Star Wars Hologram Effect for iChat and PhotoBooth

October 28, 2007 by 1 Comment

Starwars Hologram
iChat was supposed to have a Star Wars hologram effect in Leopard, however, this was missing as it didn’t make it to the final cut. A mod has been made to create this effect in iChat. To get it to work you need to copy the install file over on to your computer by following the instructions below. Good luck and let us know how it works for you if you are a Leopard user.

You simply copy the .qtz file into your {HardDriveName}/Library/Compositions/ directory. The new effect will appear in iChat and can be seen by anyone (they don’t have to install the effect). An early version of the effect is available in this thread.

Update: Ice-Cube posts how to get this effect into PhotoBooth:

1. Extract HoloGit.qtz from the zip file.
2. Place it on your desktop for easy access.
3. Go to photobooth in your applications folder and right click to *Show package contents*
4. Navigate to content>resources
5. Drag the HoloGit.qtz file from the desktop to this folder.
6. Locate the file *EffectsOrdering.plist* in this folder
7. Open the file with textedit
8. You should see a number of effects listed in that file. You should see user backdrop 1, user backdrop 2, and so forth in the last paragraph.
9. Replace the words *user backdrop 1* to *HoloGit*
It should look like this: /HoloGit
10. Save the file. Close all folders.
11. Open up photobooth and enjoy your newfound effect.

Via: MacRumors

Filed Under: Cool Gadgets

USB Finger Optical 3D Mouse

October 27, 2007 by 2 Comments

USB Finger Optical 3D Mouse
The USB Finger Optical 3D mouse is designed for the PC, notebooks or laptops. It is compatible with MS Windows 98/2000/me/XP/Mac OS 9 and above. It features a scroll wheel, left and right buttons and can be easily used on most surfaces. The only annoying thing will be having to type with it attached to your finger while it wobbles around. Still, for those who use the mouse more it could be handy for reducing RSI.

Product Page

Filed Under: Computer Gadgets, USB Gadgets Tagged With:

DS to get 1-Seg Tuner

October 27, 2007 by Leave a Comment

DS_LITE 1Seg Tuner
If you live in Japan, then as of November 8th this year you will be able to pick up a new 1-Seg TV tuner for your Nintendo DS Lite. The 1-Seg tuner makes use of the upper screen to display TV and on the bottom touch screen you will find a remote control. This tuner will allow you to watch the telly in most places in Japan where 1-Seg TV is available. Costing just ‚¬41 it isn’t a bad price at all.

Via: lifeatmost and akihabaranews

Filed Under: Computer Gadgets

8GB MicroSDHC Cards Now Shipping

October 27, 2007 by 1 Comment

microsdhc-8gb
MicroSDHC cards are tiny measuring just 15mm — 11mm — 0.7mm (about a fingernail size) and now the latest versions from SanDisk are now shipping. These tiny memory cards have squeezed on 8Gb of storage space and will cost around $150. However, you can get a 6GB version for about $72 which kind of makes the 6GB version far more tempting.

Just check if your device is compatible before buying as MicroSDHC cards are not accepted on all devices.

Via: nokia-e90

Filed Under: Computer Gadgets

USB Powered Paper Shredder

October 27, 2007 by Leave a Comment

usbgeek-shredder
With identity theft all around us we must take care when chucking away our documents. The USB powered paper shredder is ideal to get rid of your documents securely. The shredder is portable and will fit in a laptop bag and can be carried around. There are 2 ways to power the device. The first is by USB (which is where it gets the name from), or you can use AA batteries should you not have a USB source anywhere near you.

Check out Dragon Steel Mods for a full review.

Filed Under: USB Gadgets Tagged With:

Power Brick Charger

October 26, 2007 by Leave a Comment

Power Brick Charger
The Power Brick is a new battery device which is high capacity. It has a 2400Mah capacity allowing it to charge a regular mobile phone or iPod about three times before it needs recharging it’s self. It weighs less then 100g and can be charged by USB. Outputs on this device are a plenty too. It comes with “tips” for Nokia (x2), Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Motorola/Blackberry/mini USB, iPod, PSP and digital cameras. Also in the pack is a retractable USB cable which connects the tips to the battery. Full charge can be held for 3 months and the on/off switch is located on the side. So you do not loose all the bits and bobs included, the package comes with a small white case too.

For those who are out and about a lot, this small package could be a nice source of power should you need to make a call and your phone is dead.

It costs just £14.99 also which is not bad considering it contains all the above tips for a ton of devices.

Product Page

Filed Under: Cell Phones

Pocket Sized Super Computer

October 26, 2007 by Leave a Comment

nasasupercom
Nanowires could be working their way in to technology soon. Wires that are 1000 times thinner then a human hair are being tested to see how they react to exterior forces. If successful, a mixture of nanowires and and tiny microchips could power a pocket sized computer. Wouldn’t it be cool having the power of NASA sat in your pocket.

A computer program has been developed which can actually predict the behaviour of these tiny little wires.

A few more details can be found over at LinkNotes and TechLivez and Physorg.

Filed Under: Concept Gadgets

Samsung Bendable OLED Screen

October 26, 2007 by Leave a Comment

Samsung OLED
This OLED screen comes from Samsung and measures 4.3 inches. The cool thing about the screen is that it’s bendable. It has a 480 x 272 resolution. This is not the first bendable screen, but we are glad to see another company starting to create them. It wont be long now till roll up screens are common place.

Via: Gadgets Guide

Filed Under: Displays

Cool Car Dash Board Display

October 26, 2007 by Leave a Comment

Wide Vision
This dash comes from Nippon Seiki and is called the Wide Vision. It is a screen behind the clocks on the dash which can show a ton more details then your normal speed, RPM etc… Night vision is included as well as rear view cameras. Check out the video over at Gizmodo to see what it’s all about.

Via: Gizmodo


Filed Under: Concept Gadgets

Stonehenge Pocket Watch

October 25, 2007 by Leave a Comment

stonehenge_watch
The Stonehenge watch is like no other watch I have come across before. It is a portable Stonehenge with the miniature rocks all aligned up correctly as you would find at the real Stonehenge.

Here is the cool part… it actually does tell the time. By using the built in compass you spin around till you are facing north. You then insert the gnomon (the stick in the middle) and put it in front of the altar. Looking at the shadows you can then tell the real time. Obviously it wont work too well when the sun is not out or when it’s dark.

Also, you can work out the correct seasons by working out which stone the first shadow of the day is cast upon. If it rises over the heel stone then it’s the first day of summer.

For those who are lazy you just look at the time on the front of the pocket watch as it also features a regular watch. Wouldn’t it be funny to whip it out next time someone asks you the time. 🙂

The Stonehenge watch will cost you $42.95 with shipping costing $12 for international.

Product Page

Filed Under: Gadget Clocks

Total Chef Oven

October 25, 2007 by Leave a Comment

Total Chef
By using infrared head, conduction and convection all in one the Total Chef Oven is able to cook fast. It cooks from the inside out which helps seal in the juices. Being able to broil, bake, BBQ, roast, grill, toast, steam, brown and heat it’s perfect for the student type person. What we want to see is USB or wireless connectivity though so you can start cooking by telling it to from your bedroom with out leaving your computer. Unfortunately there isn’t much gadgetness in this device though although it would come in handy for those traveling around. Available for $129.95 from FirstStreetOnline.

Via: GiftGadgetGateway

Filed Under: Cool Gadgets

Sansa TakeTV

October 25, 2007 by Leave a Comment

sansa-taketv
Sandisk have launched the Sansa TakeTV video player. The TakeTV is a flash memory based device which when cradled has AV outputs compatible with your TV. The idea here is that you download video from your computer on to the TakeTV and then can watch the video on regular TV’s which have AV inputs. The launch of the TakeTV also see’s a beta release of Fanfare which is a service you can use to download video to your device. Formats supported are DivX, XVID and MPEG-4. The USB port works with both 1.1 and 2.0 and 2 models are available which are the 4GB model and 8GB model costing $99 and $149.99.

Via: PMPToday

Filed Under: Tech News