The Tech Crusaders

Welcome Back !!!

You might have heard of Chris Ball. He’s a free software developer who lives in Boston, MA, USA and works as Lead Software Engineer for One Laptop Per Child. He’s come up with this wacky idea of innovating a shirt that shows how many unread email you have. As Chris has mentioned in his blogpost, he got this idea after a while of brainstorming as to do what from the give away electronics (LilyPad Arduino, LEDs, etc.) he got from SparkFun Electronics for $100. His wife Madeleine has helped him up with the design: vertical binary LED layout, the custom T-shirt printing (from cafepress), and all the placement and sewing of items onto the shirt. Check out the video where he’s showing the shirt counting the e-mails that Madeleine is sending. It’s really a cool innovation I must say. Keep up the crazy work Chris.

written by rajit197 \\ tags: Cool Gadget, E-mail Counting Shirt

Just watched the video of Apple’s new I-tech product - the iRack and it was hilarious. Must say it’s worth checking out. You never know you might see it anytime sooner in the Apple stores near you. Lol
Actually, it’s a political satire about how America is Americanizing Iraq (iRack) and forcing it to be it’s ally of some sort or what not and how it’s wasted money and resources on it. Next product iRan (Iran) haha :p … Great video. Do check it out !!!

written by rajit \\ tags: Apple, iRack

At the same time as the FitPC may not be considered as the smallest PC in the world, the computer is simply impressive. The dimensions are 100mm x 110 mm and the depth is 30mm. It happens to be even smaller than the 3.5 inch HDD and the weight of the device is only 380 grams. However, the most amazing part of the PC is the power consumption aspect which makes use of just 4 to 6W from a standard power supply of 12 V. Amazingly, the PC is made up of the eco-friendly materials right from the all-aluminum chassis to the lead-free motherboard. On the whole, the PC could be considered as a part of the green gadgets existent today.

The processor included is AMD Geode LX800 and it runs at 500 MHz and brings along the TDP of 3.6W. The display controller incorporated here can support up to 1920 x 1440 resolutions and there is a RAM of 512 MB of the type DDR 333 MHz that is attached to the motherboard. There is a 2.5 inch hard disk drive that contains the storage capacity of 60GB and is pre-loaded with either Windows XP Home Edition or the Linux operating system. You can choose the one that complements your needs. Even though the fitPC is not the fastest computer in the market, it could be optimum for the Windows XP performance.

Despite being small in size, the designers were able to include quite a few ports in the system and hence it comes along with three USB 2.0 ports, a mini serial port, 100Mbps Ethernet port, VGA port and some audio ports as well. There is an integrated WiFi option available in the PC and therefore it proves to be a better choice for the use of the wireless routers these days. The older version of the fitPC Slim contains two Ethernet ports.

The latest fitPC Slim is available in a combination of several configurations and starts at the price of $220; however the basic configuration is devoid of the WiFi and does not include the HDD. It functions only on the 256MB of RAM. You can certainly add the additional peripherals such as the 60GB HDD for $50 and a different operating system for $40.

For more information on other eco-friendly computer gadgets, you can browse through EnviroGadget.com.

written by rajit \\ tags: Eco Friendly GAdget, Fit PC, FitPC, Green Gadgets, PC

Couple of weeks ago, I was asking my readers if today’s GPS Tracking technology was good or bad? I still am trying to analyze every possible option to get a perfect answer to my question because GPS Tracking technology as I’ve even mentioned in my previous post have both beneficial and harmful effects.

One way it’s good since you can keep tracks of things and people that are important to you. Your kids, vehicles, office employees will never get lost anywhere. You can even check if your spouse is cheating on you. And in law enforcement also, it can play a key role to maintain law and order.

But the worst effects of this technology can me real devastating. Relationship can be hampered. I mean how’d you feel if you were being tracked 24-7? Everybody needs privacy. Also criminal’s can use this very same technology to carry out their criminal activities with effectiveness. So, you see I’m stuck again between the good and the bad effects of GPS Tracking technology. Many things would have been difficult in the absence of this technology but under those many thing also come many illegal and criminal activities. In general if you see, the technology isn’t bad in itself but it’s attached to many controversies and cannot be ignored too.

I don’t want to be much analytical or controversial either but I’m real confused. Would it have been better if you can sell the tracking devices to authorized people only, I mean after getting to know all the things about where and how this will be used? I know it’s a stupid thing to say. Nowadays tracking devices are found everywhere for a mere cost.

written by rajit \\ tags: GPS Systems, GPS Tracking Technology, Tracking Devices, Tracking Technology

Technology has taken a great leap. Many things that people used to just imagine have now become the faces of reality. A small device in your pocket and you’ll never ever get lost anywhere in the world.

Available easily in stores (even online) and for cheap, tracking systems have become a common way keep track of things and also for security reasons. But the question is - are they really good? I know it’s a stupid question …. sure it’s useful but only if used in a right way. You can fit a GPS Tracking device on your child and be assured s/he will never get lost. Business organizations can use the tracking devices to keep track of their employees and goods, providing a form of security. Also, it can be a way to keep an eye on one’s spouse’s activity. Well, there are just few of the benefits of the tracking technology. But we know that everything has both good and bad aspect as well. Same is with the tracking systems and the consequences can be devastating. With the help of the same small tracking device fitted onto a big-shot personality like a politician or a navy man or a businessman, and all their activities can be monitored – where they are heading, what they are doing, etc. and they can be easy targets of terrorists.

Now, I’m asking you the same question again? Do you still think tracking technology is good?

written by rajit \\ tags: Tracking Device, Tracking System, Tracking Technology

Binotone has its own place in manufacturing GPS system market. Binatone C350BT Sat Nav system is an economic model with all necessary features and functions. This model has all primary functions to find navigation path while travelling. GPS system provides all navigaton solutions which helps to identify the unknown places easily and quickly. It is available in considerable prices when we compare the competitors. The GPS is provided with all functionalities.

Binatone model gives quality GPS system which is very easy to find the route of the places. It has 3.5 inch antiglare touch screen. Blue tooth technology and a kit to make phone calls or receive calls while driving. When the mobile phone is connected with Binatone C350 satellite navigation the blue tooth functionality will turns the Navigation system to virtual dialling machine for sending and receiving calls by selecting single option.

Binatone C350BT model is loaded with UK and Ireland maps. We can extend the memory by SD card. We can load more map details. Binatone can give position awareness by SIRT Atlas III for getting strong signals. Signals will give information about the location and position awareness. We can store our personal data. With the help of track logs we can get digital mapping. Track logs can be exported with the help Navigator 7.0 software. Binatone modelled phone has touch screen facility. By selecting an option it will perform the required functionalities. The touch screen information is loaded with safety camera information. Significant information can be stored in this navigation system.

You can also read expert reviews on Kenwood Sat Nav Systems, TomTom, Garmin, Snooper, Shinco, Pioneer and Road Angel Sat Nav Systems at satellite navigation reviews site.

written by rajit \\ tags: Binatone C350BT, Navigation System, Satellite Navigation System

I see a lot of big names in the tech blog world (like Slashdot, Engadget, Gizmodo, etc.) who have all the latest updates and happenings around the tech world. A minute ago there was some small thing that happened in some place and boom…these tech blogs have the latest updates on that. But it’s also the truth that in a day’s time today’s news gets old and lost somewhere in their archive pages because they cover all the updates.

Well, what I’m trying to say or moreover actually trying to focus your attention is on a new gadget site which does the same kind of stuffs (means publishing tech related articles) with a tiny-winy little bit of different purpose. Gadgetadvisor.com doesn’t list all the news and happenings around the tech world daily but focus on the product releases and news items that are the most significant, useful, or particularly cool. The benefit with this is that all you techno geeks don’t have to go through all the archive pages to find nothing but some minor news. Getting what I mean?

Basically, it saves your precious time and without any trouble you get the best of the best articles on computer hardware, software, gadgets, and other tech related news. Now isn’t it cool?

Some of the articles which were featured previously and I liked most were on universal remote control, network media player and online backup services. I have provided the link to the articles for your convenience. Anyways, I hope you like this site. It’s new to many but it sure isn’t going to be new for long.

written by rajit \\ tags: gadget, Gadget Advisor, technology

The gaming world is becoming tougher and tougher day by day for the manufacturers. The games that were popular in the past are no longer popular these days. The tastes of people have changed.The competition between the gaming consoles is also getting fierce nowadays. Sony’s PlayStation and Microsoft’s Xbox were leading the market but Nintendo Wii sure is giving them a big headache. Due to its distinguished and revolutionary feature of wireless controllers, Wii was an instant hit and as far as the competition is going on with other seventh-generation consoles like Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3, Wii has outsold them both.

Even among the games, those for Wii consoles (Wii games) have become very popular these days. Wii Fit which is an exercise game consisting of activities utilizing the Wii Balance Board peripheral is probably the year’s most popular game. I have a PS2 which is working just fine for me but I sure would like to get my hands on a Wii console.

Anyways if anyone is thinking for getting a Wii Console or its accessories please do check out Savebuckets.co.uk and do a thorough price comparison before you buy anything. Doing so you might save some bucks and time.

written by rajit \\ tags: Gaming, Nintendo, Wii, Wii Consoles, Wii Fit, Wii Games

Scanners have become a very important device in offices and at homes too. This marvel in technology comes with many features which facilitate use in different areas of an office or home. There are document scanners, photo scanners, bar code scanners and Xerox scanners in different ranges with regard to features available and price. In this competitive age, companies are continuing to come out with very good models of scanners.

Photo Scanners can do high optical resolution up to 4800 horizontally and 9600 vertically. It can have features like high speed USB, 48-bit colour compatibility, utility of power up to 230 volts and of flat-bed design. Since the design is flat-bed, it can be placed anywhere for convenience. It will be compatible with quite a few operating systems. 220 x 300mm sized media can be used in these scanners. Supportive media would be paper, slides, films and books. Some companies have scanners which feed media automatically without any manual assistance. It is capable of scanning 25 to 30 pages per minute depending on colour or black and white. Automatic duplexing can be incorporated.

Document Scanners offer diverse scanning options for black and white and colour scanning. When duplexing, it can do 80 images per minute. They come in different dimensions and weight. Optical resolution is 300 dpi x 300 dpi (dots per inch). Supported media size is 257 x 364 mm. This facilitates printing of different sized envelopes, papers and post cards. Desktop document scanners have a storage capacity of 100 sheets with the maximum document size going up to 257 mm x 364 mm along with the feature of automatic duplexing. It will have auto load media feeder with resolutions of 8-Bit or 256 grey levels and 24-Bit or 16.7 million colours. This assures perfection in all its imaging and printing techniques. This is economically priced and good for offices and homes. There are high speed document scanners which are PC compatible with a maximum resolution up to 600dpi, have USB 2.0, SCSI, A3 media and auto load feeder. Its scanning speed is up to 60 to 110 ppm, does duplex colour scanning, and has image enhancement technology, RTIV (“Reliable Throughput Imaging Viewer”), per day duty cycle up to 10,000 pages, ultra sonic double-feed detection, just to name few other features.

Barcode Scanners scan bar codes printed on different types of products. Hard-to-read bar lines can be scanned in just a few seconds. It can be hands-free or handheld. Hands-free scanning is good for reading bar codes on small items. Handheld scanners are the best for reading bar codes on larger items.
Xerox Scanners give perfect printed material in minutes. The flat-bed design supports plain paper media. It is available in 48-bit colour maximum colour depth, which supports A3 (297 x 420 mm) media size. Digital image correction in binary and colour distinction is beyond comparison. Its maximum H-optical resolution is 600 dpi and maximum V-optical resolution is the same. Because of the identical optical resolution, the images printed are clear. Interface type USB 2.0 helps receiving data clearly.
Scanners have helped save time and energy at office and at home. Those days of sitting at the typewriter with carbon paper for making copies are long forgotten!
Checkout reviews on Barcode scanners, Flatbed scanners and Business Card scanners at scanner reviews website.

written by rajit \\ tags: Barcode Scanners, Document Scanners, Photo Scanners, Scanner, Xerox Scanners

Now a days, radar detectors are becoming very popular among motorists. A radar detector is basically an electronic device used to detect if any one is monitoring the speed of the vehicle. There are a whole range of models to choose from and so you will be able to decide on the right model after knowing the features that impress you.

Features to look

• Coverage: It would be good to have laser radar detectors with radar as well as laser coverage.
• Display: The display should be bright and clear. Some devices do have the option of switching off its display.
• Frequencies: It would be good if it supports a wide range of frequencies.
• Audio Alert: If the police radar is waiting to detect driving speed, this device will give high quality audio alert. If necessary the audio can be placed in mute manually or automatically.
• Instant On: The moment the vehicle is switched on, it search and detect police radars.
• Settings: It will be good if it has city, city all and motorway modes.
• Memory: Whatever the settings made, the device should have a memory to store it.
• Technology: It should be such that there should be least possibility of detecting the radar installed in the motor vehicle. Some radar detectors have shadow technology which is designed in such a way that it cannot be detected.
• Temperature: What temperature range does it have should be considered.
• Power: For the radar detector to be effective to pick up police radars, a range of 10.5 to 16 volts would be ideal.
• Dimensions: Like any other device, dimensions of the radar detector should be matched up with the space of the vehicle. Light weight and compact devices are available.
• Accessories: Different companies provide a wide range of accessories like visor, windscreen mountings, power cable, carrying pouch, fuse, hook loop fastener, etc.

Many more features are incorporated in these devices like an alert when the battery needs to be changed, digital signal processing which eliminates chances of false alarms, detection ranges from 200 metres to 1000 metres. Thus, excellent detectors from very good companies are available for you to choose from for your vehicle.

Checkout reviews on Cheetah, Escort, Cobra and Beltronics Radar Detectors at radar detectors reviews site.

written by rajit \\ tags: Laser Radar Detector, Radar, Radar Detector