Gadgets Power

Just in case your WiFi detecting pen and WiFi detecting shirt malfunctions one day, you can always rely on the WiFi detecting watch without having to bust open your notebook in search for that elusive hotspot (cheapo - just get an unlimited data connection on 3G). At least this will also tell you the time, and all it takes to detect a signal strength (numbered 0 to is a push of the button. The WiFi detector watch will retail for $24.99 from ThinkGeek. Strange, it has been around for quite some time now, but we failed to pick it up on our radar. Tags: MP3, AAC, equipment, cable (Read the full post about ‘WiFi Detecting Watch’…)

It’s already been confirmed that HTC is holding a press event on May 6 where they’re poised to announce some new handsets. Early speculation had HTC showing off Android-based devices (Dream) but according to EngadgetMobile, the new HTC Diamond will make its official debut. The latest rumors are that the Diamond will offer a large VGA touch screen, Windows Mobile 6.1, WiFi and a 3 megapixel camera.

(Read the full post about ‘HTC to unveil new Touchscreen Diamond in May?’…)

Shooting panoramic photos can be pretty fun, considering how it adds a whole new dimension to the viewer especially when you are faced with a scenic view. However, getting the right shots can get pretty tricky, which is where the Panamatic comes in handy. Specially designed to mount on any standard tripod, the Panamatic hopes to make sure that all photos snapped are properly lined up with the next to make it easier to stitch together on a computer later on. A full rotation will result in a dozen photos that make it a snap to stitch, and the Panamatic can also be mounted vertically to shoot really, really tall objects such as skyscrapers. Definitely a $24.95 must buy for those who have a strong interest in photography. (Read the full post about ‘Panamatic Makes Panoramic Shots a Snap’…)

Along with the Nokia 6600 Fold, Nokia also unveiled its alternative, the Nokia 6600 slide, for those who prefer slider phones over clamshells.

Just like the Nokia 6600 Fold, the slider version also has the double-tap feature. Tapping the phone twice displays the time, shows alerts, and even rejects incoming calls. The Nokia 6600 slide is equipped with a 2.2-inch QVGA display as well as a 3.2 megapixel camera which takes high quality pictures that you can send through Internet connection of MMS. Devoid of 3G functionality, the Nokia 6600 slide goes for a slightly lower price of 200.

Tags: technology, CD, equipment, video

Philips takes the small and flat route with the MCD299 micro home theater system, featuring a 4-disc changer that offers virtually uninterrupted music and DVD playback. It also boasts a rather futuristic looking motorized sliding door along with RAZR-like metallic buttons to help add that extra touch of class to your living room. Supported formats include JPEG, MP3, WMA via CD/USB, and you also get a 140-watt digital amplifier and a pair of flat-panel speakers all for $348. Unfortunately, the lack of onboard DTS decoding and the inclusion a legacy component-video interface for TV output doesn’t exactly make this next-gen, but surely one can’t expect everything at the quoted price? (Read the full post about ‘Philips MCD299 Micro Home Theater System’…)

If you’re looking for an easier way to access the online information you want from your mobile device, you might want to give a new online utility a try. The utility is called 1-ToGo and is currently being offered by Omega One, best known as a provider of applications for Windows Mobile and blackberry devices. Since the utility is online there is nothing to install. Utilizing 1-ToGo will give you quick access to information from your Windows mobile device in addition to the iphone and iPod Touch. Remember, since there is no application to install, iPhone and ipod Touch users aren’t excluded from using this third party utility. Information available via 1-ToGo includes a Front Page which you can setup using your own news feeds. (Read the full post about ‘Online utility 1-ToGo puts information at your fingertips’…)

The Overall Health Balance Scale from National Electric is one interesting device that has been released to go up against the metabolic syndrome. It is able to take note of your weight, BMI, subcutaneous fat ratio, organ fat level, muscle level, and basal metabolic rate. Not only that, it also ranks you in each category on a five point scale and gives you an overall health rating based on your current age. The screen is a breeze to read no matter what your age is, and can be brought up to eye level while standing assuming your belly takes ownership of the largest diameter in your body. I think women will probably be more obsessed with the Overall Health Balance Scale’s results, as us men will probably resort to Wii Fit as a remedy. (Read the full post about ‘Overall Health Balance Scale’…)

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Apr 29th 2008 at 10:28AM
We don’t normally get too excited about printers, but when a company claims to have introduced the “smallest ever” of anything, our ears prick up. Apparently, the Korean electronics-maker has distilled color laser printers into their purest, tiniest form with the CLP-315K and CLX-3175FNK, clocking in at 20- and 40-percent smaller than previous iterations, respectively. The printers still sport fancy-pants features, like printing at up to 2,400 x 600 dpi, 32MB of onboard memory, and — at least on the CLX-3175FNK — the ability to print from a USB key. (Read the full post about ‘Samsung intros ’smallest ever’ color laser printers’…)

This is hilarious - a Wearable Chair patent that was actually approved. U.S. Patent Number D249987 has been issued to Darcy Robert Bonner on October 24, 1978 - that is nearly 30 years ago and until now we haven’t seen any of these Wearable Chairs around. I wonder what’s the hold up, or is the floor a convenient place to rest those tired legs after a long day of shopping? Tags: Hi-fi, video, players, consumer technology (Read the full post about ‘Wearable Chair Patent’…)

With energy costs rising all over the world, it makes perfect sense to get more power-friendly devices in your home, along with the Cost Controller Power Strip. After all, seeing the number steadily increase while you turn on that dual SLI gaming rig of yours will surely cut down on your gaming time as your brain goes into overdrive, wondering what you’re going to survive on in the coming month after a huge chunk of your salary ends up with the energy company. The Cost Controller Power Strip is also able to monitor the voltage, line frequency and power factor of your power. It retails for a shade under $100 and would make a pretty decent gift for virtually anyone. (Read the full post about ‘Cost Controller Power Strip’…)