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Parrot's latest plant sensors can also do the watering for you
Following last year's Flower Power plant sensor, Parrot's decided to take it to the next level with two new Bluetooth Smart devices: the H2O and the Pot (pictured above). Starting off with the smaller device, the H2O is essentially a direct successor to the Flower Power, but featuring more accurate monitoring (of soil moisture level, soil fertility, temperature and brightness) and the new watering capability. The latter part is done so by attaching a screw-top water bottle of up to two liters, which will provide up to three weeks of autonomous irrigation with a soft jet. With the existing database of over 8,000 plants, the device can determine the optimal amount of water needed for your plant, and the companion app will remind you if more water or fertilizer is needed.
H2O Shower Powered Radio blasts the Biebs by way of micro-turbine
Forget the tablet, 2011 is the year of the shower radio! Last week we reported on Toshiba's wirelessly connected water-proof song box and, just as our nerves began to settle from the excitement, someone came along and dropped this eco-friendly, shower-ready gem on us. Not only is the H2O Shower Powered Radio waterproof, but it actually uses the water from your shower to pump out the jams. The thing connects directly to your shower hose, and uses the flow of water to set a micro-turbine spinning, thus charging an integral battery and eliminating the need for disposables. As the video below points out, the radio "doesn't just offer 80s classics -- it has the full spectrum of FM," and its creators say it's compatible with 99 percent of showers, but what we really want to know is: how well does it crank the Ke$ha? Video after the break.
Casio Exilim EX-H20G (with Hybrid GPS) camera review
Three months from introduction to on sale ain't too shabby in the camera world, and that's exactly what Casio has managed to accomplish with the intriguing new Exilim EX-H20G. We first spotted this point-and-shoot at Photokina in Germany, and now we've had a solid week to put it through its paces. Naturally, the inclusion of Hybrid GPS (read: engineered to find a location indoors as well as outdoors) is the standout feature and key differentiator, but the 14.1 megapixel sensor, 10x optical zoom and 720p movie mode are all fine additions. It certainly isn't the slimmest compact on the market, nor the cheapest at $349.99, but do the unique aspects of this thing make the price easier to stand? Join us after the break for our thoughts. %Gallery-109236%
3D printer creates ice sculptures -- just add water
Paper-mache, candy, and human cells have all been seen flowing through 3D printers for custom fabrication work, but students and faculty at Canada's McGill University have a cheaper prototyping material: plain ol' H2O. They recently modified this Fab@Home Model 1 by replacing the soft goo extruders with a temperature-controlled water delivery system, and set about making decorative ice sculptures and a large beer mug for good measure. While the academic project is officially supposed to explore "economic alternatives to intricate 3D models of architectural objects," we're not sure architects will want much to do with prototypes that drip... but tourism might well get a boost from liquor sold in frosty custom containers. We're thirsty just looking at them.
Sony's Cyber-shot T900, T90, W290, W230 and H20 do the thinking for you
It's official, folks -- PMA is on. Er, almost on. At any rate, it's on enough for Sony, FujiFilm and Samsung to dole out a smattering of new cams today in their respective lineups. Today, Sony is introducing five new Cyber-shot models, all of which seek to remove the burden of taking the perfect picture from you. The DSC-T900, DSC-T90, DSC-W290 and DSC-H20 all feature an intelligent auto mode, which automatically detects scene conditions and adjusts settings to best take advantage of the situation. The whole April-bound lot sports Optical SteadyShot and Smile Sutter, while the W290, H20, T90 and T900 all feature 720p movie recording at 30fps. Here's a rundown of the specs for each: DSC-W230: 12.1 megapixels, 4x (30mm) Carl Zeiss optical zoom lens, 3-inch LCD; available in silver, black, blue and red for about $200. DSC-W290: 12.1 megapixels, 5x (28mm) Carl Zeiss optical zoom lens, 3-inch LCD; available in silver, black, blue and bronze for $250 DSC-T90: 12.1 megapixels, 4x Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar optical zoom, 3-inch touchscreen LCD; available in silver, black, pink, blue and brown for $300 DSC-T900: 12.1 megapixels, 4x Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar optical zoom, 3.5-inch Xtra Fine touchscreen LCD; available in silver, black, red and bronze for $380 DSC-H20: 10.1 megapixels, 10x Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar optical zoom, 3-inch LCD; available in black for about $280 %Gallery-45029%
Toshiba readies three 1080p Camileo camcorders for Europe
We can't say with any level of certainty why Toshiba chose to announce its new Camileo after CES and before CeBIT, but whatever the reason, we're sure it's a good one. Introduced today over in Germany are three new camcorders, all of which boast simple controls for the technologically challenged and easy uploading to YouTube. The whole lot captures in gorgeous 1080p, and they all feature a handy HDMI output for showing off clips as soon as you snag them. The higher-end Camileo P30 arrives with 128MB of internal storage, an SD card slot, a 3-inch LCD monitor and a 5x optical zoom; the H20 steps down to a 2.5-inch display, while the S10 remains mostly mysterious. As for the bits that matter most, the S10 and P30 will be available early next month for €149 ($197) / €199 ($263), respectively, while the H20 can be snapped up now for €249 ($329).[Via Stuff]
Win a bunch of iPod-waterproofing gear, just in time for pool season
What could be better than relaxing in the pool this summer? How about swimming to your favorite tunes? We first saw the H20 audio case and headphones at Macworld, soaking in a tub of bubbling water (see our pic in the gallery). Now you've got a chance to win the 3rd-gen nano-sized waterproof case and matching waterproof headphones for yourself. Both are waterproof up to 10 feet. As a bonus, we're throwing in a ifrogz ibagz case that'll fit pretty much any other flavor of iPod. The ifrogz case isn't waterproof, but it is water resistant and is perfect for taking your tunes to the beach without worries of getting sand in your teensy jukeboxes.There will only be one winner in this giveaway, and they will receive all three items (courtesy our friends at Dr. Bott). To enter, leave a comment on this post (and verify the comment so it appears on the page). The comment must be left before Monday, May 5 11:59pm Eastern Time. You may enter once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing. The winner will receive: ifrogz ibagz (retail $4), H20 Audio's waterproof housing for iPod nano 3G (retail $80), H20 Audio's H3 waterproof headphones (retail $50). Click here for complete Official Rules. %Gallery-21832%
DirecTV's latest STB, the H21-200 is showing up at Best Buy
Our relationship with technology is no doubt a love-hate affair, so it's no surprise that every time a new HD device hits the street we get excited at the possibility that whatever bug was driving us nuts with the current version is resolved. The DirecTV brand HD DVR definitely applies to this one, and while some people don't have any problems with the H20, others can't wait to try out the H21. So if you fit into this group, it might be time to hit up your local Best Buy and see if you can find an H21-200 on the shelf, and be sure to let us know if it's any different from the H20 before it.**Update** sorry, I mixed up the numbers, I edited the post.
DirecTV adds HD locals in 25 markets
DirecTV continues to roll out MPEG-4 local channels in HD across the country, today announcing 25 markets that will be added during the fourth quarter. This brings the total number of local markets with HD to 67, representing nearly three-quarters of US households. As always, customers will need a new dish and receiver to get the ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox channels. No extra cost for the programming, which is available to all with Total Choice programming including local channels, but it might also be a good time to upgrade to the new HR20 DVR. This rollout seems to have gone pretty smoothly, starting at the end of 2005 with just New York and LA to this, and DirecTV still plans to have capacity for 150 national HD channels in 2007 thanks to two new satellites. The list follows after the break.
Your DIRECTV H20 running hot? Install a fan
Do you have DIRECTV'S newest high-def receiver? The H20? If you do we are confident that it runs hot 'cause most of 'em do. We don't know why (someone can tell us if they know) but we do have a solution for you that we found on AVSForums. Simply, well not super easy but still easy, install a fan on the inside of the unit. We are just talking about a normal 80mm fan that you would use in your computer. If you are going to do this though, make sure you spend the few extra bucks to get a quiet one too; there is nothing worse then a noisy fan mixed in with your AV equipment. You might even want to do a slow 120mm fan as they are historically a bit slower and therefore more quiet. This would require you to take apart the box and keep in mind that if it was 'purchased' after March 1st, this must void some type of user agreement as you don't own the box but are leasing it. The fan plugs into the USB port on the back panel though and since you aren't touching anything on the board, if you take your time chances are DIRECTV won't even notice your were playing around inside of their equipment. Have fun!
DirecTV adds high definition locals to Fresno and...Fresno
That's it. Just Fresno. Although I'm sure our HD Beat Fresno readership is glad to hear it, previous DirecTV releases have been a bit meatier on the number of added local areas. Still, KFSN/ABC and KGPE/CBS are live today and we're sure many are glad for it. Per the usual, you'll need the new dish and receiver combo to get these MPEG-4 broadcasts.Fresno, today is your day in the sun.
DirecTV adds four local HDTV markets
DirecTV just keeps rolling out these high-def markets. The newest ones on the list of 24 cities is Milwaukee, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and St. Louis. DirecTV plans to have 26 more markets up by years end and at this rate we don't see them not achieving their goal. At the beginning of the year, they only had six markets up and now 24; nice. Keep in mind though that to receive these new local signals you will need the H20 receiver with the five LMB dish. These signals are MPEG-4 based and older boxes cannot use receive it. DirecTV has indicated in the past that they will give rebates to current customers in order to help with the new equipment costs.
