Gadget Dose

Photo is from  Kotaku.Com

I don’t consider myself a hardcore gamer but I do appreciate video games and game consoles now and then. Living with two boys who are undoubtedly game geeks, I’m exposed to this kinds of stuff.

But I am not sure how pleased or displeased my boys will be with the latest from Microsoft Games. The Xbox 360 in fiery Red has long been rumored for release. And finally, the word is out. It is really happening and it is really in RED.

I just love it so! It’s very attractive!

This beautiful console comes bundled with a wireless controller (also in red of course), an Xbox 360 headset (not in red, but black), about 120GB hard drive, the latest copy of Resident Evil 5, a downloadable access to the Resident Evil theme and the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix.

Retail for this is at $399.00 and may already be pre-ordered at Best Buy.

The console is a limited edition release.

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A report from Apple Insider shows that a lot of iPhone owners have a tendency to download tons of iPhone applications but over time, never gets to use them. It apparently seems that users actually forget about having downloaded the stuff online. This downloads are mostly free applications.

The report, done by Pinch Media, also shows, game applications are the ones downloaded the most, followed by sports and entertainment related applications.

Data was gathered from over 30 Million application download tracking.

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LG Electronics has announced it is launching their newest netbook called the LG X120.

The laptop is a cute one with only 10.1″ screen with backlit. Powering it is an Intel Atom processor with 1.6Ghz and has wi-fi and HSDPA capability for connectivity. Above the screen is a camera with 1.3 megapixel. This netbook has 1GB of RAM, with 160GB harddrive. The gadget will be able to run Windows XP. Additionally, this has a “smart-on” function which essentially allows for the easy boot (about 5 seconds) of applications that are used the most.

The laptop weighs at 1.2Kwith about four hours to seven hours of battery usage, depending on the kind of battery you use (there is a choice between a 3-cell or a 6-cell battery).

The unit is available in UK in March but there is no word yet on when it will be available in North America.

Via the LG Blog

This hardshell cases for the new MacBook aluminum are made of ABS plastic coupled with soft touch coating. It offers a textured feel, almost leather like, and protects the surface of the laptop from scratches and dents.

The hardshell is so easy to install. Snapping the top piece and the bottom piece together is a cake walk. The fit is secure and snug, with port openings properly aligned to the MacBook. The case even has ventilation holes at the bottom of it and the holes help a lot in keeping the laptop on low temperature when running. As it is the MacBook doesn’t really heat up to cause worries, but the hardshell at least cools it even more.

The Haptique’s leather finish is soft yet very solid. With plenty of choices for colors, it adds the extra punch and  becomes this really sleek and funky protection for your laptop machine.

The Uniea Haptique is sold for $49.95 via this website.

Expected or surprised?

According to The Wall Street Journal, sales for Apple in the month of January 2009 fell by 6% when compared to figures from the same month in 2009. Apparently, Apple’s pricey computer models are turning away many consumers, especially in this time of the recession.

Apple Inc.’s unit sales of computers through U.S. retail channels fell 6% in January from the same month in 2008, the first monthly decline in three years, according to market-research firm NPD Group.

The data suggest that Apple’s premium pricing, which helped boost revenue when demand was strong, may be hurting the company now that consumers are being more careful about their spending amid the recession.

Demand for Apple’s laptop computers, in particular, had remained relatively solid for months despite the economic downturn as consumers were willing to pay higher prices for a sleek design and unique operating system. But NPD analyst Stephen Baker said consumers are becoming more price-sensitive as the economic climate continues to worsen.

“Casual buyers or people who are trying to make a choice are trading down,” Mr. Baker said.

NPD compiles estimates of sales through U.S. retailers, including Apple’s company-owned stores and Web site. The firm estimates that the dollar value of Apple’s sales through U.S. retail channels fell 11% during the month, faster than the decline in unit sales. Its market share, measured in dollars, declined to 13.7% from 16.4% in January 2008, NPD said.

This news should fuel the rumors of Apple’s plan to lower prices and release cheaper gadgets by summer of 2009.

Source: Wall Street Journal

BBC News is reporting that mobile phone makers — Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG, T-Mobile, Orange, 3, AT&T and Vodafone — are planning to come up with a universal phone charger that should help reduce cost and energy waste by some 50%. In their drive to keep products environment friendly, this new phone accessory should come to the market in the year 2012.

This looks like a great idea especially for consumers with more than one mobile such as myself and the two other people in my family. We have a basket full of charges at home and I tell you, sometimes we fight over this because wires get tangled or lost and misplaced.

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Doing many of my work at home, my dilemma has always been that I had no proper workstation as I work on my laptop and move from room to room to room. Sometimes, I end up working in bed, which is cozy for my back, but as far as working efficiently goes, it’s not always the best idea. It is not that comfortable.

My Place Cozy, should help solve this problem. It is a portable laptop station which offers the user comfort when moving from one area to another. For those who travel a lot, this should be very, very useful.

My Place Cozy is equipped with LED lights so you can work properly even in areas that aren’t well-lighted. The station has a built in cup holder for coffee and beverages, so other than working, one can also use this thing for quick meals even when on the move. Shaped with a pillow base, the portable workstation has a plastic frame and is easy to carry around, as it has a proper handle and is very lightweight and compact (measuring about 16 x 14 x 3″).

My Place cozy works with two AAA batteries (for the lights, I guess?) and it is sold for an affordable $19.98 here at Taylor Gifts.

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This is a functional art piece that would make a perfect gift for photography junkies or even antique collectors. I am sure they would love to have in the house. It is a really vintage flash camera that has already served its purpose and is now just going to be a pretty clock hanging on someone’s wall. It has that historical, whimsical charm to it. It is such a conversation piece too.

This clock is available at Uncommon Goods….and because it is antique and is a handmade item from Debra Dresler, it picks quite a price at $165.00.

NOTE: Requires 1 “AA” battery, included. Includes one, non functioning flash bulb.
SIZE: 8″ H x 8″ W x 6.5″ D

Seriously? I don’t encourage cellphones for kids just yet but I can’t say this one does not look too tempting to own. If I could have one, my inner child would be very pleased.

Lego has tapped mobile company Alcatel to deliver to consumers this brightly colored mobile phone that looks all too familiar to anyone who has enjoyed playing Lego blocks as a child. This cellphone comes with real cellular interface and components but the fun thing is you can swap the parts of it like you would any Lego set.

Slated for release this summer, this gadget will form part of other gadgets Lego plans to reproduce such as the digital camera, a walkie talkie and an MP3 player.

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Are you so in love with someone but are too shy to speak up to the one your love and profess your feelings this Valentine’s day? Then why not try and send an anonymous greeting through his or her mobile.

With Nokia Cupid, anonymous texting is possible…and usually free (for UK residents at least, please check the terms and conditions if you’re from elsewhere).

The messages though are already pre-programmed. You cannot put your own, or declare your romantic love with flowery words and poetry. Select from four types of areas to send out your message —- cheeky, simple, rhyming and quotes and then all you have to do is leave your name and details, as well as the name and details of your significant other.

Nokia Cupid promises though that all of these will be treated with confidentiality.

Those who enjoy watching videos on their hand helds, like the iPod may now enjoy the images on a bigger screen and resolution, thanks to this mini-projector from Thanko, the famed Japanese website for many things weird and extra-ordinary.

The Miseal Mini-Projector includes a stand and a speaker dock. It may be easily attached to the iPod or any hand held device for that matter, and then one would just have to beam away the images from it, at least 16 feet away from a blank wall or screen. It’s so small and manageable and is quite portable, too. You can bring this thing anywhere, as easy as you bring your hand helds with you all the time.

The mini projector cost about $441.

Via Thanko.

The thing about gadgets today — such as laptops, cellphones, game portables and media portables — is that because many of them are so handy, portable and mobile, they can be prone to scratches, bumps and wear and tear. Used anywhere everyday and thrown in the bag together with keys, brushes and coins, these gadgets are bound to look really old and so used so fast. To many people, protecting their outer body is of big importance. One wouldn’t want to end up with a gadget that’s full of scratches now, wouldn’t it?

So, here’s why invisibleSHIELD™ is a practical answer to this problem. It is a transparent and thin protector that works like a second skin to any type of gadget. It matches the body, contour and color of the device, so it is hardly noticeable. But you can see the effect and the difference when it comes to protecting your device’s body.

Watch this video demo for more details:

Fashion brand, Chanel, has jumped the technology bandwagon! Famous for luxury bags and clothes, it has recently unveiled this unique cell phone unit called the Choco Phone, aptly named so because the phone looks like a piece of chocolate bar, except that…it is made in an extravagant looking glass-like feature.

Designer Fred de Garilhe says, the phone works by —-

“integrating an optical fiber system that display image between two glass parts. There are 12 micro lighter fibers, that throw image components to the glass, that offer a quite good luminosity, and keep the mobile phone concept as light as possible. All lights only appear when you open the phone, by pushing removable part on the side of it.”

Expectedly, this mobile will carry a more expensive price tag than average mobile phones.

Source

The very first eco-friendly air conditioning units from Fujitsu has been released in the market this February. There are four kinds of model to this home air conditioning system, each of it has been equipped with what they call a presence sensor.

The four types are:

• nocria S
• nocria Z
• J series
• R series

The nocria series are meant for living room use, while the remaining two are for smaller rooms and bedrooms.

The presence sensor allows the air conditioning to turn off at will if it can tell that there is no individual in the room. When it does not detect any activity, the unit will immediately turn off 10 minutes after detection and will remain shut down for three hours. Thus, this eliminates energy from constantly being burned and used. You cut on your bills and save on electricity.

Source

The Ecco Series is a different kind of flat panel that serves a decorative purpose but also doubles as a flat screen TV.

When not in use, the Ecco is a lovely painting on your bare walls. But once you hit the remote control, the art work disappears to reveal the television screen.

Priced at $1495 (starting price), the Ecco comes in four different frames —- black, cream, cherry and walnut. It also has two kinds of models, based on size — Ecco 42 and Ecco 50. Artwork displayed on it include 38 pieces of unique designs. You just have to choose one that fits right into your home for display.

Here is a short Se video of The Ecco Series so that you can understand the benefits of the product better: