Category Archives: GADGETS

Gadgets cover wide and varied areas including accessories, imaging, audio and visual and the likes.

device that lets your pocket video camera tracks your every move

UPDATED November 6, 2011 Mike chua 6 Comments

(image credit: Satarii Star)

self-portrait for still images isn’t an issue as long as the camera has a built-in self-timer but what about self-videoing? the biggest issue with self-video is following or tracking. when the subject moves, the camera doesn’t, thus resulting in subject went out of frame. three guys, Vlad Tetelbaum, Brian Lamb and Dean Hamilton has a clever solution that allows your camera to follow your every move. in essence, it’s an integrated tracking system for pocket video camera. Continue reading device that lets your pocket video camera tracks your every move →

ACCESSORIES

HDMI adapter for iOS devices allow 720p video playback

UPDATED January 3, 2011 Mike chua 1 Comment

Sanwa Supply HDMI adapter for iPad 544px
(image credit: Sanwa Supply) Sanwa HDMI Adapter | US95.00 | www.sanwa.co.jp

Sanwa announced a HDMI adapter suitable for use with both iPhone 4 and iPad, which allows you to view your videos on these iOS devices on the big screen in 720p resolution. i guess the 720p output makes it a ‘pro’ for this item, as for the cons, it only will only work with iPhone 4 and iPad. so iPod Touch users will be disappointed.

the price tag of US$95 is a little steep as compared to the original Apple 30-pin-to-component (which retails at US$39) item but it is hard to compare both as you can say that both are of different level. if you’re looking for something that supports 720p playback, then this Sanwa item is the gadget of choice. however if 576p (maximum) resolution is cool with you and you need something that supports iPod Touch, the Sanwa item will not be the one to opt for.

seriously, i wanted to give it a try but the price tag, though not strictly prohibitive relative to my meagre pay, is still stopping me from giving it a shot. aside from video playback on your big screen, this adapter also enable the display of images or presentations generated from Keynotes. neat but i am not sure if i can justify the cost cos’ if i could have transfer my movies or Keynotes to my MacBook and hook up to a projector or LCD display.

the Sanwa HDMI adapter is available at FlutterScape.

AUDIO/VISUAL

fashion-statement: the lightest 3D glasses ever made

UPDATED January 24, 2012 Mike chua 1 Comment

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(image credit: Samsung) Samsung 3D Glasses | US$tbc | www.samsung.com

hot on the heels of LG’s fashion-chic 3D glasses, is this new 3D glasses from Silhouette and Samsung. weighing just 28 grams, this 3D glasses is possibly the lightest 3D glasses ever made and it looks pretty fashionable too. to be officially unveiled this week at the CES 2011, this pair of 3D glasses will feature Samsung Wireless Charge Technology and automatic on/off system. wow. looks aside, wireless charging is indeed a welcome feature cos’ we are kind of tired of charging cables snaking around for the endless devices we have. Continue reading fashion-statement: the lightest 3D glasses ever made →

AUDIO/VISUAL, LIFESTYLE

Bang & Olufsen introduces Home Integration with BeoLink

UPDATED September 8, 2011 Mike chua 1 Comment

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(image: B&O) Bang & Olufsen Home Integration | US$POA | www.bang-olufsen.com

another effort by Bang & Olufsen in an attempt to make your life easier, so to speak. introducing the Home Integration with BeoLink. BeoLink is not your ordinary universal remote. in a nutshell, the system consists of a few components that brings together your home entertainment and home automation system into a single point of control. ‘working harmoniously’ is the key for this system where it attempts to, for example, dim the lights, close the curtains and turn on your TV and home theater for a movie screening in your home. Continue reading Bang & Olufsen introduces Home Integration with BeoLink →

IMAGING

$12,950 Leica M9 limited edition silver chrome set

UPDATED January 29, 2011 Mike chua 1 Comment

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Leica M9 limited edition silver chrome set | US$12,950.00 | www.leica.com
(image credit: LeicaRumors.com)

i found myself saying this: Leica is no stranger to churning out camera that’s beautiful and ridiculously expensive. here’s the latest to join the flock: the limited edition Leica M9 silver chrome body which features scratch-resistant sapphire glass, silver chrome body (of course!) wrapped in brown ostrich leather, matching custom ostrich brown leather camera strap and Leica Summicron 35mm f/2 silver chrome lens.

only 50 of this beauty are available and the kit is now available at the Leica Boutique in Palm Beach and Popflash. the price? a whopping $12,950. for this grand price, you will get two-year warranty and a copy of the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3. for which OS? we have no idea. seriously, is there any difference from a five figure camera to a three figure one? obviously, i am not within the demographic that would purchase this but i’d get my satisfaction by just looking at the pictures of it. you can do that too by checking out the images below.

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via BornRich

COMPUTING

experimental Life Twitter automatically tweets your every move

UPDATED August 14, 2011 Mike chua Leave a comment

(image credit: Damian Koh/CNET Asia)

we all know social network is here to stay and how it has changed the way we socialized and share information with our family and friends. oddly, we have the fetish to share our thoughts over social network by the means of Facebook and Twitter, for examples. what if you can share what you are doing without even logging in and tweet about it? that is what researchers Kan Taiwei and Teng Chinhung from the National Taiwan University and Yuan Ze University, respectively, have in mind.

the idea is to have variety of sensors embedded in your mug, pillow, light switches et cetera and these sensors, detects what you do and sends your action to your computer via XBee, a wireless communication device, which would in turn tweet the corresponding action on Twitter. then again, why would i want everyone to know my every movement? i have never thought of that. did you? imagine the whole world knows that you had just hit the sack or just off the lights. it feel kind of strange and i would certainly feel ‘exposed’. anyway, would anyone want to know such trivia matters to begin with? perhaps, if you happened to have a stalker – then he or she would be delighted to know your every move.

in anyway, that’s just an experimental idea being showcased at the recent computer graphics and animation conference Siggraph Asia in Seoul, South Korea. concepts are just dreams, which might not even come true. just imagine the logistic requires to embed those sensors, besides, they have got to be small enough and yet capable of sending signal over WiFi. letting everyone knows, even the most trivia matters, might expose ourselves to identity theft and encourage people to monitor your every move (aka stalking), thus knowing your habits and routine. i am not quite sure if i want that. do you?

below is a comic-relief on our take of the experimental Life Twitter topic… enjoy!

via CRAVE

COMPUTING, LIFESTYLE

Gresso gives the iPad African Blackwood and a 18K gold Apple logo

UPDATED March 10, 2011 Mike chua 2 Comments

iPad Gresso img1 544px
(image credit: Gresso) iPad Gresso | US$tbc | www.gresso.com

millions of iPad are not the streets now, time to differentiate yours from the rest of the pack. Gresso, the maker of luxury mobile phone, announces the iPad Gresso, a designer modify iPad framed in the 200-year-old African Blackwood and topped up with a 18K gold Apple logo. how’s that for a luxurious iPad?

the dark nature of the African Blackwood with a subtle touch of 18K logo gives the iPad Gresso a luxurious, and yet classy feel as opposed to all-out diamond or gold item. it is said that the African Blackwood or Mpingo is the most valuable tree in the world, which hinted that this is not for common folks in terms of price.

iPad Gresso will go on sale on New Year’s eve, however there’s no words on the pricing.

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via Slash Gear

AUDIO/VISUAL

meet the world first earphones with four drivers

UPDATED January 29, 2011 Mike chua Leave a comment

Westone 4 earphones 544px
(image credit: Westone) Westone 4 Earphones | US$449.00 | www.westone.com

product differentiation is not an easy task for earphones manufacturer. given the tiny size of earbuds, there’s really little real estate for added electronic circuitry to improve it’s performance. perhaps, that’s why physical appearance takes priority for manufacturers to differentiate their earbuds with the rest. but that was then. recently, Westone announces the Westone 4 which managed to pack in four drivers in these tiny earbuds.

Westone claimed that the Westone 4 is the “world’s first four driver balanced armature universal fit earphones” which is designed specifically for “serious audiophile and music enthusiast.” aside from the four balanced armature drivers, these buds also features a passive three-way crossover network and on the comfort department, it is treated with Westone’s True-Fit technology which offers superior ergonomics and comfort for wearer. being a world’s first and targeted at audiophile means it won’t come cheap. the Westone 4 will set you back at a tidy $449 and will starts shipping “early in the first quarter of 2011.”

via CRAVE

AUDIO/VISUAL

Samsung show-off its new ultra-slim Blu-ray player

UPDATED January 29, 2011 Mike chua 1 Comment

Samsung ultra-slim blu-ray player 544px
(image credit: Samsung) Samsung Blu-ray Player | US$tbc | www.samsung.com

Samsung has a well-known obsession for making their electronic devices slim, slimmer and even more slimmer with each releases. well, they have done it again and this time its all new Blu-ray player just went on a super diet, measuring just 23mm thick.

clad in metallic case, the player will feature the now-common integration with YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. it will also play 3D content and convert 2D content to 3D. no words on the pricing yet, until its official unveiling next month at the CES 2011. it’s slim, i am excited. it’s a blu-ray player, which i am not thrill, cos’ my PS3 already does the job.

via DVICE

ACCESSORIES

now your iPhone is also your Universal Remote control

UPDATED December 28, 2010 Mike chua Leave a comment

Gear4 UnityRemote img1 544px
(image credit: Gear4) Gear4 UnityRemote | £99.99 | www.gear4.com

another hardware and apps combo that turn your iPhone into something else other than a phone. seriously, what else iPhone can’t do? this time round it’s going to be an Universal Remote control for your home devices, as long the devices use infrared signal.

new from Gear4 is the UnityRemote that transforms your iPhone into an advanced Universal Remote that controls your home devices with the help of a free app and the discrete UnityRemote unit. using iPhone as a remote means ability to take advantage of gestures to control your devices. with the UnityRemote and the app, gestures can be pre-programmed to swipe from left to right to change channels, for example. you can’t get any more intuitive than this.

basically, the iPhone uses low power Bluetooth signal to communicate with the UnityRemote hardware and the unit in turn, uses its five infrared blasters to send out a 360° signal to your devices wherever they are in the room. as long as the device to be controlled is within the range and sight, the iPhone can controls it. up to eight different Apple devices can be paired with the UnityRemote, so your roommate won’t be caught without a remote when you are not home.

as with all good Universal Remote, this system allows user to create ‘Actions’ to control multiple devices simultaneously. such as as turning on the TV, DVD player and sound system. the system will select the right channel and start playing the DVD in just one touch. of course, that would require some programming first. no words on how huge the existing remote database is but whatever it is, it has the ‘Learning’ capability which allows the UnityRemote to learn controls that it doesn’t already know.

the UnityRemote works on three AA batteries, hence it can place virtually anywhere in the room without the burden of mains. the hardware measures 51 mm high and 64 mm in diameter which is pretty discrete, but then again it’s not ugly that requires us to keep away from sight. the UnityRemote will work with iPhone 3/3GS/4, iPod Touch (2nd/3rd/4th generations). the Gear4 UnityRemote retails at £99.99 (approx. US$156.00) which is considered affordable for an Universal Remote – if it works as promised.

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