Turn Slides Into Digital Images

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Cameras, Misc. Tech,

If you have old 35mm photo slides or negatives from your kids’ entire childhood gathering dust in a closet, Hammacher Schlemmer offers the Slide and Negative Converter. Simply place them in the gadget and everything is done for you. Powered by USB, it features three LEDs, a 5 MP CMOS sensor with 10-bit color for conversion, and automatically controls exposure and color. The converter is only 6.5 x 3.5 x 3.5-inches and can scan up to 1829 dpi. Available for $99.99, it should pay for itself before you force your next door neighbors to watch the endless slideshow of your last summer vacation.

Read More | Hammacher Schlemmer

Books Always Shine with the Over-Ear Book Light

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Misc. Tech,

We really like this gadget, if only because it’s so cool-looking, in that straight-out-of-“Minority Report” kinda way. It’s the Over-Ear Book Light, and you guessed it, it clips to your ear and shines a beam of light on whatever you’re reading. Now you can continue to enjoy whatever “Harry Potter” book you’re up to without disturbing your bedmate or fellow passenger—and  look tres-cool at the same time. The Over-Ear doesn’t emit heat, yet provides 100,000 hours of light, which you’ll certainly need if you’re reading a JK Rowling book. Requires one AAA battery for 25 hours of use. Available for $25 USD.

Read More | Hammacher Schlemmer

Leather Mouse and USB Hub Add Class to Your Workspace

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, USB, PC / Laptop, Peripherals,

No matter how you use or wear it, leather is always a hallmark of quality and distinction, which is why we love this very sophisticated-looking mouse and USB hub, from Earth Trek. The mouse is the two-button style, with handy scroll wheel. The four-port USB hub looks exactly like the mouse, sans buttons and wheel. We wanted to suggest either one as a great Father’s Day gift, but strangely, pricing and availability could not be found on the Earth Trek website, which is based in Hong Kong. We still hope these elegant accessories make their way to US shores soon…

Read More | Earth Trek via Akihabara News

The Lego 1GB USB Drive

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, USB, Misc. Tech, Peripherals,

Boy, have times changed. When we were kids, Lego was just a bunch of plastic brick toys. Fast forward to 2007, and Lego now appeals to all age groups, with it’s own quirky Star Wars video game franchise, home and bath accessories(!), and now—a 1GB thumb drive, courtesy of Zip Zip. When closed, it looks like a standard Lego brick, however a USB drive is revealed when opened. It even comes with a strap to hook on to your keyring. Very cool and retro—just don’t let your little one grab it, lest it become a piece of that Lego Millennium Falcon he’s building. Available in six colors for $50 USD.

Read More | Zip Zip via Gizmodo

ChesterCreekTech’s Extra Large Keyboards Make Typing Easier

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, PC / Laptop, Peripherals,

Know someone who is sight-impaired? You might want to alert them to ChesterCreekTech’s oversized “VisionBoard2” keyboard, with giant 1” keys (black on white or black on yellow) for easier readabililty and lessened eyestrain. The company also has an equally large version for kids, “The Kinderboard”, with color-coded punctuation marks, consonants and vowels, to aid in learning the alphabet. We don’t know if these are the first keyboards of their kind, but they’re definitely welcome additions to the tech world. The VisionBoard2 is available for $90 USD, while the Kinderboard retails for $80 USD.

Read More | Chester Creek Tech via Chip Chick

Listen While You Work

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Misc. Tech,

Due out by the end of this month in Japan, Logitech’s LIC-TRA056SD Private Phone Digital Recorder allows you to snoop on your loved ones or the guy in the next cubicle who has passed you by and has been given the Campbell Account. The gadget comes with an MP3 recorder for plug-in to your phone and has 128MB of flash memory for up to 50 hours of storage. It might also be to your advantage to learn a second language since thus far the recorder only features Japanese characters.

Read More | Akihabara News

SplashPad to Offer Wireless Charging

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Smartphones, Handhelds, Misc. Tech, Portable Audio / Video, Wireless / WiFi,

Many companies have been developing cell phones that use will utilize wireless charging. Apple has applied for a patent of their own, but it is SplashPower that caught our attention for its recharging simplicity. Their new SplashPad runs by electromagnetic induction and if you own a high end electric toothbrush it is already equipped with the technology. It eliminates the need for more than one charger per unit and you can charge several devices simultaneously. You will need a SplashPower Module in most cases for each gadget. Account Manager Stuart Reed told Gear Live that it has joined with brand name partners and the first products will become available early next year.

Read More | SplashPower

iPhone Accessories Abound

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Apple, Handhelds, Misc. Tech,

Even before the iPhone has left the starting gate, companies are already beginning to offer accessories. Boxwave has 20 of them for sale now, including the ClearTouch Anti-Glare Screen for $12.95, the VersaCharger PRO for wall, car, plane and USB for $25.95, the Flexiskin anti-dust and durable case for $27.9 , and miniBuds Headphones with Neodyium drivers for $22.95. If you just can’t wait for the iPhone’s arrival June 29, at least you can preshop for your new toy. Visit Boxwave to see what other goodies are available.

Read More | Digital Tech News

Epson Brings Darkroom Out of The Closet

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Cameras, Misc. Tech,

Epson has amassed enough products together to create an entire Digital Darkroom System. It includes their PX-5800 injet printer, a 21-inch EIZO WSXGA capable Coloredge CE210W monitor, a GT-X900 scanner, a P-5000 photo viewer, and Photoshop CS2 running on an Endeavor CM-3100 desktop. How kind of Epsom to take the hassle out of shopping for individual accessories and only charging us ¥600,000 (~$4,900.00) for their efforts, but also to include an actual instructional DVD to learn how to play with the equipment.

Read More | Impress (translated)

The March of the iPenguin

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Apple, Misc. Tech, Portable Audio / Video,

Sega seems to be intent on creating an entire iMenagerie of iPets. First it was the iDog, then the iFish, now the iPenguin. It has the usual flashing LED in its tummy, a speaker in the back of its head, a mini-plug for headphones, and a nose sensor. At a size of 3.56 x 3.54 x 4.72-inches,  it needs 3 AAA batteries (not included.) You can pre-register for your very own iPenguin which is due out on July 26 for $59.00. from Sega, then play it a rousing John Philip Sousa tune from your iPod.

Read More | Akihabara News