Gadgets
iRecord : Record from TV directly onto your iPod
Dec 14th
Not just for music and videos anymore, the iPod can now be used to watch your favorite movies and TV shows, recorded directly from the source. That’s right, this handy gadget, the iRecord, allows you to record shows and video from any video device including DVD players, cable boxes, or TV’s, directly to your iPod. There’s no need to first record your show then transfer it to your computer and then download it a third time to your iPod.
iRecord
The iRecord video ripper connects directly to your video source with standard video and audio outputs. Your iPod connects directly to the iRecord via the USB port. When your favorite show or movie is playing, simply push the iRecord’s red button and video is encoded and downloaded instantly to your iPod. And if you’re not ready to watch on your iPod, you can store your recording on any USB-based device connected to the iRecord. Read the rest of this entry »
HP Envy vs Macbook Air
Dec 10th
The Hewlett-Packard Envy 13 offers an excellent example of what a cutting-edge ultra portable should be–and it moves past the Apple MacBook Air in some important respects, despite its overly ambitious price tag.
First, let me say that I have used a MacBook Air for over a year and am well aware of its merits. That said, it is beginning to look a little long in the tooth when juxtaposed with the Envy 13 which, like the Air, offers an aluminum chassis. I will also draw comparisons with 13-inch MacBook Pro since the Envy seems to fall somewhere between this and the Air. Read the rest of this entry »
Wireless Charging
Dec 6th
Wireless charging has become a very big deal over the last few months. I know many people who don’t want to have to deal with plugging in wires when they want to charge the mobile phone or other devices. The WildCharge system has been around for a while now and today marks the launch of a new product called the Powermat that can charge multiple devices at once.
Folding PowerPad
The Portable Mat is a fold out device that has a place to sit up to three mobile phones to charge. Each phone requires a special case or an adapter to charge. The mat also has a single USB port allowing the user to charge a USB device at the same time. A universal power supply allows the mat to work anywhere in the world and the system includes a Universal Powercube with eight tips. The tips included are for many common phones such as those that charge using the mini-usb interface. However, tips for the iPhone, Blackberry, and Sony devices are not included.
Powermat Receivers are the cases that allow the devices to get power from the mat and are offered for Blackberry, iPhone, iPods, Nintendo DS, and a universal receiver has USB tips and more. The Powermat is available in the US for $99.99 and the specific receivers sell for $29.99 to $39.99. You can get more details at Powermat
I’m going to order one and try it out. I’ll let you all know if it is any good!
Great iPhone App : Knocking!
Dec 3rd
Knocking, a new application for the iPhone, got a pretty big “wow” out of me — it lets you share footage from your iPhone camera with friends who have the app.
Let’s say you’re at a store and you want to ask your spouse which product they like better. You could turn on Knocking, “knock” on their phone, then they would get a message saying you want to share. Then you just turn your camera on the different products you’re looking at, and it shows up on their phone. Here are a couple other examples offered by Brian Meehan, co-founder of Point Heads Software, the Danbury, Conn., development studio that created Knocking: If you’re fishing, you could use Knocking to share the great view, or if you’re stuck in traffic you could use the app to show family or coworkers how bad things are on the highway.
Knocking Application
I haven’t tried the application myself, but I have seen a live demo as well as a video, and both suggest the video quality is decent, if a little jerky, and is broadcast with only a few seconds’ delay. Neither fact undermines Knocking’s essential coolness.
Pointy Heads actually released a more limited version of the Knocking app in November, which focused on photo-sharing. The full version was rejected from the App Store due to some user interface features that Apple said fell afoul of its policies. (Meehan was a bit vague on the exact violation.)
It seems like this is becoming a common story among iPhone developers, but Meehan decided to take his concerns straight to the top — he sent an email to Apple chief executive Steve Jobs recounting his history as a lifelong Apple fan, and outlining his concerns with the decision, such as the fact that other apps live in the store seemed to offer the same feature that got Knocking rejected. Shortly afterward, Meehan said he got a call from Apple “upper management,” who said they were calling about his email to Jobs. A few more phone calls later and the app was approved without any revision from Point Heads.
“It was a great feeling to know that they are listening and they do care,” Meehan said.
Knocking is available as a free app for the first 50,000 users, and will then cost $2.99. Pointy Heads plans to demonstrate a version for Android phones at the Consumer Electronics Show next January.
Pointy Heads is self-funded.
Acer claim to become first to launch Chrome OS Netbook!
Dec 3rd
The world’s second-largest PC maker has designs on being the first to offer a Chrome OS Netbook.
Acer Chairman J.T. Wang said in an interview with Digitimes that he’s “confident” his company will be first out of the gate with Google’s open-source operating system pre-installed. The earliest it would be available is mid-2010, according to Digitimes’ unnamed sources.
Acer was just one of several hardware makers previously announced to be working with Google on implementing Chrome OS, along with Asus, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, and Toshiba. Dell, which hasn’t committed to it fully yet, has released an experimental version of Chrome OS based on the source code that will work on the Dell Mini 10v Netbook, though it’s not an official product.
Though Wang didn’t offer details or specifications for Acer’s Chrome OS Netbook, the guys behind Chrome OS have already let on what they’re expecting.
At the OS’s first public demonstration last month, Google said its vision includes slightly larger keyboards and screens than what’s currently available, x86 or ARM processors, solid-state drives, and 802.11(n) Wi-Fi chips.
