Gadgets Base

Posted Feb 23rd 2008 7:36PM by Paul Miller
Filed under: cellphones, Handhelds
StyleTap, the folks behind the CrossPlatform Palm emulator for Windows Mobile have built a proof of concept version of the software for the iphone / ipod touch. They’re not committing to releasing any such product, and aren’t releasing the software as a beta or anything like that at the moment, but the video demo of the software in action is certainly promising. All the apps are rather responsive, the device benchmarks a good bit faster than the Tungsten | T, and Apple’s keyboard is even integrated into the proceedings quite nicely. Video is after the break.

[Via TUAW]

Posted Feb 23rd 2008 3:20PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Digital CamerasWithout any definitive rhyme nor reason, it appears that Leica’s CEO, Steven K. Lee, has been “removed from power by the company’s supervisory board.” Reportedly, Mr. Lee has been replaced by the firm’s owner and board chairman Andreas Kaufman, who will run the company jointly with board financial controller and treasurer, Andreas Lobejäger, until later this month. Interestingly, we’re not told who will pick up the reins permanently after that — nor exactly why the decision was made — but we suppose it’s only a matter of hours before we find out.

[Via 1001 Noisy Cameras]

Posted Feb 23rd 2008 2:28PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Networking
Granted, most of us here in America would turn our noses up at receiving in-home broadband via satellite — after all, cable and DSL seem to be treating most of us quite alright — but Japan is hoping to provide access to more regions in Asia-Pacific with its recently launched Kizuna. The experimental satellite is not yet intended for commercial use, but if all goes well, it will enable data transmissions “of up to 1.2 gigabytes per second” at a low cost across Japan and 19 other locales in Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, we’ve no idea when it will escape the bondage of testing and actually be put to good use, but at least Japan’s well on its way to actually establishing that wireless island, eh?

[Via CNN, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

When Apple first announced the SDK, it was supposed to be available by the end of February 2008. Now with just about one week left, Business Week is reporting that the long awaited iphone SDK will be anywhere from one to three weeks late.

Business Week has stated that this news has come from “one source” and as of now there has not been any official confirmation or comment regarding the delay from Apple.

Read [Business Week]

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Microsoft has upped the storage for Windows Live SkyDrive users to 5GB, which is a big increase from the previous limit of 1GB. Anyone using the Windows Live service can take advantage of this free online storage, which can be accessed using any Windows or Mac computer running IE 6 or later or Firefox 1.5 or later.

The uploaded files can be stored in personal folders or folders that are shared. The shared folders can be set to be shared with select friends or anyone. The SkyDrive would make a nice tool for someone on-the-go as it offers more than just online storage, other services include identity, messaging, photo management and contacts.

In addition to the additional storage the service is now available in 35 more areas worldwide. There were also some other welcomed improvements which made the site faster, more reliable, fixed some bugs and officially removed the Beta tag.

Product [SkyDrive Live] Read [SkyDrive Team Blog] Via [CNET]

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Need some help rounding out your classic Nintendo collection?

Old NES somewhere in the basement… CHECK. Purchased every Classic Console game on the Nintendo Wii… CHECK. But do you have a cool universal TV remote that looks just like a NES controller? No? ThinkGeek.com does and it’s ready for immediate delivery via winged turtle shell.

This NES style remote controls most TVs allowing critical gaming functions like power on/off, changing the channel and even volume adjustment. Now you can amaze your friends by pretending to play classic NES games while watching old Thundercats re-runs.

These controllers are limited editions from Japan. Once they are gone, they are gone.

The Nintendo Controller Universal Remote works with the following brands of TVs:

• Sony
• Panasonic
• Sharp
• Sylvania
• Sanyo
• Aiwa
• Hitachi
• Philips
• NEC
• JVC
• Toshiba
• Mitsubishi
• Fujitsu

By the way, this remote does not control cable boxes, DVD players or anything else. Strictly TV sets. Also the Nintendo Controller Universal Remote may not work if your TV is super ancient.

You can pick up the Nintendo Controller Universal Remote for $12.99 from ThinkGeek.com.

methodshop

If you’re a fan of Super Mario Bros then this is the keychain for you.

This nifty little handheld gizmo is preloaded with six classic sounds from the greatest side-scroller in history. Simply press a button and you’ll be transported back to the Mushroom Kingdom faster than you can say ‘Mamma mia, dezza King Koopa widda da Princess Toadstool.’ There are six incredibly evocative sounds, including, Big, Coin, 1Up, Jump, Start and Ouch.

Available from Firebox for £7.95 (~$15).

Posted Feb 23rd 2008 7:53AM by Donald Melanson
Filed under: Misc. gadgets It’s not the first method we’ve seen for blinding security cameras, but this new DIY / art project from the folks at Oberwelt e.V. looks to be one of the simplest, and one of the few that could conceivably be used on an everyday basis. Dubbed the I-R.A.S.C. (for “infra-redlight against surveillance camera”), the device apparently consists simply of a series of infrared lights connected to a battery, which combine to blot out your face with a slightly unnerving glow. Needless to say, while it appears to hide your identity quite effectively, it doesn’t exactly scream subtlety, so you’d best think of some excuses to explain yourself if you actually plan on trying this thing out in public.

[Via Coolest Gadgets]

T-Mobile has wrapped up the acquisition of SunCom Wireless. A deal that was first announced back in September 2007 and received FCC approval on February 8th, it will allow 1.1 million customers from North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to consider T-Mobile as a provider. Additionally this puts T-Mobile in 98 of the top 100 national markets.

Read [T-Mobile]

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Paper shredders are a usual thing in office nowadays. It does all the dirty work, shredding the unnecessary or classified papers to small pieces, better than any human can do. However, they are usually big and bulky devices, though very necessary in departments in which information is very sensitive. It is a pity that if you’d like to destroy the documents which must not be seen, but you are far from this machine, you will be left with no choice but to burn it or shred it to pieces manually. Fortunately, no more burning required, because the portable shredder can do all the documents destroying work for you!

Ziszor, as said by the manufacturer, is “the first premium, hand-held paper shredder to balance security with ease of use and portability”. It weighs less than 1/5 pounds and is almost 10″ long, so it is many more portable than those office machines. You can purchase it for home usage, without needing to find a place for a big machine that will be used once a month, you can carry it with you if you will - all the variety of options comes from portability. All the paper waste will be collected in a disposable plastic bag, which makes it even more comfortable to use.

Just insert a folded piece of paper inside this device, push the trigger, and it will be gone in seconds. Remember not to use it for more than five sheets at a time, if you do not want paper to get stuck inside. Gadget is powered by four AA batteries, which can be easily replaced when needed. The case is made from a high-impact plastic, and can be easily cleaned by damp cloth and mild soap. This personal security gadget will be sold for 49.50 dollars, and disposable bags will come for 3.29 dollars for a pack of 30.