Virgin Loosens Restrictions on Apple and Dell Laptops September 26, 2006
READ MORE Laptops
Virgin Atlantic is coming to its senses and relaxing the previous ban on all Dell and Apple laptops to only batteries that are in the affected serial number range. Apparently the carrier is going to check your battery against a list before you board, and if yours matches, you get to either plug in to power supply or nothing at all.
Your removed batteries or spares need to be wrapped and placed securely into your carry-on bags, and you can only have two-batteries per passenger. After this announcement, the Battery Bombing Bandit was seen back at his drawing board.
Virgin eases in-flight Apple, Dell laptop battery limits [Reg Hardware]
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IOGEAR Germless Portable Laser Mouse September 26, 2006
READ MORE Peripherals
This laser mouse from IOGEAR is coated with a titanium dioxide and silver nano-particle compound that prevents bacteria, viruses, fungi and algae from surviving and living on the mouse. How the hell could algae and fungi grow on a mouse? Is playing Counter-Strike underwater the latest trend among dirty teens?
Product Page [Via The Raw Feed]
Mercora M Lets WM5 Phone Owners Stream Music From Your Library To Their Mobile September 26, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets
Instead of downloading songs onto your phone over EV-DO or pre-loading them via your computer, Mercora M lets you access your entire music library streamed over your broadband connection. The upside is that you have all your music all the time.
The software's only available for Windows Mobile 5 devices now, the Mercora M service will also (in the future) allow you to connect to your friends' music and listen to digital radio as well. The only problem we see is when spotty reception kills your stream, which pretty much renders the music unlistenable. It's going to cost you $4.99 a month or $49.99 for a one year plan.
Product Page [Mercora]
Press Release [Yahoo News via Mobile Mag]
Helium Digital HDBT-700 Bluetooth Headphones September 26, 2006
READ MORE Peripherals
Helium Digital has launched the HDBT-700 stereo Bluetooth headphones. The 700 is a pair of Bluetooth headphones with integrated controls and a discreet microphone—so they can transform into a fully functional headset that works with your Bluetooth-enabled cellphone. Helium Digital also released the HDBT-750, which is the same as the 700, but includes a 3.5mm Bluetooth adapter—so any audio adapter with a standard audio jack can work with these sexy headphones.
The 700 will retail for $71 and the 750 will go for $116.
Helium Digital HDBT-700 and HDBT-750 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones [Slashgear]
Seitz Roundshot D3 Panorama Camera Does a 360 in 2 Seconds September 26, 2006
READ MORE Digital cameras
This Roundshot D3 is probably out of our price range, seeing as it costs $37,463 for the mobile version and $34,906 for the studio version, but it's also probably one of the best panorama cams we've ever seen. This D3 can take in a 360 degree area in 2 seconds and produce a high resolution image of the whole shebang.
You can also fit the D3 sensor cassette onto other Seitz cameras, like the Seitz 6x17 Digital Panorama Camera. All this technology goes to make sure the next time you're apartment shopping on the web, you can actually feel like you're there in some dude's living room.
Press Release [Seitz via Camborg]
iHydra nano ... Seriously? September 26, 2006
READ MORE Peripherals
Is the iPod accessory market getting so competitive that companies are actually giving away accessories, with water bottles? That's a damn shame. This was found at Target, btw. Thanks, Stan
Sony’s GPS For The PSP September 26, 2006
READ MORE Consoles , Gadgets , Games , Peripherals , Portable Media , Wireless
Sony is busy right now, fending off price hike rumours and generally doing its best to avoid making anymore PS3-related screw-ups. However, at the Toyo Games Show, the company took time out to reveal a portable GPS receiver for the PSP – although it was a a strictly enforced ‘hands-off’ affair.
And this is what it looks like. It’s due out in Japan on December 7 and, despite the size of the photo above, showing it attached to a PSP, it only measures around 2ins square, is just 17mm thick and weighs in at 16g - just over half and ounce.
It will be used with certain games or software like the Minna no Golf-jou – yeah, I know. It has data though of all of Japan’s golf courses so that no matter which fairway you are on, you’ll be able to look up potential obstacles. Over there it will cost around £30. No UK details as of yet but will keep you posted.-Martin Lynch
Via Gamespot UK
Epson Launches High-End USB Projector September 26, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets
The EMP-1715 is a small projector that can connect via USB and even do multi-screen displays—up to four screen simultaneously, all with different content. The USB transferability also means that you can simply plug a USB flash drive into the projector and present slideshows without the need for a computer. The connectivity options don't end there; this projector also supports 802.11a/b/g wireless transmission. Oh and did I mention it only weighs a little over three pounds? At 2700 lumens brightness, this projector is ideal for a more business application, but it can still stream movies over the Wi-Fi connection, so don't eliminate it from your home theatre, yet.
Epson Ships World's First USB Projector [Epson]
Bendi Flexible Light-up Keyboard September 26, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets
Are you a secret agent that needs to use portable keyboards in places where there's little to no light? Probably not, but you can take this Bendi Light-Up Keyboard at home during the week, but pack it up easily to go to your real father's place on the weekends.
The keyboard glows blue whenever it's plugged in via USB, which means it's great when you're using it but awful if you want to leave your computer on at night. Available for $54.
Product Page [Gadget- via Coolest Gadgets]
Apple Shutters Aperture 1.1, Makes Room For Aperture 1.5 September 26, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets
Mac-using photographers rejoice as the Apple pre-Photokina special event gave them a new version of Aperture, now standing at version 1.5 If they already own 1.0 or 1.1, it's a free upgrade—if not, $300. Short list of new features: XMP support, 1600% zoom, improved export API.
Product Page [Apple]
Gizmodo Alum, Joel Johnson, Launches Dethroner September 26, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets
Gizmodo alumnus and pioneer Joel Johnson launched Dethroner today. Dethroner is the perfect guide for the imperfect man, kind of like a Men's Vogue, but actually written by a man, and actually for men. Good work, Joel. Now go check it out, you sheep.
Bangkok Airport Ditches Air-Conditioning for Water-Cooling September 26, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets
The 44-year-in-the-making Suvarnabhumi airport will open up later this week, replacing Bangkok's old Don Muang airport. Most interesting, this airport has no air conditioning, rather it uses a very eco-friendly "co-generation plant" system, or water-cooling as I like to call it. Cold water flows directly underneath the floors on all levels, keeping the air a steady 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit up to 8.2 feet above the ground.
Freaking hypocrites—the Kansas City airport can take my toothpaste from me, but Bangkok can have an entire airport filled with water. (Sorry, I'm still bitter about losing my sparkling kid's Crest)
World class airport with no air-conditioning? [Spluch]
Canon Launches M30, M80 Portable Photo Viewers September 26, 2006
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Canon has launched a couple gadgets with the photogs in mind. The M30 and M80 are portable photo viewers. They have a 3.7-inch TFT screen for reviewing images and video in a better quality than the one or two inch LCD integrated into your camera. The M30 has a 30GB hard drive and the M80 has an 80GB hard drive that can be used to dump images upon, on the go.
The M30 and M80 support CF and SD cards and will support a variety of file types including Canon RAW and audio files. With the included headphone jack these devices could even be MP3 players. No word on pricing or availability, but you should start saving—I doubt think they will be cheap. Thanks, John
Canon's New Portable Photo Viewers [BIOS]
Dragon Skin Bulletproof Vest Repels AK-47 Rounds September 26, 2006
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These bulletproof vests are the first to stop armor piercing rounds without using some bulky plate. They work better than traditional shit beat cops use because the fibers are woven tighter; and they're woven in a way that actually tightens up the weave upon impact by bullet or blade. They're soft enough to roll up into a ball, and are certified for dives, so they're appropriate for amphibious missions. It's what all the fashionable mercenaries are going to be wearing in 2007, trust us. Geek uses: Probably does not have a pocket for your gameboy, but will most likely stop shrapnel from exploding laptop batteries.
SOV 3000 Dragon Skin Bulletproof Vest [Defense Tech]
Orbiculus Thumbtacks: Everything's OK, Art.Lebedev? September 26, 2006
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Straight from the Art.Lebedev studio, that same group that promises to bring you its miraculous Optimus keyboard by the end of this year, are its less-ambitious Orbiculus thumbtacks, icons derived from a Mac-like user interface that you can bring into the physical world.
Get the set which contains Cancel, Play, Save, Yes and other buttons, or just get a set where everything is okay, all of them optimistically printed with the word "OK" on their smoothly-rounded surfaces. Or really keep everyone guessing with the Russian-language set. They're $10.63 for 10.
Product Page [Art.Lebedev, via Uber Review]
Olympus 3D Camera Carved Out of a Block of Wood September 26, 2006
READ MORE Digital cameras
Yeah, yeah, we know, there are a lot of camera posts here, but keep in mind that Photokina 2006 starts tomorrow, so we need to show you at least a few cameras. But wait. This one's different, an Olympus prototype of a 3D camera, and it's made of Japanese cypress wood. Not much info is available about the camera except that it uses a microscope lens. But that cypress wood body is said to be harder than any plastic, and hey, it looks positively gorgeous. We want one.
Olympus three dimensional camera made from Japanese evergreen wood [Far East Gizmos]
LG's Skinny Card Phone Targets Samsung September 26, 2006
READ MORE Digital Audio , Digital cameras , Gadgets , Home Entertainment , Mobile phones , Online , Smartphones , TV , Wireless
Samsung might think it's stolen a lead when it comes to slinky card-sized phones with its P310 but LG has just unveiled this little beauty: the LG-SB610.
It’s a tad over 1cm thin and boasts a 2in colour screen to go with the embedded DMB TV Tuner, video playback capabilities and MP3 player. Yes, proper TV on something this skinny? It’s a nice thought and a feature you won't get on the P310. The viewing angle is a claimed, yet good, 170 degrees and daylight viewing technology from XD Technology should help counteract those pesky rays of sunshine. No further details or price.
Launching in Korea this month it will hopefully see the light of day here in the coming months.
The Samsung model is expected out around the globe from next month and will cost upwards of £200.
More sexy pics of the LG after the jump. -Martin Lynch
Sony PS3 Games To Cost £52? September 26, 2006
READ MORE Consoles , Gadgets , Games , Home Entertainment , Peripherals , Portable Media , Storage
Does Sony have a death wish? If the latest rumours are true then it’s either the most stupid marketing ploy or a dark, sinister and genius plan to separate us from the money our parents work so damned hard for.
Reports from Tokyo, by a respected hack with lots of ‘inside sources’ claims that Sony will be charging up to £52 per PS3 game. The price range quoted runs from £39 to £52, all of which is scary stuff indeed and way more expensive than Xbox 360 titles that come in at £30-35 mark. Still this does not seem to fit in with Sony’s current PS3 pricing plan.
As you know, Sony recently announced that it was reducing the cost of the PS3 in Japan to counter competition from Wii and Xbox 360. Why then, would it be so cynical as to hike the games cost?
Surely it sees that such a move would drive more people away from the hideously expensive PS3.
Doesn’t it?
Take this rumour with a pinch of salt, methinks.- Martin Lynch
Mobile Phone Concerto Encourages Ringing Phones During Performance September 26, 2006
READ MORE Mobile phones
David Baker is a composer putting on a 15-minute, fully interactive mobile phone concerto at the Chicago Sinfonietta. Fully interactive meaning the audience members will be playing the concerto from the direction of Baker. The audience will be divided up into sections and red and green lights will tell the audience when to activate their ringtones. Baker told Reuters that this piece would reflect the "wonderful balance" between order and chaos in society—wow, that was deep, man. There will be two performances of the mobile phone concerto—on October 1 and 2.
Information Page [Via BBC New]
Remote Flying with VR Goggles and a Camera September 26, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets
Here's a remarkable video shot from the cockpit of a radio-controlled airplane. The camera's video is transmitted to the flyer on the ground below, who's wearing VR goggles. When he moves his head, the remote camera's pans and tilts correspond exactly to his movements. The result is a extraordinary feeling of actually being in the plane. Shouldn't all R/C airplanes be made this way?
A new way to control R/C planes! [Digg]
Sanyo Xacti DMX-CG6 September 26, 2006
READ MORE Digital cameras
This is Sanyo's latest addition to their line of Xacti handheld video cams. The DMX-CG6 is an upgrade from the DMX-C6 (or X6, as it is known over here). It is a tad smaller and includes a nice 2.5-inch screen. It has a 6-megapixel sensor and uses fancy pants Sanyo technologies for high-quality video. The DMX-CG6 will be available in a silver, blue or pink (!!) for £220ish in late November.
Sanyo Xacti DMX-CG6 [Akihabara]
MusicMug DAP Speakers are Cheaper, More Efficient than Starbucks September 26, 2006
READ MORE Digital Audio , Peripherals , Portable Media
You may enjoy your quadruple decaf no foam latte deluxe, but can it play some freaking sweet tunes from your iPod or other digital audio player? Hell no! This mug can. The music mug is a bone china coffee mug with a speaker built into the base. It's just so much cooler than any other iPod dock, even though the playback is probably pretty weak. It is available in white or black for £20 or so, which is pretty good for a powerless DAP dock.
Musicmug whacky speakers for your iPod [newlaunches]
Pileus Umbrella Has Projector Built Into Grip September 26, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets
Jeez, we see enough umbrellas around here to keep us dry in Seattle, but this one's different: the Pileus umbrella has a projector in its handle that shines photos or video onto the canopy above. Teamed up with the Pileus web service, it can also log in to a Flickr or YouTube account, projecting that content onto the umbrella.
This peculiar idea, now in the prototype stage, also assumes many people will have these projector/umbrella grips, and will somehow be motivated to pass their projectors along to other users, trading pictures for everyone's amusement. Why you'd want to look at somebody else's pictures and trade away your valuable projector, we have no idea.
These guys are going to need more than a fakey-looking photoshopped graphic and a crude prototype to convince us that this is anywhere near viable. That's going to have to be an unusually bright projector to overcome daylight, even on rainy day, with some powerful batteries, too. Might be cool at night, though.
Product Page [Pileus] (Thanks, Stephen!)
Guitar Mania Amp for Guitar Game Controllers September 26, 2006
READ MORE Consoles , Gadgets , Games
The Guitar Mania Amplifier 28r works in conjunction with recently popular guitar-based video games like Guitar Hero. It plugs directly into your TV then helps pump out some 30 watts of power. Best of all, the amp features .25-inch inputs to plug in real guitars in case you want to venture in the real instrument arena. For the rich and/or spoiled kids in the audience, there's also the Ultimate Rock Star Gaming package. This little number includes the amp, a wireless guitar controller and a flame guitar strap. Yes, looking like a wannabe has never been easier.
As fun as simulated guitar playing is, still no word on the manufacturer's site regarding price or availability, even though the finely worded press release directs you to the Web site for such info. Makes sense to me.
Guitar Mania Home Page [The Ant Commandos via Ubergizmo]
VistaQuest Keychain Camera September 26, 2006
READ MORE Digital cameras
Big cameras take great pictures but there's an opportunity cost: one of the obvious secrets to digital photography is to actually have your camera with you. That'll be easy with this improbably small 2.5-inch-wide VistaQuest keychain camera which takes 3-megapixel stills and 640x480 video.
Pop in an SD card for even more storage space, but be sure not to run out of AAA batteries. It's £40, available at the end of this week.
Product page [Hammacher Schlemmer, via Newlaunches]
Shots Liquor Console: Bedspins Even Before You Imbibe September 26, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets
Okay, my little droogies, get ready for the ultra-viol with this liquor bottle holder by J.P. Meulendijks that can be set on its side as a coffee table or stood up on end as a console. The Shots Liquor Console's 10 oddly-angled recesses are the perfect size for liquor or wine bottles, and will make you feel inebriated before you've even taken your first sip. All this high style doesn't come cheap, though, it'll cost you over a thousand bucks.
Shots Liquor Console by J.P. Meulendijks [Liquor Snob]
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