Technorama

Samsung u-740

Samsung and Verizon wireless are introducing a new wireless handset from Samsung (available through Verizon Wireless, which maintains more than 25 retail locations throughout ME/NH) called the u-740. Aside from the cryptic brand name, its actually a pretty cool-looking little gadget that allows for download of everything from ESPN sports clips to music videos, songs -- and quickly changes shape to turn into a super-mini computer in the palm of your hand (see attached photo).

MyApartmentMap.com

Rye native and former Portsmouth High student Ian Reardon has created a pretty neat and useful web 2.0 application. If you've been hearing the term "Web 2.0" recently and have no idea what it's referring to, here a quick description - A new breed of websites that instead of offering content, offer some type of online application or service.

Reardon's creation is MyApartmentMap.com which makes finding an apartment in a good location for you much easier. He's taken Google Maps and combined it with apartment listings from CraigsList in 12 major cities so that when you're looking for a new place to live, you can see where various apartments for rent are located and if there is easy access to highways, shopping, etc.

While Portsmouth hasn't made the list of the first 12, Boston is in there, and it's pretty neat to see where the various apartments are located throughout the city.

If you're relocating, the site is definitely worth a look!

Woodflame Gusto Portable Grill

We've seen and looked at plenty of portable grills, most of which run on a small gas tank. The Woodflame Gusto grill however, uses hardwood cubes, or even small branches for fuel to grill your food out in the wild.
It weighs less then 10 lbs.

It has a wide cooking area and can be placed down on any surface, even a wooden picnic table.

It retails about about $225, you can get purchasing information from the link above.

Vonage V-Phone

If you use Vonage, this gadget will allow you to take your phone account with you anywhere you have access to a computer and an internet account.

From their description:

The Vonage V-Phone comes with Vonage Talk software pre-loaded – there's no need to install it on your PC and no need to restart your computer. Simply insert the Vonage V-Phone into any available USB port, plug the earpiece microphone into the side of the Vonage V-Phone and you're ready to make and receive calls! Remove the drive when you're done and the phone and all your important contact information goes with you.

It also comes with 250MB of free space, so you can use it for storage as well.

It's yours for $39.99.

BUZZ OFF Kennebago Fishing Shirt

The rain has not let up yet this season, and that means many more breeding grounds for mosquitoes. If you're tired of spraying yourself every couple hours you might try this offering from LL Bean.

It comes treated with BUZZ OFF Insect Shield™ treatment, which means you don't have to spray yourself...your shirt acts as the repellent! The treatment is odorless, harmless and invisible. It's been tested to work through clouds of mosquitoes and black flies, and also repels ticks and chiggers.

It stays good for 25 washings, which means you should easily get an entire summer's wear out of it.

You can order the shirt for $46 online, or just take the drive up to Freeport sometime this summer and buy one at the outlet.

Get the Ultimate DirecTV package for $625 a Month

If you seriously have nothing going on in your life except your TV set, you might want to consider exploring the proposed TITANIUM™ package from DirecTV.

For a mere $7500, ($625 a month) this is what you would receive:

EVERYTHING.

Yup.

Every Channel.

Every Movie.

Every Pay per View.

Every Sporting Event.

Every Adult Program.

Every HDTV Channel.

Up to 10 HDTV DVRs.

24/7 Concierge Service.

You can go to the above link to sign up for more information. The service is projected to launch at the end of the month.

Catch the Sox on your Outdoor Home Theatre

...If it ever stops raining around here, that is...

Watching the Red Sox each night is veeerrrrry important to some people. The problem is, MOST of the time, there are a lot of just gorgeous nights outside where it is just too nice to sit inside and watch TV. If you've got a projector and a thousand bucks to drop, you can just take the Sox outside with you.

This package from Brookstone features an 80 inch inflatable weatherproof screen and two amplified, weathered outdoor speakers. You supply the projector for the signal and you're in business.

I can think of a few friends of mine who would scoop this up in a minute, though their wives probably wouldn't approve. But then again, they'd be getting outside in the summer. Hook it up near the grill, set up a couple chairs, seems like an idea summer night to me!

Mosquito Mega-Catch

With all the rain we've had this spring, we're primed for a killer mosquito season come June, July and August.

You might be able to do yourself, and your whole neighborhood a favor by picking up one of these. The Hammacher Schlemmer Mosquito Mega-Catch runs for just under $200, and uses the latest bug catching technology to keep these pests off of you. Here's how they describe how it works:

The trap uses a strip of octenol (to generate a scent that resembles breath), a UV bulb, and flashing LEDs (oscillating frequencies determined to coincide with spectral sensitivities of many mosquitoes). When mosquitoes get close to the trap, the patented airflow system that disperses the attractant sucks the insects inside, where they are collected in a mesh catch bag or a liquid catch pan that is easy and safe to empty.In a USDA suburban test, our trap captured up to 1,200 mosquitoes in a single night and diminished mosquito populations over an entire acre.

Leaving near a stagnant pond, this might be something I'll seriously consider investing in.

3-in-1 Breakfast Maker

3-In-1 Breakfast Maker combines a toaster oven, a coffee maker, and a frying pan.

What more could one ask? From the site:

You can make a complete breakfast on one space-saving appliance. The coffee maker features a 6-cup pot, a warmer, and a permanent filter. The dual-element toaster oven includes a chrome rack and a baking tray. Convenient switch selects upper or lower element or both. Lower element heats bottom of toaster oven. Upper element turns oven into a broiler and heats the frying pan. 15 min. timer with auto shut-off heats food to the ideal temperature. Perfect for a dorm room, studio apartment, office, RV and more.

Only $39.97 through the above link.

I apologize for the lack of updates recently...I'm getting married next Saturday...May 6th, out in California, then will be gone for much of May...I'll try to schedule a few posts for the month.

DuPont™ Self-Charging Smoke Alarm

Ok, I think this is pretty cool. A smoke detector that you don't have to mount, and it doesn't need batteries, or worrying about it they're charged or not. You screw this into your light socket, and then screw to the bulb in. Almost like those Glade Plugins that allow you to still plug cords into them.

Of course, you can't use it anywhere you would have a normal light fixture, but you'll likely have a smoke alarm already in that area. This is more for a garage, or hallway where you would just use a naked light bulb.

Product Specifications

* 85dB alarm
* UL listed
* Test mode
* Will operate for 30 days without charging in the event of a power loss
* Ionization-type smoke alarm
* Should be placed within 8.5 inches of the ceiling
* Chirps every minute when it needs recharging
* Dimensions: 3"H x 5"L x 3"W

You can order it for $33.96 through FirstStreetOnline

Sony E Series Walkman

Sony is displaying on their UK website images of a new Flash MP3 USB Walkman.

The device is actually pretty neat looking. It looks pretty much like an ordinary USB thumbdrive. They advertise that it will be available in "black, violet, pink, blue, silver and a very exclusive lime green". What I find neat about the device is that at one end, you take off the cap and it has a built in USB plug so you can just connect it directly to your computer...no cable needed...and download you music onto the player.

It will come in three sizes - 512 MB, 1 GB and 2 GB. The latter two units are also available with an FM tuner. They also say that it will only take 3 minutes to charge the unit to provide up to three hours of playback.

No pricing yet, but a pretty impressive looking little gadget.

World's Smallest Dishwasher

If you've got a small apartment in downtown Portsmouth, you likely don't have the luxury of having a dishwasher in your kitchen. There simply isn't the space for it in your cramped kitchen. Perhaps this is the answer.

The World's Smallest Dishwasher

The page tells us that this unit is the size of a large microwave, which means it can sit on your countertop. You hook it up to your facet and you can wash up to four full place settings at one time. If you've got a small apartment, you probably don't need much more than that at one time anyway.

# SPECS
# Type - Compact (Counter/Table-Top)
# Capacity - 4 Place Settings
# Size (HxWxD") - 17.75 inches High x 19.6 inches Wide x 18.8 inches Deep
# Net Weight - 51.8 lbs.
# Wash Temperatures °F - 130° and 160°
# Interior - All Stainless Steel
# Drum - All Stainless Steel
# Noise Level - 58 db
# 1 Spray Arm - Lower
# Connecting Hoses - Included
# Operating Manual - Included
# UL Approval US & Canada - Yes
# Model - CD400/W (white), CD400/P (platinum)

FEATURES
# Built-In Hot Water Heater - Yes
# Manual / Mechanical Controls - Yes
# 3 Wash Programs - Yes
# Overflow Control - Yes
# Sterilizing Wash Capable - Yes
# Interlocking Door Mechanism - Yes
# Super Quiet Operation - Yes
# Automatic Rinse Aid Dispenser - Yes
# Adjustable Rinse Aid Dispenser - Yes
# Indicator Lights - 2; Power & High Heat

The unit sells for $199 plus shipping.

Origami is Launched!

It's been hyped in the tech world for weeks. Gadget sites have been speculating as to what Origami is, the new product backed by Microsoft.

Yup, it's a Handheld "ultra mobile" tablet PC. Check out the Microsoft Launch Page for more information and screen shots.

Y.A.G.G.

(Yet Another Golf Gadget)

TeeToGreen Technologies has released the sureshotGPS, a device that can tell you exactly how far away from the pin you are at the moment.

Their description of the device:

"The sureshotgps is a compact, hand-held, easy to use GPS (Global Positioning System) device specific to golf. With the option of attaching to your belt, golf cart or buggy, the sureshotgps means never having to look for a distance again.

Wherever in the world you play golf, the sureshotgps will allow you to obtain distances from tee to green. Experience the difference with better club selection, speedier play and statistical information per round."

You can order it online for $399 through their website above.

Forget the Coffee Table Books...

Make the coffee table the conversation piece!

HP Is celebrating their 40th anniversary, and as part of this, they rolled out a prototype of a high tech coffee table.

HP hopes that the Misto "will bring the family together as they share information around the coffee table rather than just viewing it on a television screen."

"The idea is to allow a group to congregate around the table and share pictures, play board games, or peruse a map, said Pere Obrador, project manager in HP's imaging technology department. "

No word yet on pricing or availability.