Best New Technology

Call me strange (hey, it wouldn’t be the first time - or even the hundredth) but when I shop online, I usually have a specific something in mind. A book, some pants, that episode of The Hills I missed on cable, you know, something I want.

But some people, they just like to shop. And apparently, they don’t care what they actually end up with: as long as they’ve spent money, they’re happy. The Something Store is the perfect site for these people - or anyone with an affinity for playing the odds.

You send the Something Store $10, and they will send you… something. Something non-returnable, at that. It could be something posh and exciting, it could be something you’ll never use. You might like it, you might hate it, but at least you’ll have got rid of some of that pesky cash burning a hole in your pocket.

Via Shiny Shiny.

When I think of a convergence device, I usually think of a mouse with three functions of a toaster that makes coffee. However, one doesn’t usually think about a walking stick with more than meets the eye. Sure, you can sneak a dagger or a pool cue into one pretty easily, however, wouldn’t a telescope be cool too?

This Telescope Walking Stick features a handle, which, when pulled out reveals a small telescope. Mind you, something this small is going to have only a 3x magnification, but that’s still enough for someone watching birds or hiking in the woods. I suppose that something like this would have been a little more useful in a time where there was still much undiscovered land, however, it still makes for an interesting piece. The staff is made from a 1” thick one-piece African rosewood, and will set you back $89.95.

Source: RedFerret

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Motorola has the honor of announcing its new smallest body-worn TETRA Covert Radio, known as the TCR1000, offering full featured TETRA radio functions for users who are involved in covert operations. This new radio is thin enough to be concealed in light clothing without ever raising so much as an eyebrow, offering secure communications with encryption features that is touted to improve operational effectiveness in the field. The TCR1000 is so small that it tips the scales at a featherweight 180 grams, making it light enough that you might even forget it is there in the first place. Being this light also makes it a snap for officers to conceal their equipment during dangerous covert operations, making them one with the crowd in order to ease the burden of their duties.

Despite being small in size and compact in design, the TCR1000 does not sacrifice performance for its diminutive form factor. It will still being the same level of functionality to the user, including options for integrated GPS and end-to-end encryption. Other incorporated innovative features include discrete audio, radio control and long battery lifetime. The control features have also been given an overhaul in order to suit its function and purpose as a covert operation device better, utilizing audio tones to identify talk group number to enable audio-only recognition of talk group selection. It can even be remote controlled from afar, offering a greater degree of flexibility as never before.

Amazing how they crammed in integrated GPS into the mix as well, enabling users to locate resources as well as users who are in need of assistance. You can also include an extended battery pack option that will greatly extend users’ surveillance periods without adding more bulk than necessary. Security-wise, the TCR1000 comes with the entire range of encryption features of Motorola’s TETRA radios and infrastructure portfolio, ensuring safety and information protection while preventing interception from unwanted parties.

Press Release

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I guess it is pretty easy to lay claim to being the fastest or largest device in the industry today, if you throw in plenty of other criteria into the mix. Take for example, Samsung Electronics who have placed their hands on both “fastest” and “largest” superlatives with the new 2.5″, 256GB multi-level cell (MLC) based solid state drive (SSD) using a SATA II interface. This high capacity flash storage device was unveiled at the fifth annual Samsung Mobile Solution Forum, and is also touted to be the thinnest drive with the largest capacity to be offered with a SATA II interface. I wonder just how many other SSDs fall under a similar category in order to go up against Samsung’s offering.

This new SSD will feature a sequential read speed of 200MB/s and sequential write speed of 160MB/s, making this MLC-based Samsung offering approximately 2.4 times faster than a standard hard disk drive. It also measures a mere 9.5mm thick - or should I say slim in this case, with dimensions of 100.3mm x 69.85 mm. When officially released, this 256GB SSD will also hold the honor of being the largest capacity SSD from the global market leader in SSD sales, dropping the argument that adopting SSDs in a computer or other equivalent device comes with the sacrifice of space, although cost has not yet been calculated into the equation.

According to Jim Elliott, vice president, memory marketing, Samsung Semiconductor, Inc, “With development of the 256GB SSD, the notebook PC is on the brink of a second stage of evolution. This change is comparable to the evolution from the Sony Walkman to NAND memory-based MP3 players, representing an initial step in the shift to thinner, smaller SSD-based notebooks with significantly improved performance and more than ample storage. ”

Press Release

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By this time everyone knows about Intel’s Atom processor, which is set to be released in early June. The processor is expected to be a big step forward for ultraportable devices and MIDs given it’s expected increased battery life and 45nm process. One issue with Atom so far though is that the first round of releases will be single-core processors. We know dual-core models are on the way but up until now have not had any firm news on their release.

According to Fudzilla, Intel will be releases its first dual-core Atom processors in Q3 of this year, which means there will not be much lag behind the release of the first set of models to hit the streets. They expect the dual-core model to be the Atom 330, a chip very similar to the 1.6GHz Atom 230. They will both have a 533MHz FSB but the 330 should have 1MB of cache, twice that of the single-core processor. The expected TDP of the Atom 330 is just 8W.

Read more at Fudzilla

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted May 26th 2008 at 11:18AM

Briefcase brigade alert: The performance mini-notebook field (yeah, we just made that up) just got a bit more interesting with Hypersonic PC’s Avenger AG2. This little 12 incher may their smallest and lightest, but it packs a punch. Laced with an Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 at 2.5GHz and a 6MB L2 cache, optional SSD, a 12.1-inch WXGA screen at 1280×800, Bluetooth, 1.3MP cam, WiFi, card reader, and Windows Vista Home Premium, this multicolored lappy is nothing to sneeze at — unless you’re allergic to Vista. Base price is about $1,300, fully spec’d will hit you at around $2,500.

[Via Engadget en Español]

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Filed under: Laptops

by Thomas Ricker, posted May 26th 2008 at 8:16AM

There you have it, Sonos’ reputed ZP120 zoneplayer mounting its chubby ZP100 Appalachian cuz. The new amplified zoneplayer adds 802.11n to the mix while ditching the analog outs. Also rumored is an un-amplified, 802.11n ZP90 to replace the ZP80. When? We have no idea but you’ll know when we do. Backside front after the break.

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Filed under: Home Entertainment

Firefox 3 Release Candidate 1 users, listen up. Mozilla has stated that RC1 contains ten “high-priority” bugs, which have been marked as “critical.” Released almost two weeks ago, RC1 was thought by the developers as a possible final product, but now that these flaws are coming to light, the company is debating whether to release Firefox 3 Final with the updates or ship out another release candidate for further testing from the community.

“We are making a go/no go decision early next week, as we are still collecting feedback.”

Some of the bugs include certain websites crashing the browser, Ubuntu 8.04 breaking “3.0pre’s addons,” the spell checker once disabled is not able to be re-enabled again, and drag and drop bookmarks not being usable. These bugs could also be fixed, if RC1 is the final release, in 3.0.1 (which would essentially be RC2). The bugs are currently undergoing testing and by May 27, we’ll have word if RC1 is in fact the final release or if RC2 will be compiled and released to the public for another round of testing.

Read [PC World]

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This is one of the coolest inventions for those who play golf. This little gizmo is the newest gold caddy available. The technology is not new, but the ability to commercialize the product is a first. What’s so great about it is that it will follow you wherever you go with out having to use a remote. You simply use a transmitter that attaches to your body.

The shadow caddy carries your golf clubs behind you and even has a park mode so it will not follow you onto the green. This is great for any golfer who wants to enjoy the walk as well as the game itself. There is no better gift for the avid golfer. No more wasted money on a regular caddy who can not keep up anyway.

via Gizmag

Posted in Sports, Health & Fitness, Outdoors

It’s a well-known fact that many laptops heat up considerably when in use for any long period. This of course has spawned hundreds of devices meant to cool off your notebook using any combination of heatsinks and pads. This Log Pillow takes a different approach to the situation.

Rather than trying to directly cool off the parts of the laptop that would be resting on your legs, this Log Pillow raises it up away from your legs to keep them cool. The “logs” are soft and cushy which not only keep you comfortable, but allow for better air circulation to the underside of the notebook. The front one even acts as a nice wrist rest for additional comfort.

What’s more is the “logs” are actually filled with buckwheat hulls and are crafted from hemp, which will appeal to your inner hippie. Unfortunately the $160 price tag will likely sway you towards finding a different cooling option.

Source: Dvice

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