Devices Site

I always love those building block toy sets such as the Erector, K’nex, and the Almighty Lego. The only problem is that these sets are incompatible with each other. However, the Uberstix, a new construction kit toy, is designed to connect to all of the aforementioned building toy brands, even the Zoobs (although I never heard of that one).

The basic Uberstix building set contains about 450 pieces that allow the player to build cool things such as a ray gun, sailboat, and other models. There is a separate kit available for the ultra cool Uberpult, which allows you to fling things. As you can see, all sorts of construction toys are used in the making of these models, even non-construction toy materials such as spoons and even bottled water bottles under the ships.

The Uberstix Building Set basic kit is priced at $39.99, and includes 450 UberStix pieces. The Uberpult kit is available at a lower price for $19.99 and has 181 pieces. If you are looking for a challenge, you can also buy the Uberstix Architectural Series Set, a 1600-piece building kit that allows you to build a five foot tall skyscraper.

Now, if Uberstix was compatible with Tinkertoys and Lincoln Logs, then everyone would be happy.

Source

BFG Technologies (a known add-in-card maker) is partnering with NVIDIA to auction 5 cards with a special edition box featuring Jen-Hsun (Jensen) Huang blasting aliens (He is the co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA). This photo was taken by Rick Dahms for the cover of the issue of Fortune Magazine in which NVIDIA was named “company of the year”. Inside the boxes, the cards have been autographed by Jensen and Scott Kerkelman, President of BFG.

The real point of all this is that the auction proceeds will go to Child’s Play, a “community based charity grown and nurtured from the game culture and industry” that provides toys and games to hospitalized kids in North America. Additionally, NVIDIA will match 100% of the auction proceeds. Add horsepower to your computer and do a good thing at the same time, it doesn’t sound like a bad deal. There’s also a chance to win a complete “package” at hardOCP

Anyone hoping for another UIQ-based superphone can avert their eyes right now, but otherwise, hold on — Sony Ericsson might just be onto something with its upcoming G502. The sleek black candybar should freshen the dead center of SE’s lineup with a QVGA display, 2 megapixel camera, HSDPA, Memory Stick M2-expandable storage, and the NetFront browser that’s become a hallmark of Sony Ericsson’s better non-smartphone devices. Rumor has it it’ll get official on the 24th — just two short days from now — so get your popcorn ready, or whatever it is that you and your family do when you’re gathering around the computer in anticipation of a new handset announcement.
[Source]

There’s no such thing as too many shoes or USB Ports. Kensington can’t help with the first, but does have the brilliant new Ci70 which has two easy-access USB 2.0 ports for quick connection to cameras, MP3 players, thumb drives, etc. See that built-in mini USB connector with cable? Just plug in your camera or phone and start downloading those photos for your Facebook page.

With a 35% smaller footprint and low-profile design, it saves on desk space and, they say, “reduces clutter,” though I haven’t seen a difference in my pile of post-it notes, press releases, iphone cases . . . maybe the next version will organize my desk? Vacuum?

There are five keyboard hot keys for instant access to mail, media, and search, and media keys offer volume control, track control, play and pause. I like the soft-touch keys which provide a nice, responsive touch, but what really sets this apart are the USB ports and mini-USB connector.

PC and Mac compatible. Approx. $49.99 at Kensington or pre-order for from Amazon.

An organization called the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has begun publishing a list of valid channel distributors for semiconductor parts. The idea is to curb the rampant piracy that is reportedly happening in China and other parts of the world.

One of the more common problems is the rebranding of various chip components. A particular chip capable of 10 units of performance is illegally rebranded as being capable of 12, for example. It is sold for a quick profit and this is something the SIA is trying to stop.

The problem is more widespread than might be thought. A particular company has seen more than 100 separate parts affected over the past three years. Another has seen more than 6,000 parts seized by various countries’ customs officials.

Read more at EE Times.

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 22nd 2008 at 9:41PM
Though it pains us so, there’s not an awful lot of information out there just yet on MeLE’s forthcoming do-it-all PMP. Spotted at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, the admittedly beefy unit was seen sporting a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 resolution display, a relatively gigantic bezel and room for a 2.5-inch hard drive within. If we had to guess, we’d surmise that it’ll play nice with pretty much any useful audio / video format on the planet, but it seems the price and release date are still cloaked in mystery.

[Via SlashGear]

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Filed under: GPS, Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

It’s one thing to bust out your own Eee PC wannabe knowing full well it isn’t apt to catch on, but the Airis Kira 100 isn’t even different enough to warrant such a label. No, this copycat smells, looks and likely feels just like Asus’ darling, packing a 7-inch 800 x 480 resolution display, a 1GHz Via C7 processor, gigabit Ethernet / modem jacks, integrated multicard reader, a pair of USB 2.0 ports, 802.11b/g WiFi, built-in webcam and a battery good for “four hours.” Oh please, don’t tell us you’re seriously considering this €299 ($476) imposter just because of the loud paint jobs. Wait, are you?
[Source]

Okay, so Netflix’s first quarter conference call is finally over. The good news? The Los Gatos-based DVD-by-mail company is still schooling Blockbuster. The interesting news? CEO Reed Hastings says the company is planning on even more partnerships with A-list consumer electronics companies.

"We have LG plus three additional partners actively working on integrating our technology into their products," said Hastings during the call. "Three of the four partners are major companies, which each sell millions of devices per year and will enable the Netflix functionality in some of those devices likely in the fourth quarter of this year," Hastings hinted. He added: "The fourth partner is a small company, which will likely launch sooner than Q4."

The partnership with LG is old news, but we’re definitely interested in the other mystery partners. We figure at least one of the larger ones has to be Microsoft, but who do you think the other two are? Sound off in the comments.

[Release]

This strange looking device is actually quite neat. It’s called the Bedfan and it’s meant for those of you that are ‘hot’ sleepers and need a bit more airflow around you but perhaps without the noise and space requirements of a floor standing fan. Also, this can be geared specifically for 1 sleeper, particularly useful if you share the bed with your significant other and they don’t want this additional air.

The Bedfan runs on just 12V via an AC adapter and pulls in air from under your bed and pushes it where you direct it, perhaps in between your bedsheet and blanket. The speed is adjustable and it can pump out 100 CFM of airflow.

The picture below will give you a better idea of how this works.

It easily installs without tools. Just place the bracket in between your mattress and box spring.

Gimme!
More info from the manufacturer
Price: $99.95
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

via OhGizmo!

Posted in Gizmo of the Day, Home Automation

Tude Beams
It can be perilous to expose one’s softer side whilst amongst friends. For example by stroking a small kitten. Or by commenting on how pretty the flowers are looking that day. Your friends may not understand your comments and may laugh.

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