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Gadgets

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PIP*PHONE & Base with Bluetooth

This PIP Phone allows wire-free calling with MAC, PC and mobile phones. The design is sleek, full of personality, with a simple form and feel. It's size makes it a good choice when traveling with your laptop. $185.00US

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Xtremely Bright Light

Don't mind the name left over from the 'X' branding madness, this poorly photographed emergency clip light is useful and a worthy addition to your go bag. It's 1 inch x 1 inch and costs $8.00US.

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Yubz USB Skype Phones

These aren't new but they are interesting in that they focus on what feels and works well. I doubt replicating the quality of the original analogue phones that these phones have as a source of inspiration was their original intent but they are designed to be ergonomic and user friendly. I think products like these are a statement that not all new forms are an improvement.

The Yubz talk online series works without the need for a software install, comes in 4 vivid colors (Jet black, Alpine White, Russian Red, Lemon Yellow) and works with either a PC or a MAC. The focus of the product would be software like Skype but I assume it would work with most voip software.

Link.

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Thomson VOIP phone

Thomson Symbio DECT VoIP phone combines the functions of a wireless VoIP phone and an Internet radio in one somewhat attractive device. It certainly would match last years iMac aesthetic (inspiration always follows late). I like devices like this for short conversations as I always feel somewhat odd wearing my headset all the time. There’s a small LCD screen in the body in order to view contact, VoIP network info, Internet radio information, and your RSS feeds. The ability to play HiFi ringtones would no doubt fill an already jingle filled office environment with yet more annoying sounds. Good device for those days you might be strapped to the desk. More pictures after the jump.
Link.

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LaCie Little Disk

This portable HD designed by Sam Hecht for LaCie looks really great and it's super small. They say it's the size of lighter but being a non-smoker I'll have to take their word for it. Available in 30 & 40GB sizes. It's a platter and not solid state.

Ever notice how horrid all these 'designed' external hard drives look together when you purchase them over time? I've got a whole history of case aesthetics pilling up beside me here at the home office.

LaCie Little Disk

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Portable Rotary Phone

Unfortunately it won't fit in my pocket but imagine the looks if you were using this at your favourite Café. Good fun!

This is the ever popular Portable Rotary Phone, now in Red! Phone comes fully assembled and tested. All you have to do is open the phone, insert your SIM card, and turn the unit on! The unit will utilize your phone number and account minutes. Phone dials out like normal through the rotary. Incoming calls ring the original, loud, gong style metal bells. This phone even has a dial tone! The internal cellular module works within any country that has one of the 900MHz, 1800MHz, or 1900MHz cellular bands (90% of the world). The Port-O-Rotary is truly international with up to 15-digit dialing, auto-frequency selection, '+' characters, and PIN # entry for pre-paid cards.

Link.

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Mobile power strip

One of the typical scenes I encounter when siting in an airport lounge or popular café is the search and fight over power. It's amusing and sad to see people roaming around frantic, power brick in hand, looking for that elusive free power plug. If you have multiple devices to charge or power, forget it. Unless of course you take with you what just might be a must have accessory for those traveling with multiple gadgets. The Monster Cable Outlet is small and compact, making it, unlike what you might have in your office, a viable addition to your travel bag. It might be a great space saver for you presentation go-bag too. It features 4-6 outlets, resettable circuit breaker, and cord management to eliminate dangling power cords. This might just win you some kudos if you can share your access to those valuable power plugs.

More information here.

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Cable management: Woofy

Certainly the most cleverly marketed cable management tool ever created, replete with beautiful models and launch parties, Woofy has the simple task of holding a pile of cables (inside) to keep your floor neat. It's plastic, cute, and like a real dog sits beside you all day long. Woofy makes the best of an otherwise unsightly mess.

Woofy and Woofy with Friends.

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The Ecoso Powerstick

The Ecoso Powerstick is a dramatic change from the portable power devices I have seen in the past. It's size and sleek design are probably the first thing you will notice, followed by the equally cool integrated LCD readout on the side. Very useful.

The Powerstick is easy to use - Plug it into a USB port to charge. With the appropriate connector, plug the Powerstick into your device’s charger port, press the start button, and your device has instant power. You can even use the device while it charges. The Powerstick comes with nine free connectors for various possible mobile devices.

The simplicity and portability of the Powerstick make this a great addition to your gear bag. It's $69.95.

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iPod Touch apps

Forgetting for a moment that I really have no pressing need for an iPod touch I feel that I finally have a replacement for the Palm Pilot that has been collecting dust since shortly after the day I bought it. Syncing with my Mac was hardly possible and was a hack at best. With the addition of the mail, notes, weather, and map apps. this magical little device has just been put on my shopping list - albeit as an expensive toy not a tool. An absolute gem of a device for traveling. I won't mind paying the extra $20 at all.

Previously.

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iriver spin

The iriver spin looks promising - attractive. They seem to be marketing the use of mechanical (aka analogue) controls as "warm". Good spin. Unfortunately the "cold" finish of the form doesn't support the hype.

The iriver spin does all you would expect from a media player (photos, music, 30 fps video) plus adds recording capability, FM tuner, and a Dictionary. The Spinn will come in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB versions and features a 3.2-inch TFT-LCD Screen.

Press release

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Wi-Fire

The Wi-Fire is a compact, range-extending USB device that enables you to access a wireless Internet connection from up to 1,000 feet away--three times the range of your internal wireless adapter. Works with Mac or WinPC.

hField Wi-Fire

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MOTOPURE H12 Universal Bluetooth Headset

Love the 'old radio' design inspiration.

Motorola's first headset to use CrystalTalk™ 2-microphone technology to cancel outside noise. Breakthrough speaker design with multiple ear cushion options for a personal fit and seal.

MOTOPURE H12 Universal Bluetooth Headset - Motorola

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LaCie 1TB Hard Disk by Neil Poulton

Beautiful sleek enclosure which if it's a concern will likely not match any other device in your office. It would take some effort to fill a 1TB drive.

The user-friendly LaCie Hard Drive, Design by Neil Poulton adds sophisticated style to your desktop yet its presence is quiet and unobtrusive. It has a unique distinguishing feature - a cool, blue LED strip on its underside that creates an ambient glow. Its subtle, all-black design blends perfectly into dark home entertainment setups and workstations. Very small for its vast capacity, this lightweight, compact drive has a fashionable, mirror-polished finish. The smartly engineered design allows for heat dissipation and near-silent, fanless operation.

LaCie - Hard Disk, Design by Neil Poulton

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