Shower power with your Palm Pre or iPhone

You love your iPhone--or your Palm Pre--so much that you take it everywhere. Now you can even bathe with it.

Yes, it's soap in the form of today's two cult phones, the Palm Pre and the iPhone. You can't call or tweet or download or listen to music with these babies. But at least you can get clean, which is more than you can do with the phones themselves.

The question you must ask yourself: Do you love your phone so much that the pleasure of showering with a sudsy mute version is worth $7.99?

Thanks to Chris Matyszczyk over at cnet News.

Want an imaginative, empathetic career as a story-teller? Become a statistician!

Imran Ali of GigaOM's WebWorker Daily has got me thinking in a new way about the future of work. "It's Data, Baby," he writes in the New York Times.

I'm trying to get my head around two ideas he presents that seem in irrevocable conflict. One is the counterintuitive notion that in 10 years the sexy job description will be "statistician." The other is the equally counterintuitive notion that, because we are drowning in data, the future of work lies not in the logical, data-oriented left brain but in the right brain--calling on intuition, imagination, story-telling, empathy, and an ability to synthesize disparate ideas.

And then a recent example of just that sort of analysis popped right into my right brain, and probably my left brain too.

Remember the excitement a few days ago when the US unemployment figures appeared to nudge down a hair? The headline on the Associated Press story was typical. It read "Surprisingly strong jobs data signal turning point." Hooray!

But keep reading and reading and reading. Not until paragraph 13 do we find out that employers are expected to continue cutting jobs, so the unemployment rate will probably go up again.

And then, finally, in paragraph 14(!), we get the real dope: "In fact, the main reason the unemployment rate declined last month was not an inspiring one: Hundreds of thousands of people, some discouraged by their failed job searches, left the labor force."

So the teeny apparent dip in the jobless rate is a total mirage. If it dipped at all, it was because the government simply stopped counting hundreds of thousands of unemployed folks who would love to get jobs but have come to believe it's hopeless. And we had to wait until paragraph 14 to find that out!

Kidizoom camera provides for safe toddler entertainment

I often have to make the choice (read million times a day) between letting my toddler satisfy his curiosity on how my gizmos can contribute to his growing need to know everything, and extending their shelf life by that one more day by keeping them out of his reach. Taking the latter option almost always means that I get to savor my toys only when he is at school, or is blissfully asleep. Both of which happen to be the shortest events of the day.

Being the hassled, deprived mother that I sound like, it is always relieving to see the growth of the kiddies' gadget market. The latest in the little world of digital cameras is the Kidizoom series for pre-schoolers from VTech. Take your pick from two models - the Kidizoom Plus which sports a 2x digital zoom, a movie mode (with sound), 256 MB of memory, an optical viewfinder plus a preview screen that works with a D-pad and an SD memory slot, or the 0.3-megapixel Kidizoom which has all of the former, except for the viewfinder.

Both cameras include a photo editor (Mac/Windows), a crude auto flash, U.S.B. and AV cables to connect to your computer or TV, and run on four AA batteries. The Kidizoom Plus is priced at $60, and the basic Kidizoom $20 cheaper at $40. Wait for them to hit the stores next month.

Via NYTimes.

Apple’s Snow Leopard: A Flurry Of Changes

According to rumors, the release of Mac OS X 10.6, Apple’s operating system also known as Snow Leopard, might arrive a bit early. Though Apple announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June that Snow
Leopard would hit stores in September, tech blogs became overly excited when it was whispered that it might be ready to debut on or about August 28.How much does it matter that it could arrive five whole days before
September officially begins? It doesn’t. Regardless of when the operating system ships, here’s what to expect from Snow Leopard, and why it might matter to you.

What’s the difference between Snow Leopard and Leopard?

First thing to know: This is not a complete overhaul of Mac OS X. Rather, it’s a series of small to medium-sized improvements, what Apple calls “refinements.” Much of the new shine to OS X 10.6 comes from
changes that are under the surface, possibly not obvious to the unobservant. But Apple does say that the improvements make the overall OS much faster, including a 45-percent faster installation than the previous version of the operating system, OS X 10.5, or Leopard. Apple is also promising faster boot times, quicker shut down, a speedier process when joining wireless networks, and faster backups to Time Machine. And it’s not just quicker, Apple says, it’s lighter: Upon install it frees up 6GB of space.Specific applications
have been tinkered with as well, with a lot of attention focused on Quicktime, Expose, and a shiny new Safari 4 browser, which was released in June. For more on that, see here.Quicktime gets a mysterious new version number, and is now called Quicktime X. It’s a bit slicker, and the new interface appears similar to the iPhone’s media player. The real change is that many features that were previously in the Pro version of Quicktime are now in the free version. You will be able to edit video inside QuickTime using a video
timeline ribbon that appears along the bottom of the screen. And there will be fewer steps involved in video uploading. You don’t have to worry about file formats–Quicktime will do any necessary conversion and upload directly to video-hosting sites or MobileMe, Apple’s subscription service that syncs personal files on any of its devices. Apple promises it will take just one click to record audio or video (on a Mac’s built-in mic or camera) with the new Quicktime. It will also support HTTP streaming of a wider variety of
file formats (like h.264 and AAC). It’s a feature that many competing media players have long offered, and it automatically adjusts the playback bit rate according to what the connection can handle. It also means you can stream video or audio through more firewalls.Expose, an operating system UI feature for organizing open application windows, or just the windows from a particular application currently running, gets tweaked a bit too. In Snow Leopard, Expose is integrated with app icons in the dock, which cuts out the need to first switch to the specific application you want before activating Expose to see its open windows. It also means you don’t have to use a keyboard, or use a trackpad gesture to call it up. Clicking and holding an
app’s icon will bring all windows open that are associated with that program to the front.

What’s the one killer feature worth upgrading for?

Many people will probably consider support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 the most important new feature of Snow Leopard. Improved Exchange support will be integrated into Mail, iCal, and Address Book in Snow Leopard, which means e-mail, calendar appointments, to-do lists, and contacts from Outlook will be viewable on your personal calendar, mail, and address books. It also allows things like dragging and dropping contacts into iCal to schedule meetings, and your Mac will be able to discover time conflicts between personal and work calendars and change the meeting time and location.Related: Microsoft is improving its Exchange support for the Mac too. This week Microsoft said that Outlook for Mac will replace
Entourage, the current e-mail and calendar program in the Mac Office suite. Although it will still differ from the Windows version of Outlook, it will add support for more Exchange features, such as public folders and rights management features.

How much?

Apple surprised people by putting the price to upgrade to Snow Leopard at a very attractive $29 for a single license, and $49 for a five-user family pack. But there’s a catch: you have to already have Leopard installed to pay those prices. If you’re upgrading from a previous version of Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger), you’ll have to pay $169, which includes an upgrade to 10.5 (Leopard) and 10.6 (Snow Leopard). For a 5-user family pack license, it’ll cost $229. And Snow Leopard is only compatible with Macs containing Intel chips. On the
OS front, Leopard is the end of the line for PowerPC Mac owners.

Is it worth upgrading right away, or should I wait?

Some people are fans of waiting until the first update, the 0.1 release, which tends to correct any of the immediate issues that inevitably pop up when a new operating system is released to the public. Some who attempted to upgrade to the first version of Leopard ran into trouble after the software was installed, and when they attempted to restart their machines a blue screen would appear instead. But it appeared to hinge on a specific piece of third-party software many had installed that was out of date. The majority had a smooth transition to Leopard.Overall, we think this will be a worthwhile upgrade if the speed claims turn out to be true. Another way of looking at is that for the price of the Quicktime to Quicktime Pro upgrade, you get most of the Quicktime Pro features plus a newly tweaked core OS. We think it’s a good deal for Apple OS X 10.5 users.

When will it be available?

So far, Apple has said only “September.” Recent rumors have indicated it might be ready earlier than that, but it’s mid-August now, so that’s mostly inconsequential. No matter what, it’s going to be available before Windows 7 is set to roll out on October 22. When it’s available, we’ll be sure to let you know.

Related Posts:

• All new features in Snow Leopard, costs $29
• Windows 7: 64-bit To Go Prime Time
• Making Sense Of Windows 7 Upgrade Options
• Mac OS X 10.5.8 Update Is Out
• Users Begin To Get Final Windows 7 This Week

Samsung's Point and Shoot Goes Wireless

Currently, regular cameras still take better pictures than our cell phones, but having to wait to get to a computer to share those crisp images with family and friends can be frustrating. Samsung's latest release gives the point and shoot camera the instant internet access mobile phones have been lording over them for years.

The CL65 camera is Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi, and DLNA compatible which allows photographers to share their photos as soon as they take them via email or social networking site. The Bluetooth comes in handy when you want to beam over to other compatible devices, like say a digital picture frame or an HDTV. Thanks to the included software, editing your images before uploading them to Picasa is well, a snap. The camera also has geo-tagging, showing users a display of the city they're in, highlighting the location the photo was in and creates a reference for reviewing and managing images.

Sony PSP Has Some New Editions

Well by now, you've all heard about the upcoming launch of the latest version of the Sony PlayStation 3, The PS3 Slim. While that was a nice nugget to tickle our fancy, Sony had other tidbits to share. One of which includes the impending release of two brand new PSPs.

Come November, gamers can get their eager hands on the Turquoise Green and Blossom Pink versions of the PSP. Aside from the color, there isn't much difference from the original - but these new units are more than a pretty face. Each new color will be bundled with a new game. Turquoise is slated to be shipped with LittleBigPlanet.

In other handheld news, the PSP will be launching a new digital reader that will allow users to access a range of media. Set to debut in December, Sony has partnered with Marvel Entertainment and other comic book publishers to give gamers an all access pass to comics and graphic novels much to the glee comic fanboys and girls everywhere.

So to sum things up, a PSP by another color is still just as awesome.

Beambox MiLi Universal Charger mixes utility with personality

How does it feel to be alone in a strange country, and to realize that your trusted charger cannot keep your devices alive simply because you were wuss enough to forget the required adapter? Now that we made it sound pretty dramatic, here's the happy news. Beambox, makers of pocket projectors, have released the uber-cool MiLi Universal charger for charging your devices in precisely similar situations.

The universal charger comes equipped with different adapters to charge your devices (two at one go!) on UK, US, Australian, and European shores. This compact charger features two USB ports to enable you to plug in your device's original USB adapter if available even as you are charging another device simultaneously. Each port has an LED that indicates whether the connected device is fully charged. Quite sensibly, there is over-current and short-circuit protection as well. If that wasn't enough, there is also the flip-out in-car plug which ensures that you can charge within your car while you are on the move.

You will not be left wanting for choice as the charger comes in 9 bright colors - need we say pink is also in? Available for pre-order now at $37, MiLi will start shipping in August.

Via Slashgear.

PS3 Goes "Slim", Announces Price Drop

Since the start of the next-gen wars, Sony has taken a consistent trouncing from Nintendo and Microsoft, sinking wistfully sinking into the mire of third best selling console. But from the announcements made at GamesCom in Germany, It's seems that Sony isn't ready to throw i the towel, in fact it looks they're ready to come out swinging this holiday season.

Sony just unveiled a smaller, sexier PlayStation 3 dubbed the PS3 slim. The Slim cuts the fat in some substantial ways. It's 36% lighter, 32% smaller and uses 34% less power than the standard PS3. But where it loss the extra weight it gained some serious muscle in the form of a 120 HDD. For a mere $300, gamers can get their hands on the Slim on September 1st, with stores like K-Mart and Sears.

In anticipation of the new arrival, Sony has dropped the prices on all existing PS3, but it seems kind of crazy to shell out $300 on a 80GB unit when you have a better version retailing at the same price in a few weeks. The question still remains, will this be enough to turn Sony's fortune around?

GG2G Foleo laptop sleeve is green and one-of-a-kind

Recently this famous television journalist caught my attention when he said "Aren't the best things in life always custom made?". And drool I did when he was pampered by the best fashion designers, accessory-makers, perfumeries, and even chefs when each of their products were made specially for this gentleman to be the only one of their kind in the world!

Well, since some of us are neither so affluent nor famous, we should perhaps settle for smaller assets - like this GG2G Foleo laptop sleeve, which promises to be so unique that once you purchase one, it is replaced by another that is completely different in design, so nobody else can ever own the same bag. There is more to be happy about - each of these bags is made from recycled highway billboards and lined with recycled fabric. The outer casing is made from "re-vinylzed" water-repellent material which imparts a stylish, shiny look. Plus, there is a handle on the side and an inner pocket to hold your thumb drive.

Currently, there are four different styles on the site for you to choose from, each costing $56. And oh, I was wondering too - GG2G stands for "Green Goods 2 Give & 2 Get". Nice.

Via Gearlog.

Contact lenses that deliver medication

It is a disease that strikes most of us once too often - either forgetting to take the meds, or forgetting the ones that have been already downed, and thereby ending up with an overdose. Well, here's the good news. Patients with eye problems such as dry-eyes and glaucoma can now look forward to some help from technology that promises to take over when you have discovered the imperfections of your own memory. And it is a contact lens that delivers medication gradually over time, and eliminates the need to use messy eye drops.

Heard right. Boston researchers report that they’ve created a contact lens that can deliver a high concentration of antibiotic at a constant rate for more than 30 days. Call this a great boon for eye patients considering the statistics that even if you do diligently put in your eye drops, for every administration, only 1 to 7 percent of the medication actually gets absorbed into the eye, while the rest drips down the cheeks or into the back of the throat. The new contact lens design can apparently provide large amounts of drug released at constant rates for long periods of time, which previous discoveries have not been able to do.

The research is currently being tested in a lab dish and is expected to soon move towards animal testing. Human lenses of this kind? Perhaps well before we set up life on the moon.

Via Medlaunches.

Wi-Fire takes you to hotspots you never knew existed

Connect it to your laptop's USB port and you can not only discover multiple hotspots as far as 1000ft away, but you can also connect wirelessly to the internet even at low signal strengths. That's the advantage which Wi-Fire, a compact, range-extending USB device from hField Technologies, Inc. promises to deliver.

Wi-Fire works by using "a powerful directional antenna, highly sensitive receiver and proprietary software", to find and enhance normal WiFi signals. So that you can peacefully surf at low signal strengths without repeatedly losing the connection, and download large files, stream audio/video at higher strengths. The device apparently uses very little power from your laptop, and is compatible with Windows XP/Vista, Mac and Linux.

At $59, it is an investment that can yield recurrent returns. The best part? Priceless mobility as it lets the virtual world roam along with you.

Via The Gadgeteer.

Speak up little piggy, the big bad wolf would like to dance

Bad enough that you made little piggy carry those heavy coins when you were a cheeky little kid, and worse still that as yet you give no respite to his species - all for that one selfish reason called entertainment.

We refer to this fella called the I.D.E.A. Pig Speaker which carries a full-blown speaker in its belly and a connector where its tail was supposed to be. The ceramic pigs can belt out music from your media players, and you will need a pair to get a (somewhat) stereo effect. They are available in black, white, shiny gold and pink. Only in Japan for around $50 USD.

Someone tell me this is another joke that missed the mark.

Via DVICE.

Hello Kitty celebrates 35th birthday by getting into a Mimobot flash drive

Undisguised innocence at 35, with looks so bewitching that even a Cleopatra could be put to shame. That's our dear Hello Kitty who celebrates her 35th birthday this November 1st. So you would be justified in expecting more Hello Kitty goodies to hit the market in time for the big day now, wouldn't you?

Just so thoughtfully Sanrio, the creators of Hello Kitty, are teaming up with designer USB flash drive maker Mimoco, to dream up the new Hello Kitty X Mimobot for the occasion. The drives will be out early next month and will store between 2GB and 16GB of data, apart from looking like God's angels sent to redeem us sinners from this planet.

The line will be available for purchase at MIMOBOT.com and SANRIO.com, select SANRIO boutiques and other specialty retailers. The pricing is still under the wraps, but be assured that the adorable kitty is waiting to be lapped up in its new avatar by millions of hungry fans out there who know how exclusive an offer this is.

Via Crunchgear.

Aroma USB drives away memories of bad odors

Remember that old office prank when a bunch of guys would get mean and present the smelly office colleague a bottle of deodorant on his birthday? Though deodorant would be passe´ in this day and age, situations warranting one still flourish aplenty. What you could perhaps do now is to buy a bunch of Aroma USB thumb drives and distribute them to the needy folks - which can include both the injured and the offending parties.

The Aroma drives have no internal memory, but serve the single purpose of spreading the finest fragrances once they are connected to an USB port. They are refillable and the preloaded fragrance (lavender, lemongrass, or orange) lasts upto a week of continuous use. We know the idea of having a drive without memory sounds quite airy to geeks, but the drives look so good that it is hard not to be impressed with the whole scheme. Plus, if you must have the additional memory, head on to Scent-Drive.com to get the best of both worlds.

Via Gearlog.

Get your Unfinished Clock before stocks finish completely

When you take a first look at the Unfinished Clock, the brainchild of Yve Thelermont and David Hupton, it just seems like the hands got misplaced from its supremely minimalistic, geometrical face. But it happens to be deliberate and thus gets categorized under the tag "design".

Nevertheless, I like the fact that this is not just a clock to hang over your wall, but to be placed on the edge of a shelf or table so that the hands are able to perform their 360-deg act of telling time, in style. The clock is available in rectangular and circular models from the Museum of Modern Art store for $46. Do we see some raised eyebrows? Well now, art's always pricey, isn't it?

Via technabob.

Portable Toilet Speakers offer you relief of the music kind

People, the next time you use that flush, it might sound like music to your ears. Well, not quite. And thank God for that - just imagine how many of your neighbors would know your condition if the same song were to play 10 times a day, assuming the toilet would sing each time you pull the flush.

Leave that nightmare alone and take this next one. The Toilet Speakers are small, 2-watt portable speakers shaped like toilet seats. Close the lid and you muff out the speaker. They cost around $15 a piece and are available in four colors. Even my two-year old would call this a bad idea.

Via Gizmodo.

Accordian cooler carries its own music to the beach

One of my greatest treasures while I was a school-going sun-burnt kid was a cheap, portable cassette player that disguised its actual origins by sporting the famous brand name "Sony" on its dull-gray body. Only, the "y" actually was a cleverly manipulated "v". But that didn't stop my first "PMP" from being my constant companion, inside the house and on all family outings - which also meant I carried loads of audio tapes on all journeys, much to the frustration of fellow travelers.

And I see that you might have quite a few memories of your own to make if you manage to lug around this Accordian Expandable Music Cooler the next time you are out on the beach or camping. Even as the collapsible cooler can hold can hold 16 cans for cooling, it promises to cater to your musical inclinations too - it carries a built-in AM/FM radio and an MP3 plugin. At just $25. Cool. But pack along some(?) extra batteries if you don't want to get disappointed - the specs don't say how many are required to run this thing. Or stay safe and be contented with your iPod.

Via Crunchgear.

USB TurboCharger 3400 keeps your mobile devices from giving up

Living within a "connected" planet where mobile devices almost define our identities, it becomes imperative for them to have (if possible) zero downtime. I sometimes wonder if the companies which make chargers for these mobile devices make more money than those that develop the devices in the first place. Hmm...

That said, the USB TurboCharger 3400 is another portable charger that can be used exclusively to crank up your mobile devices - mp3 players, cellphones or smartphones. The TurboCharger itself stores juice (3400 mAh storage) while it is connected to your PC/laptop's USB port and can decently charge several of your devices before it runs out completely. The device is sleek and compact, with an attractive LED display that shows the level of charge remaining. It comes with a retractable cable and range of interchangeable connector heads for different mobile devices. Will cost ya $57.

Via The Red Ferret.

Buddy home computer offers to be your handy, geeky companion

While netbooks have successfully changed the concept of a computer being a bulky, traditional storehouse of data, touchscreen phones have done a similar makeover for the cellphone market. And industrial designer Guy Ceder’s “Buddy” home computer system promises to bring all under one roof. Buddy is the concept for a new 3-part mobile computing system that features a compact and ultra-portable touchscreen unit with hook, a larger touchscreen display with integrated projector, and a base-station with the basic hardware and recharging elements.

The entire system makes use of fabric for casing, which not only looks amazing, but also presumably provides for a better tactile experience. Both the touchscreens (Wi-Fi enabled) can be used for surfing while you are on the move, for in-depth content reading and for larger-scale film and video projection. Little else is known about other areas of the specs, and we can only hope that none of them is too limiting to let Buddy actually make it into our homes in the near future.

Catch a demo after the break.

Via Slashgear.

Flatshare fridges are stackable like lego blocks

Where I come from, it is believed that a peek into the refrigerator always reveals a little bit of the owner's personality. If you can discern personality types based on leftovers, that is. But seriously, for me, the fridge is one appliance where innovation is all welcome. Especially if it is so unique and promising as the cool stackable Flatshare Fridges designed by Stefan Buchberger, a student at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna.

This design proposes clever solutions under three different categories - lessening the cold air that escapes from the fridge while it is open, storing different food groups under customized environments to save energy, and having stackable compartments for different people sharing the same fridge. That's accomplished with style by the Flatshare as each fridge brick (resembling a Lego block) is much smaller than a traditional fridge, thus not only requiring lesser input energy to cool but also allowing lesser cold air to escape each time you open the door. And the bricks are stackable, meaning different compartments can be assembled (each fridge can hold up to 4 stackable compartments) and allocated to different people, say room-mates, making food storage personal and hassle free.

Best of all? This is perhaps the most good-looking and efficient fridge you can ever lay your hands on. If ever, as the Flatshare fridges are not available to us hungry masses yet.

Toxel, via Inhabitat.

Toshiba Try to Make Digital Photo Frames Cool

Since their arrival on the tech scene, consumer electronic companies have been trying to sell the public on digital picture frames -- trying to convince how cool they really are. And despite numerous attempts and feature additions including being able to send photos wirelessly or the ability to create slideshows, we still haven't jumped on the digital photo frame album. Toshiba is hoping to finally make a decidedly lame product somewhat cool.

Undercover Laptop Sleeve looks too worthless to be stolen

The easiest way to discourage thieves from getting at your laptop? Stash it away in a case that looks so worn out that no one can ever guess the little treasure that is hiding within. Reminds me of my grandmother's advice for undertaking a peaceful trip - to hide jewelery and money within balls of crumpled newspaper and then carelessly (seemingly) toss them into the luggage. Which has worked for me to this day.

The Undercover Laptop Sleeve does exactly that for your laptop. Since it resembles a worn-out postal envelope, it is not only easy to camouflage your laptop, but also protects it from damage as it is actually a well-padded laptop sleeve by design. The sleeve is waterproof and tearproof. And to add that extra touch of reality, you can even write on the envelope. Genius or what?

I just hope that there aren't enough well-informed thieves to get around this one. Get yours for a worthy $33.

Via Slippery Brick.

REW Headphone Cord Wrap is from that summer of '69

The Walkman era with the big hair, cool jean jackets and soulful music might be gone, but memories if it are still hanging around like the smolder left over from a mighty flame. And it is made fresh with this lovely REW Headphone Cord Wrap that looks like mini tape and can, if nothing else, hold your dangling earphone wires in place. They will be available in different colors from Perpetual Kid in late September, for $4.99 a piece.

Hey I want to entertain my inner child too.

Via Chip Chick.

Kodak and Facebook: So Happy Together

With the battle of the pocket camcorders fully underway, Kodak is swinging for the fences with the latest addition to it's mini-camcorder Z series, the Zi8 Pocket Video Camera. Set to release in September, the zi8 has a 4x digital zoom and takes video in 1080p HD. Still images aren't too shabby at a respectable 5 megapixels.

It also has a 2.5 inch LCD screen, image stabilization and face detection. Additional features include built-in microphone, 128 of internal memory that can be expanded upon thanks to the SD/SDHD expansion slot. And like the Flip mini-camcorder, it can upload videos to YouTube with ease.

So what's sets it apart from the Flip Ultra HD? The Zi8 has Facebook support which means you can upload all your cinematic antics to Facebook with the same ease that you can upload video to YouTube.

Available in black, red, and blue the Zi8 is selling for $179 so if you're a Facebook fanatic, you might want to check this out in September.

Orb Bluetooth Headset is the geekiest jewellery ever

Those sleek-looking futuristic gizmos with superior intelligence (and zero failure rate) need no longer be confined to the enjoyment of sci-fi movie stars, or superheroes alone. Or so it seems, looking at this awesome bluetooth headset called the Orb.

Developed through a partnership between Hybra Advance Technology Inc. and AbsolutelyNew Inc., this overwhelmingly fresh design redefines the otherwise common bluetooth headset completely - when not in use, the Orb transforms into an elegant finger ring which displays caller ID, calendar items and voice-to-text info on its flexible organic light emitting diode (FOLED) display. Activate the headset simply by slipping it off your finger and twisting it into an S-shaped length of silver that can be unobtrusively hung over your ear.

The Orb is expected to launch in two editions next year - the base model in January (without display, priced $129), and the Deluxe model in April (with FOLED display, priced $175). I am keeping my fingers crossed. And ready.

Via DVICE.

Own a Portable Rosetta Stone

Traveling to a foreign country is always exciting, but contrary to popular belief, not everyone speaks English. Thanks to Nomenta Industries, you can conquer the language barrier without totally butchering it. The Trinvo TR01 Talking Translator is a handy device that is the globe-trotting traveler's new best friend.

The translator can cross-translate in 12 languages, including Arabic, Chinese (Manadarin), French and Spanish to name a few. It comes loaded with 750 commonly spoken travelers' phrases, 2500 words for each language, and 8 categories of "fast search desire questions." Each spoken in a clear, easy to understand human voice.eliminating the time-intensive, frustrating and often embarrassing experience of trying to get your point across in a language you can barely pronounce. It also has nifty sightseeing tips for each language.

Juicy Couture Goes Geeky

As if the obnoxious sweatpants with their name across the ass weren't enough, the folks at Juicy Couture have unleashed their latest travesty upon the unsuspecting masses -- the Juicy Couture "Back To School" Flexi Keyboard. Hoping to appeal to the geek girl diva crowd, the rubber and silicone number comes in bubblegum pink, because as you know, women are just suckers for anything pretty and pink (eye roll). The lettering on the keyboard is done in Juicy's usual Old English lettering.

Cheap marketing ploy aside, this USB keyboard does have some good points. The rubber and silicone body lets users roll it up like a yoga mat, making it totally portable. It's also Mac and PC friendly.

The fancy pants keyboard is retailing at Nordstrom for a whopping $45, a little pricey for a keyboard, but such is the price of couture I guess.

Via CoolestGadgets

The Citadel : Europe’s first floating apartment is ecological, recreational and residential

Whoever came up with the proverb "Use your enemy's hand to catch a snake" (apparently Persian in origin) was pretty damn smart. And must've caught a lot of snakes too. Jokes apart, this is exactly what the Dutch have invented in their long quest to ward off the danger of rising tides - a new construction project called "New Water" which has created "The Citadel", an apartment complex completely built on water.

The Citadel, designed by Koen Olthuis of Waterstudio, is built on a floating foundation of heavy concrete and will house 60 luxury apartments, a car park, a floating road to access the complex as well as boat docks. Each unit will have its own garden terrace as well as a view of the lake. The building is designed to float perfectly on the rising and falling water, and makes use of the water to cool itself as it pumped out of submerged pipes. Make that a slash of 25% on your electricity bill as water cooling techniques are far more efficient compared to the ones used by a conventional building on land.

And water surfing maybe just as simple as taking a walk around the block.

Via Inhabitat.