Oh! Gizmo

By Evan Ackerman

I decided a few months ago that the first incarnation of Asus’ EEE laptop was not quite enough machine for me. I loved the small form factor and the fact that it has everything necessary to be totally usable (and not much more), but I wanted just a little bit extra, like a bigger screen and a little bit more storage space. Asus has announced the new EEE 900, which looks like it’s going to be pretty much the perfect laptop for my needs. Overall it’s the same size and weight as its predecessor (the speakers have been moved from the sides to the bottom), with an 8.9″ 1024 x 600 LCD, 1gb of ram and an 8gb SSD with Windows XP in the base configuration, and it should offer a battery life of 2.5 - 3 hours. It also may be using Intel’s Atom platform (900mhz Celeron M), which is supposed to be adopted in Q2 of this year.

Supposedly, the EEE 900 will also include a resistive touchscreen (!). However, based on the FCC filing, Gizmodo says no, while DigiTimes quotes Asus’ VP of Sales as saying that the “second-generation Eee PC lineup will include touchscreen panels and possible GPS support.” What it will definitely include is a multi-gesture touchpad like the one on Macbooks (except less fancy), allowing you to use two fingers to zoom in and out on pictures and stuff.

On release (May or June), the 8gb/XP model should retail for $499 in the US.

VIA [ Engadget ]

By Andrew Liszewski

The PHS300 Personal Hotspot from CradlePoint Technology allows you to share your broadband-enabled mobile phone or modem with multiple users by turning it into a secure wifi hotspot. The company claims that getting online is as easy as plugging your phone or USB modem into the compact router, and then connecting your PC to the wireless network. Of course since you’ll probably want to use the WEP/WPA security options so that everyone’s not mooching your wifi, the setup process might take a bit longer than they claim.

The personal hotspot includes a built-in lithium-ion battery that will keep it running for several hours and can be recharged via USB when connected to your computer. It can even be used to recharge a phone that’s connected to the USB port, though that will no doubt reduce its own battery life. It’s available from Amazon for $299.99 but you’ll want to make sure your broadband phone or modem are included on the supported hardware list before you pick one up.

[ PHS300 Personal Hotspot ] VIA [ GadgetKing ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I’ve never tried ‘canned shapes’ before but if they’re half as tasty as this can shaped memory card reader is useful, I’ll start stocking my pantry. But Y3K preparation aside, Brando has once again managed to stick another piece of everyday technology into an unusual package. This time it’s an SD, SDHC, MMC, XD, CF and MicroSD friendly card reader crammed into what appears to be a short aluminum can. It connects to your PC via USB 2.0 and even includes 3 extra USB ports lining the base of the can. A clever design unless you work in an office where the cleaning crew will probably toss it in the recycling bin.

You can get it on Brando’s website for $20.

[ Canned Shape Card Reader & USB Hub ] VIA [ Tech Digest ]

By Andrew Liszewski

The oh-so descriptively named BL-PA100KTA from Panasonic is another device that allows your home’s electrical wiring to serve double duty as network cable. It’s perfect for the homeowner who’s too lazy (or lacking the skills) to run ethernet cable and who doesn’t want to be bothered with remembering simple wifi codes.

The device uses Panasonic’s HD-PLC (High Definition Power Line Communication) technology to make setting up a network as easy as plugging this device and your PC into the wall. (Plus whatever setup is required by your modem and operating system.) You can use a maximum of 16 adaptors (recommended limit) on a single network and they have a communication distance of about 500 feet. The only downside I can see is that each HD-PLC adaptor takes up a power outlet, which is a precious commodity in most homes these days.

A starter kit that includes 2 of the BL-PA100KTA adaptors is available on the Panasonic website for $149.95. However Amazon is currently selling them for just $44.95.

[ Panasonic BL-PA100KTA ] VIA [ GadgetGrid ]

By Ian Chiu

USB hard drives are mostly slow and drain too much CPU resources. Yet, they sell like hot cakes as they offer both true portability and universal compatibility. So, what if someone makes a USB hard drive that addresses the two major problems? That would be a great product.

Buffalo wants to do just that with its Turbo USB external hard drive, with special Turbo mode. It claims that the speed in turbocharged mode is around 64% faster than a standard 4200-rpm drive. To shift into high gear, you will need to install a special tweaked driver that basically kicks in whenever it recognizes Buffalo’s drive. According to the reviewer at Everything USB, the improvement was reportedly only 13% better than without Turbo USB. The drive operating under normal mode is actually fairly quick, topping at 34.7MB/s. Taking into account that most USB drives operate at the 25 to 30MB/s range; the Turbo USB is icing on the cake. Also, higher speeds in USB drives are often associated with an increased CPU usage. In the case of the Buffalo, CPU utilization dropped in half from 11% to 5% after Turbo USB.

For full review, hit the link below.

[Buffalo Turbo USB 320GB Drive Review @ Everything USB]

By Ian Chiu

There’s something besides CPU speed and hard drive space that you will never have enough of, and that’s USB port. So, what do you do to get more of those when your desktop is already heavily cluttered? Belkin has a ingenious idea to slip its USB hubs into your desktop’s grommet holes. The 3″ grommet hub reviewed on Everything USB has 4 raised USB ports with openings on each side for hiding excess cables, and depending on your holes’ size, you may need the 2″ version. One surprising discovery was how well the hub accommodated the larger USB devices. Two devices that the reviewer had problems with in the past fitting into stacked USB ports can now be plugged in with ease. And lastly, since the hub fits snugly in a grommet hole, you won’t have a problem with it flipping or tipping over when multiple cables are connected. Downsides are the lack of activity LEDs and the hassle of drilling your own grommet holes if not present. For full review, hit the link.

[Belkin In-Desk 3″ Grommet Hole USB Hub Review @ Everything USB]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you work in a busy office it’s a good idea to lock your PC whenever you step away from it. Whether it’s to prevent someone from tampering with your work, viewing sensitive documents or most likely, pranking your system. But if you’re the forgetful type the TF2000 Proximity Sensor can automatically lock your system for you, anytime you walk away. It looks like a small webcam you attach to the top of your screen and it uses ultrasound technology to detect your presence or lack thereof.

The included software configuration tool allows you to specify what keystrokes are triggered when you walk away, how long before they’re sent and most importantly, how far away you have to be before it locks you out. The TF2000 also has ‘walk-to’ settings which can be used to start the login process when you get back to your desk. For example under Windows the CTRL+ALT+DEL command would be automatically sent meaning you just have to enter your password to get back to work.

You can find the TF2000 online for about $85.

[ TF2000 Proximity Sensor ]

By Evan Ackerman

I cannot tolerate flaky wireless internet. Without 100% connectivity, I wouldn’t be able to bring you the (ahem) reliably high quality gadget news that I do here at OhGizmo. I have a Linksys WiFi PCMCIA card in my laptop, and it strains to pick up signals from a router 30 feet away through a wall… I’ve been looking into some kind of antenna to boost the signal, and this USB dish antenna from Hawking sure looks like it would fit the bill. The 8dBi directional dish antenna (most wireless antennas are omnidirectional at about 2dBi) is supposed to boost reception by up to 300%, as long as you’re pointing it in the right direction… The built-in LED signal strength indicator should help you with that. I’m not sure what you’re supposed to do if the router you use is down below you somewhere, but with a USB interface and for only about $60, it gives other high quality external wireless solutions some competition when it comes to price and performance, if not size.

[ Hawking HWU8DD ] VIA [ GadgetGrid ]

By Andrew Liszewski

A laptop with a built-in webcam is definitely convenient, particularly since it means that’s one less accessory you have to carry. But at the same time the lens is usually embedded in the top of the screen, which makes it difficult to aim the camera at anything but yourself. So this mini webcam from Brando uses a flexible neck that can be positioned and aimed in any direction depending on what you want the person on the other end of the conversation to see.

The webcam is 100% plug and play and doesn’t require any drivers to be installed when used under Windows XP or Vista. The lens can be rotated for adjusting the focus and it’s compatible with ICQ, MSN, Skype and other chat and VOIP applications. You can get it directly from Brando for just $19.

[ USB Mini Web Cam ] VIA [ DVICE ]

By Luke Anderson

I was born in the 80’s, so the first music format known to me was the cassette tape. I never really thought that they were all that cool, aside from recording my favorite songs off the radio (which were all missing at least a few seconds from the beginning as I raced to press record). I’m almost sorry that I didn’t get the experience of vinyl, as people that grew up on records claim that you’ll not find a better sound. Unfortunately, while it may have a great sound, your old 45’s aren’t exactly the easiest to to tote, so it might be worth your time and effort to put that music on a more portable format.

Sony has made the process of ripping music from vinyl to MP3 format about as simple as possible. Their new PS-LX300USB turntable hooks into your computer’s USB port and works with the included Sound Forge Audio Studio to bring your music into the digital age. You won’t have to spend a fortune on the equipment either, as it will only set you back $150.

[ Sony ] VIA [ SlipperyBrick ]