It might be the popularity of this new eco-friendly trend that made so many companies to join forces with those who strongly believe that there is still something to be done for our planet to become a better place for the generations to come. It sounds like a lousy speech, I know, but this is what more and more companies think.
And wait until you hear about Kodak’s latest accomplishment. The company has just introduced an entire family of portable power-charging solutions that allow users to charge a wide variety of gadgets. Among these devices there is also a solar powered battery charger that is aimed at helping people to charge their gadgets when they are outside their homes.
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“Millions of consumers rely on multiple devices for work and play, and need dependable sources of power for them anytime, anywhere†said John Blake, the General Manager Digital Capture and Devices, Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. He further added that: “Our new Kodak chargers provide reliable portable power and hours of extended run time for any USB-charging compatible gadgetâ€.
The solar charger is called Kodak Solar Charger KS100-C+2 and is able to produce an amount of power which is enough in order to ensure 1.5 charges to a mobile phone, to provide 33 hours of running time for a music player or capture approximately 200 digital camera pictures.
Other features of the device include Energy Star qualification, full charge in no more than 14 hours when the charging is made via USB or 28 hours via sunlight, a solar and device charging indicator. The new Kodak Solar Charger KS100-C+2 is expected to start selling in the United States in September, this year, for a price of $39.95.
When you are a passionate snorkeler and you think that your adventures are probably the most incredible a human being could ever live, then I have no doubt about the fact you would need something to confirm your stories, because usually you are tempted to make them a little bit more adventurous than they were in reality.
On the other hand, you want to share each and every moment of your experience, so the Shirtpocket Underwater Camcorder is precisely what the doctor ordered. Being offered by Hammacher Schlemmer (obviously!), the camcorder is aimed at those who love water so very much and would do anything in order to enjoy the underwater world.
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You can go with the device down to 10 feet, so you’ll have to pay a little bit of attention when using it. However, what it’s a mystery to me is the name of the camcorder. I don’t really get the point of the “Shirtpocket†word, because, usually, “watery†adventures don’t involve clothing.
Due to its sizes (it’s a little bit larger than a deck of cards), the camcorder is easy to carry around and to store. The features of this 8 megapixel camcorder include a 2 1/2″ TFT LCD color screen, 2GB SD memory card which is included in the package, 60 minutes of video footage (high-resolution, to be more precise – 640 x 480) at 30 frames per second, 300 high-resolution still pictures (3264 x 2448). If 2GB of memory aren’t enough for you, then you can further add some more, but no more than 8GB.
Other features include 4x digital zoom, voice recorder and MP3 playback capabilities, USB port which helps you download pictures and video to your personal computer. The battery is a rechargeable Li-Ion one and is able to provide approximately 115 minutes of operation. You’ll have to leave it a couple of hours in order to recharge.
The Shirtpocket Underwater Camcorder is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $199.95.
I can’t decide whether it’s flattering or frustrating when some unknown company decides to create “from scratch†a product that is so very similar to one of yours, one you’ve dedicated to so many hours of work and efforts. Some say it’s flattering, because this is what we’re taught imitation means. However, allow me to be reserved.
Anyway, to give you an example, let me tell you about iiView A2, created by iView, a Singapore-based company, which is the very image of a very popular netbook that’s impossible for you to not know, especially if you read this type of blog: the Apple MacBook Air.
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iiView A2 is a very sleek minilaptop that is based on the Atom CPU and comes with a 12.1 inch display, which is pretty generous.
As for the specifications, here you have a relevant list, to help you make a first impression: Atom 1.6GHz processor, Intel 945 chipset, a 12.1 inch display with a resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels, 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD, 802.11b/g, 10/100 Ethernet, two USB ports, mini-HDMI port, 2-in-1 headphone/mic jack, a six-cell battery and Windows 7 RC1 support with Vista Home Premium license.
The iiView A1 is expected to become available in Singapore starting the following days and the price is said to be $467.78.
When he was a little kid, my brother was fascinated by those things that my dad had to do around the house, things that involved hammers, nails, wrenches or all sorts of similar tools. He was very much into these activities, maybe because he was a little boy and it’s in a boy’s nature to be attracted by them. I don’t know.
I can’t find the amusement in turning a wrench, for example, but my lil’ bro did. And he would be excited if he saw the Digital Adjustable Wrench, which comes with a helping hand for those who don’t know when the bolt is too tight. To solve this problem, the wrench is provided with a digital display that that will let you know when and if the bolt is tight enough. This means that, from now on, you’ll have to leave behind that rule you’ve using, that the bolt is tight when you can’t turn it any more.
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More than that, there’s a buzz to let you know that your job is done. It comes with an ergonomic handle, with an LED light (to make things a little bit more visible), while the diameter is between 10 and 36 millimeters.
The main disadvantage of the Digital Adjustable Wrench is the price. You’ll have to spend a pretty impressive amount of money on it, if you want to have one around your house. And when I say impressive, I mean $323.
Even if Galileo Galilei was considered to be the “father of modern observational astronomyâ€, the “father of modern physicsâ€, the “father of science†and the “Father of Modern Science†(Wikipedia), he still was declared “vehemently suspect of heresyâ€. The reason why the Inquisition thought so was related to Galileo’s opinion concerning the fact that the Sun is placed in the center of the universe, and not the Earth.
However, the humanity had the chance to convince itself about the truth of Galileo’s words and a device like the Galileo Thermometer, offered by the guys over Think Geek, would be like an appreciation of his efforts.
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“Anyway, we’re guessing you’ve probably seen floating thermometers before, but this one is a more intriguing design featuring a single floating disk encased between two glass panes. It indicates both Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature readings and is a terrific desk accessory or functional decoration for your home.â€
The Galileo Thermometer measures no more than 7.2 x 7.2 x 1.8 inches and weighs approximately 3.7 pounds. So, if you are the type of person who is grateful to all of those who have managed to bring some sort of a contribution to the evolution of mankind, you can take the thermometer into consideration. It is available at Think Geek for the price of $49.99.
