Optoma's 1080p preemptive strike

There's a new contender for the supersized 1080p crown held currently by the Sony Ruby. Making its impending debut in Singapore is Optoma's CES-announced HD81 DLP home theater light cannon. This two-piece projector/processor system employs a new Texas Instrument DarkChip 3 engine, which is further enhanced with comprehensive hardware and software sub-systems. These range from a Gennum VXP scalar to a "studio-grade" color-management system and Imaging Science Foundation-certified picture modes.

This truly next-gen display also offers a colossal collection of connectivity options with four component-video sockets and three HDMI terminals. That’s up to seven HD-compatible inputs to go with every imaginable A/V boxes out in the market, though you will probably have to empty a substantial portion of your bank account to use up all the HD81's shiny jacks.

The HD81 will be launched on August 11 during the International Sound and Sight Exhibition 2006 held at Le Meridien hotel, Singapore. The pricing of the set is pending finalization and was not available at press time.
More info here

I dream of Jean(nie)

After a near seven-month wait, the pictures of Levi's enigmatic iPod jeans are finally out. Beautiful, sleek and very Levi's, it's a denim rendition of geek-speak, that for once, will be a good pull for chicks at the Genius Bar. Available worldwide from fall 2006. Only 124 pairs will be available in Singapore.
Get the pictures here

Fun Fan Egg

With Japan in the thick of a summer heatwave, it's no surprise gizmos like this Fun Fan Egg are riding on demand for anything that keeps a body cool. Though given the miniscule dimensions of the fan, it's far more cute than competent. Still, for US$8, this one's too adorable to resist.

See collection | how it works | from Stap-ya World

Price: 945 yen (US$8.05)
Availability: Japan, check out Strap-ya World
Device: Portable fan
Basic specs: Comes with a matching strap to keep it in easy reach when not in use

Airhockey Over A Distance

Hard to imagine playing a vigorously physical game like Airhockey remotely. There's the table. There's the puck. Where's the opponent? What's been done here is to split the table in half, with the two ends connected via a network. Much like videoconferencing, the players can see and hear each other, creating the illusion of playing together at one table. And they do shoot a real puck back and forth in a bid to score a goal. The trick is that once the puck passes the midway line, its location is sensed, and a corresponding physical puck is shot out at the other table. Score one for the makers for proving that distance is no barrier.

See illustration | side view | the board | close-up of the rotating puck cannons

Price: N.A.
Availability: Australian-based concept, watch the demo vids at the Web site
Device: Virtual airhockey
Basic specs: N.A.

Neeon is back

First the lawsuit, then the cutesy egg-shaped MP3 player, and now? It's the ultra chic gadget from the land of the red pill. Meet Neeon 2. Part deux, part plastic. With a metallic derriere that would make Trinity jealous, the new Neeon is 25g lighter than the original. It's also smaller (81 x 42 x 12.5mm vs 79.9 x 46.9 x 15.9mm) and just like its elder sibling, it comes with a variety of stickers (S$15.90 (US$10.46) each) to jazz up its wardrobe.

And if you think you are savvy with your music, Creative has a game that's tricky enough to challenge your music noggin. Read more here

Crave is...

The name says it all. Crave is our new blog about cool gadgets and other crushworthy stuff.

Drop us an email if you have tips or suggestions.

Crave for...

» Mobile Phones (575)

» Digital Cameras (356)

» Notebooks (367)

» PC & Peripherals (372)

» Handhelds (213)

» Printers (37)

» Home AV (394)

» Music & Play (358)

» Gadgets (844)

» Future Tech (124)

Previously...

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Subscribe to
Crave

Today on CNET |  Reviews |  Crave |  Blogs |  CNET TV |  Digital Living |  Downloads