Best Gadgets World

It was back in November when Skype first announced the beta release that added video chat support for Linux users, and now they have announced the official Skype 2.0 with video for Linux. Now Linux users will be able to freely and without having to worry about running beta software, be able to have video chats with Windows and Mac users alike. Similar to other Skype offerings, version 2.0 for Linux is of course a free download.

Read [Skype] Via [Gizmodo]

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Dell’s innovative and stunning desktop system, the XPS One has arrived in UK, French and German stores. Although four months later than it was released in the Japanese and US markets, the inspiring Dell machine should still hit it big in the European market. Not only because of its power packed features but also because of the noble cause that comes with buying a unit of the XPS One. More particularly the XPS One PRODUCT (Red) which has an attached social cause in every units sold.

The campaign which started when it was released in the US market allots $80 to the Global Fund for every XPS One Product (Red) sold. Proceeds of the Global Fund will be used to eliminate AIDS in Africa. That $80 dollar is equivalent to more than 6 months of antiretroviral treatment for one person afflicted with AIDS. So when you buy the Dell XPS One, you just don’t get to enjoy its multimedia and computing features but you get to save lives as well.

The Dell XPS One boasts of standard specifications that includes Core 2 duo processor T5450, 2GB RAM, 500GB Serial ATA HD, fixed 8x DVD+/-RW Slim Slot Load Drive, integrated graphic media accelerator, 20-inch LCD display, 8-in-1 card reader and wireless keyboard and mouse.

But those specifications are more or less standard features of other Dell XPS Desktop System. What makes the XPS One stand out from all the other Dell XPS Desktop units is its Crimson red color. Plus of course the social implication that goes with buying every unit of the Dell Desktop XPS One PRODUCT (Red).

Product [Dell Europe] Via [Shiny Shiny]

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Posted Mar 15th 2008 11:55AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Wearables
Considering that some digicams are emerging with built-in smile detection, we’d say whipping that grin of yours into shape might not be a half bad idea. Granted, Patakara’s latest certainly isn’t the first, but rather than just shaping your smile, this thing actually exercises the muscles around your mouth — presumably to help you cheese more intensely for even longer periods of time (you superstar, you). Heck, there’s even three models with different resistance levels for those totally committed. But let’s be honest, you won’t even give those fancy Body Trainer headphones a second glance — are you really going to dedicate time each day for this? You are? Well, then by all means, hand over your ¥5,250 ($52) and get to chompin’.

[Via popgadget]

At this point in my life, I don’t know how I managed to live through all those years with my corded landline phone. I mean, sure, it’s still a great way to communicate when it comes to voice but at a time when almost everything is about to go completely wireless I don’t see where it’ll fit. I honestly think landlines would be best displayed in any museum of ancient history, but the XLink Bluetooth Gateway aims to prove otherwise. Using Bluetooth technology, it will link your mobile phone to your landline so that you can answer calls to either phone via any of the two. Meaning, if a call comes in on your cellphone, you can use the landline to answer it. And when a call comes in on your landline, you guessed it, you can answer it via your cellphone. This would be useful for the times when you forget to take your cellphone with you when you leave your room for breakfast, and other such activities that separate you from you handy little cellular. Well, at least the landline becomes useful again. So we’ll have to talk about that museum of national history thing on some other time, then. The XLink Cellular Gateway is currently available and retails for $169.99.

Product [Grace Digital Audio] Via [Red Ferret]

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I’m surprised about this new Verizon phone, almost all phones that I know of come with a camera, whether it is a good or a bad one is another story. A camera on a cell phone is usually very useful and fun to play around with, however, this new phone doesn’t seem to come with a camera. Basically, this phone is an addition of their popular Motorola RIZR Z6. The weird thing is that it comes with less features than the Z6c, which is basically the lack of the camera.

So far, this phone has already gone live up on the Verizon Wireless site, but there’s not too much of a difference between this phone and its brother, the Z6c. It has been reported that all the “x” on the Motorola RIZR Z6cx stands for is no camera. Also, this might just be Motorola’s way of appealing to those companies that do not allow their employees to carry phones. The standing price of the Motorola RIZR Z6cx is $179.99 dollars, which if course is after rebates and including a contract.

Via [IntoMobile]

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Posted Mar 15th 2008 10:42AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Wearables
Make of it what you will, but Germany’s own Mac Life has apparently grabbed hold of a few more details concerning that SportBand we saw sashay into the FCC’s database late last month. Reportedly, the unit isn’t meant to replace the Nike+ipod system; rather, it’s an alternative for runners who’d prefer not to have earbuds in and a DAP on their person when logging their treks. As expected, time, speed, distance and calories will all be tracked, and each run can be captured and stored on the outfit’s website after you thumb a ride back home. We’re told to expect said device in April for €59.95 ($93), but only time will tell if that’s an accurate assertion (and true worldwide).

[Thanks, Susanne]

Posted Mar 15th 2008 9:26AM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: Household
Finally, the days of ruined breakfasts and tossed cups of coffee will be a thing of the past, thanks to work being done by researchers in the US and China. Scientists have discovered a simple chemical reaction that can sense if your 2 percent has lost its charm before you get it home and crack it open. The system works by floating a small widget in the milk which can be scanned at a supermarket checkout by magnet — the device will vibrate slowly if the liquid has thickened. The same will occur if the potentially harmful bug Staphylococcus aureus — which can cause food poisoning — thins the consistency of the milk. Researchers claim that the system will cost less than a penny per carton, and could also be used in fruit juices. This all sounds pretty altruistic, but as soon as you can get this into super-cheap domestic beers, please give us a call.

[Via Switched]

The point of anything that doesn’t work as advertised always evades me, and the case of this USB mouse speaker is no exception. Worth $14 and an ounce of your patience, Brando’s USB mouse speaker will play music from any ipod, PC, laptop, CD player, mobile phone or any other compatible sound source via a standard 3.5mm plug. It has a handy switch for turning it On/Off, as well as for adjusting the volume. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery powers it, and a complimentary neck strap is even included in the box for added “convenience” and “portability”. It’s got the basic features of your average portable speaker covered so far, but one thing it doesn’t do it act as a real computer mouse. I guess the exterior was done all in the name of style, then. If you can call its violet “headlights” stylish.

Via [GeekAlerts] Via [Coolest-gadgets]

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Posted Mar 15th 2008 3:25AM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: Portable Audio
Yeah, there’s a lot of good, civically-minded things you could do with your cash… but wouldn’t it be more fun to blow it on a 1GB ipod? If you’re dying to prove how little £20,000 (or around $40,000) means to you, here’s your chance. A jeweler named Thomas Heyerdahl has created an 18 karat, diamond studded, white and pink gold iPod shuffle, meant to be auctioned at a charity in London. We’ve seen an almost identical version which appeared to be selling just for the heck of it — at least this one seems to be going to good cause.

[Via Mobile Magazine]

Posted Mar 15th 2008 12:32AM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: Laptops
It looks like your favorite lap burner will get all quad-ified this year, thanks to the folks at Intel, and a little something we call “enthusiast pressure.” The hot-to-the-touch CPU rumor mill claims that we’ll see the quad-core, 45nm QX9300 hit the scene after the Centrino 2 (aka Montevina) chips are launched in the second quarter of the year. The general feeling is that the quad-equipped laptops will primarily be heavier, desktop-replacement systems, as the Core 2 Extreme processors are still fairly power hungry. If you haven’t already fallen off the edge of your seat, you have our congratulations.