Tech News and Reviews
Peripherals
Just say no: Apple and Intel stop using conflict minerals
0409 days
by Arlene.L
in Peripherals
While the US government hasn’t issued an outright ban against the use of ‘conflict minerals’ coming from the Congo, it has passed a law that will require companies who use them to tell all of us when our gadgets have been paid for (in part) with blood. Looks like Apple and Intel weren’t too keen on the bad PR that would come from such disclosures, and joined the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition and its Conflict-Free Smelter program. The program requires mineral processing plants either prove that they don’t fund the ongoing hostilities in central Africa or peddle their war-supporting wares elsewhere. For now, that means that the folks in Cupertino and Santa Clara will have to find other sources for the three Ts (tungsten, tin, and tantalum) needed to sate our technological appetites.
Sony’s Bloggie Duo HD camcorder ships this week for $170
0409 days
by Arlene.L
in Peripherals
Sony’s been mum on its Bloggie Duo HD for the better part of this year, teasing it once at CES and then crossing its fingers that we’d all come searching for it in Q2. Thankfully for those with chronic memory loss, we’ve got it on good authority that this very camcorder is all set to ship tomorrow. And by “good authority,” we mean a status update on Sony’s own e-shop. For those who’ve fallen behind, $169.99 grabs you a pocket-sized camcorder capable of logging two hours of HD video, a handful of 5 megapixel stills, a 2.7-inch LCD and an HDMI output. So, here’s the real question: violet, pink or green?
BlueStacks offering Android virtualization within Windows, harmony for one and all
0409 days
by Arlene.L
in Peripherals
It’d be too easy to simply describe BlueStack’s suddenly titillating software as Android’s Parallels for Windows, but really — why try to complicate things? Currently available only in test form, the program is designed to run a virtualized copy of Android atop a not-at-all-virtualized copy of Windows, and the implications could be far-reaching. According to a hands-on demonstration given to the folks at Slashgear, BlueStack’s software enables Android and Windows to share utilities and drivers; in other words, you can print something within Android via your Windows print driver, or make a call in Android’s Skype application via Microsoft’s VoIP drivers. We’re told that multitasking was smooth and succinct, and while there’s no access to the Android Market, test builds are including Amazon’s Appstore as an alternative. If all goes well, the company should let the code loose “later this year,” but it’s hard to say what kind of price tag (or stipulations) will be attached. Can’t think of a good reason to have Android and Windows living harmoniously? Here’s one. (Oh, and you’re welcome).
How would you change OnLive’s MicroConsole game system?
0418 days
by Arlene.L
in Peripherals
The concept of a streaming console has been around for ages, and while Phantom Entertainment never could quite pull it off, the folks at OnLive seem to be onto something. ‘Course, only time will tell if that “something” is a legitimate enough business to make sustainable, but at least it has moved well beyond the point of vaporware. Now that the MicroConsole has been raiding living rooms for a few months, we’re curious to know your thoughts on things. Have you been able to try one out? Are you still reverting back to your conventional consoles? Are you pleased with OnLive’s performance given your ho hum cable connection? Would you have inked deals with a few more game publishers before pushing it out? Go on and get really real down in comments below — given the small size of the company, there’s a better-than-average chance it’ll be listening to what you have to say.
iRig Mic review
0418 days
by Arlene.L
in Peripherals
There’s no shortage of ways to get sound into your iOS device, but one thing has been missing from the field up to this point: a handheld accessory to help you hone your Sammy Hagar (or Anderson Cooper) impression while you’re FaceTiming with Gramps. The iRig vocal mic fills that gap, and the included Vocalive app does its part to help you rap over your favorite beat, add sick and twisted FX to your vox, and share your jams with your file-sharing friends. But is the iRig a Napster-level entry into the iMic field? Is it more of an eDonkey, or just kind of a KaZaA? Read on for our impressions of the SM58-feeling cardioid.
Hanwha unleashes HDMI / USB adapter for iPad, iPhone 4, and fourth-gen iPod touch
0418 days
by Arlene.L
in Peripherals
Feel the desire to watch your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch (fourth gen) videos on the big screen, but looking for something with a little more girth than Apple’s HDMI solution? Hanwha’s latest dongle might do the job. As you can see above, in place of the original adapter’s dock connector port is a USB 2.0 socket — compatible with cameras supporting mass storage connection — alongside the 720p-friendly HDMI port, but you’ll have to use the switch to toggle between the two modes. And that little mini-USB port on the far right? Well, it’s there to provide some juice to “reduce battery drain,” but probably not enough to charge up your iDevice. If you’re still interested and have a friend in Japan, Hanwha’s charging ¥5,980 (around $73), which is almost double that of Apple’s $39 connector. Is USB support worth such a price jump? Your call.
iBike Dash turns your iPhone or iPod touch into a cycling computer
0450 days
by Arlene.L
in Peripherals
There’s not exactly any shortage of ways to mount your iPhone or iPod touch to your bike, but there’s decidedly fewer options that actually turn your iOS device into a full-fledged cycling computer that’s able to replace those from the likes of Garmin. This new iBike Dash device promises to do just that, though. It not only houses your device is a protective, waterproof shell, but it includes an ANT+ speed sensor and is compatible with other ANT+ devices so you can measure heart rate and cadence. It also has room for an extra rechargeable battery to extend your run time, and it naturally makes use of a free app that takes advantage of your iPhone’s GPS capabilities (no built-in GPS here to help out iPod touch users). Of course, all that means this one also costs considerably more than a simple bike mount — look for the basic model to set you back $199, while the deluxe package (including cadence and HR monitors along with an extra battery and charger) runs $329.
iGrow promises to regrow hair with lasers, accessorize any wardrobe
0451 days
by Arlene.L
in Peripherals
Laser combs? Old news. The latest in laser-based hair rejuvenation is the iGrow, a stylish new wearable device from Apira Science that packs 21 laser diodes and 30 LED lights. According to the company, that matches the output of most clinical hair lasers, and it should result in “thicker, fuller and healthier” hair in just a “few short months.” But that’s not all. The iGrow also includes a remote that has been programmed for both men and women, and it has a built-in set of headphones that you can use with your own iPod or MP3 player — we can’t imagine why you’d ever want to take it off. Sure, it costs $695, but Apira is so confident in its miracle helmet that it’s offering a six-month money back guarantee. You really have nothing to lose… but your hair.
Etymotic EB1 and EB15 earplugs hands-on
0493 days
by Arlene.L
in Peripherals
Etymotic, a company we’ve seen here at CES and in the past, has developed a pair of earplugs that protect your hearing against things like loud explosions and gunfire. The EB1 and EB15 Electronic Blast PLG Earplugs, retailing for $449 and $499, respectively, are aimed toward buyers such as hunters, musicians and soldiers — folks who are exposed to loud noises and need protection. The analog earpieces are powered by a 312 hearing-aid battery and will last three weeks. There’s no on/off switch — just a high and low gain control. High gain is used for environments that require an amplification and the opposite applies for low gain. In other words, if a soldier is out on the battlefield and needs to hear an enemy inside a house, he’d switch to high gain to generate a louder sound. The difference between the plugs is simple: the EB1 is for people who are going to be around one-off noises and the EB15 are for those who are going to be exposed to prolonged noises. We got a chance to test out the plugs on the loud show floor and we gotta say, the difference between high- and low-gain modes is easily recognizable and we feel like these earplugs will make superb head-hole protectors. Plenty of complicated graphs and numbers in the gallery below.
HEX ships iPod nano watch band, dares you to destroy it (video)
0506 days
by Arlene.L
in Peripherals
It’s highly improbable that you actually need yet another option when looking for a watch band to house your iPod nano 6G, but if that first-run version you sprung for is already in tatters, HEX has a little something worth considering. The company has just started shipping its HEX Watch Band in the US of A, with $29.95 netting you a soft, flexible band that requires no complicated plug-and-play action whatsoever. Just pop your nano into the face, strap it on your arm, and roll. It’s designed to be remarkably rugged (as seen in a torture video just past the break), and the headphone socket is arranged in a way that nicely runs the cable up your arm towards your cranium. The only problem? Choosing which of the nine hues fits your personality best.