The Great Gatsby

Today, Mashable reported to exclusively offer the first listen to “Together,” a new song from the xx, which was written for the film and will appear on the star-studded soundtrack.

Music From Baz Luhrmann’s Film The Great Gatsby [iTunes link] also features new material from Jay-Z, Florence and the Machine and Lana Del Rey, as well as a cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” performed by Beyoncé and André 3000.

The movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio as the titular Jay Gatsby and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway. It arrives in theaters May 10. Warner Bros. describes the movie as such:

The most recent full trailer also features some of the new music from the film’s soundtrack.

The soundtrack comes out internationally May 6 and in the U.S. on May 7, where Target is the exclusive retailer. For more information, check the film’s official website.

Images courtesy of Warner Bros.

Clear-Coat Aurora iPhone Skin

Are you looking for something that protects your iPhone from any scratches? Well, there are so many iPhone accessories out there, but only an estimated 30 out of 100 people interviewed who have got original iPhone accessories like iPhone skin protectors. Clear-Coat beleive they can turn that around. So, if you’re planning on going to a rave party soon, you’ll definitely want to check out the new Clear-Coat Aurora iPhone Skin.

Clear-Coat has been making full body, mobile skin protectives for many phone & tablet devices for a long time and it is now available iPhone, named “Aurora Iphone Skin”, which is presently available for iPhone 4/S and iPhone 5. They have been getting attention for doing really well when it comes to color shifting uniqueness abilities to set them apart from the usually clear and textured carbon fiber skins which we are all very familiar with these days.

Clear-Coat has the very best customer service philosophy around, if at any time something should go wrong with your Clear-Coat product, they automatically replace it.  No questions asked.  For a company who does one thing, and does it really well, to release a new product, you know it has to be special.

hapifork

I have smart fork — how about you? Well, I bet it’s not smart enough than what I have here, not unless we have same smart utensil. HAPILABS is now introducing its new electronic eating utensil that observes three metric eating patterns — the amount of your eating, how long between each mouthful and how long you eat for.

Why choose HAPIfork?

- Reduce digestive problems and gastric reflux associated with rapid ingestion.

-It encourages slower eating.

-Hapifolk eliminates gain weight.

How HAPIfolk works?

-It has an online web interface tracking device which allows the HAPIfolk user to know their eating habit feedback.

- Allows you to access feedback through your mobile apps for iOS and Android.

-It will vibrate every time it thinks you’re eating too fast

-It has a USB connection to give updates to the web apps, and there is a Bluetooth-enabled version on the way.

The great thing about this HAPIfork is that it will give a healthy way to eating through tracking the eating behaviour. So if you want to smarten up your way of eating, then it’ll cost you $99 for the USB only version, the Bluetooth version comes later in 2014.

Gun-Bros

Gun Bros reached AAA status as the one of the highest credit rating android games this year. Glu has taken out all of the stops for the sequel. Having a ton of new weapons, full 3D graphics, and online multiplayer features will keep you coming back for more.

Having destructive weapons and great characters, the Gun Bros are defending the galaxy from the T.O.O.L. insurgency. Gun Bros 2 continues the standard arena-based dual-stick shooter style that genre fans should be familiar with. It has featured two primary modes: Arcade and Campaign.

The Arcade mode is very challenging when it comes in their level of survival because it has a never ending horde of enemies chasing you all throughout the game. This game Hardly challenges the gamer to survive against enemies. Players earn currency during this mode and also experience a score mechanic that allows the player to challenge friends on a higher level, while the goal is to eventually conquer all the missions.

In Campaign mode, players will spend most of their time in Unlimited, as the experience and currency flow more freely.  Meanwhile, it challenges players in completing missions across a variety of locales. In this game you need to be fast just to earn more valuable medals and as a part of the game you must take out pre-set enemy waves and in return you will surely gain experience and currency. Crates will also randomly fall during campaign missions, which can reward experience, armor, added currency and added experience. Each set of missions culminates with a boss battle, and taking down that boss unlocks the next tier.

EOS 100D/Rebel SL1

Canon has announced the EOS 100D/Rebel SL1, the world’s lightest APS-C DSLR and smallest DSLR ever made. It shares the 18-megapixel Hybrid CMOS AF II sensor and DIGIC 5 processor for exceptional quality and speed, 1080p30 video capability of the mirrorless EOS M, 3″ touchscreen and weighing only 407g.

A combination of outstanding image quality, ultra-portable and full- featured DSLR camera, the EOS  100D/Rebel SL1 is perfect for users looking for todays 2013 latest and best cameras on the market.

The camera does introduce expanded shooting coverage and tracking performance when the camera is in live view.  When capturing Full-HD movies it uses detection pixels and spreada across 80% of the sensor’s imaging surface to provide increased AF speed. The Canon EOS 100D / Rebel SL1 has a recommended price of  £709.99 / €909.99 / $799.99 with the co-announced EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens.

For more information about the EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera, and a full list of product specifications, visit www.usa.canon.com/eos.

JVC Headphones

JVC is now introducing its latest edition, the Xtreme Headphone, the features have made this version of JVC a favorite headphone this 2013. Comes with a high gloss finish, rugged styling and heavy-duty Neodymium driver and ports with extreme deep bass.  Though JVC is not best known for their headphone products, these versions might rock the entire studio. So, music lovers can’t wait for these extreme headphone from JVC.

The headphones from JVC are (HA-MR55X/HA-MR77X/HA-SR44X) which includes a microphone that works with iPhone, as well as BlackBerry devices and Android. The microphone and remote are built inline with the headphone’s cord, also it allows you to stop, play and skip music tracks, as well as answering phone calls.

HA-S44X and HA-M55X are the two remaining models of JVC, they come without the microphone and remote, but they deliver excellent sound isolation. Besides the built-in remote and microphone, there’s not a lot of differences design-wise between the five pairs of headphones, although each pair includes a different driver for different audio needs. Headphones have been designed for comfort and to prevent audio from leaking, and comfortably.

The HA-SR44X and HA-S44X  are priced at $40 and $30, respectively, and both come with a 1.57” (40mm) driver. The HA-MR55X and HA-M55X are priced at $60 and $50, respectively and come with a 1.97” (50mm) driver. The HA-MR77X costs $100 and include a 2.24” (57mm) driver.

These design and audio wise headphones are today’s best seller for music fans.

Sony X1 4K Media Player

If you are a Sony fanatic then you may have heard its launch of its 4K media player and video service for 4K TVs. While 4K TVs have not reached the mainstream, it is quite worthy to look at the astonishing features of this TV along with its newly launched media player. Sony just announced the pricing of its FMP-X1 media player as well as its availability. Sony also announced the availability of two compatible televisions for the media player.

The FMP-X1 comes with 10 movies and video cuts such as Cameron Diaz’s Bad Teacher to Angelina Jolie’s Salt. The retailed $699 media player has quality movies that are not just for demonstration purposes. In the fall, the movie line up will expand that will contain 4,000 titles from Sony Pictures Entertainment and other production houses. However, Sony has not yet announced whether users will subscribe or rent the films or purchase it individually. FMP-X1 will be available sometime this summer, sadly, you will not have access to Sony’s online 4K distribution service.

The compatible 4K LED TVs will cost you anywhere around $4,999 for the 55-inch whereas its 65-inch is starts at $6,999.

Ultra High Definition or 4K TV sets have four times the resolution of a standard HDTV. It has an estimated resolution of 4,000 x 2,000 making the number of pixels in the picture four to six times crisper and clearer. This is why 4K is sometimes called “Quad HD”. 4K has 450% more pixels compared to HD. While the release of 4K media player is as exciting to those who purchase 4K LED TVs, the challenge is still on for Sony to provide its corresponding content.

Razer Edge

Is it possible to have a full gaming experience in a tablet? A tablet that can handle video game buffs of famous figures like Daigo Umehara, who is one of the most popular and skilled arcade fighting video game players? How much is the cost? Can it possibly be good results? Razer Edge answers a very big “YES” and it all cost a very reasonable price.

The 10 inch Windows 8 tablet constructed from a combination of aluminum’s  glass, plastic and sporting Razer’s signature black matte finish with bright green accents on the buttons and rear-facing logo. It’s more comfortable to hold than you’d expect, given its girth compared to mainstream tablets, But it’s still damn heavy. The gamepad case alone weighs about two pounds (with the tablet, you hit roughly four combined) and is made of anodized black aluminum. Two large bars with the Xbox controls frame the tablet in landscape mode.

The Razer Edge Pro models would cost either $1,299.99 or $1,449.99, the extended battery ($69.99) and gamepad ($249.99). Its a lot of cash to spend on this Razer Edge, but its highly recommended to all the gamers out there. Invest and experience high gaming tablet.

Weight (with gamepad case): Over 4 pounds

Display: 10.1-inch 1366×768 IPS

Storage: 256GB SSD

Processor: Core i7 1.9GHz Dual Core

Graphics: NVIDIA GT 640M LE (2GB DDR3, Optimus Technology)

Memory: 8GB RAM

Weight: 2.1 pounds

Dimensions: 278.5 mm x 178.85 mm x 19.5 mm / 10.9″ x 7″ x .80″

Fitbit Flex

Want to have stylish wristband with concealed sensor who has five significant factor? Well, let’s get it on.

FIVE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING FITBIT FLEX

First, it’s water resistant so you can wear it in the shower. With no reason to remove the Flex 24/7.

Second, It has built-in motivation. Casting aside the clean and informative UI of Fitbit’s web and smartphone app, the Flex has 5 LEDs that display the progress to your goal (each light representing 20%). The app itself can also send you motivational text messages when you’re approaching your goal. The framework of the app side of the Fitbit Flex also seems very adaptable to customized user goals.

Third, It flex tracks your sleep. Because it’s a wristband, it eliminates the need to use a seperate velcro sleeve to do so. Fitbit says the device will track the duration and quality of your sleep and will capture how many times you moved or woke up during the night. It also includes a silent wake alarm feature that conveniently vibrates to wake you at a desired time.

Fourth, Fitbit Flex has almeter or tech brain that tracks data like your daily steps, sleeping pattern, calories you’ve burned and even  detect whether you’re riding an escalator or actually walking up a flight of stairs.. It actually has fitness apps that put to a richer, more goal-oriented use.

Fifth, The Bluetooth connectivity, it features Bluetooth 4.0. This standard uses far less power than 3.0, which makes it suitable for 24/7, automatic syncing with connected devices and apps.

Specifications:

- In the box are Fitbit Flex Tracker, Small & Large Wristbands, Charging Cable, Wireless USB dongle, Free Fitbit Account

-Rechargeable Battery

-Bluetooth,software, wireless connection

ASUS VivoBook S400

Asus is now introducing VivoBook S400 with its Windows 8 touchscreen notebook for the mainstream market. The specs are not too impressive than most 2013 latest notebooks, but it won’t bleed your pocket and also the design looks attractive to those with a budget in mind. It has an aluminum lid which is now trending for ASUS lineup of notebooks. In fact, the VivoBook S400 design looks similar to the ASUS N56VZ, but on a thinner and smaller form.

The VivoBook S400 is the first of ASUS to come out with a larger version with a 14-inch screen (others come in 11.6-inch) although soon ASUS will be introducing a 15-inch series. The VivoBook S400 is one of the best choices from their current lineup of notebooks that we’ve seen today.

VivoBook S400 Features:

Microsoft Windows 8

4GB DDR3 1600 MHz SDRAM (2GB On-Board + 2GB )

500GB HDD + 24GB SSD for Cache

1 x COMBO audio jack

Intel HD 4000 Graphics

14.1” 16:9 HD 1366×768 Multi-Touch Panel

Intel Core i5 3317U Ivy Bridge

1 x VGA port/Mini D-sub 15-pin for external monitor

1.8kg Light, 21mm thin

1 x USB 3.0 port(s)

1 x HDMI

2 x USB 2.0 port(s)

1 x RJ45 LAN Jack for LAN insert

SonicMaster Audio Technology

Pillar Speaker

Stellé Audio now introduces a new collection of audio products “designed for girl’s happiness”. Launching this product at CES this 2013 for more fashion gadgets. Pillar speakers in Las Vegas where actually blowing any other audio speakers when it comes to well modern, quality and minimalist design factor.

Nowadays, speakers looks big, unsightly and clunky — but Stellé Audio Couture’s Pillar bluetooth wireless speakers is completely different and more advanced. The speaker has an impressive 30 hour battery life, and you can monitor Pillar’s battery life from your device. The Pillar is a metallic, monochrome cylinder of sound that can play your favorite songs from mobile devices wirelessly. You’ll also be able to use Pillar as a Bluetooth speaker for calls. If you have the cash, you can set yourself up with multiple Pillars in the home, all of which will automatically connect to your device and start streaming music once you and your mobile device get into range.

Pillar was released February 2013 with a price for about $349.  So, buy and let us know if these speaker fits with you.

Scion FR-S

Scion FR-S

If you’re one of the many motorist who are planning to buy a new car, then Scoion FR-S perfectly suits you this year. What’s the price? well, only $24,000 – $26,355. So let’s get started.

This year, the car market is now showing its new Scoion FR-S, its has a lower sticker price and higher fuel economy. Toyota and Subaru developed a partnership. The BRZ) and FR-S are stylistically and mechanically with effective, simple and straight forward appearance and layout. This design is used by Subaru in all its models – Porsche is the only other mainstream automaker to feature horizontally opposed engines, mainly because it helps a car maintain a lower center of gravity which, in turn, contributes to superior handling characteristics. The design and interior are very nice with cool looking controls; back seat room and cargo space are scarce and large gauges.  A six-speed manual transmission is standard with a six-speed automatic optional. Subaru-derived 200-horsepower 2.0-liter “boxer” four-cylinder engine each pack that manage the cylinder banks in horizontal opposition, as opposed to V-shaped arrangements or conventional inline.

Other features includes a eight-speaker AM/FM/CD/USB 300-watt maximum output Pioneer audio system, six airbags, HD Radio technology and Bluetooth connectivity.

2013 Scion FR-S

Base Price: $24,930

As-Tested Price: $24,930

Drivetrain: 2.0-liter H4; RWD, six-speed manual

Output: 200 hp @ 7,000 rpm, 151 lb-ft @ 6,400-6,600 rpm

Curb Weight: 2,758 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 22/30/25 mpg

AW Observed Fuel Economy: 27.1 mpg

LG Optimus G Pro

If we look at some pictures of phones (phablets) of course it really looks like great smartphone, but how about in real world? Well, you can’t say it exactly until reviews are being shown. So, let’s get started and beat other latest gadget features.

Have you ever heard about LG Optimus G Pro? Well, one thing I can assure you is the capturing factor of this phone. LG Optimus G Pro can get the attentions of every android phone collectors because of its updated snapdragon 600 chipset and QSlide multi-tasking that works better than any other versions. Not only that, it is the first LG’s smartphone on market to feature a 5.5″ with a 1080p resolution. Of course more highlights of this phone are which also comes with a 32GB of on-board storage (+microSD), 3140 mAh battery capacity. Its camera has 13-MP good capture with highly detailed image during dim lighting condition, but produces  noisy pictures in low light and LG has front facing 2-MP camera. Read below for more  features.

Features:

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support

• HSPA + LTE connectivity

• 5.5″ 16M-color 1080p True HD IPS Plus FullHD capacitive touchscreen; works with gloves

• 3140 mAh battery

• Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean with LG’s Optimus UI

• 13 MP autofocus camera with LED flash, geotagging, Intelligent Auto, image stabilization, Time catch shot, smart shutter and VR panoramas

• Quad-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 CPU, 2 GB RAM, Adreno 320 GPU, Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 chipset

• 2.1 MP front-facing camera, 1080p video recording

• 1080p video recording @ 30fps with continuous autofocus and stereo sound; HDR mode, Dual recording

• MHL-enabled microUSB port, USB host support

• 32GB of built-in storage; microSD card slot

• Bluetooth v4.0

• Independent content output over MHL (Dual Screen Dual Play), Miracast

• Wi-Fi a/ac/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct and DLNA

• NFC

• Standard 3.5 mm audio jack

• IR emitter for remote control of home appliances

• Multi-tasking with mini-apps and optional transparency (QSlide)

• GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS

• Voice dialing

• Stereo FM radio with RDS

• Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic

• Accelerometer and proximity sensor

• User-replaceable 3,140mAh Li-Po battery

• Wireless charging support (Qi)

You can buy LG Optimus G Pro through online store e.g amazon and it only cost you $897.

It’s not too late for holiday shopping, CNN’s Erin McLaughlin looks at the biggest tech gifts for 2012.

Biolite Camp Stove

The innovative Biolite Camp Stove grew out of an effort to bring clean energy to the 1.4 billion people who lack electricity worldwide and the three billion people forced to cook over the smoky open fires that kill two million people each year.

While the camp stove may not carry the gravitas of its big sister (the Biolite Home Stove, winner of the 2012 Nokia Health Award), it is still an incredibly cool and compact piece of camping gear. Just stick a few twigs in the stove and light them. The stove converts the heat into electricity, which then powers a fan, making your tiny fire extremely efficient. The electricity also lets you charge your phone on the stove via a USB port.

The SpareOne Emergency Phone

iPhone and Android phones might have a survival app and GPS tracking, but your smartphone will not seem so intelligent when it runs out of juice in the middle of your backcountry camping trip.

Enter the SpareOne Emergency Phone, a AA battery-powered device that keeps its charge for up to 15 years and has up to 10 hours of talk time. Better yet, there is no contract necessary. With the ability to function in extreme weather and one-button emergency dialling, it just might save your life when the going gets tough.

The Jura Impressa One Touch

Swiss manufacturer Jura makes some of the best and most advanced coffee machines in the world.

This one is a fully automatic bean-to-cup machine with a one-touch control panel that can produce a full repertoire of drinks, ranging from espresso to latte macchiato. The state-of-the-art foamer creates foam with a beautifully, light and airy texture too.

It’s easy to control, thanks to its simple rotary dial that works in combination with the colour LCD display. Mercifully it’s also hassle-free to look after, due to its integrated rinse, clean and decalcification modes.

Breitling Emergency

What do you do if you’ve ditched in the sea, have no idea where you are and need help to arrive as quickly as possible? If you’re a Brietling Emergency owner, you can activate the built-in microtransmitter and help will come running.

It broadcasts a signal on the 121.5MHz aircraft emergency frequency that rescuers can home in on. It will keep broadcasting for a full 48 hours, and over flat terrain or calm seas, the signal has a range of around 160km. It’s also a beautifully crafted watch, with a titanium case and a SuperQuartz mechanism.

This watch will fetch you about $6,500 at Brietling

photo: restorationhardware.com

Immediately without even a second thought, this portable desktop stow-away trunk can certainly capture mens attention, perfect idea for their basement hideout or even their bunker. Inspired by the gleaming nose cones and fuselages of mid-20th-century aircraft, this trunk is cool anyway you look at it, and with its patchwork of polished aluminum panels accented with exposed steel screws. Rounded corners and inset drawer pulls give it sleek, aerodynamic lines.

This trunk is handmade and offered by restorationhardware.com, the trunk is made from polished aluminum wrapped around solid hardwood.  Drawers are lined with black cotton canvas and carry 6 binders, and 12 other compartments, with shelving and desktop space included. The aluminum has a matte finish that’s slightly distressed for a vintage look; intentional nicks, dings, small scratches and other imperfections are to be expected and add to the character and uniqueness of each item.

To finish off, the trunk comes with 8 trolly looking wheels and two hing locks to hold it locked up and shut during any move you make.  It weighs about 525 pounds which is quite light in comparison to its size.

I was able to look around and find other online stores offering different models, plus, some alternative collections available at restorationhardware.com, see the gallery below for some examples   Right now the trunk is on a special price of $3,595 YIKES!  but well worth it if you can’t find the time to build your own.

Photo: fuseproject

You know in Star Trek when Bones runs a mobile scanning device over some poor red-shirted schlub and comes back seconds later with a diagnosis? Well, that futuristic Star Trek tricorder is a step closer to reality today thanks to the Scanadu Scout, a handheld medical scanning device that works in conjunction with a smartphone to take all five vital signs in just 10 seconds. It will cost $150 and you can get it by the end of 2013.

Wired had the opportunity to play with a working prototype this week and it was, frankly, amazing. Hold the Scout to your temple and it registers pulse transit time (for blood pressure monitoring), heart rate, electrical heart activity, temperature, heart rate variability and blood oxygenation. The tracker then transmits that data to a smartphone app that clocks how those variables change over time. It’s meant to give people greater control over their own health data and insights on how it might be changing.

For example, although 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is the commonly accepted figure for human body temperature, that’s an average and not standard across individuals. For some, 99 degrees might indicate a fever, while for others it’s perfectly normal. By taking regular readings, and charting them automatically, the Scanadu Scout can help people understand what’s normal for their own bodies.

The device, designed by Yves Behar, fits nicely in the palm of your hand, and is approximately the size of a makeup compact. But while the hardware is nice, what’s truly exciting is the software back end.

The extensible software platform is meant to be opened up to input from other tracking and monitoring devices. Two immediate examples, both of which will be available in 2013, are the ScanaFlo and ScanaFlu. ScanaFlo is a small plastic wand with a row of urine test strips that can check for pregnancy complications, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, kidney failure, and urinary tract infections. ScanaFlu has a small tray that you spit into and it checks for one of five respiratory diseases: Strep A, Influenza A, Influenza B, Adenovirus or RSV. While pricing hasn’t been set for either, both are planned to cost less than a trip to the clinic.

Scanadu was the vision of heavyweight technologist Walter De Brouwer, who previously ran Emotiv and the European arm of One Laptop per Child, among many other things. De Brouwer began looking for a better way to understand personal medical data when one of his children was hospitalized for a year after falling from a window.

His solution to this was Scanadu, which is an entrant in the Qualcomm Tricorder X-Prize. De Brouwer describes it as the most difficult thing he has ever done, not only on the software side, but also on the back end, developing algorithms to crunch numbers and deliver insights. And still much has to be done — for example, it will have to gain FDA clearance. But if it works, it could prove to be a powerful marriage of molecular diagnostic information with body sensors that could give patients an unprecedented control over their own health data.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

There have been Wi-Fi-equipped cameras before, but Samsung hopes the 3G and 4G network abilities of its Galaxy Camera will appeal more to people’s desire to share high-quality photos while on the go.

Smartphones are taking over the point-and-shoot camera market, but Samsung today announced a product it hopes will reverse the trend by building phone technology into a 16-megapixel camera.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera is an Android 4.1 device with a large touch screen on one side, a 21x zoom lens on the other, and networking abilities in the middle. That last point is key: one of the big advantages of smartphones is that you can do something with the photo immediately after taking it — sharing with friends on Facebook, for example.

Top alternatives to this model are Nikon’s new Coolpix S800c, which has Android and Wi-Fi networking, and Nokia’s 808 PureView, with a giant 41-megapixel camera but the dying Symbian operating system. Nokia’s model relies on digital cropping as a substitute for a zoom lens, a design that makes it somewhat more compact than the Samsung even when the latter device is turned off and collapsed.

Starting at $499.99 USD.

The Kobo Glo is a lightweight, Wi-Fi-enabled e-reader that has its first Kobo front-lit, high-resolution e-ink display which also includes a touch-screen interface. Like most versions of the Kobo collection, the Kobo Glo also features an expansion slot for additional memory, supports EPUB files, and is compatible with any e-book store that uses the Adobe DRM format.

Kobo’s selection of e-books are limited behind Amazon’s and Barnes & Noble’s library. Loading library loaners and third-party e-book purchases requires tethering to a PC, which is not too difficult.

The Kobo Glo is an excellent Kindle or other e-reader alternatives, especially for readers seeking EPUB compatibility for expansion use and international options.

You may remember me talking about the Xapper Gun here which is very similar to the Laser AppTag.  This little device turns your iPhone or Android into an actual laser tag gun, but with different gun designs to choose from.

AppTag Laser Blaster brings first person shooter console gameplay to smartphones in the real world. Obviously, as with any blaster toy, the object is to shoot your friends! The AppTag does the shooting and the smartphone keeps score and tracks everything else, the App even adds Augmented Realityobjects such as medkits, armor, weapons and ammo packs! For targeting we use a focused infrared beam and sensor for the ‘laser’ so it’s totally safe. Each unit has an IR sender and receiver, and the AppTag unit works together with an attached smartphone or iPod Touch.

$120  for 4 blasters, Click HERE to buy

[via Kickstarter]

Anytime between now and the next three weeks, my wife and I are expecting our baby boy to be born. As a first-time daddy, I’m not even close to being mentally prepared for parenthood — “What do you mean you want me in the delivery room? Aren’t I just supposed to get the cigars ready?” — but at least I’m ready in terms of buying all the baby essentials (crib, car seat, diapers and Batman nightlight from Pottery Barn Kids).

Here are some other cool baby gadgets that will help welcome Luke Optimus Skywalker Huynh into the world:

Baby Onboard: Britax B-READY Stroller

Price: $499.99

Where: britax.ca

As a new dad, I’m most excited about picking out a baby stroller – which is the closest thing to test-driving a new car. In this case, I consider the Britax B-READY the Cadillac Escalade of baby strollers – because it comes fully loaded with features designed to make your baby’s ride as comfortable as possible. The multi-purpose B-READY can be used as bassinet, infant car seat and 14 different seat configurations. My favourite feature of the stroller is its ability to transform and fold up into the trunk of any car in one quick snap.

The stroller’s large under-seat storage will come in handy not just for baby gear but also for shopping bags. My wife and I took the stroller for a test drive in a supermarket and didn’t even need a grocery cart. The B-READY has agile handling and its 4-point suspension offers a comfortable ride – at least that’s what I think the test-pilot baby tried to babble to me as I was racing down the aisles.

Parenthood’s going to be a gas: FLAT-D Odor Removing Face Mask

Price: $17.95

Where: flat-d.com

I have to admit, there’s a fatherly chore I’m not looking forward to and that’s the duty of having to deal with doody. Fortunately, there’s a company called FLAT-D Innovations that has a slogan which boasts: “Flatulence Odor Control – Products For Those Who Care!”

FLAT-D offers the Odor Control Face Mask — a smell neutralizer that uses charcoal-filtered cloth to deodorize unpleasant smells.

My only complaint is it would make me look and sound like Darth Vader when I’m changing my baby. There should be a line of cute-looking masks so you don’t freak out your kid. But considering my son will be named Luke – he might as well get used to my Vader-like breathing.

Aroma Therapy for Toddlers: Aroma Home’s Knitted Animal Hotties

Price: $30

Where: aromahome.com

Aroma Home’s Knitted Animal Hotties will come in handy when my baby’s a bit older and has trouble getting to sleep. These stuffed animals aren’t just cute and soft, they also come with a removable wheat insert that is heated in the microwave; releasing a calming blend of lavender and chamomile to help kids sleep. I wished they also made an adult-sized version that smelled like chardonnay.

It’s snot right, but it’s OK: NoseFrida the Snotsucker

Price: $15

Where: fridababy.com

When I told my dad that my wife was pregnant, he congratulated me, but then he quickly reminded me that when I was a baby back in Vietnam – he would have to suck mucous out of my nose whenever I was sick. Thanks Dad “¦ for grossing me out. When it’s my turn to get my son out of a sticky situation, I can at least use NoseFrida’s Snotsucker – which does exactly what its name suggests. I might get my dad to test it out first though – since he seems to nose what he’s doing in this regard.

[via] Canoe

Handpresso Auto, the espresso machine for the car was recently launched and is really nifty for any driver  to and from work and or those looking to save cash.

A revolutionary machine preparing a premium quality espresso in the car! Handpresso Auto helps you optimize your coffee break wherever you are.
Simple and easy to use, Handpresso Auto can be placed in the cup holder. Just plug the espresso machine into the 12V cigarette lighter, add water and a E.S.E. coffee pod of your choice, there are many branded coffee options avaialble like Nescafe’s Nespresso. Then press the button, wait for the 3 beeps and the espresso is ready.
There is a 16 bar pressure,  and even though I haven’t tasted one myself I am sure the espressos are delicious.

You can buy the HandPresso anywhere in Europe, no word when this espresso in-car gadget shall reach North America.  Priced from 149 Euros.

[HandPresso]

The first signs of Easter appeared in the shops in January, with chocolate-based treats filling up increasing space on the shelves.

By now, some of us have already indulged and had our fill, while others may be looking for a less calorific present to give to loved ones this year.

With this in mind, we’ve selected six seasonal gifts that will keep on giving long after the foil wrappers have been discarded.

These egg-cellent offerings will delight dentists everywhere, because they’re all completely sugar-free.

Egg Collector – LEGO Kokoriko – £7.25 from www.amazon.co.uk

Join the fun down on the farm with LEGO’s egg-cellent Kokoriko game. Players must gather the colourful chickens and collect the most eggs. Luck and speed will help you get the rooster, so grab the worm and get out in front – but watch out for the egg thieves!

Full Of Character – Playmobil Easter Eggs – £5.50 from www.toys-hobbies.co.uk

These Playmobil toys would make a perfect prize at the end of an Easter egg hunt, a grand finale as the young ones complete their collection of small chocolate spheres. There are four themes, offering something for everyone – zookeeper, race driver, eagle knight and fairy with unicorn. Better still, the egg makes a handy storage space for the treats and there’s a slot in the base to save spare change.

Bespoke Yolk – Surprise Egg Maker – £19.97 from http://direct.tesco.com

Everything, apart from the chocolate, is included in this junior production plant to help you create some cracking gifts for friends and family. Melt and mould your chocolate casing, before popping your surprise inside. When your egg is fully set, wrap it up in foil ready for the recipient. You can create your own insertions – although the set comes complete with six – and of course, you can add your own messages for the ultimate personal touch.

Scrambled Eggs – Hide And Squeak Eggs – £6.99 from www.firebox.com

Take off the top of each hide and squeak eggshell to reveal a colourful chick inside – then press the chick down and it’ll cheep! Almost as cute as a box of kittens, this set doubles up as a game for toddlers, matching up the cheeky faces on the egg shells and matching shapes on the egg boxes to those on the bottom of the eggs. It encourages play and assists learning – what a clever box of eggs.

Head Down – White Rabbit Pillow Pet – £19.95 from www.hugapet.co.uk

There is every chance that your child’s bedroom already contains too many stuffed toys, but this new range of pillow pets combine the huggability and cuteness factor with the functionality of a pillow. Top quality, super-soft chenille offers comfort and fun for any child, making pillow pets the ideal travel companions. Children can strap this bunny closed for pet mode, or open it up for comfy pillow mode. There are lots of other characters available in this range of wonderful creatures.

Night Bunny – Rabbit Night Light – £4.95 from www.dotcomgiftshop.com

Standing at 15cm high, this LED-powered bunny is ideal for sitting on shelves in the front room to make an eye-catching decoration. Alternatively, you could use its light for a more practical purpose in kid’s bedrooms.

App of the week: Pat The Bunny – £2.49 on iTunes for iPhone and iPad

Pat The Bunny has been a classic kids’ book for over 70 years, and now publisher Random House has brought it to life with a 21st century makeover.

There are loads of interactive elements to play with around the story, from popping bathtime bubbles to watering flowers and watching them grow, plus a fun game of musical pots and pans.

With so much for youngsters to see and do, this app is highly rated all round.

Read more: http://www.shropshirestar.com/lifestyle/gadgets/2012/03/22/six-of-the-best-easter-gadgets/#ixzz1qEEfXDtk

[Youtube]

Spring break is here and lots of people will be hitting the road. But before you put the pedal to the metal, take a look at these top travel gadgets that will make your travels easier, more fun and most importantly keep you charged up on the road.

POWERBAG SLING $139

If you’re one of those people who’s devices are constantly running out of juice, and looking for a quick way to charge up your phone or your tablet, look no further than the bag on your back. The Powerbag has an internal battery that can charge up your gadgets on the go. It will charge a variety of devices, because it comes with different connecters with micro and mini USB tips, as well as an Apple connecter. There’s also a separate USB slot available for charging an extra device, provided you have the cable. Powerbag says the battery can charge the average smartphone twice. Charging the bag is simple. It comes with an AC plug that goes directly into a water-resistant port in the front of the bag. When the bag is charging, you’ll see a light indicator on the front of the bag. You can also take out the battery and plug the cable directly into it.

The best part of the sling model, aside from the roomy inside, is the ability to move the strap from side to side, depending on whether you’re a leftie or a rightie. The Powerbag Sling comes in six different colors with a 3000mAh battery. You can buy additional batteries or upgrade to a more powerful battery on their website. Powerbag is also available in other styles.

INNERGIE POCKETCELL $79.99 Running out of power for your portable devices is almost a bigger issue these days than getting lost on the road. Where are you going to be able to stop and plug in your devices to charge them up? And what if you only have a mini USB cable with you but your blinking GPS needs a micro connecter. Innergie has solved that problem, and then some.

The PocketCell rechargeable battery pack can add hours to your devices, whether it’s an iPhone, Android phone, e-reader, tablet, portable game console. If it takes a USB cable, chances are, you can charge it. Included with the battery pack is Innergie’s Magic Cable Trio which has integrated smart-tip Apple, Micro, and Mini USB connectors, which means it’s likely you’ll have the right cable. And they’re all connected so they won’t get lost. You can recharge the PocketCell from either a laptop or computer, or an AC plug using a standard USB power adapter.

You can purchase the additional mini DC adapter with dual USB ports for $20

BELKIN MINI SURGE PROTECTOR $20 The hotel room never seems to have outlets. Or is it just that we have more things to charge at the end of the day? Either way, be safe and pack the Belkin Mini Surge Protector along with all your gadgets. It’s a compact power strip with three AC outlets and two USB ports that also acts as a surge protector. The 360-degree rotating plug makes it easy to fit into hard-to-reach outlets. Never worry about stacked up waiting-to-be-charged phones again; just don’t forget to pack it when you check out.

TP-LINK MINI POCKET WIRELESS ROUTER $29.99 The sad fact of travel in the connected age is not every hotel offers wi-fi in its rooms. I ran into this situation on a recent trip when I found only wired internet access at a very uncomfortable desk. The trouble was, neither my husband nor I had a laptop with us. we both had tablets that needed wi-fi. And who wants to sit at the desk? The TP-Link Mini Pocket Wireless Router was made for just this occasion. Plug the Ethernet cable into the back of the cube-shaped device, plug the device into a wall socket, and you have wi-fi that everyone in the room can access.

You will be attending BBQ’s, deck parties, and outdoor bars as soon as the sun starts shining this spring. How many times are you going to drop your iPhone and feel your heart break when it cracks? Finally there is something sturdy and stylish to stop you from making another embarrassing trip to the Apple store.

MaterialSix was created by Matt Turner and Randy Lively – two Apple enthusiasts with over 30 years of custom fabrication expertise to enhance the already near-perfect iPhone 4 experience.

12 or more designs are available starting from $89, Click HERE to buy.

Battery life on the iPad 2 got you down? This Solar iPad Case from Hammacher Schlemmer should brighten your day. The case promises 10 days of use for the iPad 2, using a solar panel on the case made from photovoltaic ink. That tech can convert both outdoors and indoors light into energy for your iPad 2 to feed on.

Aside from the performance bonus of the solar panel, the case has a stainless steel stand for movie watching and USB and HDMI ports. You can use the former to use your iPad 2 and the case to charge another mobile device.

Read more at chipchick

The Zooka Bluetooth Speaker has been created with the portability of a tablet, and high quality sound at the forefront of its design.

Tablets are made to move, adapt, and flow from one use to another, and “docking” a tablet or trying to turn your tablet into a desktop is limiting and counter intuitive.

So instead they designed Zooka to work with your tablet. It goes where you go, functions with your smart cover, and provides you with 5x the sound of your tiny, in-board speakers.  Made entirely of silicone its simple to slide on any iPad. Design and Utility Patent Pending.

$89, Click HERE to buy

[via Kickstarter]

(Product photos courtesy of Neil DaCosta)

Watchie is a GPS-based device developed in part by Swiss company u-blox aimed at helping families care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients in a humane, empowering way.

Caring for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients can be difficult, and it’s easy for that care itself to have adverse effects on the patients. Autonomy is often sacrificed to ensure safety, which is understandable, but can be dismaying to an elderly adult, who could become despondent about not being able to do anything by themselves.

Watchie is an attempt at mitigating those difficulties, creating a watch-wristband equipped with u-blox’ CellLocate technology. That technology is essentially a beefed up GPS chip that uses GPS satellite information and mobile phone positioning data to provide accurate GPS information, regardless of GPS signal strength. It also uses a SIM-card, which allows for Watchie to work in 145 countries.

Read more at ChipChick

Eventbrite is looking to make sales easier for small-timers with their new card reader dongle. The At the Door Credit Card Reader is aimed towards event promoters and ticket sales, but it would be useful for any small business trying to streamline payment processing, saving time and money in the process.

The dongle itself is just a credit card reader that attaches to the iPad’s 30-pin connector. The accompanying Eventbrite app provides event planning tools, allowing users to sell tickets, track event attendees, and process payments. Social media is also integrated, to help with promoting events. There’s no additional fee paid to Eventbrite for payments processed, and the app is free. The app can also sync up with compatible wireless printers for receipts, but those are sold separately.

Read more at ChipChick

Motorola is releasing a state of the art GPS golf tracker. My Aunt is a Pro at Golf, should suit her needs well.

The MOTOACTV Golf Edition, developed in tandem with PGA golfer Bubba Watson, is just another fitness tracker, logging steps taken, distance covered, calories burned, and heart rate. Granted, it isn’t called the Golf Edition for no reason. The MOTOACTV can sync up with 20,000 different golf courses worldwide, allowing golfers to keep track of strokes and distances to green.

The device also plays mp3s, and compiles a motivational playlist based on what songs are playing when you are performing at your best with that swing of the club.

Press Release

[VIA] ChipChick.com

FindTheBest.com rates its top five. Reuters and Techour has not endorsed this list.

The air warrior can only be as efficient as the gadgets that keep him connected, so choosing the right devices to bring along can make or break a business trip. And these days, with more and more limits on carry-on-bags, there is little margin for error. The following five gadgets are perfect for a globetrotter looking to keep up productivity while on the go.

Check out the top 5 gadgets.

SMARTPHONES

According to visionmobile, 483 million smartphones were shipped globally in 2011-increasing global smartphone penetration to 30 percent and rising 43 percent from 2010.

For business travellers, the percentage is likely much higher: It goes without saying that an exec on the move is going to be carrying a smartphone. But when you’re on the road, it’s not just speed or high camera quality that’s important.

One of the most integral features of a phone is its overall battery life – specifically its talk time – for those trips when you’re just not sure when you’re going to get your next chance to charge. While the average smartphone has a talk time of about seven hours, times range from 2.5 hours in the LG Genesis US760 to just over 21.5 hours on the Motorola Droid Razr Maxx.

Top 3 rated smartphones with the longest talk times:

1. Motorola Droid Razr Maxx (21 hrs)

2. Apple iPhone 4S (14 hrs)

3. Samsung Galaxy A (14 hrs)

NETBOOKS

Netbooks provide much of the same power and functionality as the traditional laptop but with a fraction of the weight. The market is saturated with high-powered netbooks, but for a business traveller, two of the most important specs are weight and battery life. Although the difference between the 3.52 lb HP Pavilion dm1z and the 2.2 lb MSI Wind U160 might not seem like a lot, a few pounds can make a big difference in the course of a long trip.

In terms of battery life, a netbook that doesn’t have at least eight to nine hours of battery life (batteries typically range from four to 13 hours) won’t cut it when you’re expected to finalise the details of a pitch on your five-hour flight and then present your PowerPoint proposal to your client without having the chance to recharge. So what are the best lightweight netbooks 3 lbs or under that have long battery lives?

Top 3 lightweight, long-lasting netbooks:

1. Samsung NF310 (2.87lbs, 9 hrs)

2. HP Mini 5103 (3 lbs, 10 hrs)

3. Toshiba Mini NB505-N508GN (2.70 lbs, 8 lbs)

TABLETS

While netbooks offer more functionality than tablets, the sleek, lightweight alternative is increasingly eating into the netbook market. Forrester Research predicts that by 2015, a third of US online users will own a tablet. It is also the gadget of choice for the business traveller looking to maximise computing power and luggage space. Mark Donovan, comScore Senior Vice President, noted that tablets have emerged as “a formidable fourth screen.”

The tablet is key for the traveller because it doubles as a lightweight entertainment device for when the workday is over. But in order for a tablet to justify its place in a carry-on bag, it has to pack quite a punch. A tablet with no internal memory, like the Sony Dash, is little more than a tool to browse the Internet.

Many business travellers need a tablet with enough internal storage to provide high-performance graphics for video conferencing and photo editing. A tablet like the Acer ICONIA-6120, with its 640 GB of internal storage, can offer seamless multi-tasking, fast loading apps and instant touch response.

Top 3 tablets with the most internal storage:

1. Acer Iconia-6120 (640 GB)

2. Archos 70 (250 GB)

3. iiView M1Touch w/ WiFi+ 3G (160 GB)

E-READERS

e-Readers are highly popular in the US but less so globally. However, ABI Research forecasts that in 2013, momentum worldwide for the electronic book readers will increase, with more than 30 million e-readers set to ship globally.

Reading offers business travellers a rare opportunity to escape and relax while in transit, or catch up on weeks’ worth of news content – all in one device. But again, battery life is key; once an e-Reader loses power, it becomes just one more thing to lug around from city to city.

Top 3 e-Readers with the longest battery life:

1. Sony Reader Daily Edition, PRS-900-BC-(12,000 page turns)

2. Sony Reader Daily Edition, PRS-900-(12,000 page turns)

3. Condor Technology Associates eGriver Touch-(10,000 page turns)

NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES

Noise-cancelling headphones are a must for any business traveller who is constantly en route. The right headphones can serve a range of functions, from enhancing the sound quality of your favourite music and movies, to blocking out extraneous noise when you need a quiet space to work and you’re not in the comfort of your own home.

Top 3 noise cancelling headphones:

1. Sennhesier PXC 450 Headphones

2. Bose QuietComfort 15

3. Bose QuietComfort 3

[via] Grace Nasri is Managing Editor of FindTheBest. Any opinions expressed are her own.

[source] Additional Editing by Peter Myers of Reuters.com

FUN gadgets help you see and hear the world in a new way, writes Maureen Shelley with News.com.au

Find out more about these 3 gadgets starting from $4.95

SPY EAR SOUND AMPLIFIER
Company: ispy007
Price: $4.95
Website: ozspy.com.au
Rating: 2.5 Stars

Little more than a toy, this amplifier can pick up conversations up to 7m away. It needs line-of-sight access to its subjects to work effectively.

Essentially, it cannot amplify sounds through walls but it does have a sensitive microphone that will amplify low-voiced conversations to a comfortable hearing or recording level. However, the speaker needs to be in the same room as the listener and the bright blue device needs to be pinpointed at them.

It comes with headphones, batteries and instructions, although its on/off and sound dial are simple enough to operate.

SONY DEV-5 DIGITAL RECORDING BINOCULARS
Company: Sony
Price: $1999
Website: sony.com.au
Rating: 4.5 Stars

These binoculars are perfect for birdwatchers, sport fans and concert-goers. In the DEV-5, Sony delivers a device that can shoot and record HD video with up to 20x assisted magnification – not something you’d expect from a pair of binoculars.

Sony describes the binoculars’ casing as a non-reflective elastomer material, and the ergonomic grip means the 1.2kg unit can be held in a stable position for a long period.

They can record HD or even 3D video, as well as 7.1-megapixel still images, to an SD memory card. A digital zoom keeps moving targets in focus.

MINI BUG DETECTOR
Company: Ghost
Price: $29.95
Website: ozspy.com.au
Rating: 2.5 Stars

The Mini Bug Detector is a bit of fun that may also have a practical application, if only to determine the level of electromagnetic radiation in your home.

More of a novelty, it can detect frequencies in the 100MHz to 2.6 GHz band and pinpoint wireless microphones and transmitters up to 10m away.

It has multi-channel fuzzy scanning and can distinguish between a camera, listening device and mobile phone. The device has audible and LED alarms that trigger if it finds a bug or wireless camera.
4GB PEN VIDEO CAMERA
Company: Signet
Price: $79.95
Company: jaycar.com.au
Rating: 3.5 Stars

A handy gadget for taking notes in lectures or presentations is this digital video and still camera pen. It works as a ballpoint pen and its camera lens is hard to see on its black casing.

Despite being housed in a shell only slightly fatter than a standard ballpoint, the camera can store up to 4GB of audio or video files; that equates to 600 photos and up to two hours of video.

It has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and the pen comes with software on a mini CD that must be installed before you can inspect your video, images or sound. Impressively, the camera takes 8-megapixel images.
Read more: News.com.au

The new TAG Heuer Racer collection starts at 2800€ ( $3,660), and will be available in TAG Heuer boutiques,

Read More at ChipChick

A two-piece gadget that gives you a new, tune-spewing doorbell-ringer duo. The speaker unit has an SD card slot which can take up to 32gb’s. No internal storage which is a bit odd, no music either. With an SD card, you can use the speaker unit as a doorbell ringer, a music player, or a portable mp3 player. As a doorbell ringer, it receives a wireless signal from the doorbell unit, which can be attached to a wall with the sticky pads that come included, not sure if the unit can be affixed to the wall with screws.

Because most songs don’t start off with the cool part, the device offers a basic mp3 editing software, so you can run through your favorite songs and get just the few seconds of the song you want over the speaker when someone rings the bell.

The Swann MP3 DJ Doorbell will retail for about $50. Both units are battery powered.

[via] ChipChick.com

The big sticking point that comes with the NFC-based payment systems that companies like Google and Visa love with is they require buy-in from the people and companies you actually want to buy from. When your favorite mom-and-pop store can’t be bothered to jump on the NFC bandwagon though, well, that’s just a bummer.

And that’s where the truly awesome iCache Geode comes into play.

In short, the Geode is a (rather handsome) iPhone case that lets you replace all of the loyalty and credit cards tucked away in your wallet in one fell swoop. Once you create an account in the companion app and load up some info, the Geode can display the barcode of any saved loyalty card on the small e-ink display on its rear end.

That by itself is pretty dang useful, but what really gets me is the rewritable card mounted just above it. Once your credit card information has been registered with the Geode, the included Geocard’s mag strip can be rewritten on the fly, effectively turning it into whichever credit card you want it to be.

Read more at TechCrunch

]]> http://www.techour.com/2012/03/14/forget-nfc-this-iphone-case-combines-all-your-credit-cards-into-one/feed/ 0 http://www.techour.com/2012/03/13/close-the-lid-walk-away-with-the-swingline-hands-free-stack-and-shred/ http://www.techour.com/2012/03/13/close-the-lid-walk-away-with-the-swingline-hands-free-stack-and-shred/#comments Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:25:58 +0000 Robert French http://www.techour.com/?p=27042 Techour met with the Swingline team at CES 2012 to see their new product line of shredders, the Stack-and-Shred.  We also were lucky enough to get a sample of the Stack-and-Shred 60X in our offices to shred to our hearts content. Swingline have a wide selection of products available, not just shredders, staplers, trimmers, punches and sharpeners.

At CES 2012 we saw their higher end Stack-and-Shred on display, these hands free shredders make it so much easier for large businesses to manage shredding and recycling. The 500X was packing power at CES 2012, the shear speed this shreds paper is mind-boggling.  Simply, open its top lid and like a paper tray on a printer you load the paper in, close the lid and watch it shred through 500 lines of paper.  Not only regular paper either, crumpled paper and glossy paper too.

The Stack-and-Shred can also with take CDs, credit cards, staples and paper clips.  There is a manual feed on the top near the far back which takes approx 10 sheets at a time.  Comes with a 21 gallon capacity bin and some of the Stack-and-Shred in their lineup feature a Auto+ Jam Free to prevent paper jams.Iits complete with its Cross-Cut blades.

All include a 2 year warranty on the machine, 2 years on cutters.

Great product, dedicates the shredding to the shredder, certainly a good buy if your in the market for a shredder today.  You can find these Stack-and-Shreds at Swingline.com starting from $149.99 to $2,499.99.

Mimoco expand their product line of flash-drives and card readers at CES 2012 with co-branded MIMOMICRO devices.  This new collection of miniature storage devices feature characters in Star Wars and DC comics form.  They started with Mimobot’s which are character-based designer flash drives and are renowned.  This is Lucasfilms & WarnerBros first introduction to a wave of USB card readers to Star Wars & DC Comics. The MIMOMICRO can be best described as a smaller, more versatile evolution of their current line of Mimobot’s.

The MIMOMICRO can be used as a USB flash drive with interchangeable microSD memory cards and also with a function as a microSD card reader to transfer data between mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, digital cameras and mp3 players to any computer.

We got our hands on the Star Wars Yoda MIMOMICRO to try out.  Small to hold and easy to store with its included its spacesuit velvet pouch with a window on one side to see your MIMOMICRO looking back at you. Its compact size makes it only 1.62 inches tall.  Comes with a Flip-Out USB plug, no cap needed. A built-in keychain to attach to keys, mobile phones, bags or lanyards. Know your MIMOMICRO is in use when the  ”M” shaped logo LED indicator lights up. This device is compatible with all microSD memory cards for easy unlimited file transfer.

The Star Wars MIMOMICRO series features C-3PO, Yoda, Millenium Falcon, Chewbacca and DarthVader.  The DC Comics X MIMOMICRO series includes Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman.

You can find them available with select retailers worldwide this March 2012 at Mimoco.com.  No price on them just yet

Also, look out for their additional newest edition to the Legends of Mimobots, Albert Einstein.  Check out the promo ad below.

TrickleStar recently released their new Advanced Power Strips with benefits to home and business owners. For some, your electronics are not on the priority list in your household, maybe you have a family to think about, pets to feed and the garden to attend to. TrickleStar makes a point to inform you that your electronics could be vulnerable and a little extra care will give you assurance in the long run.

Do you want to save money on your electric bill? Do you want FIREPROOF surge protection to ensure safety of your family? Their advanced power strips cut wasteful energy use and help you save plenty of money.

The device automatically switches off peripherals when a TV or PC is not in use through an inbuilt current sensing circuitry. Reducing the amount of vampire/standby energy consumed by PC and TV peripherals. Providing premium quality, FIREPROOF surge protection for all connected devices.

The Advanced Power Strips are available in 4, 7 and 12 outlets.  The one pictured above is the 12 outlet power strip which saves you from $380.00 a year, its features include;

•   12 Outlets
1 Control Outlet
3 Always On Outlets (3 transformer spaced)
8 Switched Outlets (2 transformer spaced)
•   Selectable switching thresholds 10W / 22W / 42W
•   15A resettable circuit breaker switch
•   288,000 Amps / 4320 Joules Fireproof MOV’s
•   LED Status Indication (Ground, Surge Status, Control, Switched Outlets)
•   Tel/Fax (RJ11) and Coaxial surge protection
•   <40dB noise filtering
•   4 foot heavy duty power cable with angled space saver plug

The Product Warranty comes with a  Lifetime product warranty against defective manufacturing and components, up to $400,000 connected device warranty.

Overall, very satisfied with the outlet, also try out the Advanced PowerTap

You can pick these up starting from $39.95 at TrickleStar

The floor at MWC might have been stolen and dominated by some of the big boys, such as HTC, LG, ZTE and even Fujitsu (although merely a concept/prototype at this point) with their quad-core powered devices, and while maybe not as popular or as well known, Chinese maker Tianyu has a quad-core device of their own dubbed the K-Touch Treasure V8.

Read more at Ubergizmo

Read more at ChipChick

Read more at ChipChick

Remember that gorgeous looking R18 hybrid from Audi that raced into our hearts earlier this week? Well, we found this video of it in action. If you can look past the flock of applauding suits, you’ll get a sneak-peek at this beast on the track. Sadly we’ll have to wait until Le Mans before we can really smell the rubber, but in the meantime, there’s a gallery of renders below to keep you going.

Read more at Engadget

Read More at ChipChick

A couple of years ago, a team of scientists from the University of Leeds succeeded in getting live stickleback fish to follow a computer-controlled “Robofish” as it was moved through their aquarium. Part of the reason for the experiment was to learn about fish behavior, in hopes that human interference in their migration routes could be minimized. While the Robofish was simply a plaster model, researchers from the Polytechnic Institute of New York University recently conducted a similar experiment, but using an actual tail-flapping robotic fish. Their discoveries could help save wild fish populations in the event of environmental disasters.

The study was conducted by NYU-Poly’s Maurizio Porfiri and Stefano Marras. Their biomimetic fish, as it was called, was placed in a tunnel of flowing water, along with a school of golden shiners. At first, the scientists kept its tail absolutely still, and the shiners showed little interest. As its tail began to move, however, the shiners started to fall in behind it.

Read more at Gizmag

Instead of tucking away those receipts who-knows-where, you can use SlimScan to scan them. SlimScan will save a digital copy for you that you can print out later. I’m not sure how stores will feel about seeing a receipt that obviously isn’t an original if you need to return something, but if you need to save receipts for record-keeping or business reimbursements, there’s no question that SlimScan would be very nice to have around. Better yet, it’s wallet-sized – about the size of a credit card. Despite its small size, the scanner can scan high-resolution color images.

Fancy owning yourself a motorcycle that looks like it was stolen from the movie set of Tron? Well, here’s your chance. The folks over at Charitybuzz are auctioning off a replica Lightcycle aka a Xenon Light Motor Bike. Designed by the Parker Brother Choppers and donated by Evolve Motorcycles, it features a custom lithium ion battery which is used to power its electric motor. That’s right, no unhealthy emissions will be coming out from this bad boy.

Read more at Ubergizmo

Feadship Royal Dutch shipyards will offer a glimpse into the rarefied world of superyachts at the Dubai International Boat Show later this month (March 13-17). The luxury watercraft manufacturer’s 56 meter (183.75 ft) Future Concept vessel Qi(say “chee”) will be showcased (scale model only) along with a few of Feadship’s real-world 70 meter-plus (229 ft+) multimillion dollar models, the 81 meter (266 ft)Air, and the 77.7 meter (252 ft) Tango. Built for a realm where just turning the engines on at the dock for ten minutes will set the owner back hundreds of dollars, these are designs that are sure to impress.

Read More at Gizmag

ColorWare has split the headphones up into eight separate elements that can be colored independently. With 46 colors to choose from, that’s an awfully large number of potential color combinations. You can also choose between matte and gloss finishes.

Read More at ChipChick

Read More at Ubergizmo

With that beefed up security, plus the wireless data transmission possibilities of NFC, the TPH-ONE, according to TazTag, will be useful in home automation, smart energy monitoring, set top box smart user interfaces, and mobile payment.

Read More at ChipChick

What is HEPA?

You may be wondering, what is a HEPA filter anyways? Well, it is about as good as filtering gets. It catches particles that are invisible to the naked eye. It stands for high efficiency particulate air. Where normal vacuum cleaners just recirculate those tiny nasty particles, HEPA filters trap them. They actually claim that “99% of fine airborne particles such as dust, pollen, smoke, mold spores & pet dander” are removed. Even the first night I used it, I notice how clean the air in my room felt. It felt fresh, not stale. I woke up breathing better even. I’m hoping it will pull me through the worst of allergy season, and so far it’s doing a great job.

Read More at ChipChick

The thought of canister vacuums often conjures up images of grandmothers lugging dead weight behind them as they perfect their footprint-less living rooms (…or maybe that’s just us). But when you think of Dyson, you probably think of smart, cutting-edge technology. Marry the two together, and you get the $449 Dyson Ball DC39 Multi Floor vacuum, a smart canister vacuum that even Grandma would love. The benefit of canister vacuums is that you don’t have to push and pull the full weight of the vacuum with every stroke. Also, the suction part has a lower profile, which means they can reach under kitchen cabinets and some pieces of furniture better than their upright counterparts.

Read More at ChipChick

Musicians have long needed ways to catalog ideas and capture rough recordings of new material without the anchor that is a full-fledged recording setup. Apogee offers just that with its Jam guitar adapter for the iPad, iPhone and Mac, which allows you to strum your way to a record deal via an iOS device. Whether you’re on the road or in your living room, the ability to connect a Les Paul to a mobile device and crank out the demo for your next hit is super helpful. But, is it worth the $100 investment to have recording-on-the-go at your fingertips? Read on to see what we discovered.

Want to meet a bunch of random strangers everywhere you go? Start riding around on a neon green electric bicycle that looks like nothing this world has seen before, something tossed out of a passing UFO that some New Zealand shepherd found glowing slightly as it rested in the middle of a smoking crater. This $3,595 electric bicycle with a 15mph top speed and six mile range does come from New Zealand, but the YikeBike is very much a product of human ingenuity, or so creator Grant Ryan claims, but that doesn’t stop it from giving us a riding experience that is nothing short of other-worldly. Unfortunately, that doesn’t necessarily equate to a entirely perfect experience.

Read More at Engadget

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the world of email. Yes, email! Sure, many of you have given up on the stuff in favor of more instant means of communication, but don’t worry, because that’s here too! Yes, the BlackBerry PlayBook, which was released 10 months ago, is now finally able to send messages all by itself. Sure, BlackBerry Bridge is still there and more useful than ever, tying the PlayBook even closer to your work-issued smartphone, but the 7-inch slate finally feels like it can stand a little more solidly on its own two feet.

Thankfully that’s not all — this recently refreshed tablet has a few other tricks up its sleeve, most notable being the ability to run some (focus on the some) Android apps without having to resort to any messy tweaks or hacks. The experience isn’t entirely clean, nor does it quite feel like the refresh the “two dot oh” moniker implies, but it is a nice step forward.

Read More at Engadget

The age of lugging around a pricey DSLR kit just to capture casual fisheye, wide-angle and macro photos may be nearing its end — for some of us, at least. Designed by a startup duo in California, the Olloclip was the first project featured in our Insert Coin series, and we were thrilled to learn not only that it was successfully funded, but that the device is ready to ship to both early supporters and new customers just two months later. The accessory brings the functionality of all three lenses to the iPhone 4, and it does so well enough to warrant leaving your pro kit at home on occasion — assuming, of course, that your photographs aren’t responsible for putting food on the table.

While a bargain compared to its professional equivalents, $70 is a lot to spend on any iPhone accessory, so the lens’s price tag may not sit well with some users. Also, design limitations mean you won’t be able to use the lens with other devices, and there’s no way to guarantee compatibility with future iPhones as well. Nonetheless, we had a blast shooting with the Olloclip, and we think you will too. Head past the break to find out why.

Read More at Endgadget

Oh hey, Sony, how nice of you to join the party! The console gaming headset party, that is (no, Bluetooth earpieces don’t count). Over a year ago the company had us yearning for a PS3-oriented headset after letting loose its duo of Ultimate Weapons headgear for PC gamers. Then in May, a glimmer of hope shone upon us when its PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset was announced for the DualShock-wielding gamers — and priced at a modest $100.

There’s no doubt that this playing field’s been blanketed with a saturation of wallet-tempting selections (we’re looking at youMadCatz, Turtle Beach and Astro), but Sony’s official kit has a few tricks up its sleeve for a potential home run. Despite the moniker, it’s capable of virtual 7.1 surround sound and displays onscreen status reports exclusively when used with a PS3. We spent a few fragging-hours over PSN to hear how well we could pin-point our enemies with sound to keep the kill streaks coming.

Read More at Engadget

While the photo shows versions made from Budweiser, Heineken, and Sapporo cans, only the last option is currently available for sale, at $87.

Read More at Gizmodo

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The 808 Pureview offers enhanced low-light performance as well as sophisticated image compression designed to help users share pictures.A 41-megapixel Nokia smartphone was among the new technology on show during the opening day of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Nokia hopes to regain ground lost to Google and Apple in the mobile market.

However, some have criticised Nokia’s decision to use its own operating system, Symbian, on the device.

Read More at BBC

Something it’s nice to jazz up your morning cup of coffee or tea with, say, a stronger brew. Or maybe a little whiskey, hey-oh! But what about night vision scopes, laser targeting, and a tripod mount.

The OPMOD Battle Mug is probably the only mug you want to bring with you if you’re both thirsty and planning a massive, bloody commando operation. It holds liquids, sure, but it also comes with three Mil-Spec 1913 tactical rails, allowing for pretty much any BYO gun attachment under the sun.

Read More at Gizmodo

Last year, Takara Tomy released an augmented reality fishing reel that allowed kids to live their Bassmaster dreams sans bodies of water. But, if you’re going to go with augmented reality, you can probably do a lot better than common fish. That wasn’t lost on Takara Tomy, as the toy company is now releasing the Dragon Hunting Real. You can probably figure out the implications of that name on your own. The Dragon Hunting Real is expected to become available on March 25th of this year.

Read More at ChipChick

We all love our iPhones. But it seems that our kids really love it! Do you cringe every time they grab it, worried it will go crashing to the ground?  The guys at Mugtuk have got you covered with their new line of plush monster cases. As they say, it will “Help romp-proof your Apple device from childlike enthusiasm!” Not a bad idea. These cases work with the iPod Touch as well as older iPhones, so they’ll be perfect for your kids when they get your hand-me-down devices

These cute, cuddly monster cases are like animated stuffed animals. They look and feel just like any ol’ stuffy, but when you slide your iPhone inside, the face comes alive with interactivity! There are currently 4 monsters to choose from (Bubba, Maggie, Tim and Charlie Belle), each face goes with its matching monster, though you can certainly mix-and-match. Soon they’ll be adding even more from the Mugtuk Farm edition.

Read More at ChipChick

So how does it work exactly? Well, there are four rings to the web each representing a digit, such as 07:45, and you need to read from the outside-in.

Read More at ChipChick

That means you can show off how your style is inspired by the Housewives of Atlanta, Orange County, Beverly Hills, etc…but also keep grounded with the fact it  can hold your tech accessories without looking like a bulky carrying case. The Brea GM is inspired by the the doctor’s bag of yesteryear and aren’t we all walking tech doctors now with apps and technology at our fingertips?

Read More at ChipChick

A new line of SD cards isn’t exactly light-the-world-on-fire news, but Samsung thinks they have offerings that will manage to impress nonetheless. The new SD and Micro SD cards are part of the company’s High Speed and Plus Extreme Speed Series, and range from 4 GB to 32 GB in storage space. You can also get the cards in Class 4, 6, and 10 varieties. Class 10 SD cards, though more expensive, are important for those using DSLR cameras who like using burst mode or taking long exposure shots. Class 4 and 6 SD cards’ write speeds will still get the job done for regular HD pictures or video, without causing too much slowdown on your device. The line of SD cards features read speeds as high as 24 MB/sec and write speeds as high as 13 MB/Sec for the High Speed Line and 21 MB/Sec for the Plus Extreme Speed Line.

Read more at ChipChick

There are some cameras that we absolutely love, some we find downright disappointing and others that get the job done, albeit with mediocre results. Samsung’s digital imaging devices typically fall within that last category — they’re moderately innovative, generally affordable and often well-designed, but when it comes to image quality and performance, we’re left… underwhelmed. So, when we first had a chance to try out the CE giant’s new NX200 at IFA in Berlin, we weren’t expecting a mind-blowing imaging device.

The NX200 is Samsung’s latest entrant into the interchangeable lens (ILC) category — it’s a mirrorless model, to be more precise, and a fairly impressive one at that — at least when you glance at the spec sheet. It’s the company’s latest ILC to use an APS-C size sensor, which is the largest we’ve seen in a mirrorless cam. This sensor type implies that the NX200 may have a chance at competing with Sony’s NEX-C3, which has been our top pick in the category, and its 20.3 megapixel rating suggests that Samsung wants to be taken seriously here, with a true contender on its hands. But has Samsung delivered a winner? Jump past the break for our take.

Read More at Engadget

Murtazin posted a tweet stating that the official update would roll out at the beginning of next month.

Read More at TheNextWeb

The Galaxy Tab 7.7 represents the best tablet Samsung can offer the market. It’s the thinnest tablet in the market and the only one so far that comes with a Super AMOLED Plus display.

The Galaxy Tab 7.7. is arguably the thinnest tablet in the market.  At 7.9mm, the Tab 7.7 it is thinner than all tablets and almost all ultrathin smartphones including the Galaxy S2 (8.49mm), Galaxy Note (9.7mm), Xperia Arc S (8.7mm), iPhone 4s (9.3mm), LG Prada 3.0(8.5mm).  That tells us a lot about how much effort Samsung placed into the Galaxy Tab 7.7 to make it a premium tablet.

Like many other Galaxy Tabs before it, the Galaxy Tab P6800 follows a similar design signature — slim, simple design and plastic build. Samsung added a few additional design accents on the 7.7 model — a two-toned silver back plating, a much thinner bezel and a gorgeous display.

Read More at GMA Network

It’s been just over a year since we first heard about Orbotix’s little smartphone-controlled cue ball named Sphero, and since that time, we’ve seen a couple of pre-production units strut their stuff. Apparently, we weren’t the only folks left intrigued — there were so many folks wanting one that production capacity couldn’t meet demand. So, while the company can’t deliver every pre-ordered orb by its initial December delivery date, the first few Spheros are going out today and will be in the hands of some owners by the end of the week. Whether you’re waiting for yours to arrive or are debating whether to get in on the robotic ball action, join us after the break to find out if it’s a techno toy worth $130 of your hard-earned cash.

Read More at Engadget

Look familiar? It should: that’s the PlayStation Vita, Sony’s up-and-coming challenger to the mobile gaming throne. It’s made the rounds a few times before, from E3, to Tokyo Game Show, to San Francisco’s Vita Hill Social Club, and it even took an early pass through Engadget’s review gauntlet – courtesy of the Land of the Rising Sun, of course. After a strong start in its homeland (followed by a quick holiday slump), the budding portable hit the books, brushed up on its English and barreled its way back into Engadget’s game room, demanding another review. And why not? We’re happy to oblige.

And here it is, an extremely familiar looking slab of plastic, glass and electronics that calls itself the North American 3G / WiFi PlayStation Vita. Sony’s new region-free tradition ensures that it won’t be toodifferent than Japan’s native model, but we’re diving in for a more detailed look anyway. Read on for a peek at its content management system, backward compatibility, the particulars of its fancy new thumbsticks, the latest firmware update’s contribution to the platform and much more.

Read More at Engadget

If there’s one thing we took away from our jaunt at CES, it’s this: consumers’ appetites for mainstream laptops haven’t waned all that much. Even in the Ultrabook category, Intel expects half of the models to go on sale this year will have 14- and 15-inch screens — as strong an indicator as any that lots of folks aren’t yet ready to give up their slightly larger screens, their discrete graphics, their (gasp!) optical drives. While HP recently announced its first Ultrabook for the consumer market, the Envy 14 Spectre, it’s fully fleshed out its premium Envy series to include two additional models for people who crave more oomph.

The Envy 15 is the medium-sized member of the crew, with a 15.6-inch screen and the same overhauled design you’ll find across the Envy lineup. Delightfully, too, it marks the return of HP’s eye-popping Radiance display, and also comes with a generous two-year warranty and full copies of Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements. And with a starting price of $1,100, it sharply undercuts the 15-inch MacBook Pro, while taking direct aim at other high-end 15-inchers, like the Dell XPS 15z and Samsung Series 7 Chronos. So how does it stack up? Meet us after the break to find out.

Read More at Engadget

When the iPhone version of this was released last year, you had to figure this would come next. The Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case is a rubber, protective case for the iPad, ripe for toddler gnawing. Besides protecting your precious tablet, the case has a few rattlers to keep baby’s attention in case they lose interest in what’s on screen. Speaking of the screen, Fisher Price has parents covered there, literally – the case comes with a thin plastic cover to protect against drool and fingerprints. The case can be used as a stand and can be rolled around, too.

Read More at ChipChick

As recovering amateur musicians, some of us still fancy well-made mobile recording gear from time to time. The ability to simultaneously record guitar and vocals using an iPhone 4S is what made the GuitarJack Model 2, in particular, catch our eye. We’ve taken iPad recording accessories for a spin in the past, but the compact stature of this kit, along with its ability to transform a smartphone into a 4-track recorder seemed quite compelling indeed. At $149, this generation of the GuitarJack costs a full Grant more than Apogee Jam – excluding the added expense of well-suited apps, of course. So is that hefty investment worth it? Read on to find out.

Read More at Engadget

Canon’s G1 X boasts a beefy 14-megapixel resolution and a tank-load of ambition. Its mandate, no less, is to deliver the image quality and control of a DSLR inside the discreet body of a compact, aiming to attract serious photographers who want to travel light or supplement their main kit. That’s why the G1 X houses a substantial 1.5-inch CMOS sensor, stretching to around 80 percent of the size of APS-C, along with an anti-minimalist array of dials, knobs and buttons to provide quick access to manual settings. It also explains why the G1 X is 30 percent heavier than both its evolutionary ancestor and some of itscompetitors, and why its price tag is equally hefty: $800, which is SLR-like in all the wrong ways. We’ve had this shooter long enough to gather our thoughts, but as to whether it deserves a smile or a snarl, you’ll have to read on to find out.

Read More at Engadget

Ever since the Walking Dead debuted on AMC back in 2010, everyone has been obsessed with this television adaption of the zombie killing comic book. I mean how many of us have wanted to pump a zombie full of lead just because Deputy Rick Grimes makes it so easy…Well it looks likeJakks Pacific is jumping on the gravy train and delivering a new Plug It In & Play TV game called The Walking Dead Deluxe TV Game. While we aren’t big fans of the Big Buck Hunter games but we are perfectly fine with killing zombies.

Read More at ChipChick

It was once said that if a phone or tablet used a stylus its hardware designers had blown it. It was also said that if the software on that device contained a task manager that coders had similarly missed the mark. The Samsung Galaxy Note on AT&T contains what many would consider a stylus and, if you hold down the Home button, you’re presented with what can only be described as a task manager.

So the Galaxy Note, Samsung’s massive 5.3-inch “superphone,” is critically flawed then, right? No. It is, in fact, one of the best phones to hit the market since another Samsung powerhouse — the Galaxy Nexus. It’s a device with a lot to love and is the kind of phone that would make almost every Android aficionado swoon. However, with its massive 5.3-inch display and generally understated styling, it isn’t for everybody. We reviewed it before in European guise, but now read on to see if AT&T’s $300 LTE version of this big brute is just right for you.

Read More at Engadget

Want to hear a great idea? Let your kids roll their Hot Wheels all over your iPad! Thanks to anti-scratch wheels on the Mattel Hot Wheels Apptivity cars, that’s not as terrible of an idea as it sounds. The cars are automatically recognized when put on the iPad while the free Hot Wheels Apptivity app is running, allowing kids to mix physical playtime with digital playtime – a rarity. The app features three different kinds of racing games, which are played by the kids using the cars on the iPad, using the touchscreen as a (very expensive) play mat. The racing games are standard but fun fare, including a competitive racing game and a Mario Kart-like racer with power-up weapons to fire at opponents.

Read More at ChipChick

We’ve been following the onslaught of AirPlay / Bluetooth speaker systems in recent months, carefully combing through the prospects to find the true contenders. We were recently impressed by Klipsch’s Gallery G-17 Air and now we’ve given the JBL OnBeat Xtreme a testdrive. This beast is step up from the regular ol’ OnBeat dock, both in stature and cost. Priced a cool $500… it’s sandwiched between the pricey B&W Zeppelin Air and the more modest iHome iW1. So is the JBL dock extreme enough to warrant a purchase? We’ve been blasting beats through this bad boy for a fortnight, so read on to find out if you should snatch one up for yourself.

Read More at Engadget

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You can bid farewell to the days of Apple’s theatrical OS reveals — at least until OS 11 rears its head, anyway. In the meantime, the outfit has seemingly been content to strip away more and more pomp and circumstance with every subsequent big cat release. Lately, the company has settled into an evolutionary release schedule, eschewing full-fledged makeovers in favor of packing in lots of smaller changes, many of them quite granular indeed. It’s a trend that can be traced as far back as 2009′s OS X Snow Leopard (10.6), a name designed to drive home the point that the upgrade wasn’t so much a reinvention of the wheel as a fine tuning of its predecessor, Leopard.

The arrival of Lion (10.7), though, marked a full upgrade. With features like Launchpad and Mission Control, it seemed like it might be the last version Cupertino dropped before finally pulling the trigger on operating system number 11, and perhaps transitioning to something with an even stronger iOS influence. Right now, at least, the company’s not ready to close the book on chapter X, but it is giving the world a first peek at 10.8. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Mountain Lion.

Read More at Engadget

Officially Ends the ‘Are We There Yet?’ Era

This Bluetooth in-car speakerphone packs a punch against other makers out there.  Jabra sent us this recently released 2012 Jabra Journey and we gave it a try out.

The Jabra Journey comes complete with the in-car speakerphone, USB cable and car charger.  With it’s stylish black and sleek design the Jabra Journey easily clips on your car visor.  Jabra Journey’s voice guidelines first help you pair with your phone, the device pairs with any Bluetooth enabled phone.  You can pair up to two devices simultaneously.

The features are tremendous! The on/off switch has also an automatic timer after 10 minutes for sleep mode and turns back on using its motion sensor.  To answer or end a call there is a tap button that would face you as you are driving, also you can use your voice saying “Answer” or “Ignore”.  To make a call the phone will automatically transfer to the speakerphone or use your voice tapping the voice button and by activating the “Voice Dial” function on your phone.  Other features include adjustable voice buttons, mute on/off and a redail function.

Battery gives you up to 20 hours talk-time and up to 45 days of standby time, the USB cable and car charger is useful to keep on the move if you have an available USB port.

Some additional features to point out are the ability to transfer music and GPS Voice directions which I think are cool features.

Jabra Journey Bluetooth Speakerphone“Jabra Journey Brand New Includes One Year Warranty, The Jabra Journey is the revolutionary Bluetooth in-car speakerphone that is equipped with HD Voice microphone technology.

Before you know it, the iPhone will be replacing not just musical instruments, but their accessories too. That is just what is happening with Harman’s new iStomp, which is the world’s first effects pedal that can be programmed with any sound. It’s also a stomp box that has the ability to transform into a pedal by connecting it to your iPhone, or iPad, or iPod Touch. That means that musicians will be able to change to produce everything from a distortion to a reverb, a phaser to a tube overdrive, or a delay to a chorus, all with this stompbox for the iPhone, and it’s done with the touch of a button.

Read more at ChipChick

Passed by the Jabra booth at CES 2012 to find a guy running on the treadmill wearing one of the Jabra Sport Wireless Bluetooth Stereo headsets.  As some of you know, I’m an avid runner and just had to try this out, and thanks to Jabra we managed to get our hands on one for review.

The package comes with the headset, 3 comfort EarGels, and it’s AC charger.  We found the Jabra Sport to be incredibly lightweight. It is US Military Grade dust, rain and shock proof.  Easy to adjust and put on, no issues with EarGel sizes.  The headset comes with a FM radio with a button on the rightside ear, volume controls located just above, and a play and pause button just above the EarGel bud itself.  The yellow band linking the headset comes in yellow and places behind the lower back of your neck.

The Jabra Sport comes with Bluetooth technology which enables you to take calls via all phone devices, Android, iPhone, Blackberry and others.  The Mutiuse allows for 2 Bluetooth devices to be connected simultaneously.  You can listen to your music with the bass sound and wind noise protection through your iPhone, iPod, iPad and other MP3′s.  Lasts up to 4.5hrs of talk-time and 3hrs music play.

Finally, there is a free download of the Endomondo Sports Tracker, a fitness tracking app.

I found it cheaper for you at UnbeatableSale.com Jabra 100 55400000 02 Sport Corded Stereo Headset, retailed at $99.99

[source] Jabra Sport

It’s not fair. There are so many people who don’t need an iPhone/iPod dock that are now going to have no choice but to buy another one. Thank Kitsound for creating these unrelentingly adorablePanda and Koala iPhone/iPod docks. An iPhone or iPod sticks right into the stomach of the bear of your choice, but if you’re not an Apple fan, don’t despair! A 3.5 mm auxiliary jack on the back makes these speakers compatible with just about any device capable of playing mp3s.

Read More at ChipChick

The PureGear PX360 case is for the iPhone 4/4S users that like to rock climb or are in extreme conditions. We decided to give this iPhone case a review after meeting with the PureGear team at CES 2012.

The package comes enclosed with the rugged case, carabiner, a utility tool and the reusable bag for when you use the PX360 on the beach.  The PX360 case comes in black with a hint of green where the carabiner would usually hold your iPhone.   The Carabiner is used to attach your PX360 to your backpack or belt.  The utility tool included is an all-in-one wrench, bottle opener, kickstand for the case and a ruler.

Back to the case itself, its not thick and bulky like the OtterBox, To put the iPhone into the case you use the utility tool (wrench) to unscrew and or tighten the 6 small bolts located on the face of the PX360, just don’t lose the utility tool.  The volume controls are these nice small steel buttons, custom molding for the charging slot, and with easy access to the on/off button and an opening for the camera viewer, headphone jack and mute switch.

No information on when this is expected to be available, except this 2012.

[source] PureGear

The Energizer iSurge Travel Charging Station isn’t just the ultimate travelling accessory, but it’s the ultimate nightstand and kitchen accessory. This clever charging station plugs into any regular wall outlet and features a charging dock for iPhones and iPods as well as three AC outlets, a side USB port, and even a nightlight on the underside.

Energizer’s iSurge Charging Station is such a simple concept, and yet so very smart. Is it an iPhone/iPod charging dock that plugs straight into the wall? Or is it just an all out charging hub with nightlight? Whatever it is, it’s great for traveling and having around the house. Plug outlets can be sparse, especially at hotels, and these days even the tech-adverse have multiple items that require power.

The three AC Outlets (all three-prong) are surge protected. On the side is a USB port which powers devices at 1 amp. Next to the USB port is a switch for the built in underglow nightlight. The nightlight glows white across a clear strip; it just happens to look blue in our pictures. The three-prong plug on the back of iSurge swivels 180 degrees. The swiveling is pretty stiff, which keeps the iSurge in place in any orientation. The fine print in the directions says not to plug the iSurge into another surge protector.

The dock on the top of iSurge features Apple’s 30 pin charging connector, which is compatible with all iPhones and iPods. Though the box says the compatibility applies for iPod Touch (3rd and 4th Gen), iPod Nano (6th Gen), iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4, and 4S, the iSurge had no problem charging our 2nd Gen iPod Nano. The compatibility may be based on which charging plates are included with the dock. There are three plastic charging plates that just provide a better fit for the Apple device. With the charging plate removed, iSurge can dock and charge iPhones and iPods with thin cases. There were only two design issues we had with iSurge. First, the plug sticks out the back of the device and is not retractible, this could be more travel-efficient. The other gripe is that the dock makes iPhones and iPods stand slightly forward, whereas it’s way easier to view and use if the device were tilted slightly backward. Other than that the iSurge worked wonders, especially in the kitchen.

The Energizer iSurge Charging Station is a simple device that’s easy to use. Around here, there’s no shortage of devices that need charging, so it has really come in handy. Unfortunately most plug outlets are usually near the floor. The better places for iSurge around the household is kitchens, nightstands, bathrooms, and offices. It costs $49.99 from BestBuy and could very well pay itself off over time.

The Good: Handy, Smart Design, Included USB Port, NightLight, Accommodates iDevices with Thin Cases

The Bad: Not Supposed to Plug into Other Surge Protectors, iPhone Leans Forward When Docked, No Way to Hide Plug on Back for Portability Purposes

Energizer iSurge Charging StationCharge your Apple iPod , iPhone or other device with this Energizer iSurge 8091799 all-in-one charging station that features a 30-pin charging dock, 3 surge-protected AC outlets and a USB charging port.

At CES 2012 just passing through the crowds when we got stopped by Kelsey representing PureGear said to come on by and check out their product line up.  I got to to try out the screen shield kit for the iPhone 4/4S.

I hadn’t got around to protecting my iPhone 4 screen just yet, and last week I recently dropped my iPod nano and completly shattered my screen! Grrrrr!  So when Apple told me iPhone 4/4S models are not covered with the limited warrenty, I figured I should do everything I can to protect mine.

This product is a one time use only, like most screen shield kits. It’s really easy to use, open the box, you have the simple instructions clearly explaining step-by-step (a step-by-step video) how to prepare your iPhone for protection.  Simply I cleaned the screen with the cloth provided, dropped it tightly inside the self-aligning application tray and took the roller and slowly & firmly rolled over the phone screen, done! nothing else to it.

Bubble-free appearance, no defects, perfectly straight too.  I hoped to be able to then go over the back with the roller kit next, but it’s not available.  PureGear should consider this innovation to figure out a way to do both sides, there are many other manufacturers out there already doing this, but without the roller.

You can pick this up from NewEgg for $24.99, see below where you can buy.

[source] PureGear

PureGear PureTek Roll-On Screen Protector Kit for iPhone 4/4SThe first ultimate device protection made simple with patented application tray and roller. Fastest error-free application tray Ensures perfect alignment Instant bubble-free appearance No need to pay extra costs for application Compatible with Apple iPhone 4 (GSM), iPhone 4 (CDMA), iPhone 4S Type: Kit Compatibility: Apple iPhone 4 / Apple iPhone 4S

At the sound of “Bottle Opener Case” I cringed for my iPhone; I figured it was just a quirky gimmick begging to destroy my iPhone. I was wrong. The Opena Case is a solid iPhone 4/4S case with nice protection, sturdy construction, and superior bottle opening skills. It even looks awesome.

The Opena Case (Australian for “Opener Case”) is the only iPhone case on the market with a slide-out bottle opener. The case itself is just one piece. The plastic enclosure is very tough and durable. With some pressure, iPhone snaps right in. All corners are covered with iPhone’s top and bottom ports completely exposed. There is a cutout for the volume buttons and the lock button. The lock button, headphone jack, and charging port are all very accessible while the lock button and toggle switch are recessed and trickier to access.

From the inside of the case you can see the slide-out bottle opener mechanism. There is a slot running down the back of the case where you use your finger to slide the opener out the bottom of the case. The finger hole beautifully lines up with the Apple logo, when recessed. When the opener is slid down the apple logo is again exposed. It’s a really neat design that highlights your Apple (as if people don’t know it’s an iPhone)

The bottle opener snaps securely into place when it’s recessed or extended out. When it’s extended, you can use your phone/case as leverage for opening those tight-lipped bottles. It works perfectly. When recessed, the bottle opener would never slide out on it’s own. The sliding mechanism is very sturdy and tough, as is the actual opener. This is apparent from just holding the case in-hand. It’s got a nice heft to it. It’s not an unreasonable amount of weight and it’s comfortable to hold. The raised contours in the back of the case gives it an ergonomic feel. Our only gripe with design is that the smooth plastic can be a bit slippery.

The Opena Case definitely works as an everyday case… as well as an everyday bottle opener. From our experience, it puts iPhone in no harm (aside from all the drunk texting you may do). It provides suitable protection for your iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S (all carriers), in a durable, comfortable, and trendy-looking package. We would, however, recommend using a screen protector as it doesn’t offer much protection to iPhone’s face. The Opena Case phone would surely be the life of the party, for better or for worse. It can be purchased from OpenaCase.com in black or white for $39.95 AUD (about $43 USD).

The Good: Comfortable, Durable, Well-Built, Sturdy Bottle Opener, Highlights Apple Logo, Looks Cool.

The Bad: Volume and Vibrate Tricky to Access, Hefty, Not a lot of iPhone Face Protection.

[via] ChipChick by Scott Schaen

The GoPano Micro is a really cool iPhone accessory.  I originally took a look at his product at the CES 2012 with the team at the GoPano booth. Apparently last year when they first released the project in 2011 it was funded by Kickstarter and sold really well, now we got an update from them.

The GoPano comes with a snap closing case which you can use on your iPhone 4 or 4S as an everyday case and enclosed also you will find the funnel shaped video scope which you attach to the back of the iPhone case.  All that’s needed to do is put the case on your iPhone 4 or 4S and attach the video scope and then go to the Apple Appstore and download the free iPhone app.

For the app, the company is planning an update soon that will add some social sharing options. Already, the app will upload 360 degree video to the main GoPano.com site, which it would like to be seen as “The YouTube of 360.” These videos don’t need an iPhone or any special software to be viewed, so while the original video may be warped (the lens basically shoots a circle of video on the iPhone’s screen, and must be put through the company’s software to be seen correctly) users can both save and share their videos online through the main site.

The app will be updated in a few weeks, however, and that update will bring options to send the videos directly to Twitter, Facebook, or services like Dropbox, so we’ll see more 360 videos than ever online. There will be a Facebook app for embedding the 360 videos, too. “The goal,” according to the rep from EyeSee360, is to eventually “take it to broadcast” television, so the company was also showing off a prototype version of a full lens made for a high-end Red camera as well.

The quality of the video after I tried it out the first time seemed a little low, but that’s just because your expanding your view to 360 degrees which is expected.  I love it, I am thinking to try it out at the first Montreal Impact FC game at the Olympic Stadium, look out for it in an update soon.  There is a lot you can do with this invention.

Finally, you can pick this up from $79.95 from GoPano

[Source] GoPano Micro

In case you haven’t noticed, Philips is in the business of speaker docks. Philips.com has revealed yet another dock, the DS6100, made with desktops in mind. Aesthetics were evidently a chief consideration with this dock – the sleek, aluminum body was designed specifically with the appearance of Apple products in mind, so your new device won’t stick out like a sore thumb and ruin the vibes in your own personal Apple shrine.

The dock has an auxiliary jack for headphones or other devices for the Apple uninitiated. The speakers themselves are made with neodymium speakers, which cut down on distortion and demagnetize more slowly, which should keep the sound quality pristine for a longer amount of time than other speakers.

[via] ChipChick.com by Chance Kinney

I’ll skip the obvious anti-mainstream hipster jokes, and get to the point – this camera is for the old at heart who love the beautiful imperfections that arise from using low-tech gear. Lomography cameras are basically analog cameras that produce pictures rife with blurring, odd coloring, and light leaks. The result is an Instagram photo minus the Instagram.

This particular camera looks like it’s been pulled straight out of a certain 1990s Will Smith movie, with a brassy, steampunk feel to it. The giant flash bulb brings back images of the paparazzi of yesteryear, which will definitely be reflected in the technical quality of the pictures generated. But, to each their own, and if this style of photography is your thing (and there are certainly some mesmerizing lomography photos out there), you might as well do it in style.

The La Sardina Belle Starr is on sale from the lomography site for about $250. There are bundles including film for the camera, as well.

[via] Chipchick by Chance Kinney

YouTube and Justin.tv have made setting up your own mini-television channel a breeze. But one Ustream.tv partner recently upped the ante by making live video broadcasts as simple as turning your camera on.

The Live Shell is a device that allows you to stream live video to Ustream without the use of a PC. All you need is a camera and the Live Shell unit, which you attach to your camera, and you can start reporting live to the Internet (via Ustream) from any location. The device itself connects to the Internet via WiFi, Ethernet or mobile router, but that’s about as hard as the set-up gets. The device only needs three double-A batteries to operate for up to three hours and goes on sale soon for just $299 here.

You can see the Live Shell in action in the video below (it’s all in Japanese, but you can get an idea of the simplicity of use just by watching).

[via] Dvice

The Jawbone Up had ample time to establish its fitness calculating credibility and cool points, but now Nike has joined the race and, in typical fashion, their version of the wrist band activity monitor is just cooler than the rest.

The Nike+ FuelBand uses an accelerometer to help you track calories, steps, time and “NikeFuel” (the company’s branded method for gauging physical activity). You can set goals or just passively track how active you are via the embedded LED and associatediPhone app and Nike website. Selling for $149, you can see the FuelBand in action in the video below.

[via] Dvice