Gadgets Base

The FCC has just approved the Nokia 6210 navigator, which is the follow up to the 6110 navigator that was released not so long ago. As such, the 6210 bears much resemblance to its predecessor in terms of features and functionality, after all that’s how Nokia has always been when it comes to updating most of their mobile phone series.

The 6210’s features which are mostly similar to the 6110 an include a built-in GPS with A-GPS, 3G, Wi-Fi and voice-activated controls. But that is not to say the Nokia 6210 is a mere copy-cat of the 6110, it also has some nice new features of its own. For one, the 6210 is equipped with an improved 3.2-megapixel camera and it now runs on the Symbian Series 60 OS. In addition, we could also see a dual-LED flash near the 6210’s camera lens.

Is that all? We’re afraid so, yes. But we expect to know more new features as Nokia preps to release the 6210 sometime in the third quarter of this year. With a tentative retail price of $430, we certainly deserve to get more great features than a 3.2-megapixel camera, right?

Read [FCC] Via [IntoMobile]

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Here’s a novel idea, not to mention a sad reflection of the times we live in: LightsBags sell pretty purses with a difference: each one comes with GPS as standard, so that if your bag ever gets stolen, you’ll be able to track it down (and tell the police rather than acting out any vigilante justice, presumably…)

The GPS can not be turned off by a thief (well, they can try, but you can override it) and if you’re not living in a crime-ridden inner city but are just succumbing to premenopausal forgetfulness, this could be useful for you, too.

Call me a crazy optimist but I can’t help thinking it’s a bit sad to make sartorial choices based on potential future crimes. But if you’re interested, bags start at $30.

Via Shiny Shiny.

This is the mother of all scales — the brand-new Tanita KD400 at Competitive Edge which features a stain-resistant steel plate and an add and weigh feature. Best of all, it completely folds up for easy storage. Mine is discreetly standing up with my cookbooks.

The eye-pleasing compact digital lithium scale is only $60 at fine cooking stores and Competitive Edge. Backed by Tanita’s three year warranty, the KD-400 is designed to live up to abuse from the toughest cooks, or, in my case, munchkins who are just learning to measure. (A frog weighs just over 3 ounces, just so you know.)

Wiifit gets it all wrong by telling a 10 year old girl she’s overweight when there’s not an ounce of fat on her.

Nintendo’s new Wiifit game recently assessed a ten year old child in the UK as overweight, even though she’s 4′9″ and weights only six stones (84 pounds).

Could Nintendo see lawsuits from angry parents claiming that the Wiifit software is turning their children to anorexia or giving them emotional problems to fight with? Well we do need to keep in mind that it’s only an electronic gadget for entertainment.

Join the discussion about the dodgy weight read outs on the DISboards.com forum.

Kenko’s new digital photo frame might seem like your regular digital photo frame at first, but the KDF-07 holds a secret that could change the way you look at gadgets of its kind…forever. Or not, but still the Kenko KDF-07 offers a cool little trick hidden (quite literally) up its sleeve. Actually, it holds a control pad on a secret panel that can be found behind its silver frame, black matte, and wood grain finishes. It will instantly blow up your photos to 7-inches wide and play them in a slideshow - with your permission, of course. I’d like to say that its current price, $160, is a bit too much, but then I remember, $500 digital photo frames. At which point I’ll say, “Yikes! Kenko’s KDF-07 is actually a bargain!”

Via [Crave]

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If you can get over the ipod, you’ll find something pretty darn compelling.

I believe Microsoft is attempting some game-changing things here with the subscription.  For the price of one CD (or 1.5 cds on iTunes) you get your fill of music downloads buffet style.  But you also get the opportunity to pass around music socially to other subscribers.  The key to this is new music.  A Zune study says finding new music is the key to this whole picture.  By sending around your finds, everyone benefits. 

The social aspect of this has a big potential upside if done correctly.  Users can send their Zune Cards around with their musical finds and add the track or album to their collection from the card with just one click.  Great concept.

The spring update also added some features that frankly should have been there from the get go: better searching options, gapless playback options, automatic playlists and searches by genre.

The flipside of this is iTunes should be able to copy this scheme if it really takes off.  I am hoping it does.

Press Release [Microsoft] Via [Zune Luv]

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Well it only took about 18 months but the Zune is finally making its way into Canada. Beginning June 13 Canadians will be able to grab the Zune of their choosing. Well, except for a few small details, namely the lineup is not quite as complete as it is here in the US.

There will not be any 30GB model or green models. Do our friendly neighbors to the north have something against green? Anyway, up for grabs will be the Zune 80 in black or red for $249.99, the Zune 8 in black, red or pink for $189.99 and the Zune 4 in black, red or pink for $139.99.

Via [Engadget]

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While the Sumo Air Good Vibrations Chair looked spectacular, this Zero-Gravity Recliner looks even better. The best part is the price when comparing to the Sumo Air, it is much cheaper with a price tag of 92.

According to Sharper Image, the Deluxe Recliner has some kind of relation to NASA and its Z shape, that provides the zero-gravity sensation. There are more than 15 angles you can pick, so getting the best position possible and enjoying the experience will be an easy thing to do.

The headrest can either be removed, or used as a pillow for the lumbar area. To make things more interesting, the recliner can be folded with ease which makes it portable.

Armrests are now sculpted of genuine hardwood for superior comfort.

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Vavolo is a famous company thanks to their strange-shaped USB drives, like hamburgers or pizzas, and the latest addition is once again related to food, more specifically a couple of cakes.

Unfortunately, there is no information about the price of the drives, that can go up to 4GB of storage capacity, and offer 5 options: Black Forest, Strawberry Torte, Fruit Plate, and French Mille-Feuille.

All of them will become available later this month, and besides the obvious USB 2.0 interface, the only other information we can gather is the dimension - 3.8 x 6. x 3.8 cm.

via

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Hello Kitty has always been a lot of things to a lot of people: casually cute, adorably addictive, freakishly frightening, you name it. Sure, she’s clawed her way past countless characters backed by Sanrio and somehow managed to get her mouthless mug stamped onto every product imaginable, but the demure feline is nothing if she’s not environmentally responsible. Yes, friends, Ms. Kitty has officially achieved superstar status. She’s finally met and teamed up with the hottest powerhouse known by everyone in the world: the sun.

The result of the dynamic duo’s new partnership is this Hello Kitty solar charger ($160). The built-in 1200mAh lithium battery receives a full charge through six hours of sunlight (ah, teamwork) or an hour of outlet time (so much for loyalty) and can charge a variety of small electronics via USB. Cool, I mean, hot!

Via Crave.