Devices Site

RC Mini Forklift
Quite simply the most wonderful R/C toy in the known Universe. A nine function, three speed, mini Fork-Lift truck that'll have you completely hooked in a nanosecond.

You can have this for ?34.95

The Bathtub Cleaning Drill Brush, which may be constructed using the supplied how-to, is an ingenious meeting of the motors.

Using standard household tools, one can create a simple attachment able to scrub with an intensity and consistency the human forearm cannot match.

Looking at the picture of a completed example, however, I cannot help but remember what I was once told by a police detective who focused on meth lab cases. This was in the southwestern town where I used to live, in rural New Methsico.

Meth addicts, he told me, ultimately suffer from diminished sense of touch. This leads inexorably to power tools being attached to, well, you know what, because the standard fare becomes ineffective. You’d go to a meth lab bust, look in the bedroom and yep, there it was. Every time.

I had buried the memory of this conversation, until I saw the Bathtub Cleaning Drill Brush.

Cleaning with power tools [Make]

If you’re a Bejeweled puzzle game fan, then you’ll want to hear about a major update being released by Astraware. The update, for Palm OS and Windows Mobile, will allow players some flexibility in how their Bejeweled 2 game is displayed by enabling support for a 240×240 square screen for Windows Mobile and Palm OS devices in addition to 320×320 support for Windows Mobile Professional and other classic devices. This latest update is especially big news for Windows Mobile Standard devices, since this update introduces the very first release for that platform.

The new Windows Mobile Standard version will support 240×320 and 320×240 non-touchscreen devices. Devices supported include the HTC S710, HTC StrTrk, Samsung Blackjack & Blackjack II, and Motorola Q and Q9. The good news for registered users is that this latest update for Bejeweled 2, version 1.3, is free. If you haven’t purchased the game, then you can do so through the Bejeweled 2 website. All versions of the game retail for US$19.95 and support Palm OS, Windows Mobile Pocket PC, and smartphone platforms. A deluxe version for Windows PC is also available.

If you’ve never played Bejeweled, then the good news is that you can also download a trial version. It can be a pretty addictive game. That the game has been around for quite awhile now is a testament to that. Expanding the availability of the mobile version of this game ensures even more people will be able to enjoy it for years to come.

Read more from the Astraware press release and the Bejewled 2 website.

The long running rumor about The Beatles music coming to iTunes had recently resurfaced, and once again was quickly proven untrue, so now it only makes sense that we should see the unlimited download plan stories start to resurface. The Financial Times is reporting that Apple is again talking with the “major music companies to offer customers free access to its entire iTunes music library in exchange for paying a premium for its iPods and iPhones.”

According to the story the negotiations are stalled over just how much Apple is willing to pay up, Apple of course had not made any statement confirming or denying the story. We here would tend to believe this one is not true, but hey stranger things have happened.

Read [Reuters]

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Inflatable Beer Bucket
A take-anywhere inflatable instant booze bucket.

You can have this for ?7.95

Corel today announced the latest release of Corel WinDVD.

Corel WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray features a new user interface, new video technologies including advanced upscaling that enables users to create near-high-definition viewing with standard-definition DVDs, enhanced Blu-ray Disc playback, as well as the latest in high-definition surround sound.

New User Interface

-Graphite Interface – The sophisticated graphite design blends seamlessly with a Microsoft® Windows® XP or Windows Vista® desktop.

-Navigation Controls – The de-cluttered user interface displays a clean, sleek look where navigation controls can be hidden instantly. Users will find advanced audio and video controls to easily personalize the playback experience.

WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray maximizes the viewing experience with state-of-the-art video upscaling technologies including:

-Unique Trimension All2HD Upscaling – Converts standard-definition DVDs and videos to crisp near-high-definition video without the added expense of high-definition drives and media.

-Digital Natural Motion – Removes the judder effect from fast-motion scenes for the smoothest possible playback creating a better-than-original look.

-De-snow Filter – Removes digital noise from MPEG, H.264 and VC-1 low-resolution video to provide a clearer viewing experience.

-De-block Filter – Removes blocky digital artifacts from MPEG, H.264 and VC-1 compressed video.

Enhanced Blu-ray Disc Playback

With WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray, users can enjoy 1080p high-definition Hollywood blockbusters or Blu-ray Disc home movies.

-Advanced Interactive Content Support – Next-generation interactivity provides access to pop-up menus or picture-in-picture features with full BD-J support, all without interrupting the movie.

-Latest Surround Sound Technologies – Dolby® Digital Plus, Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD surround sound support are included in WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray for the ultimate audio experience.

-Next-Generation Hardware Acceleration – Experience superb playback of the most demanding titles with support for NVIDIA® PureVideo® HD and ATI Avivo™ HD hardware acceleration providing increased user support of high-definition playback.

-Fully Compliant with Content Protection Systems – Supports HDCP, AACS and BD+ to ensure worry-free playback now and into the future.

-AVCHD – Supports playback of video from AVCHD camcorders copied from the camcorder hard drive, on AVCHD disc or memory card.

Laptop Features

WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray optimizes the on-the-go movie viewing experience with the latest laptop features including:

-Battery Optimization – Extends the life of the laptop’s battery providing extended playback time.

-TimeStretch – Increases video and audio playback speed so users never miss the ending of their favorite movie while traveling.

-Smart Stretch – Provides standard or widescreen viewing allowing flexibility for varying movie and laptop types.

-Virtual Surround Sound – Supports virtual surround sound technologies even when listening on headphones and stereo speakers.

Intel is proud to bring good old Wi-Fi connectivity to the rural areas with the Rural Connectivity Platform. While other areas and companies are considering to go in the other direction, what with the recent 700MHz auction and the introduction of WiMax, Intel has found a solution to extend a Wi-Fi signal between antennas that are 60 miles away.

The new wireless technology called the RCP can connect rural and remote villages especially in the developing countries to the Internet. Data rates are set at 6.5 bits a second. Jeff Galinovsky, Intel’s Senior Platform Manager explains that wiring up remote villages is not just possible because you can’t lay cable. Pulling it up out from the ground and making Wi-Fi signal more robust is the less expensive solution. For less than $1,000, students in poor countries can be tremendously helped by the RCT.

The hardware has already been tested and installed in some Asian countries like Vietnam, Panama, India, and South Africa. However, India will be Intel’s first official RCT market as it will be sold for less than $500 before the year ends.

Intel also points out that it’s not the router hardware that enables a stronger Wi-Fi signal but the software. The RCP platform according to Technology Review, rewrites the communication rules of Wi-Fi radios. Galinovsky further explains that:

“The software creates specific time slots in which each of the two radios listens and talks, so there’s no extra data being sent confirming transmissions.”

It is also possible that the radios used will be powered using solar energy. Having said that, looks like Intel has once again made a huge step forward in terms of Internet innovation.

Via [Technology Review]

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Ever wondered what is inside the Eye-Fi SD memory card? Well wonder no more, as IkonTools has just taken one of those and placed it under a skilful surgeon’s knife, revealing it’s innards for all and sundry to see. Just check out the WiFi radio (number seven is the antenna) and marvel at how small everything has become today. I wonder when a microSD version of the Eye-Fi will be released.

Talk about a realistic racing simulator - the Striker Simulator from Motorsport Simulators clearly places you in the thick of action, only if you have the dough to purchase one. You get an open wheel trainer that comes with the works, including the following :-

• Turn-key, no assembly required with quick mount plasmas
• Plasma displays come with their own hard anvil case for transport
• Suspended Formula Tub, Pro Mazda Replica with a large cavity
• Three axis-motion with programmable rates and speed
• Triple 50″ professional series plasma displays with 3,840 x 1,024 resolution
• Full hydraulic adjustable race pedal assembly
• Computer controlled force feedback detachable steering wheel assembly
• Programmable shift lights
• Both sequential and paddle shifters
• Radio wiring harness with simulator audio feed
• High fidelity sound system and bass transducers
• Video/audio streaming with telemetry support allowing remote collaboration
• Hundreds of tracks and cars included
• Motec data acquisition and telemetry support

The price to pay for such luxury? $12,242 to be exact.

Sleep is always sweet especially after you’re trying to recover from a long, hard day at the office. The Music Pillow helps add music to your rest, as it can be hooked up to a music player. Unfortunately, it doesn’t draw power from your device so you’ll have to make sure that there is a quartet of AAA batteries ready at all times for 10 hours of non-stop audio playback. The Music Pillow retails for $19.90 a pop and is inflatable, so you can blow it up to a certain comfortable size no matter how large/small your head is.