New Solar Gadgets

Genius has launched the next gen webcam that is going to blow the users away. If you’ve been enjoying your 720p HD webcam, Genius WideCam F100 is going to offer you a much better video quality and it’s also coming with a super wide 120 degree lens to capture wider zone.

Genius WideCam F100 is coming with a large 12-megapixel sensor, and it will be accompanied with Arcsoft Webcam Companion 4 that allow full HD video recording and direct share to online video site similar to Youtube, as well as sharing images to Flickr and Twitter account.

Genius WideCamF100 Features:

• HD 720p/1080p Full HD resolution 1280 × 720 – 1920 × 1080
• manual focusing and auto/manual white balance control
• still image resolutions of 1920 × 1080, 1280 × 720 and 640 × 480
• video resolutions of 1920×1080/30fps, 1280×720/30fps, 640×480/30fps

What’s pretty surprising is the pricing. I thought we should spend at least a Benjamin to get it, but I was wrong. This Genius WideCam F100 Full HD webcam is going to cost $60 only, as cheap as the 720p HD webcams.

Genius Launching WideCam F100 – The Full HD Webcam With Ultra Wide Lens
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Here come a super mini PC codenamed as MK802, which looks exactly like an USB drives. What’s cool is that this mini PC is only $74 a pop, but it comes with a rather ‘high’ specification for a small piece PC.

Specification wise, MK802 mini PC is featuring single core 1.5GHz AllWinner A10 processor, 512MB RAM, one full size USB 2.0 port, one microUSB port, has WiFi 802.11b/g connectivity, internal storage of 4GB (upgradable via MicroSD to 32GB), has HDMI port, and it’s powered by Google’s latest mobile OS – the Android 4.0 ICS.

You can find this AliExpress for $74 (shipping cost included), though the website is stating this device as a HDD player instead of a mini PC.

MK802 Mini PC – Powered With Allwinner A10 CPU and Android 4.0 ICS OS
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You can now install apps that require root previleges into the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1-inch from Samsung as the tablet has been rooted by a forum member from XDA Developer. This is pretty quick as the tablet was just released couple of weeks ago as the next gen of Galaxy Tab 10.1.

This tablet is featuring Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich by default, and has a Corning Gorilla Glass screen protecting the screen. This tablet is also one of the big screen tablet that could make or receive phone calls. It’s rare for people to receive call via big tablet, but it’s always good to have another line at home. However, the phone call function is only available for 3G version of the tablet, which is only available in some countries, especially Asian region.

Since it’s been rooted, you can also install custom ROMs and apk files. According to Weltwon, you will need the following files to root the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1:

1. ODIN 1.85 package
2. recovery.tar.md5
3. cwm-root-gtab2.zip

As for the detail of HowTo, you read them here: [How To] Root – Galaxy Tab 2 10.1

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 Android Tablet Rooted By XDA Developer’s Forum Member
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Smartphones are pretty kick-ass because they have bunch of excellent features. One of them is the high-megapixel camera that you can use it to snaps amazingly detail pictures, or record full HD videos wherever you go, whenever you want. Sometimes, we also use it to take product pictures as it offers impressive photo quality and even taking a quick snap of a document or contract paper when we can find a photocopier near us. However, if you not like us who could hold our hand steadily to take the photo of documents or objects, you might want to support this Kickstarter project.

Phil Bosua, Ben Hillier and Luke Allen together has designed a convenience tool call “ScanBox“. Practically, Scanbox will allow you to turn your smartphone into a scanner instantly. The ScanBox is coming with a folded/flat packed durable laminated card with strong hinges and magnets at the joints. All you have to do is to unfold it like in the video above, stick the magnet together, place your document and smartphones at the right place, and you are good to go.

“Scanbox is an easy to use, affordable and unbelievably portable scanning box that uses your smartphone’s camera to take amazing high quality scans. It’s easy to set up and packs down flat to easily fit into your bag or brief case.”

If you are interested, support the group at Kickstarter website. You can also find more details about the inner LED lighting and special apps for your smartphones on that webpage.

Scanbox: New KickStarter Project To Turn Your Smartphone Into A Portable Scanner
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iHome is here again with another docking station for iPhone or other Apple products (i.e. iPod Touch) codenamed as iP76.

This iHome iP76, unlike other docking station for iOS devices, it offers beyond what an ordinary docking station would have. For example, the most obvious “cool” feature that iHome Audio iP76 has is the LED color changing tower that will light up your dark room with soothing multi-color show.

iHome iP76 is more like a modernized version of the old-fashioned jukebox thanks to the 16-multicolor LED light clusters, however, it offers much advanced technology to hook up with your iOS device and play it back on its quality tower-mode stereo speaker.

According to the specification list, this three-foot tall iP76 sports four speakers with Reson8 technology, has the universal dock for iPhone/iPod Touch, and you can also connect to this tower speaker via bluetooth from bluetooth-enabled devices. Another feature that is quite interesting is that iHome has put an integrated component video outputs into this speaker system. Which means you can watch video from your iPhone directly on you TV thanks to iHome iP76.

iHome will deliver this tower speaker later in July for about $200. Sounds like a nice toy to play with.

iHome Audio unveils iP76 LED Tower Stereo Speaker With Color-Changing Illumination
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Designer Jeon Yong has come up with an interesting idea of mixing both humidifier and flower vase as one inseparable element. Jeon Yong call it as a “Nature Pot” to reflect its nature harmony union. If your home is too dry to live at, this type of humidifier is very suitable. The device itself without the flower or plant is pretty dull and “dead”. However, you can simply ‘revive’ it by putting flower of green plants. It looks pretty much like the “Flower” game on PS3 if you have ever played it.

Nature Pot is a charming humidifier that integrates into your interior setup as a flower vase. Peacefully sitting atop your work desk or home, that moist sunny flower will sure make your day!

I suppose that you’ll need to add water into the device via the flower vase opening before you can enjoy the humidity. It’s powered by AC Adapter, and there is a small LED indicator at the base of the Nature Pot.

It’s still a concept, so don’t ask me when it will be available in your local store.

Nature Pot Humidifier Doubles As Flower Vase
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Quirky has an interesting gadget that is currently in the work called “Tap”, or it will be known as a measurable oil pouring nozzle that will compatible with most cooking oil bottle.

The beauty of Tap is that you don’t have to take a separate tool (i.e. measuring spoons) to measure how much oil you should put into your cooking anymore. Need a full tablespoon of oil? Dial it and pour it directly from the bottle. How about one tea spoon? dial it again to the correct position and pour it. Quirky Tap will let you pour precisely the amount of oil you need. It’s wonderful and time saving!

Oil is truly a universal ingredient, but measuring out exact quantities can be a messy and tiresome task. Take a step out of your routine with Tap, a pouring nozzle that dispenses precise amounts in a single pour. Its adjustable dial can be set to measure one teaspoon or one tablespoon, and a ball-bearing valve ensures that you get just what you asked for: no more, no less. Best of all, Tap’s universal seal is compatible with most any oil bottle. Your measuring spoons won’t know what hit ‘em.

Sadly, Quirky haven’t set the price for this Tap nozzle yet. However, they are working on it now and I suppose they’ll launch it pretty soon. Head on over to Quirky if you want more information.

Quirky Tap – Measurable Oil Pouring Nozzle
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C&C (Company and Company) Design Studio has a wonderful folding ladder called Corner Ladder. This ladder is simply amazing because unlike an ordinary ladder, it could fold away into a compact bar of wood when not in use, and you can easily unfold it again when you are trying to reach the higher place.

Our homes are getting smaller and we have less storing space. This project comes from the need to simplify an everyday object to a minimum. A ladder is a domestic standard tool that is rarely used. The idea was to be able to fit it in any corner, so as to simplify and increase its use and basic operation.

Check out more details on how to unfold/fold this Corner Ladder on the following video:

Corner Ladder Is A Foldable Ladder That Folds Into A Bar Of Wood
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Suppose you are lazy to buy a special case for your iPhone that could let you manage your headphones cable, you can get this little Line Tail instead and it’s not only cheap, it’s also fun and come in three cute animal models.

Line Tail is a mini line winder for headphones, and it’s designed for iPhone users or any smartphones/tablets with top/side access to 3.5mm audio port. To use Line Tail, all you have to do is to insert the audio plug (it’s only compatible with straight model, not the ‘L’ type) to the hole at the top of the Line Tail.

Aside it could help you manage your cable, it also offer an indirect protection to your headphone plug around the cable and avoid damages.

Line Tail is available in three models: Whale, Fox and Swan. I would definitely want to grab the Fox tail, but sadly I can’t find the information about where I can get it online. It’s a Korean product, so I doubt it would hit US any sooner.

If you want to dig the information by yourself, try contacting SumNeeds – the creator of Line Tail.

Line Tail – A Headphones Line Winder and A Decoration, Too!
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Designer Hsu Sean has come up with an interesting safety glass called Drinking Timing. This glass, unlike the common thick surface drinking glass, it has some kind of temperature detector to let you know how hot the beverage is. When you fill it with boiling water, the inner side of the glass will turn into red color indicating the temperature. As the water cooling down, the red color will begin to fade away and end up with a clear transparent glass again.

According to the designer, the technology that allow this drink glass to change color is the thermo-chromic material that react to temperature. However, I have no idea what color it will show you when you fill it with dark coffee or espresso. Will the red color clearly visible? I’m not sure.

But if such thing exists, I believe a lot of people could free themselves from burning their own tongue when trying to sip their hot beverage in the morning rush hour.

Drinking Timing: Safety Drinking Glass – Never Burn Your Tongue Again
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“It’s Zero Wherever You Like”, yes, it’s a new concept of ruler for designer who love to draw measured straight lines. Designer Chul Sung Ahn, Chang Dae Jeon, Da Hye Lee and Hee Chul Kwak and come out with a special ruler called “0 Point Ruler” which will always show you the ’0′ mark whenever you touch the ruler with pencil or pen. It’s basically a pressure-sensitive ruler edge with digital marking on the body of the ruler, much like the electronic ruler that we have seen in the yesteryear.

Obviously, this type of device would be a battery-powered or it won’t show you anything at all. Luckily, you don’t have to replace the battery as the designers have thought a better alternative. See that hollow red gear-like design on the ruler? Just put your finger into the hollow space, and swing it around to recharge the battery. Kirrrrrr!

It’s simple, but effective. No wonder why they could won the iF Design Talents of 2012! I can’t wait to get a hold of such ruler, even I’m not a pro designer, this type of ruler is a must-have!

Zero Point Ruler Concept Is Awesome
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Trading hard drive or selling PC system together with the storage media is pretty dangerous as people can extract the deleted data with special software. If you have ever stored an important data on the hard drive, it’s advisable to no sell it along with your PC or laptop as your secret might be discovered by the naughty hands. This is pretty troublesome as you might end with with a pile of hard drives in your warehouse collecting dust while they are still functional. Although you can use multiple passes of disk erasing apps, it will take a whole lot of time if it’s on the Terrabyte level.

Luckily, this type of problem can be solved thanks to the latest ultimate storage eraser called Data Killer. During the expo of Information Security, creator of Data Killer has demonstrated this device where it can erase an entire hard drive in just a couple of seconds and reset the drive’s platters back its origin with a large powerful magnet.

You don’t have to wait hours to completely erase a hard drive anymore. Just a push of button, Data Killer will wipe any magnetic medias (HDD, Floppy, tapes) and it could wipe up to 14 pieces of media at once. There are several types of Data killer that come in different sizes, the larger version even allow user to put their laptop into the device and wipe clean all the important data inside the laptop.

Data Killer: The True Assassin For Your Magnetic Media Storage
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Onda is coming up with another budget-friendly tablet PC known as VI60 Elite Edition. This VI60 is a 7-inch tablet with screen resolution of 1024 x 600p, 1.5GHz ARM Cortex-A10 CPU, and Mali-400 GPU, which is pretty standard for the new tablet released by Chinese manufacturers. Surprisingly, this tablet has got 1GB of DDR RAM, capable of running 4.0.3 ICS OS too.

Other specs also include a minimum 8GB internal storage (expandable via microSD – up to 32GB), front facing VGA camera, capable of playback 2160p Super HD video, has WIFI, OTG function, USB 2.0 ports, HDMI port, and 3G module support.

As for the battery life, I guess Onda VI60 is not strong enough to run for a long period like others. It’s coming with 2900mAh battery, which probably would score around 6-7 hours under normal uses.

Luckily, if you are not a branded shopper, you can get VI60 for just $136.99 only.

ONDA VI60 Elite Edition Released
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Old lithium-ion battery charger is old school now as we have been introduced to the new next gen charger using Fuel cell. We have seen one called PowerTrekk appeared, and now another one is going to roll out soon. The popular retailer Brookstone is going to sell this type of battery charger from Liliputian, and according to the company, the refills for the fuel cell is going to cost “about the same as coffee from Starbucks.”

Well, unlike the common battery charger where you can recharge it via the outlet when the juice has ran out, fuel cell charger will need to get a refill like ink cartridge on your inkjet printer. However, the benefit is that, each fuel cell charger is going to provides a crazy amount of battery life, where you can charge your USB-driven gadgets for 2 weeks! If it’s an iPhone 4, you can use this portable fuel cell charger to fully recharge it for 10 to 14 times before refill. Sounds like a great deal, no?

Refill for this fuel cell charger can be purchased from online store, or directly from Brookstone as the selected retailer. Sadly, there is no details information on when it will be available and what is the cost of the USB charger (not the refill).

Brookstone To Sell Portable Fuel Cell USB Charger
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Future iPad case should really come with a solar charger like this new case from Kudocase (previously known as Lilypad). The reason is that we can both save electricity bill (although it’s not much, every cent counts!) and could free ourselves from finding charging source when travelling. It’s not only coming with a new type of solar panel (Kudocase uses panel with photovoltaic ink technology), this Kudocase is designed to come with a built-in 10,000mAh battery that supposed to be able to provides up to 10 days of battery life, under a moderate uses.

The Photovoltaic Ink technology itself is excellent because it doesn’t require a direct sunlight before it can start recharging the battery. Although it’s better to expose it fully to the sunlight for better absorption, however, Kudocase stated that the Photovoltaic Ink technology can also generate electricity from indoor light source!

Check out the following video for more details of it:

This solar powered Kudocase for iPad is compatible with iPad 2 and the new iPad (3rd gen). It features sturdy, hard-shell, rubber-coated, biodegradable (it’s made from corn grain) protection for both surfaces, a standard stand where you can put your iPad on landscape mode for watching movies on desk, and it also coming with a built-in HDMI port where you can put your iPad display into your HDTV.

Beside recharging your iPad, this solar case can also charge other gadgets such as smartphones, MP3 players, cameras, etc. Like the video suggested, there should be a special bag where you can slide in and bring it around while it will recharge your iPhone.

It looks like a nice piece of protection with battery backup. If you are interested, you can find this Kudocase solar powered iPad case for $190 at Kudocase official site.

Kudocase: Solar Powered iPad Case With Photovoltaic Ink Technology
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For you who’ve always hate the scenario where your desk is wet from your cold drinks, you might want to get a gadget like this Drinklip portable cup holder to hold your drink outside of your desk.

Thinkgeek recently stocked this Drinklip cup holder for any geeks who love to sip on their favorite beverage when they are working on their projects in front of their laptop. The Drinklip can be clipped onto any desk, table or shelf with clip-able edges like in the picture above.

When you are not drinking, you can actually use Drinklip to hold other stuffs such as your smartphones, keys, pencils, pens or other office stationary. ThinkGeek even goes further by suggesting more ideas on how you can make a full use of Drinklip in their product specification:

Drinklip Specification:

• Attach a cupholder to any desk, table, or shelf
• Use it to store your drink or small objects
• Other ideas for using your Drinklip:
  • Home repair: Nails, screws, or drill bits
  • Crafting: Beads, needles, pincushion, safety pins, stitch holders
  • Organization: Keys, loose change, hair ties
  • Gaming: Dice! (But also keeping your drink off your GM’s table.)
  • Play: Clip to LEGO fortress to use as a guard tower
• Fits cups up to 3.25″ in diameter (similar to a car cupholder size)

Drinklip is available right now for $19.99 at ThinkGeek. If you think it’s a good stuff and need one, head on over to Thinkgeek and get one for yourself.

Drinklip Portable Cup Holder
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Instagram is one of the top app in the chart which have been downloaded by millions of users worldwide. Facebook even bought it for billions of dollars because they saw a bright future of this application. The rave is not stopping there, designer Antonio De Rosa is coming up with a cool concept idea for Instagram called the “Instagram Socialmatic Camera”.

This camera is using the retro-like iconic logo of Instagram as the face of the camera design, will be able to snap photos and print them out immediately like a polaroid camera, and you can also share them directly via instagram from the camera!

More specs revealed by the designer including 4.3-inch touchscreen camera at the rear side, will have WIFI connectivity to share the photo to Instagram and will have 2 lenses where one of it for snapping standard photos and second one for 3D photos.

More of the details of this Instagram Socialmatic Camera is available at ADR Studio.

Cool Instagram Socialmatic Camera Concept By Antonio De Rosa
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Under the name of Stratasys, a new 3D printer has popped out to the market. However, this version is not the cheap type where you can find it for $500 or so. Mojo 3D printer from Stratasys is in fact, will cost you $9,900 to own one.

Well, do not scared by the price yet. What’s make this Mojo 3D printer excellent and could live up the price is the FDM technology, which capable of printing finely detailed model in real ABSplus plastic, as well as the QuickPack print engine that is easy to use, quick to replace the empty cartridge like an inkjet printer. Each Mojo printer also coming with a dedicated cleaning system that will keep the machine healthy.

Check out the following video for more details:

The FDM technology alone is worth the thousands dollars. I believe professionals who’ve been using various 3D printers to print their prototypes will realize how cost effective this Mojo 3D printer is.

Mojo 3D Printer: Cost Effective 3D Printer For Professionals
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ASUS is announcing their new Zenbook ultrabook series which has been codenamed as UX32VD. This version will come with Intel’s third gen Ivy Bridge processor and will get NVIDIA graphic chipsets as well.

This ASUS Zenbook UX32VD is going to be a strong ultrabook as the starting specs is going to get 1GB of NVIDIA GeForce GT620m graphic and it’s going to be able to display full 1080p HD contents. Of course, ASUS will set up the pages where you can customize this Zenbook UX32VD ultrabook, where you could also add either common HDD or using SSD for faster data transfer.

The base rigs will going to cost $800 with normal LCD display (1366 x 768p resolution), and expect to pay thousand of dollars if you want to get the one with top configuration.

Asus Zenbook UX32VD Ultrabook
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Incandescent lamp has become the “ancient lamp” as more and more people have started migrating to LED bulb and better/eco-friendly solution. We have seen some companies with their alternative to incandescent lamp, but this version from Switch Lighting is perhaps the coolest of all.

Switch Lighting recently announced their new Liquid Cooled LED bulb that will become the replacement of existing traditional 40-watt, 60-watt and 75-watt incandescent lamps for commercial market. Beside its offering better illumination and lifespan, these liquid cooled LED Bulbs are energy efficient. Based on the information that the company have given out, the power consumption of the liquid cooled bulbs is about 8-watt vs. 40-watt Incandescent bulb, or 17-watt vs. 75-watt incandescent bulb.

However, each bulb might cost a little bit high on price, where you have to pay $40 to $50 a pop. It’s sounds really expensive for consumer level, but thankfully, the company is also working on a consumer liquid cooled LED bulbs that should cost lower than the commercial version. We can all expect to see this type of modern eco-friendly bulb to sell on the market starting on next year.

Switch Lighting Liquid Cooled LED Bulbs Announced
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