Best Gadgets World

Posted Jan 31st 2008 2:58PM by Steven Kim
Filed under: Digital Cameras
Just in case you thought that Sony was, you know, making up those snazzy new alpha DSLRs with articulating, live-view LCDs, we’re here with a plethora of hands-on shots to prove that they’re the real deal. Since you already know the specs by now — 10.2 megapixel (a300) or 14.2 megapixel (a350) sensors, 2.7-inch screen, ISO up to 3200, and traditional CF slots — we’ll just let you get right to the eye candy below.

Gallery: Hands-on with Sony’s new a300 and a350 DSLRs

Posted Jan 31st 2008 3:46PM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: Storage
The memory card announcements at PMA continue — Kingston has just announced its first 16GB SDHC card. Sure, we’re happy for them, but at $231, it’s more expensive than SanDisk’s $179 16GB card — which comes with a USB 2.0 reader — and it’s certainly not as impressive as SanDisk’s new 32GB card. Also, your hair is frizzy and you look fat. But have fun at the party!

Today, I found out that someone took something from my dreams and made it into reality. You see, I always hoped to have a bathtub that is completely automated. I suppose it is kind of a pathetic dream that I have, but Bath-O-Matic has made it a reality.

If I want the temperature of the water to be a certain amount of degrees, I can have it without having to fiddle around with Hot and Cold knobs. Also, I can start the water and leave the room without ever worrying about overflow.

These are just a few of the features of the Bath-O-Matic. Unique Automation, the company that makes this product/service, has exceeded my expectations and added even more cool features. Apparently, the Bath-O-Matic has a remote control, so you can start your bath from your living room. There is even the option of mixing a combination of oils, bubbles, and fragrances so you can have a scent-ual bathing experience. Talk about aroma therapy.

I have to admit, it sounds the Bath-O-Matic could seriously revolution bathing as we know it. I’m not certain whether this is available now, or if it is still under development. The website is pretty minimal at best, but other articles about this product have already given me a price of about $8,000. That might be a high price to pay to let Calgon take you away.

Source

Posted Jan 31st 2008 12:53PM by Donald Melanson
Filed under: Misc. gadgets Those intrigued by the idea of interlocking light blocks but disappointed by the subtlety of some of the current options available may want to take note of Remake Design’s latest creation, which takes the idea to excessive new heights. As you can see, they’ve churned out a series of blocks to let you relive your past Pac-Man adventures on a grand scale, including blocks of dots, ghosts, and Pac-Man himself — no power-ups though, it seems. No word on a price just yet, but given that the firm’s standard set of four solid-colored lights costs $300, you’ll likely have to part with a sizable stash of quarters if you want to add this particular retro touch to your living room

Just a quick notice: looks like AT&T is experiencing difficulties with data service nationwide.  Word from on high is “they are working on it”.  Interestingly, five states are immune from the data outage.

AT&T Business Customer Service can be reached at 800-222-0400 or at their site.

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Posted Jan 31st 2008 2:12PM by Steven Kim
Filed under: Digital Cameras
Basic point-and-shoot digicams is what the Stylus line is all about, and the trend continues. Up here are some shots of the 840, 850SW and 1030SW. 8-megapixels on the 840 and 850SW with 5x and 3x zoom, respectively. And if you vacation includes some light snorkeling (or you like taking pics in the rain), note that the 850SW is shockproof 1.5-meters and to waterproof to 3-meters. Need more megapixels? Step on up to the 1030: 10.1-megapixels and a 3.6x zoom and waterproof to 10-meters.

Gallery: Hands-on with the new Olympus Stylus lineup

Plants, just like humans, require oxygen in order to survive. While they release oxygen during the day whenever the process of photosynthesis occurs, they do require oxygen when there is no sunlight. Why not give them the very best with the ENKI Super O2 Watering System?

Grow greener, bigger and brighter plants with this unique watering system! The Enki Super O2 water system super-oxygenates water, so your plants produce more flowers and blooms than those watered with regular tap water.

Marketing gimmick or the real deal? At $99.95, it had better work or I want my money back.

Posted Jan 31st 2008 7:42AM by Thomas Ricker
Filed under: Laptops
That special Intel processor found in the macbook air could be getting a lot less special. PC Advisor, citing “a source familiar with Intel’s plans,” claims that a pair of PC makers will use the MBA processor. Not that this would be unexpected. The custom-built 1.6GHz and 1.8GHz Intel procs remember, are 60% smaller and consume less power than the typical Core 2 Duo while using the same 65-nm manufacturing processes. Of course, with Intel’s 45-nm Montevina platform scheduled to ship as early as May, the advantages gained by the processor will likely be short lived, though glorious if a PC maker can dethrone Apple of its claim to the world’s smallest thinnest laptop.

Meet the nuvifone, Garmin’s latest entry in the phone space.  The slick little unit is touch-screen dependent and packed to the gills with features.  I am not sure what I am more impressed with: the slickness of the nuvifone or Garmin’s gumption to enter a tough market they’ve not had success in before.

Announced last night at a press event Gadgetell attended in NYC, the nuvifone looks to be a little thicker than an iPhone but even more featured.  Some of the early specs released include: WiFi, Bluetooth, 3.5G, camera for stills and video, integrated Google Local Search and more.  Expect this to be a player come Q3 at an undisclosed price with service from undisclosed carriers.  And as you’d expect, the nuvifone has access to Garmin’s real time information like traffic, gas prices and weather.

While just two phones were displayed, Garmin officials offered some a chance to get their hands on it.  The consensus was it was a little thicker than the iphone but similar in weight.

Designed to be a seamless transition for Garmin fans, the phone’s UI is based on their nuvi navigation devices.  Garmin officials promised the ability to sync contacts and calendar events to the nuvifone.  We’l have more details as they emerge.

Company site: [Garmin]

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Posted Jan 31st 2008 2:10AM by Steven Kim
Filed under: Digital Cameras
We got our hands on what’s probably one of the most anticipated cameras of the show, the Canon EOS Rebel XSi DSLR. The predecessor XTi model was crazy successful, so smart money says that the step up to a 3-inch live view LCD, 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, 9-point AF and Canon’s DIGIC III processing will help continue the trend. That’s a lot of features packed into this “starter” DSLR from Canon. With this body and all the lenses Canon has, this is one entry level that most folks will never need to leave.

Gallery: Hands-on with the Canon Rebel XSi DSLR