Find Our Latest Video Reviews on YouTube!
If you want to stay on top of all of our video reviews of the latest tech, be sure to check out and subscribe to the Gear Live YouTube channel, hosted by Andru Edwards! It’s free!
Latest Gear Live Videos
Curious as to how much power you use throughout your home? Do family members traipse through the house, flipping on light switches and leaving a blazing trail of wasted energy in their wake? If so, maybe the Wattson can help educate them as to the tangible change in power usage when electrical items are left on (or off as the case may be). Wattson delivers the information in numerical and non-verbal modes, and can also be connected to your computer for charting energy usage over time and sharing the data with a community of Wattson users.
The numerical display shows you exactly how much power your home is using at that very moment, and can display the result as an annual monetary cost, or in watts. This mode can help demonstrate what the real impact is of high-wattage bulbs instead of energy saving fluorescents, or how much power (and money) your SLI-equipped gaming rig really consumes. The non-verbal method uses colored lights and patterns to display the changing status of power consumption, and is useful for children and as a “quick glance” status indicator.
The Wattson device itself is wireless, and receives information from a sensor that is installed near the electrical panel in your home. The sensor is said to be easy to install, “with no need for any expert knowledge or assistance”, although the company does offer installation services.
Built to order, the £350 (~ $610 USD) device requires 8 weeks prior to shipping and is currently available only in the UK.
Read More 
| DIY Kyoto
Gallery: Wattson Power Monitoring Device
Advertisement
Logitech mm32 iPod Speakers
Posted by Jared Hislop Categories: Accessories, Apple, Peripherals, Portable Audio / Video,
Logitech’s new cylindrical portable iPod speakers are due out next month. The speakers are designed to provide up to 10 hours of playback off of 4 AA batteries. An AC adapter will also be provided in case you want to leave the unit on a shelf. Logitech has branded this speaker system the mm32, and this unit measures 28.5cm long by 6cm in diameter. Basically this device has cylindrical speakers on either side of a cradle capable of recharging your iPod. The speakers receive sound via the iPod’s headphone socket, and Logitech claims that with some creative cabling other MP3 players can use the speakers. The mm32 will be available in black or white, and is expected to retail for $80.00 USD.
Read More | Reg Hardware
Gallery: Logitech mm32 iPod Speakers
The iRon - iPod Dock And Clothes Iron
Posted by John Goulden Categories: Accessories, Apple, Portable Audio / Video,
The Gear4 Store has an iPod accessory for sale that positively has to be an early April Fool’s joke. The iRon is a clothes iron and iPod dock all rolled into one. A cradle on the back of the iron accepts all iPod models (except for the Shuffle), and 6-watt stereo speakers pump out the tunes. The reason the Shuffle isn’t supported is because all iron controls are accessed using the iPod’s interface and LCD screen. Water level, battery life and temperature are shown on the LCD and steam control is handled by “SteamTempo”. SteamTempo is a unique process that ties in with your choice of music where soft, smooth music delivers low amounts of steam and tracks with heavy bass delivers lots of steam. The iRon comes with a travel case and doesn’t requires batteries or recharging.
Why do we believe this to be a fake bit of kit? Let us count the ways:
- It’s a ludicrous concept.
- It’s supposed to use the battery on the iPod for power. Yeah, right.
- Gear4 can’t seem to decide whether the speakers are 2 x 3-watt or 2 x 6-watt.
- The product picture is a render. Real products deserve real pictures.
- The real clue? The price. £104.06 (1st of April 2006)
It’ll be interesting to see what other “real” products are introduced today that sound too good (or too stupid) to be real.
Read More | Gear4 Store via MobileWhack
Gallery: The iRon - iPod Dock And Clothes Iron
Wireless Extension Cords: April Fools
Posted by Kristin Wenzel Categories: Accessories, Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Peripherals, Rumors,
Good Lord! Is this for real? ThinkGeek has introduced wireless extension cords, which use microwave technology to beam power (wirelessly) up to three hundred feet.
Just plug the Wireless Extension Cord (WEC) base unit into a standard wall outlet, and plug whatever you need into the satellite unit. The WEC uses microwaves in the 7.2GHz range, so it won’t interfere with wireless networks, Bluetooth components, etc. Now, all you need to do is adjust the antennae on the two units so they are aimed at each other. Turn everything on and you have the power! The distance the WEC units can broadcast differs from situation to situation (due to interference of such things as walls, power lines, and microwave ovens), but we’ve beamed power over 300 feet!
These puppies will run you about $35 at ThinkGeek. Have a good time trying to get through checkout though…
Read More | ThinkGeek
Gallery: Wireless Extension Cords: April Fools
The largest flash drives available to the average consumer is 16GB in capacity and requires you to sell an arm to afford (MSRP $1,499). It seems as though BUSlink may have upped the ante as they have a 64GB USB flash drive clearly pictured on their website. To quote from BUSlink’s website - “BUSLink was first to introduce the 8GB and 16GB flash drive to the world, now we’re proud to introduce the first 32GB and 64GB flash drive ever.” If it is for real, then be prepared to sell off your spare kidney to be able to afford one. Of course, it could also be that someone at BUSlink gets their jollies by watching the collective geek world drool in lust.
On a side note, you’d think they could find a nicer looking car key to attach to such an expensive flash drive.
Read More | BUSlink via Engadget
Gallery: BUSlink 64GB Flash Drive
InCase Collegiate Cases For iPod Nano
Posted by John Goulden Categories: Accessories, Apple, Portable Audio / Video,
Instead of getting a nondescript and rather boring case for your iPod nano, show some school spirit and pick up one of InCase’s Collegiate Wallets. Made from real leather, they feature a credit card slot, screen protector, and even come with a matching logo keychain. The officially licensed cases are, for now, only available for Duke, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, Miami, and Washington, so if one of those isn’t your favorite you’re out of luck.
Currently available from the Apple Store for $24.95 USD.
Read More | InCase via uncrate
Gallery: InCase Collegiate Cases For iPod Nano
56 Hour Battery Life For Your iPod Nano
Posted by John Goulden Categories: Accessories, Apple, Portable Audio / Video,
Apple’s iPod nano was a runaway hit when it was released, combining small dimensions with an LCD and their intuitive interface. Even the battery life is pretty good at around 14 hours, but sometimes that’s just not good enough. There are external battery packs for just about all of the iPod lineup but most add on so much extra in the way of physical dimensions that they’re simply annoying. iLuv has a series of add-on battery products for the iPod nano and video models that use Lithium Polymer batteries to radically increase their battery life. The best part about them, especially for a small player like the nano, is that they’re diminutive as well.
Each version comes attached to a silicon case for your iPod, and matches the width and depth of the player they’re designed for. In the case of the nano, there are two versions available with total battery capacities of up to 36 hours and 56 hours (including the stock battery), and each includes pass-through ports for the dock connectors and headphone jack. The silicon sleeves come in four colors as well including black, white, pink and blue.
The 36-hour i601 retails for $59.95 USD and the 56-hour i602 is $65.95. Both products are currently available.
Read More | iLuv via productdose.com
Gallery: 56 Hour Battery Life For Your iPod Nano
The Card Beeper is a simple sheath one would use to protect their credit card. Whenever the card is removed from the Card Beeper, it gives an audible alert at 20-second intervals. Nice for when you forget your card at the mall or when picking up grub at the drive through - not so nice when the cashier is simply holding on to your card to check your signature, and your Card Beeper is screeching in agony. The unit also has an integrated money clip, eliminating the need for a wallet. You can pick one up for $26 USD.
Read More | Sehin-World via Gizmodo
Gallery: Card Beeper Pocket Siren
A popular case for the iPod nanos (and shuffles) when they first arrived, was a modified version of the ever handy Altoid’s tin. The size was just right, and they made for a discrete way to cart the iPod around. Of course, not everyone wants to make their own carrying case, and some prefer something with a bit more panache, and that’s where the Tinpod enters the scene. The Tinpods are lined with 3mm of neoprene to protect and cushion your iPod (3G, 4G and 5G), have ports for your headphones, and come in three different graphic patterns. Each pattern is part of a limited edition set with only 5,000 of each available.
Not as inexpensive as an Altoid tin, but arguably more appealing. Available now for $16.95 USD each or get a pair for $29.95.
Read More | Tinpod via Techie Diva
Gallery: Tinpod iPod Cases
Vaja iVod Video SP iPod Case
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Portable Audio / Video,
Vaja has just announced their new iVod Video SP case for the 5G iPod and iPod nano. The only difference between the SP and the standard iVod Video case is the color scheme layout. The standard version allows you to have two different colors for the front and back of the case. On the SP, the front and back are the same color, but you get to choose an alternate color to use as a racing stripe that goes down the front of the product. Yeah, it’s sporty, but is it worth the extra $20 USD above the standard version? There lies your conundrum.
Read More | Vaja Choice
