Devices Site

Posted Mar 4th 2008 3:48AM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: Peripherals
We’re not sure how many of you were so hopelessly addicted to the IOGEAR Digital Scribe that you clamored for a mobile version, but the company has somehow heard your cries and duly provided. Just like big brother, the Mobile Digital Scribe comes in two parts: the pen itself, which used ordinary ink in addition to transmitting your doodled masterworks, and the USB receiver, which has been shrunken in size and given a detachable mini-USB cord. The receiver also now has enough memory to hold up to 50 pages of scribblings, which you can download back to your PC for OCR later. Interestingly, you’ll pay a $30 premium over the original Digital Scribe for all these hot new features — we suppose no one at IOGEAR has used one of these to sketch out a demand curve, eh?

Solar chargers aren’t exactly the most sexy accessories to have in the gadget world, but as they become more and more popular, chances are the aesthetics will improve along with its efficiency. Enter the Freeloader 8.0 that features 11 adapters - capable of providing an additional 44 hours for a cell phone, 22 hours for a PDA, 18 hours for audio playback on an ipod, and 2.5 hours for a PSP. This Freeloader is rather small since it is a wee bit larger than an iphone despite packing all that juice. If you’re a frequent traveler, what kind of chargers do you carry around?

Lifecar, a hydrogen-powered sports car which will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, is said to hit 0-60 mph in seven seconds, with a maximum speed of 90 mph. It looks pretty sweet, and has a range of 250 miles before a refill is required. Well, a green car that looks pretty mean and is capable of smoking a fair number of stock vehicles from a standing start? Where do I sign up? Unfortunately, thsi concept car still does not have an easy way to refuel it, and with the lack of a stereo system and airbags, I doubt you will find it roadworthy.

Only a few short months ago Sony announced that they were going to stop manufacturing RPTV sets (rear projection) to concentrate on the other display forms. And now, at the end of this month, Sony will end production of it’s CRT Trinitron sets.

The extremely popular Sony Trinitron has been around since 1968 and now 40 years later, they have produced and sold over 280 million units worldwide. Sony will now focus on their LCD and OLED displays. Currently their Bravia LCD range are some of the best selling HDTVs in the world.

Trinitron has had an amazing run and has been a major part of Sony’s success, but technology moves on, and people don’t want a huge box in the corner of the room, choosing a nice slim set on the wall.

RC Hydrofly

The Mega Tech HydroFly is one amazing machine, calling this a toy does not really give it the justice it deserves. The Hydrofly is a tri- functional radio control toy, well you could call it a boat, plane or even a car but you would be wrong because this mean machine is all three built into one. The HydroFly will scream over water, race along the ground and even take to the sky at the push of a button. The HydroFly’s high-torque motor, high impact double coated wing structure and 1000ft range make this machine the best radio control toy we have ever seen, to put it simply its insane! The Hydro-fly charges up in only 20 minutes with its cleverly designed in-car quick charger which incorporates a built-in timer so there is no going back home just to recharge the batteries. It is very fast and very powerful and makes light work of grass, water or any hard surface, it is so fast and we mean fast. It can reach speeds of 50mph, and is ideal for those wanting to get control of something more than just a boat, plane or car. You can take this baby on the road and then when you get bored straight into the air and then land it on your local pond to make light work of your mates speed boat.   It comes with a free flying lesson consultation (by phone) and if you have any problems you can call the Megatech helpline for some advice.     HydroFly Features Powerful high torque motor Makes light work of your local field or even your local pond Takes to the air vertically at the push of a button Includes 12v DC in-car quick charger with timer (no going home to re-charge) Includes 3 spare propellers Includes tool kit to get your HydroFly up and runner Impressive 1000ft range Charges in only 20 minutes Requires an in-car cigarette lighter for charging. Includes rechargable 9.6V 8 cell NI-MH heat sensor battery pack Requires 8 x AA Batteries for controller (not included) Size: 50 x 48 x 6cm The HydroFly is simply an amazing machine at an affordable price!  

Technorati Tags: Toys 4 Boys

The Getac PS535E will definitely be a favorite with butterfingers and those who can’t seem to keep their mobile devices out of harm’s way, asit is fully compliant with MIL-STD 810F and IP54 compliance, making it vibration & drop-shock resistant. Some of the features include :-

• Windows Mobile 5.0 Premium
• 3.5″ TFT LCD display
• GPS receiver
• WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
• SD memory card slot
• Integrated microphone and speaker
• mini USB port

Posted Mar 3rd 2008 8:30PM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: Desktops, Media PCs
We were originally supposed to see a “limited rollout” of Surface in 2007, which obviously didn’t happen — but despite the delays, Microsoft is apparently now feeling confident enough in the tech to let B- and C-list celebrities grope at it during the 2008 National Heads-Up Poker Championship Drawing Party at Harrah’s Casino. Unlike the standard demos we saw at CES which involved relentlessly upbeat hipster presenters doing things like making custom snowboard designs, the motley crew at Harrah’s was apparently only allowed to crudely write their names on photographs of themselves. You can almost see the joy in Jason Alexander’s face, can’t you? Sadly, it looks like Don Cheadle wasn’t able to erase whatever’s printed on his jacket (seriously, uh, cool jacket, Cheadle) and poor Shannon Elizabeth didn’t seem to be able make anything happen at all. Maybe Microsoft should have fired up that Hungry Hungry Hippos clone and let these fools battle out instead. All the photos at the read link for the crazed VH-1 fans in the house.

These indoor/outdoor herb gardens from UncommonGoods (for $16 each), would make nice house-warming gifts, even for someone who doesn’t have a green thumb. Each garden comes in a biodegradable pot made of renewable grain husks, mainly rice hulls, with soil and seeds to grow lemon basil, garlic chives, or parsley. These are the only selections, but if they had cilantro and sage, I’d cover my deck with them during the spring and summer, and set them by my kitchen window during the winter.