VTech has a little fun with home phones

VTech may be one of the most overachieving phone makers in the land-line business. Rather than just lie down and let mobile handsets invade the home, the Hong Kong-based company has continually pushed the envelope by developing computer-like functions for its products, ranging from online news feeds to instant messaging. (We think they may be overcompensating because of their reputation as a toy maker, but that's no crime.)

In fact, it was nice to seem them lighten up a bit with the latest version of their DECT 6.0 home phones. The LS6117 sports a look that was "inspired by skateboard and snowboard designs", according to 7Gadgets, though consumers can also create their own styles on VTech's Web site.

We knew that the company's toy-making background would come in handy at some point.

Via Crave CNET

3D camera with three lenses

It's amazing what the factories in China can churn out. From budget power-packed digicams to iPhone clones, they got it all. We reported a 3D camera some time back, and now China company 3DWorld has developed a medium format 3D camera coupled with three lenses on the front.

We all know it looks like something out of Star Trek, but the 120 Tri-lens Stereo Camera is really using an old technology. It is not a digital camera (although on its Web site it mentions "high resolution") and accepts only 120mm format film. The two lenses at the bottom capture two images on one frame, each slightly skewed, while the top lens is reserved for viewing. One interesting feature about the lenses is that they are interlinked, meaning you can turn any one of the lenses to focus and the other two will follow suit.

Specifications for this camera look good, with three 80mm lenses at F2.8 and a wide range of shutter speed from Bulb mode to 1/500 second. A prism is mounted on top to let you focus on the scene and the shooter has a built-in exposure metering system.

While 3DWorld claims that this behemoth of a camera will be a "blockbuster in the worldwide stereoscopic photography", we are not so sure who will want to lug this almost 2kg beast around. If you are interested, this piece of old technology can be yours for US$1,795 at 3Dstereo.com.

Casio's colorful Baby-Gs get tilt-zoom displays

Casio's new BG-2000/2001 series of Baby-G wrist watches continues the cute, colorful, yet rugged theme. Clearly designed with the young female user in mind with its trendy aesthetics, the timepieces are available in three eye-catching hues: White, yellow and orange. But what's more interesting to us at Crave Asia is its uber-cool tilt-zoom display which will automatically enlarge the figures on the watch's LCD screen when tilted toward the user for viewing. Users also have the option to reverse the foreground and background colors and customize the display style. Other features remain standard, such as a world time, 100m water resistance and automatic backlight. No word on whether the new Baby-Gs will make it out of Japan to the rest of us in Asia.

Via FarEastGizmos and Casio

Watch 14 hours of movies with Sony's tiny fuel cell

Granted it's still in prototype stage, but Sony's latest micro-sized hybrid fuel cell nevertheless offers a sneak peek at what to expect of batteries in mobile devices in the coming years. The tiny fuel cell measures a handy 50 x 30mm, thanks to its combination of a Lithium-polymer battery, fuel cell and control circuit, with methanol as the fuel. A pump regulates the fuel supply to cater to the device's power needs.

According to the Japanese company, 10ml of methanol can provide almost 14 hours of 1seg TV viewing on mobile phones, which is pretty impressive for such a small fuel cell unit. 1seg is a digital audio-video broadcasting technology used for mobile devices such as cell phones and the PlayStation Portable in Japan.

But given how slowly fuel cell-powered devices are trickling into the market, we reckon it'll be some time before a commercial version of Sony's hybrid fuel cell is even introduced.

Via TechOn Nikkei
Photo credit: TechOn Nikkei

LG offers full Scarlet sight and sound experience

If you've already set your sights on an LG Scarlet HDTV, do consider going all out by pairing it with the companion HT953TV home theater system. Tuned by audio expert Mark Levinson, the 1,000W 5.1-channel kit not only bears the series' signature lighted cutout, it's also sports Touch Lighting. This technology is said to boost backlit touch-sensitive controls that "literally follow the users' fingers" (according to LG, of course).
We knew it's all about high-fashion design when it comes to lifestyle products. However, there's more than meets the eye beneath that curvy and glossy shell. As with all new 2008 home theater entries, it will upscale DVD to 1080p video quality. In addition, the HT953TV has USB, iPod and analog mini-jack (think earphone plug) inputs which enable music playback from just about any multimedia player under the sun.

Priced at S$1,599 (US$1,051.97), the HT953TV will be available in Asia end this month.

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