Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Master Replicas, makers of high quality and kinda pricey collectibles, is now offering two ComiCon exclusives to registered members of their Collector’s Society: the Darth Maul Double-Bladed Force FX Lightsaber Signature Edition (signed by Darth Maul actor Ray Park), and the Han Solo Chrome Edition Blaster. The Lightsaber is limited to 500 pieces ($300) and 3,000 for the Blaster ($45). Membership in the MR Collector’s Society is $59.95 per year. Now you can really scare the crap out of some kids this Halloween impress the nerdy ones.

Read [Master replicas]

The next International CES (Consumer Electronics Expo), where hundreds of electronics companies show off their latest and greatest products, will take place January 8-11, 2007 in Las Vegas, NV.

There are more than 175 sessions to choose from, under broad categories that include Digital Hollywood, Mobile Entertainment, VoIP Summit, Market Trends, Mobile Broadband & Content and Robotics Professional Development.

Passes can be ordered online through the CES website.

Read on for the pass options.

· Ultimate Pass: $799 advance; $999 on-site
Includes all CES Knowledge Track, Digital Hollywood, CES Mobile Entertainment and CES Game Power sessions

· Full Knowledge Track Pass: $499 advance; $699 on-site
Includes all CES Knowledge Track and Digital Hollywood sessions

· Hollywood Express Pass: $699 advance; $899 on-site
Includes Digital Hollywood, CES Game Power Showcase and CES Mobile Entertainment sessions

· Exhibits Plus Pass: FREE in advance; $200 on-site
Access to exhibit show floor, keynotes, SuperSessions and more than 60 conference sessions

· Single Session Pass: $179 advance; $279 on-site

Register on or before December 29 to get a free Exhibits Plus pass or expect to pay $200 more to peep the goods.

Read [CES]

It’s an oldie but a goodie. Use the Gizoolge site to search as you would on regular ol’ Google and it will translate the site into Snoop Speak. Check out the translator’s new name for this site: “Gadgetell - The Tech Nizzews, Reviews, N Pimpin’ Sippin’ Blizzog.” Never have truer words been auto-generated.

Read [Gizoogle]
Gizoodled Gadgetell

Samsung along with LG and Acer were all strong-hold Blu-Ray players. We has recently seen Acer and LG try to develop dual Blu-Ray/HD-DVD drives and now Samsung has seemed to lessen their devotion.

The Korean company has added an HD-DVD player (and possibly recorder) on their M55 notebook computers—the world’s thinnest and lightest 17-inch widescreen notebook. Other notebook specs include a 256MB Nvidia GeForce 7600 Go graphics card, 120GB hard drive, 802.11 a/b/g wireless connectivity, Bluetooth 2.0, inputs and outputs galore, including HDMI, and powered by an Intel T2500 Core Duo processor.

Is the format battle already dieing down?

Read [Pocket Lint] Via [EngadgetHD]

Intel’s next-generation laptop chip (the next gen “Centrino,” the Santa Rosa package) will have an integrated 3G HSDPA chip from Nokia and improved graphics support for Windows Vista.

Santa Rosa, set to arrive in Q1/Q2 of ‘07, blends the Core 2 Duo processor with a new chipset called Crestline that comes with support for the company’s Active Management Technology (AMT) and improved graphics performance as well as the 802.11n wireless standard. There will also be an ultra-low voltage chip based around the same architecture for UMPCs at the same time.

Read [Silicon.com]

HP has gone public with plans to purchase Voodoo PC.  Voodoo PC will be included under the HP’s Personal Systems Group, whose primary focus is gaming.  So what’s happening to the co-owners, you might ask.  “VoodooPC co-owner Rahul Sood will become chief technologist for the unit and co-owner Ravi Sood will become the unit’s director of strategy.” Also, HP has stated they will maintain the Voodoo PC brand, current distribution model and brand name along with its marketing, sales, support and development operations.  It’s good to hear they’re not going to go right in a collapse the branding.  This reminds me of a tale...one between Dell and Alienware from a few months back.  Remember that?

Via [Infectious Greed]

So the Zune will cost $249.99 but what about the must have, long list of accessories...check ‘em out:

• Zune AV Output Cable: Connects to a TV or stereo for $19.99.


• Zune AC Adapter: power for $29.99.


• Zune Sync Cable: Connects to your PC or AC Adapter for $19.99.


• Zune Car Charger: Works with the FM Tuner for $24.99.


• Zune Dock: For Syncing or displaying next to your TV when using the AV Output Cable for $39.99.


• Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock: self explanatory, but you may need the on-screen menu as well to see the menus $29.99.


• Zune Dual Connect Remote: An in-line remote that hooks up to your Zune and your headphones for $29.99.


• Zune FM transmitter with AutoSeek: AM, FM, XM, Sirius, and ZM...Zune radio? (once your transmit it over) $69.99.


• Zune Gear Bag: A bag for $29.99.


• Zune Premium Earphones: Admitting that it comes with crappy headphones for $39.99.

And remember, these are only the first party accessories, just wait till Belkin, Griffin, DLO...you get the point...get their hands of the Zune.

Read [Microsoft] Via [Gizmodo]

I mean seriously guys, we’re all really pleased that you’re admitting to your mistakes, but can’t you get the batteries right the first time?  After Dell, Apple, and Panasonic’s leads, Lenovo and IBM have announced plans to recall approximately 526,000 ThinkPad batteries - Sony ones of course.  Why are they doing this all of a sudden?  Well, that’s because 1 computer caught fire at Los Angeles International Airport yesterday.  I have to say Lenovo, I respect you.  I mean, it took Dell what - 6 exploding batteries to do a recall?  All I have left to say is Sony, are you just messin’ with us?

Photo courtesy Reuters.

Read [Reuters] Via [Gizmodo]

Product: Inka Pen and PDA stylus
Price: $89.95
Pros: Very Portable, extremely convenient, key ring attachment, titanium body, writes underwater, writes upside down
Cons: unless you expand pen it will be uncomfortable,
Overall: You can’t go wrong with a thing like this. If your in the market for a durable long lasting pen don’t bother with your Monte Blanc’s, not even a simple Bic will do. Whatever you might thinka...just grab this Inka

No bigger than 2 inches, this pen sits quietly in your pocket - or attached to your key ring. Its titanium base and black covering give it a sleek stylish look.  Created to feel comfortable and be extremely convenient, the Inka titanium pen is an number one priority for travelers, writers, or just about anyone who might have a stroke of genius at the most in opportune moments. Whether you’re high above sea level in the Himalayas, or level with the sea floor this pen will continue to produce.  The ink cartridge sitting inside your pen has been created in a pressurized chamber surely to prevent air bubbles from forming, this will leave your last pen stroke looking as crisp as your first.  So if your putting in a journal entry on top of Mt. Vesuvius, or taking notes on the ocean floor, Inka knows how important your information is.

Read on for more about the Inka Pen.

The pen also doubles as a stylus, having a stylus on you whenever you need one will hopefully discourage you from using your fingers to attempt at accessing your PDA’s documents.

I’ve had this pen for about three weeks now and I use it every single day. 9 times out of 10 most people don’t have a pen when they need it most. Being able to simply pull the pen out whenever I’m in mood to jot down a note is a fantastic feeling. Those of you who rely on your notes and not your memory would agree.  Now if only I had paper on me at all times…

Having a pen on you is great, if you don’t lose it. The Inka pen is small so it could be easy to misplace, which is why they added an option keyring to it. My advice is to attach it to your car keys or something you have at all times...ie: wallet, blackberry, coffee.

It can hit you at 3 in morning, during rush hour traffic, or even in the shower. The perfect business proposal, your anniversary date, or a funny joke. At any moment a thought might hit you...will you be prepared?

It’s the perfect gift for the the D&D fan in your family. This 12 in. stuffed 20-sided die produced by Toy Vault not only works but also won’t easily be swallowed or flushed by your little sister, ... although your dog might mistake it for a chew toy. It’s so simple, so silly and so stupid, you’ll wonder why you never asked your mom to make you one.  Head over to Paizo and pick yourself up a a huge die today for just $26.96.

Read [Paizo]