Cool Tools archive

Charge gadgets with solar power
When you're on the road, running out of power on any of your gizmos and gadgets can be a real drag. Now you can just go outside and hope for a sunny day to re-power your devices. Eclipse Solar Gear has announced its Solar Backpack, which is designed to trickle... October 27, 2004

Voiceglo launches new VoIP software
Voice over IP company Voiceglo today launched the latest version of its GloPhone (version 2.0) software, which lets users make phone calls over the Web or a PC through a broadband or dial-up connection. Using real U.S. telephone numbers, GloPhone version 2.0 comes with new calling features and local, long-distance... August 11, 2004

More fun with small devices
This week's Cool Tools print column takes a look at three more small devices that we enjoyed testing here recently. They include: The 6-in-1 USB memory card reader from Sinbon Electronics. The $20 device attaches to a USB port (or hub) and provides memory card transfer for six different formats.... April 19, 2004

Gimme a latte and a Sade
Starbucks Coffee today launched its new Hear Music brand, and opened its new Hear Music Coffeehouse in Santa Monica, Calif. The new store lets users order Starbucks coffee as well as use the Hear Music CD burning service. The service lets users burn full-length albums or personalized compilations while they... March 16, 2004

Vonage available at Circuit City
Vonage's broadband phone services and equipment will soon be available at Circuit City's 600 superstores (and the Circuit City Web site), the two companies announced today. High-speed Internet customers who also have a standard telephone can sign up for the Vonage service and buy a starter kit for $99.99 at... March 05, 2004

The latest from the Test Zone
We've been busy testing out some of the latest gear, check out this week's writeups in our regularly scheduled print column.... March 01, 2004

Catching up post-holiday
The Cool Tools Daily Dose staff (ummm.... me) is back from the holidays, and we've noticed that the items from the past have disappeared. That's what happens if we don't update after a few days (ummm... weeks). Let's just say we've been a bit busy with some of our Christmas... January 05, 2004

Check out our gift guide
Insert shameless plug here.... Yes, it's that time of year when our testing elves get all excited to bring you reviews of more than 120 different gizmos, gadgets, software and video games for the holidays. Click here to check it all out.... November 25, 2003

PR headline of the week
No more entries needed for this week... Midway's Super Duper Sumos is First Game Boy Advance Title to Deliver Giant Buttocks.... October 21, 2003

Get out of Vegas faster
McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas (you know, the one with the slot machines at the gates) today announced its SpeedCheck system, a multiple-airline kiosk check-in system. The kiosk was developed by ARINC Inc. and IBM, and lets passengers connect to the individual airline’s check-in system. There are approximately 30... October 17, 2003

McDonald's goes high-tech with Monopoly game
If you've ever needed evidence of high-technology pervading the mainstream, look no further than the McDonald's new Monopoly contest, which started today. Through an alliance with partner Best Buy, a majority of the prizes being offered would all qualify as a topic here for the Cool Tools: Daily Dose. In... October 14, 2003

DVD player for Linux computers
Lindows.com this week announced availability of its Lindows DVD Player, which includes a fully licensed decoder that lets users play commercial DVDs on LindowsOS computers. The player can also play CDs, VCDs and multimedia files such as AVI, MOV, WMV and MP3 from local disk drives, as well as streaming... July 30, 2003

Catching up on stuff
OK, there have been a few vacations and a few other crises here that have prevented us from updating the Daily Dose in a while, but have no fear, we’re back with a vengeance! Stay tuned for more updates on new cool products. Links to recent Cool Tools columns in... July 16, 2003

Eliminate the need for a second cooling fan
Sea Sonic Electronics recently launched its Super Tornado ATZ 12V Power supply, which offers PC gamers and “Do it Yourself (DIY) enthusiasts a very quiet, 120mm Cyclone cooling fan. Aimed at users with Pentium 4 processors version 1.3 or higher, the Super Tornado is a horizontally mounted fan that is... June 27, 2003

Off to Vegas, baby
The Daily Dose takes a few days off while we prepare to memorize our 3-card poker strategy and gather courage to ride the Stratosphere roller coaster. Yes, it's Vegas time, baby, as we head to the Networld + Interop 2003 show. While this show isn't as cool as CES or... April 25, 2003

This week's print column
We took a look at two new products, the GN 9120 wireless conferencing system from GN Netcom, and the BaracodaPencil, a Blueooth-enabled pencil-sized, handheld bar code scanner.... April 21, 2003

Back after hiatus
We're back and still wading through tons of e-mail, so news may be sporadic. Next week we're off to the CTIA Wireless 2003 show in New Orleans to bring you the latest in the coolest mobile phones and other wireless gadgets. If you want to get a head start, check... March 13, 2003

Instant file conversion
If you have a bunch of older word processing or spreadsheet file formats and want a quick conversion to newer formats (including Adobe PDF), a new service may be just what you're looking for. Advanced Computer Innovations has a 24-hour, 7-day a week online service that can convert many types... February 10, 2003

A desk that Mac users will love
We normally don't cover furniture in this space, but we couldn't resist with this announcement. Anthro Corp. has introduced its Adjustable iCart II, which has a spherical shape that aims to complement computers like the new iMac. It's also aimed at users who have limited space -- it has an... January 24, 2003

Heading to CES
I'm off to "beautiful" Las Vegas for the 2003 Consumer Electronics Show, where I'm hoping to see some new products (ya think?). Check this space for updates from the show, providing my laptop doesn't break down and I can fight with all the other journalists there for some computer time... January 07, 2003