Gadgets Control

It’s been discussed many times before, but how would you like it if your cell phone could read barcodes?  You don’t really need to answer as GS1 is pushing to have it done already.  GS1 has standardized the standard barcode, and wants to standardize the 2D dot matrix barcode, and soon possibly the Quick Response (QR) code.  The company believes that consumers should be able to “scan” these barcodes for a variety of uses. (Read the full post about ‘Forget packaging, here comes moble phone barcoding’…)

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Lenovo ThinkPad W700 Six iPhones. Two high-def Sony camcorders. The Sony X505 laptop. These are a few things that weigh less than the power brick for the Lenovo ThinkPad W700, the most massive laptop Lenovo’s ever made and, outside of the rarified world of ultra-loaded gaming notebooks, possibly the largest and most expensive laptop on the market. To call the W700 big is an understatement of epic proportions. This over-nine-pound monster is loaded in every way you can imagine and a few you probably can’t. Two laptop "firsts" are already making waves. For starters you’ll find a stylus secreted in the base of the W700: This is not for use on the LCD — the W700 is not a tablet pc — but for a pint-sized Wacom digitizer that has been added next to the mouse pad. (Read the full post about ‘Review: Lenovo’s Mega Notebook Crushes Benchmarks, Femurs’…)

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Top European technology company Packard Bell has joined the netbook wars with an aptly branded netbook - dot. In releasing their own netbook, Packard Bell says that they have been watching the netbook market for quite some time now and noticed that most of them “have been too austere and too business oriented for consumers.” Hence, the company wants to put more emphasis on having a netbook that is more family-oriented. And does it succeed with that objective? Let’s take a quick look at the Dot netbook’s features.

(Read the full post about ‘Packard Bell puts a “dot” to the netbook market’…)

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This subwoofer has been design to be powerful and yet invisible as it can be hidden in ceilings or walls, depending on your preferences. We have not tested it in the field, but if it works as advertised, it might be the ultimate subwoofer for those who want to benefit from a powerful sound system, without showing it off (think classic or minimalist environment). You can find more technical details at the Sonance BPS-1 homepage. When should we start the demolition party? Tags: toys, technology, digital, gaming (Read the full post about ‘Sonance Bandpass BPS-1 in-wall or in-ceiling subwoofer’…)

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Forget about 8 megapixel camera phones - those will be outdated soon with the advent of 9 megapixel handsets thanks to Digital Imaging Systems and their DIS6931 9 megapixel camera module that was specially developed for mobile devices. Other features found on this module include extremely fast autofocus (less than 300 milliseconds), a fast click-to-capture time (less than 200 ms) and high-quality lenses. Will this be as good as a regular point-and-shoot? Only time will tell when it is released, but I wouldn’t bet against it considering how technology has progressed by leaps and bounds to date. The first 9 megapixel camera phones are tipped to roll out sometime in Q1 2009, and I suspect LG or Samsung will be first off the blocks. (Read the full post about ‘9 Megapixel Camera Phones Coming’…)

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ProTee United is the #1 indoor golf simulator company in the world, and they have just rolled out their latest product known as the ProTee Play. This highly advanced computer game allows both avid golfers and gamers who love the game to enjoy a few rounds of indoor golf right behind their PC, reveling in the comfort of international golf courses in full 3D glory. I guess getting this allows you to enjoy your game no matter what the weather is like outside, but you will lack the exercise from all the walking around though. ProTee Play relies on an internet connection or a network setup in order for several players to get their game on, but if you happen not to have any friends (how sad), then you can always play against the computer. (Read the full post about ‘ProTee United launches ProTee Play’…)

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Hmm, things really don’t look too good for the people at Palm, with word that their next-generation operating system will only be finished by the end of the year. This Linux-based system software will be known as the Palm OS II, and while it has been promised a completion date of end 2008, it won’t be available to the masses until the first half of next year. This is certainly a long time in coming as a next generation Palm OS has been in the pipeline for way too long. Will Palm still be around as a company by then, considering how its accounting books don’t seem to be profitable? (Read the full post about ‘Palm OS II Completed End Of 2008′…)

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AT&T Home Manager Smart Touch Panel Created to add value to the wired telephone line, the AT&T Home Manager is a 7″ (800×480) touch-panel (seen here in its dock) that is designed to be the home “window” to a number of things like: Address Book Web Information Listings Yellow Pages Visual Voice Mail Photos It’s not clear how it syncs the address book - if this is a familly device, it would be nice if everyone could merge their contact list. Overall, this is an interesting experiment, although we doubt that there is a strong demand for it. But if the pricing is right (very cheap or free), this might get some traction. Tags: amps, technology, DAB, Ogg (Read the full post about ‘AT&T Home Manager Smart Touch Panel’…)

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L’école Polytechnique de Montréal has presented their solar car known as Esteban IV. The fourth revision of this solar-powered vehicle is covered with eight square meters of monocrystalline solar cells, tipping the scales at 300 kg with a 5,000-watt lithium-ion polymer battery at its heart. The external segment of the Esteban IV is constructed from a combination of bulletproof Kevlar, carbon and glass fibers whilst its tubular structure is made out of aluminum. The Esteban IV can travel up to 110 kmh, although the idea cruise speed is slightly more than half of that. During days where the sun is left unobstructed, it is able to roll on indefinitely, but on cloudy days, it will rely on a combination of both solar and battery power with a 4-hour lifespan. (Read the full post about ‘Esteban IV solar car paraded’…)

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Designed by Rooz Mousavi, the Samsonite OBAG takes on the brand name of a popular luggage company, packaging it in a totally different form factor - a roll-on bag that literally rolls on. The rugged exterior is more than able to stand up to harsh treatment as well as weather, allowing you to tote your luggage easily even in the snow or other less than desirable weather conditions. Thanks to the giant wheel design, you will require much less energy to move it around, while a couple of storage compartments on the sides make it more than adequate for you to tote around your items in style. (Read the full post about ‘Samsonite OBAG Concept’…)

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