Gadgets Control

The MacBook Air has not even been out for more than a week, and other laptop manufacturers are already rolling up their sleeves to release a rival. Toshiba has the R500 that comes in two flavors - with the €2,500 11J model leading the way by boasting a 64GB SSD and the lack of an optical drive. Toshiba also goes up against Steve Jobs by laying claim to the thinnest and lightest laptop in the world, weighing 779 grams and measuring 25.5mm in thickness. Other features include WiFi connectivity, Bluetooth, and HSPDA among others. Between the two, which would you choose? (Read the full post about ‘MacBook Air Gets Rival’…)

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Fixing up your home with all the necessary lighting fixtures can be pretty tricky, and most of the times the decision is final. The LED Floodlight makes it easy to have those impulsive moments, as they are battery-powered. No need to hire an electrician! Just put this self-stick LED floodlight in place, then tap and your work area is bathed in bright light. The six-LED light bar even rotates so you can aim the light where you need. Each LED Floodlight retails for $14.95, but if you pick them up in a pair, they will go for $12.95 a pop. Tags: tests, digital, PDA, players (Read the full post about ‘LED Floodlight makes it a snap’…)

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Procrastinator Desk Pad (A3) Why do something today that can jolly well be put off til a week next Tuesday? That’s the general principle behind the astonishingly ‘why-didn’t-I-think-of-that’ brilliant A3 Procrastinator Pad See price Tags: tests, technology, audio, cool gear (Read the full post about ‘Procrastinator Desk Pad (A3)’…)

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In what must have been one of the most surreal moments in scrapyardding history, one MAKE writer encountered a Stargate while digging through an otherwise inconspicuous pile of aluminum. Intricately detailed and just 9 inches in diameter, humans, of course, can’t fit through. But MAKE is unofficially starting a “make me 9-inches wide machine” contest. The winner gets a trip to Egypt, but you know, on another planet. Runners-up will receive a trip to Showtime’s backlot tour. [MAKE] Tags: DVD, lcd, Ogg, games (Read the full post about ‘Stargate Found in Scrapyard [True Story]’…)

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A new system devised by a pair of UCLA students could well bring democracy to music selection at parties. The two scientists have created a software-and-antennae combo that currently works on laptops, scanning people’s music collections, grabbing the most popular tunes from guests’ MP3 players and adding them to the night’s playlist. The next step will be to see if Smart Party can be made to work on MP3 players (currently it works on laptops), polling partygoers’ music devices as they arrive at the party. More info below. Kevin Eustice and Peter Reiher have built and tested a version that works perfectly using playlists stored inside laptops running their software, but since very few (sober) people stroll into a party with one of those tucked under their arm, they’re aiming it at Wi-Fi-enabled MP3 players. (Read the full post about ‘Smart Party Wireless DJ System Will Get Playlist Votes From Your Trousered MP3 Player []’…)

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The iPhone is now available for corporate users: AT&T has released the iPhone for enterprise users. The plans require a 2-year service agreement, and they go from $45 to $65, all of them including unlimited domestic Web and eMail traffic, plus unlimited messaging at the top. They also have $25 (20MB/month) and $60 (50MB/month) world data transfer plans, so you can get a 297-page iPhone bill instead of getting a 300-page one. [AT&T] Tags: home cinema, high definition TV, ipod, buyers guides (Read the full post about ‘iPhone for Business Is Now in Business [IPhone]’…)

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Miniature laser pointers in the shape of the classic Jedi weapon: got to be a great idea. Styled to look like Vader’s and Darth Maul’s lightsabers, use these keychain lasers to point out any old Powerpoint slide you’re presenting, and we bet they’ll have you wearing a secret grin as you imagine that sound effect. [Technabob] Tags: equipment, Gadget, CD, gizmos (Read the full post about ‘Lightsaber Laser Pointers Turn Presentations Into Deadly Duels [Laser Pointers]’…)

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While the world is enamoured with touch sensitive devices, along comes the humble LED cell phone that takes the opposite route to that of a smartphone’s. The LEDs aren’t there to make it look good, instead they all have some sort of function. You won’t find any display or touch screen, just plain old LEDs. These patterns change depending on the different functions you access. Behind the keys are a bunch of touch sensors that await your command. No lithium ion for this, just a couple of plain old AAA batteries will do. If you happen to lug around rechargeable AAAs, there is a USB interface which provides on-the-go charging. Tags: hi fi, gear, speaker, home theater (Read the full post about ‘LED Cell Phone’…)

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Do people call you “Fatty McButterpants”? Are you only a physical speciman in the virtual world? You know you want to be in shape, but you can’t keep up both your virtual body and your physical body… until now! If you insist on being at your desk all day, whether it’s gaming, surfing, or being a spreadsheet jockey, why not hook up the Gamercize PC Sport to your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer’s USB, and get a nice workout at the same time? The low-rise stepper sits surreptitiously under your desk – just set your feet on the pads, and gently step-step-step. If you can keep up a steady motion, your keyboard and mouse work fine. The moment you stop, however, they stop responding. (Read the full post about ‘Gamercize PC-Sport Stepper’…)

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Vinyl DJs and turntablists rejoice, for here is a watch that’s a perfect reflection of you and your musical stylings. Designed by FludWatches, the TableTurns watch has a face that looks like a miniaturized version of the classic Technics 1200 turntable. While all the visual details are there, don’t expect to scratch any tiny records on yours. The only part of this turntable that rotates is the clock hands. To top off the look, each watch ships inside its own miniature flight case. The TableTurns watch comes with either a black leather or stainless steel band, and is available from TurntableLab for just $59. [via Albotas] read more about:analog, black, leather, metal, record, stainless, turntable, watchTags: wi-fi, video games, (Read the full post about ‘turntable watch spins me right round like a record, baby’…)

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