Just plug in the USB receiver, wait for the computer to automatically load the appropriate drivers, and you have full control over that PC. Moving the mouse pointer around is a simply matter of dragging your finger on the track pad like you would on a laptop, and pressing the thumb board provides keyboard input.

But the EFO RF keyboard has other, more amusing applications as well. Plug the receiver into the back of an unsuspecting co-worker’s workstation, then start randomly dragging your finger on the touch pad, and typing out random characters. Watch your co-worker start wondering what’s going on, and even bang the keyboard out of frustration! I wouldn’t recommend doing this if your victim is trying to meet a deadline though; he or she may go ballistic once you reveal you’re guilt as a prankster.

EFO actually sent me two PC remotes: the aforementioned RF wireless keyboard, and a wired USB version. Both are practically the same, but the latter is limited by the length of its USB cable. Stay tuned for a review! EFO’s products are compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux PCs with plug-and-play capability. The company promises shipment to any country within 2 weeks from order placement.

EFO RF Wireless Keyboard Remote ($40)
EFO Wired Keyboard Remote ($22)

Post from: The Gadget Blog

In other words, the color green was chosen because it presents a night-vision operator with the most accurate picture possible, the most perceivable. Obviously, in situations where seeing everyone else before they see you represents the difference between life and death, this is a crucial advantage. According to keylawk.blogspot.com, our visual affinity for green is due more to our brain than our eyes:

Because the sensitivity is indifferent to whether the green is pigmentation or wave length, solid or light, it is probable that our brain, not the naked physics of the peep-hole, the optic orb, is cue-ing the green.

So, unless there are significant changes in how our brain perceives the world through our eyes, expect low-light hardware to present everything in shades of green.

(Photo from Wikipedia)

Post from: The Gadget Blog

This extension replaces all Flash content with the ubiquitous blue cube iPhone users are accustomed to seeing. Pretend you’re on an iPad!

Follow the blue cube on Twitter – http://twitter.com/thebluecube

Please note: this extension and its developers have no affiliation with Adobe or Apple.

Known issues:
- Extension can only be disabled by accessing chrome://extensions and disabling it there.

Current version is 0.4.1, which was uploaded yesterday. Chrome users, install CubeMe on your favorite browser and starting limiting your online experience today!

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Not relying on consumables will definitely reduce operating costs, but the estimated 500,000 yen price point (currently $5,605.5) may turn off customers. The resuable paper is available in lots of one-thousand, and costs 300 yen a piece ($3.36) according to the video above, but “0.3 yen” according to the product page. It’s a bit hard to translate the “Engrish”, but the paper also seems very water-resistant, and will retain the print even when submerged in water.

Developer Sanwa Newtec seems aware that the PrePeat’s pricing puts it beyond the reach of the consumer market, and through a representative confirmed that they’re simply targeting “large companies that use a lot of paper media”. Perhaps they should come out with a color-printing system well, to appeal to creative agencies?

PrePeat RP-3100 II

Post from: The Gadget Blog

The actual flash disk is within the apple’s stalk, while the apple’s body is distinctive decoration—and most likely would make a decent paperweight for all that Beatles paraphernalia. Here’s are more details about The Beatles [USB]:

• 16GB USB stick housed in a green aluminum apple
• Contains full contents of The Beatles Stereo Box Set
  • Please Please Me
  • With The Beatles
  • Hard Day’s Night
  • Beatles For Sale
  • Help
  • Rubber Soul
  • Revolver
  • Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
  • Magical Mystery Tour
  • The Beatles (White Album)
  • Yellow Submarine
  • Let It Be
  • Abbey Road
  • Past Masters I & II
• All stereo songs in FLAC (44.1khz) and in DRM-free MP3 (320kpbs) with a one-click ‘Export To Media Player’ function
• 13 mini-documentaries in MPEG4 video format
• Custom-designed FLASH player menu system with full booklet artwork, album cover wallpapers and photo gallery.

That’s right, you really get what you pay for, as the music is DRM-free! Get The Beatles [USB] from Amazon.com today! At the very least, you also get a pretty stylish flash disk!

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Similar technology may become mainstream soon actually. Argo Medical Technologies in Israel is currently holding US trials for its ReWalk. That’s a exoskeleton that allows people who are paralyzed from the waist down to use their legs again. Users may not be able to control these mechanical leg supports with their minds, but the crutch-based control scheme looks pratical enough—but unfortunately requiring full upper body function as well (sorry quadriplegics).

The American trials currently involve 14 people, all walking around with a setup that detects upper body movement through shoulder sensors, and moves the legs based on these signals. The battery lasts for 3 hours if used continuously, while Argo Medical is shooting for a public release by the end of the year (pending FDA approval of course). No word yet on the planned price, nor any potential plans by the robotic overlords to get the paralyzed on their side.

Source

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Treat yourself to big savings on popular laptops starting at $449 after instant savings!

Studio 15 laptop with new Core i7 processor for just $899 after instant savings.

Find an Inspiron Mini 10 netbook to fit your needs starting at $249 + free 2 business day shipping!

Over $300 in savings on a fully loaded Studio desktop with 24″ monitor. Only $699 after instant discount.

Save $70 on the 10 megapixel Kodak EasyShare Z950 Digital Camera. Only $179 after instant savings!

Great deals on Sony TVs at Dell.com

Post from: The Gadget Blog

• Valentine’s Day Superstore at Buy.com! exp 2/14/10

Here are some gadgets available through the lovey-dovey gimmick:

• Samsung NC10-13P 10.1″ Netbook – Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz, 1GB, 160GB HDD, Bluetooth, Windows XP Home (Pink) – $339.95 (expires 2/5/10)
• Kingston 4GB DataTraveler 101 USB Flash Drive (Pink) – $10.49
• Sungale 15″ HD LCD Digital Photo Frame – Remote Control, MP3, Holds Over 200 Pictures Internally SAVE $39.01 – $109.99
• Microsoft Zune 4GB MP3 Player (Pink) w/ Free Microsoft Zune Car Pack and Premium Headphone (v2) SAVE 60% – $82.99
• Sanyo VPC-TH1 HD Digital Video Camcorder Bundle (Red) – Includes 1GB SD Card, HDMI Cable, Extra Battery and Attractive Pouch – $199.99

All the above items above come with free shipping.

HP Online Store also has its own promos, but you’ll need the following coupon codes to avail of them:

• Additional $20 off web coupon for the purchase of an HP Desktop or All-in-One Desktop PC configured at $100 or greater at the HP Home & Home Office Store using coupon code DTAL89741. Offer excludes P6300z, P6310t, P6350z, S5300z, S5310t, CQ5300f, CQ5320f. Coupon valid through 4/30/10.
• Save up to $500 in instant savings using $300 coupon code NBLB654877 + Instant Rebate ($0 – $200 depending on model selected) for the purchase of a customized HP Pavilion Laptop PC configured at $1,499 or greater at the HP Home & Home Office Store. Offer excludes HP Minis, HP Pavilion dv8t Quad, Envy 15 & Compaq. Offer limited to the first 1,800 coupons redeemed.
• Save up to $300 in instant savings using $100 coupon code NBLB654853 + Instant Rebate ($0 – $200 depending on model selected) for the purchase of a customized HP Pavilion Laptop PC configured at $1,199 or greater at the HP Home & Home Office Store. Offer excludes HP Minis, HP Pavilion dv8t Quad, Envy 15, & Compaq. Offer limited to the first 500 coupons redeemed.

Take a look, consider your options, and happy shopping!

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Bento is Filemaker’s personal and SOHO database for the Mac where you can organize and manage your digital assets. After the second release of Bento, it only took them 10 months to release their third version.

The third release of Bento includes three new major features such as: Grid View, iPhoto integration and sharing your database over your local network.

Grid View

The Grid View feature was added with the iPhoto integration in mind. In addition, viewing of your contacts in Bento have benefited from this additional feature. For instance, you have photos of your contacts on your mobile phone and you have synched it to your Address Book in Mac, the photos of your contacts will be shown in Grid View in Bento 3.

iPhoto integration

The iPhoto integration has made Bento more versatile. In Bento, you cannot delete or edit iPhoto data, however, you can organize your photos there and link it to another Bento library. If you are a photographer, you can link your photos in iCal Events by adding a Related Data field (formerly known as Related Records List) with iPhoto as the data source.

Share your Bento Library over your local network

In Bento 3, you can share your entire Bento database or selected Bento libraries over your local network. However, you are allowed to share your libraries to up to five users on your local network. By default, your Bento libraries are not being shared over your local network. To be able to edit your sharing preferences click Bento > Preferences > Sharing. You have the option to allow others to edit your libraries. Allowing others to edit the database is recommended if you want to collaborate with the other users. To make things more secure, you have the option to require the other users to enter the sharing password.

Bento Template Exchange

Bento 3 is preloaded with 35 templates that you can utilize. If you want to do more, you may access the Bento Template Exchange and download templates uploaded by other users. You may also upload your custom Bento templates there. There are a lot of notable templates in the Bento Template Exchange. My favorite template is Track Domains where you can track information such as DNS, hosting, database, Google Apps. The said template also includes related libraries that you may use to track Wordpress installations and Wordpress plugins.

Pricing

Bento 3 is available for $49 as a single user license and $99 for a family pack license (may be installed on up to five computers). Originally, the pricing scheme of Bento 3 did not include an upgrade pricing for Bento 2 users. However, for existing Bento 1 and Bento 2 users, they offered a rebate of $20 which ran until January 28, 2010 only. The Bento 3 single user license and the family pack license is very affordable and its pricing is already a bargain considering the new features that have been added.

Conclusion

Bento 3 is a versatile software that one can use for work or for personal use. Though the new features that were added are impressive, I think it would be interesting to see a web application integrated with Bento so that you can access your data anywhere even if you do not have your laptop or your desktop with you.

Thanks to Karla for guest-writing!

Post from: The Gadget Blog

You see, both my home and office PCs use LCD screens, while MSI claims that its Wind uses an LED display. Whatever the case, my eyes seem more used to the Wind’s screen. Understandable, since it has been my main computer ever since I bought it.

Last week I realized that I was wasting money. The office computer was provided to me, yet I’m wearing out my Wind. The home desktop on the other hand is rarely used, meaning I’m not maximizing the money I spent on it. So I decided to start spreading my usage among the different computers, hopefully making full use of my hard-earned money.

Unfortunately, though I spent the same amount of time staring into my desktop displays (both 1680 x 1050 20-inchers) as I do when using the Wind, the former seemed to cause headaches. There’s no appreciable difference in brightness, so I can only assume that the larger LCDs cause more radiation, which affects me more severely. Or perhaps since my eyes are used to my Wind, it’s learned to cope with the strain better?

Dear readers, have you experienced the same effects when using multiple computers? If so, feel free to share your experience below. My eyes and head will thank you for any insights into this health-related problem.

Post from: The Gadget Blog