Gadgets and New Technologies

In this week’s Gadget Lab Podcast, Dylan Tweney and Jose Fermoso talk about the 2008 CTIA Wireless conference, highlighting the next step in cell phone technologies like improved haptic technology and five-megapixel cameras. In addition, they go over one of the most surprising trends from the conference: companies are actually using unique names for their products again (like Alias and Instinct), rather than the usual model number gibberish. No more 33465huv-u40! Finally, they discuss the sublimely tacky existence of David Beckham’s golden iPhone, and why it provides the Gadget Lab team with many laughs and inspiration. Thanks again for listening. Remember, you can subscribe to the podcast feed right here. (Read the full post about ‘The Wired Gadget Lab Podcast #23: The 2008 CTIA Conference, Product Naming Trends, and Beckham’s Tacky Gadget’…)

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Kicker is a company which is more oriented to audio systems for cars, but at the same time they can build good products for home, such as the latest ipod Dock named iK500 Kicker. The main advantage point of this system is being very loud: big speakers, 5-inch woofers and 40-watt stereo amplifiers says it all. On top of the compatibility with different iPod versions, it also works with the Apple cellphone aka iphone, and thanks to the minijack input you can use other audio sources, such as almost any kind of MP3 player, computers, radio, etc. As it happens with the latest docks, a remote control is part of the deal to make life easier for the owners. (Read the full post about ‘Kicker iKICK iK500: iPhone and iPod Dock’…)

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Griffin iClear Transparent Hard Case for iPod Nano Protect your iPod nano from the daily abuse of active lifestyles with Griffin’s iClear case. This sturdy polycarbonate case is completely transparent so that it can protect your iPod from dust and scratches without marring its cool looks. The simple clam-shell design is easy to install. Press on the front, swing up the back and snap the clasp. You’ll get a snug fit that stays secure through even the most rigorous activities. The iClear also has openings for your iPod’s control wheel, audio jack, on switch, USB port and LED. Full access to controls and ports ensures that you’ll never have to take your nano out of the iClear’s protective grip. (Read the full post about ‘Griffin iClear Transparent Hard Case for iPod Nano’…)

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Panasonic isn’t giving up on plasma screens just yet. With many shifting away from plasma TVs and embracing LCD, Panasonic is going small and will bring plasma screens to the cellphone. Wait. You’re thinking that a plasma display might burn a hole in your pocket? Nope. They will be both cool and cheap. Mark Balsama spoke to the press on Tuesday and revealed a secret plot that rival’s Apple’s iphone obfuscation: For nearly a decade, Panasonic’s engineers have been secretly working on a thin, lightweight low-voltage compact plasma display. According to Balsama, not only will the screens “rival OLED displays for brightness, contrast and thinness”, they will also be cheaper. (Read the full post about ‘Panasonic Plans Plasma Screens For Cellphones’…)

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Posted Apr 4th 2008 3:43PM by Nilay PatelFiled under: Desktops, Laptops You know, we should have paid a little closer attention to Microsoft’s decision yesterday to extend Windows XP sales to “June 2010 or one year after the general availability of Windows 7″ — if the company was really planning on shipping Windows 7 in 2010, that first date doesn’t make a lot of sense unless the plan is to ship Windows 7 much, much earlier. And hey — what’s Bill Gates doing telling investors this afternoon that Windows 7 will come “in the next year” and that he’s “super-enthused” about it? (Read the full post about ‘Windows 7 to arrive next year, says Bill Gates’…)

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While most of us up here are busy about Web 2.0, iphone 2.0, et cetera, et cetera, the folks over there in the far east introduced a new device that, well, kind of ushers in Home Improvement 2.0. Actually, Seoul Commtech has just introduced the EZON SHS-5200, which also has the nickname Luce. It’s a lock for your door that’s like no other. It’s slim, made mostly of gas and shiny metal, and best of-all, it’s digital and has a touch-sensitive face. So this is the next generation of home security, eh? The Luce is only 2.1cm thick, and is made of special aluminum that makes it stronger than most ordinary door locks. Its face is made of tempered glass to accommodate all the touching you’re going to do with it. (Read the full post about ‘Seoul Commtech Luce, if the iPhone was a door lock’…)

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Posted Apr 4th 2008 5:23PM by Darren MurphFiled under: Transportation General Motors doesn’t have long before everyone and their cousin expects to see at least a few Volts on the road — and it knows it. In an attempt to make sure the deadline is met, the firm has battery testing going on ’round the clock in Michigan and Germany that will theoretically simulate a decade of use in just two years. Additionally, it’s placing batteries in test Malibus in order to get a feel for real-world results. (Read the full post about ‘GM cranks up battery tests for plug-in Volt’…)

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Intel has announced plans to release an anti-theft initiative for laptops by the end of the year. The rate of data hacked from stolen or misplaced laptops has been increasing, and Intel has planned to release this technology to help prevent your vital data from being widely misused. “It basically locks the system, lock the disk, so people cannot be maliciously using and getting the data,” stated executive vice president and general manager of Intel’s Mobility Group – Dr Dadi Perlmutter at his presentation. Based on what Dr. Dadi had elaborated, The Intel Anti-Theft Technology is apparently a method to lock a laptop down to the component level, and prevent any access to data. (Read the full post about ‘Anti-Theft Technology announced by Intel for laptops’…)

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Now there isn’t anything gadgety about this piece of news, but the very fact that it is cool allows it to be posted (we’re trying to cater to the ‘coolest’ part of this tech blog ;)). Design company D-Barcode shows the world that creativity isn’t quite dead, coming up with cute drawings to complement the boring ol’ barcode. Make no mistake about it, these barcodes actually work and are currently being used in grocery stores throughout Japan. It goes to show that the Japanese are still up there with their attention to detail even in everyday items like the humble barcode. Kawaii! Source: Tokyo Mango (Read the full post about ‘Cute barcodes to the fore’…)

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It might seem like an oxymoron at first, but I assure you, there won’t be an ox (and certainly not a moron) in the following story. This is about a new data center built by IBM for GIB-Services, which uses innovative technology to heat a local public swimming pool. And they’re doing this by recycling the warm air the air conditioners in the vicinity. Pretty neat, and certainly helps all that precious warm air from going to waste. In reality, the data center is a secure data storage facility that GIB will use to support its clients in Switzerland. However, they wanted to try something new and thus, this new energy-efficient and “green” data center was made in collaboration with IBM. (Read the full post about ‘Data center uses air conditioner to heat swimming pool’…)

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