The largest consumer technology, gaming & entertainment event of the year -- DigitalLife 2006 -- will be taking place in less than a month (October 12–15) at the Javits Center in New York.
And we know how to get you in for free ...
Instead of shelling out $15 for a ticket, you can get free tickets by using the source code “INSIDER” on this page, where you can print out your own tickets, too.
Sounds too good to be true? Don't be a skeptic, check it out ...
So you wanna get your hands on some Viagra do ya? Perhaps even get your hands on some sexy lingerie. Well, I can help you get your hands on either one of these for about 29.90 EURO. Of course, technically you will only be able to use one hand on either of these items. Keep the sick jokes to yourself please...
Pat Says Now (weird name) has some creative computer mice that were designed to look like a voluptuous women's body wearing lingerie, a Viagra pill, as well as several other interesting designs, including a velvet heart, a doggy mouse, a leopard print mouse, and more. While these mouse designs are certainly eye-catching and artistic, I'm thinking you may want to show some "discretion" before buying some of these sexually-charged mice and bringing them to work. See the full mouse lineup.
DigitalLife, "the leading consumer electronics and video gaming event," will take place at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City, next month! October 12-15, to be exact,.
This year’s show will feature more than 200 leading consumer electronics and entertainment companies, including Microsoft, Intel, Sony, Toshiba, HP, Kodak, TiVo, Verizon, Nintendo, SEGA and many more.
(And to be sure some of the best new products will be from companies you barely heard of ...)
No time to read a book? You can of course by a "book on tape" or "book on CD", but that is so yesterday. With Playaway's iPod-Mini-sized audiobooks, you can now listen to the books you've wanted to read but have not had the time.
These Playaway audio-books come with ear buds and a lanyard and run on one AAA battery. Of course, why not just download an audio book from iTunes? Well, I suppose these could make great gifts or stocking stuffers. Titles begin at $34.95 - a bit pricey for my tastes, but if you want to force your book tastes on someone else, it might be worth the price.
I blogged a while back about Macy's plans to add kiosks to sell gadgets in its department stores.
Now (and I know you Macy's fans have been waiting for this!) comes plans for bringing back the Electronics Department! Yes, it hasn't been in Macy's since 1997, when electronics superstores (and less than stellar products, like Fisher audio) chased it away.
The plans call for a limited selections of electronics, including DVD players, iPod vending machines and other small gadgets.
For those of you who do remember, the new department will be "considerably" smaller than the old ones.
Terrorists have found a new way to screw up this world by causing the U.K. to ban gadgets (including iPods), laptops, and mobile phones on any carry-on baggage due to today's announcement of a thwarted attempt to blow up airlines using liquid explosives. Thank you Islamic fascists for ruining any sort of entertainment during an airline flight. Thank you for causing all the passengers that brought their expensive Treos, Blackberries, iPods, and other gadgets to have to go home, drop off their gadget(s) and change their flight or else simply have their gadget confiscated if it is critical they fly out right then. Of course, you can put your gadget in your stored baggage, but many passengers don't have any baggage - some just have the clothes on their back - which means they'd probably have to go home to drop off the gadget and come back.
Flights are often several hours long and gadgets often help you to pass the time by. No more iPods, no more portable DVD players, and no more laptops means your stuck with whatever crappy airline movie they decide to entertain you with.
So Islamic terrorists have found yet another way to ruin people's lives. Though not as bad as a beheading, being trapped in collapsing towers, or getting blown up in a crowded market, I for one despise terrorists just a wee bit more today -- which I didn't think possible. I'm pissed. The terrorists are forcing us to change the way we live and the freedoms we enjoy. In some ways the terrorists have won.
Sony's Mylo ("my life online") personal communicator is a new gadget that provides users access to online instant messaging services, Web pages (fully-featured Opera browser), e-mails, play music, and view photos. Most interestingly, the mylo communicator comes with Skype software built into it for VoIP calling. It also has Google Talk and Yahoo! Messenger embedded, but it's not clear if these two applications will only support IM or VoIP as well. Like a competing gadget, the Nokia 770 internet tablet, the Sony Mylo skips a SIM card in favor of WiFi only.
Sony Mylo with and without thumbpad displayed
No that's not a Sony PSP, but they sure damn look alike. The slim, oblong-shaped device features a 2.4 inch color LCD (measured diagonally) with a slide out QWERTY keyboard for comfortable and quick thumb typing. The product includes JiWire’s hotspot directory listing more than 20,000 WiFi networks in the United States. so you can find a hotspot near you.
Using the mylo you can send and receive text emails with web mail services like Yahoo! Mail and Gmail. 1GB of flash memory is available on the mylo personal communicator to store music, videos, and images. It supports the playback of MP3, ATRAC or WMA (secure and unsecure) files. The mylo communicator has a built-in speaker for listening to music so you can share your music with those around you. You can also view MPEG-4 personal videos by transferring files via USB cable or with Memory Stick Duo media. You can also store JPEG pictures from the Internet or your digital camera.
The mylo device uses a lithium-ion battery that offers up to 45 hours of music playback, around seven hours of chatting and web surfing and more than three hours of continuous Skype talk time. It comes with a microphone, stereo headphones, a USB cable and a neoprene case.
The mylo personal communicator will be available in September for about $350 online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores
With all the weather that we're been experiencing (hot, hot, hotter), it's a good idea to be prepared in case of a power outage or other emergency.
(And this goes out to all of you are in hurricane season now, too).
(Oh, and before I forget, how about all of those poor folks in Queens who were without power for so long -- thank you Con Ed.)
Eton's Multi-purpose Hand-crank Radio American Red Cross FR400 may be one of the longest product names you can imagine, but it does pack a wallop of features -- specificaly those features you need when you're without power. It is the one gadget you need for emergencies.
(It's like an electronic Swiss Army knife.)
The FR400 provides you with a water-resistant AM/FM/Water-Resistant emergency radio with NOAA weather channels, TV-VHF, flashlight, siren and cell phone charger.
What's really, really cool about this product is some seriously old school technology. Using the hand-crank power generator chargesthe internal rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack in times of need.
(Yes, you read correctly -- hand crank -- like in the early days of automobiles.)
Let's get to the feature set so I don't miss anything:
AM/FM/NOAA/TV1/TV2-VHF channels 2-13
Water-resistant body
NOAA Weather: All 7 channels plus “Alert” function
Hand-crank power generator
3 LED light system with emergency flash
Emergency siren
Built-in cell phone charger
Crank-charge system charges built-in rechargeable battery
Charges rechargeable battery via AC Adaptor (included)
Powered by 3 AA batteries
Can be powered with all batteries removed by continuous cranking
Dimensions: 4.5” H x 8.6” W x 2” D (114mm x 220mm x 50mm) = small
Yes, you know who you are and you will be hitting the big box retailers, the specialty office supply stores and even local supermarkets to stock up on the essentials for back to school time.
In case you missed this, just check out all of the ads in your Sunday paper ...
(Does the summer have to end so fast ...)
What's on your list?
Is it a new notebook computer for the high schooler, a new calculator for the middle schooler and an electronic Thesaurus for the elementary schooler (or maybe just an educational PC game)?
Maybe it should be a new VoIP phone (but I notice less phone time and more IM time in my family)?
Maybe it should be a new Xbox 360 (now how did that get in there)?
Doesn't it seem that all things gadget and electronic can have some sort of educational value?
Maybe it's the intense heat (hot as blazes!), but seems to be a drop in gadget use on the train this morning.
(I thought everyone was goin' mobile!)
Last time, seems that just about half the commuters had some sort of gadget that they were using to pass the time (mobile phone, iPod or other MP3 player, notebook computer, Blackberry), but today that percent dropped to less than 1 in 10 (that 10% -- but let's not rush back to school quite yet).
Today, we had a couple of Dell notebooks (one IBM ThinkPad -- or was it Lenovo?), an iPod, Blackberry and Treo -- and that's about it.
Let's see if gadget usage increases in the fall, when it should be cooler ...
Not all that surprised to hear that moms are increasingly becoming gadget savvy.
(I like "gadget groovy" better.)
This according to a report from The NPD Group that tracked electronics sales for the week leading up to Mother's Day, which were up nearly 10% as compared to a year earlier, whcih was a larger increase than the one posted duing the week leading up to Father's Day.
Wanted to open up the lines of communication and hear from you about what you consider the best gadget of the summer.
It can be a pure summer play -- like a CD radio that also includes a fan to keep you cool -- or it could be an all-around handy dandy gadget -- like a DVR/VCR combo unit. Or anything else for that matter.
Let us hear from you on your favorite -- and why (in 50 words or less, please).
Our expert panel will judge all entries and one lucky winner will receive some kind of gadget from us -- no, it won't be an iPod, like so many other offers ... or something from Pirates of the Caribbean either ...
Not too surprised to see the recent CEA SmartBrief noting an article that appeared earlier this week in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution(a fine newspaper).
Seems that according to a recent online study of parents, U.S. children start using such gadgets as video games, cellphones and portable music players by age 7 -- which is six months earlier than just a year ago.
While experts wonder if that is good in the long run, seems to me that kids are at gadgets at a much earlier age.
Take such very young child-friendly gadgets like LeapFrog's Leapster (pictured), which is targeted to three- to six-year olds, for example, not to mention even less sophisticated technology like Etch-A-Sketch.
If gadgets are technology and familiarity with technology is important to kids of all ages, then shouldn't kids be exposed to gadgets at a very early age?
To read what the experts are saying, check out the Journal-Constitution article at www.technewsworld.com.
Amazing to be out on the West Coast at Mt. Rainier National Park (photo above) near Seattle and be in an area without television, radio or cell phone service.
(How about a remake of Sleepless in Seattle for anyone?)
Anybody know of any other spots to really get away from it all?
Wired News reports on BMW working on technology that will allow cars to park themselves in cramped quarters, such as your garage. Unfortunately, you have to setup the area you want it to park by placing a reflective lens against the wall at the front end of the parking space, so it won't turn the steering wheel or parallel park for you. Essentially, the YouTube video shows the car automatically pulling in its side mirrors and then pulling itself straight into the garage. Kinda lame if you ask me, considering there is automobile technology going back to at least 2003 demonstrating cars with computers that can automatically parallel park in public.
You know, gadgets don't have to look cool to be cool, but it certainly helps. (Exhibit #1 please: the iPod).
Well, if you love design and all things gadgets (and Beyond -- remember that from seeing Click! recently?), then the recent issue of Business Week that featured "The Best Product Design of 2006" is must reading.
According the article, design teams from Asia nabbed a quarter of this year's gold awards, up from 8 percent in 2005. What's more, the bar of excellence is moving ever higher; design has become strategic, the very core of their efforts to differentiate what they make and do.
Take a look at the 2006 Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEAs), which is sponsored by BusinessWeek and judged independently by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). Here's an excerpt from the article:
What were the key surprises this year? The strong showing by Asia is clearly one of the most striking trends. Panasonic won six awards, twice as many as the next winner and far more than any U.S. or European corporation. China’s Lenovo Group computer maker took two golds, the most of any company. Samsung Group won a gold and two silvers and still leads all global corporations, including Apple Computer, for the most idea wins over the past five years.
Wha'ts really interested is actually seeing all of these neat product designs -- you will not believe how cool some of them are! (And even for what might be consider "uncool" products.)
Intel has been one of the leading innovators of providing low-power consumption chipsets, continually pushing the edge of battery life and performance in small embedded devices. Intel has one of the largest R&D budgets in the IT world and some of the most sophisticated labs. Intel selling the XScale processor division for $600 million will certainly give Intel a much-needed cash boost, but they may have just mortgaged their future earnings. Both the Blackberry and Treo have been a resounding success. Certainly Windows Mobile 5 smartphones like the Motorola Q are also selling. So why Intel would abandon a growing market seems a bit odd. Marvell also will acquire the 1,400 people currently employed by Intel and they state they will retain most of these employees.
I hope Marvell continue to improve the XScale processor and will dedicate plenty of R&D dollars to that end. Perhaps Marvell will do even better than Intel in improving the performance specs on the XScale chipset. Only time will tell.
Michael Newman (Adam Sandler) is a family man whose busy career as an architect does not leave much time for his wife Donna (Kate Beckinsale) and his two kids. (You already know something is wrong, terribly wrong, here.)
Unable one day to determine which of his many remotes turns on the television, he decides he needs a universal remote that does it all. On his search for the perfect device, he meets Morty (Christopher Walken -– always a scary guy) who gives him a one-of-a-kind remote that has magical powers.
With each click, Michael can control his career and personal life. But complications arise when the remote starts to overrule his choices.
(Just for the record, the film also stars David Hasselhoff as Newman’s boss, Henry Winkler and Julie Kavner as his parents. Sean Astin, Rachel Dratch and Jennifer Coolidge also co-star.) That's some cast!!
Click opens next Friday, June 23.
Let me know what you would do with a remote control that could control your life …
Have you heard about Sony selling electronic products in automated kiosks?
Yes indeed! Reminds me of the amusement park game (or diner lobby game) where you put your buck into the machine and you get to operate a giant claw that tries to pick up a stuffed animal or some other goodie.
(Please, if you have ever won that this game, let me know. I am sure to be impressed.)
Actually, what Sony is doing is installing branded kiosks in three shopping malls this week that will allowing purchasers to see the selection of electronic items behind glass walls, touch the screen to read about product information or watch movie trailers and then make a purchase delivered by a robotic arm.
According to the New York Times, Sony hopes the vending machine-like kiosks, called "robotic stores," will help boost sales by offering consumers a way to combine the immediate gratification of a store purchase with the ease of buying products online.
Only time will tell ...
(Oh, and if you come across one of these things, please let me know.)
For 40 years, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has been the launch pad of technology and 2007 promises to be nothing short of spectacular. Registration for the 2007 show in Las Vegas (Jan. 8-11) opens today!
Don't miss a chance to experience the excitement of the newest technology in the CE industry!
The first CES took place in New York City in June, 1967 with 200 exhibitors and 17,500 attendees. Since then, CES has grown more than seven-fold. Nearly 2,700 exhibitors, filling 1.6 million square feet of exhibit space, showcased their latest products and services to more than 140,000 attendees at the 2006 International CES.
Lexmark JumpDrive Mercury USB 1GB memory stick was just reviewed by EverythingUSB.com. The story? Well, unlike other USB memory sticks, the Lexmark JumpDrive Mercury has a "meter" that displays how much memory if left on the device, so you aren't fumbling for another memory stick if you fill the memory up. According to EverythingUSB, "the 10-bar capacity meter shows a high level of contrast that is easily visible in direct sunlight and requires virtually no power to run." Check out the full review.
Can't believe it's taken me a day to recover from the excitement and mob scene that was the DigitalLife preview!
I expected a lot -- and I wasn't disappointed as companies from A (Ageia) to Z (Zone Labs) exhibited their latest goodies prior to the actual DigitalLife show this fall in New York.
With that in mind, let's take a look at what Ageia and Zone Labs were showing.
Ageia is dedicated to delivering dynamic interactive realism to the ever demanding complexity of next-generation games. Its flagship solution, Ageia PhysX, is the world's first dedicated physics engine and physics processor to bridge the gap between static virtual worlds and responsive unscripted physical reality. In other words, Ageia PhysX allows game developers to use active physics-based environments for a truly realistic entertainment experience.
Zone Labs, on the other hand, offers an Internet security solution called ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite. This includes its Triple Defense Firewall technology and integrated antivirus and anti-spyware capabilities to protect PCs from hackers, spyware, worms, identity thieves, spam and other evil nasties.
I'll be busy this evening at the DigitalLife press preview in New York, with 40 or so companies showing off their latest and greatest gadgets (or at least telling me they wil be ready for the fall show.
Should have lots of interesting posts coming up after this soiree ...
Nothing like the object pictured above however; anybody got a guess what that gadget is?
Celebrating all things digital, more than 40 companies will showcase the latest HD-DVDs, high-performance gaming devices, digital cameras, movie download services, ultimate mobile workstations, iPod accessories, universal remote controls and digital music keyboards at DigitalLife in New York at the Javits Center from October 12-15. (Love this show.)
Next week, we will be able to take a sneak peak at some of the products that will be shown in the fall. Participating companies include Alienware, Altec Lansing, HP, Humax USA, ITVN, Kodak, Logitech, Pepper Computer, Seagate, Toshiba, United Online, Vongo, WowWee, Zone Labs and many more.
Should have some interesting new gadgets to blog about after that in the weeks ahead.
It's a great show to attend if you're in NYC (or planning to travel to the Big Apple) in the fall.
Yes, exactly one week from today -- almost to the minute -- DigitalLife 2006 will open to the public at the Javits Center in New York City.
The largest consumer technology, gaming & entertainment event of the year -- DigitalLife 2006 -- will be taking place in less than a month (October 12–15) at the Javits Center in New York.
So you wanna get your hands on some Viagra do ya? Perhaps even get your hands on some sexy lingerie. Well, I can help you get your hands on either one of these for about 29.90 EURO. Of course, technically you will only be able to use one hand on either of these items. Keep the sick jokes to yourself please... 
No time to read a book? You can of course by a "book on tape" or "book on CD", but that is so yesterday. With Playaway's iPod-Mini-sized audiobooks, you can now listen to the books you've wanted to read but have not had the time.
I blogged a while back about Macy's plans to add kiosks to sell gadgets in its department stores.
Terrorists have found a new way to screw up this world by 
With all the weather that we're been experiencing (hot, hot, hotter), it's a good idea to be prepared in case of a power outage or other emergency. 
What else do I need to say?
Maybe it's the intense heat (hot as blazes!), but seems to be a drop in gadget use on the train this morning.
Not all that surprised to hear that moms are increasingly becoming gadget savvy. 
So many gadgets, so little time ...
Not too surprised to see the recent CEA SmartBrief noting an article that appeared earlier this week in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (a fine newspaper).
Marvell Technology Group has acquired Intel's XScale processor division
Gadgets are hold to let go of -- even when they're just gathering dust.
Michael Newman (Adam Sandler) is a family man whose busy career as an architect does not leave much time for his wife Donna (Kate Beckinsale) and his two kids. (You already know something is wrong, terribly wrong, here.)
Have you heard about Sony selling electronic products in automated kiosks?
For 40 years, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has been the launch pad of technology and 2007 promises to be nothing short of spectacular. Registration for the 2007 show in Las Vegas (Jan. 8-11) opens today! 
Zone Labs, on the other hand, offers an Internet security solution called ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite. This includes its Triple Defense Firewall technology and integrated antivirus and anti-spyware capabilities to protect PCs from hackers, spyware, worms, identity thieves, spam and other evil nasties.
I'll be busy this evening at the DigitalLife press preview in New York, with 40 or so companies showing off their latest and greatest gadgets (or at least telling me they wil be ready for the fall show.
Celebrating all things digital, more than 40 companies will showcase the latest HD-DVDs, high-performance gaming devices, digital cameras, movie download services, ultimate mobile workstations, iPod accessories, universal remote controls and digital music keyboards at DigitalLife in New York at the Javits Center from October 12-15. (Love this show.)
As a family of four, we all have our favorite gadgets that we seem to always have with us.