Smart Gadget, Apple, Blackberry

On the GSM side of the equation, users have been able to enjoy the BlackBerry Bold 9000 and BlackBerry Curve 8900 (Javelin) for several months, but what about the CDMA crew? Sure, they get the BlackBerry Storm, but what about some new QWERTY hotness? Well, your time has finally come and it’s going on Tour to Sprint.

The BlackBerry 9630 Tour was officially confirmed for arrival at Sprint later on this summer, though the wireless carrier didn’t make any formal indication as to an exact date. Even so, “late summer” would have it coming in August at the latest, right? That’s not horrible.

In terms of pricing, Sprint also said that the BlackBerry Tour would be made available at $199.99, assuming that customers are willing to go through a $100 mail-in rebate and lock down to a new two-year contract.

The specs, in case you missed them, include a 480×360 display, 3.2 megapixel camera with image stabilization, GPS, Bluetooth, and 3.5mm headphone jack. Even though Sprint isn’t a GSM carrier, the Tour will gain international roaming via UMTS/HSDPA 2100, and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE.

What about a BlackBerry 9630 Tour for Verizon? We know it’s going there too, but the checkmark of a provider hasn’t firmed up a release date either. A mid-July launch is the current estimate.

Source: GadgetReview

Back in January, Sony announced its VAIO P Lifestyle computer. I saw the device and played with it a bit at CES 2009 and all I can say is that the thing is tiny. I personally would much prefer a normal netbook form factor. If you think an MSI Wind or Eee is small, stay far away from the VAIO P.

Sony has added new technology to the VAIO P from Corel called InstantON. Using the new technology the computer can be started in seconds without having to boot into Windows. Obviously, you won’t have access to all of your programs when using InstantON, but if you are in a hurry it might be just the thing you need.

Sony says you can view photos, email, chat, and surf the web with InstantON. VAIO P machines with InstantON will ship worldwide in February 2009 and are available now in Japan. I still find it odd that Sony refuses to call the VAIO P a netbook when it runs netbook hardware. I guess they want to call it a notebook to make it seem a premium and justify its much higher than normal netbook price tag.

When I was roaming the halls of CES in Las Vegas back in January I spied the Vaio P from Sony and while they wouldn’t call it a netbook, I know a netbook when I see one. The little machine was weird and had a price much higher than the typical user would spend for the performance the rig delivered.

Sony has finally announced a machine that they aren’t embarrassed to call a netbook; specifically the machine is the Sony Vaio W. Technically Sony calls it an “Internet book” but we know what Sony means.

The machine is not that attractive with its rounded and bulky looking design. Inside the chassis sits a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 1GB of RAM and it runs Windows XP Home. The 10.1-inch screen has a 1366 x 768 screen resolution. The big rub, as with most gear from Sony, is the price, which is said to be about $629.

Been trying to figure out how this E Z Toilet Flusher works. It says no tools needed for installation, which suggests something simple, perfect for those of us with a deliciously paranoid Swine Flu powered fear of chromium plated toilet handles. $12.98. Bargain.


This hands-free, step-on toilet flusher works with a gentle tap of the foot pedal - no back strain, hand pain, or body contortion necessary. You’ll never have to touch that germy handle again. Installs easily…It fits any standard toilet, and you don’t even have to dismantle your current handle.

This must be one of (if not the) coolest spy gadgets I’ve ever reported on. It’s sort of a cross between a USB memory stick and a GPS receiver and what it does is store where ever you take it on the flash memory.

The Portable GPS Tracker is pretty small so you could either always carry it on you or use it in 007 spy mode by planting it on a person or vehicle you want to monitor. You may be wondering how you retrieve the stored info and secret routes, well that’s where it gets really cool.

Once the tracker has done it’s travels and it’s back in your possession you simply connect it to you PC and download the data. This data can then be plotted on Google Earth, Mapquest, maps.google.com and Virtual Earth to show exactly where it’s been, how long it took and how it got there.

I just think this is so cool (may of said cool a record number of times in this post) it obviously has the spy functionality of tracking somebody else but to me it is even more useful for tracking your own holidays and backpacking adventures. So not only can you bore visitors with your holiday snaps you can also show them exactly where you went.

Full feature list:

* Records time, date, location, speed, direction and altitude
* Works with Google Earth, Mapquest, maps.google.com, Virtual Earth
* Location points are downloaded into its software and then mapped
* Battery duration is 5 to 7 days of typical operation with 4,000 records
* Requires 2 AAA batteries (not included)
* Dimensions: 4″ x 1 1/4″ x 3/4″
* Comes with TrackStick, lanyard, software CD

You can used to be able to buy this nifty GPS tracker from Think Geek for $249.99, a good alternative now is Amazon.

Most people usually go for the computer’s built-in calculator when they need to add something up. However, if you’re just not into that method, this odd gadget combination might be something to pick up. Partially due to the massive calculator, but also because it’s a mouse pad and a USB port. All in all it has plenty of gadgets packed in there. This is probably one set of gadgets that seems a little odd to jam together, but I’m sure it’ll seem brilliant to someone out there.

The calculator would be a great gadget for those that are half blind and can’t hardly see the in computer calculator. The calculator itself has an on/off switch and can be plugged in with a 5V power adapter, which is not included. They include 3 different ports for your USB gadgets. The mouse pad also gives a nice bright blue ambient glow for those of you that enjoy your shiny gadgets. You can purchase this for $17.99 from GizFever.

Source: GeekyGadgets