Octava HDMI Cross Switch: Cheap October 22, 2006
READ MORE Home Entertainment
With the emergence of HDMI as a popular audio/video connection, home theatre buffs will require HDMI switchers, but so will the cheapies who bought stripped down HDTVs with only 1 input.
The Octava 3x2 Cross Switch can take 3 HDMI/DVI signals and place them, in any combination, on 2 HD displays by bundled remote. They call it "Picture By Picture", which cracked me up enough to post the story.
The unit also claims to improve digital video signals...probably by an ancient wizard imbuing the device with magical powers. But what we like? The unit runs $274, or about half the price of a popular 4x2 switcher. Until HDMI switchers are as inexpensive as their RCA counterparts, the Octava looks like a good deal.
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1978 Heuer Ford RS Motorsport: Retro Tech October 22, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets
Why buy new retro when you can buy retro retro? This 1978 watch features dual LCD displays - the second of which solely displays the Ford logo. And those metal boob-thingies in the front? They are the batteries designed to look like spark plug pods.
This may be the only one left in the world, and it can be yours for $4,800. We consider $4,800 a reasonable price to pay for a new TAG Heuer, so this actually isn't that bad of a deal.
Product Page [via coolhunter]
More Gadgets = More Robberies October 22, 2006
READ MORE Press
In Britain, or as we say in America, Land of the Funny Talkers, robbery rose by 5% over a period of three months this year. Though the headline read something like, "iPods Alone Are Completely Responsible for Crime," here is what the chief constable had to say:
"[Robbery increases have] a lot to do with the products that are available to be stolen these days. The mobile phone explosion is continuing. The iPod explosion is continuing. All of these gadgets that people carry around with them are very attractive to robbers, so that puts the opportunities up. We've obviously got to respond to that in a very positive way."
You know what that means, time for a poll!
News Story [policeoracle]
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LG KB6100: Makes Calls, Records Television October 22, 2006
READ MORE Smartphones
LG just announced their KB6100 mobile phone that not only allows you to watch TV via Korea's T-DMB network (wireless digital broadcast), and can also record the shows you want to watch later in PVR fashion. These shows can either be played back during boring weddings/funerals or transferred to your computer via USB for later viewing.
The KB86100 features EVDO, MUVEE music video production, MP3 playback, dinky 1.3 megapixel camera, screen with 170-degree viewing angle and no word on how it actually stores video.
By the way: LG KB6100 is 10.95mm thick—skinnier than the RAZR by about 3mm. This is the first phone in a long time that's made me reassess my role as a US citizen. Seriously, this phone is so hot it doesn't need glam shots with a sexy Korean model; it is the model.
News Story [via textually]
Stress-o-Meter: A Necessity October 22, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets
Are you stressed? Are you stressed that you might be stressed? Thank God we have the Stress-o-Meter.
How it works: the possibly stressed tentatively places their fingers in the groves. Tentatively we said! You could be really stressed here. Plus, it's important you don't stress over the result, lest you get a "false positive". The unit senses your "vibrations" and informs you via highly accurate Wheel of Fortune display whether it's time to call in sick for some rest, or show up to work with the AK-47. $21, but who can put a price on a perfectly timed public massacre/suicide?
Product Page [via crunchgear]
Glass CD - Sounds Like A** October 22, 2006
READ MORE Digital Audio
N & F Label will sell you a glass CD for $830. Touted as completely transparent (unlike plastic), the sound quality can transmit near perfectly because of less cloudy interference for the laser. And glass is also far less likely to bend or warp in heat than its plastic bretheren.
But we're calling bullshit. First, there is no mention of any special, higher level of audio encoding than current CDs offer. And even if there were, why would we put these digital audio files onto glass to play them back? Why not just leave them on a hard drive or solid-state flashmedia?
Oh, and glass, yes, way to make the product out a completely indestructible material. Nothing can break, scratch or warp glass. Wait, that's why we invented plastic.
News Story [via therawfeed]
Plastic has Wood: Gets Harder October 22, 2006
READ MORE Gadgets
Researchers from Syracuse have found that mixing nanocrystals of cellulose with plastics creates a substance that strengthens plastic "by a factor of 3,000". And it's environmentally friendly with the cellulose parts biodegrading within 90 days.
Why wood? Aside from the vast possibilities of new sexual innuendo, wood has more cellulose than other plants, so scientists get more bang for their buck of raw materials. We'd question why scientists aren't combining titanium with plastic instead, but we don't want to be too hard on them.
BTW: We realize that this picture isn't the actual product...or is it...with Syracuse just taking the credit...
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Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
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