Google Shows The First Chrome OS Laptop Called Cr-48

Google will distribute the laptop through its Chrome OS Pilot Program, in a sort of public beta. You actually have to apply to join the program, and there are going to be a limited number of the laptops available. Retail Chrome OS models from Acer and Samsung will be available in the middle of 2011 for the masses. Google is doing a number of little promotions to give away the devices to interested users and businesses which will provide feedback, and it looks like there's no way to actually pay money for one right now. Now, for the specifications:

• 12.1-inch screen
• Full size keyboard
• Oversized clickpad
• Qualcomm Gobi 3G chip for Verizon data in the US, your carrier of choice internationally
• 802.11n dual-band WiFi
• 8+ hours of active use
• 8+ days of standby
• Webcam
• Flash storage

The "Cr-48" refers to an isotope of the material chromium, there's no logo and no design frills on the laptop itself, and it only comes in black. It seems Google is going out of its way to make it clear that this isn't a mass market device, with Chrome OS still in the beta stage, and no apparent intentions to compete with third parties in the hardware space.

[Source Engadget]

Power Your iPhone with iFan - Wind Power

This charger for iPhone is different from the ones we have seen before. It uses wind power so you will have to hold it where there is wind. The user who created this mod claims that it took him a good six hours to charge the phone, which probably is a little longer than most folks are willing to wait. Still, if you're by the beach at night and your phone is in need of a charge, it could come in handy. The user also thinks that he can reduce a few charging hours by redesigning the fan blades to be more efficient, which would be a welcome improvement. [Source Techzine]

Kwikset Door Lock Killer

A company called DG3 Locksmithing based out of Gilbert, AZ has a product called "LockKill", which renders any Kwikset door lock permanently disabled, preventing it from being picked, bumped, or jimmied.

The LockKill is a key with a notch at the end. You insert the key, then turn it, and the end snaps off, remaining lodged inside the lock. The product is intended to keep evicted renters from reentering a home, until the landlord can get the locks changed. 

[Source StrangenewProducts]

Zomm Wireless Leash Bluetooth Device

Zomm Wireless Leash is a device for drivers. A lot of people said that talking on your phone and steering your car with one hand is not a good thing to do. Now with this device you can talk on your cellphone handsfree while driving.
In case you forget your phone behind, this device will sound alarm before you get too far. It can also function as emergency assistance device because it can dial emergency number by pressing the "z" button for a certain period of time. It is available at Zomm's website for US$ 89.99 (special price for holiday season).

Apple Patents Show ConvertibleTablet

Apple may make a new product in the near future, a combo laptop-tablet computer, a laptop that can transform into tablet. In a Nov. 30 patent entitled "Application Programming Interfaces for Scrolling Operations," Apple depicts a laptop that slides into tablet form as an example of a device that would take advantage of the patent's scrolling operations.

The drawings first show a laptop with a traditional keyboard, body, display frame and display. Then, according to the patent, "the laptop device can be converted into a tablet device" by sliding the display across the keyboard.

Since the patent relates to scrolling operations, it would presumably not cover the convertible laptop to tablet form factor. Apple does, however, disclaim in the application that the patent contains "specific exemplary embodiments."

[Source and more reading... AppleInsider]

Black & Decker Pivot Vac 18V Cordless Pivoting Hand Vacuum Cleaner

This Black & Decker Pivot Vac 18V Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner is a 2-speed handheld vacuum cleaner that is easy to clean. It uses 18 volts of power and high performance motor with cyclonic action. It has on-board brush and extendable crevice tool, removable, washable dirt bowl and filters, also LED charging indicator light. Available at amazon for US$ 59.99.

Defense Department discusses new Sony PlayStation supercomputer

The Blu-ray function is disabled, so no, you won't find Defense Department engineers on the job watching "Avatar" in high def while running classified satellite images through their new supercomputer that harnesses banks of Sony PlayStation video gaming consoles.

Also, the Defense engineers didn't go to Toys R Us or Sears to buy those 1,760 PlayStations. They worked directly with Sony and one of its distributors.

"It wasn't something as simple as going to Best Buy or Wal-Mart," said Mark Barnell, the high-performance computing director at the Air Force Research Lab's operation in Rome, N.Y.

Barnell answered these as well as more technical questions this morning in a phone interview with The Plain Dealer, which in today's editions described how Defense Department engineers and scientists developed the biggest, fastest interactive computer the Pentagon has.

The supercomputer, nicknamed the Condor Cluster, will allow very fast analysis of large high-resolution imagery -- billions of pixels a minute, taking what used to take several hours down to mere seconds, Barnell said.

Its sophisticated algorithms also will allow scientists to better identify objects flying in space, where movement and distance create blurring, with higher-quality images than possible before.

Its capacity makes the PlayStation 3 cluster about the 33rd largest computer in the world, Barnell said. "It's in that magnitude. "

But what makes it especially useful for Defense work is the fact that it is highly interactive, allowing users to do what they want when they want to. Though the Condor will be housed in upstate New York at a center that is part of the Dayton, Ohio-based Air Force Research Laboratory network, other service branches and centers can access it.

[Continue reading... Cleveland]

Fancy Tron Motorcycle Helmet

Luxury Parisian motorcycle helmet maker Ruby has produced a limited edition TRON themed helmet for the official French release of the movie January 2011. colette will be offering a series of themed collaborations, including the helmet that we showcase here. Something to look out for.

[Source Highsnobiety]

Acer Iconia Dual-screen Laptop

Acer Iconia Dual-screen Laptop

On Tuesday, Acer announced a dual-screen multi-touch laptop that also looks like it's trying to get the best of two worlds at once. Iconia is a 14-inch laptop with an additional 14-inch screen where a keyboard would normally be. Iconia has a Core i5 processor, up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM, integrated Intel graphics, a hard drive up to 750GB, and Windows 7 Home Premium, two USB 2.0, one USB 3.0, HDMI, and VGA.

[Source Cnet]

Electronic Spy Camera Shirt

Spy Camera Shirt

The latest new item from ThinkGeek is called the Electronic Spy Camera Shirt. The shirt has graphics on it that remind me of an old Bond movie poster. Rather than holding a small Walther PPK, the Bond-esq figure on the shirt has a camera. Look closely and you will see that the camera is actually a real camera lens and the shirt has a remote control that runs down to the wearer’s hand. The shirt wearing geek can push the shutter button to take the photo they want and the remote vibrates to show it has taken the pic. The camera has storage for about 1000 photos in 640 x 480 resolution. The camera runs on three AAA batteries and connects via USB to a computer for download.

[Source technabob]

TK-421, iPhone Case With Flip-out Keyboard

TK-421, iPhone Case With Flip-out Keyboard

If you are used to a real physical keyboard, now you can use your iPhone with the TK-421 iPhone case with flip-out keyboard. This case has a handy built in keyboard that rotates out when needed. Use it for e-mails, texting and apps. There are two models of the TK-421 case, one for the iPhone 3GS and the other for iPhone 4. Available at ThinkGeek for US$ 49.99.