Versatile Battery Charger – Eneloop USB Booster Stick

This device seems the best of both worlds. It combines the mobile charging abilities of the unique USB cell with the improved chemicals of the rechargeable Sanyo Eneloop NiMH batteries. On top of this, you don’t have to just use it to charge your batteries; you can also use the charged package to provide some extra juice to another battery-powered device that’s about to give up on you.

Swimming Computer from Swimovate

Brands such as Polar have been focusing on heart rate monitors and sports computers for a long time. And those things are quite useful, even for the average jogger. This is the first computer I’ve encountered that’s targeted toward swimmers. Not only does this Swimovate Pool-Mate swimming computer keep track of time, it also has several additional useful functions built in, such as a lap count and speed measurement.

Overview of Rechargeable Battery Technologies

Lately there’s been a lot of buzz in the rechargeable battery world, after a number of promising new technologies have been hyped on the market. Now is probably the right time to get an overview of the advantages and drawbacks of the different types of rechargeable batteries, before we get too bogged down in all the hype.

PowerGenix Rechargeable Batteries Give 1.6V Output

Every few years advances are made in rechargeable battery technology; relatively recently, we saw low self-discharge types appearing on the market. But the drawback during the last 30 years has always been that the underlying technology generated a 1.2V output voltage instead of the 1.5V that you get from alkaline batteries. Some devices simply don’t like that and give false or premature “low battery” readings. Now, finally, PowerGenix has succeeded in creating a rechargeable battery that gives 1.6V, which is even a bit more than regular batteries. Now you can be “green” and compatible.

LightSpeakers from Klipsch Use Your Light-Bulb Sockets

Wireless cameras, wireless controls, wireless networks, wireless speakers ... Many of these products claim to be wireless, but the manufacturers “forget” to mention that, although the signal is transmitted wirelessly, they still require a power supply. Or worse, they force you to change batteries every few weeks, like most wireless (picture) lights. Following the Truly Wireless Security Camera from Vue, now the people from Klipsch have designed Truly Wireless LightSpeakers.

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!

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.

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.

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.