Above is Brando’s USB 2.4 GHz RF Wireless Multimedia Tiny Keyboard - a keyboard that’s probably ideally suited for mobile and HTPC environments. The keyboard measures 262 x 112 x 23 mm and features 78 keys, a built-in trackball with 1000/1500 dpi resolution, and an operating distance of up to 10 meters. The keyboard communicates over 2.4 GHz RF to a separate USB receiver which connects to your PC. Brando offers the keyboard for $48 dollars.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Brando, USB 2.4Ghz RF Wireless Multimedia Tiny Keyboard

If you wish your computer had a fingerprint reader, now you can add one thanks to the introduction of the new UPEK “Eikon To Go” portable fingerprint reader. The reader is available now for $49.99 and supports both Windows and OS X. Windows users will be able to lock their PCs, remember passwords, encrypt files, and launch applications with a swipe of their finger. Mac OS X users can lock their systems, switch between user accounts, unlock Keychain and authenticate to Secure Preferences with a swipe of their finger. You can purchase the Eikon To Go at places like Amazon.com and Apple stores nationwide.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: UPEK, Eikon To Go, Portable Fingerprint Reader

Here’s the great thing about USB flash drives. They’re small and relatively easy to manufacture so they make great devices to integrate with other devices.. and hence we have convergence. Well.. here’s an interesting example of convergence.. it’s the USB 8GB Flash Drive Lighter. Yes.. we’ve got ourselves one part lighter and one part USB flash drive. PLUS.. the USB flash drive lighter is a refillable lighter at that!  When you’re done using the lighter portion, just slide out the USB connector and hook it up to your PC. ThinkGeek is selling this USB 8GB Flash Drive Lighter for $59.99.

[Check it out via Ubergizmo]

Technorati Tags: USB 8GB Flash Drive Lighter

Panasonic introduced their new EVOLTA AA alkaline battery today - officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s “longest lasting AA alkaline battery call” in more devices. Yes.. that’s really a category with Guinness! The EVOLTA battery, which gets its name from “evolution” and “voltage”, utilizes several new innovations resulting in a longer lasting alkaline battery. Some of these new features include:

• A new structure designed to provide additional room for extra active materials
• An improved sealing technology making the battery more durable
• New active materials that “facilitate a chemical reaction that delivers superior performance”
• A new manufacturing process that packs the active materials more evenly and densely in the battery

Here are some of Panasonic’s test results from their press release:

• A digital camera powered by EVOLTA batteries took 272 shots compared with 209 shots when powered by Panasonic’s current Alkaline Plus batteries — an increase of 30%.
• An FM radio played up to 14 hours longer when powered by two EVOLTA AA batteries than when powered by Panasonic’s current Alkaline Plus batteries.
• A remote-controlled car traveled as much as 8.7 miles farther when equipped with six EVOLTA AA’s than when powered by Panasonic’s current Alkaline Plus batteries

The EVOLTA was launched in Japan in April and will be coming to the U.S. this October. AA and AAA batteries will be offered in four and eight back combinations. The AA or AAA four pack will sell for $4.99 while the AA or AAA eight pack will go for $8.99.

Panasonic is also launching an EVOLTA sweepstakes starting on October 1st and running until March 31st of next year (2009). Consumers can enter for a chance to win a variety of Panasonic products with a total value of $25,000. Check out the EVOLTA website for more info.

[Check it out]

No Tags

If you’re a hardware manufacturer looking to build a low-cost Bluetooth enabled stereo wireless headset, then you might be interested in CSR’s newly announced BlueTunes ROM product. The company formally launched BlueTunes ROM today which they’re calling the “world’s first ROM-based Bluetooth solution for stereo headsets with an integrated Digital Signal Processor (DSP).”  The product provides users with the ability to easily switch between wireless music playback and voice calls and is ideal for usage in stereo headset and wireless speaker products.

Features of the BlueTunes ROM include the following:

• BlueCore5-Multimedia which provides an integrated stereo codec providing 95dB SNR
• Supports both SBC and MP3 decoding (though MP3 will require license)
• Configurable 5 band EQ
• Low-power consumption for up to 10 hours of music playback from a 180mAh battery
• Integrated FastStream - low latency high quality music and voice codec which reduces latency of the audio link to avoid “lip-sync” issues
• Proprietary Clear Voice Capture (CVC) technology supporting single and dual microphone solutions
• Acoustic Echo Canceller for echo and background noise cancellation
• AuriStream Voice codec for superior voice quality when on call
• Compliant with Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR

The new BlueTunes ROM silicon and development kits are sampling now with shipping to begin in December.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: CSR, BlueTunes ROM platform

LaptopMag published a review of the small Bluetooth enabled Logitech diNovo Mini keyboard here on this website. I must be honest with you - I lusted after this keyboard when it was first announced but unfortunately by the time the keyboard shipped, my HTPC was no longer in the living room. However, if I were to ever have a home theater PC in the living room, you could be sure that I’d get this keyboard. Here’s what LaptopMag thought of the device:

At $149, the Logitech diNovo Mini may cost more than most are willing to pay for a wireless keyboard/mouse device, but if you have a PC set up as a media center, and are tired of looking at that bulky keyboard lying around your living room, it’s worth every penny.

Yeah.. start saving up your pennies for this keyboard. Oh yeah - this keyboard is also compatible with the Sony PlayStation 3 in case you need a keyboard for that system too.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Logitech, diNovo Mini, Keyboard

Above is the new StarTech.com USB to VGA 4-in-1 Docking Station - a device designed to easily add multiple ports to a desktop or notebook system via a single USB 2.0 connection. More a port replicator than a docking station, the USB to VGA 4-in-1 Docking Station easily adds the following ports to a PC:

• VGA port
• Four USB ports
• One USB Mini B port
• One 10/100 Ethernet port
• Two 3.5 mm audio (mic, line out) ports

You get all of those ports thanks to a single USB 2.0 connection to your PC. Display wise, the USB to VGA 4-in-1 Docking Station supports up to 1680 x 1050 for widescreen displays or 1600 x 1200 for standard displays. This is certainly an interesting accessory to have for mobile users who want additional ports and display capabilities for their notebooks. You can purchase the USB to VGA 4-in-1 Docking Station on StarTech’s website for $129.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: StarTech.com, USB to VGA 4-in-1 Docking Station

Sony’s looking to bring more fun and entertainment to the portable navigation market with the introduction of four new nav-u devices - the NV-U94T, NV-U84, NV-U74T and NV-U44.  These four “personal navigation devices come with more brand icons, search functionality and photo viewing features that previous models. Here are the major features of the new models:

The NV-U94T is the top of the line model and features a photo viewer, an audio/video player, and stereo Bluetooth technology for streaming audio and making hands-free phone calls. Other specs include:

• Memory Stick Pro Duo slot
• Supports JPEG format and plays back images one at a time, in a slideshow, or via thumbnails
• Plays MP3 and non-DRM AAC files
• Plays MPEG-4 video files
• Built-in microphone
• Address book
• 4.8 inch display with 16:9 aspect ratio
• Super suction cup mounting system
• Built-in RDS-TMC real time traffic receiver
• Dual view 3D junction guide and POSITION plus
• MSRP of around $400

Oh.. so what is POSITION plus? It’s Sony’s new hardware based solution designed to solve false GPS positions. The system comes with an acceleration sensor, a pressure sensor, and a gyro sensor that together helps calculate a vehicle’s current position based on the last known GPS location. This helps to create a more accurate position than otherwise possible - especially in areas with tall buildings, dense foliage or underground structures.

The devices also comes with support for Gesture-based commands. Think iPhone meets portable navigation device and you’ll understand what we’re talking about here. A simple swipe of the finger lets you move from one picture to the next.. yes.. companies are integrating more and more iPhone/iTouch features into everyday products.

OK.. now as for the other specs..

The NV-U84 features:

• 4.8 inch display with 16:9 aspect ratio
• Super suction cup
• Dual view
• text to speech
• Photo viewer
• Gesture command support
• MSRP of around $350

The NV-U74T features:

• 4.3 inch display with 16:9 aspect ratio
• Super suction cup
• dual view
• text to speech
• Bluetooth hands-free
• real-time traffic
• Photo viewer
• Gesture command support
• MSRP of around $300

Finally, the NV-U44 features:

• 3.5 inch, 4:3 aspect ratio display
• Dual view
• Text to speech
• Photo viewer
• Gesture command support
• MSRP of around $250

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony, nav-u Personal Navigation Devices, NV-U94T, NV-U84, NV-U74T, NV-U44

Garmin added three new portable GPS navigators to their affordable nüvi 2×5 series today - the nüvi 265T, 265WT, and 275T. All three devices support Bluetooth wireless connectivity and provide free traffic alerts to users from NAVTEQ Traffic.

The nüvi 265T features the following:

• Measures 3.8 x 2.8 x 0.8 inches and weighs 5.2 oz
• 320 x 240 resolution display
• Comes preloaded with City Navigator NT street maps with over 6 million points of interest
• rechargeable lithium ion battery with 4 hour battery life
• High sensitivity receiver
• microSD support
• 1000 waypoints/favorites/locations
• Voice prompts
• 3D map view
• Auto-reroute
• Route avoidance
• FM traffic compatible
• Hands-free calling with Bluetooth support
• Picture viewer
• Garmin Garage
• World Travel Clock
• Touchscreen
• Garmin Lock
• Suggested price of $299.99 and available in the third quarter of this year.

The nüvi 265WT features the following:

• Widescreen 4.3 inch 480 x 272 display
• Preloaded with City Navigator NT streep maps with over 6 million POIs
• Accepts custom points of interest
• HotFix satellite prediction
• Built-in microphone and speaker for hands-free Bluetooth calling support
• Integrated FM traffic receiver
• JPEG picture viewer
• World Travel clock
• Automatic Time Zone Transition
• Unit Converter
• Calculator
• Garmin Lock
• SD card support
• 3D map view
• Auto re-route
• Route avoidance
• MSN Direct for U.S. compatible
• Measures 4.8 x 2.9 x 0.8 inches and weighs 6.1 oz
• rechargeable lithium ion battery with 4 hour battery life
• Suggested price of $349.99 and available in third quarter of this year

Finally, there’s the nüvi 275T which features the following:

• 320 x 240 resolution display
• Preloaded maps for North America and Europe
• Turn by turn directions
• voice prompts
• 3D map view
• Photo navigation
• Accepts custom points of interest
• HotFix Satellite prediction
• Bluetooth wireless for hands-free calling
• Built-in microphone and speaker
• Integrated FM traffic receiver
• JPEG picture viewer
• World travel clock
• Automatic time zone transition
• currency converter
• unit converter
• calculator
• MSN Direct compatible
• microSD card support
• Measures 3.8 x 2.8 x 0.8 inches and weighs 5.2 oz
• Suggested price of $399.99 and available in third quarter

Technorati Tags: Garmin, nüvi 265T, nüvi 265WT, nüvi 275T

Novatel Wireless and Fido, Canada’s third largest wireless provider, announced the launch of the Novatel Wireless MC950D broadband USB modem. The Ovation MC950D is a global tri-band HSPA/UMTS and quad-band EDGE/GPRS modem which utilizes the Qualcomm MSM7200 chipset. Features of the MC950D  include:

• Supports download rates up to 7.2 Mbps and upload speeds up to 2.1 Mbps
• Tri-Band 850/1900/2100 MHz HSUPA/HSDPA/UMTS; Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GPRS/EDGE
• Supports Windows, Linux, and Mac
• Drivers for Windows included on the device
• Measures a mere 70 x 25 x 12 mm
• Multi-color LED indicator for real-time service status, technology modes, and error conditions
• Built-in 5 bands

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Novatel Wireless, Fido, Ovation MC950D broadband USB modem