Steelcase's Walkstation marries desk and treadmill

Anyone who reads the fine site Book of Joe knows that the man behind the blogging empire is religiously devoted to working out while writing, and prides himself on having integrated a treadmill into his workspace. Well manufacturer Steelcase thinks that this trend has grown beyond one individual multitasking in his underwear, and is poised to introduce a nicely-designed product called the Walkstation which seems more at home in a CEO's office than your messy living room. Not many details are available on this converged piece of furniture co-designed by the Mayo Clinic's Dr. James Levine (who's been working in this specialized field for at least two years, apparently), but supposedly there's an all day demo going down on October 25th at 4 Columbus Circle if you happen to be in the New York area. And if you do go, try to show up in a cab just to be ironic.

Update: We've learned -- unsurprisingly, from the Joe mentioned above -- that this rig will retail for a cool $6,500, thereby making it the Rolls Royce of integrated workstations. Thanks, Joe, and keep, um, running for the stars!

Pyxis shows off GPS-equipped sport watch

GPS watches are hardly the rare sight they once were, but Pyxis looks to be making up for its lack of newness with versatility, with its latest watch promising to aid you in a wide array of sporting activities. Among the options offered in that respect are stored databases of walking and hiking courses, and stored information on an unspecified number of golf courses, which'll let you see your distance to the green or the hole, and give you a heads up about bunkers and water hazards. As with similar watches, you'll also be able to keep track of your speed, distance, and calories burned as you run, walk, or bike, and it'll apparently even double as a car GPS in a pinch -- not to mention a weight-training device, judging from the size.

Panasonic intros 5.1-channel RP-WF5500 wireless headphones

For those out there who still believe that 5.1-channels of audio can be wrapped around your two ears in a single set of cans, say hello to Panasonic's RP-WF5500. These 'phones feature 40-millimeter drivers, around six hours of playback on a full charge, a range of about 30-meters and weigh in at 0.56-pounds. Additionally, you'll find a pair of optical digital audio inputs, a single analog audio input, one optical audio output and a bass boost function for crankin' up the low-lows. No sign of a price just yet, but word on the street has 'em going on sale in Japan late next month.

Taguchi's Supper speakers: don't call it dishware

We've certainly seen speakers that look (almost) good enough to eat, but how's about a set good enough to serve from? Enter Taguchi Craft's Supper, the dishware set that actually cranks out tunes and looks right at home on a dinner table simultaneously. Apparently, the cups / bottles have the actual drivers in them, while the serving dish acts as the base station. Regrettably, there's no sign of an expected price, but the outfit is hoping to be sending these out to wedding showers everywhere this winter. Check out another picture after the jump.

Nokia's N95 8GB released with a Spider-Man 3 surprise

Nokia's N95 8GB super-chunk is out for global(ish) distribution today. N95 fans can now take home the larger storage and slightly bigger 2.8-inch (240 x 320) display in addition to the HSDPA, WiFi, A-GPS, and 5 megapixel camera already found in Nokia's existing flagship "multimedia computer." To celebrate the launch, Nokia is pre-loading Spider-Man 3 for Europe and select Middle Eastern and Africa countries. The tie-in? Wait for it... "The Movie sees Spider-Man's suit turn jet-black and enhance his powers and, in its latest incarnation, the Nokia N95 has undergone a similar transformation to emerge as the Nokia N95 8GB." Riiight. Hitting retail today for €560 (about $794) pre-tax and pre-carrier subsidy.

Sony doles out more details on PlayStation Eye

With just under a fortnight to go before folks go a-grabbin' for Sony's PlayStation Eye, a Senior Producer for SCEA has come forward with a few more lingering details about the peripheral. For starters, Sony apparently has plans to integrate the device into other upcoming titles such as SingStar, which will enable users to "make their own personalized music videos to share with family and friends online." Additionally, the EyeCreate software -- which will allow individuals to "save, edit and share PlayStation Eye videos, photos and audio clips" through their PS3 -- will be available as a free download on the PlayStation Store. Finally, those not interested in the bundled Eye of Judgment game can opt for a standalone unit on October 23rd, which is set to ring up at $39.99.

Belkin intros n52te SpeedPad gaming keyboard

Belkin certainly took its time producing a successor to its Nostromo n52 gaming keyboard, but it looks like the company has now finally gotten its ergonomic act together, with it today showing off its new and slightly improved n52te SpeedPad for all to see. Designed to be equally adept at FPS, MMORPG, and RTS games, the SpeedPad boasts 15 fully programmable keys that are "built for speed," along with a programmable 8-way thumb pad and a removable joystick. Also new this time around is some nifty blue backlighting on the keypad and scroll wheel, as well as some software courtesy of the gaming-minded folks at Razer. Look for it to set you back $70 when it launches in November, although 50 gamers will get a chance to take home one for free as part of Belkin's "Proud to PWN" contest, which requires gamers to submit a video of themselves that "showcases their dominance in multiplayer, online PC games."

Euri's multimedia ring box -- for nerds who want wives

We'd highly recommend spending a bit more time (and money) on the actual ring rather than the box it comes in, but for those looking to wow your tech-savvy fiancée even more when popping the question, take a look at Euri's multimedia ring box. This ring holder sports a two-inch LCD internally, along with a clock, calender and alarm, and is available in a number of hues. There's even an unspecified amount of internal storage included, and you can upload your favorite pre-engagement photos via USB and have them displayed on the big day. Granted, this snazzy box is $198.95, but you only get one shot (well, usually) to get a "yes."

Nike's Amp+ watch: hearts your heart and iPod, too

Quietly -- too quietly perhaps since Apple hasn't update their site yet -- Nike's $79.00 Amp+ Sport Remote Control just made its first appearance on Nike's online store. That "+" indicates that this device integrates with Apple's wee iPod nano receiver for Nike+ shoes allowing you to wirelessly track and monitor your runs and personal progress. Yes, it's a watch too; an LED display shows the time of day with those biggie, iPod icons appearing only when activated by the remote. It's also water resistant for you Mr. Sweaty McFaty, up to 50-meters in fact just in case your glands react unfavorably to your new Twinkie-free lifestyle. With the Amp+ now shipping, it's reasonable to expect the other unannounced devices we peeped back in January to go to market as well, donchathink?

Sony's Cyber-shot T200 gets its first review

You may remember Sony's new Cyber-shot T200 from way back at IFA, where we had the great and terrible pleasure of getting our grubby mitts all over it. Well, CNET Asia has gotten their mitts on the device for a thorough review, and we thought we'd bring you the many, many highlights. Overall, they seem to like the design, but aren't crazy about the loss of some buttons, which they say makes the camera feel a little cramped, though the large, 3.5-inch touchscreen display makes up for it. The camera's smile detection -- which is one of its more novel features -- is reported to be inaccurate and touchy, and the speed of startup and first shot on the T200 apparently leaves something to be desired. CNET says that the camera's image quality is "decent," but that they detected noise at ISO 400, and anything past ISO 800 was a nasty mess. Overall, they're not in love, but they do seem to be feeling a strong "like." Browse on over and catch the whole review.

GE rolls out pink and black H855 digital cameras

GE hasn't exactly impressed us (or others) with its digital cameras in the past, but it looks those taking a chance on the company's new H855 model will at least be supporting a good cause in the process, as a portion of the proceeds from each camera will be donated to the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation. From the looks of it, the cameras also look to be somewhat of an improvement over previous models, with them boasting a full 8 megapixels, a 5x optical zoom, a 3-inch LCD screen, and a 28-mm equivalent wide-angle lens. Unlike some other similarly charitable-minded products, you apparently won't have to buy the pink version to see your money put to good use, with a black model also available for those that prefer to keep things a little more discreet. You will, however, have to buy them from the Home Shopping Network, which has these exclusive starting October 20th. No word on a price just yet though.

DataPlay unveils CSS-friendly external DVD burner

Just a week after the DVD CCA approved an unexciting (and incredibly restrictive) download-to-burn scheme, DataPlay has unveiled what it calls the "world's first CSS-managed recording DVD burner." Of course, this isn't the first time we've heard about this type of setup, and as it turns out, DataPlay is actually "participating in the Qflix technology and IP licensing program." The aptly-named MovieWriter is an external USB 2.0 device that is "capable of writing CSS encrypted content for playback on standard DVD players," but alas, you'll be forced to pick up the presumably expensive CSS-MR pre-keyed recordable discs through Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden before any burning can take place. Currently, no pricetag is being listed, but we are told that the outfit is already planning an internal version for OEMs to integrate into pre-fabricated machines.

Elecom's MR-C12 card reader: a single-slot NAND stash

At first glance we thought, "sweet, a makeshift SSD for all of our disparate memory cards." That is, until we figured out from the machine translation that the MR-C12 series of card readers from Elecom has more in common with a cigarette case than a solid state drive. So in addition to providing a convenient-if-bulky place to tote all your memory cards around, it also features a baked-in USB 2.0 cable and single media slot which accommodates all the most popular formats. No accidental jamming your memory card into the wrong slot here kids. In Japan mid October for ¥2,520 or about $22 in dear departed presidents.

ATP's diminutive Petito USB flash drives help fight breast cancer

As with most late-Septembers, we're beginning to see a few pinked gizmos roll out in support of the impending National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This go 'round, we've got a special edition of ATP's Petito USB flash drive that touts a "Pink Ribbon" motif and comes in 512MB, 1GB and 2GB flavors. Aside from being fairly tiny, each drive sold will help fund breast cancer research and support "education, screening and treatment projects" around the globe. The trio is available now at a variety of retailers starting at $19.99.

Electrobike Pi: the pricey hybrid electric bicycle

Hot on the heels of Matra's MS1 comes yet another human / electric-powered hybrid bike, but Marcus Levison-Hays' Electrobike Pi definitely rocks a more unorthodox design. This blindingly red transporter "combines the lightweight portability of a bicycle with speed and self-propulsion more akin to a motorcycle," as it includes a 36-volt pack of NiMH batteries that provides "about one horsepower" to the 58-pound device. The unit can be fully charged "from any standard household outlet in 2.5 to 3 hours and can run for 25 to 30 miles," and according to a report from the LA Times, the 20mph maximum stock speed can be increased to around 46mph "with a little after-market hot rodding." Granted, the base price on this thing is said to be around $7,500, so it looks like the most of us will have to stick with the trusty Huffy ten-speed for the time being.

Engadget Mobile scoops new Verizon lineup

Engadget Mobile's got the word on four new Verizon phones headed for a simultaneous launch in the next couple of weeks, so head on over and get the dirt on the new Juke, Pearl, Venus and Voyager before somebody beats you to it.

Sony's Walkman NW-A910 series slakes that media jones

Nice huh? That's the latest Walkman from Sony. However, unless you live in Japan, you can forget about using it to watch your mobile digital TV. This little pup packs a 1Seg tuner, not DMB, DVB-H, or Flo. Measuring just 86.8 × 48 × 12.3-mm, the NW-A910 series player holds up to 16GB of flash memory and a 2.4-inch, 320 x 240 pixel display. The included EPG even allows you to schedule up to 10 programs for recording up to one month in advance for up to 100 hours of MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 formatted television inside the device. As this is Japan, it still supports ATRAC in addition to non-DRMed WMA and AAC, MP3, and linear PCM audio playback with SonicStage doing the sync work back to your PC. Rounding things out are an FM tuner, direct encoding from your CD/MD player, clear audio noise canceling headphones, and a battery capable of juicing up to 6 hours of television or 36 hours of audio. The premium NW-A919/BI (pictured) will sell in November for ¥47,800 while a 4GB NW-A916 should pop for about ¥30,000 ($259).

Sanyo's Xacti DMX-HD700 is world's smallest and lightest 720p camcorder

Sanyo's back with another Xacti solid state camcorder with this, their DMX-HD700. That's "HD" as in high-def, "7" as in 720p instead of the 1080p recording action found in their DMX-HD1000. On sale starting October 19th, the "world's smallest and lightest 720p" camcorder records MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video and 7.1 megapixel stills to SD/SDHC cards. It's also loaded with the ability to track up to 12-faces, a 2.7-inch LCD, and ISO 3200 sensitivity. Expect to drop an estimated ¥70,000 (about $609) or so for the privilege.

Cath Kidston partners with Roberts on flowery DAB radio

You already know what Cath Kidston can do, and it seems the designer is striking back once more by flowering up a Roberts DAB radio. Dubbed the Washed Rose, this retro-inspired device sports a cutesy floral pattern, built-in display, automatic tuning, a carry handle, PausePlus to pause / rewind live programming, and the usual complement of knobs and buttons. Granted, she ain't cheap at £200 ($402), but that's the premium you'll pay for a design such as this, we suppose.

Credit card sized MP3 player ups your street cred

Looking for a small, light, credit-card-esque flash drive... which doubles as an MP3 player... which is covered in a "liquid" print? Well you're in luck, kiddies, because some anonymous Chinese electronics maker has got you covered on all fronts. Enter the "USB Flash Card MP3 Player," an ultra-thin, 2GB device that plays MP3s and WMAs, functions as a USB flash drive, and will give you absolutely no information about the song you're listening to. Hey, if you wanted information, you would get a screen -- this thing fits in your wallet. Available right now for the bargain basement price of $42.

Klipsch's IMAGE earphones deemed "world's smallest"

While JAYS' q-JAYS claimed to be the "smallest earphones on the market" just days ago, we doubt Klipsch would be willing to agree. Turns out, the firm's IMAGE earbuds are also proclaiming that they are the "world's smallest and lightest in-ear earphones," and while we haven't seen the ruler busted out just yet, we fear it may be needed to settle this obvious conflict. Regardless, these 'buds utilize patent-pending Contour Ear Gels, KG926 balanced micro-armatures, aluminum bodies that are finished in anodized copper, and come with 50-inch long vinyl cables. Ready for a November release, the IMAGE earphones will ring up at $349 and will arrive with a carrying case and pouch, a 1/4-inch / airline adapter, five sets of ear gels, and a cleaning tool to boot. Click on for a literal hands-on shot.

Logitech's new ClearChat Pro and ClearChat Comfort headsets

The next time you're screaming down the line at your squadron to bank left and swarm on a pack of Nazi gunners, you'll be doing it in style and comfort thanks to Logitech's new ClearChat Comfort and ClearChat Pro headsets. The new USB-based, headphone / microphone combos are aimed at making gaming, Skype-ing, and music or movie playback easier on the ears with a handful of comfort improvements and noise-canceling features. The ClearChat Pro features "laser-tuned" audio drivers, the SoundSwitch auto-optimizing EQ, a flexible boom (for mic positioning), "quick-access" audio controls (located on the earpiece), and a mute indicator. The ClearChat Comfort offers adjustable, ultra-padded ear pads and in-line volume and mute controls. Both models will be available in September, with the Pro clocking in at $49.99, while the Comfort will be $39.99.

Samsung unveils hot ass 'Bordeaux' laser printers

"Damn, that's one fine ass printer you've got sitting on your desk" isn't a phrase you hear from guests too often -- if ever -- but we'll bet francs to frites that Samsung's new ML-1631K and SCX-4501K 'Bordeaux'-branded models will draw more than their fair share of oohs and aahs sitting next to your rig. With all the info on these laser printers frustratingly confined to Korean, we're hard up to tell you even one damn spec about them save for their thicknesses (12 and 16.5 centimeters, respectively), so forget all that PPM and DPI jazz you'd normally be expecting. Instead, sit back and take in one of the first attempts we've seen in a long time to give the office workhorse a much needed makeover; you listening, HP?

SanDisk's Sansa Clip

SanDisk decided to bring another screen to the clip-on party with its new Sansa Clip. Apple's Shuffle and Creative's Zen Stone have been rocking the form factor for a while now, but only the Zen Stone Plus is much use for browsing through your music collection. The Sansa Clip player sports the same OLED screen that can be found on the Sansa Express, but comes in both 1GB and 2GB flavors, for the lovable price points of $40 and $60, respectively. SanDisk even found room for FM and voice recorders, and the usual MP3 and subscription-friendly WMA support. The Sansa Clip promises 15 hours of battery life, and should be out in September in your choice of black, red, pink and blue.

Rainbow Audio unveils sleek iPaul line of car audio amplifiers

The almighty "i" prefix has somehow bled all the way over to the car audio realm, as Rainbow Audio has now glossed up a couple of amps and thrown 'em in the iPaul lineup. The iPaul 4.300 can put out 4 x 90-watts when ran at 4-ohms or 2 x 270-watts when bridged to two-channels, while the less powerful iPaul 2.400 outputs 2 x 130-watts at 4-ohms and takes up quite a bit less space. Both units sport a black / silver motif, obvious Apple influence, and of course, several levels of bass boost to keep the junk in the trunk appropriately jacked. Both amplifiers look to be available as we speak, and while the little fellow will run you £249.99 ($496), the 4.300 rings up at £299.99 ($596).

BTC's 24-inch ZEUS 7000 240MA LCD does HDMI

Sure, picking up a LCD monitor with an HDMI connector isn't impossible, but BTC's ZEUS 7000 240MA sure looks a lot sexier than most of the competition. The 24-inch widescreen display packs HDCP-compliant HDMI / DVI ports, VGA, S/PDIF inputs and outputs, dual five-watt stereo speakers, and picture-in-picture support to boot. Additionally, it boasts a five-millisecond response time, 160-degree viewing angles, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and "1080p support." No word just yet surrounding price or availability, but do click on if you're interested in seeing this gem turned up on its ear.

Microsoft brings back SideWinder gaming mouse, throws in an LCD

Not too long after Razer resurrected the classic Boomslang, Microsoft is reviving the SideWinder line with the introduction of a decked out gaming mouse. For starters, the 2,000 DPI wired critter sports a Quick Turn feature that lets users "check their perimeter at any angle," a weight cartridge system, a variety of feet to match glide preferences, instantaneous DPI adjustment, and a cable management system to boot. Moreover, Microsoft claims that this is the first gaming mouse to arrive with an LCD built right in, which allows users to "easily keep track of key gaming actions, including their DPI and steps for recording macros." Of course, we'd recommend actually wielding one of these things before plunking down your $79.95 come October, but the specification sheet is mighty impressive, indeed. Check out the hands-on action in the gallery below.

Razer intros 4000 DPI Lachesis gaming mouse

As if cramming its third-generation optical sensor in the Diamondback wasn't good enough, Razer is out to up the ante once more its newly-unveiled Lachesis. Compared to Microsoft's shiny new SideWinder, this creature touts double the DPI (that's 4,000 here, for those keeping score), and according to Razer, the 3G laser sensor "stops tracking at much lower lift-off levels than any other laser sensor, preventing tracking errors when the device is lifted off its tracking surface." Of course, you'll still be able to switch DPI on-the-fly sans special drivers, and the Ultraslick, Teflon-coated feet ought to glide around effortlessly for a good while. Razer's latest USB gaming mouse will go on sale globally this October for $79.99, and will be available in Phantom White and Banshee Blue colors.

Motorola signs on with Microvision's PicoP laser projection

After months of eyelash batting and heavy petting, Microvision and Motorola have officially exchanged vows. In a deal inked yesterday, Motorola has agreed to help Microvision bring their PicoP laser projection technology to market. Not a surprise really what with Microvision's penchant for using Moto handsets in their marketing collateral. Unfortunately, the agreement looks to amount to the production of a functional prototype only for the time being. While the prospect of an 854 x 480 resolution projection is certainly titillating, we doubt our gadget vanity can withstand the extra chub and battery drain the tech would introduce on our slim, sexy handsets. Then again, the geek cred gained could offset the lack of swank. No worries, we've got several months (if not a couple of years) to grow up before product is ready for consumers.

Sony quietly launches VAIO TP1 Living Room PC

If you can force your brain to remember back to January, you may recall Sony's curiously designed TP1 HTPC. Interestingly enough, it seems that Sony has indeed launched the device and didn't even bother to tell anyone, but that doesn't mean you can't be brought up to speed. Be warned, however, that Living Room PC does not equate to high-end AV center, as this modestly-spec'd machine lacks an HD optical drive and CableCARD option. Internally, you'll find a 1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo chip, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 300GB 7,200RPM SATA hard drive, dual-layer DVD writer, ATSC / NTSC TV tuner, GMA 950 integrated graphics set, and HDMI / DVI / VGA outputs. Moreover, Sony included a 4-pin FireWire connector, audio in / out, four USB 2.0 ports, Memory Stick / SD slots, 802.11b/g, and Vista Home Premium to run the show. So if you're still intrigued by this ho hum (albeit Viiv-certified!) PC, you can snag it right now starting at $1,599.99.

Sony unveils world's first, ugliest HD Video Walkman

For those of you not blinded by the unsightly image above, that there is the "world's first HD Video Walkman," or in other terms, one of the ugliest devices we've seen in years. Beyond the fact that this thing resembles a decade-old handheld cassette recorder with a seven-inch HD display flanked on top, it enables users to watch their HDV / miniDV tapes on the go, which isn't likely to entice you unless you shoot for a living. Furthermore, the GV-HD700E can record HDV1080i/DV signals from an external source, sports i.LINK / HDMI / component outputs, supports x.v.Color, and includes a Memory Stick slot for tape-to-flash card conversions. No word on just how much this curious creature will set you back, but those still fascinated can look for it to land in Europe this September.

OPPO Blast PMP is blowing up your FLVs

OPPO, a PMP maker we've come to expect some interesting designs from (see the guitar-shaped DAP and the pendant player), is bringing something a little more tame to market. The 6.9mm thick Blast sports a 2.4-inch TFT screen, takes microSD cards, and can play back all the standards, like MP3, WMA, MP4, AVI, XVID, and FLAC, which is all well and good, though we've seen a million of these and counting. What's different in this case -- at least a little -- is that the Blast can supposedly play back FLV files, which gives it a certain modern flavor, and suggests that even mass-produced China-ware is getting caught up in the YouTube game. Not available anywhere even close to the US, price unknown.

Is this the new iMac keyboard?

See that? That's the rumored, "super slim," brushed aluminum keyboard said to be accompanying Apple's new iMac computer. It certainly appears to share the key design of the MacBook like we heard but seeing "Photoshop" in the exif data doesn't give us a high degree of confidence here. Regardless, a forum jockey over at the Rhapsody Apple forum in Hong Kong will sell you the keyboard (s/he has more than one) for 1,200 of the local stuff or about $153.40. Word to the wise, the consensus amongst rumor sites shows the new iMac coming as early as August 7th so you might want to hold onto that wad for a few more days to see what happens. We've got a bigger version of that image above along with the Apple development team sticker reportedly affixed to the backside of the unit in the gallery below.

Update: Full-sized image (and plenty more) just received from our tipster. You know, we 're starting to believe that this is the real deal. But did they really remove the Apple logo from the command key?

Razer updates Diamondback gaming mouse with "3G" sensor

Ever the sticklers for mouse precision, the folks at Razer have now gone and updated their Diamondback gaming mouse with their third generation (3G) infrared sensor, which was first put to use in the company's unfortunately-named DeathAdder mouse. As with that mouse, the Diamondback will give you an impressive 1800 dpi resolution, along with on-the-fly sensitivity adjustment, seven independently programmable buttons, and a rubberized non-slip finish, not to mention a choice of colors to light up your desk. Look for it to be available at the beginning of next month for $60.

Amtek shows off U560 UMPC at Computex

OEM manufacturer Amtek's rolled into Computex with a fresh new UMPC prototype, and it looks like it may have already signed up a partner in the US to offer it under their brand name. That bit of news comes from GottaBeMobile, which has also managed to scope out a few of the device's specs. As is par for the course these days, the device is based on Intel's McCaslin platform, and packs either an 800MHz A110 or 600MHz A100 processor, a 3600mAh 2-cell battery with an optional 4-cell extended battery, and an integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam, not to mention a full QWERTY keypad. Apparently, Amtek is set to put the device into mass production by the end of the year, although it looks like we'll have to wait a bit longer to hear anything on pricing or availability, as well as any word about that mystery US partner.

Compal showcases prototype UMPC running Windows CE

Although it's still proudly donning the proverbial prototype badge, a nifty machine from Compal was spotted at Computex running Windows CE 5.0 in favor of the battery-draining XP or Vista. Simply dubbed the UMD (Ultra Mobile Device), this ultraportable supposedly pulled double duty as a smartphone and even played nice with HSDPA. Internally, it featured a 532MHz Freescale i.MX31 processor, 512MB of NAND Flash memory, 256MB of DDR RAM, a 4.3-inch WVGA display, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, a slide out QWERTY keyboard, trackpad, hot keys, built-in speaker and microphone, a 1.3-megapixel CMOS camera, SIM card slot, and a miniSD slot to hold excess media. Additionally, it boasted USB connectivity, a headphone jack, a meager five-watt power consumption rating that enabled nearly five hours of battery life, and the obligatory media playing and Skype-friendly applications that you would expect on such a multifaceted device. Unfortunately, there's no way to tell whether Compal will come through on bringing this thing to market, but we're sure there's a niche that would be all over it should it eventually roll out.

Pricing announced for HP Compaq's 2710p Tablet PC

Time to start counting those pennies, HP just announced the pricing on their new 12.1-inch, 3.6-pound 2710p Tablet PC. $1,649 gets you through the door sans OS but with a 1.06GHz Core 2 Duo ULV U7500 processor, 1GB of DDR2 memory, GMA X3100 graphics, and 60GB 4200 PATA disk. Bump it up to $2,478 for a 1.2GHz U7600, 80GB 4200RPM PATA disk, 2GB memory, Bluetooth 2.0, and a Vista Business pre-install. Each config brings that thin, bright, battery friendly WXGA LED-backlit display (with digitizer) we've heard rumored since January. However, HP confusingly masks this important fact with superfluous marketing speak by calling 'em "Illumi-Lite" displays. In fact, you won't find a mention of LED backlighting anywhere on the product page, not even in the detailed specifications. Oh right, consumers are idiots... gotcha. Still no release date so Lenovo X-series owners can rest easy for the time being.

Logitech's VX Nano: the VX Revolution's little brother

So you liked Logitech's MX and VX Revolution mousers, did ya? Then check the VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse with that crazy-small 2.4GHz USB receiver for laptop users. The VX Nano features a mini, hyper-fast scrolling MicroGear scroll wheel along with forward and back buttons mapped to your browser, five programmable buttons, and is said to run for up to 6 months of a pair of AAA batteries. All yours for $70 worldwide in late August. Noebooks.com got themselves some sit-down time with the mouse with the video to prove it. After the break, naturally.

D-Link intros DUB-9240 wireless USB kit

Hot on the heels of several other wireless USB hubs, D-Link is making sure it joins the party with time to spare as it unveils the DUB-9240 kit. The two-piece assemblage consists of the DUB-1210 wireless USB adapter and the DUB-2240 four-port wireless USB hub, and together they enable your machine to connect to USB peripherals sans wires. The unit promises to function within a 30-foot range, and operates on a frequency range of 3.4GHz to 4.5GHz in order to not interfere with any surrounding WiFi signals. Additionally, up to three more DUB-2240s can be connected to the first for a wireless USB overload blowout, and you'll have plenty of time to dream up such a setup while waiting for these to ship in Q4 for $119.99 apiece, or $219.99 for the pair.

Security Ring denies intruders when you're away

Fingerprint scanners are so 2004. Yang Hai, an artist who apparently appreciates utility, has conjured up a concept that aims to make biometrics on PCs a thing of the past, as his aptly-dubbed Security Ring makes certain that no one can peruse your files while you're away. The device enables the user to select a lock down distance, and when the ring bearer exceeds that parameter (or simply heads to the lavatory), the connected PC locks out intruders and only opens up when its master returns. Talk about a hit waiting to happen in the corporate space.

Corian Z. Island: taking kitchens to the year 3000

Corian is known for producing all types of wacky materials for your countertop, but the company has dashed straight into the 23rd century with its new "Z" kitchen island (and assorted accessories). The Zaha Hadid designed centerpiece boasts LED touch panels embedded in the table's surface, a mounted Mac for multimedia functions, and three very bizarre looking aroma "devices" which protrude from the island, and can be tweaked to produce various scents. The unit also controls a wall of abstract lighting fixtures, allowing you to alter their color and intensity. Basically, it's the perfect thing to own if James T. Kirk stops by wants you to heat up his coffee and make the room smell like rose petals.

Oral-B Triumph intelligent toothbrush makes sure you brush correctly

Proving that adding an LCD screen and a radio transmitter are sure-fire ways to improve even the lowliest of products, Oral-B has unveiled the latest in its Triumph line of intelligent toothbrushes. The multi-head brush, which has 4 programmable cleaning patterns, communicates with a mirror-mounted LCD display that instructs you on where and how long to brush, and warns you if you're brushing too hard -- just like mom. The handle keeps track of data if you step out of range of the dispay and re-syncs when you come back to spit, so you'll never miss a stroke. Apparently these go on sale in September for $150, but we're going to stick with our Tooth Tunes -- what's a little less polish when you can brush up to The Clash?

Marantz's RC9001 touchscreen remote with WiFi extender

We saw a variation of this Philips TSU9600 at CES. Still, it's nice to see Marantz get official with their own VGA touchscreen remote: the TC9001. Like Philips' model, we expect this Marantz model to integrate with Escient Fireball media servers and Lutron RadioRa lighting controls for full multi-room control. It brings along an option for an RX9001 WiFi extender or RX8001 serial extender too -- right, just like Philips. The only difference appears to be the choice of UI which of course, can make all the difference in the world. Expect the Marantz RC9001 to ship sometime mid-September for right around $1,000.

Nokia's HF-300 Bluetooth speakerphone

Nokia may be best known for their handsets but they've been slowly branching out in consumer electronics. Headsets and the N800, sure, but also GPS navigators, speakers, audio gateways, transmitters, Digital Pens and more. Now this, a new HF-300 Bluetooth 1.1 speakerphone for the car and beyond. Notably, the battery powered device auto cycles the power when you stop talking while supporting up to 20 hours of talk on a single charge. Expect to see it hit worldwide in Q3 for about €90/$123 before taxes.

Verizon, LG intro new Chocolate

We'll spare you the "even sweeter the second time around" punnage that Verizon couldn't help crack and get straight to the point here. Following up its hit VX8500 last year, Verizon has introduced a new Chocolate to its lineup, the aptly-named VX8550. The re-upped model gets very slightly trimmer by shaving a few hundredths of an inch off every dimension from its predecessor, a new keypad with touch feedback, and something LG is calling "Trace Motion" -- some sort of lighting that works in conjunction with the new nav wheel. Carried over from the original Chocolate are the 1.3 megapixel cam, microSD slot, and wealth of music-related features, though sadly, the rumored 3.5mm jack ain't here. Look for it in stores July 9 in your choice of "Black Cherry" and "Blue Mint."

V-MODA Vibe Duo earbuds class up your iPhone

Just when it seemed like the only option for better iPhone earbuds was to make them yourself, along comes the V-MODA Vibe Duo. Sure, it'll cost you, but for exactly $101 you can trade up to the luxury and style of this sweet-ass trio. The earbud / microphone combo features V-MASQUE dynamic drivers, a noise-canceling technology called BLISS, and (according to the propaganda), "vibrant bass" coupled with "vivacious highs". Clearly a package aimed at those with a taste for the finer things in life (like spending almost 17% of the cost of your phone on earbuds), the Vibe Duo comes with a 24k gold plated connector, leather pouch, six pairs of clear silicon fittings (plus two sets of black), and the assurance that you'll look considerably more classy when speaking to your agent.

Sansa Express gets the hot pink treatment

It looks like SanDisk has deemed its pink Sansa C250 enough of a success to extend the eye-catching paint job further on down the line, with its well-received Sansa Express now also getting a refresh of its own. Apart from its new attention-grabbing ability, however, the player appears to be otherwise unchanged, with it packing the same four-line OLED display, 1GB of storage, microSD expansion slot, and FM tuner as its less colorful brethren. It also comes in at exactly the same price, setting you back $60.

MPIO keeps it simple with the MP300 DAP

While a myriad of companies battle it out to sell you on multifaceted converged devices, MPIO is staying in tune with the basics on its ML300. Checking in at 29- x 66- x 19.5-millimeters, this minuscule digital audio player boasts a simple display, supports MP3 / WMA formats, touts an FM tuner, and operates around 10-hours on a single AAA cell. Additionally, it includes a voice and FM recorder, USB 2.0 connectivity, and seven equalizer pre-sets. Reportedly, the ML300 will come in both 1GB and 2GB flavors, and while hard pricing deets weren't readily available, such a stripped down unit ought not break the bank.

Packard Bell intros "FunKey Town" MP3 player

Much like the oft-resurrected Commodore brand, the current incarnation of Packard Bell seems to continually find new products to slap its name on, the latest of which is the unfortunately-named "FunKey Town" MP3 player. Apparently, Packard Bell considers this to be "the first streetwear MP3 player," not to mention a "veritable fashion statement." While that may be overselling things, the player does look to be decent enough, available in 1GB or 2GB varieties, boasting the usual support for MP3 and WMA file formats, a retractable USB port, with an "anti-shock" rubber skin thrown in for good measure. As with other Packard Bell products these days, this one's available in Europe only, where it'll set you back €50 or €60 (or $70-$80) depending on the size.

Sofmap's Digital Olive DAP: an olive, not an egg

Don't call it an i-EGG, that's obviously the Digital Olive from Sofmap. Riiiight. Measuring just 3.1-inches around the waist and 5.5-inches long, this three piece DAP with integrated 3-watt speakers lacks any built-in storage making due with a line-in jack or MP3/WMA playback from SD/MMC or devices slung off its USB host port. Unfortunately, it doesn't pack a headphone jack so you're stuck with listening to those tiny, tinny speakers. Ah well, yours in Japan starting July 24th for just ¥5,980 or about $49 for a good OEM idea gone bad.