Gadgets And Green

The YoGen Pullstring Charger Makes Official Debut At C.E.S. 2010

2010-01-11T04:38:07Z

Although word of this innovative device has been floating around since last fall, the folks at Treehugger got some footage of the charger in action and some video explanation of the usage and versatility it brings. The charger uses a pull-string mechanism to generate a 5-watt electric charge each time you pull the string. The tiny machine is meant to charge cell phones and a wide range of smartphones that are currently on the market. it was also confirmed that the time it takes to pull the string to charge the YoGen charger would be equivalent to the amount of charge time for a phone charging in an electrical socket.

Video demo after the break.

Sugar-Powered Cell Phone Revealed

2010-01-07T21:18:05Z

As Daizi Zheng, the designer of this innovative Nokia phone-based device succinctly stated: "The concept is using bio battery to replace the traditional battery to create a pollution free environment. Bio battery is an ecologically friendly energy generates electricity from carbohydrates (currently sugar) and utilizes enzymes as the catalyst. By using bio battery as the power source of the phone, it only needs a pack of sugary drink and it generates water and oxygen while the battery dies out"

The specially designed Bio battery can also carry up to three times as much energy on a "single charge" ...or sugary drink, I guess.

No additional information regarding release date and pricing were released.

Palm Pre Coming to Verizon

2010-01-07T20:39:22Z

Photo by Gizmodo

For those of you who have mobile phone contracts with Verizon but don't want to leave your reliable network (and got some reason your not sold on Motorolla's Droid), Palm has done the honorable thing by introducing Palm's Pre on Big Red's network as Palm Pre Plus. Why the "plus" attached to the name you ask/ Well, aesthetically it is stall the same design sans the navigation button below the screen. Internally the RAM has been doubled which reportedly shows with even snappier performance of Palm's WebOS.

For those of you that wanted the Pre but did not want to leave Verizon's network then you just have to wait until March for the release of the Pre' Plus. No pricing is currently available.

Legit Universal Remote On Your iPhone You Ask?

2009-12-20T17:50:45Z

I'm sure that there are many iPhone/iPod Touch users out there who made that quick look at Apple's venerable iTunes App Store for choices on a universal remote for their device. While there a "choices" on Cupertino's mothership, most of the apps are hindered by extra "gear" [mostly infrared receivers that remotes use to communicate with appliances] that needs to be connected the devices that you want to control. Not very attractive.

Enters Portland, Oregon phone accessories maker New Kinetix with the Rē™ Universal Remote Control for the iPhone and iPod touch. The difference between this remote and most of the previous offerings is the only attachment needed for the Rē™ to operate as a universal remote is a small black box that attaches to the bottom of your iPhone/iPod Touch. You will then be able to use your iphone/iPod Touch as a universal remote with access a large database of pre loaded device codes. The Rē™ app will also get regular updates to keep it current with new devices.

There is not much more information available for this device other than the fact that it will make it's official debut at CES in January 2010.

Now, how I just need to figure out how to get calls on the iPhone...

I will keep you posted as more information becomes available.

Barnes & Noble Will Accept Gift Cards For the Nook eBook Reader

2009-11-18T03:53:22Z

It seems as if Barnes & Noble are trying to get some of those Christmas gift dollars with their eBook gift card being available for use on eBook purchases either through the Barnes & Noble website or their Nook eBook reader and the Nook-compatible apps out there.

The "announcement" from Barnes & Noble that the eBook purchase capability will be available in "mid-December".

Viewsonic Rolls out it's VMP70 Media Player On The Cheap

2009-11-06T12:05:29Z

I know, i know, yet another media player on the market. Viewsonic's VPM70 player outputs 1080p HD, has HDMI and composite video connections, also S/PDIF for better audio. The VPM70 also supports a whole bunch of file formats like DivX, Xvid, H.264, RM/RMVB, DTS, OGG etc. All of that is great but the price is also quite affordable at $129.99 but if you preorder now at many online retail sites you can find this device for as low as $98.99.

Introducing The Sonic Fabric Necktie: Listen To Your Neckwear!

2009-11-03T04:46:02Z

The dynamic and quite inventive folks at Sonic Fabric neckties created a necktie that's made out of fabric that's well, sonic... I guess. The fabric of the necktie is actually made with reused 50% audio cassette tape and 50% tread that comes in various colors and textures.

Sonic Fabric claims that you can actually hear selected audio from the neckties if you run the tape head of a walkman against the fabric of the tie.

The cost of this eco-friendly/novelty item is $90 each.

Video demo of the necktie audio after the break..

Motorola's DROID: Savior or (Kinda Heavy) Paperweight?

2009-10-30T01:38:33Z

At first glance, Motorola's DROID doesn't seem all that impressive to me. it's kind of boxy and clunky-looking. And let's face it; Motorola needs to knock this Verizon-exclusive phone out of the park after the dismal year they have had financially and market-square-wise. But with the release of this handset next week [November 6th], many reviews are trickling in and the majority of them look quite favorably towards Moto's new baby. The most favorable comments are made about the very bright and sharp (480x85 resolution) 3.7 LCD touchscreen and the slide-out full QWERTY keyboard, which is said to not be completely flat as the images might portray.

More genius commentary and demo video after the break.

Barnes & Noble Announces the Nook eBook Reader

2009-10-28T03:37:00Z

Ok. So some of you might have heard (or probably read) that the world's largest bookseller Barnes & Noble was finally throwing their hat into the eBook reader ring. So why am I confused? Well, their announcement first eBook announcement was for an eBook Reader collaboration with Plastic Logic and not the "Nook", which seems to be B&N's self manufactured device.

More genius commentary and video after the break.

It's iPhone Dumming Fool: Introducing the iGOG VelAUcity App

2009-10-26T01:19:55Z

I know that there are quite a few iPhone users out there thinking "wow iTunes has a large catalog of various types of app, but, where's the velocity-sensitive drumming app that I need in my life..". Well for you rockin' geeks out there your prayers have been answered. Based on the video below, the $5 app seemed very responsive with the velocity settings on the virtual drum pads finely tuned to create different sound intensities. The bad news is that the app is not compatible with iPod Touch. The app actually uses the mic from the iPhone as part of it's function. The mic is used for what is labelled the 'mic trigger mode". In this mode, the app virtual pads can be triggered by tapping on a nearby surface with enough sound for the iPhone's mic to receive it. The sequencing function also seems to be quite cool. The app is capable of 384 multi-samples per drum, pretty neat novelty gift. Who knows, we might have a new Souljah Boy on the music scene with it music crated on this thing [we can only wish of course...].

Video demo clips after the break.