, and can be updated without the need to tether it to a computer via a cable, since you can update it over a Wi-Fi connection. If you are interested, you will be able to pick up SiriusXM Lynx for $249.99 a pop.

US Army tests 1.8-gigapixel camera helicopter drone » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:45:00 +0000

All right, the Iranians might have shot down one of those drones from the US, but we are quite sure the US Army is already light years ahead in terms of technology as well as next generation drones. In fact, the US Army recently tested a helicopter drone that would make for the perfect spy machine – especially when it sports a 1.8-gigapixel camera on it. This drone aircraft is capable of hovering around, and will not require a runway in order to take-off or land, now how about that?

This particular technology employed promised “an unprecedented capability to track and monitor activity on the ground”, where another three of these sensor-equipped drones are on track to see action in Afghanistan in either May or June next year. While Boeing was first off the blocks in building these drones, other firms are still able to throw in their bid to manufacture the rest. It will take a year of deployment in order to learn all that they can about the drone, its capabilities and limitations, resulting in a record compilation that will pave the way for a superior model down the road.

Also known as the A160 Hummingbird, this particular drone needs not a runway since it can take off vertically, and the hovering capability might see it in the battlefield far more frequent than existing UAVs. Test flights are set to commence in the Arizona desert at the beginning of 2011, before they make their way to the Middle East before the year is over. Relying on the Autonomous Real-time Ground Ubiquitous Surveillance-Imaging System, also known as Argus-IS for short as a tribute to Argus Panoptes – the one-hundred-eyed-giant of Greek mythology. At present, the 1.8-gigapixel camera which sees action is touted to be the largest video sensor used in tactical missions.

Having said that, it boasts wider fields of view than ever before, which equals to 900 times the resolution of a 2-megapixel camera that you find on older handsets. It does not only do image stills, but videos as well, delivering real-time video streams at the rate of 10 frames a second. It is said that with this kind of technology, the military is capable of tracking people and vehicles from altitudes above 20,000 feet (6.1km) across nearly 65 square miles (168 sq km).

Portals: Like I really wouldn’t report on this » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:43:00 +0000

What you are seeing here is not a deleted scene from Poltergeist where the TV sucks someone else in, starting with their hand.

This is a Kickstarter project called Portals, and it has nothing to do with the popular video game franchise Portal. What you see here is exactly what you think it is: someone has made a display that you can literally reach into.

It works with a simple greenscreen and webcam. When you stick your hand in the box, the webcam records your hand against the green screen and on the display you are looking at. In the case of the illustration, the user has chosen Google Streetview.

This reminds me of one of those shoebox dioramas I used to make in elementary school. In fact, you can even put other things on the Portals display besides your hand. All it takes is a little bit of touch surface and RFID tags.

As I have mentioned before, this is a Kickstarter project, which means it requires funding to get off the ground. Designer Jayne Videheecharoen has already achieved her goal, but it looks like she only wants to make two prototypes to finish her thesis. I really hope that you can buy something like this in the future, as the neat factor is really high.

The Jabra PRO 930 for telephony » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:41:00 +0000

Jabra has recently started an entry-level wireless headsets, and one of them is the Jabra PRO 930.

Normally, Jabra creates a lot of Bluetooth headsets and occasional speakers, but the PRO 930 is designed for telephony services like Skype. The PRO 930 comes with a stand that can be plugged into a computer for charging and syncing.

Not only is it good to use with an adjustable headband for a good fit, but the PRO 930 also has an earpiece that can snap on so it looks like a usual Bluetooth headset.

Other features of this device include a dedicated button to answer calls, as well as volume controls. It also has a convenient noise canceling microphone that eliminates ambient background noise, like in a busy office environment.

I recently had a chance to try this out for myself, and I made the mistake of assuming that it was a simple Bluetooth headset. Yeah, my smartphone didn’t pair with it.

I’m not really a guy for Skype, but I got it working quickly enough. If I can do it, I am pretty sure that anyone can, so I will recommend this product for those new or old to telephony.

You should be able to get the Jabra PRO 930 for a price of $199. The similar PRO 920, designed for desk phones, is available for the same price.

The Ice Hotels of Sweden and Romania » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:39:00 +0000

Since today is my 40th birthday, I have decided to celebrate by spending the night at a hotel. I can’t say that I would like to spend a night at this hotel, but it would make for an interesting story about the day I turned the big 4-0.

This ICEHOTEL is an annual project in the village of Jukkasjarvi. Every suite is specially made by artists who submit their ideas and have them selected by a jury. There are fifty artists in total that create the church, icebar, reception area, main hall and rooms. Of course, like all art, it is sadly temporary, and it melts every spring in the Torne River.

I thought that this ICEHOTEL looked familiar, and you might recognize a similar ice hotel in the James Bond movie Die Another Day. The movie was not filmed there, but it was the inspiration. After the jump, read more about another ice hotel in Romania.

The ice hotel in Romania is the Balea Lac Hotel of Ice in the Fagaras mountains. It has 10 double rooms with king size beds, with a temperature of -2 to 2 degrees Celsius.

Yeah, that is very cold, but it’s better than staying at the hotel made entirely of fire.

LG 3D Ultra Definition TV is world’s largest » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:48:00 +0000

LG 3D Ultra Definition TV is world’s largest

Having a (positive) superlative describing your product is definitely something that most, if not all, hardware manufacturers would love to experience. LG Electronics steps up to the plate, full of confidence, that their 3D Ultra Definition (UD) TV is the largest in the world. Of course, you can tell by the name alone that Ultra Definition is far better than High Definition, so I cannot wait to see just what kind of images my eyes will be greeted with at CES 2012 that is happening in less than a fortnight’s time in Las Vegas.

Basically, this unique display will debut at CES 2012 next year, where it will sport 84″ of viewing goodness, while ensuring it breaks new ground where immersive 3D home entertainment is concerned. To put it in the words of Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company, “LG is pushing the limits of home entertainment innovation with this 3D UD TV. We are bringing together all our Smart TV and 3D knowledge in the 3D UD TV in order to demonstrate to the CES audience that LG is committed to being the world’s leading brand for immersive home entertainment in 2012 and beyond.”

Just what can you expect LG’s 3D UD TV to deliver to your eyes? For starters, superb picture quality is a given, thanks to a cool 8 million pixels that is actually four times the resolution clarity (3840 x 2160 pixels) of current Full HD TV panels. Of course, at such a high resolution, popping in your Blu-ray disc is of no use since it would probably occupy just a small space on the display, and when you blow it up, it will just end up as a jagged copy. Guess this is one of the few times where hardware has outpaced “software” (in this case), so we will have to wait and see just what kind of imagery magic comes our way down the road.

When you merge that with LG’s Slim and Narrow Bezel Design, the 3D UD TV is said to deliver the ultimate in 3D viewing experience that is available anywhere – save for the movie theater, of course. Not only that, with 3D Depth Control, you are able to customize your viewing experience through the control of the 3D effect while 3D Sound Zooming will offer users 3D sound which rivals the output of most of the other home theater systems.

Touch Screen Heart Rate Watch » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:46:00 +0000

Touch Screen Heart Rate Watch

Marking your workout’s progress can be quite a chore, but then again, I supposed if you have the discipline to work out each day without having to drag yourself out of bed, keeping track of your health record should not be too hard to do. The $99.99 Touch Screen Heart Rate Watch might help you out here, where it enables easy monitoring of your heart rate in order to maintain and improve on your cardio intensity target.

Basically, the Touch Screen Heart Rate Watch delivers an accurate reading to you without the need to wear an uncomfortable chest strap, and neither do you need to fiddle around with a wide range of function buttons while ensuring your activity level remains at the same, high intensity pace. All you need to do is touch The Touch Screen Heart Rate Watch’s bezel, and within seconds, you will be able to see what your current heart rate is. The LCD display is a snap to read, and it also doubles up as a watch, calendar and stopwatch. Love exercising at dusk? Fret not, there is a light-up display to help you there. Since the New Year is tonight, why not make a resolution and sweat away those pounds in 2012, with the help of the Touch Screen Heart Rate Watch?

iLaunch Thunder loves your iPhone » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:41:00 +0000

Feel like you are the President of the US with the £79.99 iLaunch Thunder – imagine you hold the “nuclear football” in your hands, and you have already been sent all the relevant launch codes to send a reply to North Korea’s recent nuclear attack on one of your country’s military bases – all it takes is a single press of a button, and a retaliatory missile is sent all the way back to North Asia. Of course, this is nowhere near as serious, and does not endanger a single human life, but it might help you experience a feeling of power albeit momentarily.

No longer do you need to throw bits of paper or rubber at your colleagues to irritate them (or paying tit for tat), but all you need to do is adjust where this sleek missile launcher is supposed to point at, where its air-powered pistons will then get to work, shooting safe, spongy projectiles up to 8 meters away. Of course, the iPhone is not the only device that enables control of the iLaunch Thunder, as the iPod Touch and iPad will get the job done as well. Bluetooth connectivity is what delivers the commands over to the iLaunch Thunder, and sporting a rotating angle of 270 degrees with the ability to tilt up or down through 45 degrees, you have quite the weapon on your desk.

ZVOX expands Z-Base sound bar range » Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:40:00 +0000

ZVOX expands Z-Base sound bar range

ZVOX has taken a look at their Z-Base sound bar range, and decided that the time is ripe to expand this particular family. After all, sound matters if you were to marry it with explosive action on the big screen, giving you a glimpse of what you can experience at the cinema. I am not saying that it is uncool to watch movies at home – I’m all for it, since you need not deal with any incoming phone calls without silent mode being turned on, and you can always make your way to the loo by pausing the movie so that you do not miss a single bit.

Having said that, you might be interested with what ZVOX has done with their latest Z-Base sound bar family, introducing high performance surround sound systems which are comfortably placed under the TV set without the need for external speakers or a subwoofer.

The Z-Base sound bars were specially designed that they would look right at home under your flat screen TV – too bad if you are still rocking to those old school, chunky CRTs though. These new devices will comprise of three models – where they are priced at $199.99, $249.99 and $299.99, respectively, and in essence, turning them into the most affordable Z-Base systems to date. Of course, being cheap does not mean that ZVOX has decided to lower their strict and stringent standards for sound quality, as each system regardless of price will use high quality speakers and amplifiers, wood (MDF) cabinets and ZVOX’s proprietary PhaseCue II virtual surround sound system.

The Z-Base 220 is roughly the size of a DVD player, where it can fill a room with 3D sound while delivering excellent bass without the need for external speakers, subwoofers or speaker wires. As for the Z-Base 320, this puppy measures a mere 24″ wide and 11.5″ deep, letting it slink in nicely at just about anywhere. As for the $299.99 Z-Base 420, it is large enough to support TVs up to 55″ in size, where it will work great as the optimal audio solution to any self-respecting home theater system. Any takers?

Review » Edifier’s Tick Tock Bluetooth Alarm Clock/Speaker

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:35:00 +0000

Considering that most of us are using our mobile devices for alarm clocks, Edifier decided to maximize the alarm clock feature with their Tick Tock series.

We have discussed the Tick Tock series before, and I got a chance to try out the Tick Tock Bluetooth. Yes, it looks like an old-fashioned alarm clock, and yes, it has those two bell shaped things on top, but they don’t ring. No, they are two 360 degree omni-directional tweeters, and there is also a front-facing speaker for some “multi-directional rich sound”.

I found that it was very simple to sync the Tick Tock to my Android smartphone, and it is very handy to have an external speaker designed to sit on a nightstand.

If you don’t want to use Bluetooth technology, you can always use the auxiliary input jack and included AV cable for a wired stereo speaker. After all, you will probably be keeping your phone by this Tick Tock clock anyway. By the way, you can also access an FM radio in case you only want to hear the radio just before you go to sleep.

All in all, I would have to say that Edifier’s Tick Tock Bluetooth is an excellent modern-day compliment to the traditional nightstand. You can get it on the Edifier site for about $79.99 in White, Black, and 60′s White. While you are there, you should check out some other models in their Tick Tock collection.

Review » BlueSeed’s Floating City is made for business

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:32:00 +0000

When I first saw this, I thought that someone was trying to build some sort of floating country. Personally, I think we need more of them before the Earth gets into Soylent Green territory.

The purpose of this boat isn’t to alleviate overpopulation, but to help businesses. This boat is under development by a startup company known as Blueseed, and its purpose is to house businesses off the coast of California (near Silicon Valley, to be exact). The boat would be docked 12 miles southwest of San Francisco Bay, in international waters.

It can house about 1,000 people, who can start their businesses there, and then, when the time is right, they can move their businesses right into Silicon Valley. There is a news report after the jump if you want to hear more about it.

By the way, this giant boat will be accessible by ferry and helicopter. It looks like it has all the comforts of home, including some serious greenery.

Blueseed is currently looking for investors for this boat, and they intend to start construction on it sometime next year. I wonder how long it will actually take to actually build this beautiful boat, and how much it would cost to live on it?