Archive for November, 2008
November 10, 2008 at 3:56 pm · Filed under Gadgets
Spending time out in the water doesn’t mean you have to make do without your music. Whether you’re swimming, surfing or engaging in any type of water-based activity, you can enjoy your favorite songs as ably as if you were walking down the street.
For $140, you can get H2O Audio’s extremely durable waterproof armband and headphone set. Water-tight and secure, they provide maximum comfort while allowing you to take your iPod to places it’s never seen before. It can provide secure protection for up to 12 ft underwater, allowing you to snorkel and dive without skipping a beat.
The Accessories
The set comes with an Amphibx waterproof case and an H20 Audio Surge headphone, both of which can also be bought separately. The case is outfitted with a ClearTouch window that allows you to flick and fling your music players’ touch and wheel controls wherever you are in the water. It features a unique shape and two adjustable straps that facilitate a secure grip on your arm regardless of whatever movement you end up taking in the water. The SealTight Connector allows you to plug in most standard mini-jack headphones while keeping the enclosure watertight. The Surge headphones are bass-amplified and use waterproof ear-plugs complete with noise-isolation technology.
Using It
The lightweight setup can be used with most mobile players, including iPod, Zune, Creative Zen, LG and a whole lot more. Not sure if the Transformers MP3 player can work with this but my guess is it should fit. Visit the official website to see a complete list of supported players. Should the unit be separated from you, it is designed to float even with a music player inside.
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November 9, 2008 at 6:28 pm · Filed under Misc & Random
Want to carry six beers at a time but don’t know how it’s done? Simple. Wear a Beer Belt.
The Beer Belt is exactly what its name implies. It’s a belt that carries beer. No longer will you have to be restricted to a beer in each hand. With a Beer Belt, you can have as many as six beers hanging on your waist. If you’re greedy, you can have six on your waist and one in each hand. No more multiple trips to the wet bar. No need to miss any part of the ballgame to hit the fridge. Pack it all in and drink to your heart’s content.
The Belt
The Beer Belt is a sturdy nylon strap that you can wear on your waist. It hooks in via a fully-adjustable belt buckle to ensure firm hold. To hold the beers, the belt is outfitted with six hardy plastic cup holders – each one designed to suitably accommodate both a bottle and a can.
This function-centric, non-fashionable accessory is available from Urban Outfitters for only $18 and comes with no alcohol warnings whatsoever.
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November 8, 2008 at 6:27 pm · Filed under Computers & Internet
If you want heavy duty enclosure to guarantee your notebook stays free from physical damage, there’s really nothing better than the MacTruck. Clad in an ultra-tough aluminum alloy with powder-coated finish, you’ll easily pass off pretending you’re a government agent carrying sensitive international secrets that can save millions of people. Seriously. If you don’t believe us, check out what the MacTruck is about.
The Body
Clad in 5052-H32 Aluminum alloy capable of taking the weight of most trucks without damaging its contents, the MacTruck sports a rugged but stylish design. Two hardened steel alloy bars make up the unit’s slam latch mechanism. The conductive aluminum case, along with 5 mm air channels located at the bottom of the case, keeps your laptop cool even in the most trying situations. The enclosure’s ergonomic handle can rotate a complete 180-degrees if you need to store it in a tight space, such as a backpack or a locker. A strap can also be attached to allow versatility in handling.
Function
The MacTruck is designed to be used as a workstation, which means that you don’t need to remove your laptop from its case anytime you want to use it. Since it’s only marginally larger than a notebooks, it should add no space constraint issues. The case can open at either 90 or 180 degrees to facilitate comfortable computing. Interior is filled with high-density cushioning, helping absorb much of any impact on your computer. Additionally, it’s outfitted with two Kensington locks if you want to keep your notebook secure.
Conclusion
If you think this is all too much for a laptop, perhaps it is. Still, isn’t this way cooler than keeping what is probably your most important office and entertainment tool in a regular zipper-powered laptop bag?
MacTruck orders
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November 7, 2008 at 6:26 pm · Filed under Computers & Internet, Gadgets, Music
The PC has pretty much evolved into a central media source around the home. With this change, a need to outfit the computer with quality audio outputs that can fit well into its limited desk space is all but necessary. If you’re saddened by the need to add a bulky speaker unit for high-quality desktop audio needs, perhaps this might cheer you up.
Altec-Lansing recently released what they claim is the first 2.2 desktop speaker system in the industry. Dubbed the “Expressionist Bass”, the two-piece audio system is designed specially for computer use. Shaped like 10-inch robotic alien cones, each speaker is integrated with a built-in subwoofer, allowing you to enjoy better audio without the need to add an external bass-amplifying component. The odd yet iconic shape is designed to facilitate significant acoustic elements that greatly improve the system’s audio delivery. With the subwoofers outfitting each piece, sound becomes more realistic and natural.
Each unit is also equipped with 1.5 inch drivers that compartmentalize high and mid-range frequencies allowing vocals to sound clearer and more pronounced. It offers auxiliary inputs for portable media players.
The Altec Lansing Expressionist BASS (FX3022) system should be available now at select retailers and from Altec Lansing’s online store for an MSRP of $129.95.
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November 6, 2008 at 6:23 pm · Filed under Computers & Internet, Gadgets
These aren’t new or groundbreaking but they’re terrific hacks nonetheless.
1. Play Online Without An Xbox Live Account
Install XLink Kai and run it on a PC in the same network as your 360. The software will trick the Xbox into thinking that it’s playing over a local network instead of an internet connection. Since local network multiplayer is free, you won’t need to pay a dime.
2. Play Any Media File
Install Tversity and run it on a PC in the same network as your Xbox 360. It will scan the folders on your console’s hard drive and replace the built-in file sharing system, along with converting unsupported media files on the fly. Additionally, it allows you to watch streaming online video through your 360 from sites like YouTube and DailyMotion, turning your Xbox into a semi-competent media server.
3. Browse The Internet
Since the 360 doesn’t come with a preloaded browser, you can use the browser plug-in available for Windows Media Center. You will have to configure your PC as a Media Center server, connect it to the same network as your 360 and set up the console as a media extender unit.
4. Stream Netflix To Your Console
If you’re in the U.S., you can stream downloaded Netflix movies without acquiring additional hardware via your Xbox 360 and Windows Media Center. Using the console as a media extender, you can install this Netflix plugin and get running in no time.
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November 5, 2008 at 6:20 pm · Filed under Gadgets, Misc & Random
Ford Motors recently announced a new technology embedded in their car keys as an additional safety driving measure. Dubbed MyKey, Ford is marketing it as a way for parents to limit the speed their teenaged children can drive in when they borrow the car. Finally, more ways to wage a passive-aggressive war between mom, dad and the children!
The key, which contains a computer chip, can be programmed to set a number of limits on the vehicle’s driver, including:
· A reasonably cautious top speed of 80 mph
· A maximum volume level on the car stereo
· An incessant chime that will repeat every few minutes until the driver puts on his seatbelt
Additionally, the chip will alert the driver of certain speed milestones to bring attention to their current acceleration (45, 55 and 65 mph) as well as send a notice when the vehicle is going on 75 miles to empty. MyKey will ship first with the upcoming 2010 Ford Focus and later with the rest of Ford’s line.
Back To Bite You!
What will really be cool is if Ford allows car owners to reprogram this key with even less top speed, a possibility given a few parents’ excessive concern. With kids being more computer-savvy than mom and dad though, this can easily turn into a sitting-bomb of a practical joke. Imagine the kids topping-out their parent’s max speed to 10 mph. That will be legendary.
MyKey is part of Ford’s drivers’ safety program, Driving Skills For Life.
Ford website
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November 4, 2008 at 6:19 pm · Filed under Gadgets
There is a war of cool and the fighters are all flat and slim.
One of the most significant achievements in home entertainment in recent years, flat panel TV is easily becoming the home theater standard. It’s almost a moot question anytime someone’s in the market for a new television with the only real dilemma being: LCD or Plasma.
Picture Quality
Both technologies deliver with crisp images and life-like colors. The plasma’s rich tones and deep blacks, however, ensure a better experience under dim lighting. With bright lights on, the LCD’s anti-glare features ensure hitch-free viewing. For smaller rooms, LCD might prove a better choice with it superior pixel structure, allowing smoother displays even from shorter viewing distances. Some LCD units, however, may continue to exhibit image lags although this has been improving over subsequent generations.
Screen Size
For large screens beyond 50 inches, plasma is the definite choice with a wider variety of makes and models available. For more moderate viewing needs, however, LCD and plasma options tend to equal out in the variety of offerings. For screens smaller than 40 inches, though, LCD might be the way to go.
Price
LCD is starting to close the gap on price but the plasma continues to dominate with considerably lower costs. It is precisely this reason that the plasma dominates much of the 50-inches and larger market.
The Outcome
I’ve always been partial to the LCD. I believe it’s the future and will only get cheaper as the years move forward. Using up 30% less energy than similarly-sized plasma TV units, it’s also a better long-term investment considering how much the TV is going to be used inside the home.
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November 3, 2008 at 6:17 pm · Filed under Advertising, Computers & Internet
Have you seen one of those Dell Iron Man ads that basically says, “Buy A Dell PC And Get the Iron Man Movie Preloaded For An Extra $20”? I know a few people made fun of it but I thought it was actually really, really cool marketing.
While the value of a preloaded movie restricted for viewing on the same system isn’t worth much, Dell is getting the very valuable branding of a hit film and a recognizable comic book hero to effectively pimp its personalized machines. I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually paid the movie’s owners a considerable sum to make this happen.
Similar techniques were used in the past by graphics card manufacturers, giving away free games along with their unit. While those games probably swayed a few people into choosing one product over the other, Dell’s approach is actually much different. I doubt anyone will really be unwitting enough to buy a Dell PC just to get Iron Man. If that’s the case, they’ll probably buy a new PC too just to get Pirates Of The Carribean for another $20! The ads are laid out so that Iron Man is actually selling the hardware units and that’s awesome placement from Dell if I ever saw one.
According to reports, the movie comes in standard Windows Media format and is available for three systems – the Inspiron 1525, the XPS 420 and the XPS 630. The movie comes with digital restrictions and is seriously overpriced considering that the Iron Man DVD is only $14.99 on Amazon. Cool way to get the word out on what are, otherwise, ordinary machines though.
Dell website
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November 2, 2008 at 6:13 pm · Filed under Gadgets
Aah, the joys of the digital lifestyle.
If you spend a lot of your time on the laptop just enjoying digital media – whether it’s feeds, pictures, videos or music – you might want to look for a more portable alternative. If you’re only going to watch news, listen to internet radio, read blogs or check email, you can ditch the computer and just carry a Chumby around the house.
Is It Cute?
With a name like Chumby, you can bet that it’s cute. Shaped like a mini-toaster and no larger than a hand, the Chumby is a luxury gadget with a 3.5 inch display LCD, stereo speakers and Wi-Fi. It also comes in three colors: light brown, stark white and black. If you catch a white one, grab it immediately – they tend to sell out fast.
Yes, But Does It Play Quake?
No, in fact, it doesn’t do anything except stream media. Think of it like a small TV, receiving preset programming that you setup on your computer using Chumby’s available widgets.
To use it, install Chumby’s control interface on your PC and download your favorites out of over 800 widgets currently available from their site. Available widgets include blog feeds, sports scores, Twitter feeds, YouTube videos, stock charts, interactive games, Facebook updates and a whole lot more spread across over 30 categories. Choose which ones you want to stream to the portable unit and line them up.
You can use the Chumby as a home-based portable player so you can enjoy your favorite media even while working on the garage or as a decorative digital frame with a never-ending variety of displays on tap. The unit is available for $180 from the official website.
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November 1, 2008 at 6:12 pm · Filed under Computers & Internet
Setting up a media server at home? While there are all-in-one systems coming out now, the prices are still way too rich for many. It might be better to wait until a couple more years for prices to settle down into something your budget will find welcoming. In the meantime, a NAS should prove a good-enough media server investment without all the unnecessary trimmings.
Netgear ReadyNAS NV+
This is a high-end NAS with four disks running on a RAID5 implementation. It is housed in a stylish casing with front-mounted displays and offers gigabit throughput with its own proprietary media management application pre-installed on the system. Price range runs from $800 to $1500, depending on disk capacity, but should be well worth every penny with top-notch performance and reliable data security.
HP MediaSmart Server EX470
Pegged as a great example of what a Windows Home Server-based machine should be like, the EX470 bleeds every bit of media management power out of the WHS. It has four swappable drives, easily accessible from the front panel. It has no wireless port and the design is mini-tower inspired. At prices between $500 and $700, though, this is a hard NAS to challenge.
Buffalo TeraStation Home Server NAS
A much better effort than Buffalo’s previous foray into NAS-based media servers, the TeraStation is a capable entertainment unit with some interesting multimedia features. While not for extreme use, this unit should work reliably for most home settings.
LaCie Ethernet Disk Mini – Home Edition
Cheap at $180 for a 500GB unit, it comes pre-bundled with Axentra’s media software package. It is a good media-serving and web-sharing solution but can be slow at times. There’s no data backup built-in but should work seamlessly with Windows.
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