New generation of Lithium-ion batteries

Japanese manufacturer Toshiba has launched what it calls the Super Charge ion Battery (SCiB), a Lithium-ion battery that it claims has a life cycle of over 10 years and recharges to 90 percent of full capacity in just 5 minutes.

In a press release, the company also touts it as having "excellent safety" because of the new technology and that the "possibility of rupture or combustion is very low". That would be a very important factor considering the first uses for these cells will be in vehicles. The SCiB will start shipping in March 2008 and will go into electric bikes, motorcycles, forklifts and maybe even hybrid cars.

We personally can't wait for the technology to trickle down to notebooks and mobile phones. Imagine, forgetting to charge your device before leaving home will only cost you a 5-minute delay. Not bad.

Kewpie Doll cell phone charms freak us out

I hope we're not the only ones who feel that these Kewpie Doll cell phone charms look really freaky. We hate the guts of the Zombie Kewpie (see image above), but love the irresistibly adorable Poopie Kewpie. If you have a boss who's a sh**head, the latter may be the perfect gift this Christmas. He gets a present, while you subtly drive your point across. There are about 471 of them on Strapya World, so you'll definitely find one that suits you. But if you want to cut down on searching, InventorSpot has done the legwork and compiled a list of 10 really weird and bizarre Kewpie Dolls here.

Thanks Steve!

Via InventorSpot

Sony Ericsson submits patent for hand-gesture control

Wave to take a picture, or pick up a call. Sounds like a scene from the sci-fi flick Minority Report? Well, a recent Sony Ericsson patent application could make all these happen. Using the image processor currently embedded in camera-phones and the help of intermediary software, the camera module can be programmed to recognize various hand gestures and interpret them as commands. For example, an outstretched thumb signals to the handset that you're ready to take a picture.

The process is pretty simple and straightforward, and we can see where Sony Ericsson is going with this patent. That's to make the interface more intuitive for everyday use. While the idea is great, we foresee tricky issues such as the drain on battery life and we're not sure if it's such a good idea to expose the image sensor constantly. That said, such kinks should have been ironed out when the feature is introduced in the handsets.

Via Unwired View

It's time for Prada to leave teddy at home

Here's how to ruin a thing of beauty. Find a Prada phone, one of the most gorgeous handsets we've seen, and attach a scruffy miniature teddy bear to it. Worse yet, dress the little sap in some tiny Prada label too, then charge nearly US$100 for it.

That pretty much sums up this line of phone straps marketed by the design house, as seen on Chip Chick. And believe it or not, the teddy pictured here actually isn't nearly as hideous as some of the others in the "Mobile Trick Quirinos" line, such as those clad in pink, red, and white.

Why Prada chose to do this, especially after coming out with some lust-worthy accessories immediately after launching its phone, is beyond us. Then again, we've never understood high-end designer labels; the closest we've ever gotten to them is the new arrivals at Ross.

Via CNET Crave | Credit: Prada

XP1 built for life, no not that XP

When a company is brave enough to back its phone with an unconditional three-year guarantee and commission a "torture test" in Europe, you know that's no ordinary handset. The military-spec Sonim XP1 eats daily abuse like a piece of cake and, according to the company Sonim Technologies, is certified to withstand shock, water, wind, dust, dirt and extreme temperatures. Wait till you see it get run over by a digging machine. The XP1 is currently on tour in Europe and you can follow its trail of abuse here.

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