Archive for July, 2008
Have a NetFlix subscription and an Xbox 360? Well you’re in luck. An update scheduled for this Fall is slated to include the ability for NetFlix subscribers to easily play any of the Watch It Now movies or tv shows that NetFlix has made available on their website directly through your Xbox 360.
While this may not seem huge to those of you without one or either, the ability to watch movies instantly without having to wait for them in the mail or plug your laptop/desktop directly into your TV (which rarely ever works right and can take up plenty of time) adds even more value to the already cheap price of NetFlix and the relatively reasonable price of an Xbox Live Gold subscription.
GPS devices are great, but one of the biggest issues that people seem to run into is where to place them. You want maximum visibility of the road and of the GPS unit so that you can avoid that person on their bike yet still make that sharp right hand turn. So where’s the best place to put it?
Apparently, in your mirror.
The DS400GB SmartMirror is a really neat addition to any car. Loaded with Navigon Mobile Navigator 6.5, a 4 inch touch screen, integrated speakers, bluetooth, and an SD card reader, you’ll be good to go. If you’re car has rear-view cameras, it also has two inputs for those as well.
The DS400GB SmartMirror launches August 1st for $799.
You’re no noob. So when you’re new processor and cooling unit comes packed with some generic thermal paste, you’re smart enough to toss that gunk and grab something a bit more powerful. While each person has their own personal favorite, Noctua’s NT-H1 pro-grade TIM solution is definitely one to consider regardless of whether you’re going for extended component life or to push your system to the limit.
Having a hybrid composition made up of different micro-particles allows for the NT-H1 to be perfectly optimized for use inside a PC. The compound has a much lower thermal resistance than most, allowing for it to work at temperatures other thermal paste aren’t even remotely effective at.
With the debate ever raging on as to how to apply thermal paste, it’s nice to see that NT-H1 stands firmly behind the dot method. Instead of wasting NT-H1 by spreading it manually across the surface, their instructions recommend that you put one drop onto the center of your CPU prior to installing your cooling unit and simply let the pressure spread it out for you. This works very well in general with most thermal paste, but I found the NT-H1 much more responsive to this method then prior compounds used.
NZXT hands down makes some of the best gaming cases hands down. So when they sent us the Tempest, considered to be one of the best cases out their for high performance gamers and modders, we sat and stared at it for awhile until we determined that it was in fact okay to touch it.
At first glance, you may think to yourself, “Sharp case, but what’s the big deal?”. Besides the fact that calling it “sharp” is an understatement, this case is packed with features that easily crown it the King of Airflow as their description so aptly puts it. The NZXT Tempest didn’t get that name without fighting for it either, as the case itself comes with 6 fans: dual 120mm intake fans, dual 140mm exhaust fans, and two additional side and rear 120mm fans. Surprisingly, they run more quietly then my air condition.
What’s really great about this specific case is it’s E-ATX support. If you haven’t looked at any of the new video cards hitting the shelves, get ready to either buy a new case or move everything out of the way. Luckily, if you have an E-ATX case like the NZXT Tempest, you’ll be all set room wise, regardless of whether you have a newer or older video card. The Tempest has several pre-drilled holes inside of it as well, allowing neat freaks like myself to lay much of the cabling behind the motherboard tray. Now, not only does the inside of my system look sweet when you see it through the side panel cut out, but the airflow is actually increased. If you’re bored, try setting it up with the cables normally and monitor the temperature, then set them up the way the Tempest is meant to be and see the difference.
As technology continues to advance, we’ve seen the prices drop on many different devices and components along with the size and speed of these devices increase as well. The desire for portability has increased greatly, leaving the gap between what was once just for desktop computing and not for laptops, little more than the restrictions of developing a suitable external video card. So when the average gamer finds themselves wondering how best to share his or her 1TB worth of games, movies, and music (all attained legally of course) with friends or even another computer, the previous options where limited to network sharing or transferring through an external hard drive.
Taking the concept of an external hard drive but keeping the versatility of putting that drive back into your computer has been something we geeks have sought after for quite some time. Luckily, the Thermaltake BlacX has the entire situation covered.
Have you ever gone to the beach on a hot sunny afternoon with a cooler full of hotdogs and hamburgers to toss on the grill only to find that everyone else has the same idea and of course beat you to all the grills? Well that wont happen again with this cool grill you can just fold and go.
It folds up to about the size of an older laptop so it will fit almost anywhere. With this foldable grill you will always have a space to cook your dinner. Just make sure that you leave plenty of time for this cool new summer time gadget to cool off, no need to burn your hands over a hot dog.
The retro style is huge in the design world but so are flat screen TV’s so how can you mesh the two together to get the style you want with the modern amenity you desire? This cool new retro flat screen is just the way to keep the style of your home in sync with that great television you have always wanted.
This TV comes with a 42in plasma screen TV house in a retro style set that is sure to leave your friends in awe and possibly fool anyone who comes to rob you. After all who would want an old outdated TV or at least one that looks like it is out dated?
If you are planning on taking your bird on a trip whether it be for the day or for several days then this portable bird cage is just what you will need. This backpack like bird cage will allow you to take your bird anywhere you are going. It comes with places to hang toys for your feathered friend along with a convenient bottom tray that comes out for easy cleaning.
But one thing to be careful of is to make sure that the bird you want to take with you will fit in this bird backpack/cage as it is only big enough for about a medium size bird. Sorry big birds this one just isn’t for you.
Do you have a gadget you are especially proud of? Maybe on that you might want to show off? If so this new gadget is for you! The Solar Powered Revolving Display Table Stand for Gadgets is just what is sounds like. This is a solar powered display that will allow you to display the gadget you are most proud of right on the nearest flat surface. But make sure there is light because unlit several other cool gadgets this one runs strictly on the power of the sun. This cool gadget display spins around slowly to allow you and your guest to admire your favorite gadget from all angles. If you’ve got a gadget to show off this is the gadget you need to do so!
Who doesn’t love the joy of popping bubble wrap? Everyone loves the joy of popping bubble wrap. The joy you get when the postman brings a package that you know is wrapped in bubble wrap is almost like Christmas! You are more excited over the bubble wrap than the item in the package! Although there are no support groups for people like us there is a brand new gadget out made by Bandai that will help us deal with our bubble wrapping addiction.
The Mugen Puti Puti Infinite Bubble Wrap Toy is the bubble wrap you can pop over and over again. If that isn’t great enough every 100 bubbles you pop will give you a different response. You might here a dog barking one time, the door bell ringing another and who knows what else. If you love bubble wrap then this is the one for you!