When it comes to MP3 players, most people have the mantra, “Smaller is better.” The Colossal MP3 player throws that idea out the window with a massive form factor and buttons large enough for the biggest hands, modeled (parodied?) after the Toshiba gigabeat. The giant DAP has a built-in speaker, but is otherwise basic, with supports for MP3 and WMA files. The packaging says it supports WMV files too, but you’re not going to get very far video-wise with its paltry built-in 256MB of memory and what looks like a monochrome LCD screen. Hey, what do you expect for $23? [Flickr via Gadget Lab] More »
GE’s upcoming Cell Fusion series of phones uses Bluetooth technology to pair your mobile phone to your home phone so that you don’t spend minutes looking for you tiny clamshell or slider while its ringing. GE has dubbed the first phone in the Cell Fusion series, the “No Jack” phone, and is geared toward “cord cutters,” or those who no longer have a landline. The No Jack phone features a Bluetooth receiver that can pair with up to two cell phones so that you can make and receive calls on a standard sized cordless phone. The No Jack phone will be released in April 2008 in two models, 28127FE1, which just has one handset and costs $US80, and the 28127FE2, which ships with a pair of handsets for $US100. More »
Speakerphones are usually seen in board rooms, but GE’s Premiere DECT 6.0 Phone with Home Intercom brings it to your kitchen. While speakerphones aren’t new to home phones, they aren’t usually that effective and often produce distant-sounding calls that are filled with echoes. According to GE, the larger acoustic chamber found on its Home Intercom provides a superior, cleaner sound. The phone and speakerphone also include DECT 6.0 technology, which operates on a dedicate frequency to eliminate interference from wireless networks throughout your home. More »
I got a sneak peak at GE’s upcoming phone line, including the slick Photo Phone that will be introduced at CES2008. The phone combines a traditional cordless phone with a 7-inch digital photo frame, and includes picture caller ID. The feature, which is commonly found on mobiles, allows you to assign a picture to a phone number so that you’ll not only see the caller’s number, but also their face.
While everyone else is readying their 4G network, good ole T-Mobile is still prepping its 3G network, which is expected in early 2008. Though it feels like it’s coming at a snail’s pace, the carrier has made its second baby step with release of the Nokia 6263. Like the Samsung t639 before it, the 6263 will support the 1700MHz UMTS network. The clamshell also has plenty of music features, like dedicated controls, micro SD memory expansion, stereo Bluetooth and an FM radio. According to T-Mobile, the Nokia 6263 will be up on their site and in stores today, but weirdly no word on price. [Electronista] More »
Just as we suspected, the CDMA/GSM hybrid Motorola Z6c arrived on Verizon Wireless for $180 after a $50 rebate and service contract. The slider for jet-setters was joined by a scarlet-hued LG 8350, which can be picked up for $80 after a $50 rebate and service contract. [Verizon Wireless]
Olive Media teamed up with designer Karim Rashid (the guy with the glasses who’s in those Dirt Devil commercials) to release a series of OPUS Nº5 music players with four different psychedelic graphic designs. According to Rashid, the inspiration for his designs came from music itself (we’re guessing music from the ’70s), “Omni-directional like sound, the patterns emphasise the ‘voluminous’ beats that radiate from music.” The specs on the Karim Rashid flavors of the OPUS Nº5 remain the same, and include up to a 750GB hard drive, a CD player/burner and audio streaming capabilities. If you want the digital audio player in your living room so you can get down tonight, be prepared to hand over $3450. [Olive Media] More »
With the holidays rapidly approaching, people will most likely be doing a bit of entertaining, and after a few glasses of your aunt’s famous eggnog, carrying that tray of hors d’oeuvres becomes quite a challenge. This self-balancing serving tray—whose arm is positioned in such as way to make it hard to tip—could be just the ticket to save a plate full of stuffed mushroom caps. The 15″ tray features a handle for one-handed carries, leaving that second hand free for your beverage. Another bonus: The handle lets you carry breakables closer to the ground, reducing the chance of major catastrophe. Available in green or blue, it sells for $US60. [A+R Store via DVICE] More »
For those of you who thought the iPhone was too expensive, brace yourselves for the crap that turned up at Russia’s Millionaire Fair. A gold and diamond-encrusted phone – possibly the customised Vertu shown above – costs a jaw-dropping $US1.2 million. (Cash only, please.) Does it do anything particularly exciting that other handsets can’t, like neutralise your enemies with hot lasers? No, but its SIM card will let you make an unlimited amount of local calls from anywhere in the world, courtesy of an unnamed Russian mobile phone carrier. Other insanely unnecessary products on display for the semi-legitimate businessmen and their trophy 23-year-old wives: More »
Digital photo frames can be boring, but Toshiba’s Tekbright pumps up the features with a 7″ touchscreen LCD display with 720×480 resolution. The translation of Toshiba’s French site was unhelpful: the Tekbright was oddly described as “retro”, and we still don’t know why, if it’s a touchscreen, it has an array of buttons along the bottom rim. Like many frames, this one can play MP3s and includes 64MB of flash memory plus support for assorted memory cards. The catch is that the Tekbright is in Europe but not in the US, so it will set you back 129 euros plus the cost of your plane ticket. [Akihabara News] More »
