Are you thinking of getting a brand new PC sometime in the near future? Well, if you happen to have the budget for something big and powerful, you can always consider the HP Blackbird 002 which will be available in an exclusive configuration at Amazon.com, Newegg.com and select Best Buy, Circuit City, J&R and Micro Center retail stores and online shops this summer. This landmark event also marks the first time the HP Blackbird 002 will be made available in retail stores, allowing more customers to experience it up close and personal before they make up their mind about purchasing it. Of course, the retail configuration won’t disappoint when it comes to cutting-edge design and performance elements, since this is a thoroughbred machine that is meant to be set apart from the other desktop PCs in its class. Retail displays will also include video demonstrations of the system while offering live play.

When most of us think about new improvements in automobiles, we usually think of better fuel efficiency. However, a recent program by BMW called GINA thinks outside the box by changing the “box” around the car itself.

Simply put, GINA replaces the stagnant metal frame of a car with durable cloth. This cloth is put over a frame, and creates all the stability that is required for a fender, door, or whatever shape is required.

There are times when I struggle to find ideas for Coolest Gadget articles, but sometimes, one will just appear. This was the case of the Zapcar. One moment I’m watching my kids play on the playground, and then the Xebra Electric Sedan pulls up, just begging to be written about.

Once I saw this unusual three-wheeled car, I had to ask the owners about it. I was very intrigued once they told me that the vehicle was totally electrical, with absolutely no gas or petrol is involved. The owners even opened up the lid where the gas should go on an ordinary car, and all I saw was an ordinary electric socket.

To fuel this vehicle, all a Zapcar driver needs to do is hook that socket up to an extension cord, and plug the other end into an ordinary wall outlet. The Xebra Electric Sedan can travel up to 25 miles on a single charge.

Granted, its top speed is only 40 mph (65 kmph), but if you live in a small town like I do, the Zapcar is a very practical and cost-efficient way to travel. Especially the way gas prices keep going up.

The Zapworld line of cars are available for rental reservation and for purchasing on their website. The Xebra Electric Sedan is about $11,700.

Source

A few years back the Lifestraw was circulating the blogging sphere, actually, it crops up every so often even now.  However, not a lot of new details have come up about it.  It worked by placing the water into any pool of water you like and would suck it through the straw.  It instantly filtered.  However, that can be a bit obnoxious because if you want to carry the water with you, you need two different accessories.  This new design, the Lifesaver bottle both filters and holds the water.  Which would make it easier to toss in your backpack.

Industrial Computing has expanded its Guardian line of Windows CE 5.0-powered “military-grade” PDAs by introducing the dust- and drop-proof Guardian Model 135. It might not look as though it is up to the task when it comes to harsh environments, but it should be more than adequate for the average butterfingers who works in rather harsh environments. It complies with MIL-STD-810F and IP67 standards, enabling it to shrug off five-foot drops to concrete, being sprayed with water, or even being immersed. It will also outlast the average human in the heat, operating in temperatures of up to 140 deg. F. For more details on the specifications, check out the list after the jump.

I’ve never been the type to use emoticons in my IM messages or emails, but I know some people who cannot stop using them.

So why not use them while you are driving? This is the reason the Drivemocion was invented.

The Drivemocion affixes to the inside of the rear car window via power suction cup. It is operated by a remote control for the front of the car that attaches to the front windscreen. All you need to do is press a button to send simple emoticon messages to motorists.

Most standard office chairs weren’t designed with your total comfort in mind. Most companies throw a few pieces of plastic and cushions together and call it a seat, but what about our aching backs? Years of sitting in a computer chair can cause serious damage.

The term “computer desk” generally refers to a desk that was made for people using a computer, right? You’ll see things like a keyboard drawer, maybe a monitor riser and perhaps even some CD holders. However, the designer of this desk has taken the term in the literal sense, and created a desk that is also a computer.

Considering the popularity of World of Warcraft and other MMO games, developers everywhere are trying to figure out how to make the gaming experience more real for the gamer.

This is where devices like the jDome come in to play. As you can see, the jDome is a giant semispherical display that allows a gamer to see a semi-realistic 180 degree point-of-view of their player character.

It’s a mirror. It’s an MP3 player. It’s a video player. And it shows you where you’re at and where you’ve been so you can’t get lost. That is some rearview mirror.

The Multifunction GPS Bluetooth Rearview Mirror System provides complete 12 satellite GPS navigation, with voice prompting for directions and also has a reverse sensor to monitor backing up. It incorporates an SD card expansion slot and can play both MP3s as well as video formats for Windows Media Player and Quicktime MPEG4 with built in speakers giving the viewer a stereo experience. The mirror also reads JPEG pictures which turns the mirror into a photo album and you can even read eBooks through it!

I’ve never been much of a drinker, so the strongest thing you’ll usually find me drinking ins Mountain Dew. I don’t drink fancy coffees or teas, so I don’t normally have issues with spoons. However, if you’re wanting to eliminate this pesky utensil from your drinking routine, this cup would be the perfect way to do just that.

What have you decided to get for Mother’s Day? Well, Sony has a Camcorder Package for the clueless, consisting of the Sony DCR-SR45 Handycam camcorder with the DVDirect VRD-MC5. Perfect for mom to record all those family moments, allowing her to transfer them to a DVD without the need for a middleman device such as a computer. It has a fair amount of storage space - 30GB to be exact, which is capable of holding up to 20 hours of content. Of course, this won’t preserve your favorite memories in high definition, but at least there is the memory keepsake, right? A 2.7″ touch screen LCD panel makes it a snap to control the camcorder even during the more boisterous family moments. You will be able to save up to $180 when purchasing both the HandyCam DCR-SR45 and VRD-MC5 together on a single receipt which amounts to $729.98.

It appears that the iPhone has created such a splash on the mobile market that anything remotely like it will only be seen as a cheap knock-off. However, HTC’s latest cell phone could be an exception to this rule.

The HTC Touch Diamond has been called “the next 3G iPhone” by many gadget blogs. In addition to its 3G capability, it has a 3D interface known as TouchFlo 3D. This complete touch interface “provides animated access to people, messaging, email, photos, music, weather, and more”. The Touch Diamond also features a built-in camera with auto-lens focus, as well as a 2.8 inch display for clear viewing.

I remember way back in the day when Dick Tracy was my hero. Honestly as I look back, I can’t really remember much about him except that he wore yellow and had the coolest watch. The ability to talk to someone else through a small device on your wrist just seemed so awesome. Well now you can get a cell phone on your wrist, though it’s not nearly as cool as you might think.

When the story first broke of 9x’s Media Monitor System, the pictures we saw were of an amazing fifteen monitor setup that could be used for gaming, simulators or just about any other application that requires a huge amount of video real estate. Well, as fast as you can say “Photoshop” the 9x Media system has grown to hold thirty monitors for sick amount of space. And it still makes you want it.

Think about how much time we spend in the kitchen. While eating three meals a day at home nowadays is definitely not the norm, a tremendous amount of time is still spent in your homes eatery. It could even be called the heart of the home (and you can imagine which organ the bathroom is.) But despite so much time spent in one area, there have been relatively few technological changes made to the kitchen in the last 50 years or so. The Izona kitchen line from Fisher & Paykel plan on revolutionizing the kitchen with their new VentSurface, CookSurface, and CoolDrawer products.

Until this past weekend came, the area where I live was experiencing near summer-like temperatures outside. I was even forced for a couple of days to kick on the old A/C for a little bit. Most of the time I made do with just some fans around the house, which got me thinking about how much power I must be using running those fans all the time. If I had one of these Solar Powered Cordless Fans, I wouldn’t need to wonder.

I know that Japan has been using cell phones as a mode of payment for quite a fair number of years already, but that country is pretty much isolated when it comes to advanced stuff like that. How would you feel about using your cell phone to make that odd payment for your shopping or meal? While it might be much safer compared to carrying a wad of cash, what happens when you lose your cell phone (either by accident or through a theft)? Not only will you despair knowing that your contact list has been lost (serves you right for not having a backup), in addition to precious photos of your family taken by the handset’s digital camera and most importantly - your wallet. To suffer from so many blows at once isn’t exactly kind on a person, which is why I prefer to let the cell phone continue doing what it does best - communication. Let the good old fashioned wallet do the rest of the purchasing work. How do you see this?

Source: Geeks are Sexy

Summer is coming soon, so it makes perfect sense that the mercury is going to shoot up pretty soon with everyone opting for thinner cotton shirts. The USB Flower Fan provides some much needed relief, drawing power from your computer’s USB port in order to power the USB Flower Fan. Alternatively, if you aren’t in the vicinity of a USB port, there is always the option to use a trio of AAA batteries instead. The blades are made out of plastic for your safety, and despite that, it is able to generate a pretty strong breeze to help you cool down. The USB Flower Fan retails for $11.50 a pop.

With today being Earth Day 2008 here in the United States, I thought it would be good to highlight some eco-friendly gadgets for all the gadget lovers out there who want to do their part for the environment. Doing something good for the environment doesn’t involve having to live in a mud hut, sustaining yourself off wheat grass and tofu and wearing only hemp clothing. You can be on the cutting edge of technology and still be green.