| Awesome Gadgets - Widgets
Ericsson S710a
The other day my cell battery died and I had to use a payphone. And just as I remembered, it sounded like shit; I got a funky film on my ear, and the handset kind of smelled like rotten rice. The whole experience is just another reason why I love cell phones, and the new Ericsson S710a is the one to love. With a 1.3-megapixel digital camera and swivel action movement, you'll avoid using a payphone again.
Sony DCR-DVD7
When we saw the first images of this new Sony camcorder we thought it was an old-school Walkman. The shape is downright funky, and we like that. I suppose the shape comes from the fact it records to a DVD disc. Technical mumbo-jumbo includes 680k pixel CCD, 10X optical zoom, DVD-RW media and USB 2.0 connections.
Olympus M:Robe 500
It's rare that we don't have something cynical to say about a gadget, but Olympus threw us a curve ball. The m:robe 500 is pretty much everything you'd want from a widget, minus a phone, a hooker and a beer opener. The 3.7-inch VGA touch screen lets you toggle between a 1.3-megapixel camera, digital picture viewer, WMA/MP3 player and an album cover artwork viewer. You'll be stunned at how much cool shit this thing can do. The 20G drive means you can store thousands of songs and images and combine the two to create mini-movies complete with transitions through the built-in Remix mode.
Creative Zen
Micro Creative's new Zen Micro gives the iPod mini a good run for its money, with a larger capacity, more features and a cheaper price. If you want the best value for your dollar, the Zen Micro is it. Features include: a 5G storage capacity, complete with FM receiver; voice recording; and read-only snapshots of your calendar and to-do lists via Outlook synchronization.
G-Con 2 Light
Gun Shooting games rule. They're one of the few benefits of going to an arcade-besides hitting on underage girls. Sadly the game is never quite the same at home. That is until the G-con2 light gun. It plugs directly into the PS2's USB connector and has pixel-perfect accuracy; you'll be killing opponents like a hero.
Dell XPS
Gen 4 Dell comes out with a brand-new look for the fourth release from its XPS line. It's geared up for you gamers out there. Processor options include the highest Intel processors available, like the Intel P4 with HT technology extreme edition and the new Intel 925XE express chipset that supports up to 1066MHz front-side bus. Choose from seven different colors. Halo, hello!
Dell Inspiron 9200
Laptops are the way of the future and almost as cool as the Clapper and as useful as the turn signal. Billed as the "multi-media powerhouse," the Dell Inspiron 9200 gets the job done with a Pentium M processor and 855PM chipset, Radeon 9700 video card, and up to 2GB of RAM. You'll be editing home movies, downloading MP3s and blowing off your homework with efficiency and style.
Ericsson S710a
The other day my cell battery died and I had to use a payphone. And just as I remembered, it sounded like shit; I got a funky film on my ear, and the handset kind of smelled like rotten rice. The whole experience is just another reason why I love cell phones, and the new Ericsson S710a is the one to love. With a 1.3-megapixel digital camera and swivel action movement, you'll avoid using a payphone again.
Sony DCR-DVD7
When we saw the first images of this new Sony camcorder we thought it was an old-school Walkman. The shape is downright funky, and we like that. I suppose the shape comes from the fact it records to a DVD disc. Technical mumbo-jumbo includes 680k pixel CCD, 10X optical zoom, DVD-RW media and USB 2.0 connections.
Olympus M:Robe 500
It's rare that we don't have something cynical to say about a gadget, but Olympus threw us a curve ball. The m:robe 500 is pretty much everything you'd want from a widget, minus a phone, a hooker and a beer opener. The 3.7-inch VGA touch screen lets you toggle between a 1.3-megapixel camera, digital picture viewer, WMA/MP3 player and an album cover artwork viewer. You'll be stunned at how much cool shit this thing can do. The 20G drive means you can store thousands of songs and images and combine the two to create mini-movies complete with transitions through the built-in Remix mode.
Creative Zen Micro
Creative's new Zen Micro gives the iPod mini a good run for its money, with a larger capacity, more features and a cheaper price. If you want the best value for your dollar, the Zen Micro is it. Features include: a 5G storage capacity, complete with FM receiver; voice recording; and read-only snapshots of your calendar and to-do lists via Outlook synchronization.
G-Con 2 Light Gun
Shooting games rule. They're one of the few benefits of going to an arcade-besides hitting on underage girls. Sadly the game is never quite the same at home. That is until the G-con2 light gun. It plugs directly into the PS2's USB connector and has pixel-perfect accuracy; you'll be killing opponents like a hero.
Dell XPS Gen 4
Dell comes out with a brand-new look for the fourth release from its XPS line. It's geared up for you gamers out there. Processor options include the highest Intel processors available, like the Intel P4 with HT technology extreme edition and the new Intel 925XE express chipset that supports up to 1066MHz front-side bus. Choose from seven different colors. Halo, hello!
Dell Inspiron 9200
Laptops are the way of the future and almost as cool as the Clapper and as useful as the turn signal. Billed as the "multi-media powerhouse," the Dell Inspiron 9200 gets the job done with a Pentium M processor and 855PM chipset, Radeon 9700 video card, and up to 2GB of RAM. You'll be editing home movies, downloading MP3s and blowing off your homework with efficiency and style.
Sony Cordless Headphones
When you have to sit in an office with the rest of the 2NR staff you quickly learn the value of a decent pair of headphones. In the rare case I have to actually write something interesting for the magazine, I need to filter out the inane conversations about deadlines, shady parts deals and nagging corporate bosses; unrelenting verbal abuse; occasion small-arms fire; and constant phone calls from collection agencies. Of course it would be easier to not come to work, but the coffee is free and we are allow to drink at our desks after 10 a.m.
Philips Heart Start Home Defibrillator
The doctor said if I didn't stop smoking, drinking, doing drugs and eating bacon three meals a day, I was going to die. Always one to find a better way to do things, I spent a month looking for solutions to the problem. Luckily you can now buy home defibrillators. Imagine the fun of letting your roommates bring you back from the dead. The Philips HeartStart even comes with a training video. If you can find someone who isn't stoned to watch it, the life he saves could be yours. Note: don't use this unless you are pretty sure someone is dying.
Motorola/Burton Bluetooth Helmet
The details are still coming in, but Burton has announced collaboration with Motorola that will include a helmet with Bluetooth technology. The helmet will allow you to take calls and listen to music without having to fumble through your jacket with gloves on and miss the call.
Philips Perfect Brew
Every guy has pondered if he would be better off buying a keg for the house because it's too much of a hassle to make four beer runs a night. The plain truth is if you do spring for a keg, you will either have too many people living in your place, you will puke from drinking too much, or you will be drinking flat beer for the rest of the week. The good news is Philips makes a small tap that looks better than a trashcan full of ice and beer in your living room; bad news is you have to eBay this one-it isn't available in the States.
Nyko Itype2 Controller
We don't know why everything now has the letter "i" in front of it. The new Nyko iType2 has the first built-in mini keyboard built on top of the regular PS2 controller, which allows you to key in commands while playing games or to chat online with other players. Not that you'd be alone doing that on a Friday night because you couldn't work up the nuts to ask out that girl who sits next to you.
Sony DCR-PC55
Sony drops the new line of camcorders, and once again proves why its consistently the best in the category. The PC55 doesn't disappoint with its slim stylish design, 3-inch swivel display and a choice of four colorways, it has all the features you've come to expect-but in a smaller package. Kind of like the shit you keep telling your girl.
Sony NW-HD3 Network Walkman
We spend most of our time either sitting in traffic, airport terminals or in the back of strip clubs, so portable audio is a high priority. The new Sony Walkman features over 30 hours of battery life, four colorways, MP3 support (finally), 20G storage capacity and skip protection. You'll be able to enjoy your music through the baggage claim, while being pulled over for speeding and when you are getting kicked out of the champagne room by the bouncers.