SkyScout
Juniper Foo | Jan 12, 2006
This is one astronomical device for star worshippers, if not for the fact that the heavens over some parts of Asia are perennially clouded. However, the Celestron SkyScout may surprise us yet. With its GPS sensor, this handheld skygazer has one distinct advantage over other telescopes. Point it at any part of the night sky, and this gizmo will determine what you're looking at, even down to the name of the star, planet or other astronomical data that you can read off a digital readout or via audio. Quite literally, the sky's the limit as you can download fresh celestial tutorials and data onto SD cards. One small step for stargazing, one giant leap for the stars.
See it close up
Price: US$399
Availability: US and Canada for preorders, see Web site
Device: GPS-based portable planetarium
Basic specs: Embedded GPS, gravitational/magnetic field sensors, USB, SD slot, about 16oz
iPod 501
Edvarcl Heng | Jan 11, 2006
iPod mania has reached a new height. Levi's has joined the fashion fray with the announcement of the RedWire DLX that will give tech geeks a whole new reason to trade in their khakis for denims. Goodies include an "invisible" docking cradle, a wire retractor for those knotty earphone wires and, listen to this, a joystick remote located on the watch pocket. Man, this pair of Levi's is literally splitting at the seams with nifty stuff.
Good thing it's coming out only in the latter half of the year, so if we hit the treadmill everyday, we should be able to squeeze into one by then. Hopefully.
Z800 3DVisor
Juniper Foo | Jan 11, 2006
Next to Icuiti's wicked-looking 3D visor at CES 2006, the Z800 3DVisor looks almost drab. Like a wad of silver foil eye cooler you can expect your spa consultant to whip out for your exhausted optics. Then again, the Z800 lays claim to being the world's first high-res OLED-based stereovision, with advanced 360-degree headtracker and stereo sound for a complete 3D virtual experience. The sticker price, though, is sufficient to rock you back into cold, hard reality.
Check it out from all sides: Front | back | closed up | side
Price: From US$899
Availability: See eMargin
Device: 3D glasses
Basic specs: Immersive 2D/3D stereovision "big screen" experience equivalent to 105-in display, interactive 360-degree advanced head tracking, SVGA (800 x 600), high contrast ratio >200:1, full color at 16.7 million pixels, low power utilizing USB, 8oz, built-in stereo sound and noise-canceling mic
Catch the peeping Tom red-handed
Damian Koh | Jan 11, 2006
We seem to have a burgeoning list of most-wanted in our editorial team. Previously, we were rooting for SatuGO, but now it seems Sightwave Optics has something which we'd love to consider in our quest for better imaging weapons: The Digiviewer 220x. This gadget sports a 2.45-inch LCD and 22x optical zoom capability. Before you rub your hands in glee, this is not a digital camera.
The Digiviewer binoculars weigh 810g (without battery, ouch) and have really nice cushioning on the viewing side that wraps the eyes end to end. While traditional binoculars require you to look through two telescopic tubes that are connected together, the Digiviewer uses a 2.45-inch LCD to display images. Add a 22x optical and 10x digital zoom capability, and is there even a worry that you cannot get up close and personal with your idol from a distance?
From a pair of pictures on the company's Web site comparing images at 5x and 50x zoom, we are already contemplating what we can actually use its ultrazoom for. What's more, the Digiviewer comes with automatic focusing and a one-touch zoom control. The only qualm we have is the display resolution of 480 x 234 pixels--not at all impressive.
Now if we can lay our paws on a prototype, we'll know what's been going on behind the curtains in the building opposite ours.
More images of Digiviewer 220x:
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Look really far ahead.
Better late than never
Philip Wong | Jan 11, 2006
Up till now, conservative Panasonic has been reluctant in embracing the latest wireless audio technology in its Asian home entertainment products. Consider that a double blow, especially with its formidable know-how inherited from Technics, its audio specialist sister company.
Fortunately, the excruciating wait is over. Sporting a familiar styling and feature set with its well-received SC-HT930, the upcoming SC-HT885w now comes with an external wireless module for its surround speakers.
Matching its new-found capability is a competent 700W amplifier paired with four identical 360 degree sound-enabled speakers. You also get better picture quality with the onboard 12bit/108MHz video digital-to-analog converter and advanced progressive-scan engine.
More info here
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