Hasta La Gadget!

This one’s for the PC gamers, especially those who have trouble with multi-button key presses. With some keyboards, pressing multiple keys at one time (to execute a special move, perhaps) causes a problem where not all the key presses are recorded. The unreported key presses are called “ghosts,” since the computer doesn’t see them. The just-announced Microsoft SideWinder X4 is built differently, so that gamers can press up to 26 keys at once and the computer will recognize each key. Now that’s a move I’d like to see.

Besides anti-ghosting, this SideWinder lets players manually toggle from standard mode into one of two gaming modes, automatically switch profiles, program macro keys (up to 18 per profile), and record macros during a game. It also offers backlit keys and quick-access media keys.

The SideWinder X4 works with Windows 7, Vista, and XP (excluding XP 64-bit) systems. Look for it in March with a list price of $59.95.

The PlanOn DocuPen Xtreme X05, as David Stone points out in his PCMag.com review, is larger than a pen scanner–being more similar in size to Harry Potter’s magic wand. It offers some improvements over the Editors’ Choice DocuPen RC800 , which he reviewed nearly 4 years ago. The chief additions are Bluetooth, along with software needed to send scanned files to a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone.

Unlike a pen scanner–which operates somewhat like a highlighter in that the user sweeps it across the page, line by line–the X05 can be swept downward to scan the entire page in one sweep.

Owners of the nearly 4-year-old DocuPen RC800 (other than users of BlackBerry or Bluetooth-enabled phones who want to scan directly to these devices) may be disappointed with the new version and see little reason to trade up. First-timers will likely be impressed with the easy functionality that puts the X05 in a class beyond a pen scanner.

It may have taken Belkin a season or two longer than it would’ve liked, but the TuneCast Auto Live FM transmitter has finally received its shipping papers. Hailed as the first iPhone 3.0 accessory way back in June of last year, this here device is designed to tap into your iPhone 3G / 3GS GPS module and quickly find the best FM station for transmission. Put simply, it takes the guesswork out of selecting the most optimal frequency for use in your vehicle, and it also allows you to switch stations right on your iPhone’s display. It’s up for purchase right now in North America for $79.99, while Europe and Asia / Australia is expected to see it in March and April, respectively.

Belkin finally ships $80 TuneCast Auto Live iPhone FM transmitter originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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British electronics e-tailer Clove has started listing a new £53 ($86) HD2 accessory that should be of interest to everyone who owns or plans on owning the device. We always thought that generous 4.3-inch screen could do with some backside support, and indeed the new kickstand-equipped extended battery will provide just that. You’ll also get a nice energy bump, as the new accessory is set to double the 1,230mAh capacity of the default juice pack. Deliveries are expected by Clove in February, meaning it shouldn’t be too long before this official appendage makes its global debut — let’s just hope other nations don’t have to suffer as much wallet damage as the UK.

HTC HD2 extended battery with kickstand up for pre-order in the UK originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Let’s face it — there’s at least an 89.4 percent chance that you’d be utterly embarrassed to let your mother, SO or inner neat-freak inspect your keyboard. Years of wear and tear have cleared the way for minuscule portions of delicacies, follicles and all manners of foreign objects to make their home just beneath the vowels you smash on a daily basis, and considering that cleaning said keyboard or buying a new one is far too difficult, the Quirky community has a better solution. The Space Bar ($42 in a 3-pack) is an aluminum keyboard cover that can slip right over ‘boards that measure 18-inches wide and 1.5-inches deep; aside from covering things up, it also provides six easily accessible USB 2.0 ports. Too bad there’s no germ-nixing UV light on the underside, but there’s always hope for v2.0.

Update: The pricing has since been updated — it’s $42 for each.

The Space Bar sleekly covers up your grimy keyboard, adds a few USB ports to boot originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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