Monday, February 26, 2007
Coming Monday: The Merlin Show
The Merlin Show arrives Monday, February 26th, at thirty theoretically productive frames per second.
Subscribe for free via the iTunes
elsewhere, merlin mann, podcasts, productivity, the merlin show, video podcasts
(Via 43 Folders.)
Top 10 designer keyboards
A year or so ago, I put together a list of the ‘Top 10 weirdest keyboards‘. Today we will forget about all of those crazy keyboards and concentrate on those that has an extra edge regarding looks. I’ve probably looked at several thousand keyboards before I came up with these final 10, so if you know of any additional keyboard with a truly unique and nice design, please add them in the comment below!
Ok then, so let’s kick off with the number 10 position:
The Surta-7 is a vandalism-proof industrial keyboard meant to be used in public places and various kiosk stations. It’s a robust and clean design made out of stainless steel. I guess this one is a pain to type on (as there’s usually only small micro switches beneath each key), but at least it looks good. Or I would put it this way - it’s so ugly that it’s beautiful!
The Surta-7 industrial keyboard [industrialkeyboard.com]
The wireless Speedlink flat metal keyboard is a elegant and classy input device. The front face is made out of brushed material and the keyboard features 18 hotkeys that gives you quick access to anything you would like. The working range is about 10 metres.
Speedlink metal keyboard [speedlink.de]
I realize that this photo doesn’t give the Microsoft’s Wireless entertainment desktop 8000 the credibility it deserves. It’s in fact a really good looking keyboard. The coolest thing with the keyboard is the fact that it’s completely backlit and the comfort curve makes it feel very relaxing and easy to use.
Wireless entertainment desktop 8000
The diNovo Cordless Desktop is another sleek keyboard from Logitech. The numeric keypad doubles as a calculator and can even display the temperature and date/time. Everything is wireless and the set also includes a wireless mouse and a mini-receiver desktop stand.
Logitech diNovo Cordless Desktop [logitech.com]
The SteelKeys 6G is a pro gaming keyboard from SteelSeries. Thanks to a built-in buffer system up to 8 keys can be used simultaneously. It’s a cool looking keyboard!
SteelKeys 6G [steelseries.com]
The Luxiium Luxeed is a keyboard that features built-in LED lights in every single key. The key can be programmed to display any of the available 512 colors which makes it possible to do program some really cool night effects. The keyboard is also available in a white model with transparent keys. Interesting concept!
Luxiium Luxeed keyboard [Engadget]
Das Keyboard may look just like any other keyboard at the first glance, but take a closer look at it - it’s totally clean. Just glossy black plastic with absolutely no text on the keys (except the logo of course). The home keys F and J have been specially shaped so the user’s index fingers find their home position easily. Yeah, this is the ultimate hacker keyboard - and the completely black design make it a cool contender on this list.
The Optimus keyboard is probably the most talked-about keyboard so far. It’s one of the most digged stories ever (currently one of the Optimus stories has 12 888 diggs), and the release date has been pushed forward a couple of times. The keyboard isn’t out yet, and the last thing I heard was that the keys wasn’t going to be in color - black and white only. We’ll see about that, but the original idea made it onto this list.
The Optimus keyboard [artlebedev.com]
Apple’s wireless keyboard that got introduced in 2003 is a true beauty. It utilizes bluetooth to transfer the data and the keyboard features 16 function keys, full numeric keypad, inverted-T, audio control and the ability to eject optical media.
Apple.com/keyboard
Here’s a better view of it taken by lluniau [flickr.com]
Picking the winner was quite easy - and a few of my gadget friends picked the same winner - the Logitech diNovo Edge. The combination of glossy black plexi, brushed aluminium and the cool lighting effects make it a stunning keyboard. Check out the side view and start drooling. Congratulations Logitech!
Logitech diNovo Edge [logitech.com]
The Fujitsu’s UMPC concept is just a concept, but it features a beautiful keyboard that also has a clever foldable design.
Fujitsu’s UMPC [reghardware.co.uk]
You got to give it up to the classic rubber keyboard from Sinclair on the ZX Spectrum. The rubber keyboard (chiclet keyboard) of the ZX Spectrum is something truly unique. I still have one at home…love.
ZX Spectrum [Wikipedia]
The Diatec’s Majestouch is a huge and heavy piece that features a brushed aluminim face and blue LED lights. Gizmodo gave this one the title ‘Pimp keyboard‘, and that’s a pretty good summary of the Diatec’s Majestouch.
Majestouch: Pimp Keyboard [gizmodo.com]
Digg this! [digg.com]
(Via Fosfor Gadgets.)
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Nokia 6280 overheats, erupts in smoke on video
We've seen dozens and dozens of aftermath photos from laptops and other random batteries suddenly possessing violently explosive tendencies, but we all know full motion video is more satisfying than simple stills. In this particular case, we're thrilled that the smoking, fizzing Nokia 6280 was filmed while in a location where humans couldn't be harmed, and initial reports are (unsurprisingly) tagging the battery or charger as the culprit. The 3 customer reported that his new handset "began fizzing white smoke" just hours after switching it on for the first time, and Nokia is reportedly investigating the issue. Of course, this isn't the first time a Nokia battery has been blamed for a fire, but unlike the previous case, we kind of doubt the firm will get off as easy here. So if you've actually hung around to read this far, we'll let you get to the fun stuff now, so go on and hit the read link for the final moments of the mobile's smoky death.[Via TheInquirer]
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(Via Engadget Mobile.)
i-mate's 7150 QWERTY behemoth live and in person
Filed under: Handsets, Windows Mobile, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS
You already knew the basics: Windows Mobile 6, VGA screen, tri-band 3G (3.6Mbps HSPDA on this one), but we've got a bit more to go on now with i-mate's flip-n-fold Ultimate 7150, not the least of which are pics from all angles. We can't say it looks quite as good in real life as it did in those PR renders the other day, but what ever does? Still, we're willing to forgive plenty with this little guy, with frills like a secondary embedded OLED display on the 7150's shell, a 520MHz Intel processor, and 0.7-inch thick form factor. The 3.8-inch screen of course never did anyone wrong, and it appears i-mate managed to squeeze in WiFi as well. Check after the break for that sexy integrated display, or hit the read link for the full collection.
[Thanks, ZSX]
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(Via Engadget Mobile.)
ACCESS ALP hits 1.0, new specs released
We only caught a brief early glimpse of ALP at 3GSM this year before they quickly snuck away all the gear, but PDAStreet claims that ALP has hit 1.0 in its dev cycle, and has screencaps and a lot of info we've been waiting for to make the case. First up, hardware: it should run on current generation devices, requiring at least a 200MHz ARM9 CPU (400MHz+ recommended), 64MB RAM and 64MB flash memory, and has support for input via QWERTY, 12-key with 5-way d-pad, and touchscreen (obviously) or digitizer (interesting!)with four or five hard keys. Interestingly, supported resolutions include QVGA (240 x 320), HVGA (320 x 480), and WVGA (800 x 480) -- where's the 320 x 320 Palm OS Treos have had since the 650? We dunno. ACCESS still hasn't announced any licensees, but unless ALP switches up and adds a square aspect ratio, it doesn't look like we'll see this running on any Treos as we know them today. Oh, app list after the break.
[Via Download Squad]
ALP apps, many of which are like totes obvs:
- Phone
- Contacts
- Calendar
- Memos
- Tasks
- HotSync
- NetFront browser
- HandMail
- SMS+
- iMessenger
- Music
- Video
- Photos & Studio
- Camera
- Documents
- Utilities (Clock, Calculator, Recorder, Home Screen, Flight Mode)
Of course, as we learn what these strange new programs do (and don't), we'll undoubtedly be posting to Engadget Mobile.
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(Via Engadget Mobile.)
