Gadgets Connect

by Thomas Ricker, posted Oct 28th 2008 at 4:27AM Oh Rolly… we know you’re an overpriced, 2GB dancing robot with convoluted controls and questionable sound quality. But dammit, your impractical, big-corporate ways have gnawed a soft-spot deep into the noxious cesspool we call a heart. Now this: Rolly model SEP-50BT with Bluetooth control from your cellphone or laptop. Shipping in Japan on November 21st for an expected ¥40,000 or about $427. Sold. (Read the full post about ‘Sony’s Rolly learns the Bluetooth trick’…)

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Sonos has added a few new features to its in-home streaming music players today. First is a software update for the actual Sonos gear, which gets bumped to version 2.7 and brings support for the Pandora and Last.FM music streaming services. More interesting, though is the new, free, Sonos Controller application for the iphone.

In the video demonstration, it looks pretty great. (Read the full post about ‘Sonos Gives Away iPhone Remote Control, Adds Pandora and Last.FM’…)

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The U.S. Army has released a report containing concerns that Twitter could be used by terrorists as a way of planning attacks and keeping tabs on each other. It also contained several scenarios of such a use such as a terrorist using the microblogging site to send a tweet to remotely set off an explosive device. A second terrorist with the detonator would receive the tweet. “Twitter is already used by some members to post and/or support extremist ideologies and perspectives,” the report said. “For example, there are multiple pro- and anti-Hezbollah Tweets. In addition, extremist and terrorist use of Twitter could evolve over time to reflect tactics that are already evolving in use by ‘hacktivists’ and activists for surveillance. (Read the full post about ‘U.S. Army fears terrorists will use twitter to plan attacks’…)

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I’ve seen and heard all kinds of things happen on the internet.  This one by Facebook and SpeedDate.com definitely ranks up there as one of the oddest internet business deals I’ve heard of.  If you are a Facebook user that plays the game Oregon Trail, you had better be prepared because your application is no longer going to be the one you know and love.  It’s going to be one that is trying to sell you on love.  Or find you love . . . or something. (Read the full post about ‘You enjoyed the Trail, now, want a date?’…)

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JVC has stopped making standalone VCR machines, and at the same time confirmed the fearful paranoia of my own rather forward thinking Father. My Dad has a big collection of videotapes, mostly off-air recordings of Star Trek: The Next Generation (backed up by shop-bought copies of the other Star Trek franchises). Years ago, he foresaw the day when VCRs would no longer be sold, and to be sure, it’s been hard to find one in stores for a while. His answer? He bought a spare machine, the exact same model as the one he currently uses. The spare was stored, unopened, in the attic, waiting for this very day. It’s over. Once JVC has sold all remaining stock, there will be no more VCR machines, although the company will still be supplying hybrid DVD/VHS boxes. (Read the full post about ‘JVC Kills VCR Dead’…)

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We’ve all heard of seemingly miraculous instances of people losing parts of their brain and functioning normally afterwards because the human brain is a malleable organ. If you want to read about some wild examples of how the brain can alter itself to adjust to circumstances, take a look at the book The Brain That Changes Itself. So, it’s not surprising that our brains, collectively, are changing due to the way we use technology. Those who grew up in an era without web browsing and cell phones are probably much more aware of how our brains are different now. I know, for instance, that I store and access information from my brain differently than I used to 15 years ago. (Read the full post about ‘iBrain - New book tells us that texting and web browsing are changing our brains’…)

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Whenever one country receives a highly anticipated piece of technology first, many other countries get jealous and find ways to illegally obtain that device.  Currently, T-Mobile’s G1 was only released several days ago in America and hasn’t been released elsewhere at this time.  Some Chinese are desperate to try out the first phone running Google’s Android and so they have begun buying G1s from American consumers for big bucks, or should I say big renminbi.  For about RMB 3,999, about $584, you can purchase your own G1.  If you wish to purchase an unlocked G1, then it will cost an additional RMB 500, or $73.  It looks like the price of the G1 will remain high, until T-Mobile officially introduces the G1 to China, even though China is receiving a lot of illegal phones. (Read the full post about ‘Some Chinese buying illegally imported T-Mobile G1s’…)

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One main disadvantage about the Eee PC is its relatively short battery life, but then again you can’t really have unprecedented levels of portability without sacrificing something, right? At least not until engineers manage to come up with a battery solution that is compact, long lasting and light. In the meantime, you will have to settle for a 12,000mAh (yes, twelve thousand!) battery that works with both Eee PC 901 and 1000 series, retailing for a mere $61.87. This battery is able to last nearly twice as long as a regular 6-cell 6,600mAh battery, making 10 hours of non-stop use a very real possibility. The main drawback would be the extra weight you have to lug around as this 10-cell monster adds in 9.05 ounces more compared to the aforementioned 6-cell battery. (Read the full post about ‘Longer Battery Life For Your Eee PC’…)

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Hop-on is a name synonymous with extremely entry level handsets, and this time round they fulfil that pledge yet again with the HOP1811 that will sell for a mere $13.99, and it will be accompanied by a Graffiti Wireless Airtime Plan. Those living outside of the US can also pick up the HOP1811 assuming their carrier picks it up. This pre-paid handset is meant to be the ideal backup phone whenever you travel abroad, as it performs both calls and text messaging without any problems. Features of the HOP1811 include :- Dual-band 850/1900MHz (US) Dual-band 900/1800MHz (Europe and Asia) 4 hours talk time 150 hours standby time Polyphonic ring tones Optional MP3 playback capability Once you’re done with the HOP1811, you can always return the phone for a $5 rebate as an effort to encourage recycling. (Read the full post about ‘Hop-on Offers HOP1811′…)

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Guitar Hero World Tour has just been launched across a wide variety of consoles, so here is one of the coolest Guitar Hero peripherals to date ever - the Gene Simmons Axe Guitar. This guitar not only works with Guitar Hero, but it also works with Rock Band as well. Features include ultra-responsive frets and an analog whammy bar to help you snag that high score and perfect performance, so you might as well get a bat and bite off its head at the end of your “performance” in the living room. $79.99 is the asking price for the Gene Simmons Axe Guitar. (Read the full post about ‘Gene Simmons Axe Guitar Is Too Cool’…)

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