Razer BlackWidow returns to dominate the gaming keyboard scene

As for the world of gaming hardware, you can say that Razer has come up with peripherals that have dominated the scene for quite some years, and the Razer BlackWidow can be an example worth citing. This time around, the Razer BlackWidow is said to be locked and loaded for more mechanical domination in the gaming keyboard market. 

Pantech Renue arrives on AT&T

Well, when it comes to smartphones, there are two classes of users – one who loves the full touchscreen display and the kind of freedom that it comes with, while another class would want something more proper – that is, a full physical QWERTY keyboard so that you can have that comforting tactile feedback that your fingers are so used to after all these years of using an old school phone. Well, we are glad to say that the Pantech Renue from AT&T delivers something from both worlds, although I would not be bold enough to venture that it is the best of both worlds considering the relatively small 3.2″ capacitive touchscreen display.

iConvert Scanner – Digitizes Docs for iPad

Let’s face it, the iPad is an awesome little gadget, but it certainly does have its limitations. For all the things it can do, it seems like there’s a whole lot of potential left on the table. Some of that untapped potential is getting realized by third parties who are developing interesting apps and add-ons that make the iPad even more useful. So in investigating some of the available “gadgets for our gadgets”, I found something that might be pretty useful to some of us.

Welcome the iConvert scanner, an interesting tool for the iPad user that allows you to simply dock your iPad, press a button and feed your pictures, legal documents, receipts or recipes straight into the device and have them converted and saved directly on your iPad, perfect for saving, emailing, posting or printing. The device is small, easily portable and quite handy for a multitude of folks that have a need for this kind of organization.

Sharp’s 90″ LED TV

 

How about an even bigger TV? Like the biggest one on the planet? Standing in at almost 4 feet tall with a glorious span of 6 feet and 8 inches wide, the 90″ AQUOS LED TV now has the distinction of being the world’s largest. Its picture quality is as stunning as its size, displaying crisp and clear content at the highest HD resolution available of 1080p.

iZON Remote Room Monitor

The £99.95 iZON Remote Room Monitor comes in handy, where absolute trust among your colleagues is just plain missing, and you absolutely loathe having to go around the office looking for your wayward pen which was gifted to you by your late grandfather as a graduation present. With the iZON Remote Room Monitor, why not let technology help you keep an eye on your personal belongings?

The iZON Remote Room Monitor can even be programmed to respond to audio or motion detection, although to put it in this setting might not be the best of ideas in a high traffic, public area. Basically, having one of these puppies around is somewhat akin to owning your very own CCTV network, or a cheap security guard who does not complain about the long hours. All you need to do is place the iZON Remote Room Monitor on any horizontal surface, or opt to mount it to a wall if you want, and adjust the angle accordingly. Login to your secure user account after that, and start streaming away!

Electric Skates doesn’t require you to be a Dutchman

 

Well, you need not be a rolling Dutchman to enjoy this pair of $699.95 Electric Skates, as I am quite sure that Hammacher is more than willing to send a pair of these puppies over to your doorstep as long as you have the money to pay for it. 

The Electric Skates are pretty self-describing – they are basically motorized electric roller skates which are able to propel a wearer at a top speed of up to 8 mph. Of course, there are other laws of physics to be considered as well, such as the wearer being no more heavier than 180 lbs. All you need to do is strap the skates on over your shoes, ensure the dual fasteners are securely and sufficiently tightened, and let the 80-watt motor on each skate get to work. The smooth-rolling 6″ rubber tires should provide sufficient grip across most surfaces (ice not included), while there is a handheld wireless remote control that adjusts the speed of this skates. It takes around five hours to juice up each pair of skates, and removable training wheels are thrown into the mix for beginners.

Wacom introduces Bamboo Splash Tablet

 

When we talk about tablets in the form of the Wacom Bamboo Splash, we are not referring to the Android-powered variety – although Microsoft’s recent announcement of their Surface tablet is definitely worth checking out. The Wacom Splash Tablet is the latest family member of the Bamboo range of pen tablets which will be able to open up new avenues for creative and artistic people who want to make the jump into the world of digital art without being bogged down by any boundaries. 

Nokia 808 PureView smartphone ready to launch Stateside

 

When the Nokia 808 PureView smartphone was first announced some months back, many people were left wondering just how many megapixels can a camera cram in, especially in a smartphone device. Well, we are talking about a whopping 41-megapixels here, which is definitely far more than what we would have bargained for. Of course, do not expect the file size to be a whole lot larger, as Nokia managed to come up with some sort of algorithm which was capable of keeping the file size of photos snapped with the Nokia 808 PureView nice and small – relatively speaking, of course. 

Microsoft Surface Tablet might change the landscape of computing

 

Microsoft had always been synonymous with the world of software, what with their Windows operating system being the hallmark achievement of the company. However, software is not the only thing that they produce, but also hardware – remember the original 2-button mouse from Microsoft that looked just like a brick? How about back in 2001, when they introduced the world to their own console, the Xbox, which proved to be quite the hit – arriving in its current generation as the Xbox 360?

 

Well, fast forward to the current day, and you know for sure that the world has changed. Computing is no longer relegated to just being tethered to your desk as a cubicle servant ala Dilbert, as there is also the widespread availability of smartphones and tablet devices. Microsoft sees the future in tablets – but do not want to ditch their desktop roots, which is why they have ended up with the Microsoft Surface tablet which will come in two flavors – one that caters to the general masses, while the other is a Pro version. 

AOC unveils the Aire iPlay

What is the AOC Aire iPlay all about? Basically, this is the ultimate monitor for iPod and iPhone owners, where this 23-inch Full High Definition display will come alongside a built-in 30-pin docking station which will enable one to experience instant video, audio and photo playback from iDevices via AOC’s patented plug-and-play technology. The integrated dock is not going to be the only thing that wows you, as the basedbase of the monitor will also include integrated speakers with SRS Sound capability to give you that more-than-decent audio experience. Apart from that, the 23-inch AOC Aire iPlay (also known as the e2343Fi if you are a sucker for model numbers) will come with a $279.99 price point. 

Skype 5.8 for Mac announced

You think that your Mac is the next best thing since sliced bread, at least where the world of computing is concerned? Good news then, with the latest word on the Skype 5.8 for Mac’s release, as this new version of Skype will help send your contact list to the fat house to lose some weight, while making video calls with other mobile users in addition to Group Screen Sharing have just gotten an experience upgrade.

 

Skype 5.8 for Mac was launched recently, and with this particular update, it is said that the overall usability of the Skype for Mac client has been increased, in addition to the folks over at Skype rolling out a bunch of new features that we will look at in closer detail after the jump.

Magical Floating Lamp – For Some Light Fun

 

The Floating Lamp from designer Angela Jansen, and developed by Ger Jansen, a mechanical and electrical engineer, these spectacular Floating Lamps create a highly unusual visual effect, and should be guaranteed to generate more conversation than any other lamp in your house.

 

So its a useful lamp, that looks like an optical illusion, with a traditional look and feel, and a decidedly high tech spin. The folks that make these lamps point out that even after you know how it works, it is still fascinating to behold, and I can see that being quite true.

Acase shows off InaTrap insect killer

 

There are many ways to skin a cat if you have the know-how, but how many ways are there for one to kill insects? Mosquitoes are always a huge nuisance for many of us, especially those of us who live in the tropics. Not only do these have a vicious bite, their bites leave you with the risk of catching some disease as well as an itching sensation which prove hard to soothe if you do not have the right ointment. While there is a fair amount of traditional methods to prevent mosquitoes from coming near you, technology, too, has a role to play in this situation.

Gaudy Lamborghini Android tablet and phone will cost you more than $2,000

Money can buy you gold-plated phones, but it can't buy you class

Not all expensive things are classy. If you need proof, just take a look at this new, shockingly garish gold-plated Android smartphone by Lamborghini. Feature-wise, the phone is nothing special: It has a 3.7-inch 800 x 480 pixel screen and runs Android Gingerbread. But the screen is covered with sapphire glass, and the phone, aside from being gold-plated, has crocodile skin trimming. All those fancy additions means the phone will cost more than the usual Android fare — roughly $2,750, in fact.

Facebook’s iOS camera app now named Camera•, falls in line with iOS 6 integration

 

If you updated Facebook's newly released camera application for your iPhone or iPad in the past 24 hours or so, you may noticed the app has changed names from "Camera" to "Camera•" and thought it was an error or the result of a glitch. If so, you'll be happy to know that this is indeed the official Facebook photo application, and its mysterious name change was entirely intentional.

Camera• has all the same functionality, and really nothing has changed aside from its subtle name tweak, but why would Facebook go through the trouble of altering the app's moniker and potentially confusing its users? The answer is simple: Apple.

Apple announces high-res laptops, a smarter Siri

Faster, thinner laptops with hi-res screens. FaceTime video chatting over cellular networks. And a smarter Siri.

But no upgrades to Apple TV -- at least, not yet.

That, in brief, is what Apple will be rolling out to its users over the next six months. The company announced these updates, and a bunch of other significant if not surprising news, during a keynote presentation Monday kicking off its annual developers' conference.

Twitter promotes hashtag pages with first-ever TV ad

Twitter ran its first-ever TV ad Sunday during the 2012 Pocono 400 NASCAR race featuring racer Brad Keselowski

Twitter ran on Sunday its first-ever TV spot during the broadcast of the 2012 Pocono 400 NASCAR race.

Omid Ashtari of Twitter sent a tweet informing the community to check out the social networking site's first commercial spot.

The 16-second clip features NASCAR racer Brad Keselowski seated in his car and taking a picture of the scene with his iPhone. Keselowski, who came in 24th place during the race, is taking advantage of the iPhone's capability to upload pictures directly to Twitter. He is an active user of the site.

ATMs to operate without a card

New technology to enable people to withdraw money from cash machines using their smartphone has been unveiled.

The RBS system requires users to enter a six-digit number sent to their phone

Customers who use the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) or NatWest mobile banking app can now request cash, up to £100, via their smartphone.

They are given a six-digit code to enter into an ATM to release the cash.

A similar system has been developed by cash machine operator NCR. This requires users to scan a barcode to withdraw the money.

The services are the latest developments in a long-predicted move towards the smartphone becoming a digital wallet.

NASA set to launch telescope to shed light on black holes

NuSTAR X-ray instrument to home in on the mysteries of space we can't quite see now.

A new space telescope due to launch Wednesday aims to shed a bright light on some of the darkest and most mysterious parts of the universe. 

NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) spacecraft is set to launch at 11:30 a.m. EDT from an Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket to be carried aloft by a carrier plane from the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. 

                 An artist's concept of NuSTAR on orbit. NuSTAR has two identical optics modules in order to increase sensitivity. The background is an image of the galactic center obtained with the Chandra X-ray Observatory.

Acer Takes on Apple With High-Res Iconia Tab A700 Android Tablet

Jam-packed 10.1-inch model has more memory, and a lower price, than Apple's third-generation iPad

 

Calling a new Android tablet a potential iPad killer is a cliche. But make no mistake: Acer's Iconia Tab A700 has its sights set on doing just that thanks to an impressive set of specs that includes a 1920 by 1200 resolution display and 32GB of storage; and a $450 price that comes in at 25 percent under the price of a same-capacity iPad.

 

The Iconia Tab A700 goes on pre-sale today, and will be shipping later this month at retail and directly via Acer in black or silver.

 

Acer was one of two Android tablet makers to introduce a high-resolution, “Full HD” 1920 by 1200 pixel display earlier this year at CES 2012. Asus, the other manufacturer to do so, followed up its CES announce with a renamed variant at Mobile World Congress; but it has remained mum on U.S. availability. In the interim, Apple introduced its third-generation iPad with a 2048 by 1536 pixel, 264 pixels per inch display, a move that effectively left Android tablets in dire need of playing catch up.

Barbecue Dining Boat

You know that summer is coming your way, so what kind of plans have you made to make sure you can meet all the demands of summer head on? Some of us have thought that water balloon fights are fun, but if you so happen to have the kind of crazy budget to cater for your family as well as friends, then you might want to look into the $50,000 Barbecue Dining Boat. Yes sir, this boat will come with an integrated barbecue grill, accompanied by an umbrella, as well as a trolling motor which will deliver waterborne cookout experiences for up to 10 adults. 

Koubachi Wi-Fi Plant Sensor

Are you one who is said to have green thumbs, or fingers? I would say that even if you don’t it is a good thing that there are tools around to help you out. Case in point – the £99.99 Koubachi Wi-Fi Plant Sensor. Basically, the Koubachi Wi-Fi Plant Sensor will function and think on your behalf for the well being of the plants in your home. After all, this device is capable of monitoring essential information when it comes to plant care, by taking stock of water levels, soil consistency, hu mi di ty, temperature and light, making sure your green showpiece will have all the essentials to keep on surviving without withering or turning yellow.

It boasts of an online encyclopaedia of indoor plants that was developed and tested by lea ding authorities on plants, and in the event of an emergency, the Koubachi Wi-Fi Plant Sensor will be able to send you alerts so that you can make the necessary adjustments to make sure your potted plants will not bite the dust too easily. Heck, the Koubachi Wi-Fi Plant Sensor is also smart enough to adapt itself to your preferences, taking just a fortnight to know which flowers or plants are your favorites.

Apple’s iOS 6 gets previewed, receives all new Maps amongst others

So the dust has finally settled after the events at WWDC 2012, so what is new on the software front? Well, iOS 6 has been previewed, where it will come with all new Maps, Siri features, Facebook integration, shared photo streams as well as a new Passbook app. Touted to be the most powerful iOS version and most advanced mobile operating system yet, iOS 6 comes with more than 200 new features, with a beta version being released already to iOS Developer Program members. 

Apple’s next generation MacBook Pro gets Retina Display

It seems that the standard MacBook Pro did not just receive a hardware refresh, but there is also the next generation model – an all new 15-inch MacBook Pro that goes the way of the new iPad as well as iPhone 4/4S, which is to come with a stunning Retina Display. Not only that, this next generation MacBook Pro will feature all flash storage as well as quad-core processors. Despite packing in such firepower, it will not weigh you down literally – how can it do so when it comes in an extremely thin and light design that measures just 0.71-inches and tips the scales at a mere 4.46 pounds? 

MacBook Pro gets refreshed

WWDC 2012 might be a developer’s conference, but it is still a very good reason to celebrate the release of new hardware. Granted, you will not see a new iPhone 5 (or whatever else it is meant to be called) arrive, but then again, Apple is not made up of just the iPhone or the iPad, and have a slew of desktops and notebooks as well to make sure it gets easier to part with your hard earned money, no thanks to their stunning industrial design as a major pull factor, in addition to solid software to back up the easy-to-use hardware.