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Domain: gadgets.co.uk

Stories and comments across the archive that link to gadgets.co.uk.

Comments · 9

  1. Rubber by HappyHead · · Score: 5, Informative · on 10 Strange Computer Keyboards

    There's also the Flexible Rubber Keyboard, which is not only easy to roll up and carry around with you, but is also waterproof (for shallow depths, anyways) and resistant to strong acid and alkaline environments. (But disintegrates fast with organic solvents like acetone, potentially leaving nothing but a few strands of copper wiring and gooey sludge.) I've never tried using mine underwater, but at least one of the reviews I've seen of them mentions using them in the bath. They're more resistant to being smashed by heavy-handed typists, and it's impossible to get crap-buildup underneath the keys since it's a sealed silicon unit.

    They also come in a variety of colors and styles. My sister wants the pink one. she needs it considering how much pop my niece has dumped on their old keyboards, and the fact that they both type like they're trying to leave finger-shaped dents in the floor underneath the desk.

  2. Re:Battery Usage by Bad+to+the+Ben · · Score: 1 · on GBA SP Updated with Brighter Backlit Screen

    Now that is a damn good idea!

    And by funky generators, you mean like this shake torch, right? Cause that would kick ass. I mean, it's a portable gaming device, of course it's going to move, might as well get some current out of it.

  3. Re:Random by cyberdba · · Score: 0 · on Videogames: In the Beginning

    You need one of these
    http://www.gadgets.co.uk/commodore-64-c64-computer -dtv-direct-to-tv-games.html

  4. Re:How about an ecosystem by lukesky · · Score: 1 · on Plants for Cubicles?

    Here is the real link, so there is no need to cut-and-paste.

    http://www.gadgets.co.uk/eco-sphere-ecosphere-shri mp-ecosystem.html

  5. Cool! by Deagol · · Score: 4, Interesting · on The Ubiquitous LED Becomes More Ubiquitous

    I think self-powered and self-contained light sources are really cool. I'd rather have a Glowring, but they can't be imported for resale in the US/Canada. Any enterprising folks across the pond wish to work out a deal and get me some? ;-)

  6. Re:Screw bluetooth... - wireless usb by victim · · Score: 4, Interesting · on Garmin Palm Device With GPS
    Yes, please do screw bluetooth. But not in favor of 802.11[abg]. The 802.11 series of protocols is much faster, but also require more power. Bluetooth uses very little power, but is speed limited.

    The problem with bluetooth is that it is extrordinairily complex. needlessly complex. The standards comittee took years to create a spec so byzantine that it takes vendors years to implement.

    An alternative is coming. Cypress Semiconductors is rolling out wireless USB. In a nutshell...
    • lower cost (simpler = less silicon; $3.50/unit. That is the wireless and the little CPU to run your keyboard, mouse, game controller, or interface to your larger device.)
    • lower latency (low enough for FPS games. 8ms, up to 20ms with 7 devices. Human reaction time is something like 50ms.)
    • higher speed (217kbps)
    • standard software (everything is still USB to your computer)
    Their first releases are an integrated HID controller and the upstream bridge which should be available now or very soon. It isn't clear to me if the bridge chip can be used by people making non-HID hardware devices, like PDAs, as a client interface.

    You can read their old press release here. There is a link to a nice PDF at the bottom of that page.

    Leading unanswered questions...
    • How does it get along with 802.11[bg]? They are in the same band, both frequency hop.
    • Cell phone companies do not move quickly. Will they consider a cheaper alternative to bluetooth?
    • Is the product on track? Their press release is from November. There is a suspicious lack of information on the Cypress site. Their projected milestone was Q1'03, so they still have time.
    Me, I hope Wireless USB catches on. I'd love to make wireless USB connected balls like these to use as system status indicators. Yes it is needlessly complex, but it compensates by being oddly cool.
  7. What about these? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0 · on Apple Applies For Color-Change Patent

    What about things like this?

    http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/lights/59b8/

    or

    http://www.gadgets.co.uk/aduki.html

    or

    http://www.gadgets.co.uk/faze3.html

  8. What about these? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0 · on Apple Applies For Color-Change Patent

    What about things like this?

    http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/lights/59b8/

    or

    http://www.gadgets.co.uk/aduki.html

    or

    http://www.gadgets.co.uk/faze3.html

  9. Re:Replayability? by matrix29 · · Score: 2 · on Atari Announces an Official Portable 2600 System

    Something very much like this was released by a mysterious company called Mega Joy -- an N64 controller that contained 50-odd Nintendo games. The Register has details. [theregister.co.uk]
    A friend of mine bought this and likes his a lot, although he's not much of a gamer. The Reg mentions them selling for ten pounds in the UK; I think my friend says his was about ~$20.

    It seems you can't buy them any more, of course. There are none listed on eBay, and googling for them some time back didn't turn up anything, so I assume Nintendo burned down the factory producing them, and seeded the ground with salt.

    Quick GOOGLE result for "Meja Joy"
    http://www.paramountzone.com/megajoy.htm

    http://www.gadgets.co.uk/megajoy2.html

    Downside is this blurb - "(This product is not designed to work in the USA or any other country using the NTSC system.)" Sorry, unless you've got a PAL TV set or got a PAL converter (or an old Amiga monitor that can display a PAL signal [hint hint]) I guess you cannot use it.

    Here's a site with a PAL > NTSC converter for $59
    http://www.xbox-online.net/flash/x6c.htm
    (Sorry about it being on a BugBoX website, still at the moment it is the cheapest I've found)

    Another note - DAMN! They have MAPPY on it. I love that cute mouse being chased around by adorable kittens with a delightful tune in the background as they rebound off trampolines to each level.

    One more thing Jackie Chan!
    (Found this in the search)
    http://www.protectv.com/
    Q. How does PROTECTV work?
    A. PROTECTV works through the captioning that runs through television programming, videos, and DVD's. PROTECTV works with both the audio as well as the written captions that are available. Every time an offensive word is spoken it is compared to a dictionary of over 400 words and phrases and if the word or phrase matches, it is deleted from the soundtrack and captioning. The viewer will experience a momentary gap in the audio and for viewers reading the captions, the undesirable written word is replaced by XXXX's.

    (Goes into old lady Jewish mode)
    "Go ahead... discuss."