Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

USB Typewriter Computer Keyboard – Put some Old School in your High Tech
Flexcope Roadtrip Mount – Makes your iPhone a Roadtrip Camera
Norton 360 Everywhere Review
Sony announces NSZ-GS7 Internet Player with Google TV
100MHz Logic Analyzer for iPad
Progress Tracking Scale

USB Typewriter Computer Keyboard – Put some Old School in your High Tech

Posted: 25 Jun 2012 08:42 AM PDT

I’ll lie if you ask me in person, but on paper I’m not afraid to admit that I grew up before computers, took typing lessons in high school and always envisioned myself writing the great American novel on an old typewriter in a cherry paneled study. I still have that old typewriter, now it seems, I just have to write the darn book.

Check out the USB Typewriter Computer Keyboard, a genuine antique typewriter that has been modified to work as a real USB keyboard for your PC, Mac or even your iPad. Already have that gorgeous old typewriter? That’s no problem, with the do-it-yourself typewriter conversion kit, you can easily bring that baby right back into 21st century functionality.

The modification is quite simple, and leaves the typewriter looking, feeling, and working just like a regular typewriter. You will be able to use the USB Typewriter Keyboard as your regular keyboard, or you can actually turn off your high tech monitor and type on decidedly low tech paper, all while simultaneously saving your work to disk. How cool is that? If an iPad is more your style, the Typewriter also functions as the most awesome keyboard dock your iPad has ever seen.

There’s no special software required and it seems to work with almost all desktops, laptops, iPads and tablets, but please check with the manufacturer just to make sure. The USB Typewriter Computer Keyboard sells for 699 bucks, and the conversion kit to renovate your old clickity-clack is only $74 and available at etsy.com.

[ USB Typewriter Computer Keyboard – Put some Old School in your High Tech copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Flexcope Roadtrip Mount – Makes your iPhone a Roadtrip Camera

Posted: 25 Jun 2012 08:38 AM PDT

I take movies and pictures of everything. I love the idea of preserving memories of our family vacations and events. I always enjoy watching them myself, but my hope is they will bring back wonderful memories for my daughter someday. I never thought to record the actual journey. I can think of a few that would have been really nice to have on tape.

Well, Flexcope has developed a camera mount that’s compatible with many recording devices like the Flip HD, Kodak Sport, Galaxy or Droid and even the iPhone that turns your device into a roadtrip video recorder, one that will stick to virtually any smooth, non porous surface and provide a unique hands free documentation of all your travels.

The Flexcope mount comes with a heavy duty suction cup and two flexible adjusting knobs, which will allow you to achieve almost any angle you might require for mounting your portable electronic device, this multipurpose universal mount secures your portable electronic, while you are on-the-go, and while it was developed for windshields, it has also been used on motorcycles and other vehicles where you would like to document a special ride.

So eliminate the need to hold or adjust your video camera and get ready to capture every twist and turn on your favorite scenic route, and when you no longer need to record something, simply replace the camera with your GPS device or music player. At only 20 bucks this mount is a must-have for photography enthusiasts who are ready to take to the open road. Get yours at amazon.com Please check the website for device compatibility.

[ Flexcope Roadtrip Mount – Makes your iPhone a Roadtrip Camera copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Norton 360 Everywhere Review

Posted: 25 Jun 2012 06:30 AM PDT

For those of you who use computers, be they desktops or notebooks, you know of this scourge that is called the virus – there are millions of them running around out there in the digital world, and when Internet use exploded worldwide, it was without a doubt the end of the days where the primary mode of infection among computers were through floppy disks. Plenty of sites that offered free software, movie downloads and other freebies were also a front for the website to host malicious code to install trojans and viruses on unsuspecting visitors with the wrong click.

Antivirus software too, will need to play the catch up game, and over the years, I must say that free antivirus software gets the job done if you do nothing but surf the usual sites (Google, news, sports, etc) and check email. If you are one who ventures to other reaches of cyberspace, then it would be prudent to settle for a paid version of an antivirus program. Having said that, Norton is a name that I have trusted for a long time already, and with the latest Norton 360 Everywhere, I must say that I am not disappointed. Sure, I have my fair share of brickbats concerning Norton 360 Everywhere, but we shall look at that in closer detail after the jump.

First of all, Norton 360 Everywhere takes on a new form, where it is a multi-device security software which offers protection for up to five of your Macs, Pcs and Android-based smartphones and tablets using a single license key and account. This is definitely a good deal, considering the Internet connectivity found on most modern devices these days, as well as the number of gadgets that we carry with us as well.

Installation was a snap – the download took just a couple of minutes on a 5Mbps line, and all it took was keying in the activation code after installation to get Norton 360 Everywhere up and running smoothly.

For folks who leave your computer idle for long periods of time, Norton 360 Everywhere is smart enough to know when that happens, kicking off a computer tuneup process when that happens. Definitely not new, but at least this shows that a good idea remains even after a long time (just like the wheel). Apart from that, the virus definition updates are done automatically as well, and it can be safe to say that Norton 360 Everywhere is pretty much self automated, that you do not need to babysit the software. Instead, the reverse happens, and the software will make sure all potential security holes are plugged according to what it can do, but of course, this does not mean you now have a free rein in surfing potentially harmful sites and simply downloading software from restricted sites.

The interface is clean and easy to understand, so even the beginner or seasoned computer user would not find any issue in fiddling with the settings. Basically, Norton 360 Everywhere works on an "install and forget" principle – at least according to my experience so far.

I do have one gripe though – my machine is now 3 years old, and I use it for 8 hours on average each day (save for the weekends, of course), with Google Chrome as my primary browser. I tend to have around 25 tabs opened at any one time, in addition to a graphics editing program, an image optimization program, Windows Explorer and Notepad open – with Skype running in the background. After working on my machine for 5 or 6 hours, there is a slowdown when it comes to switching between tabs, as well as windows. This lag is rather noticeable, and I am wondering whether this is due to the software itself, or that my notebook is urging me to ditch it for a newer model, perhaps one with the latest Intel processor and definitely double the 2GB RAM that it wheezes on at the moment.

All in all, Norton 360 Everywhere gets a thumbs up from me if you want a hassle free antivirus solution that protects your desktop as well as mobile devices.

[ Norton 360 Everywhere Review copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Sony announces NSZ-GS7 Internet Player with Google TV

Posted: 25 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT

Sony has just announced the realization of a dream, so to speak, which is to bring Google TV to the masses, packaging it in a piece of hardware that will definitely stop you in your tracks when you take a closer look at it. Basically, this is Google TV presented in the form of the Sony NSZ-GS7, which was first introduced in Las Vegas at CES 2012 earlier this January, but we are pleased to know that Sony’s team has finally made it possible for the common man to place a pre-order for this device from June 25th onwards – that would be today. It will hit retailers around in the US when July 22nd rolls around the calendar, citing a $199 price point.

Phil Molyneux, president and chief operating officer of Sony Electronics, said, “Expanding the reach and interoperability of the powerful Android platform with Sony’s smartphones, tablets and renowned Audio & Video products, we are proud to continue our relationship with Google through the introduction of the new Google TV set-top-box. Entertainment content is available through so many channels and sites, and Google TV helps consumers easily find what they want to watch, listen to or play using familiar search engine technology, enhancing the viewer experience. TV will never be the same.”

The Sony NSZ-GS7 Internet Player will not be Sony’s only new announcement, as the Japanese company has also their latest Internet Blu-ray Disc player in tow with Google TV, calling it the NSZ-GP9 if model numbers are your cup of tea. It will hit retailers’ store shelves in time for the holiday season, citing a $299 price point to boot. The Sony NSZ-GP9 player is said to boast of Sony’s proven Blu-ray Disc technology, where it will also work in tandem with the robust Google TV platform.

So what kind of clout will the Sony NSZ-GS7 Internet Player with Google TV carry when it is introduced? For one, Sony will bear the hallmark of being the first manufacturer to launch Google TV products outside of the US, kicking off with the UK in July, with Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Brazil, and Mexico to follow afterwards. As for the Sony NSZ-GP9 Blu-ray Disc player with Google TV, it will of course arrive Stateside first, followed by Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Netherlands.

Press Release

[ Sony announces NSZ-GS7 Internet Player with Google TV copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

100MHz Logic Analyzer for iPad

Posted: 25 Jun 2012 05:00 AM PDT

So you are sick and tired of using your iPad for nothing other than playing games and as a portable media player that won’t die on you across a long haul flight. What else do you think your iPad is able to do? Well, with the right app and in the correct setting, plenty, and for those who want to take the road less traveled, here is the $389.99 100MHz Logic Analyzer for iPad. Yes sir, this might sound like Greek to some of us, but allow me to explain.

Basically, this is a logic analyzer with the real time data analysis capabilities of an oscilloscope. Most of the time, tradition dictates that a logic analyzer will record a buffer that then needs to be downloaded and searched. With the 100MHz Logic Analyzer for iPad, things have definitely changed, and I am proud to say, for the better. This device boasts of advanced triggering, decoded data which can be viewed live, doing away with the need for capturing, pausing, and viewing. You no longer need to settle for plain pictures as it is now possible to analyze data – live data, no less. Curious enough to give it a go?

[ 100MHz Logic Analyzer for iPad copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Progress Tracking Scale

Posted: 25 Jun 2012 12:32 AM PDT

When it comes to the physical battle against the bulge, charting one’s progress is an extremely important move to make if you are to be as efficient as possible. However, some of us are absolutely hopeless in keeping records, such as keeping track of receipts and what not. With the $49.95 Progress Tracking Scale, perhaps you no longer have the excuse of not keeping track of your weight, as this particular device is able to do the dirty job on your behalf. Not only that, it is also capable of doing so for up to four people, now how about that?

The scale has its own internal memory that will be able to store your original weight, and it will automatically display the weight lost or gained and percentage of total weight lost or gained since the first weigh in, as well as the last time you actually stepped foot on the scale itself. All results are shown on a 3.75″ backlit LCD display, showing readings in pounds or kilograms. Time to learn how to chart a graph now, no?

[ Progress Tracking Scale copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]