The MSI GX630 Makes Notebook Gaming More Affordable

MSI has been a popular manufacturer of notebook PCs and has found a niche market with its MSI Wind line, but the company has made another bound with the debut of the GX630, a gaming notebook with a price tag under a grand.

Gaming PCs (both desktop and notebook alike) are infamous for having high class features and a steep price tag. The GX630, however, offers up a decent selection of features for the gamer at an affordable $800.

Obviously the GX630 won’t stand up to the elitest Alienware systems, but it can definitely hold its own. It comes with a 15-inch screen, 2.3GHz AMD X2 and 4GB of RAM.
source http://thehottestgadgets.com/2009/02/the-msi-gx630-makes-notebook-gaming-more-affordable-002127#more-2127

AquaTune Waterproof iPod Speakers for the Pool

The AquaTune submergible speakers from Focal allow iPod connectivity for all of your underwater music needs. The Nano 4G model works with the latest iPod nano and has a pair of 1-watt speakers. The V2 model (pictured) is compatible with additional iPod models and has a 3-watt x 2 power rating.

Both models use clear, polycarbonate bodies and o-ring seals to prevent leakage and a flexible silicon rubber membrane that enables operation of the Click Wheel. They are submersible up to one meter for half an hour; any longer or deeper, and the seal may be compromised.

The larger V2 model is compatible with Apple’s fourth and fifth generation iPods, first through fourth generation iPod nanos, iPod classic, first and second generation iPod shuffle, and the iPod mini. The AquaTune Nano 4G and V2 are currently available in Japan and will be available stateside for $175 and $120, respectively
source http://thehottestgadgets.com/2009/02/aquatune-waterproof-ipod-speakers-for-the-pool-001975#more-1975

Introducing the Eee PC-in-a-Keyboard

The new Asus Eee PC-in-a-Keyboard is exactly what it sounds like, an entire PC fitted inside of a keyboard. It also has a small touchscreen display in place of the number pad on the right.

The specs include:

1.6Ghz Atom Processor
1GB of Ram
8GB or 16GB SSD Drive
5″ Touchscreen display
VGA and HDMI output (optional wireless video capability)
Two new Eee PC-in-a-Keyboard models will be available in May for around $400 and $600 each. This is a nice twist on the usual all-in-one pc.
source http://thehottestgadgets.com/2009/03/introducing-the-eee-pc-in-a-keyboard-002135#more-2135

The Amazing BMW Designed Level 10 PC Case by Thermaltake

This new “Level 10″ case was designed by BMW’s own BMW Designworks USA and it is made by Thermaltake. The case has different compartments for the major components of a computer, rather than having just one big compartment like regular computer cases.

Although it a ground breaking design, there is no word on whether having the case broken into different compartments will actually be better than the standard cases today. I guess we just have to wait to see on this one.
source http://thehottestgadgets.com/2009/03/the-amazing-bmw-designed-level-10-pc-case-by-thermaltake-002137#more-2137

Wheelchair that has own mechanical arm

It is pretty heart wrenching to see a great deal of folk these days suffer from severely debilitating syndromes that leave them paralyzed as well as completely dependent on the assistance of others. Good thing medical science have advanced by some degrees, and among these include automated wheelchairs that allow such folks unprecedented freedom to move around on their own, gaining back their self-respect and esteem in the process. When it comes to assistive technology, researchers from the University of South Florida are pushing the proverbial envelope even further by working on a wheelchair that has its own mechanical arm. What makes this special is the wheelchair’s ability to hold a system that relies on EEG, reading the user’s brain waves while sending translated signals to the robotic arm to move it accordingly. Man and machine working together telepathically? I’m sold.


Initial testing by human users has successfully proven that the WMRA control system can be used without having the user to use even a single muscle. The WMRA also will not use any pre-programmed movements unless chosen by the user beforehand. Rajiv Dubey, professor and chair of the USF Department of Mechanical Engineering, and director of the Center for Rehabilitation Engineering & Technology, has mentioned in passing that such a design (in the field of intelligent therapeutic and assistive robotic systems such as the WMRA) is based on sensor-fusion technology, which is utilized to map limited human input into complex motion via a method known as “sensor-assisted scaled teleoperation.”

The WMRA will seem like a heaven-sent device that will help folks suffering from “locked-in syndrome,” an entirely paralytic condition that leaves people unable to move despite maintaining a normal standard of intellectual standards. We hope that the WMRA will be made available to all soonest possible at the lowest price, although the latter will be almost impossible to achieve
source http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20090209/wheelchair-that-has-own-mechanical-arm/#more-21797

Revio Programmable Light Switch

The Light Switch is one of those pieces of technology that doesn’t really need improvement, right? It’s basically binary on and off, right? If you want, you could put in a dimmer dial, or give it some push button interface, and that is as advanced as it usually gets.

The Revio programmable light switches by FirstHand Design could be the beginning of a new trend in light switches as it has eight programmable buttons for all kinds of lighting configurations. It is also compatible with anything else electric that requires a switch.

Also included is a dim/bright controller knob, and an infrared receiver to control it all from a distance. Believe it or not, the Revio light switch has flash memory and can be programmed from the iCAN network. The light switch is hardly binary anymore.

Another interesting feature is that the user can insert whatever background for the light switch by placing it behind the plastic cover. So if you want to put in a different photo, or typeface, it is up to you to decide what labels for the lighting setup.

So what we have here is a programmable light switch that you can accessorize to match with your décor! So far, this looks like just some concept technology for now, but it is a positive step for the world of light switches.

Aiways Innovating announces Touch Book

The netbook market is certainly one of the fastest growing markets in the world - just take a look at how things have changed since the Asus Eee PC 701 was released a couple of years back or so. It hasn’t even been two years that passed us by, and we have already seen the tiny netbook grow from a simple 7″ display to one that sports 10.2″ (or larger as other manufacturers try to circumvent the gentleman’s agreement with Microsoft) of viewing real estate, and the humble 4GB SSD has grown to 160GB hard drives, and one no longer needs to rely on Linux alone as there is always Microsoft Windows XP as the operating system of choice. Netbooks have even affected notebook sales to a certain extent, so it makes perfect sense for Always Innovating to come up with their extremely versatile netbook known as the Touch Book.


What sounds like an Apple product is actually a versatile netbook that not only functions as a netbook, but also doubles up as a tablet. How is this possible? No, it won’t employ the standard method of a swiveling display that covers the keyboard. Instead, the Touch Book’s keyboard itself is detachable, where you’ll then be treated to a 3D touchscreen user interface. Currently on preview at DEMO ‘09, the Touch Book will not weigh more than two pounds despite carrying a battery that offers a pretty hefty battery life of 10 to 15 hours, which is pretty much three times the amount of time an average netbook is able to run before crying out for more juice.

Other features include internal USB plugs, an ARM processor from Texas Instruments, as well as the ability for you to stick it onto a fridge (it is magnetic), allowing it to function as a digital photo frame or a computer for mom to use while she searches for recipes online. You can place pre-orders for the $299 Touch Book here as Always Innovating targets a late spring release date.