Quick Tip: Closing pop-ups the safe way

Confronting a pop-up is one of those times when your gut reaction might lead you down the path of frustration and tears. If the "X" is spring-loaded with malware, anywhere you click on the pop-up could trigger that virus.

This is the path less traveled--the majority of pop-ups truly are the ads they appear to be--but when a pop-up does deliver malware, undoing the damage could be a tense, jittery journey. We get enough panicky Spyware Horror Story submissions to know that so-called button flips and booby-trapped Close buttons continue to deliver malicious payloads.

So what is the best practice for closing a pop-up? CNET Executive Editor Tom Merritt demonstrates in this Quick Tip video.

This spoon is smarter than us in the kitchen

It's not often that we have one of those why-didn't-I-think-of-that moments at Crave, but this is definitely an exception. That's probably why we just write about inventions instead of create them and retire.

The idea behind the aptly named Spoon Scale is as useful as it is disarmingly simple: Just scoop what you think you need and let the integrated digital meter do the fine-tuning. Showing immediate results on its built-in LCD, this battery-powered scooper is purportedly accurate to down to the last 1⁄10 gram", according to OhGizmo--and, thankfully, can be programmed to measure in ounces for the metric-challenged among us.

This intelligent scooper even has an option to weigh ingredients added to the original measurement, making it ideal for the most difficult culinary feats that leave no margin for error. Which, for the record, is something we'll never know anything about.

Via Crave CNET

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

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