Kites are so 1904 and, soon, being out in a wide, empty field will take on an entirely new meaning. The Buzzball is a work in progress – in what looks like an oversized, tricked out hamster ball, you can control the direction of a giant, motorized pod all while sitting inside it and waiting for it to take you in whatever direction it chooses.

According to the manufacturers, the pilot’s body will remain upright in the pod when it starts moving, but will eventually rotate in any other direction the ball starts to move. The pilot can control the direction of the ball using left and right control triggers and, once the ball picks up speed, both the ball and the pilot go from making partial barrel rolls to complete rotations.

No word yet on when it will be available and for how much, but you can enter your email address on the site and receive product updates. And we’re hoping it’s at least air-conditioned, because being stuck inside a giant, rotating plastic ball on a hot day seems like it would make for a sloppy situation.

Labels: Gadgets

If you're a blackberry user, we have news for you; it's time to upgrade. The Blackberry Bold 9000 is set to be the most coveted phone on the market since the iPhone. And it has been recently announced that AT&T will be the first carrier with this hot new cell. As of right now there aren't too many details as to what the plans will be, when the phone will officially go on sale or even how much it will cost, but money is no object when it comes to having the latest gear, right?


This sleek new gadget will have all the capabilities of a regular Blackberry in a sleek, rounded shape with a 480 x 320. Bold, indeed. A few other fun features the phone will have is the ability to record video at the same time and geotag photos. Overall, this cell will ring in at 4.7 ounces, with dimensions of 4.5" x 2.6" x 0.55". And it goes without saying that you'll be completely hooked up with bluetooth 2.0, not to mention 625MHz CPU and a 1GB internal flash memory.


So get ready to get your hands on the new Blackberry Bold, and in the meantime you can impress your friends with the fact that you're the first to know so much about it.


A PimpWiz Exclusive

Labels: Gadgets, K. Lawson

The USB Duplicator by Nexcopy is an interesting product to say the least. Granted it wouldn't apply to the average consumer, but it does have it's place. In addition, I would say USB flash drives are the #1 most under-rated promotional item business' have missed out on, so I can see why this product is coming to marketing. Get your company logo branded on there, load her up with data, sales material, promotional videos, tutorials...I could go on and on...



Even if a customer deletes the data off the flash drive, the company logo is still branded on the device. Always in the customers face, always reminded them where they got the drive.

Maybe it's the process of data loading the information onto the drive on why flash drives haven't become more popular with companies for handing out information. It's a very viral gadget. The USB duplicator is an obvious choice for making such a life, much easier. The Nexcopy USB duplicator is a 20 target system and the company says a 5 minute mpeg video (about 30MBs) can be copied in about 40 seconds. This means the USB duplicator can churn out [estimated] 1,200 drives in about 1 hour. I'll have to back that number down considering swapping the drives, the OS identifying the drive etc. But even so, the USB duplicator turns a miserable task into an easy process.

USB music albums are becoming a much bigger hit these days as well, and having a USB duplicator to make your album definitely speeds up the process from a hub and copy-n-paste. I know you can put the following information onto a CD or DVD, but for the groupies, something unique like a flash drive is just ideal. Putting your band video, back story interviews, lyrics etc. onto USB is a new way to give a bands fans something unique. The other advantage with making a USB album is increasing a bands margin on selling promotional items. Your 20% margin is a lot more in dollars with a $25 USB drive than a $10 T-shirt or $7 CD.



So again, the USB duplicator concept isn't for the masses, but is a great idea for the select few. Speaking of which - are you [or someone you know] part of the select few? If so check out the USB duplicator from Nexcopy.

Source: GetUSB.info


methodshop

Labels: Gadgets

This half-scale reproduction of the Leg Lamp from the 1983 movie A Christmas Story isn't completely accurate, but for a mere $40 bucks it's probably close enough for most Christmas Story fans. And honestly, it's smaller scale will be more apt to blend in with the average living room. It certainly does with mine, never failing to draw smiling comments when a new guest first sees it.

I wonder how long it would take for HR to give me a call to "talk" if I brought my Leg Lamp to work?

My friend has been saying for years, in jest, how he'd love to have the Leg Lamp to place in the window of his house, for all the neighbors to see. And his wife has sworn that it would never happen... now she is going to kill us for getting him this for Christmas!




If only Amazon.com would mark the outside of the package "Fragile" so you too can become "The Old Man" for a nostalgic moment when the Leg Lamp arrives at your door.


Via: methodshop

Labels: Gadgets, holiday

TV Guide and mobile content provider Helio introduced a new service offering TV show information, program listings, search functions and daily recommendations to Helio users.



Text-based program alerts can be set to remind yourself and friends of what's coming on the tube. TV Guide Mobile is available to Helio subscribers for $2.99/month, in addition to carrier data charges.


BeSocial: methodshop

Labels: Gadgets

What: Bose SoundDock Portable, $399 (www.bose.com).

The good: The SoundDock Portable weighs under five pounds, has strong volume and bass, tight design and solid construction. Bose reports up to three hours of use on the rechargeable battery when listening at full volume. The company says lowering the volume provides longer battery life but does not cite specific estimates. In my test with the iPhone, I was able to receive calls while using the SoundDock Portable; like the iPhone’s headphones, the music fades to silence to take the call, then fades back when the call ends.





The not so good: The power adapter is big and clunky, and while a groove to wrap the cord is nice, the shape and size of the adapter makes it an unpleasant travel partner. The iPhone’s volume control is deactivated when plugged into the SoundDock, so you’ve got to use the remote to raise and lower the volume. The iPhone’s other controls work fine, and the remote lets you also pause, play and skip tracks. Lastly, as with certain other Bose products, there’s no bass or treble control and the bass is very heavy while the treble not fine enough. Since female vocalists like Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, Nina Simone and Alanis Morisette are my favorites, treble matters to me; I managed to improve the sound of the ladies’ voices by changing the iPhone’s EQ setting to Acoustic (Vocal Booster and Treble Booster both gave too much treble).

Bottom line: Great room-filling sound with lots of bass, acceptable treble when adjusted via the iPod or iPhone’s EQ setting, but traveling with the clunky adapter is a bummer. Dedicated fans of Bose products will be pleased with the SoundDock Portable, while others may want to consider the less expensive Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere Compact Speakers ($149), which though not as loud and bassy, do produce good sound and are easier to travel with.

Big Shout out to JoeyGadget.com for all your gadget info. Check Joey out!

A PimpWiz Exclusive

Labels: Gadgets

Why give someone a single still framed picture when you can give them an entire slide show? The MF-575 is an inexpensive hi-tech digital photo, MP3, and video player with a bright, high-resolution 5.6-inch color TFT screen.

When I bought my first MF-575 picture frame, I got it as a gift for a family member who liked to complain that I never send them pictures anymore. The problem is, I have a digital camera and haven't gotten any pictures developed in several years. So now, whenever I go over to their house for a visit, I just bring an extra memory card from my digital camera full of new pictures. If you don't have an extra memory card, the MF-575 has an easy-to-use MD/SD/MMC memory card reader that plugs into any computer with a USB port. So you can just plug the entire picture frame into your computer and copy the pictures onto the card that way if necessary.

This year on Christmas morning, I was thinking about taking a series of pictures while everyone is opening their gifts. Then I'll take the memory card out of my digital camera and pop it into the MF-575 picture frame for an instant slide show for everyone to enjoy on Christmas afternoon. Good idea right? The number of images you can put into your MF-575 slide show is only limited by the capacity of the memory card being used.

Here's the full review: MF-575 Digital Picture Frame

BeSocial: digg story | methodshop

Labels: Gadgets, review

According to Gizmodo.com:
Moller International, creators of that stunning red flyingcar prototype seen web-wide, has started production on the M200G, the consumer-ready derivative of the M200X volantor, and is readying the machine for the open market. Depending on engine costs, the M200G will cost between $90,000-$125,000.

According to the press release, the machine can hover 10 feet off the ground and cruises at a speed of 50 mph. Because the M200G is classified as a recreation device and not an aircraft, it is not subject to FAA regulations and anybody can operate one. No official release date has been announced.

Video:

Labels: Gadgets

Ready to get some digital gear for summer? Nothing would fit that ticket better then a USB 2.0 SurfDrive. With its innovative surfboard design and colorful graphics, you can transfer your files in true nerdy surf style.



The USB SurfDrive is Windows and Mac OS compatible and does not require any drivers (except for Windows 98. Why are you still using Windows 98 anyway?). USB SurfDrives are available in several sizes ranging from 256MB to 2GB with free shipping on Amazon.com.

Who says USB novelty items are worthless?

[Via GetUSB.info]

BeSocial: methodshop

Labels: Gadgets

The bathroom. It's one of the most important (and hopefully used) rooms of your home. So much so, that people usually add radios to their bathrooms and provide a soundtrack to their personal grooming and thinking. But isn't this the iPod generation? Why just settle for a radio? The iCarta iPod dock lets you bring and enjoy your iPod into your private sanctuary.

This iPod dock is integrated into a toilet paper holder and is compatible with all dockable iPods. It features four integrated high performance moisture-free speakers and is powered by an AC adapter... so you can power up your iPod while you download.

For showering, shaving, and all other things you might use your bathroom for, enjoy your music your way. Bring in your iPod. Let it enhance each moment of your life.

Power Requirements:

• 12V, 1.5A AC adapter Unit Dimension
• Width 8.25 x Height 3.68 x Depth 7.12 inch, 210mm x 93mm x 181mm
• Accepts standard toilet paper rolls

You can charge your iPod while playing music. The only problem is that it isn’t waterproof – but then again, neither is an iPod. By the way, that song stinks. Light a match.


Be Social: digg story | methodshop

Labels: Gadgets, review

The only thing that needs to be oversized when you’re watching movies is the tub of popcorn, especially if you have Toshiba’s new TDP-FF1AU “palm-sized’ projector ($699). And while portable DVD units and personal video players are great, they won’t let whole gang watch the movie.

For those times you don’t want to huddle around a 10-screen – not when this DLP projector you can turn any white wall into a 68-inch movie screen. It will work with a number of video sources, including DVD players, digital cameras and laptops. The palm-sized projector isn’t going to replace a plasma TV anytime soon, but with this you can bring a movie theater anywhere you go!

A PimpWiz Exclusive

Labels: Gadgets

Amazon.com is currently selling a $999,999.00 1/2 ounce plastic SiK rex remote control that works with the Apple MacBook Pro, iPod Universal Dock, Apple TV, Front Row, iPod Hi-Fi and is Front Row compatible.

No joke. You can see the SiK rex Amazon page here.

Sound too expensive for a little piece of plastic? What if i told you that the remote can be stored in the ExpressCard/34 slot of your MacBook Pro...

Yeah, I'm not convinced it's worth it. But if Bill Gates is reading this.... hurry dude, there is only one left in stock!

This is obviously a just a typo. So I took a screenshot of the million dollar SiK rex remote page and posted it here on flickr in case Amazon takes the page down.


If you are still interested in the SiK rex remote control but not the million dollar price tag, you can also purchase one used or from a 3rd party on Amazon.com for only $25.

BeSocial: digg story | amazon | methodshop

Labels: Gadgets

Crap. I was really looking forward to getting my Apple TV ($299) this month. I guess I'll have to wait a little bit longer.



This morning I got the following email from the Apple Online Store regarding my Apple TV pre-order. Apparently "wrapping up" took " a few weeks longer" than they expected... whatever that means.

To Our Valued Apple Customer:

Thank you for ordering the new Apple TV, an easy to use and fun way to wirelessly play all your favorite iTunes content from your Mac or PC on your widescreen TV.

Wrapping up Apple TV is taking a few weeks longer than we projected, and we now expect to begin shipments in mid-March, not in February as originally anticipated.

You may check the status of your order any time by visiting our online order status website at http://www.apple.com/orderstatus.

A shipment notification, with tracking information, will be emailed to you as soon as your order is shipped. There is no need to contact us unless you choose to change or cancel your order.

We appreciate your business and thank you for shopping at the Apple Store!

Sincerely,
The Apple Store Team

As you can see, the "letter" from Apple is some of the most uninformative collection of words ever assembled. Apple doesn't even try to explain why shipments of the Apple TV are being delayed. Pete Mortensen from the Cult of Mac blog sarcastically summed up my disappointment pretty well: "Wow. That's a stunningly insightful piece of news. Anyone upset that your new toy isn't showing up Wednesday?"

When I do get my Apple TV (hopefully next month?), it should be an easy setup. Apple is promising true plug-and-play installation. Just connect Apple TV to your TV (even HDMI is built in) and start iTunes, which will automatically detect it. A few clicks on my remote and I should be in business.

BeSocial: digg story | methodshop

Labels: apple, Gadgets

The iDJ is a compact mixing console with 2 built-in iPod docks. Mixing directly from your iPods gives you the ability to utilize thousands tracks from your iTunes collection at your next party or event. If you need to pull audio from additional sources, you'll be happy to know that the iDJ has two additional turntables or MP3/CD players inputs. I can see how this would come in handy at an event like a wedding where someone ends up handing the DJ a CD at the last minute.



The iDJ Mixer is both Firewire and USB2.0 compatible, so you can use 3rd Generation iPods (iPod mini, iPod photo) or newer generation models as well.

After reading through the specs, I noticed you can take things a step further and connect via S-Video. Greg from getusb.info thinks this feature "makes the iDJ a good video mixer for schools, churches or corporate applications where you have multiple people presenting and don’t want to fumble around with PC connections and projectors."

The iDJ Mixer also features headphone pre-cuing, separate channel three-band EQ and an industry-standard Kensington security slot. The security slot enables you to lock down the iDJ to a table in case you need to walk away for a few minutes for a cigarette or quick bathroom break.

Technical Details

• Voltage: 110
• Length: 18.5 inches;Height: 5.75 inches;Width: 14.0 inches
• Weight: 7.0 pounds
• Inputs - 2 iPod, 2 Line (CD/MP3), 2 Phono (Turntable), & 1 Microphone
  
• Outputs - Master RCA, Record RCA, S-Video, Headphone (1/8 & 1/4)
  
• Compatible with 3rd & 4th generation iPods, iPod Minis, & iPod Photo
  
• Compatible with Firewire & USB 2.0 iPod connectors
  

The iDJ can be purchased either from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

BeSocial: getusb.info | methodshop

Labels: Gadgets, Music

If you’re still trolling for a mistletoe-buddy for New Years Eve or a cuddle-buddy for those cold January nights, you probably want a text-friendly phone. Verizon’s LG enV VX9900 is where it’s at, with its
nicely-spaced QWERTY keyboard, large color screen, and conveniently located space bars. There are also designated gaming keys, for the cyber-dork in you.

Take and store your party pictures with the phone generous 2-megapixel camera, view them in the 320-by-240 screen, and use the auto-focus function
if you like your photos extra-crisp. Just be prepared to wait the extra time it takes to actually snap the focused digi-pic.

All of that convenient spacing makes for a pretty big phone; 4.6” long, to be exact. Of course, if you’re getting your text or IM on during a party and you’ve had a few too many, the size does make it harder to drop your phone in a drunken stupor. Bring on the bubbly!

On the other hand, the speakers make for loud sound that seems a little more gravelly than its predecessor, the VX9800. As for its music functions, the VX9900 lost points for its lack of a “music” key. Instead, this oddly user-unfriendly phone causes its owner to type through entirely too many buttons to actually hear the music. Most cell phone gurus slapped this
phone with another “user-unfriendly” label for its slow and cumbersome web browser. Also, don’t forget all of the added fees for high-volume IMing and web-related services, which are often included in basic voice charges for full-scale superphones.

Once you’ve given up on the MP3 player, the browser, and the ladies, you can always call your mom and complain about it. And, lucky for you (not so much for your mom), you’ve got five whole hours to empty your head before your battery dies. And that’s worth a little gravel, right?
A PimpWiz Exclusive

Labels: Gadgets, Phones

"Great for people with mild or moderate hearing loss, the TV Ears allow you to clearly hear the TV without turning up the volume. This is accomplished through the use of voice-enhancement technology, which raises hard to hear words above the program's background sound so they'll stand out." [Via firststreetonline.com]

The Pimpwiz.com Spin: "Perfect for when you're watching porn and just don't want your neighbors to hear...The "TV EARS" will boost the sound and allow you to hear it louder and more clearly than at lower volumes without them...Unfortunately, you still need to have your TV on, so your neighbor might catch one or two of Jenna Jameson's moans, if she's really having fun. "

Labels: Gadgets

"ErgoTouch was founded by persons who suffer severe computer-related injuries as a way to help others avoid their misfortune.

Our mission is to rapidly develop and commercialize new products that help people use machines in comfort and safety. We see ourselves as pioneers helping technology become more responsive to the people who use it and industry more in tune with its customers.

ErgoTouch is based in Los Angeles, California and contracts manufacturing around the world." [Via ergotouch.com]

Computer-Use Related Injuries

Injuries associated with working on a computer have increased 1000% over the last 15 years as computers are occupying an ever more important place in our lives. These kinds of injuries, called musculoskeletal disorders, usually affect the muscle, skeletal, and/or nervous systems. They can cause pain and discomfort, and restrict bodily motions. Some symptoms include fatigue and pain in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulder, neck, or back. Most computer-use related injuries can be attributed to awkward posture, repetitive motions, and overuse. According to statistics compiled by the Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA), nearly 1.8 million U.S. workers suffer each year from repetitive strain injuries, an increasing number of these are a direct result of working at computer workstations.

Labels: Gadgets

"If you want to drop some serious cash on an LCD flat-panel photo frame, the PhotoVu Digital Picture Frame is plenty expensive—fortunately it has tons of features, too. At its heart is a 1280 by 960 LCD panel in a 19" frame. Built-in Wi-Fi lets you stream photos to it from your PC, or you can upgrade to add an on-board 40GB hard drive for storing images, as well. Basically, it's everything you would expect from a picture frame that costs upwards of $1,600 fully decked out, including web administration and on-the-fly image conversion." [Via gizmodo.com]

Labels: Gadgets

"Top ten best-selling mobile phones according to accessories manufacturer Krusell

1. (1) Sony Ericsson T630/628/610/637
2. (3) Sony Ericsson K700i
3. (4) Nokia 6230
4. (-) Nokia 5140
5. (8) Nokia 7610
6. (7) PalmOne Treo 600
7. (10) Siemens M65
8. (9) Nokia 6610i/7250/7250i
9. (5) Nokia 3510
10. (-) Nokia 6620/6600

( )= last months position."[GizModo.com]

Labels: CellPhone, Gadgets

The OQO model 01 ultra personal computer (uPC) is a fully-functional Windows XP computer. The OQO has a 1GHz processor, a 20GB hard drive, 256MB of RAM, a color transflective display, and integrated wireless, as well as Fire Wire and USB ports. It is powerful enough to run your most complex applications.

Just 4.9 inches long, 3.4 inches wide, .9 inches thin, and weighing only 14 ounces, the OQO can fit in a pocket or purse and go with you anywhere. For easy typing and cursor control it has a complete thumb keyboard with TrackStik and mouse buttons as well as digital pen and thumbwheel. It is the much anticipated device for people who previously had to choose between the bulk and awkwardness of a laptop and the limited capability of a PDA.

The OQO model 01 is also the most versatile computer to date. With the OQO docking cable, it can easily connect to projectors and Ethernet. Placed in the desktop docking station it is a desktop computer, allowing you to connect with one simple motion to a variety of peripherals, including full-size keyboards, printers, scanners, and high-resolution monitors. It shifts easily from one mode to the other with no data synchronization required.

With an OQO you can move throughout your day and enjoy constant access to all your information and Windows XP programs. You can use the same computer for high-powered applications at work, sending email at home, listening to music on a train, or watching a movie on an airplane. It is the only computer you need.

Labels: Gadgets, PDA

Segway® HT e Series features the same performance attributes as our i Series, with additional features. It has been equipped with an electronic parking stand that allows the unit to balance without a rider. This unique feature allows the rider to get on and off the Segway HT in the workplace with maximum efficiency. The e Series also has robust cargo carrying capacity in three separate storage bags. These bags allow a user to handle up to 75 lbs. of cargo, such as tools, supplies, packages or equipment.


In addition to the redundant safety features at the heart of all Segway HT models, the e Series also comes equipped with a number of standard features. Power assist mode allows you to move the device up and down stairs more easily. The control shaft is adjustable to the comfort of the rider. To help prevent theft, each Segway HT comes with its own set of keys, encoded with a unique 64-bit security identification.

Labels: Gadgets, Segway, Wheels