Best Gadgets World

Some people might think that audio recorders are something of the past, but there are still groups of people that use it daily, like podcasters or journalists doing interviews. For those people, Yamaha presented the Pocketrak 2G.

The pocket recorder can be connected to a computer via USB to transfer data, and the internal memory has capacity for 2GB. On top of the microphone, the Yamha recorder has a built-in speaker and a (stereo) headphone jack.

The Yamaha Pocketrak USB Recorder is kind of expensive, it will cost $450 when it hits the shelves in April, but maybe the leather case is one of the reasons that makes the price go up.

Via EverythingUSB

Now that the power of gaming graphics has risen to the point that games are blurring the lines of reality entertainment, one has to ask … could LucasArts “The Force Unleashed” be the greatest game ever? Designed with three different simulation technologies, The Force Unleashed is being designed to push the envelope in Xbox, Wii, and Playstation 3 consoles. And judging by the video below that talks about the tech behind the game, it just may be.

The game’s premise is a simple one. The gamer is Darth Vader’s secret apprentice and after much training, the Force has unleashed incredible powers in this padawan learner. Designed around three major simulation technologies, TFU is more than a game, it may actually be a Force simulation. Utilizing the Havok physics engine, designers are able to move an amazing amount of detail within the scenario. The result is the ability to move a great number of objects on screen at once. Great if you’re using the force to push back a hoard of destroyer droids. Euphoria, is the technology that gives animated characters their individuality. They reaction to what’s happening around them and insures that no two reactions are the same. Finally, Digital Molecular Matter (DMM) simulates the substance of an object in the scene and make it behave like it would in the real world. Glass shatters like glass, metal bends like metal, wood splinters as it should. Coupling this with Euphoria and the game environment reacts as it would if it were real life.

Add to this the hopeful promise of a Lightsaber Wii controller, and the result is that the Force Unleashed could be more simulation than game. And that begs the question … will The Force Unleashed be the greatest game ever? Well, at least until they make a better one.

Source, with video – Kotaku

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Posted Jan 26th 2008 6:07PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Peripherals
Make no mistake, there are plenty of outfits out there looking to snap up your loose change in exchange for a pre-built rollup keyboard, but if you just can’t stand that ‘board that came bundled in with your last pre-fab PC, we think there’s a better alternative. Apparently, all you have to do is remove the inner membrane from an unwanted set of keys, make sure the control board is accurately reassembled onto said membrane and cut out letters in the font of your choosing to keep you on track when your touch typing skills begin to fade. That’s it — an über-painless, amazingly easy and absolutely inelegant method of crafting your own rollable keyboard. Hit up the read link for all, oh, five steps.

[Via MAKE]

Palm has confirmed the latest rumor regarding the closing of their retail locations. Initially the news of the store closings made it seem like Palm had finally hit the dark tunnel at the end of the line, however their statement regarding the closings gives us a little more hope for the future. According to Palm the store closings will allow them to “focus on its next-generation smartphone platform.” Still a little skeptical, but we would like to trust them.

As for the store closings, Palm will be closing all of their eight branded stores in California and all 26 airport locations. They will be keeping just one store open which is located at their headquarters in Sunnyvale, California. The closings will all take place over the next five weeks. Sad to see the closings, but hopefully this will allow Palm to deliver that magic device we are all waiting to see.

Via [RCR Wireless News]

Tesla Motors has announced they are officially able to move forward with sales, of course those who were willing to plunk down that $5,000 to get on the waiting list will still have a little while longer to wait. The first roadster, which was codenamed the “P1” will be going to company chairman Elon Musk, then production will begin on March 17, 2008.

Currently there is around 600 people on the waiting list, who should begin receiving their long awaited cars fairly quickly after production begins. Tesla Motors is estimating that they will be able to churn out about 40 per week once they go into full production later in 2008.

Part of the requirement before sales could begin here in the U.S. was to have the roadster safety tested, which although sad to see one being smashed is actually kind of cool. Keep reading for a few pictures of the safety testing in action.

Now if we could just find that extra $100,00 we had lying around.

Via [AutoBlog] Via [TG Daily]

If innovation in pizza cutter creation ever hits the mainstream, artist Frankie Flood will be the first to know. His exhibition at the Museum of Wisconsin Art, which includes five pizza cutters resembling motorcycles and bearing funky names like Psycho Pizza Cadillac, has garnered well deserved attention for their ability to show that “even the most utilitarian object has strong artistic value.”

I wonder if those wheels could manage the deep and gooey terrain of a Chicago deep dish?

Via OhGizmo!

Most speakers only have the single feature of providing sound, but the iTube speakers are different because they also offer a light show.

Also known as Aquallusion ITube Lights, the speakers give 360 degrees of acoustic sound, and all the visual effects are made thanks to the LED lights. Besides the color change, the design element is also always changing due to the bubbles effects.

The package includes a remote control so you can change the light effects easily, and to have this sound + visual experience, it will cost you $250.

Product Page

Via GeekAlerts

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If I ever do pack it all in and decide to work from home, then I am definitely getting me one of these. I would not go quite as far as setting it up over a bed; I would be setting up the ErgoQuest 500 over some sort of mega-expensive massage chair. Seriously, this is a cool concept for people that are bed ridden for whatever reason, not just the extremely lazy amongst us. The ErgoQuest 500 carries up to 400lbs of equipment, so you can fit whatever combination of monitors you want in there. It rocks some motorized legs that are operated via a keypad, so you never have to physically lift anything.

The price, is a bankroll punishing $4,000, not counting the bed or massage chair. You have to be very serious about your relaxing if you want to get one of these.

Office Organix, Baller House

Posted Jan 26th 2008 10:11AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Portable VideoCES 2008 brought us plenty of gimmicky 3D-related gadgetry, a bit that was respectable, and apparently, the TDVisor-HD. Nearly three weeks after the show concluded, TDVision Systems has just now gotten around to tossing out a press release boasting about how much fun was had by folks stopping by and checking out the “world’s first portable, all digital, high-def 3D visualization system.” Unfortunately, we’re left to ponder on precisely what this thing is, but as best we can tell, it’s yet another Virtual Boy-esque device, ‘cept this one does 720p (and 3D). Per usual, a price and release date are conveniently absent, but considering that we can’t even recall the last time we wore anything with “visor” in the product name (well, besides that one time…), we suppose it’ll be alright.

Posted Jan 26th 2008 6:01AM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: Misc. GadgetsIt’s no secret that Apple Legal is, ah, aggressive when it comes to protecting its various fruit-flavored intellectual property, but a company called BlueAir just filed a lawsuit accusing Apple’s lawyers of outright harassment over BlueAir’s AirPOD air purifier, pictured at right. Seems BlueAir has been trying to register a trademark on the product, and instead of filing an opposition with the USPTO based on consumer confusion with the iPod, Apple’s attorneys have just been sending BlueAir angry letters and threatening massive legal fees. Of course, that’s pretty much what lawyers do, but BlueAir’s asked the court to step in and rule definitively on the subject before pursuing their trademark application any further. Seeing how protective Apple’s been of the “-pod” suffix in the past, that could lead to some interesting rulings — we’ll be keeping an eye on this one for sure.

Disclaimer: Although Nilay is an attorney, super guy, and snappy dresser, he’s not your attorney, and this post is not legal advice or analysis and should not be taken as such.