IPEVO's WiFi handset lets you Skype like it's 1999

Now, this might not seem as futuristic as a videophone, or your own USB powered Star Trek communicator, but if you're in the mood for some VOIP (feeling frisky, are we?) IPEVO's newest is definitely worth a second look. The S0-20 is a stand-alone Skype handset that boasts a 4 hour talk time, backlit keys, a 1.8-inch color LCD, support for both G711 and G729AB codes, and both WEP and WPA/WPA2-PSK encryption -- all in a package that would look at home next to a ten year old pre-pay cell phone. Available now for $129.


[Via: Engadget ]

Gamerox gamer chair keeps you on your toes, so to speak

We've been acquainted with all sorts of strange exercise / gaming apparatuses, and while the Gamerox is far from being the strangest, it's pretty high up there. Rather than just letting your kid grab any nearby stool and have a seat while melting their brain on games for hours on end, why not force their nates into this contraption? Put simply, it forces kids to continually balance and adjust in order to stay seated. Will it really tone muscles and improve posture? Doubtful, but it's practically guaranteed to frustrate and / or enrage your offspring.
[Via: Slashgear ]

Blue Microphone presents the Icicle XLR to USB audio interface

To be honest, we were a little skeptical when we first saw Blue Microphone's Icicle. Isn't the USB audio adapter a little played out? But after a quick look at the specs our inner audiophiles came away quite interested. This XLR-to-USB audio interface offers 48V phantom power, an analog preamp with gain control and it should work with any of your favorite XLR mics. At 16-bit / 44.1kHz sound quality this device isn't going to replace any of your serious studio gear, but if you ever find yourself looking for a quick and easy way to grab audio with a condenser mic (and who hasn't?) this should do the trick nicely. Available sometime in December for a suggested retail price of $60.
[Via: Engadget ]

EasyBloom USB stake sensor now shipping, plants celebrate

Well, wouldn't you know it? That PlantSense prototype we peeked around this time two years ago has seemingly found the fundage to start up production, and at long last the revamped product is available for you to purchase. Now christened EasyBloom, this USB stake sensor analyzes important data when stuck in soil for 24 hours, after which it uploads the data to your PC (via USB) for determining whether or not a flower / tree / etc. should be planted there. Additionally, it can "diagnose what is wrong with an ailing plant," and it can even dole out a recommended list of which plants would be suitable for your environment. Sure, $59.99 may seem like a lot of green to toss out for something such as this, but it sure beats purchasing new flora every fortnight after you murder yet another round.
[Via: Engadget ]

Crapgadget: not-even-suitable-for-gag-gifts edition

We all know the holiday season is coming up, but even if you're on the hunt for a gag gift for your fav-o-rite prankster, we can't not recommend the following turds enough. Up first is the absolutely unbelievable Night Sweat Alarm watch, which actually wakes you up if it detects that you're perspiring. Why? Legend has it that no one knows. Moving on, we've got the USB Volcano -- a perfect mix of your first-grade science project and your college-era infatuation with all things USB. Things start to get really absurd when viewing the self-explanatory Glass of Milk Light and the Retro Handy Handset, but even those are potentially topped in stupidity by the Air Flow Mouse and cake-shaped USB drives. Have a look at each below before casting your vote, but keep that barf bag handy.
[Via: Engadget ]

Crapgadget: gizmos to scar your USB port for life

Some things just shouldn't ever be plugged into your USB port. Not even that dusty, never-to-be-used socket in your 16-port USB hub. The gadgets you'll see below are among the worst of the worst, with some being so awful, they almost deserve a purchase just to give you a laugh live and in-person. Seriously, just listen: an actual "thumb" drive, a USB key doused in cabbage, a mousepad that doubles as a Lars Ulrich-approved drum kit and a USB Hollywood Film Kit for those still in denial over that acting school rejection letter. There should really be laws against some of this rubbish, but since there isn't, we're putting it to you -- drop your vote in below to let us know which of the following gizmos reeks the most. Good luck down there.
[Via: Engadget ]

ezJam Combo Guitar for Wii plays neutral in the battle of the (virtual) bands

Living room arenas around the world will soon become even more cluttered with toy instruments thanks to Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour. Axes for the two respective franchises haven't gotten along on the Wii, and while we're still not sure whether the next generation will cooperate ezGear is hoping to bring some peace (and eliminate some clutter) for current Nintendo rockers with its ezJam Combo Guitar. Inside its baby-blue Strat-esque styling there's port to plug in your Wiimote when playing Guitar Hero III as well as an integrated wireless transmitter for Rock Band. At $70 it's a little more expensive than other third-parties like the Nyko Frontman, but playing lead in two bands instead of one is totally worth it.
[Via: Engadget ]

Crapgadget: USB back massager, limbo string and more obviously terrible ideas

Remember those battery-operated vibrating ladybugs that people used to pass around (multiple times) as office gifts? Yeah, that critter ain't got nothing on this stable of patently awful gizmos. We've seen a remarkable amount of garbage pass under our noses in the past few weeks, and we've rounded up the worst of the worst for your consideration. So, is a USB shell speaker really more embarrassing than a V-Sports console for folks tired of searching for a Wii? Is the i-Knock personal IM notifier more unnecessary than the Encore Rockin' Music Lamp? Or does the OMG-inducing Limbo String walk away with the gold here? We know, each and every item is a festering turd in one way or another, but which of the ones below just exemplify the word "crap?" Choose carefully.
Read - USB shell speaker
Read - USB back massager
Read - V-Sports console
Read - i-Knock IM doohickey
Read - Encore Rockin' Music Lamp
Read - Limbo String

Crapgadget Crapdown: Too Many, Too Fast Edition

Speakers in a half-shell, dude!USB back massager, with a hint of BrookstoneV-Sports console -- lamer than the Viii-Knock IM notifier: for the person who gets no IMsDock-infused music lampLimbo String: converting good guys into morons one stoop at a time

[Via: Engadget ]

Clove 2 typing glove leaves your other hand free for high fives

Have no fear, we're always on the hunt for new and innovative ways to boost your bombdigity quotient, and we've really found just the thing this time around. The Clove 2 interfaces with your computer over Bluetooth, and through a strange set of tapping gestures (that sort of remind us of that one Daft Punk video), allows you to type one-handed, sans keyboard. Seems like quite the learning curve, but we're sure it's totally worth it in the end. Four words per minute never looked so good. Video is after the break.

[Via: Hack a Day ]

ESPN Ultimate Remote is now shipping, inexplicable packaging comes free

Just in time for Father's Day, ESPN's tvCompass-built WiFi Ultimate Remote is finally available, and rapidly making its way into the awaiting, Cheeto-stained fingertips of a couch potato near you. It still costs $300, and with a good number of laptops retailing for that price these days, it's certainly hard to justify, but forget all that... who on earth thought this packaging was a good idea? It kind of looks like a dumbell, but not. We're really at a loss for words here. It's almost like ESPN wants to fail.

[Via: Engadget ]

X2Wii hack sends NES, SNES and N64 button mashing to your Wii's GameCube port

Not willing to lay out the cash required to sneak the official Super Famicom Wii controller into the States? Don't feel like going through the insanity of making your own wireless NES and SNES controllers for the Wii? Raphael's epic X2Wii project might just be your ticket to Virtual Console bliss. He's worked up an adapters for the NES, SNES and N64 controllers to plug straight into your Wii's GameCube port, and while they certainly aren't simple, it's all DIY magic.


[Via: Hack a Day ]

HP to put Eco Highlights label on products, guilt comes on the side

HP is doing its part to help you feel good -- or bad -- about your carbon footprint with its new Eco Highlights label. The sticker will list a product's enviro-friendly "ingredients", much like those FDA labels you see at the grocery store that tell you how much fat and sugar you're consuming. The program's launch products will include printers such as the Deskjet D2545 ink-jet printer, LaserJet P4015x, LaserJet P4515x and LaserJet P4515xm which are made mostly of recycled parts. Other Eco Highlights label attributes will include recycled cartridges, recyclable packaging, and auto-on/auto-off with deep-sleep modes. Finally, a new HP Carbon Footprint Calculator for Printing and HP LaserJet Power Calculator will most likely make you feel really bad about the printer you're currently using, send you into a shame spiral, and ultimately force you to buy an HP Eco Highlight printer.

[Via: News.com ]

Hands-on with SteelSeries Ikari mouse and new 7G gaming keyboard

We've been spending some quality time with the high-end gaming products from SteelSeries, and we have to say we're impressed. The Ikari laser mouse they announced last year is particularly great, with a built-in processor and sensitivity settings to allow for a customized and precise sensitivity setting in a plug-and-play setup particularly suited to professional gamers. Settings are easy to work, and the actual sensitivity and response of the mouse easily outclasses our prior mousing experiences.

New to the market is the SteelSeries 7G keyboard, which is making its debut on Monday the 5th. The keyboard is fully mechanical, with no-click switches that give it a much stronger, smoother tactile feel, while simultaneously catering to gamers by registering half presses. The keyboard weighs a ton thanks to the heavy-duty iron-infused plastic and the gold electronics, and is quite capable of handling abuse. We grew up typing on heavy-duty keyboards, and this is easily the best one we've used this decade -- though the $150 pricetag also makes it the most expensive outside of the Optimus Maximus.

Both of these products are obviously built for pro and casual gamers, but we found a productivity boost in our regular day-to-day blogging operations, which requires large quantities of precise link clicking (how's that for a resume line item?) and rapidly written posts. In addition to these two, SteelSeries is bringing its entire line of Euro-popular gaming peripherals to the States, including headphones and crazily fancy mouse pads.
[Via: Engadget ]

EVGA intros sub-$100 UV12 and UV16 USB graphics adapters

We've heard your cries for USB-to-DVI adapters that don't cost two arms and a good portion of your left leg, and apparently so has EVGA. Announced today with DisplayLink, the company is serving up two new USB graphics adapters (UGAs) in the UV Plus+ family of wares, both of which are hitting resellers as we speak for "well under $100." Both peripherals are designed to play nice in Windows XP and Vista, and while the UV12 supports resolutions up to 1,280 x 1,024 (1,440 x 900 widescreen), the UV16 goes all the way up to 1,600 x 1,200 (1,680 x 1,050 widescreen). Kudos for lowering the bar EVGA, now it's time for everyone else to follow suit.
[Via: Engadget ]

iLuv kicks out i168 and i169 HD Radio alarm clocks

Something's really wrong with the world if more than a few months pass by without a new iPod alarm clock from iLuv, so we suppose everyone's a-okay for a few more months now. Announced today, the firm has introduced its first pair of HD Radio clocks, and sure enough, one of 'em plays nice with Cupertino's darling. The i169 would be that player, which offers up a mostly black motif, dual stereo speakers, remote, iPod dock, AM / FM / HD Radio reception, an auxiliary input and dual alarm settings for good measure. As for the currently available i168, it provides most everything you read up there sans the iPod compatibility, but then again, it only demands $89.99. What about the i169, you ask? It'll set you back a cool $169.99 when it lands in "early May." Full release waiting after the break.

iLuv Enters HD Radio™ Marketplace

iLuv Announces the i169 HD Radio Unit with iPod Dock and Dual Alarm Clock and the i168 HD Radio Unit with Dual Alarm Clock

PORT WASHINGTON, NY – (April 30, 2008) - iLuv, the leader in innovative approaches to audio systems, announced today two new HD Radio units, the i168 and i169. The iLuv i169 HD Radio unit with iPod Dock and Dual Alarm Clock will be available early May 2008 with an MSRP of $169.99 and the i168 HD Radio with Dual Alarm Clock will be available in mid April 2008 with an MSRP of $89.99. Both will be available online at www.i-luv.com as well as JC Penny, Electronics Expo and J&R Music.

"HD Radio technology greatly expands AM and FM broadcasting capabilities with crystal-clear digital sound, text on the screen and hundreds of new digital FM channels," said Howard Kim, iLuv Marketing Manager. "We are pleased to offer this technology in our distinctive products."

i169 HD Radio with iPod Dock and Dual Alarm Clock:
The i169 HD Radio with iPod Dock and Dual Alarm Clock features crystal-clear, digital stereo for FM and AM HD Radio stations and multicast channels. The i169 displays information from the HD Radio station including song name, band, frequency and more. It also receives standard analog AM and FM stereo and includes PLL tuning digital tuning technology. There are 30 programmable presets for radio stations (10 for AM / 20 for FM). The new HD Radio dock also plays and charges your iPod and the digital dual alarm clock function allows you to wake to iPod, AM/FM radio, or buzzer. It also includes an auxiliary line input for any audio devices with 3.5mm jack and remote control. www.i-luv.com

i168 HD Radio Unit with Dual Alarm Clock:
The i168 HD Radio unit with Dual Alarm Clock provides crystal-clear, digital stereo for FM and AM HD Radio stations and multicast channels.. Functions include station and song information display, analog AM and FM stereo reception, PLL tuning digital tuning technology and programmable presets for 30 radio stations (10 for AM / 20 for FM) and an auxiliary line input for any audio devices with 3.5mm jack. The liquid-crystal display (LCD) and dual alarm clock features a digital clock and date display with the option to wake up to AM/FM radio or buzzer and includes a mute function.

About HD Radio™ Broadcasting:
HD Radio broadcasting is sweeping the country, available to over 80 percent of the population. More than 1,600 AM/FM stations are currently offering crystal-clear, subscription-free digital content, including on-screen text information and more than 750 FM HD2/HD3 multicast stations offering unique formats and content. For a full list of HD Radio stations in your community, please visit www.hdradio.com.

About iLuv:
iLuv (www.i-luv.com) is a brand dedicated to developing unique audio video products and accessories for portable media players and other personal entertainment devices. Three of the company's newest products were recognized as CES Innovations 2008 Design and Engineering Award Honorees. In 2007, iLuv was recognized as CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award Honorees for the i1055 and i603. For more information on iLuv, please visit www.i-luv.com

[Via: Engadget ]

RallyPoint Handwear Computer Input Device gives soldiers a hand

The last thing you want to do in a combat situation is bust out a keyboard and mouse and start clicking away just to send some simple commands via your embedded computer. Now RallyPoint, a Cambridge, MA-based startup, is building a new computer interface glove so that soldiers can operate their computers in the field without taking their hands off their gun. The Handwear Computer Input Device (HCID) has a whole mess of sensors built-in, including push-button sensors in the pinky, fourth finger and index, finger, a mouse-like sensor in the index finger and a trio of accelerometers on the back of the hand. HCID plugs in via USB, and can be used to activate radio, navigate electronic maps and send commands. No word on when HCID is going to be deployed, but despite its bulky looks it seems to be pretty much field ready.
[Via: Engadget ]

Keyboard-infused pants make it okay to grab your crotch

Okay, so maybe tapping that space bar repeatedly in mixed company wouldn't be entirely appropriate, but if you've actually managed to mingle with fellow civilians while rocking these, they aren't likely to mind. Dreamed up and designed by Erik De Nijs, these uber-geeky pants boast a built-in keyboard that's apparently Bluetooth-enabled. Beyond that, you'll also find sewn in speakers, a pocket made especially for travel mice of all flavors and a "joystick controller" strategically located just behind the front zipper (saywha?). Hate all you like, we just penned this very post on a pair of these bad boys. Only kidding.

[Thanks, Hans]
[Via: Engadget ]