The only media center PC we knew of that could pass itself off as a limpet mine or hat box, Sony’s TP3 is anything but a beige slab. Though virtually button-free, it’s easy to set up; simply attach it to the highest-def TV you can find and you’re off. Despite its size and shape, the TP3 packs in the features; Blu-ray, HDMI, twin-tv tuners and, of course, Wi-Fi to name but a few. The only disappointment is the now so relatively claustrophobic 500 GB hard disk.
Very few jobs these days can be accomplished without leafing through Wikipedia, Yahoo! Answers or eBay, so getting your workstation of choice online is a priority. Linksys’ sleek little WTR110 will get you (and any web browsers in your house) connected in a flash and has, courtesy of a gleaming pearl black finish, the looks to grace the most stylish of desktops. Central to its appeal is its manufacturer’s RangePlus technology, which both increases wireless range and speed, and eliminates pesky dead spots.
Product descriptions from Linksys:
The RangePlus Wireless Router is really three devices in one box. First, there’s the Wireless Access Point, which lets you connect to the network without wires. There’s also a built-in 4-port full-duplex 10/100 Switch to connect your wired-Ethernet devices together. Finally, the Router function ties it all together and lets your whole network share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection.
The Access Point built into the Router uses smart antenna technology to achieve extended range. Unlike ordinary wireless networking technologies that are confused by signal reflections, RangePlus technology actually uses these reflections to increase the range and reduce “dead spots” in the wireless coverage area. The robust signal travels farther, maintaining wireless connections much farther than standard Wireless-G.
With RangePlus, the farther away you are, the more speed advantage you get. It works great with standard Wireless-G and -B equipment, but when both ends of the wireless link are RangePlus enabled, the router can increase the throughput even more by using twice as much radio band. But unlike other speed-enhanced technologies, the RangePlus Wireless Router can dynamically enable this double-speed mode for compatible devices, while still connecting to other wireless devices at their respective fastest speeds.
Setup is quick and easy with the PC or Mac compatible Setup Wizard, and making secure wireless connections is as simple as pressing a button with Wi-Fi Protected Setup™. To help protect your data and privacy, the Router can encode all wireless transmissions with industrial-strength 128-bit encryption. It can serve as your network’s DHCP Server, has a powerful SPI firewall to protect your PCs against intruders and most known Internet attacks, and supports VPN pass-through. Configuration is a snap with the web browser-based configuration utility.
With the Linksys RangePlus Wireless Router at the center of your home or office network, you can share a high-speed Internet connection, files, printers, and multi-player games, and run media-intensive applications at incredible speeds, without the hassle of stringing wires!
Wed, Dec 17, 2008
2009 is a new year for Motorola. The firm’s sales are tracking down, the RAZR might be dead - hopefully - but these four upcoming phones look uncharacteristically good. Little is known beside about the mobiles besides what can be gathered from the pics. The branding indicates that they are Verizon-bound and at least three of the four are touchscreens. And none of the phones have the dumb RAZR-ish names. Each one, including the Flash above, has a normal, fully-spelled product name. Hopefully these devices will breath new life into the dying mobile phone maker. We only have one question, though? Any of these powered by Google’s Android?
More pics after the jump.
Calgary
Rush 2
Via CrunchGear
Michael Knight (from Knight Rider), Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Star Trek), and even Dexter from Dexter’s Laboratory all have communicated with their counterparts vie a wrist communicating device, in other words, a wrist/watch phone. What once seemed fantastical is now a reality: this watch is just like the one Dick Tracy used to call Tess Trueheart on after foiling another of Flattop’s schemes. Rather prosaically named the Watch Phone, it lets you make calls, take pictures using 1.3 mega pixel camera, and record video. It even has more jazzy phone features such as a touch-screen with handwriting recognition, Bluetooth and an mp3 player. All it lacks is a function that renders you temporarily blind and deaf like a stun grenade in a James Bond movie. Price ranges around $300.
Given the amazing economic state that we’re in, and the fact that you’re certainly one of those lucky recipients of those six-figure holiday bonuses, you’re more than ready to hear the full details behind the “Oculus.” This yacht’s unique shape “is representative of the jaw and eye socket bone structure of large oceanic fish and mammals.” What does that tell you? It’s not quite [biomimicry], but it does really look at home in the sea.
Designer E. Kevin Schopfer has hell-of details:
Oculus is the first “design launch” of Schöpfer Yachts LLC. This 250-foot vessel was designed by E. Kevin Schöpfer, founder and owner of his namesake company. Designed to accommodate 12 guests in extraordinary comfort and style, Oculus is a long distance cruising yacht capable of speeds upwards of 25 knots. The exterior styling is representative of the jaw and eye socket bone structure of large oceanic fish and mammals. Featuring a dramatic reverse bow configuration, the yacht’s armature balances an elegant expression of symmetry and structure. In addition to the bow, Oculus also features a “low rider profile”. This slightly lowered surface allows for new side recreational areas, alternate dockage access and light cruising openness.
Lateral retractable side panels close this area when heavier wave action is indicated. The interior features of Oculus focus on a 12 foot high ceiling in the main salon, a cylindrical double height dining room, central stair and elevator tube, and seemingly anatomical ceiling and floor lighting extensions giving definition to the seating areas. The second level is the dedicated Owner’s suite.
Living areas and bedchambers are divided by a series of four freestanding tubes, which house bath and storage necessities.
For further details about ordering one of these, or of course if you want more details for other reasons, post questions below and I’m sure Mr. Schopfer would be happy to let you know what you want to hear.
Designer: E. Kevin Schopfer
Via YankoDesign
Tired of ripping and having to deal with compressions and codecs to get videos onto your iTunes then on TV? Well don’t nag, you probably don’t have Apple TV. It is still the best way to stream media from iTunes to your TV. An ever-increasing TV shows are now available on HD, YouTube, photostreaming and film trailers. Streaming speed remains highly usable with n-powered computers and the HDMI output gives crispness.
By Andrew Liszewski
Simply sealing off any drafts or leaks in your home can lead to substantial savings when it comes to your heating or cooling costs throughout the year, and this new Thermal Leak Detector from Black & Decker appears to take the guesswork out of finding those problem spots. (And it’s probably more accurate than holding up a lit match to the cracks around windows and doorways.) You just point the detector at a wall to set a reference temperature, and then aim it at any trouble spots in your home to determine exactly where the problems are. When the measured temperature changes by 1, 5 or 10 degrees F (switchable to Celsius) the projected light will either change to red or blue to clearly indicate where there’s a hot or cold spot.
The Thermal Leak Detector will be available from the Black & Decker online store for $39.99, but at the moment it’s still listed as “Coming Soon”.
Desktops & Accessories