conglomerate
Latest
Barista-approved mod shoves a coffeemaker, Mac mini and subwoofer into an iMac DV case
Do you have even the slightest clue what you get when you shove a perfectly operational Mac mini, JBL Spot subwoofer and WMF1 coffeemaker into a perfectly defunct iMac DV case? The iMac CS, that's what. In one of the most bizarre and aspirational mods we've seen in quite some time, one Klaus Diebel has managed to combine three devices that wouldn't typically be shoved within the same enclosure... into the same enclosure. The result is a coffee-making media server that just so happens to boast its own inbuilt sound system, or in other words, exactly what you need to start a street corner java shop. The bad news is that a customized version will set you back at least €300 ($431), but the good news is that you can probably build your own for less. Just make sure you know exactly what you're getting yourself into before embarking -- we've got a vague idea that this won't enhance the lives of many.
5-in-1 multi-function MP3 player could use a plug from Billy Mays
In theory, we can't really harsh on a diminutive little gizmo that can play back MP3s, record voice notes, capture live video, snap a few stills and double as a card reader in a pinch, but there's just something about this thing that screams infomercial. As for specs, it's got 2GB of built-in memory, a microSD expansion slot, USB 2.0 connectivity, a rechargeable Li-ion and a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack. Unfortunately, the thing's selling for an almost astronomical $60 before shipping, which definitely pushes it into "won't ever sell without Billy Mays' endorsement" territory. Seriously, check the vid after the jump if you think you're immune to coercion.
Nurian Avatar F1 PMP wears a few other hats
It's a UMPC! It's a MID! It's a multifaceted PMP that relies on Windows CE 5.0! Whatever it is, the Nurian Avatar F1 comes touting a 5.8- x 3- x 1-inch chassis and isn't likely to stray too far from South Korea. The PMP conglomerate not only plays back MPEG1/2/4, DivX, XviD, WMV, OGG and MP3 files, it also defines words, tunes into mobile TV (DMB) broadcasts and outputs video via the component dongle. You'll also find a 4.3-inch WQVGA display, USB socket, a built-in equalizer and an integrated mic for good measure. Take a wild guess at the price, chances are you'll be in the neighborhood (minus the flight to Seoul).[Via Pocketables]
KAON's KM35 PMP does mobile TV on the side
Pucker up, jet-setters -- South Korea's own KAON Media has a new PMP on the way, and for whatever reason, we've found ourselves strangely attracted to what the KM35 has going on here. The "Anywhere TV and Internet" device runs on Windows CE (and handles fresh-out-of-cinema films very well) and features a 3.5-inch 320 x 240 resolution display, 4GB or 8GB NAND flash drive, WiFi, an SD expansion slot, optional FM tuner and your choice of DVB-T/H, ISDB-T or T-DMB TV tuners. Early estimates peg battery life at around 2.5-hours when watching live TV, though there's no word yet on pricing or worldwide availability.[Thanks, J. Carter]
Penny for a thought: HTC's Advantage X7510
As with last week's How Would You Change, this iteration too involves the mobile crowd. Unlike last week, this rendition revolves around a much less pervasive device: HTC's Advantage X7150. For those of you who coughed up some serious cash in order to claim one, how would you like to see it tweaked? Deposit your comments right over here.
How would you change HTC's Advantage X7510?
There's no denying that HTC's Advantage X7510 fills a narrowing niche -- after all, how many of these things have you seen out and about in the subway / underground? Still, there's just something very enticing about a 5-inch VGA display, built-in GPS, HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth and a full-blown QWERTY keyboard, is there not? For you folks who plunked down quite a few bills in order to bring this home, how has your experience been? For you folks in America who have just recently decided to bite the bullet and jump in, was it worth it? How would you tweak this do-it-all conglomerate (besides making it way more affordable)? Here's your shot to get it out, don't let it pass you by!
MeLE showcases chunky GPS-enabled GMT-600 PMP
Though it pains us so, there's not an awful lot of information out there just yet on MeLE's forthcoming do-it-all PMP. Spotted at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, the admittedly beefy unit was seen sporting a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 resolution display, a relatively gigantic bezel and room for a 2.5-inch hard drive within. If we had to guess, we'd surmise that it'll play nice with pretty much any useful audio / video format on the planet, but it seems the price and release date are still cloaked in mystery.[Via SlashGear]
TG's Favicon PMP / navigator gets priced, even sexier
Remember that elegant looking conglomerate we peeked in December of last year? Turns out, said device finally has an appropriate name and price, but sadly, it still isn't apt to head stateside. Nevertheless, the TG Favicon reportedly features a 532MHz Freescale CPU, TPEG navigation, dual DMB / PIP functionality, 4GB of internal storage space, an SD expansion slot and a 7-inch WVGA display. So, just how much coinage will you be asked to fork over to snag this beauty next time you're in Seoul? Around 422 US dollars, that's all.
WithView's HM-U500 do-it-all handles DMB, makes Americans envious
Yeah, we Americans have some pretty fancy toys to play with, but we still can't help but feel a touch slighted each time one of these beauties emerges from South Korea. WithView's HM-U500 sports a whole lot of screen and not much bezel, an ultrathin design and a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 resolution panel. Reportedly, the unit is available in 4GB and 8GB iterations and features an SD expansion slot, built-in camera, a kickstand, headphone jack, a T-DMB tuner, e-dictionary, and support for MP3, WMV, OGG, JPG, BMP, PNG and AVI file formats. No word on a price or anything, but for the US crowd who can't just hop on the next flight to Seoul to pick one up, we're probably better off not knowing.[Via TheGadgetSite]
Flexible keyboard meets Skype phone
We've seen our fair share of flexible keyboards, and yes, we've even seen hordes of Skype phones. Thankfully, this particular unit weds the two aforementioned devices into one, creating a single harmonious 'board that you can freely squeeze while your frustration level skyrockets from yet another troubleshooting call. Hailed as "virtually indestructible," this unit can even be washed, drenched in soda and curled up for easy transport when not being used to type up your thesis and / or tune in to those totally boring CIA conference calls. Sure, $59.99 may seem a tad steep for a no-name keyboard, but just remember, you're buying utility here.
McPerson's 37-inch I-TV does it all... or nothing
There's a select group of red flags that appear when a product is, or is dangerously close to becoming, vaporware, and we've seen just about all of 'em when looking at McPerson's I-TV. Apparently, this so-called do-it-all LCD TV first appeared last year, but now it sports a different look and a flashy website that will make you wish your speakers were inoperative. The set supposedly functions as a home automation controller, DVR, DVD player and Media Center PC, and just in case you doubted its prowess, this thing is somehow Viiv-certified and able to run OS X. Specs wise, you'll find a 37-inch 1080p panel, dual 40-watt speakers (um, right), 7.1-channel audio out, built-in WiFi / Bluetooth, gigabit Ethernet and a slew of ports. Considering McPerson threw nearly everything in here save for the proverbial kitchen sink, it's not all that shocking to find a £3,924.49 ($8,235) pricetag floating around the intarweb, and if anyone has any actual proof that this thing exists, feel free to dash our doubts in comments.[Thanks, Giorgio]
Sophia Mobile's nani to rock Windows CE 6
It's not too often that we find a fairly well-spec'd all-in-one gizmo humming along on Windows CE 6, but apparently, Sophia Mobile's nani is one such device. According to "official specifications" just released, this PDA phone will also feature a 600MHz processor, 4.3-inch 800 x 400 resolution display, a potent media player that can handle MPEG1/2/3/4, DivX, XviD, WMA, WAV, and OGG formats, an image viewer, GPS, WiFi, a microSD expansion slot, USB connectivity, and support for PHS (W-SIM) in Japan. Moreover, it looks like a lucky soul managed to get a bit of hands-on time with the machine, so be sure and check out a few more angles after the break.[Via PMPToday]
Altina's A680 GPS navigator features AV input, digital camera
Those looking for a few more extras on their next navigation system have a growing number of choices, but Altina is upping the ante by cramming even more gadgetry than usual inside its A680. Specs wise, you'll find a 400MHz Samsung processor, a four-inch 480 x 272 resolution LCD, 64MB of NAND RAM, 128MB of SDRAM, a SIRFstarIII module, integrated stereo speakers, headphone out, and an SD expansion slot for any excess media. Additionally, there's USB connectivity, an FM transmitter, two-megapixel digital camera, AV input jack for flicks (or gaming) on the go, and a rechargeable Li-ion that should prove handy if you make your way into the wilderness. Sadly, there's no pricing information available on this do-it-all device, but we've got a hunch it won't make it outside of China anyway.[Via NaviGadget]
i-Station N7tu navigation system does DMB on the side
i-Station's latest GPS / DMB / PMP conglomerate isn't too terribly differentiated from its do-it-all siblings, but the stylish design, expansive seven-inch LCD, and built-in hard drive make it hard to shun. This navigation device includes integrated stereo speakers, a SiRF Star III receiver, DMB TV tuner, SD expansion slot, USB connectivity, rechargeable battery, and your choice of a 30GB or 60GB internal HDD. Of course, you'll also find the usual photo viewer and media player functions within, and while pricing information seems to be absent, we Americans won't be ponying up for this Korean-based gizmo anyway.[Via NaviGadget]
iriver's UNIT2 detailed on teaser site
Mmm, there's nothing like fragmented high-resolution photos of a lust-worthy device to get us salivating, and iriver's marketing department has done an exquisite job figuring that out. Shortly after unveiling the sexiest e-dictionary known to man, the much anticipated UNIT2 conglomerate received its own teaser site, complete with photos and a few extra details you should know. While it has yet to lose its mystique, we now know (officially, at least) that the base will act as a DVD player, TV tuner, access point, charging station, hard drive, and a speaker station. Aside from sporting an SD slot and USB connectivity, this beauty will handle music, movies, photos, eBooks, and WiFi streaming without breaking a sweat. Mechanically, you can expect an automatic sliding door, detachable display, slot-loaded CD / DVD deck, and a 78-key controller to manage the fun. No word yet on the price, but be sure to peek the additional photos below.%Gallery-4121%
Thermoacoustics behind all-in-one cooker, fridge, and generator
Sure, building up a campfire in order to roast some eats in the wilderness could be fun for awhile, but for the reported "two billion people that use open fires as their primary cooking method," we're sure it loses its luster somewhere along the line. The University of Nottingham is hoping to change all that, however, by attempting to develop an all-in-one gizmo that acts as a "cooker, a fridge, and a generator," and relies on biomass fuels for energy. The £2 million ($3.96 million) SCORE (Stove for Cooking, Refrigeration and Electricity) project seeks to create a "wood-powered generator capable of both cooking and cooling food," and it will purportedly rely on thermoacoustics to cut down on pollutants, increase efficiency, and be more reliable to future consumers in Africa and Asia. No word just yet on when this newfangled kitchen appliance will be ready to ship, but a portable version would probably do quite well in the camping market.[Via CNET]
Brica's Viewart 1000 is the new jack of all trades
We should preface this one by pointing out the impossibly low $265 pricetag as a dead giveaway that the Brica Viewart 1000 can't possibly be as good as it sounds, but we'll humor you anyway. This palm-sized conglomerate purportedly acts as a DVR, media player, video camera, still camera (shown after the jump), a PC webcam, image viewer, MP3 player, radio tuner, audio recorder, text file viewer, and a handheld gaming system, and just in case this wasn't good enough, there's also support for a bevy of languages, a built-in calendar, seven EQ presets, PAL and NTSC compatibility, and a horde of cables are thrown in to get you connected. Oddly enough, you won't be doing a whole lot of video capturing on the meager 2.5GB (512MB of internal space plus a 2GB SD card) of included capacity, and the 2.5-inch backlit monitor could probably induce squinting, but when you're getting close to a dozen devices in a 3.5-ounce device, you should certainly expect a fair amount of shortcomings.[Via Gadgets-Weblog]
TTool navigation system handles DMB TV, GPS
To be honest, there's not much about the TTool all-in-one navigation system that differs from the hordes of other conglomerates hailing from South Korea, but it's hard to deny the dashing good looks if nothing else. Running about par for the (overseas) course, this device sports a 400MHz Samsung S3C2440A processor, 64MB of NAND Flash ROM, 64MB of SDRAM, a seven-inch 480 x 324 resolution touchscreen, USB, a SiRF Star III GPS receiver, audio in / out, DMB TV tuner, an SD / MMC flash card slot, and a media player that handles MP3s, movies, and still photos. There's Windows CE .net 5.0 runnin' the show, and while we're not entirely sure if the webcam-type device flanking the top records video, recognizes faces, or just amplifies the antenna, it's not likely to matter to the Americans in the crowd who will never have the joy of handling this. No word just yet on price or a release date, but click on through for a few more glamor shots.[Via NaviGadget]
Clarion MAX9700DT all-in-one does in-car NAV, 1Seg, and MiniDisc
Oh how we wish it were all just a horrific dream, but somehow, the engineers behind Clarion's flashy new MAX9700DT in-car navigation unit still felt it necessary to include support for a format that just refuses to die. Granted, the system is loaded to the hilt with features and supported formats, but we have a hard time believing that even the Japanese really still find MiniDisc and ATRAC all that attractive. Nevertheless, the unit also boasts a seven-inch touchscreen display, built-in 1Seg TV tuner, DVD player, a 40GB hard drive, iPod compatibility, 50-watt x 4 amplifier, AM / FM radio, and support for a whole host of audio formats including WMA and MP3. Getting around shouldn't be too difficult given the expansive screen and "3D maps," and just in case that 40GB of internal storage isn't quite enough, you can cram an SD card or Memory Stick into it for a bit more space. As nice as all this sounds, few from crowds other than the elite will be pondering a purchase, as ¥341,250 ($2,868) isn't exactly bargain basement (or even "good deal") territory.[Via NaviGadget]
DXG's DXG-589V camera / camcorder does gaming, too
We've seen bargain-basement brands toss gaming functionality into a non-gaming device in a somewhat futile attempt to polish up a product before, and apparently, DXG has caught the consolidation bug too. The DXG-589V handheld camera / camcorder mimics the design of Sanyo's Xacti HD2, but rather than packing excellent resolution and HD capturing abilities, this rendition scales back on the goods that matter in order to reach a rock bottom price. Users will find a three-inch LTPS monitor, five-megapixel CMOS sensor, MP3 support, a rechargeable Li-ion cell, SD card slot, and direct recording abilities from an external video source, but you'll only be grabbing MPEG4 footage at 640 x 480 resolution. Additionally, you'll discover 20 less-than-enthralling games built right in, and with the PlayStation-esque control pad, Sony fans shouldn't have any problem getting the buttons down. Of course, the stripped-down nature of this here device allows DXG to shed a few dollars off the purchase price, but we'd be seriously cautious about dropping even $199.99 for this one.