Gadgets Mobile

The Circuit Board Necklace is definitely one great way to recycle old electronics, especially with more and more people jumping onto the computing bandwagon, you can expect our landfills to fill up with more printed circuit boards in due time. What better way to recycle those than turning them into something else that can be sold?

Made from recycled printed circuit boards, these pendants are a little over 1.5 inches in width and come on an adjustable-length waxed cotton cord. The circuit boards used are pre-consumer waste, aka they’ve been printed wrong. So they’ve never been soldered, which means none of the lead concerns that sometimes accompany reused circuit boards. They come in a gift box for ease of gifting. Each necklace is unique, just like every snowflake. Only with more circuit board than your average snowflake. So yours won’t look exactly like the one in the picture, but it’ll be the same shape, style, and size.

The next time you scratch your head wondering what to get for your geek-inclined girlfriend/wife, why not give the $19.99 Circuit Board Necklace a try?

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Canon has introduced its newest digital camera line called the PowerShot E-Series. For starters, the PowerShot E-Series is getting the trendy PowerShot E1 digital camera. To be released in 3 eye-catching colors - white, blue or pink, the PowerShot E1 is geared for the teen and tween users and features an eye-candy stylish design highlighted by its rounded and curvy form factor.

But aside from its stylish form factor, the PowerShot E1 also boasts of decent camera features such as, a 10-megapixel sensor, 4x optical zoom, a 4-inch LCD, optical image stabilization, face detection and 17 shooting modes including Easy Mode and Scene Mode. This camera uses AA batteries so users are pretty sure that they can always replace it anytime, anywhere.

Fortunately for parents, they don’t have to worry spending too much of their budget as it will retail for $199.99, except the PowerShot E1 to hit the market sometime in September.

Read [Canon Press Room]

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There is nothing quite like having good music accompany fine wine for a perfect evening with your dining companion(s), so why not take that idea a step further with these Wine Glass Speakers? Not only do the speakers resemble ordinary wine glasses, the digital amplifier itself looks like a wine vat. An LED light adds some much needed pizzazz to the “drink”. You won’t bring down the house with the wine vat digital amplifier that has a rated output of 4W × 2ch, but it ought to be enough to fill up a small room with sound. The formal name would be the Mini Clear Sound System DT-SA101, and sadly this is available only in Japan, retailing for approximately $240 after conversion.

How would you like to take this baby out for a test drive? Well, it’s true you can’t really take this racing pod outside (at least not easily), but I bet it is some sweet ride if you are a fan of racing games like Gran Turismo. Won in a recent Gran Turismo 5 Prologue contest in Dubai, the grand prize winner took home this stylish GT5P racing pod worth $15,000 Dollars making them the envy of the Gran Turismo community.

At first glance, the GT5P pod is built with some stunning features like a 40-inch Sony Bravia LCD display as well as racing chair, surround sound, and Logitech G25 racing wheel. But the pod also includes a PS3 fitted around made plastic to make it look like a racing engine while the whole unit is wrapped with printed Plexiglas.

It reminds of the Tesla pods that were used to play Battletech at Virtual World, but of course this pod is strictly built for racing and appears to be one of a kind.

Read more at GTPlanet via Gizmodo.

HTC has sent word that it’s now making a software ROM upgrade available on its website that will bring Windows Mobile 6.1 to the AT&T Tilt. Along with the upgrade Tilt users will now have access to the HTC Home Screen, Video Share Calling, Threaded SMS, MS Voice Command, OneNote Mobile, Remote Desktop Monitor, Enroll Domain, Managed Programs, and more.

It’s about time the update rolled out. One thing that has really become apparent is how long it takes to get upgrades out the door for phones nowadays. Of course, Apple is making it more obvious how long everyone else takes since it seems to spit out an update every couple of weeks lately.

Windows Mobile 6.1 is a nice upgrade especially since some of the often missed features include optimization of the OS for improved battery life, stability, and responsiveness.

Read more or grab the upgrade at HTC.com

The company M2E Power was formed last year and aims to bring renewable energy gadgets to the marketplace. The first of these being a device that generates energy as we move.

M2E says they have now proved their technology works and aim to bring a product to market next year. The device is meant to sit in you pocket and as you move slowly generates energy. It does this by harvesting the energy from electromagnetic fields produced within the M2E device. As you move this energy is slowly produced, collected and stored in a lithium-ion battery. That energy can then be transferred into your mobile device’s battery.

The key point to the M2E charger is the fact it allows energy to be produced without encumbering the wearer. All it needs is movement to charge and the more movement it experiences the quicker it will charge. Regan Rowe, director of business development at M2E said:

Someone with an old pick-up truck with no shocks will have a glorious time with M2E technology, but someone with a Mercedes will have to spend more time charging.

In terms of performance the technology is capable of producing the equivalent of 60 minutes talk time on your cell phone after 6 hours of motion. As a backup you can also plug it into the mains for a quick charge if you think you’ll need the extra juice, but don’t have time to perform the motion.

M2E are also looking to use their technology in new cars to help power specific components and are working with the military to utilize energy production to power devices the modern soldier uses.

Read more at CNET and the M2E Power technology overview

Matthew’s Opinion
The rate at which the M2E tech produces energy is relatively slow, but this isn’t meant to be an energy solution used in isolation. What it does is generate energy from activities you would perform anyway so is a bonus reward for those activities.

I can envision loads of applications beyond just energy generated from walking. You could actually install a flexible pocket in your car that you pop the M2E device in when you drive. It would experience more movement as it bounced around in the pocket generating energy faster. You could also put them on a wrist or leg strap when you go to the gym for a workout, or attach one to your dog’s collar when you take them for a walk.

The device seems relatively simple so I’m hoping that the cost is also minimal. I think it will have to be for people to consider buying them as a backup energy device.

FROM APPLETELL - Western Sweden’s largest newspaper, Göteborgs-Posten, says there is nothing wrong with the antenna inside of the iphone 3G.
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There is just something about playing Soul Calibur that makes me extremely nostalgic for the Dreamcast. Call me crazy, but there’s just something about the experience that makes me fondly recall my initial introduction to the series there. Perhaps it is how wonderfully true to the series each iteration is, while managing to introduce elements that heighten the experience without deviating too far from the core design that has made it so popular and beloved.

This release is no different in that regard, bringing the same gameplay mechanics and design Soul Calibur players have come to expect, while laying on even more gorgeous graphics that are also a trademark of the series.

Of the slight additions to the gameplay mechanics, the critical finish feature is by far the biggest and most impactful on the battles. This system penalizes players who tend to constantly focus on defense by instilling a gauge that fills as they continue to block. Opponents who fill the gauge can unleash a supermove on their opponent, making overkill blocking an extreme penalty. This has the refreshing effect of keeping battles offensive-minded and exciting.

The other big addition, obviously, are the Star Wars characters. As this is a review of the PS3 version of the game, I have to say I was extremely disappointed in Vader. He is slow, clunky and simply does not transition well from move-to-move or combo-to-combo. Soul Calibur masters will likely be able to get the most out of him and perform well despite his limitations, but novices to the series will be extremely frustrated playing the Sith master. The Apprentice character from the upcoming Force Unleashed release, however, is simply awesome in execution. Fights between him and Vader are especially gorgeous with the way the sabers play off of each other visually during blocks and counters.

Luckily for PS3 owners, Dale Nardozzi, Senior Editor of TeamXbox.com, has confirmed that Yoda will eventually be available for download on the PS3 version. Vader, likewise, will also eventually be available for download on the 360.

While I found the level design to be a little sub-par compared to previous installments, the graphics and animation have certainly been taken to a new level and absolutely shine with polish and brilliance. To be sure, this is among the best looking graphical presentations I have ever seen, especially in the lighting and level of detail.

A long awaited online mode is here, something that fans have been begging to get for ages. Of course, the typical story, arcade, and new “Tower of Lost Souls” mode (which unlocks new rewards) are also here. Story mode was a letdown, as it is far too easy and far too short. Then again, players don’t buy fighting games for story and progression, they buy them for the solidity of the one-on-one gameplay, so it is far from a salient complaint on the game. The create-a-character mode is fantastically deep, and adds a significant amount of hours to the total package, allowing customization of fighting style, voice, equipment and so on.

While I may prefer other fighting games on pure gameplay, the mechanics of SC are fun and polished; and definitely provide a solid and enjoyable experience. Gripes are small and rare here, and this is obviously a must-have title… especially given the weak library of the PS3.

When I first heard the word “Albatron”, I got it mixed up with the major grocer Albertsons, and couldn’t help but think of their motto: “It’s your store”.  Now, after looking at the Albatron Tee PC, I can’t help but think Albatron’s motto should be: “It should be my PC”. 

The Albatron Tee PC is essentially a tablet pc in the form of a netbook.  It has a 7-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 800 x 480.  It also has an ARM926 400MHz processor as well as 128MB of flash memory.  If you want any more memory, you can always use the included SD memory card slot. 

The Albatron is ready to go with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options and has a 1.3-megapixel webcam.  The user also has the option of inserting it into a docking station that will equip it with USB ports, audio ports and integrated speakers. 

We have no word on the pricing, availability date, or where it will be available.  However, I would be willing to put down a few hundred dollars on this, as I can think of some good mobile uses for it. 

Via [SlashGear]

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After Wired.com published its global iPhone 3G survey results Monday, I received an e-mail from a reader that displayed some misunderstanding of our analysis. I also saw that a good number of readers shared the same misunderstanding in the comments section, so I felt it necessary to paste the e-mail conversation between the reader and myself here:

Brian,

I appreciate your article and the survey that Wired did in order to determine the throughput of the device in different geographic areas.  It was a good way to show the potential weaknesses in the network, or possibly the device.

Many stories are currently featuring your article and the survey as potential proof that it is not the phone, but the network.  I am as willing as the next man to admit that several areas of AT&T’s 3G network are weak in comparison to other country’s build-outs or even other cities in the US, but I am not willing to concede that the handset has serious issues.

…

Even if your test proves that the network is slow, that is only one factor in a very very complicated issue.  You could actually completely disconnect the 3G towers from a network connection and your phone would still get the same reception it did before you disconnected it as the 3G radios are not dependant on connectivity.  Throughput is in no way an accurate test of a phone’s reception.

…

Thanks,
Chad Estes
Austin, TX

The following is my response:

Chad,

I wholeheartedly agree. I do admit I could’ve worded this more clearly: I stated that the study’s data is a strong indicator that the 3G issues have more to do with the network than the handset. That wording implies that I am not excluding the handset as a factor. To put it more clearly: I’m sure the handset has some fault, but given the survey data and what we know about 3G networks, the greater problem at hand is evidently the 3G network.

I’ve been following these iPhone 3G stories for a while now, and here’s my personal theory of what’s going on: You and I are correct; it’s both the handset and the network combined. And to calm the angry crowd, Apple is saying that a software update is going to fix the problem. While a future software update might improve 3G connectivity some day, that’s only fixing a small part of the problem. The larger part is tied to where and how the 3G networks are set up, and that’s beyond Apple’s control.

It makes perfect sense what Apple is doing. Take this analogy: If you were a doctor and your patient was suffering from a serious infection requiring surgery, and the patient’s distraught family member was freaking out in the waiting room, you would probably tell that family member whatever you could to calm him or her down. In the case of the iPhone 3G, Steve Jobs is the doctor and his friend AT&T (or any of the other 3G carriers) is the surgeon operating on the patient’s infection (i.e., the 3G network). Jobs is covering his ass, as well as his partner’s, while AT&T concentrates on putting 3G under the knife.

And it’s working. Since Apple is so unclear about what its software updates do, the company can tell us whatever it wants to dodge public scrutiny and make people feel better about their precious iPhones. Apple has already said the most recent software update supposedly "improved 3G connectivity," but there have hardly been any user reports to confirm this statement holds any truth. It’s plain and simply corporate crowd control.

Then some day, after mobile providers optimize their 3G towers and Apple has tweaked its iPhone software, Steve Jobs can say, "See? Told ya so." Who’s going to fall for that? Unfortunately, a lot of people will. And it’s because they’ll be relieved and willing to believe anything so long as their sick loved one — the iphone 3G — is cured. That’s all they want to hear. 

—-

Also see:

• Wired.com’s iPhone 3G Survey Reveals Network Weaknesses 
• Angry iPhone 3G Customer Sues Apple
• Apple: iPhone Update Improves 3G Network Performance
• Video: AT&T Blames iPhone 3G For Network Issues
• Opinion: Firmware Update to Fix iPhone 3G? I Doubt It
• Participate in Wired.com’s Global iPhone 3G Study
• What’s Wrong With the 3G in iPhone 3G?
• IPhone 3G Users Heated Over Network Issues

(Photo credit: magerleagues/Flickr)