Thanks to Whitney Reynolds, PCMag.com assistant producer, for translating this Japanese press release.

Heiroglyphic calligraphy from SAITOU Yuuki family products

"Heiroglyph Love USB Memory" now on sale!

 
Designs from left to right: Ankh (Always Together), (Gentle Heart), (Courtship), (Love), (Joy).

8-29-2006

The Solid Alliance Corporation (of Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture) has released "Heiroglyph Love USB Memory" today.

"Heiroglyph Love USB Memory" are USB memory keys in five different designs featuring ancient Egyptian calligraphy meaning things such as "Love" and "Joy".

In ancient Egypt, heiroglyphs carried a sacred power to chronicle events and protect beliefs. We have created USB keys containing the same powerful words as the heiroglyphic script of ancient times. A surge of "love", "joy" and the like can be drawn to you even as your data is protected.

Heiroglyphs are...

Sacred pictographs used in in Ancient Egyptian times. In those times, it was thought that carving or writing these letters imbued things with a holy power.

In practical use, people from kings down to the common folk used heiroglyphic designs to create talismans of protection.

Product Name: Heiroglyph Love USB Memory

Storage Capacity: 256 MB

Connection Method: USB 2.0

 
All designs sell for 3680yen (currently about $31.50 USD)

At Gearlog, we're all about ergonomic products. The Wow-Pen Eco falls somewhere between the PenAgain and a mini USB computer mouse. It is the second generation portable optical mouse of the original Wow-Pen. It's said to "virtually eliminate hand fatigue and carpal tunnel strain when used over long periods." It contains one scroll wheel (middle button) and a Click and "Maue" button (I'm not sure what the latter means).

When you're not using the Wow-Pen ECO, it stands by itself. What's cool is that the optional presentation and handwriting software lets you use the Wow-Pen as a handwriting tool on a variety of applications.

For germaphobes, the Eco also features an anti-bacterial silver nano to reduce the spread of germs if others use your mouse. It's available in four colors: silver, blue, violet, or red. It weighs 38 grams and supports Win 98/2000/Me/XP as well as Mac OSX+. Get it from Donya.jp for 5,980 Yen ($51 USD).

[via Ministry of Tech]

When I fix a bubble bath for myself after a long day, I have to keep running back and forth into the bathroom to make sure that the tub isn't overflowing. So when I discovered the Starfish Bath Sensor, I was happier than Kirstie Alley on a food binge.

Attach the suction cup of the Starfish Bath Sensor to the side of the tub where you want the desired water level. When the water reaches that level, the sensor will sound and alert you. The LCD display also gives you the water temperature.

Uses 2 AAA batteries (included) and measures 7 inches in diameter. Unfortunately, it looks like blue is the only available color.

The Starfish Bath Sensor sells for $17.99 at WhateverWorks.com.

I love to hear stories of technology saving the day!!

A Dallas, Texas resident was checking out a Webcam online that looks over Matthew Street in Liverpool—home of the Beatles and the Cavern Club—when he noticed intruders breaking into a sports store.

Immediately, he called the police, and officers were sent to the scene, arresting three suspects involved in the robbery. Yay!!

Shown here is a screenshot of one of the three Webcams that overlook Matthew St. Webcam images refresh every 2 minutes.

[via engadget]

I don't even want to know what's hiding inside my keyboard. But thanks to the USB Mini Vacuum with Retractable Cable, I won't have to guess--I can suck it right out!!

The USB Mini Vacuum with Retractable Cable is USB 1.1/2.0 compliant and uses a bristle brush to remove nasty dust and crumbs from the dark depths of your keyboard. It features a Turbo mode to suck even faster (at 24,000 RPM), and an LED light to make sure you don't miss any particles. The retractable cable is handy so that you don't twist your cable with the other cables on your desk.

And it sells for a reasonable price! The USB Mini Vacuum with Retractable Cable is $14 at usb.brando.com.hk.

Thanks to Reviews Editor Jen Trolio for the tip!

When I first read about the new RemotePoint Navigator 2.4 Champagne Edition--a presentation remote control--I didn't get it. I thought to myself, what's a "Champagne Edition"? Can you use it as a remote control to open a cabinet full of Crystal?

I'm assuming that Interlink created the name to represent the color or style of the remote control instead (and the company says it will make your presentations sparkle!). The Navigator can be used for Powerpoint and Keynote presentations on both PC and Mac systems (Windows XP/2000/98/Me and OS 8.x/9.x/X). It features dedicated slide "forward" and "back" keys, an integrated laser pointer, and an RF wireless range of 50 feet.

On the outside, the Navigator is made of a warm contemporary metal finish. Jim Reisteter, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Interlink says: "Imagine giving a presentation where you are completely confident in the tools you use to communicate. The Champagne Edition of RemotePoint Navigator gives that level of confidence." Well, I'd think that anyone afraid of public speaking would still be afraid of public speaking despite using the Navigator!

The RemotePoint Navigator Champagne Edition weighs less than 5 ounces and requires 2 AAA batteries. Despite its classy name, it's affordable for the masses. Get it for $149 at www.interlinkstore.com.

Thanks to Product Coordinator PJ Jacobowitz for the tip!

Dell is set to upgrade its entire line of notebooks with the latest Intel launch. I had a chance to play with several high end systems like the Dell XPS M1710(Intel Core 2 Duo), but the Inspiron E1405 is the first to hit my bench with a budget Core 2 Duo, or the T5500(1.6Ghz). 

For those that haven't bought a Dell system in a while, the buying experience is a little different now. Icons are used to represent components as you're configuring your machine, and there's simply more Javascript involved. Dell is one of the first vendors to switch over to the Intel Core 2 Duos. You can only configure an XPS system with a Core 2 Duo now, and today, the Inspirons will get that distinction. As for the previous Core Duo systems, they are casted away to Dell's Outlet.

Overall, the E1405 saw some performance improvements in media related tasks, but office productivity applications were dead even with previous budget Intel Core Duos. I expected +20% improvements in video encoding tasks, similar to the Gateway M465-E(Intel Core 2 Duo) and the Alienware Area-51 m5550, but the E1405 didn't experience those types of margins. Still, 6% gains in video encoding tests is better than no gain. The highlight of the E1405 is the 8 hours of battery life it achieved using the 85Whr battery. Those are the most impressive numbers I've witnessed on any laptop, let alone the E1405.

The E1405 doesn't use discrete graphics like its bigger sibling, the Inspiron E1505. That's probably the only knock against it. Otherwise, the $1,156 price tag is in line with other budget systems in its class.