Laptop Privacy Filters from 3M

Most of you are probably reading this article on a laptop screen, since laptops have completely overtaken desktop PCs. They’re increasingly being used in public places too, sometimes putting private or confidential information on display. These easy on/easy off microlouver laptop privacy filters from 3M decrease the dangers of someone looking over your shoulder.

iPod Dock and Universal Remote – Philips SJM3151

Recently, we posted an article on the Bexy iMirror iPod docking station and remote control. We liked it from the start because, contrary to most iPod docks, you can even see and select the tracks on your iPod on the iMirror’s screen. One commenter on the article pointed me to the Philips SJM3151, which has roughly the same functionality but also includes that one feature that I was really missing in the Bexy – the SJM3151 is also a universal remote control!

Solar-Powered Bluetooth Headset – Infinite Standby Time

What’s the advantage of Bluetooth headsets anyway? Admittedly, you don’t have a wire dangling around, but on the downside it’s yet another device that you need to charge. And now you have two batteries that can run out in the middle of a phone call and two chargers to plug in. Here's an excellent solution to that problem.

Rechargeable Batteries that Don’t Lose Their Charge – LSD cells

NiCd rechargeable batteries have been around for decades, preventing tons of toxic battery waste, before the new NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) types were designed to cure the old NiCd’s “memory effect”. So far so good but, until recently, no one has ever managed to make a rechargeable battery that kept its charge for prolonged periods. When you take your point-and-shoot camera out of the drawer a few months after fully charging the batteries, it barely has enough charge left for a few pictures. Or your portable DVD player quits on you in the middle of a film.

Now the new low self-discharge (LSD)(don't get too excited, it's a legal substance) batteries from Sanyo (eneloop), Panasonic and other manufacturers finally seem to have this issue under control.

First camera with built-in projector – Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj

It’s never been our intention to cover every new digital camera or every small advancement or gadget in digital photography, but since a projector built into a camera is something radically new – and a world-first – we think that the Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj deserves its place on this blog. It allows you to take pictures or shoot videos during any event and show them to the participants before they’ve even left.

Free Backup Solution – The Software Is Already On Your PC

Have you backed up your PC lately? No? Do you hear that strange sound coming from your hard disk? Maybe it’s too late already! Just kidding, but it’s very unwise not to make regular backups, and there’s no reason not to do so. There’s a free backup solution in the shape of the XCOPY command that’s part of every Windows installation and can be automated.

Freeloader Pro Solar Charger Charges all Your Gear (yes, even your reflex camera)

We’ve written a few articles on travel adaptors and multi-chargers that help you to get rid of cable clutter and charge all your devices through one single charger. This solar charger takes the idea a step further and allows you to give those power-hungry devices a full charge without being bound to a power outlet for a few hours. Several of these are around, but this Freeloader Pro even charges those high-voltage Li-ion batteries needed for DSLR reflex cameras or camcorders.

Livescribe Pulse Smartpen Review – Link Your Notes With Your Audio Recording

- A six month test.

The Livescribe Pulse smartpen is one of the most innovative products I’ve seen in years. The pen allows you to write on paper, but when you dock it into its USB charger, your notes are automatically transferred to your PC/Mac. But the best part is that it also records the audio during your meetings or classes. You would imagine that you could then also play back the audio on your PC – and indeed you can. But even better, when you tap your handwritten notes with the smartpen itself, it even plays back exactly that part of the meeting through the built-in speaker! It’s a great invention for college students and professionals alike for note taking and to record meetings, classes and courses.

ShowMyPC – Give Your Relatives Remote PC Support, No Need for Technical Knowledge

It’s great that older people are also embracing the possibilities of the Internet and multimedia, but less so when they regularly ask you when you’re in the neighborhood and if you can spend a few hours to help them with some issues with their equipment or software. ShowMyPC is a free remote support software that allows you to take over their computer remotely, even when it’s behind a (wireless) home router. And you don’t need to have a degree in computer science to get it up and running.

Thermapak Cooling Pad Keeps Your Legs Cool Without Draining Your Laptop’s Battery

Everyone who owns a laptop knows the unpleasant sensation of having your legs fried when working with the computer on your lap for an extended period. I’ve been considering several cooling devices to place between my lap and the laptop, but I’ve always considered it to be a disadvantage that they need batteries or the use of a USB port to power their fans, thereby seriously reducing your working time. They’re also not very portable – you’d dread taking them with you on a flight. The ThermaPAK HeatShift Laptop Cooling Pad deals with these issues, using physics instead of electricity to keep your lap cool.