Author: ChipChick.com

Well if you were at all impressed with Coby’s lineup of Snapp Pocket Camcorder’s you will be pleased to know that they have just updated their line to include three yet to be released additions. Coby Snapp CAM4505, CAM3001, and CAM5001. Each model appears to have gotten a bit of polishing in regards to looks and some built-in specs and yet are still extremely cheap. The most expensive one being the CAM5001 which sports a 2″ screen, 5MP, 4X digital zoom, 128MB of built-in memory, but can expand up to 16GB via an SD card, built-in HDMI connection, and lastly a video resolution of 720p. You can get all this for only $78.99. The other two models offer smaller screens, no HD resolution, and much smaller built-in memory however the prices are still pretty good at $29.99 for the CAM3001 and $48.99 for the CAM4505 models. Expect all to launch sometime in March and can be pre-ordered now at Amazon.

So you live outside the U.S.A., and there are all these gadget goodies in the U.S.A, that you can’t get in your corner of the world. So what’s a gadget obsessed due or duddette to do? Using Bundle Box, you’ll able to order just about anything from the USA. Bundle Box provides you with your own USA address that you can use to have items shipped. Bundle Box will consolidate the purchase into one international shipment so that you can take full advantage of the best shipping rate possible. Finally, Bundle Box promises that you’ll receive your purchase within 5 working days.

You never really know how well a laptop bag is going to hold up until you take it on a trip; and thankfully I was able to really test out the Speck PortPack Shoulder Bag, $69.95, on a recent trip from New York City to Boston. And this was a rigorous test: I was carrying some serious weight with a suitcase, two purses, and a laptop on a bus. Carrying this laptop bag could have either left me hating life or made the trip that much better. And I’m happy to say that this Speck PortPack Shoulder Bag actually made the trip feel easier thanks to its even weight distribution and all the features of the pack itself.

The purple striped messenger style bag is split into two compartments: one side for carrying your laptop, and one side for your miscellaneous objects. The interior of the bag is padded with a soft felt material so you know your computer isn’t going to get damaged or scratched. Even the divider between compartments is made of this soft padded fabric to protect your laptop from whatever you may have shoved in the neighboring compartment. Once I eased my 15″ full sized Sony laptop into the computer carrying compartment, I secured it in place with the stretchy velcro strap that goes over the opening of the compartment. The strong velcro strap made me feel like the laptop wasn’t going to fall out if the bag turned upside down while under my seat on the bus. The other compartment of the bag is also lightly padded and features a zippered pocket for carrying smaller doo dads. So now comes the truth test: is the extra compartment going to fit the magazine, power cords, and various stuff that I like to shove in my laptop bag? The answer is: sort of. One of the benefits of the case is that it’s pretty slim so you’re not going to feel like you’re carrying around some huge bulky bag. The downside to this is that I might have to pack lighter! That being said, the second compartment fit various loose papers, a magazine, my power cord, and a wireless mouse. It was a tight squeeze but definitely doable.

So the bag is completely packed to the gills, and I’m ready to close it up and get going. Both internal compartments load from the top and the bag has a quilted fold over flap that closes the bag shut. The flap connects to the bag with Velcro and has the added security of a small buckle to make sure that nothing falls out if the bag is shifted. The Velcro is a great feature for when you’re in a rush and forget to completely buckle your laptop in — you know that your papers and doo dads aren’t going to be all over the floor because the flap will stay in place. On the front of the bag but hidden under the flap when the bag is closed, are three compartments for storing your cell phone, extra papers, or whatever else you may need to carry. The bag also features a mesh side pocket, which held my water bottle securely in place.

 

There’s two ways you can carry this bag: one is across your body messenger style. The other is just to carry it on your shoulder like a shoulder bag. Unlike a normal horizontal messenger bag, this bag has a vertical orientation, so if it’s packed really tightly or if the strap is set to the wrong length, you may feel a little awkward carrying it. This can be easily fixed by adjusting the lengths of the straps. If you decide to carry it across your body or on your shoulder, the weight was pretty well distributed and I was thankful for the super padded shoulder strap. The padded strap relieved that “I just traveled on a bus for five hours” ache that is usually incurred with a standard bag. During the trip when I was reaching for my bag, I was happy to find that there is a tuck away carrying handle, perfect when reaching for the bag underneath your seat or just for added briefcase style portability.

When carrying my laptop is normally a huge burden, I felt much relieved when carrying it in this Speck PortPack Shoulder Bag. Almost an afterthought, the laptop’s weight was well distributed across my body and I had no problem carrying the bag around along with my luggage and purse. Well made and durable, I can see the case being my go-to laptop carrying case in many future trips.

The Good:
-Extremely well made and durable
-Combination of Velcro and buckles made me feel confident that my laptop wouldn’t fall out
-Added carrying handle made the trip feel that much easier when reaching for the bag under my seat
-Super thick padded shoulder strap for comfortable carrying

The Bad:
-Vertical orientation makes the bag a little more awkward than a normal horizontal orientation messenger bag
-With a 15″ laptop, it’s a very tight squeeze to use the bag’s additional compartment

Project Runway Winner Chloe Dao has actually been designing laptop and cell phone cases for quite some time now. Now you can discover the complete Chloe Dao Collection of bags at its own dedicated site. The Collection features a rolling laptop brief, a slim laptop brief, a flip tote, a mini backpack, 20″ carry-on trolley, over the shoulder satchel and a netbook envelope clutch. Her designs mostly feature bold and color patterns, but she also offers a selection of some more simple solid color cases. Overall, these cases might not be for everyone, but they are certainly very lovely and unique compared to the other accessories on the market. Pricing is very reasonable too for these cases, with pricing starting at $24,99.

It took years for Samsung to start selling their stylish laptops in the United States. But even once they became available in the U.S., pretty much the only place you could find them was online. If you’re like us, you probably like to see a laptop in person before shelling out your hard earned cash for it. Finally, a U.S. retailer, Best Buy, will be carrying some of Samsung’s notebooks in its stores. The R480: $729.99, R580: $829.99, the R780: $929.99 (available exclusively on BestBuy.com), and the Samsung N210 netbook will be on display at Best Buy starting March 7th.

The R80 series of notebooks are perfect for watching movies both at home and on the go with a built in Blu-ray optical drive. Additionally, the nVIDIA GeForce graphics card included in the R580 and R780 will appeal to the gamer in any household. The HD LED displays (17.3” – R780, 15.6” – R580, 14.0” – R480) provide the sharpest images and boldest colors with a proper 16:9 aspect ratio. With a built-in Webcam and integrated microphone, they are ideal for use communicating with friends and family over Skype or other VoIP networks. With an HDMI output, these models are perfect for college students or anyone who wants to play Blu-ray movies or stream HD video directly to their TV.

Grunge Buds from Atomic9 are not the first earbuds to be covered in Swarovski crystals, and they definitely won’t be the last. These blinged out buds are affordable yet they still manage to have pizzaz, and they even boast some noise isolation. Grunge Buds come as pandas, crystal cats, or skulls. They also have a mic incorporated, so that you can use them to make calls in your phone. Finally, their cables aren’t plastic, rather they’re higher quality braided aluminum cables. You can pick up a pair of Grunge Buds for $39.99.

Scosche Industries, announced today the availability of its reviveLITE II. The second generation of the iPod/iPhone charger and nightlight. This new smaller version has been redesigned to include a USB port charge so users can charge another USB powered device while powering up their iPod or iPhone.  This basically eliminates the need for  carrying a second charger for another USB powered device.  It also makes a great portable night-light.  The reviveLITE II retails for $24.99 and is available now at the Scosche website, and will be coming to other retailers in the Spring.

Well what do we have here…I guess Colorware has grown bored of customizing MacBooks and has sets it sights on the Alienware M15X. Just like usual, you can colorize every inch of this thing from the lid to the touchpad to the keyboard. 

If you buy the laptop directly from them it will retail for $2275 and the specs are as follows:
– Intel Processor (2.26 – 3.2Ghz)
– 15.6″ HD Screen (900p or 1080p)
– 512 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 240M
– 500 GB SATAII Hard Drive
– 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
– Dual Layer DVD Burner
– Internal Bluetooth
– Windows 7 Home Premium, 64 bit
– One Year Limited Warranty

If you go ahead and send yours in to be pimped, it will cost you $525. The best part is if you are a techie gal, you will have your very own feminine hardcore Alienware laptop.

For those already familiar with the Litter Robot for cats (That odd looking litter box contraption that looks like your cat is entering a space ship) will be thrilled to know that now your main coon cat can now go potty in there as well without a problem. The next generation Litter Robot is the LR2 Bubble Unit, aka Litter Robot 2 Bubble Unit. Which gives bigger cats more space too poop. The new ‘Skylight/Bubble’ type window adds 3 inches and adds natural light to this enclosed chamber – so kitty doesn’t have to be afraid to ‘go’ in the dark. Otherwise, everything else about it has remained the same and it still comes in the colors Beige, Gray, and Black.

The Oregon Scientific iComfort Personal Massager is not a fugally looking Homedics massager that takes up your entire chair. Instead it is portable enough for you to carry around and fit into tight spots when you need to massage out a bad spot on your back, legs, or even feet. The massage you receive is shiatsu-like with 3 levels of intensity and a remote control for you to easily change settings when relaxing. It almost looks like a laptop carrying case with its sleek design and carry handle. The iComfort retails for $99.99.

The Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme Breadmaker looks like a shredder or some other office tool, but not a breadmaker. Dinner rolls, garlic bread, to jam and cake, this device makes it all and is programmed to do so. All you need to do is prepare the needed ingredients, put it in the machine close the doo,r and program what type of bread, cake, etc.. you want to make via its LCD panel. Say goodbye to kneading and pressing forever. Meanwhile your home will smell like a Sara Lee lived there, in no time at all. The Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme Breadmaker retails for $239.95 at Amazon.

The HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition Butterfly Lovers debuted a few months ago as part of Tam’s Spring 2010 collection at New York Fashion Week. We instantly fell in love with Vivienne’s “Butterfly Lovers” Design that graced the cover, but we weren’t allowed to peak under the lid until now. Besides being able to see inside the laptop, the specs for the  beauty have finally been revealed. The netbook weighs 2.6 pounds, has a built-in web cam, and it’s running HP’s instant-on software (HP QuickWeb) that gives users access to the web, Facebook, Twitter, listening to music, sending emails and chatting, all within seconds – without having to boot into your computer. HP has also partnered with Beats by Dr. Dre to include special high-performance audio software so that users can experience music through headphones or external speakers “the way artists intended them to.”

 

The HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition also comes with a “butterfly lovers” desktop theme that includes an animated butterfly start menu, custom Vivienne Tam icons and three wallpapers to coordinate with the design. It looks like a matching micro-fiber suede sleeve is also included in the box.

The HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition will be available to purchase on March 19th, with a starting price of $599. A matching HP Wireless Mouse will also be available for $39.99.

At CES, BlackBerry announced the BlackBerry Presenter accessory. This little device extends the functionality of the BlackBerry into an even meaner tool for business users than it already is. In a nutshell, this pocket sized device lets your BlackBerry be used to wirelessly control PowerPoint presentations seen on a monitor or a projector. All you have to do is download the Presenter App onto your BlackBerry, connect the presenter to the to a projector or monitor, and your BlackBerry is ready to control presentations from a far.What’s in the Box:
The BlackBerry Presenter comes with a convenient faux lather carrying case, a wall adapter that connects to it via micro USB, and a micro USB cable for connecting the device to your computer when it comes time for firmware updates.

Design:
Measuring 3.4 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches, the Presenter is small enough to hold in your hand, and it’s very easy to throw in your bag. Its glossy black top, and metallic rounded curves no doubt compliment the latest BlackBerry Bold 2 in design. On its top lies a single button which is used to put the presenter to sleep, to wake it, or to show a new presentation.

 

Set-Up:
First, you’ll need to download and install the BlackBerry Presenter application on to your BlackBerry before using the device. Then you’ll need to plug the BlackBerry presenter into a power source with the included AC Adapter, and next connect the BlackBerry Presenter to your projector or monitor using an S-video or VGA cable. Any display dedicated for presentations will have a S-Video or VGA input. Once the BlackBerry Presenter is connected to a display, it will go into paring mode and begin to flash red on top. A BlackBerry splash screen will simultaneously show up on the display that the BlackBerry Presenter is connected too. You’ll then need to pair it with your BlackBerry via bluetooth using the 4 digit pass-code. The BlackBerry Presenter is even smart enough to automatically adjust the screen resolution on the display it’s connected too. From there on, all you have to do is start using the Presenter app on your BlackBerry.

Performance/ Features:
For a first generation device, the Presenter is very impressive and delivers as promised. Using the Presenter software on your BlackBerry, you can set a slideshow to Loop, you can skip to the next or previous slide, go to a new slide, and show speaker notes. You can also jump to a specific slide number, instead of having to run through many slides to get to a later or earlier slide. If you’re in the middle of a presentation and need to reference some of your notes, but you don’t want everyone to see those notes, the Presenter will let you freeze the slideshow that everyone is looking at so that you can go to a different slide on the Presentation using your BlackBerry. Try doing that with an ordinary PowerPoint remote! The Presenter has full support to show most of the slide transitions and animations that are used in Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 and 2007.

The BlackBerry Presenter works via Bluetooth and allows you to roam around the room unto 10 meters away from where the presenter is connected. I was able to move around my room while controlling the presentation playing on my TV without any problems.

Compatibility:
The BlackBerry Presenter can connect to any projector or monitor with a VGA or S-Video input. Unfortunately there are no VGA or S-Video Cables included in the box. The device is also compatible with both NTSC and Pal displays, so users traveling overseas to make presentations won’t run into any hiccups. It’s max supported resolution is 1024 x 768, which is more than sufficient for Powerpoint presentations. Most of the recent BlackBerry models are compatible with the Presenter, including the Curve 8520, 8530, 8900, the Bold 9000 and 9700, the Tour 9630, and the Storm 9500 and 9530.

Conclusion:
We’re sure that some might lament the fact that there is no HDMI or DVI support on the BlackBerry Presenter, but the reality is that those connections are more significant for playing back Movies, and aren’t really all that necessary for PowerPoint Presentations. Also, at $199, pricing is a bit high for the BlackBerry 9700, but this is the type of accessory that is really aimed at business users who can afford it if it will help make their work-flow and presentations more efficient. This is also a great alternative for those not willing to give up their BlackBerry for a smartphone with a built-in projector. Overall, the BlackBerry Presenter also makes leaving your laptop at home, or in the hotel room, a lot more plausible. The BlackBerry Presenter should be available soon.

The Good: Portable and convenient to carry along with you, easy to use, delivers as promised

The Bad: No VGA Cables or S-Video cables are included, not compatible with older BlackBerry models, pricey

For those of you lucky enough to be in the U.K., the self proclaimed lady phone, the Samsung Diva S7070 is now available for sale in shops. Marketed specifically towards women, the pretty attractive Diva phone is a part of the Samsung Diva Collection 2010, which offers mobile phones that are “exquisitely” designed for modern women. The S7070 in particular sports a white embossed quilted back cover with a matching diamond-shaped crystal on the front. There is even a hidden “glittering” LED screen that illuminates to notify you of a message.

The phone heavily focuses on social networking by integrating Facebook and MySpace. In addition, its 3.2MP camera features a special beauty shot mode lets you touch up images right on the camera. A special Lomo mode also adds neat lomography filter effects to photos. Unfortunately, the phone does not have support for 3G, which is pretty much unacceptable nowadays. But one super convenient and unique feature of the phone is its “SOS Message” and “fake Call” feature which can potential save you from the likes of a bad blind date. It accomplishes this by letting users send a direct message or a call to assigned public security services so that they can get a fake call when needed.

So what do you think of this phone ladies? Is it offensive or spot on in its marketing towards women? And hey, at least they didn’t just make it pink or purple this time around! They actually thought more about what features a woman would specifically appreciate.

For those of you eager to get the Diva in the U.S., have no fear since it’s bound to show up on bay unlocked. Meanwhile, you can check out a full review of the phone at Phone Arena.

(Via Pocket Lint)

Today we got a hands on with the second generation Classmate PC from Intel and Intel’s Learning Series. We also were offered some interesting insider information that probably will surprise you.

So here are some fun facts before we go into the meat of the new Convertible Classmate PC:
•    The original Classmate PC has sold 2 million units worldwide
•    Portugal is the leader in acquiring the most Classmate PC’s with a whopping total of 500,000 units for their kids in grades 1st, 3rd, and 4th grades, and now there is a push to get 5th and 6th graders Classmate PC’s as well.
•    Argentina and Turkey are a close second and third to also introducing just as many Classmate PCs into their schools.
•    Intel has been working all year to enhance their Intel Learning Series which incorporates an open platform, more diversified programs for the classrooms with the teacher leading the session in an even more interactive way. That also includes collaboration with vendors such as Smart Cart for Earth Walk that provides easy storage, as well as an all in one charging solution for one Classmate PC or an entire classroom’s worth that only needs a single electrical outlet to operate.
•    Intel has been working on improving rural connectivity as well, with the Classmate PC, by enabling internet access for a longer range for schools that may not be in the most urban areas.
•    Rumor has it that the Classmate PC will soon be the proud recipient of McGraw Hill and Pearson e-textbooks. Which will have interactivity, and unleash a whole new way for students and teachers to interact with textbooks and their Classmate PC. This is just a rumor for now…but it’s coming from a very good source. Heavy textbooks in backpacks will soon be a thing of the past.

 

So now introducing the Classmate PC second generation.What’s different? Check out the run down below:
•  The processor inside the Convertible Classmate PC is the newer Atom N450
•  The Classmate PC will indeed stay an open platform device, allowing Linux, Windows, or any OS to be installed on it or modified. However Windows 7 will be the OS of choice when shipping these products out, unless otherwise stated by the school or consumer.
•  The Classmate PC has a new clam-shell design that also transforms into a tablet, as well as e-reader with dedicated scroll buttons that allow you to go to the next page.
•  Its touch-display is now 10″ in size and can now support a 1368 x 768 resolution which is ideal for reading e-Books.
•  The keyboard is bigger this time around, and is almost 95% the size of a standard keyboard now. This is ideal for not only 2nd graders but for those older kids with bigger hands.
•  The keyboard, touchpad, and screen are all waterproof and there will be an Antimicrobial option as well for the keyboard that will be offered through OEM’s
•  Durability has been greatly improved with its new Clamshell design, rubberized casing and rounded edges, as well as increased cushioning inside the computer around the hard drive and other essential parts.
•  The Hard Drive is now 2.5 which means larger storage capacities are available and the PC also supports an SD card up to 32GB.
•  The stylus is now much bigger and it resembles a pen for kids to easily hold for drawing, or any other creative project in tablet interactive mode.
•    Battery life on a 4 cell battery will last about 5 hours and on a 6 Cell it will manage up to 8 1/2 hours
•  The device will be available with 3G, GPS and Bluetooth

We were told that Q2 will be its expected ship date and it will retail anywhere from the upper $300’s to low $400 dollars. From our brief time with the new Classmate PC we were impressed with its durability as well as speed and overall  handling. I especially liked when we were able to interact with it as a student would by using the stylus and other programs.

Intel is not expecting to make a killing on this computer in the consumer market, but they are truly focusing on how to integrate the Classmate PC into the school system. Sadly, all the red tape in the U.S. will probably bar it from entering U.S. schools quickly, so yet again our neighbors around the world will show us up.

 

Now that Bluetooth headsets have become a mainstay in the market place – design is becoming as important as functionality. Many companies are kicking it into high gear and Aliph’s Jawbone is definitely leading the pack. Never one to shy away from highend design, their latest Bluetooth headset, the Jawbone ICON not only is stylish, but it also has an App store as well.  Now that takes guts.

In the Box:
It honestly almost broke my heart to open the Jawbone ICON because it’s packaged like a piece of artwork on display. The review sample we received was the Jawbone ICON – The Bombshell. First you slip off the plastic enclosure covering the headset, and then you slip off the bottom portion which reveals two extra earbuds and an optional earbud with earloop solution –  in case your ears are too small or big to wear the Icon.  The packaging is also worth mentioning, just because of how everything was done to make it as compact and eco-friendly as possible. When you lift up the portion of the packaging that holds the earbud options –  underneath are manuals, a small bendable USB cable for charging, and a power supply. Everything is small and petite with pull tabs for easy access, which is ideal for ladies with long nails.

Design:
The Jawbone ICON comes in six different styles, all with their own personality: the Hero, the Rogue, the Bombshell, the Thinker, the Ace, and the Catch. Each one has a different finish, color, and look, and they each weigh only 8 grams! All of these designs have feminine appeal, but in a classy, not overly girly way. Many other bluetooth headsets try to have feminine appeal by coloring themselves pink, red or purple, or throwing on some floral patterns, yet the Jawbone ICON succeeds in having feminine appeal just by the fact that its design is modern and fashionable. The fact that Aliph includes additional earbuds and the optional earloop is not only a nice gesture, but it ensures that no matter what type of ear size you have – the ICON won’t fall off unlike some other bluetooth earpieces we have tested in the past. There is also a switch on the ICON that lets you turn the headset on or off, and a talk button that is easily accessible to answer calls.

 

Setup:
This is probably the easiest headset I have ever tried to pair with any device. All you need to do is a slide the button to ‘on’ on the Icon and turn your phone on to Bluetooth discoverable mode, and instantly the device is picked up. You can pair the device to another cellphone as well, and operate both devices when needed. I paired it to a Nexus One and an iPhone 3G s.  The Jawbone will indicate it’s being paired by a LED glowing near where the on/off switch is located.  If you have to have the Jawbone Icon in your ear while pairing – once paired a very lovely voice will play indicating the device is now paired. If you press the talk button while not on a call, the voice will also tell you how much talk time you have left too. The voice is the sound of a mature women that speaks to you and it’s weirdly comforting to know that she will tell you what’s up with your Icon as you use the device – it’s almost like having a personal assistant hidden in your Bluetooth headset.

Sound Quality:
Being that I was able to switch between different earbuds or the earloop if I so chose, it made it much easier to enjoy the sound quality and appreciate the Icon even more. Unlike the Jabra Stone where it was a certainly stylish and unique earpiece, the Jabra Stone never sat quite right in my ear. Fortunately the inclusion of earbuds and an earloop enabled me to fit the Jawbone in my ear perfectly and comfortably. The Jawbone Icon is all about style and enhanced sound quality. There is boom that extends on to your cheek but it doesn’t seem intrusive on your face or even annoying. For women with longer hair covering their ears, it practically becomes invisible to the public as it’s hidden away. However, the Icon is really an earpiece that is meant to be seen.

Just this past week we had a Nor’Easter in NYC and what better way to test the Icon’s Lethal NoiseAssassin technology. For those not familiar with NoiseAssassin from Jawbone, it is a technology that was originally developed for military use in tanks and helicopters, and features a wind reduction proprietary technology that eliminates background noise from mobile phone conversations. So this tech is definitely helpful on a noisy NYC street. I put the headset through its paces walking against the wind, standing in the line of fire of screaming fire engines, all the while on the phone talking to my friends and then colleagues who use various different cell phones.  I then went to the dog park and watched as my pup played in the snow and barked away, and still the quality of the voice on the other end of the headset was crisp and clear and they heard me just the same. In fact, my peeps claimed that I sounded even better than when I talked directly into my Nexus One handset, and I have to admit they sounded much crisper and louder too than when I use the handset directly! The earpiece didn’t fall out of my ear once, nor did it give me a headache or ear pain as many of the Bluetooth headsets have done in the past after having worn it in my ear for awhile.

Software:
Yes, the Jawbone Icon has an App store. Well sorta – it’s called MyTalk which is currently in beta and exclusive to Jawbone Icon owners. It offers a selection of AudioApps and DialApps for free (carrier fees may apply but the App to download is free). Once you sign up via the MyTalk website which can be found on the Jawbone website, you will be sent two separate emails allowing you access to this additional feature. As we mentioned before, we where reviewing the Jawbone Icon – The Bombshell which already comes with a standard Jawbone audio voice, which we already liked very much. But Jawbone has turned it up a notch and has offered its customers customized voices specific to each model of Jawbone Icon. These distinct voices alert you to important information like how much battery life you have left and what number is calling you. So just because you own one version of the Icon headset, that doesn’t mean you can’t have the option of getting the voices associated with the other headsets. Personally I found the voices of The Ace, The Bombshell, and The Catch to be the best and they are also female. The men representatives sounded almost comical. In order to sync the new voice to your headset you must download the software to your PC or Mac and then all you need to do is choose which voice you want and then select ‘SYNC’, and it will automatically transfer to your headset when it’s plugged in via USB to your computer. This process is extremely easy, and if you run into a problem there are some video tutorials to help you out.

The DialApps allow you to use your voice to unlock special applications specific for the Jawbone Icon. Directory 411, Jott for hands free email, Twitter, Facebook, and Google Calendar interaction, 1800free411, and HandsFree Assistant. I’m sure there will be more Apps available in the near future as this app store is still in beta testing, but it certainly already offers a wide a variety of options that easily installs and helps you in ways you never thought possible.

Conclusion:
The Jawbone Icon hits all the sweet spots – the device isn’t just pure eye candy, but a functional and well thought-out device that also looks to leave a small foot print on the earth due to its environmentally sound packaging. The headset offers truly excellent sound quality and noise cancellation, that not only will you appreciate, but those calling you will adore it too. The App store might seem gimmicky to some, but a lot of these apps are actually quite neat. For those looking to make the leap to an attractive Bluetooth headset that hits all the right marks, I highly suggest the Jawbone Icon. The boom is not intrusive on your face, the extra earbuds and earloop for optional ways to wear the device are very much appreciated, and it also happens to be one of the nicest looking bluetooth headsets ever made. Overall, you really can’t go wrong with the Jawbone ICON. You can grab the Jawbone Icon on Amazon from $89 to $99.95.

The Good: Excellent sound quality and noise cancellation, great design aesthetics, very easy to pair with devices, extra earbuds and optional earloop are included for a perfect fit, app store extends the functionality of the headset

The Bad: Fingerprints can be annoying, would have liked a carrying pouch for the price, pricier than most bluetooth headsets.

This latest and greatest from Hello Kitty could be considered the Japanese version of Clocky. When the clock hits the set time, Ms. Kitty will start moving around until you turn her off. So basically you have to catch her in order to shut her off. All the while as she is speaking Japanese and saying “Good morning, it’s time! Goooood morning! Hey, hey, you’re gonna be late!” She will smack into walls and change directions all while you are running after her in your jammies.  This is an official import from Sanrio and probably the most annoying Hello Kitty gadget to be released, yet – and that is something to brag about! The Hello Kitty Action Alarm Clock retails for $85.

If you’re someone who often carries around a little sewing kit with you, than you’re gonna love this Portable Sewing Machine. This little cutie is a cordless double-stitch sewing machine with a sturdy base and handle for moving. It’s even good enough to work on multiple kinds of fabrics, including denim, leather and silk. The machine comes with three needles, one threader, and one spindle, and it accepts standard spools of thread. Overall, we wouldn’t recommend using this to try and enter Project Runway, but if you’re someone who likes to be well equipped for anything when you’re traveling, the Portable Sewing Machine looks not too shabby for just $24.

Even though the Chilean people are suffering from a terrible earthquake, there are still a  few homes that have a working internet connection intact. The Red Cross is asking those folks who are lucky enough to still have their service to share with others who might not be so lucky, so that more people can communicate with loved ones outside the area.  Surprisingly, in the midst of all the chaos, Twitter has been used as a key communication link for Chile. The Red Cross has been using Twitter to send brief updates and to the point messages “Share your Wi-fi with residents for them to inform and communicate,”, they’ve been also tweeting out updates about shelters, and important announcements all via Twitter letting the public know what is going on.
iPhones, and BlackBerrys have also played a vital part in this earthquake because of 3G, which is the only working wireless network. Once again people took to Twitter via their phones to tell folks were they are trapped in the dark.  “Almost 53 percent of Chile’s population are Internet users, and about 10 percent of them rely on high-speed, or broadband, connections to get to the Web.” Additionally, Chile is not only Twitter savvy but they appear to be a leader in terms of Internet and broadband service as they were the first country in Latin America to use 4G (WiMax). So as devastating as the Chilean earthquake has been – this time around technology will play a vital role in helping to save many lives.

(Via MSNBC)