Thursday, March 25, 2010

Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets


Samsung S-Life starts with the Galaxy S

Posted: 24 Mar 2010 10:12 AM PDT

Samsung has a huge poster in front of CTIA Wireless 2010 promising an “S-Life”, and they told me that it is a reference to the Samsung Galaxy S.

I got a chance to see it for myself, and it really is a beautiful phone with 4-inch AMOLED display that was quite colorful. According to the company, the display is Samsung says the new display is “20% brighter than its previous AMOLED screens, saves 20% more battery life and is 80% more reflective”. It is powered by Android 2.1, a 1GHz processor, Layar reality browsing, and has 16GB of internal memory.

Video recording is 720p, and it has YouTube HQ as well. A stop by the DivX booth last night at Pepcom revealed that they are excited to have HD DivX videos from the Web streamed onto the Galaxy S. DivX was also proud to boast about the AllShare feature to allow streaming of HD video to a DLNA-enabled TV. On a somewhat related note, I have news that the Galaxy S can be used as a remote control for Samsung HDTVs.

All in all, it looks like a pretty super phone, and I can’t help if it is a response to the LG Cosmos. Galaxy S, Cosmos, you have to admit, there is a connection, at least in name.

Source


Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Samsung S-Life starts with the Galaxy S copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Samsung Wave announced

Posted: 24 Mar 2010 06:30 AM PDT



Samsung has announced the first cellphone in the world to be DivX certified where HD video playback at 720p resolution is concerned. Another first which will forever be associated with the Samsung Wave would be it being a cellphone which will run on Samsung’s new smartphone platform otherwise known as bada. Both DivX and Samsung will work together on HD Certification as well for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S, which will be yet another new new Android powered device with best-in-class 4″ Super AMOLED display and speedy performance thanks to its 1GHz processor. If you happen to be in Las Vegas at the moment, why not drop by the CTIA Wireless Show and check out Samsung and DivX demonstrating DivX HD playback on the Wave and Galaxy S?

It would be interesting to see sales of memory cards spike if HD video playback become standard on cellphones and smartphones in the near future. After all, these videos are not exactly lightweight in terms of storage space, and can fill up your regular hard drive pretty fast. We also do wish to see the inclusion of HDMI out for such phones down the road, since watching a High Definition movie on a 4″ display (or something slightly larger – we don’t think you’d appreciate cramming an iPad down your Dockers pants pocket, eh?) sounds like a waste due to the lack of viewing real estate.

According to Younghee Lee, Vice President of Samsung’s Mobile Communications business, "We were very excited to become the first manufacturer to offer DivX Certified mobile phones to consumers in 2007, and since that time we've continued to work together to help evolve the mobile video experience. Now, we are able to extend that spirit of innovation with the first DivX HD mobile devices, both of which are industry-leading phones based on cutting-edge smart phone platforms."

Expect the Samsung Wave to bear the DivX Certified logo, and you can rest assure that it has undergone a rigorous testing program to ensure a high-quality DivX media experience, including reliable video creation and playback, interoperability with other DivX Certified devices and the visual quality users expect from DivX. No idea on pricing or availability though. Image from fonearena.com.

Press Release


Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Samsung Wave announced copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


LG Cosmos ready to rock and roll from Verizon Wireless

Posted: 24 Mar 2010 06:00 AM PDT

CTIA Wireless 2010 is the platform where many companies will roll out new smartphones and various other handsets to the masses, assuming they missed the Mobile World Congress boat which happened recently. LG has taken advantage of the situation with their brand new LG Cosmos that will be available via Verizon Wireless stores as well as online this coming March 25th, where it will boast a slide-out QWERTY keyboard for easy text messaging as well as built-in social networking tools to keep up with the times, letting you stay in touch with family and friends no matter where you are. Just make sure you keep a keen eye out on your data charges though if you aren’t running on an unlimited data plan.

The LG Cosmos is one stylish and compact handset that comes in a candybar form factor which is rounded in nature, accompanied by a metallic finish. Not only do you get web-based email, you will also benefit from instant messaging and chat as well, apart from text, picture and voice messaging which we have come to take for granted these days. No need to purchase a Bluetooth headset for hands-free driving since it has a one-touch speaker phone function built-in as well, while you can perform a variety of commands thanks to speaker-independent voice commands, including Call, Send Msg To, Go To, Check, Contacts, Search, Redial, My Verizon and Help. It will also adjust your voice clarity automatically, depending on the surrounding noise level so that you get your message across to the other line loud and clear. Should you decide on a Bluetooth headset, there is always the option to pick one which works with its Bluetooth 2.1 profile.

Other options include dedicated favorites shortcut keys, a Micro USB charging port, USB charging via computer as well as GPS support for enhanced location accuracy. We do have one gripe though – a 1.3-megapixel camera these days just don’t quite cut the mustard, so we’re hoping that the Cosmos, should it come with a successor sometime down the road, will have an updated camera. Expect the LG Cosmos to retail for $29.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

Press Release


Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ LG Cosmos ready to rock and roll from Verizon Wireless copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Brain Freeze Ice Tray

Posted: 24 Mar 2010 05:30 AM PDT

Now here’s a literal interpretation of brain freeze whenever you are thirsting for an ice cold drink – thanks to the Brain Freeze Ice Tray which will come up with ice cubes that are in the shape of – yup, you’ve guessed it right, a human brain! This humorous addition to your kitchen would definitely be enough to get conversations going, and is a surefire winner for an icebreaker during parties with plenty of strangers around. Whip out an ice cold cuppa today with the £6.99 Brain Freeze Ice Tray.


Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Brain Freeze Ice Tray copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Gadget Thumbnails for 23-Mar-2010

Posted: 23 Mar 2010 10:01 PM PDT

Foot Propelled Rocking Outdoor Lounger

Posted: 24 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PDT

Since summer is a few months away, it is natural for you to start making preparations for it – and bringing home the Foot Propelled Rocking Outdoor Lounger will certainly make your summer a much better time. After all, the bottom of the chair holds a foot rest that initiates smooth, relaxing undulation. It can be set in two stationary positions – both upright and reclined, through th repositioning of the foot lever. When reclined, your feet will be raised above your heart, offering a supine seating posture which facilitates oxygen and blood flow throughout the body, thereby encouraging relaxation. In addition, there is the presence of an open-weave mesh fabric which cradles your body to relieve pressure points and allows air to circulate to help keep you cool. We suppose it is harder to assemble than your standard piece of furniture from Ikea, but it certainly isn’t impossible! Stay cool this summer for $199.95.


Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Foot Propelled Rocking Outdoor Lounger copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


ZAGG has really grown up

Posted: 24 Mar 2010 02:01 AM PDT

I realize that since I am CTIA 2010 in Vegas, that I should talk about all the most impressive things there. I guess that I just couldn’t stop being impressed at ZAGG, a company that I barely noticed two years ago at CES.

Considering they were the masters of the Invisible Shield, their recent catalog is full of things that are completely unrelated to the Invisible Shield. For example, the ZAGG buds, and the ZAGG smartbuds. There is also the Bluetooth compatible triangular speaker known as the ZAGGrock. All this with the ZAGGsparq and ZAGG home media center (on sale soon), and you’ve got one successful company.

Yes, we have covered you a lot, but I want you to beware, as I have noticed some imitators of your Invisible Shield, which was once your primary bread and butter, buddies. A company known as Wrapsol is a protective shield for mobiles which goes on dry. Uh-oh.

However, I believe that ZAGG might have a distinct advantage over this new competitor. According to their catalog, they intend to have “exclusive rights to a molecular coating process that protects consumer electronics against damage caused by water and moisture exposure”.

It would appear that the mobile shield wars are heating up, offensively and defensively. May the best shield protect from bankruptcy in the end.


Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool :)
[ ZAGG has really grown up copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Powermat’s Newest Variations on display at CITA 2010

Posted: 24 Mar 2010 01:40 AM PDT

I really should have visited Powermat’s booth at CES last January, because I have missed out on the changes that they are doing. I’m glad I went to Vegas again for CTIA 2010.

They started with the Powermat 1X (top left) which is designed to be a single position charging mat for those who have just one Smartphone, or just want their wireless charger in a small space. It is available for $39.99 in April. Those who want a little more can just go to the the Powermat 2X (top right) is just for two devices, retailing for $59.99, also available in April.

The company is also making the Powermat Powerpak (bottom right), which is a “wireless charging upgrade for virtually any phone”. It will replace the original battery and battery door for over 12 popular phones from HTC, BlackBerry, LG, Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, and Google. It will be available in June 2010 for $39.99. As for iPhone owners, the company wants to make a Receiver soft case for the iPhone 3G/3GS available at the same date and price.

The company also plans on making a Receiver I On-The-Go Battery Back Up (bottom left). It can recharge on the mat, and then add an extra boost of power when it is needed. It has a built-in Micro USB as well as Apple connectors. It will cost $49.99 and will be available in July of 2010.

You can always get the Powermat 3X for a cheaper price than its original model for $79.99 in June 2010.


Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Powermat’s Newest Variations on display at CITA 2010 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Eye-Fi outs new wireless memory cards

Posted: 23 Mar 2010 08:25 PM PDT

Eye-Fi is one company that we thought might not last the distance when they came up with the first wireless memory cards in the world, but it is nice to see them still hanging around, and doing pretty well in fact. Today, they have just announced a range of new wireless memory cards which will deliver the next generation Eye-Fi experience in the form of the the award-winning Eye-Fi Pro X2. What does the X2 family of Eye-Fi cards offer for the layperson? We are talking about faster-than-ever wireless photo and video uploads, improved performance, and virtually endless storage capacity with Endless Memory mode. Depending on your needs and capacity, these new wireless memory cards will retail from $49.99 upwards.

Apart from new hardware, Eye-Fi has also increased its number of hotspot upload locations to over double of what it originally had. Now, users of the Hotspot Access feature will be able to upload photos and videos straight from their camera at more than 21,000 hotspots across the US, and these include 6,500 Starbucks coffeehouses, and Harborlink hotspots such as BP gas stations. Sounds like the perfect place to stop if you are embarking on a road trip, eh? The Eye-Fi Connect X2 and Explore X2 will join the Pro X2 as Eye-Fi’s new family of products, where each of them will boast Class 6 performance, an 802.11n radio which is much faster when it comes to uploading data as well as the vaunted Endless Memory mode. You ought to be able to pick up all these Eye-Fi Cards from retailers such as Best Buy, Office Depot, Amazon.com, Adorama, B&H and J&R. We’ll look at the various Eye-Fi cards in greater detail just below.

  • Eye-Fi Connect X2 – At 4GB capacity, the Eye-Fi Connect X2 will automatically upload JPEG photos and videos to the computer and one of more than 25 online sharing sites, such as Flickr, Facebook, YouTube or Picasa, through a Wi-Fi network. MSRP: $49.99.
  • Eye-Fi Explore X2 – At 8GB of capacity, the Eye-Fi Explore X2 will automatically upload JPEG photos and videos to the computer and one of more than 25 online sharing sites. It offers lifetime automatic geotagging so photos and videos arrive at the user’s computer with location information already included to identify where the image was captured. Explore X2 also offers one year of hotspot access for uploading away from home at more 21,000 hotspot locations across the Unites States and through open hotspots. MSRP: $99.99.
  • Eye-Fi Pro X2 – Unveiled at CES and winner of CNET’s “Best of CES” award, the 8GB Eye-Fi Pro X2 will automatically upload JPEG and RAW photos and videos to the home computer, and will send them to one of more than 25 online sharing sites. It also allows users to create an ad hoc connection directly to their computer to wirelessly upload photos and videos while away from a wireless router. Like Explore X2, Pro X2 offers lifetime geotagging and one-year of hotspot access to enable uploads away from home at more than 21,000 hotspots and open hotspots. MSRP: $149.99.

Press Release


Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Eye-Fi outs new wireless memory cards copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


HTC rolls out online store

Posted: 23 Mar 2010 08:10 PM PDT



Let’s face the ugly truth – part of Apple’s success, as much as you might dislike them (we’re neutral here), is due to their slick marketing as well as products that basically work right out of the box without any hassle. Also, they not only work, but are extremely easy to use, where anyone without a computing background is able to figure out the nuances pretty quickly without having to refer to a manual. Apart from that, their successes over the recent years also included the introduction of an online store, which sells everything from hardware all the way to software and media content, without requiring you to make a trip to the nearest brick-and-mortar store if you’re so inclined. HTC must have taken a page out of Apple’s book by finally making a similar step, by introducing their very own online store that sells HTC devices as well as accessories. Sure, they’re lagging behind on the software and media content front, but hey, it is a start, isn’t it?

The new HTC e-commerce site is situated at www.shopamerica.htc.com, where you will be able to browse and purchase from a wide range of HTC phones as well as accessories. Apart from that, you can also take the opportunity to activate your new handset by choosing a rate plan from one of the four nationwide U.S. operators – for those who are more tech savvy, this sure beats having to navigate several “layers” of human interaction, including dealing with less than well trained sales personnel and the ilk.

Whenever you access the site, all available devices can be filtered by carrier, type of rate plan and desired features. Once you have made up your mind and have gained the approval from your missus to part with some hard earned money, activated devices and accessory orders of at least $50 are sent right to your doorstep without any shipping fees. HTC is also offering a 15-day money back guarantee that enables any equipment purchased online to be returned within a similar time frame without any additional cost. Also, customers have the option to finalize their purchases over the phone. If you have been hankering after some accessories for your HTC smartphone but have failed to do so so far, the online store also holds a wide selection of hard-to-find accessories for customers looking to truly personalize their mobile experience, where they range from wrist straps and gel skins to home audio cables and international travel kits.

Press Release


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[ HTC rolls out online store copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Flexi PC Pet ID Tag

Posted: 23 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PDT

While some folks treat their pets as second class citizens, most of us do otherwise, as they are part of our family. With the Flexi PC Pet ID Tag, you can be sure that your mind won’t be as frazzled whenever Fido goes running off without letting you know beforehand – after all, it functions as a USB flash drive which is not only water- but shock-proof as well, allowing anyone who retrieves your pet to plug it into a computer to check out the owner’s information, ranging from contact number to address, vet information, medical and dietary needs among others. Updating it is a snap – the thing is, you will need to move your lazy butt to do so from your computer. Well, if you can spend an hour reading up on all of Tiger Woods’ mistresses, don’t you think spending a few minutes to keep your pet’s vital information updated all the more important? ThinkGeek is carrying the Flexi PC Pet ID Tag for $14.99.


Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool :)
[ Flexi PC Pet ID Tag copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Tooks Headphone Hats

Posted: 23 Mar 2010 07:56 PM PDT

Don’t just make some noise the next time you go out, what about wearing noise instead? That is made possible thanks to the Tooks Headphone Hats, which is a stylish new kind of beanie which comes with high quality integrated earphones. These are meant to be extremely comfortable, covering your ears totally to keep them nice and warm when it is freezing all around, while providing you with ample audio juice to keep your ears happy. Perfect for joggers, snowboarders, hikers, commuters as well as folks who want to listen in to the radio in private, the Tooks Headphone Hats will come in Chunky Knit Black, Chunky Knit Plum, Classic Black and Classic Pink colors, retailing for £29.99 each.


Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool :)
[ Tooks Headphone Hats copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


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