Crave

There will be no episode of Gadgettes this week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday here in the US. So, have a listen to a classic episode from the Gadgettes archive. Remember to read this entire blog post in your own "hot breath" voice for the full effect. Go ahead. You know you want to. Enjoy!

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Robotic snake surgeon tinkers with your heart via your mouth

Power Shirt charges gadgets as you walk

Ergoskin: Underwear that makes you sit up straight

Remember Ring (Thanks, David!)

The Body-laptop interface is knitted from Thneed which nobody, Nobody, NOBODY needs

3D Tattoo is like a secret between you and people with funny glasses

Giant mouth exhibit is just one stop on a gross, informative journey

(Credit: Gizmodo)

We've seen slides and videos of Microsoft's Courier dual-screen booklet in action, but nothing has quite explained how all of these things actually work. This document explains Courier's interface, gestures, and features more in-depth than ever before.

Courier user interface in-depth -- photos

This story originally appeared on Gizmodo.

When it comes to digital DJing, your laptop's trackpad can only do so much. The Kontrol X1 brings a solid set of controls to complement Native Instrument's Traktor DJ software.

(Credit: Native Instruments)

Native Instruments' Traktor DJ software is an industry standard for legions of digital DJs with laptop-based rigs. Unfortunately, as the company's software has grown increasingly sophisticated, the prospect of using your laptop's trackpad to control it becomes a bit ridiculous.

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol X1 -- photos

In an effort to make your laptop's trackpad obsolete, Native Instruments is launching a dedicated USB DJ controller named Traktor Kontrol X1. Due to hit shelves in February of 2010, the Kontrol X1 includes every knob, button, and slider a DJ could desire, and touts a retail price of $229.

A stripped-down version of Traktor DJ software (Traktor LE) comes included, and offers an upgrade path to the proper Traktor Duo and Traktor Pro versions. Also realize that there's no sound card built into the X1, so beginners may need to pick up something like the Audio 2 DJ to flesh out a proper four-channel DJ rig.

We have a photo gallery of Kontrol X1 shots for your perusal, along with NI's own overview video detailing the controller's many blinking features.

(Credit: Apple)

Recently, my colleague Rafe Needleman wrote a column titled "Why consumers won't buy tablets." The article was a direct reference to the long-standing rumor that Apple may be releasing a slate-style, jumbo iPod Touch this fall. Rafe doesn't really believe Apple would be misguided enough to release a tablet and that if it does put one out in the rumored $700 to $800 price range, "it will die." He also believes that, "This whole category is a nonstarter."

I tend to agree with Rafe on a lot of his points. I think tablets and tweener devices--like Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs)--that are too big to put in your pocket, cumbersome to operate, and overpriced, are problematic and have no place in the marketplace.

The reason why Netbooks have been successful is that they're cheap, and their form factor makes sense, especially for those looking to take a basic, lightweight computer out with them on the road--or just out to the patio. It's a pretty simple equation and you'd think that Apple would just follow the Netbook trend and come out with something that didn't break the mold but was sexier, a little zippier, and cost an extra $100-$200 in so-called Apple tax. What I'm talking about is a 10-inch $600-$700 Apple Netbook with a keyboard.... Read more

The Native Instruments Audio 2 DJ.

(Credit: Native Instruments)

First off, let me say that any DJ caught complaining about the inconvenience of his laptop audio interface deserves to be smacked in the head with a record crate. That said, less gear to carry is always a good thing, and the fine folks at Native Instruments have found a way to shrink their premium USB audio interfaces down to a pocket-size four-channel dynamo, appropriately called the Audio 2 DJ.

This new little bus-powered breakout box is due out in September, runs $119 list, and uses a pair of stereo 1/4-inch jacks (one for cue, one for master) to deliver your horrible trance anthems at the 24-bit/96kHz resolution they deserve. To prove its portability (or something to that effect) Native Instruments filmed a guy busting his best Parkour skills with an Audio 2 strapped to his arm. Not sure if the video makes me want to buy one, but it certainly makes me grateful for escalators.

The Triple Interface Iomega eGo has FireWire 400, FireWire 800, and USB 2.0 ports.

(Credit: Iomega)

Last month we reported on Iomega's new line of eGo external hard drives. Today, the company sweetens the deal with an even more versatile device: a portable hard drive with FireWire 400, FireWire 800, and USB 2.0 ports for the ultimate in cross-compatibility.

Iomega dropped by CNET's offices last week to hand over a test drive, and although we haven't put it through our labs benchmark tests yet, the eGo track record is good enough to assume that this device will earn good marks. The drives are delivered in HFS+ for out-of-the-box Mac compatibility, but you can format them for Windows as well.

The Mac-friendly design.

(Credit: Iomega)

Like most of the eGo drives, this triple interface model features Iomega's DropGuard technology that protects it from drops up to 51 inches, which is important if you're carrying around your crucial data.

In addition, the company protects your data with three layers of software protection: a full version of Iomega Quikprotect backup, EMC Retrospect Express, and a free lifetime subscription to MozyHome Online backup (2GB per month).

The 250GB, 320GB, and 500GB Triple Interface eGo Portable Hard Drive from Iomega are available now for $100, $110, and $150, respectively. Look for a full review on CNET.com coming soon.

Arena KM900

(Credit: LG Electronics)

Getting an early start on the competition, LG Electronics announced Sunday that its new Arena KM900 smartphone will debut at the upcoming Mobile World Congress.

LG is touting the touch screen's user interface as featuring a 3D cube-based layout with four customizable screens for accessing the phone's features.

"The direct, intuitive, and dynamic S-Class UI will be unlike anything that has appeared on a mobile phone before," Skott Ahn, president of LG Mobile, said in a statement.

The Arena features a 3-inch WVGA touch screen with 800×400 resolution and a 5-megapixel camera that promises "DVD quality video recording." The phone will also include support for HSDPA 7.2 networks, Wi-Fi, and A-GPS.

LG plans to announce more details at the Mobile World Congress, which runs February 16 to 19 in Barcelona.

I didn't imagine there was much room for innovation in USB-recording interfaces, but at the 2009 NAMM show--the annual convention for buyers and sellers of professional music gear (read: music gearhead paradise)--a couple of companies introduced some new takes on this very prosaic, but necessary, piece of gear.

The StealthPedal from IK Multimedia is a USB interface and MIDI controller that looks like a wah-wah pedal.

(Credit: IK Multimedia)

For the uninitiated: A recording interface is the bridge between your musical output and your computer. You attach it to the computer, then plug your instrument (or multiple instruments, or output of a mixing board) into it, and voila. There are countless types of interfaces at all levels of price and complexity, but for home musicians who just want a quick way to get their musical ideas down on their hard drives, an inexpensive USB interface is the way to go. M-Audio is probably the best-known brand at this level, although Tascam and Edirol (part of Roland) are somewhat common as well.

... Read more

Apparently, Apple fanboys (and girls) are determined not to let the iPod fade away into obscurity and let Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak's prophecy come true where he predicts the music player's death.

With the sleekness and sexiness of most recent iPods, or the extreme portability of the old minis, Indian designer Gopinath Prasan, creator of the iBangle, must've wondered how to go about turning it up a notch and make the iPod a wearable fashion accessory as well as a functional one.

Don't let its loose look fool you; the iBangle is a thin piece of aluminum with a multitouch track pad that won't easily slip off. That tiny blue button seen in the illustration somehow inflates the blue cushion inside the bracelet with air for a snug fit on the wrist.

(Credit: dvice.com)

The "voice interface"--where you hear what track you're "scrolling" through--is supposed to help offset the fact that there is no visual interface on the bracelet/MP3 player. Also, instead of being tethered to the standard earbuds or headphones, audio is transmitted wirelessly via Bluetooth.

The multitouch interface is a good idea until it brushes up against you and changes your song.

(Credit: dvice.com)

Now, if only it had a way to play video files. Perhaps a screen could be put on it, and the iBangle could pass for a watch--go, go gadget! However cool the concept is, there's no mention of how you would charge the device--dock, dongle, adapter? Also, is it gender neutral? Well, being as this is only a concept from the designer, we'll cut it some slack. There is definitely something here to work with.

So, my question to you is: if Apple co-opted the designer along with the idea and started mass production on this, would you buy it?