Features:
Number of speakers: 4
Frequency response: 20kHz
Talk time: Up to 540 minutes
Standby time: Up to 200 hours
Power supply: AC power, battery
Pros:
Versatile, streamlined design, decent sound quality, doubles as hands-free speakerphone
Cons:
Slight hissing sound when connected via A2DP
The final word:
The Motorokr EQ7 is a versatile device that performs well for both music and mobile phone calls. This well-designed speaker system produces reasonable sound considering its size.
THE Motorokr EQ7 is an extremely versatile wireless speaker system. This UFO-shaped audio system provides A2DP Bluetooth audio streaming and a traditional audio-in jack, and acts as a wireless speakerphone for mobile phone conversations.
Taking into account its Motorokr branding and partnership with JBL, Motorola clearly considers the EQ7 first and foremost a music accessory. Although it is JBL branded, the EQ7 is distributed and sold solely by Motorola.
The design is definitely eye catching. A nice touch is the gloss black edging surrounding the unit and the chrome volume buttons on the front. The anti-slip rubber on the bottom ensures the speaker remains firmly in place on a desk or table. On top, the black speaker grill hides four transducers, while a bass port is located at the rear of the unit. In addition to steaming A2DP audio, the EQ7 has basic playback controls: volume, previous and next track and play/pause.
We tested the EQ7 with a first-generation iPhone as well as the Nokia 6220 classic and were impressed with the results on the whole. Audio streaming from a mobile phone via the A2DP Bluetooth profile resulted in reasonable, but not outstanding sound. We have often criticised A2DP Bluetooth products in the past for poor audio quality, but the EQ7 doesn't fall into this category. Although distortion is evident at high volume, anything below this doesn't suffer. There is a slight, underlying hissing sound when connected via Bluetooth, but this isn't as noticeable as it is with many other A2DP units.
When connected via the standard 3.5mm audio jack, the EQ7 produces sound loud enough to fill a small room. A weakness is instrumental separation – in complex riffs individual elements can be lost, creating a somewhat muddy sound. Particularly impressive, however, is bass, which is punchy but not overpowering. For a small unit, the sound is fair. It's obviously not audiophile quality, but most people shouldn't have too many complaints.
Where the EQ7 also shines is in handling phone calls. When connected to a Bluetooth mobile phone, the unit acts as a hands-free speakerphone. If you are playing music when a phone call comes in, the music dims and the phone rings through the speaker. An answer call button allows you to take the call without touching your phone. Sound quality during calls is excellent and the microphone located just underneath the JBL logo is powerful enough to pick up your voice from a few metres away. Though it's marketed mainly as a music device, we feel the EQ7's speakerphone capabilities make it an ideal office tool for conference calls during meetings.
The EQ7 comes with an AC adapter but the unit can also run on four AA batteries, located beneath a plastic lock at the bottom of the unit.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
LATEST GADGETS: SPEAKER SYSTEM
LATEST GADGETS: Bluetooth headset
Price:$199
Features:
Talk time: Up to 300 minutes
Wireless range: Up to 10 metres
Standby time: Up to 175 hours (with multipoint off); up to 100 (with multipoint on)
Weight: 8g
Pros:
Design, simple operation, comfortable, excellent voice quality, carrying pouch doubles as a charger
Cons:
Volume could have been louder in some instances
The final word:
The Discovery 925 is one of the best looking and best performing Bluetooth headsets to hit the market; the carrying pouch that doubles as a charger is a nice touch.
AS worn by the likes of Brooke Shields and Eva Longoria Parker, Plantronics' latest Bluetooth headset features unique VFrame design and comes packaged with a rechargeable case and AC and USB chargers.
This latest Bluetooth headset isn't just for the ladies though, as its refreshing black and chrome design suits men just fine.
As much a fashion accessory as a convenient hands-free device, the Discovery 925's design definitely captures the eye. The thin, plastic design is striking; the gloss black and chrome colour scheme certainly gives this headset a touch of class. Plantronics claims the design isn't just about looks though, as the VFrame is structured to follow the contours of the face and draw the microphone closer to your mouth.
In addition to a stylish design, the Discovery 925's compact build also means it's comfortable to wear. Particularly interesting is what Plantronics has dubbed “self-stabilising” ear tips – these clear rubber ear tips come in three different sizes and are comfortable to wear for long periods despite their unconventional design.
Friday, October 3, 2008
LATEST GADGETS: LaCie Rugged All-Terrain Hard Disk 500GB
$499
Features:
Storage capacity:
500GBCache memory: 8MBInterface: FireWire 800 (1394b), USB 2.0, FireWire 400 (1394a)Weight: 298gWarranty: 36 months
Pros:
Rugged case design, fast read/write times, bus-powered, triple interface
Cons:
Installation can be finicky, didn't check Firefox 3's security
The final word:
The LaCie Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive isn't built to withstand a nuclear holocaust, but it provides better protection than standard portable hard drives. We were impressed with the read/write times and the fact that it can provide 500GB of hard drive space powered by USB.
LACIE'S Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive has the protection it needs to be able to function over a long period of time in everyday rough-and-tumble situations.
The LaCie Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive isn't new – we reviewed the 80GB version back in 2006. Since then not much has changed physically, but LaCie has bumped the drive's capacity to 500 gigabytes (GB). The drive still retains its small case. Amazingly, LaCie has managed to keep the drive bus-powered, making it one of the first 500GB portable hard drives on the market that only requires USB for power. It also manages to pack in FireWire 400, FireWire 800 and a secondary USB port for supplementary power.
The drive is protected by anti-shock rubber bumpers, and encased in aluminium. A replaceable shock-resistant rubber sleeve fits over the case. Although the drive's interface ports are slightly recessed, there's no other form of protection for them, leaving them at the mercy of the elements. Given that it would require only slightly more rubber to protect the ports, we're puzzled as to why LaCie didn't address this.
Given the case's design, the unit is slightly larger than the standard 2.5” portable hard drive. It definitely won't fit into a pocket like Western Digital's My Passport Elite 320GB, but it remains small enough to be packed snugly in your baggage.
The unit is accompanied by a basic one-click backup application, as well as a trial for MacDrive, which allows Windows to read OS X–based file systems such as HFS and HFS+. Other drives provide better value in terms of software, but we're glad LaCie didn't bloat the drive with unnecessary programs.
The biggest surprise with this drive, apart from its capacity, is its speed, particularly given that it only spins at 5400rpm. While transferring a 5GB file from the drive to a 7200rpm laptop drive over USB 2.0, write speeds averaged 21.19MBps; read speeds were even faster at 26.88MBps. It performed even better over FireWire 800, averaging read and write speeds of 41.7MBps and 43.5MBps, respectively. For a portable hard drive spinning at 5400rpm, these speeds are remarkable.
LaCie's Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive probably won't suit all terrains. However, it provides fast transfer speeds, great storage capacity in a small package, and enough protection to withstand the rigours of everyday travel.
LATEST GADGETS: LAPTOP:Asus Lamborghini VX3
$4599
Features:
Camera resolution: 1.3 megapixels
Screen resolution: 1280x800
Screen size: 12.1"
Hard drive storage capacity: 320GB
Weight: 1.68 kg
Pros:
Sexy lOoks, solid performer, comfortable to use
Cons:
Overpriced, poor battery life
The final word:
If you're not quite rich enough to own a luxury sports car, but still have more money than sense, the Asus-Lamborghini V3 might just be the status symbol you're looking for. However, it isn't that fast for a Lamborghini notebook, and is exorbitantly priced for what it offers.
THE latest automobile-sponsored notebook off the production line is a subtle reworking of the Lamborghini VX2.
In recent years, car enthusiasts have been treated to a veritable showroom of automobile-sponsored notebooks, including the Asus Lamborghini VX2s (AK039G), Itronix Hummer GoBook VR-1, Acer Ferrari 1100 and Toshiba Portege R500 (okay, so the last one isn't actually a car, but it sure does sound like one). It seems that as long as there are millionaire-wannabes in the world, there will be sports car laptops.
The version we tested came installed with an Intel T9300 Core 2 Duo 2.5GHz CPU and 4 gigabytes (GB) of DDR2 RAM. These are substantial improvements on the previous Asus-Lamborghini we looked at, which made do with a T7400 CPU and 2GB of RAM. In terms of performance, however, we didn't notice much difference between the two machines, with our benchmark tests returning similar results. Elsewhere, the VX2's 160GB hard drive has been increased to 320GB, which should provide more than enough room for applications and personal data.
Anything sponsored by Lamborghini needs to instil a sense of elitism and class if it hopes to snag prospective buyers. This is something Asus is acutely aware of. We've come across some pretentious marketing drivel in our time, but the Lamborghini VX3 really takes the biscuit. Apparently, it's a "living, breathing machine impassioned by the Lamborghini's soul of fearsome power and luxury". Breathing? Also, it has been "built to be beautiful, for the beautiful", so some cosmetic surgery may be required before you're allowed to buy one.
Arrogant posturing aside, this is an incredibly handsome product that will have no trouble turning heads. Much like a Lamborghini sports car, it will make envious passers-by want to spit on it. The hood-inspired lid certainly demands attention with its splashy yellow paintjob and Lamborghini badge. The sports car leanings extend to the notebook interior, with a plush leather palm rest complimented by bright yellow stitching. The glitter-dusted keys are also very attractive (if you like sparkly stuff) and pleasingly tactile.
Adding to the automobile effect, the VX3 makes a 'revving' sound whenever you boot it into action. Unfortunately, the audio sample plays even when the speakers are muted, which could be embarrassing if you're trying to discreetly check your emails in a board meeting.
Compared to most sports car-branded notebooks, the VX3 is surprisingly small – almost a Micro-Machine if you will. Its 305x220x31mm dimensions and 1.68kg weight are perfect for showing off in public (which is the primary reason for owning this baby in the first place.) Unfortunately, the unit's underpowered battery is ill-suited for portable use, especially when it comes to watching movies. In our DVD playback test, the VX3 held out for a paltry 45 minutes. This is barely enough to get you through a TV show, let alone a feature-length film. Subsequently, all public ego-massaging must be limited to quick bursts. (Note: Apparently, a second 9 cell battery also ships with the notebook, though this was not supplied to us and thus could not be tested).
In our benchmark tests, the Lamborghini showed good speed for everyday tasks, though its performance-to-cost ratio does leave a little to be desired. In WorldBench 6, the machine did well in the WinZip compression and 3ds Max 3-D rendering tests, yet it showed some slowdown in the multitasking tests. In Blender 3D, it took the dual-core CPU, using both of its cores, 1min 13sec to complete our test render – above average but not spectacular.
For gaming, the Lamborghini has a 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9300M graphics card, which scored 1668 in 3DMark06. It's capable of producing decent frame-rates in many current DirectX 9–based games, but it's not powerful enough to play them with high image-detail enabled. Older games, on the other hand, will run without a hitch, as its score of 15251 in 3Dmark 2001 demonstrates. All up, the machine should be able to handle almost anything you throw at it when it comes to day-to-day applications, including e-mail, word processing and photo editing.
With its $4599 price tag, the VX3 is more than a little overpriced for the components you're getting, but the same could be said of almost any luxury item. What you're paying for is the prestige and status that comes with owning a Lamborghini notebook, with every detail, however small, born out of the sports car's spirit of passion.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
LATEST GADGETS: Samsung YP-S3
Price:Features:
Pros:
Cons:
The final word:
SAMSUNG'S YP-S3 is a small, flash-based portable media player.
It follows the trend of past Samsung units, offering a good alternative to the dominant player from you-know-who. Its feature set is relatively robust, although it does lack voice recording. The interface is attractive but it is quite sluggish, which may irritate some users.
Users who are at all familiar with the iPod nano will be at home with the S3’s design. The slim, candybar shape with the screen at the top is simple but effective. It is thin and light enough to slip comfortably into a pocket. It still feels quite sturdy, and the lack of shiny metal means fingerprints aren’t a problem.
While not quite as cool as Apple’s famous touch wheel, the control system is nonetheless pretty funky. The S3 uses touch-sensitive buttons. When powered-up the buttons illuminate nicely, but they’re hidden when the unit is off, giving the player a very minimalist look. We found the tactility of the buttons to be extremely good; even those with large hands shouldn’t have any trouble navigating the interface.
LATEST GADGETS:Top 10 Weirdest Keyboards
World of Warcraft Keyset (2005) ... designed specifically for World of Warcraft fans to get the most out of their gaming experience, this keyboard features all default game commands. It is placed on top of the ZBoard, a platform designed for fold-up customised keyboards. The WoW keyset has colour-coded keys and one-touch macros for frequent commands like /roll. There are also keys created for Raiding and Player vs. Player gameplay. WoW fans, welcome to heaven! / ideazon.com
Dvorak Keyboard (1936) ... the dream of a simplified keyboard became a reality toward the end of the 20th century with the Dvorak Keyboard design, otherwise known as the Simplified Keyboard. Invented to counter inefficiency and fatigue, Dvorak is an option in the control panel on most computers, and users can purchase Dvorak layout covers (pictured) to place over their QWERTY keyboards. Many users found Dvorak more comfortable and efficient, however it has failed to oust QWERTY as the preferred typing method / KBCovers.com
Dust-off's Keyboard Quiver (2007) ... are you longing to become the biggest nerd in your neighbourhood? This product could be just the thing to set you apart from the average geeks. Billed as "an essential part of any LAN gamer's arsenal", the Keyboard Quiver is essentially a bag that allows "active gamers" to carry all their gear with them - keyboard, mouse, mp3 player, headphone, headset, mobile, drinks, and more. The company came up with the design after watching gaming event participants struggle to carry around all their equipment / falconsafety.com
ElekTex Smart Fabric Wireless Keyboard (2006) ... ever wished for a super-soft keyboard that you could carry around with ease? Then look no further than ElekTex's keyboard made from "smart fabrics". This wireless keyboard is designed for browsing the internet from handheld devices such as smartphones and PDAs. Lightweight and ultra-portable, the keyboard has a familiar QWERTY layout. There is no tactile feedback from keys, however a user's smartphone can be set up to play a beep for each keypress. And the best thing about it? When you're done, you can simply roll it up and put it in your pocket / elektex.com
Warrior Xxtreme Gaming Keyboard (2007) ... this bizarre-looking device was the world's first hybrid 2-in-1 PC gamepad that allowed one-handed gameplay. It has a "dual circular layout" with several keys on the sides of the keyboard and a "blue moon" backlight. The second keypad is designed for massively multiplayer games or chatting with mates. The idea is that the wacky double-circle design will reduce the distance between keys for gamers / WolfKing.com
Hacoa's DIY Keyboard (2007) ... like to make things from scratch? This keyboard could be a great project for you. Hacoa's DIY Keyboard requires users to cut the keys from a plank of wood and assemble them however desired. The kits include a USB keyboard base, connectors to attach the finished keys to the keyboard base, and various tools - even a saw! It's an expensive project though, at a hefty $US300 ($359) / hacoa.com
Cre8txt (2007) ... attention Generation Y - your texting slang can now be converted into real-speak! The cre8txt keyboard resembles a mobile keypad and translates the SMS lingo using predictive text in any Windows application. It's claimed this device helps people finish their sentences. There is even a portable USB memory stick version, allowing users to take the software and their personalised wordbank to any Windows computer. To promote team work, many of these 10cm by 5cm devices can be plugged in to a computer at a time / cre8txt.com
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
BEST SELLER PHONE OF 2008: LG enV2 (VX9100) Phone
Released for Verizon Wireless, the LG enV2 (VX9100) offers VCAST Music and Video, VZ Navigator, Bluetooth capabilities, dual speakers and a 2.0-megapixel camera. The enV2's QWERTY keypad makes messaging easy, while a 2.4-inch internal screen offers clear videos and images. Users can listen to the songs through a Bluetooth Stereo headset or accessory. A separately purchased external memory microSD card allows customers to store their own music or video clips on their phones and move them from their PCs to their phones
LG enV2 (VX9100) Features
QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy text messaging
Music Player for MP3, WMA, and unprotected AAC and AAC+ files
Integrated GPS navigation through Verizon Wireless' VZ Navigator
Supported Bluetooth profiles compatible with devices that support headset, handsfree, dial-up networking, advanced audio distribution (stereo), phone book access, basic printing, basic imaging, object push for vCard and vCalendar and file transfer
Built-in 2.0-megapixel camera and camcorder with self-portrait capabilities and external LCD for self-portraits, image editor to rotate, zoom, crop, and digital zoom for up to 10x
microSD memory port with up to 8 GB support to store music, customer generated pictures and video
The good:
The LG enV(2) is a slim and attractive handset, with a roomy keypad, bright dual displays, a good multimedia feature set, a full QWERTY keyboard, plus great call quality.
The bad:
The LG enV(2) does not offer newer features from the first enV. Also, photo quality was mediocre, and the external display can be a bit too small. Streaming video quality could also be a lot better.
The bottom line:
The LG enV(2) is not much more than a slimmed down version of the enV, but it still serves as an excellent high-end messaging phone.
BEST SELLER PHONE OF 2008: Sony Ericsson W350a Phone
Released for AT&T, the ultra-thin Sony Ericsson W350a offers a sleek minimalist look, slim enough to fit comfortably with no bulges into a pocket or purse. Accessible 
Sony Ericsson W350a Features
Fashioned as a small portable music player - but able to store 470 songs on the memory card (included in phone kit)
Built-in digital camera with screen viewfinder, dedicated menus and direct interaction with in-phone imaging and messaging features
Use TrackID and get the song, artist, and even the album in seconds
Tune in the FM radio to a favorite station or try a solo - the W350a comes pre-loaded with Guitar Legend, a mobile game for rock 'n' roll buffs
The good:
The Sony Ericsson W350a offers a Walkman music player and a decent assortment of features including stereo Bluetooth and a brilliant display.
The bad:
The Sony Ericsson W350a has poorly designed controls and a flimsy construction. Its call quality was unimpressive and the tiny speaker doesn't do its music player justice.
The bottom line:
The Sony Ericsson W350a isn't hopeless but it's not our choice for a Walkman phone.
BEST SELLER PHONE OF 2008: Sony Ericsson TM506 Phone
The Sony Ericsson TM506 is for users who want to express their personal style. Its compact design fits into any pocket, purse or briefcase. They can choose between Chrome with Amber or Emerald highlights with a sleek ebony gloss. An outer screen displays the caller ID without having to open the phone. Users can snap photos or video clips with its 2.0-megapixel camera with My Album, slide show and video blogging capability. Music listeners can save songs and share music using the removable Memory Stick Micro (M2). Stereo Bluetooth connectivity allows handsfree calls and music streaming. The TM506 has 3G download speeds for faster access to media and content viewing. They can keep up with news and weather with customizable web feeds. An integrated GPS with Telenav lets travelers know their location. Users can send pictures, videos, IM notes and email to their contacts directly from the home screen. The good:
The bad:
The bottom line:
New Light Source that can Last 12 Years
Safe, consistent, and eco-friendly. Litroenergy could possibly save billions of dollars for the world.
But smart netizens has dug out Litroenergy’s patent application, and it says the active ingredient used is Tritium. That is the tricky part - United States has a ban on the import of Tritium, probably due to its radioactive nature.
Do you think this product will ever materialize?
LATEST GADGETS: KEYBOARD
The keyboard features hot keys for connecting to the web, receiving emails, playing/stopping/changing music, and changing volume. Pretty neat I would say, if you don’t hate the cat I do.
Friday, September 26, 2008
LATEST WACKY GADGETS: DEADLY WEAPON
The Knife-Gun’s handle has a revolver like barrel that can hold five .22-caliber bullet and fire the shot when the handle is squeezed. If you see anyone with this weapon, you better stay as their friend.
HERE'S A VIDEO CLIP OF THE DEADLY WEAPON:LATEST TECHNOLOGY: ROBOTS IV
The team has added a small XBee module to the robot which connects to the internal serial port allowing them to monitor Pleo’s internal state and sent transmit the signal back to them. They also have replaced the robot’s default low resolution camera with a camera of their own that will help them to perform a real time pattern recognition.LATEST WACKY GADGETS: BATMAN GADGETS
Batman offers a “what if” fantasy of gadget extremism. What if you were a billionaire and had control over a world-class military R&D lab that produced devices just for you?
Batman is in the crime-fighting racket. And he’s better than other crime fighters because he’s got better devices, computers, cars and weapons — and has trained himself how to use them.
But most of us don’t fight crime. We’re IT professionals and lawyers and technology columnists. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be like Batman and transform ourselves into superheroes in our own professions by buying and mastering extreme devices.
Batman gadgets tend to be very rugged, bleeding edge and numerous. Batman would never hold back and buy sensible, practical gadgets. He goes all out and gets the most powerful, advanced and rugged gadgets possible. You can, too.” Check out the batman style gadgets that you can use on your day to day life.
BAT-GLASSES
BAT-PHONE
Bat-Ultra Mobile
BAT-PC
LATEST WACKY GADGETS:MOBILE PHONE II
Teddy Bear Phone is really a Wacky Japanese Gadget
Japanese must be having a weird taste when it comes to gadgets. If you don’t agree with me, Have a look at this Teddy bear phone. Now you agree with me? This wacky phone was introduced by the Mobile service provider Willcom as “Kuma Phone”(Bear Phone) at the 2008 Good Design Expo in 2008 in Tokyo.
This is actually a original phone inside the bear. To make phone calls using speed dial, you need to press one of the four paws and attend the call or to hangup the phone you need to press the tail. What the… If it’s a real teddy, By pressing him everywhere like this, you will surely piss him off.
The worst of all, This Teddy Bear phone costs $500. Can you believe that?
LATEST GADGETS: LAPTOP III
The latest technology now comes in a sleek package with lightweight slimness. Enjoy revolutionary entertainment on the go - Intel Technology in U3S enables breakthrough mobile performance, new high-definition capabilities and improved battery life.
LATEST GADGETS: LAPTOP II Touchscreen
LATEST WACKY GADGETS: DIGITAL CAMERA
LATEST WACKY GADGETS:MOBILE PHONE
The latest cell phone designed by Dennis Hopkins, “The Intruder” has a concept which some people can relate to a UFO, actually influences from that field is mentioned on his website to. But without the outer space resembling this cell phones design is pretty much targeted at women.Its diameter is of only 2.5 inches and when closed it is just one third of an inch thick. When opened it measures 5 inches in length and the display holds 220 x 176 pixels. And last but not least, when someone calls you a ring of light appears from the sides of the phone.The website of Dennis Hopkins doesn’t let you in to all the technology used so for now we just have to say good luck to women that now have at their disposal a phone looking like a powder compact.
