Join Gadget Reviews, Vehicle Gadgets
Garmin GPS Review
Sometimes it’s not just about what should you bring, but how in the hell you get there. If you’re like me (a guy) you can proabably make it from Point A to Point B in record time. The problem is, Point B is not actually your destination, but somewhere a mile or two from it. Now, I’ve been wanting a GPS for years but was concerned my wife thought it too expensive of a “toy.” So I did the next best thing… I bought her one for Christmas. (Kind of like Homer buying Marge a bowling ball) And the funny thing is, she has this amazing internal compass. She hardly ever needs the GPS, so it usually resides with me.
The Garmin Garmin Nuvi 360 does everything you want and more. The Bluetooth technology links seamlessly with your cell phone for handsfree conversations. Map and audio directions put you exactly where you want to go. It can also find restaurants by genre and distance, as well as lodging and gas stations. Did I mention it’s also an MP3 player? One of the coolest features is the optional up to date traffic reports. It automatically processes the information on your route, and takes you around the problem. Now, onto the city guide… not in your car, on foot. Once you’ve decided on your restaurant, museum, or Broadway Show, it’ll take you to the front door.
I’ve been using it for a little over a month and it works flawlessly. The touchscreen makes inputting destinations a snap. Due to the small size and many functions, I don’t ever see myself having to buy my wife another one… till next year.
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Gadget Reviews, USB Gadgets
MoGo Wireless Bluetooth Mouse
The MoGo Wireless Mouse is a business-card sized, Bluetooth-enabled mouse that stores and recharges neatly inside (yes, inside…) your laptop’s PC card slot. To recharge your MoGo Mouse, just slide it into the empty PC card slot in your laptop. It will fully recharge in less than an hour and provide you with enough power for about 8 or 9 hours of use.
As you can imagine, the MoGo Mouse is specifically designed for people who spend a lot of time traveling like writers, reporters and sales reps. Other mice, even those meant for travelers, usually don’t cut it. Mini-mice (aka “walnut shells”) get lost in your hand and are difficult to maneuver, and the idea of carrying a full-sized mouse defeats the entire purpose of mobility on the go.
The MoGo Mouse is a natural fit for road warriors. Storing it inside you PC Card (PCMCIA) slot is pure genius and the fact that it charges there is just the icing on the cake. The only thing I’d like to see in future models is a scroll wheel. I know that the size of it makes it hard to have a wheel but maybe a touch wheel, like one some laptops, could have been possible.
“an excellent tool for the road warrior or… minimalist.” ~ GetUSB.info
If you spend a lot of time on the road with your laptop, then the MoGo Wireless Mouse will just make your life easier.
Gadget Reviews, Toys, iPod gadgets
i-Playaz Interactive Hip-Hop Toy
Who is the best-known hip-hop artist in the fictional land of Chub City? Chub C of course. At least that’s what it says on the box. Just don’t tell Hype. He’s the white version of Chub C (a la Eminem). What the hell am I talking about? That’s a good question.
Both Chub C (black) and Hype (white) are interactive toy characters called i-Playaz from a company called Jada Toys. i-Playaz connect to any music source including your iPod, CD player, computer or even an old school Sony Walkman. Just plug in an i-Playaz character and play some music. The i-Playaz characters will then dance to the beat and even play your music through a built-in speaker in their heads. There’s also an audio output if you want to connect better speakers to your i-Playaz character.
When I first got Hype in the mail, I was already on my way out and brought the box along with me to a bar down the street. I figured I’d just test him out for this review when I got home. But while I was waiting for some friends to show up, the people at the bar kept asking me what was in the box. I was curious to see what my i-Playaz could do anyway so I took Hype out of his box and set him up on the bar. With his sideways hat and flashy bling, it’s no wonder that everyone at the bar started calling him K-Fed, after Britney Spears wannabe hip-hop ex-husband. If you know someone who is trying to pull off the K-Fed white hip-hop thing, Hype will bring you and your friends hours of entertainment.
Full Review: i-Playaz Interactive Hip-Hop Toy
Gadget Reviews, Garden Gadgets
Solar Powered Birdfeeder
Know someone who needs to spend a little more time outside and away from their computer? Maybe a techie gift for the outdoors might do the trick. The Arbordale Solar Birdfeeder is just your average run-of-the-mill birdfeeder by day. But at night, this birdfeeder provides a soft, warm amber glow to its surroundings.
Thanks to several solar panels that capture energy during daylight hours, three amber LED lights illuminate your outdoor space while not adding a single cent to your power bill.
Constructed of durable aluminum with clear glass panels, the feeder holds a generous 3-1/2 pounds of seed. A removable top ensures easy filling and the Arbordale Solar Birdfeeder hangs easily on the nearest tree branch or shepherd’s hook from a steel chain.
This birdfeeder is a fun way to add a touch of tech to your outdoor space and give the birds something to ponder during their next free meal.
Childrens Gadgets, Electronic Gadgets, Gadget Reviews, Miscellaneous Gadgets, Remote Control Toys, Toys
Picoo Z, Yes!! It is that much fun (and I know where ta get you one!)
It’s what you’ve been waiting for! A Tiny Helicopter that’s awesome! (and affordable). Big hint here, Read the full review!
Pro’s:
1. It is fun! It is a real kick to fly something inside the house, it’s just what your mom told you never to do, and there you are doing it, and not destroying anything! Wheee!!
2. It is affordable (if you go to the right place). Apparently, the right place is HobbyTron and it’s for the right price 39.00$ and shipping,, really! Everything you need is right there out of the box!! (other places are charging 99$ and more, why?! Go to Hobbytron!)
3. Most of all, IT REALLY WORKS!!! nuff said.
Cons:
1. You will not soon be referred to as T.C.
2. It is easy to “play with” but difficult to “control well”. I HIGHLY advise downloading the Advanced tuning
guide from Hobbytron (they’ve done some work for you!) and applying the metal “weights” right away (they’re REALLY Light but do help a bit). Additionally,, PRACTICE!
3. You will still need real helicopter lessons if you want to fly the Pope around.
Seriously though (ok, when am I ever serious) this thing is fun. Setup is as easy as can be.
Audio/Video Gadgets, Gadget Reviews
JBL Encounter Speaker Review
In a world of boring shelf speakers that are as fascinating as the wires that connect them, the JBL Encounter draws people towards it with its innovative tongue-in-cheek design and then lavishes them with deep warm sound. JBL proves once again that they know how to box up a brilliant set of speakers. They appear as though they were intended to be fine decor while at the same time hold nothing back when it comes to pure crisp sound. Where most speakers seem to be designed to be hidden, the Encounter defies you to ignore them.
Space Monkeys, prepare for blast off. We took JBL Encounter into orbit and although we didn’t reach Warp 11, the volume at least went that high.
Here’s our full JBL Encounter 2.1 speaker review.
Drinking Gadgets, Gadget Reviews
Beer Belly Review
We reported on the cool beer belly product earlier in the year. Thanks to the good guys who make the beer belly we can now follow up on that report with an unbiased (though at times maybe intoxicated) review.
As I have a natural beer belly I enlisted my mate Russell (Software engineer by day, beer belly model by night) to do the photo shoot and product testing (Russell will do just about anything for free Stella Artois).
Read the rest of this entry »
Audio/Video Gadgets, Gadget Reviews, iPod gadgets
Aquapac MP3 case
Aquapac are a company who make … umm… plastic bags? Well yes, but these are not your ordinary bag. Aquapac cases are designed to protect your fragile consumer electronics from water (hence the name). If you’re a regular visitor to the beach you’ll appreciate that water and sand can really make a mess of your gadgets! These guys make a range of waterproof bags to cater for different appliances (including phones, cameras and PDA’s) but the one I’m looking at today is the new MP3 player case.
