Nifty MiniDrive for MacBooks: Internal External Drive

As with most Apple offerings, the option to get increased storage space for new Mac notebooks are insanely expensive. Sure, external drives are cheap nowadays, but it would be more convenient if you didn’t have to carry another gadget around. That’s where the Nifty MiniDrive comes in.

nifty minidrive for apple macbook

The Nifty MiniDrive is simply a microSD card adapter that plugs into the SD card slot of MacBooks. Its main selling point is that it sits flush with the computer’s side when plugged in. You can just leave it there and make it part of your laptop.

A pledge of at least $30 (USD) on its Kickstarter fundraiser will make you one of the first owners of a Nifty MiniDrive. It’s available for the MacBook Air (note that the 11″ Air doesn’t have an SD slot), MacBook Pro and the MacBook Pro with Retina Display.


Sharp and Hydis announce LCD license agreement

There have been rumblings in the past that Hydis’ FFS LCD technology would make its way into certain tablets, and now the Korean manufacturer has signed a license agreement with Sharp that will see the two companies using each other’s technology. The agreement will allow Sharp to make use of Hydis’ Fringe Field Switching LCD technology, which is similar to IPS technology but allows for higher brightness and a superior color gamut.

The deal will allow both companies to make use of the technologies for ten years, and also guarantee a “patent peace” so that the companies can focus on making money instead of suing each other. Hydis goes on to say how its FFS technology is “superior to other similar wide viewing angle technologies in the market”, taking direct aim at IPS and PLS. Other benefits of FFS include lower power consumption and superior contrast ratios. Hydris even notes that it’s planning to bring FFS to “notebook computers and television[s].”

It’s interesting to see Sharp picking up the license to use FFS technology. Past rumors have suggested that IGZO may make an appearance in products such as the iPad, and recent reports have indicated that IGZO panels will be used for the mythical Apple Television. Sharp looks to be interested in incorporating FFS into its own panels, and if its as good as Hydis says it is, then we could be looking at future displays that are even better than what’s found in the current iPad.

[via ARM Devices]


Sharp and Hydis announce LCD license agreement is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


RGB + LED + USB = blink(1)

While I particularly like the look and programmability of the L8 SmartLight, it might be a bit showy and overkill for many needs. If you’re looking for a simpler way to indicate activity on your computer or the internet, you might want to check out this little gadget instead.

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It’s called the blink(1), and it’s a tiny programmable RGB LED with a USB connector on the end of it. Just plug one into a spare USB port, and you can program it to blink or glow in any color based on software triggers from your computer. For instance, you can have it glow when you have a new email, or maybe when a friend signs on to Skype. It can be used to indicate pretty much anything you’d like. And if you’ve got more than a single available USB port, you can go to town with multiple blink(1)s.

The blink(1) will ship with apps for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux, and since its designed to be Open Source, you’ll be able to custom program it for other applications as well – and there are C and Java APIs for low-level access. Each tiny blink(1) sells for $30(USD), or you can pick up a two-pack for $55 over on Kickstarter. The project has already surpassed its funding goal, so it’ll definitely go into production.


Zorro Macsk Adds Touch Capability to iMac: Rapier Stylus Not Included

With Lion and the upcoming Mountain Lion operating systems, Apple is continuously integrating features from its mobile OS to the desktop experience. Does it mean that a touchscreen iMac is a good idea? I still don’t think so, but you can decide for yourself with the help of the Zorro Macsk attachment.

zorro macsk imac touchscreen

The Zorro Macsk is a frame that is placed over the iMac and plugs in via USB. It has no screen of its own, rather it uses infrared sensors to detect input. While it won’t turn your computer into an expert swordsman, it does support the same multitouch gestures that you can pull off on the Magic Trackpad, so it is a bit practical.

I think it’s nice to be able to use it to switch between Spaces, but other than that I don’t see any great benefit for a touchscreen iMac, unless you happen to like the look of greasy fingerprints on your screen. The Zorro Macsk is currently only available for the 21.5″ iMac., and you can order it on Amazon for $199 (USD).


Tesla talks future EV models for 2015

2012 has already been a pretty big year for Tesla. Just last month it started shipping out the first of its Model S cars to customers, and earlier this year the company announced that its Model X crossover will enter production in late 2013. Despite having one model fresh off the assembly line and another entering production soon, Telsa has revealed plans for a third model, which chief designer Franz von Holzhausen hopes will enter production as early as 2015.


This new line of EVs is primarily planned as a competitor to the BMW 3-series, and Holzhausen says that Tesla is aiming for a $30,000 price tag on the new cars. He also says that Telsa is going to be a little more open minded when it comes to the design and personality of its cars moving forward, telling Autocar that the company will “become more experimental as we develop as a brand.”

Elsewhere on the internet, Car and Driver says that not only is Tesla planning a BMW 3 competitor, but it’s also working on a new version of the roadster. Both the roadster and the 3 competitor will likely be based on the Model S’s platform, but both will probably also be a bit smaller, meaning that the range of these new cars might not be able to match that of the Model S.

So, some exciting news coming out of Tesla today. Sadly, with the Model X and the Model S taking up the lion’s share of Tesla’s attention at the moment, the earliest we’ll probably see these cars is 2015. But hey, what’s life without a little something to look forward to now and then?

[via Car and Driver]


Tesla talks future EV models for 2015 is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Spy Hawk Lets You Conduct Covert Surveillance on the Pool Party Next Door

I’m a sucker for remote-controlled toys, especially flying toys. Sadly I’m not qualified to fly any of the airplanes or helicopters I’ve ever tried. Generally I get to fly once and then crash during landing, destroying any chance at a second flight. RC geeks in the UK will soon be able to get a cool spy plane called the Spy Hawk, which to let you record your landing disasters – or the pool party your hot neighbor is throwing.

spy hawk

Spy Hawk is a three-channel mini glider that comes with an integrated first-person video system able to send five-megapixel live video feeds back to a 3.5-inch LCD on the remote control. The plane even has an autopilot mode with gyro stabilization that lets you get it to altitude, and then watch the video without having to worry about actually flying. The toy has a range of up to 600 m with an average flight time of 15 minutes on a single charge.

The system has an integrated four gigabyte memory card to store the video. It also uses intelligent signaling so you can fly more than one Spy Hawk at the same time. The Spy Hawk will sell for £249.95 (~$386 USD) when it lands next month over at Red5.


Siphon Audio Out Switch Concept: Switch to Suit the Sound

I know a lot of PC gamers also splurge on high end speakers for their gaming rigs, while others prefer to use headphones or headsets. If you use both – or several of both – on your computer, I suggest you check out the Siphon. It’s a USB device that lets you switch between different audio jacks.

siphon quirky audio splitter

The Siphon has a dial that lets you switch to one of the three jacks. It has an adhesive back, so you don’t have to leave it dangling or hidden at the back of your PC. It can also serve as a rack for your headphones or headset.

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Seems like a neat gadget, especially for people who don’t always need headphones (or speakers), or those who share their computer with others who might prefer a different audio setup at times. It would be better if it had a dedicated “default” setting though, so you can still output sound from the default speakers even if there’s something plugged in all three jacks. Help make the Siphon become a real product at Quirky.


Spy Hawk gives you an eagle eye in the sky

Remote control helicopters were all the rage not too long ago, but how about an even cooler spy plane? RED5 is offering a Spy Hawk plane that has a 5-megapixel camera attached to the nose, able to beam video back to a 3.5-inch screen embedded in the remote control. The plane is capable of being controlled up to 600m away, and you can record video onto a 4GB SD card for later viewing.

The Spy Hawk also features a stabilization system that makes it much easier to fly. An “autopilot” switch will turn on a guilty in gyroscope that will keep the plane at the correct altitude, allowing you to terrorize pedestrians from above while recording all the action. The plane can stay airborne for around 30 minutes thanks to a 7.4v lithium-ion polymer, and it’s relatively tough due to EPO crash resistant foam.

If you happen to have a second Spy Hawk, an “intelligent automatic control and video signal binding” mode links the two planes together, so you can chase them around while recording feeds from both. You may want to start with just one for now, though, as the Spy Hawk isn’t cheap at £245.95 (~$380). Check out a video sample recorded from the plane below.


Spy Hawk gives you an eagle eye in the sky is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


The Original Logos of Tech Companies Were All Terrible [Design]

A lot of the giant technology brands and companies you know and love today didn’t look anything like they do now when they first started. Just look at their original logos: almost always butt ugly, but slowly grew into what they are now. Here are the humblest beginnings for all to see: More »

This Sonic Screwdriver is a Remote Control on the Inside

A remote control? Whaaaat. It doesn’t make as much sense as the Sonic Screwdriver screwdriver right? Then again, it’s not as if the tool itself makes sense. A screwdriver that opens locks and takes vital stats? Whaaaat.

dr who sonic screwdriver tv remote control

Except for its case, this gadget is very similar to the Magic Wand remote control. It can learn up to 39 gestures – and thus 39 commands – to control any device that has an infrared remote, from TVs to home theater systems. It also emits 13 sound effects from the Doctor Who series.

ThinkGeek sells the Sonic Screwdriver programmabey-remotey for $100 (USD), but you should travel to the site at a future date in September because the gadget is currently sold out.

[via Ubergizmo]