Dell Pulls Bait and Switch with Adamo Laptop

Imagine my joy to see the news about the new Adamo XPS from Dell. At an astonishing 9.99 mm, it looks like it will definitely be a sight to behold whenever Dell stops being coy with the details. My morning techie glow was dashed to pieces when I went over to Engadget and read about Dell's other news.

Apparently, the powers that be at Del thought it would be a great idea to team up with nail polish maker OPI to create 26 new colors and patterns for the Dell Design Studio. I mean it's great that you can coordinate your laptop with your favorite nail color, but with news of the Adamo scares, this seems like a total letdown.

Fitbit Keeps You Honest About Fitness

On the road to fitness, making the initial decision is easy, putting in the actual work is the tricky part. If you're looking for some statistical motivation you might want to check out the Fitbit.The device accurately tracks, calories burned, distance traveled, and even hours slept.

According to the website, Fitbit uses 3D motion sensor technology similar to the Nintendo Wii to track movement in three dimensions creating an accurate report on your daily exercise activities. The collected data is collected every time you walk by the wireless base included in the setup.

A little larger than a quarter, the Fitbit can be clipped to the waist of your pants, slipped into a wallet, or attached to the included wristband to record your every move. Retailing at $99, the Fitbit is a nifty device that can help kick your exercise regiment into the next gear.

Via Engadget

Ig Nobel prize winner: A bra that offers support AND life support

What women need are more bras that offer not just support, but life support. A while back I wrote about a sports bra that monitors your heart rate. Now there's a bra with more immediate life-saving potential.

This bra turns into 2 gas masks. One for you, one for a friend.

Behind this at-first-glance-ridiculous invention is a seriously unpleasant event: the 1986 nuclear accident at Chernobyl in Ukraine, usually described as the worst-ever. Scientist Elena Bodnar, formerly of Ukraine, the new bra's inventor, says her design could have kept people from breathing in deadly Iodine-131. This radioisotope was a major contributor to the rise in cancer and other health effects among people in the vicinity. (Thanks to Elizabeth Anderson Moore, who blogs at cnet.)

Bodnar was one of the winners of this year's Ig Nobel prizes. The Ig Nobels are an annual comic-kaze and always one of the highlights of the year in science. The Ig Nobels honor scientific achievements "that first make people laugh, and then make them think."

The photo shows Bodnar demonstrating her bra to three real Nobel laureates. All are wearing her creation, which comes in pink and black. That's the high-profile economist and columnist Paul Krugman on the far right--not his usual position.

Another of this year's Ig Nobel winners is anthropologist Liza Shapiro, who developed a theory about why pregnant women don't tip over: Women's back curves are anatomically different from men's. It's an evolutionary adaptation to upright posture and the need to carry a fetus out in front instead of underneath.

Elekit tube amplifier is the most gorgeous sound equipment we ever set eyes on

Of all the gadgets that tempt and goad us into poetry (sometimes unintended) while we bring to you the fascinating world of personal electronics, the least we expected to jump into the category was an audio amplifier. But it has happened so, and we couldn't help but be blown over. Completely.

The Elekit EK amplifier is a classic case of ugly-duckling-turns-awesome-swan in the history of amplifiers. It is a vacuum tube hybrid stereo amplifier designed by Koichi Futatsumata, and manufactured by Japanese audio equipment manufacturer Case Real, for the high-end audio electronics company Elekit. That a byproduct of the design motto to make an audio amplifier that would appeal to the younger generation. Sleek steel casing, hidden circuitry and mechanical parts, and all user interaction accomplished with just two aluminium dials sums up this great design. And the specs are overshadowed, if not completely outdone - output power of 10 + 10 Watts, sensitivity rating of 560mV (RCA jacks), 180mV (mini phone jack for your PMP), and 5Hz - 50kHz frequency response band.

Now for the sad news - not only is the sale of the Elekit EK amplifier "yet undecided", but even otherwise you may be far too bank-unworthy to be considered.

Via CrunchGear.

What are all those cables for? This cheat sheet explains

OK, I admit it. I know what a USB cable looks like, and even a mini-USB. But an HDMI cable? Or a component cable? Or VGA, S-Video, and all those other cable mysteries? And yet they're crucial to the tasks in my life.

You're tech-savvier than I am, so of course you don't have that problem. But what I need is a really terrific cable cheat sheet.

Here's the best one I've seen, courtesy of the New York Times: An article explaining what each cable does and what it costs. And, even better, a slide show.

Now it's possible for me and any other cable ignoramuses--not you, of course!--to identify that fat wire. You know, the one with the weird-looking thingy on the end. The one that came in the box with that latest tech toy. Which won't work without it.

Dell Latitude Z 600 up on sale, quotes $1799 with online discount

Empty your coffers, live like a king. That's the bottom line we place on Dell's Latitude Z 600 flagship laptop, up for grabs now. And the reference made to royalty seems apt considering the strong punch that this temptress packs in - Core 2 Duo 1.4GHz SU9400 CPU, 2GB of RAM, 64GB SSD, Intel's GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics, 802.11a/g/n WiFi, optional WiMAX, optional mobile broadband connectivity, Bluetooth, an Ethernet LAN port, two USB ports, optional wireless USB, a 4-cell battery (rated for up to 4hrs runtime, there's an optional 8-cell pack that you can get to double it) and 8x slot-loading DVD burner.

Now take a deep breath and continue with the beauty's external stats. Being touted as the world's "thinnest and lightest 16-inch laptop", it weighs just 4.5 pounds and is a little over 1/2 inch thick. The Latitude Z 600 boasts a 1600 x 900 LCD display, and a 2MP web camera with face recognition and business card reading functionality. To me, the most alluring asset is perhaps its optional wireless inductive charging stand that allows you to eliminate cord clutter altogether. At an extra cost of $400, however. Speaking of which, the Dell Latitude Z 600 is selling at $1,799 after a $200 rebate, secure with a 3-year warranty.

Better let all your well-wishers know your inability to make any significant monetary contribution to their lives until your next lottery win. Or until you muster the guts to ignore this enchantress. Whatever's earlier.

Via SlashGear.

PlayStation's New PSP is a "Go"

The PSP Go hits stores today for $249.99. Billing itself as "the smallest and mightiest PSP system yet", the Go comes with 16GB of memory and is the first handheld gaming console to break the bonds of cartridges and discs going totally digital. According to PlayStation.com, gamers can access 225 games and over 16,000 pieces of content from the PlayStation Store.

Approximately 43% smaller than previous PSP models, the Go weighs in a barely there 158g and is very pocket-friendly at 128 mm (W) x 69 mm (H) x 16.5 mm. The 3.8-inch screen with 480 x 272p resolution slides up to reveal the controls where I see Sony has decided to stick with the one analog stick model (sigh). Bluetooth and WiFi enabled gamers should be able to get their game on whenever and wherever the urge strikes as well as stay connected with friends via Skype.

Besides the steep price tag, the only drawback is that a way for owners of previous PSP models to transfer their UMD games over to the Go has yet to appear. Other than that, the Go appears to be a pretty solid piece of hardware with a lot of content to keep customers hungry for more.

Ora concept watch puts time on loopy rolls of tape

I think I just discovered the reason behind this wildly growing breed of unusual timepieces that promise to somehow make our experience of time lapse more interesting, and perhaps more tolerable. Well, blame it on the science called "Haute Horlogerie" - a field that specializes in the art of complicated watch making with the intention to replace the conventional dial arrangement of ordinary mechanical watches with a totally novel concept of time display.

And into that exclusive category goes this totally first-rate concept watch called Ora. Designed by Greek designer Alexandros Stasinopoulos, Ora throws out the conventional dial completely, and instead replaces it with 3 rolls of interconnected measuring tape arranged diagonally above a gear mechanism. The rolls indicate the hour, minute, and day as they are pulled to correct position by the motorized gears below. Awesome or what. Pity you cannot put your hand through one just yet, the Ora is currently only a concept.

Catch some more images after the break.

Via technabob.

BodyGuard Pro helps you shield your camera even with the lens on

The situation is this. You are not completely done with your shots, but you just want to set down your camera for a while, and still not worry about getting it scratched or even detaching the lens. The solution comes in the form of this handy accessory called the LensCoat BodyGuard Pro - a smart body cover that protects your camera so that you get quick storage when you want to stow it temporarily, and hassle free removal when you want to use the camera again.

The BodyGuard Pro is made from soft shock-absorbing neoprene and slides over the camera body even with the lens left in place. It fits almost all the major pro SLR and semi-pro SLR cameras - even those with extended power winders or with L-brackets mounted. For an extra $5 on the base price, the cover is also available as a variant with grips attached - which means you can slide your fingers through the grips and use the camera without removing the cover.

The BodyGuard Pro is available in five different designs at a price range between $28.95 and $44.99.

Via The Red Ferret.

LaCie launches Sound2 designer speakers, keeps it within affordable reach

Those glamor kids at LaCie have created something eye-catching again. This time, it is a pair of gorgeous high-end speakers called Sound2, designed by Neil Poulton in collaboration with acoustic engineering company Cabasse.

The Sound2 speakers not only look like a pair of conventional loudspeakers as they rest on your desk, but also claim high quality sound because they use the same sound engineering technology that is built into Cabasse's high-end loudspeakers. The setup itself is a no-brainer - the speakers connect rather simply to your computer via USB or to audio/video devices such as MP3 players and PMPs via the line-in port, with no driver installations being required. What you get under the hood is a Class D Digital Amplifier, magnetic shielding, a bass reflex system, and a 30W total peak output. The speakers also have built-in USB cable, and a dual power mode which means you can use them with a USB cable or with the included power supply.

The Sound2 speakers will be available through LaCie online, or in stores at a price of £89 (about USD $142).

Via Pocket-lint.

Belkin Acessorizes for a Good Cause

Breast cancer continues to be a serious threat to women in the United States. And it's important that we work together to find a cure for this devastating disease. To that end, Belkin, best known for its various accessories designed for consumer electronics will be continue its support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure with its latest iPod cases.

Designed for the 2nd generation iPod Touch, the two cases are stylish and elegant. Both the DualFit and the Grip are done in a black and pink ribbon motif. The DualFit is a machine washable rmband that can fit comfortably on either arm, while the Grip clips effortlessly onto the back of the Touch.

LEGO LED lantern looks good, lights good

Somehow the thought of using this cute-looking LEGO lantern to get me through a dark path is visually more appealing to me than using the conventionally reliable torch.

And it may not be a big risk afterall, since the LEGO LED lantern claims to provide 360-degree lighting using 4 powerful white LED lights hidden within the torso. The hands hold up a swinging handle that you can use to hang the lantern on a hook or to carry it along a dark pathway. Just don't forget to feed the boy with 4 AA batteries. That, always a pain.

The LEGO lantern is available from Perpetual Kid at $19.99.

Via OhGizmo.

Vertu fits bling into a clamshell, releases Constellation Ayxta luxury phones

Would you believe it if we were to tell you that Vertu has released its first clamshell phone? No wait, let us rephrase that. Would you believe it if we were to tell you that Vertu has released its first clamshell phone for - as the promos say - the "global citizen"? You would, only, now you would wonder if you can dare to belong to this mysterious genre called "global citizen" given Vertu's historical exclusivity.

And we'd hate to tell you that most of us don't. Vertu's latest phone series - Constellation F Ayxta - is still as untouchable to common folks as ever. It is Vertu's first clamshell, and is made from expensive materials that include stainless steel, ceramic, leather, sapphire crystal (for the display) and aerospace grade aluminum parts. For those who didn't flinch, the Ayxta sports a 3MP camera with dual LED flash, GPS, 3G HSDPA, microSD card support, and an application called "City Brief" that apparently provides “restaurant recommendations, the latest exhibitions, shopping guides and important cultural etiquette tips.” Grooming that maybe crucial to look worthy of the luxury that you are flaunting, eh?

The Constellation Ayxta series is priced between €4,900 ($7,178) and €6,500 ($9,522). So there goes affordability outta the door.

Via TechFresh.

Kakuzai wooden memo block brings nature to your desk

Though popular "green" advice admonishes that you think of the tree you are helping to axe down whenever you waste paper, it is difficult to generate the required amount of guilt every time you feed a smooth, white sheet of paper into the shredder. Not to mention that the arboreal origins of that paper is perhaps the last thing that would cross your mind.

The Kakuzai memo block can be of great help under such circumstances as it is designed to make the tree-paper connection more perceptible, literally. The memo block resembles an actual block of wood, while each of the 1200 post-it notes that it dispenses looks like a section cut off from an actual tree. Writing on a sheet of paper that looks like grains of wood can be a bit unnerving, but well, the point is to be frugal with paper now, isn't it?

The Kakuzai memo block is priced at $29 for a block of 1200 notes.

Polaroid PoGo is Notalgic Fun with a Twist

Call me old-fashioned, but there was something about those old school Polaroid cameras that really made me smile. The anticipation of waiting for the photo to develop coupled with the various methods people had to make the picture develop were priceless. Were you a picture waver, a blower, a combination of the two or did you have your own method? With the advent of digital cameras, we no longer have that kind of "stop and smell the roses" type of fun, or do we?

The folks over at Polaroid have found a way to bring that trademark Polaroid fun into the digital era. Their latest camera, the Polaroid PoGo Instant Digital Camera, lets users print their photos on the spot. The Pogo combines a digital camera with a digital printer, the first camera to do so. The camera is a five megapixel point and shoot model with 4X digital zoom. The camera comes with a 3-inch LCD screen to preview your images as well as crop and edit as necessary.

Freecom struts out world's only USB 3.0 external hard drive

No frills, sauciness, or eye-candy here. Instead, it is a hard drive that claims to hold enough raw speed to help you cruise to USB 3.0 readiness, supposedly to become a worldwide standard by 2012. It is XS 3.0, the world's first USB 3.0 external hard drive announced by Freecom. The hard drive guarantees rapid transfer speeds thanks to its 'SuperSpeed USB' technology, and what you will see on the grounds as proof of that claim is currently the quoted 130MB/s speed. Freecom is expected to launch a USB 3.0 "controller" to allow users to take advantage of the USB 3.0 speeds on the XS 3.0, though they don't promise that anytime soon.

To get into the specifics, the XS 3.0 is rather boringly clad in a black rubber enclosure and claims an almost silent operation as it is designed with a fanless cooling system. With looks that resemble pretty much a leather bound book, it weighs in at around 1.9 pounds. It is backward compatible with all USB 2.0 systems and sports AES 256 bit encryption standard. The pricing is quite reasonable too, with the 1TB drive priced at 119 Euro (about $175 US). Expect the numero uno to hit the market by mid November in 1TB, 1.5TB and 2TB sizes.

Via PCLaunches.

Gadget Makers Can Find Thief, But Don’t Ask

For decades, when an item was lost or stolen, a consumer went through three stages of grief: anger, mourning, and acceptance. You would be miffed, then sad and then you would move on, in large part because moving on was the only option. Then came the Digital Age and with it, gadgets that manufacturers can keep tabs on–and even profit from–when they wind up in the hands of someone who has found or poached them. Which, in turn, has led to a fourth stage of gadget-related grief: rage. Specifically, rage at the gadget makers, which often know exactly who has a missing or stolen device, because in many instances it has been registered to a new user. But many tech companies will not disclose information about the new owners of missing devices unless a police officer calls with a search warrant. Even a request to simply shut down service–which would deter thieves by rendering their pilfered gadget useless–is typically refused.

The problem, which nobody had to deal with before smartphones and satellite radios, has reached new heights with the Kindle reader from Amazon, with its ability to download books wirelessly and store hundreds of titles on a single device. On Web sites devoted to the e-book reader, including Blog Kindle and Amazon’s own Kindle Community board, many customers have been in a snit over Amazon’s policy on stolen Kindles. Samuel Borgese, for instance, is still irate about the response from Amazon when he recently lost his Kindle. After leaving it on a plane, he canceled his account so that nobody could charge books to his credit card. Then he asked Amazon to put the serial number of his wayward device on a kind of do-not-register list that would render it inoperable–to “brick it” in tech speak.

Amazon’s policy is that it will help locate a missing Kindle only if the company is contacted by a police officer bearing a subpoena. Borgese, who lives in Manhattan, questions whether hunting down a $300 e-book reader would rank as a priority for the New York Police Department. He began to see ulterior motives when he twice sent e-mail messages to Amazon seeking an address to send a police report and got no reply. “I finally concluded,” Borgese said, “that Amazon knew the device was being used and preferred to sell content to anyone who possessed the device, rather than assist in returning it to its rightful owner.”

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• AT&T Denies Squelching Google Voice For iPhone
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Why won't new technologies translate?

Why do personal technologies that take off in Asia fail in the US? One reason may be commuting differences.

People in both locales have long commutes. But Asians tend to do their commuting via public transport. That's conducive to silent button-pushing and steady focus on learning the complexities of, say, a new mobile phone.

In the US, folks stick doggedly to car commutes. In a car, steady yakking may be OK. But visual distractions and concentration on something other than traffic is dangerous. Hence all the recent alarm over texting while driving.

Which means, according to Bill Moggridge, founder of the design consulting firm IDEO, that even the spiffiest new technology may not translate.

Thanks to Erica Naone, blogging at EmTech09.

Cheat sheets galore for free, just print and go

Oh, boy, here's a treasure. TechPosters offers hundreds of printable cheat sheets for nearly any piece of software, and some hardware too.

For free.

Lots of this stuff is nerd nirvana, but there's plenty for lesser mortals too: everyday programs from Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, you name it. Also an incredibly deep trove of all things Google. You can even brush up on elderly classics like ASCII.

Look in the right-hand column for links to all this and more.

TechPosters says it's technical posters and cheats for IT guys. But apparently any visitor is automatically one of the guys.

Bayer's Contour USB Meter Empowers Patients

If you're living with diabetes or knows someone who is, you know how vital keeping track of every test and every shot of insulin can be -- it's the ultimate case of knowledge is power. For those that with the disease that must test their blood sugars levels regularly, Bayer has released the Bayer Contour USB Meter. The first of its kind, the USB meter is the first blood glucose meter that plugs into a computer for quick and accurate data management for optimal diabetes management.

Simple to use, the patient simply insert a test strip into the meter and take their test as usual. The Contour gives the test results on the easy to read color OLED display and logs it for later use. Able to hold up to 2,000 test results, the devices is a great way to track blood glucose patterns which can be a boon to both doctors and patients. Based on Bayer's CONTOUR system, the meter utilizes the incredibly accurate No Coding technology for results patients can trust. Bayer also added the AutoLog feature that allows users to mark their tests as Before Meal or After Meal for more detailed records.

IREX's Digital Reader is Ready for its Closeup

The battle of the e-readers is really heating up with the addition of yet another contender. The new reader, the Irex DR800SG hails from IREX Technologies. According to the press release, 8.1-inch touchscreen e-reader uses electronic paper display technology that will give users the feeling that they're reading a traditional paper better than tablets and netbooks, It also boast faster page turning speeds and customizable read settings.

Equipped with 3G multi-mode functionality, the Irex is unloading the big guns, able to access 3G networks worldwide. In addition, the device has some big name companies backing it up including world's largest book seller, Barnes & Nobles which means that greedy bookworms will have over 750,000 titles to devour and that includes new releases and bestsellers. Verizon Wireless will be on hand to provide the 3G connectivity while Qualcomm, wireless telecommunications company will be providing its mobile broadband technology via the Gobi multi-mode 3G embedded module.

Monster Wants You to Feel Lady Gaga's Heartbeat

You've heard of Beats by Dr. Dre, the high-end headphones that are the brainchild of rapper Dr. Dre, Interscope Chairman Jimmy Iovine and headphone makers Monster? The top of the line headphones are specially designed to pick up every nuance of your favorite music, enhancing the listening experience. Maybe the Hip-Hop stylings of the legendary rapper/producer aren't your cup of tea, but what about the synth-heavy dance tracks of Lady Gaga? The "Just Dance" singer has teamed with "Beats by Dre" to announce the next line in the popular Beats series, the "Heartbeats by Lady Gaga".

Set to hit stores in October, the Heartbeats are a brilliant mashup of technology and fashion. Noel Lee, Head Monster, noted: "Heartbeats not only had to look great, they had to sound great. Using Monster's latest headphone technologies, that vision comes true. There is no headphone that sounds quite like it, regardless of price..."

Pure Sensia: A Treat for the Ears and Hands

PURE, maker of the wildly popular Flip HD video camcorders is giving the radio a much needed upgrade. The PURE Sensia takes DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) and WiFi and brings them under one futuristic looking roof, the first radio to do so. Just turn on the Sensia and the WiFi will stream internet radio and podcasts from all over the web. In addition you can also tap into your computer or storage device and stream music to the Sensia. And if you need a little white noise to soothe your frazzled nerves,check out Pure Sounds "unique soundscapes created by PURE to stimulate, inspire and relax."

The Sensia also comes with a generous 5.7-inch, 640 x 480 pixel high res touchscreen display handy for navigating lists, shifting controls, and scrolling through all the widgets and apps. That's right, the Sensia has a bunch of PURE Apps including Facebook, Twitter, and Picasa, so you can stay connected to all your friends as you enjoy some tuneage. You can also check out station slideshows or album artwork upping your tactile enjoyment.

Mintpad gets attainable, UK is lucky first on the list

Remember all the gushing we did about Mintpad - the cute touchscreen PMP from Mintpass? Then allow us a bit more, thrilled as we are that the little one has come several degrees closer from where it first debuted, albeit a little inconspicuously for the world to take notice of the great potential. Mintpad is now on sale in the UK, in a 4GB avatar that leaves little to be desired.

The specifications : WinCE OS, 2.9-inch LCD touchscreen display, 1.3 MP camera, 4GB internal storage, microSD slot, WiFi, USB 1.1/2.0 interface, voice recording, and support for most audio/video file formats. Plus, there is the chat facility that enables you to chat with other Mintpad-ers within a 98 feet radius, without the need to connect to the internet. The battery life is approximately 30 hours of audio or 5-6 hours of video.

Definitely the first address if you are looking for a media player cum smart digital assistant. The asking price for the device in the UK is £139, which translates to $229 on American shores.

Via Engadget.

Griffin unveils volume-limiting headphones for kids

Griffin tells us that there is an easier way to get your brat to lower the volume on his headphones than that bribe that you have been planning to bestow in return. Just get him a pair of their latest offering - MyPhones volume-limiting headphones.

The MyPhones headphones have a built-in voice limiting system to prevent the volume from going above a 85 decibel limit, thereby protecting children from hearing loss due to sudden, uncontrolled excessives in volume. They are designed with soft-rubber washable earpads that sit just over the ear, with an adjustable band for better comfort. The headphones have tuned 30mm drivers within a custom designed shell and connect to audio-out via a standard 3.5mm stereo mini plug with a 50" cable.

And oh, the bait - MyPhones can be customized with your child's choice of earcaps and carrying case, whose designs they can even share with their friends over the internet. Due to be released in October for $30.

Via ipodnn.

Domyos Gym in a Box

For those of us out there that don't have a Nintendo Wii and still want to get our fitness regimen from a video game, there's hope thanks to fitness company Domyos. The French company recently raised the curtain on the Domyos Interactive System (DIS) a potentially serious competitor to Wii Fit.

A complete gym in a box, the DIS is serious business. Instead of encouraging players to lower their "Fit Age", the system challenges you to an intense workout via an exercise mat, gloves for martial arts challenges, and a bike attachment. For those seeking a group sweat, fitness fanatics can attach more exercise mats.

The best part about the DIS is that it's console-less. Players simply plug the DIS into their television, insert one of the cartridges and viola, you're doing Olivia Newton John and Richard Simmons proud.

Retailing for £ 39.95 or $58.92 in U.S. dollars, the Domyos Interactive System is ready to whip you into shape.

Via Coolest Gadgets

Vaccines against swine flu, aka H1N1, ready next month

Four vaccines against the new infuenza, the one we used to call swine flu but now is known as H1N1, will be ready for distribution next month in the US.

This according to the government, which also issues another piece of good news: it appears that a single vaccination will keep this more-serious-than-usual flu at bay. For a while it was thought that immunity to H1N1 would require at least two shots, but the experts now say not. These findings apply to adults, though. It's still not clear whether children may need more than one dose.

Health authorities have worried that the coming Northern Hemisphere flu season will be worse than usual. A pattern with new flu viruses like this one is that they tend to be particularly severe the winter after they first surface. Hence the hurry to make a vaccine available quickly.

And of course we'll still have with us the regular old seasonal flu, which kills several thousand in the US every year. There's a vaccine against that one too, as usual.

Dealing with the flu this year will be particularly tricky because H1N1 and seasonal flu tend to attack different populations. The young are particularly vulnerable to H1N1, while seasonal flu mostly preys on the elderly and infirm.

Remote controlled candle is wax-free, flame-free

When principal household appliances such as the TV, DVD player, or home theatre dance to your tunes via that indispensable authority called a remote control, why should it not be possible to extend the luxury to other aspects of your home too? Well now, how about a remote controlled candle?

Strange as that might sound, you might soften your stand once your hear out the benefits. The Mooncandle has no wax or flame to get it going. Instead, it is a safe, color-changing LED candle controlled by a remote. What role does a remote play in the life of a candle you ask? It can switch the candle on/off, change the color, and best of all - make the candle accessible even when you place it in hard-to-reach corners of the house. You can even set a 4-hour or 8-hour timer for the candles to automatically switch off. Each LED candle has a shelf life of over 50,000 hours. And ofcourse, there are 3 x AAA batteries per candle that you've gotta consider. Only after you have convinced yourself of the $50 (per candle) price tag.

Via Gear Diary.

LG's New Chocolate Gets Luxury Wrapper

By now you've seen screenshots of consumer electronics company, LG's latest interaction of the Chocolate, the BL40 and let's face it, delicious and delectable are totally appropriate descriptions. Not one to rest on their laurels, LG has teamed up with fashion label,Twenty8Twevle to create limited edition designer cases for "the supermodel of cell phones."

Creative Director Savannah Miller and her sister, actress Sienna Miller have outdone themselves. The Twenty8Twevle cases are done in bespoke leather and feature a stainless steel tag bearing the labels' name. Instead of going for an overblown design, the sisters produced something that is sleek, sexy, and exudes effortless cool, which is right in tune with the much-hyped Chocolate.

iTwinge helps the keyboard obsessed get around their iPhones

It is probably the most whispered device in the geek blogosphere, and we wouldn't be exaggerating if we were to place it right behind the recent Apple event, in the order of importance. Only because the placement happens to be quite literal - the iTwinge is the world's first keyboard designed to work with the iPhone 3G and 3GS. Now you see?

The iTwinge is sympathetic towards those with "two left hands" - a terminology we just made up to describe those of us who are never comfortable with the idea of using a touchscreen to its fullest extent and long for the luxury of a real, tactile keyboard. This QWERTY keypad attaches itself to the bottom of your iPhone and works like it came along with the device when you bought it. Nah, we are not so sure if the user experience is so seamless, but we sure hope it leads the way for more (and better) options to show up.

The iTwinge is available for pre-order now and will ship on November 19th at a price of $29.99.

Via Chip Chick.

Battery Wizard snaps disposable batteries out of their slumber

The association between batteries and geeks is like a romance between "two young star-cross'd lovers", to take a little help from Shakespeare. Only, the relationship is most certainly polygamous. For, every geek in his lifetime depends on hundreds of different kinds of 'em lovely batteries to maintain his identity. Now, this is where we want to step in and reduce those that he's not taking seriously - the "disposable" ones, you see.

The Battery Wizard has the same noble intent as it turns out a unique battery recharger - one that can recharge both disposable as well as rechargeable Ni-Cad and Ni-Mh batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 9v block). Interesting huh? The Battery Wizard can apparently extend the life of standard alkaline batteries by up to 10 times by "reconditioning" them - a process whereby the "batteries' valuable chemical contents are fully utilized". There is an LCD screen that indicates the status of each one of the 4 batteries that you can load at one time. Faulty batteries are rejected and completely dead ones are ignored, if you will.

And don't you worry - the device has been certified for safe operation according to British Standards. Clap, clap.

Available from Gizoo for around $42.

Via The Red Ferret.

MovieWedge brings mini theatre to your lap

Often attribute your stiff neck to the long, arduous hours of movie watching on your portable media player as you cradle it within your palm? Try the simple solution - prop it against a small stack of books. Or balance it upright against a wall. Or rummage around and create a makeshift stand. Not simple enough? Well then, you could stop watching movies on your PMP altogether, dammit. Or...

Get yourself a MovieWedge - the ingenious little stand that can comfortably cradle your iPod, iPhone or virtually any media player. The MovieWedge is a triangular soft stand that can hold up on uneven and unsteady surfaces, or assume different angles based on requirement. The stand itself is a body of microsuede fabric that can also double up as a screen cleaner for your device. Plus, the stand can work irrespective of the case or covering that your device is in. Totally effective.

In all, imagine how much pain you can dispel by shelling out just $9.95.

Via Slashgear.

The Path to Nirvana is in Your Bathroom

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, Nivana is "a place or state of oblivion to care, pain, or external reality." It has also been described as heaven or pure bliss. Fitting then that this beauty of a bathtub has been christened the Nirvana bathtub. This spa-level bathroom fixture lights your personal path to enlightenment via strategically placed LEDs that give the impression that you're bathing among the stars.

But the Nirvana bathtub is more than luxury covered in pretty lights. It's also eco-friendly, using approximately 60% less water than comparable tubs of its size due largely to the shallow high-grade translucent acrylic shape. In addition, the Nirvana features touch controls via a panel that controls an electronic tap and automatic water fill/stop function. Other controls include the motion sensitive hand shower, activated by a simple wave of a hand and the light controls, because sometimes you Nirvana is best reached without all the fanfare.

No word yet on whether this luxe tub is destined to remain a concept or whether it will be helping bathrooms worldwide transcend their lowly existence.

Via Born Rich

MyTouch 3G Gets the Oprah Seal of Approval

The power of Oprah compels you...to buy books, support her causes, and now to buy cell phones. To celebrate her 24 years on the air dispensing advice and controlling the world through subliminal messages and free gifts, the big O has decided to reward her loyal fans. During her 24 Season Kick-Off Party, on September 8th she's announced that she's giving her fans the chance to purchase T-Mobile's new myTouch 3G for the Oprahriffic price of $99.

All Oprah loyalists have to do is enter the promotional code “kickoff24? at the checkout screen at T-Mobile.com and $100 is magically shaved off the price. You do of course, have to be a new T-Mobile customer and be willing to commit to T-Mobile for two years. C'mon, you knew there had to be a catch somewhere.

The offer is valid until September 24th. So now you have a decision to make. Do you jump on this discount like the last chopper out of 'Nam and get a myTouch or do you hold out for one of the hotter Android phones like HTC Hero or the Motorola Cliq? Choose wisely.

HP brings glamor to its netbooks, rolls out Envy 13 and Envy 15

This is exactly what it takes to get pursed lips to first gape, then air-kiss in the hope of being forgiven for their cynicism. And then grovel to be given a chance to lay their hands on something as gorgeous as the HP Envy 13.

Reed thin (0.8-inch thickness), absolutely dependable (18 hours battery life) and beautiful (3.74 pounds weight) is how you could identify this show-stopper announced by HP. The details are just as interesting too - the HP Envy 13 carries a 13.1-inch WXGA display with superior color (82% color gamut) and brightness (410 nit). The possibility of an 18-hour battery life is on account of an optional Slim Fit battery that can fit unobtrusively to bottom of the laptop and effortlessly extend the standard 7 hours battery life. Throw in an Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86GHz chip, 3GB of RAM and a 512MB ATI Mobile Radeon HD graphics card and you will realize that this stunner is more than just skin deep.

And then there is the sibling - the HP Envy 15 - that makes a much quieter, but a noticeable entry nevertheless. The Envy 15 comes with a 15.6-inch LCD display, Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM and high-end Radeon HD 4830 graphics card. Which makes it a little heavier with the 1-inch thickness and 5.18 pounds weight, but hey, it makes big brother sturdier too. The Envy 13 is priced at $1,699 and the Envy 15 at $1,799. Both the laptops come with Windows 7 pre-loaded.

Bouncing off the walls is all you can do until October 18th when you can get a step closer to the awesome twosome.

Via Engadget, DVICE.

Nokia E71x Smartphone

This recent update to the popular E71 rings in (pun intended) as the thinnest smartphone available. Featuring a slim, sleek, ergonomic design packed with advanced features, it's got beauty and brains all in one!

The E71x, exclusive to AT&T, is perfect for the busy executive, socialite, or about-towner that wants powerful e-mail, contact, calendar, and multimedia features with the utility of a full keyboard but without the bulk or less-than-sexy lines of most smartphones. It's the perfect non-BlackBerry.

The endless list of features includes: Symbian S60 3rd Edition FP2; 2.4" QVGA display with excellent readability / light sensor control; stellar battery life (13 days of standby and 5 hours of talk time); 3.2 MP still / video camera with flash; full media player functionality; Navi-key with kinda-creepy-but-ultimately-very-cool glowing status light that 'beats' like a heart; handles up to 8GB microSD cards giving you lots of storage capacity for music, photos, and video; also includes Wi-Fi, voice-guided GPS, Quickoffice for working on-the-go, and, of course, HSDPA and Java-enabled browser to make internet surfing zippy.

The E71x is a power executive hiding inside a little black dress, and it's price is hard to beat – just $99.99 with a two year contract on AT&T.

+Eco Clima Control Weather Station

It seems intuitive that predicting the whims of Mother Nature's should be environmentally friendly. The folks at Oregon Scientific have seen to that with their new solar-powered weather station from their +Eco collection.

The +ECO Clima Control monitors current outdoor and indoor temperatures and humidity and includes an atomically-controlled clock. It also features a graphical at-a-glance weather forecast. And, it's all powered by the built-in solar panel which, when fully charged, will power the unit for up to three months. Includes a remote sensor and is capable of monitoring conditions in up to four separate locations inside or outside your home. Backlighting helps you see the easy-to-read display at night and a mold alarm helps you keep tabs on one of the less-than-welcome whims of Mama Earth.

The Clima Control lets you go green and stay on top of the forecast with ease. Now if only we could get one that controls the weather…

Vivienne Tam and HP Unveil Digital Clutch at Fashion Week

Apparently renowned fashion designer Vivienne Tam and computer giant HP have found the sweet spot in fashionable tech. The two have joined forces once again to create the 2010 Vivienne Tam Digital Clutch. The eye-catching tech hit the runway at Tam's Spring 2010 show during Mercedes-Benz's Fashion Week.

According to the press release on HP's website, "The new look in digital clutch chic marries two cultures – fashion and technology – to reflect a transformative spirit and sophisticated lifestyle. It fuses high fashion, small form factor and innovative function to take the personal computer from a necessity to a lifestyle statement for modern-day women on the go." I don't know about all that, but I will say that I appreciate the toned-downed aesthetics on this notebook unlike last year's blaring pink number.

The butterfly motif on gold background is based on the classic Chinese love story concerto "Butterfly Lovers." No word on yet on actual release date or pricing, but if the Tam 2009 netbook is any example, expect to shell out an extravagant amount of cash for a basic setup in a pretty shell.

LG releases XD3 minimalist, portable HDDs

It seems LG has sent out its portable HDDs for a facelift and ended up with a luscious makeover - the XD3 slim, portable HDDs announced for the Korean market.

And the results are appreciable in a single glance - a high-quality, brushed aluminum casing that comes in four colors (red, gold, black and silver) and with rubber padding for shock absorption, plus an enviable 13mm thickness. While it comes to specs under the hood however, there aren't many to make you blush - as with earlier storage drives from LG (XD1 and XD2), the XD3 is available in capacities of 320GB and 500GB, with the same USB and SATA II connectivity. It retails in Korea at a price of 110,000 Won (US $90).

Via Engadget.

Wallets by Petra in a bag

Whoda thunk that there was any use for the paint chip samples they have by the dozens in every home store other than to… well… pick out paint?

The creative talent behind Petra in a bag, has made sure there is an answer to that question… wallets.

Woven from recycled paint chip sample cards, Petra's wallets are not only unique, but the available choice of colors puts your latest J. Crew catalog to shame! The wallets are available in various styles as part of Petra's line of eco-friendly, hand-crafted goods that includes handbags, eye pillows, and newly-to-market cup cozies.

The wallets feature a clear, protective outer layer that adds durability. The larger models also have a color-keyed elastic to keep everything held in place.

If you like unique and like exclusive, a Petra wallet might be just the accessory you have been looking for.

Roll Film Clock is a sentimental tribute to that relic called film roll

You would want your grandchildren to know what a meaningful role that analog roll of film played in your life before the cruel world of digital cameras shoved it to retirement, wouldn't you? Now, we know all you need to do to accomplish that would be to set aside a film roll or two. Or, you could make a more interesting demo by getting a Roll Film Clock, which not only resembles an analog film roll, but can blend into your everyday life because it happens to be a digital clock in disguise.

Ironical as it may seem, this digital device is a pretty good tribute to the memories of the analog world that it aims to keep alive. By ticking in the current time in hour, minute, second, date, month and year like any good digital clock. And being snobbishly expensive at $62.

Via Coolest Gadgets.

Kudamemo: Delicious fruit slices can be your memo(ry) aids

The last thing you would want to do with such gorgeous fruit is feed them to that unforgiving abyss called the stomach. And that too when they can sit so pretty on your table, radiating a mysterious sense of calm each time you steal a glance. Which is why someone has already ensured that these beauties are not at all edible, to begin with. These "slices" of fruit (apple and pear) are post-it note dispensers called Kudamemo.

Amazed, huh? Not surprising at all, this great design by D-BROS caught us unawares too. These beautiful memo dispensers derive the name Kudamemo from the Japanese word for fruit, "Kudamono". Each fruit can dispense 150 mini memos which aren't self-sticking like their clinical 3M cousins. But really, that's little worry considering that it is a piece of art on your desktop that we are looking at, isn't it?

A single "fruit" can be ordered at 1,890 yen ($20) or a crate of 6 at 11,340 yen ($120) that comes complete with a cardboard casing within which the fruits lie cuddled in their nets. "Eating" healthy cannot get better or easier than this. Contact Rinkya Stores for ordering information.

Via Inventorspot.

Aiptek's PenCam Trio HD is Small, Real Small

Just when you thought mini-camcorders couldn't get any smaller, here come's the PenCam HD Trio from Aiptek. The 130 x 35 x 19mm PenCam has a an equally tiny 1.1-inch OLED screen that will probably ruin your eyes. But date with the opthamologist aside, the PenCam has some pretty cool features including the ability to shoot high definition video (1280x720p) that can capture up to 30 fps.

The mini-cam can also take some decent stills thanks to the five megapixel lens. The Trio can also upload directly to YouTube and has a digital voice recorder for taking notes. There's also 4GB of memory, plenty to store all the videos, notes, and stills you can throw at it.

Available in silver, black, blue, red, and purple, the PenCam is a Windows-compatible deal. No word on pricing yet, but we'll keep you posted.

Via Engadget

HTC Tattoo does another Android, allows for custom tattooing

If the HTC Hero made you happy, just hang on until you see its hotstepper sibling - the HTC Tattoo. The Tattoo has just been announced and should we say, the specs are quite impressive too.

This 2.8-inch touchscreen device is pretty compact (106 x 55.2 x 14-mm / 113 grams) inspite of the features it carries. So count in a 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7225 processor, 512MB ROM, 256MB RAM, a 3.2MP autofocus camera, 3.5-mm headset jack, microSD slot, internal GPS, 900/2100MHz HSPA/UMTS and quad-band GSM/EDGE, 802.11b/g WiFi, digital compass, accelerometer, and Bluetooth 2.0. Yes, you will not miss the trademark Sense UI experience as HTC has extended it to this device as well. The covers are apparently fully customizable - and hence the device flaunts the name "Tattoo".

While the pricing is still under the wraps like a mystery tattoo in the making, the HTC Tattoo is expected to hit European shores this October, and then spread to the other markets in the months following.

Via Engadget.

Go Girl can pull you through emergencies in pink elegance

While I am quite unsure of how many women amongst us would really look forward to prospect of peeing standing up, a "female urination device" (FUD) can sometimes be a saving grace when one is faced with hostile bathroom environments (herd-in the long queues, and unhygienic public toilets) or the lack of one altogether. And into this category, butts-in (pun unintended) a washable reusable FUD called the GoGirl.

The GoGirl is made of flexible, medical-grade silicone and comes with its own underwear (optional) to help you take perfect aim during those absolute emergencies. Need we say more? Only that we just gotta give it to their punch line. Don't take life sitting down.

You betcha. A single pack (one GoGirl, tissue and biodegradable bag) costs $6.99 while a pack of 3 costs $18.99.

Via ChipChick.