Archive for the ‘ Gadgets ’ Category

Google Android: The First Open Source Mobile Platform

Google Android is the world’s first complete, free and open source mobile platform developed by no other than Google. It consists of the main operating system, middleware and key applications - all free and open. Applications use Java programming language which runs on Dalvik, a custom virtual machine designed for embedded use. The applications run on top of Linux kernel.

To see the Google Android in actual usage, watch this video:

Google Android is partnered with T-Mobile as its carrier and HTC as the hardware maker. The phone has an intuitive touch screen and QWERTY keyboard all packed in a portable phone. But as always, first generation devices are as buggy as they always are. To add to the excitement that I might have flooded on you, here is another image:

Google Android Phone

Popularity: 13% [?]

DIY: Make A USB Smoke Absorbing Ashtray

If you like smoking while working or using your laptop, then you ought to know that second hand smoke is dangerous to your health. I am not here to discuss the effects of smoking to our bodies but to share this video on how to reduce the smoke from cigarettes.

This is a simple how-to to create a simple yet effective way to reduce smoke from cigarettes. The ashtray is pluggable into a USB port so you can place it near your computer while it filters the smoke and turns it to a clean air. Enjoy the video :)

The voice was a bit sleepy but nevertheless, it is great to know that this kind of ashtray can be done in a few simple steps. :">

Popularity: 7% [?]

Secure Files with Your IronKey

Working as a system administrator requires a lot of memory power with all the servers that I am managing at work. Not to say the huge amount of passwords that go with it. And I must admit that my memory is not to be trusted (hey, even Einstein once suggested not to trust your memory!) with these credentials that if compromised or forgotten, will mean death to my career.

Anyway, my boss from our California office gave me a little piece of technology that I carry around with me and though I have read it a few times before, I never got the chance to own one. I am talking about the IronKey, a military-grade secure flash drive that is designed to protect the stored files.

This drive claims to be the most secure drive in the world. It’s design lies in its hardware-based AES encryption that resists any attempt to bypass the password, and provides a tight security for the drive. It also protects your encrypted data from brute-force attacks by initiating a self-destruct process if the password is typed in incorrectly after the tenth try. Any attempts also to tamper the casing will trigger the drive to self-destruct the data, making sure that no one will get the data even if physically tampered.

The bundled software also provides the security needed to access the files by asking for a password to unlock the USB drive. Locked drive means no read-write access whatsoever. Secure backup is also provided so encrypted backups of the contents can be created without compromising the data.

All in all, IronKey is perfect for confidential files and should be the standard of all USB flash drives.

Popularity: 5% [?]

The Warcart

When you think that sniffing wireless spots while driving a car or just plain walking with laptop on hand is plain and boring, then The Warcart might awaken the sleeping nerd inside you.

The Warcart is a simple device wherein an ordinary cart is used as a mobile WiFi access point sniffer. Before there was Wardriving which then evolved into something that is more flexible and cheaper. I then present to you now the Warcart:

warcart

If the image above baffles you on how exactly this device works, then watch this video:


Warcarting from Zack A on Vimeo.

The ultimate geek cart. ;)

Image and video courtesy of Zack Anderson Projects

Popularity: 4% [?]

Shower Shock Caffeinated Soap

I am not really a coffee drinker or passionate for any caffeinated drink for that matter, except if we are talking about the caffeine in chocolate bars (yum!). I just can’t stand the bitter taste of coffee because according to me, I am a super-taster. I always go for chocolatey drinks like Swiss Miss or the better alternative to coffee, green tea, served either hot, warm, cold, with or without milk.

I am also not a morning person, which basically means I hate waking up early in the morning (or evening, if I work the night shifts), and most of the time, I come to office half-asleep and cranky. Not a very good way to start my day (or night, whatever). So while I was checking stuff at
ThinkGeek :: Stuff for Smart Masses, I found this caffeinated product that might actually work for me and stop my cranky morning spell!
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Popularity: 6% [?]

Shopping for Mobile Phone: Sony Ericsson Phones Only

My boyfriend and I went to SM Megamall to look for a new mobile phone for me, or him, or whoever wins the argument on who should use the new phone. We both have the same preferences on phones like the brand and design and luckily, we both like Sony Ericsson phones. Nokia is very popular in Philippines but Nokia designs are kind of boring and almost everyone uses Nokia.
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Popularity: 26% [?]