Best computer news

A great stocking stuffer for the guy or gal who has everything, USB Wireless Handheld Keyboard and Touchpad. This wireless touchpad with mini keyboard makes a perfect addition to any HTPC setup. Available in black or white colors from a distance, these resemble a large Blackberry or a small Kindle. The keyboard and basic size and shape are instantly familiar as you navigate around any remote PC. It’s also perfect for presentations where you actually need to interact with the desktop as opposed to just click “Next” on a slideshow. Additionally, the keyboard is backlit to enable low-light and no-light operations, another big plus for darkened home theatre.

The included USB transmitter should provide at least a 30 foot range for control. The signal is transmitted over 2.4GHz RF band which should make for some long battery life and reliable performance. The internal rechargeable battery can be recharged via mini-USB cable. It has a physical on/off switch to really maximize battery life. A bargain at $61, this could easily be picked up for several people on your Christmas list.
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Looking to make a splash in the slim midrange digicam point-and-shoot class, the Samsung DualView TL225 / ST550′s headline feature is that it sports not one, but two LCD screens. With class-competitive specs including a beautiful wide touchscreen, this new stunner really bridges the performance and fashion needs of the demanding consumer. Alas, the truth still lies in the user experience and the pictures, and for answers we must delve deeper. Come with me as I spend some quality time with our new mate to see if she’s as easy to live with as she is to talk about. Read on for full review.
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If you dig the gaming device design style you can definitely look at ROCCAT’s line to get ideas. Their latest is the Apuri, a USB hub with 4 easily accessible USB 2.0 ports. The space-age hub stands on 3 legs looking like something out of War of the Worlds. The Apuri’s high posture allows it manage cables cleanly. We’re pretty sure it’s more to look cool than for function though. There’s a special abduction style LED light beaming down from the under belly of the hub just for effect. The blue glow matches the other peripherals in ROCCAT’s lineup well.

The kicker on this hub is its stinger. The stinger is a cord guide that keeps your high resolution optical mouse moving without getting hung up. This should reduce the accidental frags ruining your stats. The mouse Bungee as it’s called, holds your cord aloft and flexes in several directions to keep your mousing going at maximum efficiency. Pick up the Apuri at several online venues for around $47.
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The Pogoplug has apparently had enough success with their landmark product and are releasing a 2nd version. The new version bumps the price up $30 which is still a bargain for what you are getting. The new Pogoplug has 4 available USB connections which can be attached to practically any USB storage device. Once connected all your files are available from any Internet location in your Pogoplug account. The upgraded system can now link multiple Pogoplugs to a single account. iPhone support has just been added. You can access and play movies on your iPhone as well as send iPhone camera images directly to your home system.

We use a Windows Home Server, and LogMeIn Hamachi in order to get ‘almost’ the same thing. The only thing missing from the Pogoplug equation is some sort of data redundancy support. Purchasing a USB RAID device like the WD MyBook would make for a great companion for the Pogo system. Pogoplug actually intends to continue to extend itself into other cloud services including backup services hopefully like Carbonite. Other venues expected to get connected are photo printing and file synchronization. How all this will continue to be done without any sort of a subscription fee is a mystery. Best to sign up now, and get grandfathered in before they change their minds. $129 lets you pre-order the new Pogoplug with an expected delivery of mid-December.
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File this under a pretty bad idea, a flash drive shaped like a Hand Grenade. Shaped like a modern pineapple style grenade this 8GB USB flash drive holds your data with style. Maybe a little too much style. A tiny lanyard loop will let you attach this to a strap or a key-chain if you like. The clip is merely a cover for the USB port. There doesn’t appear to be a way to secure the cap, so you’ll be up to your own devices to keep track of it.

A portable drive yes, but it’s more than likely a ticket straight to the dreaded “No Fly List”. You had better make darn sure that you don’t pack this in your luggage as the TSA will not think this is very funny. Unless you enjoy taking the bus for the rest of your life, prefaced by some of the most thorough cavity searches of your life, pass on this one. But hey, what’s the threat of being strip-searched and violated when you can impress your Modern Warfare clan-mates. Available for $39.99 at ThinkGeek today so you can start lobbing docs across the hall. File in the hole!
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SmartFish’s ErgoMotion has finally gone from an actual concept to actual, shipping product, as a mouse. (The keyboard and game controller utilizing the same technology wail have to wait until Q1 2010.) Hardware-wise, the ambidextrous laser mouse features chrome finishing, has a tilt wheel, and ships with a 2.4Ghz nano-sized USB dongle for wireless connectivity.

What’s unique about this ergonomic mouse is that it’s the industry’s first to sport a 3D-axis motion base so that mouse can swivel and pivot to adapt to your hand position. SmartFish claims this promotes a more wave-like fluid moment, so your wrist and hand are never in a fixed position, hence reducing risk of the irritating Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI). While the ErgoMotion mouse may not have glass-tracking sensor and a precision wheel found on Logitech Anywhere MX, it maybe the answer to healthy mousing. The wobbling mouse is expected to be found in retail for $49.99 anytime now, though, you have better chance of getting it from Amazon.
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While it makes us uncomfortable when we hear that a new venture from movie legend Morgan Freeman is called Digiboo, we still love the concept. Those Redbox kiosks all over the place that rent movies (without having to interrupt some pimpled teen text’ing their BFF) has just gone digital. Digiboo, partnering with Freeman’s Revelations Entertainment, is launching a digital self service system akin to the photo printing stations found in many stores. They have also partnered with Hollywood video and are looking to launch with a selection of over 1000 movies.

This should be similar to any other trip to the video store except that you won’t have a bag at the check-out you’ll have a flash drive. Users will be able to complete their transaction by attaching a PMP, gaming device, cell phone, flash drive or any other type of USB storage. DRM is promised to be included which will probably be handled by a combination of the player and file similar to iTunes. Pricing schemes are still being worked out and may change. These would be a HUGE hit in airport terminals or the latest Colin Farrell movie premiere, any place you have a few hours to kill. Look for them abroad soon.
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Casio wants to give you a camera you can take everywhere. The Exilim EX-G1 is shock resistant camera, likened by Casio its immortal G-Shock digital watch, and can withstand multiple drops from 7 ft. unphased. The camera can survive freezing temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. As for waterproof, the point-n-shoot can handle being submersed up to 10 feet for a full hour. As rugged as it is, the EX-G1 is merely 0.78″ thick. Movies however are recorded in odd resolution at 848×480.

The best part of the EX-G1 is the soft features included with the camera to help you take your wildest shots. The camera has an unattended Interval Shooting that you can set and forget. The EX-G1 will then take pictures every 10, 30, 60, 180 seconds until you stop it or it runs out of memory. It’s perfect so you can catch that perfect rail-slide, jump or flip that you’ve been practicing for weeks. Couple that with the Best Shot scene setting and you’ve got a recipe for great pictures of all that crazy stuff you do, anywhere you do it. MSRP is a little high at $299, but that should come down sharply after a few months and become a real gem and extreme sports partner/witness.
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Like your coffee shaken not stirred? Well too bad because Brando is going to keep it hot and swirly. The USB Whirl Wind Cup Warmer can heat your favorite beverage to a snappy 40 degrees Celsius. The high tech thermos is powered by a Lithium battery. The rechargeable battery is powered up by USB and charge status is displayed via LEDs on the front. Snap on the lid and take it with you wherever you like.

The heated mug also contains a handy contraption to constantly stir your beverage of choice. The built in agitator can run along with or without the heater. So go ahead and drink your coffee or your kool-aid precisely the way it was meant to be enjoyed. This won’t crush ice or stir soup but it should be fine for most drinks. You’ll only have to shell out $37 for this java warmer but that’s nothing compared to the value of making that free coffee at the office last all the way through the day.
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No need to worry about the wind with this hurricane lamp. It plugs directly into a free USB port to illuminate a color-changing bulb. Of course, carrying around a laptop makes it a little more difficult to use while camping, investigating caves or whatever the hell people used to do …