Dasur’s ThumbKey claims to be the answer to your QWERTY keyboard frustration with your handheld. It identifies intended keys through size and position of fingers rather than being spot on. Algorithms process the typed letters. All this sounds like a good thing because the letters look tiny in the video (where it is referred to as ThumbIt.) It has word recognition by using only the first few letters and supports all versions of Microsoft Windows Mobile. The ThumbKey will set you back $25.00 or you can download a demo for fifteen days free to test it out.

Read More | Dasur

If you are a photobug but don’t have time to get to a computer, Johanna Schoemaker’s Snap & Lock is a viable alternative. The digital cam and photo viewer/docking system combine with reinforced cable and magnets keep them in their place. The camera features saving, transfer, viewing, and editing when attached and has a flip screen for protection when not in use. While the description doesn’t mention it, the prototype appears to be a touch screen for further simplification. Good job, Johanna!

Read More | Yanko Design

Even if your first car is a gas-guzzling SUV, you can show the world that you mean well with the Q-Car USB 2.0 Flash Drive. The device holds 8GB memory is only 65 x 25mm and weighs 15g. Available in blue only, it carries a price of $49.00. And if you really want to impress, a Racing Car Mouse is also available for plug and play with a price of $14.50 in four different colors.

Read More | gadget4all

Logitech has a brand new peripheral that lights up your late evenings in the cubicle. The Illuminated Keyboard uses microlens reflectors, multilayer painting and laser etching for an advanced backlighting design. At a mere .37-inches thickness, included is their PerfectStroke key system, a full-size key layout, a soft-touch palm rest, and media and volume control keys. Expect the keyboard to make a U.S. and European debut in October with a MSRP of $79.99.

Read More | Logitech

Microsoft will be reducing the price of this generation’s Xbox 360 Arcade in Japan this week to ¥19,800 (~$183.00.) Next week, expect the cost of the 60GB 360 to drop to ¥29,800 (~$275.00) and the 120GB Elite to go down to ¥39,800 (~$368.00.) This means that it will be cheaper than the Wii in that country. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will top it in sales. Stay tuned for U.S. price cut announcements later this month.

Read More | techradar

We knew it was just a matter of time before our friends at TiVo finally released something a little more, robust, to take the place of the discontinued TiVo Series3 DVR. While the TiVo HD is a nice unit, it just wasn’t the premium product that the Series3 was. The TiVo HD XL is all about taking that premium spot, and it certainly looks like a worthy replacement. The unit ships with a 1 terabyte hard drive, which means it can record up to 150 hours of HD programming, HDMI cable, along with a premium Series3 backlit TiVo remote. The TiVo HD XL features dual tuners, which lets you record two programs at the same time, and is even THX certified (something that the TiVo HD can’t brag about.) The one jarring piece here is the price, as the TiVo HD XL is selling for $599.99. If it’s worth it to you, you can order one right now at the TiVo website, or you can wait a few days and check your local retailer. We have the full press release for you after the break.

The Japanese company Green-House follows their two previous models by unveiling their new Gaudi DVD player with a 7-inch display (480x234) and 1Seg TV tuner. The GHV-PDV751ST weighs a mere 824g and is compatible with Mpeg-1/2 Xvid, MP3, and JPEG. In addition, it features an SD slot, a battery lifespan of 2.5 hours and video in and out ports. Contact Green-House for more info in your area and future pricing information. Why does everything look like faux iPods these days?

Read More | Akihabara News

Nokia has decided to launch its “Comes with Music” package in the UK first after making a deal with Carphone Warehouse. The arrangement allows users to permanently keep the music they have downloaded during the year on their 5310 XpressMusic Phone which will be offered in 8 Special Editions. Warner Music Group, Universal, and Sony BMG have all agreed to participate in the program that should begin next month. Contact Carphone if you live across the pond and would like to pre-register.

Read More | Reuters

As cell phones now can do multi-functions such as play music, shop, have GPS and do our email, perhaps it won’t be that far off before the Ply Concept Phone from Hideo Kanbara is more than a prototype. Made of multi-layered plywood (hence, the name,) it features a photo printer, mini-digital projector, and game controller. The phone was recently on display in Harajuku, Japan at the KDDI Designing Studio. The rest of us will just have to wait a while longer to see it.

Read More | C-Scout

We admit that we thought the VIC-20 was pretty cool back in the day, and the 64 was unbelievable. PCs have certainly come a long way since then. Commodore proudly displayed their UMMD 8010/F Netbook with Via C7-M Processor at Berlin’s IFA. It features an 80GB hard drive, 1GB RAM wireless capability, a 1.3 megapixel cam, a 10-inch screen, and a choice of Microsoft XP or GNU Linux. It should be available later this month for ~$600.00.

Read More | Pocket-lint

It seems that many times when we see something really innovative, it turns out to be Sony’s. This time it is the Bravia XDV-W600 floating and waterproof TV, which is submersible up to 30 minutes in case you forget it during your next jacuzzi session. Super-portable, it has a 4-inch screen and 2GB memory for about 10 hrs. of recording. Get up to 23 hours of viewing time per charge. The mini-TV will start its commercial journey in Japan on October 30 for ¥39,800 (~$368.00.)

Read More | Trendhunter

Slide your 5th gen iPod into the front of this DVD player and you can watch video on a 8 1/2-inch, 16:9 widescreen LCD, about 2 3/4 larger than what is shown on the iPod. There is a clear plastic cover for protection, dual headphone jacks, and an AV port for TV output. At a size of 10 1/4 x 2 3/4 x 6-inches and a weight of 2 3/4 lbs., it comes with both AC and DC adapters, and a remote. Supporting DVDs, VCDs, CDs, MP3 CDs, and iPod video/music files, think $269.95 price with an expected ship date in the next week or so.

Read More | Hammacher Schlemmer

IDEO and Project Inkwell have come up with their own answer to the OLPC with the Spark. It utilizes wireless networking and combines characteristics of both a laptop and desktop. Designed for students in grades K-12, the PC features a wireless mouse, slim keyboard, and a zipper pocket for a spare battery. We don’t care who is making or selling more of the inexpensive computers, we are simply glad that they just keep coming.

Read More | Tuvie

Let’s all raise our hands if we want Willcom’s Kuma Bear Phone. Who wouldn’t want to look ludicrous holding a teddy up to his/her ear and speaking into its tummy? Apparently it was a smash at the recent 2008 Good Design Expo in Tokyo. It holds up to four speed dial numbers for Tom and Katie and will come out of its furry holder when Suri get older. After all, at a price of $500.00, who else could afford it?

Read More | <3Yen

We thought it was innovative enough using an old plane as a home. We guess those behind the Jumbo Hostel in Arlanda, Sweden took the hint and came up with their idea of sleeping arrangements. Opening in December, the former Boeing 747-200 has 25 rooms, 6 x 3 meters each, with three beds per room. They all have flat screen TVs, wireless broadband, and access to bathrooms and a café where you can order coffee or warm up the Pop-Tarts you brought along. And if you want the deluxe suite, you can stay in the cockpit. Aside from not wanting to be in another plane between flights, who would want to hear the roar of takeoff while trying to catch some zzzs?

Read More | Jumbo Hostel

The Shuttle X27 Netbook is mini in price and size. Featuring an Intel Atom processor and Linux, the desktop comes without monitor, keyboard or mouse, but how can you pass up its $189.00 price tag? Available sometime this month, this can be just the ticket for a student rushing off to college, that second ‘puter for Mom/Dad, or those who like to check their email in the bathroom. We were just kidding about that last bit, or were we?

Read More | crave

We really like the looks of the JetFlash V20 USB Flash Drive. With its pearlescent chassis and color band that lights up, store all your files, music, images and videos. It is compatible with Windows Me/2000/XP, Mac and Linux, so you can transfer your data to any or all three. And it will hold 64GB in all, which to us is not too shabby. Contact Transcend for price and availability.

Read More | Fareast Gizmos

Samsung has unveiled its L310W Camera, designed for those who like to do more than point and shoot. It features a 13.6MP lens, a .7-inch LCD and a 28mm wide-angle, 3.6x optical zoom lens. With built-in photo guide for their Perfect Portrait system, it will help new users become better when it comes to shooting or utilizing its functions of face and blink detection, beauty and smile shot, and different portraits. Recently shown off at the IFA 2008 in Germany, the cam also shoots MPEG-4 video. Contact Samsung for more details and price.

Read More | I4U

Well, what do you know? Looks like that Apple event that Kevin Rose speculated about a couple of weeks ago is finally official. This morning, Apple sent out notification of their next event, titled “Let’s Rock”, is set for September 9th. Now, looking at the graphic, we think it is pretty clear that this one is going to be focused on iPods. Apple is notorious for refreshing their portable media player line in September (heck, last September was when the iPod touch was announced) for the whole back-to-school and holiday vibe.

While we expect to see new models across the board, word on the street is that the iPod nano and iPod touch will be the ones to pay attention to this time around. That is, unless, you are like me and have tons of media that you want with you at all times. If that is you, then you are with me in hoping we see something akin to a 250GB iPod classic. Aside from that, though, some surprises would be nice. I know I’ve been asking for it for years now, and this probably isn’t the appropriate place to announce it, but I sure as heck would just love it if Apple would also give us a new Cinema Display. Could happen, right? Yeah, I didn’t think so either.

Google announced today that it is launching its new beta browser, named Chrome. Available in more than 100 countries supposedly tomorrow, so far it is only for those with Microsoft Windows. (The company says it is still working on the Mac and Linux versions.) Google’s official blog almost apologized for their comic that discussed the joys of their new browser, saying that they tend to “launch early and iterate” and that the mailroom was a bit hasty letting it out. Be that as it may, it took us long enough to get used to Firefox, so we think we will let the hardcores try it first.

Read More | MSNBC