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NETBOOK PC PC : DISCUSSION

Three Reasons CES Rules
Posted in Netbook PC | January 19, 2010 8pm

Prelude

I'd never been to CES, so I asked my tech friends what it was like. A sampling of their helpful commentary upon hearing of my travel plans:-"Do you really, really like flat-screen TVs or something?-"Oh! You're in the market for a new AM/FM radio? I bet you can get one with a Power Ranger on the side."-"Do you have a spandex racecar driver outfit you've been dying to wear?"
Jerks.
The Facts
As it turns out, I love CES. In fact, I would plug CES into the base of my skull Matrix-style and stream it through my system if I could. Actually, I think Leo Laporte has a booth where you can do that.Why is CES so rad? Three reasons:1. CES is where they're keeping our stuff.

Have you been wondering where all your awesome stuff is -- your spherical microphone, your stereoscopic Holga camera, your Princess Leia hologram? It's at CES, you guys. All you have to do is come get it, and they will give you free drinks. Also, tote bags. 2. There are people there who play pretend for a living. Remember when you were a kid, and you fired a pretend phaser at some other kid, and then he was all, "I have a phaser neutralizing invisibility shield." And then you were all, "You're a dork." But really you were just pissed because your phaser didn't work any more?That kid grew up to be an Industrial Designer like Jeffrey Liu, here:

The kid is still doing the exact same thing, except now he's like, "What if you had a flexible laptop that could flatten out to become a touchscreen tablet and you have a bracelet that controls it while you're away from home and the webbing on it looks all veiny-Avatar?"And Bam!

Even though none of that stuff even works yet, ASUS pays him to make to make a prototype solely for your amusement.3. They can make anything into a USB Key.

Seriously. Anything. Technical wizardry, it is.
In Conclusion
That's why I'm going back to CES next year.Where can I get a spandex racecar driver outfit?
 

NETBOOK PC PC : DISCUSSION

Wireless Gadgets and Our Cord-Free Future
Posted in Netbook PC | December 21, 2009 11am

No one wants to deal with a tangle of cords anymore -- wireless is a recurring trend in the ideas on WePC and the products at CES. So while we wait for PCs that self-charge kinetically in our bags, let's pause to covet a few gadgets that nudge us closer to a cord-free future.

Powermat Cordless Charger, $99You pop your gadgets into special cases and set them on the Powermat, and they charge wirelessly -- often faster than they would with regular cables.
 

Jabra SP200 Bluetooth Speakerphone Car Kit, $50What do the stats say? Using your cell phone while driving increases the odds of an accident by 150 percent? Something like that. Improve your safety record with this handsfree speakerphone from Jabra. Also lets you stream music from your phone.
 

Verizon Wireless MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, $50This pocket-sized wireless router lets you connect up to five people to your network.
 

Jabra Halo Bluetooth Stereo Headset, $130A stylish bluetooth headset that doesn't make you look like you're just leaving a Star Trek convention. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

NETBOOK PC PC : DISCUSSION

Tech Gifts for Smart Kids
Posted in Netbook PC | December 12, 2009 8am

My kid wasn't entirely over his fascination with the kitchen whisk by the time he figured out how to work my phone. Kids are smarter than we give them credit for, and technology is getting more intuitive. Tech for kids was one of the biggest trends at CES last year, and that means lots of cool toys for our kids this holiday season. Here are my favorites for the budding intellectual in your family.And, if your kid has a favorite gadget (even if it’s not technically a toy), tell us about it in comments.LEGO Stop Animation Camera, $80

With this durable, intuitive digital camera, your kid can make video or stop animation.Lego Digital Camera, $60

Or if you'd prefer, LEGO also makes a kid-friendly digital camera that takes still photos. I kind of want one of these for myself.GeoSafari Talking Microscope, $37

Turns out the kitchen sponge is more entertaining than the TV.Computerized Star Identifier, $100

You input the city and date, and then point the navigator at a group of stars. The screen replicates what you see and tells you about the applicable stars, planets, and constellations.EyeClops Night Vision Infared Stealth Goggles, $63

Nothing like a toy that encourages your kids to sneak out at night so they can have a look around.Ucreate Music, $33

Lets kids make their own songs by mixing music from an online collection of tracks, special effects and filters.LeapFrog Fridge Farm Magnetic Animal Set, $10

A learning toy for your fridge teaches kids animal sounds and names when they pair the correct halves of animal magnets. If they put the wrong pieces together, the computer gives them a silly name and sound for the new species they've created.LEGO Mindstorms NXT, $300

DIY robot kit. Don't get your kids more than one. You don't want them fomenting revolution.What did I miss? If you have a great kid-gadget tip, share it in comments.

NETBOOK PC PC : DISCUSSION

Top 5 Green Gadgets for the Holidays
Posted in Netbook PC | November 24, 2009 8pm

f anything can lighten the burden of holiday shopping, it's the smug satisfaction of saving the earth with your money. Until recently, it's been tough to quench gadget lust and still feel awash in righteousness. But! The greening trend in electronics is only gaining momentum, which means more toys for us, less poisonous goop in the water. Win-win.Here are my five favorite options for electronics-obsessed do-gooder. This year Cyber Monday just feels so right.
 

1. Kill A Watt Electricity Usage MonitorPlug any appliance into the Kill A Watt, and it tells you how efficient your gadget is. You can calculate electrical expenses by the day, week, month, or year, and find out when it's cost effective to replace an old appliance with a more energy friendly model.
 

2. Griffin AirCurve Acoustic AmplifierThe Griffen AirCurve is just a spiral of plexi glass that amplifies sound from your iPhone. That makes it a travel speaker that practically fits in your pocket and requires no charging. Genius.(If you prefer a little more oomph, consider solar powered speakers.)
 

3. Asus  U6VI'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the home team has produced a formidable eco-laptop in the ASUS U6V. It's a 12" bamboo encased laptop that scores one of the highest rankings in energy efficiency. Plus? It's crazy cute.
 

4. Laundry PureForget water-contaminating detergent, bleach, and fabric softeners. LaundryPure installs on most washing machine models, and uses oxygen and peroxides to clean your clothes in cold water. Great for folks with allergy issues or those who would just like to save on cleaning products and heating costs.
 

5. Solar Keyhole LightSo simple, yet oddly luxurious. Take that, LED keychain. So which gadgets do you think all of us should lust after this year? And what does green really mean when it comes to your gadgets and your PC?