Archive for the ‘Computer Gadgets’ Category
Thursday, November 27th, 2008 |
Pink gadgets are driving me crazy. I don’t know about you, but as far as I’m concerned, they’re something like the most ironic manifest aimed at women and establish the weirdest connection between pink and the fair sex.
And when I read an article about a wacky gadget, the “pinkiest” I’ve ever seen in my whole life, called the “Keyboard for Blondes”, it really made me scream at the top of my lungs. If you ask me, this is nothing but a joke made manifest in pink plastic. The name isn’t cynical slur on the fairer haired members of the community, at least this is what the guys who came up with this idea say.
I wouldn’t buy such a thing, not in a million years! The all-pink computer keyboard swaps out standard keys with funnier, dumber key names. Several of the keycaps have jokes silkscreened on top – the Enter key, for example, is “Yes! I want it!”, the Backspace is “Oops!”, while the Tab is an “Useless key”. Not to mention the Caps Lock which says “WARNING! Size XXL letters”.
Though this fully functional keyboard might seem a great gift in order to make fun of your blonde friends, regular computer users may find it a bit challenging. Not to mention the fact that the Keyboard for Blondes might help poor typists improve their skills, since the keys are a distracting pink and no longer have the standard labels.
But wait to hear this: the keyboard comes with proprietary software that adds functionality, fun and trendy new features to traditional keys. It talks, it takes text messaging to a totally new level and it allows you to access cool, constantly changing sites with a push of a button. The interactivity is made possible by downloadable proprietary software that was specifically created for this product.
Here’s a quote from the site: “something about it will remind you of the Reese Witherspoon’s character”. This is one relevant argument, isn’t it?
According to the manufacturer, European Trends, the keyboard has already been released in the UK to some success, and at $49.95, probably only a true blonde would purchase this pink computer keyboard which is compatible with Mac, Windows and Linux.
(Source: gadgets.boingboing.net)
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Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 |
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You won’t find the answer to this question, by reading the article, but you will sure get the chance to see the result a company came up with when trying to create an innovative and elegant router.
According to Wikipedia, “a wireless router is a network device that performs the functions of a router router but also includes the functions of a wireless access point. It is commonly used to allow access to the Internet or a computer network without the need for a cabled connection. It can function in a wired LAN (local area network), a wireless only LAN, or a mixed wired/wireless network”.
Most current wireless routers feature the following characteristics: LAN ports, which function in the same manner as the ports of a network switch, a WAN port, to connect to a wider area network and the wireless antennae, which allow connections from other wireless devices (NICs – network interface cards, wireless repeaters, wireless access points and wireless bridges, for example).
Now, who said routers have to be boring and all look the same, like little plastic boxes with blinking lights? Well, if somebody did, Saudi Telcom, a Saudi Arabia based technology firm, doesn’t think so. More than that, the company also dares to disagree, by creating this wireless router that looks really good and can function as a vase. No, really, it’s a fully functioning wireless router, but it also happens to be a pretty nice looking flower vase. In other words, this Saudi Arabian firm teaches you how to set up a wireless router in a vase.
Generally, water and gadgets don’t work together. Still, this wireless router which doubles as a flower vase it’s a pretty neat invention, even if some might find plenty of reasons to laugh at this wacky combination. With it, there’s no need for you to shove the router away in the corner. Therefore, the design is interesting because it changes your router from something that you’d rather stash on the floor or hide behind your computer to an object at the forefront of your home’s décor.
STC (Saudi Telecom) was trying to find a unique router design that would provoke a positive emotional response. This means these guys didn’t have in mind to find a solution on how to set up a wireless router in a vase. On the opposite, this was the solution they came up with, providing wireless Internet, voice over IP, landline telephone and wired DLS that are all incorporated into this elegant device.
(Source: Dvice)
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Saturday, November 22nd, 2008 |
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If you’re asking yourselves what a Solid State Drive is, then let me tell you that a SSD is a data storage device that uses solid-state memory to store persistent data. A SSD emulates a hard disk drive interface, thus easily replacing it in most applications. A Solid State Drive using SRAM (static random access memory) or DRAM (dynamic random access memory) is often called a RAM-drive.
Samsung, an important competitor in the world of advanced semiconductor technology, announced that it started to mass produce 256 gigabyte (GB) solid state drives for use in notebooks and desktop PCs. Let me remind you the skepticism most of you showed when the company ambitiously proclaimed in late May of this year that it would deliver such a beast in quantity by the end of 2008. But here there are: Samsung Solid State Drives joining Micron and Toshiba in the 256GB SSD club.
With the addition of the high-speed 256GB drive, Samsung now offers the most extensive line of SSDs in the industry, with 8, 16 and 32GB SSDs for low-density designs and 64, 128 and 256 alternatives for the higher densities.
The new 256GB SSD more than doubles the performance rates of Samsung 64GB and 128GB SSDs to become the SSD with the highest overall performance in the personal computer industry, combining sequential read rates of 220MB/s (megabytes per second) with sequential write rates of 200MB/s. This sharply narrows performance gap between read and write operations to only 10 percent, compared to a read-write speed difference of between 20 and 70 percent for other SSDs. In addition, erase cycles are a rapid 100GBs per minute, allowing the entire drive to be re-written much faster, when needed.
“While SSD’s have always been touted for their performance, Samsung is turning the storage industry upside down now with an SSD that delivers truly disruptive performance”, said Jim Elliot, vice president, Memory Marketing, Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. “Getting our exceptionally high performing 256GB SSD in a notebook is analogous to having a 15,000rpm drive, without all of its size, noise, power and heating drawbacks.
These new Samsung Solid State Drives expedite data transfer when large multimedia files are read and stored in the same time. It can store 25 high-definition movies in just 21 minutes, which is a significant improvement over a 7200rmp hard disk drive (HDD) which takes about 70 minutes. More than that, the 256GB SSD launches applications 10 times faster than the fastest 7200rmp notebook HDD.
The 256GB SSD’s advanced performance is the result of a new, optimized, single platform design which consists of a chip controller, NAND flash and special drive firmware all developed by Samsung. This single platform is designed to easily adapt to Samsung’s 40mm class NAND flash memory.
The new drive offers a high degree of energy efficiency, consuming 1.1 watts of power compared to two or more watts for a similar HDD. The high operating speed of the 256GB SSD translates into longer periods in either stand-by or idle mode resulting in up to 40 minutes of extended operation on a single battery charge.
Weighing as much as the 128GB SSD, 81 grams, the 2.5-inch multi-level cell (MLC) 256GB SSD retains the standard 9.5 millimeter drive thickness.
In addition, the new Samsung Solid State Drives are also available with optional proprietary encryption programming that provides full disk encryption, a key feature for many corporate users. But what about the price, Samsung? Unknown command…
(Source: Dvice)
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Thursday, November 20th, 2008 |
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After releasing several hot notebooks, ASUS has just added to their success the world’s first Skype Certified Videophone called the AiGuru SV1. The device allows the user to make unlimited phone calls using a webcam, a speaker and a microphone, and to see the person he or she is calling with the seven inch screen.
So, using the ASUS AiGuru SV1 videophone you’ll be giving yourself the chance to enjoy free Skype-to-Skype video and voice calls to friends and family all around the world. You won’t need a computer to get connected and it’s so simple to set up, that you just have to enter your Skype Name and password to start calling.
As I’ve already said, you can now make Skype calls without having to use your computer. Everything you need to do can be done on the videophone. Simply sign into Skype, check your contact list to see who’s available and those free Skype-to-Skype video and voice calls that you’ve always dreamed about. If you’re new to Skype, then you can create a Skype Name and search for friends directly on the videophone. The device is equipped with an integrated rechargeable battery and wireless connection which help you take your videophone with you wherever you are in the home or office. This way, you can share a recipe in the kitchen, show the relatives the new furniture or chat about what’s on television in the living room. This actually means you’ll be able to chat right about anywhere you like when you stay Wi-Fi connected.
In addition, as with regular Skype, you can call regular landlines and mobiles at discounted rates. In order to do this, you need a subscription from Skype which gives you unlimited calls to landlines for one low monthly fee. And if you get an online number you can receive calls from anyone too. You may also use it to make and receive conference calls (3 or more people), however in this mode there will be no video available and purely voice.
As far as the installation is concerned, the AiGuru is a straightforward process. You’ll need an existing broadband Internet connection and you can either connect the videophone via the supplied network cable or wirelessly. The wireless connection is the most convenient but you’ll need to enter any WEP or WPA key via the cursor keys and onscreen keyboard. You can also tweak the display settings such as brightness, hue and saturation. When talking about connections, we must not forget Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 3.5 mm microphone jack, 3.5 mm headphone jack, USB port (for service updates) and 12V DV power input.
If you’re interested in the ASUS AiGuru SV1, the Skype Videophone, you can go to the official Skype Shop and grab it for £219.95.
(Source: coolest-gadgets.com)
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Thursday, November 13th, 2008 |
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Callpod Inc., a company specialized in the mobile electronics industry, introduced a couple of days ago the Drone, a plug and play VoIP and Bluetooth stereo USB adapter for PCs and Mac computers. In the past year, Callpod introduced several innovative products that won some important awards in the domain, such as the Chargepod, a well-received 6-in-1 portable gadget charging solution, the Dragon v2 Class 1 Bluetooth mobile conferencing system.
The Drone is made of die-cast zinc and high impact polycarbonate for strength and durability and can seamlessly switch between Bluetooth headsets and headphones and can connect to any PC or Mac computer via USB port. It has an operating range of 100 meters and its combined features surpass any other Bluetooth USB adapter.
“The Drone was designed to surpass anything else in this category ever created. We wanted the Drone to be strong, elegant and easy to use. We did not want to put the burden on the consumer of dealing with complicated CD ROMs and computer settings. You simply plug in the Drone and it’s ready to go”, said Dareen Guccione, Callpod CEO and co-founder. “Whether you listen to music, make phone calls via Skype or want to print utilizing a range of 100 meters, the Drone is the simple answer”.
Those of you out there using Skype and VoIP calling programs on a daily basis might consider the Drone, since it akin to relying on a Bluetooth headset without having to remain tethered to your computer or desk. At least you can now walk over to the fax machine and let the person on the other end of the line know that you have received whatever was sent, without having to excuse yourself and put him/her on hold while you check it out.
In addition, the Drone allows music lovers the luxury of listening to their favorite songs without being attached to a wire. It allows multi-taskers to take on chores, play video games or just sit and relax. The Drone can clearly and efficiently stream and control music via iTunes, CD, Windows Media Player or any other computer bases audio sources using the same 100 meter range.
But this isn’t everything you’ve got to hear about the Drone. This device is also equipped with features to support data transfer for use with Bluetooth printers and other peripheral devices. For example, if you want to transfer data to and from your computer via the iPhone, Palm Treo or any other Bluetooth cell phone or PDA, the Drone allows you to do this with no headache involved. It can also be used with Bluetooth photo printers and cameras, enabling the user to transfer and print photos. More than that, there is the possibility for you to transfer data from PC to PC or Mac to Mac. Again, the Drone transmits this data up to a range of 100 meters, so that you can have your Bluetooth peripheral device in a separate room.
The Drone is currently available for $49.94 and for more information you can visit the company’s official website.
(Source coolest-gadgets.com)
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