Gadgets Base

The Korean company, XRoad, creates a lot of nice GPS units and this new one, dubbed the XRoad MO1000, is no exception.

It begins with a RMI Alchemy Au1250 processor, and it runs at a very nice 600MHz. It displays maps in 3D and shows buildings as well as other structures. It runs on WinCE 5.0 OS, and comes with a hot 7-inch TFT-LCD touchscreen. It even comes with 30GB internal memory for all your audio and video. Additionally, it comes with a DMB Receiver, to broadcast live TV shows, live traffic information, and picture-in-picture.

No word on availability or pricing at this time, but don’t expect this to leave the Korean market.

Via [NaviGadget]

Posted Jan 19th 2008 1:58PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
We know, hackers tend to get a pretty bad rap these days, but with some of ‘em out there creating ginormous gridlocks in Los Angeles and shutting down networks in enemy territories, we sort of understand the sentiment. Most recently, it seems that hackers are being blamed for “penetrating power systems (sound familiar?) in several regions outside the US, and in at least one case, causing a power outage affecting multiple cities.” That’s according to Tom Donahue, a CIA official, who failed to dole out critical details such as where or when the attacks occurred nor how many folks were actually left in the dark. ‘Course, Bruce Schneier, CTO of security firm BT Counterpane, warns that these attacks could in fact be aided by individuals with administrative access to said systems, implying that “human vulnerability” could share at least some of the blame. Don’t worry guys, we’re faxing CTU right now, they’ll be right on it within 72 business hours.

[Image courtesy of WPS]

AT&T currently has a special $99 promotion on the red LG Shine, BlackJack II and the BlackBerry Curve 8310. The promotion is valid through Valentines Day, which for those that may need a reminder is February 14 and they all require a 2-year agreement with purchase.

“Chocolates and flowers are standby gifts for Valentine’s Day, but this year we’re spicing things up by offering terrific deals for those who want to go with something different,” said Andy Wilson, vice president of National Marketing for AT&T’s wireless unit.

A nice offer for those looking to make a switch to AT&T, all three phones (personally I would prefer the Curve) would make a great primary phone, especially for only $99.

Via [SlashPhone] Image [Boy Genius Report]

The new Microsoft shopping cart promises turn your next mundane shopping trip into an adventure! Four years in the making, collaborating with Texas-based MediaCart Holdings Inc, Bill Gates has launched a grocery cart-mounted console that does everything but remove money from wallets to pay for items! It helps shoppers find products, then scan and pay for them without having to wait in line at the checkout counter (a blessing in itself).

But Bill Gates is not completely altruistic. (Indeed, no mogul ever really is.) Microsoft’s acquisition of Quantive, an online advertising company, last year for $6 billion increased the company’s capacity to serve video ads onto these grocery cart screens. MediaCart will begin testing in the second half of 2008, focusing on Wakefern Food Corporation’s ShopRite supermarkets on the East Coast. The way it will work is customers with a ShopRite loyalty card will be able to log into a Web site at home and type in their grocery lists. The list will appear, like magic, when they get to the store and swipe their card on the MediaCart console. As items are scanned and placed in the cart, the console gives a running price tally and checks items off the list.

As if this isn’t rendering the shopper and his or her judgment and abilities enough, this system also utilizes radio-frequency identification (RFID) to sense the location of the shopper’s cart. The rationale behind this aspect concerns understanding consumer shopping patterns and recognizing strategic points to send ads to shoppers for products living on the shelves in those aisles they are either in or about to enter. Presenting coupons and commercials are still in the works.

Is there no escape from ads in this world? Or do we all represent just one giant coupon to be clipped and redeemed for software companies who don’t need the money in the first place?

Read [New Launches]

Posted Jan 19th 2008 6:06PM by Paul Miller
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals
Alright America, you’ve got yourself some prep work to do: Nintendo’s about to foist this whole nefarious “exercise” paradigm on you, in the form of the Wii Fit, and we know how you fell for that whole “Wii” fad a year or so back. The thing has a 300 pound weight limit at the moment, though it’s unclear if Nintendo is going to “upgrade” that for American users, but you’ll just have to risk it. We figure a few dozen Twinkies a day, on top of a couple potlucks a week, and a few barrels of Pocky to keep it cultural, and you should have yourself out of contention for silly balance exercises and hula hooping tomfoolery by the time Q2 rolls around, Nintendo’s promised ship date. Crisis averted.

If you thought those lightsaber bedside lamps were a bit too over the top, these pocket-sized sabers are a bit easier to handle. Designed to look like the ones donned by Star Wars villains Darth Vader and Darth Maul, these mini lightsabers are actually laser pointers.

They slip onto any keychain, and project a tiny red laser beam. While they definitely won’t destroy your enemies, you probably shouldn’t aim them into their eyeballs either.

These little rarities are a little difficult to come by, but I managed to find both models through third-party sellers on Amazon (here and here) and on eBay.

read more about:

keychain, laser, led, light, lightsaber, star wars

Line 6 has just dropped news on its Micro Spider which is part of the best selling Spider III family of modeling amplifiers, making this an essential friend of any self-respecting traveling guitarist. The Micro Spider features a quartet of Spider III amp models, an entirely new acoustic guitar model, half a dozen Smart Control FX (complete with reverb, chorus, and tap delay among others), and a precise chromatic tuner. All these are crammed into the Micro Spider that touts to bring intuitive functionality, total versatility and sensational tone to any budding guitarist who is looking for a chance to make it big time.

They also say that good things come in small packages, so I would highly recommend that you don’t judge the Micro Spider by its size. This tiny box packs in quite a punch, where six C batteries are capable of pumping out six watts of screaming electricity through a 6.5″ speaker. While that is what’s touted by the press release, it remains to be seen whether real life experience will be able to live up to its reputation. You can also use the Micro Spider to practice with a pair of headphones and easy direct recording thanks to the POD 2.0-style direct output. In addition, with a microphone input and dedicated trim knob, the Micro Spider would feel at home whether it is electric guitars, acoustic guitars or vocals.

According to Darrell Smith, Line 6 Product Line Manager, “Micro Spider is loud, fast and out-of-control. The combination of flexibility, convenience and sheer Spider III ferocity makes Micro Spider as powerful as it is portable.” For those who want to pick up the Micro Spider III, they will have to wait till spring this year for shipping to commence, and not to mention the $199.99 price tag attached to it.

Press Release

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Just yesterday we showed off some pictures of the upcoming Glofiish V900 in both black and blue and now another version, this time in red has turned up. The pictures, which feature the V900 in red take away some of the style that the black version has going for it but still offers a nice looking phone. Of course like other posted pictures, its possible that someone just had a little phone with Photoshop, you can decide for yourself.

Click through for another picture of the V900 in red…

Via [Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]

Are you proud of everything on your office computer? Are those items you might not be so eager to display really hidden from the view and scrutiny of others? Alas, for the answer is now unequivocally “no.” Your office PC, thanks to Microsoft’s new Big Brother-style software, may now be considered a weapon loaded with ammunition!

This new software is a lazy, ineffectual office worker’s nightmare, for it is capable of remotely monitoring a worker’s productivity, physical well being and competence. This monitoring system would enable computers to wirelessly pick up on a user’s heart rate, galvanic skin response, brain signals, body temperature, facial movements and expressions, blood pressure, and respiration rate. Previously, this technology was only the headache of pilots, fire fighters and NASA astronauts. This patent from Microsoft marks the very first time a company has proposed such a software for use in mainstream offices.

The US Patent Office confirmed that the application was published last month, 18 months after being filed. Patent lawyers said that it could be granted within a year.
According to The Information Commissioner’s Office:

“Imposing this level of intrusion on employees could only be justified in exceptional circumstances.”

Although there’s no question that by any definition of the word “privacy” in any language that this new software violates it, there is an empathetic rationale behind it. The spyware does provide a means for employers to “troubleshoot” problem behaviors and issues and nip them in the bud, so to speak. It is obvious, however, that the mere mention of this idea is causing civil liberties groups and privacy attorneys to check their elevated heart and pulse rates more often than was previously necessary.

Read [New Launches]

Posted Jan 19th 2008 9:06AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs
Fujitsu’s marvelously light LOOX U50XN — better known as the U810 here in the States — just keeps getting better. Apparently, to-be owners in Japan can now snag one with an oh-so-coveted 64GB SSD, though all the other specs look to remain identical to what we’ve already seen. ‘Course, adding such a fine piece of hardware won’t come cheap — as a matter of fact, you’ll be forced to cough up an extra ¥95,000 ($887) for the privilege. Oh, and the unconfirmed word on the street has the new drive option coming stateside in March, but don’t bet the farm on that just yet, alright?

[Thanks, Paul P.]