Gadgets Base

Posted Feb 4th 2008 8:52PM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: Gaming, Robots
Sure, we’ve seen DS bots before, but some youngsters in France have taken the whole control issue to the “next level.” Apparently, six engineering students decided to pull a fast one on a Pekee Robot (an open, modular, Roomba-like bot) which was collecting dust, and mainline DS controls into its tiny brain. The end result is a multi-use control rig run based entirely on Nintendo’s portable console, offering wireless command of the bot with the D-pad, touchscreen, motion sensors, and stylus strokes, as well as a target mode modeled after Super Mario 64 DS, and voice commands via the system’s mic. You can watch the video after the break to see the little guy in action, but you might want to avert your gaze when he becomes self-aware, determines humans are inefficient, and goes on a kill-crazy rampage.

[Via DS Fanboy]

Microsoft has announced the release to manufacturing for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) with a general availability to begin in March. Once available the update will begin with Microsoft Volume Licensing customers first. Current home Vista users should expect the update to be available during mid-March through Windows Update and have it become an automatic update in April 2008. According to Microsoft, Windows Vista SP1 will address key issues that customers have identified, as well as improve performance, reliability and compatibility.

Read [Windows Vista Team Blog]

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Posted Feb 4th 2008 3:43PM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: Desktops, LaptopsWe thought Transmeta was back on track after settling that patent lawsuit with Intel and scoring a $7.5M investment from AMD, but it looks like the company’s investors aren’t as convinced — they’ve filed a lawsuit accusing Transmeta of mismanagement and have offered to buy the whole company outright. Led by investment firm Riley Investments, which owns nearly seven percent of Transmeta, the lawsuit claims that Transmeta executives have been giving themselves huge unwarranted bonuses while failing to manage the company effectively — the latest example being the general counsel getting a $10M bonus while the company posted a profit of just $44,000. That’s definitely pretty sketchy, but even worse is Riley’s plan if it does manage to take over: killing off Transmeta’s manufacturing operations and turning the company into a patent troll. Either way, we should find out which drain Transmeta’s going down rather soon — we’ll keep you updated.

The Cubite sounds like some sort of minion from Clive Barker’s Hellraiser series, but it is actually much more tame and less violent than that. Heck, it functions as a peace loving device, meant to enhance audio from the computer without ditching either style or functionality - something that more and more hardware manufacturers are moving towards in today’s world as they compete with one another for your hard-earned dollars. Enter the Cubite - touted to be the first computer speaker with integrated USB hubs, all packaged into a rather hip and contemporary style.

Its distinctive cube shape design with a gloss black finish is sure to complement any desk. Once on, the Cubite will radiate a subtle orange light highlighting key buttons and the four USB ports. This stereo PC speaker delivers an impressive 3 Watts (RMS) of crystal clear sound quality with separate bass and treble controls. The full range stereo speakers and hub are magnetically shielded, thus preventing any interference from the computer or other electrical equipment. The Cubite comes with two separate leads, the USB lead provides power to the speakers and hub and the 3.5mm stereo jack provides the sound, this increases flexibility, for example, it’s very easy to have a computer powering the speakers and a MP3 player supplying the sound. If that’s not enough, the Cubite also features the following :-

• Stereo computer speaker
• USB powered, no AC adaptor required
• Plug and play, no software required
• Treble and bass controls for optimal sound tuning
• On/off switch located at the centre of the item
• On/off is indicated by a subtle orange LED
• Total output is 3W RMS

They currently retail for £29.99 a pop, but you must order at least half a dozen Cubites before they will ship it over to your address. My suggestion? Get a bunch of mates to weigh in so that everyone else can enjoy the audio wonder known as the Cubite. As for the effectiveness of its function, that is a pretty subjective matter where your ears are the judge.

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Filed in archive Cameras by Dominic Rivera on February 04, 2008

<!– –> SeaLife's new ECOshot is designed tough to capture outdoor adventures. This 6-megapixel camera is the ideal companion to take on all your adventures outside.

The ECOshot is specifically designed for those who love any type of outdoor diversions from the serene to the extreme. Its durable fully rubberized exterior allows users to take impressive photographs under tough outdoor conditions. Large accessible shutter and menu buttons make using this camera a breeze, even when wearing gloves. Whether kayaking, skiing, rafting, snowshoeing, hiking, scuba diving or snorkeling there's no fear that water or ice will damage or ruin the camera. And its compact size makes it the ideal camera for all outdoor and watersport situations.

Guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 75 feet/23 meters, the ECOshot is small enough to fit in your shirt pocket and weighs 10.4 ounces/295 grams (with 2AA batteries and an SD memory card). The camera is fully rubber armored for sure-grip handling and shockproof to 6ft/2m. The camera also includes a self-timer and features a video mode, allowing users to capture high-resolution Motion JPEG digital video with audio.

Whether you love it, hate it, or just accept it for what it is, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner . . . and we have a few ideas for you.

Pink Palm Centro
Any Treo devotee will appreciate the new streamlined design of the Palm Centro. 3G browsing speed, touchscreen, built-in instant messaging app, threaded text messaging, SD card expansion, Bluetooth - it’s a fully loaded package in a tiny device. And for women or the truly bold man in your life, the new pink color is a way to stand out from the crowd. $399.99 or as low as $99.99 with a Sprint wireless plan and contract. And stay tuned later this week to see how you can win one from Popgadget. Also available in pink or black. Available at Palm. (Mia)

Clocky gets cuter color!
Raspberry Clocky has arrived in time for your Valentine. Clocky is the adorable alarm clock that runs away forcing you or the one you love out of bed to turn it off. You get one chance to get up, but if you snooze twice, on cue, Clocky will roll off your nightstand and run away on its wheels until you chase it down. Designed and manufactured by new design collective, Nanda, Raspberry Clocky makes a sweet and clever gift for the great sleeper in your life. Price: $49.50 at Delight.com. (Chrissie)

Darkcloud Silver pendants
If your gal or guy has more gadgets than they can use, jewelry is always a good second choice. Darkcloud is the brand of Sydney based artist Nathan Thomas, who creates unique music-based designs, such as the turntable and headphones pictured above. Available at Oy Modern for approx $300 each. (Evan)

For Him – Sexy Collar Stays
Keep your well-dressed man thinking of you all day. This collection of collar stays lets you send him to the office feeling a little naughty because he’ll be giving that big presentation while your racy message stares his audience right in the face (they just won’t know it). Set of 12 stays available in both the smutty version (with messages like “that tie will be useful”) and a PG version (with the likes of “you make me laugh”). Comes in a leather case that can be personalized with his initials. $35 - $40 from Red Envelope. (Brian)

Photo Book from PhotoWorks
If you’re the type who can be satisfied only when you make the gift yourself, then a Photo Book would be a great option. Gather some of your cherished photos – maybe your first trip as a couple, a snap of your favorite restaurant. Then get on to the PhotoWorks website and upload the photos along with some personalised text for each photo to create the mush. Voila, you have re-created your love story on a PhotoBook which will be delivered to your love – choose between a glossy soft cover ($19.95 for 20 pages) or hard cover with a customizable glossy jacket ($29.95 for 20 pages). (Kanchana)

Oliver Kita Chocolates
Hailing from just North of Manhattan, chocolatier Oliver Kita’s creations belong downtown and in the spotlight. Using superlative, organic French and Swiss chocolates along with fair-trade nuts and other natural ingredients of the highest quality, Kita creates some of the best confections around… and that’s not just this gourmand’s opinion - Kita took fourth place at November’s NYC Chocolate Show. Several Valentine’s Day specific creations are available ranging from $7.50 to $110. Definitely a decadent treat for your sweet! (Brian)

Posted Feb 4th 2008 4:48PM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: Laptops
We’re certain Everex was aiming to inspire some gadget-lust with this promo video for the oft-delayed Cloudbook, but shooting it on what appears to be VHS under florescent lights just makes it look like a different kind of porn entirely. Check the whole video after the break, and note that ship date: February 15th. Hmm, maybe we’ll see this thing on time after all.

[Via Eee Site]

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For those of you that find it impossible to suffer the indignity of camping without a blender, Coleman has just the thing. With a couple of six volt batteries you will have enough for 20-30 pitchers of blending action. That is at least a few days worth of margarita madness or a mango smoothie a day for twenty to thirty days. It might seem that I am being cynical or even a little sarcastic; I can assure you that I am not. Seriously, I have used a blender a total of five times in the last two and a half years, there is no way I could live without one.  It could be good for barbecues though, I will give it that much.

Price: 77.49 from Coleman

DVICE, Oh Gizmo!

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My pens are stolen from me on a daily basis. Most of my pens are a bright your work sucks red, which I lavishly slather all over my students’ nice neat handwriting. I need pens that are more easily identifiable as mine; these are certainly those. I tend to agree with Nerd Approved’s Jeff Chenkus that the Etch a Sketch fails to impress. Operation, however, is and always has been a different story. This thing is so incredibly, unbelievably awesome that I do not know how I have survived a full twenty-nine years on terra firma without one. Drop in some batteries and pull out the tweezers and get operating.

Priced affordably at $5.50, but who can put a price on such magic?

Nerd Approved, Vat 19

Homer Simpson is one of the quirkier cartoon characters who have endeared himself to millions of people, and it is no surprise that the Simpsons marketing juggernaut does not stop at just home video releases (or should I say, home Blu-ray releases to keep up with the times?). This Etch-A-Sketch takes the form of Homer’s head - at least a portion of it. His brow area contains a screen for your kid to explore his/her imagination, while turning Homer’s eyes will let you strat off on a clean slate. $14.99 sounds like a pretty decent price for Simpsons material.

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