Gadgets Base

Sebastopol, California had just recently passed a resolution in November permitting a local Internet provider to provide public wireless access. Shortly thereafter in a City Council meeting, a total of fourteen people made claims that the wireless service was causing a slew of health problems to the citizens in the small town’s vicinity. Now I understand that the wireless service might have made them consume more electricity, and not to mention the rise in fire hazards as most people would be spending lengthier times with their computers due to the service now, but dangers to their health? What on Earth could they have been smoking that day?

The World Health Organization itself states that “there is no scientific basis for the belief that EHS (electromagnetic hypersensitivity) is caused by exposure to electromagnetic fields.” But as far as the complaining citizens of Sebastopol are concerned, they’d rather spend their time promoting and adding more signatures to their currently 235-signature filled online petition. Most of those who have signed in the petition have comments similar to this: “I have had health challenges, and my body cannot handle wifi…it gives me headaches and makes me very sick. I would be unable to go to the store, shop. I have enough problems being limited in my travels, it is outrageous that a place so environmentally conscious would create this in our/my hometown. In Europe they are much more advanced than us, and there wifi is not allowed in cities in the European commonwealth.” Others prefer to just stay quiet and support the case silently.

I think it’s sad that some people still feel this way about technology, and can’t even trust Science to explain phenomenon that they themselves cannot comprehend. Is it really so hard for them to realize that if the hazardous claims they’ve made about wireless technology with regards to their health were true, then at least half the world would be bed-ridden by now? Somebody help these people get a clue.

Read [O’Reilly Radar]

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There are many different things about your computer that are good to keep an eye on, especially if you’re one that enjoys pushing your PC to the limit. I tend to push my PC pretty hard, which means I need to keep an eye on the temperatures at all times. There are generally two options here: keep a software monitor running on desktop taking up valuable screen space, or you can have an lcd monitor installed on the front of your computer. Neither one is all that appealing to me, which is why I’m intrigued by this Gadget Display.

This little gadget is a 2-inch color LCD screen which connects to  your PC via USB. You can set this anywhere, likely near your monitor somewhere.  It can display dozens of different things ranging from a clock, CPU and RAM usage. We don’t have a lot of information on this little gadget, however, there is likely a way to get this to display other things such as your CPU or motherboard temperature.

Source: EverythingUSB

Intel’s Netbook was once a rumor but now, more and more images are starting to come out. Also called as the Eco PC, the Netbook is a sub-laptop set to compete in the ultra-portable market right along side the highly successful Asus Eee PC, which has already taken the world by storm.

The Netbook reportedly will sport both a 7-inch or a 9-inch display and will run a 900MHz Celeron processor and 512MB RAM. What’s notable is the carry handle of the laptop. It also looks very similar to the Intel’s Classmate PC but the Netbook will feature a larger hard drive, which is expected to be 40GB.

The price of the Netbook is expected to cost a little more than $300. No word yet on when this new Intel laptop will be officially launched. Keep reading for a few more pics, then click the “Images” link below for the full set.

Via [Eee Site] Images [Flickr user: mgminthu]

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Best Buy has updated their HD DVD Trade-In website and is now offering up some pricing details. Sadly it seems that most people would be better off keeping the players and simply using them as an up-converting or spare DVD player around the house.

Remember those Toshiba A2 players that we were seeing become quite affordable, they are now, according to the Best Buy Trade-In website worth a measly $39.60 and that is assuming its in good condition with the remote, power cord, and manual included. Coming in a little less than the A2 is both the A3 at $32.40 and the A1 at $36.90. As for the Xbox hd dvd player add-on, that is at a sad $18.90.

While the pricing may seem low, I suppose it is nice that the offer is at least available, just not sure how many people would find it worth the time to complete the offer.

Read [Best Buy Trade-In]

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The shiny new gadget pictured here is a design concept for a “transformer phone” that has many high-tech functions built-in alongside its conventional mobile phone functions. Aside from being an able mobile phone, possessing a camera capable of recording video and capturing stills, this phone will also provide 3D scanning and even a holographic projector. The flip-and-swivel mechanism serves the purpose of limiting the change in navigation interfaces by allocating them into separate fields. The phone and other functions come at the front where they keypad and other shortcut keys reside, while the 3D scanner, holographic projector, built-in camera and stereo speakers go at the back. And speaking of the keypad, by the way, notice that it has a very unique embedded metallic keypad design that looks as if it’s a touch-sensitive surface. Continue reading to view another shot of this amazing transformer phone concept…

Via [INewIdea]

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Posted Mar 23rd 2008 11:01AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: RobotsGranted, Macroswiss’ 4WD Spybot is quite capable of handling most everything warfare can toss at it, but as these things always go, great is never good enough. Reportedly, said outfit is now working with the US Army Rapid Equipping Force to develop a 6×6 SpyRobot with the ability to carry four times its own weight and fit snugly within a backpack. The aforesaid critter will be “an important new tool for the detection, recognition and identification of targets from a distance,” and of course, it’ll be packed to the brim with sensors of all varieties. Per usual, there’s no word on when the finalized unit will be ready to hit the sand running, but word on the street has it that numerous versions are currently being toyed with.

Since the 50-LED Solar Motion Floodlight relies on the power of the sun to get it going, you don’t have to worry about spoiling your room with ugly wiring.

Super-bright 50-LED floodlight is as bright as a 10w halogen bulb, and stays on for 15-60 seconds (your choice) past last motion detected. And since this motion sensor light is solar-charged, you can mount it anywhere, even where there’s no electricity: shed, pool area, deck. 15′ cord connects the adjustable solar panel to the light, to position the panel in direct sunlight. Plus, this solar security light has an adjustable light sensor that prevents daylight turn-on. Pivoting motion detector adjusts for sensitivity. The 50-LED Solar Motion Floodlight also features automatic/off switch.

You will be able to pick up the 50-LED Solar Motion Floodlight for $50 a pop.

If you haven’t heard of Cricket Wireless, you should be sorry my friend, because you are missing an absolutely awesome deal by being oblivious to them. Cricket Wireless is a smaller and lesser known wireless carrier compared to the likes of AT&T but they also offer unlimited Internet access just like the big players in the industry. The only difference is, compared to AT&T for example, you don’t pay a small fortune for Cricket’s wireless data plan. Instead you pay $35. I’m not kidding. Admittedly slower than what you’ll get with much more expensive plans with other providers, Cricket offers truly unlimited service with no limits or secret caps on the traffic. Probably the only caveat for would-be Cricket customers is that although the service is unlimited, unfortunately it’s not uninterrupted. The terms of service state that a user is prohibited from using the network “continuously, with or without breaks, so as to create the functional equivalent of a telephone line dedicated to continuous use.” Which is fine, considering your PC needs rest from time to time anyway. But one last thing to remember about this is that it’s only available in some US cities. So pray that it is in yours.

Via [Gear Log]

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Ever wished you could go around much faster while underwater during your dives so that you can take as many pictures as possible? The Reef Rider Sea Scooter does just that for you when underwater.

The REEF-RIDER SEASCOOTER packs thrust for a speed of up to 2.2mph/3.5kmh in a very compact, lightweight design. With safety features including protective grille and auto shut off, the Reef Rider is great for kids (recommended 8 years and older) and adults alike. The Reef-Rider is essentially a stripped-down version of the Sea-Doo range of sea scooters, combining performance and safety with ease of use and lightness. Now you can lark in the pool or get down with the fish easily. The Reef Rider will operate to a depth of 3 metres, and a full charge will give you a run-time of up to 50 minutes - plenty of time to bond with the undersea world and discover the wonders of the not too deep.

The Reef Rider Sea Scooter can be yours today for £99.99. Why not get it as an early summer gift for someone?

Dream of all dreams, HTC has announced their first Android-based handset will be called the Dream. The phone obviously, will run Google’s much-awaited Android software and is expected to feature a large touchscreen display with navigational controls below and full QWERTY keyboard. The keyboard is expected to either slide or swivel out. Unfortunately an image of the Dream has not been leaked, but sources say that it measures in at around 3 x 5-inches.

And just as you would expect, there has not been any word coming from HTC.

HTC represented Maggie Cheng, when asked more about the subject simply replied: “We cannot comment on this product.”

At least, they already gave it a name. All we have to do now is just wait and hope that our “Dream” will be fulfilled. 

Android, being an open source platform, will have many developing a phone that will eventually compete with the Dream. Rumors are also speculating that Samsung has their own model in the works. Looks like there will be some tough competition in the mobile phone market when phone makers begin introducing their Google phones.

Read [Yahoo! News]

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