USB Cooler Keyboard Keeps Hands Cool [Keyboard with Integrated Fans]

With the temperatures on the rise - certainly in this part of the world - and having posted earlier this month about the LED Message Display USB Mouse with Integrated Hand Cooling & Remote along comes this keyboard with built-in cooling fans which we felt compelled to feature as both of these gadgets combined could see your hands kept comfortably cool whilst at your PC throughout the summer.
Measuring in at a not especially compact 20″ x 8.7″ x 13.8″, the USB Cooler Keyboard comes with USB 2.0 connectivity and a series of prominent vents lined along the keyboards’ wrist rest that, when the keyboard’s hooked up, will supply a steady stream of cooling air under your hands courtesy of three fans as your type but, unfortunately (I jest, of course) unlike the aforementioned cooling muse there’s no gaudy LED display offering the ability to show customisable messages.
The USB Cooler Keyboard will set you back around $93 though, if you’re anything like us, you’ll happily get by without it.

Sony E-Series/NW-040 Series Walkman with Swappable Panels

Sony have taken the wraps of their new E-Series (specifically NW-040 Series) Walkman USB stick styled digital audio players which come in three capacities, namely 2GB, 4GB and 8GB - and which feature what Sony terms as ‘Style-Up Panels’ allowing you to adapt the new Walkman’s appearance according to your fashion (in)sensibilities.

The new Sony E-Series/NW-040 Series Walkmans, which sport a 3 line color LCD display as well as integrated FM tuner, and which measure in at a decidedly pocket friendly 22.3 x 84.9 x 19.6mm, will initially be offered in a range of colors such as orange, silver & crystal, hot pink, mint green & pink sugar (lovely) and feature Clear Stereo and Clear Bass audio technologies and offer a purported playback time of around 28 hours based on a full 1.5 hour charge or, if you’re in a hurry, will apparently offer up to 3 hours endurance based on a 3 minute quick charge.
The new Sony E-Series/NW-040 Series Walkmans are set to hit Japan from May 16th and will retail at around the equivalent of between $80 and $132.

10″ Toshiba Dynabook UX Netbook Gets Official

Toshiba have announced their new Dynabook UX netbook which, apart from sporting a newly revised chicklet style keyboard, serves to expand the display size of its predecessors with a larger 10″ display - though if you’re expecting the larger screen size to sport a greater resolution you’ll be disappointed as you’re still looking at the same 1024 x 600 resolution as the previous 8.9″ model regardless of new 10″ Dynabook UX netbook’s greater display real estate.
Somewhat predictably the new 10″ Dynabook UX netbook is powered by the all too ubiquitous Atom processor - specifically a 1.66GHz Atom N280 - and comes with 1GB RAM, a 160GB hard disk, Intel 945GSE Express Chipset with integrated GMA 950 graphics, card reader, 1.3 megapixel webcam and, in terms of connectivity, there’s Ethernet and Wi-Fi but no signs of Bluetooth.
It has to be said that the most interesting aspect concerning the new 10″ Dynabook UX netbook is its ability to charge your USB gadgetry even after the device is powered down which, in all honestly, puts things into stark perspective in terms of distinguishing features and functionality on and above what’s already out there.
The new 10″ Dynabook UX netbook will purportedly be offered in ten separate variants offering a host of battery options and is set to commence shipping in Japan from April 24th for around the $607 price point.

Nvidia Quadro FX 4900 Graphics Card for Apple Mac Pro Announced

Nvidia have officially announced a new version of their Quadro FX 4800 graphics card developed specifically for use with Apple’s Mac Book Pro which comes complete with a 3-pin stereo connector promising ‘true stereoscopic imaging’.
“Some of the world’s most challenging visual computing problems are solved on the Mac platform,” said Jeff Brown, general manager, Professional Solutions, NVIDIA, who introduced the Quadro FX 4800 graphics card for Apple’s Mac Book Pro. “The Quadro FX 4800 provides the power and speed to meet these demanding requirements.”
“Some of the world’s most challenging visual computing problems are solved on the Mac platform,” said Jeff Brown, general manager, Professional Solutions, NVIDIA. “The Quadro FX 4800 provides the power and speed to meet these demanding requirements.”
This particular iteration of the Nvidia Quadro FX 4900 Graphics Card naturally shares the same specifications of its PC based counterparts in offering 76.8GB/s memory bandwidth, 192 stream processors, 1.5GB frame buffer and maximum power requirement topping out at 150W - as well as the aforementioned 3 pin min-din connector for stereo glasses support - and is set to commence shipping from May for a cool $1,799 a pop.

iPod Touch Nano Concept by Isamu Sanada [The Future of Apple’s Nano, Possibly?]

Following on from our somewhat large posting concerning Danish design agency Made by Makers (which is proving to be especially popular with you), we thought we’d offer a brief heads up concerning this iPod Touch Nano concept by Isamu Sanada which could offer some degree of insight as to where the future of Apple’s Nano may be headed (if Apple has any sense – which they patently do).

Isamu Sanada’s iPod Touch Nano concept, whilst borrowing heavily from the current design of the Nano, also, as its name suggests, comes with a Touch inspired touchscreen but also, interestingly, with detatchable game controllers which simply slot into the Noan Touch when require and, in this respect alone, we suspect that many would agree that Isamu Sanada’s vision as to the possible future of Apple’s Nano is something that we cannot help but wish will be looked upon by Apple with some interest. Indeed, it would be rather nice should the idea of detachable game controllers be extended to future versions of Touch to extend its capabilities as a portable gaming device.
Quite whether any future iterations of either the Nano or Touch will take on board the ideas presented by Isamu Sanada’s concept is, of course, highly debatable but, we for one think that consumers would more than welcome the extended gaming functionality such features would undoubtedly offer.

iFrogz iPod Nano Audiowrapz Award Winning Protective Speaker Cases Hit Wal-Mart

iFrogz have announced that their Audiowrapz 3rd Gen iPod Nano protective cases with integral three speaker system, which won a ‘Best of Show’ award from iLounge at this year’s MacWorld Expo event is being made available to Wal-Mart stores nationwide in the US.
The Audiowrapz cases, which are billed as ‘the first 100 percent silicone protective case with built-in speakers that maintains a compact, stylish way to listen to music’ feature passive speaker technology ensuring that the device does not drain your Nano battery excessively, and comes features an anti dust treatment offering resistance to prevent dust building up on the case whilst you’re on the go out and about.
‘Our new Audiowrapz give consumers the protection they need and the portable sound that they want – anytime, anywhere – without sharing earphones or using expensive sound docks,’ said Scott Huskinson, CEO and owner of iFrogz. ‘Wal-Mart reaches our core demographic and we are excited to be delivering our product to consumers through such a respected retailer.’
The iFrogz 3rd Gen iPod Nano Audiowrapz speaker cases, according to iFrogz press release, will be made available in a range of colours and are expected to retail for less than $20.

Necklace MP3 Player with Rhinestones [Pendant DAP Shames New Shuffle's Design Sensibilities]

If you thought that Apple’s new iPod Shuffle 4GB was the be all and end all in cutting edge, contemporary DAP design, think again, as this gloriously glamorous Necklace MP3 player, which comes with 50 genuine and probably very sparkly Czech crystal rhinestones really serves to put things into stark and sobering perspective.

Yes, we suspect that Apple are positively quaking in their logo emblazoned (probably white, with grey trim) boots with the release of this gem of a DAP or, then again, perhaps not. Ah, yes, it’s our not in the least renowned flippancy coming through loud and clear again. Now we had you going there didn’t we? Ah, we didn’t. Well okay (hell, you could at least humour us though, perhaps, pushing for anything more than you merely tolerating us is a little short-sighted).

Coming with 1GB of capacity and brimming with technology - namely EasyPlay technology (plug in the headphones, it plays, pull out the headphones, it stops) - the Necklace MP3 Player, which really doesn’t need a pretentious title in order to emphasise its tackiness, offers up to five hours of playback endurance based on a full charge, plays ball with startling array of audio file formats in the form of both MP3 and WMA and even comes with three dual function buttons - play/pause, Vol+ / Prev, Vol- / Next - meaning you’ll no doubt have to study the manual for fractions of a second on end in order to get to grips with the broad scope of functionality not on offer.

And, if you can pull yourself off the floor, it’s stereo. That’s right, you get dual channel sound - if you can handle it.

The Necklace MP3 Player, which comes in purple or blue with ‘luxurious silver-plating material’ finishing, will set you back $25 each or, if you want to order in bulk, less.

Carl Zeiss Cinemizer Plus Video Eyewear/Headset for iPhone & iPod

Billed as being the first video headset to gain Apple’s official ‘Works with iPhone’ certification, the Carl Zeiss Cinemizer Plus Video Eyewear (or video headset, if you prefer) allows iPhone and video iPod owners to view their video content as if viewing a 45″ screen from a distance of six feet courtesy of two high resolution LCD displays whilst listening to stereo sound delivered by integrated on-ear headphones.

Offering an operational endurance of up to 4 hours based on a full 2.5 hour charge of the headset’s rechargeable lithium-ion battery the Carl Zeiss Cinemizer Plus video headset, which offers individual diopter focus adjustment of each display, is supplied with remote control, iPod connector, six iPod clips, two interchangeable nose pads to ensure optimum comfort and is set to become available from May in the US for $499 as well as the UK and Germany for around 300 GBP and 370 Euros respectively.

Coby MP600 Video MP3 Player [Nano Inspired DAP with MTV Support]

If you’re looking for a not incapable DAP that almost looks like the new iteration of Apple’s Nano (a considerably less aestheticallyrefined Nano, if you will) then this compact DAP from Coby, known as the MP600 Video MP3 Player, could be worth a gander.

Aside from the device’s aesthetics - we’d prefer something slightly more original, if you know what I mean - there’s really not a lot not to like about the Coby MP600 DAP as, in terms of functionality, it’s actually hard to fault - and that’s without even taking its somewhat competitive pricing into account. Yes, we might not want it, but we do, actually, rather like it much in the same way that we actually quite liked that spotty kid at school but we still didn’t hang with him (oh, no, hold on, that was me - ah, memories, painful memories).

The Coby MP600 DAP, which measures in at 1.57″ x 3.12″ x 0.41″, comes with a 1.44″ 128 x 128 resolution LCD display and, as well as offering MP3, WMA, MTV Video, JPG and TXT support (as well as Flash support) comes with built-in FM tuner and will put in up to 10 hours of audio playback endurance before needing the be re-juiced.

The Coby MP600 DAP will set you back around $28 for the 2GB capacity version or around $34 for the 4GB model.

Free Skype iPhone/iPod Touch App Available Tomorrow [Skype on iPhone]

Whilst not a major revelation - speculation concerning Skype coming to the iPhone has been rife for some considerable time - at last we have official confirmation not only that a Skype iPhone/iPod Touch App is to be made available but that it will be available to download tomorrow (31/03/09) and, best of all, it’ll be free.

Admittedly, iPhone apps bringing Skype functionality to the iPhone/iPod Touch have long since been available but these have been strictly unofficial affairs and user feedback has been very much mixed. An official Skype iPhone/iPod Touch app has, therefore, been something that Skype users who own iPhones and/or iPod Touch devices have been crying out for and it’ll at last be a reality as of tomorrow (not that Skype have taken their time in responding to intense user interest or anything).

The new Skype iPhone/iPod Touch App - which offers messaging, video and full conference calling functionalities- serves to utilise each respective devices Wi-Fi connectivity rather than relying on EDGE or 3G connectivity for data transfer, which opens up the application for touch users who will, unlike iPhone owners, obviously need a set of headphones with embedded microphone (or just a separate mic) in order to use the application.

The free Skype iPhone/iPod Touch App should hit Apple’s App Store tomorrow.

AT&T to Offer LG Xenon & LG Neon QWERTY Touchscreen Phones

AT&T have confirmed, just ahead of the CTIA 09 event, that they are to offer both the LG Neon and 3G LG Xenon cell phones to its customers, both of which feature touchscreen displays and slider style full QWERTY keyboards.

The 3G LG Xenon comes with a 2.8″ 240 x 480 touchscreen with vibration feedback and comes with integrated GPS, DAP functionality, a 2 megapixel camera with stills and video capture capabilities, video player, stereo Bluetooth and is expected retail at around the $100 price point when it launched on 8 April.

The LG Neon, on the face of it, comes with similar specifications as the Xenon except offering just GPRS and EDGE connectivity and no 3G, however, there’s no word from AT&T at this juncture concerning the LG Neon’s release date or pricing at this stage.

EXCLUSIVE: New iPod Touch with QWERTY Keypad & Digital TV [First Images Leaked]

It’s not that often we manage to get a major jump on the larger tech sites but you’ll excuse us for shouting this one from the rooftops as, following on from fervent speculation concerning a possible new version of Apple’s iPod Touch being in the wings, we have the first images of the new Apple device (yes, we have probably one of the biggest scoops of the year) thanks to unearthing the new iPod Touch’s product page which is yet to go fully live.

The new device, on the face of it, whilst meeting with certain expectations, certainly has a few surprises up its sleeves. We’re not entirely surprised that, from what we can gather from the image we’ve obtained, the new iPod Touch appears to embrace and further the Touch as a portable gaming device - on the right side of the device you can clearly see a set of gaming buttons - as Apple are well known to be pushing the Touch’s gaming abilities.
What does come as a revelation, however, it the new Touch’s obvious inbuilt digital TV capabilities - the antenna is clearly visible on the side of the device (we assume it retracts into the device’s body somehow based on its non-existance on the image featured below) and, from what we can make out, the display appears to be showing what is unmistakably the Apple TV UI (see header image). So the new Touch offers mobile TV. We had not expected that (though perhaps we should have? Could this be the touch set to break the Japanese market?).

Interestingly, the new Touch also appears to come with not only camera functionality, but what appears to be stereoscopic cameras - allowing for video conferencing in 3D, we assume - though these appear to come in the form of separate attachments that seemingly clip to each end of the new Touch. Whether these will be bundled with the new Touch or whether they’ll be made available as separate add-ons, however, remains to be seen. But, as unexpected as stereoscopic cameras were, nothing had prepared us for some of the other additions that appear to be set to release at the same time as the new iPod Touch, the most notable of which is shown below.
We’ll admit, we did a double take on this ourselves as whilst we’ve heard much speculation concerning what Apple may have up their logo emblazoned sleeves, nothing (and we mean nothing) remotely suggested what is clearly labelled as ‘the new coffee making iPod Touch Dock’ (which we feature in greater detail below).

It appears that we’ve merely touched the surface (pun intended) of the new iPod Touch’s capabilities but, on first impressions alone, it has all the hallmarks of being a particularly fine tuned portable multimedia gaming device with the addition of TV, coffee making capabilities and 3D video capture functionality. Needless to say, we’ll endeavour to update you the moment we unearth full details - though we suspect Engadget or Gizmodo will get there first, as always.

S60 Symbian Based Phones Gain New YouTube Application [Free YouTube App for S60 3rd Edition Handsets]

If you happen to own a phone powered by the S60 Symbian operating system - such as the Nokia N95 and Nokia N96 - you may be interested in a new, free application just released by YouTube that offers access to YouTube videos for viewing on your handset.
The new YouTube application, which has been developed for specific use with the S60 client application offers video search functionality as well as the ability to view top rated and most viewed videos which will subsequently be displayed in an image carousel allowing for ease of navigation. Unfortunately, at this stage, you cannot save videos and the application is restricted to only a handful of countries - namely Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

You can download the free YouTube application for S60 Symbian based phones here.
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Nokia N5800 XpressMusic Touchscreen - Nokia ‘Tube’ Specifications & Pricing Become Official

Speculations arise as talk of Nokia Tube’s unveiling is rumored to take place on 2 October 2008, in London. Although we can’t say that this is true, we can only hope that it is, as we are dying to know more about Nokia’s first touchscreen phone. Yes, it’s true, Apple may have started the trend and slowly but surely, all manufacturers are following hot on their heals.
Although many phones have surfaced with similarities to the iPhone, the Nokia Tube is said to be the closest competitor (So we are anxious to see if this is indeed true)

The Nokia Tube will be an S60 variety phone which will boast a 640 x 360 touchscreen. It will also include Wi-Fi and GPS capability and is rumored to have 3G too. The 3.2 megapixel camera should take some beautifully crisp images which you will then be able to Bluetooth to one of your closest friends (Or save to your MicroSD card!)
Although no pricing structures, for the Nokia Tube, have been discussed as yet, we have heard (yet again through the proverbial grapevine) that it should enter the market at a reasonable price and be one of the cheaper touchscreen varieties to be sold.
This is good news for Nokia lovers as well as all those who like the concept of touchscreen varieties but haven’t had the money to afford one yet – The Nokia Tube is your answer!

After a great deal of speculation, Nokia have officially detailed their new Nokia N5800 XpressMusic touchscreen cell phone – known as the Nokia Tube. Boasting a 3.2” 640×360 nHD resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio widescreen touchscreen display complete with tactile feedback, the Nokia Tube N5800 XpressMusic cell phone – which measures in at 111×51.7×15.5mm - comes with integrated 3.2 megapixel camera (complete with Carl Zeiss lens, autofocus, dual LED flash, 3x digital zoom and video capture capabilities up to 640×480 at 30fps) paired with a front mounted secondary camera allowing for video calling, an Alphanumeric and QWERTY keyboard (courtesy of the touchscreen) paired with handwriting recognition and, a ‘Dedicated Media Bar’ allowing for prompt access to the N5800’s image, video, music and web browsing features.

Motorola Evoke QA4 Touchscreen Cell Phone

Whilst the Motorola Evoke QA4 has been known about for some time now (in fact, we’re talking since back in February) Motorola have remained wholly tight-lipped concerning the Evoke QA4- until now.

Billed as being ‘a socially-inclined device with a 2.8″ full touch-screen that keeps you constantly connected’, the Motorola Evoke QA4 cell phone comes with a 2.8″ WQVGA touchscreen offering a with a full touchscreen QWERTY keyboard (supplementing the slider style keypad) and, thanks to an integrated accelerometer, will automatically flip between landscape and portrait depending on the QA4’s orientation.

Offering quad-band CDMA as well as EVDO Rev A connectivity, the Motorola Evoke QA4 handset additionally comes with aGPS, stereo Bluetooth, a 2 megapixel camera whilst, in terms of storage, there’s 256MB onboard with any further required capacity coming in the form of microSD memory cards. Naturally, given the device’s ’social’ tag, the Evoke QA4 also comes with full HTML browser, RSS feed support and widgets allow quick access to online services such as social networking sites.

“We understand the importance of having a mobile phone that helps you stay connected simply and seamlessly with your friends and family, whether you prefer to talk, text or network,” said Mark Shockley, corporate vice president and general manager, Motorola Mobile Devices. “Motorola Evoke offers the cutting-edge convenience and instant gratification of a full touch-screen, intuitive online browsing and the ability to stay plugged in on your terms.”

There’s no word from Motorola at this juncture concerning either the Evoke QA4’s intended release schedule or unit pricing.

Samsung Mondi Mobile Internet Device Officially Unveiled

Following on from an ealier leak (see: Samsung SWD-M100 Mondi Mobile WiMAX Device) Samsung have now officially unveiled their WiMax friendly Mondi Mobile Internet Device today which comes with the aforementioned WiMax as well as Wi-Fi capabilities and which is set to be released later in the year.

Details are a little on the sparse side - in fact we now have little more than was already leaked - however, Samsung have confirmed that the Mondi MID, which runs the Windows Mobile 6.1 OS and packs 4GB of built-in memory, sports a 4.3″ display and comes with a full slider QWERTY keyboard, integrated 3 megapixel camera with Stills and video capture capabilities, GPS, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and HDMI out. Additionally Samsung have also confirmed that the Mondi Mobile Internet Device comes pre-loaded with the Opera 9.5 browser as well as having access to push email, SMS, MMS and IM.

There’s no official word concerning specific availability at this time.

Kyocera G2GO M2000 & Kyocera Laylo M1400 Announced At CTIA

Kyocera have unveiled two new CDMA, slider style cell phones at CTIA ‘09 in the form of the Kyocera G2GO M2000 (G2GO stands for ‘Good to Go’,incidentally) and the Kyocera Laylo M1400 both of which are being billed as addressing ‘a need for affordability and value in today’s challenging economy’.

The Kyocera Laylo M1400, which comes with comes in the format of a vertical slider and which measures in at 94.7 x 46.7 x 17.0mm and weighs in at just 90g, sports a 2.2″ QVGA resolution ‘contoured’ display for ‘edge-to-edge screen viewing’, integrated VGA camera, comes with Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity, WAP 2.0 browser, is BREW 3.1.5 and JAVA enabled and, interestingly, even comes with a rear mounted slide-out self portrait vanity mirror. Yup, okay.

The Kyocera G2GO M2000, which measures in at 113 x 52 x 17mm and weighs 120g and which by far the more interesting and feature rich of the two, offers up a 2.4″ QVGA display, horizontal slider full QWERTY keyboard, 1.3 megapixel camera with onboard photo editing features, integrated accelerometer, built-in DAP capabilities with dedicated music keys and, along with WAP 2.0 browser and BREW 3.1.5 technology, comes with microSD card slot allowing for up to 8GB of ‘bolt-on’ storage capacity.

There’s no word from Kyocera concerning whether any specific US based networks have expressed an interest in carrying either cell phone at this stage.

iRiver P20 OLED Portable Media Player Gains Japanese Release

iRiver have confirmed that their latest portable media player, the iRiver P20 PMP, which sports a 408 x 727 resolution 4.1″ OLED display and which offers 80GB of integrated HDD based storage capacity, will be launched initially to the Japanese market from 27 February.

As you’d expect from an iRiver PMP, the iRiver P20, which measures in at 79.7 x 130 x 20.5mm and weighs in at 300g, offers broad audio and video file format support - namely MPEG-1/2/4, Xvid, WMV, MP3, OGG, WMA and FLAC - as well as also offering PDF, TXT, HTLM and MS Office (up to 2003) file format support whilst also throwing in an FM tuner and voice memo functionality into the equation.
The iRiver P20 is set to retail at 39,890YEN - which equates to around $443 as at the time of writing - though there’s no word yet with respect to international release dates so, if you want one presently, you’ll have to import it yourself or find an outlet that’ll import it for you at a premium.

iPod Nanos Of The Rainbow - Be You. Be Unique. Be Colourful!

What’s better than an iPod nano? A NEW iPOD NANO, that’s what! These new iPod nanos are not only upgraded from the original but are also featured in a myriad colouirs (much more my style!)
These new colour-burst nanos have been released with a new wide screen for watching newer online content. They also work off an accelerometer which helps change the screen size. It also has a shake shuffle ability to change song titles.
The unit may boast upgrades but this doesn’t mean the earbuds haven’t seen a change. This time around they have navigation controls built-in to the cord as well as a microphone for the recording feature.
The new models will be available in 8GB and 16GB bodies and they will set you back about $150 for the 8GB and $199 for the 16GB. Not bad considering the new features and beautiful colour options available.
Ok, well, I’m off to grab a gorgeous purple one! Catch you on Monday with more awesome reviews!

Iogear Release GMD2025U120 120GB Portable Digital Media Library

Released without pomp or ceremony, Iogear’s GMD2025U120 Portable Digital Media Library (or screenless PMP if you prefer – though this sounds far less flattering) is an interesting device that allows you to store a host of digital audio and video media content on its integrated 2.5” 120GB SATA hard disk allowing you to move your digital media library around for playing on external AV equipment and, of particular note, is the devices ability to upscale video content to 720p HD resolution for viewing on HDTVs or notebooks.

Supplied complete with remote, Iogear’s GMD2025U120 Portable Digital Media Library offers MPEG-1/2, DivX and Xvid as well as MP3, WAV, VOB and JPEG format compatibility and can even playback copied (aka ripped) DVDs complete with fully functional menu systems and subtitles (hence the device’s product page featuring a rather lengthy reminder concerning copyright restrictions related to commercial material).
The Iogear GMD2025U120 comes with standard and RCA as well as component RCA connections for hooking the device up to non-HD TV and HDTV units respectively and RCA left/right audio connectors for linking the device with HI-Fi equipment and a USB 2.0 port facilitating the easy transfer of material for PCs.

Capable of storing up to 34,000 digital photos, 30,000 MP3s (or 3,000 songs in uncompressed CD quality format), 9 hours of Digital Video (DV) or 50 hours of DVD quality video Iogear’s GMD2025U120 Portable Digital Media Library is due for release imminently and will retail for around $350.

Portable Digital UV Monitor Helps You Tan Safely

These days few of us are not aware of the harmful effects of too much exposure to the sun’s UV rays both in terms of premature aging of the skin and skin cancer but it can be exceedingly difficult to gauge just how much exposure is within safe limits at any given time on any given day – that’s where this clever Portable Digital UV Monitor complete with LCD display comes into play.

Capable not only of offering you a dynamic readout of the current UV index thanks to its Ultra Violet Radiation Meter – as well as the temperature and even the current time - the Portable Digital UV Monitor can also advise which SPF of sun cream you should opt for given the current UV index and your skin type and can even use this information to offer a timed optimal exposure period complete with alert to warn you if you begin to exceed safe exposure limits.

Ideal for those of us who rarely see the sun except when we go on holiday (only to invariably be caught out to some degree however safe we try to be) the Portable Digital UV Monitor could also prove especially useful for those with young children who want to ensure that their sensitive skins are protected.

The Portable Digital UV Monitor retails for a mere £25 (roughly $49/€32 at the time of writing).

Aduki Ni Rechargeable Metallic Bean Glow Lamps

Designed for indoor and outdoor use, these metallic beans offer six to eight hours of smooth colour changing action on a single charge and, in being weatherproof, could prove to be the ideal accompaniment to a garden rockery or just as decorative items.
Retailing at £29.96 further details, as well as a video of these Metallic Bean Glow Lamps in action can be obtained from Glow Gadgets.

Bizarre Pig Gas Lighter Snorts Flames and Farts Inversely

As far as lighters go this pig styled gas lighter is one of the oddest we’ve come across here at TFTS – still, if getting a light from a swine is something that appeals to you I suppose that this particular gadget will prove rather more productive than venturing to your local farmers field in a bid to locate descendants of the fabled fire breathing dragon pig.

The Pig Lighter works by clicking back the pigs hat (we assume that’s what it is – not that a pig wearing a hat makes many particular sense either) – to operate the battery powered ignition on which the pig will produce flames via each nostril.

As for refilling the lighter, it’s a simple job of pushing the refill nozzle into Mr Piggy’s rear end (remembering to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards).

Save for a Rainy Day with a Poodle Money Box

Personally I’ve never especially associated poodles with savings. In fact, come to think of it, I’ve never even thought of dogs in general as being repositories for spare change. No, from an early age I was taught that if you wanted to save money you either used an bank or, for lesser sums, a pig – the benefit of using the latter being that I’ve yet to receive a patronising letter from a piggy bank who then charges me an exorbitant fee for the privilege.

In reality I don’t suppose that storing coins in a poodle bank is any less bizarre than the notion of dropping spare change into a pig but, thanks to somewhat flawed conditioning I received as a child, I learned that should I wish to save I should put my spare coins into a pig for safekeeping. It was unfortunate that the local farmer didn’t especially like me feeding money to his livestock (though it was tolerated with a bemused smile right up until the point that I tried to recover my savings). We moved from the country following that unfortunate episode. Apparently the pig never quite recovered and went on to become a component in a breakfast sandwich (I’m racked by guilt to this day).

Portable Telescopic Pocket Cup with Pill Box

Serving as yet another example of how intelligent design - though not quite as cool as this tripod Instant campfire Concept - can lead to practical, uncomplicated products that make you wonder why no one had ever thought of it before – and why that person wasn’t you – this clever collapsible drinking glass is assembled telescopically so as to allow storage in the tightest of spaces.

Ideal for camping expeditions and picnics, or just to tuck away in your bag in the event that it’s needed, this clever accessory comes as a set of two retailing for £12.55. And, for those of you who lead busy lives but need to take regular medication, there’s even an integral pill compartment.

O2 Joggler Touchscreen All-in-One Family Wireless Multimedia Hub

O2 have just announced the up and coming availability of their new Joggler touchscreen device which is billed as a ‘first-of-its-kind device which will transform the way families manage their busy lives’ though, in fairness, bears many similarities to the previously featured iRiver Wave-Home in serving as a multimedia, internet and communications hub that O2 describe as being designed to ‘keep the whole family connected’.

The O2 Joggler comes a with 7″ touchscreen and connects to your home broadband either via its Ethernet port or wirelessly and, apart from serving as a digital organiser capable of storing birthdays, appointments and important dates which you need to be reminded of (via text messages to your phone as well as via the units display) also offers calendar and alarm clock functionality, digital audio and video playback (either directly from the device or streamed via your home network) as well as serving as a digital photo frame, basic gaming device and, thanks to its internet connectivity, can also display weather, news and sport (via Sky News) and traffic information though there’s no indication as to whether it can display user defined RSS feeds.

“We’ve developed the O2 Joggler with today’s busy families in mind. It has been purpose built to help families better organise their lives.” Said Alistair Johnston, Marketing Director, Telefonica O2 UK, who introduced the O2 Joggler which is set to launch in the UK from early April and which will set you back around 150GBP or, if you prefer, can be picked up free if taken instead of a handset at upgrade if you’re an O2 Pay monthly customer on 18 or 24 month contract (though O2 also state that ‘Pay & Go customers can apply their upgrade discount to the cost of the device’).

Orange Tabbee Wi-Fi Internet Tablet & Family Organizer

Back at the beginning of March we featured the new O2 Joggler touchscreen internet tablet (or ‘All-in-One Family Wireless Multimedia Hub’ as we referred to it) and now, not to be outdone, Orange is hitting back with their newly announced Orange Tabbee Wi-Fi Internet Tablet which, like the aforementioned Joggler, comes with 7″ touchscreen display, Wi-Fi connectivity and broad multimedia support.

The Orange Tabbee, unlike the Joggler, is not restricted to desk usage in serving as a true tablet device complete with docking cradle - which also serves to charge the device - and as well as offering internet access to allow for basic browsing or access to news, weather, traffic, stocks, etc information (no word as to whether it supports RSS feeds - we assume it does) whilst also offering broad multimedia support allowing the device to show videos, play digital audio and even act in the capacity of a digital photo frame (loading media from SD memory cards or via USB flash drives thanks to its built-in SD and USB slots).

On and above the capabilities outlined above, the Orange Tabbee is also billed as offering a number of family friendly features such as message board functionality which will serve rather nicely as a sort of digital post-it note (especially handy to remind the cat to feed the husband whilst you’re out).

The Orange Tablee is set to become available to Orange customers in France in Q2 of this year for around 300 Euros (roughly $402) though, at the time of writing, Orange are yet to confirm any specific release details with respect to the UK market.

Takara Tomy Space Invaders Piggy Bank

If you’re looking for a money box that’ll serve to inspire your children to save, or perhaps you’re a classic gaming fan who would happy part with small change for a quick game of Space Invaders, this Takara Tomy Space Invaders Piggy Bank may appeal.

Billed as offering enough space for up to 80 coins, the Takara Tomy Space Invaders Piggy Bank is powered by three AA batteries and, whilst the product listing is a little coy when it comes to detail, the website does at least confirm that it’s available now for 6,500 Yen (roughly the equivalent of $65).

Optimus Tactus & Optimus Maximus

Each of the 113 keys is a stand-alone display that shows the function currently assigned to it. Optimus’s customizable layout allows convenient use of any language — Cyrillic, Ancient Greek, Georgian, Arabic, Quenya, hiragana, etc. — as well as of any other character sets: notes, numerals, special symbols, HTML codes, math functions and so on to infinity. Production date: the end of January 2008, price: 460$.