Best Gadgets World

Brando has returned with yet another interesting and actually useful product, a USB calculator with a 3-port USB hub. The calculator also offers a built-in thermometer, 12/24 hour clock, calendar, alarm, time and has the ability to announce the time.

The calculator measures in at 7.09 x 3.89 x 0.87-inches, has Windows 2000, XP and Vista support and ships with a USB cable. It is currently available and retails for $19.

Product [Brando] Via [Gear Live]

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by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 28th 2008 at 4:56PM
We’re not sure where our tipster got these pictures (nor are we going to ask), but they appear to be screens from the Treo 800w’s specification and knowledge training documentation. New tidbits include a 333 Mhz processor, 4.4.1 x 2.28 x 0.73-inch dimensions, 320 x 320 pixel screen, and a weight of 4.94 ounces. Windows Mobile 6.1 looks to be in full-force, the camera shoots at 2 MP, and the USB port is 2.0. As for other revealed features, you’re looking at threaded SMS chat, but MMS is mysteriously missing in lieu of Sprint Picture Mail, a trend that continues to confuse us. If all this pans out, look for the 800w to be available on July 13th for $249.99. Hit the continue link to see the rest of the juicy shots and details.

[Thanks, brian]

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Filed under: cellphones

First it was Starcraft 2 and now it’s Diablo III? It’s like my junior high years all over again. Now if only the most responsibility I had was still handing in homework. They’ve finally done it. After eight long years since the release of the hugely popular Diablo 2, Blizzard announced Diablo 3 at their annual Worldwide Invitational in Paris today.

No, it’s not going to be a traditional MMO like many were claiming it would be. Rather, it is relying on the same old hack and slash dungeon style of the first two games in the series. To the untrained eye, the new outing looks graphically similar to Diablo 2, much how Starcraft 2 resembles the gameplay of the original. But fear not fellow demon slayers. Don’t let the traditional Diablo UI turn you off.

Blizzard promises an experience which is built on “a new graphics engine that can display characters and hordes of monsters in lush, fully 3D environments. Powerful special-effects systems and Havok-powered physics allow the player to lay waste to the Hells’ minions in spectacular ways.”

Diablo 3 takes place 20 years after Diablo 2, so players of the original two games will get to immerse themselves in the lore of the new environment. Just from checking out the cinematic and gameplay previews makes me eager for this next release. There goes the next 5 years of my life.

Official Diablo 3 Page
Diablo 3 FAQ

via Joystiq

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First it was Starcraft 2 and now it’s Diablo III? It’s like my junior high years all over again. Now if only the most responsibility I had was still handing in homework. They’ve finally done it. After eight long years since the release of the hugely popular Diablo 2, Blizzard announced Diablo 3 at their annual Worldwide Invitational in Paris today.

No, it’s not going to be a traditional MMO like many were claiming it would be. Rather, it is relying on the same old hack and slash dungeon style of the first two games in the series. To the untrained eye, the new outing looks graphically similar to Diablo 2, much how Starcraft 2 resembles the gameplay of the original. But fear not fellow demon slayers. Don’t let the traditional Diablo UI turn you off.

Blizzard promises an experience which is built on “a new graphics engine that can display characters and hordes of monsters in lush, fully 3D environments. Powerful special-effects systems and Havok-powered physics allow the player to lay waste to the Hells’ minions in spectacular ways.”

Diablo 3 takes place 20 years after Diablo 2, so players of the original two games will get to immerse themselves in the lore of the new environment. Just from checking out the cinematic and gameplay previews makes me eager for this next release. There goes the next 5 years of my life.

Official Diablo 3 Page
Diablo 3 FAQ

via Joystiq

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I sit in my 15 year old Suburu, glancing at my fellow drivers with envy. Look at all of them with their fancy rear view mirrors and their LED turn signals. Psh, like I would want something like that anyway. Don’t look at me that way! No need for smugness! I already know you have a nicer car, no need to rub it in that you’re better looking and most likely better in bed too.

But there’s a few tricks up my sleeve which might just make me feel a little better about my crap-mobile, even if it’s not nearly as chic as the real thing. The TurnSmart Mirror System adds a set of wide rear view mirrors onto your current mirrors. These mirrors also happen to feature solar panels which power a set of super bright LED’s which sync with your turn signal. Solar panels! How about that, Mr. Smug Driver?!

Sure, my car might not be up to par with your 2008 Escalade. Hell, it probably isn’t even up to par with a 1998 VW Beetle. But that doesn’t mean I have any less right to keep myself safe from you and your hulking automobile. Bigger cars just mean you have a bigger blind spot. So, I win.

If you’re like me and begrudgingly holding onto your vintage car, just because the few minor engine and exhaust problems aren’t enough to force you to yield the cash for a new ride, then you should pick up one of these too. No more smug looks. No more being left behind in the safety mix. $150 and you’re set for a few more days of driving power, at least.

Product Page via The Red Ferret Journal

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Brother has introduced its newest inkjet multifunction printer, the MFC-6490W. Although it may seem just your usual high-end all-around printer, for Brother this printer is the first in their product line which can print, copy, scan, and fax on an 11-inch by 17-inch sized paper, which is the same size a fully spread tabloid newspaper.

Features of the MFC-6490W include USB ports for connecting USB flash drives that allow for direct printing, PictBridge compatible ports, external multimedia cards, built-in auto-document feeder, dual paper input trays, four ink cartridges, a 3.3-inch color LCD which also serves as a control center for the printer. For its color printing speed, the MFC-6490W gives out up to 35/28 ppm (Mono: 450×300dpi, Color: 600×150 dpi).

This printer will be available sometime next month and it will retail for $299.

Via [Crave]

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by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 28th 2008 at 11:42AM
If anyone is going to make a decent waterproof mp3 player this time around, it would have to be someone like the tight bathing suit-producing Speedo brand. The Speedo Aquabeat — made by Iriver — contains 1GB of storage, plays for nine hours on one charge, come in three colors, and weighs just 35 grams. So what’s so Speedo about them? These players (and earphones) are good for up to 3 meters below the surface and they float — so you can just leave the things floating about while you go mix another margarita. Retail price is $145, available now from your local Speedo dealer or high school coach — just listen for the whistle.

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Filed under: Portable Audio

Verizon Wireless and LG have teamed up to bring the LG Dare to the masses - at least those who are currently subscribing to Verizon Wireless’ mobile service. This summer looks set to be a hot one not only in terms of temperature (no thanks to global warming), but in the world of cell phones as well. While we all know that the 3G iphone is set to take the whole world by storm, this doesn’t mean we ought to overlook other handsets. The LG Dare features a roomy 3″ touch screen display complete with handwriting recognition, along with a host of other features found in high end handsets. It will hit Verizon Wireless Communications Stores from July 3rd onwards.

Features found on the LG Dare include the following :-

• V CAST Music-capable - access more than 3 million full-length songs from well-known and independent artists that can be purchased and downloaded over-the-air directly to the phone
• Music Player for .mp3, .wma, unprotected .aac, and unprotected .aac+ files
• microSD card memory port - with up to 8 GB support with an optional memory card
• USB Mass Storage - transfer files between microSD card and PC
• 3.2 megapixel Camera and Camcorder
• Schneider-Kreuznach certified lens for optimal picture quality
• Camera Resolutions: 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 pixels
• SmartPic technology and manual ISO adjustment for improved image quality
• Face Detection - detects a face when taking a picture
• Panorama, split shot and frame camera settings
• Scene Mode - automatically makes adjustments to camera settings for improved quality in different environments
• Zoom: up to 2x
• Image Editor - zoom, rotate, crop, add frames and icons and write over images
• Video Resolutions: 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 176 x 144 pixels
• Video Recording Speed: up to 120 frames per second for slow video playback
• Video Recording Time: 30 seconds (for sending); up to 1 hour (for saving) depending on memory
• Video Player for WMV, MP4, 3GP, 3G2 formats
• Customizable brightness, white balance, shutter sound, color effects, night and preview mode, photometry, self-timer
• Bluetooth Version 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
• One-touch speakerphone
• Speaker-independent voice commands
• Voice Recording: 1 minute or 1 hour (standby)
• Music ringer support (clips from hit songs)
• HTML Web browsing with touch navigation and favorites
• Text, picture, video messaging-capable
• Mobile Email - access MSN Hotmail, America Online and Yahoo! accounts to exchange e-mail
• Mobile IM capabilities
• Speed Dial (up to 996 entries)
• Display: 260K Color TFT, 240 x 400 pixels, 3.0″
• Standard Battery: 1,100 mAh
• Usage Time: up to 280 minutes
• Standby Time: up to 360 hours

The LG Dare will retail for $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

Press Release

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Vizio will be offering three new HDTV models from both plasma and LCD varieties in its new XVT series that touts more features and extended performance without breaking the bank. The packaging will take a bold new look, featuring a distinct black/grey lave and gold Vizio logo. The first three models in the XVT series are the SV420XVT and SV47XVT LCD HDTVs that feature 120Hz processing while the VP505XVT Plasma HDTV is more than capable of offering full 1080p and HQV processing. Let’s take a closer look at these after the jump.

Both the Vizio SV470XVT and SV420XVT 120Hz LCD TVs feature full HD resolution, along with Vizio’s very own Smooth Motion technology that delivers flawless video frame after frame. With a superior refresh rate of 120Hz (twice the speed of many other LCDs that are stagnant at 60Hz), you can kiss goodbye to old problems such as motion blur from fast-action movies and video games. I suppose folks who also watch sports as well as nature programs in high definition programming will find this to be a great deal, as artifacts are resigned to history.

The SV470LF and SV420LF use SRS Labs’ TruSurround XT audio processing for premium virtual surround and they are also compatible with the VIZIO SV5.1 Upgrade Kit that adds 5.1 surround sound functionality with the inclusion of rear channel speakers and a wireless subwoofer. Both include the new brushed aluminum-trimmed VUR8 Universal Learning Remote with Picture-In-Picture keys, handsomely designed to control an entire A/V system. Each model provides side access HD Game Ports with two HDMI v1.3 inputs for fast connections of game consoles, camcorders and other portable sources, in addition to two HDMI ports on the rear panel.

You can pick up the new Vizio SV420XVT and SV470XVT this July for $1,499.99 and $1,899.99, respectively.

Press Release

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Vizio will be offering three new HDTV models from both plasma and LCD varieties in its new XVT series that touts more features and extended performance without breaking the bank. The packaging will take a bold new look, featuring a distinct black/grey lave and gold Vizio logo. The first three models in the XVT series are the SV420XVT and SV47XVT LCD HDTVs that feature 120Hz processing while the VP505XVT Plasma HDTV is more than capable of offering full 1080p and HQV processing. Let’s take a closer look at these after the jump.

Both the Vizio SV470XVT and SV420XVT 120Hz LCD TVs feature full HD resolution, along with Vizio’s very own Smooth Motion technology that delivers flawless video frame after frame. With a superior refresh rate of 120Hz (twice the speed of many other LCDs that are stagnant at 60Hz), you can kiss goodbye to old problems such as motion blur from fast-action movies and video games. I suppose folks who also watch sports as well as nature programs in high definition programming will find this to be a great deal, as artifacts are resigned to history.

The SV470LF and SV420LF use SRS Labs’ TruSurround XT audio processing for premium virtual surround and they are also compatible with the VIZIO SV5.1 Upgrade Kit that adds 5.1 surround sound functionality with the inclusion of rear channel speakers and a wireless subwoofer. Both include the new brushed aluminum-trimmed VUR8 Universal Learning Remote with Picture-In-Picture keys, handsomely designed to control an entire A/V system. Each model provides side access HD Game Ports with two HDMI v1.3 inputs for fast connections of game consoles, camcorders and other portable sources, in addition to two HDMI ports on the rear panel.

You can pick up the new Vizio SV420XVT and SV470XVT this July for $1,499.99 and $1,899.99, respectively.

Press Release

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