ePawn Arena set to be a game-changer

I’m sure that by now you are probably sick of hearing the term “game changer”, and I apologize for using this buzzword in the title. However, I guarantee you will like what this post is about.

While wandering the booths at CES last week, I discovered the ePawn Arena. It uses ePawn tracking technology for a large 26 inch IPS screen, which enables you to place game pieces for a very interesting gaming experience.

The demonstration showed an iPhone plugged into this thing, and the user could play a game using physical markers like chess pieces. The touchscreen seemed to know where these pieces were, and it creates a rather interesting environment for gaming.

The ePawn Arena is designed to link to smartphone, tablet, or PC and can be used for role-playing games and board games. This isn’t the first time that I have seen board games mixed with touchscreen interactive devices. After all, there was the Game Changer and Wowee’s AppGear, both of which had prominent appearances at CES.

The ePawn Arena is expected to be available in the “second half of the year”. I do’t seem to have a price, but the flyer I have on the product promises “patented technology provides state of the art performances at an affordable price”. Hopefully the average household can afford something such as this.

Stock Car Racing Simulator

You must have pretty deep pockets if you want to shower your kid with the Stock Car Racing Simulator – especially since it costs a whopping $60,000, but at least you know for sure that it will not be able to turn turtle in real life no matter how bad it goes on the simulator. Touted to offer the most realistic stock car racing experience available, the Stock Car Racing Simulator relies on the same kind of moving platform mechanics that are employed in museum simulators, thanks to the electric actuators that were built into the base so that the simulator can roll and pitch.

This faithful reproduction of actual racing conditions include entering a turn or moving up a bank. Heck, to up the realism ante, it will even raise and lower during tire changes, while the cockpit sports a fluid-dampened steering wheel that offers the similar feel as driving a real stock car. There is one thing it does not replicate though – the super hot conditions inside, as you can always play this in the comfort of your air conditioned garage. Located behind the wheel are a couple of paddle gear shifters which can be found in the real deal, while the aluminum accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals will adjust for resistance.

A 5.1 sound system envelops racers in realistic audio as they are placed in a padded racing seat. Realistic graphics are displayed on a 22″ wide-screen LCD monitor, delivering 1680 x 1050 resolution, while a decaled, fiberglass shell and netted windows covers its steel frame roll cage for that added touch of realism. Can you say outrageous?

iTwin Multi functionality announced

iTwin, the company behind the world’s first ‘limitless’ secure USB device for remote file access, recently announced their spanking new iTwin Multi functionality. This is a free iTwin upgrade that allows users to share files stashed on a computer with multiple people – simultaneously. The iTwin Multi will enable multiple users and workgroups to safely connect multiple iTwins to the same computer for remote access, not to mention being able to edit and share files as well without having to go through the headaches associated with email, VPN, or remote access software.

Take for example, with the iTwin Multi, field sales reps are able to remotely download or upload the latest confidential client contracts and proposals. On a similar scale, tiny businesses including CPA firms are able to securely share large accounting files in addition to other sensitive data with multiple clients. iTwin boasts of being the first and only remote file access solution which is 100% Plug ’N’ Play, where it delivers two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption.

Violet launches Karotz smart rabbit

CES 2012 came and went, and while there were literally hundreds – or perhaps, thousands of new devices that were launched across over a million square feet of showfloor space, not all of them made it to our hallowed pages. Well, Violet’s Karotz does have a place, though, simply because it has been a long time in coming. The long-awaited US launch has finally happened, with this being the self-claimed first hardware device to date that was tailor made for Facebook, the world’s most popular social network at the moment with more than 800 million users and counting. Just in case Karotz looks familiar to you, that is because this is the third generation “rabbit” from the Nabaztag line.

Being an immensely popular robotic companion that actually changes the way you live out your daily life, as it is capable of delivering a link to the family, friends and the world. With Facebook compatibility thrown into the mix this time around, it will complement Karotz’ already impressive range of features.

This is a rabbit that you would love to keep as a digital pet of sorts, since it will also play nice with other key social media sites including Twitter, letting you interact with others over your new favorite desktop companion. Friends can also take control of your new Karotz in order to communicate with you, sending messages as well as audio files, while using the Karotz integrated webcam to see what it can see. Send a poke and Karotz’ ears will move, or they can even change the color of its light in order to get your attention when all other forms of online communication fails.

Heck, Karotz is even smart enough to record and post status updates as an audio file, text or photo directly to your Facebook wall. Being connected had never been this fun, and Fabien Bardinet, CEO of Violet, has this to say, “We are excited to launch the widely popular Karotz smart rabbit with the US and to make the new Facebook compatible devices available here first. Karotz’ unbelievable success in Europe leads us to believe it will do very well in the US, where there are more than 157M Facebook users. The concept behind Karotz is to make communicating with friends and sharing information both an interactive and fun experience.”

There is also a free Karotz Controller application which you can download from the Apple App Store and Android Market just to get you started!

Giant Optimus Prime statue sees rainbow gush from my mouth

There is just one thing about robots that tend to fascinate mankind – otherwise, how else do you explain the amount of money raked in by the Transformers franchise over three films, despite the fact that the second and third parts were unable to live up to the first movie in terms of storytelling and fleshing out of its characters? Not to mention other robot films and cartoons that had made an impact in our lives all these years, too. For those who feel that they have this strange attraction to Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, here is one memento that you definitely could make do with in your living room – a 2.7 meter tall Optimus Prime.

I am quite sure in real life (fictionally speaking, that is – I know that came across as weird), he is far taller than this, but considering this is a hand-made effort that was built using recycled metal, useless auto parts as well as other machines, it is a true masterpiece. The asking price for this half ton behemoth? We are looking at $10,500 here, and that does not even take into account shipping costs.

SteelSeries Ion Wireless Controller

When it comes to gaming peripherals, your choices are just like multiple choice questions – all of them sound right from one point or another, but when you dissect it down, you would realize that there is only one answer for you – and that answer might not necessarily be what other people have chosen. SteelSeries knows this, and hence they have a wide range of new mice which we will cover in the coming days, but for now, here is the Ion Wireless Controller.

Thanks to a licensing partnership with Zeemote Technology Inc., the SteelSeries Ion Wireless Controller was specially designed to play nice with the computer, in addition to delivering classic control schemes to touchscreen devices such as tablets and phones, where a virtual button layout definitely cannot beat something that has tactile feedback. After all, it can be rather hard to wean yourself off something which you have grown up with, not to mention there is no physical feel of virtual buttons, leading one to press the wrong button during times of gaming stress.

Bluetooth connectivity is summoned for action in this case, where it is a snap to customize and configure thanks its own application on the device. One advantage of the Ion Wireless Controller would be its size – it measures roughly the size of a standard deck of cards (108mm x 55.5mm x 18mm) and can be stashed away or carried easily without breaking your back. A white LED light is there to let you know whether it is connected or not, while a rechargeable, lithium battery inside ensures you are able to enjoy up to 20 hours of wireless use before requiring a trip to the nearest power outlet. You can plug this into your device for charge and play use as well if you do not mind living the tethered lifestyle for a while.

The SteelSeries Ion boasts comes in a classic controller design that comprises a couple of mini-joysticks, a left side Dpad button, 2 trigger buttons one at each shoulder, and a four button layout on the right, which means there is very little learning curve for those who are already familiar with Nintendo, Xbox 360 and PlayStation controllers. No idea on pricing, but the SteelSeries Ion Wireless Controller is being prepared for a Q3 release this year.

XtremeMac has new mobile charging solutions for the masses

With the ever growing number of gizmos and gadgets that we own these days, traveling involves one more thing to consider – packing in all the relevant chargers. After all, going to a foreign country that has a different wall outlet to what you have at home could prove to be a downer, especially when you have exhausted all juice on the iPad during the long haul flight. Good thing there are companies out there like XtremeMac that comes up with really nifty portable charging solutions, and the company has done it yet again with the 3-in-1 USB Mobile Cable, InCharge Boost and InCharge Micro Boost.

All three new convenient mobile charging solutions are able to deliver an efficient and convenient charge for iPad, iPhone and iPod – regardless of whether you are at home or on the move. We will look at them in greater detail right after the jump.

First of all, the 3-in-1 USB Mobile Cable will comprise a single cable solution that has a trio of different connectors that deliver a universal charging solution for the majority of mobile devices. With three different connectors, this cable is ideal for home/office use or travel. The USB to micro USB, mini USB and 30pin tethered tips will function with most Apple devices, tablets, smartphones, cameras, GPS devices and MP3 players.

As for the InCharge Boost, this portable rechargeable battery pack is meant for the iPod, iPhone and iPad. With a powerful 2300 mAh lithium polymer rechargeable battery inside, it will come with a tethered 30-pin connector to juice up Apple devices, while a USB connector is used to recharge its internal battery. Other features include an on/off switch to conserve power, status LED indicators and an integrated carabineer for portability.

Last but not least, the InCharge Micro Boost comes in the form of an ultra compact emergency rechargeable battery pack for the iPod and iPhone. With a 500mAh lithium polymer rechargeable battery, it comes with an integrated carabineer, ensuring the Micro Boost remains attached to your keychain or backpack all the time, making sure there is a quick charge on hand whenever required.

All three will be released before the first quarter of the year is over.

Cubify ready to start in era of 3D printing?

What you see here in the photo is the Cube 3D Printer, and I believe that soon every home will have something like it, just like every home has a “2D” printer now.

I got a chance to see it demonstrated at CES, and I discovered that 3D printing is even more accessible than I thought. I have seen 3D printers at work before, but the Cube made some very detailed models that I didn’t think were capable of a 3D printer.

For example, I saw a figurine that had several colors on it, and I simply assumed that it was made on a 3D printer and then painted later. To my surprise, I was told that the figurine was printed out, in full color.

You can purchase the Cube here at a cost of $1,999. That is a little expensive for a typical household, but as I recall, so were most PCs back in the day.

It really is a matter of the 3D printing technology getting better and cheaper before it is adopted into every household, and it looks like Cubify could be the company that really “gets it out there”, like TiVo did the DVR. In fact, you can click the Source link to read some more information, and to see the community that it has.

Forget the Segway, ride a Trikke!

I suppose that the Segway industry really has yet to take off, but I like the idea of personal mobility. I suppose I would have to group the Trikke with Segway-style products, but the Trikke has three wheels and not two self-balancing ones.

I got a chance to ride a Trikke at CES 2012, and I found that it was about as difficult to learn as a self-balancing motorcycle. At first, I was a little hesitant to make any sharp turns, but I found that with a little practice, the Trikke is highly maneuverable.

The maximum speed on it is 17 mph, but you’ll probably cruise along at about 12 mph. It is completely electirc with zero emissions, and is good for 24 miles per charge. The battery just plugs into the wall, and it is easily swappable.

The Trikke can fold down to a smaller shape, sort of like a stroller, so it is easily portable. It really does have a lot of personal mobility uses like security, tourism, and just getting around conveniently overall.

As you might have guessed, this fun doesn’t come cheap. The 36 Volt lite costs $1,299.99, the 3G Volt costs $1,899.99, and the 48 Volt costs $2,199.99. You can check out all the individual features on the official website.

Swiss Measuring Spoons

You know the Swiss, what with their precise timekeeping and all of that. Well, you might want to enlist a little bit of Swiss precision in your kitchen the next time you have friends or family over for a cookout, with the $9.99 Swiss Measuring Spoons. Despite being made out of food-grade ABS plastic, these Swiss Measuring Spoons are precision crafted, and could very well prove to be the useful measuring multi-tool for you to potter about in the kitchen. Not only are they dishwasher safe, they also help save space since they are convenient to stash away.

Something tells me that getting this for your mate who loves baking might just find a second wind to create this future all time favorite recipe in the family – simply because the ingredients are all carefully measured and spread. What do you think?

ION Audio Road Rocker

ION Audio has just introduced its latest piece of consumer electronics – an ultra-compact speaker system that targets iOS-powered devices, microphones, instruments and other miscellanous Bluetooth-powered music players. Known as the Road Rocker, it debuted at the recently concluded CES in Las Vegas, and is tiny enough to be carried around with you wherever you go, regardless of whether it is meant for a camping trip, tailgating, parties and most definitely road trips.

Just how does the Road Rocker work? Well, it has Bluetooth connectivity to thank, as it will stream music wirelessly thanks to Bluetooth – so basically most modern smartphones are compatible with it, in addition to a bevy of Bluetooth enabled devices such as tablets and portable media players. Do not sneer at its size, as this is one “pooch” that has quite a mean “bark” despite its size.

Despite being incredibly compact, it still packs in a high-quality full-range speaker, a 1/4-inch input for connecting microphones or instruments, and even comes with a bass port which will offer music an additional low-end thump. It does not matter whether you are using the ION Audio’s Road Rocker to make sure everyone at your party has a rocking good time, or to keep your guitar skills sharp through practice even when you are on vacation. Sporting a built-in rechargeable battery, the Road Rocker will be able to deliver up to eight hours of uninterrupted music.

Not only that, it will come with an 1/8-inch input and cable that will let non-Bluetooth enabled music players and devices hook up to it. The integrated cradle will make sure your iPad, iPhone or other device remains nice and secure on top of the Road Rocker even when you are having the time of your life with your favorite tracks, good friends, and great food. No idea on pricing though, but we do look forward to its general release to the market later this year.

Wi-Fi Cufflinks

If you are a true blue geek at heart, and want to make sure that everyone around you knows just how much geekery you hold under that skin of yours, surely wearing a double layered bespoked shirt with a pair of cufflinks that resemble a key from the computer keyboard would send the message across discreetly, no? Well, you might want to take things a step further with the £194.99 Wi-Fi Cufflinks.

Yes sir, this is definitely no ordinary pair of cufflinks, and it is a far better idea than GPS-integrated underpants. Apart from carrying around a portable, built-in Wi-Fi hotspot capability, it also holds 2GB of internal memory, while making sure that your shirt’s cuffs are secured in its very own way! Fashioned in rhodium-plated base metal alongside a gleaming silver finish, each stylish oval has its own duty – the first cufflink stashes up to 2GB of data, while the other can be programmed to share any high-speed Wi-Fi internet connection.

Just make sure you download the accompanying software, plug the cufflink into your computer and you can obtain a wireless connection for your smartphone, tablet and other wireless devices. Definitely not something I would want to get wet, that’s for sure.

Snap Cuts: Changing the way we communicate

I usually don’t report on apps on this blog, but every once in a while, I find something that could change everything.

Snap Cuts is that thing. Snap Cuts is a way of sending a video via MMS text to show how you feel. They have thousands that you can choose from and an easy editor for putting on together.

For example, if you want to show everyone what a bad day you are having, you can show some beginning text that reads: “this is the type of day that I am having”. Then you can show someone being slapped in the face with a shovel.

I don’t know if they have a clip like someone being hit in the face with a shovel, but they have thousands of others. In case you are wondering how the company can make money, it is because they own the rights to their clips. You can even buy products off of them, if you chose.

Snap Cuts is clearly prepared for a future where we speak in images and video clips rather than words or phrases. I think they are right on track, honestly, but I’m not certain what this says about society as a whole.

GHOST keeps our waterways secure like a boss

Stealth technology is always fascinating to read about, and to be attacked by an “invisible” enemy is one of the greatest fears of any military. After all, this is the modern day water ninja – the GHOST marine platform that hails from New Hampshire’s Juliet Marine Systems (JMS). It does not have any special cloaking ability up to the par of the X-Men’s heavily modified SR-71 Blackbird, but what this particular watercraft does, and does well is this – it is invisible to enemy ships’ radar, effectively allowing it to trawl the country’s waterways while keeping threats away at bay.

Resembling the love child of a stealth jet fighter and an attack helicopter, this one was specially developed for possible use by the U.S. Navy. It is touted to be faster and more economical compared to current military vessels, and according to JMS, GHOST is the world’s first super-cavitating watercraft.

Now, super-cavitating is a pretty bombastic word to begin with, but fret not – there is always an explanation over here at Coolest Gadgets. Supercavitation basically involves an object surrounding by a bubble of gas, enabling it to pass through bodies of water in a near friction-less environment. Where GHOST is concerned, a couple of submerged buoyant tubular foils will get the job done. No idea on how the process works in detail, but logic dictates that the foils were specially designed in a manner that when GHOST’s gas turbines thrust it forward, water will be deflected outward at the front of each foil, hence the “envelope” which closes right behind it.

JMS has high hopes for GHOST, stating that it “is a combination aircraft/boat that has been designed to fly through an artificial underwater gaseous environment that creates 900 times less hull friction than water.” No idea on whether that means 900 times less friction is created by GHOST, or is it a target that the company intends to achieve in the long run. A total of three crew can fit into the GHOST at once, and its main purpose is to patrol the perimeter of naval fleets. As for its weapons payload, it purportedly carries “thousands of pounds of weapons, including Mark 48 torpedoes” in an internal weapons bay.

Thermaltake Level 10 M Mouse

Because a standard gaming mouse from Razer is just too mainstream in terms of looks, which is why Thermaltake has commissioned DesignworksUSA to come up with this particular conceptual design for an innovative gaming mouse that seems to hail from the distant future, despite being ever ready to be cradled by a curved palm, wreaking havoc on your opponents with razor sharp precision and smoothness you will not believe until you give it a go.

This partnership between BMW Group subsidiary DesignworksUSA and Thermaltake is certainly 10 levels up from the ordinary (which could be one of the reasons for its unique name), and we are pleased to hear that the Level 10 M Mouse will actually hit the gaming market sometime this spring – although pricing details have yet to be confirmed, I am quite sure it is not going to be cheap at all, considering the amount of investment poured in for such a future forward design. Definitely high end stuff that might break your monthly gaming budget.

The Level 10 M Mouse will sit down prettily beside the Level 10 GT computer case, as that is the main source of its design inspiration. Touted to be ergonomic, it is really a sight to behold, just make sure your gaming skills are up to par so that you will not end up as the equivalent of a snotty nosed kid who just got his driver’s license and is taking dad’s Ferrari out for a spin for the first time. Sporting a hollowed out body, the Level 10 M Mouse can have its height adjusted alongside its angles, where all you need to do is turn a screw on the top side of the mouse to kick start the adjustment process until your palm and fingers settle on a sweet spot. Not only that, the perforated palm surface ensures there is a passive airflow to help players born with naturally sweaty palms stay dry.

Laugh & Learn Baby iPhone Case

Would you trust your spanking new iPhone with the most recent addition in your home that the stork brought in? Most people would most probably get a fake, child-safe toy phone, but if you are willing to take the risk, just get the $19.99 Laugh & Learn Baby iPhone Case. Not only does it protects your iPhone or iPod from disaster, it will also allow your little one to play learning games and develop their thinking skills in the process. Even better is the fact that the Home button remains blocked at all times, so that baby will be unable to make any accidental calls.

This Fisher Price iPhone case will ensure your iPhone remains securely locked within, ensuring it is safe from dribbles, drips, drools, and teething. With just two ways to dock your device, it will remain safely encased within. Fisher Price also ensures you have something to start off with by offering free learning apps in the App Store. Heck, if you want to take the risk of running these apps without protecting your iPhone in the Laugh & Learn Baby iPhone Case, then you can still go ahead.

Stationary Epicycle

 

 

Shed those pounds that have strangely made an appearance around your waist after the recent festive season of feasting without having to leave the comfort of your home – and this also means rain or shine, you can still get your daily dose of exercise in, not to mention doing so while you watch your favorite sitcom on TV at the same time. The Stationary Epicycle will not come cheap though at $12,000 a pop, and it might actually be more worth your while trading that amount for say, 10 years of membership at a reputable gym? For those who have the cash to spare, the Stationary Epicycle is self-describing – it will not go anywhere when you hop on it and start working those muscles, but rather relies on an epicyclic transmission and magnetic resistance to provide intensive spinning workouts.

Inspired by 19th-century monowheels, the Stationary Epicycle boasts dual-satellite transmission that can turn a single pedal revolution into four flywheel rotations, which means someone spinning at 100 rpms causes the flywheel to spin at 400 rpms. As the flywheel engages the cycle’s 36″ diameter copper ring, half a dozen magnets which are installed around the ring’s enclosure will work in tandem to generate a magnetic field in order to deliver up to 12 levels of resistance that are controlled by a touchscreen display. Definitely a calorie burner, this – and also a wallet bustin’ purchase for most.

iCufflinks show off your geek cred

Want the world to know how much of a geek you are? Well, you can always wear the Wi-Fi cufflinks on Monday, and since it is now Wednesday, try letting those who were not that observant a couple of days ago know that you are a true blue geek at heart, with the £139.99 iCufflinks holding the cuffs of your bespoked work shirt together. Made from the finest aluminum, each iCufflink will come with a LED power icon that is not static – no sir, it would be travesty for that to happen. Instead, these LED power icons would gently pulsate wherever you go, and needless to say, wearing this in the evening and at night would be the best times to make your statement of intent.

The iCufflinks also hold the distinction of being the world’s first open source cufflinks, simply because there are no others like it in the known market, and you can also download the schematics and CAD files, customizing the light patterns to pulsate according to your whims and fancy. They are powered by a couple of CR122 batteries, so having a spare pair is always a good idea.

Cadence 4-bit Binary Ecomatic watch review

You know the theme these days – everyone wants to go green. I reviewed the organic Sprout watch in the past, where the only gripe was not having a built-in rechargeable battery, and with the Cadence 4-bit Binary Ecomatic watch, the tables are turned – the watch itself is not organic (although the built quality is far superior), but you virtually do not need to replace the battery as long as the watch works. This is due to the Ecomatic movement that can store enough energy for up to 36 hours without any movement, keeping time as it is. Of course, if you happen to wear the watch for a few hours each day, I am quite sure the amount of kinetic energy generated by your movement would be more than enough to keep the Cadence 4-bit Binary Ecomatic watch moving indefinitely.

As mentioned earlier, the build quality is definitely something to take note – then again, if you are paying somewhere in the region of $215, then do expect it to be able to withstand a fair number of knocks and drops. So far, I have worn the watch for a month and despite normal wear and tear (including playing tug with my two dogs, knocking it against the wall by accident, the usual scratch situations), I must say that the face of this timepiece remained scratch free, which is impressive considering how my other watches (cheaper ones, of course) have come off for the worse within a similar time frame.

Relying on Miyota quartz movement (Miyota being part of Citizen Holdings, a company that has a rich history that dates back to the previous century), the Cadence 4-bit Binary Ecomatic watch will tell the time in – what else, but 4-bit binary markings. Of course, you need not be a mathematical whiz to be able to figure it out since it comes in an analog face, making it easy enough to tell the time at a glance.

As for its two part cotton strap which comes with a stainless steel buckle, you can be sure that this is sturdy enough to last you for several years – so far I have yet to see any fraying on its part, and with the timepiece being water resistant to 5ATM (50 meters), going swimming or on a whitewater rafting adventure with this is definitely not going to be an issue at all. Cadence has offered a two year limited warranty on movement and hands, so you have more or less all your bases covered right from the get go.

I like the minimal packaging that the Cadence 4-bit Binary Ecomatic watch comes in to keep up with the overall green theme, and being a unisex timepiece, you can be sure it looks stylish on anyone’s wrist. Just make sure you take note of the date at the turn of each month, as there is no perpetual date adjusting mechanism here unlike a far more obscenely priced Rolex, so taking just a few seconds each month to make sure your watch’s date is on the right page with the calendar is not too much of a hassle.

Definitely a watch that is worth wearing for everyday use – trust me, this is an investment that you will not regret.

New Graphics Cards From Nvidia 470 and 480 GTX

The new generation of nvidia cards 480 and 470 gtx has been unleashed, both of them are based on GF100 graphics chips. The new chips started mass production this year, and are expected to be used in new video cards that will be launched around April 2010.

The GeForce GTX 480 will be the high end video card using 480 CUDA cores, 700 MHz graphics and 1,401MHz processor clock speeds, plus 1.5GB of onboard GDDR5 memory running at 1,848MHz (for a 3.7GHz effective data rate), while the GeForce GTX 470 will be a more affordable card with a 40nm processor, 448 cores and a clock speed of 607Mhz which is paired up with 1.28GB of GDDR5 memory. Those graphics cards arrive with DirectX 11. NVIDIA recommends the use of a 600W power supply with the GTX 480, but that is just a minimum. Enthusiasts who want to prepare for a possible SLI setup should have a 1000W PSU at the minimum, with a 1200W PSU.

We now have the full specifications:

Learn To Walk Trainer

Sometimes, words fail me, and this is quite close – I do wonder how did kids, since time immemorial, learned how to walk if they did not have the assistance of the $59.95 Learn To Walk Trainer? Winner of a National Parenting Center Seal Of Approval, this particular walk trainer comes in a four-wheeled, wide-legged ride-on configuration that provides added stability for those kids who are starting to pick up the art of walking. Made from a sturdy aluminum frame with an ABS saddle, steering wheel, and rolling wheels, its has a couple of front legs which are able to extend forward and laterally from the center.

Each leg will also end with a rolling caster, enabling movement in virtually any direction on smooth surfaces. Shaped to look like a friendly, smiling face, the steering wheel’s two cut-out “eyes” offer sturdy handholds for a child. It can be used to help children as young as 9 to 12 months old develop the balance necessary for independent walking with adult supervision.

Technicolor brings MediaEcho to tablets and TVs

I got a chance to view Techicolor’s booth at CES, and I was very surprised that a company best known color motion picture processes would have modern-day CES presence.

Yes, they are still at work, and I believe that their Media Echo is the most significant contribution to home entertainment since the advent of color. It is based on consumers’ behavior to check their tablet PC or other device while watching a movie.

MediaEcho allows the user to look at their secondary screen to gain more in-depth information of the film. This includes cast, crew, and production information, historical facts, even specialized audio and videos on file. MediaEcho also allows users to engage in social media services, so that they can share content and post comments.

MediaEcho also has an e-commerce feature that is really in to targeting the viewer for Point-of-Sale transfers. For example, while watching Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, you can buy Indy’s hat, as well as some of the army uniforms!

As you might have guessed, this technology is available via BD-Live technology to allow for two-way communication between the Internet-connected Blu-Ray device and a tablet, be it Apple or Android.

Personally, I think we know that all movies are going to become like this, and Technicolor is ahead of their game with this one. Right now, there are only so many movies available, but I would imagine that soon every movie will be fit for watching on MediaEcho.

Memo Touch the tablet with “memory” for Seniors

Memo Touch Tablet is designed as a tool of memory, for people with short memory, which can be used to signal the user’s attention in order to take medicamenele or go to the doctor. The tablet can be used for other things such as adding an event calendar, adding useful phone numbers, but even for pictures or personalized messages. Memo Touch is based tablet platform Archos 101 with 10.1 inch screen with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels and operating system Android. Memo program overwrites the existing software on the tablet so that the user does not accidentally access the various applications that can not understand. Memo Touch is priced at 299 $ and comes with a return policy of 3 months. If you are not satisfied of Memo Touch can choose to recover money or to bring the tablet to its original condition.

Alienware X51 launched

Dell’s Alienware brand is one that targets gamers, and I for one, am extremely glad that Dell did not water down the Alienware brand after they acquired it many years back. Alienware continued to maintain their own range of high powered, high quality gaming PCs, although those tend to veer towards the bulky side. It would be very rare for someone to lug their Alienware machines to another’s house for a LAN party – but all of that might eventually change as of today, thanks to the release of the Alienware X51.

This is the company’s smallest gaming desktop to date, but do not let its small size fool you. Capable of high performance capability, the Alienware X51 was specially designed to deliver an exhilarating 1080p high definition and 3D gaming experience, cramming in high class performance in a smaller chassis design that will be able to look perfect in just about any room (except maybe for being in the kitchen).

The Alienware X51 boasts a dual-orientation chassis that supports 7.1 surround-sound audio, in addition to an optional Blu-Ray disc drive just in case you want to enjoy your collection of Blu-ray discs on this instead of on your PS3 or dedicated Blu-ray player. Running on Intel’s second generation Core i processors, the X51 will also be equipped with the NVIDIA GeForce GT or optional GTX class graphics cards, Wireless-N technology for easy Internet access, HDMI 1.4 for connecting to 3D TVs and watching 3D Blu-ray movies, a couple of SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports, High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio and GDDR5 graphics memory.

Even the entry-level configuration is something that will drop your jaws – we are looking at a Core i3 processor, 4GB RAM, 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 545 graphics, and a 1TB 7,200rpm hard drive, enabling it to yield an average 34 frames per second in Battlefield 3 – at high settings, and in a resolution of 1080p. Is that jaw dropping or what? To top it all off, the starting price of $699 is definitely a deal clincher for many, I believe. Will you be getting the Alienware X51 as your primary gaming rig now?

LG Optimus Pad LTE announced

 

When it comes to the world of tablets, only two behemoths on the operating system front rule – Apple with their iPad range, and Google’s Android ecosystem that has seen (safe to say) hundreds of tablets hit the market already, with no signs of abating anytime soon. LG, who has churned out its fair share of Android-powered smartphones in the past (and even a 3D-capable handset), continues to explore the possibilities of Android on a tablet – hence rolling out their first LTE-capable tablet which is known as the Optimus Pad LTE.

Originally launched in South Korea, LG throws in LTE technology and a True HD IPS display that is guaranteed to wow whoever looks at it, and these are the the two features which have assisted LG in differentiating its latest smartphone, the Optimus LTE, from the rest of the competition.

Dr. Jongseok Park, President and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company, says, “With tablets generating five times more traffic than the average smartphone, it’s not a huge jump to assume that tablet users need and want faster connectivity. The combination of LG’s LTE technology with the tablet form factor is a clear advantage for consumers who use a tablet as their primary consumption device when on the move.”

The LG Optimus Pad LTE will come with a 1280 x 720 True HD IPS display that is more or less guaranteed to wow whoever looks at it for the first time, and that display also works great in displaying your creativity as you snap photos of your surroundings with the 8-megapixel camera located at the back. This camera too, can shoot high definition video for posterity. Not only that, the Optimus Pad LTE is proud to be the world’s first tablet that supports an SD memory card of up to 32GB in size, so you need not worry about storage space. Other features include Android 3.2 Honeycomb as the operating system of choice, a 2-megapixel camera in front, and a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, all crammed into a body which measures a mere 9.34mm slim and tipping the scales at 479 grams.

Connectivity options include HDMI and DLNA, and you also have functions such as the Smart Movie Editor for editing pictures and videos in a jiffy. No idea on pricing or availability Stateside, although we do hope to see the LG Optimus Pad LTE make its way to the FCC – and soon.

I do have one particular concern though – such a display, coupled with LTE connectivity – will the 6,800mAh battery be able to hold up? After all, LTE-enabled devices are notorious for guzzling battery life like nobody’s business, and I am willing to go out on a limb to say that the LG Optimus Pad LTE will not be able to hold a candle to Apple’s iPad 2 in terms of battery life with LTE turned on all the time. What do you think?

Penclic could change the shape of the computer mouse

 

 

I had another terrific encounter at CES, with a device that could change the market as we know it.

This is the Penclic mouse, a mouse which has a sort of pen and quill mod. The purpose is to “harness the natural power and dexterity in our fingers and hands”.

If you want to do a lot of clicking, then you do not have to as the pen understands the user’s pen grip, so you can avoid the Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) with most computer mice.

Not only that, it really is designed to work like a pen! So if you need to sign digital signature, you can do that as well.

You can choose between putting the pen on the screen, or use it on the side of the computer as well. It could easily change the way that you interact with the screen.

The Penclic mouse will be available in two models, one that is wireless (the R2) and one that is corded (the D2). See how the names work? Maybe there is a Penclic combo named the R2-D2. Whatever the case, I do not have a price on this.

Is there any other creative ways to do a mouse so it is more like writing than a mouse?

China will have Dell Streak Pro D43 the first smartphone with Baidu Yi

Dell has recently launched in China, the first smartphone – Streak Pro D43- that runs on Baidu Yi.Baidu-Yi was developed by the company Baidu for Chinese smartphones and it is based on Android platforms, replacing much of the original software such as Google search engine, and instead of Google Maps is Baidu Maps.

All the functions and services of the Dell Streak Pro D43 smartphone are tailored to Chinese users, such as Mandarin voice control, Yi app store and a free 100GB cloud storage with support for multimedia files.

Dell Streak Pro D43 features a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display with 960 x540 resolution and a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 8GB of internal memory, quad-band HSPA and a microSD card slot.

Dell StreakPro D43 will be available soon in China through China Unicom phone network and it can be purchased on www.dell.com.cn and through designated channels.

Apple announces iBooks 2 for iPad

 

Apple wants to change the way we look at the education system, by announcing iBooks 2 for the iPad. What does iBooks 2 bring to the table? For starters, it will obviously feature iBooks textbooks, which is a totally new kind of textbook that intends to make learning far more dynamic, engaging and truly interactive. With the iPad’s display, iBooks textbooks are said to offer students gorgeous, fullscreen textbooks complete with interactive animations, diagrams, photos, videos, and unrivaled navigation among others.

Not only that, you need not worry about your textbook being out of date, since this is digital content that we are talking about, iBooks will ensure that its collection of textbooks will remain up to date at all times, and even better is the fact that you need not lug around a really heavy backpack unlike your now-graduated seniors have experienced. Apple has a penchant for wanting the best always, and this has caused them to team up with leading education services companies such as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw-Hill and Pearson in order to bring educational titles on the iBookstore.

As not all students are a privileged lot and most of them do learn how to operate on a shoestring budget each month, most of the textbooks are priced at $14.99 or less – leaving you with more money left at the end of the month to blow it on a really nice meal, or stash away for a rainy day. Not only that, the new iBooks Author is a free authoring tool that allows anyone with a Mac to come up with their own iBooks textbooks.

Those who are interested will be able to download the new iBooks 2 app for free from the App Store. Just to recap, iBooks 2 will offer gorgeous, fullscreen books, interactive 3D objects, diagrams, videos and photos, fast and fluid navigation, easy highlighting and note-taking, searching and definitions, plus lesson reviews and study cards, amongst many others. Now is a good reason as any to bug your parents to get you an iPad 2, rattling off the list of benefits that the iBooks 2 app offers, while keeping secret the many wonderful games available for Apple’s best selling tablet yet from them.

Garlic Zoom XL

 

Just like Johnson’s baby shampoo that has the tagline of “No more tears!”, so too, should the $14.99 Garlic Zoom XL from ThinkGeek have something similar. Granted, this is no onion that will send a river of tears flowing down your cheeks, but I do wonder whether it works for onions as well. If you happen to be a huge fan of this medicinal vegetable, or are a vampire who has a strange fascination and appetite for the very thing that reputedly chokes the life out of you with its scent, the Garlic Zoom XL is just the kitchen tool for you. It not only makes mincing garlic a snap, but turns the entire process into one that is fun – the more you drive it, the smaller it minces, and you need not worry about your fingers smelling like garlic after that.

All you need to do is insert a couple of peeled cloves in the trapdoor on top, close it up, and then drive your Zoom around. The stainless steel blades within will get the job done for you in no time, and the entire blade unit can also be removed for cleaning to keep hygiene levels up to par at all times. Mom, or the dad who loves pottering around in the kitchen, would definitely appreciate something like this.

Asus Padfone with Tegra 3 at WMC 2012

Asus Padfone, is smartphone convertible into tablet is nearing official launch of the Mobile World Congress 2012 will take place in February. The launch was delayed due to last moment changes in the hardware, Asus and decided to give up the initial configuration in favor of one based on Tegra 3, a high-performance chipset, able to bring the new  Padfone in the same group with Asus Prime Transformer version for Android  tablet Transformer 4.0. Asus Padfone is a smartphone comes with an accessory form of tablets, equipped with a docking port compartment and by the presence of an extra battery in the tablet body that can bring benefits in terms of autonomy, while extending mobility.  Asus Padfone can be used as a cell phone when we move, but may take the role of a tablet then carry out other activities that can benefit from a larger screen, such as watching movies, web browsing and working with text documents.

Toshiba Tablet Thrive 7 is available

Toshiba Tablet Thrive is available in 7 inch screen version, equipped with 16 GB or 32 GB internal memory. In case of 11.9 mm with rubber finish meet a range dual-core chipset Nvidia Tegra 2, helped of 1 GB RAM. The screen has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and supports Adaptive Display Technology, Auto Brite, Resolution + and play interface that Android 3.2 Honeycomb. On the right side of the screen we find a secondary camera of 2 MP and 5 MP rear main camera with LED flash. Other features include a GPS receiver, Wi-Fi b /g /n and Bluetooth, HDMI output for attaching a micro LCD TVs and micro USB connector for peripheral data transfer to PC. Toshiba Tablet Thrive 7 can be purchased in edition of 16 GB internal memory for the amount of 380$ and 430$ for the 32 GB.

Miveu camera mount for the iPhone4/4S

 

 

Every time I go to CES, I always try to find trends in technology. For example, it appeared that every major electronics company had an ultrabook, and most of the newer cameras have a design that I call “ready for action”.

These are like the cameras that GoPro puts out, designed to attach to your ski helmet or other type of helmet so you can show off your extreme lifestyle from your own POV. Liquid Image, for example, unveiled the EGO camera that does such a purpose.

The Miveau isn’t a camera, but it is mounting for the iPhone 4 and 4S camera. It straps to the user’s chest, and he or she puts on the lens, which can extend the iPhone viewing angle to record from a sweet perspective. You can watch an actual Miveu video after the jump, and I will tell you that it is pretty amazing. The way the biker goes through the trees reminds me of the space bike chase scene from Return of the Jedi.

You should be able to purchase the Miveu X here for about $79.95, and it also comes with a shutter click button for still shots. You can given push the button with gloves on. If that price is too expensive for you, then you might conisder the Miveu Z, for mounting on a ski pole or roll bar. It is also a camera mount for the iPhone, and it only costs $19.99.

Victorinox SSD stick goes up to 1TB

 

I know most people think Swiss Army knives when they think Victorinox, but they put out many memory sticks.

While at CES, I managed to see one of the newest Victorinox memory sticks, which has a whopping 1 TB of space. It also comes pre-loaded with a software suite with 256 AES combination hardware and software encryption for “un-hacked, iron clad security for all of your important files” There is also an integrated bi-stable LCD graphic display that allows users to record what is stored on the drive and displays the available .

It also has a dual connector that is a combination USB 2.0/3.0 and eSATA II. It also has two knife bodies, red and black. The red knife has all the usual Swiss Army knife accessories like the blade, scissors, nail file, nail cleaner, and a screwdriver. The black knife body is completely empty, but you can fit the 1TB drive in it. Just make certain that you switch them out when you take a plane ride.

So if you are looking for a huge flashdrive with a lot of space, I believe that this one from Victorinox is one of the largest. You should be able to pick up one of these in August for a price of about $2,500-3,000.

Treehouse Labs BiKN

 

 

This particular device is known as the bikn, but it is pronounced like the word “beacon”.

The creators of this device decided that they wanted to provide the iPhone more protection than a case. The case itself comes in many colors, and you can also pick a tag base or highlight color.

The BiKN comes with tags that can be clipped to a user’s belt or other appendage. Each of these tags unlock and a micro-USB port will be revealed for charging. The purpose of these tags is so you can find things with your iPhone.

The tags have three modes of “Find”, “Leash”, or “Page”. “Find” is a visual meter and audio signal for discovering a misplaced item. “Leash” enables the user to control how far a tagged item can be separated from the smart case before an alarm sounds on the phone and tag. As for the “Page”, it is able to sound an alert on one or multiple tags.

According to the information that I received at CES, the BiKN is coming in January. I don’t have a price out now, but I’m sure that will be available soon. I beleive that the application is available now, and it is completely free.

Samsung Electronics launches the series 5 – ultrabook

The race continues with ultrabooks products and Samsung has just officially introduced the new 5-Series model with technical specifications good enough for a laptop of this class of products. Samsung ultrabook is available in 13.3-inch version with a resolution of 1366 x 768 in an aluminum body 20 mm thick and weighing 1.8 kg, and the processor used is an Intel Core i5 and has 8GB of memory DDR3. To Chapter of storage space, the new Samsung ultrabook boasts a 1TB hard drive and a 16GB SSD, optical drive, AMD HD 7550M video card, USB port, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and HDMI and VGA ports. Analysts have already advised that there are too many type Ultrabook products and sales winner remains MacBook Air, despite the differences in price. The official launch of Samsung’s ultrabook 5 Series took place the end of December in Korea and for US the price is $ 900 and reaching in other countries this year.

Official Blogger Light Box

Most of you might have noticed the Light box overlay display for images on your Blogger Blogs. The feature looks similar to the one in Google Plus. The feature is enabled on all Blogger Blogs by Default.

Some time back I had posted about implementing a Light Box on Blogger. Now such hacks are not necessary Here is a Screen Shot the new LightBox Feature

 

and here is the Live Demo

When you click on the Small Version of the image, it will open the Bigger Version in the LightBox Over Lay.". These are the keyboard shortcuts supported by the LightBox Overlay:

1.Left / right arrows

2. j/k

3. n/p

All these keys will help you in navigating through the images,

4. Esc to close the LightBox.

Update:

14/10/2011: Blogger has now added an Option to turn off the Light Box Feature

To do that Go to Settings > Posts and Comments and set “Open Images in Lightbox” to “No”

How to Disable the Blogger Light Box

As of now there is no Official Method to Override the Lightbox, and it is enabled on all of the Blogger Blogs. If you don’t like the Light Box, and want to remove it from your Blog, then read on:

Update:

Blogger has now added an option to disable the Light Box. The feature is enabled by default. You can turn it Off from Settings > Posts and Comments. You just have to set “Open images in Lightbox” option to “No”

 

Now Click on the “Save Settings” Button

Google Analytics in Blogger

Blogger has added a new option to easily integrate Google Analytics with your Blog.

To Add your Google Analytics Tracking code, you just need to specify your Google Analytics Account number in your Blogger Dashboard. To do that Go to Settings > Other and fill up  the “Google Analytics Account number” field, Once done Save the Settings. Now Blogger will automatically add the analytics tracking code to your blog(even on the mobile version).

Adding The Analytics Account number in Blogger

Go to Settings  > Other and provide your Google Analytics Account number.



Click the Save Settings Button when done.
If you are using a Custom template, then you might have to apply the fix mentioned at the end of the tutorial.
If you don’t know your Analytics Account number, then read on:
1. Login to analytics
2. Now Click on the Edit Link to the right of your Blog’s profile(If don’t yet have a Website  profile, then you can create one)



3. Now you will be taken to a page like :



4. Click on the “Check Status” link

You will see a screen like


5. Copy the Web Property ID from there. That’s your Analytics Account number which you can provide in the Blogger Settings.

Fix:
If you are using a custom template, then the Google Analytics code might not be added to your Blog. To check that Edit your template(Template > Edit HTML) and look for(Ctrl + F or Cmd +F)

<b:include name='google-analytics' data='blog'/>

If it is not there in your template, then add it above

</body>