Blue Skateboard of Death

Powerboard2
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

Do you have a problem figuring out the fundamentals of skateboarding? I mean, is it too difficult to figure out that in order to get the skateboard to move when you are standing on it, that you need to propel the skateboard by pushing on the ground with one leg?

I guess so...

Thankfully, there is Powerboard2 (I have no idea what happened to version 1) to the rescue. Simply stand on the board and push the remote control to start the wheels spinning. Go from 0-9mph in "intense seconds" and then accelerate up to 15mph. You can also use the remote to brake. Don't forget to pick up any body parts that you may have dropped along the way when you are done.

Available June, 2005. Click on headline for link.

Be Cool!

Flask
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

OK, I know that this one is politically incorrect. But, if I were a smoker, I would, without question, own this.

A simple 6oz flask that I could fill with Wild Turkey and a few Camel filterless (or if you prefer, fill the flask with Night Train and Parliament Menthol 100's - I don't care) for those nights about town. Now if only I could find a perfectly tailored white suit and matching hat and a guy named Sam who can play the piano....

Anyway, about $20.00. Click on the headline for link.

Intel's Mobile Concept PC

IntelGoConcept
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

The on-the-go concept mobile PC is a new, ultra-mobile notebook PC that would allow consumers in the future to enjoy digital entertainment away from, in and around the home. Intel envisions that software would allow consumers to access ("outside-in") and/or synchronize ("sync-n-go") content from a digital home PC or network.

Small enough to fit in the user's hands, its touch screen doubles as a flat surface speaker, eliminating the need for a keyboard. The unit is designed to aid easy communications for on-the-go consumers. It comes equipped with a wired or wireless keyboard, detachable DVD player, GPS navigation system, a built-in camera and array microphones.

Built in GPS, detachable DVD, touch screen - WOW! Man, convergence is great. I just hope that this becomes a reality and not just fantasy. (Via Geekzone)

More Free Software - Virgin Mobile Radio

Virgin Mobile Radio
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

What's that? You wish you could listen to the radio on your mobile phone? No matter what carrier you are using? From anywhere in the world?

No problem. "Sydus and Virgin Radio have launched the world's first 3G radio player - so now, you can listen to our stations via the phone in your pocket wherever there's a mobile signal: from central London to Glasgow and from New York to Sydney - whatever network you're on."

Go ahead, download the free software, install it, then look for the Virgin Radio logo on your phone. The legendary Virgin Radio is available in stereo, along with two digital stations, Virgin Radio Classic Rock and Virgin Radio Groove.

Very Cool! Click headlne for link and don't forget to read the section on "Data Costs" so you don't get burned.

Free PIM Software

EssentialPIM
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

We all love free software. Especially free software that both works right and is useful. Newly-released free Windows software EssentialPIM manages your calendar, to-do list, contacts and outline-style notes on the desktop.

EssentialPIM will import data from Microsoft Outlook refugees and other common formats; it will also export to HTML and text. Supports multiple languages, database password protection and easy backup. Neatest feature is tree-structured notes, perfect for outlines and topic organization. Click on headline for link. (Via Lifehacker)

A Little Off The Deep End

Oracle
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

"I am from the future. I am writing to you from a temporary fold in space, binding the Internet (or what we call, the Sexnet) in 2146 to 2005. Only electricity can travel through the fold.

Let me tell you about the future.

1. 9 Alarm Chili cook-offs killed off 27% of America's South.
2. Global warming was fixed by blasting the Earth 2 miles further from the Sun. We now have a new month, Soltember.
3. An undiscovered Nuke underneath George W. Bush Stadium in Iraq detonates. The stadium is unperturbed as explosions are easily stopped instantly.
4. George Lucas' great great grandson buys Saturn's moon Mimas and turns it into a Deathstar/Amusement park.
5. I am middle-aged at 82."

But wait there's more -

This is an ebay auction in which you are bidding on the opportunity to add one line of dialog to any character in the auctioneer's screenplay.

The current high bid is $76.00. It's worth it to take a look at this auction.

Click on headline for link.

Cool As A Cucumber

Asus w300
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

From the website:

"The ASUS W3000 series laptop is designed to provide users with a comfortable experience of mobile computing in everyday life. The 14in. widescreen offers total vision satisfaction for both work and leisure. It is perfect for multimedia applications and multi-tasking is now possible with the W3000's option of displaying two windows simultaneously.

Hidden instant keys, gapless touch pad and latchless cover design are all created to offer a clean and smooth worktop and distraction-free view of screen."

Oh, and you want some additional specs -it is based on Intel's new 90nm Pentium M processor and 915GM/915PM chipset, the Windows-powered W3000 also includes a 14.1in. WXGA LCD, ATI Mobility Radeon X600 GPU, up to 2GB of DDR2 SDRAM (400/533MHz), built-in 802.11a/b/g, three USB 2.0 ports, a TV-out jack, and a built-in card reader.

Looks nice. U.S. pricing not available yet.

Gaming Tablet

Rogue Tablet
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

Video games as engrossing on a bus or in your minivan as it is on your desktop computer? On a tablet computer?

Remember the days of building a computer in your garage (Hello, Apple!), well Shane Lewis, 36, and Justin Dyster, 30, believe their Rogue device, with its ergonomically designed joystick, track ball, triggers and finger buttons and upgradeable components, will be a hit with gaming aficionados.

Rogue would feature an 8.4-inch LCD screen. Lewis projects the Rogue will sell for about $1,500 - the price of a mid-range laptop. It also would function as a tablet computer, one that a user can write into with a stylus.

It's an interesting idea, but the company is trying to raise $20-25 million to get the device into production. It may be a while before we see this one.

Electronic Fly Catcher

Fly Catcher
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

For all you sadists out there ("Hit Me" - "No") here's a great little gadget for those hot summer nights. It's the electronic fly catcher:

"A non-toxic bait based at the bottom of the jaws lures the insect inside. As the insect crawls into the mouth of the trap, two sensors detect the insect causing the mouth to shut, swatting the insect dead.

As the jaws open for the next victim Fly Catcher emits a loud burp, indicating satisfaction from catching a juicy bug."

Cool. Click headline for link.

Finally, A Real Camera Phone

LG 5MP
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

What good is a camera phone, if the pictures that you take look like that you used a kaleidoscope lens? How are you going to get really good candid shots of naked celebrities if your camera phone is crippled with a 1.3 megapixel camera or worse?

Well, LG is launching a 5 megapixel camera phone next month and said that it plans on releasing 6 and 7 megapixel camera phones thereafter. It's about time - there's nothing worse then convergence technology where one part of the "converged" technology is practically useless. Now if Sony would only put a 5 megapixel camera in that Walkman phone (scroll down) we talked about yesterday, then we would really have something.

It's Electric - Boogie Oogie Oogie Oogie

Vectrix
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

From the website:

"The Vectrix VXe electric scooter combines all the benefits of a traditional gas-powered scooter but without the noise, pollution, expensive maintenance, frequent oil changes, and regular trips to the gas station.

The VXe has been designed from the ground up to compete head-to-head with equivalent gas-powered scooters. With a top speed of 62 mph (100 km/h), a range of 70 miles (110 km), 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in just over 8 seconds, and a smooth and vibration-free ride..."

Not only that, but the recharger plugs into a standard outlet and gets up to 80% charge in about two hours. The only problem - it's not going to be available until 2006. Click on the headline for the Vectrix site.

Walkman Cell Phone

Walkman Cell Phone
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

Not that a lot of people weren't already using their phone as a music device, but Sony has just released their W800c cell phone/music player/media player/2 megapixel camera with video record/and built in FM radio.

It has dedicated music controls, memory stick capability for expanding memory and comes with CD ripping software. Oh yeah, it's Bluetooth capable too. This one looks very hot. No pricing yet. Click headline for more specs.

Segway Golf

Segway Golf
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

As if golf did not have enough gadgets and gizmos and toys, along comes the new Segway Golf "transporter":

"A new personal transporter configured to give golf enthusiasts a new way to cruise the course. With extended-range batteries, a golf bag carrier, enhanced traction tires, and a special standby key, the Segway GT provides the golfer all the tools needed to experience the game in a fun, unique way."

Be the envy of all your retired friends. Only $5,495.00 - but remember, it is not guaranteed to improve your score. Click headline for link.

More Odd Toys For Kids

Cool P3
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

Wow, is this toy cool. An MP3 player for kids between the ages of 4-8(?)! How do I know it's so cool? The marketing department has decided that 4-8 year olds don't want to bother with having to spell "mp3", so they decided to call it the "Cool P3" (leaving the "m" off for moron which is what you might be for buying a 4 year old an mp3 player).

It holds about an hour of music for around $30.00.

Teach Your Child A New Skill

SafeCracker
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

So what is that old proverb about giving a person a fish and they can eat for one day, but if you teach a person how to fish....

Anyway, here's a terrifically politically incorrect toy, sure to endear yourself to the parents of whatever child you give this to -

Or, is your 401(k) plan looking bleak, not confident in the stability of Social Security in your retirement years, then here's a gift to give your own kids to make sure that they will be able to support you in your old age.

Yes, it's the Spy Safe Cracker which will teach you three separate ways to crack a safe. Great Fun for all ages! Click on headline for site.

Tripod iPod Speakers

ipod tripod
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

Huh? Why would you want to turn your iPod upside down on top of 3 wafer speakers? I have no idea.

Manufactured by AM tech to run on one AAA battery and they promise stereo sound from this contraption. No pricing yet, but it wouldn't matter anyway, since I'm not buying.

Monday Morning Distractions - Lost Your Marbles

Here's a good time killer for those Monday Morning blahs. A fairly simple flash game where the object is to avoid the walls and pick up the marbles. Start with the Easy version - that should keep you struggling for a little bit before you try one of the harder ones. Or, start with a harder level and have something else to curse at today. Your choice. Click on the headline for site.

OS X for Dummies (or at least new Windows Switchers)

apple
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

Couldn't resist, could you? Bought yourself a nice, small, shiny mac-mini. It sure does look pretty. But, what's all that blue stuff when you turn it on? And how come you don't see any spyware software or virus protection utilities?

Oh, you mean that OS X is not like Windows? That's a good thing, right? Right - you have no idea how much of a good thing it is yet.

Anyway, here's your mini-guide to Mac OS X for new Mini owners (although most of this applies to new apple owners in general). Read, learn, play. Click on the headline for site.

More Google Goodness

Google
Originally uploaded by thegadgetguy.

In addition to the Google "cheat sheet" that we noted last week, Google has a features page which outlines its capabilities and shows how to use many of its latest features. For example, did you know that you can now Google for your local movies, reviews and showtimes? Or, have you used Google's local search feature to find restaurants or businesses in your neighborhood? And what about the new Google Maps feature - want to know what it is, how it works and how to use it?

Just click on the headline to learn how to use these and other Google features.