A battery-free remote control

SMK has a prototype TV remote control that tosses out the batteries, relying on kinetic energy instead to work. Of course, don't expect any fancy features on something this simple. Though it rather reminds me of the battery-less LG remote wand I have at home, which requires a few twists of the knob to operate each time. So this gets my vote for being energy-efficient and doing its bid for the Planet.

According to the literature, the channels, volume control and On/Off power switch are controlled by working a trigger on the handle. When pulled, an electromagnetic induction coil rotates at high speed by means of gears. This, in turn, generates a current of 20-30mA--sufficient to change the channel via infrared light. Two consecutive pulls will turn the TV on or off, while volume control is activated by pulling the trigger and pushing a button simultaneously. Though hopefully, by the time the commercial unit is out, it'll look less like a flashlight toy and more like something in keeping with the rest of the home A/V gear.

Source and pictures from Fareastgizmos

A DVD for the socially shy

If you've always felt awkward in front of other people, especially women, Avex Entertainment has an interactive DVD that it claims can help you overcome that neurosis. Called Miterudake, which literally means "Just Looking", this DVD features videos of 50 women of different age groups and nationalities staring straight at you. From time to time, the women will also talk to you (only in Japanese, unfortunately).

Personally, I find it strange buying a DVD that has people looking and talking to you. After all, anyone watching the DVD will soon realize it's all just a recorded footage, and the situation is simply not the same in real life. But hey, this comes out of Japan and we've seen weirder stuff. So 2,625 yen may just be a small price to pay to find out if the DVD can help the socially awkward "adapt to others", as stated by the creator. You just need to overcome that shyness to ask a pal for help in getting the Miterudake DVD on his/her next visit to Japan.

Via Tofugu
Picture credit: Tofugu

Sony HT-IS100: Home theater system with supertiny speakers coming

Sony's HT-IS100, a 5.1-channel home-theater system that includes five speakers that are just 1.7 inches in diameter, will be coming to the US next month. If it looks familiar, there are two reasons: The unit was announced for the Japanese market just a couple of weeks ago, and the tiny speakers were first featured in 2007's DAV-IS10, which is still widely available. (Fun fact: Sony calls the speakers "roughly the size of a golf ball" in its press release--an adjective that nearly everyone who covered the IS10 lazily cribbed. The company uses the same golf ball wording in the IS100 press release--but, oddly, included the strawberry photo above.)
Read more »

JVC sneaks in superslim HDTVs

There's no red carpet or the usual drum roll, but JVC's ultrathin HDTVs are here all right. The S90-series sports a new "Super Slim" Airy design which measures 39mm at its thinnest (psst, 74mm max) with a matching 23mm-thick LCD frame. True to its petite persona, the Japanese company has also slapped on a pair of narrow speakers and added a touch of class using a luxurious touch-sensor control panel.

More importantly, both 42- and 46-inchers are full-HD-ready and capable of processing pristine 1080p24 signals via HDMI. That said, these are actually European-centric models shipped with dual SCARTs and deliver only modest dynamic contrast of up to 10,000:1. If you're willing to wait, JVC will be bringing in its GS78 and ZS58 Asia-equivalent slated for tentative launch at around August or September.

The LT-42S90 is now retailing in Singapore for S$3,799 (US$2,738.61) and will be on sale during PC Show 2008 next week at a special price with freebies.

Photo credit: JVC

Linksys home networking made easy and stylish

The nerve center behind any connected home network, the WRT54G2 is Linksys' latest out-of-the-closet wireless "G" router featuring three key unique propositions: Attractive design, user-friendliness, and inbuilt radio antennas. Firstly, it's sleek and tastefully designed ground up for the living room. It's at home with any home A/V product such as your flat-panel TV and home theater, thanks to generous curves and a matching black piano finish.

To enhance setup and ease of use, the kit also offers the LELA or Linksys EasyLink Advisor software application. This has an intuitive graphical user interface (see image below) for an instant snapshot of your overall network, equipment, operating status, etc. The system is even smart enough to drop you a heads when there are Linksys firmware updates, plus get you up-to-speed via user-friendly Q&A-styled wizards.

Unlike competing products, the WRT54G2 stands out with integrated radio antennas. According to Craig Gledhill, Linksys' vice president for Asia Pacific, this not only has negligible impact on the router's wireless coverage, but exceeds the performance of past offerings. Despite all its bells and whistles, this all-in-one router, access point and switch retails for an attractive S$79 (US$56.95). It's slated for a Singapore launch during PC Show 2008 on June 12

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