[MobileRatty] tag: gizmo

French Train Operator Trials RFID Payment Card with USB Connection [RFID]

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:15:00 +0000

No matter the fuss about RFID hacking, France's national train operator SNCF is trialling a single-user RFID payment system for journeys on its network. The Weneo card is no flimsy card with a simple embedded chip however: it's a thick gizmo with 4GB aboard and a USB plug. Shoving it into a PC takes the user directly to SNCF's website where they can charge up the card's credit. Sounds all very groovy, but since the card also contains a chunk of personal data, like status as a student or senior citizen or "amount of money the cardholder has available for purchases" (why the heck is that there?) it strikes me as something that'd be pretty worrying to lose/get hacked. On trial for 1,000 users currently. [RFIDJournal via Nowhereelse—in French]

Cambridge Audio's BD640 Blu-Ray Player Does it Like the Director Intended [Blu-Ray]

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:00:45 +0000

A new entrant to the Blu-ray player field, Cambridge Audio's first BD machine is pretty high-end. Apparently the white-painted gizmo is all about matching "the original studio masters" in audio quality with Dolby TrueHD and DTS HR surround, and in video quality with 24 fps progressive scan True Cinema, which "allows films to be watched as the director intended at their original frame rate" if you're into that sort of thing. It also upscales DVD-resolution video to 1080p, and the back of the machine is going to be pretty crowded with analog video outputs, HDMI 1.3 outputs, ethernet, SPDIF, Toslink and separate 7.1 and stereo analogue outs. There's no word on pricing but it's expected Spring 2009. Press release below.

Cambridge Audio will release its first Blu-Ray/DVD/CD player in early 2009. Designed to be the
perfect partner to the Azur range of AV Receivers the 640BD features full HDMI 1.3 output,
including bitstream output of all the latest HD Dolby and DTS surround-sound systems plus
internal decoding of Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and DTS HR
surround-sound. A full set of analog video outputs is supported, HDMI 1.3 video/audio, Ethernet,
SPDIF, Toslink and separate dedicated 7.1 and stereo analogue outputs.

Cambridge Audio prides itself on developing products that offer true value for money to discerning
buyers and has embraced Blu-Ray technology with enthusiasm to wring out the best possible
performance from this exciting new format.

Supporting Dolby True HD means the 640BD provides audio that matches the original studio
masters. While natively supporting up to 1080p from Blu-Ray discs the 640BD is also able to
upscale DVD discs to 1080p video resolution taking the viewer to the heart of movie action.
Meanwhile, 24 frames per second (fps) progressive scan True Cinema allows films to be watched
as the director intended at their original frame rate without conversion for the most natural jog free
panning and motion possible.

All this means the 640BD lives up to Cambridge Audio’s philosophy of providing a passion for
performance to get the best out of any movie collection.

[Cambridge Audio]

Peek, Email Checking at your Fingertips

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:36:03 +0000

When everybody thought of Blackberry and Palm Treo as the latest gadgets to take advantage of push e-mail services that let you check your email accounts anytime, anywhere, the firm Peek Inc. announcing the upcoming release of an appealing designed handheld called simply Peek, which mission is exactly make easier for mobile users take a peek to their emails on the go. Peek Inc. is a Californian Corporation that raised 15 million from L Capital Partners and RRE Ventures LLC in December 2007 after marketing successfully Genesis, a proprietary video streaming platform with top-notch technology. However this time the company is focusing on the mobile market in the knowledge that many consumers do not need a full featured device, often costly, just to check their email messages. May sound laughable but this is much like recall the times when people thought of microwaves ovens as the latest technology to make fresh popcorn exclusively. During the announcement of Peek handheld, Amol Sarva, CEO of Peek Corporation said, “We removed unnecessary costs from the device that people weren’t willing to pay for.”

This philosophy will surely be greatly appreciated by housewives needing to stay in touch via email with husband and children, students, sales agents, and many others that do not require the sophistication of a full packed Office suite or other virtual gizmos available in Smartphones, Pocket PCs, PDAs and Ultra Portable Notebooks. Peek Inc. is planning the nationwide release via of the Peek handheld device by September 15 via Target Corp. at a retail price of $100.

Along with the handheld, Peek will also provide a mobile email service through the Peek Network, which goal is offer unlimited access to Webmail, POP3 and IMAP account for only $20 USD a month. Peek’s mobile infrastructure is provided by T-Mobile USA Inc., guaranteeing coast to coast wireless coverage.

Another great advantage of Peek’s gadget is will not be any limitation accesing major Webmail services, including but not limited to Google’s Gmail, Microsoft’s Webmail services (Hotmail, Live and MSN) or any others, as occurred with some providers in the early stage of the push email service.

When it comes to the mobile market, Peek is betting to provide a specific solution for target people. This is much likely the concept behind a series of gadgets with similar goal such as Kindle, an e-reader launched by Amazon past year that provides digital books download connecting with the Sprint Nextel cellular network.

Some critics have pointed their fing toward IXI Mobile Inc., a company that previously tried to break into the mobile mainstream with Ogo, another email reader gizmo that also provided text and instant messaging capabilities via AT&T network in 2004. Ogo’s lack of success forced IXI Mobile to discontinuing the service one year later.

Nonetheless. Peek has an optimistic vision in the knowledge that the mobile market has mature and push email is now a real need to keep communications among enterprises clients and regular subscribers. Peek handheld, opposite to Ogo, will born in the right moment when demand for this type of gadgets is granted and will not be attached to long-term contracts or need to subscribe to additional services to unlash its capabilities.

Gorillapod Go Go! Universal Gadget Mounting Goodness

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:45:31 +0000

The Gorillapod Go-Go! is much like the standard Gorillapod, except that it comes with a range of attachments to mount your Gorillapod to your various electronics. With the kit you get a suction cup mount, a universal adapter screw and some 3M high-bond adhesive clips. Add all of that to a bendable tripod and you have something that may just be on the way to cheap mounting solution nirvana.

Price: $29.95 [Joby via Oh Gizmo, Shiny Shiny]

Back to School $30 Giveaway via PayPal (Gizmo-meter at 95%)

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:10:46 +0000

As of now, the gizmo-meter is at 95%. Soon the cute 1.5 inch Digital Keychain will be awarded to one lucky winner!

What’s next?

This time I decided to give out cash to support our poor student readers. Yes, I only send out money electronically via Paypal. Want to show your appreciation? You can contribute an article(s) to this blog, feel free to email me or comment on one of the posts. Your name and URL will be listed on this site. Currently, we have a dozen of authors who have participated and wrote their tech posts since Oct. 2007. Cheers!

Tiny Sony Bravia XDV-W600 TV is amphibious but kissable

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:52:11 +0000

Sony’s Bravia line of LCD TVs sure does span the size landscape, from huge room-filling HDTVs down to this tiny Mini Bravia XDV-W600 LCD TV. Its 4-inch flat panel can go where few TVs have gone before, even surviving for a half-hour submerged under three feet of water. Battery-powered for 23 hours, you can even record video clips like a TiVo, or transfer your own movies onto its 2GB of built-in flash memory.

It might be a great set for a day at the beach or on the boat, for those who tend to drop things into the sink in the kitchen, or for TV-watching bathtub snorklers. Too bad it uses the Japanese 1seg data broadcasting system that’s not available in the U.S., but maybe if enough people convince Sony Japan that they’re needing to keep up with their soaps while getting completely wrinkly in the tub all day, a modified version of this trinket will find its way to these shores. It’s a perfect example of a solution in search of a problem, but nicely designed nonetheless.

Sony, via Oh Gizmo

friends of fring

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:22:27 +0000

fring is offering a limited number of "friends of fring" with exclusive access to news, and features before general release. I like to call fring the "Swiss Army knife of mobile VoIP" supporting SIP, Skype, MSN Messenger, Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, Twitter, and AIM. I have it installed on my Windows Mobile 6.1 phone. As a "friend of fring" you can also provide feedback. My first suggestion should I become a FoF would be DTMF support, which I wrote about last week. Anyway, check it out:

With your ongoing support, fring has developed into an award-winning, global leader in mobile internet communications, and we have done so by listening to guys like you telling us what you think, what works and what doesn't, and developing our cool services and features accordingly. We recognize just how important this has become, and want to take it a step further, by inviting you to join "friends of fring", a small, exclusive group of fringsters which we will share information with, take inputs and insights from and provide products, features and other news of fring's development before general release.

All we ask is that you continue to tell us what you think occasionally! Please note, there will be no obligation on your part to do so, but we will ask you to agree to keep confidential some of the developments we share with you.

As a FoF (a k a friend of fring), you'll receive a fringing welcome pack J with some fun fring goodies , and access to a special password protected friends of fring web site where we'll share the exclusive friends of fring info. We'll also be hosting friends of fring social events every so often (lot's of free drinks and other stuff...), so we can say thank you and get to know each other in person. This will give us a chance to share with you the cool new stuff in the product pipeline, and hear your thoughts and ideas for future development.

Please note friends of fring is totally free of charge to be a part of. Application is open to any fring user, but to make it manageable and to keep it exclusive, the final selection will be limited to only a few users per country. So if you are interested in joining please apply now.

To apply, please send an email to friends@fring.com with your:

-          name

-          fring nick

-          fring ID (your mobile no. with its international dial code)

-          and a few short lines explaining why you'd like to join.

Applications are open until Fri 12th Sept and we'll get back to you by Tues Sept 30th.

Hope to hear from you and make friends soon!

Cheers,

Tags: AIM, friends of fring, fring, Google Talk, ICQ, MSN Messenger, SIP, Skype, Twitter, VoIP, Yahoo

Related Entries

Skype and other VoIP Apps on Mobile Phones - Apr 01, 2008
How much data does fring consume? - Aug 05, 2008
EQO Launches new Mobile VoIP/IM Client - May 23, 2007
fring Enhances Mobile IM Client with fringAdd-ons - Jul 01, 2008
OctroTalk Launches - Mar 31, 2008
fring coming to Windows Mobile phones - Jun 19, 2007
Gizmo marries Yahoo, MSN Messenger (Live), Jabber, and Google Talk - Feb 27, 2007
Mundu IM supports Pocket PC and Sony Ericsson Phones - Oct 29, 2007
Hotty.com SIP Phone for Phone Sex over IP? - Feb 02, 2007
New 3CX VoIP Phone SIP Softphone - Sep 02, 2008

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Mobile DJ Art Car guarantees good times - and 5 square miles of noise complaints

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 23:00:00 +0000

Check out this Mobile DJ Art car - featuring huge speakers, two turntables mounted to a rooftop DJ booth, and plenty of sound power. All this gizmo lacks is a dance floor, disco light and a little polyester white suite for the driver. While I’m not certain if this Dutch born vehicle would be street legal in the USA, I do know that if someone driving it buys the house next door, you should hang out a “For Sale” sign ASAP.

… [visit site to read more]

Win $50 in this weeks Coolest Gadget

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:35:25 +0000

It’s that time of week again, please vote for what you think is coolest and leave a comment for a chance to win a $50 Amazon voucher, winners will be announced on Tuesday.

Cute USB Golf Mouse

This USB Mouse is perfect gadgets for golfer, especially for golfers who spend most of their time in front of computer. With this gadget, they can have some fun playing mini golf even they are not on the golf field.

The full post can be found on Cutie Gadget.

13-in-1 Multi Tool Pen

Starting today, there’s no need to carry around more than one tool. An apparently ordinary pen can get you out of a tight spot when you need a saw. Or a screwdriver. Or an ear pick. Thank God they didn’t have this back when they filmed MacGyver or it would’ve made a very boring show…

The full post can be found on S2999.

Remote controlled iPod robot

A robot that will either hold your iPod inside it or just transfer all your stuff from iTunes. Use the remote or joystick to make it bring your tunes to you, dance and flash its lights - an all-in-one party robot!

The full post can be found on Decide What To Buy.

One Battery Mobile Charger Pen

The One Battery Mobile Charger Pen is a working ballpoint pen that can charge up your cellphone in an emergency. Inside the pen is a AA battery which should give your phone enough juice for 100 minutes. Comes with 5 different adapter cords.

The full post can be found on Craziest Gadgets.

Funtrak Paintball Panzer: A Mini Tank with a Colourful Purpose

The concept of paintball warfare was developed as a way for you to bond with people by shooting painful, orange pellets at them. Well this gadget has stepped up the attack and has the potential to make your next office party payback time for the accounts team. The Paintball Panzer from Funtrak is a mini-tank from which you can send out a barrage of rainbow colours while at the same time being protected from Matt in marketing. You can drive it around like a real tank but unlike a real tank, this will fit nicely in your garage.

The full post can be found on Gaj-It.

Revolutionary Portable Power Device

All you need to do is add water. The unique HydroPak water-activated cartridge system provides infinite shelf life and can generate enough power to recharge an average notebook computer.

The full post can be found on Random Good Stuff.

Intel Demonstrates New Wireless Power Technology

Intel has demonstrated its new wireless power technology at this years IDF. The technology demonstrated comprised of two metal arrays that connect to a power amplifier, the arrays resonate and establish a link of energy between each other.

The power is then transmitted from one metal array to the other. The technology isn’t exactly new but Intel have achieved the highest efficiency with the technology to date with 75% efficiency when transferring 60 watts of power over a distance of two feet.

The full post can be found on Geeky Gadgets.

EcoButton

“EcoButton is a cool USB gadget that saves you money and fights global warming! I can practically hear your tuts of disbelief back at Zath HQ. But seriously this little eco-friendly gizmo will do exactly that and even has the balls to gloat about it too!”

The full post can be found on Zath.

Thanks to all the sites for their submissions now over to you guys for voting (don’t forget to leave a comment with your reason for a chance to win a $50 Amazon voucher) :

What is this weeks coolest gadget?

Want to hear about future contests first? Subscribe to our daily digest via email or RSS.

If you write for a gadget themed blog and wish to be included in next weeks contest check out the CGOTW instructions page.

[ Win $50 in this weeks Coolest Gadget copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.

Philips Essence is beautifully thin

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:32:53 +0000

Philips' news Essence HDTV is practically Gouda-thin at a diminutive 38 millimeters thick. Philips is going for the wall mounting crowd with this one (a club I'll soon be joining myself): it weighs only 36 pounds, includes a self-leveling mounting kit, and features a single cable that connects to a media hub and provides power, audio and video. No price yet, but HDTVs aren't horse flesh: you pay more for less in the gizmo game.

Philips Essence [Crunchgear]