There's certainly no shortage of waterproof gadgets out there for you to take along on your next swimming or diving adventure, but if you still haven't found an MP3 player that meets your needs, you may want to consider Ubanana's new uCan device, which is at least a tad better looking than some of the other wearable optionscurrently available. You'll have to make do with a mere 1 gigabyte of memory, however, but you will get a decent 15 hours of battery life, and you can rest assured that it'll float to the surface for easy retrieval if it slips off while you're plundering the ocean's depths (up to ten feet deep, at least). Look for this one to set you back €99 (or $150), with it set to start shipping in July.
It looks like Atari is taking a few cues from Nintendo's past in order to take on the hot-sellingWii Fit, with the company's new Family Trainer game employing a Power Pad-style (or DDR-style for you young 'uns) mat controller to give you a workout. That'll apparently let you run and jump your way through more than a dozen mini-games designed to get your heart rate going, including log jumping, rope skipping and water rafting, each of which also make use of the Wiimote for some upper-body action. No word on a price just yet, but it'll apparently be landing in Europe first this September before it (presumably) makes its way over here.
JR.com may have let the cat of the bag, but Creative's not letting that stop it from getting all official with its new Vado Pocket Video Cam, which is taking square aim at the likes of Pure Digital's Flip Video cheapcorder. Like the Flip, Creative's offering comes packing a lowly-but-YouTube-friendly 640 x 480 resolution, along with 2GB of built-in memory (with no expansion options), a 2-inch display, a flip-out USB connector, and a promised two hours of battery life on a charge. Not exactly the most feature-packed camera out there (even for a budget model), but the $100 price tag is certainly right, and you can get it in your choice of silver or hot pink. [Source: Pocket-lint]
It looks like Dell's not the only one that thinks boxy is in, with the folks at the NonObject design firm now also taking a decidedly hard-edged approach with their new motorcycle concept. Dubbed the nUCLEUS, the vehicle is described as a "zero emission, zero impact speed machine," albeit one that would seem to have a bit of trouble making sharp turns. That possible shortcoming aside, the concept is certainly unique enough, with it boasting an "animal-like behavior system" that allows it to get up on its "hind legs" when its in action and rest down flat when its at rest, as well as some interchangeable (but equally boxy) side panels. Of course, there's not much in the way of technical details, but you can at least get a look at it from every angle by checking out the video after the break. [Source: NONOBJECT: nUCLEUS via Autoblog Green]
There's not a lot of details on this one just yet, but Activision CEO Mike Griffith has dropped word in a earnings conference call that the company's upcoming Guitar Hero: On Tour game / controller combo will not only be released on its own this June, but in a new Nintendo DS bundle as well. No word on a price, unfortunately, nor is there any indication that the DS itself will be undergoing any Guitar Hero-inspired changes, but it seems like those little details should be making themselves known soon enough. [Source: Joystiq]
The folks at Xerox has been working on their "erasable paper" idea for some time now, but it looks like they've been making some real progress as of late, with them now even going so far as to say that they hope to have an actual product available sometime next year. The paper itself, however, appears to still use the same basic technology they've been working on all along -- namely, a coating of photosensitive chemicals that turn white when hit by ultraviolet light or react to product text when scanned specific wavelength of light. The text can then be erased on command by feeding it through a special printer, or left to disappear on its own over a period of 24 hours.
On the downside, the paper is apparently useless if it's been folded or wrinkled, or written on with a pen. No word on an expected price for the paper or printer just yet, unfortunateyl, but Xerox seems to be betting that the savings in paper (and consequential environmental benefits) will be enough to offset whatever premium they'll likely cost.
[Source: Scotsman via The Inquirer, image courtesy of Xerox / Greig Reekie]
While we wouldn't be surprised if there's at least a few makeshift multi-monitor setups out there to challenge it, as far as ready-made solutions go, it's pretty tough to beat this massive rig from 9X Media, which packs a room-busting 30 screens. What's more, you can apparently get it configured with your choice of 19- to 32-inch displays, which can be arranged in any number of of different configurations (complete with multi-screen servers). Of course, if that's a bit too excessive for you, 9X Media will also gladly sell you any number of smaller configurations, although you'll have to chat them up for a quote if you move beyond the nine to twelve screen range. [Source 9X Media via Crave]
Sure, you can get yourself a personal helicopter or, if you're particularly daring, a jet pack, but what about those that crave yet more danger in short 30-second bursts? As in, rocket-propelled helicopter blades a few inches from your head-type danger. Thankfully, the folks at Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana (makes of some of the aforementioned jet packs) have come to the rescue (so to speak), with their latest high-flying concept, the Libelula rocket-powered helicopter backpack.
Apparently, the rockets on the tips of the blades are necessary to keep the whole rig counter-balanced, a job that would normally be done with a tail rotor on an ordinary helicopter. Of course, as you can no doubt surmise by the detailed illustration above, this one's still a ways away from getting its first test flight, but the folks at TAM do have a proven track record, so we wouldn't put it completely past 'em to get it off the drawing board sooner or later. [Tecaeromex via Tech Digest]
We've seen a number of modular, reassemblingrobots already, but that doesn't make 'em any less unnerving, especially when we see them doing their thing on video. As you can see for yourself after the break, this latest batch of bots from the University of Pennsylvania seem to be capable enough, with them able to be kicked apart and find their way back together again, albeit somewhat slowly. That's done with the aid of a camera that seeks out the unique blinkin' lights of another robot, which it is able to dock with using some magnets and then start the search for another bot all over again, eventually forming into a slightly unstable walking robot (be sure to stick with video 'till the end for that). [Source: New Scientist Tech via Futurismic]
Last we saw the Uno electric unicycle it was looking very much like the prototype it was, but as you can see above, it seems that the teenage engineers behind it have been doing anything but slacking in the ensuing months. As Motorcycle Mojo reports, the third incarnation of the vehicle recently made its debut at the 2008 National Motorcycle Show in Toronto, with it sporting some custom-made wheels, a stylin' new body, and a few changes under the hood as well. That latter bit apparently even included a trip to a robotics and gyro expert in California, who helped to fine tune the two gyros the Uno uses for turning and forward and backward motion (something you probably want to get right). There's still no word as to when or if the vehicle might actually enter production, however, but you can at least now get a great look at it courtesy of the generous batch of pics Motorcycle Mojo has provided at the link below.
Oregon Scientific managed to pique our interest with its proximity-sensing Weather In Motion clock, and it now looks like it's got the solution for anyone that wishes they could take it with 'em wherever they go, with the company set to release its new Meteo weather forecasting watch. While the need for a proximity sensor is obviously eliminated this time around, the watch apparently boasts the same weather information in icon-form as its desk-based companion, along with your usual time-telling, stop watch and alarm features. Look for this one to set you back £40 (or about $80) when it's released next month.
It's far from the only strength-boosting exoskeleton out there, but Honda's so-called "walking assist device" is one of the few that you can actually take for a test spin -- if you happen to be attending the Barrier Free 2008 trade show in Osaka, Japan next week, that is.
Apparently employing some of the same technology developed by Honda for its ASIMO robot, the walking assistant is able to obtain information from hip angle sensors to help keep its wearer upright, with the device's motors also able to increase the wearer's natural stride. That, Honda says, should make the device ideal for the elderly or those with weakened leg muscles, although we're sure they could find at least a few other buyers if it ever actually hits the market at a reasonable price. [Source: Honda Worldwide via Autoblog]
Apparently not satisfied with simply building robotic body parts, the Department of Defense has now announced a brand new effort that it hopes will one day allow it to regrow actual body parts. Dubbed the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine (or AFIRM), the new group will explore the use of stem cell research, among other things, to "reconstruct new skin, muscles and tendons, and even ears, noses and fingers." Or, as the Army surgeon general that'll be overseeing the program puts it: if an animal like a salamander can regrow a lost tail or limb, "Why can't a mammal do the same thing?"
Not surprisingly, the institute apparently also won't be hard up for resources, with it boasting a budget of about $250 million for its first five-year period, and it enlisting the help of three universities, including Rutgers, Wake Forest, and the University of Pittsburgh.
We've seen a couple of roboticcar parkinggarages in the past, but Tokyo's Kasai Station seems to have found another use for the same idea, with it now employing the services of an enormous bicycle-parking contraption that can store some 9,400 bikes. As you can see for yourself in the video after the break, the system is able to gobble up your bike and pull it down into the bowels of the garage with slightly terrifying efficiency, and at a cost of just ¥100 (about a buck) no less -- or ¥1,800 for a monthly pass. No word if they've had anyone try to stay on their bike and take a ride into the beast, although we'd assume there are some sort of safeguards in place to prevent those sorts of shenanigans. [Source: Japan Probe]
You don't have to look very far to find e-bookconcepts these days, but this so-called Papyrus device from the folks at Greener Grass aims a bit higher than most, with it promising to be nothing short of an inexpensive replacement for students' textbooks. If the designers have their way, the device would cost less than $100, while still packing an E Ink-based touchscreen (with handwriting recognition, it seems), and a battery that lasts for a full 30 hours -- not to mention some sort of networking functionality, as the device is apparently also designed to let teachers and students interact with one another.
Not exactly something you can expect to pick up anytime soon, to be sure, but the designers don't appear to have any presumptions about it actually getting made, with them saying instead that they simply want it to be a "catalyst for discussion about improving the classroom experience," and that's certainly hard to argue with.
CNET provides the latest tech news, unbiased reviews, videos, podcasts, software, and downloads, making tech products easy to find, understand and use.
KEF KHT-3005 (black) The KEF KHT-3005 is one compact, beautifully designed speaker package with solid aluminum satellites that feature unique driver technology to produce incredible clarity. Meanwhile, the equally astounding dual 10-inch, 250-watt powered subwoofer delivers ultradeep bass. Full Review
8.8 out of 10
KEF KHT-3005 (silver) The KEF KHT-3005 is one compact, beautifully designed speaker package with solid aluminum satellites that feature unique driver technology to produce incredible clarity. Meanwhile, the equally astounding dual 10-inch, 250-watt powered subwoofer delivers ultradeep bass. Full Review
Home Video Reviews
8.7 out of 10
Pioneer Kuro PDP-5080 HD This 50-inch plasma TV displays an exceedingly deep shade of black with excellent shadow detail; clean image with little noise; "smooth" video-processing mode removes most judder; excellent antireflective screen; sleek, minimalist styling; removable speaker; superb connectivity with four HDMI inputs and one PC input; CableCard compatible with TV Guide EPG. Full Review
8.7 out of 10
Sony VPL-VW200 This projector has exceptional color fidelity. It produces a deep shade of black with excellent shadow detail. It also has a superb feature package, including panel alignment and blacking, and it has solid connectivity. Full Review
8.7 out of 10
Logitech Squeezebox Duet Network digital audio system includes excellent wireless remote with color screen and scroll wheel control; supports Wi-Fi and Ethernet home networks; compatible with virtually all non-DRM audio file formats, provides access to PC-based music files (on Windows, Mac, and Linux machines) as well as PC-free Internet radio, podcasts, and premium online music services including Rhapsody, Slacker, and Pandora; excellent online account integration; expandable to multiple rooms. Full Review
Turbo Charge Tc2 portable cell phone charger The Turbo Charge Tc2 portable cell phone charger successfully delivers emergency power to your cell phone. It's easy to use and comes with a couple of surprising features. Full Review
Canon EOS 1D Mark III Extremely fast, 10-megapixel continuous shooting; very low noise; highly customizable; well-designed body with weather sealing; 3-inch LCD; abundant optional accessories. Full Review
9.0 out of 10
Canon EOS-1D Mark II N Combination of fast drive mode and high resolution; large buffer; highly customizable; saves custom camera setups to media, supports cards greater than 2GB. Full Review
9.0 out of 10
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Very low noise, high quality images; 21.1 megapixels; live view shooting; pro-level build-quality and performance. Full Review
Desktop Reviews
9.1 out of 10
HP Pavilion Slimline S3330f Outstanding price-to-feature ratio; Blu-ray/HD DVD combo drive; small, flexible case; great performance thanks to a speedy dual-core AMD CPU Full Review
8.7 out of 10
Dell XPS 630 Fastest gaming performance in its price category (mostly); distinctive chassis; lots of expandability; Nvidia software makes overclocking easy. Full Review
8.5 out of 10
Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz) A minor specification update results in some significant performance gains; graphics upgrade an option on this 24-inch model; sleek, polished design didn't receive an update, but we won't start clamoring for a new design until the current one is at least 12 months old. Full Review
