Tech Gadgets Reviews

Mobile Choice reviews the LG KF510 and writes, “The most surprising performer is the autofocus-toting 3.2-megapixel snapper. It features all the photo functions you would expect from a mid-ranger, such as white balance, colour effects, contrast, self-timer and multi-shot, but also throws in a shake-reduction mode for those of you affected by untimely judders. Naturally, the flash light isn’t Xenon flavoured but the Power LED is still pretty bright, if a little inconsistent when it comes to illuminating low-lit areas. Shooting in a 2048×1536 pixel resolution, the camera takes decent snaps, and while it occasionally doesn’t pick out some fine detail, its vivid colours and consistent focus shine through.”

Read more about the LG KF510.

by Nilay Patel, posted Oct 1st 2008 at 8:28AM

Samsung’s NC10 netbook is pretty much the same 10-inch 1.6GHz Atom kit as all the rest, but What Laptop says it’ll be priced a little more aggressively than the others at £299 ($532). Sure, that’s not a huge savings, but in a market saturated with me-too machines all running a 10-year-old OS, price might be the only differentiating factor left — hopefully Sammy sees fit to undercut the competition Stateside as well.

• Read
• Permalink
• Email this
• 30 Comments

Filed under: Laptops

Sonoro Audio from Germany will be rolling out a new clock radio that comes set with approximately 4,000 black and white Swarovski crystallized stones, drastically increasing its price by manifold compared to a vanilla model. It will set you back by a whopping $2,500 if you want to bring this Sonoro Audio offering home, but I don’t think any average sane person would drop such serious coin on this, although the same cannot be said for erratic millionaires.

Nintendo’s Wii console is the most surprising and the biggest consumer electronics hit of the last two years.

The console has turned video games into a mainstream phenomenon and put Nintendo ahead of its rival Sony and Microsoft in terms of the number of devices from the latest generation of systems sold worldwide.

Now reports suggest that the company may be working on the next version of its blockbuster console, the Wii HD.

The new device is likely to plug into the high definition content trend and offer HD visuals for users. It could also have some local storage and a more powerful processor, says the What They Play blog.

Wii HD, though, may be a while away, with buzz suggesting it is targeted for a 2011 release.

That seems like a long time for Nintendo to wait to refresh the product. But increasing R&D spend at Nintendo suggests the company could be working on other new products such as a newer version of its handheld console, the Nintendo DS featuring a camera and a music player.

Knowing Nintendo’s knack to get its pricing right, the two products are likely to be hits and should send competitors scurrying into their labs for an answer.

Photo: Wii Controller ( Hachimaki/Flickr)

While the Wii has not even celebrated its second birthday yet, word is already floating around about Nintendo’s team working on a High Definition successor that is touted to be released within three years’ time. High definition graphics are guaranteed with the Wii HD, and Nintendo will also place greater emphasis on digitally distributed and backwardly compatible content. Sounds as though these are exactly what Nintendo fanboys have been clamoring after since the Wii’s release, but I would take this rumor with a huge grain of salt as the Wii is still doing phenomenally well worldwide, leading me to wonder when is it exactly will Nintendo roll out a new console - definitely not before the Wii is milked to the hilt.

What makes the Griffin Clarifi iphone 3G case stand apart from the other models in the market is a sliding macro lens which can be flipped into position, helping the iPhone’s rather lacklustre camera to capture clearer macro images without investing in an uber expensive lens. While the image quality will not be equal to that of a dedicated digital camera, it is a vast improvement over what the regular iPhone 3G camera is able to cobble together. Just make sure the macro lens remains free from fingerprints before you attempt to snap a close-up image. You can pick up the Griffin Clarifi for $35.

Designer Fredrik Perman has come up with a conceptual design of this flower-shaped USB fragrance oil warmer that is able to burn all sorts of essential oils, letting your working space have a much more pleasant scent instead of stale socks and molding pizza. Unfortunately for us, we won’t be able to see this flower USB fragrance oil warmer until somebody who owns a factory bothers to take up this manufacturing task.

Just when you thought that Microsoft’s Zune is all but dead and buried, along comes the software giant and their special limited edition version of the Gears of War 2 Zune 120GB model. Microsoft has already begun to take in pre-orders for this limited edition device at both Amazon.com and Walmart.com, while those living in the Great White North can place their respective pre-orders from Amazon.ca, BestBuy.ca, FutureShop.ca and TheSource.ca. This 120GB device will retail for approximately $279.99 and will ship from November 7th onwards, leaving you plenty of time to wrap this up in the nicest manner possible before presenting it to your loved one as a Christmas present. Be forewarned though - anyone who receives this must be a Gears of War fan, own an Xbox 360 and does not mind owning the Zune (preferably not in possession of an ipod as well). Pretty tough criteria to fulfill, but hey – that’s life.

The main idea behind this special edition model is to celebrate the sequel to one of the best-selling Xbox franchises of all time, bringing together both Xbox and Epic Games Inc. in order to create it with the hardcore fan in mind. You will find appealing features such as a laser-etched Crimson Omen on the new gloss black enclosure, collectible “Gears of War” packaging, as well as 244 pieces of “Gears of War” media including the original game soundtrack, behind- the-scenes videos, game trailers and concept art galleries. Are these enough to knock you off your feet by now, or do you want more? If you fall under the latter, I’m sorry but those are all there is on offer.

Interestingly enough, Gears of War 2 (the game) will be released on November 7th itself – the same day as this special edition Zune 120GB model ships. You know what they say – the early bird gets the worm, but with the number of Zune fans out there, I’d seriously doubt it whether this model will sell out or not.

Press Release

• Email to a friend
• Leave a comment

I’ve always had a soft-spot for the Sony AIBO, the “Artificial Intelligence roBOt” pet.  Imagine my surprise when I saw a press release stating AIBO was coming.  It turns out that this new AIBO is actually a set of video glasses from iMovee. 

The AIBO model will have VGA (640×480) resolution and iMovee claims the experience is like watching an 80-inch screen from about 8 feet away.  The video glasses will work with iPods, mobile phones with video out like the Nokia N95, Zunes and a whole lot of other devices.

This new set of video glasses will also have a headphone jack so you can listen to your audio using your own headphones.  The AIBO should be available in October and should cost about $350.  Video glasses are interesting, but they’re no robot dog. 

Company Site: [i-movee.com]

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

Microsoft isn’t throwing in the towel just yet for its Zune portable media player, and this time round it has come up with a Gears of War 2 Zune which will see a laser-etched “Crimson Omen” on a glossy black Zune 120. This device will come pre-loaded with 244 pieces of “Gears of War” media, including the soundtrack, concept art, behind-the-scenes vids and so on. Rest assured it will come packaged in a (potentially) highly collectible Gears package for fanboys and collectors alike. How much will this peg you back? 280 clams is the asking price, and it will ship this November 7th.