2009 December | Gadgething

Archive for December, 2009

Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 webcam

By MarioDecember 30th, 2009Desktops, Laptops, PositiveNema komentara

Guys from TkinkGeek again have a little surprise for all us Sci-Fi & gadget fans: Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 webcam. The webcam represent the original Star Trek series Enterprise NCC-1701 and even has 2 LED on the engines and flexible gooseneck mount.

Gadgething’s cold hard facts:

Really cool device to have it on your desk.
I would rather have U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E or NCC-1701-D model, but what a heck.
$22.99 is nothing for real Star Trek fan
Works for Skype, AIM, MSN, iChat, etc
4 feet of USB extension cable and compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and Mac
300k pixel camera: 30 frames/secon, that means 640×480px resolution, not bad

Conclusion: All I wanna say about Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 webcam is: I want to have it.

» If you wanna make your own opinion check out Thinkgeek info at Thinkgeek

Check out Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 webcam photo gallery.

Pro�itaj sve

Ambient Umbrella is what we need! Not really.

By MarioDecember 29th, 2009Handheld, NegativeNema komentara

Ambient Devices has launched one new interesting gadget called: Ambient Umbrella . What is exactly Ambient Umbrella? It is a normal umbrella but with handle which glows to indicate when rain or snow is forecast, so you remember to take it with you. It receives automatically local weather data from AccuWeather.com by Ambient’s wireless data-radio embedded in the handle.

Gadgething’s cold hard facts:

Looks modern and sleek but nothing extraordinary, it is an umbrella, not a space ship.
Price: $129.99 too much, way too much.
Nothing else special about it about.

Conclusion: No way in the world I’ll give $129.99 for an umbrella, even for the Ambient Umbrella. Yes, it is a gadget, but totally wasted resources to produce a product like this just to remind you to take an umbrella when leaving a house. Maybe I am wrong, let me know your response.

» If you wanna make your own opinion check out Ambient Umbrella at Ambient Devices

» Check out Ambient Umbrella photo gallery.

Pro�itaj sve

First USB 3.0 docking station from Brando

By MarioDecember 28th, 2009Desktops, Laptops, PositiveNema komentara

USB docking stations are some time already available on the market, but finally some USB 3.0 docking station has launched. As we know new USB 3.0 specification provides transfer mode at 4.8 Gbit/s and the specification considers it reasonable to achieve 3.2 Gbit/s. So here it is: Brando’s USB 3.0 SATA HDD Docking Station Y-1071.

Gadgething’s cold hard facts:

Conclusion: Not bad for the first UDB 3.0 docking station at that price. Most of us will need of course extra USB 3.0 PCI Express card. All you happy owners of new motherboards which support already USB 3.0 PCI card will no tbe needed.

USB 3.0 SATA HDD Docking Station

Check out Brando’s USB 3.0 docking station photo gallery.

Pro�itaj sve

HD 1080i personal media player from Itoos

By MarioDecember 27th, 2009Gadgething: Most wanted, Handheld, Positive2 komentara

We never heard of this Chinese company called Itoos, but their new PMP (personal media player) Itoos M6HD is an unlivable interesting peace of hardware. Why? Because of top specs and a great price.

Gadgething’s cold hard facts:

Conclusion: For $58.50 and been able to drive HD 1080i video, I can’t think of any reason whatsoever why not to buy it. It is a bargain. One thing to look-up : will it support subtitles (SRT or any other format)?

Update: I’ve just saw SRT, SUB text on the product photo. So one more big plus for this PMP from Itoos.

Pro�itaj sve

Zagg makes a portable battery

By MarioDecember 26th, 2009Cell phones, Handheld, PositiveNema komentara

We know ZAGG from invisibleSHIELD™ for iPhones, iPods, but now they made something totally different: a portable battery power for all USB powered devices.

Gadgething’s cold hard facts:

web page

iPhone

Conclusion: For $69.99 looks very promising. On other way $129.99 is really too much. One another downside is only USB charging, they should have provided some kind of adapter for non USB devices.

Show/Hide the Full Press Release

ZAGG Introduces ZAGGsparq, Versatile Mobile Battery for Consumer Devices ZAGGsparq™ Provides a Portable Battery Charge for Any USB-Charged Device

SALT LAKE CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ZAGG Inc. (NASDAQ:ZAGG) (www.ZAGG.com), a leading producer of mobile electronics accessories including the popular invisibleSHIELD™ and ZAGGaudio™ brands, introduces the ZAGGsparq™, a portable lithium polymer battery system that can provide multiple charges for any personal electronic device powered by a USB plug. The ZAGGsparq is available for shipment from ZAGG.com at the retail price of $129.99. “The ZAGGsparq really complements our line of existing products, and with thousands already sold in the first two weeks, we believe it will continue to be very popular with our innovative customer base.” The ZAGGsparq can provide a portable battery charge for any USB-charged device including cell phones, handheld gaming systems, and digital cameras. The ZAGGsparq plugs into a standard wall outlet and provides two USB ports for charging mobile devices. Then, unplug the lithium polymer ZAGGsparq and it carries multiple charges for any personal electronic device that can be powered by a USB plug – up to four complete recharges for a power-hungry Apple iPhone. “The constant risk of low batteries is a significant concern for gadget users, in particular when traveling,” said Brian Packer, Vice President of Marketing of ZAGG. “The ZAGGsparq carries multiple charges for any personal electronic device with you and fits easily in a pocket or bag, so it is perfect for everyone from travelers to businesspeople.” The 6000ma lithium polymer cell of the ZAGGsparq can be charged more than 2,000 times before significant drop-off in battery life, making it the world’s most powerful portable battery for its size. “This forward thinking technology allows the ZAGGsparq to carry much larger and more potent charges than competing products,” said Robert G. Pedersen II, President and CEO of ZAGG. “The ZAGGsparq really complements our line of existing products, and with thousands already sold in the first two weeks, we believe it will continue to be very popular with our innovative customer base.” For more information about ZAGG or any of their products, please visit www.ZAGG.com.

» If you wanna make your own opinion check out ZAGGsparq info at ZAGG

Pro�itaj sve

ASUS launches eCleaner, new robotic vacuum cleaner

By MarioDecember 25th, 2009Household, NegativeNema komentara

Asustek Computer known as Asus has launches robotic vacuum cleaner eCleaner. Asus is known as a computer peripherals manufacturer and netbooks manufacturer, not as manufacturer of a household gadgets. Let’s see what do we think about the Asus first step in the robotic vacuum business.

Gadgething’s cold hard facts:

Conclusion: I would wait for a better designed and really “clever” vacuum cleaner, I’ve even taught my dog to take care of my furniture, why a $155 ‘clever’ robotic vacuum cleaner can’t do that?!

» If you wanna make your own opinion read full article at Robot Stock News

Pro�itaj sve

LCD new world record: LG display is only 2.6 mm thin

By MarioDecember 22nd, 2009Breaking, Gadgething: Most wanted, Home cinemaNema komentara

New record for the world’s thinnest LCD display has a new home in LG headquarters in Seoul, Korea. The new LCD is only 2.6 mm (0.1 inch) thin and it has full HD capability (1920×1080px – 1080p) which makes it world’s thinnest LCD made so far. This 42″ beauty weights only 4 kg (8.8 pounds), with refresh rate of 120Hz and of course with LED backlight technology. Oh boy, with 8.8 pounds that is a perfect display for a second TV mount, just over the existing main TV in a living room. As LG announced today the new TV you can see in live with your own eyes during the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2010 in Las Vegas. There is no info about contrast, brightness, number of HDMI inputs, so no tech specs at all. Anyway, it looks very promising, we can’t wait to put one on the test here at Gadgething.com

Show/Hide the Full Press Release

Seoul, Korea (December 21, 2009) – LG Display Co., Ltd. [NYSE:LPL, KRX:034220], a leading innovator of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) technology, announced today that it has developed the world’s thinnest LCD TV panel measuring 2.6mm.

The development of extremely slim LCD panel was possible by applying the company’s accumulated “slimming” technologies including the use of an ultra-slim, edge-lit LED backlight system and proprietary optical film technology.

The 42-inch panel weighs less than 4 kilograms — making it ideal for wall mounted TVs. Moreover, the new product offers 120Hz refresh rate technology with full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution for clear and sharp image.

In May, LG Display broke the record by unveiling 42- and 47 inch LCD TV panels measuring 5.9mm – the world’s thinnest panels at the time. By nearly halving its record in just seven months, the company maintains its position as the technology leader in ultra-slim LCD panels.

Dr. In Jae Chung, LG Display’s CTO and Executive Vice President noted, “With the development of the world’s thinnest LED LCD TV panel that is only 2.6mm thick, LG Display has once again demonstrated its technical prowess to satisfy customer demand for high resolution and slim design products. We will continue to spur R&D activities in order to provide our customers and the market with the differentiated products that they desire.”

LG Display will showcase the product and its newest cutting-edge display technologies in a private room at the Bellagio Hotel during the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2010 in Las Vegas.

About LG Display
LG Display Co., Ltd. [NYSE: LPL, KRX: 034220] is a leading manufacturer and supplier of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panels, OLEDs and flexible displays. The company provides TFT-LCD panels in a wide range of sizes and specifications for use in TVs, monitors, notebook PCs, mobile products and other various applications. LG Display currently operates eight fabrication facilities and five back-end assembly facilities in Korea, China and Poland. The company has a total of 30,000 employees operating worldwide. Please visit http://www.lgdisplay.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore you should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Additional information as to factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements can be found in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Pro�itaj sve

Gadgething team at Avatar pre-premiere

By MarioDecember 19th, 2009Breaking, MoviesNema komentara

If you haven’t been in the theaters lately for any reason possible, it is a time to change that for sure. Why? I’ll try to explain it.

I’ve been quite a few times, watching few blockbusters pre-premieres, like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and James Bond Quantum Of Solace and every time I got home disappointed, not because of a bad movie, on the contrary, the movies were great but cinematic experience was just not ’something’. The picture quality is just awful in comparison with my HD plasma. It looks like washed out, dark, dull picture, even the screen is enormous. I watched the same movies few months later on my Pioneer 50″ Kuro plasma in HD and I’ve definitely enjoyed it much more than in the theater.

(more…)

Pro�itaj sve

Easy and cool home video network surveillance

By MarioDecember 19th, 2009Gadgething: Most wanted, HouseholdNema komentara

Vue personal video network

It was never so cool and easy to have your personal video network with wireless cameras all over you home, but Vue has made it really simple like that. You can have video surveillance all over you home and watch it on you laptop or any computer from anywhere in the world. How does it work? Create you basic private network with the included 2 wireless cameras (up to 50 are maximum you can add in tour system) and 4 peel & stick magnetic camera mounts in Vue’s starting kit. After that you just need to connect Vue gateway in the your router, and you are with the first step. All the videos will stream automatically directly to your personal my.VueZone.com account page. The price for the basic setup kit is $299.99 and each extra camera is $99.95, but you need to keep in mind that the first year for your hosting of you videos is free and after the first year the hosting would cost you $19.99 for one year. Also it is not clear how much space you’ll need for a regular video uploading since this current generation of Vue cameras does not activate recording or snapshots based on motion detection.

(more…)

Pro�itaj sve

Rē new plug in IR remote control for iPhone

By MarioDecember 19th, 2009Cell phones, Gadgething: Most wanted, Home Audio, Home cinemaNema komentara

We already wrote about new iPhone remote control RedEye which works through Wi-Fi (principle of converting infrared signals to WiFi), but this is something totally different: new NewKinetix devices Rē works as attachment directly on iPhone socket. It works from all rooms, so you just need to plug it in and that is it.
It looks really interesting, but I have two problems with all those iPhone’s accessories and apps: it seems like iPhone can do a lot, it looks like iPhone will be soon, if not already now, our the most important accessory in and out of home. But it always kicks back to battery power issue, because I, myself, have a hard time to sustain enough battery power for one day, with all those surfing, GPS navigation, music, etc, and now try to add a remote control function on to all that ?! OK, I am an extreme ‘zapper’, I’d probably zap at least few hundred times in one day on my Logitech Harmony One, but even for an average user, it will be too much for the battery. And, not only that, there is also one more thing: are you really ready to do plugin, plugout procedure every time you go out of the house ? I don’t think so. So there is only one solution for that: in the near future, every iPhone fan would really need to own at least 2 iPhones: one for in-house entertainment, and one for outside, or at least to have both, iPhone and iPod since Rē works with iPod too.