by Techno Witch on June 16, 2009
If you’re constantly unplugging USB cords, just to stop power being sent to it, you might want to check out this little hub with switches. This would be an ideal item for anyone with a lot of novelty USB products. While you need to concentrate, you could shut off your string of USB lights or some random dancing animal. All the while never having to unplug it, so there will be no need to search for the end of the USB cord later when you want the item turned back on.
This Buffalo hub has a total of 4 different ports for all of your USB gadgets. It also comes in a total of four different colors. In addition to being able to be powered by the always obvious USB, there is an AC adapter, so you can also plug it into the wall. It comes with four 1.5m USB cables. It’s not a US product though, Buffalo will be releasing it into Japan as of mid-October. When that happens the hub will be sold for 3,885 yen or about $39.
Source: SlipperyBrick
by Techno Witch on June 16, 2009
We know that we use watches to tell the time, but how many of us don’t have a decent cellphone to help keep track of our appointments as well as to-do list? For the rare few who fall into that category, here’s the VibraLite 8 vibrating watch to help you get started.
The Vibralite 8 Vibrating Watch has a large display, 8 alarm settings and Auto Reset Countdown Timer option that gives extensive combinations of variable and interval reminders. Eight Alarm Settings for preset reminders. Auto Reset Option Countdown Timer may be set for seconds, minutes, and hours for interval reminders?Use for reminders such as medication, medical conditions, meetings, timing presentations, tests, parking, and appointments.
Not too sure whether forking out $149.95 for this is well worth the price or not. What do you think?
Product Page via TRFJ
by Techno Witch on June 16, 2009
by Techno Witch on June 16, 2009
Samsung is back with yet another handset, and the Korean cellular giant ain’t letting up on the competition with the Samsung Jet. This is touted to be one of the latest in mobile handset innovation, and was unveiled at a series of global launch events in London, Dubai and Singapore. Just what is the Samsung Jet, anyways? Well, this cellphone will be equipped with virtually all the benefits of both advanced features found in most modern day smartphones, and will be accompanied by an easy-to-use user interface that is available in conventional handsets.
What sets the Samsung Jet apart from the rest? Well, it can be considered to be a pioneer in terms of display technology as well as performance speed, where the 3.1″ WVGA AMOLED display is touted to offer just about the most vivid and colorful full touchscreen mobile experience ever, not to mention the availability of 16 million colors dancing across the display simultaneously. Sounds pretty good in theory but seriously, just how much color do you think one would like to pack into a 3.1″ display, let alone our eyes that won’t really be able to tell the difference in such a tiny footprint? Still, if bragging rights are what you’re after, then you won’t go wrong with the Samsung Jet.
It will be powered by the latest TouchWiz 2.0 user interface from Samsung, and while we’re sure it is an improvement over its predecessor by offering “an unrivalled user experience”, chances are it won’t be able to hold up to Apple’s iPhone OS 3.0. Still, we’re not here to do a review and the Samsung Jet will boast iconic new features including motion UI, smart unlock and a customizable widget screen to get you going. The Dolfin Internet browser (someone point them to a spelling checker, quick!) is said to be specially designed to work with just about any website, targeting the use of social networking sites especially. Other features include a 5-megapixel camera, built-in GPS, DNSe and SRS Sound Effect technology, 2GB internal memory, as well as EDGE/GPRS Class 12 (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) HSDPA 3.6Mbps (900, 2100 MHz) connectivity.
Press Release
by Techno Witch on June 16, 2009
You might not have heard about GN Netcom so far, but it is actually one of the world leaders in innovative headset solutions, so it is little wonder that the company has released its most intuitive headset to date – the Jabra BT2080. I remember many years ago when Bluetooth headsets were just starting to proliferate the cellphone world and anyone who owned a handset with Bluetooth connectivity could count on it on being one of the latest and greatest handsets, and when compared to today, Bluetooth connectivity is more or less a must in our society. Well, the Jabra BT2080 offers a way for you to communicate with others in a hands-free manner while looking stylish, so check out the details right after the jump.
Specially designed for just about anyone to use, regardless of whether you’re new to the world of cellphones or experienced users, the Jabra BT2080 will be part of the “Easy Series” headset category and will be the first of the lot to offer Jabra’s new proprietary StatusDisplay LED indicators. What does this display do? Well, it was created by Jabra’s own research and development team where multi-colored lights will be used to show the headset’s battery level (we suspect the usual green, yellow and red color scheme will be used here) alongside the important detail – Bluetooth connection status at that point in time.
This stylish Bluetooth headset will also come with intuitively placed buttons, where the answer/end button is located on the front of the headset while the dedicated on/off button is placed in the back. As with most other headsets, volume control is located on the side that makes it easily accessible at the touch of a finger, making sure that users won’t fumble with the controls whnever they are caught by surprise due to a call. The entire Jabra BT2080 tips the scales at less than 3 ounces, where it will come in a sophisticaed matte black finish complete with an attractive silver button, resulting in a contemporary and stylish headset. In addition, there is the smaller ear interface and improved Jabra Eargel that makes sure the headset fits comfortably to a T. Not only that, the BT2080 is also the first among all Jabra headsets to come with Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity. Amazingly enough, the Jabra BT2080 is priced at an extremely affordable $39.99.
Press Release
by Techno Witch on June 16, 2009
Warning UK – Only
For the past week on our UK site, we’ve been running a competition where one reader can win a LG LF7700 42″ LCD TV.
ALL clues have now been published and you have until mid-day (GMT) Wednesday to email your entry to us. The contest is really really easy and if you’re in the UK I’d strongly recommend you giving it a shot. You can find out more here.
Good luck everyone.
by Techno Witch on June 15, 2009
Before he died, Peter Wheeler wanted the ultimate car – one that would not only go fast, but go anywhere. And by anywhere, he meant ANYWHERE. Over land, over water, over just about anything. The end of the day, he had the Scamander.
Because he loved driving fast, but shooting in the outback, Wheeler needed something that wasn’t bound by the roads it ran on, or having to waste hours driving around lakes and streams that block his way.
So he built a vehicle with huge 35 inch tires, and the rear wheels have paddles attached to them. Powered by a 2.0 litre Ford Zetec engine, the Scamander also was designed with individual braking systems which can isolate each wheel separately for better traction. The body, is built from foam plastic pods that are form fitting aerodynamically and positioned around it’s aluminum frame. This keeps the RRV light enough to wade through any lagoon.
The driver sits dead in the middle of the front seat with a near 300 degree field of view from five windows included a very large windshield. Two passenger seats occupy the rear along with covered pickup style bed for more utilitarian purposes.
But will Detroit be seeing something like this any time soon? Not likely as Wheeler was investing his own money into the project and with his death, the fate of the Scamander is very much in doubt. But one thing is for sure, it definitely works.
Hat Tip – Jalopnik
by Techno Witch on June 15, 2009
The effort to keep business expenses low while trying to transition to a more green lifestyle has prompted a British super market to look to their parking lot to power their lights and run their cash register. And the idea may catch on for other power needs as well.
Sainsbury’s installed a new kinetic plating system in the parking lot lanes which generate power as a car drives over them. The way it works is that as a car moves over the plates, it’s hydraulic action turns a power generator creating up to 30 kilowatts of electricity. And apparently there’s enough flow through business that the energy generated is running the store’s power for lighting and cash transactions through their point of sale computer systems.
Additionally, Sainsbury is collecting rain water to use in the toilets, and larger floor to ceiling windows are making the interior brighter to lower needs for lighting. There are also plans of funneling unsold food to a biomass plant to generate further green power. But it’s the user of the kinetic plates that has the British government thinking similar technology can be harnessed to power street lights all over the city.
That’s an excellent example of how better ideas can not only save energy and better the environment, but create jobs for installing and maintaining it as it powers the system.
Hat Tip – The Guardian
by Techno Witch on June 15, 2009
I usually like birds, that is as long as they’re in the proper environment. I’m not exactly fond of them when they decide to use my car as target practice though. There are just those times when birds go from being pretty melodious creatures to being a pain. Well if you have a situation where the birds are causing trouble on a flat surface of some kind, that’s a little out of reach for you, you could pick up this solar device. It’s a great alternative if you aren’t ready just yet to whip out a gun and camp out.
The device has a 5 foot diameter that it can keep birds out of. It does so by doing a helicopter type motion and keeps birds on their toes. It works for birds of all sizes, including the larger sized birds. It aggravates them just enough that they will fly off. It has 3 AA batteries within it, that are rechargeable and allow for it to work during the night hours. You can purchase the Solar Powered Bird-B-Gone Bird Repeller for $87.99 from Amazon.
Source: CraziestGadgets
by Techno Witch on June 15, 2009
For those of you that still love good old Mario, this is a USB drive you’ll definitely appreciate. This little Shroom will hold your data and look cool while doing it. Not only that, but you can also pick up a USB extender that allows for it to be plugged directly into a small brick square. Strongly resembling the ones out of the game that you would bump to make that precious shroom pop out, to give you just a little extra light. All the while making your hands look huuuge and the rest of your grow a bit as well.
For the price, I’m not exactly thrilled how much storage it has. However, I might be willing to overlook it, based on how much geek appeal it has. The drive is 4GB, which will get you a decent amount of space. You can purchase the drive on Etsy for $65. Then there is the Mario Brick USB Extension, the cables can extend anywhere from 1ft on up to 6ft. Those will cost you $25 a piece on top of what the drive will cost you.
Source: GeekyGadgets
