Just officially unveiled in London a short while ago, the Sony Ericsson Z610i is being positioned as the cellphone perfect for people who expect a little more out of their cellphone than just the basic features. To that end, the Z610i, looking at the stats alone, does a fairly decent job. The 2-megapixel camera isn't a piece of junk like most cellphone cameras and its 2-inch, 220x176 pixel resolution display, while not ground-breaking, gets the job done admirably. Besides, the Z610i's has a mirror-like finish, which is just the type of thing that cellphone's have been lacking: more tacky aesthetic devices.
On the multimedia front, the Z610i also tries to perform like a champ; never having used it, I can't say for sure one way or another. There's support for MP3, AAC, AAC+ and eAAC+ digital audio files and pictures taken using the aforementioned camera can be uploaded to a Photo Blog application ("this is when the cops showed up..."). Sony Ericsson graciously includes a 64MB Memory Stick Mico (M2), but users can plug in cards up to 1GB in size. She even reads RSS feeds.
The Sony Ericsson Z610i will be available in black, blue and pink when it ships later this quarter. – Nicholas Deleon
This monstrosity of a device is like the traditional Bluetooth headset, but not Bluetooth and not for cellphones. It operates on 2.4Ghz wireless frequency and can make any Suzy Homemaker hip and trendy with all of her Wisteria Lane friends. Unfortunately, wearing an ugly headset like this will make you no longer attractive to the gardener and you will be forced to have a monogamous relationship with your hubby. Oh the shame!
I guess it is kind of cool how the keypad is integrated into the ugly headset, though. The XACT XQ2500 is available for 80 buckaroos. – Travis Hudson
Someone must have given control of Sony's design department to Barbie with word that they'll be releasing a pink version of their somewhat underwhelming PSP in October. This coincides with yesterday's announcement that they'll be releasing a pink PS2 in the fall as well. Looks like Sony's crack research department has figured out that the way to get more girl gamers is to paint everything pink. Way to put your thinking hat on, guys.
The pink PSP will be of the value pack variety, meaning that, in addition to getting a device that doesn't know if it's a portable gaming console or a portable media player, you'll also receive a pair of white headphones, a pouch, a wrist strap and a whopping 32MB Memory Stick Duo. Lastly, it seems that the singer Pink will be lending her good name to this PSP with the inclusion of her latest music videos on UMD.
Right now, the pink PSP is Euroland-only, but if you're on the Old Continent, expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $320 for it. – Nicholas Deleon
Even you folks in the 1980's were down with the DIY mods. Check out this badass cassette deck boom box with an integrated TV. It is pretty much straight out of Radio Shack, but hey, what gadgets in the 1980's weren't straight out of Radio Shack.
It may not seem that cool right now, but I'm sure the fool who had that in their dorm got all kinds of tail. Boom boxes are freaking awesome. – Travis Hudson
Sharp's getting into the cellphone game even deeper with the SX633, a 0.7-inch thick, 3.7-ounce clamshell that operates on the tried and true GSM standard. In an effort to stand out from the other six zillion cellphones released on a daily basis, the keypad is of the stainless steel variety, so make sure not to get it wet. Since it's a Sharp product, they've attached their wondrous Aquos brand name onto the cellphone's 2.2-inch display.
Of course, since nobody wants a cellphone that's just able to reliably make and receive phone calls, Sharp's tacked on many of the standard multimedia features cluttering cellphone design, among them, MPEG-4 video playback and and MP3/AAC audio playback. You can even record up to six hours of video in the aforementioned MPEG-4 format. Since it only includes 20MB of built-in memory, you might want to consider throwing in a microSD card while you've got the chance.
Be prepared to spend more than $500 if you're looking to import Sharp's latest clamshell from Hong Kong. – Nicholas Deleon
The GigaView is a 3.5-inch hard drive enclosure that lets you display the digital media contents of your hard drive on a TV. Once you've inserted a hard drive (or memory card) into the GigaView, simply hook the box up to a TV using one of the included cables and let the multimedia madness ensue. It's able to play back all the formats that make trolling through Usenet and IRC worth while, such as the myriad forms of Divx and MPEG, though it's audio playback seems to be limited to only MP3.
The GigaView supports hard drives up to 400GB in size, certainly more than enough to hold a couple of silver screen masterpieces (and photo slideshows, and home movies...). Able to output a video signal through standard RCA cables, S-Video and VGA, the GigaView is compatible with both PAL and NTSC TV formats. Happy day!
The GigaView certainly isn't the only hard drive enclosure/media player on the market, nor is it as feature-filled, but for only around $75, it wouldn't make a bad addition to one of the bedrooms. Besides, anybody's who's anybody is already running a home theater PC in their den of multimedia marvels. – Nicholas Deleon
It's no surprise that NASA has all of the best gadgets, and they'll be using some of them for the forthcoming flight of the Space Shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station, which is scheduled for launch on the 27th.
For one they'll be using a camera on the end of the Shuttle's 50-foot long robot arm to examine the shuttle's heat shield for any damage, and then they'll be using the same arm to maneuver a 17.5-ton truss into place, adding more solar panels. Then two astronauts will use their hi-tech spacesuits to take a stroll into space to prepare for the unfurling of the new 240-foot long solar panels. All this at an altitude of 220 miles and a speed of 27,000 miles per hour Meanwhile, at an altitude of about 5 feet, I am having trouble building an Ikea bookshelf. I wonder if NASA could give me hand?
The HTC Excalibur, a Windows Mobile 5, Motorola Q competitor has just cleared the FCC and should be headed towards eager consumer's hands shortly. The latest reports say that the Excalibur will be on Cingular, but we're hoping T-Mobile also gets a piece of the action. – Jason Chen
Sweaty palms – the curse of all obsessed gamers and perverts. For at least one of those groups, Logitech has come up with a novel solution.
The ChillStream controller for the PC boasts an internal fan-based cooling system that generates little noise but up to 3.41 cubic feet of air every minute – which is probably good. Air is pumped out (low or high) through narrow vents on the side of the controller onto the fingers and palms. Works under Windows XP and will work with Vista whenever it arrives. According to Ruben Mookerjee, Logitech’s director of product marketing for gaming:
“We´re always evaluating the different kinds of materials and technologies that can help make the gaming experience more comfortable. But for intense action-games, there is nothing that can substitute for moving air – it’s the best way to keep hands cool and dry. These new controllers offer Logitech´s unique ChillStream hand-cooling technology without compromising on the size and design of the controller. And the fan is extremely quiet - you´ll know it’s on only because you can feel the air cooling your hands.”
It is expected to cost around £25 when it launches in the US and Europe next month. More here.
UK gamers with a hankering for Wii should listen up. The chief operating officer of Electronics Arts (EA) has let slip that the Wii console will cost $170 (£90) in the US at launch. In the opinion of David Gardner:
“I've heard in Japan that the price is about $170, but I don't know if the price has been set in Europe yet.”
And if he’s not in the know, then no one is. Nintendo, of course, has said nothing on this front except to say that it will cost under $250. But $170 is a lot lower than anyone has speculated so far.
In real money, that puts the Wii at a cool £90, with a tenner left over for a kebab and chips. Still, UK gamers and gadgetfreaks are well aware of what happens when prices pass through the trans-Atlantic wormhole. What started as a very cool £90 gets atomised and reconstituted on the High St as £140. No kebab and chips for you mate. Via gamesindustry.biz
When you can’t win on style or fight the media overkill of the Apple camp go for Plan B. Stuff that MP3 player with more memory.
We’ve kept an eye on this for some time but now, it’s like, ‘official’. The 8GB Sansa e280 offers twice the capacity of the popular iPod nano but will cost the same at a shade under £170. That is certainly something worth bragging about. You can also cram another 2GB into it via an optional 2GB microSD card. In real terms that 2,000 songs on the 8GB version and you can add another 500 tracks with that optional card. It measures 1.7in wide x 3.5in long x 0.5in high with a 1.8in TFT colour screen. Key features include:
· An open (non-proprietary) digital rights management system that allows users to purchase songs or access subscription download services from numerous sources
· A microSD expansion slot for additional memory capacity and support for SanDisk TrustedFlash content cards that can be played not only on Sansa players but also on mobile phones equipped with microSD card slots.
· Photo and video capability facilitated through the Sansa Media Converter, which enables a superior customer viewing experience
· Digital FM tuner, on-the-fly FM recording 3
· Voice recording with a built-in microphone
· Sleek, thin design with large 1.8" TFT color screen for easy viewing and advanced navigational features within an easy to use interface
· User replaceable and rechargeable Lithium Ion battery for up to 20 hours of battery life 4
· Scratch resistant alloy metal back casing provides excellent durability
· Multi-pin universal connector for future accessory upgrades, battery charging and USB 2.0 connectivity
· Simple to use, backlit controls for fast device interface navigation
Media Streaming devices are pretty common these days, but devices that can stream high definition video are less common. This one looks interesting: the Ziova ClearStream CS510 can play back high def Windows Media and MPEG4 files in 720p resolution and has a HDMI port to connect to a HDTV. It connects either to a PC over a wired or wireless network, or directly to a USB 2.0 hard drive. Ziova also offer a version with a built-in DVD drive if you can't be bothered to rip your DVDs. – Richard Baguley
Don't let the old school synth-style music fool you, this FOLED display is cutting edge. FOLED, which stands for Flexible Organic Light Emitting Diodes, can be placed on other flexible material like plastic or metallic foil. It offers an improvement over regular LCDs that need to be built on glass substrate. – Jason Chen
Oh yeah, Jack Thompson is going to love these glasses that make it seem like you're in a First Person Shooter all the time. Is it me or is the gun on the wrong side?– Jason Chen
We first heard word about the SIRIUS Conductor last week after the exclusive SIRIUS press event that bloggers were not invited to, sad face. We heard about the SIRIUS Conductor, some kind of crazy home satellite radio receiver. It confused the hell out of me, but now more information, including pictures, has surfaced making the Conductor a lot more simple than I was expecting.
The SIRIUS Conductor consists of two devices, a tuner and an uber-remote. The tuner plugs into any stereo system. Then the remote does the rest of the magic. It is a 6-in-1 remote that has an LCD screen to display the satellite radio PAD data. This could be extra awesome for houses with audio setups throughout the entire house because the remote has a range of 150 feet. The conductor will be available in November for £80. – Travis Hudson
Now not only can you have a Busty Mousepad, you can have a busty mouse to go along with it. The mouse has two buttons and a scrollwheel—which part of a woman's anatomy is that—and costs only £3.00 (1000 Yen). Though, the breasts look more like eyeballs than breasts, so it's not that erotic.
We found this on slashgear's new Japan site, catering towards Japanese-reading gadget fans. Go have a look. – Jason Chen
Ladies and gentlemen, to our left you'll see an official looking Sprint Treo spec sheet circa August 21, 2006.
It really does look like the Treo 700wx is launching early September—around the 5th—just like everybody thought. We have some more box pics for you Treo lovers as well. Click the image to view the full version. – Jason Chen
With campuses around the nation getting loaded up with Wi-Fi internet access it is pretty important to have a notebook to keep you entertained in class with Facebook, Myspace and online poker. But taking the notebook back into your 5-foot by 5-foot dorm and plugging everything back in is a pain in the ass, so Kensington has the perfect solution for you with their Notebook Expansion Dock with Video. Hit the jump for the review along with a review of the Ci60 Wireless Optical Mouse.
Only two minutes until your TV dinner is done. Seems like an eternity. Instead of staring at your microwave, drop some lines with these Tetris refrigerator magnets.– Brian Lam
This wireless pinhole video camera looks like a screw. Pervy, ain't it? We don't know anything else about this cam, as the blog we're linking to just shows some stats (300 lines of resolution.) If anyone knows something, drop us a tip.– Brian Lam
Sony launched their first Vaio computer 10 years ago: the PCV-90, which ran Windows 95 and had a 200-MHz processor. To celebrate the 10th anniversary, they are offering a number of limited edition model notebooks: they will only make 500 of each of the five colorful designs. That's perhaps a blessing, as they look a bit like they were designed by a 10-year old. Trivia time: did you know that the Vaio logo was designed to mimic the transition from analog to digital? – Richard Baguley
We suppose if you were going to buy a USB Memory stick, you'd probably buy one like the SanDisk Cruzer Titanium with its special launchpad and other productivity improvement apps. But, if you're more into having one of these as a fashion statement, look no further than the Pasha De Cartier USB stick. Made of stainless steel and engraved with the same numbers as the Pasha watches, this USB stick will both hold your data and make you look like a guy with too much money.
We're not sure how much this costs exactly, but it's probably too much. – Jason Chen
Yes, it's a Hello Kitty headphone and mic set. The headphones have pink foam covers, and go behind the head and over the ear. The microphone looks to be a clip on. Go ahead, use it to Skype friends. When done, listen to your Meow Mix. (Sorry, couldn't help it.)– Brian Lam
When Scott Franklin designed the Wet Lamp, he threw sense out the window; specifically the logic that water and electricity shouldn't play with each other. The glass bowl is filled with water, and electrified, which lights up the lightbulb submerged inside. The silver rod that charges the water acts as a dimmer switch: plunge the rod into the liquid to turn up the lights. Comes in 3 sizes, with an average of £130.– Brian Lam
Listen up homies, this is DJ Richard, laying down the phat beats. This £100 USB mixer lets you scratch and mix your own tracks with two virtual turntables, then add your own vocals. And if you're a newbie DJ, it also has automatic beat matching so you can heat up the dancefloor by mixing smoothly from Maria Carey to Megadeth. Peace out, y'all!– Richard Baguley
Being an international jet setter is hard, especially when you realize you forgot your USB cables halfway over the Atlantic. So this might be a useful addition to my traveling kit: the 4 in 1 network cable kit has USB, mini USB, Ethernet and modem cables in one handy holder. Now if they could just add a laptop power adapter and a device to wash my socks for me, I'd be a happy traveler. – Richard Baguley
Just officially unveiled in London a short while ago, the Sony Ericsson Z610i is being positioned as the cellphone perfect for people who expect a little more out of their cellphone than just the basic features. To that end, the Z610i, looking at the stats alone, does a fairly decent job. The 2-megapixel camera isn't a piece of junk like most cellphone cameras and its 2-inch, 220x176 pixel resolution display, while not ground-breaking, gets the job done admirably. Besides, the Z610i's has a mirror-like finish, which is just the type of thing that cellphone's have been lacking: more tacky aesthetic devices. 
This monstrosity of a device is like the traditional Bluetooth headset, but not Bluetooth and not for cellphones. It operates on 2.4Ghz wireless frequency and can make any Suzy Homemaker hip and trendy with all of her Wisteria Lane friends. Unfortunately, wearing an ugly headset like this will make you no longer attractive to the gardener and you will be forced to have a monogamous relationship with your hubby. Oh the shame! 
Someone must have given control of Sony's design department to Barbie with word that they'll be releasing a pink version of their somewhat 
Even you folks in the 1980's were down with the DIY mods. Check out this badass cassette deck boom box with an integrated TV. It is pretty much straight out of Radio Shack, but hey, what gadgets in the 1980's weren't straight out of Radio Shack. 
Sharp's getting into the cellphone game even deeper with the SX633, a 0.7-inch thick, 3.7-ounce clamshell that operates on the tried and true GSM standard. In an effort to stand out from the other six zillion cellphones released on a daily basis, the keypad is of the stainless steel variety, so make sure not to get it wet. Since it's a Sharp product, they've attached their wondrous Aquos brand name onto the cellphone's 2.2-inch display. 
The GigaView is a 3.5-inch hard drive enclosure that lets you display the digital media contents of your hard drive on a TV. Once you've inserted a hard drive (or memory card) into the GigaView, simply hook the box up to a TV using one of the included cables and let the multimedia madness ensue. It's able to play back all the formats that make trolling through Usenet and IRC worth while, such as the myriad forms of Divx and MPEG, though it's audio playback seems to be limited to only MP3.
It's no surprise that NASA has all of the best gadgets, and they'll be using some of them for the forthcoming flight of the Space Shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station, which is scheduled for launch on the 27th. 
The 
When you can’t win on style or fight the media overkill of the Apple camp go for Plan B. Stuff that MP3 player with more memory.
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
