philips

Our hypochondriatic society has given rise to all manner of bacteria-resistant computer equipment and even gadgets that claim to have germ-eliminating lights so you can lay waste to evil kooties wherever you go. But some of us aren't quite at that level of obsessive-compulsiveness (yet) and just like to keep our workspaces tidy.

Philips understands that and is putting its clean genes to work on the most used and abused item on the desktop: the lowly mouse. The company is offering a new line of "dirt-free mice" that have a "wipe-clean, high-gloss casing to prevent dirt … Read more

As fond as we are of Philips designs, we're a bit curious about the origins of its new "Longneck" laptop. The photos we've seen look awfully similar to images of the "FlyBook VM" from Japan's Dialogue that were widely circulated last December.

But no matter. Philips has done what Dialogue didn't, which is offer the computer at a bearable price. With what seem to be comparable specs--an extendable 12.1-inch widescreen LCD, Intel Core Duo chip, 1GB of memory and a 100GB hard drive--for just under $1,700, according to Tech Digest. … Read more

We've always thought of Philips as something like the Sony of Europe: No matter what you think of their products' performance, it's usually difficult to argue with their aesthetically clean designs. (And if it was able to tame the notorious Swarovski, the Liberace of consumer electronics, then it has provided a public service to the world.)

Philips' latest ID9371 land-line phone is no exception, with a sleek glossy-black design somewhat reminiscent of the Bang & Olufsen "Serene" portable handset. But there's something even more interesting about a sound technology it uses called "ClearVoice HD,&… Read more

As amazing as it seems, the Swarovski is capable of putting its crystal-studded name on products that aren't totally disgusting. Even though its latest USB key is still a bit garish, the glass house co-produced some subtly designed earphones as part of its newly released "Active Crystals" products. (Perhaps it's the influence of Philips, which is co-branding the line.)

The four new sets--"Space," "Icon," "Amazone" and "Mirage"--come in polished silver and four crystal cuts, including navette and baguette. (Tiffany, eat your heart out.) Gadget Candy approves: &… Read more

It's been nearly a week (gasp) since our last post on a Swarovski-encrusted item, and we don't want to be as irresponsible as we were with our recent lapse in pink products. Crave collegue Caroline McCarthy was quick to scold us for the latter transgression.

So to fulfill our bling-laden obligation, we offer the "Active Crystals" line of fashion USB keys from Philips. Gadget Candy says there are four models: "Heart Ware, Heart Beat, Lock In and Lock Out"--the first two designed as pendants, the last two as keychain attachments. Each stores a … Read more

With so many iPod accessories geared toward fitness activities, we appreciate that someone is catering to our lifestyle as well--in the kitchen. The DCD 778 "Docking Entertainment System" from Philips is a compact multimedia system designed to mount under a cabinet alongside the microwave and other appliances.

Kitchen systems are nothing new, but this one packs in a lot more than the usual combo. iLounge says this all-in-one package has a TV with an 8.5-inch wide LCD and can play DVDs, CDs and AM/FM radio and, of course, iPod tunes with two 2-inch speakers. And even … Read more

What did we tell you? Yesterday we whining characteristically about a preponderance of digital photo frames on the market. And now we find that yet another one is being hawked, this one by Philips.

But here's the rub: The latest "Digital PhotoFrame" seen on MobileWhack doesn't seem to feature much of anything new over previous models and is apparently being marketed solely for Mother's Day, available with an "exquisite new floral design."

That, in our humble opinion, is more evidence that this business is way overcrowded. Companies typically mount a big push on … Read more

Trends are a funny thing in technology. Even when major changes are under way, such as the convergence of phones and media players, companies will grasp onto old notions like grim death.

Case in point: the Philips 598, a so-called music phone that Slashphone says was created particularly for female consumers. The supposedly gender-specific features: "women's diary and calendar, buying list, discounts manager, price table, personal card info, body weight index and basal metabolic rate measurement." So are we to believe that shopping, more shopping and dieting compose most of a woman's day?

Even when the … Read more

Whenever we hear the word "dictation," we recall those cliched movie scenes of executives calling secretaries into their offices to take shorthand. But products like the "Digital Pocket Memo 9600" from Philips remind us how far technology has evolved the practice.

When used with its new docking station, the device can transfer dictations through a local network or the Internet to a transcriptionist or voice-recognition system without a computer, according to Gizmag. Real-time encryption and password protection ensure security, and a bar-code reader can be used to scan patient or client information and attach it directly … Read more