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Category: Tech Gadgets

Twilight Umbrella Lights Up Rainy Nights With LEDs

Twilight Umbrellas


This line of twinkling umbrellas is called the Twilight Umbrellas. These hi-tech brollies utilize fibre optics, three AAA batteries and lots of LED lights to illuminate a rainy night. There are two types of Twilight Umbrellas available, the Starlight featuring twinkly white lights, and the Spectrum featuring constantly phasing multicoloured lights. The umbrellas can be purchased here on Firebox for £24.95 - $41 U.S.

(via Crave)

Posted on July 3, 2009
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Tiny Printable Battery Invented

Printable BatteryLiveScience reports that the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS has come up with a battery that is printable. The tiny battery is expected to be cheap and easy to mass produce.
"Our goal is to be able to mass produce the batteries at a price of single digit cent range each," said Andreas Willert, of the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS, where Reinhard Baumann led the battery's development.

The battery weighs less than 1 gram and is less than 1 millimeter thick. It runs at 1.5 volts. Placing several in a row can produce up to 6 volts. A standard AAA battery weighs about 11.5 grams and also runs at 1.5 volts. The newly developed battery has a life span more limited than traditional batteries, however.

The battery is composed of different layers: a zinc anode and a manganese cathode, among others. Zinc and manganese react with one another and produce electricity. However, the anode and the cathode layer dissipate gradually during this chemical process. Therefore, the battery is suitable for applications which have a limited life span or a limited power requirement.
The tiny batteries could be used to power products like musical greeting cards without the battery being quite as visible.

Photo: Fraunhofer Research Institution for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS

Posted on July 2, 2009
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Analyst Says Palm Could Quickly Sell One Million Palm Pres

Palm PreThe New York Times Bits blog reports that Edward Snyder, a cellphone industry analyst with Charter Equity Research, believes Palm has already sold 300,000 of its Palm Pre smartphones. He also believes Palm could sell 1 million phones in its first quarter of production. It's significant because Bits says Edward Snyder is normally a "cautious pessimist" about smartphone sales figures.
So the report he issued Monday bears notice. Mr. Snyder said that his sources in the manufacturing and retail channels indicated that Palm had sold 300,000 phones — considerably higher than some estimates by analysts — and that the company was struggling to keep up with demand. Mr. Snyder estimates that the company now is producing 15,000 units a day and will ship one million phones to Sprint in the first full quarter of production.
Information Week points out that Apple's Phone 3GS sold one million units in its launch weekend. Yes, the iPhone sales numbers are huge but Palm's strong Palm Pre sales mean there is plenty of room for new smartphones that aren't a BlackBerry or an iPhone. Palm Pre apps have been busy as well. Palm passed> the one million Palm Pre apps downloaded mark last week.

(via Dealerscope)

Posted on July 1, 2009
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RichardSolo Launches Line of Eco-Friendly Gadgets

RichardSolo Voyager Radio


RichardSolo has launched an environmentally friendly line of gadgets. One of the new gadgets is the Voyager Radio, an emergency radio that can be powered by a hand crank, built-in solar cells or regular alkaline batteries. It can also be powered by USB on your computer. The radio has AM/FM, shortwave bands, and a NOAA weather band. The radio retails for $49.95.

Another new eco-friendly product from is the BioGreen Foam Mattress Toppers, which are made in the USA by a process that reduces out-gassing and volatile organic compounds. They also have a chair made entirely out of hemp called the Nada-Chair. The Kill-A-Watt PS is a power strip provides a digital readout of your electricity consumption. RichardSolo has also launched Oxygenics Water-Saving Showerheads, which save water compared to conventional showerheads and also oxygenate the water. RichardSolo's eco-friendly products can be found here.

Posted on July 1, 2009
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Vast Array of Smartphone Choices Overwhelming Some Consumers

A new GfK Roper survey commissioned by Best Buy Mobile found that many consumers are confused about smartphones. It is true that the smartphone marketplace is very crowded. There are many different types of smartphones to choose from. The study found that nearly 47% of those who don't own a smartphone yet claimed to be overwhelmed by the large variety of smartphones. Consumers who don't own smartphones also blame high prices for keeping them away. Here are some findings from the survey.
  • Of adults who do not yet own a smartphone, nearly half (47%) claimed they are too confused by the vast assortment of models and features. Barriers to smartphone ownership include the difficulty with the shopping experience, confusion about models and expense.
  • 39% do not own a smartphone because they hate shopping for electronics products, with 45% of women in particular expressing this concern.
  • 52% of women and 42% of men are confused about which model smartphone to buy, and more than half (53%) of adults over 50 express this confusion.
  • 64% of Americans say they do not own a smartphone because they believe the devices are too expensive. This sentiment is particularly felt in the South.
Consumers won't get any relief when it comes to the number of smartphones. The smartphone industry is likely to get even more crowded. Companies like ViewSonic and Dell are rumored to be close to enterting the crowded smartphone marketplace.

Posted on June 30, 2009
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Dell Developing Android Based Web Gadget

The Wall Street Journal reports that Dell is developing a small device that the people could use to access the Internet. The WSJ says people who have seen it say it is a little bigger than the iPod Touch.
The gadget would run on Google Inc.'s Android software, these people said. Two people who saw early prototypes described the device as slightly larger than Apple Inc.'s iPod Touch, which is similar to the iPhone but does not have cellphone capabilities.

Another person who was briefed on the company's plans said Dell may begin selling the device later this year, though this person said the plan could be delayed or scrapped entirely.

The development effort is one of the first experiments by a big-name PC maker in a nascent category of products known as mobile Internet devices, or MIDs,which are designed to fill a perceived gap between mobile phones and laptop computers.

A Dell spokesman declined to comment on any plans for the product category.
The article says Dell has also been developing smartphones that would be powered by Android. The Dell smartphone rumor first surfaced in January. If the Wall Street Journal is correct then it sounds like Dell plans to take on both the iPhone and the iPod Touch using Google's smartphone operating system.

Posted on June 29, 2009
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Steve Jobs Back at Apple Headquarters

Steve Jobs is back at work at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California. Employees at Apple confirmed to CNBC that Jobs was back in the office. Just a few weeks ago Steve Jobs received a liver transplant.



Posted on June 29, 2009
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Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal Leaning Shoes Patent

Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal Patent


Boing Boing Gadgets reports that a patent for these Smooth Criminal shoes was filed in 1992. The special stage and shoes enabled Michael Jackson and his backup dancers to lean at 45-degree angles when performing the dance. Here's a video of "Smooth Criminal" performed live.



Posted on June 28, 2009
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Best Buy Employee Busted For Running Gift Card Scheme

KSTP-TV reports that a Best Buy employee was busted for running a Gift Card scheme. The employee purchased as much as $9,000 worth of products before being caught.
"It appeared that he was completely setting himself up, furnishing his apartment," explained Minnetonka Police Sgt. David Riegert. "Initially Best Buy reported about 20 to 25 items were taken. They thought somewhere in the neighborhood of about $9,000 in property."

Once Minnetonka Police issued this search warrant, they found about double what they expected. Investigators say Brown would help customers with a purchase at the store, but then used another employee's identification number and a copy of the receipt to return the items.

Authorities say Brown put that money onto a gift card and then spend away on BestBuy.com. It seemingly worked, until a couple customers came back.
The article says the Best Buy employee had 3 to 4 packages arriving at his home each day before he was caught.

(via Dealerscope)

Posted on June 28, 2009
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MagicJack's USB Internet Phone Device is a Hot Item

MagicJackSilicon Alley Insider reports that MagicJack - a device that gives you unlimited phone calls for $20 a year - is selling like hot cakes. The gadget is expected to top $100 million in sales this year. Silicon Alley Insider says 9,000 to 10,000 MagicJacks are being sold daily.
MagicJack works by hooking a standard home phone up to an Internet calling service via a $40 USB jack, which sells via stores like Best Buy, RadioShack, and Walgreen's. It lets you place and receive unlimited phone calls over the company's Internet phone network for $20 a year. (First year free.)

The company is selling about 9,000 to 10,000 MagicJacks a day, according to Borislow, and customers are using about 500 million minutes a month. The company will do more than $100 million in sales this year, Borislow says, and is cash-flow positive.

Who's buying MagicJacks? Many older people, so far, especially in retiree or seasonal-living states like California and Florida. (The company's average customer is over age 50.) And about 20% of its customers are overseas -- ex-pats or foreigners who want to make cheap calls with America.
Some of the people commenting on Silicon Alley Insider's post say MagicJack's service is unreliable. You can read more about MagicJack here, here and here.

Posted on June 27, 2009
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Sony Corp Considering Cellphone-Gaming Hybrid Device

Sony PSPYahoo Tech reports that Sony Corp is considering developing a cellphone-game gear hybrid. The new gadget would help it compete with Apple's iPod and iPhone devices that are increasingly being used for gaming.
The Japanese electronics and entertainment conglomerate launched its first Walkman three decades ago, dominating the portable music player market, but it has been running far behind the iPod and iPhone in recent years.

Sony plans to set up a project team as early as July to develop a new product that combines functions of its portable game player and Sony Ericsson's mobile phones, the Nikkei said.

Sony Ericsson is a cellphone joint venture between Sony and Sweden's Ericsson.
The Yahoo Tech article says more game publishers are starting to create games for the iPhone and iPod. Commitment by game publishers is crucial for game portables and game consoles to thrive.

Sony's current game portable, the PSP, is pictured above on the right.

Posted on June 27, 2009
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Best Buy to Open 40 Standalone Mobile Phone Stores

The Wall Street Journal reports that Best Buy s going to be opening 40 standalone mobile-phone stores. Best Buy believes the mobile-phone-only stores will help them boost their marketshare of the mobile-phone market to 15%.
Brian Dunn, who formally took over as chief executive from retiring Brad Anderson on Wednesday, said following the company's annual meeting that mobile phones are a crucial component of the company's new sales campaign to focus on gadgets that feature "connectivity." He did not say when the company expects to achieve the share goal.

Mr. Dunn, a long-time Best Buy executive who most recently was president of North American retail operations, said customers were responding well to its new Best Buy Mobile displays, which showcase many mobile-phone brands such as Apple Inc.'s iPhone and Palm Inc.'s Pre in one central location.
Mobiledia reports that Best Buy paid $2.1 billion for a 50% in Carphone Warehouse - Europe's largest mobile phone retailer - last month.

Posted on June 26, 2009
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TJ Maxx Parent Company Settles With 41 States Over Credit Card Theft Fallout

TJX has settled lawsuits with 41 states over a computer break in three years ago in which 45.7 million customers' credit and debit card information was stolen. TJX now has to pay $9.8 million to settle all the lawsuits over the security breach.
Under the terms of the arrangement, the Marshalls and TJ Maxx parent will pay a $5.5 million settlement, $2.5 million to establish a data security fund and $1.8 million to cover the states' investigation costs. The attorneys general will decide how to allocate the money in their respective states, but a company spokeswoman said provisions in the agreement called for funds to go towards consumer protection measures. The deal further calls for the off-price operator to certify its computer systems to meet states' requirements and encourage new technologies that fight electronic card fraud.

*****

Last August, the Justice Department indicted 11 people for their roles in the thefts, which then-U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey called “the single largest and most complex identity theft case ever charged in this country.” According to the indictment, members of the conspiracy targeted TJX and other retailers, such as Forever 21 and DSW, by inserting packet-sniffing software that harvested customers' financial information. The crew also gained access to the driver license and social security numbers of up to 450,000 customers who returned goods without a receipt, TJX allowed at the time. The plot's alleged ringleader, Miami resident Albert Gonzalez, pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, N.Y., in September and is awaiting trial.
This case illustrates how crucial it is for online retailers to have the highest levels of security protecting consumers' credit and debit card information.

Posted on June 25, 2009
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Toshiba Launches Line of USB Powered Portable Hard Drives

Toshiba USB Backup


Toshiba has a line of portable hard drives that are USB powered and offer backup and password-protected encryption. Toshiba's portable storage products come in 500GB and 320GB capacities. They are available in an array of color choices, including Vivid White, Liquid Blue, Komodo Green and Rocket Red. Toshiba's portable hard drives weigh six ounces and are about the size of a postcard. The 500GB Toshiba Portable Hard Drive is priced at $149.99 (MSRP) and the 320GB version is priced at $119.99 (MSRP). They can be purchased at toshibadirect.com and other retailers, including Amazon.com.

Posted on June 23, 2009
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Conan O'Brien on Celebrity Tweets

Celebrities have taken to Twitter in droves. In fact, the Tweet War over the Perez Hilton/Black Eyed Peas Incident is still in full swing, with John Mayer offering to teach Perez Krav Maga principles so that Perez will "have the situational awareness not to get in someone's face" in the future (Perez did not seem interested in the offer). But Conan O'Brien thinks celebrity Tweets are mostly pretty boring. Take a look:



Posted on June 23, 2009
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