Tech Gadgets Reviews

When Stagueve Hemmerstoffer received a dead MacBook, he had greater ambitions than simply repairing it. After bringing the MacBook back to life by replacing its hard drive and RAM, he sought out parts to modify the notebook into a miniature desktop sporting the same look as the Mac Pro, Apple’s high-end desktop system.

Really neat stuff: He bought a Macally aluminum enclosure and cut it down to size. Then he removed the guts of the MacBook and crammed them into the enclosure (much more difficult than it sounds). He provides a full how-to on his blog.   

Now, this gets me thinking: If Apple decides to roll out an upgrade to its mac mini desktop system (which it hasn’t in well over a year), wouldn’t it be cool if it received the aluminum treatment just like the latest MacBooks?

My New Mac Pro Ultra Mini [wolphBite] (Thanks, Stagueve!)

Photo: Stagueve Hemmerstoffer

Yesterday’s list of Five Gadgets That Were Killed by the Cellphone proved rather popular. It also provoked a lot of response, some in the more traditional form of hate mail and some offering suggestions for yet more victims of the cellphone’s relentless growth.

Here are few of the things we didn’t include, yet have certainly been clobbered by the gadget widow-maker that is the mobile phone.

Photo: artzy.viva/Flickr

The Pager

The most popular suggestion was the pager.

5 gadgets? How could you forget the ubiquitous pager? In the not-too-distant past no drug dealer would leave home without it. The pager was the number one casualty of the rise of the cellphone. – Lenny

I couldn’t put it better, Lenny. The beeper was indeed killed by the mobile, and rightly so: Not only were you always on call, you had to find a pay phone in order to ring back, and you had to pay for it.

It offered some advantages, though — doctors could go out to dinner in a fancy restaurant and be called off to work just after ordering (every medical drama made in the 1990s) and, on the other side, patients awaiting transplants could be tipped-off the moment the organs were in stock. All in all, though, a text message is a lot quicker and easier.

The Wristwatch

I still wear a wristwatch, although more as jewelry than as a time-telling tool. In fact, judging by the number of unusable watches our own Danny Dumas buys from Tokyo Flash, it’s probably safe to say that watches don’t even need to tell the time anymore. The cellphone may not have killed the watch, but it has certainly made it less essential. That hasn’t stopped the likes of Vertu trying to hawk overpriced "luxury" cellphones to the same people that buy Rolexes.

Pocket Calculator

I received a surprising number of suggestions for this one, and I actually considered putting it on yesterday’s list. But although the cellphone will add, subtract and everything else, the keypad just isn’t up to the task.

Anyone who adds up in a professional capacity (accountants, bar managers, shop owners) will always prefer a big, solid desktop calculator. Those things are accurate, and above all, fast. Try tapping $100,000 worth of receipts into a cellphone and see how long it is before you throw the thing out the window.

Alarm Clocks

True. Although an ipod also makes a pretty good alarm clock, and it doesn’t irradiate your head as you sleep.

SatNav

Another great suggestion. GPS is finding its way into more and more phones, and even those that don’t have it can guesstimate your position using cell-tower triangulation. The problem is that many phones need a network connection to actually pull down a map, whereas standalone SatNav devices store everything onboard and only need to connect to the satellite.

This means that a phone makes a pretty bad GPS device when you are out in the wilds — arguably where you need it most.

Books

Here at Gadget Lab, we’re fans of reading books on the iphone, but we still don’t think the book is anywhere near dead. For starters, the screens on cellphones just don’t cut it as e-readers (although the iPhone gets close with a decent size and high 163ppi resolution). Heck, even purpose-built e-readers aren’t there yet.

One day, though, the dead-tree version will be obsolete, but we give it some years yet. The irony? Tiny text files are perfectly suited to small, low-power devices.

Handheld Consoles

Will the phone kill the Gameboy? Perhaps. Nokia tried it with the taco-shaped N-Gage and failed. Apple is trying with the iPhone, and doing OK. But in the U.S. the Nintendo DS is the second best-selling console for October, beaten only by the Wii. Nintendo is shifting around half a million of them every month. That doesn’t sound like a dead market.

What’s certain is that the cellphone is becoming the default device for more and more things, slurping up other gadgets like a a giant Katamari Damacy ball. It might not be the best tool for a given job, but it’s certainly the most convenient.

See Also:

• Five gadgets Killed by the Cellphone

Want to work out while keeping your iPod charged? Here’s the Hand-grip charger that does away with the need for an AC outlet, while it not only helps you build up your hand muscles, it also works as a great stress reliever as well. All you need to do is squeeze the handles repeatedly and the energy generated will be used to juice up your ipod, although we’re not sure just how many times such a motion is required. Have you tried to use these things before? Those’re hellish moments, and chances are you won’t last more than a few minutes before you give up the good fight. After all, geeks are meant to be wimps, right?

You may remember the slightly odd Thanko Hot Cooler USB Keyboard which warmed/cooled your hands whilst you typed, which could be in some circumstances quite good.  Well, undeterred they have moved to mouses (yes, that is the plural of a computer mouse) and mouse mats with the “USB Warm mouse” and “USB Warm Mousemat.“  Unfortunately, it would appear that they still haven’t sacked the guy who names these things, as they are as unimaginative as ever.

However the awful naming does make my life a little easier: it is fairly obvious what they do.  The mouse version is a basic optical mouse that connects to your PC through USB and comes in a range of colors such as black, black, black or black (seriously, I’ve seen paving slabs more imaginative than this company).  The only clever thing about this mouse is the heater inside it, operated by a little switch about 10cm up the wire which can reach temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius.

The USB Mousemat is similarly basic and unimaginative, although at least this has a USB hub integrated to the mat which creates four more USB ports, making up for the two that it takes up. This again can get up to 45 degrees Celsius, which is pretty much guaranteed to keep your hand warm what ever the weather (unless of course you are outside, at night, in a snowstorm).

Personally, I think that they are quite cool, and that even if you aren’t cold it would be quite nice to have your hand gently warmed whilst you work/play away.  I also think that the mouse is a lot more effective than the mousemat, which when coupled with the fact that many people do not use mousemats reiterates the point.  However it is more expensive, at around $30 for the mouse, and $20 dollars for the mouse bearing in mind that these are direct exchanges, not including shipping.

Is it worth it?  Given the low price and general appearance the optical mouse is probably pretty poor quality but given that you can’t get your hands on it yet it is just a guess.  I think that for pure novelty value these are great, and if you get particularly cold hand then they would also be quite practical, but apart from that probably not.

Source [Gearlog]

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Apple has issued MacBook Pro Trackpad Firmware Update 1.0, a fix for the trackpad troubles experienced by many users of the new glass-trackpad equipped unibody notebooks.

Many owners have reported that the muti touch trackpads were failing to register clicks on the giant, full-pad button, with some seeing a failed click around one time in 10 (Kevin Rose and Leo Laporte both mentioned this on the This Week in Tech podcast).

It’s an odd firmware update which acts more like a plain calibration fix — normally a firmware update requires a restart. Our suspicion is that Apple was a little conservative with the click-detection settings in the original release to stave off complaints about accidental clicking, and has simply tweaked them with this release.

One of the things I always turn off on older Mac notebooks is the “Tap to Click” option. And our ongoing mission to add two-finger scrolling to the Gadget Lab Hackintoshes shows just how difficult it is to calibrate a trackpad to work perfectly.

If you have experienced these troubles, grab the download from Apple’s site now, or check your Software Update.

Firmware update [Apple]

Remember the mods you used to inflict on your bike when you were a kid? Flags and streamers were fine, but best was the conversion of pushbike into motorcycle by the simple addition of a playing card and a clothes-peg. To a child’s ears the rat-a-tat of laminated linen against spokes was engine noise.

Sound from the Wind is another way to convert motion into music. The concept, from Korean designer Joseph Kim, consists two ceramic replacements for the handlebar grips which channel air through their internal tubes. The setup apparently sounds like a flute or ocarina, and you can alter the pitch with some switches on the handlebars. Volume is increased by riding faster.

What we really like, though, is not the sound but the look of these things. They remind us of airplane jet-engines, which are obviously an essential addition to any kid’s bike. In fact, the only problem is that they are ceramic, clearly too brittle to survive for long. Especially as you are will be so highly distracted by playing tunes from Zelda: Ocarina of Time that a crash is almost inevitable. Those brake levers don’t look too functional, either.

Sound from wind: musical bicycle [Uncovering. Thanks, Leander!]

Got a TiVo? Well now you can order Domino’s pizza in the US directly from it. Nuff said.

Want to order Domino’s via your remote? Get a TiVo!

Posted in Audio/Video, Home Theater, Networking & Internet

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 17th 2008 at 8:26AM

We’ve no clue what kind of sick, demented parent would ever put their child through this, but for those with offspring who like to, say, swallow their hamburgers whole, we suppose it may come in handy. From the wide, wacky and utterly bizarre world that is Japanese gadgetry comes this: a bite counter from Nitto Kagaku. As you’d expect, the headgear keeps track of how many bites your kid takes, and it even plays a little jingle every 1,000 chews in order to celebrate the occasion. ‘Course, there is the proven side effect of obesity, but at least they’ll be making mincemeat out of everything they can get their hands on while gradually growing to 385 pounds.

[Via Engadget German]

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Filed under: Misc. gadgets, Wearables

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 17th 2008 at 10:18AM

It took ‘em long enough, but Netgear has at long last decided to ship the two powerline adapters it announced way back at CES in January. The Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit (XAVB101; pictured above), which is based on the HomePlug AV standard, and the UPA-based HDXB111 Powerline HD Plus Ethernet Adapter Kit (which is obviously capable of transmitting HD footage) can both be snapped up in time for the holidays. Each set is designed for plug ‘n play action and for those who’d rather network their wares via installed cabling instead of running something new. Of course, performance is always the questionable aspect of these type devices, but those with faith (and a North American address) can finally lay down their $149.99 / $169.99 and get busy. The full release and a shot of the HDXB111 can be found after the break.

NETGEAR’s Award-Winning Powerline Adapters for HD and Multimedia Streaming Now Available

Innovative Powerline Devices Offer Consumers 200 Mbps Speeds with Broad Options in Technical Design

SAN JOSE, Calif. - November 17, 2008 - NETGEAR, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically innovative, branded networking solutions, today announced the general availability of its latest powerline adapters for turning electrical power outlets into high-speed Internet and home network connections. Fast enough to stream high-definition video, the award-winning Powerline HD Plus Ethernet Adapter Kit (HDXB111) and Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit (XAVB101) provide reliable, high-speed network connections up to 200 Mbps to the home network and Internet over existing electrical wires to devices such as digital media receivers, set-top boxes, game consoles, personal computers, and networked attached storage.

NETGEAR offers a broad portfolio of networking products so consumers can choose the option that best meets their needs. NETGEAR’s powerline technology products distribute high-speed, high-performance, affordable broadband throughout the home, without the need to run any cabling between rooms. Both the Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit, which is based on the HomePlug AV standard, and the UPA-based Powerline HD Plus Ethernet Adapter Kit, provide integrated Quality of Service (QoS), to enable hours of glitch-free connectivity for high-definition video streaming, online gaming and uninterrupted Voice over IP (VoIP) phone calls. The easy operation of both products is based on a plug-in design and push-button data encryption that provides privacy and security for a trouble-free set-up. In addition, the Powerline HD Plus Ethernet Adapter Kit features built-in power sockets to save power outlet space.

“The increasing demand for consistent high-speed Internet connectivity throughout the entire home compels networking providers to engineer products that are not only fast and reliable, but also simple to install for the average consumer,” stated Chris Geiser, NETGEAR’s product line manager for Powerline devices. “Powerline’s ability to use existing wiring supports the distribution of high-quality broadband connection to all areas of the home, even wireless problem areas, enabling customers to enjoy bandwidth intensive applications such as online gaming, audio distribution and HD video streaming, in any room of the house.”

About the NETGEAR Powerline HD Plus Ethernet Adapter Kit (HDXB111)
By simply plugging one stylish UPA-certified Powerline HD Plus Ethernet Adapter into an AC outlet near a modem, gateway, or router and another near any Ethernet-ready device, consumers can instantly enjoy speeds up to 200 Mbps and access to reliable HD streaming throughout the house. Furthermore, with outlet space limited in many homes, the kit is NETGEAR’s first Powerline networking device to offer innovative pass-through outlet capabilities by incorporating a built-in, noise-filtered AC plug.

As testament to its innovative design and engineering qualities, the Powerline HD Plus Ethernet Adapter Kit won the prestigious Best of Innovations award in the home networking category of the Innovations Design and Engineering Awards Program at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show. In addition to its unique pass-through functionality, the subtle, natural shade of the Powerline kit is designed to blend into its environment and minimize the appearance of clutter.

NETGEAR’s plug-and-play Powerline HD Plus Ethernet Adapter Kit (HDXB111) is now available in North America through leading retailers, e-commerce sites and value-added resellers. It is backed by a one-year warranty and 24/7 technical support. The Powerline HD Plus Ethernet Adapter Kit, containing two Powerline HD Plus Ethernet Adapters, an Ethernet cable, an installation guide and a set-up CD, has an MSRP in the U.S. of $169.99. NETGEAR’s Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter (HDX101) and Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter Kit (HDXB101) are compatible with the Powerline HD Plus Ethernet Adapter kit (HDXB111).

Photos and other product information can be found on the NETGEAR web site at (http://www.netgear.com/Products/PowerlineNetworking/PowerlineEthernetAdapters/HDXB111.aspx).

About the NETGEAR Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit (XAVB101)
Based on the HomePlug AV standard and compatible with both wired and wireless routers and gateways, consumers can simply plug one Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter into their router and another into any Ethernet-ready device to turn any electrical power outlet into a high speed Internet and home network connection. Securing a Powerline AV network is made simple with the push of a button as the kit features a 128-bit AES data encryption to ensure privacy and security.

As evidence of its reliability and user-friendly characteristics, the Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit was an Editor’s Choice in PC Magazine on October 21, 2008, awarded four out of five stars. Reviewer Mario Morejon wrote, “… the NETGEAR Powerline can’t be beat. This is a must-have product if you need a fast and secure network for your small business and can’t afford remodeling for the sake of obtaining faster network speed.”

NETGEAR’s Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit (XAVB101) is now available worldwide through leading retailers, e-commerce sites and value-added resellers. It is backed by a one-year warranty and 24/7 technical support. The Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit, containing two Powerline AV Ethernet Adapters, an Ethernet cable, an installation guide and a set-up CD, has an MSRP in the U.S. of $149.99. NETGEAR’s Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter (XAV101) is compatible with the Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit (XAVB101), and can be purchased as a single unit.

Photos and other product information can be found on the NETGEAR web site at
(http://www.netgear.com/Products/PowerlineNetworking/PowerlineEthernetAdapters/XAVB101.aspx).

“With today’s ever-advancing technology, the production of innovative, fast, reliable, and easy-to-use networking solutions is key to providing consumers with the ability to connect to a wide-range of Ethernet-enabled applications, from personal computers to digital media adapters and gaming consoles,” said Michael Cai, director of digital media and gaming with Parks Associates, which specializes in research and analysis for digital living technologies. “High-speed Powerline devices are able to support this growing bandwidth demand while also transmitting high-quality broadband Internet to the wireless problem areas of the home.”

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Networking

TV Tuner And USB Drive From Buffalo

Nov 18, 2008 Many people, whose life is related closely to computes, sometimes have no time to watch TV. But actually there is no need for this. All necessary new we can get threw internet. Nevertheless, Buffalo - the Japan company presented a new gadget.

Actually I was surprised, this gadget combines a 8Gb USB drive and 18eg TV tuner. This novice was named DH-KONE8G/U2DS 1Seg 8GB.

You can use it with PC platform and Mac PC. Apart from watching TV and listening FM radio you can also record about 40 hours of video and AppleRemote.

Size of this gadget is 79 x 20 13 mm, weight - 23g.

The cost of DH-KONE8G/U2DS 1Seg 8GB in Japan is 138 Euro.

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