Gadgets Connect

Elecom has a couple of compact stereo speakers for the masses, targeting iPod owners as well as those who rock on to other digital audio players in the form of the ASP-CR550P and ASP-CR550, respectively. These may also function as a one-piece device should you be hard up for space (most of us are at the office these days anyways), making it a snap to tote around stereo audio without having to lug around separate audio units. Both models will share the same two full range 40mm diameter speakers that feature 2W (1W+1W) output. They can be powered via alkaline batteries or directly from an AC outlet. When connected to an AC power source, the iPod will also get juiced up simultaneously. (Read the full post about ‘Elecom Releases Compact Stereo Speakers’…)

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It has been a little while since we covered Bang and Olufsen (B&O) products, and this Danish company puts out some quality electronic products with a very distinct and stylish look. One of their latest products from their television line is the BeoVision 8, a 32-inch flat screen with “an integrated center channel speaker that delivers state-of-the-art sound and picture quality”. The BeoVision 8 can be placed on the table, floor, TV stand, wall bracket, and it can be used as a TV or a computer monitor. The sound is a great quality with a down-facing bass speaker that provides terrific sound for great movies and music, and front units that are designed for the vocal aspect of your entertainment experience. (Read the full post about ‘BeoVision 8 from Bang and Olufsen’…)

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Product: Navigon 2100 Max GPS Price and Availability: Currently available and retailing for $299 Rating: 7/10 Pros: Large, easy to see display. The unit was easy to use and easy to set up. Cons: Lacks auto shut off, seemed sluggish at times. Overall: A nice GPS, but one that could be much better with a slightly lower price. This was an interesting review for me, as I had time to not only review it myself, but the opportunity to travel with both friends and family members and was able to bring it along and get some additional opinions. Everyone I showed the 2100 Max to was in awe over the overall style and look as well as the ease of use, most were also fairly happy with the price. The unit offers a 4.3-inch touchscreen display that was more than sufficient and displayed either the 2-D or 3-D Reality mode very well. (Read the full post about ‘Gadgetell Review: Navigon 2100 Max GPS’…)

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by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 10th 2008 at 11:32AM We’ve seen tactile displays of all shapes and sizes, but none quite like this latest creation from a group of researchers at Korea’s Sungkyunkwan University and the University of Nevada, which promises to be at your disposal whenever you need it. That’s possible thanks to the electroactive polymer material the display is based on, which consists of eight layers of tiny actuator films that have been sprayed with electrodes in a specific pattern, allowing the skin to be stimulated without any additional electromechanical transmission. In addition to making it possible to wrap the display around your finger like a band-aid, that also makes the system extremely power efficient and, apparently, cost effective and easy to manufacture. (Read the full post about ‘Researchers show off flexible, band-aid-sized tactile display’…)

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by Darren Murph, posted Jun 10th 2008 at 7:31AM
Sure, checking out the benchmarks on the Puma-based Satellite A305 is all fine and dandy, but we just know you’re craving more. Right? Good. Here we have a solid foursome of AMD Puma-packed notebooks, each one from a different walk of life. As expected, details were pretty limited at the kiosk, but at least it gives us hope that these machines (or something similar) should be hitting store shelves in the not-too-terribly-distant future. (Read the full post about ‘Foursome of AMD Puma-based laptops shown at Computex’…)

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by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 10th 2008 at 8:05AM Suddenly the 13.3-inch ultra-portable market is looking a might bit crowded. At the same time, it’s never looked better now that we have the choice of Lenovo’s X300, Apple’s macbook air, and Voodoo’s just announced Envy 133. Decisions, decisions. (Read the full post about ‘X300 vs Envy 133 vs MacBook Air… Fight!’…)

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I previously wrote up my first impressions of HTC’s Touch Diamond when I had some fondling time at Mobius this year. At the time I mentioned how it was smaller than I had expected and that the touch screen response was spot on. I also wasn’t sure if this was a device I would enjoy using since I tend to prefer real keyboards. I’ve been playing with it for three days now, loaded up with the applications I like and all of my contacts and personal information. Read on for my latest thoughts on the device. For starters the packaging blew me away. Gone is the standard box that every phone ships in and instead I was greeted with this piece of art. (Read the full post about ‘Review: HTC Diamond’…)

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by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 10th 2008 at 9:46AMAs WiMax-powere 4G networks remain the stuff of holding companies and litigation, a group of providers have gotten together to form an (evil?) alliance that they say will help speed up both development and deployment. In other words, they want Qualcomm on board, which holds the juciest 4G patents. The Open Patent Allience (OPA) includes Intel, the recently-formed Clearwire, Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Samsung, and Sprint. Similar to the Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, NextWave Wireless, Nokia Siemens Networks, Sony Ericsson coalition that is backing Long Term Evolution, this WiMAX group looks poised to take on Qualcomm with some serious collective patents, boardroom politics, and investor cash. (Read the full post about ‘Open Patent Alliance WiMAX consortium formed, Qualcomm not so interested’…)

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In March 2007 HP filed a lawsuit against Acer over 10 patent infringements and wanted to block the import of Acer goods to the U.S. Then in July of the same year Acer launched a counter claim sighting patent infringements by HP. That battle has been going on for almost a year across 3 federal courts and even spurned 2 U.S. International Trade Commission investigations.

Thankfully, it now seems like both companies have seen sense and settled their dispute out of court. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed, but all lawsuits and investigations will be dismissed and normal service can resume.

(Read the full post about ‘The HP and Acer patent dispute is over’…)

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Check out the Skintenna - this is a wireless antenna which channels signals along human skin, broadcasting signals all over one’s body in order to connect with medical implants as well as other compatible portable gadgets. This new development will definitely be welcome in the medical fraternity, as it introduces the possibility of making more of established medical devices like pacemakers or help future implants distributed around the body to function as one. Developed at Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, the antenna is roughly the size of a hockey puck and yet is powerful enough to stay connected to other gadgets located on your body. Will there be negative side effects like harmful radiation or anything of that sort? (Read the full post about ‘Skintenna Breakthrough’…)

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