Really Cool Portable GPS Tracker

by Al

Update: Somewhat annoyingly Think Geek have stopped selling this GPS tracker, however there is a huge selection of alternatives over on Amazon.
This must be one of (if not the) coolest spy gadgets I’ve ever reported on. It’s sort of a cross between a USB memory stick and a GPS receiver and what it does is store where ever you take it on the flash memory.
The Portable GPS Tracker is pretty small so you could either always carry it on you or use it in 007 spy mode by planting it on a person or vehicle you want to monitor. You may be wondering how you retrieve the stored info and secret routes, well that’s where it gets really cool.

Once the tracker has done it’s travels and it’s back in your possession you simply connect it to you PC and download the data. This data can then be plotted on Google Earth, Mapquest, maps.google.com and Virtual Earth to show exactly where it’s been, how long it took and how it got there.
I just think this is so cool (may of said cool a record number of times in this post) it obviously has the spy functionality of tracking somebody else but to me it is even more useful for tracking your own holidays and backpacking adventures. So not only can you bore visitors with your holiday snaps you can also show them exactly where you went.
Full feature list:

• Records time, date, location, speed, direction and altitude
• Works with Google Earth, Mapquest, maps.google.com, Virtual Earth
• Location points are downloaded into its software and then mapped
• Battery duration is 5 to 7 days of typical operation with 4,000 records
• Requires 2 AAA batteries (not included)
• Dimensions: 4″ x 1 1/4″ x 3/4″
• Comes with TrackStick, lanyard, software CD

You can used to be able to buy this nifty GPS tracker from Think Geek for $249.99, a good alternative now is Amazon.

I’m sure you can find a good use for this Real Life NO Sign

by Mark R - on March 31st, 2011

This NO Sign somehow manages to merge two fads of the early eighties into something that is still contemporary.
The fads I am referring to is that negation sign that was already on a lot of road signs before it made Ghostbusters the most recognizable logos in all of movie history. That film came out in 1984, and, during that time, there was a small fad of 3D. Yes, there was a lot of 3D movies that came out then, just like there are now. I remember most of these 3D films getting a lot of bad press like Jaws 3D, Space Hunter, Amityville 3D, and Metalstorm.
This NO sign is a sign of the a former time, but it is downright useful for our time. After all, we have areas where cameras and cell phones are not allowed, and that one with the cigarettes could apply to any time except the boardrooms on Mad Men.
This particular novelty sign can be purchased at the Book of Joe for a modest price of $19.90. That is pretty good, considering it is just a sign with an elastic strap to put a device the size of a hand in there. Right now, I’m trying to think of what I would put in the strap. Maybe I would put a small stuffed monkey in there, because I don’t really like monkeys.

Gmail Motion- Write your E-mails with Body Movement

by Julie - on April 1st, 2011

So many thing have changed over the years, computers are leaps and bounds ahead of what they were in the beginning, but since the advent of e-mail, the way it has been composed has stayed exactly the same, until now…
Google explains that the mouse and keyboard were invented before the Internet even existed. Since then, countless technological advancements have allowed for much more efficient human computer interaction. Why then do we continue to use outdated technology? Introducing Gmail Motion — now you can control Gmail with your body.
Gmail Motion uses your computer’s built-in webcam and Google’s patented spatial tracking technology to detect your movements and translate them into meaningful characters and commands. Movements are designed to be simple and intuitive for people of all skill levels.
First you need to familiarize yourself with some of the basic functionality of Gmail Motion using this printable guide of sample gestures. With it, you’ll be able to start writing and responding to emails – with your body – in no time.

Check out the video, or try the new Gmail Motion HERE.

SOURCE: Gmail

Eee PC gets touchscreen in DIY project

by Edwin - on March 20, 2011

With so many devices these days getting the touchscreen function, it makes perfect sense for those with older or more ancient devices to have successors that keep up with the times. Of course, there are folks out there who love nothing better than to roll up their sleeves and perform some DIY hack on existing machines to be relevant in this day and age.
Case in point, throwing in touchscreen capabilities to an Eee PC, which is one of the earlier netbooks to really take off. If you’re interested, you can always follow this step-by-step guide which helps you install the relevant touchscreen hardware and make sure your netbook does not end up as a paperweight.
The hardware comprises of two parts, with the transparent film covering the screen and the driver board that reads inputs. The film itself will feature an adhesive layer on the back which sticks to the LCD panel. In order to install it however, you must first must remove the panel from the bezel while finding a place to house the driver board. Just make sure you’re have enough experience in this field before embarking on something so dangerous.
Source: Hack A Day

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Introducing the NAV 7 – As the Tablet Parade Continues

by Julie - on March 30, 2011

Netbook Navigator has finally announced that their NAV7 Slate PC Tablet Running Windows 7 is currently Available for Pre-Order. This great little mobile device features the first compact 7-inch, 1024 x 600 pixel multitouch display as well as a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor, runs Windows 7 and is loaded with some innovative best-in-class features, including 2 USB ports, a front-side webcam, WIFI, Bluetooth and optional embedded 3G broadband. The NAV7 is essentially a full computer that can be carried with you practically anywhere.
The base model runs about $649 dollars and comes with 1GB of RAM, a 16GB solid state disk, WiFi, Bluetooth, the 2 USB ports, and an Ethernet jack, but absolutely no operating system. Windows 7 Home Premium will jack up the price to around $749. You can also configure the Nav7 with 32GB of 64GB of storage, 2Gb of RAM, and an optional 3G model. If you want to go all out, the top of the line model still runs less than $1250. Continue reading » Introducing the NAV 7 – As the Tablet Parade Continues

Backyard Helitotter for your kids this summer

by Edwin - on March 27th, 2011

Summer is a time where kids go out to play, although more and more children these days tend to stay cooped up in the confines of their homes simply because of the latest hit title on the PS3 or Xbox 360. Well, before they are addicted to video game consoles, you might want to do your part in making sure they love the outdoors, by starting with the Backyard Helitotter.
This helicopter-shaped teeter totter is capable of handling up to to four children on lively backyard flights, where having a child on each side jumper seat will result in the up-and-down rocking motion. To achieve a “full flight”, just make sure there are two more children sitting in the dual gauge-equipped cockpit and they will be able to use their imagination in controlling copter’s movement.
With a maximum capacity of 400 lbs., it shouldn’t be a problem to cater for children of all shapes and sizes. Bear in mind that this is no Ikea project, as it takes a good two hours to assemble, assuming you’ve gotten all the instructions right the first time around. Definitely falling under the labor of love category, the Backyard Helitotter will retail for $299.95 if you want one.

Samsung Galaxy Ace Review

Samsung announced their latest budget Android smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Ace back in January, and we have just been testing the Galaxy Ace for the last week.
The Samsung Galaxy Ace comes with Android 2.2 Froyo, and it has just recently gone on sale in the UK, it comes with a range of features you would expect too see in a more expensive smartphone.

Specifications

As I mentioned previously, the Samsung Galaxy Ace comes with Android 2.2 Froyo out of the box, hardware wise you get 3.5 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels.

Processing is provided by an 800MHz processor, and there is also a five megapixel camera with 2x digital zoom and an LED flash, plus a range of shooting modes and photo effects.
You also get a built in FM Radio, Bluetooth 2.1, integrated 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, plus a microSD card slot, the model we tested came with a 2GB microSD card but it can take up to 32GB microSD cards.
The Samsung Galaxy Ace features 1350mAh battery, and the manufacturers specifications say that you will get up to 660 minutes of talk time on 2G, 390 minutes on 3G, plus up to 640 hours of standby time on 2G and 420 hours on 3G.

Design, Display and UI

The Samsung Galaxy Ace is designed to be a budget Android device, although it does feel very well made, maybe not as high as the Samsung Galaxy S, but it certainly feels better quality than the Samsung Galaxy Europa we tested recently.

The display is sharp and crisp and the design is excellent and it certainly feels very well made, and could quite easily be mistaken for a more expensive smartphone.
It comes with a pair of interchangeable covers, one black and one white, the black one features a rubberized texture which makes the phone easy to hold, whilst the white cover is smooth, and feels a bit more like plastic than the black one.

Camera

The camera on the Samsung Galaxy Ace is a five megapixel version, it also features two times digital zoom, and it is capable or recording video in a 320 x 240 resolution, no HD here unfortunately, and this is one of the cameras week points, the video recording isn’t the best, but I suppose this can be forgiven for the price.

The camera on the Galaxy Ace is pretty good ,  it does a good job at capturing pretty decent photos and it has a range of features built in which include autofocus, a range of shooting modes which include continuous and panorama plus a range of photo effects.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Ace is designed to be a budget Android smartphone, and I must admit I was pleasantly surprised with it, as it has a range of features that you would expect in a more expensive Android device.

It definitely feels a lot better quality that some of the other budget Android devices we have tested, and feels very well built, the display is sharp and crisp and the touchscreen is responsive.
The camera is decent, it will do a good jobs on photos, video is another matter and if you are the sort of person who uses your smartphone for recording a lot of videos you may want to consider something else.
Overall we really liked the Samsung Galaxy Ace, for the money it is an excellent budget smartphone, very well made and very well designed, if you are in the market for a budget Android device, I would definitely recommend you add the Samsung Galaxy Ace to your list of devices to check out.
The Samsung Galaxy Ace is available in the UK from a range of mobile operators, the model we tested was from mobile network Three, who are currently offering the Galaxy Ace for £199.99 on pay as you go and also with a range of their monthly contracts.
Make sure you check out our Samsung Galaxy Ace gallery below for lots more photos of this budget Android smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy Ace