Tech Gadgets Reviews

FROM GAMERTELL - This custom made 60 GB PS3 inspired by Metal Gear Solid 4 is signed by the series creator Hideo Kojima which is enough reason to bid on it. Then there’s the extra stuf…
MORE »

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

Perhaps numbers will quell Apple’s doubts about offering a netbook. Notebook industry sources report that Taiwanese manufacturer Micro-Star International is on track to ship between 600,000 and 700,000 units of its popular MSI Wind netbook within 2008. That’s quite impressive, considering MSI only entered the netbook market this summer.

And if that isn’t enough to convince Steve Jobs, Taiwanese company Asus expects to sell 5 million of its trendy Eee PC netbooks by the end of the year.

ABI Research estimates about 9 million netbooks — low-powered, miniature notebooks streamlined for web surfing — will be sold in 2008. The firm forecasts that manufacturers will ship 200 million ultra-mobile devices, including netbooks by 2013 — which is about the same anticipated size as the entire laptop market worldwide.

See also:

• Apple Has ‘Interesting Ideas’ for a Netbook, But Isn’t Ready

MSI netbook shipments to fall between 600,000-700,000 units this year [DigiTimes via Liliputing]

Photo: dougbelshaw/Flickr

As the pace of technological change increases, some experts say it will eventually reach a point where machines surpass human intelligence.

At that point, known to artificial intelligence proponents as the "singularity," it becomes difficult to predict exactly what will happen next. Will computers rise up and overthrow their human masters? Begin ignoring us as irrelevant, carbon-based life forms? Or will something much more prosaic come to pass, like a grammar checker that actually works properly? Whatever the outcome, the singularity will be a major milestone in human history.

Ray Kurzweil argued the idea in his successful 2005 book The Singularity is Near. Since then heavyweights across different disciplines, including some of Silicon Valley’s biggest names, have come together every year to discuss how technology will evolve and what impact that will have on society.

At the third Singularity Summit in San Jose, California, on Saturday, speakers will include Intel CTO Justin Rattner, who believes the singularity is possible and can be achieved by 2048. Other speakers will include Dharmendra Modha, manager of cognitive computing at IBM’s Almaden research center; Marshall Brain, founder of How Stuff Works; Vernor Vinge, a science fiction author who published an essay in 1993 called “The coming technological singularity;” and Cynthia Breazeal, associate professor of media arts and sciences at MIT, who will talk about the implications of robots with social intelligence.

“The theme this year is to discuss emerging technology and look at the opportunities and dangers present in areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, biotech and neuroengineering,” says Tyler Emerson, executive director of the technology think tank, The Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence.

The summit started as an event at Stanford University in 2006 to discuss the concept of singularity and the future of technological progress.

This year there are likely to be about 500 attendees, down from 1,000 last year as tickets prices have been increased to $500, in order to make it a smaller, more intimate conference.

For this year’s summit, Emerson has a handy acronym, NBIC or Neuro-Bio-Info-Cogno that offers a hint of the areas that speakers will delve into.

“What we are looking at doing is taking a multidisciplinary view of technology, how it is accelerating change and what the change means,” he says.

Wired readers get $75 off the ticket price of $500 using this link.

I thought I would kill two birds with one stone today and discuss two gadgets that are of a similar nature. In this case, a product that we all love and use all the time, and you’re probably using it right now: the computer mouse.

Let’s start with the Road Mice. The Road Mice are computer mice that are designed to look like the automobile that you want to drive. They are available in many models including the Ford Mustang GT, Chevy Camaro, and Dodge Charger. Each of them come in different colors with decals. They are also completely wireless and have headlights.

If you really want a more personalized mouse, you should definitely go for the USB Air Flow Mouse with Scrolling LED Message. The Air Flow Mouse has a fan to reduce the heat as you are using the mouse. Not only that, it has an LED scrolling board, which is programmable by an included remote control. It is available in both red and green.

Well, if you want to give one of these a shot, the Road Mice will cost about $44.95, and the Air Flow Mouse with Scrolling LED Message is about $33.95.

So, is this the age of personalized mice? Maybe. I’d like to open up the comment section for what kind of personalization that computer mice should have in the future.

Source1 and Source2

• Email to a friend
• Leave a comment

One of my favorite toys as a kid was the classic electric toy train. Unlike Lego, this toy didn’t carry over with me to adulthood. However, I am sorely tempted to purchase the Q-Train.

The Q-Train is made by Takara Tomy, a company that we have reported on numerous times before. The Q-Train is part of Takara Tomy’s Q-toys series, and it comes with three cars that measure three centimeters each. The Q-Train also comes with miniature traffic lights, sign posts, a bridge, a station, and even a crossing.

There is even a wireless remote that allows the control of two cars at once. That’s something my old electric train set didn’t have. However, you know what I don’t see from this picture? Train tracks.

Personally, I think there is a terrific market for miniature toy trains. You see, I remember having a toy train that was big enough for the basement, but that was about it. The smaller toy trains can accommodate a smaller space, like a coffee table. Granted, they are probably going to have to miniaturize model train miniatures for the Q-Train.

The Takara Tomy Q-Train is planned to come out on November 15, but only in Japan at a price of $38 per set.

Source

• Email to a friend
• Leave a comment

Posted by “Will”, a T-Mobile forum administrator, tomorrow’s update will fix little problems here and there, but users should not expect much more. Here’s the info that Will has provided:

• What does this update do? This update will include enhancements (I don’t know what is termed an “enhancement” and one bug fix that is visible to customers which makes all songs from Amazon available for listening
• Why do I need it? So your device will perform better long term and you don’t have to worry about corrupt files from Amazon.
• When will I get mine? If you participated in the PreSale, you will receive it between the 23rd-25th otherwise you should get it by 10/31. For those receiving their devices after that date you should receive the update soon after you activate the phone (within 2 - 3 days). New phones from HTC will come pre-loaded with the update.
• What if I don’t get mine? Just wait for it, it will come.
• What do I do when I haven’t gotten mine by the time you said I’d get mine? Wait a little longer
• Seriously, I didn’t get mine. Where is it and when will I get it? Why am I missing out? Check your software version, you probably had the new software all along and were waiting for nothing.
• How do I check my software version? From the main screen hit Menu > Settings > About phone > Build number. Look for where it says RC## The initial release is RC19. The Updated release is RC28
• Will I lose any applications or settings? Nope. Your settings and apps should be preserved.

Read the thread at the T-mobile forums. Via TmoNews

Just when you thought your cutlery at home was safe from the technological scourge, along comes the !C3 concept that features a computerized shaft that is able to hold a trio of interchangeable eating apparatuses which comprise of a fork, spoon and knife. The fork’s function (in addition to being a potent poking device) is able to analyze composition such as fat, protein, sugars, while the spoon measures weight with the knife doubling up as a thermometer. All this information will be gathered and compiled into a detailed report so that you know exactly what you’re having. Pretty neat, but if I want to have my buffalo wings, I’d rather wolf them down without knowing all the nitty gritty. How about you?

The gadget hound is always searching for the perfect bag, a sack in which to sling cameras, computers and cellphones. The trouble is, however close you get, no bag ever seems to be quite right. You can go for a one-compartment canvas bag and throw everything in, but the car keys always end up next to the iPod or the camera lens. Compartments are great, but only if they are the exact fit for the kit you are currently carrying. Sometimes you need to carry a lot of gear, sometimes its just a compact camera and a pack of cigarettes.

I have been searching for the perfect bag for years, and in the end I have resigned myself to a owning a small collection, from which I choose a bag for the occasion. The latest addition, though, is as close to a perfect solution as I have found. The Lomo Sidekick Leather Bag (small) isn’t cheap, but it (almost) gets the job done.

The Sidekick is made by Lomo, the camera people, and it is designed to fit Lomo cameras. The front compartment is split into two sections of unequal sizes, one to fit a regular Lomo LC-A and one for the larger Holga. In use, the smaller compartment (right, above) is the perfect fit for a small compact, in this case the Canon G9. The zipper makes this otherwise rather easy-to-pickpocket compartment less accessible, perfect for the mean streets of Barcelona. The two compartments are seperated by a Velcro-fixed partition which can be tucked away to make a bigger space:

The DSLR (Nikon D60) looks like a tight fit but the flaps close easily over the top. The fastenings are magnetic and snap shut, but it’s a little tricky to line them up. The cotton interior is soft and lint-free — perfect for camera gear. There’s also a little patch pocket inside the larger section, which will take spare memory cards (or, in my case, cigarette papers), and another pocket concealed inside a secondary flap, for coins.

As you can see, the main inner section is big enough to fit a small computer. This is the Gadget Lab Hackintosh, a Wind clone with a 10″ screen. With that inside, there’s still enough room for the power adapter and a paperback book (if you don’t mind the bag getting a little fat). This part closes with a zipper which extends beyond the edges of the opening, allowing you to get full and easy access. There’s also another zipped compartment in there which will fit a passport or Moleskine notebook.

Thus loaded, the weight adds up. With a computer, a book, keys, camera and power supply, the strap does drag down on the shoulder. Even fairly empty, the leather bag is pretty heavy. The strap never cuts, though, and you can cut down on the bulk — which brings us to the Special Feature:

It breaks in two! The smaller section is separate, held in place by the two straps you see above. It also has its own carrying strap, and although it’s only long enough to use as a handle, you can remove the strap from the larger bag and use that. Thus, it becomes a neat little purse-sized bag, or a single, slim sack.

This is the last pocket, which isn’t much good for anything. I keep a pouch of tobacco in there, but even that’s a tight squeeze when the main section is full. You certainly don’t want to put in anything that might get squashed, but I guess an ipod would fare safely enough if you’re in a town without pickpockets.

I bought my Sidekick about a month back, and it cost me €150, or $190. The US Lomo site lists it at $180. Like I said, not cheap. I get the feeling it will last, although the little leather straps that hold the smaller bag in place might not make it for more than a couple of years. Being leather, it will age gracefully (I already have a few handsome looking scuffs on there), and the design – apart from the little embossed picture of a Lomo LC-A – doesn’t scream “camera bag”, which makes things a little safer in the streets.

Would I recommend it? I’m not sure. It looks great, and it fits in everything it needs to in an easy-to-reach way, but the price is a little steep for anyone without a bag fetish. Thankfully, Lomo makes a cheaper canvas version, with plastic buckles instead of metal. It has the same features but costs just $50.

Product page [Lomo]

Mobile Intelligent Ubiquitous (MIU) has unveiled the third generation of its Hybrid Dual Portable Computer (HDPC). The new model offers a 4.1 inch TFT display (800 x480 resolution), a 2.4 inch AMOLED internal display (320 x 240 resolution), ARM processor for menial tasks, Intel Atom processor, Windows CE operating system and DMB navigation capability. This gadget was scheduled to release in Korea for around $500. However, there is no word on the release date at this time. Watch the video after the jump to get more details.
[Source]

Google launched the redesign of its popular iGoogle portal last week and the complaints began almost immediately.  Users are upset with the new look and furious that the redesigned interface was sprung on them with no prior announcement. 

The interface allows users to collect web “gadgets” such as map and weather apps, organize RSS feeds and aggregate info such as news, sports and GMail.  The revamped interface includes a new “canvas” view that allows gadgets to be displayed full screen and new navigation bar. 

The bar seems to have users especially incensed, most of them considering it a waste of valuable screen space.  Another problem is the GMail app which was broken by the new interface.  Google says they are aware of it and are working on a resolution; however they have no plans to allow users to go back to the old interface if they want to.

“We want to build a homepage that is as useful for all users as possible, but that doesn’t necessarily mean creating the most flexible homepage, or the largest number of options or features. We have to carefully assess the needs of our users and build a product that works best for all of them,” said a Google spokeswoman.

Google isn’t the first website to come under fire for a redesign.  Millions of Facebook users are still up in arms over that sites new look, which they find clunky and hard to navigate.  Like Google, Facebook has no plans to switch back to the old interface. 

I am an iGoogle user and I have to say I’m not too crazy about the new look myself.  The new navigation bar on the left side makes the rest of the home page look cramped and some of my widgets have been reduced in size to compensate.  My clock gadget has a new and ugly look, and the whole page just doesn’t look as good as it did before.  However like Facebook, which I also use, I won’t have any choice but to get used to it.  If you’re an unhappy iGoogle user, post your opinion on Google’s message board—so far there are already hundreds of complaints there!

Read[ComputerWorld]

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