Gadgety News

If touting a laptop bag that looks more like an alien incubator rather than just another run-of-the mill device for lugging your lappy in is your thing then check out this concept bag from Cocoon Innovations.

Cocoon states that it’s not just about their other-worldly looks - it goes much deeper than that.

Inside the bags, there’s a proprietary material called the Grid that serves as an “elastic organization system” so you can choose how you want your gadgety loveliness organised - as well as leaving room for that feotal extra-terrestrial life form.  Might be best to avoid annoying the little blighter ;)

The pic does look more like a rendering than a photo pic so here’s hoping that the actual product looks as groovy as the artists dreaming.

I’m sure all will be revealed at CES.

UberGizmo

While most of the hype surrounding Voodoo right now is all about the Firebird gaming tower - but that source of portable computing news, LAPTOP, have been treated to a different rig from the HP Voodoo camp and it is right up my street!

I heart gaming laptops!!

But first a little caveat - this is only a prototype - apparently.

Righty, now I’ve gotten that out of the way, say yum to the Firefly!

The Firefly has a 17″ screen and a secondary 4.3-inch 800 x 480 display sitting beneath the main screen and weighs in at a just about luggable 13 pounds (around the same as my Novatech machine I think).

Under the hood is that Voodoo DNA’d niceness.  It sports a 2.4GHz Core 2 Extreme CPU, 4GB of RAM, two ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870 GPUs and a 250GB HDD.

It is also rocking a multitouch trackpad and a keyboard with customisable backlighting.

No benchmarks were allowed, but Far Cry 2 ran “silky smooth” even with details maxed.

For the full low-down and inside scoop click the link below good people

Laptop Mag

I use my laptop (well, clamshell desktop as I call it) for gaming and enjoy the fact that I can easily drag it around for LAN parties, etc. but there are those occasions when watching someone game with multiple screens.

But, this lappy may level the playing ground.

The Prime Gaming Laptop is designed by Kyle Cherry and is a case of - “This Must Be Produced” as far as I’m concerned.

It features three collapsible screens that offer a wide viewing panel and when unfurrled has a 32:10 aspect for better in game visibility.

It closes to the size of a 13″ notebook and opens to a super wide aspect 26″ notebook.

The main screen is a 10″ concealed OLED screen with 16:10 aspect. Both the left and the right screens are Aux OLED screens with 8:10 aspect.

The Prime laptop boasts an alluminium body which we all know provides strength whilst keeping it portable and also will help with cooling.

If there is any justice in this world of ours, this lappy will be produced and I will be asked to review (and keep) one when it is released

Designlaunches

As soon as I start to type the words “iPod speaker system” even I start to get heavy of the lids.  But the market is still rather short of ones designed by the ultra-fashionable types.

Designed by one of my favourite designers at the moment, Philippe Starck, the Parrot Zikmu speakers are possibly the the only way to go.

These speakers are not just for your ipod/iPhone by-the-way; oh no.

The Zikmu sound system is good for just about any gadget you possess, just as long as it has either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to stream the noise across the room.

Yup, even stream tunes from your networked puter!

Failing that though, you can of course just whack your iThingy in the slot on the top.

Each speaker stands around 75cm in height, offering a ‘360-degree immersive sound experience’ for room-filling audio and a stylish curved design that’s certain to impress any reader of glossy home magazines. Unfortunately all of that comes at a price - and with the current exchange rate, you’re looking at just over £1,000 when it launches in spring 2009.

Parrot via Born Rich

I’ve got kinda used to flicking past ‘Black Friday Sale’ notices on my feeds and emails but, fortuntely, I hit reverse when I saw this and now have decided to share.

Apple is bringing a Black Friday sale from the US and delivering it to us folks in the UK. Thanks Apple - Thapple!

Log onto the Apple Store’s website this Friday and you’re promised bargains in excelcis.

We’re being spoilt here - first it was Darling’s VAT cut and now this!  Lumme!

Apple’s being coy as to which products will see a price drop - iPods, MacBooks and Mac desktops? I just don’t know.

What I do know is that Apple mentions the iPhone specifically

I think a date with Apple for cheaper Crimbo gifts is called for

The N7010 is pretty much a full featured laptop with its 2.26 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor, 16-inch 16:9 LCD, Blu-ray ROM drive and HDMI-out.

It also packs up to 4GB RAM, 256 MB ATI HD 3470 video card, SD card reader, 1.3 MP Camera, eSATA port, Bluetooth, 802.11N wi-fi and hard drives come as big as 320 GB.

Nice but nothing outstanding - so why have it on this wonderful blog?

Well - look at the pic a bit closer my friends…………go on - click the pic to make it easier for yourself!

The cool part about the Lifebook N7010 is the 4-inch, 480×272 pixel touchscreen integrated into the keyboard area.

It works as an application launcher, but according to Fujitsu’s Paul Moore, you can use it as a second (really teeny-small) screen, with the ability to drag whatever you want down to the second screen like any other external monitor.

Aside from the app launcher, its intended to be used as a CD/DVD control panel, or as a photo viewer.

This groovy feature is considered to be an industry first for laptops but it probably is worth noting that it isn’t connected in any way to Windows Vista Sideshow.

The N7010 will begin shipping on November 10 and will start at $1500 on the Fujitsu website.

Fujitsu

It’s a shame.

But this here thing is destined to fail unfortunately.

At first it seems a good idea but when you do a James Brown and “break it down” you see there are many stumbling blocks.

The OLO Computer is reportedly thinking of bringing to market a netbook-styled device that seems to require users to plop their iPhone / iPhone 3G into the palm rest.

Now, I’m guessing all manner of sync’ing will ensue which is good but then is the iPhone then a trackpad?

It could be that the machine uses the iPhone as it’s ‘core’ but then it will only be able to run iPhone apps and the screen on the pic is showing MAC OS - which is the next point.

Apple aren’t reknowned for sharing their OS’s with anyone so we can surly cross that off the list.

Sad thing is - all the juicy info should be posted this week…….the week of a certain announcement from Apple………….

Liliputing

Official OLO Teaser Page

Here’s another first!

Asus have created the G71 which is claimed to be the world’s first Intel Quad Core gaming notebook - armed as it is with the new Intel Core 2 Extreme processor QX9300.

As well as the processor, this machine has an added boost thanks to the removal of the overspeed protection so gets more processing power and better abilities to multitask.

Users can chose from three different processor speed settings using the Direct Console 2.0 interface.

The same interface also includes controls for Direct Messenger, enabling communication utilities such as Instant Messaging, meeting and email notifications.

“The G71 delivers a total gaming experience in a highly portable package, with an emphasis on audio clarity and stunning graphics performance”, says Asus.

You also get a 17-inch Crystal Shine display with a quick response time of 8ms, powered by the Nvidia GeForce 9700M GT GDDR3 512MB graphics card.

On the keyboard, there are the expected gaming hotkeys and the chassis of the G71 also features a funky programmable lighting system.

The G71 features up to 4GB of memory as well as packing in dual hard disk drives of up to 1TB (2 lots of 500 GB).

Phonics comes out via the Altec Lansing speakers and there’s also Dolby Home Theater, and a 2.0-megapixel webcam.

The G71 should be making an appearance during the first week of November for around $2,999.

Softpaedia

Word on the street is that the employees at NVIDIA have had their grubby little paws all over the latest Apple notebook and given it high-fives all round for its superior hardware prowess. 

Sources claim that the new model will get rid of Intel’s factory standard platform and replace it with components supplied by either Apple or an outside party………

A possible switch to a NVIDIA chipset commonly used for Intel-based notebooks, would give Apple faster video acceleration and more advanced power management.

Further speculation on a possible release date suggests that the notebooks could be available as soon as October 14th - like, next week people!

Again, lots of speculation abounds but it has been eight months since there’s been any updates to the range - could the time be now?

And as Morrisey once said - How Soon Is Now?

AppleInsider

Check out this logo!

16 companies have teamed-up for a GSM Association-led initiative to make mobile broadband a recognisable standard - nothing makes things more real than a logo

The team’s aim is to create a bunch of “always-connected mobile broadband devices delivering a compelling alternative to Wi-Fi”.

The first phase will see it pre-installed on laptops in 91 countries.

Launch participants include 3 Group, Asus, Dell, ECS, Ericsson, Gemalto, Lenovo, Microsoft, Orange, Qualcomm, Telefónica Europe, Telecom Italia, TeliaSonera, T-Mobile, Toshiba and Vodafone.

So - some big names in there.

The GSMA-created “Mobile Broadband service mark” is designed to help consumers easily identify a “ready to run” mobile broadband device.

More is promised from the initiative including “a whole range of previously unconnected devices – from cameras and MP3 players to refrigerators, cars and set-top boxes.”

Say hello to the now officially titled Inspiron Mini 9 which is set to be Dell’s Eee PC botherer.

While we’ve seen various pics and specs before we now have prices to go with them along with an October release date.

The XP version starts at but £299 or you can save £30 by opting for the Ubuntu version which is set to retail at £269.

The official spec list reads: 1.6GHz Intel Atom chip, 1GB memory, Intel GMA 950 graphics, 8.9in 1,024×600 display, up to 16GB SSD, three USB, Ethernet, VGA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel webcam and 4-cell battery. It measures a titchy 232×172×32mm and weighs in at just over 1Kg.

No news about the red or (red) version so at the moment you can get in any other colour as long as it’s black.

Ah……..Commodore.

The very name evokes those halcyon days of me, my bro and my cousin gathered around the VIC 20 listening to the tape loading, crashing and loading again.

Now the mighty C has joined the netbook market with the new C7-M processor powered lappy.

The very Commodore looking netbook, named UMMD 8010/F, presents an 80GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM and the usual array of wireless connectivity in the form of 802.11b/g and Bluetooth, although the latter will be optional.

Opting to run the C7-M processor instead of Intel’s Atom 1.6Ghz offering taken up by many other manufacturers, the netbook will come with the choice of Microsoft XP or GNU Linux operating systems. 

The 10-inch screen, .3 mp webcam and a digital array microphone are quite a let down however. 

It will be available in four colours; white, black, grey and sweet pink.

Prices start at an unbelievable £325 considering the better specced models out there in this ever increasing market.

But it should be out in the next month or so if you’re really wanting a Commodore again.

The Samsung X360 is pretty impressive.

Its size and weight (very light and very thin) and is ready to taunt the MacBook Air.

It has a 13.3-inch, 1200 x 800 pixel screen and by all reports is also very good.

It’s also all ported up, more so than Apple’s notebook: direct HDMI out, three USB ports, Express Card slot, 7-in-1 flash card reader, external optical unit included, and fingerprint reader for security.

For Windows users the Samsung X360 looks like a great choice but Apple fanboys will argue that a revision of the MacBook Air is just around the corner and that the Sammy wont play OS X.

For me though on the surface of it all the winner is the Samsung X360.

The only drawback for me is the lack of colour choices - you get the usual ‘Piano Black’ but even for an ardent fan of black such as me - it would be nice to have a choice.

Sammy aint pulling any punches either as it’s being branded it as “lighter than air” and say it’s the “lightest notebook in its 13.3 inch class” since it weighs just 1.27 kg.

Under the hood there’s a 45nm Core 2 Duo mobile processor and it comes with an external DVD drive.

The battery life is claimed to be 10 hours, by Samsung.

It’ll be available in September in some European countries, and Russia, China and Hong Kong, but there’s no info on the US release or pricing.

Ooooo………sparkly!

Harman-Kardon have released these very fetching cut glass speakers that will sit nicely with the whisky glass that generally sits atop my leather bound bureau. Yup, that’s where I am working right now; in the library in the east wing of my manor house……..

Nuff dreaming!

In reality they have the standard 3.5mm mini-jack connection to pump out the choonz from puter or player.

They produce 56 watts of tunage and they’ll be available some time in the autumn for the usual undisclosed price.

Love what they’ve done with the name - GLA-55 = Glass.  Very clever huh?

Just have a gander at Fujitsu’s latest lappy. 

To say it’s small……it makes the EeePC look like it could do with some exercise!

The Loox U/B50N has a 5.6in screen blasting out that 1,280×800 res and measures just 171×135×33mm when folded up.  Ahhhh - bless!

Also known as the Lifebook U820 in the Good ol’ US and U2010 everywhere else it is powered by a 1.6GHz Atom chip and sports a 1GB of RAM and 60GB hard drive.

The colourways are quite varied from the conservative black or silver, to a more outgoing pink or beige (what is it with brown these days?).

My choice would be the tokidoki version

Granted, it’s not the prettiest notebook you”ll ever see.

There are also nicer split keyboards out there in the battle against RSI.

But, when you spit that keyboard; there’s only another screen inside!

Yup - two screens folded up into one keyboard.  What would be really neat is if that secondary screen was also a nice glass touch interface in an iPhone stylee.  Just an idea

EKI, the designers, are looking to ship this to OEM’s (Original Equipment Manufacturer) this year. It’s also looking to sell the patents - you fancy that?

If the aesthetics of this notebook are tweeked and made a little slicker I can see it doing well

EKI suggests that OEM manufacturers could sell it for between $1,000 and $2,000 - perhaps after a trip to the stylist?

via Tech Digest

Ok, I’m not a sports fan.

The only things sporty I enjoy are martial arts and driving but I can hardly ignore this Olympics thing that’s taking place on the other side of the globe.

Because of that time difference people will probably need one of these things so that they can watch the action live from where-ever they are.

Stick it in the USB slot of your lappy and you’ll be able to watch niche sports on the sly and see what London has to compete with for 2012.

Pinnacle PCTV Nanostick - Price: £40.99 and it’s available now so go contact Pinnacle!

Most of have seen those solar-messenger bags that charge your gadgets from the power of the sun - and most are pretty bland looking if we’re perfectly honest.

Well this line of bags from Sakku uses old sails for the material of the bag itself so it’s doubly good for the environment so green points for the win!

On top of the feeling of being eco-friendly each bag comes with its own story.

They are individually stamped with the name of the lake or sea in which the boat was located that they took the sail off of.

The bags range in price from € 175- € 245 or $275-$385 and you can even use PayPal!

Sakkuus via Coolest Gadgets

Well, it’s been days since the last Apple Rumour so let’s have another!

Apparently, according to Seth Weintraub, the next generation of MacBooks are supposed to be thinner (no, really!?!) and feature a glass track-pad with multi-touch and gesture support.

Glass is nice to touch just have that Windolene ready folks!

The body of the new MacBooks would be made from a single piece of aluminium.

The new MacBooks will most likely run Intel’s Centrino 2 and are supposed to be out by September!

More details at ComputerWorld.

I’ve received a few searches from people seeking Wi-Fi hotspots in the UK - I’m guessing quite a number a new iPhone owners :0)

So, for the free for iPhone users check out the O2 Hotspots directory.

A more general directory of UK hotspots can be found here at the cunningly titled Hotspot Locations.co.uk.

There’s also quite a handy listing of Free hotspots to be found Here!  It covers all of Europe so handy for those frequent travellers.

If anyone has other sites/ways of finding hotspots such as Wi-Fi sniffing luggage please drop me a line :0)

J