Gadgets Future

The FCC has finally given the nod to the Nokia E66, a device that is widely tipped to succeed the Nokia E65. There will be two variants available though, where one of them will rely on Europe’s 2100MHz 3G band while the other will support 850/1900MHz bands for domestic networks. There is no further information on the E66 itself, but rumors have it that it will be equipped with a 3.2 megapixel camera and 128MB of internal memory. If the Nokia E65 is anything to go by, then the E66 ought to continue in the slider lineage, bringing Wi-Fi connectivity and a microSD memory card slot with it along as well. No idea on when this will be commercially released though.

Researcher Daan Hobbelen of TU Delft came up with a new, highly-advanced walking robot known as Flame. This robot is not meant for commercial but research purposes, providing insight into how people walk so that those suffering from walking difficulties will be able to be assisted through improved diagnoses, training as well as rehabilitation equipment. Flame is smart enough to place its feet accordingly in order to prevent a potential fall, and is touted to be the most advanced walking robot in the world - but can it climb stairs? I don’t know whether the Flame robot will perform better than Honda’s Asimo, but it is definitely cooler looking, flaming head and all compared to Honda’s wimpy Asimo that looks more like a lost kid.

by Nilay Patel, posted May 22nd 2008 at 11:44PM
Alright, so you weren’t exactly waiting on pins and needles for Fuji to release yet another entry-level FinePix digital camera, but might we interest you in yet another entry-level digital camera with totally average specifications? We thought so. We think you’ll find the FinePix A850 offers a uninspiring 8 megapixels of image-stabilized resolution, a delightfully adequate 3x optical zoom, and a solidly-middling ISO 800 maximum sensitivity. But don’t get too excited digging change out of the couch just yet — Fuji’s not going to announce pricing on this pinnacle of yesterday’s technology until it gets closer to launch in July.

[Thanks, Mark]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Here is a video demonstrating the PRESSlite, a multi-directional light deflector for small strobes. It costs $35

Below is another video, showing a flashgun, two rubber bands and some index cards. See if you can spot the difference.

That’s it. The Gadget Lab version exists outside of a CAD model. And it’s (almost) free.

Product page [Presslite via the Giz]

This Yamaha-branded Deus Ex Machina concept motorcycle was dreamed up by Art Center Pasadena student Jake Loniak, and I must say it looks really mean. You get the best of exoskeletons and motorcycles crammed into a single vehicle, and being a concept Jake has certainly gone wild with its specifications. It will be powered by ultra-capacitors and doped nano-phoshpate batteries (same as those found in hybrid cars), where 36 pneumatic muscles and 2 linear actuators set along a spine consisting of seven artificial vertebrae are what keeps it in control. Heck, even the helmet is pneumatically attached for superior ease-of-use. Jake also claims that this design can hit a top speed of 75mph, but I hope the wearer will be adequately protected in the event of an accident.

This is Iomega’s new leather covered eGo hard drive, which we presume is designed to add some class to your bus-powered storage activities. With its resemblance to a hip flask, however, we think it more likely that you’ll end up looking like a closet, whisky-sipping alcoholic. Indeed, the antics suggested by Iomega’s press release seem to encourage such drink drive behaviour:

[It] stands out as the crème de la crème of portable storage devices whether on the road, strutting the proverbial “cat walk,” or displaying panache in the boardroom.

If you do indeed end up using both together, Iomega has you covered: the eGo’s are all designed to protect against booze induced drops of up to 51 inches.

The 250 GB drive will cost $150, which puts it at the same price as the other eGo’s in the range. Of course, with that money you could also buy 1/41 of a bottle of Bowmore Black.

Press release [Iomega via Reg Hardware]

by Nilay Patel, posted May 22nd 2008 at 2:28PMWell, it took longer than 15 days to reach a resolution, but apparently RIM is going to back down and allow the Indian government to monitor the blackberry network in that country. What’s worse, it appears that RIM was more interested in covering its own ass than protecting user data during the negotiations: the only concession the company received from the Indian government was a promise that it won’t be held liable if there’s a leak of users’ personal information. Yeah, that ought to provide a sparkling incentive to keep things safe. There’s no word on when monitoring might begin, but we’ve got a feeling privacy-loving Indians might suddenly be in the market for a new smartphone.

[Thanks, Rishab J.]

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Filed under: cellphones

A cooler that is controlled by a remote is an awesome party gimmick. This little cooler rolls around on four wheels and is powered by batteries. The drinks can now come to you. No more carrying a handful of drinks for your party guests. The cooler allows you to bring the drinks with you. This cooler can hold two six packs at one time. It is also great for the lazy summer BBQ or resting in the hammock in the back yard. There is no need to get up because you simply use the remote and the cooler is by your side. This little gizmo will fold down for easy storage, so no more lugging around those big bulky coolers around that just sit there.

Gimme!

More info from the manufacturer

Price: $59.95
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

Posted in Gizmo of the Day, Home Automation, Miscellaneous

Waking up today to one of the best top-10 lists I’ve seen lately and wanted to share it with you. Dating is hard enough, but in the current Web 2.0 world where almost everyone is trying to invent the next big thing, finding time for love, romance, or just a little offline fun is becoming a challenge equal or greater to founding a company.

“Top 10 Reasons to Date an Entrepreneur” was written by rising star Charlie O’Donnell, CEO/founder of Path 101. (If you visit or move to New York, Charlie, a community-maker, is one of the scene’s must-meet people - read his bio here).

Onto Charlie’s list . . . drum-roll . . .

#10) Your parents will just love us… They’re accredited investors, right?

#9) Your place is closer to my office and has more bandwidth. Do you mind if I just leave this server here? Really? Is it loud? I never really noticed.

#8) We’re not afraid of commitment. In fact, let’s move in together… you know, economies of scale and all.

#7) We’re good at teamwork. We have to be…not all of us can code.

#6) You get to be a beta tester of the next Google or Facebook.

#5) Some of us have millions of dollars in the bank. Of course, it belongs to our investors, but still…it’s in the bank.

Read the rest of the list over at Charlie’s blog here (my favorite is #1)

Show some Digg love here.