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Samsung Challenges Casio with US$850 Slow-Mo HMX20 HD Camcorder
Posted by Wilson Rothman at 11:40 PM on May 9, 2008
As excited as we are about Casio's Exilim EX-F1 camera with slow-mo and high-def video modes, we're even more thrilled to see actual competition in this category. Samsung announced its HMX20C (or HMX20) at CES, and is now officially shipping it, at least in Korea, for a price around US$850. That's about US$150 less than Casio's Hiro Nakamura supercam. Here's what's similar about the two models:
This retro-styled rocket lamp is more than the absolutely most perfect accessory to complete any room, it's the absolutely most perfect accessory to complete any room that's built from the igniter can of a freakin' jet engine. One-of-a-kind and shamelessly worth its US$2,100 sticker price, we want to push each and every one of its glowing jewels...even though we know that they don't actually do anything...and that they probably aren't even buttons in the first place. [
Bless Skymall and its world of wonderful and strangely fascinating gizmos for bringing us this: the portable neck traction device, supposed to help relieve tight muscles and "joint and nerve pressure." Simply place around your neck (that's a worrying start, if you ask me) and "pump the inflation bulb until you feel a comfortable stretch." That'll be somewhere short of popping your head off like an unfortunate Legoman, I guess. Available now, for all you crick-necked blog readers who don't sit at your PC properly, in three neck sizes for US$69.98. [
The Tech Report has assembled a very straightforward bang-for-your-buck video card graph. Plotting performance on Crysis' high quality setting, you can see the simple facts laid out very clearly—like that the GeForce 9600 GT is probably worth its US$5 pricetag over the Radeon HD 3850. These metrics always vary by game, and Crysis' highest settings don't demonstrate these cards at their best (the top performer can't even break 40 frames per second). But it's a quick tool to tip the scales on your next purchase. [
QStarz has just announced the BT-Q818 eXtreme—the self-proclaimed world's most powerful Bluetooth GPS receiver. The 51-channel chipset and 32 hours of use time are impressive, but it's the adjustable update rate that's their claim to fame. The user can choose between 1 and 5Hz updates, with each Hz good for one update per second. In other words, the QStarz eXtreme can sync your position an impressive five times a second, which should be more than enough to placate the most dedicated of car racers and anvil droppers. No word on price or release date at this time. [
Forget 
NASA wants to get you in bed, and if that wasn't luring enough, she wants to pay you US$17,000 for 90 days. Sadly, there is no French lingerie involved: their Bed Rest Project wants to study the effect of long-term microgravity in humans, putting you in a sightly-tilted bed, with your head down and feet up:
This Smart Dog USB hub is a bit of a three-in-one marvel. As well as the four USB ports, the bow-wow acts as a shonky computer speaker. Then, if you rip the head off this iridescent puppy, you've got yourself a portable radio with autoscan capability. Cost is US$19.15. [
When it comes to laptop bags and cases, there are 
This is a story of a not so environmentally friendly, but rather groovy repurposing idea: reusing CDs as records (remember them?) At the UK's Futuresonic festival last week, a guy named Aleks Kolkowski had his vintage record-cutting machine ready to carve sound tracks into old CDs and DVDs. People simply had to turn up with an old disc and a sound file and he'd "overwrite" the CD with a track ready to be played on a turntable. Neat! I'd have been there asking Aleks for a copy of my first ever record (that'll be the theme to Watership Down— I know, I know) on a crappy old AOL CD I found recently. [
PopSci has a great article about scientists who are trying to recreate the events of the Universe, such as the big bang and black holes, with controlled lab experiments. The Universe in a Teacup, shown above, cools Helium to 0.0003°F above absolute zero, and moves around the particles so that little whirlpools remain after the Helium settles. The state inside this pinky-sized tube is thought to be the condition of the universe just after the big bang.
The WaSnake shelf concept by designer Jean Louis Frechin not only holds your stuff, it also features connectivity that allows it to display news from chosen RSS feeds and even SMS messages. Plus, the whole unit is highly configurable so you could find a spot for it on nearly any wall in your home.
I suppose it goes without saying, but the design team at Non-Object took all of the things we have learned about making motorcycles and threw it in the trash, pooped in the trash, then lit the can on fire when they came up with the "nUCLEUS"concept bike. Outside of the obvious design features, this "square against air" electric motorcycle includes a hydraulic system that lowers the body to the ground when idle and then raises it up when in motion—but all I can think of when I look at it is the word "drag." Again, this bike is only a concept, so don't expect to see it on the street anytime soon. [
Have an office without a window? Put down the sledgehammer and try one of these faux skylights or windows from The Sky Factory. Simply put, their SkyCeilings and Luminous Virtual Windows are photographic illusions that give users the impression that they have a beautiful outdoor view when, in reality, they are stuck in a gloomy, windowless prison.
Samsung's Series 6 line of LCD TVs, which we first saw at 
Why on earth is this still going on? I thought it was finished 
The Gadget: A soundbar by one of my favourite A/V companies that includes a sub. It is one of the rare soundbars NOT to block your TV if mounted on the same table. Processes DTS and Dolby surround through optical and coax and stereo inputs (But no HDMI). The sub draws power off the main unit at 40 watts, and the six 3-inch drivers get 22-watts each. It comes with a glow in the dark universal remote.
En Garde meat products! Armed with your BBQ sword you can finally take your rightful place at the grill as the Musketeer of meats. Plus, with the handy eye mask that is included, you can maintain your secret identity. Just remember, theatrics are the name of the game for any superhero—so make sure to "sign" your KC masterpieces with a Zorro-esque slash of your sword. Available soon for around US$29. [
I'm still a little undecided as to whether or not I'll be seeing Adam Sandler's You Don't Mess with the Zohan, but the movie is using a clever, tech-oriented marketing ploy that's definitely gotten me interested. Twenty-five Regal Entertainment theatre lobbies will feature a decorated salon chair that when sat in (while wearing a Bluetooth headset) will beam 6 voicetones to the user's ear. We're not sure exactly what Adam Sandler's new character sounds like, but we're betting if you mix the characters of 
Remember when we showed you an 
Stefano from onthetabletop attended CHI 2008, where several members of the Microsoft Surface team was there tossing around ideas. One of the more interesting ideas, besides slimming down the table so it could fit inside spaces smaller than bars and AT&T stores, was shoving an Xbox 360 inside. Why would you do this? To allow the 360 to become an additional control input mechanism, possibly making RTS games SO MUCH EASIER TO PLAY. Will it happen? Who knows. These guys could have just been just daydreaming possible features to impress female attendees. [
This 
Nobody likes buying batteries, and chances are if you are a fatty in dire need of some 
As CNET points out, when Sony BMG became the last major label to sell DRM-free tracks, we pretty much 
