LG Electronics to take the 3D route with new range

LG Electronics to take the 3D route with new range

3D seems to be the next big thing these days, and LG Electronics does not want to miss out on it by bringing entertainment to the next dimension through the introduction of a full suite of 3D technology products which will definitely do its bit to usher content to life for consumers. You will be able to experience a whole new way of viewing movies by pairing LG’s new top-of-the-line “Infinia” LED HDTVs with its first-ever 3D-capable Network Blu-ray Disc player, letting you immerse yourself in superior picture quality and a 3D experience of your favorite sporting events as well as Hollywood mega-hits without heading out to the nearest cinema, but instead relaxing in the comfort of your home.

The LG Infinia LX9500 and LX6500 series HDTVs are compatible with LG’s BX580 Network Blu-ray Disc player as well as custom 3D eyewear, letting you experience 3D TV, colors and contrast like never before. As for the LX9500, you will be able to enjoy the ultimate home entertainment experience with THX certified picture quality, Full LED Slim technology, virtually unlimited content possibilities from NetCast Entertainment Access and an ultra-high refresh rate among others. LG hopes to make ownership of 3D technology more affordable for everyday folks like you and I by offering an exclusive bundle at retail for the launch of its 3D technology suite, where picking up any LG LX9500 or LX6500 LED HDTV alongside the LG 3D Blu-ray Disc Player from participating retailers, will save on the additional purcahse of 3D active shutter glasses as they will get two pairs for free, not to mention a $100 instant rebate and a bonus redemption certificate for you to receive Warner Home Video’s Blu-ray 3D title IMAX Under the Sea 3D by mail – of course, this offer is good while stocks last.

Getting these new appliances won’t put a strain on your monthly power bill either since both of LG’s 3D LED HDTVs have a variety of energy-saving features, where among them include an Intelligent Sensor which automatically calibrates and optimizes brightness, contrast, white balance and color, based on the ambient light in the room, helping it go some way in saving on energy output under most circumstances. They are also ENERGY STAR rated for that added peace of mind. Any takers?

Microsoft introduces new Xbox 360 4GB bundle

Microsoft introduces new Xbox 360 4GB bundle

Microsoft has just announced a brand new way to spend your summer, and they don’t want you to do it outdoors. No sir, the big M prefers you to use up most of your waking time indoors thanks to a new controller-free way of playing video games with their spanking new Kinect system which will come bundled with an all-new Xbox 360 6GB console. Of course, what is the point of having all the hardware in the world when you do not have any software to go along with it? Microsoft has certainly not overlooked that fact, and will be rolling out “Kinect Adventures” packaged together in the bundle, retailing for $299.99 a pop.

Just in case you were wondering how you’re going to sweat it out with “Kinect Adventures,” you will have to open up yourself to 20 different adventures, where among them include navigating through roaring rapids and ducking and dodging through mountaintop obstacle courses and other exotic locations. All of those are done without having to worry about mashing buttons on a controller since there is none – in fact, all you need to do is make sure the Kinect device is properly calibrated and you’re good to go. Not only that, for those who want to get in on the fun but already own an Xbox 360 console can always pick up the Kinect sensor with “Kinect Adventures” separately for $149.99. The Kinect sensor itself, just in case you do not know, is capable of tracking your full body movements, respond to your voice and deliver a multiplayer experience right out of the box.

There will be a new Xbox 360 4GB console that will ship from August 3 onwards later this year in the US for $199.99 a pop, boasting a sleek new design, built-in Wi-Fi N connectivity, up to 4GB of internal flash memory (as you can tell by its model name), touch-sensitive buttons and a black matte finish – hopefully without any of its predecessor’s overheating issues.

EDGE Tech Corp releases new 32GB flash drives

EDGE Tech Corp releases new 32GB flash drives

EDGE Tech Corp should be a familiar name by now to most of you out there, where this supplier of DRAM and flash memory upgrades, portable computing products, storage devices, and other experience-enhancing technology solutions, have just introduced yet a couple more 32GB flash drives to its established DiskGO product range. We’re talking about the DiskGO Mini which was specially designed for convenient, easy-to-use storage, while the DiskGO Backup will come with innovative automatic backup software. It really depends on your need at that moment on which model you’re supposed to pick up, so do make sure you know what you’re getting into before forking out your hard earned dough for either.

One thing that we love about the advancement of technology is this – storage capacities will continue to increase in size, while the physical form factor of said device starts to decrease itself. Online cloud storage is also gaining traction among consumers and businesses of all sizes, and both of these new devices will conform to such trends. The DiskGO Mini certainly lives up to its name, measuring just 1.4″ x 1.0″, making it slightly larger than a quarter. Not only that, it also measures under 0.25″ thick and tips the scales at 1/10 of an ounce, which more or less makes it unnoticeable when you’re toting it around in your pocket. Of course, at that size and weight, you also run the risk of losing it without being aware. Added convenience and protection come in the form of an unique sliding USB connector. Each DiskGO Mini comes with CryptArchiver Lite software which protects data from unauthorized use with government level AES encryption.

As for the DiskGO Backup, this model is identical in size to the DiskGO Mini, although you do benefit from a powerful Dmailer Backup software. The initial setting up of Dmailer isn’t rocket science, where it will then go ahead to back up selected files using 128-bit AES encryption. All of these newly created files are automatically backed up whenever the device is plugged in, so forgetful folks need not worry about not keeping to a backup schedule. You also get 2GB of cloud storage for free throughout your lifetime, now how about that.

Clip On Mosquito Repeller

Clip On Mosquito Repeller

Going out for camping can be fun, but you can bet your bottom dollar that mosquitoes will be part of the equation, so it makes perfect sense to protect yourself from those irritating bites as you would much rather donate your blood to those who need it instead of feeding off the current generation of mosquitoes so that they can multiply even more and bite you and your kids all the more during your next camping trip. The Clip On Mosquito Repeller might just come in handy compared to chemical-based sprays, since it will clip on (as you can tell by its name, obviously) to a belt and repel mosquitoes which are within a 15′ radius of wherever you go. In older days, you might even be deemed to be a wizard with such great power that even nasty mosquitoes prefer to take the path less flown. This is made possible thanks to the device automatically emitting a subtle floral scent of geraniol, a plant-derived essential oil which is also a natural insect repellent. In laboratory tests which were performed by a University of Florida entomologist, geraniol proved to be way effective compared to DEET, a chemical that sees action in most bug repellents. Since the Clip On Mosquito Repeller runs off a silent fan, you need not worry about it driving you nuts instead of the buzzing of mosquitoes. Each geraniol cartridge (two included with each purchase) can last up to 120 hours, where it has a button to turn it on or off. Powered by a couple of AA batteries, give yourself some relief from mosquitoes with this $24.95 purchase

USB Powered UVMini

USB Powered UVMini

If you’re traveling and happen to be staying in a strange hotel, you don’t always know whether or not the place is sanitary. That’s a tricky thing if you happen to drop your toothbrush on the bathroom floor or within the shower. Thankfully there is this UVMini that lets you sanitize your toothbrush while you’re on the go, instead of having to purchase a whole new brush every time you get clumsy.

The UVMini uses USB power to make sure it stays up and going. That’s convenient for those of you that never travel without your laptop. If you happen to be away from your computer though, it does have a decent rechargeable battery that’ll let you sterilize your toothbrush even when it’s not plugged in. Each of these tiny boxes comes with a cute little design on the front. You can read more as to which stores you can find this in by going

Steampunk iRetrofone iPhone Base

Steampunk iRetrofone iPhone Base

Finding the proper iPhone dock to really represent your iPhone can be tricky business. Especially if you’re a very particular person who prefers to keep their gadgets as unique as humanly possible. Thankfully there are enough hard working men and women out there that strive to make interesting accessories for all sorts of gadgets. One example of that is the iRetrophone-Steampunk iPhone Base.

It’s completely hand-sculpted and made out of cold cast copper, with extreme attention to detail. For those of you worried about radiation, you’re in luck with this base. Thanks to the base, they say it gets rid of radiation problems. It can accommodate sync and charge options through a USB cable that you’ll have to provide yourself. The base is compatible with all iPhones. You can purchase one for $450 through Etsy.

Hitachi LifeStudio drives makes it easier to archive digital memories

Hitachi LifeStudio drives makes it easier to archive digital memories

While digital cameras in this day and age are extremely affordable (if you’re talking about a decent entry-level model) and have no recurring costs like purchasing and developing film, it comes at a price – you will need to have a proper backup system of all your photos if you were to dive knee deep into photography. Not only that, do remember the pain of migration from one platform to another over time since formats and media types tend to change as well, alongside the risk of the magnetic bits on your hard drive platter disintegrating in time, so make sure you always have at least two backups of a single photo wherever you are. Hitachi is proud to develop what they call an evolved hard drive, bringing the Hitachi LifeStudio Drives to the market as the first and only All-in-One external drive that makes it a whole lot easier to organize, protect and relive life’s most stunning moments.

Among the highlighted features would be Automatic Organization and Easy Sharing – now who wouldn’t want that? How does Automatic Organization work, you ask? Well first of all, the drive will automatically pull together and organize your photos, videos, music and documents from your computer, a compatible connected USB device or even over your range of social media outlets, making them a whole lot easier to access as and when you want them, not to mention making the dissemination process a whole lot easier as well. You can also easily upload, view and interact with photos on Facebook, Flickr and Picasa Web Albums without once leaving the application – that is how tight the integration is.

With 3D Navigation built-in, you can relive those beautiful moments on a 3D wall, making it easier to search for an individual photo instead of going through folder after nested folder due to a failing memory. Hitachi LifeStudio drives are also big on data protection, bringing the concept to the next level by offering both local and online cloud backup in a single integrated solution. Not only that, you only need to familiarize yourself with just one interface, so there is no need to go through the hassle of downloading and installing two separate programs any more. All online content will be stored in its natural format, so you can access your files from virtually anywhere in the world as long as there is an Internet connection. Prices start from $79.99 upwards.

Dell Inspiron Mini netbook gets special MLB editions

Dell Inspiron Mini netbook gets special MLB editions

Dell’s range of Inspiron Mini netbooks are definitely worth a look, as they offer decent performance at a sweet price point. Well, this time around, Dell decided to spruce up its Inspiron Mini range by offering a version that sports the All MLB Teams, courtesy of die hard fan artwork from the Dell Design Studio. Of course, sports fans might just want to add another netbook to their range of gizmos and gadgets already especially when it comes to the world of die hard sports fans where spending money on merchandise does not really warrant a rational mind.

For the traveling baseball fan, the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 could very well be the perfect travel companion device, as it offers on the go access for checking stats, watching online gamecasts, managing a fantasy team, or even catching a broadcast game on it if you decide to fork out more money for an integrated digital TV tuner. Since there are 95 different MLB team designs, we’re pretty sure you won’t have a problem finding an Inspiron Mini 10 just for you. Of course, even if you are not a sports or baseball fan, you can always purchase one for your dad, brother or other family member.

This isn’t the first time that Dell unveiled a Major League Baseball collection as they already did it last fall, although that came with custom artwork which featured all 30 MLB teams. This time round, the special lid designs that are available on Dell’s popular Mini and Studio laptops, will also range from more subtle team logos in one corner to loud and proud full-cover extravaganzas. This spring, Dell even have a trio of special edition designs recognizing the 2009 World Champion New York Yankees. You can make your purchase online by an experience which is similar to touring an art gallery, where you are able to interactively view and select from hundreds of designs, artists, colors and patterns in order to come up with a Dell that reflects exactly who you are. All images are permanently imprinted into the laptop lid, making the design extremely durable.

TextHook Stroller Smartphone Holder

TextHook Stroller Smartphone Holder

So you happen to own a smartphone? Well, most of the smartphones these days come with built-in GPS navigation capability, which would be great if you happen to be new in a particular city. For new parents who swear by GPS, why not pick up the TextHook Stroller Smartphone Holder? After all, it is able to hold your smartphone securely onto a stroller, helping both you and baby get around town on foot without getting lost. Not only that, it frees up both hands to perform other parental tasks such as holding a baby, feeding him/her or changing the diapers – basically anything that requires both hands to jump into action. Targeting the geek parent, it won’t interfere with display accessibility be it touchscreen or keyboard, but be forewarned that moving around while using your smartphone might not be too wise as you don’t know where you’re pushing baby to. It will set you back by $25.99.

Acer Canada to roll out new 3D projectors

Acer Canada to roll out new 3D projectors

Acer Canada has plans to introduce new 3D video projectors for the masses in the Great White North, where it is made possible thanks to a clever combination of the projectors’ DLP 3D projection capabilities as well as high refresh rates. Because of that, a flat surface of any wall can be turned into an impromptu 3D screen, just make sure that the color is light enough (white is best) for the best image quality, since a yellow or orange painted wall can be quite disconcerting on the eyes when you project a video. We will take a closer look at the projectors in the extended post.

The Acer X1230PS will target home theater enthusiasts, as it offers brilliant visuals regardless of whether you are viewing video, game content or photos among others. There is an incredible level of realism and video immersion achieved via this short-throw projector, where you will be able to enjoy clear, large images up to 109-inches diagonal even while positioned as close as 6.5-feet from the screen, doing away with a long projection distance. You will be able to enjoy a cinematic aspect ratio of 16:9, not to mention 4:3 when the situation calls for it. The Acer X1230PS delivers XGA resolution (1,024 x 768 pixels) as well as 2500 ANSI lumens and 3000:1 contrast ratio. also heightens the color and clarity of the images. Connectivity options include composite video, s-video mini-DIN, component video, D-sub for a PC analog signal, as well as USB mini B, and RS232 mini-DIN control interface. It will retail for 699 Canadian dollars.

As for the Acer X1261, this 3D projector delivers up to 2500 ANSI lumens, a 3700:1 contrast ratio and a vertical refresh rate of 50-120Hz, all in native XGA resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio with the ability to be adjusted to a 16:9 aspect ratio if you happen to view video content from Blu-ray Discs and DVD. It will connect to other devices via composite video, component video, and S-video mini-DIN, as well as a RS232 mini-DIN control interface. If you’re looking for a decent 3D projector without breaking the bank, then the Acer X1261 represents good value for money for 599 Canadian dollars. All purchases come with a 1-year warranty, while the lamp is guaranteed for 3 months.

Smart Helmet detects how hard you have crashed

Smart Helmet detects how hard you have crashed

This Smart Helmet, developed by Northeastern University researchers, is designed for skiers, even though I never remember skiing with a helmet on. Of course, I never biked with a helmet on either, and I think that is a requirement now. I don’t know about wearing a helm on the slopes.

The purpose of the smart helmet is to detect how much it has been impacted. Apparently, a lot of skiers are injured by hitting things like trees, rocks, and stuff.

The Smart Helmet can somehow measure the acceleration and impact, and can then report any potential injury that is based on the force of the impact.

There is some sort of LED light that will turn the screen red, to indicate that the wearer has a serious concussion. This will signal to the ski patrol that serious medical attention is required.

Of course, this could also have a military application. Just imagine what this type of helmet could do for a hurt soldier in the field.

It is a helmet that is still a concept, but I have another idea of how to improve this particular device. What if there was some panic-alert device that would send out a specific frequency to a medical team if the helmet detected a serious concussion? Think that one over, developers.

Magellan has new range of eXplorist handheld GPS devices

Magellan has new range of eXplorist handheld GPS devices

Magellan has just introduced a new range of eXplorist handheld GPS devices which will target the outdoor recreation market, where it will come in the eXplorist 510, 610 and 710 models which enable adventurers to navigate through various outdoor destinations throughout the world. Of course, these are also more than capable of capturing geotagged photos along the way, allowing you to share you experiences online when you return home. All of the new eXplorist models will merge high-sensitivity GPS, an intuitive user interface, easy-to-read mapping and accurate navigation to make sure you can find your way around, and they will roll out to consumers in North America, Europe, and many other countries worldwide sometime before the year is over, specifically in Q4 2010.

You will be able to find a 3″ color touchscreen display, a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus capability, a microphone and speaker to record ge-referenced images, videos and voice notes in all three new eXplorist handheld GPS units. Not only that, they’re rugged enough to be certified as waterproof (according to the IPX-7 standard), although this doesn’t mean you can bring it on your next diving trip. Not only that, they will be preloaded with the most detailed worldwide map in the industry, where Magellan’s World Edition map will comprise of a complete road network for the U.S., Canada, Western Europe and Australia, not to mention water features, urban and rural land use, and a realistic shaded relief background.

LG Electronics to take the 3D route with new range

LG Electronics to take the 3D route with new range

3D seems to be the next big thing these days, and LG Electronics does not want to miss out on it by bringing entertainment to the next dimension through the introduction of a full suite of 3D technology products which will definitely do its bit to usher content to life for consumers. You will be able to experience a whole new way of viewing movies by pairing LG’s new top-of-the-line “Infinia” LED HDTVs with its first-ever 3D-capable Network Blu-ray Disc player, letting you immerse yourself in superior picture quality and a 3D experience of your favorite sporting events as well as Hollywood mega-hits without heading out to the nearest cinema, but instead relaxing in the comfort of your home.

The LG Infinia LX9500 and LX6500 series HDTVs are compatible with LG’s BX580 Network Blu-ray Disc player as well as custom 3D eyewear, letting you experience 3D TV, colors and contrast like never before. As for the LX9500, you will be able to enjoy the ultimate home entertainment experience with THX certified picture quality, Full LED Slim technology, virtually unlimited content possibilities from NetCast Entertainment Access and an ultra-high refresh rate among others. LG hopes to make ownership of 3D technology more affordable for everyday folks like you and I by offering an exclusive bundle at retail for the launch of its 3D technology suite, where picking up any LG LX9500 or LX6500 LED HDTV alongside the LG 3D Blu-ray Disc Player from participating retailers, will save on the additional purcahse of 3D active shutter glasses as they will get two pairs for free, not to mention a $100 instant rebate and a bonus redemption certificate for you to receive Warner Home Video’s Blu-ray 3D title IMAX Under the Sea 3D by mail – of course, this offer is good while stocks last.

Getting these new appliances won’t put a strain on your monthly power bill either since both of LG’s 3D LED HDTVs have a variety of energy-saving features, where among them include an Intelligent Sensor which automatically calibrates and optimizes brightness, contrast, white balance and color, based on the ambient light in the room, helping it go some way in saving on energy output under most circumstances. They are also ENERGY STAR rated for that added peace of mind. Any takers?

Neckey Multifunctional Laptop Stand

Neckey Multifunctional Laptop Stand

If you’re worried about ergonomics, keeping your laptop cool, plus having it in the perfect position to view the screen, then this laptop stand could be worth investing in. To have a well rounded laptop stand that allows for you to have an easy to use tabletop design isn’t exactly common. Sure, some worry about keeping the laptop cool, but to have all 3 features is a great find.

The design is a patented one that allows a little bit of customization as far as the angles go. The keyboard itself that comes with it can be customized to different languages. If you’re worried about your laptop fitting, it’ll hold sizes from 10 to 14.1 inches. Sadly it looks like you’ll have to contact the company to find out things like availability and the pricing.

Verizon and Samsung team up to bring N150 netbook to the masses

Verizon and Samsung team up to bring N150 netbook to the masses

Both Verizon Wireless and Samsung Electronics have come together this time round, offering a spanking new netbook (all right, so the netbook is not exactly brand new when it comes to a market release, but at least it isn’t pre-loved when yours arrives at the doorstep!) which comes in the form of the Samsung N150, merging a sleek design with a battery life which is able to last up to seven hours. Of course, while there are many places with free Wi-Fi connectivity these days, you would be pleased to know that this version of the Samsung N150 is able to deliver anytime, anywhere mobile broadband network connectivity thanks to the proliferation of Verizon’s network throughout the country.

The Samsung N150 has been ready for order since last week, and underneath the hood you will be able to find a range of specifications and features such as an Intel Atom N450 1.66GHz processor running the proceedings from within, not to mention Windows 7 Starter as the operating system of choice which is more than capable of handling a slew of applications without compromising on performance – at least within the confines of a netbook. We don’t expect you to run AutoCAD on a netbook, you know. There is also the presence of a pre-installed SIM Card that enables access to over 200 countries, where more than 110 of those are connected via 3G speeds so that you don’t have to tear your hair out while waiting on EDGE speeds.

Thanks to its integrated chargeable USB port, you can use the N150’s battery to juice up your range of mobile devices even when it is turned off, making it a whole lot more convenient as there is one less charger for you to tote around where USB devices are concerned. Tipping the scales at a mere 2.73 pounds, you need not worry about whether your shoulder breaking over a long distance flight or route compared to other traditional heavier notebooks. The inclusion of Wi-Fi N connectivity also helps you keep up with the times. There are several Mobile Broadband plans to choose from, ranging from $39.99 to $59.99 for monthly access with limited data, while those who want to take the prepaid route aren’t short of options either.

IBM Aquastar is a water cooled supercomputer

IBM Aquastar is a water cooled supercomputer

PC modding enthusiasts will know that if they want to overclock their rig to its full potential, there is always the water cooling route to take. After all, stock modification of its clock speed can only go so far before the chip becomes a useless piece of melted silicon, and fans aren’t exactly the best way to keep things running nice and cool no matter how large the blade is. Liquid cooling, on the other hand, helps unlock the full potential of the processor as it pushes everything to the extreme, so it is rather interesting to hear of computing giants IBM come up with the IBM Aquasar which by its name alone, you can tell that it has something to do with water. You’re right – the IBM Aquasar is the first-of-a-kind hot water-cooled supercomputer which is currently seeing action at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich).

This uniquely configured Aquasar computer will consume up to 40% less juice compared to a regular air-cooled machine, but thanks to the direct utilization of waste heat in the building’s heating system, it results in an 85% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Now how about that when it comes to keeping things nice and green? Imagine if all the supercomputers in this world were to run on such a principle, how different things would be then. At least it shows that nerds go out of their way to keep the world green for the next generation. Apart from that, it will require less powerful air conditioning within the server rook of a networked office building or data center, which will also yield greener results in the long run.

Installed at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zurich, the Aquasar comprises of three IBM BladeCenter H chassis with a total of 33 IBM BladeCenter QS22 servers (two IBM PowerXCell 8i Processors each) and nine IBM BladeCenter HS22 servers (two Intel Nehalem EP Processors each). Among them, one chassis is air-cooled while the remainder have micro-channel liquid coolers attached directly to processors and some components within the server which are then cooled with warm water (up to 60C).

Solar Powered plane stays airborne for 26 minutes

Solar Powered plane stays airborne for 26 minutes

Some of you might remember when we first brought up the Solar Impulse and how it succeeded in making an 87-minute long flight at 5,000 feet. I’ve just learned that the Solar Impulse has completed a 26-hour flight, and it reached an altitude of 28,543 feet.

I believe that I reported a few months ago that they were hoping for a 36 hour flight as part of their next stop, and I am not certain if this last flight exceeds or lowers expectations.

Some of you are probably wondering how the Solar Impulse could achieve its historic flight of 26 hours when there isn’t 26 hours of sun on any given day. The answer is simple: batteries. I’m not certain if these batteries were charged before or during the flight, though.

Either way, it proves that solar power is a definite power source for the airways, which could change just about everything! Assuming that the program is still on track, there is a plan to get the Solar Impulse around the world in 2012.

Of course, you realize that the Solar Impulse is a light plane with 12,000 solar cells, and a jumbo jet would be a whole lot heavier. In other words, there is a whole lot of bugs to be worked out before we flying a solar-powered friendly skies.

Motorola Charm from T-Mobile

Motorola Charm from T-Mobile

T-Mobile has a spanking new smartphone on offer for the masses, and we’re talking about the Motorola Charm here. This unique touchscreen handset will come with built-in social networking capability, complete with the Android 2.1 operating system (hopefully an Android 2.2 update will be released in due time), not to mention their proprietary MOTOBLUR enhancement to help customize the Android experience on Motorola’s range of smartphones. Apart from that, its compact design and a BACKTRACK feature further drives a more intuitive screen navigation experience, especially so for a new user. More on the Motorola Charm in the extended post, so read on.

You can expect the Motorola Charm to be made available Stateside from T-Mobile later this summer, although an exact release date has yet to be revealed. Just what does the hardware offer? For starters, the display isn’t as large as some of you out there might want, although it ain’t no slouch either with a 2.8″ touchscreen, and since it has a full QWERTY keyboard, you won’t find yourself fumbling when it comes to composing a long email or text message. As for its BACKTRACK navigation pad, it is located on the back of the smartphone straight behind the home screen in a similar manner to that of a laptop touch panel, providing you with an unobstructed view of the Web, texts, e-mails and news feeds. Apart from that, Android 2.1 and enhanced MOTOBLUR features lends the Charm new customization and filtering options.

Here’s a little bit of trivia – the Motorola Charm is the first device in the US to boast an enhanced version of MOTOBLUR built on Android 2.1, where it will be able to synchronize contacts, posts, messages, photos and more in easy to manage streams, making sure you’re always up to speed when it comes to various sources including Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Gmail, work and personal e-mail. With Adobe Flash support built-in, a 3-megapixel camera, CrystalTalk PLUS for enhanced audio and call quality with a second microphone for increased voice quality that filters out background noise, this mid-range Android phone looks set to make a decent splash, don’t you think so?

Sony releases smallest 3D cameras in the world

Sony releases smallest 3D cameras in the world

Sony has further expanded its family of Cyber-shot digital still cameras with two more models, namely the DSC-TX9 and DSC-WX5, making them the smallest 3D cameras in the world being full well capable of capturing 3D images with a single lens system using nothing but a sweeping motion. This means making your own 3D panorama shots are easier than ever before, where it is all made possible thanks to a high-speed burst of frames which is then stitched together using innovative processing techniques, resulting in an automatically created detail-packed 3D panorama. Of course, you can always choose to enjoy these images in mere 2D, or in stunning 3D as long as you own a compatible 3D television. This would mean a larger initial outlay since you will also require 3D-compatible HDMI cables and 3D glasses, where all of these are sold separately.

Both the DSC-TX9 that comes with a 3.5″ 921k resolution LCD touchscreen display and the DSC-WX5 that sports a 2.8″ LCD display lets you view images in a whole new way. With Sweep Multi Angle, you are able to view images moving in simulated 3D right on the cameras’ LCD display simply by tilting the camera back and forth. This new shooting feature will then capture 15 images at different angles, compiling them into a single photo to create a 3D-like effect on the display. Pretty neat – who would have thought that technology would have advanced at such a pace that off of these are now possible.

Not only that, the 12.2-megapixel TX9 and WX5 models will also come with new features such as Background Defocus that will simulate depth of field control and Superior Auto mode, offering low image-noise levels which were previously only available from DSLR cameras. You can also record your favorite memories down in full HD video thanks to the AVCHD format which is normally used in Sony’s high-definition Handycam camcorders. Other features include Optical SteadyShot image stabilization to help overcome camera shake, and the ability to choose between the Memory Stick PRO Duo and class 4 and above SD/SDHC memory card formats offer unprecedented flexibility. The TX9 will retail for $400, while the T99 and WX5 are going for $250 and $300, respectively.

Callpod Onyx and Vetro Bluetooth headsets have superb range

Callpod Onyx and Vetro Bluetooth headsets have superb range

Both the Callpod Onyx and Vetro Bluetooth 2.0 headsets are very different from the rest simply because they are not limited to the traditional 10-meter range that most Bluetooth headsets come with, but will instead boast five times the reach, surpassing even 50 meters under ideal conditions. Not only that, both models will also sport 2-Way Walkie-Talkie and Dual-Mic Noise Suppression technology for crystal clear conversations to make sure that nothing gets lost, an important factor to consider if you’re a business person who is constantly on the go and need to get your message across in a concise and accurate manner regardless of the environment you’re in. More on both Bluetooth headsets in the extended post.

As mentioned earlier, both the Onyx and Vetro Bluetooth headsets are able to work flawlessly within a 164 ft (50m) range, although we are assuming that this means not having interfering factors such as thick concrete walls, but rather, being in an open field/space without any obstructions. This fivefold increase in range (theoretically) will enable users to roam around the office or home without the limitation of being tethered to their cellphone. Apart from that, the Onyx and Vetro will also play nice with your PC or Mac when it comes to holding Skype calls, letting you switch between the computer and cellphone with but a press of a button.

To further save money on your monthly phone bill, why not equip the entire office with the Onyx and Vetro? After all, they can be used with other Vetro, Onyx or Dragon V2 headsets for two-way or push to talk communication, as long as you remain within a reasonable connection distance. Of course, one might argue that using the built-in PABX system is good enough, but what about those moments when you’re not sure where your colleague is, and you call his or her cellphone? Taking around 3 hours for a full charge, you get up to 5 hours talk time and over 120 hours on standby with either headset. The Onyx and Vetro will retail for $69.95 and $99.95, respectively just in case you’re interested.

Zeroracer electric powered vehicle set to blaze new trails

Zeroracer electric powered vehicle set to blaze new trails

Just what is the Zero Race, you ask? Well, this is a unique event that will see contestants attempt to make a dash around the globe within 80 days without an iota of emission – we’re talking about zero emission here, and that is achievable only using purebred electric powered vehicles. In this unique event, one of the most distinctive entries would be the Zerotracer. It was speically designed by a group of engineers from Winterthur, Switzerland, where this delicious looking electric motorcycle is capable of ferrying around two passengers in a Kevlar shell. To help it complete its mission faster, you definitely won’t expect it to plod around, right? Which is why it has the ability to hit a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph), while achieving a maximum range of 350 km (217 miles) on a single charge.

This vehicle is built based on a MonoTracer body, although the original 4-cylinder in-line BMW K-engine has been taken out only to be replaced with a battery-powered electric motor which is capable of churning out 135 kW/183Hp to propel the Zerotracer from 0-100 km/h in a mere 4.5 seconds, a figure not to be trifled with. Should there be no passengers on it, the vehicle tips the scales at under 80kg (176-lbs) and the 18 kWh, 400V battery pack can achieve a full charged in just a couple of hours, whereas a quick charge is able to juice up the battery pack to 80 percent capacity in under 30 minutes.

As both the driver and passenger are safely enclosed in the vehicle’s Kevlar composite outer shell, neither are able to use their legs to remain upright when the Zerotracer isn’t moving. How then, does it do it? Well, a pair of retractable wheels will help the Zeroracer stabilize itself when stationary. To move, it will retract said wheels which protrude from the side of the cabin, although they will come into action to function as a “knee” of sorts to skim the road when cornering at high speeds to maintain its stability. Can’t wait for something like this to hit the mainstream market.

J L Dream Machine Mood Clock Radio

J L Dream Machine Mood Clock Radio

If you’re having trouble sleeping and it’s not so easy waking up, you could use this combination gadget to help. It’ll coax you into a deep sleep, as well as make sure you come back out of it at the proper time in the morning. Plus this odd looking gadget has a way of making your nightstand look a whole lot more interesting.

The clock shows the time, date and day of the week much like any other simple clock you can get out there. It also lets you fall asleep to the peaceful sounds of the ocean, waves, forest, brook, heartbeat and 3 others. It’ll also let you listen to both AM and FM radio, plus it has your usual snooze button for when you’re not ready in the morning. You can purchase it for £19.99 or about $30 through

Philips Energy Efficient Kettle

Philips Energy Efficient Kettle

When it comes to cutting back on the amount of energy you use, it’s a game of cutting small corners in every area. If you boil water for your tea, this Philips Kettle is yet another corner you can cut. It makes the art of boiling water a whole lot more precise and therefore cutting back on the amount of energy you use while boiling.

The energy efficient kettle has a measuring guide that lets you know just how many cups of water are within it. Thanks to the flat heating element it boils the water much faster and uses less energy. It’s also easy to clean thanks to that same flat element. To let you know when it’s done, the light stays on while the kettle is doing its work and kicks off when the water is boiling.

Green Cri electric acrobatic airplane hits the skies

Green Cri electric acrobatic airplane hits the skies

There is nothing quite like the feeling of flying really high, overlooking the vast lands below while being closer to heaven than most. Well, the Green Cri is one such personal aircraft, being an electric acrobatic airplane that was the star of the recent Paris Green Air Show. This is an experimental aerobatic electric aircraft which actually hasn’t spent a single second in the air, although in theory it ought to be able to duke it out with the rest of the migratory geese and other feathered friends. Featuring a quartet of engines, gorgeous smooth lines and intriguing bubble pilot enclosure, the Green Air comes in a form factor that will definitely appeal to just about anybody and everyone. What’s all the fuss about the Green Cri anyway? Well, head on after the jump for more information.

The Green Cri was developed as a scientific research aircraft by EADS Innovation Works and Aero Composites Saintonge. Needless to say, the name itself suggests it was based on the limited, yet popular, short range MC-15 Cri Cri ultralights which was originally constructed in the 1970s, featuring similar dimensions as the MC-15 with a wingspan of just over 16 feet and being some 12 feet 10 inches long and 4 feet in height. One thing that sets this apart though would be the lack of fuel engines in front of each wing, instead, the Green Cri test prototype comes with four high voltage, low intensity brushless electric motors with counter-rotating propellers. In order to make sure the aircraft remains light, it uses lightweight carbon composite structures as part of its build, helping balance out the 26.8kg four pack of Lithium Polymer batteries, where each of them provide 100V (5Ah). Should it actually take off, the overall weight (including the pilot) will be just 175.5kg.

With sufficent modification made to the design and integration of the electric engines, this has resulted in a 20% to 30% aerodynamic efficiency gain, which should be able to help the aircraft achieve 30 minutes of cruise flight at 110kph, or 15 minutes of aerobatics at up to 250kph on a single hour-long charge of the batteries. We’d hate to be in this when the aircraft runs out of juice, so the pilot had better keep a keen eye out of battery levels and land safely whenever a warning light or message flashes. Could this usher in a new era of zero emission aircraft?

Samsung has new Q Series notebooks out

Samsung has new Q Series notebooks out

Samsung, a name that many of us are familiar with especially when it comes to consumer electronics, is also carving out a pretty reliable niche for itself in the computer and digital camera markets lately. This is true when it comes to the new Q Series of notebooks which will come in three different models, and they are the 13.3″ Q330, 14″ Q430 and 15.6″ Q530, where all of them will come with 720p displays. The highest end model among the three would be the Q530, where it is pretty mobile considering a thickness that measures slightly more than an inch thin, boasting processing power from an Intel Core i3 2.26GHz processor, although those who want more punch can always fork out additional dough and get the Intel Core i5. Best to watch that battery life though, since a better processor often means a higher power consumption, so you might want to pick up a larger capacity battery in the process if you tend to do work across long haul flights with no power outlet in sight. Apart from that, the Q530 won’t be wanting when it comes to graphics processing, since NVIDIA’s 1GB GeForce GT 330M is included into the entire mix. The whole works will tip the scales at around 5.3lbs – not exactly the most lightweight model out there, but it will have to suffice considering the kind of components you find within.

Apart from that, a similar chipset will be available as an option on the smaller Q430, although the video card comes with half the amount of memory – we’re talking about a 512MB GeForce 310M as standard fare. Apart from that, it shares pretty much similar configurations including an Intel Core i3 processor and 4GB RAM as the Q530. Some of the differences include a smaller, 320GB hard drive compared to the Q530’s 500GB unit. The Q430 will weigh in at a slightly lighter 4.6lbs.

Last but not least would be the Q330 which comes with the same CPU alongside hybrid graphics, helping you switch between the integrated Intel processor and NVIDIA’s GeForce 310M, as and when required. It is the lightest among the three at 4.3lbs, with a five-cell battery life rated at up to seven hours.

iPad Features

iPad Features

So far, we've discussed the iPad's design. Now let's talk about what it does. If you're familiar with the iPhone or iPod Touch, chances are you could pick up an iPad and start using it without much trouble.

All three devices change picture orientation by simply rotating the device via built-in, three-axis accelerometers, but the iPad has something its smaller cousins lack: the screen rotation lock. This allows the iPad's screen orientation to be locked in either portrait (vertical) or landscape (horizontal) orientation.

Like the iPhone and iPod touch, iPad has a full QWERTY on-screen keyboard. When the devices operates in landscape mode, the iPad's virtual keyboard is almost the same size as keyboards found in iMac systems.

According to Apple, the iPad runs most of the more than 150,000 applications currently available for the iPhone and iPod touch. The iPad comes loaded with 12 next-generation multi-touch applications, including the Safari browser and redesigned Mail application. Also included are iPod and iTunes apps as well as YouTube, Maps, App Store, Notes, Calendar, Contacts and iBooks.

As with any Apple product, you can expect a diverse range of accessories for the iPad. One is the iPad Keyboard Dock, which connects with the iPad in the vertical orientation. The keyboard docking system allows you to use a full-size keyboard and turns the iPad into more of a computer display. But it's important to point out that the iPad isn't a computer. We'll get into that more later in the article.

OK, you're getting closer to fully understanding the iPad. How about we look at some technical data now? Let's break down each model in the next section with a comprehensive comparison chart. You'll find there isn't really a whole lot different between the six models - except, of course, price. We'll look at that on the next page.

iPad Technical Information

iPad Technical Information

You can buy an iPad in one of three storage configurations, either with Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi plus 3G. Perhaps the best way to visually represent what you get with each model is with a simple comparison of features:

Wi-Fi Only Wi-Fi plus 3G

Width 7.47 inches (19 centimeters) 7.47 inches (19 centimeters)

Depth 0.5 inches (1.3 centimeters) 0.5 inches (1.3 centimeters)

Weight

1.5 pounds (0.7 kilograms)

1.6 pounds (0.7 kilograms)

Storage Capacity

16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB

Storage Type

Solid state

Solid state

Price $499, $599, $699 $629, $729, $829

Processor 1GHz Apple A4 1GHz Apple A4

Battery Life

10 hours 10 hours

Battery Lifespan

1,000+ charges

1,000+ charges

Pre-loaded

Apps

12 12

Case

Recycled aluminum

Recycled aluminum

Wi-Fi

802.11a/b/g/n

802.11a/b/g/n

Bluetooth

2.1 + EDR technology 2.1 + EDR technology

3G

None

UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)

GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

Data only

AT&T Data

Price Plan

None

$14.99/month (250MB), $29.99 (unlimited)

Video

Up to 720p, 30 frames per second

Up to 720p, 30 frames per second

Micro SIM

Card Tray

None

One

As you can see, there's not a whole lot of difference between the two models. But a few things do set them apart, most notably 3G capability.

U.S. Federal Communications Commission

These are the iPad's WiFi and Bluetooth transceivers with the shielding removed.The Wi-Fi models work much the same way a notebook or netbook computer works. All three devices communicate with a wireless Internet connection via built-in Wi-Fi. You would be subject to the same Wi-Fi hotspot limitations with this iPad model as you would a notebook computer. The Wi-Fi + 3G model allows you more freedom to browse the Internet and check e-mail. By utilizing similar wireless and cellular technology found in the iPhone, you can tap into the Internet using 3G service, but it'll cost you. If you go this route, not only will you pay an additional $130 for the 3G-enabled device, you'll need to purchase one of two 3G data plans through AT&T. Plan on an additional $15 or $30 per month, depending on how much data you want. Regardless of which plan you choose, as of this writing, you don't have to lock into a contract. If you choose to, you can purchase 3G data sporadically, depending on how much you intend to use. If you do choose the Wi-Fi + 3G model, don't expect to be walking around holding the device up to your ear and calling your friends. Like with the iPhone and iPod Touch, you'll be able to access all your social networking sites and use e-mail on the run, but the iPad isn't a phone. When you pay for 3G service, it's for data only.

If you're new to Apple products, you may not be familiar with CEO Steve Jobs. The Apple founder is a mercurial individual and has a unique way of doing things. He's known for his showmanship at company media events, and when he unveiled iPad at a keynote seminar in March 2010, plenty of people were hanging on his every word. In the next section we'll look at what some in the media have said and delve into some of the shortcomings that may keep iPhone or notebook owners from dropping all that coin on a new gadget.

How the iPad Works

How the iPad Works

Imagine waking up in the morning and instead of sending the dog out front to retrieve your soggy newspaper, it's already electronically delivered to a high-tech gizmo and waiting for you to read. When you get done with the paper, you can get up-to-the-minute analyst reports on your stocks. Then, on the way to work, you can watch a video or play a few games.

Jan. 27, 2010, may be a day the gadget world looks back on as a turning point in portable personal computing and the way we use digital media. Or it may also turn out to be the day Apple got it wrong. That was the day the company announced the release of its much-anticipated iPad. As is common with Apple products, the iPad's development was kept behind a curtain of secrecy. When soon as the curtain was raised, though, a new device stuck somewhere between smartphone and computer emerged. And that's when all the questions started pouring in.

At first glance, the iPad looks like an iPhone or iPod touch on steroids. It's much larger than those two related devices, yet smaller than a notebook computer. Its sleek finish and unique engineering scream Apple design. But many are wondering: What exactly is the iPad? The quick answer is, it's a digital media tablet. If you're even more confused now, don't worry. This article aims to shed some light on the device that has sparked so much buzz.

On the next page, we'll start by taking a look at its design in the next section before getting into some of its features later on.

How Solar Aircraft Work

How Solar Aircraft Work

Solar energy is abundant and infinitely renewable. Therefore, it's not surprising to see the proliferation of devices that rely on the sun. From solar yard lights to solar-powered homes and businesses, many people can take advantage of the energy the sun has to offer. But you might be thinking that solar yard lights aren't all that exciting (although, the science behind them can be) and maybe you're wondering what else there is out there. Would you believe solar aircraft?

Although they've been flying since the 1970s, solar aircraft may have flown so far below your radar that they sound new. A solar airplane could take you for quite an amazing ride. You'd have to start in the morning and wait for the clouds to clear. Propellers whirring, the plane would travel with yawn-inducing slowness down the runway. As the wind caught the plane, you'd ascend so slowly that you'd hardly be pressed into your seat.

You'd climb above birds, above Mount Everest, above commercial jets and above military spy planes (NASA and AeroVironment's Helios climbed to 96, 863 feet [29,524 meters]). You'd settle into the stratosphere, home to icy cirrus clouds.

However fun such a joyride might sound, solar planes are designed for other uses. Since they're basically low-flying satellites, at first NASA envisioned parking them over cities as communications platforms, but that was before we had many cell phone towers. Now, the military is eyeing solar planes for surveillance. They can, in theory, stay aloft for years. In reality, though, the stats aren't quite there yet: The record is 82 hours without landing, set by QinetiQ's "Zephyr"

Skyhook Wireless works with Samsung

Skyhook Wireless works with Samsung

Skyhook Wireless might not be familiar to some of you out there, so here’s a little bit of nitty gritty on it – it is a provider of the Core Location Platform, where the company recently announced that Samsung will deploy Skyhook’s technology across multiple Samsung mobile devices. Skyhook has chosen the Samsung Wave (also known as the S8500) to be the first handset to roll out with its Skyhook service. Of course, we do hope that the Wave will not be the last phone to do so, as this is one of the first few bada-powered open mobile platform phones to arrive in the market at the moment. The addition of Skyhook on Samsung devices like the Wave results in an all location-aware application which offers the most precise, reliable, and fastest location information available.

Geo-location is at the center of this mobile innovation, and seems to be more and more fundamental to a host of emerging mobile services these days. After all, you can check out hundreds, if not thousands of mobile applications today which incorporate location as a part of their user experience. Precise location will help consumers to check-in with friends, find nearby concerts and exhibits, or even get directions to the destinations of their choice despite being in an unfamiliar place. As for other experiences including turn-by-turn navigation or local search, location is at the very centre, with applications such as Twitter, Shazam and OpenTable incorporating location to simplify user experience and to personalize content delivery.

Currently, Skyhook is the de facto leader in geo-location technology, capable of fulfilling hundreds of millions of location requests each day over a 100 million handsets, netbooks and digital cameras – are those figures enough to send your head into a spin? With the ground-breaking Core Location system from Skyhook Wireless, it will merge Wi-Fi, cellular and GPS readings to produce a single, accurate location quickly and in all environments.

E-Ink Next Generation Display Platform

E-Ink Next Generation Display Platform

With the proliferation of e-book readers these days, it makes perfect sense for manufacturers to jump aboard the e-book display bandwagon, where among them E-Ink has already done a pretty bang up job in the past. The company has just announced that it will be releasing its next generation display technology known as Pearl in the second quarter of the year. Pearl will be the way where E Ink expands the capabilities of reflective displays, helping bring electronic paper performance to the next level. It is touted to offer the whitest reflective displays in the industry, while its contrast ratio is now rated at approximately 50% more than today’s products, making text on the Pearl seemingly “pop” from the page, resulting in a reading experience most similar to reading text on printed paper. Now, where have we heard of that before?

It would be interesting to see whether the E-Ink Pearl’s introduction in more and more devices would mean the iPad would be used less as an e-book reader and more like a tablet device for surfing and browsing. Apart from that, the Pearl is a more lightweight and eco-friendly product compared to ordinary paper, since you will experience with less eye strain and longer battery life when compared to LCD technology. Those who are more technically inclined would be interested to known that the E-Ink Pearl design builds on the current generation of Vizplex designs.

Currently, E-Ink technology products are the lowest power displays in the market where e-book readers are concerned. The Pearl will carry forward that capability with next generation performance, and is completely bi-stable, requiring no power to hold an image or page of text. This als means there is no longer any more need for bookmarks, as an E-Ink display is full well capable of holding your page and save your battery life for weeks and perhaps even up to months, depending on how often or rarely you use your e-book reader.

Saga of the iPhone 4 antenna (one that has still not ended)

Saga of the iPhone 4 antenna (one that has still not ended)

Okay, we all know about the iPhone 4, and I’m sure we all know about the problems it is having with its antenna. If you haven’t heard, the reception in the iPhone will be greatly reduced (sometimes cut off) if the user holds it in a certain way.

This has caused quite an uproar amongst the iPhone 4 community, who have began to call this problem “the death grip”. Especially by those who waited in line on launch day only to find that the newest version of the popular smartphone was not at peak efficiency.

It has now been determined by Apple that the problem is some sort of internal problem with the formula used to calculate the bars of signal strength. They intend to fix it “in a few weeks”, and are offering a money-back guarantee to those who return their iPhone 4 undamaged within 30 days of purchase.

You can read the full letter from Apple explaining this problem after the jump.

Dear iPhone 4 Users,

The iPhone 4 has been the most successful product launch in Apple’s history. It has been judged by reviewers around the world to be the best smartphone ever, and users have told us that they love it. So we were surprised when we read reports of reception problems, and we immediately began investigating them. Here is what we have learned.

To start with, gripping almost any mobile phone in certain ways will reduce its reception by 1 or more bars. This is true of iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, as well as many Droid, Nokia and RIM phones. But some users have reported that iPhone 4 can drop 4 or 5 bars when tightly held in a way which covers the black strip in the lower left corner of the metal band. This is a far bigger drop than normal, and as a result some have accused the iPhone 4 of having a faulty antenna design.

At the same time, we continue to read articles and receive hundreds of emails from users saying that iPhone 4 reception is better than the iPhone 3GS. They are delighted. This matches our own experience and testing. What can explain all of this?

We have discovered the cause of this dramatic drop in bars, and it is both simple and surprising.

Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong. Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength. For example, we sometimes display 4 bars when we should be displaying as few as 2 bars. Users observing a drop of several bars when they grip their iPhone in a certain way are most likely in an area with very weak signal strength, but they don’t know it because we are erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their big drop in bars is because their high bars were never real in the first place.

To fix this, we are adopting AT&T’s recently recommended formula for calculating how many bars to display for a given signal strength. The real signal strength remains the same, but the iPhone’s bars will report it far more accurately, providing users a much better indication of the reception they will get in a given area. We are also making bars 1, 2 and 3 a bit taller so they will be easier to see.

We will issue a free software update within a few weeks that incorporates the corrected formula. Since this mistake has been present since the original iPhone, this software update will also be available for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G.

We have gone back to our labs and retested everything, and the results are the same- the iPhone 4’s wireless performance is the best we have ever shipped. For the vast majority of users who have not been troubled by this issue, this software update will only make your bars more accurate. For those who have had concerns, we apologize for any anxiety we may have caused.

As a reminder, if you are not fully satisfied, you can return your undamaged iPhone to any Apple Retail Store or the online Apple Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.

We hope you love the iPhone 4 as much as we do.

Thank you for your patience and support.

Apple

By the way, many Apple users were getting fake emails from someone claiming to be Steve Jobs that read: “Retire, relax, enjoy your family. It is just a phone. Not worth it”. Apple has stated that these are completely false.

Child creates vacuum cleaner-powered Spider-man suit

Child creates vacuum cleaner-powered Spider-man suit

When I was a kid, I discovered that I could brace my arms and legs against a door frame and then “climb” to the top. My family called it my “spider-man” trick for lack of a better word.

I never perfected my “spider-man” trick as good as 13-year-old Hibiki Kono. Kono has managed to take two 1,400 watt vacuum cleaners and make it so they really suck up against a wall. The end result is a super suit that is a little Iron Man and Spider-man at the same time.

Kono’s method bears a strong resemblance to these gloves that we reported on a while ago that allow the user to climb walls. It was a demonstration for a BBC science show called Bang Goes the Theory.

Yes, he can climb walls, and I’m guessing that his parents probably don’t let him climb very high ones. I suppose that he’ll probably be working on a way to make it so he can spin web-lines and swing from building to building.

I believe this boy already has a super-hero name of Spiderlad. I hope that he comes to understand that “with great power, comes great technology”. And the Spider-man jokes just keep coming.

Perhaps Kono’s apparatus should be mass produced, and made so kids can try this everywhere. Something tells me that OSHA and other parent’s groups will want there to be mattresses and harnesses so playing Spider-man will be “safe”.

T-Mobile offers Samsung Vibrant

T-Mobile offers Samsung Vibrant

The Samsung Galaxy S is one of the more unique handsets Stateside simply because it comes in many variants and is known by different monikers, depending on the mobile carrier which you purchased it from. T-Mobile’s edition is known as the Samsung Vibrant, where this multimedia intensive smartphone is more than capable of combining the whole range of entertainment and communication needs in a single device. For the layman, it could very well be your mobile TV, bookshelf, radio, movie library, gaming system and smartphone all rolled into one. Some of the exclusive entertainment features include the Avatar movie on an included 2GB microSD memory card, as well as an exclusive collector’s edition of a popular game. Not only that, you can continue reading your eBooks thanks to the Amazon Kindle for Android application that opens up the doors to over 600,000 books, MobiTV with live and on-demand TV, and much more.

The Vibrant is equipped with a 4″ Super AMOLED touch screen display that is capable of delivering a vivid, sharp color HD-like viewing experience, regardless of whether you want to play a game, watch a movie or read an eBook wherever you are. Boasting a slim and sleek design, the Vibrant is one of the most portable and accessible mobile entertainment devices currently available in the US, so don’t let Apple fanboys tell you otherwise. Running on the fleet-footed Samsung 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird Application Processor, you also get a six-axis sensor which has been optimized for media and gaming, offering consumers a seamless, immersive experience while reading, watching and playing. It is also compatible with T-Mobile’s super-fast HSPA+ network in areas where there is coverage, just in case you can’t stand waiting for webpages to load.

It will be powered by the Android 2.1 operating system, and it has already been confirmed that Android 2.2 (FroYo) will be released in due time, and judging by the latest news on the Internet, since it sports a 1GHz processor, it ought to qualify for the Android 3.0 (Gingerbread) update which is touted to be released sometime in Q3 later this year. Any takers for the new Vibrant?

Magellan GPS unveils ToughCase

Magellan GPS unveils ToughCase

Magellan GPS has just rolled out its latest rugged protective case known as the ToughCase, where it will offer both the iPhone as well as iPod touch full waterproof capabilities – just make sure you have a decent pair of waterproof headphones to go along with it! Targeting outdoor enthusiasts and outdoor professionals, this new ToughCase will not be limited in its release to selected regions only, and what makes it all the more special would be the integration of GPS navigation capability, further enhancing the accuracy of location-based and GPS applications for both the iPhone 3G and iPod touch, all the while offering protection as well as providing unmatched accessibility to all iPhone and iPod touch features.

According to Justin Doucette, Director of Product Marketing for Magellan GPS, “The ToughCase is the ideal solution for all outdoor users. From kayakers to golfers, mountain bikers to construction workers, it provides a level of protection and performance previously unavailable in other cases. The ToughCase protects against harmful elements such as dust, rain, mud, water and snow.”

As mentioned earlier, this unique case design will pave the way for full and unhindered access to Apple’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface, where users will be able to receive and place calls without compromising on the device’s protection. Since it is more than capable of meeting IPX-7 waterproof standards, this means you will be able to use the device underwater for up to half an hour, as long as you do not exceed 1 meter in depth. Guess snorkelling is fine with this, alongside swimming, but anything more than that is a no-no unless you have the budget for a new iPhone. Boasting a built-in 1840 mAh battery, it ought to double your battery life, while the integrated high sensitivity SiRFstar III GPS chipset delivers up to 3 meters of accuracy. Expect to pick up the Magellan ToughCase for $199.99 a pop.

Terrafugia Transition gets FAA approval

Terrafugia Transition gets FAA approval

Nothing I love more than seeing the dream of the flying car come to pass, and I have just seen part of that happen today.

The last time we covered the Terrafugia Transition, the company had said that they wanted them out by the end of 2009. Well, 2009 has come and gone, and there are currently no signs of flying cars cluttering our skies.

However, the FAA has just approved the Terrafugia Transition for flight time. If you have $194,000, you can fly this car with fold out wings.

My Source says that it only takes 20 hours of flying time to get the proper license to fly one of these guys It can’t do vertical take-offs and landings, so you will have to get your own runway or request take-off clearance from an airport tower.

The last I heard, there are over 100 of these Terrafugia Transition flying cars on order. That must mean that there are at least one hundred rich guys just itching to get in their 20 hours so they can fly one of these things.

I wonder if there will ever come a time when I will look up in the skies with my future grandchild, and see swarms of flying cars. Then I will say: “It all started when the FAA approved of the TerraFugia Transition”.