Mens Tech

Iomega is at it again when it comes to portable hard drives, and the company has just released their latest device – the all new USB 3.0 eGo Portable Hard Drive. Not only will it take advantage of the super fast USB 3.0 connection, it will also be able to keep your precious data inside safe and secure using hardware encryption as well as boasting exterior toughness that ought to put even the most paranoid person to shame. This new eGo will surely boost your very own whenever you take it out for a spin, and you won’t even find your jaw dropping when your friend or colleage drops it to the floor by accident, courtesy of a drop spec which is double that of the industry average. Iomega is proud to announce that they are the first to move towards an all USB 3.0 portable hard drive lineup without charging a price premium to their customers. For those who are not in the know, USB 3.0 connectivity will help deliver speeds of up to 10 times that of USB 2.0, and as we mentioned earlier, this new range is extremely tough considering it can withstand a 7-foot drop without missing a beat. Not only that, your important data within can be kept secure thanks to AES 256-bit hardware encryption, placing Iomega’s eGo Portable Hard Drive comfortably within the premium must-have portable storage product range. It isn’t just all hardware though, as Iomega ensures you get value for your money on the software front as well thanks to a bundled software Protection Suite that comprises of popular titles such as Iomega’s QuikProtect, v.Clone and Trend Micro’s Internet Security. Iomega aims to move all eGo Portable Hard Drives in 500GB and 1TB capacities to the new USB 3.0 interface before October is over, where it will play nice with all USB 2.0 computers as well. From the first quarter of 2011 onwards, the entire Iomega Prestige Portable Hard Drive line will migrate to USB 3.0 across all models, and this 2.5″ hard drive is also highly portable since it is bus-powered, which means there is no need for an external power adapter. The 500GB and 1TB drives will cost $114 and $189, respectively, when they ship.

Everyone by now should more or less have heard of the Razer brand when it comes to computer gaming peripherals that are of high quality. Well, the latest device to join the fray would be the Razer BlackWidow, where this mechanical gaming keyboard was specially engineered for gamers who want nothing less than superior tactile feedback and comfort while playing. It is interesting to note that from Razer’s point of view, the majority of mechanical keyboards in the market today are standard mechanical keyboards rebadged as gaming keyboards that feature stiff keys that cause key actuation fatigue. Basically, what Razer is saying is this – such keyboards will leave gamers off for the worse since it decreases gameplay performance instead of enhancing it. Razer’s BlackWidow offers something different, being built from ground up by gamers while boasting a uniquely tactile mechanical key architecture that provides each key on the keyboard with a crisp response and tactile feedback similar to a mouse click. When used in tandem with a unique key actuation point halfway through the full travel distance, the optimized mechanical key structure found in each of the Razer BlackWidow’s keys provide for greater precision and accuracy versus other traditional mechanical keyboards. The keys on the Razer BlackWidow also boast one of the lightest actuation forces for all keyboards. They have been specially optimized by the Razer design team from readily available components, albeit going through rigorous quality standards from Razer to deliver a product of unparalleled quality. Apart from that, the Razer BlackWidow is also the only mechanical keyboard which comes with fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording, not to mention five additional gaming keys to up the ante when it comes to gaming compatibility and performance. It will be out this September for $79.99, although folks living across the pond will have to fork out theoretically more (after conversion) at Euros, 79.99.

It’s right around that time of year when we start upgrading or buying technology to get ready for back to school, and photo printers are a definite must have. When you talk about consumer class printers, one of the names that is surely high up on anyone’s rating list would be Canon, as it mixes with the best to say the least. Well, the company has just another compact photo printer ready to rock and roll – we’re talking about the Canon Selphy CP800 that will come with a new tilt LCD display apart from the innovative and fun Shuffle feature which will go some way in enhancing its ease-of-use and functionality. This will succeed where the hugely successful Canon Selphy CP780 Compact Photo Printer left off, delivering an innovative design that enables consumers to enjoy the flexibility and convenience of printing high-quality photos from just about anywhere without the need to wait in line at busy kiosks at retail locations. The size and portability of the Canon Selphy CP800 Compact Photo Printer will definitely surprise you where it allows you to produce instant keepsake photos from almost anywhere. A good place to use it would be at wedding receptions, where you can always print out snapshots on the spot for your guests to bring home as a memento, although the environmental impact of this act might turn away from Greenpeace activists, what with the amount of ink used when a digital photo for them as a keepsake is more than enough. Thanks to the optional battery pack, you can immediately print memorable photos from a day camping in the woods or of a child’s first big catch while fishing. Of course, this printer will have nothing to do with the virtue of waiting for something, so it is the perfect tool for the chronically impatient. It’s 2.5-inch tilt LCD display allows for easy viewing, selecting and editing of images, and thanks to the Smooth Skin feature, it is capable of delivering more natural and appealing colors at a glance. Not only that, more support is provided by the Image Optimizer which will do its part in correcting exposure and adjusting the brightness level, contrast and sharpness of images. As for the Portrait Image Optimize feature, it is smart enough to deliver face detection, backlight correction and noise reduction automatically. Available in either black or white colors, the Canon Selphy CP800 Compact Photo Printer will retail for $99.99.

A lightsaber just isn’t a lightsaber unless it lets off that strange glow. Well now you can put some use to that glow by making it double as mood lighting in your bedroom. Nothing is bound to draw in the opposite sex more than flipping off that overhead light and letting the romantic glow of the lightsabers do all the work. If you think just one won’t do the trick you could hook up several to really finish off the room. These 27-inch tall wall mounted lightsabers come with a remote control. On that control you can choose between 7 different color effects, although they don’t quite specify what those effects are exactly. To keep one of the lights up and running you’ll need 5 AAA batteries. Those of you with children under 3 should be careful with this one since it does have a whole lot of small parts. You can pick one up for $29.99 through the Star Wars Shop, although it won’t actually ship out until sometime later this month.

Panasonic decides to jump into the pocket camcorder fray for casual users who want quality in a highly portable device, and the result of that would be the HM-TA1 camcorder. This device is capable of shooting full High Definition video at 1920 x 1080 pixels without any hassle at all, making it ideal for on-the-go shooting opportunities. Sporting an easy-to-use design intended for intuitive operation, the TA1 will also feature an integrated USB terminal that makes your traveling lighter since there is no need to carry around another USB cable if and when you want to transfer all your digital memories onto a computer.

The pre-loaded software also makes it a snap for uploading videos to online sharing sites such as YouTube and Facebook without having to go through the tedium of processing said videos beforehand. Apple computer users will also be pleased to know that the TA1 comes with Apple iFrame video format (960 x 540/30p) support, making it ideal for for Mac users to import quickly and maintain small file sizes. Apart from shooting HD video as its main diet, the HM-TA1 is no slouch when it comes to being a multi-tasker, working as a Web camera for folks who have yet to own something like this in their homes. Granted, a whole lot of notebooks and Apple MacBooks come with a built-in web camera these days, so it will probably go down well with desktop owners. All you need to do is plug it into an available USB port and you’re good to go, as the TA1 will play nice with IP-based video chat programs such as Skype.

It is extremely pocket friendly in terms of dimension (and price, which you will find out later), measuring just 2.09″ x 0.7″ x 4.09″ while tipping the scales at a mere 0.25lb, including a battery and SD memory card. Each TA1 will come with a wrist strap, making it perfect for being carried around without worries of losing it. With single-function buttons such as Power, Play, Record, Still Photo, LED Light (on/off) and Delete, even beginners are able to get straight into the middle of video recording action right out of the box. Shooting stills of up to 8-megapixels is another ability found on the TA1, making it another secondary digital camera device for your home. Out in purple, dark grey and red color options from next month onwards, the Panasonic HM-TA1 will retail for $169

Buy it here - Panasonic TA-1

Magellan has just introduced a new range of eXplorist handheld GPS devices which will target the outdoor recreation market, where it will come in the eXplorist 510, 610 and 710 models which enable adventurers to navigate through various outdoor destinations throughout the world. Of course, these are also more than capable of capturing geotagged photos along the way, allowing you to share you experiences online when you return home. All of the new eXplorist models will merge high-sensitivity GPS, an intuitive user interface, easy-to-read mapping and accurate navigation to make sure you can find your way around, and they will roll out to consumers in North America, Europe, and many other countries worldwide sometime before the year is over, specifically in Q4 2010.

You will be able to find a 3″ color touchscreen display, a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus capability, a microphone and speaker to record ge-referenced images, videos and voice notes in all three new eXplorist Handheld GPS units. Not only that, they’re rugged enough to be certified as waterproof (according to the IPX-7 standard), although this doesn’t mean you can bring it on your next diving trip. Not only that, they will be preloaded with the most detailed worldwide map in the industry, where Magellan’s World Edition map will comprise of a complete road network for the U.S., Canada, Western Europe and Australia, not to mention water features, urban and rural land use, and a realistic shaded relief background.

The big momma among the three would be the eXplorist 710 that merges the best of on-road and off-road navigation. You get integrated maps for adventurers as they head out from doorstep to trailhead to summit and back. It will also boast both Magellan’s highly detailed Summit Series topographic map and its City Series turn-by-turn map, letting you use it in busy city streets as well whenever you aren’t traversing the great outdoors. As for the eXplorist 610 and 710, both models will come with a 3-axis electronic compass and a barometric altimeter that offers precise orientation, accurate elevation information, and enables for weather pattern tracking. Of course, many people out there would be interested to know about pricing so that they can save up enough dough before the release date. Well, the Magellan eXplorist 510 GPS device will retail for $349.99, while the eXplorist 610 is going for $449.99, with the high-end eXplorist 710 at costing another $100.

Buy it here - Magellan eXplorist 510 Waterproof Hiking GPS

Aircell is one of the world’s leading provider of inflight connectivity, aims to carve a nice, big smile on your face if you are a frequent flier who cannot live without Internet connectivity even if you’re flying up in the air. Most airlines still do not offer Wi-Fi connectivity outside of the US while you’re flying, but for folks who are dying to check their Gmail accounts while in the air might just want to pick up the new Samsung Vibrant. Why, you ask? The answer is very simple – the Samsung Vibrant from T-Mobile USA will be accompanied by a special offer from Aircell, where you will be able to enjoy up to a months’ worth of free inflight Wi-Fi data access after you register. This offer is good until January 31st next year, so you still have a few more months to save up for a Samsung Vibrant if you think the jet-setting lifestyle is right up your alley in the months ahead. This deal was available exclusively from T-Mobile where each purchase of the Vibrant will be accompanied by a pre-installed entertainment package, not to mention the above Gogo Inflight Internet access that is made available on more than 3,500 daily flights in the Continental US across 1,000 commercial aircraft. Make no mistake about it, there will be additional routes and airline partners offering such a service in due time. Just in case you were wondering what you would get with the Samsung Vibrant, this is a variant of the Samsung Galaxy S range which recently made a splash across different carriers Stateside, where they were known by different monikers depending on the carrier. It is a high end Android-powered device, running on Android 2.1 (with the promise of Android 2.2 rolling out sometime later this year), where it boasts a 4″ Super AMOLED touchscreen display for a vivid, HD-like viewing experience whether you are surfing the web, watching movies, playing games or reading an e-book.

The whole world seems to be obsessed with how much things cost, and the same applies to the iPhone 4. For other countries where the smartphone is not available officially yet, folks who want first mover advantage to pick up an unlocked handset will have to fork out up to $1,000 for it, which is plain insanity. It gets worse after you realize that the iPhone 4 costs all of just $188 to build, sans marketing and promotion dollars of course.

A breakdown of the components point towards the Retina Display being the most expensive component within, as it is estimated to retail for $28.50. Bear in mind that this figure is based on the $199 16GB model with a two-year service contract in the US. As for the custom-built A4 processor, this Samsung-assembled piece of silicon is estimated to go for $10.75, while its gyroscope costs less than a burger at $2.60. What do you think of forking out much more money over a 2-year contract for something which is intrinsically worth less than a couple of Benjamins?

Apple iPhone 4 Accessories

Acer knows just how serious gamers take their gaming sessions, which is why they have come up with an updated version of their Predator gaming rig in the form of the AG7750, harnessing the pinnacle of processor, graphics and memory technologies for conquering the fiercest opponents. Getting a machine like this is a double-edged sword, since it leaves you no room to make an excuse for yourself should you lose a game to a less illustrious opponent the next time round as your hardware is faultless. Well, great champions who lose don’t make excuses for their poor performance but rather, take full responsibility for it, so the same can be applied in the world of computer gaming. The Acer Aspire Predator was specially designed for avid gamers with a whole lot of ammunition on hand to handle whatever graphics-crunching title comes your way, with an Intel Core i7 quad-core processors running at the heart of things complete with NVIDIA GeForce GTX470 graphics card with 3-way SLI support and a whopping 12GB DDR3 memory which ought to ensure your frame rates remain mighty high and then some.

Of course, to purchase another two graphics cards to run it in 3-way SLI would mean a much higher power bill at the end of the month, but what price are you willing to pay when it comes to winning? Doing so will definitely add a considerable amount to the final $1,999 base system price tag, so if budget is your concern, you might want to look elsewhere or settle for a less powerful configuration. Since the NVIDIA SLI graphics card is ready for 3D gaming, you can always throw in an Acer GD245HQ/GD235HZ 3D monitor for a fully immersive experience with NVIDIA 3D Vision, a merging of of high-tech wireless glasses and advanced software that lets you enjoy hundreds of PC games in full stereoscopic 3D glory. Storage-wise, the AG7750 will not disappoint since it comes with a 1.5TB hot-swap SATA hard drive alongside a trio of other easy-swap hard disk drive cages, giving you a maximum of four Serial ATA 3 G/bs high-capacity hard disks which can be added. Audio-wise, you will be able to enjoy high-definition 7.1-channel audio with EAX (Environmental Audio Extensions) 5.0 for clear heart pounding sound. This is a true beast of a gaming machine, get this if you don’t want to build a system from ground up.

VIOlight has had their hands in all sorts of sanitizers to make sure your various items stay sanitary. As of now they have a whole lot of different sanitizers just for your toothbrush and for those of you without teeth there is the denture sanitizer. For general items they also have a UV wand, but now they’re getting into cellphones. We all already knew that our phones are absolutely disgusting when it comes to germs, but VIOlight has decided to actually do something about it. Their UV light gadgets will take care of 99% of germs and bacteria. That includes E coli, listeria, salmonella, step and the infamous H1N1 flu or piggy virus. This particular one runs on AA batteries and promises to clean all sort of small gadgets. The list includes cellphones, earbuds, headphones, PDAs and so on, it does all of that in all of 3 minutes. To purchase one of these it’ll cost you $49.95, although they won’t actually be out until this coming October. Mind you, just in time for cold and flu season, so the OCD in all of us during peak bug season will be pleasantly appeased.