Oh! Gizmo

By Luke Anderson

Later this month I’m going to do something that I haven’t done in a good five years. I’m going to buy a Mac. My last Mac and I were torn from each other quite some time ago, and I’ve been using PCs ever since. I’ve saved up my hard-earned cash and I’ll be picking up a shiny new iMac towards the end of the month. As a hardcore geek I’ve pondered the idea of taking it with me on various occasions, as there’s really not much to it. The only problem is that I haven’t seen a decent solution for safely transporting an iMac. That is until I saw the iMcruzer from Pelican.

This case is one of the toughest-looking that I’ve ever seen, and for good reason. If I’m going to drop that much money on a 24-inch iMac, I’m going to want it kept safe and sound. The case is touted as indestructible, and will hold even the largest iMac with keyboard and mouse. It has plenty of foam padding to prevent shock damage and is both watertight and airtight.

While it’s tempting to think that I could take my (soon-to-be) beloved iMac anywhere I go, the bulk of this is something of a turnoff. That’s really no fault of Pelican’s, as the iMac itself is quite large. You’re also going to have to pony up $495, which is a bit tough to swallow after paying the hefty price for the computer.

[ Pelican ] VIA [ CrunchGear ]

By Luke Anderson

I do my fair share of traveling, which means lots of time in my car. If I’m driving across several states, I’ll pack some food to supplement my stops in order to cut down on my expenses. I usually go the route of lunch meat and pretzels, as it’s cheap and I can live off that stuff forever. I’ve honestly never considered actually preparing a hot sandwich while driving. If I were so inclined I could now do so, thanks to the Road Pro 12 Volt Sandwich Maker.

The Sandwich Maker reminds me of a small Gorge Foreman Grill (only without the promises of a healthy less-fattening meal) which simply hooks into the cigarette lighter of your car. I suppose it would be kind of nice to pull over and make something warm, rather than cold lunch meat. The price is right on this one, at $19.50 you can’t go wrong.

[ SkingCompany ] VIA [ Crave ]

By Luke Anderson

After the movie Goldeneye (and the game of course) came out, James Bond was my hero. I always wanted to have some cool spy gadget that looked like something rather ordinary. I thought it was so cool when I finally got a pen that was also a laser pointer, even if it was quite obvious to the casual observer. Since then I’ve seen a whole slew of pens with more functions than you can shake a silenced PP7 at. Here’s one that you’ll like if you’re even trying to track down an open wireless signal.

The pen features 4 LEDs that will show you the strength of a wireless signal that is up to 30 meters away. It is powered by two button cell batteries and activated b a small button positioned just below the LEDs. It might not be the coolest spy gadget for your arsenal, but at $8, you can’t really go wrong.

[ ChinaVasion ] VIA [ Crave ]

By Luke Anderson

I’m highly protective of my laptop, as it’s my portal to the rest of the digital world when I’m away from home. Rarely does it leave my sight, unless it’s locked away securely somewhere. However, some people will use their notebooks in a more public place such as a cafe, and leave it for short periods where it could be easily taken. That’s why Belkin created this USB Laptop Security Alarm.

Rather than locking the laptop down to a table or desk, this alarm is able to be secured to a sturdy object, and is plugged into an available USB port. If it is unplugged without the key being inserted, it will sound a rather loud alarm. This would stop just about any thief in their tracks. Peace of mind is yours for just $25.

[Belkin] VIA [EverythingUSB]

By David Ponce

Running out of juice sucks (I don’t mean orange juice). Sure, we can come up with tons of features that do an endless stream of “stuff” with our gadgets, but when the power runs out, you’re done. That’s why we’re digging Duracell’s awesome Mobile 100 portable power source. It features a standard North-American power outlet, as well as two USB ports. It can recharge pretty much any of your gadgets, simultaneously, giving you different levels of extra play-time:

Laptop: 2 hours of runtime
Cellphone: 18 hours talk time
Blackberry: 9 hours operating time
Portable game console: 8 hours of play time
MP3 player: 96 hours of play time

Given that different gadgets will suck power at different rates, we’re not altogether sure what kind of hat these numbers were pulled out of. Still, whatever extra time you get will no doubt be appreciated.

Expect to pay around $140 at various retailers.

[ Product Page ] VIA [ Xataka ]

by Shane McGlaun

Linux Devices is reporting that Sprint will sell the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet in the U.S.A. next year. The version we get here in the U.S. will be a Mobile WiMAX-enabled device to go along with Sprint’s quest to offer WiMAX 4G services to over 100 million users in 2008.

The target markets Sprint is rolling 4G out to first will be Chicago, Baltimore, and Washington DC. Sprint claims that by the end of 2008 several other 4G areas will be activated with Motorola handling Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Minneapolis.

Samsung will help roll 4G out to Baltimore, Boston, Philly, Providence, and Washington DC. Nokia will then be responsible for rolling 4G services out to Austin, Dallas, Denver, Fort Worth, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, and Seattle.

VIA [ Linux Devices ]