Tech Gadgets: Wireless Powah!

This is going to be an unconventional tech gadget update. It actually has a background story to go with it. Now that that's out of the way...

Everyone hates cords and wires. We invent ways to get around being tied to a wall just so we can have a slight degree of freedom, even if it means killing overall efficiency. The best example I can think of is laptops: We buy them to be unchained from the boring, same ol' deskspace and inconveniently located power outlets. We then realize the average battery life for the laptop is 1 hour, and that our system performs like a sloth in molasses thanks to the laptop's battery conservation mode.

What if we could be freed not only from the desk, but the cord as well- permanently?

That's exactly what today's article is about. According to BBC News, U.S. researchers are taking the century-old idea of wirelessly powering accessories and reclassifying it as "plausible." Their motive? Since things are so portable these days- from cell phones to laptops, handhelds to PDAs- there is an obvious demand for a power standard such as this.

While other wireless power methods, such as radio towers (which emit unfocused radiation) and laser devices (which require line-of-sight) proved ineffective for practical purposes, this new method will match power source to accessory, and transfer power via electrical wave resonance. Think back to physics with tuning forks, and you have the general concept. Better yet, any energy not transferred is just re-absorbed.

The distance wireless power can be transmitted is scalable, so the MIT researchers insist there will be plenty of uses in homes and factories. You can power something 5 to 6 meters away on average, but should be equally able to power a machine across a plant floor (at a higher cost).

Even more amazingly, charging things wirelessly should be just as fast as using a wall outlet.

(Small history diversion: This idea was experimented on by electrical engineer Nikola Tesla (father of the tesla coil) back in the 1800's, but lack of project funding proved fatal to his vision of wireless power.)

An existing product that utilizes this theory, albeit on a much smaller scale (and smaller effective distance), is the Splashpad. The Splashpad is produced by UK-based Splashpower, who obviously has a similar philosophy as the MIT researchers. While this device has no obvious price tag, there is no doubt more items such as these will be popping up in Brookstone, The Sharper Image, and cutting-edge technology stores across the Internet.

Society seems ready fore wireless power. Now we just need to sit back and hope it delivers.

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iPhone: Innovation or Stagnation?

Oh, how my eyes lit up with childish delight when I saw the iPhone unveiled at Apples' Macworld expo (see the keynote here). The iPhone seemed like a turning point in the behind-the-curve (yet overpriced) American cell phone market. Finally, a phone that was powerful enough to run more than just 50KB applications, and an interface to cream over. The future is finally here.

Or is it?

Call me a nag, but after the initial wave of excitement subsided, reality came swooping back in. How much did this peripheral cost again? What provider is it toting with as its exclusive partner?

There were some painful realizations to be had after the spectacular abilities of the iPhone were displayed. The product itself is revolutionary- one of the first of its kind worldwide. (You can view a full [well, semi-full] list of the features here. I still recommend you watch the keynote to see these features in their full-blown, demonstrated glory.) However, some of the initial decisions Apple made by solely partnering with Cingular and pricing the 4GB version of the phone at $499 (8GB at $599) are probably ill-recommended for launch.

Yes, Cingular customers are loving it. However, I read recently in an article, as well as had acquaintances, that say Cingular is possibly the worst of the worst when it comes to cell phone providers. Not to mention, although Cingular might have the "fewest dropped calls" and "largest user base [in America]", it doesn't change the fact you're severely limiting your market when non-Cingular, tech-savvy folk who would normally adopt this early in its life... can't. However, perhaps this is Apple's way of saying "Thanks" to Cingular for its continued support and funding throughout the iPhone process. On the bright side, they should be servicing other cell providers in time.

Diverging from providers, there's this other little issue- the price. Does this price tag wax reminiscent of any other item? I'll give you a hint! It starts with Play, ends with Station, has a number, and flopped at launch (er, did I just show my loyalties?). Yep, $599 is quite a high price to pay-especially when this price includes a 2-year contract- but Apple is arguing that you're buying a Smartphone, iPod, and full-featured Internet browser. Man, it hurts my wallet just thinking about it.

The battery life is around average for cell phones, and pretty amazing considering the additional features the phone offers. One major downside to the iPhone, however, is the lack of a detachable battery. It's charge or die, folks. Like your iPod, unless you're around a docking station, the phone is toast. This could be a deal breaker for most business users, who might use up the entirety of the iPhone's battery power in just 1-2 calls. With any luck, Apple will figure out a solution to the 5-hour limit they're toting.

There are further gripes, like in ArsTechnica's article, but those are mostly tech-related and/or irrelevant to general consumers like myself. I'm all about drooling over new technology, but when I see great points being raised regarding possibly fatal iPhone weaknesses, I feel it's fair to share them. For Apple praise and feel-good news, please see CNN.

Finally, and to poke a little fun at Apple's attempt to enter the Asian market, most Asian countries seem a little less than enthralled with the iPhone after its initial release. It's flashy to them and all, but they can get phones with equal (if not better) features at a far less price- we're talking $100 or so (with plan). Quite a bit lower than Apple's introductory price of $499/599. Click a phone and take a look, even if it's moon-speak to you.

Despite the negative vibe of this post, I'm still extremely excited for the prospects of this cell phone. It'll finally kick the current manufacturers into gear, forcing them to innovate (haven't seen that in a few years, huh?). Small screens and crappy hardware no longer- Apple's bringing us into the world market full force, and Nokia, Samsung, Motorola (RAZR, your days are numbered!), and others best follow or see their stock prices dip into negative %-land.

If the greatness doesn't come via Apple, it's bound to come by someone else. So, I'll sit on the sidelines until next Christmas and see if this provider/pricing/battery issue has been ironed out (read: fixed in my favor). I recommend the same for you, of course, but you're free to spend your money, and get sucked into as many 2-year contracts, as you like.

Here's some additional photos, for your viewing pleasure:

Image Credit: Engadget.com - Many thanks for posting these. These images are possibly some of the best keynote camera caps available.

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Tech Gadgets: Offroading for the Disabled- The Day Has Come

File this under "even if I don't need it, I want it". Leave it to a company called TankChair to take a customary wheelchair and beef it up to artillery proportions.

These wheelchairs wax reminiscent of battling robot TV shows. My only concern is that this wheelchair, if put in the hands of the immature, could very well be the undoing of society: schoolyard battles- frail child bodies versus tank treads; commutes to work- sedans versus all-terrain mobile vehicles of terror; wars being fought to prove superiority between unmobilized and mobilized humans.

Mom jokes will be undoubtedly be met with *click* *vrrrrm* *BUDDABUDDABUDDA*, then "EAT TREAD, B$^%@", followed by schoolgirl-like crying of the TankChair offender.

I think next year's Christmas Wish List just got a little longer.

But overactive imaginations aside, this wheelchair will let the disabled move around on any type of terrain, in any condition. It's also custom-fitted to each customer's body size.

While this product doesn't have a solid price tag, contacting the company will probably land you a menu of options and prices. I'm no master at pricing things, but last I checked, tank treads weren't going for Big Lots prices (shush, I couldn't find any retailers selling actual tank treads).

[More pictures available via Gizmodo.]

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Tech Gadgets: ASUS XG Station Lets You Take Your Graphics with You

Just after seeing this product, the laptop PC gamer in me jumped for joy.

For longer than I care to recall, I'd been wary of laptop gaming systems because they're grossly overpriced even with outdated hardware. Not to mention, many people complain of broken/fried laptops because of too much power (or perhaps bad engineering) shoved into too small a case.

I always wondered why laptop manufacturers tossed toned-down graphic cards into otherwise powerful machines, and slap a $2499+ price tag on them. Anyone who shopped around would notice severe price jumps are directly related to which video card your machine came with.

Customers were demanding a product that would allow them to harness desktop graphics without having to lug around a rig and monitor. This is where ASUS' XG Station comes in. This product was just released at CES, but as of this writing, doesn't have a price tag associated with it. However, if ASUS manages to price the XG Station below $400, this could very well solve the problem that has long since plagued the laptop gaming niche. As demonstrated in this image, you plug in your desktop graphics card to the XG Station, then plug the XG Station into your laptop's ExpressCard slot. From there, you can game with graphics that rival desktops.

However, note that not all laptops come equipped with the necessary ExpressCard slot. Yours might still have a CardBus PC Card slot (comparison visible in the ExpressCard link). It is also not yet confirmed that you can use this without a separate monitor. In the graphic previously linked, you'll notice the user playing games on a separate monitor. This would defeat the "mobile" functionality of this product, so hopefully ASUS clears up whether or not you can play on your laptop's screen.

Nevertheless, this little invention lets you purchase an otherwise dull laptop with so-so specs and transform it into a graphics powerhouse. Make sure it has an adequate CPU and RAM, and you're set. Toss the rest of your budget in the video card, and viola, laptop gaming is attainable.

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Tech Gadgets: Gizmodo's 2006 Gift Guide

If you're anything like me, you probably never put together gift lists for any season and simply ask for the universal gift: money. Then family members scold you until you relent and put together some half-assed list of things you found after a few Google clicks and Sunday Free Press ad scans. Well, do so no longer!

While browsing some gadget sites, I came across Gizmodo's 2006 Gift Guide, which has daily updates of the best gifts Internet retailers have to offer. The items range from useful to absurd, as well as insanely cheap to unaffordable to all but Donald Trump. It's a great compiled guide that spans many websites and themes. I'm a sucker for anything with a plug and LED display, so it goes without saying >90% of anything I want during Christmas is tech-related, and this guide fits perfectly with that. It's also sadistically fun to taunt yourself with gifts you know you'll never get.

Since my main nag with lists was being too lazy to visit 37,833brick-and-mortar establishments and even more retailer websites, this guide must be a sign that my hopes of becoming a Christmas gift list-maker is attainable.

Gizmodo does a great job of pointing you towards "teh good lewts". Bookmark away.

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Tech Gadgets: 'Tis the Season for... iGloves

I saved this story for the first cold, snowy, all-around miserable-to-walk-in day of the year, and today was it. My hope is this will be a useful item for your campus walking.

Speaking from experience, there's nothing worse than walking to class on a cold winter day and being forced to listen to the same, repetitive CD that's looping on your iPod- all because it's too cold to take off your gloves.

First, you should ponder why you still have that CD on your iPod if you dislike it so much (I know I do). Second, you should consider buying iPod-friendly winter gloves.

Marmot's iGlove Multi doesn't only keep your hands warm- it lets you operate your iPod touchwheel, and has a modern look to boot. You see, the touchwheel only responds to things that facilitate electric current, so typical fuzzy cotton/fleece gloves can't operate the touchwheel. These gloves have material on the tips of the finger that conduct electricity, and thus, your iPod will respond (and you keep your hands warm!).

Clocking in at $35 (before shipping), it's competitively priced compared to other not-as-iPod-friendly gloves out there.

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Tech Gadgets: Too Warm? Too Cold? No Problem.

Is your drink too cold? Too warm? Much like the Goldilocks of Budweiser, or whichever drink you prefer at certain temperatures, there's undoubtedly been times when your drink was the wrong temp at the wrong time (but you drank it anyway, you trooper you). This can lead to a rise in frustration ("Grr! Warm pop/cold coffee!"), decline in productivity (you must now search for ice cubes or a microwave), and/or general unhappiness.

Enter two gadgets from Thinkgeek which have you covered whether your drink is either of the two extremes.

The first is the Piet Hein Drink Cooler, which ultilizes a specialized liquid core within a metallic cooling ball to instantly chill whatever drink you put it in. It comes with a special glass, most likely to reduce chances of shattering/frostbite, and only requires no preliminary icetray filling. Best of all, you're left without the much-loathed watered-down taste ice cubes usually leave in their wake. Science prevails.

But wait! What about cold coffee and lukewarm tea?

Not only a greater drink heater, but also a nice PC-side accessory, we present the USB Mug Warmer & Hub. Type up your long-winded blog entries with an ever-warm cup 'o hot chocolate right next to you. You're also able to plug in your flash drive to one of the heater dock's ports, but I would be wary of using it in case of an accidental spill.

These are some wonderfully geeky ways to keep your drinks the temperature you like. I may be picking up the heater this Christmas, pending I get a mug with it. (College life = paper cups, after all.)

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Tech Gadgets: Keeping Your Winter Warmer

We here in Michigan know how winter is an ever-looming, fast-approaching type of season. We also know that the cold, frigid months are unforgiving for those who a) don't have winter coats and b) lack a good heater.

"But I live in a dormitory!" you say. Well, this unfortunately isn't geared towards you, unless your dormitory permits the use of flammable objects.

For those of you live in a house with more lenient fire rules (whether that's good or not is subject for another discussion), there have undoubtedly been days you longed for a warmer room. With gas prices on the rise, you may have wished turning on the heater was economically feasible.

What to do?

No worries! PID's Geniol Fireplace has you covered, offering up a sleek, modern fireplace to ensure you don't catch pnemonia. While it clocks in at $626 pre-shipping, it's far cheaper than the alternative.

This is nothing special, however, until you realize this fireplace is portable. If you move, your fireplace moves with you. If you go camping and are too lazy to start your own bonfire, opt for this portable one. This combined makes the product an interesting and useful addition to anyone's frigid winter room.

Christmas is coming up, and if you can't afford the fireplace, maybe your folks can. Get on their case.

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Tech Gadgets: 1920x1080i: Wherever, Whenever

This has to signal the end of worlds, or something. Someone went and made the media pirate's dream entertainment center.

The M-Vision 8600HD, made in Korea, is the first of its kind- not only can you toss (CD/DVD) media in its disk drive, you can download DivX, OGG, WMA, WMV and MP3 files to its internal hard disk and play it back on any TV you choose. Consider this a much cooler external hard drive with media ports on the back.

The M-Vision can play back up to 1080i-quality media on HDTVs, which is just a notch below the best resolution you can get comercially, 1080p. It even supports Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, which rounds out any multimedia experience. It's a pity it doesn't do Dolby 7.1 too, but most of us have yet to catch up with its (now-obsolete) predecessor.

If you check out the pictures of this unit, you'll notice it even has a LAN input to make PC-to-player transfers even easier.

Although there hasn't been a stateside release date or price determined, you can scope some awesome photos at Gizmodo. It looks like a quality piece of equipment, and you're no longer forced to watch degraded laptop-to-TV quality movies.

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