Sony BDV-F7 Home Theater System Review

Sound bar home theater systems have always intrigued me – I’ve always had systems with the most speakers I could fit in my house, so why would I want to drop down to only one?  Still, I had heard from a number of friends that the technology behind the sound bar system really works, and it can trick you into thinking you’re really listening to a full on surround sound system.  In order to test it, I decided to try out the Sony BDV-F7 model, and while my experience wasn’t enough to make me get rid of what I have now, it definitely made me rethink future purchases.

The BDV-F7 is an extremely sleek and sexy looking system, that would do well with any decor.  The use of right angles makes it just look slick as hell against other audio video components, and if you’re running all Sony products then it will fit right in.  The sub woofer also looks neat, with how it is raised off of the ground slightly, but most everyone I know puts their subs behind the TV or behind the couch for more effect so it won’t be as highlighted as it could be.  One thing I didn’t like, is that I couldn’t use my standard speaker cables with this system.  I’ve seen different systems using proprietary connectors before, and it’s always annoying – especially when you’re used to running very large gauge speaker wire.

Even with using smaller speaker wire than I’m used to, I found the sound that this system produced to be quite pleasing.  The sub has quite a decent punch to it – especially when playing any sort of game (Battlefield 3 sounded amazing on it), and there’s no distortion or rattle at higher levels.  The sound bar itself is also quite impressive, and I’ll have to admit that it did an extremely good job of tricking me into thinking I was listening to a real 5.1 surround system.  Trying movies on my normal surround, and then switching to the same movies on this showed very little difference, and I really had to strain myself to notice anything “off”.  The sound bar also is very thin, and fit undr my TV with no issues, and wasn’t even close to covering up any of the actual screen.

The BDV-F7 system is also loaded with a lot of audio technology – Dolby, DD+, DDTrue HD, DTS, and 3D Pass Through are all included here.  While I did not have a 3D TV or 3D monitor to test it out on during the course of my examination (I’m not super huge into the 3D scene), I have talked to a few other people that have this model and who have used that feature – they all said that it worked as well as you would expect it to, but you need to make sure you have the right HDMI cables for it.  That means running the 1.4 HDMI cables would probably be your best bet with this system (although 1.3 would probably work in a pinch).

The reason this system isn’t for me though doesn’t have to do with what it has, it’s all about what’s missing.  You see, I have a lot of crap hooked up to my system now – Playstation 3, XBOX 360, Wii, and an OnLive Micro Console are all standard components in my living room, with the occasional hook up of my Dreamcast.  The problem here is that three of those things run with HDMI on my system, and the BDV-F7 only has a single HDMI in port.  I don’t want to continually have to reach behind everything just to switch what system is currently being played – likewise I don’t want to spend a boatload on an HDMI switcher (I know there’s cheap ones, but they generally suck and only switch right for video).  Had this system shipped with three HDMI in ports, I would be much more excited about picking one up for keeps.

Another thing with this system that’s a double edged sword, is the ease of set up; let me explain.  The BDV-F7 is pretty much plug and play right out of the box.  There’s no fuss with wires, as everything is clearly color coded, and most people will be happy with how the sound is without messing with the settings.  If you’re into sound though, you’ll want to make the sound as good as you can by tweaking options, and that’s a bit of an issue.  The menus aren’t very easy to navigate, and there were a number of times I changed the wrong option and had to find my way back once I realized that.  Again, this isn’t that big of a deal for a normal user – just for those of us that know exactly how we like our systems to both sound, and “feel”.

The Bottom Line:  The BDV-F7 is a nice entry piece if you’re thinking about getting a sound bar; it’s small and compact, and ridiculously easy to set up – if you have a lot of additional components to hook up though, be warned that this probably isn’t your best option.

Pros:

• Extremely well designed look; the BDV-F7 is refined and elegant no matter the setup it’s paired with
• The sub hits a lot harder than others I’ve tried that were the same size, with no discernible distortion at even the highest levels
• The ease of setup is pretty much out of this world – my father could set this up without issue

Cons:

• Only one HDMI input is a tremendous problem for anyone with more than one add on in their audio video repertoire
• Proprietary speaker connectors are very annoying to work with if you’ve invested a lot in other wires (like Monster cables)
• The menus aren’t the easiest to navigate, but again the normal user won’t feel the need to delve into them

You can pick up the Sony BDV-F7 Home Theater System from Amazon the decent price of $297.98

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Xtrememac Tango Bar

 

At this point everyone knows the best way to sell an accessory of any type is to position it against an Apple product.  Or in the case of Xtrememac, all of your products play complement to Apple’s line of products.

Announced yesterday, the  Tango Bar speaker is designed to fit perfectly under an iMac or Apple’s Cinema Display.  Packed inside is a six speaker configuration with dual dome tweeters, midrange/bass drivers and passive radiators that Xtrememac says delivers a “best in class audio” experience and twice the output (10 watts) of most if not all USB powered computer speakers.

What makes this setup particularly nice, aside from the fact that is sits neatly underneath your iMac’s screen, is that it’s powered purely off your computer’s USB port, which should deliver the audio as well.  That means you’re two less cords away from a rat’s nest.  And it doesn’t hurt that the volume knob is backlit in Xtrememac’s branded colors and includes a headphone jack, a sub-woofer out for those seeking more oomph in their tunes and a line in jack.

The Xtrememac Tango bar is retailing for $99.99, though a 3rd party is already selling it on Amazon for about $70.

Source :

gadgetreview.com

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iBUYPOWER Gamer Power BTS 11 PC Review

When I first received the BTS11 in for review, it was a little while ago; normally I don’t take this long to post things, but there were a number of extenuating circumstances behind this delay.  However I’ve gotten all of my notes in order, and I’m more than ready to give my thoughts, opinions, and findings on this true beast of a system.  Designed for gamers in school without an unlimited budget at their disposal, iBUYPOWER has come through to show that you don’t need to sacrifice power and performance by getting a system that only runs a grand.

Now to be honest, I have not used a pre-built PC since I was a kid.  I’ve always felt that I could build a PC that was just as good as one from a big box store, for half the price because I wasn’t paying for a brand name – and while I still do feel that way about major brand name towers from companies like Dell or HP, the iBUYPOWER rig has made me think twice about other manufacturers.  When it first came in its giant box, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I mean I had seen the pictures – seen the specs; but I wasn’t really ready for the joy that awaited in the box.

The first thing that my wife said was that the case reminded her of a Stormtrooper (a thought then echoed by all three kids), and I have to agree to that as well.  Just the sleek arctic white appearance with the finely defined black highlights make the appearance what it is.  When powered on, there is a cool blue glow that comes from the LEDs showing the fan controls on the top of the case – I really think the case would benefit from a piece of lexan on one side and some cold cathodes – but I digress.  I’ve always liked to throw in cold cathodes for the light factor, but the NZXT Phantom case that they use has solid outer walls.

Another thing with the case, is that it’s freakin’ HUGE!  There’s plenty of space for adding drives and such while still maintaining proper airflow.  Ecerything on the inside looks clean (not like the Frankenstein monster jobs I normally do) because all of the cables are mounted perfectly.  On the top of the case are two USB 2.0 ports, and an eSATA plus your standard headphone and mic jacks.  On the rear, there’s a boatload more, showing a whopping four more USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, analog audio AND S/PDIF digital audio jacks, plus a handy HDMI connector (for people like me who hook rigs up to TVs).  There’s also a standard Ethernet port (which is important because for some reason there’s no built in WiFi), a serial port, and a parallel port.  Quite enough to make sure everything you have can be plugged in somewhere.

Inside the case are two PCI Express x1 slots, two standard PCI slots, and another PCI Express x16 (wired as x4) slot.  There’s four RAM slots, but only two are free – the other two hold 4GB of RAM each.  There’s a 700-watt power supply running the whole thing too – which is more than ample for the stock components (though you may need to upgrade later on if you add a lot).  One thing that really confused me, is that they stick an NVIDIA GTX 550 TI 1GB card in it for graphics, but the Gigabyte motherboard (GA – P6 – 7A – D3 – B3) that is in it supports CrossFireX – not SLI.  It’s not that big of a deal because the video card runs quite well, but if you ever want to run a dual card system, you’ll have to get two new cards and not just one.

Another component that is glaringly nonexistent in this configuration, is a card reader.  Luckily I had an EyeFi reader to plug in for myself, but others might not be so lucky, or realize that one’s not there.  While they’re fairly inexpensive on their own, it’s something that probably should have been standard; especially considering this is supposed to be for students.  There’s no Blu-Ray drive either, which again seems odd considering all the other high tech goodness crammed into this package.  The BTS 11 also comes standard with a 750 GB hard drive, which is more than enough to get someone started.  Lastly, this system DOES come with a keyboard and mouse – but they’re as basic as you can get.  However you can add better ones while configuring the system at an additional cost.

So hardware out of the way, one question remains – how does it run?

Well for starters, I loaded up the Witcher 2, and tried running it on what the game recommended – the maximum settings.  This ran incredibly smooth (especially since I had been used to playing games on my garbage laptop), and I instantly wanted to see how far I could push it.  Borderlands ran like a dream on maximum – as did Battlefield 2, which even though it’s an older game it still can be taxing in big modded servers.  I had to go down one setting off of max when playing Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and Bad Company 2 (and Starcraft 2) had to be set to only “High” settings in order to play without any tearing or artifacts.  For me – that’s a really decent system, because you’ll at least be able to run future games for a while before having to upgrade.  As an example, two days before the BTS 11 was taken away from me I got a Beta code for Diable 3, and it looked (and played) better than I could have expected.

You can no longer get this system direct from their website, but you can still from TigerDirect, which is great.  On a side note though, I had multiple friends come and play with this computer while I had it, and I know at least three of them who either are ordering, or have now ordered from iBUYPOWER because of how impressed they were with this system.  I too plan on spending part of my tax return on a rig from these guys – the first “bought” PC I’ll have owned in close to 18 years.  If that doesn’t show my faith in these guys, nothing will.

The Bottom Line:  If you’re a kid somewhat strapped for cash, and doesn’t mind a few things missing in order to get the most gaming performance for your buck, then iBUYPOWER definitely has you covered – not just with this system, but with many others as well.

Pros:

• Extremely powerful system for the money – even trying to build this yourself, you’d save so little it wouldn’t be worth it
• There’s more room inside the case than most people will know what to do with, and it still stays cool
• iBUYPOWER has been making a lot of waves lately for sick systems, and this one is no exception

Cons:

• No Blu-Ray drive means you’re still using your PS3 for those movies
• The distinct lack of WiFi will leave you scratching your head as to “why?”
• Having to get two new cards if you want a dual system just seems like a poor choice

You can get the BTS 11 from TigerDirect for $979.99

Source :

gadgetreview.com

4:33 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Chrome Pilot Program Releases Cr-48 Notebook. You’ll Want It

Those of you who are participating in the Chrome Pilot program are very close to getting a close-up of this compact gray-black notebook.

As the very first notebook designed with the Pilot program in mind, if you’ve got the heart of a power user, the Cr-48 will steal that heart and never give it back.

Booting takes all of 10 seconds, and resuming from sleep happens instantly. Wi-Fi and 3G are both naturally part of the deal, as is a webcam. The touchpad is on the big side, Google calls it “oversized”, and the 12 inch LCD mirrors a full size keyboard.

Now, when you look at this notebook, there’s a quality that’s immediately obvious, and it’s reminiscent of the square and solid look of full-sized laptops from a decade ago. It somehow spells resiliency and business, and, again – if you’re a power user – this is a look that will feel very intimate to you. But there’s also something refined on top of that, partly from the small form-factor, and partly from the color, which isn’t the purest black.

This quality’s character seems quite outspoken, and you might be able to hear its little voice saying ‘I’ve taken the best out of those tough business laptops and slimmed it down to something neat and sleek, but definitely not cutesy like those other notebooks, and now it all works for 8 hours on end and weighs just 3.8 pounds’.

“What did we leave out? Spinning disks, caps-lock key, function keys, and lap burns.”

I hear you Google. And I want one. Badly.

6:47 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Samsung Series 7 Touchscreen All-in-one Computer

If Sammy’s 13.3-inch Series 9 laptop is a bit too rich (and large) for your blood, then perhaps you’d prefer their now officially announced 11.6-inch version.

It will cost $1,199.99 ($1,109 at Sears), which is 400 smackers cheaper than its larger brethren. But with that price cut comes some caveats, such as a smaller screen and storage capacity of 64GB.  But that’s 64GB of solid state goodness, which means its faster and more reliable than its spinning counter part, but 64GB is 64GB.

In terms of specs you can expect:

• Intel Core i3 Processor 380UM
• 11.6-inch LED display
• Intel HD Graphics 3000
• 2GB of DDR3 RAM
• 64GB SSD storage
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• WiFi b/g/n
• Wimax
• Bluetooth 3.0
• HDMI input
• 3x USB ports
• microSD card slot
• 6-cell battery
• 11.7″ (W) x 7.8″ (D) x 0.62″~0.65″ (H)
• 2.31lbs w/ standard battery

10:38 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Samsung Series 7 Touchscreen All-in-one Computer

Samsung’s Series 3, 7 and 9 laptops are practically old news by now.  To keep things fresh the company just unleashed an all-in-one desktop that appears to take design cues from the svelte set of notebook computers.

Two configurations are available for the Series 7 all-in-one, but the core features include a 23-inch 1080p display with 250 cd/m2 of brightness with support for two finger gestures, a 1TB 7200rpm hard drive, four USB 2.0 ports, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, Bluetooth 3.0 and dual four watt speakers.  The two models are divided between a 2.6GHz Core i3-2120T CPU and 6GB of RAM or a 2.7GHz Core i5-2390T processor with 8GB of memory.  To keep things trim, and probably on the cheaper side, they’ve opted for integrated graphics, which means its no power house, but a suitor for the family.

Sammy hasn’t made this computer official, but they’re heading to stores on October 10th for $999 and $1,199.

10:36 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Elgato Video Capture Review

While it’s been long enough that some of us have probably  sold our VCRs at garage sales or tossed them with all of our tapes in the garbage long ago, there are still a select few (myself included) who have hung on to some of those VHS cassettes for sentimental value or to hold on to personally-recorded memories of events and family gatherings. With the Elgato Video Capture, any computer running Mac OS X or Windows 7 can now convert these antiquated black video monoliths into the sleek, convenient digital age. iPhones and iPods are also supported, allowing you to take any video you may have taken with these devices and convert them into formats that are easier to share and distribute amongst friends.

The device itself is small and lightweight, with a USB connector for the PC, and composite outs as well as S-Video. Also included is an adapter for converting a SCART port (for any European hardware) to the supported standard composite jacks. The wire lengths and size make it just as ideal for carrying around in a laptop bag as it is for home usage. It does heat up a small bit while in use, but not enough to be uncomfortable or dangerous to the touch.

As a Windows user, when I received the Elgato Video Capture I was required to use the packaged version of CyberLink PowerDirector 8 which came with the device. Since then, Elgato has released a Windows-compatible version of their software for PC users (free for download on their website) so I will be covering both options. First, using PowerDirector is great, as it comes with plenty of options and is an otherwise complete program for doing more than just converting and capturing video. Edits can be made, a specific file format and compression rate can be selected, and charts are present to let you know up to the minute just how big your video is going to be. There are a lot of options present, which can be a little difficult to get used to, but the overall experience is rich and customizable.

As for Elgato’s proprietary software, the key here is simplicity. Once the software is started it basically walks you through a wizard, having you test the video and audio first, then recording what you want. At the end of recording, the beginning and end of the file can be cropped down and then saved. There aren’t a whole lot of options here as far as what kind of video you can make or what to do if you wanted to trim something that was in the middle without stopping there and creating two separate videos. Still, using the Elgato software is as easy as it gets. With just a few mouse clicks you’ll have a captured video, and it’s virtually impossible to make any mistakes.

Purchased purely as a video converter from older formats, the Elgato Video Capture is a fantastic device that delivers on its promise and does so quite well. The packaged software is not so flexible when it comes to doing more than that(PowerDirector certainly has many more options, but neither is great for creating streaming content or using as an alternate video source), and so it feels as if it might limit the product. Obviously, it will function perfectly well in conjunction with other programs like Skype or webcasters as a viable audio/video feed, I was just disappointed that the enclosed software didn’t give me those options out of the box. Overall, the Elgato Video Capture will definitely help you bring what’s left of your older media into the new formats, and would be just as easy for your parents or grandparents to put to use.

Pros:

• Perfect for converting VHS tapes to digital format with absolutely no added artifacting, looks just as good as the tape
• Small, compact, and effective, the Elgato Video Capture does its job without getting in the way
• Elgato software is so easy to use, once you’re installed you can convert videos within minutes

Cons:

• Small amount of available file format options means you’ll either wind up with some big files or bad looking videos
• Neither packaged software solution is really ideal for using as a live feed, so people looking to stream content or use in a presentation setting may want to look elsewhere
• As a converter first, the Elgato Video Capture has no inputs for more modern types of cables like component or HDMI

The Elgato Video Capture is available on Amazon for $82.

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MadCatz Gears of War 3 Dolby 7.1 Surround Headset Review

The only way to really enjoy the visceral meat-grinding, head-stomping sounds of a game like Gears of War 3 is with headphones. Don’t kid yourself audiophiles with expensive speakers! No system in the world that can pound out high-fidelity sound as accurately as speakers strapped to your ears. And with all the curb-stomping and chainsawing in the final chapter of Gears of War, the only way you’ll want to hear the likes Marcus Fenix, Dom, Baird and the Cole Train with their snarky testosterone-filled remarks with a solid headset.

Well lookie what we have here.

Created by Tritton, the Gears of War 3 Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound Headset – or just the 7.1 – is a simple and intuitive headset made specifically for the Xbox 360. Emblamized with Gears of War’s skull logo on both cans (that light up!), and properly maintaining the black-and-red theme of the franchise, the 7.1 is a simplified Tritton headset made specifically to be fan candy. It’s like Men’s Warehouse: if you like Gears of War, you are going to love the way this looks.

Every bit of the 7.1 has Gears written all over it, and often literally. Even grandpa will say “oh, that damn kid likes that funny videogame that reminds me of ‘nam.” The cables, decoder box, and everything else screams Gears of War. So if you’re interested, you’d better like the franchise.

Though anyone interested in a solid surround sound headset need not look away. Although it’s not the simplest or best priced set, the 7.1 shares the quality of other Tritton headsets while eliminating the horde of cables that have previously plagued Tritton owners. In this box there are only four connectors: USB, optical, headset, and Xbox 360 controller voice cable. It won’t beat any of the wireless solutions available by clearing the clutter in your mancave, but the 7.1 is fine-tuned as good as it gets for a wired headset.

In fact, simplicity is the key to the 7.1′s design, and it manages to follow through in every way. The decoder box is as basic as can be with only three cable connectors, two buttons and one (unnecessary) volume dial. Powered directly through the USB cable, players need only touch the decoder box to power it on and off and to switch between the movie, game and stereo modes. The box even comes with a stand, though it’s too lightweight and depending on your setup may not keep the decoder box upright.

Onto the over-the-ears set, the 7.1 has leather cushions on both cans and on the headrest, and MadCatz cautiously includes a second pair of can cushions. Emblamized from top to bottom with Gears of War logos, you couldn’t mistake it for anything, even in pitch black. The light-up cans pulse dull-red whenever powered on. The detacheable microphone plugs in only on the left side, and is adjustable and very clear.

Two feet down the heavily braided cable is the volume control for both in-game audio and headset audio. A simple mute switch is supplemented by a mute button on the volume rocker, and an SVM (Selective Voice Monitoring) button on the headset volume rocker. The latter loops their voice through the headset so they can hear what they’re saying. An interesting if useless feature, though it’d be neat if recorders could pick up the audio. The volume control is two feet down the cable, which is about a foot too far, and there’s no clip to keep it in place.

That’s why it’s a good thing that the 7.1 is such a light headset. The heavy braided cable weighs down heavily on the set, though you couldn’t tell because of how lightweight the 7.1 is. In fact, it almost doesn’t feel solid, but it’s surprisingly durable. Audio quality also wasn’t sacrificed to make the set lighter, which is great because Tritton headsets have been notorious for not being comfortable for over an hour, and this one doesn’t stop feeling fine.

 

Sound quality on the 7.1 is good. Music is soft but with oomph, meaning it doesn’t hurt at high volumes but isn’t lacking gusto. Sounds are accurate though bass is lacking, which isn’t uncommon for headphones of this caliber. In-game the 7.1 provides excellent sound and music quality, though when using SVM there’s a constant ring of static always plays in the background. It’s especially annoying when the audio is quiet, because the static is easier to hear. You won’t forget the music stopped playing with this set. My set also had occasional ringing in the right can, where it would produce a popping noise randomly. I’m still waiting for MadCatz to comment on this.

Included with the 7.1 is a USB adapter for using the set on a PC, though my review unit did not include one. At press time does not include an adapter for PC use, though the instructions booklet does say that it is included.

I’m impressed with the MadCatz Fears of War 3 Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound Headset, except that the name is a mouthful. It’s comfortable in every way, convenient for any Xbox 360 owner, and provides excellent stereo and surround sound audio. $170 is a bit steep for a headset that only works for the Xbox 360 (advertised solely for the 360, though you could use it for the PS3 and PC just as easily, though on the PS3 only as headphones), but there’s no better way to commemorate the end of an era for Microsoft’s console than with a star-studded headset booming expletives and charming narrative from some of this generation’s favorite videogame characters.

Pros:

• Super lightweight, comfortable for long periods of play
• Few cables, the bare minimum in clutter without going wireless
• Good sound quality that isn’t sharp
• Braided cable is practically indestructible

Cons:

• Weak bass likely from the low-power USB power source
• Volume control is too far down the cable
• SVM has a constant static background that’s annoying

The Ugly:

• If you aren’t a Gears of War fan, would you ever buy this headset, regardless of how good it was?

The MadCatz Gears of War 3 Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound Headset is available for purchase here from Amazon.com

5:18 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Mouse with Built-in Digital Scale

Where there is smoke…there is probably a weed smoker and perhaps even a dealer.  You’ll probably also find a laptop or some sort of computer laying around their crib playing Sienfeld reruns.  And it’s not like this mouse will prevent the PoPo from deeming them a drug wielding and dealing suspect, it will perhaps add a certain level of bewildered amustment when the cops perform their drug raid.

The USB Optical Mouse with Pocket Digital Scale is not just your regular optical mouse.  In fact, it doubles as a digital scale that can measure objects weighing 0.1g to 500g.  Just pop off the cover, insert two AAA batteries and what was once a one trick pony will become a multifaceted device.  It even has a backlit LCD display.

Brando – who else – sells it for just $22.

5:07 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 Review

 

Pros:

• Never needs batteries, can be recharged by sunlight or artificial light
• Thin (1/3-inch) and easy to move or carry
• Concave keys make typing more comfortable
• Officially only supports Windows but also works with Mac OS X

Cons:

• Can’t adjust the angle of the keyboard
• Lacks special context menu button found on most Windows keyboards
• Flimsy plastic legs prop up the keyboard

If you’re already convinced that wireless keyboards give you more flexibility, you’ll have no problems understanding the appeal of Logitech’s latest wireless keyboard. However, the biggest problem with any wireless keyboard has been the need for batteries that tend to run out just when you need the keyboard the most. Fortunately, Logitech’s Solar Keyboard K750 eliminates the problems of batteries by including two built-in solar panels that can generate power in both sunlight and artificial light.

5:04 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Logitech K750 Solar Keyboard now in a Mac Flavor

Everything is better in a chrome or silver finish, right?  That would be our assumption based on Logitech’s Wireless Solar Keyboard, the K750.  It came out last year for the PC, but now Logitech has a Mac version and it’s finished in silver, which is very Apple, at least in terms of their computers.  As it happens you can also purchase it with a blue, pink or green stripe at the top or in all black.

Much like a solar powered calculator, the K750 can be recharged by indoor our outdoor lighting.  That means no batteries to replace or recharge. They’ve even got an app that informs you about how much battery power you’ve got left and how much juice the keyboard is sucking down from your desk lamp.  And let’s not over look that the K750 has a PVC-free construction and a fully recyclable box.  Now that’s green.

This version includes the Mac friendly keyboard layout, which means all the Mac keys – music and brightness controls, command keys and the eject key – are in the places you’d expect them to be.  And because it is specifically designed for the Mac it works right of the box; no drivers to install.

You can preorder the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 for Mac right now for $59.99.  Expect it delivered sometime this month.

5:01 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Levitatr Bluetooth Keyboard

By now there are a fair amount of iPad compatible Bluetooth keyboards on the market.  At their core they’re all the same, which is to provide a tactile typing surface for those that can’t cope with the virtual keys.  As a result few of them stand out in the design department and probably won’t have anyone ogling with envy.  That’s all about to change.

While it’s probably not the slimmest portable Bluetooth keyboards – it measures 12.5mm thick – the Levitatr is by far and away the most ingenious and fun we’ve ever had the luxury of laying eyes on.  With the push of a button the keys elevate from the glossy face of the device and the backlighting turns on.  On the converse when the keyboard is not in use the keys retract back into the body and stow away safely.

The benefits, aside from the aesthetical bliss you’ll enjoy every time you whip it out, is that the keys will avoid a mispress while stored in your bag.  Additionally, crumbs and whatever other debris  is lurking in your bag won’t be able to force its way in between the low-profile scissor switches, which if you haven’t used any of Logitech’s low profile keyboards, make for a smooth and comfortable typing surface.

Integrated into the Levitatr is a aluminum precision-machined kickstand and holds most any device at a 20-30 degree angle.  It locks into place using a high-powered magnet, which only adds to this device’s cool quotient.  A set of hot keys, 5 in total, are built specifically for the iPad, which control some of the most common functions (we’re assuming volume and play/pause, etc).

Instead of a built-in rechargeable battery, which we’ve seen in most Bluetooth keyboards, is a slot for 4x AAA batteries.  We’re not sure if James Stumpf, its designer, plans on including a set of rechargeables, but either way there are conveniences and drawbacks to either setup.

The Levitatr is a Kickstarter project, so James is looking for at least $79 if you want one of your own, though you can pledge less but you won’t get the actual product when it goes into production.  He says they’re currently prototyping a version that integrates directly into a tablet and they have a patent pending.

7:23 PM | 0 comments | Read More