A Sexy New Notebook From Sony

Sony's big news announcement at CES involves a very tiny package. But don't call it a netbook. Sony spokesfolk were adamant that--even though the newcomer packs an Intel Atom processor and 2GB of RAM--this superslim P-series computer is a lifestyle machine.

The distinction sort of makes sense, too: At the $899 starting price that Sony expects the unit to command when it ships in February, it had better do more than be small.

Small it's got down: Weighing 1.4 pounds and measuring about 1 inch thick, the pint-size PC can slide snuggly into a coat pocket or purse. But inside the P series are such impressive components as a 60GB hard-disk drive (you can invest in a 64GB or 128GB solid-state drive if you prefer), a battery that promises 4 hours battery life (8 hours with the optional battery upgrade), 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Qualcomm's Gobi chip set for wireless broadband. That's on top of what you'll find inside any computer that sports an Atom processor: two USB ports, a headphone jack, a display/LAN adapter connection, a Webcam with built-in mic, an SD Card slot, and a Memory Stick card slot. Technically, I think that outdoes the MacBook Air. And all of this goodness sits inside a slim, screwless case that will be available in several colors.

Of course, the screen and the keyboard are crucial components. The device was built around a QWERTY keyboard that is 88 percent the size of a standard desktop keyboard, and we won't know whether it is comfortable and usable until we conduct some fingers-on testing. Sony laptops typically have sweet screens, so I'm anxious to see this backlit LED up close and personal--especially since the P-series notebooks have a resolution of 1600 by 768 pixels, a 16:7 aspect ratio. Sony reps say that the screen will allow users to view two full Web pages side-by-side, but I'll have to see it before I believe it.

In another bit of derring-do, Sony plans to have this machine run Windows Vista Basic rather than Windows XP--the usual operating system of choice for thin-and-light-on-horsepower laptops. This design decision could prove to be a performance stumbling block for Sony's wünderdevice, but the proof will be in the PC World Test Center's lab results, which are still to come. At least Sony has taken a cue from the HP Voodoo Envy 133 and from Asus's laptops by incorporating a quick-launching (20-second startup) Linux shell. The Instant Mode boots into a cross-media bar interface that should be familiar to anyone who has ever used a PlayStation 3.

Until I actually use this thing (I may try to swipe one during the show), I won't know whether a typical ham-fisted male adult will find the P-series machine even remotely usable. I sure hope that it's up to the challenge posed by my mitts, though, because it's a tempting box of lifestyle.

Global Radio Controlled Travel Projection Clock

We jet-setters whether off to Taramasalata for a week of the three S's, or a business executive travelling the world never sure what day of the week it is, or indeed which country we are in, we also need to know the time as it is so easy to get in a muddle – managed to do it myself not so long ago, family were not to keen to have a chat with me at 5.30am! What we cutting edge jetsetters need is the Atomic Projection Travel Alarm Clock.

This is a very clever clock that magically picks up (actually it is a radio signal but you know what we mean) radio-controlled clock signals from the US, UK, European and Japanese atomic clocks.

The clock knows where it is even if you don’t and will be able to tell you what time it is. In addition this stylish grey version projects the time in either 12 or 24 hour format onto the wall or ceiling with a precise focus dial.

It is a compact size for travel and can be set with two daily alarms with that all important eight minute snooze function. It will also display the days of the weeks in up to five languages so it can be classed as educational too!

Main Features
Receives atomic clock signals
Selectable Multi-band RF clock (DCF, MSF, JJY and WWVB)
Projects current time on any flat surface/wall
Compact size
Focus dial allows for clear projection anywhere
HiGlo electroluminescent backlight
Approx 10cm wide and 7cm tall
Two daily alarms with eight minute snooze function
Key Lock function for travel use
Displays day of the week in up to five languages
12-24 hour clock format

You can buy it Here for only £39.95

IBM Shopping Buddy

IBM has a new product in a few select grocery stores called Shopping Buddy. Basically Shopping Buddy is a Wi-Fi enabled, GPS equipped laptop.

That’s right grandmothers and housewives everywhere can get their technical shop on. The item is slated to save you time. How does it do that?

Let’s say you need to know where the peanut butter is. You type in peanut butter and up pops a map. The GPS shows your position and how to get to the exact location of peanut butter in the store. The sounds pretty cool seeing as how I always run up and down the isles looking for that last thing we forgot to get as my wife is checking out in line. This would save me from knocking over small children and display items in my mad dash to find the stupid chopped almonds.

Another thing the Shopping Buddy does is it tells you what you have bought on that isle in the past. So while you’re buying crackers on isle 4 up pops a little note reminding of that time you bought those double stuff Oreos and then went home and ate them all at once. Damn Shopping Buddy that was 3 months ago, let it go, let it go.

One more feature that the Shopping Buddy offers is a recipe suggestion tool. You pick up an item and scan it and up pops some recipes. If you like them you can email them to your house. I mentioned scanning the items. You do this so you don’t have to go through the hassle of having the checkout person scan them at the register.

I’m not sure how much time Shopping Buddy will save you, but it does seem very interesting. Besides everyone needs more friends. No more lonely nights sitting around playing solitaire. Now I can play poker with my Shopping Buddy.

Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse

If you are a gamer playing at the highest level, you will definitely not want to miss this. The Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse will provide you with the extra cutting-edge between an endless winning spree and a runner-up position. Equipped with ultra-high resolution of 1600-dpi Logitech MX Optical Engine, the mouse delivers a lightning-fast response and mirror-smooth tracking function. In addition, you get instantaneous on-the-fly adjustment that allows effortless switching from pixel-precise targeting to fast-twitch acceleration without any software intervention. Designed with a contoured grip, the Logitech MX518 ensures peak performance and comfort, even during the most intensified gaming sessions.


The Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse has also collected several awards and fans around the world for its great characteristics with highlights involving its adjustable sensitivity of up to 1600-dpi, and flawless movement on most type of surfaces. Bundled with Logitech’s advanced software management, it allows end-users to custom-tune their Logitech MX518 with five different sensitivity settings.

Some of the features of MX518 are:

* Award-winning Logitech MX Optical Engine
* Sensitivity switching to 1600, 800 and 400-dpi resolution
* 5.8 megapixels per seconds image processing
* Up to 15 ‘g’ of acceleration
* Supports blazing fast movement with pure precision
* Bundled with advanced gaming software
* Super slick gaming feel for effortless and precise tracking
* Contoured grip feel ensuring peak performance and comfort
* Three years warranty

System requirement:

* Windows XP (to take advantage of the software tool)
* One USB port
* CD-Rom drive

Specially designed for intense gamers, this Logitech MX 518 has certainly lived up to its reputation. As a priceless piece of “weapon”, it is one that every gamers wished to own. Check out the Logitech website for more information.

Uber Shades

This is a very interesting (let alone odd) accessory. Have you ever questioned yourself saying: “Wow, I paid $400 for these trendy shades and all they do is give a false sense of importance and occasionally keep the sun out of my eyes… what a total rip off! If only my sunglasses had more to offer, maybe I wouldn’t be in this predicament.”

If so your problems have come to an end! Produced by a German company called Not-So-Bright Sunwear (I could not have come with a more suitable name myself!) the Uber Shades are a comfortable, stylish and (very) useful pair of sunglasses.

Swiss Army Knife you say? Well, the Uber Shades can be customized with more than 260 different tools, ranging from paint brushes to scissors, from pliers to rasps. “Whether it’s applying make-up in the car while driving to the mall or simply repairing a toilet flapper valve for your sister, Uber Shades has the tools to do it all with style and class. No task is too big and no problem too small for these sunglasses of the future. Uber Shades just may forever change how we view the world.”

Alright for the guys who were ready to buy the Uber Shades, unfortunately you will need to wait some time because the concept is still on the drawing board! Joke or not those glasses would certainly draw attention upon entering the market, if nothing else for the uniqueness!

Now that’s what I call a knife

Coming in at 2lbs 11oz this is the king of all Swiss Army knives and is even available to buy for £499.95 (a shade under $1,000). I haven’t counted the number of blades and other useless implements but they include:

2.5″ 60% Serrated locking blade
Nail file, nail cleaner
Corkscrew
Adjustable pliers with wire crimper and cutter
Removable screwdriver bit adapter
2.5″ Blade for Official World Scout Knife
Spring-loaded, locking needle-nose pliers with wire cutter
Removable screwdriver bit holder
Phillips head screwdriver bit 0
Phillips head screwdriver bit 1
Phillips head screwdriver bit 2
Flat head screwdriver bit 0.5mm x 3.5mm
Flat head screwdriver bit 0.6mm x 4.0mm
Flat head screwdriver bit 1.0mm x 6.5mm
Magnetized recessed bit holder
Double-cut wood saw with ruler (inch & cm)
Bike chain rivet setter, removable 5mm allen wrench, screwdriver for slotted and philips head screws
Removable tool for adjusting bike spokes, 10mm hexagonal key for nuts
Removable 4mm curved allen wrench with philips head screwdriver
Removable 10mm hexagonal key
Patented locking philips head screwdriver
Universal wrench
2.4″ Springless scissors with serrated, self-sharpening design
1.65″ Clip point utility blade
Philips head screwdriver
2.5″ Clip point blade
Golf club face cleaner
2.4″ Round tip blade
Patented locking screwdriver, cap lifter, can opener
Golf shoe spike wrench
Golf divot repair tool
4mm allen wrench
2.5″ blade
Fine metal file with precision screwdriver
Double-cut wood saw
Cupped cigar cutter with double-honed edges
12/20-Guage choke tube tool
Watch caseback opening tool
Snap shackle
Mineral crystal magnifier with precision screwdriver
Compass, straight edge, ruler (in./cm)
Telescopic pointer
Fish scaler, hook disgorger, line guide
Shortix laboratory key
Micro tool holder
Micro tool adapter
Micro scraper - straight
Micro scraper - curved
Laser pointer with 300 ft. range
Metal saw, metal file
Flashlight
Micro tool holder
Philips head screwdriver 1.5mm
Screwdriver 1.2mm
Screwdriver .8mm
Fine fork for watch spring bars
Reamer
Pin punch 1.2mm
Pin punch .8mm
Round needle file
Removable tool holder with expandable receptacle
Removable tool holder
Special self-centering screwdriver for gunsights
Flat philips head screwdriver
Chisel-point reamer
Mineral crystal magnifier, fork for watch spring bars, small ruler
Extension tool
Spring-loaded, locking flat nose-nose pliers with wire cutter
Removable screwdriver bit holder
Phillips head screwdriver bit 0
Phillips head screwdriver bit 1
Phillips head screwdriver bit 2
Flat head screwdriver bit 0.5mm x 3.5mm
Flat head screwdriver bit 0.6mm x 4.0mm
Flat head screwdriver bit 1.0mm x 6.5mm
Magnetized recessed bit holder
Tire tread gauge
Fiber optic tool holder
Can opener
Patented locking screwdriver, cap lifter, wire stripper
Reamer/awl
Toothpick
Tweezers
Key ring
You’ll have to have big pockets in more ways than one to own this Swiss feat of engineering.

Toshiba’s revolutionary helmet… sorta

The concept of this product had been announced last year already, but given the creativity behind the product I thought that this was a must-read (perhaps a must-laugh) for the CG readers.

Now before people start to get the wrong idea by looking at the picture “No, that girl is not wearing a Cathode-Ray-Tube television on her head”. Toshiba developed that helmet to allow users to experience a 360-degree view while watching television or playing video games.

The bulky helmet weights about 6 pounds, but people commented that this version is actually much smaller than previous prototypes…

It is an interesting idea (insert sarcasm here), however a few questions pop into my mind by looking at it:

1. Do the manufacturer includes oxygen cylinders for people to breath inside the device?
2. Will Toshiba sign a partnership with some insurance company to provide medical treatment for the neck injuries to come?
3. What if your old grandpa gets a heart attack by entering suddenly on a room where you are using the device, who are we to blame?

By the way, did you watch SpaceBalls?

R2-D2 Unit Has a Trash Can

I’m crazy about Star Wars, and one of my favourite characters is R2-D2, that little droid that plays a vital role in this great story. Now Think Geek is selling this incredibly detailed R2-D2 replica from Japan, which is not at all what it seems. This R2 unit doesn’t have any sounds or lights or special effects, but if you’re looking for a trashcan, this is one of the coolest I’ve ever seen. When you step in to his central “foot”, it swings the dome open to reveal a trash bin, making it the perfect companion to your office.

With the R2 wastebasket you’ll find that throwing things away can be also fun, just be careful not to dispose of anything important. The droid stands 24″ tall, and it costs US$ 149, which may be a little expensive for a trashcan, but is a small price to pay to get all your friends jealous. If you want one you can buy yours now from Think Geek, but hurry up, because this Star Wars R2-D2 Trash is a limited edition Japanese imported collectable and when it sells out there will be no replacement.

Islamic Gadgets

I know personally that many Muslims are feeling under siege, both mentally and physically, and believe they are getting a bad press. Relations between our two cultures seem to be deteriorating, so I hope I’m not trivialising events when I discuss this Quranic clock gadget: I’m trying to clear up a few myths and find some common ground.

The Taliban banned television, video and satellite shortly after seizing power in Afghanistan in 1996. The ban was probably academic as not many people had electricity after years of fighting between Afghan warlords, but it did perhaps reinforce for many who didn’t know better that Islam was a backward-looking religion – myself included at that time I have to say.

These days I think judging Islam as a religion by the behaviour of a fanatical cult like the Taliban is like trying to judge Christianity by people who don’t let their children have blood transfusions.

The Muslims I know are crazy about gadgets, buying mobiles with alarms to tell them when it’s time for prayers, and adding Quranic ring tones for example. Recently, when an Indian cleric reportedly called the use verses from the Quran as ring tones un-Islamic they were horrified that the view of another crank cleric was reported in the Western media as somehow being representative of mainstream Muslim opinion.

Anyway, I’m sure my friends would love this gadget. It’s a Quranic wristwatch with flash memory and an MP3 player. It comes with a USB port for transferring files and for re-charging. You can install the Quran as an MP3 file, taking up 70 MB of the available 256 MB memory. In fact, thinking about it I wouldn’t mind one myself.

The Quranic clock was found via PC Magazine.

Sunglasses,, that are so cool, they’ll eat your face,, Parasite

These are from the French design team at Parasite. They have a line of super cool sunglasses.

I’m sure however you could easily figure that out after looking at the images here.

Check out their site for a full look at all the lines they have. I’ve been wearing my pair of toasters for waay too long and I think it may be high time to trade out for a pair of these (then again, they’re probably a fortune, ahh, what the heck, I only have these two eyes).

Click through their press pack for more info on these guys. They’re really going about their business well. They’ve got a solid design philosophy, amazing branding, and well, those glasses are awesome!

The real advantage here is that they’ve developed their eyewear holding system in a way that makes every frame of theirs very unique as well as functional. It grips in two areas referred to as the fronto-parietal zone as the upper arm, and the temporal bone area as the lower arm.

The best thing about them, is they don’t just make sunglasses, but they do prescription frames as well. That of course means, once my eyes drop below 20/15, I’ll be picking up a pair of those too (umm, I don’t wanna know what that’s gonna cost!)

Thanks to Core77 for being on the lookout again!