World's first HD Blu-ray DVRs

The patriotic Japanese manufactures just love to reserve the good stuff for their own countrymen. Panasonic is no exception. Announced recently are a pair of Blu-ray high-definition recorders jam-packed with the just about all known recording functionalities. You will get HD pictures, up to 50GB on Blu-ray and 500GB on the harddrive, HDMI connectivity and an assortment of digital and analog tuners.

Technicalities aside, the flagship DMR-BW200 is also capable of recording two digital TV programs simultaneously on hard drive. If that’s not tantalizing enough, you will also have an option to record one program on hard drive while recording another on Blu-ray recordable. These new Blu-ray recorders are slated for release in Japan from November 15.
More info here

USB Hamster Wheel

Fancy the world's lowest maintenance hamster? This one popped into our inbox this morning, and we were tickled enough by the thought of a USB-powered rodent cranking away in its wheel on your desktop that we had to feature it here. One up on your cubicle mate? As the literature goes, this is "no ordinary hamster". It runs as fast as you type. The faster you type, the more exercise your "pet" gets. So get those digits stretched and cracking, and ham it up for the office crowd that's bound to ogle at this cute little furball. We'd suggest you put up a "Do Not Feed" sign. Ranks up there with the USB-powered air darts.

See larger image

Price: US$48.38
Availability: At Crazy About Gadgets
Device: USB peripheral
Basic specs: On/off switch on wheel so your hamster can have a rest, requires no food or cleaning, includes software, compatible with Win 2000, XP, requires 2 x AA batteries (included) and USB port, 140 x 130 x 120mm

Creative Xmod: Free your music

Singapore-based Creative seems intent on up-sampling the average music listening experience. Branded under the X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity platform, the new Xmod is a small hardware module which sits in between an audio player (PC, notebook, MP3 player) and an audio listening device (headphones, speakers).

Creative touts the Xmod to be capable of up-converting compressed digital music to a level beyond that of even CD quality. Within the device are two essential features; the X-Fi Crystalizer (audio up-convertor) and the X-Fi CMSS 3D (virtual surround sound).

The X-Fi Crystalizer works essentially by indulging in a bit of compression reverse engineering. It selects and restores audio streams in a digital track that has been marred by compression artifacts, allowing previously lost details like cymbal crashes to be heard again. Sounds yummy, and we can't wait to audition it once it is made available in late October. S$139 (US$102.21) a piece. Read more details here

Like it? Read what else is on our radars 

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Onion Goggles

Martha (as in Stewart) may have done time in the slammer. But she's still one sought-after lady, endorsing gizmos aimed at turning homebodies into Stepford Wives. This one here gets our thumbs up, even if you'll probably look ridiculous donning it in the kitchen. But at least no one will see you crying over cut onions. Comes with anti-fog lenses and foam seal for protection from those irritating vapors.

Get a close-up

Price: US$19.95
Availability: At ChefTools
Device: Kitchen aid
Basic specs: In black or white frames, storage case included

iriver S10: Now that's one sweet thing

The S10 is so small, it's perfect for a magic trick. Now you see it, now you don't. You can't begin to imagine the number of wows we got from people we showed it to. In fact, we can't wait to meet the next person to swagger across our path with an iPod shuffle. It sure would be nice to wipe the smug off his face with this tiny MP3 player. Read the full review here

Like it? Read what else is on our radars 

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