Apr 01
For this week’s giveaway we’re offering up the InMotion Air Bluetooth speaker courtesy of Altec Lansing.
Apr 01
For this week’s giveaway we’re offering up the InMotion Air Bluetooth speaker courtesy of Altec Lansing.
Apr 01
Wrex’s wrench is more multi-er than most multitools
The name of Wrex’s Titanium Adjustable Pocket Wrench just about sums it up, bit it’s the details that make this stand out. After all, at $180, why would you use this instead of just stowing a regular adjustable wrench in your pocket?
The wrench part is adjusted by a thumb trigger: press it in and slide the ratcheted T-section out, release the trigger to lock. The range runs from 0.1 inches to 0.805 inches, or 2.54 – 20.447 mm. That’s enough for any bolt on your bike, although getting enough leverage with the short handle may make it tricky to get those wheel nuts off.
If you pop the T-section out all the way, you’ll get a sharp surprise — there’s a knife in there, which is removable for replacement and TSA compliance. Also in the body is a flat/Philips screwdriver bit and the ever-essential bottle opener. The whole thing dangles from a cord, making it the most manly necklace available.
the CNC-machined tool is made from titanium and stainless steel, and weighs in at a pocket (and neck) friendly 2.9 ounces (82g). Available May.
Wrex Titanium [Pocket Tool X via Uncrate]
See Also:
- Tools: Is That a Piranha in Your Pocket?
- 85 Tool Swiss Army Knife: Giant, Useless, Amazing
- Bionic Wrench Replaces Whole Kit with Single Tool
- Hands-On: Surly Jethro Tule Bike Wrench and Beer Opener
- Finger Wrench: Plastic Wearable Spanner
Apr 01
Try as we might, we’ve never been able to get too worked up over DAB radio — dab, just saying it rids the body of consciousness. But then we perked up after seeing the image above for Sony’s retro-nouveau XDR-S16DBP micro — a temporary burst of adrenaline nearly stifled by the more mundane XDR‑C706DBP clock radio found after the break. Both are compatible with the DAB+ digital broadcasting standard rolling out across Europe and offer ten DAB/DAB+ presets with an additional ten for FM. The £79 XDR-S16DBP portable brings a pair of 0.8W stereo speakers, a 16×2 character LCD display, sleep timer, and headphone jack while the compact XDR‑C706DBP is a more traditional DAB+/DAB/FM alarm clock with 0.4W speaker and 4 alarm presets. Both are available now.
Continue reading Sony’s XDR-S16DBP wakes up from the DAB+ doldrums
Sony’s XDR-S16DBP wakes up from the DAB+ doldrums originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 06:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Apr 01
Retro-Tastic Bamboo Case Turns iPhone Into Camera
Posted in: Accessories and Peripherals, iPhone, Today's Chili
This laser-etched bamboo case makes your iPhone 4 look like an old-style camera
When it comes to phones and other small gadgets, I prefer to go bareback, slipping the thing naked into my pocket. But if I was the case-buying kind, first on my list would be this gorgeous bamboo case from Etsy maker Signimade.
The case is the two-part, slip-on kind, and is laser-engraved to make it look like a lovely, old-fashioned camera. It has cut-outs for all switches, the camera and flash (of course), and for the really paranoid, it ships with a screen protector.
Bamboo would seem to be the ideal material for cases, as it is both strong and light. In this case, the case weighs in at just 22g, or 4/5 of an ounce.
The case fits both AT&T and Verizon iPhones and — like the iPad 2 — is back-ordered until mid April (although the seller says there are a few left on Amazon). $35 on Etsy, and currently $43 on Amazon.
iPhone 4 Natural Bamboo Wooden Case [Etsy via PetaPixel]
See Also:
- Moleskine-Shaped, Bamboo iPad Case
- Bamboo Bike Maker Grows His Frames, Bonsai Style
- Tough Bamboo Bottle with Brittle Glass Heart
Apr 01
Donya wish your touchscreen had buttons like these? (video)
Posted in: Apple, capacitive, controller, gaming, ipad, iPhone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, Peripherals, Today's Chili, touchscreen, video
Touchscreen gaming’s like cheese pizza — a generally tasty treat, but significantly improved by an addition or two. Good thing Donya’s got some new toppings for your touchy-feely display: a set of physical buttons and D-pads. Available in Japan for ¥999 (about twelve bucks) you get single, dual, and triple button stickers along with two D-pads to bring some much needed physicality to your handheld experience without sacrificing pocketability. We’re not sure what marvel of modern science makes these tactile additions cling to your screen, but we do know they make firing off a few Hadoukens quite a bit easier. That plus a few Hurricane Kicks after the break.
Continue reading Donya wish your touchscreen had buttons like these? (video)
Donya wish your touchscreen had buttons like these? (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 06:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Apr 01
This year, ThinkGeek’s April Fool gag is another product we’d totally buy
Today is April 1st aka April Fool’s Day aka All Fools’ Day. It is also the worst day to be a gadget blogger, as every product announcement could be a fake. Keep in mind that it is our job to dig up the weird and wonderful and you see the extent of the problem.
Luckily, ThinkGeek has a tradition of fake products, so at least we know where we stand. This year it’s the awesome Star Wars Lightsaber Popsicle kit. This fake product consists of four Lightsaber hilts which — when frozen in juice — become four short-bladed Lightsabers. Two hilts are Luke’s, two Darth Vader’s. There is even an imaginary LED inside each handle which beams its light into the popsicle and makes it glow.
It is, even by ThinkGeek’s standards (Taun Taun sleeping bag, anyone?) quite awesome. It’s a shame it will never be made.
Or will it? The curious thing about ThinkGeek’s April Fool gags is that they create such a demand that the company has to go ahead and make them anyway, making them less pranks and more a kind of clever market research. Fingers crossed that ThinkGeek can get these things licensed and ready in time for Summer, and keeps the price to the currently hypothetical $35.
Star Wars Lightsaber Popsicle [ThinkGeek]
See Also:
- USB Pregnancy Test Kit
- Punked: iFixit Tears Down 'Apple Tablet'
- Tauntaun Sleeping Bag
- iCade Game Cabinet Brings Geek Dreams to Life
- Fake T-Shirt Gag Turns Into Real Product
- 2001: A Space Odyssey Monolith Action Figure
Apr 01
CyberNotes: How-To Videos and Advice from ExpertVillage
Posted in: CyberNotes, Tips and Tricks, Today's Chili, Web SitesThis article was written on June 16, 2007 by CyberNet.
Weekend Website
Video sites have been popping up all over the place, even ones with a focused niche. YouTube, MetaCafe, and the like are great for your random sampling of just about anything, but what if you’re looking for something on a more specific topic? One such site with a focused niche is called ExpertVillage and their focus is specifically on “how-to” videos. These how-to videos range from instructions on changing the oil in your car, to learning how to belly-dance, and everything in between.
At ExpertVillage, their goal is to provide how-to videos and articles containing advice from experts in their fields. For each video or article, they provide the credentials of the person being filmed so that you can get an idea of how credible the information is. For example, a video on how to read sheet music for piano is given by someone who has a degree in Music and Theater, and teaches piano lessons. I’d feel pretty confident getting advice on piano from someone with those credentials.
Finding the Videos
Finding the how-to videos is simple. They’re broken down into 12 different categories which include: Automotive, Beauty and Fashion, Crafts, Food and Drink, Health and Fitness, Hobbies, Home and Garden, Music, Parenting, Pets, Sports, and Other. While they do have a wide range of categories, you’ll notice that they do not have a how-to technology category, so this isn’t the place to get your tech advice. The videos tend to be short so that you don’t lose interest, and they get to the point pretty quickly.
Registered Users
Anybody can go to ExpertVillage to view the how-to videos, however you can also become a registered user. The only difference with registered users is that they are able to rate and comment on an article or video. You can also bookmark your favorites so that when you click on “My Videos,” you’ll be able to quickly find all of your previous favorites.
Embed the Player
Just like other video sites, you can embedded the player on your own site. When you click on a video you’ll get the code to link to the video, as well as the code to embed the video. Below you’ll find a video that I have embedded titled “The Floating Card Trick Explained: Learn Free Magic”
Wrapping it up
With over 17,000 videos and over 1700 experts (and counting), ExpertVillage is a great resource for getting advice on a wide array of topics. You can also get involved as either an expert or as a film-maker. Film-makers have their own equipment, shoot content, and then send it in to the company. If that sounds interesting to you, they’ve got additional info on their site.
Now go on, go learn how to do something new like: Standing Up on the Surf Board, When to Travel: How to Plan a Vacation, Choosing a Tent Site (Camping), How to Check your Engine Coolant Level, or any of the many others!
Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com
Related Posts:
- Your Week in Review with Sunday’s SummaryTime Magazine’s 50 Best Websites of 2007CyberNotes: Ever Wonder How To….?CyberNotes: View How-to Videos and Wiki-Guides with HowcastYour Week in Review with Sunday’s Summary
Apr 01
The details behind the rift that saw Acer’s CEO Gianfranco Lanci (pictured) suddenly resign yesterday are now starting to emerge. Simply put, Acer’s board wants the Taiwanese company to be more like Apple and HTC, according to Bloomberg, raking in big profits on fat margins. Lanci’s approach, however, was to aggressively increase volumes and using its scale to negotiate cheaper prices from suppliers in a race to steal market share from Dell and HP. According to data compiled by Bloomberg, Acer’s profit margin in the last fiscal year was just 2.3 percent compared to Apple’s 21.5 percent. Daunting, to say the least.
With Lanci gone, JT Wang, Acer’s chairman and temporary CEO, plans to put more effort into expanding its smartphone and tablet business while broadening efforts around enterprise sales. For Wang, Lanci’s departure marks a break with the past, saying, “Recently the iPad [tablet computer] and other new form factors have had a very big impact on the PC market. We have to change our business strategy.” While PCs will still be core to the business, Wang said “we won’t be in a hurry to change to become the world number one.” Unfortunately for Acer, its brand is more closely associated with low-cost laptops than with the premium devices required to significantly expand its profit margins. We’d wish ’em luck but we think Acer will be better served by an innovative CEO and focused R&D.
New Acer will be more like Apple, less like HP originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apr 01
Like killing elephants, paper airplane construction is a skill passed from father to son generation after generation — at least until the robots take over. Dr. James Porter knows this and has done us the service of putting together a video showing him manipulating a da Vinci surgical robot to deftly fold a tiny paper airplane. So why not call in the kid and click through the break for all the go-action, daddy. It’s not quite as impressive as robotic prostate surgery but hey, at least it’s not prostate surgery.
Continue reading Surgical robot builds tiny paper airplane (video)
Surgical robot builds tiny paper airplane (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 04:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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DVICE | Swedishseattle (YouTube) | Email this | Comments
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