Gadgets Blog

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 31st 2008 at 2:54PM

For better or worse, it looks like the so-called iControlPad is edging closer to reality — or at least something really similar. According to a new image (and our limited Spanish translation skills), Belkin is actually looking to produce an App Store gaming controller, though we’re still not entirely convinced that what we’re seeing is legitimate. Whatever the case, the JoyPod would somehow, someway provide users who purchased Super Monkey Ball to play it using a bona fide game pad, though we can’t figure out if the ipod touch / iphone slips in behind the controller or if it just morphs to fit the JoyPod’s space constraints. Guess we’ll see (or not) soon enough.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Filed under: cellphones, Gaming, Peripherals

If you’re tired of using your Wii to get a workout, you might try something a bit bigger.  This SNES controller is fully functioning and 40in long.  Which means you’re going to have to work a little harder to get through all of your favorite classic games.  Having to reach that far across and effectively press down on the buttons would probably prove to be more challenging.  If you look closely you can see the normal sized SNES lying on the enlarged version.  Which only makes this giant reproduction look even bigger.

It was made by SCAD Inc, who hasn’t quite gotten around to posting videos on their project just yet.  The main guy on the team, Matt LaBoone, does say that those will be coming soon.  Which means you can enjoy watching others fumble around to reach the oversized buttons.  I’d imagine anyone with a bad back would grow to hate this mod.  However, for everyone else it would be cool to show off to friends.  He of course has all of the steps to create it shown in several pictures.

Source: SlipperyBrick

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When it comes to audio, trust Swiss maestros Logitech to know what they’re doing. This time round, the company has decided to unleash the new Squeezebox Boom all-in-one network music player upon us, boasting an integrated amplifier accompanied by high-performance speakers as well as a simplified setup. Logitech aims to simplify the wireless music experience in your home with the Squeezebox Boom, and prides itself in being the CD player of the 21st century, although I thought that the ipod has by far and large already beat Logitech to that moniker for a long time already.

With the Logitech Squeezebox Boom all-in-one network music player, you can listen to your digital music in the kitchen, the bedroom or any other room in your home – without needing to attach external speakers. Just plug the new Logitech network music player into a power outlet – there are no additional wires to connect. Then, using your existing home network, you can listen to the music you love from the personal collection on your computer, your favorite Internet radio stations, and subscription services such as Rhapsody®, Last.FM, Slacker, Pandora® and Sirius® – even when the computer is off. Adding Squeezebox Boom to your network is simple. The new Logitech player will automatically detect the available networks. Once you select your network, simply enter your password – for your convenience, Squeezebox Boom automatically remembers it for future use.

If you would like types of music in various rooms throughout your home, the Squeezebox Boom is more than up to it. All you need to do is include more Squeezebox Boom players in the room(s) of your choice and you’re good to go. Just make sure you register your purchase the moment you bring it home, as that will provide you with access to thousands of radio stations and tons of songs, all aggregated by Logitech’s free SqueezeNetwork without going through the hassle of memorizing or writing down those obscure Internet addresses somewhere. Each Squeezebox Boom network music player will comprise of an integrated, all-digital 30-watt amplifier and accompanied by a pair of high-definition, soft-dome tweeters and an equal number of 3″ long-throw woofers. It also doubles up as an alarm clock, letting you greet the day with your favorite songs.

Press Release

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El ZULO means “the hideout” in Spanish, and one look at it will tell you why. The design is a brainchild of Frank Ehners as part of his industrial design project at the Halle University of Art and Design in Germany. It targets an office environment, but somehow it looks more suitable for high-powered executives who return home after a long day at the office. El ZULO caters for multiple users, relying on fingerprints to identify the right person, automatically adjusting itself to cater to the back, knee, foot and head positions accordingly. Hopefully this power napping device of the future will be manufactured soonest possible for all the zombie-like workers worldwide.

Source: American Inventor Spot

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Looks a whole lot like Boba Fett to me at first glance, this Remote Controlled Hovering Space Surfer.

This is the remote controlled 9″ space surfer that hovers in the air, spins 360, and moves left, right, forward, and backward - all while levitating parallel to the ground. Capable of indoor or outdoor flights, the space surfer has dual propellers that generate enough thrust to send the device from a stationary position to 66-feet in the air without requiring a hand-launch. The radio frequency remote control has proportional throttle and trim settings that allow it to be precisely controlled through climbs, descents, and turns. Made from durable EPP foam, the aircraft’s body withstands turbulent flights and crash landings. Pre-assembled and ready to fly, the device is powered by a rechargeable battery that recharges via the included AC adapter.

The Remote Controlled Hovering Space Surfer will come with a 27 foot range remote and is powered by a 9-volt battery. The theory of diminishing returns applies here - it takes 70 minutes to charge, and yet offers just a quarter of an hour’s worth of R&R time. You can pick it up for $89.95.

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by Joshua Topolsky, posted Aug 31st 2008 at 1:31PM

From the looks of it, Sprint has gone and gotten a decent chunk of its playbook leaked all over the interblogs, and it’s chock-full of titillating information. Thanks to slippery fingers and loose lips, we already knew that the Touch Diamond and Touch Pro were headed to the carrier, but now we have some solid dates (mid-September for the Diamond, October 19th for the Pro), and pricing ($549.99 and $579.99, respectively). Of course, this is all according to the above document, which admittedly could be the work of an extremely bored Photoshopper — but this jibes pretty tightly with a lot of other chatter we’ve been hearing.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Filed under: cellphones

by Paul Miller, posted Aug 31st 2008 at 7:26AM

While MSI’s 8.9-inch Wind U90 first made an appearance in June at Computex, it took MSI this long to flesh out all details — which is actually a relief, given the ridiculous quantity of Eee PC SKUs ASUS has managed to pump out in the meantime. We just got to handle the new laptop, and we think MSI might have a winner here. The laptop is shipping with SUSE Linux exclusively to start, with an XP version in the works, and boots quite rapidly to the full OS. SUSE has never looked better, and we think these two might be quite the pair. MSI has kept the full keyboard of the 10-inch Wind, and merely bumped up the bezel while cutting the price; all the other specs are the same. MSI is planning on shipping this at the end of September or beginning of October for 339 Euro (no word on a US release), and is also working on a six cell battery to fix the paltry 2 hours of battery the Wind currently gets from the three cell.

Gallery: MSI’s 8.9-inch Wind U90 in the flesh, Linux version shipping for 339 Euro

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Filed under: Laptops

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Aug 31st 2008 at 10:54AM

Worried that retailers might be running out of utter crap to sell? Been looking for that perfect accessory to go with your “You don’t have to be crazy to work here, but it helps” sign? Enter the USB-powered, soda can-shaped anion humidifier. Not only will this magical and totally necessary device clean the air around you and re-energize your fat, lazy body, but it will look cool while doing it — you know, just sitting there being all soda-can-badass. When you absolutely, positively can’t find anything else to do with $24.99, the “Portable Can Shape USB Office Home Miniature Anion Humidifier” is there.

[Thanks, Simon]

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Filed under: Misc. gadgets

Remember the good ol’ FCC leaking out the new Zune 120GB? Well, now there have been some pictures released by the Canadians that show off two new larger capacity Zune players. The image includes a 16GB flash based model and the new 120GB model.

The pictures show up pretty clear considering they were taking from a phone, and you can see that the 16GB Zune has a glossy screen. It would make sense that Microsoft is updating their Zunes, as there have been rumors of what Apple plans to do come their special event. If Apple decides to update their nano, Microsoft will want to have something updated in their Zune line up as well.

Stay tuned for any further developments.

Via [Zunited]

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by Nilay Patel, posted Aug 31st 2008 at 5:44AM

Toyota hasn’t made a huge secret of its plans to develop and sell a plug-in version of the Prius, and it the wheels are turning a little faster than we’ve heard — fleet testing of plug-in models has been pushed up to early 2009, with the goal of having “several hundred” on the road by the end of the year. Still no timetable for actual retail sales, so you’ll have to be a wheelman for a government or commercial fleet to get your hands on one — good thing all those modders have the rest of us covered.

[Via Autoblog Green]

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Filed under: Transportation