Gizmo Logs

Gold Plated Mac Book Pro

If you are a true fanboy of everything Mac, and you are super-excited about the launch of Leopard (the latest operating system from Apple), then celebrate by purchasing a gold-plated MacBook Pro. Computer Choppers has upped the bling quotient with a gold and diamond-encrusted laptop for those with more money than sense. The computer itself is nothing special with a 2.2 or 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 802.11n Wi-Fi, 2GB of RAM and a 160GB internal drive, but it’s the gold plating that makes you sit up and drool.

Two versions are available; a 24-karat gold-and-diamond version, with the diamonds filling the Apple logo, or the plain gold version sans shiny rocks. They’ll set you back $9,000 and $6,000 respectively — it’s just unfortunate it only comes in the 15-inch version instead of the more useful 17-inch line. I understand gold plating your tech is all the rage these days, but a big gold brick sitting on your desk is going to get stolen as soon as you turn your back.

[Source: Born Rich]

Category: Apple | 1 Comment »

Keyport key utility, now official

One of the amazing conceptual designs we spoke highly of in the past is actually becoming a reality. The Keyport key thing-a-ma-jigger is going into production!

As a quick refresher — the Keyport is the “world’s first universal keyfob.” The device comes with six key “blanks” that can be carved to almost any key type. Carry the device around and slide out the keys when needed. No more pocket jingling!

Unfortunately the Keyport is only going through limited production right now with 5,000 units being produced in silver, black, pink and blue. The Keyport is made out of stainless steel and aircraft-grade aluminum. Each unit costs $295, which doesn’t include the $75 international shipping flat rate being tacked on. Bit costly, but nice one to have.

[Source: Keyport]

Category: Design Concept, Misc | Be first to Comment »

The rugged UMPC from SwitchBack (Bullet Proof)

Aint it crazy? to have a bullet proof PC? wooow. we would say, this is the rugged UMPC ever built.

Specification:
*  CPU: Intel® 1.0 GHz Celeron© M
* Memory: 512MB (up to 2GB Optional)
* Storage: 40GB Removable HD (up to 120GB Available), up to 64GB Solid State HDD
*  5.6″ Sunlight Viewable LCD
* 1024×600 WSVGA Resolution with passive touch screen
* Onboard Intel© GMA-900 Graphics Chipset
*  Touchscreen display with passive stylus
* Backlit Condensed QWERTY Keyboard
* Built-In Pointing Device
*  Bluetooth 2.0
* WiFi b/g with 2.4 GHz antenna
* Civilian GPS
*  1x USB 2.0
* 1x Power Port
* 1x Ultra Wide BackPack Port
*  Battery: Hot Swappable Lithium Polymer
* Recharge and run unit from 9 to 28VDC input
* 2 to 4 hours runtime (standard battery)
*  Dimensions: 7.5″x5.5″x2″
* Weight: 3 lbs
* Housing: Magnesium Alloy w/ Overmolded Rubber

[Source: Roper] 

Category: UMPC | Be first to Comment »

T-Mobile Shadow for $149.99 from Oct 31, 2007

T-Mobile today has announced the long-rumored Shadow, a Windows Mobile 6 Standard device that looks not just better than its Wing stablemate, but arguably better than just about any comparably-equipped smartphone on the market today. Besides the “slick, slider design” and a juiced version of the standard Windows Mobile 6 UI, the Shadow features a rotating jog dial front and center, 2 megapixel camera, WiFi, and a new version of T-Mobile’s myFaves interface allowing users to call, email, text, or MMS the peeps in their “fave five.” Like what you see? If you do, good, because it turns out this is just the first in a whole line of upcoming Shadow-branded phones for the carrier — a line that’ll be focusing on multimedia connectivity and slanting the work / life balance a little more to the “life” side than some of HTC’s and T-Mobile’s other smart devices. Grab the Shadow starting this Wednesday in “sage” or “copper” for a surprisingly reasonable $149.99 on two-year contract.

Category: Cellphones | Be first to Comment »

Lenovo’s Y410: their first consumer laptop in US

US netizens can now call dibs on Lenovo’s 3000 Y410 laptop for the home. That’s right, a consumer laptop — their first for the US market. *

Specifications:
* 1.46GHz Pentium Dual Core T2310 processor
* 1GB of RAM
* Intel X3100 graphics
* 160GB 5400rpm disk
* dual-layer DVD writer
* 6-in-1 media card reader
* 802.11a/b/g WiFi, ExpressCard
* 1.3 megapixel camera
* Dolby Home Theater speakers with sub-woofer
* Vista Home Premium
* 1.02-1.45-inch thickness
* 5.5 lbs

All for just $700

Now we’re just wondering if the build quality and support matches that of their ThinkPad lineup? If matches, they are good to race with Dell, HP and Acer.

Category: Laptops | Be first to Comment »

Sharp’s AQUOS: first in the world with 1080p in 22″, 26″ & 32″

Like to sit real close to your TV? Good, ’cause you’ll need to be PC-close to take advantage of these new 1080p LCDs from Sharp. Sharp’s no dummy though, as they’ve fitted their new 22-, 26-, and 32-inch sets with HDCP-loving DVI-D and mini D-Sub for PC connectivity and 2x HDMI, S-Video, and 2x composite for your home entertainment and game console hookups. The new AQUOS P range feature built-in tuners, a 400cd/m2 brightness, 176-degree viewing angle, and a 2,000:1 contrast on the 32-inch before dropping off to 1,200:1 by the time you reach the 22-inch set. The LC-32P1-W, LC-26P1-W, and LC-22P1-W models are expected to range from ¥240,000 ($2,101) to ¥180,000 ($1,576) when they pop on November 22nd in Japan.

[Source: Impress]

Category: Display, Home Entertainment, LCD TV | Be first to Comment »

Leopard hacked to run on PC?

We’ve come to expect our Apple-related hacks early and user friendly these days, but we’ve still got mad respect for the folks at OSx86 Scene who’ve managed to get Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard up and running on Intel PCs on launch day — the day before if you felt like being a bit less upright about it. The hack requires a minimum of trickery on your part: just a burnable DVD, USB thumb drive and a bit of luck. Not everything’s super tested just yet, and OSx86 Scene will be expanding support and simplifying the process as time goes on, but this is sure a promising start.

[Source: dailyApps, image courtesy of mac.nub]

Category: Apple, Desktops, Hacks, Rumor | Be first to Comment »

Nokia N82 (5MP, GPS, WiFi)

There it is, the first spy shot of Nokia’s N82. Don’t remember this Espoo candybar? No worries, the last update was way back in May when news was first leaked. Back then, the N82 was rumored to pack quad-band GSM, 2100MHz HSDPA, a 2.4-inch 240×320 display, WiFi, GPS, FM Tuner and biggie 5 megapixel camera with Xenon flash and Carl Zeiss lens. So until we hear otherwise, that’s what we’ll assume until the supposed announcement on November 2nd. Right, that’s just 1 week from today.

[Source: Unwired View]

Category: Cellphones | Be first to Comment »

Skypephone launcing on Nov 2nd?

We aren’t etching this in stone just yet, but we’ve seen numerous reports claiming that the recent partnership between 3 and Skype will soon lead to an actual piece of hardware. Reportedly, the 3Skypephone will be available on October 29th “for a pre-launch,” and will be officially official on November 2nd. Specs wise, it should feature free calls to other Skype users / 3Skypephone owners, a two-megapixel camera, video capturing and an MP3 player. Interested consumers can supposedly choose from three different colors, and it should be available on the “£12 ($25) Mix and Match 100 tariff which offers 100 minutes or texts or any mix of the two.” Ah well, at least we’ve but a few days left to find out for sure, eh?

[Source: UK Phone News]

Category: Cellphones | Be first to Comment »

Airbus A380 makes maiden voyage (Video)

[Source: BBC News]

Category: Aircraft, General | Be first to Comment »