Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Ever felt like simulating what life would be like on a shoddy tugboat crossing the Atlantic? No, of course you didn’t…but in-case you want the ‘rocking’ feeling and don’t have the cash or time to hop on the boat well check out the N702is 3G phones in Japan on NTT DoCoMo. They come with a built in screen saver that actually looks like water. Tilt it one way and the ‘water’ shifts. Throw in the meniscus and you’ve got yourself what appears to be a tall drink of water. It simulates water but that isn’t the only thing it does..c’mon did you really think the Japanese phone companies would create a useless product…..? The genius of this screen-saver is that water rises and falls depending on the amount of battery life your phone has. Batter close to the end, your water level will drop like the Bay of Fundy.

read [CrunchGear]

In our busy world where continuous communication is a must it surprises me that it took this long for a company to come out with a fully waterproof cellphone. The Sony Ericsson SO902iWP comes equipped with a 1.3 mega-pixel camera. C’mon a waterproof phone with a camera…I have been waiting for this almost as long as I’ve been waiting for a pen that writes underwater (more on that in my next post).

So why should we care about a phone that is waterproof? Who actually needs to make calls in the shower, the jacuzzi, or the hotel swimming pool…. Do I really have to get into it? This very basic looking phone with a “creamsicle” color scheme to it has not yet been release in America but has since launched in Japan. So this begs the question, what are the Japanese doing that their market lends itself for a demand of waterproof phones?

Read [Gizomodo]

From tattoos to body piercings, we all do things to make ourselves different than everyone else. Take one look around Central Park in New York and you will see just how different we all are… So you may be asking yourself, “What if I’m the type who cringes at needles and would rather die of humiliation then dye my hair?”  How can you be different without having to permanently look different. The answer can be found on your chest…and at your favorite concert hall. The “T-Qualizer Music T-shirt” could be your haven for the individuality that you seek. With a built in music sensor and a 1980s retro-colored equalizer logo, you’re ready to hit the streets. As your walking and you come in contact to music or any constant noise, your shirt will react and the equalizers will literally fluctuate in an upward and downward motion. Made from 100 percent cotton and with a detachable battery pack (for washing safety) you can have your shirt do the dancing for you.

Read [Crazy About Gadgets]

In the world we live in security is important. We lock our houses, cars, and double check our pockets for personal belongings. But what about those times when you can’t be home with your family or when your away and your out of the office? If you work from home or have a small business maybe a security network system is too expensive. The idea of wiring your house with fiber-optics or creating a whole secret security system in your closet might scare you away from the whole idea.

Swann, housed out of Australia, has created a line of cameras catered to securing your home, office, or other places of business. Setup was as easy as 1,2…I ran into a problem, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. Swann’s helpful customer service had me saying 1,2…3 before I knew it. A simple connection from the camera to your router or modem few configurations and you’re good to go.

The camera comes with it’s own SD slot so you can store loads of information everyday, as well as room on the company’s website allows you to automatically store information. My favorite function was the motion sensor and their strong night vision. Even in a pitch black room the camera was able to pick up any movement. The 640x488 pixels made for a clear picture and the 160x120, 320x240 made for a clear video. The built in microphone was extremely sensitive, picking up every sound which was a good thing however often times the sensitivity of it muffled some sounds. 

One of the most important functions of a security camera or any security working in your favor is the ability to constantly check up on what is being guarded. With Swann’s Max-IP cam you can log in and check out in real time whatever is being watched. A TV-out jack allows you to complete your security system by giving you the option to plug your camera into any television.
With so many functions and features this camera is a great alternative to ultra expensive security systems.

That’s right I said it and I’ll say it again. All wanna be DJ’s get out your iPods and get to work. Gemini has made its fashionably late entrance into the world of digital iPod DJ’s with their iTrax. Simply pop in two iPods filled with your favorite music and push play. A crossfader and microphone jack will give you the real feel for what being a DJ is like. A fun idea for those who already own 2 iPods. Come to think of it, if you actually own 2 iPods then you either have zero concept for the value of a dollar or have the worst case of impulse shopping known to mankind.  Either case, your diminished sense of the US dollar or your insane impulse shopping woes may not keep you from picking up this new toy. After all for the asking price tag of $230 you might as well purchase a third iPod.

Read [Engadget]

Product: Ultrasone DJ1 Pro Headphones
Price: $239.99
Rating: Average - 6.75/10
Pros: Comfortable earpieces with independent left and right volume controls. Extra cords, ear cups, audio jack adaptors, and more are included.
Cons: Earpieces come off easily, sound not consistent from various sources
Overall: For the price you are getting a great product package but we experience sub-par sound quality from some sources but did appreciate the noise reduction and comfort.

Design - 7 - A very comfortable headphone which is extremely important regardless of if you are listening to music at home, or working as a DJ. The colors are simple and the soft earpieces feel great on the ears. Not only are the ear pieces comfortable but the fit on your head is unlike any I’ve felt. A tight grip allows you to rock out right along with the music. These headphones are also designed to protect your hearing. With a built in Natural surround sound system you are getting a 40% lower db output all the while not losing the same loud rockin attitude.

Performance - 6 -  At first I was amazed with how great the headphones sounded. Like a symphony in my head I was excited to hear the next song. During a party I DJ’ed they worked great but on a separate mixer the sound was a little weaker. I’ve used other headphones and these have an excellent sound coming out of them. The fact that you can adjust the sound to either ear is a definite advantage to some. Overall I was disappointed in the lack of consistency between mixers I plugged the headphones into (my Sony 700’s had the same output each time).

Features - 7.5 -  These headphones are durable and just in case your about as wild with your equipment as you are with your parties do not fear. UltraSone has provided you with extra ear pieces as well as coiled cord. Not a DJ, not a problem with a 3.5 mm mini-phone stereo you can enjoy these headphones no matter where you are. So plug them into your mp3 player or into your laptop. Either way your looking ultra stylish in UltraSones DJ1 Pro Headphones.

Editors note - The categories were rated in the following manner to calculate the final rating: Design 30%, Performance 40%, and Features 30%.

We all know about the One Laptop per Child program (OLPC) that is running around the world, and if you have no idea what I’m talking about well…WAKE UP! OLPC is a program in which companies develop laptops for $100 $130. This will allow students around third world countries to enhance their education via emailing pen pals, watching videos or surfing the web. Great right? Well what if these countries lack the necessary power to run the Internet. How much can a child learn from PowerPoint or excel spreadsheets if they can’t attach them to pictures, or their favorite downloaded songs. The point is, in countries where finding a viable source of power is limited it is often difficult to provide these children or families with the full performance they deserve. A cable based Internet maybe prove faulty and well wireless can only go as far the power takes it…at least it used to. Introducing Green WiFi, otherwise known as Solar Powered WiFi. Created by Bruce Balkie and Marc Pomerleau, owners of the non-profit organization Green Wi-Fi, their earth friendly creation is a new cheaper alternative that can accommodate those countries who lack the necessary power to run their computers.

How does it work? Read on…

Each node in the network consists of a battery-powered router and a solar panel to charge the battery. The nodes are mounted on rooftops, and the network’s Wi-Fi signals are transferred over a grid using a wireless network standard known as 802.11b/g.

The idea is great and it can help the more economically struggling parts of the world by providing them with the same benefits we have and might I add, take for granted. The casing for battery and panels are designed to withstand the variety of climate changes it might encounter. The solar panel is strong enough that it could keep the Internet powered for over a month with minimal light. This is surely an incredible product that will positively impact the rest of the world.

Read [News]

At last the multimedia world has found a way to make the most boring sport just a little more exciting. No, they haven’t added exploding golf balls to the PGA or put live alligators in the water. But with Nokia’s new N93 gold edition, a day shooting 18 holes or putting on the green will keep you from putting yourself out of your own misery or shooting yourself. Since Nokia is the official sponsor of both the 2006 and 2007 European PGA tour those in attendance can check out this new mobile masterpiece. This is multimedia art at its finest.  With 3X optical zoom and shooting at 30 frames per second it is like having DVD like quality in your hand , a 3.2 mega-pixel camera, and phone plus Internet communication. Take home your video and with the included Adobe Premiere elements software you can burn your own DVD’s. However, if you’re in the mood to “rough” it, the N93 is equipped with capabilities allowing you to plug into the TV or computer.

Great so the phone is hot but how will it help my golf swing?

I’m glad you asked! The N93 golf edition is equipped with Nokias very own golf-tailored viewfinder to capture your perfect swing. If your at the links with your boss but don’t want to tell him he or she stinks, or you’re desperately trying to save your own behind email the video or send a multimedia message to your friend Tiger. After quickly analyzing that swing you’ll be sure to say hello promotion and bye bye birdie…well whatever comes first.

Available online from today in 15 countries across Europe as well as distributors such as golf clubs and regular Nseries retail channels. The Nokia N93 Golf Edition includes a Nokia N93 multimedia computer, the Pro Session Golf by Nokia application, a 1GB miniSD memory card, a golf instruction DVD as well as a Get Started guide.

Via [Mobiledia]

Motorola and Burton Snowboards have teamed up to expand their joint line of Audex wearable electronics. Well before Winter in the States but, already unveiled at the 2006 Burton New Zealand Open Snowboarding Championships the 2007 line of Audex jackets and headgear are sure to lure any mountain lover back to high altitudes and low temperatures.

The new line of Audex Bluetooth stereo jackets allows you to wirelessly download music from a Bluetooth enabled phone directly to your jacket. With the built in DJ speakers and headphone jack on the hood you’re able to both listen to music and make phone calls. So when your treading down the mountains and your getting an incoming calls just press down on a button located on your jacket’s sleeve and you will connect instantly to your conversation.

For those colder days when wearing a helmet or a beanie is necessary to protect and warm your noggin, Audex has created a new line of Bluetooth headgear. Just like the jacket, the headgear is Bluetooth compatible so you don’t have to stop mid 360 to say hello to mom. With two new styles of helmets as well as a beanie both Burton and Motorola know how to keep you looking cool all the while keeping you warm.

Via [Textually]

I don’t know about all of you, but writing outside is something I enjoy and until recently the matte finish has hindered this experience, unless I sat in direct shade. Well…needless to say, this article is being written while I am sitting outside in my backyard.

For those of you, like me, who bought your notebooks before the new high-gloss polymer has become the standard you need not worry. I purchased my Toshiba Satellite 2 years ago and I fell in love with it. Little did I know, two weeks later a newer version of my notebook was introduced with one upgrade/change—a gorgeous truebrite, high gloss screen. My friends you no longer have to sit around squinting and adjusting the screen to see. A company called ScreenTek located in Houston, Texas specializes in this particular type of notebook face lift and for $100 your LCD can look just like mine.

After meeting with with Kevin Bailey, ScreenTek’s director of marketing, at a New York technology trade show, he told me about the process. First they inspect the notebook to make sure it works properly, they then remove the LCD screen and test it again with their equipment, then using a machine called a delaminator they remove the matte finish, and the last step brings your LCD into a class 100 clean room environment to ensure no dust particles get onto your new high-gloss polymer glass screen when applied.

ScreenTek was able to do something that other companies strive to do, provide trust. Before I even sent out my notebook Kevin assured me the process was safe and my notebook would return to me in the same condition they received it. Their service was quick and effective. In a nut shell, Screentek’s quick turnaround and great service has provided me with a new look to my notebook. The only negative is, if you don’t like the super cool look you’re stuck with it. But Screentek will change it back for an additional fee.

Before the process outside in the sun

After the process outside in the sun

After the process inside (compare this image to the first image in the post)