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LG Watch phone

    Dick Tracy fans are rushing in there hoards to the nearest Orange shop to get there grips on the LG Watch Phone, if you haven’t got one it’s probably already too late.

There is something very appealing about watch incorporated gadgetry; Ian Fleming found the idea one to elaborate on hence James Bonds’ series of handy timepieces.

Over the years the humble wrist watch has undergone many technological advances from the incorporation of chronographs, digitalisation and a multitude of alarms and stopwatches. Likewise the mobile phone has immerged to be one of the most rapidly advancing gadgets on the market from the introduction cameras, Bluetooth and voice recognition to touch screen, internet and lord knows what multitude of apps available. Now the two have become conjoined in a very welcome and long overdue fashion.

Initially obvious scepticisms of such a relationship spring to mind, can a wristwatch / mobile phone combo work? Can it really look and perform as both a phone and a watch at the same time? The answer to both these questions is a resounding yes. The LG Watch Phone is not only stylish, elegant and comfortable, its usability and function is of top draw calibre.

The touch screen I am reliably informed is both smooth and responsive allowing easy menu browsing and typing. Bluetooth synchronisation is quick and simple. An all round cool bit of kit the LG Watch Phone has surpassed my expectations, will it yours?

Available exclusively to Orange, released in august and limited numbers mean it may be too late to get your hands on this head turning timepiece.

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Parajet Skycar The First Mainstream Flying Car

I don’t think a day passes without me finding myself bumper to bumper inching along stuck in the inevitable traffic jam of the daily commute. I also don’t think a day passes without me willing my car with all my might to leap into the air and soar heroically above the honking horns and billowing exhaust of my fellow commuters, sadly it hasn’t happened, yet.

Parajet have taken this fantastic dream and ran no… flown with it.

The Parajet Skycar is a two seater, road legal, all terrain vehicle which runs of bio fuel, produces zero emissions and oh yeah it can fly.

Simplicity is the key to its design. It works in a similar way to paramotor. A large propeller running off the engine and a ‘parafoil’ wing provide lift. In drive mode the wing is folded into the boot and drive is transferred from the propeller to the wheels. This simple setup means the car is cheap, safe and reliable.

An emergency reserve parachute is included should the wing become unattached or a mid-air collision occur, always good to know.

In ‘Road Mode’ it has a top speed of 180 kmph 0–100 kmph in 4.5 seconds, rear wheel drive and a range of 400 km. In ‘Fly Mode’ a top speed of 110 kmph, a maximum altitude of 15,000 ft, a cruising altitude of 2000-3000 ft and a top speed of 110 kmph.

So if you find yourself looking to spend £50,000 you can purchase a flying car today, and fly it next year.

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sony playstation3 slim

After weeks of speculation and rumour Sony unveil the PlayStation 3 slim at the GamesCom convention in Cologne Germany, as well as price cuts on the 80gb and 160gb models released in 2006 and software upgrades across the board. 

The new PS3 Slim boasts the same features as the previous generation as well as a 120gb hard drive and an ultra slim ultra sleek ultra sexy design. 

Less is definitely more when it come to the slim, size is reduced by 33%, weight reduced by 36% and power usage by 34% as well as a very competitive and recession reflective retail price of £249. 

To allow for the significant size and weight loss the PS3’s internals have undergone a rigorous reshuffle. Semiconductor, power unit, cooling mechanism if it’s in there it has moved to a more space efficient location creating scope for the external redesign. 

The alterations are predominately aesthetic. Although the new unit consumes less power and space, the overall performance and function of the Slim is the same as previous model it just comes in a prettier package. Personally I feel it is a worthy evolution of a good brand. 

Following the new release Sony promise an array of further software titles to follow in time for this Christmas, and aim to offer a further diversified line of hardware. 

Due to hit stores September 1st the new slender Slim is a must have for the gaming enthusiast with an eye for design.

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Kite Powered Turbines Could Be The Future

  

I have always had a fascination with renewable energy ever since my Geography teacher explained it to me all those years ago. The whole concept makes perfect sense, ever lasting energy that harnesses nature’s power without damaging or destroying it.

One type of renewable energy that governments all over the world are trying is wind power. This has had various results and returns and so far it is safe to say it is still in its infancy. One of the hottest forms of wind power comes in the form of using kites to generate electricity.

A standard wind farm consists of multiple turbines that each stand at roughly 262 feet tall. The largest wind farm in the US operates 222 turbines which generates enough power for 365 homes and businesses. These farms take up a lot of space and are quite noisy, also many people think that they are unsightly (you can’t please some people). However the positives outweigh the negatives.

Scientists and Geographers have been developing a new kind of wind power based on the popular toy kite. In 2007 Dutch scientists launched a stacked a single kite capable of powering five homes. The reason that this one kite could produce more power is due to its 4,100 foot height, this allowed the scientists to stack kites on top of each other. As the kites moved in and out in the wind it generates power. This type of kite turbine is called the ‘laddermill’. However there is a new type of kite turbine that is set to dwarf the ladermill both in size and capacity for producing electricity.

Inventor Saul Griffith and his co workers at Makani are developing a top secret kite turbine which journalists are calling ‘The Makani’. The actual design is top secret but Griffith calculates that kites could fly six miles high (an astounding 31,680 ft). He also estimates that one turbine could produce enough energy to power 100,000 homes. The turbine will generate power when the kite moves in, out, up and down making the process extremely efficient as it is not reliant on wind direction, this could be the downfall of the traditional wind turbine.

More details can be found on the Makani website, although details are kept to a minimum for obvious reasons.

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Using Your Iphone Abroad And Avoiding Data Roaming Charges

If you want to take and make calls make sure you leave airplane mode switched off just use calls sparingly as you would any other phone. However, one thing that you will want to change is the roaming settings. As a default these are already switched off but it is well worth checking before you leave.

To check go to settings –> general settings –> Network and then make sure data roaming is switched off (see picture below). This will mean you will not have access to the internet or interactive services unless you are near a wireless network which in many cases is free

Of course if you need to use your iphone abroad including data there are other options available. For example o2 offer 50mb bolt ons for £50 which is much cheaper than if did not have it. AT &T also has similar options available.

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Skullcandy Asym Headphones review

   Skullcandy have already established a name for themselves as designers of hardwearing, high quality and attractive earphones of all shapes and sizes (i.e. over ear and in ear models). The ‘Asym’ model is an in ear piece, designed as a lightweight, comfortable option for those exercising or playing active sports, that are inconspicuous while also being attractive when examined. To achieve this final aim, the Aysm earphones are designed to fit smoothly within the ear, so that they barely stick out at all once inserted. The ‘attractive’ aspect comes from the nimble angled design, distinguishing them from ’straight out’ conventional earbuds, like those used in the iPod. The upper part of the wire, the insulation leading to the head of the earphones, is also coloured in a choice of different colours (black, pink and white casings), which are smart enough to avoid making an overt fashion statement, but which does add a touch of style to both male and female users. The earphones’ design allows you to easily hide the wire from sight by positioning it over the top of the ear, rather than letting it dangle straight down. This feature also makes the Asym headphones very suited to the most active sports, where over ear models would normally fall off and inner ear models would fall out. The style of the Asym headphones is finished off nicely by the Skullcandy logo, which comprises, unsurprisingly, of a metallic stylised skull.

With sports use in mind for the Skullcandy Asym headphones, the cable has been thoughtfully designed at only four feet long, enough to reach to a pocket, a belt clip, or into a rucksack, while avoiding moving around as you move, or catching on arms or objects. If you are intending on using this model in combination with a television or a computer, however, a standard headphone extension is recommended, as this length is not enough for you to sit comfortably from the screen and is thus a minor criticism of the design. One of the performance areas that Skullcandy have tried to improve upon with the Asym model over previous models such as the ‘Smokin’ model, is the bass response. One of the common complaints of standard manufacturer headphones is that the sound can be tinny and treble heavy. The Skullcandy Asym headphones offer a noticeable emphasis on bass sounds and perform well in terms of distortion when bass levels are turned up on your MP3 player. Of course, if your taste in music is more classical than R’n'B, you can manually lower you MP3’s bass settings to achieve a more neutral sound.

Quality of the manufactured headphones, as with other models from Headcandy, offers challenging competition to other models in the same price range. As the head of the headphones is larger than most other in ear models, they can take some getting used to before they feel ‘right’, but it is this design that ensures they fit snugly within the natural shape of the ear and do not fall out. The ‘user experience’ of the Asym headphones is very good, with a soft carry case, a choice of three different rubber tip sizes and - unusually for a relatively basic bit of technology - a user manual. The manual helps you get to grips with Skullcandy’s innovative system for keeping the headphones securely in place - keeping the principle behind the Aysm (as in, we all have ‘asymmetrical’ ears that deserve fitted headphones) in tact. Once you have become used to fitting them correctly, they fit easily underneath hats and even crash helmets and allow you to avoid worrying about them becoming loose from your ear and causing any discomfort. The Asym headphones offer noticeable sound reduction to the background environment, even when turned off. However, they are not designed to be fully sound blocking as some models, like the ‘Full Metal Jacket’ model aim to do (although this is very difficult to achieve on in ear models and is usually only a feature of high end over ear ‘cans’). Instead, the Asym headphones let in a certain amount of environmental noise to help keep you aware of what is going on around you if, for example, you are using them whilst out cycling or jogging. If conditions change around you (e.g. you enter a park having travelled along a busy road), you are able to easily increase the volume with the in line switch built into the cord. With a standard gold plated 3.5 mm jack, the Skullcandy Asym will fit most MP3 players and make a superior alternative to those included by the manufacturer, available from mobile fun.

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iPhone 3G Desktop Dual Charging Dock and Battery Charger review

  Since its release, the iPhone has been one of the few truely ‘must have’ gadgets that has seen mainstream acceptance and that has revolutionised the way people use hand-held devices. However, there is still one major issue that iPhone users all agree holds back their full enjoyment of the phone: the iPhone’s sleek design and high functionality betrays a battery life that would have been unacceptable on phones a few years old, let alone the current generation of smart phones. Users of the iPhone 3GS have even reported the battery not lasting a full working day, even on low use. This is a particular problem for iPhone users, as the whole idea of the phone is that it should be used as an MP3 and video player, as well as for a myriad of games and web apps. Unfortunately, the iPhone does not leave itself open to one of the possible solutions of other phones and MP3 players, which is to buy a spare battery that you can swap in the back of the unit as necessary. The iPhone, like other Apple portable devices, has a sealed battery that is not designed to be removed or replaced by the user.
For this reason, two major options have been developed to allow users to get more usage out of their iPhone when out and about. The first type are those solutions that allow the unit to be charged easily when away from the home and the second is to have a portable external power supply. Now the iPhone 3GS - 3G Desktop Dual Charging Dock + Battery Charger unit, available from mobilefun.co.uk has managed to combine both solutions into one stylish package. The set comes with a two in one docking unit. The iPhone can be easily placed into the front dock of this unit, to work like an ordinary dock offered by a range of manufacturers, i.e. it sits on your desk and allows the iPhone to charge throughout the day. The unit can be put in place neatly on your desk, without having wires dangling around, which look messy and can easily be lost. Placing the iPhone into a dock in this way also makes it easy to monitor your phone, meaning that you don’t even have to move to pick up the phone to see who is calling or texting you. However, the innovative aspect of this product comes from the secondary dock within the unit, which connects to a purpose built battery charger for the iPhone 3G and 3GS.

  The battery charger is the same width as the iPhone itself and is designed in the same curved glossy finish as the phone. This unit is simply put into the secondary slot to charge and removed at attached to the iPhone when necessary, extending the length of the iPhone by less than two centimetres and also fitting snugly along the back of the phone. The two in one charging unit means that you are able to have your iPhone on charge in one port and the battery charger in the other - effectively giving you the power of two batteries. What’s more is that some users have reported the battery charger may be able to provide more than one full charge to an iPhone, giving you further backup if needed. The dual charging dock can also be a great ‘communal’ option for the home or for the workplace. This is because both ports can be used to charge phones at the same time, so that one dock can charge just a phone and the other can charge a phone connected to the portable battery charger. There is also no need to disconnect the iPhone from the charger and reconnecting when transferring data from iTunes, as the front port also offers a data hot sync feature, acting as a full replacement for your standard data cable                        

 One of the best things about the innovate solution offered by this item is the fact that, if you’re leaving home or the office and want to take your iPhone somewhere that you don’t want the extra size of the battery charger, it can simply be removed as necessary. It simply needs to have been attached for long enough to have transferred some of its charge to the iPhone. It is also arguably better than having an actual replacement battery - even if this were possible - as the portable charger can simply be snapped on and snapped off when not needed, without having to open up the phone. For this reason, a dual dock makes a great option that doesn’t compromise the iPhone’s style, or its portability.

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Panasonic SDR-SW21 Camdorder review

        

  

The humble camcorder has often made budding Spielbergs and Scorseses of us all, ever since their bulky introduction many moons ago. Many a holiday, christening or wedding has been faithfully recorded by budding handheld enthusiasts, who saw moving pictures as a great complement to, and even superior to, normal still photography, and whose presence would often send the most gregarious person into paroxysms of shyness when the camera was on them!

As technology has progressed however, camcorders have also sought to keep up, including the transition to DVD which came about a few years back. The strides forward in digital storage, including larger in capacity but smaller in size digital memory cards and chips which then allowed the camcorder to become even smaller and even more convenient to use.

One thing has often bedevilled the use of camcorders though, and that is their inherent delicateness. From personal experience, I have had to get rid of one camera as sand from a Turkish beach comprehensively found egress into the workings of the camera. This, however, shouldn’t be read as a slight on Turkish beaches (!), more an example of how older cameras lack the build quality of newer ones.

Another problem was that, often, holidays often consist of water-borne activities; whether it be snorkelling, a boat trip or even jet-skiing, videoing these types of moments caused many problems, as the slightest splash could break the camera. The same goes for skiing, and any other adventure sport activity. You may well want to record what you were getting up to on the slopes, but for fear of having your delicate piece of equipment ruined you might have demurred.

So, after posing these questions and pitfalls we come to one of the solutions. The Panasonic SDR-SW21 is a camcorder that is specifically constructed with these types of situations in mind. It is of a thoroughly sturdy and rugged construction, with compact dimensions and design, with a width of 35mm, a height of 68mm and a depth of 117mm. The super compact camera also weighs, without the battery, a mere 238g. The SDR-SW21 is specifically designed to be tough, and is completely dust proof. This would have been ideal for my ruined camera above, as it keeps out any nasty particles which can get in, including sand.

The toughness of the camera doesn’t end there though. The SDR-SW21 is also completely shockproof up to a height of around 4-5 feet, meaning that you do not have to watch in frozen horror as it tumbles from your grasp once or twice - the way it is constructed means it should be able to survive such falls. The camera boasts a superlatively simple menu set-up which makes it very accessible, and there are numerous features which make for easy transfer. These include a Youtube mode, which records in the right format for the site and then allows for direct upload.

The real feather in this camera’s cap though is its waterproof function. Once you have simply sealed the battery compartment and AV connection covers and activated the underwater mode, you are able to take to the river, sea, lake or pond and indulge your Attenborough tendencies! The SDR-SW21 is waterproof, in seawater too, up to 2m, so whilst it might rule out deep water exploration, this is a great function. It can allow you, for instance, to film you and your family out snorkelling, or to take snapshots of the aquatic life darting around under the sea.

The camera comes with the now standard viewing monitor, which is a 2.7″ LCD screen. The camera also has a number of different shooting options, including settings for low light and capturing sport images, and an impressive array of zooming options; namely, a digital zoom of around 10x-25x and a super digital zoom of 10x-700x. The camera uses SD/SDHC memory cards to record, keeping the camera light and durable, as there is no mechanism to damage from dropping. The only two niggles, and they are slight, is the lack of a High Definition option and the jittery and rapid zoom. The HD option is really the only thing missing that holds the SDR-SW21back from being almost the perfect camera - but it is not something that totally ruins it. Similarly, the zoom is hard to handle softly, but again with practise you will become used to it.
All in all, this is a fine camera for those who want to do a bit of video-recording in more extreme conditions, and do not want to have to worry about their prized gadget being broken easily, and it does this very well.

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Compaq Presario SR5522 Review


 



The Compaq Presario SR5522, which includes a 19” tft display, represents excellent value for money with a good set of features that will prove more than adequate for the majority of users. It’s good for game playing, multimedia storage and playback, and general computer use.

The Presario SR5522 is powered by the 2GHz Intel Core Duo E2180 processor and also has 2GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. Windows Vista Home Premium is installed and ready for use, and will run well on a PC with this specification. Dual Layer DVD rewriter means you can quickly copy large chunks of media to disk.

15-in-1 card reader and 6 USB ports make connecting your media devices and other data storage devices a doddle and the 19” widescreen monitor is certainly an added incentive on a £380 desktop PC.

The RAM and hard drive ensure that you can store decent amounts of any data while running numerous applications and processes without suffering any slowdown to the running of your computer. Add the free monitor and you’ve got the perfect combination to store, copy, and playback multimedia files and modern applications.

• Intel Pentium Dual Core E2180 Processor

• (2.0GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB Cache)

• Genuine Windows Vista (R) Home Premium

• 2GB Memory

• 250GB Hard Drive

• Multi-Format Dual Layer DVD Re-Writer

• Intel Graphic Media Accelerator 3100

• 15-in-1 Card Reader

• 6 USB Connections

• 19″ Widescreen TFT Monitor

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2 New NVIDIA Graphics Cards




If you’re looking for high quality graphics cards for laptops or desktops, then NVIDIA is the name that you would usually look for first. They have consistently produced exceptional quality and continue to push the boundaries in computer graphics, even if you do have to pay a premium for the privilege. They have announced the release of two new graphics cards that will further enhance the graphical capabilities of your laptop computer.

The 9M Series NVIDIA graphics cards are receiving two new additions in the 9700M and 9800M use the parallel processing design in order to deliver exceptional 3D graphics. PhysX technology from NVIDIA helps to deliver 3D graphics in real time, with the end result being excellent 3D graphics delivered quickly reducing lag and frame rate issues that can sometimes be experienced with the most demanding graphics applications.

The two 9M series graphics cards also use new technologies to reduce the operating temperature of the cards, improve battery life, and reduce the noise. Video playback technologies include PureVideo HD technology to improve video quality such as the colour and contrast. While the two graphics cards offer excellent quality for any type of application, it’s gamers that typically benefit and the SLI multi GPU delivers an even higher quality of graphics especially for notebooks.

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