BubblePod lets you shoot 360º images

by Edwin - on June 29th, 2013

Have you heard about the BubblePod before? If you answered in the negative, here is a quick introduction to the BubblePod. The BubblePod functions as a smartphone accessory which will be able to deliver flawless 360º images in a matter of seconds, and ever since it was launched over on the famous crowd funding site Kickstarter, it managed to hit its funding goal with a grand total of 12 days left on the clock. Available at £20 a pop, the BubblePod will basically let you capture the entire scene around you, in perfect high-res 360º media to boot.

The BubblePod might not seem like much at first glance, and I guess you could say that some others around you might even wonder just what the heck is it? It so happens that the BubblePod comes across as a stylish clockwork turntable which will be able to grip and rotate your smartphone in a jiffy, and you ought to make full use of the accompanying free BubblePix App in order to have it deliver stunning 360º photographs in high resolution.

Since it has already secured the minimum amount of funding, BubblePix (the people behind the BubblePod) will be able to cast their aspirations on delivering the BubblePod to their faithful backers this coming October, while offering additional stretch goals that might just send your adrenaline pumping. So far, the announced stretch goal happens to be a wide-angle camera lens, and when you pair that up with the BubblePod, you end up with an incredible 360º x 125º image capture.

Tom Lawton, BubblePod inventor, shared,”People are increasingly using their smartphones rather than traditional cameras, and the BubblePod gives you those high quality images without having to break the bank. We are astounded by the positive response, and it’s fantastic that we’ve hit our funding target so quickly. A massive thank you to every one who has backed, supported and given us your feedback, we could not have done it without you”. Would you pick up the BubblePod for your own use?

Kickstarter Page

Brinno TLC200 – Time Lapse Photography Fun!

by Julie - on June 27th, 2013

I love photography, it’s a fabulous hobby. I can usually be found behind the lens, snapping shots of the goings on at almost every event or party. I’ve always wanted to dabble in time lapse photography and capture a snow storm or the changing of the leaves in the fall, but it always seemed to be just a little to0 difficult. I also wanted to do some claymation type stop-action films with my daughter, but for maximum fun, the easier the better.

So I’m checking out the Brinno TLC200 designed to make time lapse and stop-action photography fun and simple, the Brinno still packs some flexibility to change lenses and set appropriate time intervals to catch all the time lapse action that you want, and it has an optional shutter release to turn you into a professional stop-action film maker. It’s battery life is solid, with months of life, allowing you to capture up to 300,000 pics, or an entire season of changes, an important remodeling project, or maybe even the growth of your prize-winning pumpkin.

The Brinno has a color LCD preview screen allowing you to easily set your scenes, it can be mounted on a tripod, or just set on a flat surface, it also has a wide angle lens available if you wanted one for your specific application. The Brinno TLC200 uses 4xAA batteries and it stores all your shots on an SD card (supports up to 32GB). So no messing with your existing camera, no complicated set-ups, or specialized time controllers. Simply set your time, and press go. Get the Brinno, and let the fun begin. Right around 135 bucks at amazon.com.

Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus and ATIV Book 9 Lite announced

by Edwin - on June 23rd, 2013

Samsung recently introduced new additions to their existing ATIV line, where it will boast of a combination of stylish design, cutting-edge technology, and seamless convergence capabilities which Samsung hopes will be able to redefine personal computing. These are new ATIV products which allow consumers to have the choices that they require in order to remain connected, productive and entertained, never mind of their location, environment, or computing needs. Not only that, the new ATIV PCs will also represent Samsung’s commitment to converging not only the PC, but mobile experiences as well, thanks to the inclusion of the recently introduced SideSync technology.

First of all, there is the ATIV Book 9 Plus that you can see above, where it will continue from where the ATIV Book 9 left off. The latter is famous for its ultrathin and light form factor and award-winning design, and its successor, the ATIV Book 9 Plus took 33,000 hours of craftsmanship to create, bringing this premium PC to the next level. The aluminum, uni-body design boasts of several enhancements from the previous model, where among them include a Windows 8 optimized touchscreen. Other than that, there is also a premium, QHD＋ (3200 X 1800) display that would wow your eyeballs, while it carries a dozen hours of battery life to boot. Taking under half a dozen seconds to cold boot, and waking up from sleep in less than a second, one is able to access the information and programs they need nearly instantly.

As for the ATIV Book 9 Lite, it will come with the same premium design identity as the Book 9, although it would have a far wider consumer base. WIth cutting edge technology as its base such as a ten-point touchscreen, a quad-core processor and a 256GB SSD, the Book 9 Lite will bring a balance of premium features and overall value. The ATIV Book 9 Lite tips the scales at three and a half pounds, measuring under an inch thin, making it the ideal device to tote around.

Anyone willing to give the ATIV Book 9 Plus and ATIV Book 9 Lite a go?

Press Release

Squatty Potty – for when Nature Calls

by Julie - on June 24th, 2013

When I was pregnant with my child, I remember reading that the medical profession had taken a very natural process, and made it more complicated by expecting us to lie on our backs to give birth. Now I’m reading that technology has altered the way we, um… well, you know and that the invention of the toilet changed our natural “elimination position” from squatting to sitting, and that’s just a very bad thing.

Check out Squatty Potty, meant to slide under, and to both sides of your existing toilet seat, this little stool-type gadget allows you to assume a more, shall we say, natural position, when using the toilet. So if you suffer from any potty problems, like constipation, hemorrhoids, colon, or even urinary issues and pelvic floor concerns, the Squatty Potty may be for you.

There seems to be some compelling evidence that the “western toilet” has given way to a whole myriad of toileting issues, and that the Squatty Potty can more properly align you and provide you with a much more comfortable, quick and complete elimination experience that you need  in order to maintain a happy healthy body.

So do I believe that our modern ways of doing natural things have become so contrived that they are hurting, rather than helping us? Probably. So will I try Squatty Potty? I’d like to say I don’t think so, if only to save you from the ensuing visual, but the truth is I don’t know. Will you? Squatty Potty is available from amazon.com for just under 35 bucks for the basic white model. They do come in different colors, including one constructed from bamboo. I’m just wondering what to do with all my magazines…

Dog Rocks – For Perfect Green Lawns

by Julie - on June 25th, 2013

I love having a dog, it’s so nice to come home and have someone so excited to see you. I mean, my husband is usually happy to see me, but he wants dinner, the dog is just genuinely glad I’m there. The only thing I don’t love is having to deal with the little yellow patches that burn into our lovely green lawn every summer. It starts out innocently enough, one here, another over there, but by summers end the lawn is ruined and I vow yet again to get him across the street from now on… until it rains.

Well fret no more, and check out Dog Rocks (a product I wish I knew about a few weeks ago) Dog Rocks are simply rinsed off and placed in Fido’s water dish and Voila! No more burned lawns. Could it really be so easy? Evidently Dog Rocks are 100% natural and do not alter the urine pH balance of dogs in any way, they explain the success by saying that it works by removing any nitrates that are naturally found in in the water, preventing lawn burn out, and providing your pet with fresh clean water.

Dog rocks are made form an igneous rock that is imported from Australia and they work to change the makeup of your dogs water source by absorbing just enough of these chemical substances from your water to protect the lawn, and not affect your dog. Reviews are mixed, some folks swear by them, while others have failed to notice a difference. Please remember though, you have to isolate your dog’s drinking sources to those treated with the Dog Rocks. A package of Dog Rocks is around 16 bucks and lasts for 2 months. Get yours at amazon.com and let us know if they worked for you.

The Kitchen Safe locks down your cravings

by Chris - on June 24th, 2013

Have you ever tried limiting your sweets intake? It can be hard to do on a good day, but when someone bakes a fresh batch of cookies, you’re going to find yourself back in the kitchen every few minutes. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a way that you could force yourself to wait a specific amount of time before eating the next one? Sure, you should be able to control your urges, but sometimes you need that extra help. Well that’s where the Kitchen Safe comes in.

This interesting gadget looks like an ordinary container, but the lid is what really makes this thing stand out. There is a small screen with a timer on the top. You can set the timer to count down from anywhere from one minute to ten days. Once set and secured, the lid won’t come off until the timer reaches zero. There is no override, and even removing the batteries won’t help you get to your sweets. If your batteries do die, the timer will start from where it left off when new ones are installed.

Food isn’t the only thing you can store in these containers. If you want to ground your child from their Xbox for a week, just pop their controller in, and start the countdown. Somehow it makes the punishment seem even worse when they can actually see the controller sitting out every time they walk past.

The container is made from BPA-free plastic, which is perfect for storing all kinds of food. Should you desire, you can choose a solid white container, which is not transparent. This is good for foods that need to be kept out of the light. It measures 6” x 6” x 6.5”, which is a nice size for storing a variety of goods. The Kitchen Safe is currently a Kickstarter project, though at the time of writing, it has received more than 90% of its funding, and still has 26 days to go. If you order during the Kickstarter funding period, you can get a safe for just $25. After that, the price will jump up to $35.

Source: GizmoDiva

CM4 Q Card Case for the Galaxy S4 announced

by Edwin - on June 23rd, 2013

Have you heard of CM4 before? They have earned their stripes by being known as a designer of premium mobile accessories, and this time around, CM4 has announced the Q Card Case for the hot selling Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone. With the Q Card Case, it comes in an innovative design that will merge the functionality of a built-in wallet and a durable case, and it has been specially crafted to protect the new Samsung Galaxy S4, too. Not only that, there is more than meets the eye as it has also been updated with an integrated audio amplifier, making the Q Card Case offer the user excellent sound clarity along the way.

Not only is it slim, it is also functional, making CM4’s Q Card Case is perfect for any occasion. The case would comfortably fits a trio of cards and cash, while outfitting your phone with style and convenience. It does not matter whether you are navigating through airport security, shopping at the local grocery, or hitting the town with friends, the Q Card Case will be able to reduce any kind of clutter that you will find in pockets and purses. The Q Card Case is constructed using soft-touch rubber and a premium fabric sleeve, which further enhances safety against scratches, dirt and bumps.

CM4 has some geniuses in their design department, where they have cleverly designed the case to fit the Samsung Galaxy S4 like a glove, without compromising its access in any way, since you are still able to access to all switches, jacks, and cameras without missing a beat. Thanks to the patent pending Direct Channel Audio design, sound is directed towards the front of the phone, so that users are able to experience louder and clearer audio whenever they watch their favorite videos, listen to music, or are involved in a conference call. This is done thanks to an innovative redirection of the phone’s built-in rear speaker, and best of all is, the case requires no extra juice to get the job done. Couple that with a profile which measures under 5mm, we have got quite a potential winner here. The Q Card Case would ship this July, although you can place a pre-order for it at $39.99 a pop.

Press Release

Wren V5PF launched

by Edwin - on June 21st, 2013

The recently introduced Wren V5PF holds the proud distinction of being one of the only two wireless speakers in the market today that will offer Android users a sophisticated channel for Wi-Fi music thanks to DTS Play-Fi technology. By utilizing old-school audio materials as well as classic audio know-how, the Wren V5PF will not only be able to harness the latest in wireless technology so that your ears will be treated to vibrant, room-filling sound, it manages to do so in a beautiful, simple, and convenient way. Of course, when you couple that with an elegant design as well as the proper acoustics in mind, marry that with the speaker’s sophisticated styling, subtle curves, and real wood rich finish, the Wren V5PF ought to be able to find a space in just about any home.

Your ears will definitely be more than happy with the Wren V5 Play-Fi speaker as individual features were specially designed to deliver fearless sound. It has been constructed out of natural bamboo or rosewood veneers that measure more than 0.5” thick MDF board, and the cabinet itself is internally braced to deliver a rigid enclosure that will be free from coloration. The unique internal diamond matrix-grille will offer further protection to the drivers without distorting sound. As for the underside of the Wren V5PF, it has been reinforced with a 4mm low-durometer silicone pad which will help stabilize the chassis and absorb cabinet vibration.

Here is a little primer on what DTS Play-Fi technology does â€" it transforms just about any Android smartphone or tablet (that runs on Android 2.2 Froyo or higher) into a flexible wireless audio device that has Pandora, vTuner internet radio, and a music player which can stream lossless audio files that has been stashed on the device, a local computer or a hard drive that has a DLNA server. Since it transmits “lossless” audio, you can be sure that the music you hear, based on the original quality, is as good as it gets. The Wren V5PF comes with an asking price of $399 a pop.

Press Release

Vodafone allows you to charge up your smartphone as you sleep

by Edwin - on June 21st, 2013

Most of us charge up our smartphones and tablets when we sleep, but how many of us actually do so without having to plug in our device to a nearby power outlet, where most of the time, these power outlets would be located somewhere near the bed? Vodafone has something up their sleeves which could very well change the way we juice up our devices, and that is by doing so while you snooze the day away. At the recent Isle of Wight festival, Vodafone’s presence is clearly felt, the least of those being their ever present Recharge-Trucks that carry enough juice to power up to 2,000 phones simultaneously. This time around, the folks at Vodafone want to do better by offering wearable technology that can power up your peripherals and gizmos, relying on nothing else other than your body heat and movement.

The Power Pocket is a device that has been incorporated into a pair of Power shorts as well as the Recharge sleeping bag, where both of these have been joint developed with the Electronics and Computer Science Department at the University of Southampton. The Isle of Wight festival is a good place to use these as a trial run, and basically to charge up your smartphone while you sleep requires technological wizardry, and not magic. Basically, in the Recharge sleeping bag, as your body dissipates heat on the inside layer, there will obviously be a difference between that temperature and the colder one on the outside, and thanks to the Seebeck effect, this is where the power is generated.

It has been described by one of the persons behind the Recharge sleeping bag, “Eight hours in the sleeping bag, roughly speaking, will provide 24 minutes of talk time and 11 hours of standby time. That’s assuming the inside of the sleeping bag is 37 degrees â€" human body temperature.”

If one were to take the Power Pocket shorts into consideration, it is touted that an entire days’ worth of walking and dancing in the Power Pocket shorts will allow one to juice up a smartphone for four hours, not too shabby, eh?

Press Release

Samsung rolls out first NFC-enabled color laser printer

by Edwin - on June 19th, 2013

Samsung is a company that is no stranger to industry firsts, and they can add another feather to their already burgeoning cap with the introduction of the first NFC (Near Field Communication) enabled color laser printer in the industry, alongside a bunch of other multi-function printers. The new printer Xpress C410W series will comprise of the C410W color laser printer, the C460W color laser MFPs that boast of print, copy and scan functionality, and the C460FW color laser MFPs which come with print, copy, scan and fax capabilities. These C410W series were specially designed by targeting home and small office environments, where folks in these two areas have the tendency to print content straight from their smartphones.

It is said that these three models would be able to print up to 18 pages per minute (ppm) in black and white, although if you decide to roll out your images in color, the speed would be greatly reduced to just four ppm. It can be said that printing itself has become a whole lot easier, where the Xpress C410W series would be able to hook up sans wires with mobile devices, delivering a fast, integrated and convenient printing experience whenever you are on the go. All you need to do is tap your smartphone on the printer, and printing will commence almost immediately. Should you want to scan and fax documents, that will not be too difficult either, since users can synchronize the contacts on their smartphones with the printers.

The use of the Samsung Mobile Print App would pave the way for users to print everything from PDF files to Microsoft Office documents (Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations included) straight from your smartphone. What happens if your smartphone does not have NFC capability? Fret not, since you can still take advantage of Google Cloud Print, which enables you to print over the web regardless of where you are with the help of a smart device (smartphone or tablet). It certainly seems as though Samsung has a potential hit on their hands this time around with the new printers.

Press Release

Insteon Hub – Control Home, with your Phone

by Julie - on June 20th, 2013

Every time I leave home I worry about a multitude of things. If I’m gone for say, a vacation, I worry about the house looking empty to potential thieves. If I’m gone for the day, I wonder about the cat, the temperature and whether or not I left the porch light on, or worse, that I turned it off and won’t be home till after dark. There are probably some things I should look into in order to control my anxiety, but I think I’ll just get an Insteon Hub.

The Insteon Hub allows you to check on, and control your home (from almost anywhere) right from your handy smartphone. So simple, you can install it yourself, Insteon offers a super convenient, and affordable home automation system. Beginning with the Insteon Hub,  you can connect to your home from anywhere in the world using your smartphone or tablet. Insteon gives you control of LED bulbs, wall switches and dimmers, thermostats and  cameras, and Insteon also offers sensors that actually lets your house text or email you messages, like when a water leak is detected, motion is sensed, or doors and windows are opened.

So maybe you would like to turn on your bedside lamp automatically to help wake you up in the morning? or get the heat going before getting going on a frosty morning, maybe you just like to keep tabs on your kids, or pets or have some added security when you’re on vacation. The Insteon Hub may be for you. Insteon solutions have no activation fees, or monthly charges connected to their service, so simply choose the components that work for you, and sit back and relax. Starter kits are available from bestbuy.com and add on’s like LED bulbs, outlets or appliance modules seem to start at around 30 bucks. Maybe now I can stop obsessing? Nah.

iPhone Controlled Musical Mercedes SLS

by Edwin - on May 17th, 2013

Remember how Pierce Brosnan, in his role as 007 in Tomorrow Never Dies, where he drove a BMW 750iL with a Sony Ericsson handset? Well, you might not be as suave and debonair as the dashing super spy, but you too, can live out your fantasy of driving your dream car with a phone, too. I am referring to the $129.95 iPhone Controlled Musical Mercedes SLS here, but there is one major difference between your Mercedes SLS compared to Bond’s BMW 750iL. The latter’s ride is the real deal, and can actually ferry you (and three other lovely ladies around), while the iPhone Controlled Musical Mercedes SLS is pretty much a toy. Still, I guess this is where you exercise the power of your imagination to get the job done.

The iPhone Controlled Musical Mercedes SLS will also enable a smartphone’s personal soundtrack to accompany luxury grand tours, where a free app enables you to send the Mercedes SLS all over the floor (within range, that is) as music continues to play via the iPhone. Whenever the tiny ride stops, its gull wing doors will pop open and music will then be streamed to the car’s onboard speakers, how cool is that? The Mercedes SLS will also be able to move and flash its lights in tempo with the music in order to deliver a fully synchronized joyride. Motion-sensing accelerometers in the iPhone would enable one to accelerate forward or backward, while turning the car is as simple as tilting and panning your smartphone. Other interactive capabilities include the ability to illuminate the car’s turn signals, brake lights, headlamps, and interior light.

Zoom H6 handy recorder

by Edwin - on June 16th, 2013

Not many of us carry a voice recorder around, simply because it might be too much trouble than it is worth. After all, don’t our respective smartphones these days come with their fair share of apps, where among them include a voice recorder? Zoom North America figured out that there is still a market for something like this, and has recently announced the release of the all-new H6 Handy Recorder. Needless to say, Zoom claims that the H6 is the most advanced portable recorder that has ever rolled off their assembly line, and we will take a closer look at what it offers right after the jump before agreeing.

The Zoom H6 is said to come with half a dozen tracks of simultaneous recording, where it will employ an innovative system of interchangeable input capsules which can be swapped out in the same manner as you do with that of the lenses of a camera. A quartet of capsules are available, and they are stereo X/Y and MS (Mid-Side). Fret not when it comes to additional expenses, as both of them have been included with the H6, while the Shotgun and dual XLR/TRS combo capsules are meant for those who have a little spare change on the side and love a life full of options.

Apart from that, the Zoom H6 can also be attached to a camera strap or mounted directly to a DSLR or camcorder, where its large full-color display would make it a snap to view recording and playback levels, never mind if you so happen to be shooting in a low-light environment. It will leave you with a myriad of recording options, where you can do so directly to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards (up to 128GB tops), in a range of MP3 and BWF-compliant WAV file formats, where among them include 24-bit / 96k for the ultimate in high-definition audio. No idea on pricing, but the Zoom H6 will be available in stores from next month onwards.

Press Release

MuseMini rolls out a bunch of accessories

by Edwin - on June 16th, 2013

The folks over at MuseMini who have come up with their fair share of wireless audio accessories in the past which target an active lifestyle, has come up with a spanking new collection of Near Field Communication (NFC) as well as Bluetooth powered accessories that were specially designed to be tough while they’re on-the-go as well as when involved in outdoor activities. I am referring to the so called trinity of a portable speaker, headphones, and NFC/Bluetooth adaptor.

Of course, leading the charge would be the $129.99 DBoom, which so happens to be a customizable and portable speaker that is capable of streaming superb sound and handsfree phone calls from any Bluetooth or NFC enabled device. What makes the DBoom special from the other devices in its class out there would be the added option to showcase your personality through the customization of your speaker, where this is made possible thanks to a perfectly form fitting skin which you can choose from a library that features most professional sports teams, colleges, entertainment and art brands. With literally thousands of designs to choose from to state your preference, you would be hard pressed to find another DBoom that looks exactly the same as yours. It delivers 6 watts of powerful stereo output from a pair of custom high fidelity audio drivers and passive sub-woofers, running on a re-chargeable, high capacity 2600mAH lithium-ion battery that delivers users up to a dozen hours of playtime on a single charge.

As for the MuseMini Bluetooth and tangle free UberBuds, this pair of eadbuds might not look like much, but when you take its $99.99 price tag into consideration, it delivers rich audio which is unique in such a compact and versatile package. It is perfect for music, phone calls, and games, as UberBuds will be able to stream Bluetooth wirelessly from any APTX/AAC compatible device from a range of up to 30 feet away. It will come with three sizes of ear cushions in order to maximize your comfort and support, while UberBuds offers a lifetime warranty against sweat, thanks to the use of cutting edge science that implements a patented nanotechnology through the treatment of a hydrophobic (waterproof) solution.

Last but not least, the $79.99 UberFly headphones can stream music from any NFC and Bluetooth enabled device from a range of up to 30 feet away, making it a snap to control your music while handling calls thanks to the integrated control panel and concealed microphone. Any takers?

Press Release

Kelty Air-Pitch Tents, Get to the Fun.. Faster!

by Julie - on June 15th, 2013

First off I should admit I’m not much of a camper. My daughter always wants to spend the night in the tent and I have spent many a Saturday afternoon dutifully trying to figure out which length of tent pole goes goes where, sweating and swearing, and fighting with the fabric, all for the privilege of being able to sleep on the ground, and wake up to the moist heat of the rising sun. Maybe if the whole set up wasn’t so annoying…

Well, just in time to save summer, I have found the Kelty Air-Pitch Tent. Forget the cumbersome and confusing tent poles, Kelty has replaced those traditional poles with nifty, inflatable AirPoles, allowing you to pitch a 2 room shelter with a storage vestibule, in just under a minute using the included high volume floor pump.  AirPoles provide all the support you need, and won’t bend, or break and snap you in the face like traditional poles. Yes, I’ve been there. Don’t want to feel it again. Ever.

Kelty’s 3 season tents are made from light, climate-friendly, and flame retardant polyester, have internal storage pockets, noiseless zipper pulls, a hanging sleep room as well as an enclosed floor-less vestibule for convenient storage. It has high and low fly vents to aid in air flow, and to help reduce condensation and the 2 sleep rooms are removable for added versatility. Kelty’s Mach 4 Air-Pitch tent dimensions are right around 120 x 108 x 74, and it will run you just under 400 bucks at amazon.com. Just add air conditioning, a fluffy queen size bed, and a flat screen TV, and I could get used to this camping thing.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom announced

by Edwin - on June 13th, 2013

Samsung’s latest puppy to hit the market might have arrived at the wrong time, as it could very well have done a whole lot better if it were to be a trailblazer a couple of years ago. Having said that, let us not judge a particular device before using it, so here we are with the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom, where it will once again take advantage of the insanely popular Galaxy name of device. Armed with a moniker like the Galaxy S4 Zoom, you can be dead sure that this particular smartphone is serious about the photography department, and we as end users are certainly more than happy to see features such as 10x optical zoom thrown into your everyday smartphone.

Is it a phone? Is it a camera? I will leave its primary function to the owner of the Galaxy S4 Zoom, since he or she would know best what they are going to do with it. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom can be said to be the realization of Samsung’s dream to conjure a single device which is capable of playing the role of an industry leading smartphone in addition to being a high-end compact camera. I guess they have more or less achieved their ambition at the moment in the form of the Galaxy S4 Zoom, where it boasts of the aforementioned 10x optical zoom, and will be accompanied by a 16-megapixel CMOS Sensor, OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and Xenon flash, all running on the most recent Samsung Galaxy S4 technology in order to set new standards for perfect mobile photography for the others to follow.

There is the presence of an all new Zoom Ring which is said to make photography with the Galaxy S4 Zoom all the more natural, letting you shoot more often instead of spending time to go through the various control dials as found on a regular digital camera. Android 4.2 Jelly Bean would be the operating system of choice, although it remains to be seen just when the Galaxy S4 Zoom would be released, and for how much?

Press Release

Microsoft Xbox One priced at $499 for a November 2013 release

by Edwin - on June 10th, 2013

It looks like the next generation video game console war is about to heat up, with the Microsoft Xbox One announced at E3 2013, bringing along with it a whole lot more information compared to what we heard not too long ago when Microsoft presented a glimpse of the next generation console. Here is the quick skinny of things â€" the Xbox One will be arriving in the US later this November, where it will be accompanied by a $499 price tag which could very well make it a decent holiday season purchase. This also means you have roughly five more months or so to save up for an Xbox One if you desperately want to give its launch titles a go, too.

There is a number of titles that will be released at launch for the Xbox One, and Microsoft kicked off this year’s E3 event with the viewing of the highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain trailer, featuring a younger Snake in all sorts of interesting scenarios, including riding on a horse. Revolver Ocelot does not have his eye patch just yet, meaning he is a whole lot younger. Other titles at launch which one can expect would be the surefire sales winner, Halo, as well as Battlefield 4. If you want to play the role of a Roman general leading a garrison into battle against the barbarians, then you will be pleased to know that Ryse: Son of Rome would offer such an opportunity. Perhaps the decline of the Roman Empire was due to the fact that they could not spell “rise”. I jest!

Apart from the Xbox One, folks who prefer to take the tried and tested route would be able to enjoy an updated Xbox 360 model, where the new design has already started to ship today to retailers across the US, UK, Canada, Ireland and Australia, with other Xbox regions receiving the revamped model in the coming months, further extending the life cycle and legacy of the Xbox 360 for a while more. The new Xbox 360 does seem to be a looker regardless of the angle you view it from, and it will not see a pricing tier change as the 4GB, 250GB and 4GB Kinect Bundle will still go for $199.99, $299.99, and $299.99, respectively.

Press Release

Mad Catz M.O.J.O. Android gaming console

by Edwin - on June 12th, 2013

Just when you thought that the dust had settled at the recently concluded E3 2013 event at Los Angeles, California, along comes Mad Catz’ Android-powered M.O.J.O. micro console which is touted to deliver the mobile Android gaming experience to those of you who have also invested a huge chunk of your spare change to bring home a big-screen TV in order to make your living room keep up with the times. It is said that the M.O.J.O. micro console is capable of packing in the kind of 3D gaming performance that one would not expect in such a tiny box, where it will also establish a direct link to digital storefronts such as Google Play and the Amazon Appstore.

Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc., did share his thoughts on what M.O.J.O. might be able to deliver in the future, “M.O.J.O. is basically a supercharged smart phone with no screen that plugs into your flat screen TV to bring the living room experience to mobile gaming. M.O.J.O. is designed to interact seamlessly with our GameSmart controllers, mice, keyboards and headsets, in fact, the entire eco-system of gaming peripherals. We also want M.O.J.O. to be a truly open platform. People are already comfortable buying games from Google Play, Amazon, TegraZone or any other retailer of their choice. They play those games on their phones and tablets already, and with M.O.J.O., they will be able to play them in the living room at no additional cost. The same approach applies to movies, music and any other digital media. Our focus is on providing the best hardware configured for performance, not forcing people to buy content from us.”

Obviously, it remains to be seen whether the likes of Mad Catz’s efforts in the home console market will bear fruit eventually as the M.O.J.O. rolls out to the targeted markets, considering how the Sony PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One from Microsoft look set to take center stage among high powered consoles in the living room, with Nintendo’s Wii U apparently picking up the scraps from the main table once those two have duked it out with one another in a battle royale.

Press Release

MSI announces next generation G Series gaming laptops

by Edwin - on June 11th, 2013

If you are an avid gamer, then you would surely have a decent desktop gaming PC configuration set up right at home, complete with its fair share of futuristic looking gaming keyboard and mouse, accompanied by the state of the art gaming speakers to that you can hear the exact spot where your opponent is in a map, before gunning him or her down with that flick of a wrist and press of the mouse button. Of course, not everyone has the kind of time to just sit at home all day long to indulge in playing computer games â€" some of us have to go through this thing called “work” so that we can make ends meet at the end of the month. Well, how about bringing gaming on the go with you then? This is where MSI comes in, having unveiled their next generation G Series gaming laptops.

One of these gems from the new G Series gaming laptops include the GT70 Extreme Edition that will come with an Intel 4930MX chipset, in addition to showcasing NVIDIA’s latest GeForce GTX 700M Series graphics, Killer Doubleshot and Intel’s 4th Generation Core i7 processors. All of those ought to pack enough graphical and processing firepower even though you are away from home, to handle the latest games, right? Sure, you might not be able to crank things up like your desktop, but the experience comes pretty close in comparison, I am sure.

Not only that, the new G Series gaming laptops will be able to play 4K video at a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, which happens to be quadruple the amount of time of traditional 1080p high-definition video. The next generation GT and GE models will also come with expanded storage, improved cooling and display outputs. The inclusion of Super RAID 2 has increased the amount of SSD storage from the last generation Super RAID with 3 SSD’s in RAID instead of 2, while Cooler Boost 2 delivers an efficient single fan cooling solution that is capable of lowering the average temperature by a whopping 8⁰ C . Last but not least, the new Matrix Display feature would enable you to have a far more productive day at the office, as you can hook up to 3 external displays so that you end up with a total of up to 4 independent displays, the native notebook display included. Sure, it works great when you are gaming, too.

Press Release

MacBook Air (2013) announced at WWDC 2013

by Edwin - on June 10th, 2013

Earlier this morning, there are two different events that have captured the attention of millions of people around the globe â€" at least from the tech perspective. First, there is E3 in Los Angeles that can be said to be the mecca of all video game news and releases on an annual basis, and for fans of the bitten fruit, you would have overcome your gaming cravings to tune in to what Tim Cook has to say at WWDC 2013 in San Francisco. Well, it seems that your patience to see what new hardware has Apple cooked up this time around has paid off, with Cupertino announcing that there is a new MacBook Air model in the market to keep up with the times.

Needless to say, the MacBook Air has been long overdue for a revision, and Phil Schiller, Apple’s head of marketing, took up the responsibility to unveil a couple of newer models. These will not be immediately available, although you will be able to place an order for them this coming Monday, with prices starting at the usual $999 point. Needless to say, you won’t find too many folks picking up the soon-to-be-obsolete MacBook Air between today and next Monday, as this is the chance to exercise patience and experience the proverb, “good things come to those who wait.”

Just what kind of hardware improvements will the new generation MacBook Air models bring? We are looking at an all day battery life, fourth generation Intel Core processors with faster graphics, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and flash storage which has been touted to be up to 45% faster compared to its previous generation. The 13″ MacBook Air will start from a new lower price of $1,099, which would certainly make it more accessible to the masses as Apple does their bit to fend off the growing Ultrabook market that runs on Windows 8.

We are looking at 9 and 12 hours of battery life for the 11″ and 13″ MacBook Air models, respectively, with support for next generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi thrown in alongside the new Intel HD Graphics 5000 chipset which allows the MacBook Air to enjoy up to 40% faster performance for gaming and graphics intensive apps. Other hardware specifications include dual microphones, a FaceTime HD camera, a high-speed Thunderbolt port and a couple of USB 3.0 ports, with dual display support and video mirroring thrown in for good measure.

Press Release

USB Mini Android Doll Mist Humidifier

by Julie - on June 4th, 2013

All winter the heat’s on in our homes and offices, drying out our sinuses, skin and eyes, we have a brief respite with the arrival of spring, only to shut ourselves in again and turn on the air conditioners in order to stave off the summer heat. I hate feeling parched and dry all the time. Maybe I need to move somewhere like Seattle, it seems nice and damp there…

Or I could just get myself the Mini Android Doll Humidifier, just the perfect companion for your home, car or office, this cute little green guy is powered via USB connection and emits a cool, ultrasonic moisturizing mist for up to 10 hours on a single fill.

WIth its familiar green color, light up eyes, moveable little arms, and serene smile, your new Android friend is only about 3 and a half inches tall, and will add some comfort promoting humidity, not to mention, some style to your once stuffy office cubical.

The Android Doll Humidifier can hold a little over 8 ounces of water, comes complete with USB cable, replacement wicks, and works for up to 10 hours at a time, but it doesn’t seem to come with instructions, at least not written in English, so if you think you might need a hand there, this little guy may not be for you.

The USB Humidifier may be just the ticket to keep you from feeling parched and uncomfortable, whatever the climate, and you can have one for under 40 bucks from amazon.com.

Futurist’s Hand Activated iPhone Speaker

by Edwin - on June 2nd, 2013

Are all iPhone speakers created equal? The easy answer would be to say no, but is there any rationale behind that particular response? Of course, we might say that logic dictates so, but the next time someone asks you that particular question, here is a response that you can be sure and proud of â€" by pointing them towards the $199.95 Futurist’s Hand Activated iPhone Speaker. Yes sir, the Futurist’s Hand Activated iPhone Speaker certainly does its bit to evoke a futuristic vision of technological singularity, where you are able to control a docked iPhone using hand gestures.

I know, I know, this is old hat for all you Samsung Galaxy S4 owners out there considering you are also able to control your Galaxy S4 in certain aspects using hand gestures, and best of all is, your Galaxy S4 need not be docked in the first place. Ah well, Apple cannot be at the forefront of modern day technology all the time, can they? You win some and you lose some. Sporting a sentient atmospheric lifting body, infrared sensors that are installed on either side of its streamlined, aerodynamic fuselage will be able to detect hand movement in order for you to increase or decrease volume, while the presence of a third sensor that is located in its port side speaker pauses or changes tracks. Yet another sensor in its nose will let you turn the system on or off. It can be paired with an iPhone over Bluetooth, where it delivers robust sound with twin 5-watt tweeter “jet” speakers and a down-firing 10-watt bass-reflex subwoofer. Of course, just in case hand gestures are not your cup of tea, there is always an included remote control to get you going.

Sony VAIO Pro 13/11 announced

by Edwin - on June 5th, 2013

Here we are with yet another couple of Ultrabooks from the good people over at Sony, with the VAIO Pro 13/11 being announced. These were claimed by Sony to be the lightest touch capable Ultrabooks in their respective classes, and I don’t suppose that the clever implementation and use of carbon fiber for its case had anything to do with such an “achievement”, hmmm? The touch enabled VAIO Pro 11 would tip the scales at approximately 870 grams, while the touch enabled VAIO Pro 13 is a wee bit heavier by weighing down the average scale by a mere 1.060 kg.

Regardless of which particular model you decide to settle for, the VAIO Pro 13/11 will come with a uni-direction carbon fiber body and Hexa-shell design that delivers the kind of extra durability which mobile computers tend to require. Not only that, being lightweight does not mean that Sony has skimped on quality â€" no sir, as the Japanese firm also brings a comfortable typing experience for the VAIO Pro 13/11 by featuring a wide key pitch and stroke in order to allow for an extremely natural typing experience. Apart from that, the VAIO Pro 13/11 will also make use of a unique palm rest that which gradually merges into the, delivering virtually unrivaled comfort while typing for hours on end.

Your eyes would also be more than happy to greet the TRILUMINOS Display, letting you enjoy a wide palette of rich natural colors courtesy of Sony’s BRAVIA expertise. Merge this with a full HD display and Sony’s super resolution technology, X-Reality for mobile, and you can be sure that looking at other displays on rival Ultrabooks that have a lesser configuration would certainly be a dampener, especially when your heart swells with pride in picking the right Ultrabook â€" at least where visuals are concerned. Both models will be available for purchase sometime later this month, although pricing details have yet to be determined.

Press Release

iGlo LED Light Set – Year Long Holiday Lighting

by Julie - on June 5th, 2013

Sure, I know it’s a little early to be talking about holiday lighting, of course my neighbors have their lights up already, or did they not take them down? Either way they’re six months into looking ridiculously enthusiastic, or horribly lazy… I’m leaning towards the latter, I really never liked them anyway. But they got me thinking about holiday lighting.

I’m excited to add some new tech to my Christmas display this coming holiday season with iGlo LED lights. Offering real time special effects, with the controls right on your iPhone or Kindle Fire, you connect via WIFi to a specially designed LED light strip, which you can manipulate by waving your phone in the air, or utilizing the touch screen in order to “paint” the customized light effects.

This cool light show doesn’t need to be limited to Christmas, since you can change the colors and effects at will, why not do some backlighting, or light your home for birthdays, Halloween, or the Fourth of July. Do some special lighting effects in your car…Heck, with lights like these, you wont be the scourge of the neighborhood if you leave them burning all year, you’ll just appear uber festive.

Originally designed for architectural lighting, the iGlo LED set is fully customizable, comes with hundreds of presets, can be connected to a max of 49 feet per chain, and the associated app can control multiple chains. So turn your deck into a dance floor, or a tent into a color morphing wonderland, or simply put your neighbors white twinkly lights to shame. Buy them for under 300 bucks at amazon.com, but check the video at www.igloledset.com, way before you decide that these not-just-for-Christmas lights are too expensive.

LG Display has next generation display technology in the pipeline already

by Edwin - on May 26th, 2013

It goes without saying, where any company that intends to remain stagnant wherever they are in the market at the moment run the risk of being obsolete within a short period of time, especially in a highly competitive environment. The display market is one such dog-eat-dog world, and there is no room for rest, even for the established players. LG Display has had a pretty good record at rolling out fantastic looking displays in the past, and they do not seem as though they want to relinquish their position in the market by introducing their next generation display technology at SID 2013, with their now famous curved 55” OLED TV and 5” plastic OLED panels being on parade there.

SID stands for Society for Information Display, and at SID Display Week 2013, you can more or less say that LG Display has put up quite a show, where they used the opportunity to introduce a curved 55” OLED TV and a 5” plastic OLED panel. Apart from those two displays, there will also be other mobile panels on show which have been applied with Oxide Thin Film Transistor (TFT) that has a clear future as the next generation TFT technology.

Of course a curve 55” OLED display is always a wonder to look at and check out, we are more than interested in the world of possibilities that will open up where the unbreakable and flexible 5” plastic OLED panel which will be manufactured specially for mobile devices is concerned. Imagine a smartphone which has touchscreen capability, and best of all is, you will never, ever have to worry about a broken display. This bodes well for butterfingers, but it would also provide an impetus for hardware manufacturers to come up with a smartphone chassis that is tough enough to withstand all the drops and knocks that it would possibly go through. We cannot wait for the future to come fast enough, how about you?

Company Page

Asus Transformer Book Trio at Computex 2013

by Edwin - on June 3rd, 2013

Computex 2013 is a place where a fair number of companies has chosen to roll out the different kinds of products that they have in store for the market in the coming year, and since there is quite a fair number of hardware manufacturers that hail from Taiwan itself, it is no surprise to see them make full use of this “home ground” advantage, and Asus being one of the more celebrated companies has decided to roll out the Asus Transformer Book Trio. As you can see in the image above, it does seem to resemble a regular Ultrabook, but in reality, the Asus Transformer Book Trio comes in the form of an innovative combination of notebook, tablet and desktop PC with the aim of delivering unparalleled flexibility in work, play, and social activity.

Just what kind of hardware does the new Asus Transformer Book Trio pack underneath the hood? Well, one thing is for sure â€" you will not find it lacking in any way where graphical prowess is concerned, especially when this is deemed to be the first NVIDIA Tegra 4 tablet in the market to come with a stunning 2560 x 1600 resolution display. Apple would certainly have cause to be concerned with this new class of hybrid devices as their hegemony on the tablet market is challenged.

The Asus Transformer Book Trio, as its name suggests, is a three-in-one mobile device that happens to be a world’s first as well. Boasting an 11.6” detachable display and dual operating systems, the Transformer Book Trio would transform mobile flexibility by switching effortlessly between a Windows 8 notebook, Android tablet and Windows 8 desktop PC. Different operating systems would mean access to more than 700,000 apps in the Google Play Store and over 50,000 apps in the Windows Store.

The PC Station dock itself sports its own 4th generation Intel Core i7 processor, keyboard and 750GB hard drive, and when the tablet display is detached, it can still work by hooking it up to an external display so that it functions as a desktop PC. Not only that, the PC Station also doubles up as a charger for the tablet for extended battery life. The tablet itself boasts of a 2.0 GHz Intel Atom processor and a 16:9 aspect ratio IPS display with Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution and up to 64GB storage. Seems as though interesting times are ahead of us, no?

Press Release

K-TOR Pocket Socket 2

by Edwin - on May 22nd, 2013

You know something? Each time the brand name K-TOR comes across my mind, all I can think of is actually KOTOR, which happens to be short for Knights Of The Old Republic, which happens to be one of those Star Wars titles that only fanboys will be able to appreciate. Well, K-TOR so happens to be under our radar this time around, which is why I have started to get flashbacks of KOTOR, but I will do my utmost best to put those aside and concentrate on just what the K-TOR Pocket Socket 2 is able to deliver to the masses.

For starters, you are able to more or less tell that the Pocket Socket 2 has something to do with charging capabilities. It makes perfect sense, after all, K-TOR happens to be a designer and manufacturer of portable power generators, so the second generation release of the Pocket Socket hand crank generator has been named the Pocket Socket 2, which is definitely far from being inspiring by any means. The Pocket Socket 2 is a highly affordable human powered generator, where it boasts of a standard outlet interface that is capable of delivering backup energy and emergency power to a wide range of electronic devices.

After all, you can never quite tell just when a blackout is going to happen, and it makes perfect sense to be prepared at all times, so having the Pocket Socket 2 right by your bedside is always a good idea. There is the patented technology within the Pocket Socket 2 (in addition to the other K-TOR portable generators, of course) that enable the efficient conversion of human energy into a 120 volt power source. Just what are some of the other devices that the Pocket Socket 2 is able to charge? We are looking at smartphones, tablets, GPS equipment, handheld radios, digital cameras, and medical equipment among others. The Pocket Socket 2 can be yours for $64.95 a pop.

Press Release

SETA smartphone stand could be the only one you will ever need

by Edwin - on June 1st, 2013

What are some of the modern day innovations that you think will stand the test of time? The car is definitely one of them, as we all know that it is rather difficult to get around without any form of wheels. I would like to think that when it comes to mobile devices, the smartphone would also eventually end up to be an indispensable tool of everyday life. Well, if that were to be the case, you might want to be at the forefront of the action with the introduction of SETA, a smartphone stand that was specially designed to be the “last stand” that you will ever need. It was manufactured to perform a whole lot better compared to other traditional phone stands or docks, as SETA will suspend smartphones at what is deemed to be the perfect viewing angle regardless of where you place it â€" on the desk, nightstand, counter, or other smooth surfaces.

The thing is, the SETA smartphone stand might not even make it out of the gate, considering how this is still a Kickstarter project as you read this. Pledges for the SETA smartphone stand would start from $10 onwards, depending on how much faith you have in it. Just how high is the compatibility rate of the SETA smartphone dock? Well, the folks behind it claim that it has a 100% record, since it can hold just about every smartphone and accommodate all charging cables to date, so we guess it is future forward unless some other hardware manufacturer decides to take a different route with their chargers later on.

Other than that, there is also the patent pending T-Channel cord holder, in addition to a NanoSuction technology that has been incorporated into SETA, where it will synthetically emulate the adhesive qualities of gecko feet, which means your smartphone will be able to magically cling to the NanoSuction SETA pad, as the base pad secures SETA to most flat, non-porous surfaces without leaving a sticky residue behind.

Kickstarter Page

Satechi 7-Port USB 3.0 Aluminum Hub

by Edwin - on June 1st, 2013

Throughout my relatively short life, there is one lesson that I have learnt â€" never argue with a lady whenever she is mulling over whether to pick up that particular pair of shoes or handbag, never mind that she already has umpteenth pair of shoes and countless handbags back home. Assuming you are a geek, you might want to take your “revenge”, so to speak, in a more subtle manner by telling here that when it comes to gadgets, there are just certain items on your list that you will never compromise in not purchasing those â€" and one of them would definitely be a USB hub. After all, you can never have enough USB ports lying around to plug in your ever growing collection of USB-powered devices, so you might as well get the best USB hub possible at that particular point in time, no? Enter the Satechi 7-Port USB 3.0 Aluminum Hub that would certainly not look out of place in any home or office.

One thing of note though â€" Apple users would seem to be more suited for the Satechi 7-Port USB 3.0 Aluminum Hub, since it has the kind of external looks that are ideal for the Mac and MacBook. Boasting a sleek, compact design and additional connectivity for multiple USB-based devices that will include (but are not limited to) flash drives, printers, digital cameras, and external hard drives among others, the Satechi 7-Port USB 3.0 Aluminum Hub sports a slim, strip shape design which takes up as little room as possible on your desk, and the way it is laid out makes life a cinch when you want to plug in or remove devices in a jiffy.

Do bear in mind that the plug and play 7-Port USB 3.0 Aluminum Hub would be accompanied by its own power supply, where that would deliver speedy data rates of up to 5Gbps, which is 10 times faster compared to USB 2.0, making it a snap to transfer photos, music, and HD movies. If you are interested, the Satechi 7-Port USB 3.0 Aluminum Hub will come in a white or black trim where it will be sold for an introductory price of $54.99.

Product Page

GoGirl – Let’s you Stand Up for Yourself

by Julie - on May 31st, 2013

When I was a little kid I used to wish I was a boy. Now that I’m a grown-up, I can honestly say there are only a couple of benefits that I feel I’m missing out on. When I was younger I got paid less, but that worked itself out. Now I’m left with the idea that men seem to get away with being older, heavier and less attractive much more than woman do (that’s not fair)… and then theres that whole being able to pee standing up thing.

Well, I may not be able to pull off the distinguished older gentleman routine, but now I can write my name in the snow, thanks to GoGirl, a nifty, and hygienic feminine urination device that let’s you go anywhere a man can, without baring your butt, or tinkling on the back of your pants. (hey, don’t say thats never happened) No more squatting over dirty toilets or disgusting port-o-potties, simply place the soft, silicone, funnel-like device up against your body and do what you gotta do.

GoGirl is totally portable, reusable, and dishwasher safe. Yeah, I know, leave it at that. The folks that make the GoGirl suggest you practice in order to get the feel of standing up while you go, and in order to avoid the unfortunate consequences of a learning curve, that you do so in the shower. Practice makes perfect. I have to say that there has been more that one occasion that I would have been ecstatic to have one of these in my purse and if you’d like to see yourself hangin’ with the boys, grab yourself a GoGirl, only 15 bucks for a two pack at amazon.com.