Best Gadgets World

Posted Mar 13th 2008 9:34PM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: Desktops
Sure, we think the iMac is a nice machine, but sometimes you want to add a PCI card or six, and when the cheapest beslotted Mac starts at a whopping $2,799, mods like Hideo Takano’s Mac Pro Mini just make you wonder what could have been. Of course, there are no slots in this bad boy either since it’s based around a stock mac mini with a 2.33GHz processor upgrade, but it is a mighty impressive effort — actually, check out Hideo’s whole Mac Mod Lab site for even more sick Mini mods.

[Via Unplgged]

Posted Mar 13th 2008 7:32PM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: cellphones
It’s just what you’ve been waiting for — a Nokia N95 running Windows Mobile. It looks like the rumors were true after all! What’s that? This is not a real phone? It’s just an FM radio with a sticker on the screen? Oh bother. Yes folks, thanks to eagle-eyed tipster Eric, you’re looking at the next evolution in gadgetry — the Asaki N95 FM radio. We’re not sure what the going price for this is, but we’d imagine slightly less than $779, though the real N95 doesn’t come with those totally pimped-out headphones, does it?

Posted Mar 13th 2008 11:12PM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: Desktops, Gaming
A district attorney in Rockwall County, Dallas, is under scrutiny from the FBI due to a PC he built as a backup server — using office money. Ray Sumrow claims he was using the system for business, but the “server” actually seems to be a tricked out gaming rig, featuring two hard drives, seven fans, high end graphics and sound cards, WiFi, and cables which “glow under ultraviolet light.” Rod Gregg, the FBI examiner on the case says, “I would not configure a backup computer in that way,” and added, “When I saw that, I did not think of anything related to a government agency.” Charges of forgery, theft, and records tampering have been made against Mr. Sumrow due to his use of the district attorney’s “fee fund,” which is meant to be used for office supplies or employee salaries. Testimony will take place through the week, and prosecutors expect to hear how it was imperative to Mr. Sumrow’s legal work that he, “Frag the crap out of dudes.”

[Via Penny Arcade]

Asus has launched its newest 24-inch LCD monitor. The Asus MK241H boasts native HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) support for full HD 1080p video playback. It is equipped with a 1920×1200 16:10 high resolution panel that delivers multi-channel audio and uncompressed digital video. Translating these into layman’s terms, the Asus MK241H would give gamers and multimedia users the ultimate gaming and multimedia experience.

Asus has even upped the ante of the MK241H by integrating a plug-and-play built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam for high-resolution video and array microphones for the much needed push towards optimum video and audio pleasure. The webcam, microphone array, stereo speakers and earphone jack makes the MK241H useful for video conferencing as well.

The MK241H’s resolution is something to look forward for as it utilizes an exclusive Color Rich Technology that enhances video performance with higher-color-gamut and an extra 130% color space. High quality video output is made possible by the splendid video intelligence technology that fine tunes color, brightness, contrast and sharpness of the image display. This image display technology can be adjusted via hotkeys representing 5 different video modes, scenery, theater, game and night view modes. Each of these video modes gives new meaning to what is actually displayed on the LCD monitor.

Looks like Asus has pretty much covered all possible shortcomings of an lcd monitor as big as the MK241H. Even the problem of delayed image display and low response time has been addressed by Asus. The MK241H delivers 2ms (GTG) quick response time that ensures smoother video display and eliminates image delay and ghosting when playing video games.

Read [Asus]

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It seems Trent Reznor was right on with his latest album release for Ghosts I-IV. Based on “confirmed” reports the album has seen sales totaling 800,000 during the first week of its release, which in turn brought in $1.6 million. The 800,000 total included all forms of the album, including the free version which was Ghosts I, along with a combination of the other four available paid options. The paid options ranged in price from $5 for 36 DRM-free downloadable tracks to a $300 limited edition box set.

While this sounds like a great way for artists to release albums and it seems to offer a very successful business model, we cannot forget that Nine Inch Nails and Trent Reznor have been around for a long time now, with a very dedicated following. A new artist coming off the street, while they may have some success with a similar model, surely could not expect to raise $1.6 million over just one week. Overall well done NIN, Ghosts has become a favorite of mine.

Via [Macworld]

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Sometimes, I feel like introducing order to my dirty desktop. Unfortunately, I’ve never found the right way to do so. But the gods are good, and I have newfound hope with the Ultra Space Station 6 USB flash drive. Now I can’t wait to think of all the six endless possibilities! Using alien technology from a planet in a parallel universe, Ultra has managed to pack six (count ‘em, six) USB ports on a 0.03-pound sliver of plastic that seems as small as your average credit card. Each USB port supports flash memory storage devices up to 2GB in size, so after doing the math you’ll find that you can have a total of 12GB flash storage in the palm of your hand (or inside your wallet, if that’s your thing).

What’s really cool about this new USB flash drive is that you can add labels to each individual USB port to denote what kind of data goes there. Perhaps the only letdown is that it can only support up to 2GB per port, which would limit, for example, the amount of music that you can squeeze in it. Still, this will be a very helpful product for wannabe neat freaks like me who can’t seem to find the time to organize their stuff.

Aside from the 12GB model, a 6GB variant of the Ultra Space Station 6 USB Flash Drive is also available via Ultra’s web site. Pricing starts at $59.99.

Product [Ultra Space Station 6] Via [OhGizmo!]

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Philips is at it again with the release of a reworked Xenium 9@9 smartphone, this time giving it the powers of a stylus-based touchscreen. Dubbed the Xenium 9@9v, this new smartphone will hit Asian shores next month with the following features: the previously mentioned touchscreen, handwriting recognition, dual-SIM card support and an astonishing 1 month standby time. The details have been scarce so far, and there’s no way to confirm if it will be able to have both SIM cards inserted active at the same time, and of course, whether it will be able to last as long as the 1 month standby time quoted by the manufacturer itself. Personally, I think I’d feel funny knowing my phone doesn’t need charging even after just three days. You have to wonder, does this little thing breathe oxygen? At any rate, I say hats off to Philips if the quoted lasting power is true. I wish more mobile phone manufacturers could do that with their phones.

Via [Crave Asia] Via [Crave]

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Ever heard of the Flock web browser? I’m sure you have, assuming by looking at the statistic where there’s an increase of 135% of internet users downloaded Flock. For those who have no idea what flock is, it’s a web browser with the fundamental system of the Mozilla Firefox. But with additional applications to extend the browsers social uses where you may come across as information-gathering, sharing, communication, self-expression and interaction. Flock has released its latest version 1.1 which includes some new features.

The applications new features include Friend Activity, where Flock gives feedbacks to users if their friends have changed anything on their profiles or their online status. The other amazing features are Picasa Integration which allows users to easily upload photos to be shared and webmail integration for Gmail and Yahoo, which offer a mail icon light to alert users of new messages.

Product [Flock] Read [Business Wire]

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Got something to say? Say it with neon!

Create your own custom neon sign by snapping together 2″x3″ neon letters by buying individual letters to form your own phrase or statement, connect to the power supply and voila! You have a low heat and low power consumption ultra cool sign. Each neon letter is fitted inside a sturdy plastic housing with all electronic components safely tucked away. The letter are ready to power up as soon as they are snapped together and connected to the power supply.

Gimmie!

Suggested Price: $29.99

Posted Mar 13th 2008 3:03PM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: Misc. gadgetsMan, Fidel’s out and already the kids are getting crazy: the Cuban government is finally allowing general consumers to buy various electronics, including DVD players and computers, for the first time. Only companies and foreigners were previously able to buy computers, while the looming threat of terrible Hollywood movies had forced Cuban authorities to seize DVD players at the airport. The change is due to “the improved availability of electricity,” and Cubans can look forward to also picking up microwaves, 24-inch televisions, and rice cookers to plug into the new juice. Of course, it’s not all flip flops and high-fives: air conditioners will not be available until next year, and the deadly menace known as the toaster will be restricted until 2010. Hope you like plain bread with your communism movies.