Gadgetstronics

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 19th 2008 at 5:29PM
As wind energy becomes a practical necessity, designers are scrambling to make the giant spinny things as visually inoffensive as possible. Some are small, some are off in the sea where we can’t be bothered, and some just look really pretty. In this case, Broadstar AeroCam developed this handsome horizontal-axis turbine that can be installed in any number of configurations and shipped easier than other turbines, making it a viable solution for those who don’t want to erect a giant pole or get involved in construction. AeroCams work on the physics of air lift — like wings on a plane — resulting in a huge amount of power from a small package given the amount of blades per unit. Broadstar also brags that the system’s price is a boon as well — a 250kW system runs $250,000, which it says makes AeroCam the first wind power system to break the $1/watt cost barrier.

[Via Inhabitat]

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Filed under: Misc. gadgets, Household

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 19th 2008 at 3:06PMThere’s certainly no shortage of efforts out there to make glucose monitoring a bit easier for diabetics, but Freedom Meditech is now claiming to have developed one of the least invasive to date and, what’s more, it says it’s actually gearing up to start some clinical trials. That latter bit is apparently possible thanks to a newly formed partnership with Batelle, which is helping to raise the necessary capital, while the former bit got a boost from an arrangement with the University of Toledo, whose technology it is licensing. The key bit, it seems, is that Freedom Meditech’s method involves scanning only the front portion of the eye (or, more specifically, the Aqueous humor where the glucose resides) instead of shining a light on the retina, which some similar methods use. That apparnetly not only delivers results faster, but reduces the risk of any potential long-term safety hazards from repeated laser exposure, which would also make it better suited as a tool for early screening of diabetes.

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Filed under: Misc. gadgets

3D animation is so under utilized. For such a popular spectacle, you’d figure that companies would be jumping out of their seats to create 3D content. Is it a cost issue? Most likely. But man, when it’s done right 3D animation is so awesome. Not to mention you have an excuse to wear those awesome blue and red glasses.

As impossibly cool as it might sound, there is a gadget that actually allows us to create our own 3D artwork. The 3D Drawing Pad comes equipped with 50 specially gridded sheets of awesome 3D paper. They even provide you with a black pencil to make you doodles really pop off of the paper. It’s everything you need to create your own 3D drawings.

Usually, to create 3D animation, you need a set of blue and red pencils to outline your artwork. The 3D Drawing Pad’s special grid background makes the multi-writing utensil non-existent. One black pencil and a pair of 3D specs is enough to produce some 3D drawings to show-off to anyone bored enough to look.

But wait, there’s more! All of this for the low, low price of $2.95? What’s the catch?! Ok, enough with the infomercial shenanigans. But for real, the 3D Drawing Pad is pretty cool for the avid doodler, and a whole hell of a lot cheaper than producing professional quality 3D work. So why not give it a try for three bucks?

Product Page via Nerd Approved

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by Paul Miller, posted Jun 19th 2008 at 4:39PM
They’ve got a bona fide, US 3G-friendly, Nokia E71 over at Engadget Mobile, all gussied up and reviewed for your viewing pleasure. The phone is a serious statement from Nokia, being that company’s first 3G QWERTY device in the States, and the thinnest QWERTY smartphone in existence. Not too shabby for a little Finnish upstart.

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Filed under: cellphones

As if the $199.99 price tag on the Samsung Instinct was not enough to put up a good fight against Apple’s iPhone 3G, Sprint decided to lower down the phone’s price tag to $129.99. Unfortunately, that cheap price tag comes with several packages which would explain why can afford to offer the Instinct at such a lower price.

So starting June 20, Sprint users can have their own Samsung Instinct just by paying $129.99 and signing a two-year service agreement with Sprint. To avail of this offer, Sprint customers will have to have their Samsung Instinct activated on an unlimited data pricing plan. Customers would have the option to get Sprint’s Everything plan for individual by agreeing to pay $69.99 monthly. This plan would give them 450 voice minutes. Aside from this plan, Sprint customers can also opt for the Talk/Message/Data Share plans for their families by agreeing to pay $129.99 monthly. This plan gives them 1500 voice minutes which can be shared between two lines. Likewise, Sprint customer may also opt to get the Simply Everything Plan which is part of Sprint’s premium services. In exchange for features such as GPS navigation, email, we surfing, Sprint Music Premier and Sprint TV Premier, customers must agree to pay $99 per month.

With this new price tag, it looks like Apple is certainly going to go up against a very tough competitor. But we don’t see Apple lowering its iphone 3G price just to match up with the Instinct’s price. Come June 20, we expect mobile phone -savvy customers to flock into Sprint’s retail outlets to take advantage of this new price tag of the Samsung Instinct.

Read [Sprint News Release]

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by Darren Murph, posted Jun 19th 2008 at 9:15AM
Oh no, Dell isn’t forgetting to do its duty to Microsoft. Just as promised, it has now bumped up the prices for folks wanting to stick with Windows XP Professional. As of now, the only way to get XP pre-installed is by selecting an option that also throws Vista in the box, and if you’re specifically after Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP MCE, you’re thoroughly out of luck. On eligible machines, it looks as if getting XP Pro along with Vista Business will cost you $99 more than Vista Home alone, while having Vista Ultimate ride shotgun adds another $50. Or you can look at it like Dell’s tossing in XP for free with those upper-level Vista packs — whatever floats your boat. Let us know if you notice any different pricing arrangements.

[Via ComputerWorld]

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Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 19th 2008 at 10:30AM
Not like we haven’t seen hordes of humanoids fight to the death (or malfunction, whichever comes first) before, but this agile duo is really something. Seriously, just watch those feet scamper about and try not to smile. We’ll bet you lose it when the big fella drops that massive left hook (but fails to connect). Video after the cut.

[Via MAKE]

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Filed under: Robots

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 19th 2008 at 6:09AMSony’s firmware development for its game consoles is bearing fruit on two fronts today. First, the PSP firmware 4.00 network update is up and dancing for your XMB Googling pleasure. Next, and more importantly, Sony has confirmed in-game XMB and trophies in PS3 firmware 2.40 — details promised shortly. Tap tap tap… ok, not that shortly.

[Thanks, 94 taurus owner]

Read — PSP 4.00
Read — PS3 2.40

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Filed under: Gaming

There’s no doubt about it. Treadmill desks are an awesome way to keep the internet surf flowing as your get your heart pumping. We’ve covered an assortment of treadmill desks over the years, but there is one feature which is lacking from each and every one of them. Where is our multi-screen support?

So many hardcore geeks these days are using upwards of three or more displays for their computing rig, yet when it’s time to jog on the treadmill for an hour, we’re forced to downgrade to a single monitor. What sort of quality of life is this? The JW Treadmill desk offers support for multiple displays as well as providing an ample amount of surface space for any knick-knacks or paperwork.

AFC Industries presents their height adjustable JW Treadmill Desk, offering support for up to 5 displays while you perform your daily exercises. This ergonomic desk isn’t limited for use with only treadmills. The desk is totally capable of working with stair steppers and exercise bikes as well. The desktop can even be fabricated to use a variety of laminates, bumper molding, and frame colors to satisfy the most demanding interior decor schemes and themes.

While you might not have the funds needed to purchase multiple monitors just for your exercise desk, allow this to set your mind at ease. If you’re ever in he financial situation to afford multiple displays even while you’re performing your daily workout, the JW Treadmill desk has you covered.

Product Page via BornRich

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by Darren Murph, posted Jun 19th 2008 at 8:01AM
Apparently we aren’t the only ones miffed by the WiFi-enabled ESPN Ultimate Remote. After peeling this thing out of its dumbbell-esque packaging, critics over at PC Magazine were simply unimpressed from the get-go. For starters, this thing actually belts out the network’s theme song when you turn it on. If that’s not reason enough to hold tight to your three Benjamins, you should also know that it “didn’t execute any of its fancy web tricks gracefully,” and setup was anything but simple. It gets worse. Reviewers stated that it was uncomfortable to hold, the buttons were too tightly packed and you’re not able to send / receive emails from just any email address. If you really need more convincing that this thing probably isn’t a good buy (particularly with all those other alternatives out there), check out the full review in the read link.

[Via ZatzNotFunny]

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Filed under: Home Entertainment