Keith Shaw’s Cool Tools Alert
* LATEST COOL TOOLS VIDEOS:
Your cell phone as a credit card
Kyocera’s Near Field Communications (NFC) technology transforms standard cellphones in to a credit card for buying everything from vending machine items to movie tickets with the wave of the phone. Keith gets a demo of this technology that could be coming to a phone near you soon.
* LATEST COOL TOOLS COLUMNS:
iPod video projector
PJ258D ViewDock projector: This four-pound projector from ViewSonic includes a built-in iPod dock, letting you connect a video iPod in order to project videos stored on the device. Features of the DLP projector include 2,000 lumens of brightness, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,024-by-768-pixel resolution and inputs to support PC, DVD and game console connections (including S-video and 720p or 1080i high-definition resolutions).
* LATEST TWISTED PAIR PODCAST:
Twisted Pair Podcast: Vonage: We’re Not Dead Yet
Keith and Jason talk about Vonage’s stay of execution, whether Macs are as secure as people think they are, and whether we should place a bet on the existence of aliens.
* LATEST COOL TOOL BLOGS:
Can Microsoft cause kidney stones?
I’m pretty good at wading through badly written press releases, especially the ones that try to get cute or funny, because they usually fail.
Sling Media releases Mac client
Slingbox owners who want to watch their TV content on their Macintosh can now do so. Sling Media today announced availability of SlingPlayer for Mac, a software client that lets Slingbox owners view home TV or Apple TV content on a Macintosh desktop or notebook.
Verizon offers “World” BlackBerry; Sprint says “Us Too!”
Verizon Wireless and Research in Motion today announced the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition ($299.99 after $100 rebate and two-year contract), a wireless device that can connect to both the CDMA and GSM-based networks, allowing for worldwide access for global travelers. The new device will be available on May 14 through Verizon Wireless’ business sales channels, and in their retail stores on May 28.
AT&T expands notebook network card options
AT&T today announced two new devices in its LaptopConnect portfolio that can access its 3G BroadbandConnect service (UMTS/HSDPA).
Improve notebook battery life via power adapter
Antec’s new NP-100 Notebook Power Adapter system is now available. The NP-100 ($79.99) aims to prevent “frequent short-term battery draw caused by underpowered adapters in peak usage conditions.” The NP-100 reduces heating and extends the life of a notebook computer battery by eliminating this frequent charge/discharge cycle, Antec says.
