Author Archive for Jonas
XCM Eye Candy for Nintendo DSi And NDSi
Do you remember the days when games consoles used to have plastic exterior shells the size of a small apartment complex just to hide their ugly insides, circuit boards and inefficient wiring? No? That just me? You really don’t remember the NES? It was the size of a small house and weighed as much as my obese Labrador. But anyway, perhaps I’m showing my age a little too much here.
Well since the times of the NES, wiring got tighter, programming better and in general consoles got a whole lot bigger and better. But not bigger in the common sense of the word. Bigger on performance and smaller in size, a whole lot more performance packed into a whole lot less casing.
It is little surprise then, that the owners of the latest consoles, including the Nintendo DS and DSi have little shame in baring its insides. That is where the XCM [...]
Mini Fit XL Is Laptop Cooler On Crack
It’s a hazard of even the finest performing laptops and notebooks that they overheat. It’s simply the nature of them, what with having so much performance packed into such a small space. We’ve all heard out notebooks scream at us when we’re running a graphics and CPU intensive online game, three instances of a web browser, a graphics program and watching videos at the same time. That loud almost breathing sound you hear when the built in fan is going into overdrive is annoying too, as well as a sign that you could benefit from some assistance.
Laptop coolers are no new concept. The stands with fans incorporated into the body that run from the USB socket of the laptop extend the life of your laptop. Simply, overheating is the cause of a massive number of laptop problems.
We can think of the Mini Fit XL Cooler as something of a laptop [...]
Carbon Fibre Gorilla Tube iPhone 3G Case
I am beginning to wonder if there is any limit whatsoever to the number of gadgets, memorabilia and accessories that will be released for the iPhone. If it isn’t flashing lights and hi tech hands free kits, it’s games or all sorts of applications from translators to driving and walking mapping and directions and pretty much anything else you can think of. Yes, it seems there’s a whole lot of love for the Apple iPhone and whole lot of money being spent on it… and on kitting it out with the latest and greatest of everything.
Oh and look. Surprise, surprise, another iPhone accessory. I bet you didn’t see that one coming, did you? Well, this is called the Gorilla Tube and is, on first glance, essentially just an iPhone case… with rather a high end price tag.
The price tag, however, warrants further investigation and it seems that on closer inspection [...]
Archos 9PCtablet
Netbooks seem to be the in thing with those who do not require all the power of a laptop but who want to be able to access the internet on a portable device quickly, easily and, most importantly, cheaply. I have noticed a growing trend in people who ordinarily use a fairly high powered desktop purchasing a netbook to act a secondary computer, as opposed to buying a laptop or notebook.
However, Archos are challenging the position of the netbook as the smallest and most portable means of simply accessing the web on a PC-like platform. Archos, in fact, claims to have put all the power of a netbook into a tablet. Yes. They did away with the keyboard. My initial reaction to this was, “Well what’s the point?” For me, the netbook was supposed to be as alike a laptop or notebook computer as possible but with increased portability. Afterall, [...]
Wi-Fi Detector Cap
Wi-Fi signals in public places are the absolute gift of Gods of technology, a gift bestowed lovingly unto self confessed geeks, computer nerds and technology addicts… and perhaps even the closet ones too. The Wi-Fi symbol is becoming known and loved by the internet fiends who trawl city centres looking for venues displaying its loving logo, welcoming them for coffee and free surfing.
But is that logo so great that you’d wear it? Think Geek seems to think so. Their latest product is a baseball cap. “A baseball cap,” I hear you cry, “But what’s so nerdy about that?” Well nothing is nerdy about a plain baseball cap, or a sporty one, or one worn by jocks and those body builder types who date the women we can only dream of attracting. But this one displays the not so subtle Wi-Fi signal symbol as a logo on the front of it. [...]
Do You Want A Video Projector For Your iPhone
Just when it seems that it could not be remotely even possible for the iPhone or iPod to incorporate any more functions than they do, just when it seems that Apple have milked every penny they can from the accessories, along comes an independent third party to cash in on the success of the iGadgetry. Yes, there are no shortage of companies releasing headsets that ‘match’ or even better Apple’s own, no shortage of people bringing out fancier and freakier covers and random accessories. In fact, I was beginning to get quite sick of seeing such accessories around and about.
However, the MiLi Pro is the first accessory of its type I have personally seen. It will be available in September 2009 and looks to take the market by storm. But what is it? Well essentially, it is a micro video projector, that will project images and video from your iPod [...]
Bluelounge CableDrop
Is it not just always the case that the things that entertain us most are the simple little ones? Or is that just me and my small mind? One example of that especially when it comes to cool cable management is Cablox. And now, there is also Bluelounge CableDrop.
Bluelounge has taken us back to basics for their latest product release. Gadgetry does not always have to be about big, fast, fancy, high end, technologically advanced little gizmos with the same amount of electrical consumption as a small city. Really, it doesn’t. In fact Bluelounge’s new CableDrops are essentially designed to help you manage all the electricals you have already been spending your pay packet on.
These are essentially just adhesive clips. But that isn’t quite as thoughtless as it sounds. This is one of those infuriating “how did I not think of that first?” ideas. You get six of these in [...]
E-blue Bluetooth iPhone Speakers
USB Brando, the home of all gadgetry and random things that you probably don’t need but almost certainly want and will post probably spent money on. One of their latest products is the E-Blue pair of iPhone speakers and really, these are pretty cool!
They’re made of titanium and come complete with rechargeable battery with an eight hour battery life. USB Brando claim these speakers feature “fantastic bass, mid-range and high audio output,” and “the latest wireless audio technology – A2DP, you can enjoy.”
So essentially, these cute little things will enable you to listen to your music from your iPhone in higher quality than the in built speaker offers at any time. Yes, they’re perfectly compact and portable. So if ever you feel the need to pull your speakers out and party, you can do so. Please don’t do that on a bus though. There is arguably nothing more annoying than [...]
OCZ Sabre Keyboard With Programmable Goodies
In this day and age of fancy and over the top gadgets, it’s actually quite refreshing to come across something cool that isn’t quite so space age!
This OCZ Sabre Keyboard is pretty much just that – a keyboard. OCZ are a company that manufacture pretty neat peripherals for purchase in the USA and Japan only. This keyboard isn’t just the bog standard keyboard however. It’s USB 2:0 connected with plug and play functionality, compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista (sorry Mac and Linux users, not for you) and it has a 128mb on board storage which can be used for storing application specific macros.
It is marketed as the competitive gamer’s or CAD expert’s keyboard. It’s certainly very ergonomic in design with a 5 to 10 degree tilt for comfort and an integrated palm rest. It comes with a one year warranty and on top of that, as most new [...]
EXOvault Aluminum iPhone Case
When you spend as much on your cell phone as you might spend on a week’s vacation away somewhere, you probably want to protect it. Ok, so insurance policies will cover you for most nasty accidents and carelessness, but simply for convenience, most of us would rather not damage our overly expensive cell phone handsets, right? (And I don’t think any AT&T is offering insurance on iPhone anyway).
Well the EXOvault case is certainly heavy duty, if nothing else. These cases are custom built to order and come in 2 pieces, fitting the iPhone as any other case would. But where your bog standard case might cost you just a few dollars, these will set you back between $95 and $300 dollars each. Of course part of that is to do with the fact that they are custom built as orders come in. But apart from that they’re built from fairly [...]
Pocket Retro Game Emulator
You know you are showing your age when you spend Christmas day trying to explain to the young ones in your family that really there was once a portable console that wasn’t in perfect color. Explaining the concept of a little black pixelated looking Mario running around on a green screen does little more than confuse the generation that is growing up in the DS and PSP portable gaming era. And you show your age even more when you begin to fight the corner of the original NES! You know what I mean. Someone starts going on about the new Wii version of Mario and you find yourself sitting there telling them all how nothing will ever beat the NES Mario Land. Would you like a pipe and slippers to go with that opinion?
Here is a video of retro pocket gamer in action. (Buy Link is at the bottom of [...]
Black Wii
The Nintendo Wii has proven a firm favorite with the gaming world and has even helped thousands to get fit. Yes, I know… if you had told the specialists a few years ago that video games would be improving fitness (as opposed to making us all obese hermits) they would have had you sectioned. But the Wii has proven itself revolutionary and has been a major success for Nintendo.
So, when you already have a product that is flying off shelves and wowing the world, how to you improve it?
Add more features?
Release more games?
Make it cheaper?
No. You simply paint it.
Well ok, maybe you don’t paint it exactly, but you just release one in another colour. At least seems to be Nintendo’s formula for success as this summer sees the release of the ever successful Nintendo Wii in black in Japan. And not only did they just change the colour, they announced [...]
Shadow MacBook Case
The debate between PC loyalists and the Mac brigades continue. Well, not for me. I like and use both. But I know plenty of people I am sure would die for their computing choice. Well… maybe. But for those of us for whom computer accessories and peripherals are as central to our enjoyment as the machine itself, Mac might just have earned itself some extra brownie points with this superbly cool case.
I don’t mean a carry case. I mean an everyday usage case. For those of you who have not used a MacBook before, you might not be aware of just how many clip on cases are available for them. And when you have spent so much money buying the MacBook in the first place, buying a case for extra protection in case of dropping etc is never a bad idea. Or maybe it’s just me that really is that [...]
The i.Saw – A USB Chainsaw
Just when I thought I’d seen (or that ‘i.Saw’) it all, it seems I was wrong! The crazy world of USB powered everything continued to grow. The latest innovation is a chainsaw that runs off your USB hub! Because of course you never know when you will need a chainsaw while you’re typing away on your laptop, right? But this thing is USB 2.0 compatible, meaning you just attach the USB cable, plug it into your computer and you can go all mass horror movie villain right in front of your computer.
Don’t panic too much though, as at 15 inches in complete length and with a chain of just three eighths of an inch, it’s hardly likely to find itself a starring role in any upcoming horror movies. This saw, however, is advertised as being fully functional and it’s clearly stated that, while most chainsaws use materials that would be [...]
Jules Underwater Lodge
Ordinarily, if you checked into a hotel and found out it was underwater, you’d insist upon your money back and then complain about the flooding to your holiday rep! But visitors to the Jules Underwater Lodge in Key Largo, Florida, actually pay well over the odds for the pleasure of having their accommodation underwater!
The Jules Underwater Lodge is pretty much exactly what the name suggests. It’s a lodge and it is underwater. In fact, even to get in you must scuba dive 21 feet beneath the surface of the water and tackle and small submarine style entrance.
The lodge is essentially similar to a submarine, without the mobility! It is used a location from which to take short diving tours, for a quick lunch visit or for overnight stays. The images show that living isn’t exactly what you’d call 5 start luxury. The bedrooms are basic (with somewhat child like aquamarine [...]
Capital Fringe Festival – Washington DC
There are 84 ‘fringe festivals’ held annually, around 20 of which take place in the USA. Capital Fringe takes place, well, in the capital. Make sense, I suppose! This year’s festival will be held in 11 different locations around Washington DC over 17 days and will comprise of some spectacularly creative and outlandish, eccentric events.
There will be one act plays, musical performances, stand up comedy shows, poetry, dance, improvisation, clowns, mime, jazz, hip-hop and then a whole other category of performance that is so off the wall that they’re referring to it as ‘unclassified’.
All the festival venues are in downtown Washington DC this year and the performers and artists are local, national and international. This is not a free event, with tickets starting at $15. And if you do not already have a ‘fringe button’ (which it is mandatory to wear at ANY fringe venue or event) you must buy [...]
