"12 Gizmos of Christmas": #1, Video Game Consoles

post from Gizmos for Geeks :: on 30 November 2006 11:59:59 PM. © Gizmos for Geeks ::

After people have fought, rioted and been shot while waiting in lines for the mythical PS3 machines during the great 2006 PS3 Crime Spree, we had to make Video Game Consoles the #1 most requested and wished for item this season. While the PS3 garnered a lion share of the press regarding crazy people just needing some Sony gaming power, the Wii managed to outsell Sony hands down. Even the older XBOX 360 got in the act bringing Amazon to it's knees for over 15 minutes... of course the XBOX 360's sold out in only 29 seconds.

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http://www.gizmosforgeeks.com/index.php/articles/2757

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TEAC Multifunction Drive reads all cards

post from Ubergizmo on 30 November 2006 11:55:27 PM. © Ubergizmo

TEAC Multifunction Drive reads all cards TEAC has a brand new way of storing your digital files in a fun, portable, and secure device with the Multifunction Drive. This drive makes use of just a single hard drive for all your portable storage needs without requiring you to pony up additional cash for a gamut of different flash cards. Features include a direct built-in slot and a one-touch button operation that helps you copy and store your data files in a cinch. In essence, the Multifunction Drive is actually a multiple memory card reader integrated with a portable hard drive that has a generous LCD display and a status indicator that enables you to keep track of your data transfer status at a glance. Choose from 40GB, 80GB, and 120GB capacities.

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2006/11/teac_multifunction_drive_reads_all_c
ards.html

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Moo-moo skin for your hard drive

post from Ubergizmo on 30 November 2006 11:48:17 PM. © Ubergizmo

Moo-moo skin for your hard drive Everybody knows how leather is just about the only respectable surface to cloth seats and sofas in as it ages gracefully just like wine, getting more comfortable as the years roll by. Prestigio Technologies has unveiled the Prestigio Data Safe II to store your 2.5" hard drive in an elegant leather coating. Choose from 40GB, 60GB, 80GB, 100 GB or 120GB capacity models. In addition to just looking good, the Prestigio Data Safe II also ensures your precious hard drive operates in a low noise, vibration, and energy consumption levels. Each purchase comes with a two-year international limited warranty, but I'm a bit skeptical as leather traps heat all too easily. What do you guys think?

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2006/11/moomoo_skin_for_your_hard_drive.html

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Alternatives to The Everyday Toast(ers)

post from Shiny Shiny on 30 November 2006 11:04:32 PM. © Shiny Shiny

There are lots of extraordinary egg devices out there, but what if you fancy a piece of fancy toast? This fairly ordinary staple of breakfast has been given the once over into two conceptual pieces: On the low-tech end, Minale Maeda's Table Manners concept includes a toasting pan that creates a delft pattern on the toast that goes with the corresponding plate.

For the more hi-tech, Jaren Goh's ROLLERtoaster imagines a future where toast is simply run through the heating element. (My only question - where are the crumbs?)

Table Manners [via Cool Hunting] and ROLLERtoaster [via Slashfood]

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http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2006/12/alternatives_to.html

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Glow-in-the-Dark Wrapping Paper idea

post from Ubergizmo on 30 November 2006 11:02:33 PM. © Ubergizmo

Gfit wrapping is a spiritual experience for some as they put in as much thought into the choice of wrapping paper as with the gift itself. Brightec decided to brighten up the holiday season by offering the Glow-in-the-Dark Wrapping Paper that is guaranteed to be a big hit with Santa as he makes his rotund figure around the Christmas Tree. This paper can be purchased individually and cut out in different shapes and sizes to customize the wrappers on different gifts. Just make sure you don't go overboard though, as the Brightec Night Luminescent Photographic Paper retails for anywhere between $10 to $40 which might end up to be more expensive than the gift itself.

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2006/11/glowinthedark_wrapping_paper_idea.ht
ml

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Apple iPod keyboard in the works

post from Ubergizmo on 30 November 2006 10:56:39 PM. © Ubergizmo

Apple iPod keyboard in the works? Apple executives probably cast more than a single envious glance at the Razer Pro Type keyboard that fits their iPod digital audio player while looking extremely sleek and sexy. This has set them working on a similar keyboard that comes with an integrated iPod dock, but all this is still a very hush-hush affair with no word of an official announcement yet. Apparently, this leak was made possible thanks to a mistake at an Apple repair depot that saw the new iPod keyboard replacing a few defective Apple keyboards. Although I might be jumping the gun, Razer might just edge Apple out in this niche market as Razer's designs are often more futuristic and pleasant to the eye.

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2006/11/apple_ipod_keyboard_in_the_works.htm
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EZ105 Small Wonder from RCA

post from Ubergizmo on 30 November 2006 10:47:49 PM. © Ubergizmo

EZ105 Small Wonder from RCA Digital camcorders are not exactly the smallest consumer electronics available, but RCA has managed to take miniaturization to the next level with their EZ105 Small Wonder. The Small Wonder is a simple MPEG 4 point-and-shoot camcorder that can store up to an hour of video (half the amount if you want high quality clips) which can be transferred over to a computer for playback. Features of the EZ105 include a 1.5" LCD display so you know what you're shooting at this moment and an AV-out port which can be connected to a TV. Great for candid and impromptu shots, but it is unsuitable for important events like weddings. The EZ105 Small Wonder retails for $129 and is powered by a couple of AA batteries.

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2006/11/ez105_small_wonder_from_rca.html

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TRENDnet USB WiFi adapter boosts signal

post from Ubergizmo on 30 November 2006 10:39:34 PM. © Ubergizmo

Not all notebooks are created equal, as some come with a more powerful integrated WiFi antenna than others. If you're notebook seems anemic when it comes to connecting to a WiFi network at acceptable speeds, perhaps the TEW-445UB 108Mbps High Power Wireless USB 2.0 adapter from TRENDnet will help ease your woes. This $72 USB WiFi adapter boasts a vastly improved range and can cater for speeds of up to 108Mbps thanks to the high-speed antenna that supports an output power of 23dBM and the inclusion of WiFi Multimedia (WMM) Quality of Service which results in traffic prioritization based on the user's current needs. Adequate security measures are also in place with support for various encryption protocols like WPA/WPA2 and the more advanced WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK.

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2006/11/trendnet_usb_wifi_adapter_boosts_sig
nal.html

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Prumie mouse with tilt guard

Vertical scrolling mice are the standard these days, but some people want more functionality which has led mouse manufacturers to introduce horizontal scroll wheels as well. Unfortunately, there are quite a number of people who cannot handle the horizontal scroll mechanism, resulting in a high number of accidental clicking. Elecom decided to stem the tide by releasing the Prumie mouse that comes with a so-called tilt guard, making it harder to click the scroll wheel when moving the mouse side to side. There are three models available - the standard two button with scroll wheel, a similar model with programmable buttons, and the optical model. Prices start from $28 upwards. We say get a larger widescreen monitor instead to eliminate the need to scroll horizontally.

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2006/11/prumie_mouse_with_tilt_guard.html

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HP Crossfire packs quite a punch

HP Crossfire packs quite a punch As with most emerging products, the Internet is the ideal place to spread rumors about specifications and features, and this is no different for the HP IQ770 PC which is also known as the Crossfire. The Crossfire features a 19" touchscreen display and is powered by Windows Vista. The AMD Turion 64 X2 dual core processor is ably aided by 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive, while the mid-range video card complements the entire set up as a decent gaming machine in addition to being a dedicated office workstation. Other multimedia features include WiGFi and Bluetooth connectivity, a 1.3 megapixel camera, FM and ATSC HDTV tuners, and a DVD burner with LightScribe amongst others.What's surprising are the prices - the Crossfire is expected to retail anywhere between $1,799 to $1,899 when it is released next January.