Posted by admin

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 3:40PMWe feel for all of you in California who are dealing with the new hands-free legislation that came down upon you today like an edict from your overlords. If you’re one of the unlucky few who get nailed by the 5-0 for talking on your cellphone while driving, though, there’s some silver in those dark clouds. Headsets.com is giving away the Plantronics Discovery 925 bluetooth earpiece — worth $150 clams — in exchange for proof that you were pulled over. Now, don’t go talking on your cellphone in the hope of getting one of these, though — that $20 fine could get you a decent headset today anyway.

• Read
• Permalink
• Email this
• 24 Comments

Filed under: cellphones, Transportation

Posted by admin

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 5:54PM
Although Linux-based Tomato and DD-WRT firmwares work with a plethora of routers, Netgear is getting savvy with its marketing by actually aiming its WGR614L at tweakers who just melt upon hearing either term. The so-called open source Wireless-G router features a 240MHz MIPS32 CPU, 4MB of flash memory, 16MB of RAM, an external 2 dBi antenna and a second internal diversity antenna to enhance range. Additionally, the unit will “soon” support OpenWRT, and there’s also four 10/100 Ethernet ports in case you’re looking for a bit of wired action as well. Potentially best of all, the WGR614L is available as we speak for a very manageable $69.

• Read
• Permalink
• Email this
• 22 Comments

Filed under: Networking

Posted by admin

The Asus Eee PC has certainly set an unpredecented, er, precedent, moving thousands of units and proving to the world that there is a market for a tiny notebook which does the most basic of tasks minus the bloated bells and whistles of much more expensive devices. 3K Computers has taken up this challenge, and they recently announced their second generation of RazorBook 400 mini-notebook computer in the form of the 3K RazorBook 400 Mini Notebook Ultra Mobile PC which is powered by Windows CE. It tips the scales at just under a kilogram (now that’s worth lugging around in press conferences and events such as CES), boasting a highly affordable price tag of $299. At that price, what can you expect? Head on after the jump for more details.

The RazorBook 400 is perfect as a low-cost portable internet appliance for mobile professionals, students, internet browsing on the go, playing Flash games, secure online shopping, instant messaging, and playing music and movies while on the road. With a boot-up time of less than 8 second, the RazorBook 400 was designed to be turned on and off instantly just like any other appliance in your home. The energy-saving RISC architecture processor is fan-less and offers completely quiet computing with very low energy consumption. Without a spinning hard disk drive, the RazorBook 400 is shock-resistant and touts 4GB of solid-state storage for your documents or media files.

It really sounds like a direct competitor the the first generation Asus Eee PC, although it does run on a Windows platform instead of Linux, making it more user friendly to people who are just starting out. This second generation UMPC is tipped for a July or August release, which is by no coincidence the middle of the “back-to-school” season.

Press Release

• Email to a friend
• Leave a comment

Posted by admin

The Un-ltd PRO-MC (UNX-8507) is a digital camera accessory, being a magnifying glass that is meant for use with digital cameras that feature 3″ LCD monitors. The function of this magnifying glass is to increase the image so that you will be able to make a better judgement before each photo is taken. I don’t think it is that essential unless you’re attending photography classes and know more stuff than the casual shutterbug. Features include multiple coating lens on both sides, letting the magnifying glass cut excessive light to produce a quality magnified image. You will be able to purchase the rubber UNX-8507 magnifying glass in Japan for $47.

Posted by admin

From tomorrow (1st July), Sky will be re-branding their Sky HD service to “Sky+ HD“, and reducing the price significantly. I believe the name change has been done to avoid confusion with people thinking that Sky HD does not include the recording and pausing features as offered by the Sky+ service.

Now for the interesting part, Sky has reduced the price of the Sky+ HD box by £100!, down to £149 from £249. I’m sure this price drop will make Sky’s HD service a whole lot more tempting! Sky+ HD really does offer the best HD service in the U.K, you can read my Sky+ HD review here, and join Sky at the best prices here.

There has never been a better time to join or upgrade to Sky HD.

Posted by admin

The battle of the bulge is a never ending one, and more often than not your pot belly emerges truimphant. Small Bite Inc. has developed a tiny device that could help you lose weight simply by preventing you from taking large bites during your meal. This small contraption fits in the mouth and restricts jaw movement, and you will be able to see results within six to nine months, so those looking for a quick fix can give this a miss and rely on other get-slim-quick schemes. Well, I’d take a more pro-active step and hit the treadmill at the gym daily instead. Which is your preferred weight loss method?

Posted by admin

Ahh, the Fourth of July: time for hot dogs, fireworks — and gadgets.

This week, the Gadget Lab and Wired magazine crew are proud to give you a sneak preview of our best online review package yet, the 2008 Summer Test section.

This year, our reviews have a timely Olympic theme. We rounded up the coolest summer sports gear – everything from swim goggles to kayaks, and golf putters to cyclo-cross bikes. You need to know about the hottest cycling shades or data-driven watches as well? Hey, we’ve got you covered.

We’ve also put these reviews in a flashy new format that we think will make our reviews more accessible, easier to read and easier to browse than ever before.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll find inside: Our head-to-head comparison of three cyclo-cross bikes.

What do you think of the new reviews format? Check out our lineup of summer product reviews, then let us know in the comments below!

Posted by admin

This new concept car is, to say the least, odd. In fact unless you were briefed beforehand it might take you a while to work out what it is; a concept car from Peugot cleverly disguised as a squashed drinks can. Nevertheless this façade is complimented by some very savvy specifications, some of which are given away by its name, the ‘Ozone’.

It’s name derives from the fact that its powered by ‘environmentally friendly’ hydrogen fuel cells which power the two electric motors, and in turn the large wheels which sit either side of the cabin. This two person cabin is both spacious and luxurious, and it goes some way to epitomizing the contemporary world in which we live today, which is only emphasized by the fact that this is controlled by a joystick!

However it is probably a good job that very few concept cars ever make it to mass production because this has many flaws that would make this very impractical. First, although the cabin doesn’t move when the car is moving when you brake hard, surely you would get at least a weird sensation? Also it would be somewhat disconcerting going at 70mph with two massive wheels 20cm away from your head, and these wheels surely also cause a safety issue if you were to hit someone? And also there are very few roads that would be wide enough to accommodate this car.

In conclusion: its a good concept, but little more than that due to its great practical shortfalls.

Via [GearFuse]

Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed →

Posted by admin

You don’t have to be Chinese to decorate your home with lanterns, and with this set of half dozen Solar Lanterns, you don’t have to worry about spending more on your monthly power bill since they prefer to harness the power of our sun instead.

This beautiful collection of six Solar Party Lanterns provides a soft, warm glow that will spread through your party, so even though the sun has gone down, you don’t have to. Your stunning set of solar lantern are enchanting garden decorations, as well as practical, energy efficient party lights, and have been beautifully crafted to imitate delicate Chinese outdoor lanterns. Adorn your garden or camping pitch with three red lanterns and three hypnotic color-changing lanterns. All are solar-powered, so no batteries are ever needed, and light up automatically at dusk when switched to ‘on’ mode. Order yours now and enjoy the balmy summer evenings long into the night.

Each set of Solar Lanterns will retail for £29.95.

• Email to a friend
• Leave a comment

Posted by admin

Plant killers, repentance and redemption is at hand! The PlantSense GardenGlo is the right product to help you move towards a green thumb, thanks to sensors located in its USB-powered stakes that are pushed into the soil and connected to your computer. These sensors will pick up all the relevant data of your soil and transmit it to the computer, where you can then have a visual analysis of the whole situation while taking stock of it. Perfect for those who aren’t sure whether there is enough water, sunlight and moisture in the environment. The PlantSense GardenGro will cost $59.95 per stake and will be available from Q4 onwards.