Gadgets Connect

I’m sort of a fan of the FitFlop “mini-wobble board sandals”, which I wear around the house, because although they don’t appear to actually do anything to make me more fit, they’re pretty comfortable, at least for short periods. One thing I definitely don’t have the sartorial panache to pull off, however, is the flip flops with the cute dress look. On me, it looks much less casual chic and much more like I’ve just escaped a house fire and was lucky to have anything on my feet at all.

FitFlops has addressed the, um, need, for dressier flip flops by coming out with a few new styles more appropriate for wearing when you’re not at the beach.

(Read the full post about ‘The Gladiator Fit Flop’…)

Share This

FROM APPLETELL - Apple has just seeded a beta version of iphone 2.1 Firmware to developers. Apple has apparently included Core Location, which might suggest turn-by-turn GPS. MORE » Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed → Tags: gadgetry, mobile phone, plasma, technology (Read the full post about ‘Apple seeds iPhone 2.1 firmware’…)

Share This

FROM GAMERTELL - Sony PSP fan Samuel Lau has created interesting concept art for the next version of the PSP. His vision for the portable console includes a built in QWERTY keyboard and camera. MORE » Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed → Tags: digital, mobiles, cool gear, cameras (Read the full post about ‘Sony Sidekick PSP mashup design’…)

Share This

Want to let your fellow co-workers know when you are out to lunch or away from the desk without breaking out the marker and paper for a sign? Now you can pass along the word while getting your tech geek on with the USB LED Message Board. This LED Message Board is a red LED scroller that not only displays up to 8 messages with simple animations for others to see, but it can also be programmed with WAV format sound effects to grab the attention of passers by. You can further customize your message board with 8 speed levels including 5 different scrolling modes (left, right, up, down, freeze & flash), as well as 3 different brightness levels. (Read the full post about ‘USB LED Message Board lets others know what’s going on’…)

Share This

Gadget Lab now has a Flickr Group, and we want your pictures. gadgets, hacks, lovingly documented unboxings, pretty much anything to do with what we write about here on the blog. It’s a little sparse right now, but we’ll be populating it with more and more of our own photographs as we go, and with our zillions of avid, web 2.0 savvy readers, we’re hoping that it will become another great place for gadget lovers to hang out. There will also be discussions. It’s your way to bring up the subjects and stories you like (with photos, of course). Here at the Lab, one of our favorite things is the comments section, but by it’s nature, you only get to comment on the things we write about. (Read the full post about ‘Gadget Lab Flickr Group Now Live’…)

Share This

Man, to think that even fingers need some massaging! What next, just a toe massager (never mind those automated foot reflexology machines)? This DanBall device comes with three receptacles for you to stick three fingers in, and it will automatically apply an intense shiatsu massage to the pressure points on your fingertips for up to a minute. Your fingernails will also be treated with infrared rays simultaneously with claims that growth is promoted, while a soothing melody and LED light show combo helps keep the rest of your body calm. It will take around 3 hours for a full recharge, and each battery can last for up to 50 one minute sessions. I sure hope that this works as claimed, after all, splashing out $1,999 for it is no joke. (Read the full post about ‘DanBall Finger Massager’…)

Share This

This ought to be the geekiest belt buckle ever - the NES Belt Buckle. It doesn’t miniaturize the parts of an NES into a board small enough to fit in a belt buckle, but relies on an entire NES instead to be the belt buckle. I’m not sure if having a beer guy would bode well, but otherwise it ought to offer adequate protection for your nether regions against kung-fu kicks. Definitely high up on the weird factor, the NES Belt Buckle will retail for $300 each. I suggest saving that money by rummaging through the attic for a working NES and coming up with one for yourself. (Read the full post about ‘NES Belt Buckle’…)

Share This

The latest report coming out of China pegs the number of Internet users in the regio at 253 million. With North America topping out at around 247 million, China has the largest online presence at the moment.

What makes that top spot more surprising, however, is the fact that just 19.1% of the population of China has access to the Internet. The rate of growth is also staggering with an additional 43 million Chinese users being added in the first half of 2008.

The statistics have come from the latest report issued by the China Internet Information Center (CNNIC).

(Read the full post about ‘China leads the way with 253 million Internet users’…)

Share This

The much needed iPhone 2.1 software update will bring improvements to the GPS functions. Specifically, the iPhone will not only know where you are, but in which direction you are going and how fast you are moving. This is being interpreted by many people as the coming of turn-by-turn GPS, despite David Pogue’s claim that the antenna is "too small" (a claim refuted by Apple VP Greg Joswiak).

That might be so. Proper turn-by-turn GPS would be a huge blow for existing satnav manufacturers, unless of course Apple doesn’t build the functionality into the Maps application and instead allows third parties to fill the gap.

(Read the full post about ‘IPhone 2.1 Update to Bring Turn-by-Turn GPS?’…)

Share This

Toshiba is very good at dominating the laptop market, and it looks like they have tried to make a new kind of ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC).  This particular UMPC features an Atom processor with 64GB of ssd storage.  It has Windows Vista, as well as a GPS.  Not only does it have a lovely silver frame, but a 5.6-inch touchscreen.  As you can see from the picture, the touchscreen allows for an intriguing keyboard for a double-handed interface.  I’ve never really seen anything like it before, but I’m certain that I am wrong.  I mean if it were that innovative, wouldn’t Toshiba put this UMPC prototype into production. (Read the full post about ‘Toshiba’s prototype UMPC probably won’t go into production’…)

Share This