For anybody who complains that Sony's Memory Stick Duo memory cards are too expensive compared with other forms of flash memory, DealExtreme has a solution. It's the StarJade SDHC microSD to Memory Stick MS Pro Duo Adapter Sleeve, which retails for a mere $2.85, including free shipping. Unfortunately, the only problem is that it's illegal (see "update" note at the bottom of the post).
A quick comparison on Amazon for prices of microSD and Memory Stick Duo reveals that an 8GB microSDHC card costs around $20 (with shipping), while an 8GB Memory Stick Duo card comes in around $34 with shipping. (Yes, the adapter supports higher-capacity SDHC microSD cards). Step up to a 16GB card and the delta is about $25, with entry-level 16GB microSDHC cards retailing for around $50.
The description on the product page says the adapter works with a wide variety of portable electronics devices, including cameras and audio players. We can't vouch for the reliability of the adapter but we did order a couple to test out, which we now realize may have been a no-no.
Note: This adapter won't work with the new PSP Go, which uses Sony's Memory Stick Micro (M2).
Update: Mike McCarthy of SanDisk writes: "The microSD-Memory Stick adapter is illegal, unlicensed and infringes on Sony Corp patents. Maybe it's cool to promote this stuff as a 20-year-old blogger, but I thought CNET would have higher standards." As a result of Mike's comment, we have summoned some maturity and edited the post.
(Credit:
Mitemite)
Are you one of those people attached to the notion that news should only be read on paper? Well, here's something to appease your old-timey sensibilities.
Mitemite--a small Spanish company that boasts their "unnecessary" products line--created a laptop bag in the style of old newspapers. Now you can carry your laptop in the Herald Tribune, the La Vanguarda and other publications.
The bag is ideal for anyone who wants to look appropriately snooty while traveling to work. Well, not anyone. The current styles are only made for the Macbook Pro, but anything smaller than 15.4" will fit, too.
There are no compartments, nor any kind of padding to protect your laptop. So what? Take off the handles, place it in your briefcase, and use it as a sleeve. The 'rents will be proud that you're reading the paper every day.
If you're still chuckling over Steve Jobs' manila-envelope trick during the Macworld 2008 keynote, this one's for you.
The white Italian leather of the Inter-departmental Mail Computer Sleeve from Kena Kai is embossed with the address blocks found on a typical interoffice envelope. For thorough verisimilitude, the sleeve also incorporates a button-and-string closure.
One way the Inter-department Mail Computer Sleeve stands out among its many competitors: it's available in two sizes.
The larger size ($79) accommodates ultrathin 13-inch laptops, such as the Apple MacBook Air and the Lenovo ThinkPad X301, as expected. But Kena Kai also sells a smaller version ($69) that's designed for Netbooks, such as the Asus Eee PC 901 and the HP Mini 1000.
An iPhone sleeve that looks like bacon.
(Credit: Antje)Do you like bacon? Do you like your iPhone? Would you want to dress your iPhone in bacon? Well now you can...sort of.
A German accessory company called Antje has created this delicious-looking iPhone sleeve out of a decidedly nonmeaty felt (Or at least it looks like felt from the pictures). It's only around 25 euros (or $31), so you can go and show off your bacon and iPhone love to the world. But make sure you don't accidentally stick your iPhone in the frying pan, OK?
(Via Engadget Mobile)
(Credit:
Built NY)
This is one of those items that might look goofy at first but then, after some thought, might just make sense. All too often, messenger bags and other laptop totes are just excuses to carry around junk you don't really need. That can result in scratches and dents to your computer or, far worse, a bag that's so heavy it gets dropped or topples off a desk because of gross weight imbalance.
For the true road warrior who survives with only the essentials, the Cargo Laptop Sleeve from Built NY provides space for all the gear that's needed. The neoprene zip case has three pockets for a mouse, USB drive, portable hard drive, or anything else that can fit in them, according to Gadget Lab. It also claims says its zigzag stitching improves water resistance, which will help protect against the occasional macchiato spill.
(Credit:
Crave UK)
We were recently contacted by a PR man so excited by what he was going to tell us that we actually thought he was going to pass out. But as he managed to string a few sentences together we realized what he was so excited by--the Modu phone.
It might not look like much, but it's a very interesting concept with masses of potential. Better yet, it's not just a concept: This thing really exists and will be out later this year. So why are we so excited by a tiny phone with a strange looking keypad?
Think of this phone as a SIM or memory card. Imagine you could turn it into a multitude of different phones or devices, without needing to pay as much for those devices as you would if they were standalone products--sounds interesting, right?
On its own, the Modu phone might not have a standard keypad, but it will still make calls. Put it into a "sleeve" or "jacket" (which are essentially cases), and you can turn it into a multitude of different devices. View some of the options here.
(Source: Crave UK)
(Credit:
Matthew Fitzgerald)
Nintendo announced a few weeks ago that it would include silicone controller jackets with every new Wii and Wiimote. Even better, if you already bought a Wii, you can order the jackets for free from Nintendo. Since my Wii was purchased pre-jacket, I ordered a pair for myself. Nintendo estimates 4 to 6 weeks for the jackets to arrive, but I got mine today after just over three weeks. Naturally, here's a hands-on look at the new accessories.
Well, it's a pretty nice sleeve for the Wiimote. The slight dog-bone shape feels comfortable in the hand and provides a better grip than the naked remote. The corners and front end of the remote are nice and thick, and help cushion any sort of impact. I still wouldn't advise hucking the remote into a television screen, but you can feel at least a little bit more secure should the wriststrap snap and fling into the air.
The jacket slides on and out surprisingly easily, by wedging the front of the Wiimote against the thick dogbone end and then pulling the rest of the sleeve over the body of the remote. A generous hole in the bottom offers plenty of room through which you can thread the wriststrap. A molded flap over the hole helps protect the nunchuck/controller jack from dust and spills. It probably won't work with the upcoming Zapper peripheral, but fortunately you can peel the jacket off as quickly as you can slide it on.
Especially considering the price (free), the new Nintendo silicone Wii remote jackets present a great value. They improve the Wiimote's grip, protect it and surrounding objects from drops and throws, and feel a bit more comfortable in the hand.
If you've already ordered your jackets, you should expect them in the next few weeks. If you haven't yet purchased a Wii, or plan to get some more Wiimotes, units with the jackets included should hit stores by the end of the month.
Latest from Knomo is the Slim. For anyone that has been looking for a sleek new way to tote your laptop around, this is pretty slick, and still simple enough to slot into a tote, backpack, large purse, you name it. "This ultra light and Slim pocket is handcrafted from full hide leather and nylon twill quilting to protect your laptop from any knocks or bumps. The retractable padded handle makes it comfortable to carry and easy to fit into your bag." I've been very anti-zippers on laptops for a while ever since my constant use of my iBook in and out of a neoprene sleeve with zips around the side left pretty deep scratches on both sides... so its been all velcro for me, until now perhaps. This sleeve has a unique zipper which goes around, so it looks like it would be pretty easy to lift the laptop in and out of top loading bags!
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