Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Trying new stuff sometimes just doesn’t work, especially when it is embedded into society and is in the hearts and minds of some of the most loyal people in the world (i.e. geeks!).  So why, oh why, would you want to redesign the keyboard?  The history, the tradition and the time learning to type on it are three things that no previous attempt have been able to overcome, but nevertheless μTRON have tried and the result is at no less than interesting.

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You may remember the slightly odd Thanko Hot Cooler USB Keyboard which warmed/cooled your hands whilst you typed, which could be in some circumstances quite good.  Well, undeterred they have moved to mouses (yes, that is the plural of a computer mouse) and mouse mats with the “USB Warm mouse” and “USB Warm Mousemat.“  Unfortunately, it would appear that they still haven’t sacked the guy who names these things, as they are as unimaginative as ever.

However the awful naming does make my life a little easier: it is fairly obvious what they do.  The mouse version is a basic optical mouse that connects to your PC through USB and comes in a range of colors such as black, black, black or black (seriously, I’ve seen paving slabs more imaginative than this company).  The only clever thing about this mouse is the heater inside it, operated by a little switch about 10cm up the wire which can reach temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius.

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Crutchfield is currently offering the Sony Mylo COM-2 for just $199, which comes along with free shipping.  Although the Mylo COM-2 is typically available in either white or black, this deal applies only to the black model.

The Mylo COM-2 is branded as an “Internet Device” and offers a nice way to get online, that is assuming you have a Wi-Fi connection available.  Bottom line, $199 is not a bad price for a device that was introduced less than a year ago and originally sold for $299.  Of course, with Wi-Fi being included into more and more devices these days, the small form factor of the Mylo COM-2 is making it much less desirable than it was just a year ago.

The Mylo COM-2 features a 3.5-inch display with an 800 x 480 resolution, a back-lit slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 1.3-megapixel camera and 1GB of internal memory with support for additional storage via Memory Stick Duo media.  This now lowered price is coming after a $100 instant rebate, and at least at the time of this posting makes no mention of any expiration.

Read [Deal News]

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Most will agree that choosing to use someone as hard to understand as Ozzy Osbourne to promote a cell phone may not be the best idea.  When promoting a messaging-friendly handset it suddenly seems to make quite a bit more sense. 

Enter the latest promotional campaign for the messaging-friendly Samsung Propel.  A newly released and yet simple commercial showing off Ozzy trying to get around and not being understood, but thanks to his Propel he is able to send nice (and surprisingly fast) text messages to get his message across. 

More, including video of the commercial, after the break.

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Getting a docking station from the maker of your laptop is expensive.  One way to get around the high price is with this: the Startech.com USB to VGA 4-in-1 Docking Station.  Small and tidy, this simple device requires only you to plug in one USB cable to make all the magic happen.

And what magic is that?  Dual monitor usage is the rage, so why not use the unit’s VGA out which supports 1680x1050 and 1600x1200 displays and has three distinct video operating modes allowing you to easily extend your laptop’s workspace.  There are the 4 USB ports so you can keep your mouse, keyboard and other gadgets waiting for your laptop when you are away.  Upon returning, simply plug in one USB connector and you are up and running.  The unit also has a USB Mini B port, one RJ45 10/100Mbps network port, and two 3.5mm audio (mic, line out) ports that all feed off that one USB input. 

How’d the Startech docking station work?  How much does it cost?  Keep reading.

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You may remember earlier this year Thanko, a Japanese company, released the imaginatively named “Thanko Cooler USB keyboard.“ 

For those that don’t, here is a brief recap: it is essentially a solidly build keyboard complete with three fans that are designed to keep your hands cool whatever the weather.  So, what now?  Well, in keeping with their unimaginative naming method, the new “USB Hot Cooler Keyboard” does exactly what it says on the tin.  More after the break.

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A computer that did little but browse the web and do some mundane tasks?  That will never work.  Back in 2000, 3Com (remember them?) came out with the computer for people who didn’t want a full-fledged computer.  The 3Com Ergo Audrey was the device and it never stood a chance.

Take a look at this piece of engineering.  The Audrey had a touch screen, ran its own OS and could sync to Palm Pilots.  It even had an IR keyboard so you could type e-mails or URLs easily. 

Who was the target audience?  Where was this computer intended to go?  Find out more after the break.

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Our friends over at ChannelFlip.com took a look at the BlackBerry Bold.  If you’ve been living under a rock, the BlackBerry Bold is RIM’s newest full QWERTY keyboard smartphone.  It is also known as “Not the Storm.“  Is this the phone to knock out the iPhone?  Take a look at the video after the break so you can see the BlackBerry Bold in action. 

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Announced just Tuesday, the Samsung Epix is new on the AT&T network.  The 3G phone appears to be the torch bearer for the BlackJack family as it continues on in the same tradition: a smartphone that gets the job done.  I’ve had the phone for a few hours and have my initial impression to report.  I’ll report back in an couple of weeks with an in-depth look.

In short, this is one good looking business phone.  Its understated gray exterior screams, “I make way more than you think I do” and the classy chrome-like band around the phone is retained from the BlackJack 2.  The phone feels good in the hand, not heavy but solid.  I just feel more important using it.

Hit the jump to see what else I found to like in this phone.

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Hanging out with Android developers yesterday, I learned Google’s hot OS will be ready for a touchscreen only piece of hardware as soon as the first quarter of the new year.  The info is confirmed on Android developers’ road map.  Apparently, a soft keyboard (one on the screen) was included in the original release but was withdrawn for unknown reasons.

Moving to a touch-only interface without a physical keyboard would be the next logical step for the G1.  This touch G1 would likely improve greatly in the looks department and potentially slim up the phone.  I’ve questioned what kind of upgrade path Android users might follow, and a touch version might be the one that could coax the masses to move.

In developer speak, Android is slated to have support for IMF (input method framework).  This framework will also be supported by suggestions and suggestion algorithms that will be available to developer for applications.

Source [Android]

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