Hasta La Gadget!

These days, just about every Apple product is defined by a non-removable battery. It’s with no small hint of irony, then, that Apple just received a US patent for a universal removable battery system. As proposed, the technique would let Apple cut batteries from lithium-polymer or similar materials into commonly sized packs that could then be swapped between devices, providing all the benefits of removable, rechargeable batteries with a longer lifespan than an old set of AAs. Batteries could have serviceable cores for when they finally give up the ghost, and computers could even alternate between charging the batteries (when plugged in) or using them to extend the runtime of MacBooks. We’d recommend against basing any purchasing strategy around Apple’s filing, though. The Cupertino team originally applied for the patent in 2010, and in turn broke out the technology from a patent it had filed in 2007 — there’s no guarantees Apple is still interested in replacing those disposables, let alone any sealed-in batteries. That won’t stop us from yearning for the day when a Magic Mouse lasts for more than a week of heavy use.

Filed under: Peripherals

Apple gets patent for universal batteries, edges closer to long-lasting wireless peripherals originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Genius has pulled the covers off a new 2.4 GHz wireless laser mouse that is aimed at mobile users. The new mouse is called the Traveler 9010LS. One thing about using a mouse when you travel is that often you don’t have a mouse pad available leaving you forced to simply place the mouse on the surface next to your computer.

Genius says that this new mouse will work on just about any surface, including glass. Glass is one surfaced that typically will not work for a laser mouse. The mouse has a 1600 dpi laser engine and features a double injection grip for extra comfort.

Lefties will be glad to hear that this is an ambidextrous design suitable for use with either hand. The mouse is also designed to be able to get power from either an AA or AAA battery. The mouse uses the Genius DarkEye technology to allow tracking on clear and shiny surfaces accurately and easily.

The mouse ships with a wireless dongle promising a wireless range of up to 10 m from the computer. The mouse has adjustable sensitivity between three settings of 800/1200/1600 dpi. The little USB receiver can be stored inside the mouse for portability and is small enough to be inserted into a computer’s USB port and just left there. The little mouse is available right now for $39.99.

Genius unveils Traveler 9010LS Wireless Laser Mouse is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we’ll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at SlickDeals. You’ll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won’t stick around long.

If you’re itching to take matters into your own hands, perhaps building a new work machine from the ground up can fill said desire. In today’s list of links, you’ll find a few of solid buys that will help you do just that. Just in case your current mouse just isn’t cutting it or has just kicked the bucket, we’ve got a couple frugal options for replacements in that department as well. So, let’s get right to it. Head on past the break for a fresh batch of links ready to meet your eager clicks, but be mindful of those pesky rebate forms and coupon codes.

Continue reading SlickDeals’ best in tech for September 12th: Logitech Mice, SSDs and more

Filed under: Misc, Peripherals, Storage

SlickDeals’ best in tech for September 12th: Logitech Mice, SSDs and more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If there were one PC we’ve seen thus far from the HP collection bringing on Windows 8 with touchscreen capabilities that we’d call the king, it’d be the HP SpectreONE. This machine is the most expensive of the all-in-one designs HP is offering up here at the start of the Windows 8 generation of PCs, and with its 23-inch flush glass display and 3rd generation Intel Core processor options, not to mention it’s lovely and sleek looking body, there’s no stopping it. This device will not, on the other hand, be launching with the rest of the October wave of devices – it’s coming in November.

You’ll find that this beast keeps the Spectre brand name hot with NFC technology to tap your devices together and share media wirelessly and utterly simply. You’ve got many of the same features the rest of this newest HP wave of machines have such as Beats Audio for enhanced sound. And HP Connected Remote, Photo, and Music are included as well – HP is presenting an experience here both in hardware and software, with HP technology making a unique experience for you both outside and in.

You’ll get the computer itself along with a wireless multi-touch touchpad and a keyboard inside the box. With what may very well be a giant step forward for how we use PCs in general, HP has opted out of including a wireless mouse in the package you’ll be getting when you purchase the HP SpectreONE. The true test is at hand – can we bring the desktop world into the universe our notebook-loving hands have been working with for quite a few years already?

UPDATE: HP informs us that there WILL be a mouse in the package now. Good for you traditionalists!

HP might be taking a gamble here – even if it is a tiny one. If you want a mouse, you can buy one for next to nothing, after all – even a wireless mouse doesn’t cost a pretty penny if you know where to look. However, it’s the thought that counts. HP has thrown the mouse out the window here, and with it goes the last component that did not look flat. Now with the HP SpectreONE, HP can present a package that is, indeed, working with basically all flat hardware – and you’re going to love it.

This beast will be appearing on November 14th for a starting price of $1,299 USD MSRP – that’s an expected price and release date, of course, we’ll have to wait a bit longer for the final word on that. You can start saving up now though, no harm in that! Have a peek at our HP tag portal to see the rest of HP’s new Windows 8 machine offerings from start to finish – great stuff on the horizon!

HP SpectreONE all-in-one PC brings trackpad-centric experience to Windows 8 is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

So you think you have got quite a mean looking gaming mouse for your setup, do you? What if I told you that another mouse in question is one that what been concocted by the very same people who brought you the Bimmer (or Beemer, depending on which side of the fence you are on). Yes sir, a branch from the automotive giant, BMW Group DesignworksUSA has teamed up with Thermaltake to introduce the Level 10 M gaming mouse. As you can tell by the image above, it definitely is a looker from all angles, but the thing is this – how does it hold up against the rest of the highly competitive gaming hardware crowd? Let us take a closer look after the jump, shall we?

The unique thing about the Level 10 M gaming mouse is the fact that it resembles an extremely small racecar, boasting every designer’s mantra where form ultimately follows function. The outer chassis itself comprises of a two-part construction, where the upper half does seem to float above the base as though by magic, but make no mistake about it – it is technology that holds the entire thing together.

Constructed using an alloy that is also used in aeronautics and architecture, Level 10 M is lightweight and ultimately, remains immune to corrosive effects. The top segment can even be individually adjusted for height and lateral inclination, where the mouse itself will also come with a bunch of keys, now how about that, so that you are able better to “deliver the goods” so to speak in a highly competitive environment.

What’s great hardware without equally stunning software? Nothing, right? Which is why the software that comes with this puppy is also able to read out DPi-rates for gaming visuals. The holes drilled in the upper shell serves are not there just for aesthetic purposes, but rather, to help ventilate your palms during an intense gaming session, to make sure that you maintain a perfect grip at all times. As a bonus, the mouse can be illuminated in 7 different colors for that added touch of class.

The Level 10 M comes with on-the-fly adjustable DPI from 800, 1600, 3200 to 5000 (default setting), and customizable by software application up to 8200 DPI. It will retail for $99 a pop.

Press Release

[ BMW and Thermaltake come up with Level 10 M Gaming Mouse copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]