Gadgets Blog

I found these photos in a local antique store in Salt Lake City and I knew that I HAD to have them. It’s obvious that these people are so proud of their RCA Spectra 70.

Here is a little more information on this particular computer.

• RCA Spectra 70 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The RCA Spectra 70 was a line of electronic data processing (EDP) equipment manufactured by the Radio Corporation of America’s computer division beginning in April 1965. The Spectra 70 line included several CPU models, various configurations of core memory, mass-storage devices, terminal equipment, and a variety of specialized interface equipment.

The system architecture and instruction-set were largely compatible with the non-privileged instruction-set of the IBM System/360. While this degree of compatibility made some interchange of programs and data possible, differences in the operating system software precluded transparent movement of programs between the two systems.

Michael found these PDFs of the RCA Spectra70 Brochures:

• RCA Spectra70 Brochure - 1965
• RCA Spectra70 Brochure - 1968

If you notice, the 1965 brochure doesn’t mention a Salt Lake City office, but the 1968 brochure does. Considering that RCA stopped selling the Spectra70 in 1970, I suspect these photos are from the opening of the Salt Lake City office. There were few companies in Utah who would be so proud of their computer back then: Evans and Sutherland or maybe the U of U.

More photos after the break:

IntelliScanner Corporation is no stranger to the scanner scene, having picked up numerous awards for its range of scanners and software that help organize a whole lot of stuff for busy executives. Macworld is the place where IntelliScanner decided to have its IntelliScanner mini cubed unveiled, and it comes packaged in a delectable metallic cube for easy storage. What makes the IntelliScanner mini cubed special is it offers personalized asset tags and new software features for managing home assets. More on the device right after the jump.

The IntelliScanner mini cubed might be small on price and size (it starts at just $179 - don’t balk at it yet until you hear me out), but it is big on performance. While that sounds extremely cliched, it is true - the IntelliScanner mini cubed comes with virtually everything you need to scan, organize, share and back up your collections and assets in a flash. According to Paul Scandariato, director of IntelliScanner, “Keeping track of your stuff for insurance records, sharing with friends or just for fun has never been easier. Starting at a breakthrough price of just $179, the new IntelliScanner mini cubed includes everything you need to scan, organize, share and back up your collections and assets instantly.”

Each purchase comes with a smart, highly portable barcode scanner coupled with equally innovative software to help you organize, search and share collections. Each time you scan the barcode with the IntelliScanner mini, the software will track home assets and valuables automatically, using special features to identify books, wine, comics, DVDs and groceries amongst others instantly. All users need to do is plug the scanner in to synchronize ala a digital camera, and the software will get to work, downloading details like the book title, CD track or wine vineyard into a database. The IntelliScanner mini cubed comes in a black and chrome finish and holds the distinction of being the smallest IntelliScanner ever, being roughly the same size of a car keyless remote.

Press Release

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It’s not the case of either-or with the iLuv iMM183, because this device is a Dual iphone Alarm Clock with FM Radio. This essentially means that you can hook on two iPhones or either an iPhone and an ipod combo simultaneously. The included remote lets you navigate your playlist or you can simply stick to the good old FM radio. Added bonus is the weather warning system, which seems appropriate during theses snowstorm days!
[Soruce]

With strict laws being enforced in many countries around the world concerning the ban of cell phone usage while driving (unless you use a hands-free kit or a Bluetooth headset, of course), many people have already picked up either one solution although there are some who decide to take their chances in getting a ticket by flouting the law while keeping a sharp eye out for the men in uniform. We say you’d best make the switch, after all, how are you going to explain to a heartbroken family in your moment of carelessness on the phone while you’re behind the wheel and knock somebody down? Folks who own an iphone have yet another option for a hands-free experience - this time round it is courtesy of Hearing Components’ new Comply NR-10i High Tech Noise Reduction Earphones.

The Comply NR-10i earphones were specially designed with iPhone owners in mind, and they will utilize the same patented technology used by U.S. Army helicopter crews and Special Forces - ensuring you get to benefit from amazing noise reduction, superior comfort and secure in-ear fit, and among the benefits derived are crystal clear conversations and music experiences despite wading along in noisy environments. These Comply Foam Tips that come packaged with the earphones offer superior noise reduction in both communications and music-listening situations. They are made from high-tech, viscoelastic polyurethane foam, and the tips themselves are able to conform to the individual shape of each ear canal without being an irritant when in place. The foam is able to create passive noise reduction by sending sound directly into the ear canal while sealing out unwanted noise.

In addition, the Comply NR-10i earphones comes with an integrated microphone/function switch on the earphone cord that enables users the option to receive and end calls as well as skip songs to one that they like at the touch of a button. You can pick up the Comply NR-10i earphones for $99.95 a pop.

Press Release

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Remember the cute Wall-E robot-esque 3D webcam that was just a prototype two months ago?

It is ready to have its first public showing at the Consumer Electronics Association show later this week and start retailing on Amazon.com.

The attractive red webcam, Minoru, requires special 3D glasses to view the feed from two cameras spaced roughly the same distance apart as the human eye. Images from the two cameras are mixed together to create the 3D effect.

Minoru will be available from Amazon.com for $90.

Created by British designer David Holder, the 3D webcam can stand or sit on a desk, or perch on a monitor. Each order comes with five pairs of special colored glasses.

It can take still pictures, record 3D video for YouTube and can also be used as a regular 2D webcam.

Also see: 3D Webcam Makes It Real

Roku digital video player is expanding its horizons. The company is moving beyond Netfix and has added Amazon.com as a new partner to its streaming movie service.

Amazon.com said Monday its users will be able to rent and watch movies and TV episodes from its Video On Demand store via the Roku digital video player. The Roku player, which costs $100, will allow users to see rented movies and shows anytime on the player itself or online.

The move should make the Roku player much more valuable. If Roku can add more partnerships it could put the player a step ahead of competitors. Netflix rival BlockBuster also has a streaming video box, while Apple has had movie rentals available through Apple TV. Amazon.com has about 40,000 titles in its catalog.

Photo: (graysky/Flickr)

I have one of the later models of iLuv and so far have found it extremely convenient.  Especially since I tend to flake on charging my iPod.  Well now iLuv is offering a new gadget for us to drool over.  This one has found its way to this year’s CES and won’t be out for a few more months, but they at least released a  few details to draw in our interest.  The dock has all the usual convenient speccs but with one extra to sweeten the deal.  One great perk is that  iMM183 will work with both your iphone and iPod at the same time.  That is as long as you have a 4th Gen or later ipod.

It features dual docks to help those of you that have both or a significant other with one as well.  The dock has the regular features like a built-in alarm clock and is able to play your iPod/iPhone through the built-in speakers.  It also has an FM radio and of course a way to plug in any other audio devices you have around.  It also has an extra feature to do with the weather this time around.  It has support for weather text alerts from NOAA and SAME that will automatically come through on the preset radio channels.  It allows you to archive as many as 10 notices for ongoing situations as well as has an LED warning to show when there is a new alert.  So far there is no price released, but it will be available in March.

Source: iPodnn

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Oops! More CES leaks, this time an official press release from Kodak. The company has a few treats in store — a new weather-resistant mini camcorder, and a pair of new stills cameras, clocking in at 10 and 12 megapixels.

All products have two things in common. They have terrible, letter-jumble names, and they are ugly. Really ugly. The Z980 (above) is the 12MP still camera. Stoundout features are the detachable vertical grip with second shutter release and a 24x optical zoom complete with image stabilization (for when you actually use that zoom). Price: $400, plus a few bucks for the paper bag to cover its ugly face.

The ZX1 is the name for the new ruggedized videocam, seen below. This toughened version of Kodak’s Zi6 will shoot 720p hi-def video at 60fps, save it to an SD card and do the whole thing on AA batteries. The Flip competitor is, however, even uglier than the Z980, somehow managing to riff on both the original 1980s Cylons plus Kitt from Knight Rider and still get it wrong. It will at least be cheap, at $150.

Kodak Z980, M380 and Zx1 [Photography Bay]

Everyone has dealt with those days where you’re running around and doing other things so much that you forget all about the load of laundry you put into the washer or dryer.  Then you come back and they’re either overly wrinkly or mildewed.  Now luckily dryers do have buzzers, however, if you have a house where the washer and dryer are away from the main living area, then that’s really not helpful.  Frankly, leaving your laundry to sit might be a rare occurrence, or one that happens every single time you do a load of laundry.  Either way, someone has decided to create a hi-tech fix that will work on even the most archaic dryer.

He has a video posted on YouTube that might help out those of you that are good at DIY projects.  Basically he has it set up so a giant flashing sign lets him know when to switch out the load.  However, for those of you geeks that like to keep your geeky style a little less obvious there are other options.  It can also be set up to Twitter you when the load is finished.  Now not all washers make you have to worry about rushing to change out the load, but I’ve had experience with a washer that you couldn’t leave the load in for even a few hours because it got a strange smell.  It was the only washer I’ve had that issue with, but it got overly frustrating after a while.  To watch the video, just follow the link.

Source: Techeblog

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Honda announced the sales in Japan of the all-new Life from November 7, 2008. Continuing a tradition of superior comfort and utility, the new Honda Life offers enhanced drivability and is the first minicar in Japan to include an audio system with a backup camera as standard equipment. In addition, a special mobility-assistive version of Life with lift-up front passenger seat will go on sale December 5. ECO lamps on both sides of the dashboard help drivers refine driving habits for enhanced fuel economy.The all-new Honda Life was developed with the concept of “daily smile technology” to achieve a level of drivability and utility customers can enjoy in their everyday lives. Based on this concept, Honda evaluated every aspect of the vehicle from the customer’s point of view to develop a minicar that will put a smile on the customer’s face every day.

The new Life is the world’s first automobile to offer a driver-side i-SRS airbag system with continuously staged inflation, which accommodates a broad range of occupant positions and potential collision situations. All packages include this new safety technology as standard equipment.