MSI X-Slim notebooks

When the Apple MacBook Air was first released and unveiled to the world, everyone was astounded as to how thin and slim the entire piece of computing was. Even until today, you won’t find any other notebook coming close to the Apple MacBook Air, never mind the fact that it isn’t exactly powerful to be on par with the rest of the other MacBook Pros in Apple’s stable. Well, other notebook manufacturers did not waste the opportunity of seeing how the Air wowed first time viewers when it was unveiled, and MSI is among one of them to leverage on the lean theme with a couple of X-Slim notebooks. MSI will make available a couple of models to the masses in due time - the 14″ X-Slim X400 and the 15″ X-Slim X600, where both of them will be released sometime in Q2 this year.

Both the X-Slim X600 and X400 are record breakers in their respective categories, having taken top spot in lightness and thinness categories. This comes across as no surprise, thanks to the use of a super slim Li-poly battery in the 14″ X-Slim X400, making the entire notebook weigh no more than 1.5kg. As for the 15″ X-Slim X600, it is slightly heavier (obviously) with a similar battery, tipping the scales at a mere 2.1kg. Both of them are also less than an inch thick (or should we say, thin?), coming with 16:9 theater-class LED displays, full I/O ports, and Blu-Ray support. The beefier X600 is more entertainment oriented as it is also accompanied by a discrete graphic card to maximize visual performance.

There is no word on pricing for either machine,. but we do know that the X-Slim X400 will come with an optional 8 cell Long-endurance battery, while those who settle for the X600 can always opt for the slightly longer lasting 9 cell long-endurance battery. Both models have kept up with the times by adopting external ODD drivers that will further keep the X-Slim series notebooks slim and trendy.

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Verizon Wireless offers HP Mini 1151NR

Do you happen to have a traveling lifestyle that requires you to bring your work with your on a notebook wherever you go? If you answered in the affirmative, chances are you would have or already have considered a netbook, being lightweight and yet boasting more than enough processing firepower to get your work up to speed. Another important detail not to miss out on is Internet connectivity - why subject yourself to the mercies of a Wi-Fi hotspot’s availability when you can use the built-in 3G connection? This is exactly what Verizon Wireless is offering with their new HP Mini 1151NR that was out yesterday, retailing for just $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and new two-year activation on a Mobile Broadband plan. Monthly plans begin from $39.99 onwards, turning your HP Mini 1151NR into a workhorse in over 175 destinations, where more than 45 of those destinations offer 3G speeds.

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Hands free magnifying lens

We all know that as we age, various parts of our bodies will start to go, and our eyesight is among one of those parts that fail to deliver in due time without the help of correctional surgery or prescription (read: glasses). Well, if you’re one who indulges in plenty of reading, sewing, hobbies and crafts (does gaming count?) that require a whole lot of eye-power, perhaps the Hands Free Magnifying Screen might interest you? It is a freestanding 3X magnifier that is mounted on a sturdy, nontip base, capable of rotating 360 degrees for the right angle. The Hands Free Magnifying Screen will retail for $12.99 each.

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Vtech begins to ship

VTech Communications, Inc. has just made available its latest release to those who reside in the US - their pride and joy, the IS9181. At first glance, the IS9181 might not seem as though it amounts up to much, but upon closer inspection, you will realize that the $199.95 price point does offer a rich feature set that is value for money, being a Wi-Fi music streaming device that was concocted to function as a complete music hub for the home, leaving you one less device to purchase if you’ve just moved into a new pad. For those who have already been rocking to Internet radio for quite some time already, the IS9181 takes this to a new level, where you need not remain glued to your computer just to check out what’re the latest tunes those virtual DJs are spinning, since the IS9181 is equally adept at pulling audio streams wirelessly, pumping it out for your aural enjoyment via the integrated 3W front-facing tuned stereo speakers, accompanied by the rich bass afforded by its 10W subwoofer with class D amplifiers. With over 11,000 free Internet radio stations worldwide, you’re definitely spoilt for choice once the IS9181 is connected to any compatible wireless network.

For ‘virtual’ music exploration, IS9181 users can search for stations by country, state or genre using the one-touch access button or remote control, or by visiting the comprehensive online music guide offered on www.vtechphones.com. The IS9181 un-tethers music lovers from their computers with sound quality unparalleled by PCs so digital music from around the globe can be enjoyed in the living room, bedroom or anywhere in the home.

Each purchase of the VTech IS9181 comes with a one-year limited warranty, and with the ability to hook up other MP3 players or portable media players through its 3.5mm headset jack, one might dare venture to call the IS9181 as being the all-round home entertainment hub (where audio is concerned) that will be around for a long time to come.

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Sonix7 Media Pro

A few weeks ago, I reported on the SlotRadio from SanDisk. I believe that I said something about it being a Portable Media Player (PMP) that your mother or grandmother could use because of its simplicity. I mean, who wouldn’t like a PMP that comes preloaded with 1,000 hit songs?

Now there is the Sonix7 Media Pro. This one PMP has an outstanding feature: a very long battery life. How many other PMPs have 20 hours of video playback (30 hours of audio) on a single charge? Not only that, but it has a 3.2 inch touchscreen with an “easy to use animated menu”.

You think that is cool, then listen to this: it supports MP4, AVI, and Xvid formats. It also has eBook capability, and even has a digital and video camera! Yeah, don’t ask me how that was put in. I don’t really see a lens on this.

Like Coolest Gadgets, this Sonix7 Media Pro comes from the land of Britain, and it costs $136 (£90) for the 8GB model, and $159 (£105) for the 16GB version. According to Sonix7, it has a 77 percent bigger screen than an iPod Nano, and costs £42 cheaper than an iPod nano. Nice!

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Lolaloo Baby Rocker

Parents often find themselves needing to get other things done, but their infant needs rocked to sleep. Well if you need just a few moments of peace or just have to deal with your older child, this would be a nice gadget to have around. It’s actually an electronic item that rocks your child’s stroller back and forth. Putting them to sleep and giving you just a few moments of sweet silence.

It’s a German product, so it’s not all over just yet. However, it’s easy to see this taking off in other parts of the world. The device itself can run anywhere from 2 hours on up to 4 hours. You can of course adjust the intensity of the rocking to meet your child’s needs. It attaches to the stroller with a couple Velcro straps. As of now this is being sold in Germany for $174, so it is a bit pricey. The more broke parents might just opt to do the rocking themselves.

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Zune and Xbox 360 in 1

Just to let you know, this product here, complete with picture, is a rumor. The source of this story comes from Team Xbox, who say that Microsoft is working on this Digital Entertainment Handheld. This is what it is: an Xbox 360 with a Zune. Your two favorite things in one package? Well, maybe not the Zune, but one out of two ain’t bad. (Not another “Zune slam”, stop it already.)

Anyway, the project is codenamed “xYz”. I am assuming the “X” comes from the Xbox 360 and the “Z” comes from the Zune. As for the “Y”, the answer to that is “because they can, and it would make money”.

Other facts are pretty sketchy at this point, but we do know that the xYz will come with a WVGA touchscreen. Assuming, of course, that it gets created.

Normally, I don’t report on something unless I have a viable source (or sources), but I am reporting on this to generate buzz. You see, I am hoping that all the chatter about this product will create a demand for an Xbox 360 Zune, and the company will make it to meet this demand. Hey, I can dream, can’t I?

Seriously, does anyone out there know if this is legit? If so, feel free to chime in with a comment.

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Bixi, Bicycle Sharing

I have a bike, but right now it is out of commission. At this present time, I would be a good customer for Bixi, a bicycle sharing program.

It works by going to one of the bike stations that you see in the picture here, and borrowing one of the bikes. All a user needs is a credit card, and then the user can ride around freely as they normally would with their own bike. Once the user is done, he or she simply returns it to another bike station.

I am not certain how Bixi keeps track of all of its bikes, but I’m told that the setup is “computer-chip based, solar-powered, and Wi-Fi enabled”.

Montreal is the first North American city to host this program, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t the last. I’ve never heard of Bixi before, but it really is a program that is ingenious in its simplicity.

In fact, this bicycle sharing program has to be big in certain regions of Asian countries like China. I’ve seen pictures of Asian bicycle racks that rival parking garages in the Western world. If Bixi doesn’t have presence in places like these, then it really ought to.

But hey, who am I to offer advice to a bike lender? Right now, I am in need of one. Too bad I’m not in Montreal.

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RIDE set to Thrill

The skateboard is one mode of transport that tends to lean more towards the hardcore segment of the population as there is a huge international scene behind it. Well, for those who prefer to experience the thrills minus the spills, here’s the new Tony Hawk: RIDE game from Activision Publishing which will require the gamer to play physically using an innovative motion sensing skateboard controller. We’re guessing seasoned skaters will find this to be much easier to use compared to those who have even yet to try out the Wii Balance Board.

Tony Hawk: RIDE features a wireless skateboard controller designed in conjunction with the game to offer a dynamic gaming experience built from the ground up. Using a combination of accelerometers and motion sensors, the intuitive controller allows players to physically control the action by performing various movements and gestures on the board that directly translate into amazing tricks in the game. Without complex button combinations or analog sticks, gamers of all skill levels can literally step on the board and play!

Those who are interested can check out Tony Hawk: RIDE when it arrives later this year - just make sure you’re rocking to an Xbox 360, PS3 or Wii consoles.

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UFO-shaped Electronic Drums

Do you have the beat of drums coursing through your hands that you can’t wait but to express it? Well, this concept UFO-shaped Electronic Drums by Petr Kubik ought to fit the bill if they ever make it off the manufacturing line, featuring a smooth surface that will emit a sound whenever you strike your palm against it. Needless to say, the harder you beat it, the louder the sound is, but hopefully you won’t crack the thing in the process since it isn’t made out of tough cow hide. Gotta love the psychedelic lights that appear to suit your current playing style - that certainly adds to the overall mood.

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The USB Hub with a built-in flashlight

I keep going through all the dozens of reasons that this could be useful, but then I end up canceling them out for one reason or another. I thought it might be great to sit at your computer and then the flashlight would be useful for when you’re playing with cords at the back of your computer. However, I can’t remember a time when I couldn’t feel my way around it to figure things out. I’m sure that someone could find a use for this flashlight meets USB hub though.

If you are female and for some reason like to carry around a hub with you, then you’d always have a flashlight handy for various tasks. The hub conveniently tucks into the hub itself when it’s not in use. You can hold it as either a flashlight, or it flips open to be used as a reading light. The LED light is rechargeable, so it doesn’t have to be plugged in to work. The hub itself has a total of 3 USB ports. You can purchase it for $14 from Gadget4all.

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WWF USB flash drives for sale

Active Media Products (AMP) has come to a licensing agreement with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), where the former will develop and sell a series of portable USB flash drives which will resemble the many endangered species on our earth. Each purchase will see 5% of the retail price of this product line enter the WWF’s coffers so that they can continue in their work. A no-brainer candidate would be the giant panda USB flash drive, although this is diminutive in size at just 2.5″ long. Made of PVC-free non-toxic silicone, this lead- and mercury-free drive will come in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities, where the most spacious model is tagged with an extremely affordable price point of $25.

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Off Brand version of Wii Fit Balance Board

If you want to play games that utilize the Wii Balance Board, but don’t want to spend the money on the actual Wii board, now you can get an off brand one. It doesn’t come with the game, like the Balance Board does, but it is cheaper. Plus it has nifty blue non-slip grips that stick onto the top of it for those that are coordination challenged. It hopefully is just as accurate as the actual brand name version. Sometimes buying off brand gaming accessories ends up not being a good idea.

This one comes from Chinavasion and it’s really a debate as to how good of a deal it is to purchase this. Considering the actual Wii Fit will cost you $89.99 and this one from Chinavasion will cost $67.91. It is cheaper, but it only has a Balance Board and nothing else. For those that somehow manage to break their Balance Board though, this might be a better idea than buying the real version.

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Robotic Taxi Service

I’m sure all of you remember the movie Total Recall, where Arnold Schwarzenegger rides in a cab that drives itself. It would appear that someone has taken inspiration from science fiction with this Robotic Taxi Service.

It looks a lot like the “Slimos” that we reported on a week ago. Designer Kubik Peter’s automated transport is electrically powered, and can seat about two. That may not sound like much room, but there is a trunk in the back for some luggage.

Now I’m sure you’re wondering: how does the passenger tell the robo-cabbie where to go? I believe the user just makes a selection of cross-streets on a touchscreen controller. I would imagine that the touchscreen would have internet access, so maybe the passenger can watch a little YouTube video while he or she is waiting to get from Point A to Point B.

I’ve noted that the robo-cab looks a little skinny. Perhaps it is prepared for an era where two people can comfortably travel side by side in a lane normally made for one car. Considering that many metropolitan cities have way too many cabs on their streets, they could use an exclusive lane devoted to cabs.

This robo-cab could hearken in an age where a taxi driver is no longer needed. Of course, they could always create the Johnny Cab dummy drivers from the aforementioned Total Recall. Remember that cabbie that could talk and attempt at make conversation with starters like “hell of a day, isn’t it?” Well, if these robo-cabs are ever perfected, I’m certain it will be a “hell of a time”.

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Logitech Harmony Adapter announced

PS3 owners, sit up and take notice - Logitech has just announced that its Logitech Harmony Adapter for the PS3 is readily available, letting you use your Harmony universal remote control with Sony’s latest gaming console. It will offer support for all 51 PS3 commands (yes, count them!), where you will be able to navigate the PS3 XrossMediaBar from afar (as long as the range permits, that is) without having to tussle with the PS3 controller’s form factor that was meant more for gaming than anything else. Those who are interested can pick up the Logitech Harmony Adapter for $59.99 while our friends across the pond can only do so in July.

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NZXT Cryo S notebook cooler

Are you running some high powered notebook that seems to burn your family jewels each time you try to make it live out the laptop calling? Well, NZXT empathizes with you by releasing the Cryo S notebook cooler that works with notebooks of up to 15″ in size, removing heat from the fan vents in addition to keeping the entire notebook case’s temperature low overall. It comes with a couple of adjustable 120mm fans for powerful cooling, while the rubber finish will help raise the notebook when in use for heat pockets to be removed. Constructed from a thick, brushed aluminum body, this notebook cooler won’t shortchange your notebook in the looks department even in public, making this $49.99 purchase extremely enticing.

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The Heart Handbag Necklace USB Drive

Mother’s Day usually means tons of very cheesy and fairly cheap jewelry. Well if you are going to pick up some cheesy jewelry, it might as well be useful too. This heart necklace is probably more something a young kid would think their Mom would love, but sometimes moms still love this stuff. It comes covered in crystals, so there’s no doubt that it will be eye catching. Then it also hides away a USB drive.

Thankfully with this there are no worries of losing the cap to it. The drive just slides away to be hidden within the heart. It’s actually a handbag shaped heart pendant. The drive itself is only 2GB, which isn’t anything stellar, but it works. It also won’t break the bank to pick it up either. You can pick it up from Gadget4all in either pink or white for $23. You should probably get rush shipping though since Mother’s Day is right around the corner.

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The Water Clock for the extreme minimalist

This clock may be about as minimalist as it gets, but it leaves plenty of room on your part for a bit of creativity. This clock consists only of two tiny discreet balls, anyone glancing at them would never know what they are. Actually even after you have them all set up, it may take you a long while to figure out what time it is exactly. With this around though, you get to choose the china you put these within, giving it your own personalized look.

They are two little magnets, the red one shows hours, whereas the small white ball shows the minutes. Choose a cup and then a small plate, add water to them and drop in the magnets. It then keeps time and there’s not even a need for batteries. It doesn’t entirely explain how it all works, but I’m sure if you order it they’ll give more instructions on that sort of thing. Despite that this is merely consisting of two little magnets, this clock is a bit on the expensive side. The Water Clock will cost you $299 from Generate.

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LED Toothbrush cleans teeth even better

Here in the US we have access to all kinds of UV gadgets that will sanitize your toothbrush. Oddly there aren’t many toothbrushes that have some sort of lighting within the brush itself in the US or UK. Yet Japan has managed to take their toothbrushes to a whole new shiny level. These new and improved versions have LED lights that are placed inside the brush itself. Giving you a shining light to go directly into your mouth and shine on those pearly whites.

The LED light is said to somehow help with illness prevention. It doesn’t explain that statement a whole lot, partially because it’s not always the best translation going from Japanese to English. I’m sure if you could read Japanese, it might be a little more clear on that. The design is supposed to be released at about the middle of May, so it should be fairly soon now. It doesn’t give pricing information, but if you’re outside of Japan it’s going to be difficult to get your hands on this toothbrush anyway.

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Chaos Stickers help outlets stand out

Typically people try to clean up and hide their cords and don’t want to draw attention to their outlets. Lately though people have been getting creative with their cords and instead of hiding them, decorating them. Which makes it only logical that eventually outlets would get their own strange form of décor. Not just some silly face plate that gives it a cheesy design. Instead, it’s a sticker that manages to utilize the outlet to spruce up the plain wall it sits on.

These very large decals stick directly to your wall, provided your wall is a normal texture. With these around, not only would you not be concealing the outlets, but you’d be doing a great job at making them stick out. No one could possibly walk past the sticker and not manage to notice it. Due to the fact that the website is in a foreign language, it makes it difficult to be sure on the price. However, it appears that a set of these goes for $71. If you do decide to pick them up, you’ll have to pay the price for them to be shipped out of the country.

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SneezerBeam for fast and effective allergy relief

Folks who suffer from hay fever as well as other nasal allergies constantly whenever the seasons change will be pleased to know that there is yet another device out there in the market which could help them combat their respective maladies - the SneezerBeam is one of them.

SneezerBeam is a non-invasive light therapy that treats allergic symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, watery eyes and a headache using only light. SneezerBeam works by using two combined beams of light to inhibit the cells in your nose that release histamine, which is at the center of what triggers your allergic symptoms. The technology is based upon a clinical trial on 40 patients suffering from allergic rhinitis. During the trial 20 patients were given the same light therapy used in Sneezer Beam and 20 received a placebo. The results showed 72% of patients using the light therapy showed a marked improvement of their symptoms (compared to just 24% in the placebo group) and were published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Don’t worry about being too dependent on the SneezerBeam as this is one drug-free device that won’t leave you with any side effects. For £39.95 a pop, it is well worth a try especially when you’ve run out of options to combat your allergies over the years. Just don’t share this with anyone else for hygienic purposes.

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Barking Collar

It is good form for a dog to bark only at threats that the master gives his/her approval, otherwise mutts should be trained to be silent where possible. Training your puppy from young is a good idea, but then again not all puppies have the same teachable temperament. Just before you give up on Lassie, how about considering the Stop Barking Collar?

Each time your dog barks, the vibration in his neck activates an ultrasonic signal that only your dog can hear, and he soon learns to stop. Water-resistant sensor is attached to a stretch collar that adjusts to comfortably fit any size dog. Features an on/off button and choice of ultrasonic or audible signal. Batteries included.

The Stop Barking Collar could greatly reduce the frustration when it comes to training between you and your mutt, hence tightening the bond even further. At $12.99 a pop, there really isn’t any loss in picking this up.

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iHome Studio Series iP1

It is always refreshing to see what iHome is up to. Last time, we covered the small iHM77RC Portable Multimedia Speakers, but iHome has really upped its game as far as iPod/iPhone docks are concerned.

The iP1 Studio Series Model has “museum quality” speakers, which apparently means they are made up of smoked acrylic. It is nice to know that someone has finally made an iPod dock that looks like a boom box. After all, iPod and iPhone docks are a dime a dozen, but the iP1 looks like an iPod dock on crack.

According to the specs, these speakers are “100 watt class D biamplified architecture with Bongiovi sound processing through twin 4-inch woofers and matched 1-inch dome tweeters”. If you aren’t familiar with Bongiovi, he is a music producer, and the second cousin of Jon Bon Jovi. Yes, Tony Bongiovi invented the Acoustics Digital Power Station, “an active digital signal processor that the company says makes the MP3s sound better”.

This Digital Power Station is on the iP1. Other features include GSM shielding for the iPhone, and a video out port in case you want to watch video from the iPod or iPhone.

The iHome Studio Series iP1 will be available in July, for a projected retail price of about $300.

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Taga Stroller Trike

For those of you who don’t know the fun of wheeling a baby around all day, you are in for quite a treat. Welcome to days of wearing both your arms and legs out as junior gets pushed around to places that may or not be compatible for wheels.

When my wife and I had our second child, we decided to buy one of those double strollers. Although they “conveniently” hold two kids, they really are hard to get around. What I would have given for the Taga stroller/trike. As you can see, the parent sits in a seat behind the tykes and pedals them to places.

Now, I’m not certain if this is something that you want to take to the zoo or something. After all, do you really want to be the parent who is zipping around on a trike, endangering all the other animal-spectators?

No, the Taga stroller trike is something that you probably want to take on a bike trail, and have a blast cruising many miles until your tykes need a feeding or a diaper change.

The Taga stroller trike can fold up and fit in the trunk. It also has covered seats for rainy weather. Right now, it is only available in Europe, but it really is needed all across the world.

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Painting Robots

I’m sure we have all heard stereotypical comment by those viewing modern art paintings: “My kid can paint that”. Well, we might be entering a new age where people will be saying: “my robot can paint that”.

In fact, graduate student Oscar G. Torres is trying to figure out a way to make a robot paint with Jackoon. Jackoon is a robot that is connected to a camera that allows it to “see” what it is painting.

In other words, the Jackoon isn’t just randomly splattering paint, it “knows” what it is doing, in theory. Now, does this make paint better than abstract expressionist artists like Jackson Pollack and Willem de Kooning (who serve as namesake of the Jackoon)? Well, take a look at the picture here and judge for yourself. While you are at it, you might want to see the robo-artist at work in this video after the jump.

I remember hearing in Art class that some artists killed themselves after photography was perfected. Of course, art has survived long after the age of digital photography, and photographs can be works of art in and of themselves. This example, like the Jackoon, makes people think about mixing art and technology.

Well, let’s put it this way. If a robot painted a realistic picture from a digital camera, you know what we would call it? A printer. That sort of puts it in perspective, doesn’t it?

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The Dexim DWP005 Hub Dock Station

Instead of just plugging your usual iPod cord into your computer, there is now this Dexim DWP005. In some ways it initally looks like it’d just take up space. However, it’s slim, it’d keep your iPhone/iPod in the upright position, plus best of all it has other devices built into it. Giving you even more functions and a nice sleek dock to pop your iPod into. Since it is so sleek, you have the added perk of it being easy to just toss into your laptop bag for traveling purposes.

In addition to being a charger, it has a memory card reader and a 3-port USB hub built-in. Plus it has provided cables that work for devices that use micro and mini USB ports to recharge, such as the Blackberry. All around it gives quite a lot of function on a very small device. Sadly though, it is a bit pricey. It’ll cost you $69.99, which does seem a bit on the steep side. However, it offers quite a bit of functionality for that price.

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Digi-Photo Frame mug

Here's a travel mug with something a little different - a digital photo frame is fastened to the side allowing you to share your photos with your co-workers and friends, and anyone else within sipping distance. Made of impact-resistant plastic and insulated with 18/8 stainless steel. 1Mb of memory lets you save 45 photos and carry them anywhere you go.

Includes:

* Analog & Digital Clock Display
* 1-1/2” Digital Color Display
* Built-In Plus-n-Play Softwarre
* Built-In Rechargeable Lithium Battery
* Upload: both BMP and JPG images
* Back Light Control
* Compatible: Windows 2000 and XP

At Digi-Mug - Digital Photo Frame Mug

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Cluster Bomb for seed planting

Anti War activists hate cluster bombs – mostly because they can be used to deploy anti personnel mines which don’t get picked up long after the last bullet has been fired. And when they go off, even children are victims. But can the technology be harnessed for more constructive and green purposes? Designer Hwang Jin Wook seems to think so and as such, he came up with the “Seedbomb.”

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The concept is amazingly simple and represents the coolness of out of the box thinking. Instead of tiny bombs known as “bomblets” or anti personnel mines, the SeedBomb has Seed capsules aligned in a cluster configuration. Each cluster of capsules is packed into a single bomb with dozens of others and when the bomb reaches optimum altitude, the clusters are released to embed all around the impact area. Each capsule contains soil and seeds housed in a biodegradable plastic. The soil is packed with plant rich nutrients and moisture enough to allow the plant seed to germinate (the plastic canister acts as a defacto greenhouse) and grow until the plant can sustain itself. As the plant matures, the biodegradable plastic canister deteriorates until there’s nothing left.

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The idea is brilliant for deploying to areas stricken by desertification or deforestation. And It’s easy to see the Forestry department using them to reseed areas that have recently fallen victim to wildfires or bark beetle infestation. But can just planting plants change an environment? Not on it’s own, but if you consider that with all the golf courses it has, that the average temperature of Palm Springs has DROPPED 20 degrees in the last 25 years, it’s worth looking at.

Hat Tip – Our friends at Yanko


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Electrolux Dishwasher

I don’t have a dishwasher in my house, other than my wife and myself, of course. Many people complain that dishwashers waste too much water between cycles, but there isn’t a better to way to wash them other than spraying them with gallons of scalding hot water.

It would appear that there is another way to clean dishes with this concept device known as the Electrolux Wind Washer. It does this by using air and UV rays for cleaning.

Yeah, don’t ask me how air and UV rays can clean a dish, unless there is some serious high pressured air going on. I would imagine that you would have to affix this to a big and loud air compressor to make that work.

Also, it seems to be made for just two plates. What kind of pathetic dishwasher is capable of just two plates?

Okay, this is only a concept for now, so I’m not going to be too picky. Hopefully someone will eventually create a full-sized dishwasher, but I’m not certain how it will get the angles on all the plates. Since the plates are sandwiched in there, I am assuming that this process only works if the plates are hit on both sides by air and UV rays.

While we’re at it, lets talk about glasses and silverware. How is it going to do those? Okay, this new technology has a lot of bugs in it, but you have to give credit to these innovators for trying to save water and doing something different.

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Electric operated GoCycle Bike

As information becomes easier to disseminate these days, it is no surprise that more and more people are taking up the environmentally friendly route, making choices that will affect our eco-system positively. While there has been some progress, there remains a whole lot more work to be done in the long run. One of the ways to do your part is choosing green forms of transport, and the GoCycle electric bicycle is a decent option if you do plenty of intra-city travel. This is the world’s lightest production electric bicycle, tipping the scales at just 16.2kg. Despite its small size, it is able to move you for around 20 miles before requiring a recharge, and at a top speed of 15mph to boot. Recharge time currently stands at 3.5 hours, and the £1,158 price point will come with a sealed-for-life chain, a decent suspension system to prevent sore buttocks and three-speed gearing.

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Cool Space T-Shirt Invader

I guess that there can never be enough retro t-shirts around, and this time round we’re treated to the eye-popping Space Invaders Light Up T-Shirt. It targets geeks who know how to have a good time winding down after a hard day at work.

The ultimate in clubwear, this fully-licensed, 100% cotton tee features a flashing, glowing Space Invader that’s sure to wow anyone who claps eyes on it. We guarantee onlookers will forgive your nerdish leanings the second you start flashing at them. Powered by a discreet removable battery pack hidden in the hem, the pulsating electro-luminescent panel will flummox and mesmerize in equal measure.

Since each Space Invader character has become an instantly recognizable icon, it makes perfect sense to be able to choose from four designs that are well-loved characters from the seminal game. You can’t really get a cooler piece of apparel than this £24.95 t-shirt, just remember to remove the battery pack before you send it for washing!


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New accessories for Nintendo DSi

Thrustmaster is more often a name synonymous with joysticks for computers for those who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, but they’re still around to this day without really releasing anything groundbreaking to date - which is rather surprising, actually. Well, as long as they’re around, it is interesting to note their new releases for the gaming world. This time round, they’ve delved into the arena of portable gaming machines, with the recently released Nintendo DSi being their target. Thrustmaster has revealed a couple of intelligent charging solutions that are well-suited to the multiple applications offered by this highly innovative, yet power-consuming handheld console.

The Nintendo DSi isn’t a large handheld console by any means, and if you’ve played both the DS and the PSP, you’ll know what I mean. The former might even be a wee bit too small for those with large hands, and many people have already complained about experiencing cramps after prolonged hours of gaming. Well, Thrustmaster has something for the lazy with the T-Standee Charger, a multi-position docking station that boasts a streamlined and elegant design which allows the DSi to be charged while being able to play without having to expend additional energy in holding it.

Of course, as one knows, the Nintendo DSi isn’t only a gaming machine as it can be used to surf the Internet, mix music and even view photos and videos with the right kind of software. We would say this comes in handy when you’re lazing around in your bed and want something else to prop the DSi up at your convenience. In addition, the rotating mechanism is perfect for users to adjust the console’s angle in all directions. This amount of flexibility paves the way for optimum comfort, regardless of whether you’re in the midst of a horizontally or vertically aligned game at that point in time.

The other accessory from Thrustmaster is the first personal charger for DSi and DS Lite which has been integrated straight into the console’s wrist strap, known as the T-Strap Charger. The T-Strap Charger looks like a standard wrist strap complete with a safety slider, albeit with the addition of a clever charging case. The case can be divided into 2, revealing a couple of charging connectors where one of them is hooked up to the console while the other connects to a powered USB port.

The T-Standee Charger and T-Strap Charger will retail for $12.99 and $7.99, respectively, with the former hitting retail stores this June while the latter will be out in mid-May.

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The Monster Speakers for the young at heart

If you’re buying speakers for a kid or just a kid at heart, this would be a fun one to have around. It’s not really a great portable speaker to carry everywhere, but it’d be nice to sit at home. It’s especially good for the younger crowd since this monster has a mohawk packed full of color changing LED lights. It’d even be great to keep a toddler giggling since he sways side to side along with the music. Giving your music a much more interesting twist.

The Rocky The Monster Speaker will work for any MP3 player you can hook up to a 3.5mm jack. You can plug it up to the wall for power or pop 4 AA batteries into it for portable power. The AC adapter is not included, but oddly the 4 AA batteries are included. Since it does so much, I’d think the batteries would die quickly, so it’d probably be better to pick up the adapter. You can purchase Rocky from Gadgetz 4 All for £24.95 or about $37.

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Coby MP3 Player with 1GB Flash Memory and Speaker System

Keeping music going can sometimes be a pricey task. If you pick up an iPod, even the smallest of them, the Shuffle, it’s still expensive. Then if you want portable speakers you have even more money coming out of pocket. If you aren’t that worried about having the absolute best sound quality out there, it is possible to bargain hunt. Likely this is one of the cheapest deals you’ll find to help with your music fix.

It offers a 1GB flash memory combined with a stereo speaker system. It’ll play MP3 and WMA music files. Although 1GB isn’t much, there are likely those out there that really don’t need something with a lot of storage. Plus the smaller drives are better for taking around with you to the gym or other places when you need extreme portability. It doesn’t come with a set of earbuds, but at least you’ll have a set of speakers. The speakers can hook up to anything with a 3.5mm stereo plug. You can purchase this set for the extremely affordable price of $14.09 from Amazon.

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Earn money by recycling

This next product is for those who are truly “greening their routine”. I myself usually take a trip to the recycling plant once per week. Sadly, this has nothing to do with my love for Mother Earth. It just so happens that I can save a lot of money on my garbage bill.

Envirobank has figured out a way that consumers can deposit their recyclables in a conveniently located machine, and give them a cash reward for their ecologically sound actions. These machines have been called “reverse vending machines” as users give aluminum cans to the machine, and it gives them money right back.

In addition to aluminum cans, these machines accept PET, HDPE, and PVC recyclable materials as well as brown, clear, and green glass. My sources say that some of these machines can hold up to 3,000 containers.

I am assuming that some recycler eventually comes by and picks up all the drop-offs, replenishes the money slot, and the recyclables will already be cleaned and crushed. I believe that in order to receive the payments for the recycled trash, the user needs to watch a video via an LCD screen on the machine itself.

This new system of reverse vending machines has already been deployed in Australia, but only on a trial basis. Personally, I think a system like this could easily change the world, and maybe even save the Earth in the process.

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UVSunSense Wristbands

I was on a beach the yesterday with my kids, and I really wasn’t prepared for a hot day. If anything, I felt stupid for giving the kids sweaters. While the kids were playing, the sun burned me up and I didn’t notice. Last night, I looked in the mirror to see some guy with a pink face looking back at me.

Perhaps I should have been wearing one of those wristbands that monitor harmful UVA and UVB rays. Or, I could take it a step further and get a UVSunSense band.

So what makes the UVSunSense different than those other sun-bands? Well, most of those sun bands don’t let you know when you need to reapply your sunscreen.

Here’s how it works in a nutshell. As you put on your sunscreen, you also put a dab of the lotion on the UVSunSense. The band will turn purple in the sunshine, but this color will not last. In fact, the user should take note of when it turns colorless, as it will be time to put on more sunscreen.

There are actually two ways that this bracelet can save your skin. On the side of this guy is a note saying: “Apply sunscreen to this side”. If the user cannot read this, it would be a good idea to quit their day at the beach. Now there’s something I wish I would have done yesterday.

Well, if you want to get down on this tech, feel free to purchase a 7-pack of UVSunSense from Amazon for just $5.87.

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Entecho’s Hoverpod

I remember watching an episode of Mythbusters where they were discussing the possibility of hovering technology. Apparently, Adam and Jamie had grown up seeing the same ads on the back covers of comic books that promised an “Air Car”, and I remember these ones too.

The Mythbusters then challenged each other to a race with hovering vehicles that they built on their own. They were able to get them to hover, but getting any forward motion on them proved problematic.

It would appear that Australian company Entecho has figured out an application for hover technology. This fan-forced flying saucer could start a serious transportation revolution as the huge blades spin to give it lift, and the skirt around it gives it directional manipulation.

The hoverpod is capable of speeds of 120 km per hour, with a range of 3 km. I’m not certain what that means, but I believe that it can hover up to 1.5 meters off the ground. This hoverpod can hold about three passengers, and it is quite safe as no blades are exposed.

Sadly, this vehicle is still under development, and has been for the past several years. I hope it comes out soon. I mean, we may be nowhere near that futuristic age of flying cars any time soon, but I would imagine that hovering cars is a necessary step.

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Nintendo DS Lite for Mom

Have you ever bought a gift for someone that you live with, and you really “gave” it so you could use it? This might be the case for when a mother buys a child this new version of the DS Lite.

The child should be immediately suspicious as he or she notices that the DS is lime green in color. I can pretty much guarantee that any kid who is seen in public with a lime green DS Lite will be called some sort of name by the end of the day. I’m sure the kids will start with the easy to use “limey-fruit” and will eventually shorten it to “fruit” in a matter of days.

This version of the DS Lite, which really should be called “The Housewives edition”, comes with Personal Trainer: Cooking. Yeah, junior’s going to be completely addicted to that game!

Did I mention that this edition also comes with a matching carrying case? In all honesty, I don’t really use the carrying case, and I’m guessing most teenage boys probably don’t either.

So, if you are a young lad, and your mother gives you a Nintendo DS that looks like the one in the picture, don’t open it. Your mom will be all over it if you do. Instead, run from the house and exchange it wherever you can. It costs about $149, so you should be able to get yourself something decent for it, like a Nintendo DS of a proper color like white, black, or even red.

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Circulation Improving Leg Wraps

Sitting in one position for far too long? You’d best get up from time to time to get the blood circulating in the lower part of your body, but for those who can’t afford the luxury of doing that due to never-ending datelines, there is always the Circulation Improving Leg Wraps.

These leg wraps inflate and deflate to improve circulation, soothe sore muscles, and reduce swelling in your lower extremities. Similar to hospital compression boots that stimulate circulation in sedentary patients, the leg wraps have six airbags that wrap around the entire leg and inflate and deflate to help blood vessels expand and contract. The compression intervals stimulate circulation in the thighs, hamstrings, calves, and feet and help facilitate blood flow back to the heart. The corded remote allows you to select from three levels of intensity and choose from seven programs that pinpoint different areas and at varying intervals. Adjustable Velcro closures ensure optimal fit for all sizes. Plugs into AC.

Guess only folks in First and Business Class will be able to use this when flying since those cabins come with built-in AC outlets, which is kinda ironic as they have all the legroom in the world. Hopefully more and more airlines will throw in AC outlets into economy class seats in the future. The Circulation Improving Leg Wraps can be purchased for $149.95.

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Cell pack and Wi-fi in a box

It looks as though the in-thing these days is to remain connected at all times, and the Cell-PAK 3G + Wi-Fi HotSpot in a box certainly looks set to fit the bill. This highly portable device offers instant secure broadband Internet connectivity for those who are always on the go without having to rely on external power or carry around additional wires. Targeting businesses and individuals who rely on mission-critical wireless communications to get the job done, the new Cell-PAK 3G + Wi-Fi HotSpot in a box from Proxicast is a wireless “grab & go” solution, enabling mobile wide-area cellular Internet connectivity (WWAN) and local 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi access (WLAN) without cramping your style courtesy of its commercial-grade LAN-Cell 2 mobile 3G cellular router.

Whenever you’re in unfamiliar territory where wired communications infrastructure is unavailable, damaged or overloaded, the Proxicast Cell PAK will step in as an able substitute, offering crucial fast, effective and reliable high-speed cellular broadband communications. It is essential to have this if you happen to live in an area prone to natural disasters, as come hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes or other natural and man-made disasters, the Cell PAK will still be able to function, keeping you connected to the rest of the world. Which reminds me, that would mean getting some sort of backup power for the rest of your devices (solar would be good) since a natural disaster might leave you disconnected from the power grid.

The Cell-PAK is a tough, self-contained, battery-powered, portable Wi-Fi HotSpot with built-in 3G cellular Internet access. It is both impact and water-resistant, featuring a MIL-spec rated case and on-board power pack. It will switch to the best available service automatically, playing nice with any available Internet service including DSL, cable or other Ethernet-based networks; to any serial modem-based service including POTS lines and satellites; or even the LAN-Cell PC-Card slot which is able to handle a 3G modem from any cellular carrier worldwide. Definitely over-rated for bloggers and casual users, that’s for sure.

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Unitech PA600 MCA anti-microbial case

Unitech is back with a brand new device for the medical circles - the PA600 MCA (Mobile Clinical Assistant) that functions as a Windows-powered handheld computer, targeting healthcare providers. Not only is it able to handle the most rudimentary of computing tasks often associated with the medical sector, it also comes with an antimicrobial case (now that’s a nice touch) and a built-in RFID reader. The PA600 MCA is tough enough to shrug off four-foot drops according to the company, but that doesn’t mean one ought to go around testing such claims on purpose. It sure as heck won’t be able to stand up to a fling against the wall – a very real scenario should a patient get out of hand and assault the PA600 MCA in the process.

It must be noted that the Unitech PA600 ought not to be confused with Intel’s similarly named MCA reference platform for Windows tablets. It will run on Windows CE 5.0 in a handheld form factor, and for those familiar with devices for such industries, they will find the PA600 MCA to be extremely similar to an earlier offering which lacked 802.11b/g and RFID functionality. The PA600 MCA comes in a white-and-blue color scheme, and what’s interesting about it is the above-mentioned case made of special antimicrobal material. This material was specially created to prevent the spread of MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) infections, which are more and more commonplace in hospitals these days.

Features of the PA600 MCA include built-in RFID capabilities, a 1D/2D barcode scanner, a 3.5″ touchscreen display with 320 x 240 resolution, an 18-key numeric keypad, all powered by a 520MHz Marvell PXA270 processor alongside 128 RAM, 320MB of flash storage and an SDIO expansion slot. You can choose to hook up the PA600 MCA to an optional docking station for added versatility when working from a desk, and USB ports are available to transfer data to and from a USB flash drive. No idea on how much it costs though, although it is readily available at press time.

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Moonlight Concept Laptop

I am guessing that this Moonlight Concept Laptop is named because of its shape. Granted, its crescent shape makes it a lot sexier than most laptops, and it has some other unique features as well.

For example, it doesn’t have two halves with one screen and one keyboard. No, both halves come with touchscreens. The bigger screen is a 16:9 that serves as the monitor, with the other is a smaller 4:3.

This lower 4:3 display has a screen that can be used like a touchpad mouse. It can also be used as an annex of the larger screen, or it can run mini OS.

You may have noticed that the frame lights up, and there are special sensors that will keep them on as long as the user wants, I imagine.

Yeah, this Moonlight looks pretty neat, and what you can barely see are special legs that lift it above the ground. Hopefully these legs fold up into the frame. Speaking of folding, the way the Moonlight folds up is quite unusual. You know how most laptops fold up so the screen is on the inside, and protected? Unfortunately, the Moonlight has its screen on the outside. This could be a problem.

Well, I can use my imagination to picture an age where every laptop is like the Moonlight. Somehow it looks really futuristic, like out of a science-fiction movie.

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Samsung announces new camcorders

Samsung is back with a couple of new camcorders for those who are looking for a device that is able to perform video recording of your favorite memories without cramping your style or adding a whole lot of bulk to your travel bag. The two models in question are the Samsung SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 that look totally out of this world, being ergonomically designed, compact digital camcorders that comes in industry-leading style and design. Both the new SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 will also be adorned with Samsung’s very own stylish Touch of Color (ToC) finish, where a subtle hint of color is naturally blended into the deep black body for an attractive crystalline appearance (not to mention being a prime candidate as a fingerprint magnet).

The SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 will target the on-the-go consumer, featuring a 10x optical zoom coupled with Hyper Image Stabilization that ensure your shots taken are always clear and sharp, thanks to the reduction of blurry footage. Both models will also come with a 230k resolution swiveling LCD display that measures 2.7″ across diagonally, making it convenient to frame your subjects as well as review your footage without squinting as with many other older camcorders. Just like the full HD HMX-R10, the SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 comes with Samsung’s Active Angle Lens which reduces fatigue thanks to a much more ergonomic grip, minimizing stress on the wrist and elbow while removing the LCD display from the user’s line of sight.

Other features of the SMX-C14 include 16GB of internal flash memory, an SD/SDHC memory card slot, H.264 compression for video and a pretty substantial battery life of over two hours and forty minutes of recording time with each full charge. In addition, you will be able to take advantage of several unique features including time-lapse recording, animated thumbnails and a versatile charging system. There is no word on pricing, but we do know both the SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 will be out this July.

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Pure Digital unveils new Flip Ultra line

Pure Digital Technologies is back with a bang, and in case they sound familiar, you would’ve known that they released the acclaimed Flip Video family of camcorders quite some time ago, and is here with the second generation of its Flip Ultra line. Amazingly enough, the Flip Video range of camcorders achieved the position of being America’s number-one selling camcorder since its debut in 2007, so it makes us wonder whether the new Flip Ultra line will be able to live up to that billing or not. Both the Flip Ultra and Flip UltraHD will come with up to two hours of recording time, a large high-resolution 2″ display and convenient battery recharging via the integrated USB arm.

Both the new Flip Ultra and UltraHD camcorders will aim to set a new standard for convenient and affordable video capture, and one of the outstanding points would be its transflective display that offers no-glare viewing even when under direct sunlight - something many other camcorders grapple with even until today. The Flip Ultra is attractively priced at just $149.99, while the Flip UltraHD will be going for $50 more at $199.99 - small price to pay for the addition of High Definition video recording on the go if you ask me. The Ultra line will ship equipped with pre-loaded FlipShare software that enables consumers to handle the entire process of organizing, editing and sharing videos seamlessly - just make sure the device is plugged in to your computer via USB and you’re good to go. It works great on both Mac and PC platforms.

Both the Flip Ultra and the Flip UltraHD camcorders will be powered by a couple of AA batteries, although the latter has 8GB of integrated flash memory - double that of the Flip Ultra, alongside HDMI output instead of regular SD Composite Video.


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Tech Time

Want to teach your kids one of the essentials in life? Then Teach Me Time device will fit the bill then, as your kids will then be able to know just when they need to scuttle off to the bedroom to get their shuteye so that mom and dad can have a little private time to themselves after a long day of work.

Forget all that big hand/little hand stuff; if you want to teach your kids how to tell the time, Teach Me Time is the answer. First off it’s an adorable color-changing nightlight. When junior goes to bed it emits a reassuring yellow glow, then when morning comes it turns green to show that it’s okay to wake up and annoy mum and dad. Simply set the desired time on the secret panel and, fingers crossed, snookums will soon learn that ambling into your room in the middle of the night is not in the least bit amusing, even if he/she is clutching teddy and looking unbearably cute.

Once the basics have been understood by Junior, the Teach Me Time becomes more versatile by turning into a 5-stage, talking ‘game’ that allows them to learn how to tell the time using both analogue and digital displays. When they’ve mastered that, this £39.95 enters into its third stage of life, being a fully functional alarm clock alongside the all-important snooze function.

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Jewel Apple Necklace USB Flash Drive

USB flash drives have become essentials in the working world, and it certainly does its part to banish memories of floppies failing during the most crucial of business presentations back in the 1980s because of the fragility of the device. So much so that USB flash drives have even become fashionable icons - take the Jewel Apple Necklace USB Flash Drive for example - it can be worn as a necklace, although it might be a bit too tacky for some. You can pick up this delectable USB flash drive that is all bling for $21 each, where they come in red, pink, blue and white colors.

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Gesture-based Music Playing Robot

I realize that the picture here looks like something from Criss Angel’s “Mindfreak” performances, but what you are seeing here is the QB1. Of course, this technology might seem kind of freaky, as that screen watches you. It will actually turn when you walk around the room, and these special sensors actually know your face.

Not only can it read your face, but it knows your hand gestures. For example, you can start your music tracks with a conduchttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=24577524tor-like wave of your hand. Turn your fingers into a shelf and gesture up to turn the volume up, then down to turn it down. If you spin your fingers clockwise, this works as a fast forward. I’m sure that you have figured out that spinning them counter-clockwise works as a rewind.

The oddest thing about the QB1 is that it will actually learn about you. The designer wasn’t any more specific about that, but essentially, it will learn what type of music that you like, and it will know what to play for you.

I like the idea behind the QB1, but I’m not certain that I like the aesthetic. I mean, do you really want a simple screen on a stand to do what the QB1 can do? Perhaps this is one of those products that are better off without a pretty package.

So far, this technology is still under development, but Swiss company OZWE hopes to have the QB1 perfected and mass-marketed some time in 2009. There is no word on a price as yet.

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Ennova Direct releases newfangled USB flash drive with OLED display

Just take a look at your everyday USB flash drive and see whether there is anything outstanding or not. We thought that the level of progress has stopped when it came to retractable USB connectors (so that you don’t run the risk of losing the cap, of course), along comes Ennova Direct Corporation (DBA ION Technologies) who has just announced to the whole wide world its latest USB flash drive that boasts an OLED display. Great, even USB flash drives now can show off additional information on its content (and we don’t mean just the amount of space left inside), courtesy of US patent number 7,462,044. As if having n OLED display on it is not special enough, we also know that the built-in cover helps keep your OLED display in pristine condition always while featuring an integrated biometric fingerprint scanner which adds to the security level on the USB flash drive. Not only that, the OLED display will change color to indicate the success or failure of a match of the user’s stored fingerprint, while doubling up as an interactive interface which enables the user to select specific files and initiate specific functions.

According to Peter Garrett, Executive VP of Ennova Direct, “With USB flash drive memory capacities now reaching 64GB and higher, user’s are now utilizing their USB flash drives as full external backup drives, making it even more important for users to secure the large amounts of personal data they are storing on their USB flash drives. To that end, we incorporated a biometric fingerprint scanner function into the design of our new Patented Retractable USB flash drive, while keeping with the popular theme of our signature retractable USB connector. We paid special attention to the design of the retractable USB connector, adding an integrated cover that when closed protects the USB connector and OLED screen-biometric fingerprint scanner at the same time.”

Ennova Direct currently has outlined a release date for their new patented retractable biometric USB flash drive that will occur sometime in Q1, 2010. No idea on how much it will cost though.


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Epson back with new Ensemble HD Home Cinema System

Epson’s got a soft spot for home theater systems, and they have just come up with yet another option for those who are thinking about getting one for their respective homes. The Ensemble HD Home Cinema System is now available to the masses, featuring a selection of projectors for you to choose from in order to fit into most budgets. A couple of the projectors in question are the PowerLite Home Cinema 6100 and Home Cinema 6500 UB. We suppose that once you have the Epson Ensemble HD Home Cinema System installed in your pad, you will find very little excuse to go out once you’ve returned home from work. After all, you might as well take advantage of all the technology on offer before it gets obsolete, right?

In a nutshell, the Ensemble HD Home Cinema System is a fully-integrated, high-end home entertainment solution that works great for viewing movies, TV shows as well as playing video games. Part of it includes a 10″ motorized screen, integrated surround sound, AV controller with built-in DVD player, universal remote and all the components required to get you up and running the moment you bring it home. These have also been tastefully designed to make sure it won’t be an eyesore whenever somebody decides to drop by.

There are three models in total to choose from the Ensemble HD Home Cinema System in order to cater to varying consumer needs. Entry level families who want something that will keep everyone happy without digging into the kids’ college fund can always choose the $4,999 Ensemble HD Home Cinema 720p. As for more seasoned audiophiles who have a better idea of what they’re looking for, there is always the $6,499 Ensemble HD Home Cinema 6100 and $7,999 Ensemble HD Home Cinema 6500 UB. Of course, it does make us wonder why Epson never bothered to throw in a Blu-ray drive into the package since this is one of the staples of high definition entertainment.

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iTies conceal a secret pocket underneath

Guys are stuck wearing ties and frankly they’re a pointless accessory. They just look uncomfortable and they just sort of hang there. Chicks all the time have the perk of hiding small amounts of cash in their bra, but guys are stuck using boring pockets designated for that sort of thing. Well now you can have an extra hidden pocket behind your tie. It’s specifically made for small MP3 players like the iPod Nano, but it could be used for plenty more than that. Hopefully an iPod wouldn’t put too much weight on your neck though.

Besides a Nano this could be used for various MP3 players, business cards, credit cards, money and smaller sized cellphones. If you’re using it for an iPod or other MP3 player, the earphone cord could be hidden through your button up shirt and pop up at the collar of your shirt. Making it far less visible and making it easier for you to get away with not paying attention to what’s going on around you. There are several things a tie like this could be used for, it’s entirely up to you what you store within it. A six pack of the pockets will cost you $34.95 and would have to be sewn onto your regular tie. The ties will cost you anywhere from $35 on up to about $60.

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