Gadget Access

Posted Feb 29th 2008 3:01PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment
Maybe it’s just us, but here recently it feels as if there’s been quite the outpouring of HD media streamers. Next up is Mvix’s MX-780HD, which doesn’t innovate much in the design department, but does include space for your own HDD along with support for wired Ethernet or 802.11b/g/n WiFi. Best of all, you’ll find 1080p output via HDMI, and there’s file support for DivX, XviD, AVI, MPEG, WMV, ASF, AAC, OGG, AC3, MP3, WMA, JPEG and lots, lots more. There’s also component outs and coaxial / optical audio ports, but we’re still teetering on whether that cute LCD on the front makes this thing a bargain at $299.99.

[Via Unplggd]

I’m already bi-lingual, but in truth, one of my dreams is to become a polyglot. Until my dream comes true though, I’ll make sure to bring this device if I ever visit another country.

The Voyager 3 Digital Speaking Language Translator is a portable translator which is programmed with the Oxford dictionary is twenty different languages. It can also translate and speak over 40,000 words as well as 46,000 phrases. Of course, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so this baby is also equipped with an FM radio, calendar, calculator, and even, eight games. For 125, I say, not bad. Now if only it can translate alien language, I’d be a happy camper.

via

Posted Feb 29th 2008 1:54PM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: cellphones
If you happen to own an iphone, and you happen to have updated to the 1.1.4 firmware, you can now easily jailbreak, activate, and unlock your phone with a couple of simple solutions. As you may have heard, iNdependence 1.4 beta 5 is out, which will do all sorts of non-Apple approved things to your device from OS X, though if you’re looking for the ultimate cross-platform solution, you probably can’t do better than the latest version Zibri’s all-in-one package, Ziphone 2.5. Both apps make it about a million times easier than this was a few weeks ago, though we’ve seen video of a new solution — jailbreaking directly from iTunes — that could make this process even simpler (though considerably more illegal). Check that out after the break and get a glimpse of your deviant future.

[Via TUAW; Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read - iNdependence
Read - Ziphone’s Blog

Band drummers have it tough. While their guitarist friends get to strut their stuff anywhere with their sleek and portable guitars, drummers are stuck tap-tap-tapping on the wall with their sticks.

There’s no need to look silly trying to sound a cymbal clash on the wall anymore. With these Rhythm Sticks, you can play drums without the drums! These sticks have speakers in its base which will emit sounds a drum would when you drum on the air, believe it or not. You can even choose the sounds: classical drum beat for some old skool drumming, electronic drum beat for a more modern take on drumming, and cymbal crash because drumming isn’t complete without those lovely cymbals. And while you’re at it, watch the tips light up with each beat while you air-drum. For only 9.95, you better get more than one pair if there’s another frustrated drummer in your house — these sticks have the potential to become addicting.

via

Posted Feb 29th 2008 11:23AM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: cellphones
It was only a matter of time till the serious iphone SDK rumors started flying, and with Apple’s Town Hall event next Thursday, it’s possible some of what we’re hearing is right on. If that’s the case, prepare to be letdown in a major way. According to iLounge, Apple will be severely restricting access on software for the iPhone and ipod touch, only allowing apps to be downloaded through iTunes, hand-picking which applications will make it to the store, and cutting off developer’s access to accessories which interface with the dock connector. Of course, this is just about what we expected from Steve, since he’s already lauded Nokia for its S60 verification scheme. Additionally, the report claims that the SDK we see next week will be an incomplete beta, with the full version rolling out in June to coincide with the WWDC. Thinking of any good reasons to keep jailbreaking your phone? Yeah, us too.

[Thanks, Omega]

Why should your ipod have all the cool cases? Griffin has now released two of their most popular cases for the iphone. For the rugged individual, there’s the multi-purpose Courier which is made of compression-molded EVA outer jacket for abrasion-resistant durability and can either wrap around the strap of your backpack or bag (up to 4 inches wide), or be secured by a industrial-strength hook & loop closure (see photo above). The detachable case fits iPod classic/iPod with video and iPod touch, and your precious iPhone. With a hidden zipper pocket for key, money, ID, and a second flapped pocket for sync cable, earphones, or whatever you need, this utiilty case is all you need to carry. 34.99 at Griffin.; now $24.01 at Amazon.

My iPhone had been envious of my iPod’s stylish Reflect case, but is now sporting its own. Made of a durable polycarbonate shell that surrounds the face of your iPhone with seamless, chrome-like protection, and a rubberized matte black back, it protects while still giving you access to all the controls of your iPhone. At $24.99 it’s a great way to dress up your iPhone.

If the concept design for the paper weighing scale designed by Duck Image Studio sees the light of day, then I will no longer have to worry if someone else is looking down at the embarassingly high figures on my scale while I am standing on it.

Ask how? Because the paper weighing scale is different from other weighing scales – it is inconspicuous, almost like paper, and can be placed anywhere in the house as it is ultra-thin and flexible. The figures are depicted via large numerals flashed on an e-paper display – easy enough to let you steal a sly glance as you are walking down the hallway, for example. And you can leave the paper scale out on the floor through the day since it is waterproof and easy to clean. The flexibility aspect ensures that you can even roll it away for storage if you are not comfortable being reminded of your weight so many times in a day. Methinks this is a great design for something as simple as a scale.

Via Yanko Design.

I think that I was born to be a writer, looking back it’s obvious really. First, I’ve always had horrible handwriting, which means I could have become either a doctor or a writer, and since I had no desire for an extra 10 years in school, there wasn’t much of a chance for being a doctor. When my school finally received new computers they began testing our typing skills, which I excelled at. We had boring typing games to track out WPM count, nothing cool like this cool USB Speedometer.

I honestly don’t know how many words per minute I can type anymore, as it’s been a long time since I really cared. I type fast enough to keep up with my thoughts most of the time (which either means I’m a fast typer or a slow thinker) and I’m cool with that. However, I’m almost positive that I’d never be able to hit the top speed on this gadget. The highest WPM it registers is 260, which is 48 higher than the world record. If you want to impress yourself with your extreme tying skills, this gadget will set you back $39.

Source: Technabob

There comes a time in every cube-dweller’s life, when he or she has to take the law into his or her hands. Maybe it’s finding out that stooge from marketing has stolen your last pencil…again! Or perhaps you’re tired of having your office moved repeatedly. Well, it’s time to draw a line in the low pile carpet. “No more,” you’ll cry as you stand your ground. With a Nerf Maverick by your side, you will prevail.

Gimmie!

Suggested Price: $9.99

Posted Feb 29th 2008 10:35AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: GPS
Though it’s hard to see where Clarion’s NAX973HD fits in between in-dash units installed at the factory and portable navigators, we suppose folks already drawn to a dedicated display or totally infatuated with this thing’s software may be in love. Marketed as a nav system that will churn out directions in Europe much quicker than those disc-based systems, this unit features a 30GB internal hard drive, 12-channel GPS receiver, built-in gyro sensor / RDS-TMC tuner for traffic information, pre-loaded NAVTEQ maps of 30 countries, voice recognition / text-to-speech capabilities, 2D / 3D map views and a VGA output to boot. Unfortunately, word on the street pegs this thing at £795 ($1,579) without a display, so we’d probably steer clear unless you’re crazy about automotive installations.

[Via Tech Digest]