Apple iPad 2 is in Production

Apple iPad

Apple has started manufacturing iPad 2, featuring, as previously rumored, a built-in camera and faster processor. It will be thinner and lighter than the first model. WSJ says iPad 2 won’t improve resolution over the first iPad. People familiar with the situation said Apple has had trouble improving the display technology, in part because of the iPad screen's larger size compared with the iPhone.

Other rumored specifications are:
    * One USB port and SD card slot
    * Uses both GSM and CDMA networks
    * The iPad 2is essentially made from one piece of metal with no pins needed
    * The iPad 2 will have a boosted dual core GPU

Apple is reportedly is sticking with its device duopoly, making the iPad available through AT&T, which was the first to carry iPhone and iPad, and also Verizon Wireless. Rumours suggested that the iPad 2 release date is probably in the Spring.

[Source appolicious, techradar]

Rollei Announces Power Flex 3D Point-and-shoot Camera and Designline 3D Photo Frame

Rollei, the 90-year old German manufacturer has just added its new Power Flex 3D point-and-shoot camera along with its Designline 3D photo frame to the market.

The Power Flex 3D camera comes equipped with two lenses that make 3D capturing possible. And it offers something similar found on other 3D point and shoot cameras including the ability to record video in 720p HD, 5MP still images, and a 2.8-inch roundback LCD screen that promises to let you view 3D without 3D glasses.

The Rollei’s Designline 3D photo frame also offers the same glasses-free 3D viewing, so you can view images in 3D with naked eyes on its 7-inch display. Both the Rollei camera and photo frame are expected to surface in the European market for 300 Euros a piece. [Source Techchee]

Panasonic Introduced $250 3D-Capable Lens for Lumix Compact Camera Lines

Panasonic is aggressively pushing their migration to 3D technology, and to make other uses to their 3DTVs, the company introduces a new camera lens that was able to capture 3D images along with Lumix DMC-GH2 camera, the company's new Micro Four Thirds model flagship.

"To achieve a 3D effect, the Panasonic lens has small twin lenses built within, separated by a distance of 1cm. Light from each shines separately onto the image sensor, which captures two images from the differing viewpoints. Light from each shines separately onto the image sensor, which captures two images from the differing viewpoints." This is a bit interesting on how the 3D-effects will be achieved since the normal human eye is approximately 2.5cm apart.

Don't expect the same resolution on your 3D images, though. Instead, they'll have about a 2-megapixel resolution, Ichiro Kitao, director of Panasonic's digital still camera business unit, said in an interview at the show. [Source Techgeeze]

BookBook Case, a Macbook Case That Looks Like a Book

This Macbook case is a disguise of an old book that not so many people want to read. So if your leave it on the table in a coffee shop while you go to the washroom maybe nobody will steal it...

Twelve South a maker of Mac accessories came up with the idea of an old book looking hardbound leather case to protect your Macbook. It has a spine and hard shell to protect your laptop from unwanted force and inside it’s lined with soft fabric to prevent scratches and sometimes act as a sole to accommodate impact and mobility shaking.

The BookBook hardbound leather case with models for 13-inch and 15-inch Macs, can be purchased in traditional black or with red accents for $US79.99 at Twelve South. 

[Source Techgeeze]

Kitara Digital - Stringless Guitar Now Available for Pre-Order

The concept behind this high-tech guitar is to get rid of traditional strings completely. To replace the string, this guitar has a touch panel, simulating the 6 strings of your guitar and sensors in the arm for you to do the chords. In addition, Kitara offers an alternative method to touch your guitar, changing the strings for digital controllers differentiation and you can also apply visual effects according to your taste. For those interested, the Kitara is now available for pre-order at Misa Digital for US$ 849.00.

[Source Engadget]

Control Your PC with The Power of The Mind!

Mind Technology Inc is preparing to launch its device kit to control applications on your PC through thinking in early 2011!

For this you need EPOC neuroheadset - which is a device (US$ 299.00) to recognize the electrical impulses from your brain, and comes also equipped with gyro and camera to optimize the positioning of the mouse cursor, depending on the application.

Along with this headset, you also need the software to translate their thoughts into commands. Their main software is the Master Mind and Mind Mouse.

The Master Mind is dedicated to gamers, giving them the opportunity to perform commands without the keyboard and mouse. According to the company, you can play games like World of Warcraft and Call of Duty by simply using your mind.

The Mind Mouse is the application for controlling Windows, moving the mouse cursor and performing some commands, such as closing the application, minimize, double-click, among others.

[Source Crunchgear  and Mind Technologies]

Nintendo 3DS Euro Launch on Jan 19, 2011

Nintendo Europe has scheduled a press conference on January 19 2011, leading to speculation that the company could be preparing to announce availability for the Nintendo 3DS 3D handheld console. While the invite makes no mention of the 3DS – nor, indeed, any other Nintendo hardware or software – the event will take place a little more than a month ahead of the console’s Japanese release on February 26. The 3DS will be priced at 25,000 yen ($297). [Source Slashgear]

The Home Brewer's Complete Beer Kit

Now beer lovers can make their own beer in the basement. Mr Beer kit provides all of the tools, ingredients, and easy-to-follow instruction to make four gallons of home-brewed craft beer. The kit includes two hopped malt extracts--an India Pale Ale (a reddish-gold hoppy ale) and a Witbier (a Belgian wheat beer with coriander and orange notes)--that are combined with the included yeast and tap water in the two-gallon fermentation tank for seven days. A spout on the tank allows you to easily fill the eight reusable 1-liter plastic bottles, where the beer develops natural carbonation and is ready to drink in just seven days. The beer will have a 4.6% ABV (approximately) and may be bottle-conditioned for up to four months to enhance its clarity and flavor. The detailed instruction manual guides you through every stage of the brewing process, explains the role of each ingredient, and provides 18 additional recipes. Includes sanitizer, two pint glasses, and a thermometer for measuring fermentation temperature. Additional malt extract available below. Fermentation tank: 13" L x 8 1/2" W x 10" H. (1 lb.) Available at Hamacher for Can$ 89.95.

Danger Bomb Clock

This is the kind of device you cannot bring wherever you want especially when you travel. It may make the interview with the border service agency or airport security officer a bit longer. This is actually a clock that wake you up every morning with Explosion Sound! To stop the bomb, you have to pull out just one code from three. The safety code is set randomly every morning. It gives you a warning before exploding... Just 3 minutes to stop it before the explosion. To avoid the explosion, you will have to pull off the correct cord among 3 different. The Color lamp indicates the correct cord.... If you pull off the wrong cord, or don't pull off the cord in time, you cannot stop the Explosion. Available at GeekStuff4U for 4,250 yen (around US$ 51).

Milwaukee M12 Heated Jacket

I have a pair of gloves back a few years ago that use battery to warm my hands in winter. Now there is jacket with the same concept. Powered by M12 Red Lithium battery that runs the company's power tools, the Milwaukee M12 Heated Jacket ($135-$180) features three carbon fiber heating zones to keep you comfortable in even the most fierce cold, while multiple layers provide protection from wind and water. Just don't forget the charger. [Source Uncrate]

Nokia Delays E7 to Early 2011

Nokia said it would postpone shipping the E7 model from this month to early next year. The E7 is similar to its N8 flagship model but has a full slide-out keyboard.

The N8 and E7 are flagship models for the new version of Nokia's Symbian software. [Source]