Best New Technology

by Thomas Ricker, posted Oct 28th 2008 at 2:55AM

While many of you are still waiting for T-Mobile’s RC28 update to hit your G1, at least one reader has trumped us all. KoSoVaR is sitting on fresh, over-the-air software after receiving an update notice a few minutes ago. The process rebooted his G1 “a few times” only to stabilize at RC29. Hard to say what’s new at this point but we’ll get back to you if we hear about anything more than bug fixes.

P.S. For what it’s worth, we’re still kicking it old skool back at RC19 — waiting… and waiting… for the automagic to begin.

Update: Another reader is up on RC29 now as well. Took 5 minutes start to finish and required a single reboot. Snap of the update screens after the break.

[Thanks, KoSoVaR and David]

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Flashlights are not always the most convenient for walking in the dark. Particularly if you’re clumsy even when the sun is up. The circle of light starts to get fairly dim around the edges, so really you only get one direct area that stays lit. Which means you have to choose to illuminate what’s ahead or what’s at you feet. That or you could just move the flashlight around a lot and somehow manage to get both. Well with this NightWalker both what’s ahead and what’s at your feet will stay visible.

It has two separate LED lights to keep you covered. That will also likely make midnight walks with your dog a lot easier. Especially if your pup likes to dart in front of you and almost make you break your neck. The LED lights in the flashlight are said to be 10x more powerful than the average LED and won’t ever need replaced. If you’re worried about staying visible to traffic at night you can flip on the red flashing taillight on the back of the flashlight. To pick one up it will cost you $39.95.

Source: LikeCool

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Hate flying because of the change in pressure that keeps your ears all blocked up? Well, with the Ear Pressure Equalizer, you are able to suck whatever air out of the outer ear canal so that the particular annoying feeling is removed. Unfortunately, we would much rather recommend sucking on a sweet instead of forking out £38.95 for this device. It definitely won’t win you any points with the hot chick sitting beside you, given the fact that you will have to tote around this dorky looking device during takeoff and landing.

Feeling a wee bit naughty? Well, you will be able to take the plunge and zip through express lanes without worrying too much about getting fined with the RF License Plate Cover, although we still think that the authorities are able to track you down and slap your post box with a ticket sooner or later. A simple touch of a button will let a plastic cover slide over your license plate, rendering it unreadable. That might be a novelty, but it will definitely result in you committing two offences - the original plus not displaying your license plate properly. Fancy forking out $121 for the RF License Plate Cover? Take note that it is specially designed for Euro style license plates only.

Memorex is back with a vengeance, thanks to its new line of in-ear headphones that features Howard Leight’s Soundelity technology accompanied by a professional grade ear cushion solution which can be found in elite brands that cost up to ten times as much. This new pair of earbuds aim to bring maximum musical enjoyment to the masses without compromising on comfort and durability.

Memorex’s new line of earbuds features the most comfortable eartip on the market, with patented memory foam technology from Howard Leight. Howard Leight’s unique Soundelity eartips are soft and self-conforming to users’ unique ear canal shapes. Results are a more personal fit for both extended wear comfort and improved acoustics. Soundelity technology offers superior passive noise canceling and bass sound thanks to the properties of the self-conforming foam.

The Memorex EB100, EB200 and EB300 headphone models feature 14mm and 9mm drivers for the latter two, respectively. All three models will come with a 1.2 meter cord and a 3.5mm stereo gold-plated plug. The Memorex EB100 is tipped to go for $24.99, while the EB200 will retail for $29.99 and the higher end EB300 will cost you $39.99 when it is released next month.

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Nice to see Sony releasing just a single SKU for the PSP-3000 in the US, and this time it comes in the form of the Ratchet & Clank Size Matters PSP Entertainment Pack. Each purchase will include the updated PSP-3000 in Mystic Silver as well as the Ratchet & Clank Size Matters game. You can kiss goodbye to the 4GB Memory PSP Entertainment Pack by then, although folks who want a 4GB PSP Memory Stick PRO Duo can always pick it up for $44.99 when it is available later this fall. Those who want the Piano Black bundle will have to wait until December - hopefully before Christmas.

More Hello Kitty stuff to drive you nuts - this time round it is Twinbird with their TS-4654KT, also known as the Hello Kitty Toaster. You get the customary pink color and Japan’s most famous pale-faced feline export emblazoned across the brushed metal surface of the toaster. No idea on how much it costs though, but what manner of madness would drive you to pick this up?

Whenever one country receives a highly anticipated piece of technology first, many other countries get jealous and find ways to illegally obtain that device.  Currently, T-Mobile’s G1 was only released several days ago in America and hasn’t been released elsewhere at this time.  Some Chinese are desperate to try out the first phone running Google’s Android and so they have begun buying G1s from American consumers for big bucks, or should I say big renminbi. 

For about RMB 3,999, about $584, you can purchase your own G1.  If you wish to purchase an unlocked G1, then it will cost an additional RMB 500, or $73.  It looks like the price of the G1 will remain high, until T-Mobile officially introduces the G1 to China, even though China is receiving a lot of illegal phones.

I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of other countries began to follow suit.  The G1 is such a hyped phone many people outside of the U.S. can’t wait to see how good it is and how Google’s open source Android works.

Read [Pacific Epoch] Via [mocoNews]

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Motorola is more famous for their line of cell phones more than anything else, but this time round the company takes a slightly different route by introducing a couple of portable GPS navigation systems that help you find your way around, especially in unfamiliar territory. These two models, the MOTONAV TN20 and TN30, will be available on an exclusive basis at RadioShack Corporation. Let us take a closer look at both devices right after the jump before coming to a conclusion as to whether they are worth bringing home or not.

The Motorola MOTONAV TN20 is the lower end device of the two, but that doesn’t mean it lacks in terms of quality. The TN20 is reliable enough to get you places, since it reduces the stress of driving in unfamiliar areas thanks to spoken street names as well as turn-by-turn directions. You will also benefit from over one million searchable points of interest as well as accurate maps depicting continental US courtesy of NAVTEQ. With the most accurate maps on display and the choice between 2D or 3D display modes, getting to your destination has never gotten any easier. The 3.5″ touch screen display is bright enough to use even under direct sunlight, and it will adjust its brightness automatically to suit the driving conditions. Being small enough to fit in a pocket, you can always carry it with you when you decide to tour the city by foot.

As for the MOTONAV TN30, it comes with all the similar features and functions of the TN20 and more. You will get more maps with the inclusion of Canada and Puerto Rico as well, more than four million searchable points of interest to help you amble along with a sense of direction, a more generous 4.3″ touch screen display as well as Bluetooth connectivity to help you carry out hands free conversations over your cell phone while you’re on the road.

Shared features include on-screen speed, distance, arrival time, elevation, and distance traveled; fastest and shortest route options; advanced lane guidance in complex interchanges; speed limit display with warnings and an SD memory card slot for expansion options. Both the Motorola MOTONAV TN20 and TN30 will retail for $199.99 and $299.99, respectively.

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