Just because you have a Webcam doesn't mean you have to settle for grainy images at low resolutions. The Hercules Dualpix Chat and Show Webcam, the newest addition to Hercules' lineup of Webcams, proves that there's life after low-quality devices and that it doesn't have to cost a fortune. Say goodbye to your grainy MySpace and blog profile photos, and say hello to a USB camera with a 1.3 megapixel lens capable of taking interpolated photos of up to 1280 x 1024 pixel resolutions in single-shot, self-timed, and burst photo modes. The DualPix Chat and Show is one of the first Webcams to behave and include features that most people would associate with point-and-shoot digital cameras.

Don't let the pic confuse you--you haven't wandered into a gardening blog within the last 5 seconds. In spite of the realistic looks, the three elements at the image above are actually loudspeakers by Niles Audio. Part of Niles Audio's GeoRealistic weatherproof rock loudspeaker line, they are as follows: the Niles RS6Si series (at the front), the PB6Si planter loudspeaker (back, left), and the PS6Si planter loudspeaker (back, right). All three were designed to withstand the harshest of weathers, making them perfect for those inclined to spend idle time in their lawns.

If you're wondering whether you can actually use the planter box loudspeakers to house live plants, the answer would be yes. The rock-like RS6Si, on the other hand, comes in numerous colors and textures germane to rocks. It features an injection molded TCC 6-inch woofer and two one-inch Tetron tweeters, and is designed to have three modes to choose from: monaural, traditional two-speaker stereo input, and single speaker stereo input. The PB6Si and PS6Si planter box loudspeakers, however, feature a 6.5-inch dual voice coil woofer and a couple of 1-inch fluid-cooled Tetron tweeters. Personally, I'd really like to see a garden gnome loudspeaker, but I guess these have to do for now. All three models are now available through Niles Audio's authorized dealers.

This is one sick-looking puppy. The USB Smart Dog Hub is a 4-port USB hub that literally loses its rectangular-shaped head. Detach its head from the hub, and you've got a portable radio with auto scan 88Mhz to 108MHz. And if you're a good dog owner, you'll return the head so that you can use it as a computer speaker.

Head on over to LatestBuy.com to buy this smart pup for $19.15.

Non-colorblind Segway enthusiasts can rejoice: The company has added a new hue to its line of i2 models. Metallic Sage--presumably named after someone's high-school Zeppelin cover band--"has a goldish finish with hues of green and a metallic underbody that grabs changing light," while the "Segway wordmark is presented in an off-white green with a subtle outline above the gray i2 logomark."

Too much information about the subtle color of a logomark? Maybe for us mere mortals, but I'm guessing that the message boards over at Segway's new social networking service are buzzing about it.

This week on Gearlog Radio is our last, sadly. Get your final fix of "Hot Five in Five" with Brian Heater, and "Weird Gear" with Jen "Weird Hunter" DeLeo, but then look for us all to pop up again--much like some sort of persistent mushroom--on the PCMag Radio feed. If you're a Gearlog Radio subscriber, we'll be switching you over automatically; otherwise, see our subscription module in the left column. Thanks for listening! We love you all!

Listen to the podcast online.

Hosts: Dan Costa, Jen DeLeo, Carol Mangis, and Brian Heater
Theme Music: Terry Sullivan

Two months after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Sharper Image--shopping mall-based seller of all things massaging--is putting itself up for sale.

"Given the present retail climate and specialty nature of the company, as well as the limited financing available to the company, a sale of its business and assets at this time will preserve values and yield the best recovery to the company," the company's chief executive, Robert Conway, told Reuters.

The company is looking to sell itself by May. Conway said that his company would consider any proposal; though someone will probably spend a few times more than the company's actually worth for a few months of bragging rights among a group of slightly jealous but largely unimpressed acquaintences.

You know those economic stimulus rebate checks we're all (well, a lot of us) supposed to get next month? The whole point is to get people to buy stuff, right? Well, RadioShack figures that if you're going to be spending it anyway, you may as well spend it at RadioShack.

Customers who use their checks to pay for purchases above $50 between May 4 and July 12, 2008, will receive a 10 percent discount on their purchases. Any amount left over from the purchase will be placed on a Vision Silver Prepaid MasterCard, which can be used at any place that accepts MasterCard.

"While we would certainly love for them to spend everything at RadioShack, we understand other obligations may be necessary," said the company's executive vice president, merchandising, Peter Whitsett. "Fortunately, our offer gives them the best of both worlds: save upfront on their consumer electronics purchase and save the rest of the money for a later date. This is the kind of personalized solution that keeps our customers' best interests at heart."

Most taxpayers will be receiving $600 to $1,200, plus added amounts for dependents. That's a lot of coaxial cable.

If Jerry Lewis (and Danny Kaye before him) could conduct an orchestra, why not a robot? Especially the world's most famous automaton: the Honda Asimo. According to Wired, the 4-foot tall, semi-autonomous robot will conduct Detroit's Symphony Orchestra on May 13.

This isn't the first time Asimo has shown off an amazing new trick. At CES 2007, Asimo became one of the first running robots, stunning an overflow crowd at the consumer trade show in Las Vegas. This musical feat, however, may be a little more show than innovation. Asimo's movements are typically pre-scripted: It can, for example, navigate stairs on its own, but doesn't have free will to then decide to go for a jog. Plus any words you hear Asimo "speak" usually come from someone off-stage.

To conduct a symphony, you have to hear the music. Asimo does have sound processors, but it's unclear if they can process quickly enough for him to know the proper timing for his likely pre-scripted movements.

What's next for this globe-trotting ambassador for Honda innovation? Singing on "American Idol"?

If we can slap colored and designer faceplates on a cell phone, why not on our landline phones, too? VTech Communications on Wednesday announced several new trendy cordless phones, including one model with customizable graphics.

Inspired by skateboard and snowboard designs, the DECT 6.0 LS6117 ($44.95) lets you change the look of the phone with one of five design inserts provided. Or, if you're artistically inclined, you can go to vtechphones.com to create and print your own design. In addition, the LS6117 has a large LCD display with white backlighting, selectable ring tones, and is Wi-Fi friendly.

VTech's DS6121 ($49.95) digital expandable cordless phone features a chic silver metallic finish and blue backlit keypad and display. It offers digital security (to protect you from identity theft), a 50-name/number phonebook, and remote message retrieval.

It's been a year since we first told you about the pocket-sized Pico projector, but the little gizmo has finally made its way into a device you can actually buy, if you happen to live in Hong Kong that is. The SunView PMP Projector, an otherwise unassuming Windows CE-powered touchscreen media player, will output 640 x 480 to the nearest available flat surface. No word on pricing yet, but you'll probably just want to go ahead and wait a couple years. By then these miniature projectors will hopefully be making their way into cell phones and media players that run on operating systems other than Windows CE.

[via Display Daily]

Sick of scratching your precious handheld electronics? GelaSkins are thin, protective covers made of 3M vinyl and adhesive technology and are designed to protect your iPhone, iPod, laptop, RAZR--and now, Sony PSP and Nintendo DS Lite. You simply place the sticker over your gadget and peel it off when you want to try a new one. They're designed to leave no residue and to last, though some users report peeling around the edges after awhile with heavy use.

GelaSkins feature "removable art" by over 50 artists, including video game illustrator Yoko D'Holbachie. GelaSkins probably won't save your gadget if you throw it out a third-story window, but it will at least keep the scratches away. The stick-on skin also leaves the device free to dock and charge without removing anything, which is handy.

Gaming GelaSkins for PSP and DS Lite can be purchased directly from the GelaSkins Web site for $19.95.

Post by Brittany Petersen.

Have you ever had to ask someone if they need to defecate--in Korean? No? Well, with the Voxtec Phraselator P2, at least it's now possible.

In 2001 Voxtec International was awarded a grant to develop a handheld, military-grade translation system. Early models were used in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2002 and 2003, and the current P2 model was released in 2004. Designed for the U.S. military as well as for law enforcement and emergency medical teams, Version 2.6 of the Phraselator is capable of translating over 100,000 preloaded phrases in over 40 languages, including Hindi, Croatian, Farsi, and Hebrew. You may never need to know how to say "Drop the weapon!" in Arabic or "Are you taking any medications?" in Sinhala, but the current model is definitely a sign of things to come. Though it's not intended to take the place of a human translator, the P2's straightforward interface, clear translations, and ease of use should mean it will lead the pack when an edition aimed at consumers hits the market in about 3 years.

If you're anything like me, you spend several desperate minutes a day looking for important things (phone, keys, pets, pants) when you really just want to get out the door before you miss the bus. You could just get in the habit of putting things in the same place every day, but where's the fun in that? I like to conquer my personal failings whenever possible with beeping electronics, flashing LEDs, and cleverly misspelled product names. Thankfully, the Loc8tor Lite runs that geek gadget gamut, while managing to make finding things kind of fun.

The $79.99 Loc8tor Lite package comes with a slim credit-card-size remote and two homing tags, each about the size and shape of a squished olive. You place the tags on items that are frequently misplaced and use the remote to locate them. The device uses radio frequency for location, so the range is decent at up to 400 feet--though it's considerably less when things like doors and walls are in the way. If you live in a palatial estate, you might want to spring for the slightly more expensive model, which has more features and a claimed 600-foot range. But for the average apartment dweller or small-home owner, the Loc8tor Lite should have all the key-finding power you'll need.

Destroy evidence. Mask your spending habits. Hide your identity. There's only one way to do it while on the run, and that's with the Ziszor!. Dubbed the only portable, handheld paper shredder on the market, the Ziszor! is outfitted with 28 hardened steel-cutting blades and shreds inserted paper in a matter of seconds, according to the company. It cuts five layers of paper at once, and can be used anywhere—the kitchen, the office, the car, even the bathroom. Simply insert unwanted documents, press power, and shred away.

Attach the Ziszor! Catch Bag to catch your shredded content and avoid a big, paper mess. You can get the Ziszor! at an introductory price of $39.95. A 30-pack of Catch Bags sells for $3.29.

If you're a tech lover like me--and since you're reading a gadget guide by geeks, for geeks, you probably are--then it's a safe bet that you've been carrying around a hoopty too. I've carried the same USB thumbdrive on my keychain for about two years now. The cap doesn't fit, the plastic is worn down, and the design? It's basically a stick. But still, it's functional, and 2GB seemed large (well large enough, anyway), so I didn't give two thoughts about upgrading it.

Until I saw the new hotness from Transcend, anyway.

The Transcend JetFlash V90c packs 4GB of flash goodness into a tiny metal body barely bigger than the first joint of your thumb. The memory modules themselves are hidden within the body of the drive, and fold out easily enough. But it's the distinctive swirly pattern that really caught my eye--and that of the judges behind the Red Dot Design Awards, who just awarded Transcend for making such a neat device.

Still not sold? Transcend sells these things online for just $27 bucks. Isn't it time you upgraded too?