• valentine's day

    Last Minute Valentine's Day Presents For Her That Are Really For You

    What do you mean that today's already the 14th? Oh crap! Can you rush out during lunch hour and buy something? Yes, but what? Flowers and an erotic cake might be barely passable, and that's what you did last year, so you need to step it up. Go with a slightly more expensive gift. Still stumped? Good thing we've got a list of extremely last minute gadget gift ideas that may be for her, but are secretly for you. It's a win/win. More »
    Feature
    02/14/08
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  • feature

    Low End Theory: The Gift of Subtle Spite

    By Brendan I. Koerner More »
    Feature
    12/21/06
    507
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  • gift guide

    Best of Gizmodo Want $500?

    Who wants $500? Well then click here and vote for which gizmo you think should be the top dog of 2005. With your submissions, you have the option to include an email address that will be entered into a drawing to win a $500 Circuit City gift card. More »
    12/30/05
    224
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  • gift guide

    Best of Gizmodo Final Thunderdome Battle

    This is it, the moment all you money-grubbing techies have been waiting for: the final Best of Gizmodo vote. This time, there's swag attached: a chance to win a $500 Circuit City gift card. More »
    12/29/05
    513
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    Comment by mr1581: While I do not really like Sony, I do believe that the PSP is a much better product than the... more » | Other threads

  • home entertainment

    Hannspree Does Some Groovy LCDs

    We've shown you the child's side of Hannspree with its Disney-inspired LCD models, but here's something a little more sophisticated for the grownups. The Hanns Starlight is a 15-inch LCD TV that, strangely enough, is inspired by the contours of the moon in the starlit sky. I don't know what the Hannspree team was smoking the day they came up with this, but I'd like them to give me a call immediately. It's quite a pretty television, with "curves like orbits" and laser-polished buttons. Runs about $600 and comes with a metal stand designed in an "orbital pattern." Another fave is the Hanns Time Square TV. A 12-inch LCD model, this one is actually designed to look like a men's sports watch. On the front of the TV, it's got a Swiss movement on the right and a thermometer and hydrometer to track temperature and humidity on the left. The stand is wrapped in rubber and it's also got adjustable speakers. And what a bargain at only $450. More »
    12/29/05
    435
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    By tgrumet
  • gadgets

    Aurora Palette—The Magical Curtain

    Japan's Banpresto is selling several types of room and bath atmospheric light gadgets, including this one called the Aurora Palette. It is a relaxing, interior light, that projects an aurora borealis-like light on the ceiling or wall at home. Along with the colors, it also wavers as if it were a real aurora. It includes a timer function for 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes and sells for about $30. More »
    12/29/05
    602
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    By Noah R
  • gift guide

    Best of Gizmodo - Elimination Round 2

    We have been doing this Best of Gizmodo for damn near two weeks now, so if you don't know what is going on you either: A. Need to come to Gizmodo a lot more often, or B. Pay attention. Today we are eliminating two more competitors. Remember, you vote for the product that you want to stay in the running for best of the year. Whichever products garner the least votes will be eliminated. On Friday we will have the final two gizmos competing for the top dog for 2005 in a poll format. In this poll you may submit an e-mail address with your vote and after all is said and done we will be giving away a $500 Circuit City gift card to one lucky individual. More »
    12/28/05
    235
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    Comment by trs: Yeah I am very interested to see what they do in terms of DVR functionality on the mac mini. I'd... more » | Other threads

  • gift guide

    Best of Gizmodo Elimination Round 1

    Yeah, it's Tuesday and Gizmodo is finally back in the saddle again. The eggnog hangover is cured, the latke oil is almost hot, and it's time to get back to the nitty-gritty—voting for the Best Gizmo of the Year. More »
    12/27/05
    232
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    Comment by OldElvis: You may have to make it a little more clear, but I assume that we are voting to keep the... more » | Other threads

  • gadgets

    The MP3 LED Tree

    In today's busy world, classic holiday traditions such as caroling and decorating the tree are too much of a pain in the ass. Now it may be a bit late to do your tree shopping, unless you plan to leave that tree up until next year, but this is definitely a good gadget to keep in mind for future years. State-of-the-art lighting and an integrated MP3 player makes this the perfect tree for techies and lazy people alike. And just imagine the fun that could be had by replacing the MP3s of carols with some hardcore Mike Jones on Christmas Eve. Only $169 to have the laziest Christmas yet. More »
    12/23/05
    159
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    Comment by cyclopscellist: How much memory in that mp3 player? more » | Other threads

  • home entertainment

    Holiday Gifts and Listening for Geeky Musicians

    There's still time to run out and buy a gift for your favorite digitally-oriented musician at your local music store. From books and discs to tips for female musicians to gear and games, Create Digital Music has put together choices that won't blow the budget, like the $200 Alesis Photon X25 keyboard. (Hint: the recipient won't care about the solidly-built knobs, keys, and built-in audio interface as much as the glowing-red wheel controllers and wireless infrared X/Y/Z dome sensor.) But you'll have to pull yourself away from the groovy sounds of the vintage Moog sounds of Switched on Santa first. Make that a New Year's present. More »
    12/23/05
    273
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    By johnb
  • home entertainment

    Marty 101 Speaker — Timedomain

    The Japanese company MET began selling the speaker system Marty 101 yesterday, developed in cooperation with the company Timedomain. I guess it is more for the real audio buffs among us, but after reading about its effects capabilities, I'm thinking it sounds quite intriguing. "Time domain theory aims to reproduce the original audio waveform, which contains the amplitude / phase frequency characteristics, through the speaker, without change. This theory is therefore considered to be an effective approach toward the reproduction of truly original sound." Surely someone can comment on this. They're sold as a pair in silver or white for about $250. More »
    12/23/05
    131
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    By Noah R
  • cellphones

    Flash That Phonebook, Baby

    If you can get over the name, you might actually get some really good use out of this little gadget. The USB Phonebook Flasher plugs one end into your mobile phone and another into a USB port for one-touch backups for your address book. It's probably the most valuable tool ever for someone who uses Verizon or a service without the ease of a SIM card. No more having to spend hours reloading your new phone with your numbers off your old phone when you've got this. Backs up over 10,000 phonebook entries off both the phone and/or SIM card. Only $21.00 to spare you hours of aggrevation and sore fingers. More »
    12/22/05
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  • pdas

    Newton Museum Winds Up on eBay

    Are you a Newton fanatic who just can't let go? Want to get your hands on every Newton model ever made? Now's your chance, because unfortunately the (virtual) Newton Museum has closed. John Venzon has decided to sell off his massive PDA collection on eBay. You won't just scoop up Newtons and eMates (what an awesome failure), either—you'll grab all kinds of accessories like cases, cards, and cables, oh my! Even software is included so you can kick it wirelessly with that huge-ass Newton in hand. The auction ends Monday, December 26, 2005 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. Would you really need all these Newtons? Not really, but they're just cool to have. More »
    12/22/05
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  • portable media

    Get Your External Storage On with the PSP

    Need more room for porn movies and homebrew games on your PSP but don't feel like shelling out bucks for Sony Memory Sticks when you have a 2GB CF at home already? Don't fret, the Chinese are here to help you with cheap plastic attachments for the PSP! The Neo 2in1 and 4in1 are memory card reader add-ons for the PSP that will read up to 4GB CF, SD, and MMC cards. The Neo 5in1 adds a battery pack with AA battery support and USB ports for connectivity. They're all available now and range in price from $80 to $100. An excellent storage solution for the PSP, especially if you've got extra cards lying around in different formats. More »
    12/22/05
    517
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    Comment by Chandru: I agree :) Nice find chinese! U helped us to stay with 2.6 minus 1.1 firmware more » | Other threads

  • gadgets

    Topless Sandals

    Here's a new concept for your feet: topless sandals. These flip-flops have colorful designs that go well with any foot size. They contain a special sticky surface that leaves no residue to stick to the bottom of your feet when you take them off. I'm skeptical as to how well they'd hold up while trudging through sand at the beach, but they do look awesome enough. The company claims the stickyness will last about a year, so you at least get your money's worth. You'll be sure to turn heads when you wear them around and people wonder where the rest of the flip-flop is. All sizes, designs, and colors are available and start at $14.50. Comfort not included. More »
    12/22/05
    1,196
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    Comment by edelaney05: I think it's also great that topless-sandal.com also sells "toe thongs" (a.k.a the top part of a flip-flop) for $6.45,... more » | Other threads

  • gadgets

    Dig Pot? Then Rock a Cannabis Candle This Holiday!

    Oh man. That pun in the title was like, soooo funny, man. Dig...Pot? Like a Potted Plant! Sorry about that, I just got sidetracked because of this totally awesome Cannabis-scented candle from IIKH. Straight outta NYC, these candles are made from vegetable wax and have a cotton wick for a longer and cleaner burn. You know, kind of like a totally rad bong hit, man. If Cannabis isn't quite your thing, the candles also come in other scents such as Basil, Black Tea, Hyacinth and Lime Blossom. If you want to get your stoner friend something for the holidays, this is a great gift idea. Votives are $10 and candles are $28, so why not grab a dime bag and a few votives and be creative? More »
    12/21/05
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    Comment by FLHW: Just pop "Reefer Madness" into the VCR, slide into your hemp clothes, put on a little mood lighting (the candle)... more » | Other threads

  • laptops

    Diamond Laptop for 14k Geeks

    This is kind of old, but good for the holidays. There seems to be a market for luxury cellphones and PDAs, but I'm not quite sure who's buying a white-gold laptop. Forgive me, but I just don't see Paris Hilton whipping out her trusty computer at the airport to finish up that important document she's been working on. But if you have the money ($336,557) and the urge, Tulip has an E-Go laptop made with solid palladium white gold plates and brilliant-cut pav diamonds totaling 80 carats. Add two rubies in the Tulip logos and you've got something special. And a little ridiculous. You'll also find Inclosia s patented mass-production EXO overmolding system technology, designed to incorporate fabrics, leather and other materials into electronics and seen now in Microsoft s Executive Mouse. Expect an AMD Turion 64 processor, ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics chipset, 1GB of PC3200 DDR RAM, 100GB SATA hard disk drive, and 12.1-inch widescreen display, DVD-RW optical drive, built-in Web camera, 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 1.2 and SD/MMC/MS/MS Duo memory card reader. More »
    12/21/05
    3,485
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    By tgrumet
  • gift guide

    Best of Gizmodo - Final Vote

    Here it is, last one. You the people did us a good deed by nominating and voting for the best product for 2005 in each respected category, now it is up to you to pick the best product overall. There are also two choices being offered from the Portable Media category because the vote was so tight. Get ready to be Pwnz0r1z3d Apple fanboys. Get your vote on after the jump. More »
    12/21/05
    192
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    Comment by Torokun: What??? Treo??? Did they round up their employees or something? more » | Other threads

  • gift guide

    Best of Gizmodo Fin.

    Thanks for all your kind votes for the best product of 2005. Stay tuned for a final face-off vote between all the winners, where hopefully the Apple fanboys will get squelched by a lesser evil. In the meantime, head on over to the Gift Guide for last-minute shopping suggestions.
    12/21/05
    143
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    Comment by SpudMills: …the Apple fanboys will get squelched by a lesser evil. I thought you guys were fans of Apple products, but this... more » | Other threads

  • headphones

    Brighton Noise Cancelling iPod Headphones

    There are two ways to deal with the rash of iPod thefts plaguing the country. The first is to switch out your shiny white iPod headphones for a set of earbuds that look like they attach to some $5 portable CD player. The second is to get a set of these all-white Brighton over-the-ear noise-canceling headphones. Not only do these things scream out to muggers 'I have an iPod in my pocket,' but they also block out noises up to 15db—which makes you oblivious to the kind soul nearby who is shouting, 'someone is about to snatch your iPod!' They're powered by 2 AAA batteries and get about 100 hours of battery life from a single set. $43 a pair. Now if only they made a set in all black to match your next iPod. More »
    12/21/05
    369
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    Comment by sheimend: These are EXACTLY the same headphones branded as Targus. Just with some kind of pigment disease. I have the Targus... more » | Other threads

  • portable media

    Fluff Makes a Comeback

    It's baaaaack. Say hello to the Fluffpod iPod case for the Video iPod. Yes, it's soft, it's pink and it's damn well fluffy. A clear plastic cover protects your video screen so you won't miss a minute of Geena Davis in Commander in Chief, and docking base access makes it easy to refuel your pod. Just think, for $25 you can bring a soft friend home for your pet gerbil. More »
    12/21/05
    93
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    By tgrumet
  • peripherals

    Head Pillow for the Lazy Gamer

    Some of us have real lives with jobs and families to tend to. But that doesn't mean we aren't in touch with all you gen-gamers. I mean, playing World of Warcraft for 11 hours straight and then selling the gold on eBay is the job of the future, right? So, we present to you the executive desk chair for the hardcore MMORPG set: the head-propping pillow for gamers. It only costs about 550 gold (or $36 from Yahoo! Japan). Yeah, it makes you look like you're ready to give oral to a humpback whale, but your neck and head can slacken up and focus on the screen. Added bonus: you will get that slouched-over posture that announces to all the world, "I am a level 10 Mage." More »
    12/21/05
    311
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    Comment by airship: This obviously was designed with a Japanese-size gamer in mind. It would not accommodate your average 'healthy' US gamer like... more » | Other threads

  • portable media

    Best of Gizmodo Portable Media (Vote Time)

    We're going to try to make this a little more interesting by splitting up all of the types of iPods, but in most cases that probably wont work. Get your vote in after the jump. More »
    12/21/05
    153
    16

    Comment by sallysings: I picked the DS. Because it also comes in pink. (just kidding) Becase it has GREAT backwards compatibility, good form factor, two... more » | Other threads

  • pcs

    Best of Gizmodo PCs (Vote Time)

    Looks like another episode of Apple Versus the World in our PCs category. You know the drill, give us your vote after the jump. More »
    12/20/05
    116
    20

    Comment by Rectangle: If I wanted a different form factor for my PC, I'd build my own. However, I just don't see... more » | Other threads

  • home entertainment

    Epson Projector JUST Under 1K

    For a dollar less than a grand, you too can get yourself an Epson PowerLite Cinema Home 20 projector. Using a 3LCD projector, a new alternative to DLP, it has (shocker) three LCD panels and is also known as high-temperature polysilicon or HTPS. Also has 480p native resolution, 1200 ANSI Lumens of brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio and a short throw distance, allowing for projection of an 80-inch widescreen image from just 6.6 feet away. It also happens to include an optical/offset lens shift to easily set up a viewing space in any area without distortion. More »
    12/20/05
    120
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    By tgrumet
  • home entertainment

    Oregon Scientific Regional Weather Station Reviewed (Verdict: Not SPOTty At All)

    I've been watching SPOT (Smart Personal Objects Technology) for a few years now and I've never been blown away. However, this weather station seems to get a few things right—it uses a dedicated data stream to pick up excellent weather info, it never needs setting, and it does what it's supposed to do without lots of frou-frou bells and whistles. SpotStop says this thing is a bit 'spensive but it's very cool. This station comes with free Direct MSN service until 2010 and provides just about every weather function known to man. More »
    12/20/05
    136
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    By johnb
  • home entertainment

    Best of Gizmodo Home Entertainment (Vote Time)

    Here it is, the finalists for the best Home Entertainment product of the year. Put in your two cents, in the form of a vote, after le jump. More »
    12/20/05
    71
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  • gadgets

    Behind Doc Ock's Bar - the Octopus Tap

    As I recall from my heady college days, having a 1-to-1 keg to tap ratio was usually a bad idea. Someone would do a kegstand and then you'd get a dollop of partially-digested Doritos on the top of the keg, leading to the dreaded party foul. The Octopus Tap hopes to change all that. It consists of up to three taps—not quite octo, but tripus would sound weird—that can squirt out the brass monkey with reckless abandon. BONUS: Frats—You can even assign different taps to the pledges and make them drink urine afore tasting the sweet nectar of barley and hops. More »
    12/20/05
    145
    1

    By johnb

    Comment by non-meat-stick: is this not the Uber Tap in cheap disguise? http://www.ubertap.com/index.php more » | Other threads

  • gadgets

    Digital Faucets Make Water Extra Happy

    Why deal with that nasty old shower head that came with the place when you could be showering in luxury with the Visentin Klino Digitech shower system. From Italy with love, this baby's got an integrated water temperature display and gorgeous silver finish. And I think I can safely say its the faucet of champions. Along with this gadget, you can also get yourself a Klino basin single level mixer, Thermo-digitech thermostatic shower mixer with integrated temperature digital display and Glazed Soap Dispenser and Klino Digitech water inlet with integrated temperature digital display + Fly 3 spray shower. Those crazy Italians. Always thinking of new ways to get clean. More »
    12/20/05
    1,117
    1

    By tgrumet

    Comment by jYopp: When they integrate the temperature sensor from the shower head back into the temperature control, we're in business. The... more » | Other threads

  • gadgets

    TRON Disc or Frisbee?

    I have friends who like to play Ultimate Frisbee, which seems like a kind of silly game, but I guess now they can play it at night (perhaps in a spooky graveyard!) with this light-up frisbee. It comes in red, green, and blue, and will allow you to destroy Master Control with a few well-placed shots. More »
    12/20/05
    897
    6

    By johnb

    Comment by Trackback: Mostly harmless? I think not! Any aliens who receive our old TV and radio transmissions will be raising their tentacles... more » | Other threads

  • laptops

    CompUSA Gets Crazy with Laptop Pricing

    And you thought that $398 laptop at Walmart the day after Thanksgiving was cheap! Fuhgeddaboutit. CompUSA can beat that. On Sunday, the computer company was selling a Toshiba laptop with a 15-inch screen, 1.5GHz Celeron M processor, 256MB of memory and a 60GB hard drive for $150, after $550 in rebates and signing away your life to AOL for one year. It lasted only 16 hours, but even with the AOL thrown in that's a darn good deal. And then, to go one step further, the retailer offered a $99 Compaq desktop with an AMD processor, 17-inch CRT monitor, 256MB of memory, an 80GB hard drive and a CD-RW drive—also after about $480 worth of rebates. Obviously it's a ploy to get warm bodies into the store and spending money. Brian Woods, executive vice president and general merchandising manager of CompUSA, reported the company sold 7500 Toshiba notebooks in just 2 hours, while 7500 desktop bundles were also sold during the day. But don't fret, though the laptops were completely sold out, some of those desktops are still around, so I suggest checking your CompUSA flyer this weekend if you're looking for a deal. More »
    12/20/05
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    By tgrumet
  • peripherals

    Hands On With Logitech's Wireless iPod Headphones

    More »
    12/20/05
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    Comment by poopyhater: p. more » | Other threads

  • gadgets

    Bernhardt Instruments "Medograph"

    This watch harkens back to the days of nurses and doctors on the Western Front. Before we had all the fancy machines that go ping, you basically had to depend on a good watch for telling you if Johnny was going to make it even with his legs blown off. Nice looking timepiece. More »
    12/19/05
    343
    3

    By johnb

    Comment by JohnB: you guys are so picky. can't a guy get drunk and slack off? for 48 hours straight? more » | Other threads

  • gadgets

    I Dub Thee, The Petmaster!

    Some people out there just love pets. For those old ladies with 13 cats or the people with 4 dogs, life gets hectic, but that doesn't mean you can neglect Matilda the Cat. No worries, The Petmaster is here to save the day. Organize vet appointments and feeding times by animal type, schedule alarms to notify you of important times, keep important numbers like the vet and salon handy, and much more. The Pet Master can also find pet-friendly motels when traveling and get phone numbers and locations of clinics. Perhaps the cutest feature is that you can put a picture of your pet into a little picture frame on the inside casing of the Petmaster. So if you love Chuckles so much, you'll run out to Neiman Marcus right now and scoop one up for $30. More »
    12/19/05
    107
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    Comment by Worf: I don't know. I use a PDA to keep track of my appointments, meetings and other things, does that make... more » | Other threads

  • gadgets

    Crane Puts the Fun Back in Humidifiers

    I know, you've lost that loving feeling when it comes to your boring, noisy, winter-worn humidifier. But all is not lost. You can put some spark back in your nighttime cough with Crane's Panda Humidifier. With a capacity of up to a gallon of water, this panda-shaped gadget is the perfect companion for your stopped up nose and might even remind you of better, happier days. Or not. It also boasts "whisper-quiet operation" and auto-shutoff when the panda is empty. More »
    12/19/05
    233
    3

    By tgrumet

    Comment by Clare: I'll buy once they come out with a USB version. more » | Other threads

  • gadgets

    Go Speed Lacer, Go!

    The latest in foot fetish sneaker technology is upon us, folks. Speed Laces are special laces you can throw on your Nikes, Adidas, or whatever to lace them up hella quick. Perfect for someone doing a triathalon or something where different types of shoes are required, the laces tie up to become perfectly snug and tangle-free. You'll have to install little notches up and down to use these, but once they're working, you just pull the laces tight and move the little plastic piece to keep them snug. For $8.95, you can't complain about lacing up your running shoes with these, either. Available now. More »
    12/19/05
    209
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    Comment by Compact: i don't think they'll catch on. my mum's pretty damn speedy at tieing my laces as it is... and she's said that... more » | Other threads

  • gadgets

    Wind Him Up—The Electrilite Charger/Torch

    Cellphone lovers can rejoice next time the power goes out. Thanks to the Electrilite, a hand-crank-powered flashlight and cellphone charger, you'll never be without juice for that phone of yours ever again. This baby comes with seven different cellphone chargers so your phone has an excellent chance of getting the juice. Crank the handle for a minute and you'll score 30 minutes of light, from up to five LEDs. Want that cellphone up and running? Start cranking for three minutes and you can get about eight minutes of talk time. Excellent for emergency situations. This blue lifesaver goes for only $25, so grab one for the cellphone enthusiast you know this holiday. More »
    12/19/05
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  • portable media

    Jaton iRok

    Available in 1GB and 256 MB versions, the Jaton iRok is a NAND flash-based MP3 player with a 2-color OLED screen, FM tuner and voice recorder. With a nice price of $70 for the 256MB option (the 1GB price hasn't been decided on yet), it's a hearty, inexpensive player that will also let you transfer files thanks to its USB 2.0 interface. It'll also let you listen to about 20 hours of music with a built-in 3.7 volt battery. Supports MP3, WMA (DRM) and WAV music files, multiple languages (such as English, Chinese Traditional and Chinese Simplified) and has five music equalizer effects: Normal, Jazz, Classical, Rock, and Pop. Includes a pair of stereo earphones, USB cable, CD-ROM containing Windows 98 drivers, Quick Start Guide, and neck strap. More »
    12/19/05
    394
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    By tgrumet
  • laptops

    Apple: Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful

    Ok, it's obvious Apple is wiping the floor with its competitors when it comes to MP3 players and its new video iPod. Style, word of mouth and general lemming-like behavior make the iPod in all its incarnations a ridiculously popular product that isn't going away anytime soon. But what about Apple's other technology? You know, like computers? Well, if you're a fan of the brand, you'll be happy to hear that according to a recent study, Apple's notebook computers should see an increase in sales of 42 percent next year, giving them a 4.7 percent market share, up from 3.9 this year. The good news for us is this increase will spur new offerings this year, such as 12-and 14-inch notebooks, weighing in at 3.3 lb. and 4.4 lb. respectively. More »
    12/19/05
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    By tgrumet
  • portable media

    iPod shuffle Sold Out—New shuffle in the Works?

    Whoa there. Looks like Apple is doing pretty well this holiday season with the 1GB iPod shuffle completely sold out on their online store. The next date they'll be available? Mid-January. Which is also the time Apple is scheduled to release the Intel iBook and possibly a smaller version of the shuffle. So the timing seems to work out quite nicely, if you ask me. If you were just dying for a 1GB iPod shuffle this holiday season, try shopping around at a retailer such as Target, Best Buy, etc. and you may find one. The 512MB is still available for now, so grab one if you're worried. More »
    12/18/05
    302
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    Comment by godf00d: I agree, countb, but its a bit like the "when the lights are out" syllogism: once I have queued up... more » | Other threads