Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:41:53 GMT

Adjustable surge strip to fit your adapters

If you have a lot of bulky adapters, a single power strip is usually not enough, even if it has a sufficient number of sockets. They vie for space, and something usually has to go. This clever yet simple idea called Socket Sense from Ideative solves this problem by making the sockets adjustable and set at an angle so that you can stack your adapters for a perfect fit (though there may, of course, be exceptions if you''ve got one that''s truly ginormous). The surge strip with 6-foot power cord sells for $40 at Ideative.

Via Smart Stuff. Posted by: Sarah      Read more     Source

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:08:07 GMT

Baby Quasar: Electronic elixir?

Suckers for a quick-fix, we''ve featured a number of home healing, anti-aging products (Zeno, Marvel Mini, NuFace, etc.) however, another electronic elixir has made a striking debut. Baby Quasar uses Red and Amber light, both known to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties and promote Fibroblasts to increase the body''s production of collagen (the cheek and lip plumping stuff we lose as we age).

While we haven''t tried this device (it''s pricey at $449) blogsters across the web have claimed to noticed fewer lines, wrinkles, and large pores. Others tout clarity over discoloration and less new acne. Still others claim that hair loss is diminished and new hair growth taking place.

Beauty becomes us all; if Baby Q can turn the tide I''ll be the first in line, until then I''ll keep up with my 6-8 glasses of H2O a day, vitamins, exercise, and moisturizer.

Four light wavelengths: amber, red, and infrared.

Price: $449 at Amazon. Posted by: Sarah      Read more     Source

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 13:48:25 GMT

Geek fill in the blank t-shirt

Technology moves fast so you have to keep up, and this black write-on, wash-off
100% cotton t-shirt will help keep you updated with the latest saying. Packaged with its own washable marker, it features white lowercase text and fill-in-the-blank style boxes for ur fill-in-the-blank pleasure.

Imagine the fun you can have! Say you''re in a good mood, " im in ur computer upgradin'' ur RAM." Bad mood? Well, you can think of a few.

$16.99 - $18.99 from those crazies at ThinkGeek. Posted by: Sarah      Read more     Source

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:38:45 GMT

VoIP in the Works for the iPhone and iPod Touch

Here's a double-whammy for Apple's buzz-generating smartphone and limited-functionality PDA. I'm not really sure how it works, but some hackers have managed to make the iPod Touch run some communications protocol called SIP. Apparently getting SIP to run on a device makes VoIP possible, and apparently this iPod Touch procedure is doable on the iPhone. This is honestly beyond the limits of my comprehension, as some low-level coding and modifications are necessary. Interested parties may check out the TUAW post on the subject. And to anyone who can explain things in layman's terms, feel free to leave a comment.

Thanks to Gadgets on the Go for the heads-up. Posted by: Rico Mossesgeld      Read more     Source

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:24:33 GMT

Buying a Projector Online

So you need to purchase a projector? Why not go online and get the job done? I found an article that is just right for getting real advice on buying a projector . . . How to Shop Online for Projectors


Some important steps to take in buying a projector that you should read and digest before embarking on the job of buying a projector.

Just make sure that you have a budget that can get the best you need for your space. When buying a projector you do not get the best results in buying a cut-price projector. Buy well to get what you need. Posted by: Elwyn Jenkins      Read more     Source

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 04:21:19 GMT

Forget Lasik, Get Eye Power!

This reminds me of a do-it-yourself lasik kit I saw as a gag once. However, given this is coming from Japan, and I can't read Japanese, I have no idea if this Eye Power thing is real. The theory goes, you stare into this machine for 10 minutes and "ultrasonic technology" restores your myopic, near-sighted self to perfect 20/20 vision.

Sounds too good to be true, if you ask me. However, 88,000 yen (about $800 USD) is a bit cheaper than lasik surgery. I suppose if you're brave and you can navigate a Japanese web site to order the device, you could give it a try. But hey, I'm expecting the device to be a waste of money.

Ratuken via DVICE, DVICE Posted by: Dameon Welch-Abemathy      Read more     Source

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 03:27:41 GMT

Videos from your computer to television

Take TV is a storage device from SanDisk Sansa whose specific purpose is to provide a simple, hassle-free way to take video files from your computer and watch them on your TV. Take TV is easy to use. Like a USB flash drive you plug it into you computer and transfer files onto it; you can also download TV Shows and movies directly from SanDisk's own video download site www.fanfare.com onto it. Once your files are on the device, you can place it on its TV docking station and use the included remote control to start playing your videos.

Take TV comes in two different sizes, 4 and 8 gigabytes, for $100 and $150 respectively. Available here.

Via Circuits. Posted by: Sarah      Read more     Source

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 03:08:07 GMT

FireWire reader

Since the arrival of USB 2.0, FireWire, as a transfer medium, has lost some of its luster. The introduction of FireWire 800 helped its cause a bit, but only marginally. However, most of us have computers with FireWire ports in them, and we have something else: with the popularity of USB, we often have a dearth of USB ports to plug things into. So wouldn't it be handy to put that old FireWire port to good use with something like the Delkin FireWire CompactFlash Reader ($89.99).



The reader works with both flavors of FireWire-400 and 800-and supports the higher speeds available on Delkin FireWire CompactFlash Reader-enabled CompactFlash cards. According to Delkin FireWire CompactFlash Reader, the device, with the included adapter, supports speeds up to 45 megabytes per second (High-speed USB tops out at 48 MB/s). The unit is a Delkin FireWire CompactFlash Reader device, the company says, and does not require any drivers to work with Windows versions prior to Vista or Mac OS 9 and X. Posted by: John Mello      Read more     Source

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 22:32:00 GMT

Sony Network Walkman NWD-B100

Sony has had this Network Walkman NWD-B100 in the works for a while, and they've finally released pics of it. As you can see, you could easily mix this guy up with your thumb-drive.

It only plays MP3 and WMA, and as far as other features are concerned, it comes in two models: the 1GB (NWD-B103) and the 2GB (NWD-B105). Each has an FM tuner, 3-color LCD,12 hours of battery life, as well as a mic/voice recorder.

So far, the only release I'm hearing is happening in August in Europe.

Via Engadget Posted by: Mark Rollins      Read more     Source

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 01:18:40 GMT

Netropa Intellinav 2 and 3 GPS Systems

Digital Trends reports: “The Intellinav 2 and 3 run Windows CE 5.0, feature SiRF STar II GPS receivers, a 3.5-inch 320 by 240 pixel LCD touchscreen interface, and SD/MMC memory cart expansion sloot, and up to three hours of battery life on the rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery. The units measure 4 inches wide, 3.2 inches high, and 0.8 inches deep. Each are capable of displaying 2D and 3D views of map data, offer text-to-speech technology for street-name pronunciations, and can alter routes based on detours and instructions to avoid specific roads.” Posted by: Greg      Read more     Source

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:21:39 GMT

DreamVision DreamBee HD Projectors

For those of you looking to purchase one of those HD projectors, the Dreamvision DreamBee may be the best on the market. Well, maybe not, but it's contrast ratio of 15,000:1 is pretty darn impressive.

Not only does the the DreamVision DreamBee HD Projector comes in a variety of colors, but it has two basic models: the standard and the DreamBee Pro. The Pro model comes with an external video processor plus scaler that gives you quite a bit more video management options.

Of course, something like this has to cost, and the standard goes at $14,000 USD, while the Pro will run at $19,000 USD. The unique shape might be worth that price alone.

Via Gizmodo Posted by: Mark Rollins      Read more     Source

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 00:40:26 GMT

IO2 Technology Releases New Heliodisplay

IO2 Technology Releases New Heliodisplay Watch the video Posted by: Zinzi      Read more     Source

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:24:33 GMT

BoomChair for Gamers by Lumisource!

Lumisource presents BoomChair, a piece of multi- media furniture for the purpose of entertainment. They feature interior speakers and vibration motors that enhance video games, music and movies. Youll actually feel a part of them.

They are made out of a couple of different materials including, Microsaude, vinyl, and mesh.

These tech chairs compete with other such products available in the market by going to trade shows and also by selling products at house hold name stores.

Its called Helix. Its got a pair of two 3 2- way speakers with 4 interactive dynamic vibration motors. LEDs are on control panel & subwoofer. The volume and vibration are completely adjustable. Keeping your comfort on priority, the design is specifically made ergonomically and have recline stoppers too. Not to miss the storage pockets along the two sides.

Its measuring around 27 L x 19 W x 31 H and can be folded into half for convenient storage.

This Rumbleseat BoomChair is perfect for the two-player game or even for just lounging around. It is designed with interactive vibration motors, two pairs of three inch 2-way speakers, a pair of 4 subwoofers and best yet, comfortable seating! This larger style even folds for convenient storage. It is available in a vintage Black/Red vinyl and in a Grey or Blue Microsuede.

Measurements: 29 L x 42 W x 32 H.

This ones Buddy. It has built in 3 2- way speakers, like the previous ones, the volume is fully adjustable. Other feature include, RCA input ports, headphone jack, plush microsuede surface, side storage pockets and built in handle for easy transportation. This too has egronomic in design. Audio cords would be included with this and it can also connect to any audio and video device.

Measurements: 32 L x 18 W x 19 H.

These products are especially designed for gamers in the age group of 18-30 years old.

You may have them in various colors, like black/grey, black/blue, black/green, black/red, grey, or blue. And itll cost you around $85 - $125.

Special thanks to Jessi Wuellner, (LumiSource, Inc.) for providing us with the exclusive information about the products. Posted by: Pooja      Read more     Source

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:26:25 GMT

Sidekick iD

It's all my fault. While it's true that my little girl would probably be an early adaptor like most of her peers anyway, I created a little gadget monster when I gave her all the new products to try out, from Blackberrys to the latest music products. See, I tried to give her my "old" Blackberry the other day but she bemoaned the lack of Bluetooth, camera, and music capabilities. No thanks, she said. She wants a Sidekick, but at $300, it's too expensive.

But today, T-Mobile confirmed the launch of the Sidekick iD today, the new low-cost addition to the Sidekick collection -- figure around $99 (with service plan, of course.) Named the Sidekick iD, it retains the the same form factor and swiveling screen of the Sidekick 3, and the all-important Qwerty keyboard, but drops certain features to allow it to enter the market at a much cheaper price. With 240x160 pixel resolution, full HTML compatible web browser, and support for AIM, Yahoo!, and Windows Live Messenger IM services, it's a nifty little companion.

But I think they made a huge misstep when they dropped the camera feature. The younger set may not care about USB connectivity, which was dropped from this version, but they care about having a camera. (Blackberry recognized this when they inculded a camera with its new, slBB Pearl, aimed directly at the younger consumer set.)

The 6.3 oz. Sidekick iD will be available through T-Mobile starting April 25 for US$99.99 with a two-year service agreement and mail-in range of color schemes will be available at launch, including black, yellow, blue, white, purple, and glow-in-the-dark, with accessories to match.

Via Mobile Burn. Posted by: Evan      Read more     Source

April 3, 2007, 10:38 PM CT

Financial Risks Of Nuclear Power Plants

Berkeley -- Enticed by the gleam of government subsidies, a number of companies are rushing to invest in nuclear power, expecting that new technology and safer reactors will make them as good an investment as other types of power plants.

A new study appearing in the April 1 issue of the journal Environmental Science and Technology notes, however, that the country's history of unexpected cost overruns when building nuclear plants should sound a cautionary note for power companies that nuclear power may not be financially attractive.

"For energy security and carbon emission concerns, nuclear power is very much back on the national and international agenda," said co-author of study Dan Kammen, UC Berkeley professor of energy and resources and of public policy. "To evaluate nuclear power's future, it is critical that we understand what the costs and the risks of this technology have been. To this point, it has been very difficult to obtain an accurate set of costs from the U. S. fleet of nuclear power plants".

The study, conducted by a research team from Georgetown University, Stanford University and UC Berkeley, analyzes the costs of electricity from existing U.S. nuclear reactors and discusses the possibility for cost "surprises" in new energy technologies, including next-generation nuclear power......... Posted by: Edna      Read more         Source

March 22, 2007, 5:03 AM CT

Key science Web sites buried in information avalanche

As more and more people are turning to the Internet to find information, important science websites are in danger of becoming buried in the sheer avalanche of facts now available online. Key science sites are failing to register in the top 30 Google search results.

New research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) clearly shows that anyone using the Web to make their information available must now pay attention not only to the quality of their sites but also how easy they are to find.

Dr Ralph Schroeder, Dr Alexandre Caldas, Professor William Dutton, and Dr. Jenny Fry of the Oxford Internet Institute have investigated how the Internet is changing the way in which people seek out sources of scientific expertise.

Traditionally publishers have held a central position because of the importance of academic articles, but this is changing with increasing uses of the Internet and Web.

The study focuses on how academic scientists in particular interact with the Web on topics including HIV/AIDS, climate change, terrorism, the Internet and society. These subjects are highly topical in today's society, but the findings of this study will apply much more widely to the uses of the Internet and Web for searching for information on a variety of topics......... Posted by: Edwin      Read more         Source

September 28, 2006, 10:17 PM CT

Watch How Planets Form

With the VISIR instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope, astronomers have mapped the disc around a star more massive than the Sun. The very extended and flared disc most likely contains enough gas and dust to spawn planets. It appears as a precursor of debris discs such as the one around Vega-like stars and thus provides the rare opportunity to witness the conditions prevailing prior to or during planet formation.

"Planets form in massive, gaseous and dusty proto-planetary discs that surround nascent stars. This process must be rather ubiquitous as more than 200 planets have now been found around stars other than the Sun," said Pierre-Olivier Lagage, from CEA Saclay (France) and leader of the team that carried out the observations. "However, very little is known about these discs, especially those around stars more massive than the Sun. Such stars are much more luminous and could have a large influence on their disc, possibly quickly destroying the inner part".

The astronomers used the VISIR instrument [1] on ESO's Very Large Telescope to map in the infrared the disc surrounding the young star HD 97048. With an age of a few million years [2], HD 97048 belongs to the Chameleon I dark cloud, a stellar nursery 600 light-years away. The star is 40 times more luminous than our Sun and is 2.5 times as massive.........

Posted by: Edwin      Permalink         Source

September 28, 2006, 8:38 PM CT

Membranes At The Nanoscale

The composition of lipid membranes, similar to those that surround living cells, can now be mapped at the nanometer scale. The work, by scientists at Stanford University, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and UC Davis, is reported in the Sept. 29 issue of the journal Science.

All living cells are wrapped in a double-layered membrane of fatty lipid molecules. Components of the membrane can move sideways and organize into patches or other structures. This organization can affect, for example, important cell functions and vulnerability to viruses.

But it is very difficult to study these structures because they are so small, measured in tens of nanometers, said Marjorie Longo, professor of chemical engineering and materials science at UC Davis. A nanometer is a billionth of a meter, or about a thirty-millionth of an inch. Researchers want to address questions such as how dynamic or active the membrane is and how small the lipid patches are, she said. An atomic force microscope, which uses a fine needle to probe surfaces, can give a contour map of the surface but without chemical information.

The research group, led by Steven Boxer of Stanford University, used a highly focused beam of charged particles to scan the surface of artificial lipid membranes containing lipid patches developed in Longo's lab. Components of the membrane were previously labeled with heavy isotopes of carbon and nitrogen, mounted on silicon wafers and flash-freeze-dried to preserve structure.........

Posted by: John      Permalink         Source

September 28, 2006, 5:14 PM CT

Robomower To Mow Your Lawn

From: popgadget:.

This reminds me of the iRobot vacuum cleaner, except this is for your lawn. The RoboMower RL850 features a "battery-powered three-blade, 21-inch (56cm) powerful cutting system equivalent to a 5.5 HP gas mower".

It cuts your lawn in a systematic crisscross pattern, travelling several times over the grass to make sure it gets every last blade.

How does it work, you ask? You need to install a special electric perimeter wire around your lawn, attached to the surface of the lawn with pegs every few feet. The wire is connected to a small battery powered current source called the Perimeter Switch. The RoboMower has a special senor so it stays inside the electronic fence. Charge it between uses and it's always at your command.

Oh yeah, it's $1,175.99, at Vacation Gadgets.........

Posted by: Edna      Permalink         Source