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TP-Link Portable 3G Wireless N Router fits in your pocket, draws power from USB
Sure, we may be fast approaching the 12th year of the 21st century, but as you may have noticed, planet Earth has yet to be coated in a warm, fuzzy blanket of WiFi. And yes, we're just as befuddled as you. For now -- and for the foreseeable future as well -- we'll need to continue furnishing our own provisions for reliable wireless internet access, which is often no small feat. Fortunately, if you're able to find a USB 3G modem or Ethernet connection, TP-Link's new Portable 3G/3.75G Wireless N Router (TL-MR3020) can hook you up with WiFi for a mere $40. The tiny device is small enough to fit in your pocket, and offers a variety of power options, including a built-in plug and mini USB connector -- enabling you to use the device with an external battery pack, for example. A second USB port lets you hook up a UMTS/HSPA/EVDO USB 3G modem, which you can then dish out to other wireless gadgets. This pocketable WiFi wonder will be available on December 14th at Fry's, Micro Center, B&H and Data Vision, along with e-tailers like Newegg and Amazon. If an Ethernet-only model will suit your needs, the TL-WR700N is another option, shipping on November 23rd for $30. Jump past the break for the full rundown from TP-Link.
S-Walker Electric Transporter hands-on (video)
In an IFA galaxy far far away lives the China Pavilion. And on the far side of the outer ring of the China Pavilion, buried amongst a plethora of steamers, curling irons, and television mounts, you may stumble upon the S-Walker -- though you're just as likely to miss it. And what might an S-Walker be? Well, if we're being precise, it's a "Speed-Walker, Sky-Walker, whatever," according to its German booth master. Luke would be proud. Lesser beings may recognize it as a KIRF Segway, designed in Germany and handmade in China, just a mere ten days ago. Its biggest strength lies in price -- the thing is expected to retail for €2,500 (about $3,550) sometime in the middle of next year. We suppose this yet-to-be-released electric transporter is here to serve warehouse workers, couriers, and the millions of college students who every day dream of zooming across campus atop a pair of motorized wheels, but simply couldn't justify spending an entire semester's tuition on a Segway. We spent a few minutes riding the world's first (and only) functional S-Walker around the rather deserted International Hall, and while very much still a prototype, the battery powered contraption felt peppy enough and responded accurately to commands, moving forward as we leaned to the front, and backing up as we shifted weight to the rear. You control direction using a small handlebar-mounted joystick, rather than by leaning from side-to-side as you would on a Segway. The designers capped speed at 10 kilometers per hour for the IFA demo, but production models will be boosted to 30 km/h, and it's theoretically capable of reaching 100 km/h (but that'll likely require some potentially-illegal hacking on your part). Roll on past the break to see the S-Walker in action. And may the force be with you.%Gallery-132596%
Toshiba adds 19 incher to battery-powered TV line, squeezes in 1Seg tuner
So, those 32- and 24-inch, battery-packing Power TV sets were a little too unwieldy for you, huh? We understand, and so does Toshiba, that's why the company is downsizing its outlet-independent line to 19-inches -- surely you won't mind lugging around this 11 pounder. Ok, maybe you're not actually meant to carry it with you, but you could move it from room to room without worrying about finding an receptacle. The lithium ion battery pack can push 720p images to the screen for up to five hours, though firing up the integrated 1Seg tuner during a black out cuts that back to about three. In addition to its low energy usage, it can be instructed to charge only during off peak hours -- saving you some dough on your electricity bills. The Regza 19P2 will hit shelves in Japan early next month for a rumored price of about $500, while extra battery packs will go on sale in August for around $90.
Think City's EVs get priced... sort of
Apparently a $34,000 price tag isn't exclusive enough for you to nab one of the first 100 Think City electric vehicles -- fancy that! The aforementioned sticker is meant only for normal retail versions of the green-machine, a version that just so happens to not truly exist in any meaningful form. To be one of those lucky 100 bringing home the first available Think City vehicles, you'll have to cough up a decidedly heftier chunk of change -- $41,695 to be exact. In addition to these inaugural models, Think City is adding another set of prices for lucky folks living in Indiana (the first state to acquire these cars), where the normal production electric eco-transports are apparently selling for just $30,050. 'Course, all this scrutiny over MSRPs is apt to be for naught when gas creeps up to six bucks a gallon, but hey, that would never happen in our lifetime. Right?
