> The latest tech news of today:
Aesthetician’s Skin Rejuvenator
Everyone wants to be young – just take a look at all of the beauty products that claim that they can shave off years from one’s face, not to mention the wonders of modern plastic surgery. Well, here is something from Hammacher that might just interest you – the $399.95 Aesthetician’s Skin Rejuvenator. Relying on the same kind of therapy light that is used by aestheticians in order to diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores, this is the stuff that NASA dabbles with, so it had better work! Sporting two dozen LEDs which emit four pulsating wavelengths of infrared light in order to stimulate the production of collagen and cell growth, what you get in theory would be smoother, younger-looking skin.
The Interactive Periodic Table of Swearing
Who would have thought that something as scientific as the Periodic Table would have ended up as one which spews out words and phrases that are definitely not on the “Approved” list by your parents and parents-in-law? Yes, and being naughty also has its price – we are talking about the £50,000 Interactive Periodic Table of Swearing here after all. Whoever said that swearing shows off your lack of vocabulary? Prove the naysayers otherwise with a vocabulary that is backed scientifically (to a certain extent), and in a hilarious manner to boot.
In Depth: Why Siri is just the start for natural input
Beyond Siri: simplifying commands
Showing off to non-iPhone owning friends has never been easier.
Pick up your phone in the pub, confidently say ‘Siri, what’s the circumference of the Earth divided by the radius of the Moon?’ and barely seconds later, you’re the only one there who knows the answer is 23.065.
In Depth: Why Siri is just the start for natural input
Beyond Siri: simplifying commands
Showing off to non-iPhone owning friends has never been easier.
Pick up your phone in the pub, confidently say ‘Siri, what’s the circumference of the Earth divided by the radius of the Moon?’ and barely seconds later, you’re the only one there who knows the answer is 23.065.
Review: Gigabyte Aivia M8600
The Gigabyte Aivia M8600 is a wireless gaming mouse that has the admirable aim to ensure you never run out of power.
Wireless mice are great, because we don’t have to worry about trailing wires across our desks, and they generally give us a lot more freedom. One of their biggest problems, however, is reliance on batteries.
This week’s hottest reviews on TechRadar
This week’s hottest reviews on TechRadar
This week we’ve been testing a lot of computing kit, with several Intel and AMD CPU and APUs passing through our testing lab.
Review: X-Rite Colormunki Display
The X-Rite Colormunki Display calibrates monitors and projectors, and comes complete with a friendly software package which contains step-by-step guides and video tutorials.
Review: SMDV Flash Wave III
The SMDV Flash Wave III is a wireless system for triggering flashguns and studio lights, as well as for tripping a camera’s shutter.
The system comprises a transmitter and receiver: for flash use the former sits on the camera’s hotshoe, while the latter either connects to studio lights or accepts a flashgun inside its built-in hotshoe.
News in Brief: One more thing: today’s other news
Ah, Friday – the day of the week favoured by Ice Cube, Rebecca Black and Crunchie enthusiasts the world over.
Yes it’s nearly the weekend, but before you go celebrate in the nearest public house, here are snippets of the news which didn’t quite make it as fully fledged TechRadar articles on their own but make for lovely if slightly schizophrenic reading when bunched together in this post.
The Nabi – Not your Daddy’s Tablet
I guess everybody expects that I’m a gadget geek. It would come as no surprise that I have a multitude of electronic devices in every corner of my home. I have smart-phones and laptops, desktops, movie players, movie streamers, recorders, set top boxes, iPods, iPads, Android stuff galore… and an 8 year old child that we affectionately call “the crusher”
Scrubbing Windshield Wiper Blade
Most of us would think that the ordinary wiper blade is good enough to get the job done – that is, ensuring the windshield is clean of debris whenever it rains, or if a pigeon or two decide to poop on your car. Well, the $16.95 Scrubbing Windshield Wiper Blade goes the extra mile in a sense that this patented wiper blade is capable of scrubbing through windshield debris when the situation calls for it, leaving a clear, streak-free view of the road so that your vision will not be betrayed by something as simple as some bird poop that strategically landed right in front of your eyes.
The Octopus Chair
“Release the Kraken!” Now that is definitely coming out from my mouth, should my bank balance and accountant agree to be enlightened by as much as £35,000 for The Octopus Chair. Yes sir, you read that right – this uniquely shaped piece of home furniture is perfect to set the proper tone at your next dinner party, as you hold a Pirates of the Caribbean theme, while you comfortably park your rear end on this giant octopus. Exquisitely detailed to the extent that you might even think it moved a wee bit (this tends to happen when you get a little tipsy from all the merry making that is going on), this opulent dining chair is ideal to project your already eccentric personality upon the rest of the party goers.
Mobileye driver safety solution
The recently concluded CES saw thousands of gadgets, gizmos and even services offered to the masses, and it is virtually impossible to cover all grounds, even if you have a staff count like Engadget. The Mobileye driver safety solution is one nifty gadget that was paraded on the CES showfloor, where this unique solution intends to help drivers avoid and mitigate collisions, while enhancing the overall driver experience.
VooMote Zapper is now available
Have you been looking forward to the VooMote Zapper? Well, I want to play harbinger of good news – the VooMote Zapper is now available on Apple.com, and if you are patient enough, preferring the brick and mortar store setup, it too, will arrive soon in Apple Stores around the country. This elegant dongle will transform your iDevice into a universal remote, Zero1.tv’s latest invention will be battery-free.
Week in Tech: Nokia and Apple smash records
Week in Tech: The record breakers
It’s been a good week for records: we’ve seen some firms smash good records, some people win pointless ones, and still others do things that we’ve had to invent new kinds of awards for.
Review: Nextivity Cel-Fi RS2 3G
Strong 3G coverage has become an essential requirement for any small business, especially when it comes to important client phone calls. However, many rural areas in the UK still lack even the weakest of cellular signals. While the new 4G network – which promises far better coverage – goes through a tumultuous legal process, Nextivity believes its Cel-Fi RS2 3G booster can provide a solution.
Intel snaps up Real Networks’ music streaming patents
Intel has gone on a patent buying spree, snapping up 190 patents and 170 patent applications from Real Networks, including those related to music streaming.
Setting the chip company back $120 million (£76.5 million), Intel thinks the patents will work in its favour as it expands its mobile product lines.
Review: Devolo dLAN 500 AVtriple+
We’re big fans of Devolo’s powerline networking adaptors, so we had high hopes for the Devolo dLAN 500 AVtriple+. The Devolo dLAN 500 AVplus and the Devolo dLAN 200 AV Wireless N Starter Kit both received glowing reviews from us, and even the Devolo dLAN 200 AV USB Extender was well received.
Review: Karotz Smart Rabbit
What is the point of the Karotz Smart Rabbit, the internet-connected robotic rabbit? It’s a question that we’ve asked ourselves a number of times during our time with this gadget.
Review: SteelSeries Kinzu V2 Pro Edition
Review: Corel PaintShop Pro X4
Overview
PaintShop Pro X4 is overflowing with both new and enhanced features. Replacing PaintShop Photo Pro X3, and now omitting the word "Photo" in its title, Corel PaintShop Pro X4 seeks to address the issues raised by its predecessor’s users, who delivered a mixed response thanks to issues with both stability and performance.
Review: Western Digital WD Livewire
Western Digital WD Livewire doesn’t look like other network powerline adaptors such as the Devolo dLAN 500 AVplus. For a start, it doesn’t plug directly into a wall power socket. Instead, it’s a small box that connects to the power socket via a cable. It’s not as elegant a solution as other powerline adaptors, especially ones that have integrated follow-through sockets – which means you don’t have to sacrifice a socket when installing them.
News in Brief: One more thing: today’s other news
Today’s alternative tech news has taken a turn for the surreal – tablets are going to kill you, Apple’s got too much money, the Pope has said some stuff, Angry Birds are going to ruin Valentine’s Day and soon there’ll be an iPad case you can shag.
Review: StarTech 2 Port USB VGA KVM Switch with File Transfer and PIP
Following on from the StarTech USB to HDMI External Dual or Multi Monitor Video Adapter with Audio and the StarTech Portable eSATA USB to SATA Standalone Hard Drive Duplicator Dock, the StarTech 2 Port USB VGA KVM Switch with File Transfer and PIP continues StarTech’s run of useful peripherals with very descriptive, if rather long and unglamorous, names.
Robot baby sends shivers down the spine
When you mention the word “robot”, what comes into your mind? Most of us would have thought of characters from Transformers, or even Go-Bots (if you know what I am talking about, then you’re about in the same age bracket as me), and perhaps even the Terminator. Those who think that Chucky is scary enough might want to check out this particular robot that mimics a human baby, positively sending chills down my spine when I look at the YouTube video of it in “action” right after the jump. Created by the UK’s Chris Clarke, this robotic baby will writhe around, struggling in its crib in such a convincing manner that we have taken yet another step closer to the uncanny valley. This is one baby that I hope it will never grow up, and someone might just make a new genre in movies – techno-horror, where robots like these go on a murdering spree, only to have good ol’ Chucky intervene and save the day for us humans. I won’t diss those dolls anymore, I promise, as there is an even greater nemesis out there now.
Review: Canon imageFORMULA P-215
The Canon imageFORMULA P-215′s predecessor, the imageFORMULA P-150M, was a decent portable scanner, but it wasn’t without its problems. Its occasional paper jams, misfeeds and unrecognised documents made it a less than reliable scanner. Can the Canon imageFORMULA P-215 avoid the sins of its father?
Movies, Music and More – iTunes not Required
If you are now using a DVD ripper or wrangling with the extra steps of a dreaded video converter to make your favorite DVD movies compatible with your iPad, or if you are still paying hard earned money and relying on iTunes to sync your iPad files, then let me introduce you iPad Transfer, iPad fans have now found what seems to be the most all-in-one solution to iPad’s video conversion and file protection problems.
Pogo Sketch Plus from Ten One Design
Ten One Design indulged in a makeover job for its Pogo Sketch, and the final result is the aptly named Pogo Sketch Plus. At least there is no number behind the name to denote a sequel, where a Plus sounds so much more elegant. The Pogo Sketch Plus will feature patent pending Pro Tip technology that delivers greater sensitivity and precision when typing, navigating and drawing on touch screens. As for those out there who are already Pogo Sketch owners, fret not – you can upgrade to Pogo Sketch Plus at a 50% discount as long as you email a personal photo of your existing Pogo Sketch to info@tenonedesign.com.
Antec Three Hundred Two gaming chassis
Gamers are known for their meticulous attention to detail when it comes to their rig – they more or less know where each screw lies, and what components they need in order to eke out that extra bit of performance. Well, for gamers who prefer to take the DIY route and build a gaming machine that is good enough to pummel your friends’ benchmark scores into submission, Antec might have a decent solution for you in the form of the Antec Three Hundred Two gaming chassis.
iON Goggles captures your outdoor memories in Full HD resolution
Zeal Optics has just released their latest video recording implementation – the iON Goggles, where this nifty device that you wear while you ski down a breathtaking slope will not only offer you protection against the glare of the sun, but also sports a built-in Full HD capable video camera to capture that fleeting moment as you slalom down, in addition to the ability to shoot still images – preserving such memories in a digital format (and subsequently, print, if you so desire) for you to revisit later in life.
Training Wheels Eliminator
One of the joys of parenting would be to be there when your little one grows up, handling different stages accordingly – it is basically a learning process. Kids these days might lean more towards video games as their entertainment mode of choice, and I would strongly suggest exposing your progeny to more physical based activities like hiking, flying a kite, and even riding a bicycle. Of course, there is that initial fear period to overcome as balancing on two wheels seems impossible for a kid, and this is where training wheels come in. For parents who want to make do away with training wheels, you can always install the Training Wheels Eliminator.
Combination Bottle Lock
Sipping on some wine is always pleasurable, especially when you want to unwind, and there is soothing music playing in the background. Of course, having a companion while doing so is also a good thing (for those who do not want to be alone but rather, prefer to be around people), but sometimes, it can be rather hard trying to estimate just how many bottles of wine can you and your mate finish in one sitting – too much wine and you might tip over drunk, too little and the “glow” doesn’t happen. Well, with the £14.95 Combination Bottle Lock, it does not really matter any more – just drink enough, and when you are done, lock your bottle up!
Review: Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
The fisheye camera lens was originally developed so that the whole sky could be captured in one single image to help meteorologists study cloud formations. However, the extravagant 180-degree angle of view soon found favour with photographers.
Review: Logitech Z623
Logitech products appear to fit into two separate categories, especially when it comes to speakers.
We’ve seen – and heard – £200 5.1 setups that have blown everything else clean out of the water, but on the other hand, you can also pick up a set of stereo speakers for £15 that sound like they should have cost no more than a fiver.
Hiriko folding electric car launches this week
The president of the European commission, José Manuel Barroso, will tomorrow launch a prototype electric car that folds up to take up less parking space.
The little two-seat vehicle is called Hiriko and is the product of a partnership between Basque businesses, Spanish government and the US’s MIT Media Lab.
Hiriko folding electric car launches this week
The president of the European commission, José Manuel Barroso, will tomorrow launch a prototype electric car that folds up to take up less parking space.
The little two-seat vehicle is called Hiriko and is the product of a partnership between Basque businesses, Spanish government and the US’s MIT Media Lab.
Hiriko folding electric car launches this week
The president of the European commission, José Manuel Barroso, will tomorrow launch a prototype electric car that folds up to take up less parking space.
The little two-seat vehicle is called Hiriko and is the product of a partnership between Basque businesses, Spanish government and the US’s MIT Media Lab.
Review: Samsung 16GB SDHC Plus Class 10
The fast transfer speeds and high capacities of SDHC cards has made them ideal for DSLR camera stills and videos, and their price continues to fall. At around £26, the Samsung 16GB SDHC Plus Class 10 card may not be the cheapest currently available, but it justifies its premium by boasting a number of protective qualities in addition to high read and write speeds.
Review: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX9V
Overview
Looking for one compact ‘travel zoom’ camera that does it all? If you haven’t had your head turned by the workmanlike reliability of Panasonic’s TZ series, such as the Panasonic Lumix TZ20, nor sports car exterior and gimmicky triple-action sensor of the Fuji FinePix F600 EXR, then the chunkier Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX9V,at 34mm ‘thick’, is another to add to that checklist.
Review: AMD A8-3870K Black Edition APU
Overview
Not to be outdone by new graphics releases AMD is going back to the APU drawing board with the new AMD A8-3870K processor.
The Floating Flamer – Swim Over and Get Me a Cheeseburger!
I’m guessing that most of us have already enjoyed the pleasure of a water lounger and a floating ice chest and of course who hasnt enjoyed a swim up bar? Oh the pleasures of the water, sun and the sand. What could be better than all that you ask yourself… and now you actually have an answer… The Flaming Floater! Now just wait, before you guess what that means, let me tell you.
Command & Conquer coded in HTML5
There are moments in life when we look at a particular object and think, “Now why didn’t I think of this before?” I am quite sure that many of us who spent our teenage years in the mid-1990s would have played the game Command & Conquer at some point in time or another, where the almighty tank could be stopped by something as simple as sandbags, and had hours and hours of fun honing our RTS skills in front of the computer. Well, a hardcore coder decided that playing the game today on a legacy system is just too mainstream, and coded the entire Command & Conquer in HTML5, where the entire thing runs on 69k of Javascript.
One more thing: today’s other news
It’s that time again – time for us to lasso the flotsam and jetsam of tech news ready for your quick and easy perusal.
Yes these mixed tech metaphors are wearing a bit thin; more substantial are the stories which today range from Apple TV to a hands-free eating device for gamers and back to Snake on your Nokia phone. Enjoy.
