Amazon: Ballpark Hot Dog Rotisserie and Bun Warmer

Amazon.com: Ballpark Hot Dog Rotisserie and Bun Warmer - Red: Kitchen Housewares

I think I may know who this is targetted at, probably the same people who have already have one of these :-P

• Make baseball stadium style rotisserie grilled hotdogs
• Stainless steel spikes warm up buns or baguettes
• Non-stick, easy to clean cooking surface
• Detachable oil tray for quick clean up

Technorati Tags: food, gadget

Nalgene: Grip-n-Gulp

NALGENE: Grip-n-Gulp

We’ve taken on Everest. Now we’re ready for toddlers!
Nalgene containers have stood up to some of the worlds most extreme conditions. Small potatoes compared to small children. The new Nalgene Grip'n Gulp™ is tough enough to survive being thrown form a moving minivan, spill proof enough to compel parents to blame the rug stains on the dog, and odor proof enough to allow leftover milk to go undetected under the couch for months. Most importantly, its a great way for little kids to reach new heights.

• Side indents are easy for tiny hands to grasp
• Rubberized lid and smooth plastic mouthpiece make drinking comfortable
• Superior threading on cup and lid is engineered to prevent spills
• Durable Polycarbonate resists odors, stains, and residue
• Cup, lid, and removable sipper valve are all top rack dishwasher safe
• Lid loop can be clipped to backpack, diaper bag, or stroller
• Twelve-ounce cup is compatible with OTG, ATB, and wide-mouth closures

infoSync World: Palm Treo 700w confirmed for January launch

Palm Treo 700w confirmed for January launch - infoSync World

Introduced this September, Palm has confirmed that its much-anticipated Treo 700w communicator is scheduled to launch in January 2006. The device, which is the handheld maker's first to feature the Windows Mobile platform, will debut exclusively on the Verizon Wireless network with support for EV-DO connectivity in a form factor closely resembling the company's existing Treo 650 communicator.

Powered by an Intel processor, the as-of-yet unnamed Treo will be joining the 600 and 650 models, both currently carried by Verizon Wireless. Although Palm has still to provide further specifications concerning the device, the company will attempt to diversify the product from competing Windows Mobile 5.0 products through additional software.

Technorati Tags: phone Technorati Tags: phone Technorati Tags: phone

SPCR: Thermalright HR-01 CPU Heatsink

Thermalright HR-01 CPU Heatsink :: SilentPCReview.com

Thermalright has delivered a very competitive heatsink in the HR-01. Performance is neck-and-neck with the Scythe Ninja, and that's saying something. Yes, there are nuances to the comparison between the two, but when it comes down to it, the two perform very similarly. That means that Thermalright is back at the top of the quiet high-performance heap — it seems they never fade for long.

We were pleased to report that installing the High-Riser was a breeze: It's easier to install than the Ninja, and a huge improvement over Thermalright's own XP-120. The High-Riser has one of the most elegant clips we've seen, similar to that used by Shuttle in some of their SFF systems.

Of course, there are always a few bones to pick, mostly related to compatibility. At the moment, the only processors supported out of the box are AMD. Intel's current processors are not yet supported at all, as there are no mounting options available for Socket 775. Older socket 478 processors require the purchase of a separate clip. Still, the lack of Intel support isn't as big a problem. Passive cooling is simply not an option for most of Intel's chips because they run so hot, and the performance (and silencing) markets are currently dominated by AMD anyway.

There are some other potential issues:

1. Not all motherboards have the CPU socket oriented in the same direction, so there may be a few situations where the heatsink cannot be mounted in the correct orientation. This hurts compatibility.
2. The height of the heatsink may prove to be an issue in a smaller case.
3. The cantilever effect is strong, so shipping with the HS on is not recommended.
4. There is currently no standard way to attach a fan to the High-Riser, but cable ties or solid-core wire will both work well.

All of these are relatively minor issues, however. What counts most is performance, and the High-Riser delivers. If you're looking to build a high-end quiet system, the only other serious contender among tower heatsinks is the Scythe Ninja.

Technorati Tags: heatsink, computer, silent Technorati Tags: heatsink, computer, silent

The Gadgeteer: Gomadic Charger Cables with Tip Exchange Technology

The Gadgeteer - Gomadic Charger Cables with Tip Exchange Technology

Right around the corner from my office is a closet which acts as the receptacle for all of the gadgets' boxes and accessories currently being used in our household - well, the ones that will fit, anyway. Inside this closet sits a large cardboard box which holds nothing but power cords, adapters, odd cables and vehicle chargers for PDAs, digital music players, mobile phones, and other devices that we may or may not still own and which we may or may not still be using. I have to clean the box out at least every two years, otherwise the cables will begin to spill over and chaos will rule.

You know what? It really strikes me as a complete waste of money that almost every time I change PDA's I have to also get new travel or vehicle cables to go along with the device. I mean, these cables are all essentially the same. Well, with the exception of their tips, of course.

That's why I was so interested when I was given the opportunity to review Gomadic's Charger Cables with Tip Exchange Technology. I was intrigued by the idea that the same power cable which charges my PPC-6700 could also charge my iPAQ 4700 as well as my iPod. I was especially impressed by the idea that the same cable could also power almost every current or future portable device. Suddenly, I can see an end to the need for the box in my closet. This is a good thing!

Gomadic sells what they call their Essential Power Kit, which includes both their Rapid Car Charger and Rapid Wall Charger as well as two tips for the same device. I was sent a kit that included two mini USB tips to use with my PPC-6700, and I was also sent tips which would fit my iPod and iPAQ 4700. Additional tips for many devices may be ordered at the same time as the initial order, or later on as the owner acquires new devices. All it takes is the swapping out of a simple plug-in tip...

Technorati Tags: gadget, charger, travel Technorati Tags: gadget, charger, travel

Attackers Exploit New Zero-Day Windows Bug

InformationWeek | Windows Security | Attackers Exploit New Zero-Day Windows Bug | December 28, 2005

A new unpatched vulnerability in Microsoft Windows and an in-the-wild exploit appeared Wednesday as security firms raised their alarms to Critical. The bug is in Windows' rendering of Windows Metafile (WMF) images, a component that's been patched three times in the last two years, most recently in November by the bulletin MS05-053. The newest flaw, however, is different enough from November's that fully-patched Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 machines can be compromised. "This exploit is doing something a bit different," said Shane Coursen, a senior technical analyst with Moscow-based Kaspersky Labs. "It looks like it affects the same DLL as MS05-053, but it's not overflowing the buffer." According to Microsoft's MS05-053 bulletin, the November vulnerability was in an unchecked buffer. Microsoft would only acknowledge that it's looking into the problem, the usual response from the Redmond, Wash.-based developer to news of zero-day exploits of its software.

Technorati Tags: security, windows

Engadget: Microsoft/IDSA Design Competition highlights

Engadget:

Because visors are already too cool

In case you hadn’t heard, Microsoft and the Industrial Designers of America (IDSA) recently held a competition in which the challenge was to “rethink the Windows-based PC experience and the role it plays in people’s lives.” Contestants were asked to “envision how form factor influences the digital lifestyle” in four categories: personal productivity, entertainment, communication & mobility, and living & lifestyle. There will be be two $50,000 prizes awarded (one judged by Bill G. himself) along with a $25,000 prize based on public voting, with the winners to be announced at CES 2006. The designs submitted range from the practical to the fanciful to the completely untenable, and serve as a glimpse into a possible future for consumer electronics as well as a cheap way for Microsoft to outsource their design department. The device pictured above, called the “Bookshelf,” is certain to be a favorite of Judge Gates’, as it incorporates heavy digital rights management from the get-go by storing content on rather large square cartridges that would be sold by digital service providers. We couldn’t say why consumers would buy a product that’s constantly expanding in size using proprietary media, but hey, that’s half the fun of these concepts. Read on to see some of the highlights from the contest and then

Nikon Coolpix P2 Digital Camera Review

Nikon Coolpix P2 Digital Camera Review:

As far as wireless concerned, Nikon did not skimp on features. The camera integrates an 802.11 b/g compliant radio. In the case of 802.11g you can connect at rates up to 54 Mbps (though actual throughput will always be lower). From a security standpoint, the user can select from None, WEP, and TKIP (WPA). WEP is the original security added to the 802.11 standard. The key is static and can be easily broken. TKIP takes things a step further by changing the key dynamically with each packet of data that is sent making eavesdropping and packet insertions very difficult.

The camera also supports multiple wireless profiles. The profiles allow the user to specify SSID, encryption type, and so on. So, you can have one profile for home, another for work, and third from neighborhood Starbucks. Unfortunately, these profiles must be created on a PC and transferred to the camera. This poses a bit of a challenge if you come across a Wi-Fi that you want to use and hadn't planned on using.

Once the wireless profiles were set up on the camera (by using the Wireless Setup Utility and connecting the camera via USB to the computer), things moved along quite nicely. To use the wireless, you must first move the dial to the blue wireless icon and then choose your profile. If it's a non-printing profile, you can choose from several modes. A useful Easy Transfer mode compares images on the camera to images that have already been transferred to the computer and only transfers the images that are new. I used the Shoot & Transfer mode which immediately transfers an image, after capture, to the computer, and displays it within the Nikon Picture Project software. (This would make a great party mode). Also, you can choose to transfer all images or only marked images with other transfer modes. The wireless was effective, but I was kind of disappointed that I can't use the wireless to "shoot & transfer" if I want to use other shooting modes. Once you change the mode dial, the wireless radio is disabled. I assume that Nikon did this to preserve battery power. For example, if you want to use "P" mode, you just have to settle to use a transfer mode after you're done shooting several images.

Seagate says to buy Maxtor for $1.9 bln in stock

Latest News and Financial Information | Reuters.com:

NEW YORK, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Seagate Technology (STX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said it would buy rival computer disk-drive maker Maxtor Corp. (MXO.N: Quote, Profile, Research) for $1.9 billion in stock.

Under terms of the deal, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2006, Maxtor shareholders will receive 0.37 shares of Seagate common stock for each Maxtor share they own. Seagate shareholders will own about 84 percent and Maxtor shareholders will own about 16 percent of the new combined company.

The combination is expected to add 10 to 20 percent to Seagate's cash earnings per share after the first full year of joint operations, Seagate said in a release.

Seagate said its executive management team will continue to serve in their current roles and the combined company will retain the Seagate name.

The new iPod Zepto: Inconceivably Small.

McSweeney's Internet Tendency: The iPod Zepto: Inconceivably Small.:

Congratulations on purchasing your new iPod Zepto.

Capable of holding 12 million songs and only one-tenth the size of the head of a needle, the iPod Zepto is a revolution in sound. Once filled with music, the iPod Zepto will play for over 68 years without playing the same song twice.

Enclosed with your iPod Zepto are a USB 4.0 cable, an iTunes 12.1 starter disk, earphones, and a high-magnification lens. (An optional follicle-mounting strap is available.)