HP goes back to its roots: the calculator

In the year 2008, when every computer and most other gadgets have their own calculators, one might wonder why anyone other than the most severe technophobe would want one of these anachronistic devices--much less create one. But if any company is allowed that indulgence it would have to be Hewlett-Packard.

As one of the companies that brought handheld calculators to the masses nearly 40 years ago, the computing pioneer is reaching back into its past once again with the HP Quick Calc. There's still no urgent reason to get one, other than to make a statement in some retro-fashion type of way: The Quick Calc definitely looks nothing like the old versions we used to carry around in high school, coming in various metallic colors and petite enough to hang on a keychain (PDF).

Perhaps the most useful feature is its magnetic back, which makes it easy to affix to the refrigerator door. That way you can count calories and shame yourself before grabbing the last piece of birthday cake.

Via CNET Crave

Another reason to wait for a GPS watch

If there was ever an argument to integrate GPS functions into watches, this would be it. The Chinese-made "Wrist GPS Tracker" claims to be the smallest gadget of its kind, providing satellite tracking and texting functions in a wristwatch-like device.

But even in this relatively compact form it seems unnecessarily cumbersome, especially if it's worn separately from a conventional watch. And the messaging feature needs to work with a cell phone anyway, so that's yet another thing that needs to be carried. With GPS technology being built into more devices all the time, it would seem to make more sense to wait for a watch or a phone that included it instead of buying yet another gadget to carry.

Via CNET Crave

Power all your gadgets from the cupholder

As some people insist on turning their cars into vehicular workstations, we can expect to see more peripherals to help make their offices more efficient behind the wheel. One under-utilized spot is the cupholder--and that's where this next item comes in.

The Targus 100W Cupholder Style Auto Power Inverter fits snugly in the space that alternately holds your coffee and powers your gadgets with 100 to 150 watts through its 120-volt AC plug, according to Uncrate. Additional convenience comes in the form of USB and PPS ports for mobile phones and other handheld devices.

The only downside is you'll have to hold your beverage if your car has only one cupholder. But you didn't need those extra calories from that caramel macchiato anyway.

Via CNET Crave

PhotoPhone shows you who's calling

Ah, the elusive video phone. We've been hearing about that miraculous invention since we were kids, seeing prototypes displayed at Disneyland's house of the future. But despite an occasional product on the market, visual telephony has yet to take off for the masses.

So the closest thing we may be able to get is something like the new GE PhotoPhone, first seen at CES in January. Although it doesn't stream video, the device does at least display digital images of whomever is ringing based on a visual form of caller ID. And when no one is on the phone, it still serves as a 7-inch picture frame in either black or silver finish.

No, it's not the video phone we've been pining for since childhood, but it does bring some purpose to the otherwise useless concept of digital frames.

Via CNET Crave

iPod speaker that doubles as pool toy

High-quality audio may be going the way of the endangered Fat Three-Ridge Mussel, but this clam-like floating speaker at least promises to revive any poolside party should conversation begin to dwindle.

The Weatherproof Submersible Wireless Speaker from Grace Audio is... exactly that. The speaker doesn't just stand up to a few splashes of water, you can actually toss it in the pool in case your backyard speakers aren't loud enough or close enough for you.

For added fun, and if you want to test its weatherproofing limits, the speaker promises to remain functional up to 9 feet under water for up to a half hour. (Aside: What would that even sound like?)

It connects wirelessly to a music source, up to 150ft away, and the battery is good for 6 hours. Neiman Marcus is selling the base station and speaker for US$150, with each additional speaker selling for US$100. (You can connect up to 10 additional speakers.)

Via CNET Crave

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