Gadgets Comp

Delta says it plans to block websites it deems “inappropriate” when it rolls out its new Wi-Fi service.  The service will be available on selected planes later this year and on all of its flights in 2009.  The airline’s original plan was to let flight attendants handle any issues, but they changed their mind and will now be using a software solution.  Like American Airlines, they will also block VOIP service to avoid customer complaints of passengers making loud phone calls. The Wi-Fi service will be provided by Aircell’s GoGo service, and they said they have no problem filtering content if requested.  Privacy experts, not surprisingly are critical of the idea, fearing it could open the floodgates for outright censorship. (Read the full post about ‘Delta to use filters on in air Wi-Fi’…)

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Oh no, not another one of these video headsets that still have yet to catch on. This particular one that you see here is from camera giant Nikon and called the Media Port UP. Most of these video headsets that we have reported on, like the myvu, are usually designed to take video files off of the ipod and make them a private experience for the viewer. I’ve got to give kudos to the Media Port UP because it is WiFi ready, and allows the user to view files with the Windows Media Player. So, are we looking at the next stage of mobile computing? No more laptops or netbooks, but surf the web while you’re walking around. Well, it does have a memory of 4 to 8 gigabyte hard drive. (Read the full post about ‘Nikon Media Port UP puts TV on your eye’…)

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Last weeks coolest gadget competition was the closest yet, as I’m typing this it is tied so I’ve reached out to Twitter followers for help decide the final winner (you can follow on Twitter at AlCarlton) and the lead then swapped 3 times before the voting was closed. The final winner is the SL2 Survival Tool, so congratulations to Gaj-It on their return to winning ways. The SL2 Survival Tool is a super-tough, compact and lightweight tool that is indispensable for anyone who’s into camping, fishing or hiking, and is an upgrade from our popular SL3. (Read the full post about ‘Last weeks CGOTW and $100 winners are…’…)

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Do you like baseball?  Do you spend a lot of time in airports?  Well there’s a solution for you! Like everything involving the MLB, they want to charge you a for a special four-hour pass to watch playoff baseball in the luxury of your own laptop.  You will also need to have a Boingo subscription to get access to the MLB pass.  Never mind the fact that a lot of airports have sports bars where you can just watch the game.  Maybe this is for that business traveler who hangs out in those mystical lounge/club areas because they have a special card.  Live streaming is a great option, but if you miss a game, there is on demand viewing available as well.  The service only costs $4 for a four-hour pass.  If you are stuck in an airport for over four hours, you probably will head to a bar and spend your money on more important things like beer and wings. (Read the full post about ‘Watch baseball at the airport’…)

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USB drives are usually far from having an earthy appeal.  However, these new Mahjong flash drives are exactly that.  Yes, it is still just a USB drive, but if it’s something you carry around a lot you might as well pay a few extra dollars (within reason) to have something that reflects your personal style.  After all, if it’s out of your price range it’s really not going to matter if it does look perfect for you.  Nobody likes those silly designer drives and their overly expensive prices that no common human being could ever afford. (Read the full post about ‘The Mahjong USB Drive allows you to personalize’…)

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The one downside of owning an iPod is that every iPod looks shiny and new. No matter what, it looks like current technology, so for those in love with all that is retro it’s not really their style. However, there are cases to hide your iPod and you can also get other accessories to balance it out. Well now JCPenney actually is carrying the Retro Clock Radio with ipod Dock. Which is odd since every iPod dock I’ve ever seen that looks even the slightest bit original has to be found on some random store online. Unfortunately although their site is based off of their physical stores, they still aren’t selling the dock at their stores. (Read the full post about ‘The Retro Clock Radio with iPod Dock’…)

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Just imagine watching Monday Night Football with the players looking like they are running right at you.  Talk about experiencing the excitement of the game without actually being there.  Or fighting the bad guys in your favorite video game (and you thought the Wii made the fighting seem realistic). Scientists have finally broken the barrier that had prevented this type of technology by creating the first updatable three-dimensional displays with memory.  Dr Nasser Peyghambarian, chair of photonics and lasers at the University’s of Arizona’s Optical Sciences department, said, “This is a prerequisite for any type of moving holographic technology.” Although there is still work to be done, scientists are still very optimistic they are getting much closer to this becoming a reality in the next five to ten years. (Read the full post about ‘TV in holographic 3D: Coming to a living room near you’…)

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Now that snow has begun to fly and the drifts are piling up, it’s boot time. Just kidding about the snow, but it IS boot time. Green boot time, in fact. This eco-conscious roundup, brought to you by White Apricot, includes green boots that demand lots of green. It leads off with a Stella McCartney vegan pair from Bergdorf’s, which comes in at, gasp, $1145 despite lack of jewels and precious metals as well as animal parts. What costly plants can they be made of, do you suppose? An interesting choice, given current financial news. My favorite for looks, although at $300 even it is above my limit, is the Cri de Coeur Sabina boot. It’s a faux-leather classic riding boot with slightly tapered toe and very flat heel. (Read the full post about ‘Green Tech: Green boots, some for lots of green’…)

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Nyko is a name associated with gaming peripherals, and this time round they have announced its new Media Hub+ for the PS3. This peripheral is most useful for those rocking to a 40GB PS3 since that model has the least number of USB 2.0 ports, allowing you to gain another three USB 2.0 ports by plugging in the Media Hub+. In addition, it has a memory card slot that reads both SD and Memory Stick cards, further expanding its media capabilities without looking out of whack when connected to the PS3. Since it is self-installing and requires no additional power, the Media Hub+ is a snap to hook up and can be yours for $19.99. (Read the full post about ‘Nyko Media Hub+ for the PS3′…)

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A lot of Apple stores offer classes and tutorials on how to use their products.  Now, Verizon is going to do the same.  Starting today, two of Verizon’s stores in Manhattan will offer workshops on “20 Things a PDA Can Do For You.” They will cover how to sync your music, text messaging, Bluetooth, and address book synchronization.  With all the advances in cell phones, sometimes you forget how complex these machines really are.  This looks like a good move by Verizon.  Explaining how these smartphones can be used should probably help sales.  Since this program is only in two stores, it really looks like a test.  Verizon will probably see if there is any interest in these workshops.  If there is interest, expect more workshops at other stores.  For more information like location and times visit: [Verizon Press Release] Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! (Read the full post about ‘Verizon wants to teach you about smartphones’…)

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