Thanko, that provider of all things gimmicky but good, has just launched another surprisingly useful tool, this time the FMP3 Watch. As the name suggests, we're talking combo MP3 (and WMA too) player and FM transmitter.

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Here's the Zante, up close and lustrously yours. Today we got plenty of fresh technical information about this Motorola-flavored Sidekick plus two new pretty pics. One of them above, the other after the jump, showing its funky purple sliding keyboard. After seeing it, I want to lick it.

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Although we're totally hungover from the Transformers premiere, we still can't get enough. We've collected all of our Transformers videos from the last couple of months into one post to make your Optimus Prime worshipping that much easier. Whether its helmet hi-jinks, Botcon 2007, toy reviews, or devoted fans you're looking for, it's all here for your enjoyment.

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On top of the two phone activation trick, DVD Jon has found a way to emulate the iTunes server, getting the iPhone to work as a WiFi iPod. (No calls, of course.) [So Sue Me via Adam H.]

Wondering why Apple's Bluetooth headset is worthy of your hard-earned cash and a special dual dock? According to the Apple Store, docking both your iPhone and the headset in the dock will not only charge them both, it will... Read More »

Attention Podcasters, VoIPers, shoutcasters and general microphone enthusiasts: Revolabs' new xTag system could be for you! The USB base station connects a full duplex wireless lapel-style mic and earbud to your PC/Mac and pulls double duty as a charger and wireless relay. With 66 feet of range, you can feel free to get animated. The mic does come with a lanyard if you swing that way. $249. [Revolabs xTag Wireless Microphone System via Everything USB]

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Zacod's new concept touchpad is sporting its unique "3-axis" design, which originally debuted on cell phones and turned QWERTY keys into three-way joystick rockers. The PDA version has been adjusted to the stylus typing method; selecting a letter brings up a circular wheel of other possible letters and you drag/drop them into place.

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Here it is, folks: The 2007 BotCon. I laughed, I cried. I sang "You Got the Touch" with Stan Bush. And I almost got kicked out. But the fulcrum of my joy was derived not from the colossal Optimus Prime statue or the latest transforming Nerf weapons. It was derived from the fans I encountered. For without the fans, there would be no Transformers. And without Transformers, I wouldn't have gotten the chance to meet some of the most preposterously nerdy people in current existence. Some of what you're about to see might scare you. Just remember that it's much, much more than meets the eye... Video and words by Jack Ventura

While wading through saturated pools of awesomeness at the 2007 Transformers Botcon, I stumbled upon a girl who gave me the inside scoop on the new Michael Bay film...with the help of her puppatron best friend. Max, a sparrow/ferret/fraggle-looking creature, remained stalwartly perched upon his lovely master's right shoulder, only to gnaw at her glasses and spastically twitch while she mused about the highs and lows of the new bot flick. How does Max function? What did the two think of the movie? Watch the video to be frightened, I mean, to find out. While you're jonesin' for more Transformer freaks, be sure to check out my extensive coverage of the 2007 Botcon. Video by Jack Ventura.

Almost every website you visit these days lets you create an account of some sort to personalize your experience. Remembering all those username/password combos can get tedious and lead to weak, reused passwords that jeopardize your security. Enter Dynahand, a new form of online authentication that requires you to identify your own handwriting from a group instead of typing in a password. But is it worth it? I don't buy it.

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Since the iPhone's headphones jack is leaving us all with precious few options, it's not surprising to see headphones made specifically with the gadget in mind. The V-MODA's Vibe Duo headphones deliver the same quality sound V-MODA earbuds are known for, and act as a headset to boot. That means you don't need to whip out the iPhone to answer calls—just trigger it on the headset. While not as colorful as previous designs, these sleek, high-end earbuds will fit any standard jack, as well as the iPhone's mysteriously recessed jack. The Vibe Duo earbuds feature the same technology V-MODA puts into all their high end headphones, so you'll get plenty of bass, less spillover, and black fabric cables ending in durable, metal enclosures. They cost $99, but are well worth it as they won't get in the way of your calling, either. It's also worth noting that they're the only third party headphones in the Apple Store. The quality might make you want to chuck the iPhone earbuds anyway. Oddly, there isn't much else that sets them apart from previous V-MODA headphones, save their "DUAL compatibility," which is just a fancy way of saying it fits everything you should expect and then the iPhone as well. Still, buying a fresh set is lot faster than waiting for Apple to issue a redesign. But if you've got an iPhone, these are definitely the way to go if you're looking for a V-Moda set, thanks to its dual mic/headphone capability.

Some kids grow up wanting to be firefighters and ballerinas, but most grow up wanting to pilot giant robotic killing machines. Since we aren't living in the future just yet, you'll have to satisfy your fantasies with this Gundam IP phone. The headset and software are pretty standard fare, but it also comes with a GUI that puts you in the cockpit of an armored suit while you're making calls. If that doesn't give you the confidence you need to tackle those sales calls, nothing will. Available August 31 for about $45. [Gundam IP Phone via Akihabara News]

Most of the chairs we see around these parts are office or gaming related, but this gal is definitely too hot for your living room. Seriously, the Cleopatra Hotstone Chaise Lounge is a solid slab of carved rock that heats up to slow-roast you all the way through. Why you would want to pay $15,000 for a 107°F slab of rock when you could just go lay on your driveway is beyond me, but apparently this "luxury" product is more relaxing than your average rock chair. [Cleopatra Heated Lounge Chair via Luxury Launches]

Fans of the popular HTC Excalibur (T-Mobile Dash) should be excited to hear that the smartphone's anticipated successor, the HTC Cavalier, has been approved by the FCC. We already saw the thing get unboxed months ago, but for those... Read More »

While it seems that the HD DVD gang has been on a wobbly tightrope for years, surrounded by jeering Blu-ray supporters like Sony, Samsung and Panasonic, it sometimes feels like HD DVD could stay on that tightrope for a very long time. Last week we reported that it's finally rolling out the long promised support for downloaded content; this week, two more announcements made the underdog seem good and spunky.

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I'm in Paris, and I'm online, but the hotel 'broadband' is struggling under the weight of my Undefeated Seven-Windows Browser Technique. I crave sleep like a zombie craves brains, but I'll tough it out for my Giz crew. Just a little slow is all. I'll start earlier to compensate tomorrow, so just a heads up for today. Feed is coming down the tubes SSLLOOWW... -Seamus Byrne

If you've got the schematics for the next big gadget saved on your thumb drive, one of Rehoboth Tech's Irikon flash memory sticks might be as secure as it gets. Touted as the world's first iris-scanning USB drive, the Irikon can remember up to 20 different eyes as authorized users and comes in sizes of 1GB to 4GB. Not much at all, but secure drives tend to run smaller. The Rehoboth site is a little vague as to how the scan works, but with a rechargeable battery built in, as well as a 6cm scan range, we're guessing you give the drive a look at your eyes before you plug it into the port. It would be horribly awkward to always have to lean down for the scan—especially if the drive was plugged into a desktop.

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Oakley has just released a pair of radical-looking polarized sunglasses, made out of some miraculous substance the company has dubbed Nanowire. If you wade through the marketSpeak it's actually a lightweight titanium alloy with "memory" that can stand up to some heavy bending and snap right back to where it was before. Every piece of technology that goes into these $300 sunglasses is creatively named—you simply must get a load of this.

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Our videographer Richard Blakeley and his partner in crime Sarah Meyers caused some trouble using the Optimus Prime helmet at a McDonalds drive-thru this weekend. Apparently it's against the law to order a fajita as Optimus Prime. Who knew? I guess the manager wasn't a fanboy, although he looks to fit the part.

The Floatron is a pool-cleaning device that claims to be greener than the rest, according to its manufacturers. Not only does the $270 gadget radically reduce your chlorine use, but its manufacturers also claim that it purifies your pool water to EPA drinking water standards. Here's how... When the 12-inch gizmo is floating in the pool, its photovoltaic panel converts the sunlight into a harmless, low-power electricity current. The current then energizes a specially alloyed mineral electrode, causing the release of mineral ions into the water. This ionized water controls the growth of micro-organisms naturally and efficiently, it says.

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We've seen finger drums before, but none as cartoonishly convincing as these. This $19.95 Electronic Drum Beat Maker has heads that light up when you hit them, and even the cymbal makes its own sound.

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If all digital photo frames are starting to look alike, try this Mustek PF-A1020BC with its big 10-inch LCD and swappable frames, coming with silver, "frosted white," or Mahogany faceplates. Pictures should look pretty nice as the 9.5-inch viewable area displays at a 720 x 480 resolution, and you can store around 45 JPEGs thanks to the frame's internal memory. But are the pretty colors going to be able to justify the frame's $200 price tag? It's not as radical as some of Mustek's previous offerings (like touchscreen controls), though it doesn't do less than the competition: MP3s, slideshows, and direct transfer from a USB drive or memory card are all supported. If you're still in the market for a digital photo frame, the PF-A1020BC is certainly one to look at. Keep an eye out for them this summer. Product page [Mustek]

What happens when you stick an engine in a kayak? You get a really fast kayak, naturally. The dudes on Top Gear raced the jet kayak against a souped-up off-road vehicle in Iceland, on a lake full of giant ice cubes. The result is nothing short of pure, engine-fueled entertainment. Jet Kayak [via Gadget Lab]

Transformers fever is in full effect, but with all the hype surrounding the new movie it's good to keep in mind that not all Transformers are as badass as Optimus Prime. In fact, there are a few robots in disguise that are downright useless. I mean, what good would transforming into a cassette deck do in the heat of battle? That's why we applaud the fine people at Cracked for coming up with a list of the 7 most useless Transformers ever.

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The Augmented Sculpture project by Pablo Valbuena mixes a "volumetric base that serves as support for a second level, a virtual projected layer that allows controlling the transformation and sequentiality of space-time." In other words, what they refer to in scientific circles as "that kick-ass groovy Tron stuff." Also called, augmented reality. Watch the video and be amazed.

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Vincent Nguyen from myitablet.com has test-driven a whole bunch of iPhone cases—and overall, he's not too impressed. Apparently, the proximity sensor gets blocked in some of them.

Thanko's combined their Dino-Lite USB Microscope with the USB Ear Scope to create one amazing microscoping ear pick. But that's not all it can do. The other three attachments let you suction your face, look at your teeth, or scope out your hair at sizes the human eye was not meant to see. And of course, it's USB. It wouldn't be Thanko if it wasn't. Product Page [Thanko]

South Korea's Iljin Display has been crowing about its coin-sized laser projector module for more than a year with no haps, but now the company says it's inked a deal with South Korea Telecom (SK Telecom) to mass-produce the projector for use inside mobiles. Is Iljin's so-called Nano Projector finally for real? Iljin says the diminutive projector will be installed in SK Telecom's cellphones beginning this September, and those pocket-theater-toting cellphones will be for sale both in Korea and perhaps even here in the US soon thereafter. The company blurted out even more bluster about the future of its of its pint-sized projectors, saying by the end of this year it will begin cranking out tiny stand-alone units that'll let you set up an 800-pound milligram-ish guerrilla theater with a 20-inch screen virtually anywhere you want. We'll believe it when we see it. Iljin Display to Commercialize Nano Projector [Far East Gizmos, via Digital Tokyo]

The AT&T bundled iPhone accessory saga keeps on trucking along, much to nobody's surprise. This time we have an update with a supposed internal memo from last week telling sales associates to make customers buy at least one iPhone accessory with the iPhone. We haven't seen the memo ourselves, but just a report of one on waitingforiphone.com. Does anyone at AT&T have a copy of this memo they can send us? Our tips email is on the left. UPDATED: ATT Will Require Purchasers to Buy iPhone Accessories [Waiting for iPhone via MacRumors Forum - Thanks Arnold!]

Super nerd Chris Pirillo—you know, the guy that read his wedding vows off a UMPC—just made this video with his wife (?) showing off what would happen if an iPod had sex with a Zune. It's four minutes long, but there's only about 30 seconds to a minute of fat in it, which is quite an achievement for a one-premise joke. Chris Pirillo [via Valleywag]

Give the Space Navigator your time and location, and it will let you know where over 60 of the brightest stars are, a few dozen constellations, and visible planets. It's even programmed with upcoming astronomical events up until the year 2020, and comes with 20 star charts. That's a lot of information to pack on there, and it doesn't look like it'll be easy to read unless you've brushed up on your Astronomy 101. Still, if you're interested in space or a novice telescope enthusiast, maybe the Space Navigator would be $70 well spent. Just be ready to lug it around—it's about one square foot in size. Not to mention it requires 3 AAA batteries and 2 LR44 cell batteries, the latter not included. But for an interactive portable map of space, stargazers might make a few concessions. Product page [TravelSmith via The Uber-Review]

For all those poor souls confined to summer school, here's relief with the Mini Cooling Fan Pen, bringing a blessed cooling breeze to those stuffy proceedings with the touch of a button. It's powered by a single M5 1.5-volt battery, but it's unclear whether its propeller collapses when it's not spinning, for easy pocketability.

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Z-Wave home automation tech continues to expand, and now HomeSeer adds to the mix with its HSM100 Multi-Sensor that knows when the lights are on, what the temperature is, and whether anything is moving in the room. Then, it can control four other Z-Wave devices over a 30-foot range with any combination of that data. For instance, if the temperature is above 80°, it's dark and the device senses someone in the room, it can turn on the lights and lower the temperature automagically. If it's connected to Z-Wave light and thermostat controls, that is. Imagine hooking up everything in your home with these Z-Wave devices, where blinds raise and lower with the sun or temperature, lights only turn on when you need them, and the temperature and tunes are carefully regulated throughout the house. Amble into your home theater, bellow out something like "let the festivities begin," and your smart house responds. The HSM100 doesn't have voice control, but with Z-Wave, that and a whole lot more can be arranged. Home Seer isn't the only one is the Z-Wave game, and also on board are more than a hundred manufacturers, including heavyweights such as Leviton, Monster Cable, as well as Cooper, Intermatic and ACT. The HSM100 Z-Wave Multi-sensor will be available this month for $99.95. Product Page [HomeSeer, via eHomeUpgrade]

The Navy isn't asking for much: they just want to be able to predict where bombs will be as to avoid, you know, getting blown up by them. Is that so much to ask? They're looking for out-of-the-box thinking and new technologies to help in their quest, and they've got a big ol' barrel of grant money to hand out to anyone with a halfway feasible idea. It should lead to some pretty interesting technologies, hopefully ones that'll make people safer. I'm really hoping they like my proposal to replace the terrorists' bomb-making supplies with delicious candy. I'll keep you guys updated! • [Danger Room]

HP's new ultraportable tablet PC, the Compaq 2710p Optimator, has just been approved by the FCC. The 12.1-incher has a screen that can swivel around and turn the computer into a tablet in addition to being used as a... Read More »

Never before have people had so little fun with the Wiimote. Hacked from a recent Wendy's toy promotion, one gamer slid a USB thumb drive into a mini Wiimote keychain/toy/chokehazard. We're disappointed in anonymous Chinese OEM everywhere for getting beaten to the punch on this one. Hopefully they will take note and put a real version on the market so we can buy a version online and maintain our fast food fasting. USB Thumbdrive Gets Clever Disguise [via kotaku]

For our next iPod Bracket Battle, we are featuring the most famous of all the iPod docks&dmash;the Bose SoundDock. But its challenger is no slouch. The Logitech AudioStation is younger, hipper and ready to spill Budweiser all over Bose's Zima-drinking butt. Who wins the competition?

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Doggies love to stick their face out the window of a moving car and catch some breeze, but a car window seems like a pretty uncomfortable place for them to rest their chins. How would you like to rest your chin on a car window while it's going over bumps and uneven terrain? Not very much, I'm guessing. Hence the Outward Hound (groan) Window Dog Chin Rest's existence. It slides over the edge of an open window, creating a nice cushion for canine chins. It might seem like an extravagance, but in the long run it's paying attention to details like this that will keep your dog from turning on you and trying to eat your face. I'm just saying. • [Product Page] via [Book of Joe]

About five years ago, the foldout chair market exploded. And an arms race broke into full stride: Netted beer-holding technologies were developed, footrests sprung from nowhere and some...even learned to recline. Luckily, Slate reviewed a ton of fold-out beach chairs so you can own the BEST model at your next BBQ. And they were happy to report that the winner will only run you $39.99. The Renetto Canopy Chair is reported as extremely portable, very comfortable and "spiffy," scoring 35/40 in their butts-on testing. The 16MM steel frame supports people up to 6'5" and 250lbs, and the chair features a canopy to block sun/rain/bird poopies. There you have it, scientific analysis at its best. Product Page [via slate]

It's no wonder Steve Jobs got into the phone business. He introduced the iPod in October 2001, and by April 2006, he had sold over 50 million of them. Now, 50 million units in less than five years is... Read More »

Here's an innovative case idea: Do away with the case for your laptop altogether and just attach Handle-It, a carrying handle that connects to the 13" MacBook's existing holes in the back. The handle's not going to do much to protect your beloved bauble, but with such an attachment you can be sure your yoke is easy and your burden is light. There are other benefits to this design, too.

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Despite its maiden voyage at 6AM on Sunday, the first public N700 drew quite a crowd. 1300 passengers enjoyed the 342 mile trip to Tokyo from Shin-Osaka Station, and in only two hours and twenty five minutes—five minutes shorter than previous trains. If that doesn't impress you, bear in mind the N700 covers the ground almost half as fast as an airplane. Come inside for some gallery love. We got a shot of the cockpit!

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Just when you were coming down from the thrill of Fabrik's Pininfarina-designed 3.5" SimpleTech SimpleDrives, the company unveils a similar Ferrari-inspired line in a more portable 2.5" USB-powered form. The drives range from the 80GB sapphire ($99) up to the 250GB charcoal gray ($199), with onyx and red in between. When you buy, Fabrik also throws in 2GB of in-the-cloud storage free. Not enough for your music collection, surely, but good for the most important docs and photos. Press Release [Fabrik]