hot gadget info

Alternative PDA in home

2007-12-31T23:08:00.000-08:00

PDAs as a Blackberry Alternative

While a Blackberry is a great device, I still think wireless enabled Palm or Pocket PC based PDAs are usually a better choice over a Blackberry because of the options and features that PDAs offer. Yeah, I know there's some hardcore Blackberry users cursing me right now.

The key to using a PDA as a Blackberry replacement is finding the right email client or service for your PDA. We've got a listing of the top PDA clients for both Palm and Pocket PC, so be sure to check out:
While these services may not offer the exact same experience as a "push" mail service like Blackberry, with a little fine-tuning of an email client (like automatic email retrieval, etc,) that meets your needs, you can have a good email experience on a wireless enabled PDA or Smartphone.

PDA Simple Technologies with Computer

2007-12-31T23:03:00.000-08:00

Symbol Technologies WT4000 Wearable Computer

If you're a geek like me, you just dig ~~toys~~ productivity tools like the WT4000 from Symbol Technologies. According to WindowsforDevices.com:

"Symbol Technologies has unveiled a Windows CE based data-collection terminal that straps on the wrist or hip for hands-free operation in warehouse environments. The WT4000 features "mix and match" connectors on either side of the device to support right- or left-handed scanning, according to the company.

Like many a PDA, the WT4000 is based on a PXA270 XScale processor clocked at 520 MHz, and is equipped with 128 MB of RAM and 64 MB of flash memory. Unlike most PDAs, however, its relatively small, 2.8-inch QVGA LCD operates in landscape mode only, and lacks a touchscreen. User input is via a 23-key alphanumeric keypad that can be ordered in either "legacy color-coded alpha entry" or "cellphone-like alpha entry" versions, Symbol says. Alternatively, the WT4000 can be outfitted with voice recognition and text-to-speech engines for "voice picking" applications."

How very cool! Still, I don't understand the lack of a touchscreen. Doesn't that kind of defeat the whole idea of increasing efficiency with a wearable computer?

Gadget Power

2007-12-31T22:46:00.000-08:00

Gadget Power News

It is a very exciting time for gadgets, and MicrosoftGadgets.com is changing to better meet the needs of the growing gadget community. The most significant changes are gadget uploads/downloads and forum comments on MicrosoftGadgets have moved to new locations. Upload and download of gadgets is now at the Windows Live Gallery and the forums can now be found at the Windows Live forums on MSDN. For the next few months, the information contained in the gadget and forum posts will be left here in read-only mode for reference. In early 2007, we will transition the existing forum information and at that time MicrosoftGadgets will only link to other gadget resources and sites.

Windows Live Gallery

The Windows Live Gallery is the site for uploading and downloading Web and Windows Sidebar gadgets. In addition, the Gallery contains other exciting ways to personalize your online experience including Toolbar Custom buttons, Search Macros, Messenger Activity Windows, and more. The Gallery is available in fifteen languages, and localized versions are available in most major regions of the world.

If you have previously submitted a gadget to MicrosoftGadget.com, you will need to upload it to the appropriate language/market version of Windows Live Gallery if you want users to be able to download your gadget. Please see http://gallery.live.com for complete details on how to upload your gadget.

Gadget Developer Resources

The Build page of this site has been updated with link to many more resources for designing and developing gadgets. For information about building gadgets, the best place to start is the Build page.

New MSDN Gadget Forums

The Gadget Forums have been moved to MSDN. This change allows us to offer more features and better support. For reading or posting messages, go to the new Gadget group on MSDN forums. The following two gadget forums have initially been added to the Gadget group:

gadget Xbox 360

2007-12-26T21:13:00.000-08:00

With the Xbox 360 version of the game selling more than 4 million copies to date, “Gears of War” has been lauded by critics for its gripping campaign and fast-paced multiplayer action. Windows gamers can look forward to the “Gears of War” experience for the very first time, and will get to choose between doing battle via mouse and keyboard, or using the Windows-enabled Xbox 360 controller.

From renowned developer Epic Games, “Gears of War” for Windows will engage gamers in hyper-realistic combat, allowing players to fight for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet.

gadget hot

2007-12-26T21:08:00.000-08:00

Computer programs that provide services without needing an independent applications be launched for each one, instead run in an environment that manage multiple gadgets. Their are several implementations based on existing software development techniques; like JavaScript, form input, and various image formats.
see Google Gadgets, Microsoft Gadgets, Apple Widgets

Programmable gadgets

2007-12-26T21:05:00.000-08:00

Most of the modern gadgets belong to this category. These gadgets are invariably based on a microprocessor and often have flash memory.[citation needed] They use embedded software which controls their functions. Such gadgets are found not only in the pockets of gadget freaks, but also in their cars and homes. Some examples of gadgets in this category are notebook computer, mobile phone, iPhone etc.

gadget histroy

2007-12-26T20:55:00.000-08:00

The history of invention of gadgets is almost as old as humanity itself. [1] But, the introduction of the word is relatively new. [2] The etymology of the word gadget is disputed. Some say that the word gadget was "invented" when Gaget, Gauthier & Cie, the company behind the casting of the Statue of Liberty, made a small-scale version of the monument and named it after their firm.[citation needed] Other sources cite a derivation from sailors' terminology; the French gâchette which has been applied to various pieces of a firing mechanism; the French gagée, a small tool or accessory; the French engager, to engage one thing with another; or even a diminutive of the Scottish engineering jargon gadge, a form of measuring device.[citation needed] The spring-clip used to hold the base of a vessel during glass-making is also known as a gadget.

unique clock

2007-12-09T06:45:00.000-08:00

Clocks

Oblong Gear Clock Anything But Conventional

Now that timekeepers can be found on everything from computers to cellphones to dog collars (well, maybe not that), the wall clock lacks function, not to mention it's boring looking. This Oblong Gear Clock, however, eschews the round/proportionally square look for a tall, rectangular look thats jam-packed full of working gears. Even if the gears were just for show, I'd still like it just because it looks so nice. The Oblong Gear Clock can be yours now for $125

nintendo darth vader series

2007-12-09T06:43:00.000-08:00

Nintendo

Darth Vader Wii, Please Don't Buy it Now for $15,000

The Star Wars Vader Edition Wii is pretty hot. While we could honestly do without the Star Wars theme in our living rooms (at least while company visits), the black finish and corresponding red LED gives us visions of just how good a touch of the dark side could be for the Nintendo Wii. Screw cute, family friendly pastels. We want coal, blood and steel. And we want it to spew raw meat for our ingestion. Oh, and it'd be nice if it didn't cost $15,000

best lenovo offer

2007-12-09T06:41:00.000-08:00

Happy [holiday that won't offend you] to everyone! To celebrate, Lenovo is offering 25% off ThinkPad notebooks and desktops. That means you can score an R Series starting at $651.30, you know, before you give in and add all the extra crap before checkout. Dollar for dollar you can probably match or beat the specs elsewhere, but It's worth scoping out if you'd rather own a ThinkPad than a bargain bin lappie.

new apple tv

2007-12-09T06:38:00.000-08:00

The analysts are finally confirming what we've known all along. Apple TV isn't a big deal. Market research firm Forrester reports that they estimate Apple will be lucky to sell 800,000 units by the end of this year, or 200,000 short of Forrester's 1 million unit estimation. So do they blame the marketing? No, plenty of internet-using adults know about the product (around 50%), but only 5% of those people know what it does