A skinny phone concept for tight jeans

Is that a cell phone in your pocket or are you just a mutant and very happy to see me? Your jeans can get pretty tight, which means that the bulge of your cellphone sticks out quite a bit. If you can even get your phone in your jeans. Designer David Turpin of France has come up with this Skinny Phone concept that should help.

It slides sideways to reveal a QWERTY keypad, but other then that we don’t have any detailed specs. It’s just a slim dream at the moment for all of you who have to grease yourselves up to get your pants on. Even if it existed, battery life would leave a lot to be desired.

(more...)

m888a iPhone Nano clone

Here’s an interesting clone. The m888a will let you own a smaller sized iPhone, with dull specs. An iPhone mini-me. Just keep in mind that your fingers remain the same size. Specs include: a 2.4-inch touchscreen with stylus, dual-band GSM and a VGA camera, even comes in black and white in an Apple-like package. One thing that the original doesn’t have and the m888a does is dual-SIM support and freedom to be on any GSM network.

(more...)

Dell XPS Baton PC concept

This is a concept we’d really like to see realized. It looks amazing. The basic idea is that a baton contains two roll out and flexible screens. The OLED screens roll up in the baton for easy transport. When they are pulled out an electrical charge is sent down the screen, making them rigid and usable as a laptop screen and keyboard that we all know so well.

Just want to use an eBook? Then just roll out one screen. If you want to work from a desk you can just leave the screens rolled up and dock the baton on a docking station which attaches to a regular screen and keyboard.

(more...)

CNBC says Zune phone is real, codenamed “Pink”

It’s a rumor that refuses to die. The Zune phone. We last speculated about it back in July. Now the Zune Phone is looking very likely. A legitimate news organization, CNBC had something to say about it. Jim Goldman says that according a “good source,” Microsoft is “ready to give a major facelift to the company’s Zune music player that could mean its evolution into a new smart phone from the company.” It’s codenamed “Pink” and “will combine the company’s Zune and technology from Microsoft’s purchase of Danger Inc.”

Are you excited? Microsoft has dropped some hints that it wanted to combine Danger’s consumer-friendly OS expertise with the Zune. It makes sense. A ZunePhone made by Danger might be a Microsoft smartphone that is actually worth the wait.

(more...)

Alltel gives you a Hint

I know many people who don’t care for smartphones, but send tons of text messages and email. For those people what they want is a phone that offers up a nice keyboard and is aimed at messaging. Alltel has introduced a new handset perfect for this crowd.

Alltel has announced that it is now offering the Motorola Hint. The Hint has features text fans will appreciate like a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a nicely sized 2.5-inch display. Dimensions of the phone are compact and it weighs only 4.23 ounces.

(more...)

AMD talks up DirectX 10.1

There are still many gamers who have yet to upgrade to Windows Vista. Part of Windows Vista that was most appealing to gamers was DirectX 10 compatibility. DirectX 10 is something you can’t get on Windows XP.

According to AMD when Windows 7 hits market, widely believed to be mid-2009, DirectX 10.1 will be fully supported. According to AMD DirectX 10.1 will be used in the API for the Windows Desktop Manager in Windows 7.

(more...)

Moto Kraver Strikes the ‘Brick… And everywhere else

Last night I noticed that Joel at BoingBoing Gadgets discovered an overly in love “fan” of the Motorola Krave who had been trolling their comments for the last few weeks. The dude’s comments seemed oddly familiar. So I checked our own comments here at the ‘Brick. Guess what? He struck here too. A few times.

This brazen bandit doesn’t even wear a mask, freely admitting that he works for Motorola while simultaneously and textually stroking the Krave. Sometimes he mixes it up, but mostly it’s the same old tune, which …

(more...)

Honda Speedometer changes color to change your driving

The Honda Ecological Drive System (HDAS) will be included with the 2009 Honda Insight. It will alert drivers to their driving habits through a color coded speedometer. For instance if you’re going along at a grandmotherly yet fuel efficient speed, the speedometer goes green, indicating that you are a responsible and possibly elderly driver.

When you find yourself trying to outrun the fuzz at 90mph, the speedometer turns blue, indicating that you are most likely on COPS and should really slow down. Seems like red, yellow and green would have been better colors to use. It’s a great idea that should save many gallons of gas as well as keep you safe from yourself.

(more...)

LG planning a Formula One phone

LG loves to collaborate with other brands. Looks like the newest brand will be that of Formula motorsports. They want some of that racing action so they can get back into that whole “Life Is Good” thing they killed. It’s as if the company is having a mid-life crisis and just wants to go really fast, like vroom.

It looks like they will be rolling out a Formula One handset sometime next year. The news comes on the heels of a new sponsorship deal with F1 earlier this morning, where LG’s Chief Marketing Officer, Dermot Boden, said that the Korean consumer electronics company is “looking to develop products in the future with Formula One.”

(more...)

Lego R2-D2 USB flash drive

Our favorite droid gets a gadget makeover yet again. When is he ever going to get some respect? If he isn’t pulling aquarium duty, he’s keeping your stuff cold. And when he isn’t acting as your own personal fridge, he’s a drink server.

Well, now someone’s taken a Lego R2 and made him into a USB drive. Which is neat and all, but he still ain’t gettin no respect. Because when you plug the little guy into your usb port, he just looks like he got shot out of a cannon and got stuck in your laptop and should be flailing his legs. Such is the life of an overly merchandised droid.

(more...)

Retro Pin Art clock

Check out this retro Pin Art Clock. 3000 pins will tell you the time. It’s like you have Pinhead from Hellraiser trapped in a box and he’s forced to rear his head to tell you what time it is.

“Inspired by the popular Pin Art toy that uses moving pins to form the impression of one’s hand, this creation makes watching the clock a mesmerizing experience. The minutes click ahead with a sound that evokes the classic flip of the numbers at airports or train stations, combining aural ambience with visual style.”

(more...)

China produces knock off flip iPhone

We’ve seen our share of knock-offs coming out of China, but this one is downright funny. They’ve taken the iPhone and turned it into a clamshell style phone. Funny thing is, it resembles a MacBook more then an actual iPhone.

It is attractive with the brushed aluminum casing and the iPhone look inside, but I’m guessing that performance isn’t up to par. Surprisingly, the camera is 3-megapixels, more than on most mid to low-end phones. It also sports a 2.6-inch display with a resolution of 240 x 320. It’s pretty small at 105 x 53 x 17mm and about 110 grams. One giveaway that this is a crap-gadget are the LED lights under the apple. I guess that’s the best they could do.

(more...)

iQue Grill with stereo & on-board computer controls

This may be the best grill ever. They say that dogs are man’s best friend, but that’s just not true. A grill is a man’s best friend. The way to our hearts is through our stomachs after all. This grill has such features as an optional built-in CD/stereo system to keep you entertained while flipping steaks and burgers.

The 875 square inches of grill island is all about convenience and letting you cook like a pro. Some other features include: 79,000 BTU’s, infrared rotisserie burner, side burner, digital temperature controls, dual zone cooking, smart touch screen, pre-programmed food setting icons and built-in meat probe, as well as a tank caddy pullout. The grill can even be upgraded to include a refrigerator and sink.

(more...)

Permalink | Comments |

Vizio Black Friday Deals

Today is one of the busiest shopping days of the year with holiday shoppers flocking to stores and malls for good deals. Despite the poor economy, electronics are still expected to sell well this holiday season and Vizio has announced some of the deals on its HDTVs for today.

Vizio is one of the top shippers of TVs in America. Costco will be offering a 19-inch VA19 LCD HDTV for $199.99 with a coupon through 12-7. At Walmart the 32-inch VP322 plasma HDTV, (the set credited with bringing plasma bask by many research firms) will retail for $437.

(more...)

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1

Dell offers Black Friday discounts in netbooks

Even if you aren’t crazy enough to brave the stores on Black Friday, you can still save some money online with special deals for the biggest shopping day of the year. Many of the big computer makers and retailers are offering some of their deals online as well as in stores.

Dell is offering some nice savings on its Mini 9 netbook. The Inspiron Mini 9 running Ubuntu Linux is selling for $299 today. The price includes 512MB of RAM, 8.9-inch LED backlit LCD, 4GB SSD, and more. That price is a $50 discount from normal.

(more...)

Laptop Cooler with USB hub and HDD slot

Brando has a new cool gadget available. This time, they’re offering up a unique laptop cooler with USB Hub and HDD Slot built in. It measures 300mm x 252mm x 32mm and weighs 504grams. The device is equipped with three USB hubs, a 2.5-inch SATA HDD slot, and two fans to keep your laptop nice and cool.

You can plug in any 2.5 inch SATA hard drive to extend your storage when needed and it supports up to 250GB SATA HDD. Brando’s latest USB Notebook Cooling Pad retails for $33 and is a convenient gift to put under the tree this year.

(more...)

Fujitsu-Siemens offers Lifebook4Life laptop replacement warranty

Fujistu-Siemens in the UK recently announced their Lifebooks4Life program, which entitles you to a new laptop of the same value (after they adjust 10 percent for inflation) every three years for the rest of your life. Of course, you’ll have to purchase a three year warranty with each new machine. That machine has to remain in warranty. That means, no mods, no cheap other name parts etc.

Even so, a new notebook every three years for the price of the warranty? Kind of life joining the notebook of the month club, except in this case it’s every three years. There’s got to be catch. Anyway, life is no fun unless you are free to mod, use cheap substandard parts, rip that tag off the mattress that tells you not to rip it and switch computer brands now and then.

(more...)

The Morph Concept Phone from Nokia

Another innovative design concept from Nokia, the morph concept. Featured in The Museum of Modern Art ?Design and The Elastic Mind? exhibition, the Morph concept device is a bridge between highly advanced technologies and their potential benefits to end-users. Developed by NRC (Nokia Research Center) in collaboration with the Cambridge Nanoscience Centre (United Kingdom), Morph is a concept phone that using nanotechnology which enables materials and components that are flexible, stretchable, transparent and remarkably strong. Users should be able to transform their cell phone into different shapes.

From the website :

“Morph concept technologies might create fantastic opportunities for mobile devices: * Newly-enabled flexible and transparent materials blend more seamlessly with the way we live


* Devices become self-cleaning and self-preserving

* Transparent electronics offering an entirely new aesthetic dimension

* Built-in solar absorption might charge a device, whilst batteries become smaller, longer lasting and faster to charge

* Integrated sensors might allow us to learn more about the environment around us, empowering us to make better choices”

We probably see this technology another 5-7 years in the future, by using nanotechnology, hopefully can lead to low cost manufacturing solutions and the possibility of integrating complex functionality at a low price.

Source : Nokia

Provoke 2012 Phone Concept

Provoke Design is Nokia’s main Design contractor and they have come up with future headset design of Nokia. They have created three concepts, Express, Share and Feel. The look of the Express design can be changes as per your preferences and tastes. The Feel handset is basically designed for couples as this pair helps in deep communication with touch replication. The share concept enables the cults to interact in a personalized code formed within their sub-groups. Like other products this one is also facing new challenges, but it will surely achieve its goal.

(more…)

Valtra RoboTrac Tractor for Future Farms

Tractor is what you call it just by looking at the picture, it is not at all fair because it also serves as a robot. This fully automated and programmable robot is designed to supplement a farm team. It can smoothly carry out all necessary activities for your farmhouse including tilling, disking, plowing, planting, spraying, weeding and many other activities which a normal farm team cannot do. Do not go with its small size because it can work continuously without wrecking your field or farm. Now no need to waste money on expensive laborers or farmers as Valtra RoboTrac will soon revolutionize the farming world.

(more…)

Future Girls and Robotic Asistants

Futuristic robotic assistants, designed by Franz Steiner really jaw-dropping at first sight. They predict what kind of media gadgets that would be available in the future, including self-renewing newspaper, virtual maps, and probably virtual goggles. How about robotic personal assistants ? They look pretty reliable to help you with your job or even when you need a friend to have fun with (hopefully they can clean house too). I definitely want one of those Robots !

(more…)

Rovio Telepresence WowWee Robotic

WowWee Robotics once again create great innovation to its robot, it has unveiled its new WiFi-enabled, remotely-controlled robotic webcam platform. Rovia, 3 wheeled telepresence allows you to interact with its environment, give you information on how your home or office situation through streaming video and audio transmitted via internet to your cell phone, PC, or video game console.

(more…)

T-Rex 3 Wheeler Concept for 2008 by Johnathan Cote

You might already familiar with this 3 wheeler concept, Johnathan Cote just tried to offer his re-design proposal for the legendary T-REX. With the the first prototype released in 1994, the T-REX is a pioneer in the rapidly expanding world of modern 3-wheeled transport that has now spawned such exotic gems as the Can-Am Spyder, Brudeli’s Three-Wheel Leanster, TriRod’s F3 Adrenaline and the upcoming ZAP Alias highway electric car. While respecting the T-Rex’s DNA, this remodeling offers refreshing new lines and added new assets. Overall, the beauty of this design imparts elegance and refinement worthy of the best sports cars.

Jonathan new design integrates several storage areas into the vehicle, blending cargo space into the vehicle’s outline and adding a small storage space and two smaller glove compartments in the front. Two windshield versions are also catered for: raised or F1 style.

4WD Quark Peugeot’s Futuristic Quad Prototype

Let’s take a look at peugeot’s futuristic prototype two-seater. This 4WD Quark has removable interactive interface, innovative PDA concept, still serves the same purpose as ignition key which combine with instrument panel. 4WD Quark is also protected with small transparent and waterproof cover. Enough said, this 4WD Quark prototype has competed successfully at Michelin Bibendum challenge.The vehicle create its own class in four wheeler, which actually similar with 4WD machines that are selling so well in America at present, yet created low-emission inner-urban fuel-cell vehicle. To drive each of four 17″ diameter wheels, this 4WD Quark is using electric motor which connected to the chassis by means of triangular wishbones.

The fuel cell supplements electrical energy supplied by a Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery consisting of 40 individual cells, each with a voltage of 7.2 volts. The battery can therefore provide a nominal overall voltage of 288 Volts. In parallel, PSA Peugeot Citro’n have also developed new solutions to (more…)

Peugeot cars

Didiom placeshifting application for iTunes

Apple’s iTunes store is hands down the most popular place to buy music around. Many people have tons of tracks in iTunes and teh ability to listen to those tracks on a wide variety of mobile phones while on the move would be a great thing for most music fans.

Didiom has announced that its placeshifting application for iTunes is in beta. The application allows iTunes users to stream music from iTunes on their PC to a mobile phone wirelessly. The software works with both BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices.

(more...)

Samung lets Verizon Sway to new mobile

Verizon Wireless today unveiled a new slim slider phone designed for them by Samsung. It is called the Samsung Sway and you’ll find it pricing around $70 after rebate and contract.

The Samsung Sway offers your typical array of media and lifestyle features to make it more than just a mobile. It includes being a MP3 player which can be loaded with music via a USB cable, a 2.0-megapixel digital camera with video recording and digital zoom and Bluetooth support.

(more...)

New Sony marine head units like iPods

Sony’s got some new marine CD receivers (slow news day…) which it says are its first to connect directly to digital music players via a USB connection. The marine head units (models CDX-H910UI and CDX-M60UI) are priced at around $350 and $200 respectively.

These new marine receivers include include a 4.9-foot cable with a USB cable, which allows it to connect to iPod and other USB media players. Both sport sound enhancement technology and play MP3, non-DRM WMA and non-DRM AAC music files.

(more...)

Boost Mobile offering flip Motorola i776

Boost Mobile unveiled today it latest mobile phone from Motorola. It is the old school looking i776, which you’ll find pricing around $100.

The Motorola i776 is Boost’s smallest flip phone with a digital camera (VGA). It comes compatible with Boost’s walkie-talkie service and is also GPS enabled.

(more...)

Boost Mobile offering flip Motorola i776

Boost Mobile unveiled today it latest mobile phone from Motorola. It is the old school looking i776, which you’ll find pricing around $100.

The Motorola i776 is Boost’s smallest flip phone with a digital camera (VGA). It comes compatible with Boost’s walkie-talkie service and is also GPS enabled.

(more...)

Acer unveils four new Aspire Gemstone laptops

I picked up an Acer Gemstone 6920 awhile back and it’s an awesome and powerful laptop. Those who are wanting to get in on the Gemstone action and haven’t yet now have four new models to look at. The high-end Aspire 8930 sports a 18.4-inch HD CineCrystal display, 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo T9400 CPU, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, NVIDIA’s GeForce 9700M GT, optional Blu-ray drive, WiFi, 320GB 7,200RPM SATA drive and starts at $1,699.99.

The 6930 features a 16-inch WXGA LCD and as you might expect, less few less options for $699.99. Then there’s the 5735 with a Pentium T3200, 15.6-inch WXGA display, and 2GB of RAM for $549.99. Last but not least is the 14.1-inch 4730, which also starts at $549.99. All are available now.

(more...)

Firefox Mobile coming in a few weeks?

Mozilla CEO, John Lilly has hinted in an Interview that we may be seeing Firefox Mobile in a few weeks time. If the reports are true, we may see an alpha version of Firefox Mobile very soon. An excerpt from the interview:

“We want to make sure that the Web on mobile is more like the Web than what the mobile industry offers today, which is closed, separate networks and not a very good information-getting experience for the user. The first thing is to bring Firefox to mobile devices. We’re working on that, and we’ll see some alphas in a few weeks.”

(more...)

BenQ S6: First Atom-powered Mobile Internet Device

Desktops are quickly becoming a thing of the past. When you have an Intel Atom powered UMPC with an 800MHz processor, you really don’t need much more. The BenQ S6 is compact, and powerful. It’s a Mobile Internet Device with 512MB memory and a 2GB SSD, featuring Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi and HSDPA. It also sports a stylus-enabled 4.8inch WVGA touchscreen, built-in G-sensor, mini USB and microSD slot. It even comes with cool “free-surf” user interface. Great for the traveler who needs a powerful device. The BenQ S6 retails for $629.

(more...)

Beware the pink tank: It shoots hot dogs

30 year-old Philadelphia guy Vin Marshall and nine of his friends built this 2,000-pound replica tank from junkyard parts, complete with a functioning pneumatic cannon that fires hot dogs. Believe it or not it moves using pedal power. It has enough room to fit hardware for six peddlers and yield about 1.5 horsepower.

Problem is that’s not enough to move tank treads, so they decided to use wheels instead. Then they gave it bicycle-like gearing to get more power from less exertion. When parade day arrived it all worked out and they were able to move along at 15 mph with a full load. It cost about $3000 to build. Why pink? I have no idea. Maybe because it fits the whole hot dog theme. I didn’t see any specs on how many dogs per minute it fires, but just the fact that it does it is impressive. Check out a video below.

(more...)

Pantech C610 mobile phone for AT&T announced

As the holidays grow nearer, we will see more and more handsets that are new announced in an attempt to grab the holiday dollars of shoppers. Most of the handsets will be exclusive to one provider or another. Pantech and AT&T announced their newest mobile phone today called the C610.

The handset is a flip-phone that offers a multiple multimedia features including GPS and 3G network access. Pantech says that the design of the handset emphasizes fashion and function. It looks rather plain to me, but is decent looking.

(more...)

Swatch 007 Villain collection watches

There’s good news and there’s bad news. The bad news is that these watches haven’t been in Q’s workshop and outfitted with weapons. The good news is that these 007 Villain watches from Swatch look pretty damn cool. Perfect for any villain looking to cause mayhem on a global scale.

You can get 19 different watches from the collection, all based on classic Bond movies like Quantum Of Solace, The Spy Who Loved Me, Live And Let Die, A View To A Kill, Goldfinger and Casino Royale and others. They cost anywhere from $60 to $235. I guess you can always have weapons and gadgets put in after you purchase them. You might as well take over the world in style. Meanwhile the villains from Austin Powers get no respect. Where are their watches?

(more...)

Silverstone introduces the carbon fiber Raven gaming mouse

I have covered a myriad of gaming mice here over the months and one thing most all gaming mice have in common is that they are all wired. Gamers don’t really want wireless products because of the lag they introduce. A new gaming mouse from a name that computer enthusiasts will probably recognize is now available.

The mouse is called the Silverstone Raven. Raven has adjustable sensitivity from 400 to 3200 DPI and connects to the PC via a USB cord. Adjustments to sensitivity are made with the rotating thumb button on the side. 3200 DPI isn’t as high a resolution you can find in gaming mice, the Razer Lachesis will do 4000 DPI, but 3200 is enough for most gamers.

(more...)

One in three iPhone 3G buyers came from providers other than AT&T

The iPhone is certainly one of the most talked about mobile phones among gadget hounds. Many were not happy when the original iPhone launched as an AT&T exclusive. When the iPhone 3G launched and AT&T began subsidizing some of the cost of the iPhone, people began to take a bit more notice of the handset.

According to market research firm NPD Group one in three iPhone 3G buyers have come to AT&T from other service providers. I am sure this is exactly what AT&T was hoping for when it agreed to subsidize the cost of the iPhone.

(more...)

Nyko Media Hub+ for PS3

So you were cheap and went with that PS3 with the 40 GB hard drive. Problem is now you’re wishing for more USB ports. Your salvation has arrived my thrifty friend. Nyko’s latest release, the Media Hub+, expands the console’s options and features three extra USB ports and a multiple memory card reader. This way you’ll be able to charge up an extra DualShock or SIXAXIS controller or two while fragging enemies. The price is a cheapskate friendly $19.99.

(more...)

Fred de GARILHE tried to create a 2 in1 phone

Fred de GARILHE tried to create a 2 in1 phone: sms position when closed, easy to use as a pager, “pebble” form to imitate surf and beach spirit… special materials as neoprene texture to create a fusion with Quiksilver apparel collections. When the phone’s opened, the screen is double larger, that permit to navigate on a mobile web system, watch TV or movies.

A special detail: this phone is integrated an ARVA, that is a system that localize lost snow surfers, or swimmers… a good crossover with the world of extreme sports. de Garilhe also integrated a real spirit of fashion collection, with different colors and textures for different moods: surf, snow, and street.

Well since this is just concept, we don’t know for sure if quicksilver interested in producing this, but we do hope so, we would love to have this phone for real in our hand.