Gadget Access

Back in 2000, Brazilian artist Carla Tennenbaum discovered that the packaging material EVA foam can not be recycled and was clogging up landfill sites. Disappointed, she decided to take action and recycle the foam herself. As only an artist could, she created a range of beautiful and unusual works of art and pieces of furniture, like the ottoman pictured below.

You can find out more and see the full range of Carla’s works via her website, but you can see my favorite over the page. And if you’re inspired, maybe you’ll decide to make your own!

If it weren’t enough that it’s pollen season, here comes the news that some of us may also be allergic to our cell phones and other gadgets we come into contact with. Lately, I swear my ears itch when I’ve been talking on my cell phone for a long time, but it hasn’t occurred to me until just now that it might be an allergy. I’m reminded of the time when my earlobes swelled to the size of great big cherries from wearing earrings made of an identified metal.

According to an article in I4U News, those of us sensitive to the metals used in manufacturing portable electronic devices, particularly nickel (used in cell phone batteries) which is one of the leading culprits, may suffer from rashes from contact with these gadgets.

Unfortunately, while it’s easy to avoid skin allergies from contact with cheap jewelry (just don’t wear it, stick with gold), it’s not as easy to avoid allergies to our gadgets. Those for whom money is no object have the option to buy gold-encased cell phones - like these 24 carat iPhones - but the batteries are probably still made of nickel.

Via textually.org.

Two new colors for the Creative ZEN have recently begun to show up online. Wal-Mart currently has a new pink color, while Buy.com is listing a red colored model, and while they are still not listed on the official Creative site the pink model is listed as in-stock at Wal-Mart, the red model from Buy.com is temporarily sold out.

The newly colored pink ZEN is listed as a Wal-Mart exclusive and is the 2GB model which retails for $69.98. The Buy.com red model is the 4GB model and is retailing for $98.24. Aside from the new coloring they will retain the same features which include a 2.5-inch display with a 320 x 240 resolution, FM radio, microSD card slot for additional storage and they offer support for a wide variety of audio and video formats. Looks like a good time to drop the pink and red, after all Mothers Day is just around the corner now.

Via [SlashGear]

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Fancy getting an adrenaline rush? Why not check out the RolerBall - do make sure you take the necessary precautions beforehand though.

Once inflated this behemoth stands about three metres high, and is rather like a spherical cushioned igloo. The idea, which sounds insane, is to put it at the top of a slope (we suggest a very gentle one with a long unobstructed run-off), strap yourself in, and then roll down the hill trying not to lose your lunch. Inside the centre shell are two harnesses, so you could have two people feeling the adrenalin rush, and probably the queasiness, together. There is a version of this mad sport that requires you to remove the harnesses, add a bucket or two of water, tie in the seal (which comes with the ball and straps into the opening), and launch yourself off. Not in a month of Sundays would we do that, but there you go. The ball is made from a very tough material, and comes with a puncture repair kit, but nevertheless you want to be sure you’re using it in a clear area - and ONLY EVER on private land, and with supervision.

You can pick up the RolerBall for a massive £999 from IWantOneOfThose.com.

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It just last week when Nokia introduced the 5220 and 5320 and we now see another three hitting the market. This time its the 6600 Fold, 6600 Slide and the 3600 Slide.

Nokia is promoting the new handsets as “beautiful to use” which would make on think that these new handsets have nothing much to offer except for an eye-pleasing design. True to the tagline, the first two phones which bear the same model number 6600 are your usual Nokia mid-range mobile handsets with nothing much to offer in terms of high-end functionality. Well, aside from the 3G support in the 6600 Fold and a 3.2-megapixel camera in the 6600 Slide. Even the GPS functionality of the 6600 is not an inherent feature but an optional one instead.

The 3600 Slide suffers the same fate as the first two handsets. Aside from the 3.2-megapixel camera, the 3600’s major feature is a background noise cancellation technology that makes up for a good music listening experience. In addition a TV-out feature was also included to connect the 3600 Slide to most TV sets.

Other than these main features, all three handsets are pretty much your standard Nokia mobile phone fare. The Nokia 6600 Fold, 6600 Slide and 3600 Slide will have retail prices of $430, $391 and $273 respectively. All three handsets will begin shipping in Europe during Q3 of this year.

Read [Nokia]

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Buy.com has already listed the Nokia N810 WiMax Edition on their site. The N810 is currently listed for $455 with a suggested retail of $479, but as we would expect, is not currently in stock. The listing, although a little early seems to fit the time frame as Nokia announced it would be available beginning in the summer of 2008, however we cannot help but remember that the WiMax coverage would be delayed. Think I can hold off buying a device that is built specifically for a technology that is not even available.

Product [Buy.com] Via [TabletBlog.com]

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There are plenty of different sound systems you can chose, such as the basic ones that only playback CDs, and the most advanced ones that can do radio, among other functions.

The Tube Internet Radio is one of those forward-looking products, thanks to the Wi-Fi connection that you’re suppose to have at home, this music system can have access to over 6,500 radio stations. Additionally, it also supports Windows Media streams, MP3s and Real Audio files.

Priced at 150, with the inclusion of a remote control, and an analog output so you can connect it to your home stereo.

• 2.1 Hi-Fi stereo and subwoofer system
• 10 Internet radio presets

Product Page

The Samsung SCH-u706 Muse is a clamshell phone offering a 2 megapixel camera as well as the following features:

* support for video messaging
* supports text, picture, and instant messaging
* MP3 music player
* microSD memory card slot
* stereo Bluetooth
* Alltel GPS application, Axcess Mobile Guide
* supports the 800/1900MHz frequency bands on Alltel’s 3G EVDO network

Via MobileBurn.

The LG SH240 is a slider phone offering a 2 megapixel camera as well as the following features:

* 3G HSDPA support
* Bluetooth-enabled
* silicon covering that feels like human skin to provide a sensory experience to users
* subway map (no word on cities covered)
* built-in dictionary
* external memory card slot
* mp3 player

Via MobileBurn.

While we certainly love our computers and gadgets, some times we just have to put it all aside and get out into the fresh air and sunshine. Skullcandy has just released a backpack that will not only keep you hydrated, but also entertained thanks to the built-in speakers.

The backpack allows you to plug in your mp3 player or cell phone and then listen to music or talk handsfree with the speakers that are located in the upper section of the arm straps. The Skullcandy Hydration backpack includes a 72-ounce water-tight bag that will keep your feeling fresh, along with plenty of storage room for the other items needed for your adventure.

The backpack also includes a built-in CD/DVD holder which although a nice option sounds like it goes a little against getting outdoors and making good use of the hydration pack. Either way, the Skullcandy Hydration backpack comes in gray/orange, is currently available and retails for $129.99.

Via [SlashGear]

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