Archive for March, 2008
Tuesday, March 25th, 2008
You could really use a portable computer, but you’re not ready to feed your tower PC rig to the scrap metal dudes? No problem, you can try combining both into a more compact design. No, I’m not hinting at a mini-pc. I’m actually referring to your keyboard.
<-125x125 Button - left->Yeah, something like a bulkier keyboard which can house an Intel Core 2 Quad CPU with all its features and performance at your fingertips, literally (remember it’s a keyboard). This is the ZPC-GX31 from Cybernet, a true innovation that packs so much power, performance and compatibility inside a normal size keyboard, according to the makers. I say deep enough to hide your cat in there. Highlights for the supported technologies include Dual Display capabilities, 4GB of DDR2/667MHz RAM, gigabit LAN and DVI interface. All you need is a separate monitor and you are good to go.
Take a look at the detailed specs:
• CPU SUPPORT - Intel® Core™ 2 Duo, Intel® Core™ 2 Quad @ 1066MHz FSB LGA775 up to 95W.
Intel® Pentium® D Processors with Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel® Celeron® D
processor, support from 1.3GHz ~ 3.4GHz 800/533/400MHz System Bus. Supporting
9x, 5x & 6x series processors with EM64
• Intel G31 Express Chipset
• MEMORY - 2xDDR2 240-pin sockets, up to 4GB. Supports PC2-5300 667MHz 240 PIN DIMMs.
• HDD SUPPORT – 2X SATA ports
• VIDEO & GRAPHICS - Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3100.
• NETWORKING - Gigabit (GbE) Fast Ethernet, using Realtek RTL 8168B/8111C.
• REMOVABLE HDD - Optional removable 2.5″ hard disk drive.
• AUDIO – Realtek HD Audio
• I/O PORTS - 4 USB 2.0 Ports with transfer rate up to 480Mbps, 2 RS-232 Serial Ports, 1 Parallel
Port supporting SPP/EPP/ECP, 1 PS/2 mouse port, 1 POS or PS/2keyboard port, 1 DVI.
• TOUCH PAD
• OPTICAL DRIVE - One slim type Optical Drive, CDRW-DVD, or DVD+/-RW.
Cybernet allows buyers to customize their configurations so you could get a supercomputer for as low as $1,099.
Posted in Computer Gadgets | 4 Comments »
Monday, March 24th, 2008
The need for digital storage space is utterly huge these days. The 1TB HDDs might come in handy pretty soon, but that is bound to cost you. And if you are looking for portable storage device, the 1TB solutions will have to wait some more. So, if you need to regularly carry around larger amounts of data, then a portable hard disk like Prestigio Data Safe II could be the thing for you.
Prestigio’s new portable HDDs are’nt only utilitarian devices, they also pack some interesting stylistic flavor. In this respect the HDDs are covered in luxurious looking tan colored leather. Pocket Lint got their hands on one of these and they say the leather looks great from a distance, but doesn’t feel so luxurious in your hand. For what it’s worth, stylish looks always come as a bonus.
Its measurements are 62×101×12 mm, weighing in at a mere 110 grams. Due to this minimalistic approach, the specs aren’t so impressive. It spins at 4200RPM and only has a 2MB cache so be patient and allow for brief periods of time if you hear it crunching along some precious files. Using Prestigio’s proprietary software, you can backup specified folders at the push of a button. It features extended support for a large variety of operating systems. Thus, anything that recognizes a USB connection is compatible, though you will be limited to a FAT32 format in Linux.
When looking for the best bang for your buck, why not try the 80 GB model for $110 or the 160GB one for only $160?
Posted in Computer Gadgets | No Comments »
Monday, March 24th, 2008
Pure Digital’s Flip camcorder is now what Beta camcorders were in the 1980’s. Wait, who are Pure Digital and what exactly is Flip? If that Flip thing is as bulky as a Beta cam then forget I even asked. Oh, it’s not bulky at all?
What I wanted to say in the first place was that the Flip has taken 13 percent of the camcorder market, according to Pure Digital. And this device has only been around for one year. Its size and simplicity contributed to the surprising ascension.
Flip is by far the tiniest camcorder you’ve seen. In fact it’s a stripped-down video recorder the size of a digital camera and you hold it vertically, hence the flippy denomination. But that was last year’s surprise. Six months ago, Pure Digital presented an improved model, called the Flip Ultra. It featured slightly improved video quality, greater capacity, a tripod mount and better looks. It’s been the best-selling camcorder on Amazon.com since the day of its debut.
Now, why should a gadget geek like you pay attention to such a puny device? The screen is tiny (1.5 inches) and doesn’t swing out for self-portraits. Yaicks! You can’t snap still photos. Uuuuuh! There are no tapes or discs, so you must oftenly download the videos to a computer when the memory is full (30 or 60 minutes of footage, depending on whether you buy the $150 or $180 model). There are no menus, no settings, no video light, no optical viewfinder, no special effects, no headphone jack, no high definition, no lens cap, no memory card. And there’s no optical zoom, only a measly 2X digital zoom that ruins the quality of your zoomed footage. This ain’t no Beta camcorder successor! Way cheaper, though.
Posted in Cam Gadgets | No Comments »
Sunday, March 23rd, 2008
You know the OICW-equipped sort of futuristic troopers in the US army. Great weapons and some great war gear like helmet-mounted monocles that display a few digital mini-maps with GPS tracers. You ain’t seen nothing! At least that’s what a bunch of scientists claim.
In the near future, infantry troops could see an info-”augmented” reality all around them, with contact lenses that provide “first-person shooter-type video game” environments to those that wear them. Responsible for this wacky project are the guys over at DARPA, the Pentagon’s blue sky science and technology division.
Three or five years, not more, and real life battlefields could be swarming with videogame vision troops, making the line between reality and virtual worlds even thinner. However, a series of questions remain to be addressed – from manufacturing and power to wireless data transfer. Scientists can’t seem to make up their minds regarding the type of display technologies that would be used. DARPA suggests lasers and we can only speculate about organic light-emitting diodes.
DARPA even talks about the materials behind real-life invisibility cloaks. The Pentagon is thinking about spending $3 million next year on transparent displays. One other possibility could be represented by “metamaterials,” the strange substances that can bend certain frequencies of light around them.
Posted in Electronic Gadgets | No Comments »
Saturday, March 22nd, 2008
This entire gadgetry craze started up with those stylish spies we know from classic movies. James Bond and ‘the Saint” come to my mind at this moment but there are many others. And they had an entire arsenal of spiffy gadgets in order to get the edge over the cruel masterminds of all evil. Cool times back then, but not as exciting as these ones we live in. Check out these spy glasses!
These sunglasses come equipped with a minute camera that captures 1.3 megapixel still images (at a resolution of 1280×1024). The package comes complete with a RF remote-control, ideal for stealthy photo sessions. You’d think that a pair of these could weigh a ton, but that’s not the case as their frame is made of lightweight material. They even act as a pair of normal sunglasses, integrating UV400 polarized flip-up lens.
In order to provide up to 9 hours of continuous power to that tiny camera, a polymer li-ion rechargeable battery is included.
As you may have noticed, these These sunglasses are derived from Oakley’s original audio sunglasses. In this sense, you have an MP3 playback and Built-in ear bud, which provide convenient audio capabilities and can be hooked out of the way when not in use.
Other notable features include:
• 1GB of storage
• RF remote frequency: 2.4GHz
• Li-ion battery capacity of 240mAh
• USB 2.0 connection for transferring files and re-charging the battery
• Control buttons for Vol +/-, Fwd, Rwd, Play, Pause, Capture
• USB cable, storage case, cleaning cloth, extra clear lenses
Posted in Cam Gadgets | No Comments »