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I have been
reporting on DXG’s camcorders for quite a while, and I found them to be adequate for those
who want to make funny YouTube videos, but they often fell short for resolution.
This is because many of them were 720p shooting, but the DXG-A80V is 1080p, and shoots very clear
at 30fps. The user also has the option of switching to 1080i at 60fps.
The DXG-A80V is also can shoot digital stills at 10 megapixels. It can support high-capacity SD
cars up to 16GB. It also has a “built-in Gyro sensor for electronic image stabilizer and 5X
optical zoom”. All in all, I would have to say that the DXG-A80V is essentially your all
purpose camera.
One the most interesting features is the touchscreen interface. It’s something that I
haven’t seen on their earlier models, but I’m glad it is here. Another feature is the
digital voice recording function for making instant to-do lists and such. That’s something
else that I wished I would have seen on earlier camcorders, but couldn’t I just use the
camera to film me reminding myself of something?
Unless you have
been living under a rock all this while, you would have known about the Google Nexus One
smartphone that is touted to be a “superphone” by Google, as it squares up against
the almighty Apple iPhone which has a worldwide legion of rabid fans, ready to come to its
defense any day. Well, the Google Nexus One also has a different moniker, where it is known as
the HTC Desire – previously known as the Bravo. Guess all of the hardware specification
will more or less remain the same as the Nexus One, as this model will retain more than a handful
of quality features to keep you hooked to it. More on the HTC Desire will be explained right
after the jump.
The handset itself will run on a rather well executed alliance between the Google Android
operating system as well as the HTC Sense user interface which enables users to customize
multiple home screens with web feeds and other content that one would find most relevant. Apart
from that, you will always be in the loop since the HTC Desire allows you to receive a continuous
stream of comments, photos and status updates on popular social networking sites including
Facebook and Twitter. To contact one of your friends is a snap, since all possible avenues of
communication will be offered, ranging from email to SMS, Facebook and calling. With a virtually
endless amount of downloadable apps from the Android Market as well as Google services such as
Google Maps, Google Search and Gmail, the HTC Desire sounds like a truly complete handset for any
smartphone user.
Hardware-wise, you get a 3.7″ AMOLED touchscreen display with multi-touch capability,
offering an above average web browsing and multimedia experience. HTC has also thrown in an
accelerometer that makes it a snap to rotate the angle of the display, while a proximity sensor
will set the display to standby mode whenever you are entertaining a call, so that there
won’t be any accidental selections of options. A 5.0-megapixel camera with autofocus and an
LED flash lets you snap quality photos in a jiffy, but don’t expect it to hold up as well
as a regular consumer class digital camera. It really depends on which carrier do you want to get
tied down to in the UK with the HTC Desire, but most of them often throw in a free gift to make
the deal all the more enticing.
Harman International is back with a new range of products across a trio of divisions this spring
– we’re talking about home entertainment, mobile/in-car and multimedia. For those of
you who do plenty of movie watching at home, Harman has just the tonic with spanking new 5.1 home
entertainment solutions, where they include the Harman Kardon HKTS 20 and HKTS 30. Both models
will feature exceptional audio performance and classy design complete with a 200W powered, 200mm
subwoofer and two-way loudspeakers, virtually making them a firm favorite with action movie fans.
Apart from that, this home theater system will also merge a dual-driver center-channel speaker
for distinct movie dialogue, a quartet of compact satellites to pull every viewer into the
exploding action and a powerful subwoofer for heart-stopping bass. They do bear the signature
Harman Kardon form factor as well as functionality to maintain its brand image.
Of course, this pristine audio experience is not limited to the home only, as it will also appear
in-car as well courtesy of the JBL MS-8. Touted to be a highly anticipated, game-changing product
for the mobile category, the MS-8 will feature a one-of-a-kind system integration digital
processor which supposedly optimizes any vehicle’s performance in just a mere 10 minutes.
All you need to do is go through the relatively idiot-proof step-by-step procedure in order for
the MS-8 to maximize frequency response, bass performance, dynamics, clarity, detail and stereo
imaging, regardless of the combination of factory-installed or aftermarket components that your
vehicle sports.
When it comes to classic multimedia, Harman revives the old by offering new, improved versions of
time-honored favorites such as the brand-new Harman Kardon Go + Play Micro, the JBL On Time 200P,
the JBL On Time Micro and the JBL On Stage Micro II. These devices will offer an even greater
versatility and iPod and/or iPhone compatibility, all without compromising on the similar
world-class audio quality which is synonymous with the Harman brand name.
Do you happen to have plenty of trouble trying to get out of bed every morning? Well, this is
where the Twist Alarm Clock comes in handy – it will only shut up once you managed to solve
the relatively simple math problem displayed on the screen. There are two displays and an equal
number of rotatable parts which will work in tandem to present you with a math problem each
morning, where you will need to provide the right answer before it keeps quiet. Talk about being
forced to use your brains the moment you open your eyes! It is currently available in Japan only
for $30 after conversion, although we’re pretty sure that you can import this puppy if you
want something totally rad for the bedroom.
We’ve seen the phenomenon known as Mood Rings back in our younger days, but what about the
Mood Swing Lip Gloss? This is one lip gloss that men won’t mind buying for their other
halves – after all, I am sure that many of us have suffered the wrath of a sudden mood
change in women, where we are deemed to be insensitive boorish neanderthals for not knowing how
they feel like. Thanks to the Mood Swing Lip Gloss, it comes with a color chart that lets you
predict what your woman is feeling right now, giving you at least a fighting chance to not get
stepped all over verbally (and in some cases, physically). It has a color range that changes from
clear to deep crimson.
JVC of Japan is back with a spanking new Everio camera which will go one up on all of its other
rivals – why do we say so? Well, it comes with integrated Bluetooth wireless technology
that allows it to “talk” to other similarly equipped wireless devices. Of course, let
us not get sidetracked by this and focus on what the Everio GZ-HM550 can do as a camcorder first
before moving on to see the capabilities of Bluetooth connectivity. The Everio GZ-HM550 will
sport a 10.6 megapixel CMOS sensor for recording high quality Full HD video and nine megapixel
digital stills, and 32GB of internal flash memory which can be further expanded thanks to an
SD/SDHC memory card slot.
Right, on to the Bluetooth now – it basically allows you to control the camera using
nothing else but a smartphone, while you can also geo-tag your recorded videos as well as snapped
photos through a compatible Bluetooth headset. Needless to say, you will still need to install
the application which it ships with before it is able to pair up with a compatible
Bluetooth-equipped smartphone. Using this software, one can control the camera remotely, letting
you record, zoom and play operations. With a GPS device in tow, it is a snap to record location
data of where movie and still files were recorded. All relevant data stored will be synchronized
with Google Earth when viewing the file on a PC, and you can also take advantage of a
Bluetooth-equipped headset to monitor the recorded sound or for voice recording. Hmmm, sounds
fine and dandy for the rest, but don’t you think a regular remote control would work just
fine for this camcorder if you want to operate it from afar? Guess having the Bluetooth option
allows you to lose the remote without feeling a tinge of regret or panic.
Other hardware specifications include a 10.62 megapixel Back-illuminated CMOS sensor, 1920 x 1080
Full HD video shooting, real nine megapixel digital stills, a KONICA MINOLTA HD LENS with 16x
dynamic zoom without suffering from any degradation of picture quality, an LED light and a flash
for shooting in dark situation, Advanced Image Stabilization and advanced shooting functions. All
that shooting could prove to be painful on your arms, which is why the Everio GZ-HM550 comes with
a redesigned grip belt that works in two ways, as that of a conventional handle-style grip when
both ends are snapped in place, or as a strap when one end of the belt is released. Expect to
pick up the JVC GZ-HM550 Bluetooth-enabled camera for $799.95.
Casio has been
in the timepiece business for quite a fair number of years already, and most of us would have
fond memories of a digital watch from Casio, although these days it seems to be imported from
China instead of its spiritual home, Japan. Ah well, their range of G-Shock watches are also a
cause to celebrate, since those are some tough devices which can withstand the rigors of an
active lifestyle. This time round, Casio America takes the next step forward in the world of
watches with its latest addition to the Pathfinder collection, otherwise known as the PAG110C-3.
This new Pathfinder will definitely appeal to those who constantly brave the great outdoors, but
it also has a conscience since it is eco-conscious with features such as solar technology and
recycled packaging.
After all, having your watch die out on you while you’re in the lush forest in the middle
of nowhere can be quite a frightening thought. So why not throw in some solar panels to make sure
the watch has enough juice to keep going? We wonder whether they will come up with a hybrid
mechanism that relies not only on kinetic energy to keep the timepiece ticking, but a solar panel
as well for another alternative source of renewable energy. The PRG110C-3 will incorporate
Casio’s Tough Solar Technology which increases battery life via the regeneration of
electrical power from sunlight. This will help decrease battery consumption associated with
traditional watches, which in turn assists in cutting down over three billion batteries thrown
away each year by Americans – at least that is what the Environmental Protection Agency
say. Basically, you wil decrease the presence of heavy metals in landfills which cause toxic
contamination to the environment if you pick up this digital watch.
Despite being eco-conscious, this Pathfinder timepiece retains its core features, with the
PAG110C-3 boasting advanced outdoor capabilities such as a digital compass, altimeter, barometer
and thermometer, where all of it are more than capable of meeting the needs of the serious
outdoorsman. You will also be able to enjoy five daily alarms, a stopwatch and world time in 30
cities. Is it raining, or do you have to forge rivers? Fret not – the watch is water
resistant up to 100 meters and low temperature resistant as well. Each Casio PAG110C-3 will
retail for $250 as an exclusive item on Amazon.com.
Okay, before you get too excited about getting some magic
invisibility cloak like Harry Potter, you should know that so far, this technology has only made
one thing invisible: a bump on a gold bar.
Yes, it is a bump that is only 0.00004 inches high and 0.0005 inch across, which you probably
wouldn’t see in the first place, as it can only be seen with a magnifying glass.
Still, it is a start, and these researchers at Germany’s Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
was able to cloak this tiny bump, could prevent its detection at nearly visible infrared
frequencies. I’m not talking about camouflage, but the cloaking effect was visible in 3D
from all angles.
How do they do it? Well, the cloak is a “a structure of crystals with air spaces in
between, sort of like a woodpile, that bends light, hiding the bump in the gold later
beneath”. As you might have guessed, size does matter when it comes to turning something
invisible, and “cloaking larger items with that technology is not really feasible”.
In other words, we are a long way away before our vehicles can cloak like the Romulans on
Star Trek. Still, I am experiencing both the wonder and horror of knowing that we have
invisibility technology, even if it is still in its infancy.
I never did use a Baby
Monitor in my house, but if I did, I would definitely want to use the Sikker.
The Sikker isn’t like the ones that are essentially over-priced walkie-talkies. At least,
that’s what they were several years ago. I’m sure that mobile technology has improved
since then. Anyway, what makes the Sikker different from other baby monitors is that it comes in
the form of two wristbands.
One band is for the baby, and one is for the parent. They are synced wirelessly together, as they
are to the base station. The parent can use his or her bracelet to monitor the baby’s
temperature, or remotely play music for the baby via the radio. I don’t see why an SD slot
could not be added for MP3 tracks.
Hey, the Sikker (Danish for “safety”) is still a concept for now, so who knows what
it is capable of? Why, I venture to say that maybe they will make it so those bracelets will
float in air on the base station.
Of course, I can think of a problem with this already. What if your little baby doesn’t
want to have a bracelet on? That sort of shoots your baby monitoring system all to heck,
doesn’t it? I guess you could cuff (perhaps too strong of a word) the bracelet to a bar on
the baby’s crib, but you won’t get the temperature reading.
About a year ago, we covered the Taga Stroller Trike, which is
essentially exactly what it says that it is: a way of putting your little kids on a much easier
method of transport.
As you can see from the video, the Taga can now transform from bike into stroller. This looks
like a new feature, as I did not see that feature when I reported on it the first time. I
remember saying that it folds up, but they said nothing about its transforming feature.
This must be why the company has put out all these videos of the Transforming Taga. Especially
since it can do its shape-changing feat in just 20 seconds. Considering the struggles that I have
had with my strollers, I would say that is pretty good.
As I have said before, my experience with strollers isn’t always pleasant. I found that
strollers didn’t turn when they should, and were horrendous to push uphill, even if there
was only a slight slope. This particular Taga is like one of those awesome ones with three spoked
wheels, easy to move, and get around.
Of course, all of this costs, and costs plenty. Price of the Taga Transformer: $1,495. Dang!
Unless you are those parents from 18 Kids and Counting, I don’t see this as a wise
investment.
Instead of buying a case to carry your laptop, you could have a laptop that doubles as a
case. This concept would allow for you to carry around just a little less and maybe
even spend a tiny bit less money. Sure, some people carry around too much gear and
need the bag, but in those cases when you need a bag, the handle could also be used in other
useful ways.
Be it making it easier to just walk around your office with a laptop or for longer trips, I could
easily see it becoming a very common convenience very quickly. The handle itself
could also be moved to use to prop up your laptop. Which would make it so that you
wouldn’t have to carry around a laptop stand either. Right now the
“Playing By Heart” laptop is a design straight from the mind of Zhang
Shouze. That means that you aren’t exactly going to be purchasing one anytime
soon.
I don’t know anyone anymore that actually owns a record player. I still find
them interesting, but I can’t say that I’ve found much of a need to rush out and get
one. Well for those of you that would like to have something small and easily hidden
around, this record player is one way to do it. What was formerly nothing more than
a sleeve for a record gets reshaped and reused as a record player.
Sure, it’s nothing top of the line and it will probably need a little help from you, but it
would still work. In order to get it up and running, just assemble all of the
corrugated cardboard into the proper formation. Then just put a pencil in the center
of the record on the player. The vibrations will then go through the needle and
become amplified by the cardboard. It was just something that was sent out to
creative directors across North America in order to demonstrate GGRP’s sound engineering
capabilities.
Of all the iPod docks I’ve come across (and I’ve seen a lot), this one is now my all
time favorite. It’s the most interesting one I’ve looked over, without
it being a cheap novelty device. This would be great for anyone that enjoys the
industrial look or just wants something new that stands out from the rest of their
electronics. Plus, for being a dock, it’s somewhat budget friendly.
This whole thing was created using parts found in a second hand hardware store.Â
Being from used parts, it gives the dock an extremely unique look. Even if the
creator were to make several, none of them could ever be exactly alike. The dock is
compatible with all sorts of different iPods and all of the iPhones. It’ll
even work with the iPod shuffle, which is a rare thing to find. You can purchase the
double sided dock for $95 through Etsy.
It’s always nice to see when technology takes a cue
from nature. In this case, the Bloom Light.
The Bloom Light is the creation of Patrick Jouin. It is merely a concept for now, but it could
very easily be something that I would put in my reading room. This would be assuming that I have
a reading room, which I do not.
As you can see, it is something that looks like an ordinary bulb, at least at the beginning. And
by the word “bulb”, I mean something like a flower bud. I think “bud” is
probably the best explanation as the light blooms like a flower. This allows the light to be
spread out amongst the room, and I’m guessing that it makes some pretty patterns.
Maybe if it spins, it can become something like a disco chandelier. It sort of reminds me of the
“primary weapons” on the big honkin’ motherships in Independence Day.
I suppose that if the Bloom Light was a chandelier, I might get nervous that it was going to
incinerate me.
Still, I like this design, and would love to have it on my ceiling or post lamp. It is not for
sale now, but it will be on display at the International Furniture Fair in Milan.
If there
is one thing that I hate, it is lawn mowing. Perhaps I should get one of those remote control
lawnmowers, like the GOAT. I know that
can’t afford a riding mower, and don’t have that much of a lawn to use it with. What
I wouldn’t give to have this riding scooter.
The Lawn Mower Scooter is designed by Vicky Petihovski, and I believe that it is a way of making
America’s least-liked chore more fun. According to the specs, it has an electric motor that
can drive the blades and scooter.
That means that you can ride the scooter while the blades are doing the work. It can reach up to
6 kilometers per hour, and it can collect the cut grass inside of it. There is even a transparent
window so you can see inside of it, and tell when it is time to be emptied.
Speaking of empty, I don’t really see a place where the engine will sit. I also don’t
see where to put the gas, assuming that it runs on liquid fuel.
If you ask me, this lawnmower scooter looks like it is meant to be a toy, and it reminds me of a
Radio Flyer wagon. However, would you feel comfortable giving a child a lawnmower? I mean, I
would feel comfortable letting a teenager mow the lawn, but seeing Dad playing with the lawnmower
scooter would definitely inspire a child of any age to want to join in the fun.
I loved seeing Parrot’s
AR.Drone at CES, and I had just as much fun watching the video of this quad-copter, created
by the Robust Robotics Group at MIT.
It would appear that this Robust Robotics Group took this thing a step further, but it still
requires some sort of iPhone to maintain control. The AR.Drone wasn’t able to take vocal
commands.
You can see from the vid that the operator speaks “fly past room 124, then face the windows
and go up”. There must have been some speech to text on iPhone, and it would appear that
the helicopter can transmit this text into actual commands.
The video has a man simply speaking commands like “up” and “go to the
elevators”. It does obey those commands as well, even though these orders are pretty vague.
I mean, how does the copter know how high to go up, or what area around the elevators to go to?
I suppose that this could be use as sort of a mini-predator drone, one that is vocally
controlled. Hopefully it will know how to obey the order of “get out of there”.
Well, usually anything that is being worked on at a University is concept tech. If they perfect
it and market it, then that AR.Drone has some serious competition.
Nothing will ever make you look quite as cool as owning a handgun flash drive. Sure,
you can’t take it in most places, due to the stir it might cause. At least
you’ll look tough though. With your jet black drive, I’ll bet you only
store the toughest of your information on the drive. I haven’t the faintest
idea what kind of information would be called tough, but I’ll bet you figure it out.
The drive itself won’t shoot anyone, but you might be able to fend off the dumbest
criminals of the world. Hidden within the handle itself is where you’ll find
the USB port you need. On that drive you can store up to 4GB of pictures and
documents. That’ll give plenty of room, especially for the price you’ll
pay. The drive will only cost you $22 through USB Geek.
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