Ever get so annoyed with your alarm clock you feel like yelling at it? With Moshi clocks, your words will actually accomplish something.
(Credit: Moshi)If Moshi's voice-responsive alarm clock got you in the habit of talking to clocks, you can now continue the dialogue while traveling.
Moshi's Voice Control Travel Alarm Clock is a smaller, cheaper version of the earlier device. Like the Moshi IVR Clock, the new clock lets you use nine voice control commands to do things like turn the alarm on and off ("set alarm...7:30 a.m."), hit snooze, ask for the temperature, and access a help menu. As far as we can tell, the device does not respond to exhaustion-related rants.
The travel clock measures 3.75 inches by 2.75 inches by 1 inches, costs $24.99, and comes in four colors--white, blue, pink, and black.
Wilson and I both saw that new movie "Paranormal Activity" over the weekend, and although it's being touted as the new Exorcist, we both think it's more like an uncreative, boring version of The Blair Witch Project. Lots of build-up and suspense for a pretty vanilla ending, but I'm not sure what we expected out of a $10K movie. Maybe we've all just been completely spoiled by blockbusters like Roland Emmerch's upcoming disaster movie, 2012. Jeff's not a huge fan, per usual, but watch this insane clip and TRY NOT TO PANIC.
We've seen and played with our fair share of ridiculous iPhone apps before, but the new Puff! app is the latest Japanese game that might raise some flags...amongst other things. Dancing the line between SFW and not, the program allows you to literally blow up the skirts of women, a la Marilyn Monroe. The app uses the iPhone's microphone to sense the virtual gust of wind that "gives the onscreen character a brief moment of embarrassment."
Speaking of inappropriate things, Marge Simpson just scored the cover of Playboy Magazine. In what seems like the worst business plan ever, the November version of the popular men's magazine will feature a 3-page pictorial with "implied nudity..." we're not even sure what that means, but we can't imagine hordes of teenagers flocking to the nearest liquor store to pick up this issue. Besides, we would rather see Lois Griffin on the cover...no offense, Margie.
EPISODE 43
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Fitbit uses a 3D motion sensor like the one in Nintendo's Wii to track everything from calories burned to minutes slept.
(Credit: Fitbit)Amount of steps you took today: 3,451. Miles traveled: 1.4. Calories burned: 348. Calories consumed: 625. Then you went to bed at 12:05 a.m. Time to fall asleep: 23 minutes. Times awakened: 25. You were in bed for 8 hours 2 minutes. Actual sleep time: 7 hours 42 minutes.
The math is easy, sure. But never before has a device tracked so many aspects of an individual's physical movements to measure overall wellness. From caloric intake to activity levels (sedentary, lightly active, fairly active, and very active), Fitbit clips onto clothing or straps around one's wrist and uses a 3D motion sensor similar to the one in Nintendo's Wii to measure multiple aspects of one's physical self.
And much in the way services like Quicken encourage people to measure whether they are living within their means, Fitbit's Web site analyzes all this data and allows users to input goals. The device costs $99 plus shipping.
Perhaps most exciting of all is that Fitbit will now help each of us understand objectively how vigorously we engage in such activities as laughing, having sex, popping open that bottle of champagne, etc. Will Fitbit users suddenly do these activities more vigorously to maximize caloric output? This little gadget could be a far more romantic gift than current marketing suggests.
(Credit:
Dong Ngo/CNET)
I am a fan of practicality. The only reason I have the key fob that I've been carrying around for a while is because it also works as a beer bottle opener. But I am about to replace that with something I could use a lot more frequently, and which won't make me fat.
The CableCar USB drive is yet another design from Active Media. This time it's a miniature of a San Francisco cable car, measuring only 2 inches long by 1.2 inches wide by 0.8 inch deep. It's a rather accurate replica of the kind of vintage cable car you're likely to run into on many San Francisco streets. The drive comes in two color combinations: blue/red or green/red.
The body of the drive is made of hardened rubber, which protects its stored contents from damage. It also comes with a hook on which to set the detachable part when the drive is open or in use.
Other than that, the CableCar USB drive supports USB 2.0 and is compatible with both PCs and Macs. However, its USB connector is rather short in relation with its relatively thick body. This might make it hard to fit in every USB port. Nonetheless, as a bonus, it comes preloaded with about 30 photos of San Francisco's attractions.
The CableCar USB drive comes in capacities ranging from 1GB to 16GB and is available now. The 16GB version costs $37.
Pst! Hey you! Yes, you...the lazy bum in the desk chair. This is your computer talking, and I'm getting pretty stressed out over here. I could really use a vacation, ya know? The weather is getting warmer, the air is getting balmier, the birds are getting chirpier...and yet your waistline seems to keep expanding. How about this: turn me off, go outside, and hit the pavement. Or get yourself a nice gym membership. Heck, even go to the local pool or the beach. I don't care how you do it, but I want to see that heart rate elevated. No buts: it's good for you, and I need a break.
Tell you what, I'm even going to help get you started. After all, what good would I be if I couldn't recommend some workout-worthy tech gadgetry to get you in the mood to sweat? I'd say that a little music is just what you need to get motivated. There are plenty of MP3 players, headphones, and other fun musical toys available for just about any type of fitness imaginable. Click on through to find the right devices for you.
(Credit:
Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)
Fitness-friendly headphones come in a variety of shapes and styles--from earclip to behind-the-neck--and finding a pair that stays put on your head while you're active can take some trial and error. Once you get past fit issues, you may find yourself wanting some more advanced features, and built-in Bluetooth technology often tops that list, as it eliminates the need for cumbersome wires tethering you to your MP3 player.
The latest pair of active-style earphones to hit the market is Sony's DR-BT160 Wireless Stereo Headset, which comes in two models: the $130 BT160AS, which includes just the headphones, and the $180 BT160IK, which also throws in an iPod adapter. It's a pricey solution, but those who can get a good fit will be rewarded with good wireless sound quality. Read the Sony DR-BT160 review.
Activate your iPhone 3G at home.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)When the iPhone 3G went on sale exactly five months ago, AT&T and Apple ended the in-home activation process that customers enjoyed with the original version. Though AT&T and Apple may have thwarted some iPhone unlockers, rule-abiding customers weren't happy about being forced to visit an Apple or AT&T store to buy the phone.
On Thursday, however, AT&T had a change of heart. You now can buy the iPhone 3G on AT&T's site (Apple will still make you come into the store) and have it delivered right to your home for activation through iTunes. The price is unchanged ($199 or $299) but as I said when AT&T business customers could buy the iPhone online, the convenience of activating at home is priceless.
Gadgetell first reported the news this morning, but I have confirmed it with AT&T's media relations office. Now hurry, you have only eight more ordering days to get a delivery by Christmas.
Motorola's new Active W450 for T-Mobile has arrived.
(Credit: Motorola)Motorola took the wraps off its new Active W450 handset for T-Mobile on Wednesday. The flip phone features a durable design, with rubber sidings for those with (dare we say) active lifestyles. On the outside, you'll find a standard white-and-black color scheme, but on the inside, the phone features a rubberized keypad in either yellow or orange.
Features include a 1.3-megapixel camera with an 8x zoom and video capture, a digital music player, a wireless Web browser, a microSD-card slot, USB mass storage, PC syncing, Bluetooth (no stereo profile), personal-organizer applications, and a speakerphone. Also, the W490 is a full quadband (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) handset. The Active is $159 if you pay full price, or $29 with a 2-year service contract.
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Microsoft wants Xbox 360 owners to get up off their couches, put down the controllers, shut off Halo 3, and vote in this November's election.
Redmond's video game console division has partnered with activist organization Rock the Vote as a way to get more young people to register to vote. Promotions will start hitting its Xbox Live online service starting on August 25, the first day of the Democratic National Convention. Xbox Live owners will be able to register to vote as well as participate in presidential polls and opinion surveys.
Microsoft will be promoting the Rock the Vote partnership at both the Democratic and Republican conventions. It'll also be lobbying to make the parties aware of parental controls and safety on the console, presumably as a way to get anti-video-game advocates off its back.
"Xbox is a natural partner to help us reach out to youth voters," Heather Smith, executive director of Rock the Vote, said in a statement Thursday. "To realize our goal of registering 2 million young Americans by this fall, we need to go where young Americans are, and there's no doubt in our minds that many are on Xbox 360 and Xbox Live." Rock the Vote has also turned to News Corp.-owned social network MySpace, encouraging bands with a presence on the site to get their fans to register to vote.
Microsoft touted the Xbox as an influential platform for reaching the youth-voter demographic, citing a stat about Xbox Live's 12 million members: if it were a state, it would be the seventh most populous in the country.
MDR-AS20J headphones: Good for the gym and the wallet.
(Credit: Sony)Although the headphone market continues to burgeon with new models, it can be surprisingly tough to find a decent, fitness-friendly pair. A few companies, such as Sennheiser, have stepped up to the plate with sport-branded earphones that feature design attributes meant to keep them secured on the head during activity. Now, we can add Sony to the list. The company has released an impressive array of Active Headphones, the $20 MDR-AS20J among them. These interestingly designed earphones are suitable for the gym, although not all users will be able to get a good fit, so runners should take heed. Also, they're not the best-sounding set in the Active line, but they are the cheapest, making them a solid option for fitness buffs on a budget.
