Gadgetstronics

If you thought those lightsaber bedside lamps were a bit too over the top, these pocket-sized sabers are a bit easier to handle. Designed to look like the ones donned by Star Wars villains Darth Vader and Darth Maul, these mini lightsabers are actually laser pointers.

They slip onto any keychain, and project a tiny red laser beam. While they definitely won’t destroy your enemies, you probably shouldn’t aim them into their eyeballs either.

These little rarities are a little difficult to come by, but I managed to find both models through third-party sellers on Amazon (here and here) and on eBay.

read more about:

keychain, laser, led, light, lightsaber, star wars

We previously brought you bad news concerning the specifications of the lust-worthy BlackBerry 9000 (a.k.a 9100.) Well, according to BGR, RIM has just changed the details of the device, which is now set to include UMTS and HSDPA. As if that was not good news enough, there is another interesting piece of new information.

The OS is set for a complete upgrade to version 5.0. It is not clear when this will occur, but the chaps at BGR seem to think the 9000 will ship with the standard version 4.3.2, with the upgrade to follow by the end of the year. As to what new features will be implemented, that is anybody’s guess, but it is promising news nonetheless. The hotly anticipated BlacBerry 9000 is likely to be launched at this year’s Wireless Enterprise Symposium, and we just cannot wait. [BGR]

Posted Jan 19th 2008 3:37PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio
Yeah, the whole igloo comparison loses some steam once you peek this thing from the side, but when glancing it head-on, we can’t help but be overcome with imagery of our childhood days spent in the plains of Greenland. Unfortunately, this thing’s ability to conjure up said memories is probably its standout feature — well, aside from the RF remote that enables users to browse iPod content right on its screen (shown after the break). Outside of that, you’ll find a totally average speaker setup consisting of twin one-inch tweeters and three-inch woofers along with a set of touch-sensitive controls atop the device itself. Reportedly, the iBoom JukeBox is slated to further saturate the iPod speaker system market this Spring for $199.99.

[Via MacMinute]

Nearly 13 months ago was when Palm originally mentioned they were working on Desktop for Windows Vista, and they’re just now pumping out the full release.  If you haven’t jumped ship from Palm yet for not supporting your now aging Vista PC, Palm Desktop 6.2 for Vista is awaiting your download.  The application will work for you 32-bit Vista users, but 64-bitters aren’t so fortunate.  Here’s the note on Palm’s site.

Not compatible with 64-bit editions of Windows Vista or Windows XP. Not compatible with Server or Tablet PC editions of Windows.

Download [Palm Desktop 6.2]

Posted Jan 19th 2008 1:58PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
We know, hackers tend to get a pretty bad rap these days, but with some of ‘em out there creating ginormous gridlocks in Los Angeles and shutting down networks in enemy territories, we sort of understand the sentiment. Most recently, it seems that hackers are being blamed for “penetrating power systems (sound familiar?) in several regions outside the US, and in at least one case, causing a power outage affecting multiple cities.” That’s according to Tom Donahue, a CIA official, who failed to dole out critical details such as where or when the attacks occurred nor how many folks were actually left in the dark. ‘Course, Bruce Schneier, CTO of security firm BT Counterpane, warns that these attacks could in fact be aided by individuals with administrative access to said systems, implying that “human vulnerability” could share at least some of the blame. Don’t worry guys, we’re faxing CTU right now, they’ll be right on it within 72 business hours.

[Image courtesy of WPS]

HP has released a device that may seem strange to some at this point, its the iPaq 210, a PDA, just a PDA, it does not have any phone features. While I am sure there is a market for such a primitive sounding device, I have not seen anyone use a standard PDA in a long time.

The iPaq 210 features a 4-inch 480 x 640 display, Marvell PXAA310 CPU clocked at 624Mhz, 128MB of SDRAM, 256MB of Flash ROM, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and has external storage via the SD and CF card slots. The PDA is running Windows Mobile 6 Classic and comes with Windows Mobile Office pre-installed.

Notably and strange to myself the iPaq 210 is missing any phone features and also a camera. It is however currently available and retailing for $450.

Product [HP] Via [Wired Gadget Lab]

A gazillion readers asked for it, so here it is: if you are reading Gizmodo now in the iPhone, you can bookmark us in your home screen and you will get a shiny Giz icon to add to your Springboard, for you to tickle every time you need a Giz fix.

Granted, Safe Eyes is no gadget but I still think it will come in handy for parents who want to make sure that they have done their level best in preventing their kids from all the various dangers and pitfalls of the Internet such as pornography and unsolicited e-mail from strangers. Safe Eyes has made its way to the Mac, offering special enhancements for Mac users. Some of the features include :-

You can download Safe Eyes 3.0 for the Mac here. It costs $49.95 annually for a subscription that works up to three Mac and/or PC computers.

Press Release

<!– ch_client = “gadgets”; ch_type = “rpu”; ch_noprice = “1″; ch_width = 468; ch_height = 90; ch_color_title = “#B40505″; ch_non_contextual = 1; ch_nosearch = 1; ch_default_category = “89″; ch_font_title = “Arial”; ch_font_text = “Arial”; ch_sid = “Coolest Gadgets RPU”; ch_alternate_css_url = “http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/rpu2.css”; ch_target = “_blank”; var ch_queries = new Array( ” Safe Eyes for Mac users” ); var ch_selected=Math.floor((Math.random()*ch_queries.length)); if ( ch_selected

Astrojax Saturn Blue Diamond

Each ball features two bright LEDs that create dazzling light patterns when you play. Through an elegant push button control, the LED’s, which come in three different colours, can be switched on and set to either continuous mode or disco mode. continous mode creates patterns reminiscent of beautiful bengal light effects, while Disco is a strobe effect that produces sparkling light traces in space.SATURN sports the same patented construction with precision-machined metal weights as aj PLUS but comes in durable polycarbonate shells and has a specially tailored chip inside with replacable batteries.The breathtaking light effects of SATURN will work their magic and charm even the toughest aj sceptics (should there be any).It’s the must-have toy for any party kid!Each set of Astrojax comes with a trick sheet and an aj-dos? (Astrojax Docking Station?) which is useful for carrying or storing Astrojax.

Technorati Tags: Girls Goodies

It’s no secret that Vista hasn’t lived up to Microsoft expectations, or anyone’s expectations for that matter, and so Microsoft has tried to fix it and now there are multiple sources leaking information to TG Daily about new operating systems. This new OS has been named Windows 7, and a Beta version - so to speak, has been shipped to “key partners” under the name “Milestone 1” or M1. Eventually, the Windows 7 OS is expected to be released in the second half of 2009.

It was previously thought that Windows 7 would be released in 2010, but Microsoft reportedly moved up that date a few months, however, Microsoft declined to comment on this new date. The M1 OS was available to Microsoft’s partners in x86 and x64 in English.

Microsoft also plans to unveil the M2 in April/May of this year, and M3 in the third quarter. The Beta versions of these are still to be determined by Microsoft. So far, information on Windows 7 includes touchscreen capabilities, and MinWin part of the OS that only takes up 40MB of memory.

Via [TG Daily]