This week on Robot Underpants: Plusketeers, Death Star costs,
Christopher Walken returns with the Jedi, and more!
This week’s end track:
Philharmonic Wind Orchestra, Marc
Reift
“Monty
Python’s Flying Circus” (mp3)
from “Cinemagic 22″
(Marcophon)
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Posted in underpants
From time to time you may feel like pounding your keyboard in frustration, but Mionix has actually invented a keyboard that makes that possible. Now, we aren’t recommending that you take out your rage on an inanimate object, just pointing out that they claim that this thing is pretty much indestructible.
Every key on this new keyboard is mounted on a steel plate and rates for 50 million keystrokes. What they are selling here is a long-lasting keyboard, not one you can hammer at will. This keyboard, they claim, should last you 10 years. The keyboard cable is heavy duty, and it even has a built in audio jack and USB.
In addition to the keyboard, Mionix also has a new mouse and mouse pad, both of which have some very unique and highly-tested features to optimize them. The new keyboard carries an MSRP of $149.99, the mouse is $79.99, and mouse pads begin at $24.99. You can find out more at Mionix.
Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine.
Sponsored by:
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Boxee announced an over-the-air solution for TV a few months ago, but now the tiny dongle that makes it possible is available on the market. They were at CES last month to show it off and TPN got a look. Boxee has become a leader in pulling in internet TV, but they have finally come up with an answer for those looking to watch live content like sports.
You can do this with a PC hooked to your TV and some third-party purchased software, but Boxee wraps it all into your set-top box. The cool thing here is social recommendations. You can see what your friends are watching, but only if that is shared information, which is your choice.
You will need the Boxee Box for this new dongle to work, because it won’t work on a computer regardless of the OS. It’s available now for $49 with no monthly fee. You can find out more at Boxee.
Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine.
Sponsored by:
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If you’ve worked in an industry or government agency that is required to keep a lot of paper work. You know how difficult it is some times to find a folder and how often they are misfiled. iMicroData is introducing a new system which uses a systems of RFID tags and integrated circuits to enable users to locate folders quickly by title or keyword. The standard filing cabinet is modified electronically. The rails along the inside of the file cabinets are used to conduct both power and information. Each folder will have a conductive contact installed on the tab that sits on the rail and an integrated circuits and a led light installed along the top. There is a motherboard installed in the cabinet, which generates the system address of a given folder. When you want to search for a folder you go to the application on a computer, input in the keyword or title for folder and the file cabinet where that folder is will light up. Once you open up the cabinet up the correct folder will light up.
The system can handle up to 5300 cabinets or about 530,000 files. They are still establishing pricing but are looking at about $800 per three drawer file cabinet with folders included. Extra folders are expected to cost between $1.50 and $2.00. For more information about the product at the ImicroData Web site. This the type of product where a company can start small and build up overtime. There is a high initial cost, but overtime it can save a lot of money in man hours.
Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDR News and RV News Net
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Tags: ces, files, iMicroData, organization
Posted in ces, Gear, Information, Special Media
I have several extra iOS cords because when I travel I tend to forget them, or I leave them in a hotel room or they get lost somewhere in my luggage. So I have to go out and buy a new one. Cord on Board by Caselnity is trying to solve that problem. Their case for the iPhone 4 or 4s has a place where you can store a custom sized cord right in the case. So it is always there and doesn’t get tangled up with other cords. To fit the cord the case has to be curved, which makes it more ergonomic and nice to hold in your hand. It is also doesn’t slip as much as many other iPhone cases. The case is made of shock-resistant thermo-plastic and comes in black or white. They hope to have other colors available at a future date.
Cord on Board started out as a Kickstarter project, although that ends on February 22. All cases come with the custom sized cord included. At this point in time pricing is not available. Although if you pledge $25.00 or more on Kickstarter they will reserve a case for you. They hope to have cases available in March and are looking for retail partners. If I still had my iPhone 4 I would take a good look at the Cord on Board. I hope they still make it even if the Kickstarter support doesn’t come through.
Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine and Interviewed by Jamie Davis of The PodMedic
Sponsored by:
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Tags: cases, ces, cords, IPhone 4, iPhone 4s, kickstarter
Posted in Accessory, ces, Information, iPhone, Special Media
How many of you have a docking station for your iPhone and than a separate one for your iPad. I bet many of you are raising your hands. That is the trouble with a lot of iPad or iPhone docks they will dock one or the other, but not both. Until the AIO-101 by Panashiba. The AIO-101 by Panashiba allows you to dock and charge either the iPad or theiPhone/iPod Touch. It has an FM radio and an alarm clock. It is also Bluetooth capable which allows you to use it with any Bluetooth capable phone to make hands free calls. It also has a usb port and an SD card slot, On the back of the device there are three HDMI inputs, where you can connect any HDMI capable device including a blu ray player or a video camera just to name a few. There is also an HDMI output which you can use to connect to any HDTV. You can then either watch the video on the large screen TV or on your Ios device depending on your situation.
Panashiba hopes to have this device available in the US soon and will run around $165.00. It looks like a pretty nice device, with a lot of capabilities. I would love to see how well it is made and if it works as well as advertised.
Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine
Sponsored by:
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Tags: docking station, HDMI, IPAD, ipod, Panashiba
Posted in ces, Gadgets, Gear, Information, Media, Special Media
World Pride is unlikely to be a name that you’ve heard of, but once you see a few of their gadgets in the video, you’ll recognise them from the gadget stores and catalogues. Jeffrey and Jamie chat with Jim.
The team at World Pride visit factories in Asia and try to spot cool gadgets that haven’t yet made it to market in the US. They then work closely with the factory to refine the product for US consumers. On show here are examples of gadgets that World Pride has already brought or will be bringing to the market.
One of the watches in the interview has a Bluetooth receiver and when someone rings your mobile phone, the watch will display the name or number of the person calling. As Jamie mentions, great if you are in a meeting and want to know if you should take a call.
Other gadgets include a pen and a watch with a video camera built-in and finally, there’s a miniature digital camera. It’s only about an inch wide but it looks like a tiny point-and-shoot camera while still taking 5 MP pictures and HD video.
Interview by Jeffrey “Austin” Powers of Geekazine and Jamie “007″ Davies of the MedicCast and the Nursing Show.
Sponsored by:
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Tags: bluetooth, camera, ces, gadgets, pen, Spy, watch, World Pride
Posted in Bluetooth, ces, Gadgets, Information, Interview, Photography, Special Media, spyware, Toys, USB
The Aging Technology Alliance (AgeTek) trade association is a group of companies that have products and services to help older people maintain their quality of life and stay in their homes longer. The website is aimed at carers who need stuff to help them look after their Mom or Dad.
On show at the website are a wide range of gadgets, from easy-to-use TV remotes to big button mobile phones. One gadget I hadn’t seen before is the Presto, which prints out emails without a computer. Friends and relatives send an email to the Presto service and instead of the email arriving in an inbox, a printer-like device prints out the email in the person’s home. It only uses an ordinary analogue phone line, so there’s no need for broadband. That’s a good solution for older people in today’s world. I like it.
Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine and and Andy Smith of Geocaching World.
Sponsored by:
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Tags: AgeTek, care, ces, elderly, email, gadgets, mobile phone, older people
Posted in ces, Gadgets, health, Information, Interview, mobile, Special Media, TV
If you like high quality bags and sleeves for your iPad or laptop, then you will be familiar with Timbuk2. Timbuk2 started in 1989 in San Francisco making bicycle messenger bags. Over time more and more of their clients were asking them if they had anything they could carry their laptops in. One of the first additions to their bicycle bags was a padded pouch in front where a laptop can put. Over time they added a cover over the zipper to make it more waterproof.
They also have padded sleeves for tablets, or ultra-books. These are made with a material that looks likes a waffle with small holes that allow air to flow thru and cool the product. Timbuktu calls this crater mesh. They also sleeves which allows you to carry a tablet and a laptop together. There is a strap on the back of the case which allows you to easily carry it. They also make a backpack which is great for students walking from class to class or going through an airport. The knapsack opens up and lays out flat, making it easier to get through airport security. They also make cases for the various Kindle products, known as the Professor line. By folding these cases you can turn them into stands.
Timbuk2 is still in San Francisco. Their prices range from $35 for tablet sleeve up to $129.00 for the messenger bag, Timbuk2 is a boutique brand. They will do custom bags, so you can choose the color and material that you want. You can buy Timbuk2 products from their Web site and through the Apple store or through Amazon. If you are looking for a US made bag that well constructed and customizable than you may want to take a look at Timbuk2.
Interview by Tom Newman of The Fogview Podcast and Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine
Sponsored by:
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Tags: back packs, messenger bag, sleeves, Timbuk2
Posted in Accessory, ces, Gear, Information, Special Media
Many of us who have smartphones employ a car-mount so that we can use services like GPS and Google Maps. The problem arises when you get a new phone and realize you need a new mount because they are usually proprietary solutions. Enter the German company iGrip who has unveiled a universal windshield mount. They were in Las Vegas last month to show it off at CES.
The iGrip Universal Mount can hold any phone from the standard 3.5 inch models like the iPhone up to the largest Android models on today’s market. It has a standard suction-cup mount and the 3 adjustable arms. Once you set the arms for your handset you simply slide it in and out. The mount will auto-lock your device in place. It even rotates between portrait and landscape modes.
In addition to the universal car-mount, iGrip has also produced a mount for bicycle handlebars. The case that fits to the handlebar mount can also be used with one of their car suction mounts, plus it has a kickstand for the desk or nightstand.
You can see demos of both mounts in the video below and find out more by visiting iGrip.
Interview by Courtney Wallin of SDR News.
Sponsored by:
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Tags: Bicycle Mount, Car Mount, iGrip, Mobile, smartphone
Posted in ces, Information, mobile, Special Media
