Your's Web Tech Power Blog's: May 17, 2011

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

PowerSkin has battery charging cases for cell phones
Willow Garage’s PR2 robot being trained as a cashier
Fujitsu’s Touchpad keyboard concept
New HP Pavilion consumer desktop PCs announced
Sony Online Entertainment restores game services
Outdoor Inflatable Theater
Smart Heart Pulse Monitor
The Coolest Festival Tent? The VW Camper Tent

PowerSkin has battery charging cases for cell phones

Posted: 16 May 2011 02:57 PM PDT

There will probably always be a market for any accessory that can give a mobile device more power, and the most prominent that I can think of is the Juice Pack from mophie.

PowerSkin is getting in on this battery case territory as they have cases for all sorts of models. I got a chance to try out the model for my Droid X, which is the model that you can see in the photo.

The boast is that the Powerskin can give you twice the power, and I believe that claim. They also claim that it is “lightweight”, and this is partially true. The one I received for the Droid X is 3.8 ounces, and, in comparison, the Droid X is 5.3 ounces. In short, the Powerskin nearly doubled the weight on my phone, which is a noticeable difference while talking.

In short, it turns my phone into a thin brick. However, if you are the type who is on the road, and needs the extra battery life, then the Powerskin is worth the extra weight.

You can go to the official Power-Skin site to see if there is a battery case for your model of cellular phone. If there isn’t, just leave a message at the picture of the crying baby, and they will send you an email if there is plans for your model.

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[ PowerSkin has battery charging cases for cell phones copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Willow Garage’s PR2 robot being trained as a cashier

Posted: 16 May 2011 11:46 AM PDT

I worked a for few years at Wal-Mart, and it’s very weird to shop there when you have worked there yourself. With only one exception, I can tell that the cashier doesn’t want to be there any more than I wanted to.

I think we all know that jobs that can be done by machines are usually done by machines, and I believe that cashiering is a job just waiting to be filled by a robot.

The robot is here with the PR2 personal robot from Willow Garage. The robot is an open source job, and a group of researchers at Stanford’s AI Lab has made it into a checker and bag boy. You can watch a video of it after the jump so you can see it for yourself.

This autonomous checkout clerk can grab an item, then scan it, and put it in the bag where it belongs. You will note that it doesn’t always do the scan right the first time, and it can only drop it in the bag. As a former checker, I know the importance of arranging items in a grocery bag. You don’t want to put a six-pack on a carton of eggs, for example.

I’m not certain how well this robot could do that, and check out the death grip on that Dr. Pepper! Also, you will note that the video has to be sped up just so it looks like a regular bag boy. However, it doesn’t move any faster than someone on the self checkout.

Yeah, this technology has a long way to go. However, I can see this being the future once it has been perfected.

Source

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Willow Garage’s PR2 robot being trained as a cashier copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Fujitsu’s Touchpad keyboard concept

Posted: 16 May 2011 11:22 AM PDT

I think Fujitsu’s concept devices have figured out what consumers really want. Last week, we reported on the hybrid notebook/tablet that can fold into quarters, and now this touchpad keyboard.

Clearly, customization is key for this touchpad keyboard. Some users prefer that ergonomic keyboard with the split diagonal setup, while others prefer the traditional method. This allows the user to pick the type of keyboard that he or she wants.

All in all, it looks like something that could help out those who love the numeric keypad but don’t have it on their laptop. It also looks like it would come in handy for when changing language layouts is an issue. Not that I’ve ever had that problem, but in the age of “there’s an app for that” consumers want a lot more freedom on their personal electronics.

Of course, this is assuming that every consumer is used to a touchscreen. For me, it would take me a while to get used to a full-sized keyboard as I am used to the haptic feedback and clickity-click of the keys. However, I don’t see how this could work without a touchscreen unless some sort of new apparatus gets involved for a shape-shifting keyboard.

I am assuming that if laptops are ever devices with twin touchscreens, this feature by Fujitsu would be a standard feature.

Source

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ Fujitsu’s Touchpad keyboard concept copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

New HP Pavilion consumer desktop PCs announced

Posted: 16 May 2011 10:05 AM PDT

HP, the world’s top PC manufacturer, is back with a brand new announcement concerning a newer range of consumer desktop computers that will come in sophisticated designs – after all, who would want to have boring rectangular looking machines on their desks that seems like a relic from the past? No sir, HP is beyond that, having invested time and money in decent design without sacrificing on the kind of technology within.

Offering clean lines, soft forms and contrasting materials, the redesigned HP Pavilion desktops are able to live up to today’s style and preferences, looking comfortable regardless of whether it is on a dorm-room desk or stashed away in a media cabinet somewhere. There is a glossy (can you say fingerprint magnet?) black front panel that has been layered over a metallic base, adding depth and dimension to the new towers, while sliding front panels will keep your ports and drives hidden away until required, giving off a polished, clean appearance.

There will be several models that offer a valet tray that has been integrated into the top of the PC and will come equipped with USB ports to make it easy to access, considering how so many modern day devices rely on USB ports as an alternative charging experience.

Among the new machines in the HP Pavilion consumer desktop family would be the HP Pavilion p7 series PCs that delivers generous hard drive space, premium graphics, and built-in support for multichannel surround sound. Touted to be out this Wednesday from $299.99 onwards, it will also arrive at select US retailers later this June.

As for the HP Pavilion Slimline s5 series PCs, those are less than 50% the size of conventional PC towers, albeit not losing any of their configurability in order to deliver maximum storage and processors so that it can support even the most demanding multitaskers. Out this June 15th from $329.99 onwards, we will now move on to the HP HPE h8 series PCs that come with up to three internal hard drives, a choice between AMD Phenom or Intel Core i7 processors, high-end NVIDIA or ATI graphics, and the ability to support multiple displays. Pricing will start from $599.99 upwards from this Wednesday onwards.

Time to make that upgrade, no?

Press Release

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[ New HP Pavilion consumer desktop PCs announced copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Sony Online Entertainment restores game services

Posted: 16 May 2011 09:42 AM PDT

For folks who have managed to quit online gaming cold turkey over the past three weeks simply because Sony’s PlayStation Network (PSN) was hacked and had its information compromised (that included credit card details, which Sony assures us were taken from an obsolete database but would we know any better?), here is some news. You might have found a different hobby to keep yourself occupied, or perhaps you might have kept the faith and waited with bated breath for the day where PSN will be restored (to full health, in video game jargon).

Well, that happened yesterday in a phased manner, where it will comprise of nearly all of Sony Online Entertainment’s (SOE) portfolio of online games, including the reinstatement of SOE’s game forums and websites, in addition to functionality that requires players to reset their passwords.

Of course, there are some people who tweeted that the service came back on for all of 10 minutes before it went belly up again, but that is not what most people reported. The comments were not kind at all, but hopefully Sony will step up and ensure that they would have been able to rectified and learned from their past mistakes, beefing up the data security all around to prevent the same thing from happening ever again.

SOE has taken such steps in addition to updating and adding advanced security technologies, throw in extra software monitoring, perform new penetration and vulnerability testing, and increase levels of encryption. According to Kaz Hirai, Executive Deputy President, Sony Corporation, “Our main priority is the safety and security of our customers’ personal information. We are making consumer data protection a full-time, company-wide commitment, and have applied enhanced security technologies so that our customers can feel protected and confident about playing our games. We are committed to delivering secure and entertaining games for players of all ages and thank each of our players for their patience and support during this difficult time.”

SOE also offers an olive branch in the form of a “Welcome Back” program, where it will include special game content and services to all registered Station Account holders. This means you, as part of the program, will benefit from 30 days of additional game time in addition to an extra day for each day SOE’s services were down. Is that enough?

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[ Sony Online Entertainment restores game services copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Outdoor Inflatable Theater

Posted: 16 May 2011 09:30 AM PDT

Love watching movies with your family and friends? Well, with summer on its way for folks living in the Northern Hemisphere, then how about letting your next movie watching session be held outdoors? That’s exactly what Hammacher has in mind with their Outdoor Inflatable Theater. The name itself says it all – this inflatable theater system will be able to turn your backyard into a vivid cinema. Of course, you would do well to have some anti-mosquito devices hanging around just in case, no?

The screen comprises of a 72″ bright, white vinyl, where the frame will inflate in under five minutes thanks to the built-in electric pump. Made out of weather-resistant PVC, you can use it near swimming pools or place it outdoors even when it is the rainy season. Forget about Full HD images being shown on this though – the projector that it comes with maxes out at 480p resolution, sporting 16:9 aspect ratio, a contrast ratio up to 600:1, with 900 lumens for optimal brightness.

It is capable of hooking up to various video sources via component, VGA, or HDMI, while supporting USB and SD memory cards. Needless to say, its speakers are water resistant as well, although 5-watts of juice ain’t gonna cut the mustard for more action packed films that you intend to enjoy. At $999.95 per purchase, convince the missus that this can be used indoors as well and she will most probably give her nod of approval.

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[ Outdoor Inflatable Theater copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Smart Heart Pulse Monitor

Posted: 16 May 2011 09:13 AM PDT

They say that laughter is the best medicine, and to have a lighter outlook in life is always better. After all, why go to the grave with a scowl on your face? ThinkGeek has an interesting remedy for those who want to take down their heart pulse, thanks to the Smart Heart Pulse Monitor. Not only does it allow you to hear your own heartbeat, it also will go about calculating your pulse so that you have a better idea on what kind of shape you are in physically at the moment.

The Smart Heart Pulse Monitor is capable of checking your heart rates, and using it is a no-brainer. All you need to do is hold it over your heart and press the button for a few seconds in order to hear the audio computation of heartbeats per minute. Not recommended for those who are under 3 years of age. Bear in mind that this is not a medical device, so if you need something more professional, then you would do well to purchase a real heart rate monitor. Powered by a trio of AAA batteries that obviously haven’t been included, the Smart Heart Pulse Monitor is going for $24.99.

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ Smart Heart Pulse Monitor copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

The Coolest Festival Tent? The VW Camper Tent

Posted: 16 May 2011 04:46 AM PDT

If you’re attending any festivals this year this has got to the coolest canvas to camp out in, say hello to the VW Camper Van Tent.

Officially licensed by Volkswagon the VW Camper Tent is a full size replica of the 1965 Camper Van. Available in yellow, red or blue, it is certain to stand out from all other tents. Like the VW camper van the VW tent is large enough to stand up in (5 feet and 11 inches), and internally is divided into two rooms, sleeping 2 people in each one.

The VW Camper tent is available on pre-order from Firebox for £299.99 (approx $486) and will be available from August 25th 2011, just in time to catch the end of the festival season.