Gizmodo: tiny

Munchkin-Chic Lingo Wireless Mouse Might Be the World's Smallest

John Herrman — Wed, 06 May 2009 04:05:20 EDT

Nobody asked for it, but here it is: the 'world's smallest' wireless mouse! This thumb-sized min-strosity will run for 15 hours on one charge, assuming you can go that long without losing it.

I can't say for sure that the Lingo's 27.5 x 60 x 19mm dimensions qualify it for a size record, but if you're convinced (and care), it'll be available through Japanese import firms in a month for around $50. [Tecnosite via Crunchgear]

Miniature Synthesizer Replicas Cast in Felt Will Rock Your Tiny Mind

John Mahoney — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:50:00 EST

Can't afford a true vintage Mini Moog? Then how about the Mini-Est Moog—a 5-inch wide version made of felt by Etsy craftser pulsewidth? Have your pet mice been itching to form a synthpop trio?

Than these are the instruments for them. If one of your mice is particular and will only play a red Nord Lead pulsewidth will take custom requests. Clearly a lot of love goes into these, and there are pics of several more, including a bitchin' Arp Odyssey, on her Flickr page. [Etsy via Technabob]

Tiny, Adorable Walkman Phone Is Hard To Use Unless You're Also Tiny and Adorable

John Herrman — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:57:16 EST

By the numbers, the KDDI Walkman Xmini phone is nothing special. Well, except for a few of the numbers: at 44mm wide and 18mm thick, the 1.8in screen phone is absolutely minuscule.

Well, for what it is, at least. there have been smaller gimmick phones for quite some time, but none with a solid featureset like this. As a Walkman phone, it comes with 4GB of flash memory, a well-tested and usable media player interface, and when closed, illuminated touch controls on the bottom front bezel. A Japan-only handset for now, you can also expect mobile TV and integrated domestic music stores.

The only obvious problem with a phone like this is, well, using it. Derek Zoolander's halcyon tiny-phone-toting days came before we were all texting each other like crazy, an experience I can't imagine being too enjoyable on the Xmini. [Akihabara]

Landport Cubes Squeeze Powered Speakers In Just 1-Inch

Kit Eaton — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:48:13 EST

Portable speakers for MP3 players are two a penny, but not many are not far off a penny in size: Landport's Cubes are though. They're just an inch cube, but fit in stereo speakers, 3.5-mm jack plug, rechargeable batteries and a mini-USB port. They'll run for 4-5 hours on a charge, too. Just don't go expecting bone-rattling volume as they pump out a similarly tiny 0.8-watts. Out soon in Japan for $25. [Slashgear]

Tiny Imovio iKit Handtop Computer is a Decade Too Late

Kit Eaton — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:57:00 EDT

At first glance, the ~~iMe~~ (sorry!) iKit handtop computer sounds pretty fandabbydozy: it's a tiny, folding, 2.8-inch screen, QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi-enabled, webcam and Bluetooth-packing, multimedia-playing computer. But then you learn that it's got just a 3-hour battery life in operation, doesn't have 3G connectivity and if you even want to connect a mobile broadband dongle you'll have to get one with an "optional" internal USB connection. It's basically the tiny portable PDA computer we all fancied back in the 90s.

Sure, it can take up to 8GB of memory via an SD card expansion, and its version 2.4.19 Linux-based OS will make it pretty bloody hackable...but if you line it up against modern smartphones, or even handheld games machines, it doesn't actually live up to the "the ultimate, portable multimedia device" banner it's being touted under by makers Imovio. Then you discover that it's cost will be around $170, and the Eee PC and its ilk loom over it in terms of cost, specs, battery power and only slightly lesser portability.

Maybe I'm being a bit harsh, possibly expecting a lot from a device with such a lofty name, and maybe it'll appeal to people after really ultraportable not-quite-a-BlackBerry, not-quite-an-iPod computing needs—read the press release below to make up your own mind.[viaGadgetLab]

London, 20th October, 2008: A device that offers consumers an alternative to a smartphone or mini-PC has today been launched by IMOVIO. The iKIT is a Pocket Mobile Companion that at 95mm by 65mm and only 15.5mm high is as portable as a mobile phone. Yet the WiFi enabled device comes with a full QWERTY/AZERTY keyboard, an 8GB SD card slot, a 2.8 inch QVGA display and an option to convert the USB for use with an HSDPA dongle, making it a fully functional communicating and browsing device and a viable substitute for a laptop.
iKIT open
iKIT open

The stylish iKIT is a dedicated chat, email and internet accessory and unlike smartphones it is fully optimised for that purpose. The clamshell design provides users with a full keyboard and landscape screen that don’t have to be compromised for voice calls. Dedicated hotkeys for all of the applications, including a music and video player and webcam, coupled with the elegant design mean that iKIT is the ultimate, portable multimedia device.

The suggested retail price of approximately £99 or €130, combined with the functionality, make the iKIT a very attractive device for a youth audience, as well as appealing to travelers who need a quick and easy-to-use messaging alternative. By buying the iKIT, consumers will be able to save up to £500 on an iPhone* or mini-PC** and with potential operator subsidies the savings may be even greater.

“Many consumers can’t afford the latest smartphone or mini-PC gadget, while others simply can’t use or just don’t like the existing form factors. This means that large groups of people still don’t fully utilise mobile data,” said Dr Jack Torobin, CEO of IMOVIO. “These users, mainly women and teens, still want to have the ability to send emails, browse the web and update their on-line profiles whilst they are out and about.”

“We designed the iKIT to be an alternative to a smartphone or mini-PC,” said Nigel Newby-House, Head of Design at IMOVIO. “It’s a beautifully designed mobile device that provides all the multi-media and messaging capabilities a mobile consumer needs. But at a much better price.”

For mobile and broadband providers, the iKIT is the perfect device to complement their existing range and can be offered to consumers as an add-on device to go with the existing choice of phones, laptops or HSDPA cards. Alternatively, the iKIT can be used to increase customer retention or reduce churn by offering it as a subsidised device for users signing up or renewing broadband or mobile data packages.

Dr. Torobin continued, “the iKIT will allow operators to target the demographics that are currently not well served for mobile data. And as an HSDPA enabled device, it offers a great entry level product for operators to increase usage of their high-speed networks.”

Some of the many operator benefits of the iKIT include:
- The iKIT is brandable to match an operator’s existing portfolio of devices
- For mobile operators, the iKIT will increase take up of new unlimited data plans on the new high-speed networks, without users having to change from their much-loved handset
- For broadband providers the iKIT is the ideal second device that can be used to share the home network, providing the messaging capabilities needed without the high cost of a new laptop
- The iKIT opens up a market to a previously disenfranchised demographic that can neither afford, or fully utilise a smartphone or laptop
- The suggested retail price of approximately £99 or €130 means that the iKIT is the perfect device for consumers to purchase as an add-on device – increasing the number of transactions and therefore loyalty
- Operators can now offer teens and other key demographics, like senior citizens, a device that offers exactly the right amount of functionality without the price, commitment or unnecessary processing power of either a laptop or smartphone

On top of the Linux 2.4.19 operating system (OS) the iKIT runs the multi-media and communication tools required by the teen and youth audience. Browsing is optimised for the form factor with Opera Mini 4.1 and the device uses a standard mini-USB port for headphones, charging and synching the device. With storage for over 2,000 contacts and a stand-by battery life of up to 250 hours, the iKIT belies its lightweight, stylish appearance.

# # #

Notes to Editors

Price comparisons are based on the following information, current as of 17th October, 2008.
*Apple iPhone on an 18-month contract at £30 per month, plus £159 handset purchase gives a total cost of ownership of £699
** Vodafone Notebook (Dell Inspiron Mini) on a 24-month contract at £25 per month gives a total cost of ownership of £600
# # #

iKIT Specifications

General

Processing
- Processor: Marvell PXA270 312MHz
- Operating System: Linux 2.4.19
- User Interface GUI: Proprietary plus Trolltech QT/E 2.3.8

Connectivity
- Bluetooth® 2.0 with EDR, supports wireless stereo headset
- (A2DP) & DUN profile
- WIFI® IEEE 802.11 b/g
- Optional USB connection configured for HSDPA dongle

Keypad
- QWERTY/AZERTY + numeric keys, other languages optional

Memory Internal
- ROM: 128 MB, RAM: 64 MB SDRAM
- User data: 12MB, User media files: 23MB

Memory External
- Micro SD (up to 8GB)

Display
- 2.8 inch QVGA, TFT, 260,000 colors, landscape

Dimensions & Weight
- 95mm (L) x 65mm (W) x 15.5mm (H)
- 113g (with battery)

Connector
- Mini-USB 1.1 used for charging, PC data exchange and wired stereo headset.

Battery
- 1050 mAh, Li-ion
- Standby Time: up to 250h
- Power-up Time: up to 3h (25% data download per hour)
- Gaming Time: up to 4h (java game)
- Charging time: 2.5-3.5 hr to full charge from flat with device power off

Colors
- Velvet Black, Satin White – other colors available to order

Multi-Media

Browser
- Web browser Opera Mini 4.1

Messaging
- POP3 / IMAP / SMTP email protocols
- Supports MSN IM

Audio
- Supports MIDI, WAV and MP3 formats
- 16mm speaker built-in, monophonic

Imaging
- Supports JPG, BMP, GIF and PNG formats
- 0.3 MP fixed focus camera (Option)
- Digital zoom: Up to 3X smooth digital zoom with 7 steps

Video
- 3GP, MP4 and AVI format, Maximum size QVGA
- 25 fps video playback for QVGA size video clips
- Support full-screen display

Java
- JTWI / JSR75 compliant

Professional

PC Sync
- With Outlook 2000/2003 & Outlook Express v6 (emails, contacts, calendar)

Personal Features
- Calculator
- Media folder
- Notepad
- World clock
- Alarm clock
- Stop Watch
- Countdown Timer

Contact List
- Maximum 2,000 records

Calendar
- Maximum 1,000 events

In the Box

- iKIT
- Battery
- Mini USB / USB cable
- USB stereo earpiece
- Charger
- User guide and CD

Atomic Pen Writes World's Smallest Possible Letters

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:15:00 EDT

Researches at Osaka University have been doing some really tiny writing later, using their newly-invented atomic pen, which can draw atom by atom. The resulting letters, the words "Si" for silicon or "Yes" in Spanish, measure only 2 x 2 nanometers, roughly 40,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. According to Masayuki Abe, one of the project scientists, they have reached a limit impossible to surpass:

It’s not possible to write any smaller than this.

They achieved the atomic pen using the tip of an atomic force microscope, which interacts with the surface of a semiconductor when it's near it by exchaging silicon atoms. According to the scientists, this is a new step towards the miniaturization of chips, which will eventually take us to impossibly-small computers. [Pink Tentacle]

This Brando Super Tiny Keyboard Could Be Smaller (In My Mind)

Brian Lam — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:17:45 EDT

We've crossed the palm-sized threshold in the contest for the tiniest USB keyboard. Joel lusts for this one, and yet, Chen does not think such a device would be useful without a cellphone connector — Why? Cellphones already have text entry and clearly the USB keyboard's utility is all about its size. I can't wait for these to get even smaller and I will be there watching when they collide with smartphone-sized QWERTYs. I defend these fantasy gadgets' difficulty of use by the fact that you'll be able to keep a spare on your keychain one day. [Brando via BBG]

Super Talent 8GB Flash Drive is World's Smallest

Haroon Malik — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 05:34:00 EDT

The chaps at Super Talent are not only incredibly modest, talented and super, but they must also be fantastically tiny to have put together the world's smallest 8GB flash drive. (Flawless logic, I'm sure you'll agree.) Retailing at $35, the price is pretty reasonable, at least until you drop it into your chest hair and lose it forever.

Buying continual replacements is quickly going to create a massively expenses bill, so we say, just stick with this alternative instead. Sure, it may not be miniature and cool, but at least it's big and ugly. If that isn't a selling point, having physical characteristics in common with your flash drive should have you sold. [Oh Gizmo!]

Mini Mob Tiny Brick Phone Is Perfect For Midget Zack Morris

Jason Chen — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:59:04 EST

Using a retro brick phone doesn't have to be an exercise in giving up modern features as long as you're using the Mini Mob. Not only does it look like Zack's Kelly Kapowski booty call gadget, it's got an MP3 player, a camera, GSM compatibility and a slot for headphones. And best of all, it's only four inches tall, meaning you can fit this into your pocket without looking like you have elephantitis. Price? $330. Warning: even though the product page says you'll be "the original gangster", chances are you will not. [GadgetsArcade via Wired]

Epoq MP4 player: Size of a Matchbox, Memory of a Goldfish

www.gizmodo.com — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 05:37:59 EDT

This MP4 player from Epoq is the same size as a book of matches. Available in either white or chrome and 1GB or 2GB versions, there's a miniSD Memory Card slot to give you up to 4GB memory space. It's quite cute—the buttons down the side are very retro—but it's too small for my liking.

The gizmoito also has FM radio and a built-in speaker and will cost you $99.99 for the 1GB version and $139.99 for the 2GB. Accessories include stereo headphones, USB cable, CD driver and AC charger. Full specs are after the jump.

6.6 x 50 x 11 mm
1 or 2 GB internal flash memory + MiniSD card slot
Anti-scratch 320×240 LCD
RockChip Processor—allows playing back unconverted AVI videos at 25 fps
Built-in speaker
FM radio with 40 presets
Sound/voice recorder
Image viewer and e-book reader that work in parallel with music playback
Supported formats: mp1,mp2,mp3,wma,avi,jpg,bmp and txt

– Ad Dugdale

Product Page [First To You via Ubergizmo]

Absurdly Small Cellphone from Xun Chi

Charlie White — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 09:04:32 EDT

We've shown you tiny phones before, but this is getting ridiculous: the Xun Chi 138 is scarcely larger than an AA battery and it weighs just two ounces. Too small to even dial, it requires you to use a stylus on a touchscreen and plug in a headset to talk and listen.

Since it only supports Chinese character recognition, we won't be seeing it stateside anytime soon, but before it's shipped here the company might consider learning how to spell the word "megapixels." – Charlie White

Xun Chi 138 the worlds smallest phone [NewLaunches]

Space Cube In the Wild

johnb — Wed, 03 May 2006 10:43:02 EDT

Measuring a mere 2" x 2" x 2.2", the Space Cube is a 300-MHz PC with USB, Ethernet, video-out, and serial (!!) ports and runs Linux. Best of all? It uses something called a "Space wire." We do not know what the space wire does, but it must be amazing.

Space Cube [EpicEmpire]

Minox DC 6011: Spycam Size with 3x Zoom

Charlie White — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 11:22:46 EST

Minox intros the DC 6011, a 6-megapixel camera that s slim and trim but fat on features. Even though it's just .7 inches thick, 3.4 inches wide and 2 inches tall, it packs a 3x optical zoom and a 2.5 inch LED screen into its meager frame. It's versatile, too, able to record video and voice on its SD card. Minox also equips the camera with PictBridge so you can print directly from its USB 2.0 port without a computer and it also includes a docking and charging station. Pricing and availability was not announced yet for this camera that's scarcely the size of a credit card.

Minox DC 6011 [Let's Go Digital]

Pricing on Minox digital cameras [Amazon]