1950s Lantern Robot Tribute: Azimuth "Mr. Roboto" Watch

The "Mr. Roboto" watch by Azimuth pays homage to the tin robots of the 1950s. The watch features automatic winding, steel casing, and is water resistant to 50 meters. Previous years Azimuth models are also shown. Check out more pics at Watchismo.

[Watchismo via Gizmodo]

960 x 240 Resolution? AT-130 MP5 Player

The AT-130 mp5 player features a 3.0-inch 960 x 240 (16:9) pixel TFT screen, 4GB of memory, an SD card slot, and a NES, SFC, SMC, SEGA, NEO-GEO game simulator.

It supports FLAC, APE, WMA, MP3, SRSBBE audio; MPEG4, AVI, DIVX, XVID, D1 standard, RM/RMVB video; JPEG, GIF, and BMP images; and TXT documents.

The player measures 3.86 x 2.4 x 0.47 inches.

[DIY Trade]

Video Review: Onda VX757 PMP

A few days ago I compared the features of the Onda VX747, Onda VX757, Onda VX767, and the iPod touch.

Check out MP4 Nation's video review of the Onda VX757:

[MP4 Nation]

Simple Yet Complex: Luna Watch

Functionally simplistic yet aesthetically complex, the Luna Watch by John Pszeniczny is a concept watch made of crystal, stainless steel and a spessartine garnet. To tell time touch the two contact points and the time seems to magically float inside the crystal. Beautiful.

[Yanko Design via DVICE]

PMP with One of the Better Touchscreens: Newman Momo M-Touch

The Newman Momo M-Touch pmp/pda has one of the better touchscreens that is both innovative and responsive. The player runs Windows CE 6.0 so third party applications can easily be loaded on it. The Momo M-Touch features a 2.8-inch 320 x 240pixel touchscreen, 2GB or 4GB of memory, MicroSD/TF Slot (for up to 2GB cards), built-in speaker, and an eBook reader.

The M-Touch includes a 1.3 megapixel camera that takes JPG format images with 1280 x 960, 640 x 480, and 320 x 240 pixel resolution. It comes with 5 built-in games that utilize the touch screen for interaction.

It supports MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, FLAC, and AC3 audio; AVI, ASF, MPG, 3GP, MP4, and FLV video; and JPG, BMP, and GIF images.

Check out the video:

[MP4 Nation]

Celestial Watches: Maurice Lacroix Watches

Maurice Lacroix watch-makers unveiled three new watches in the Starside series. The analog watches are all designed around a celestial motif. They are housed in 38 millimeter stainless steel cases, covered in dozens of diamonds and, depending on the watch, have pearls, crystals, silver and gold. I think they are stunning.

[DVICE]

Comparison Chart: Onda versus iPod touch

Onda announced yet another VX pmp - the VX767. The comparison chart below compares the Onda VX747, VX757, VX767, and the iPod touch specs. Click to view actual size.



[Ubergizmo]

Kinetic Sculpture Clock: Cuckinetic Clock

The Cuckinetic (Cuckoo Kinetic) Clock by painter and sculptor George Rhodes is a beautiful kinetic masterpiece. The hours are read from the numbered cylinders that are picked up on that wheel, and the minutes from the pointer arm. It strikes the hours when the cylinder rolls down the track and hits a bell. It comes in a limited edition of 50.

See and hear the clock in action on the artist's site

[George Rhodes via Gizmodo]

Written In Time: Diesel DZ7026

The Diesel DZ7086 watch comes with a bright blue and green dual-color face that displays the day, date, and time in traditional digital format as well as a text version. Four animations are displayed randomly when top selector button is pressed. It is water resistant to 50 meters.

Ahead of Their Time: LIP Mach 2000 Watches

The 141 year old French brand LIP is reintroducing some of their most important models of their 1970s designer series that remains as visionary today as when first unveiled 35 years ago. The Mach 2000 was designed by Roger Tallon in 1973. The design is true to the original but features Swiss quartz movement and mineral glass. It is water resistant to 50 meters. I love the asymetrical design and colorful buttons.

[Watchismo via DVICE]

Swiss Army Knife of PMPs: MIU HDPC

It's a pmp! It's a umpc! It's a mid! It's a bird! It's a plane! Sorry, I got carried away. The MIU HDPC (Hybrid Dual Portable Computer) features a 4-inch 800 x 480 pixel touchscreen which slides out and flips over for the cellphone interface. It has a 1GHz VIA C7M ULV processor, 4GB of DDR2 memory, 60GB hard disk (or 4GB SSD) and miniSD/microSD expansion, b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, stereo speakers, QWERTY thumbpad and mouse. It runs dual Windows XP/Linux Qplus embedded operating system. It also appears to have a 5.0 megapixel camera, DMB mobile television, and external GPS add-on. Wow. It has a very retro look to it; although I'm pretty sure it's unintentional.

[Engadget]

Taking Fashion to a Ridiculous Level: Samsung SGH-G600 Belle

Is the cellphone market so dominated by men that cellphone manufacturers have to resort to silly marketing gimmicks to get women to buy their products? The Samsung SGH-G600 Belle comes in a pretty shade of mauve, and included in the box are three bottles of nail polish, one of which is in the same exclusive color as the phone. Okaaay... but as a woman I want to know how the phone stacks up to the competition.

[DVICE]

iPod nano 2G Clone: Zarva V1

The Zarva V1, an iPod nano 2nd generation clone, features a 1.46-inch display, 1GB of memory and measures 2.46 x 1.57 x 0.25 inches. It supports many audio and video codecs like: AVI (Mpeg-4), MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC, APE, JPEG as well as TXT files.

[akihabara]

The Sexy iPod touch? Teclast M26

After the M25 and T50, Teclast announced another competitor for the iPod touch. The Teclast M26 features a 2.6-inch 480 x 270 pixel touchscreen, TV-out, Microsoft PlayFX abilities, FM tuner, voice recorder, and two processors. It supports (unconfirmed) MP3, and WMA audio; RM, RMVB, FLV and AVI video; and unknown image formats. Most interesting, don't you think?

[gmp3]

Natural Time Rhythms: Yes Zulu Watch

The Yes Zulu watch features a collection of solar and lunar algorithms from distinguished astronomers, the US Naval Observatory and NASA, incorporated into a sophisticated program that calculates extensive time data through the year 2099. Time information includes local time, sunrise/sunset/solar high noon times, moonrise and moon-set, solstice and equinox alerts, moon rise/set, lunar phase, length of day/night, digital time, and military time.

Time can be set by latitude and longitude. In addition, the watch has an alarm with 10 minute snooze, digital display that can be turned on/off, 24-hour stopwatch with laptime, and automatic daylight savings time adjustment. It is water resistant to 100 meters.

The Yes Zulu watch (not the same model) can also be found at Amazon.com.

[ThinkGeek]

Like Ink on Paper: E-Ink Display Watch

The E-Ink display watch is unique in appearance. Its display is like ink on paper, and able to dynamically invert from black on white or white on black imaging. The customizable dial allows selection of different styles, from the precise detail of full numerals and indices to the simplicity of no markings all. In addition, the display features a very wide viewing angle (unlike LED displays) and low power consumption.

[ThinkGeek via pocket-lint]

Simple Design and Bluetooth: RAmos RM955 PMP

RAmos announced the RM955 mini-pmp that resembles the LG Prada. It features a 2.8-inch 320 x 240 pixel touchscreen, 2GB, 4GB, or 4GB of memory, a microSD port, and Bluetooth. The RM955 supports MP3 and WMA audio; AVI video; and JPEG and BMP images.

[gmp3]

UMPC Alarm Clock: Pix-L Alarm Clock UMPC

Designer Jean Hong designed a umpc (ultra mobile portable computer) that doubles as an alarm clock and browser. The Pix-L umpc mini-screen can be propped-up for reclined browsing. Turn it around for viewing if you’re lying on your stomach. The tiny PC can be detached from its stand for computing on the go. Clever idea!

[DVICE]

Inaccurate Clock: Beautiful Times Clock

This Beautiful Times clock is different in two ways. First, the LCD-like numbers floating above a wood stand. Very distinctive. Second, it only displays "beautiful times" (hence, its name). What are "beautiful times"? Well... "The categories are mirroring (22:55), repeating (7:07), up- or countdown (12:34 or 5:43) and turning around (6:09). A Beautiful is displayed as long as it takes till the next one". Huh? Very distinctive... but not in a good way. So this "clock" shows the correct time only sometimes. Kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

[Work via DVICE]

Bringing Sound Back to Music? Philips GoGear SA52

Philips launched the new GoGear SA52 pmp with the claim that it "brings sound back to music". Say wha-? Apparently, it's referring to Philips FullSound technology which "greatly enhances" the sound quality of compressed MP3 audio files creating a "symphony-like experience".

The GoGear SA52 features a 2.8-inch QVGA LCD display and comes with 4GB or 8GB of memory. Battery life is estimated at 25 hours for audio and 5 hours of video playback.

The SA52 supports MP3, WMA, and AAC audio; WMV video and includes FM radio on the go.

[pocket-lint]

Like Sands Through the Hourglass: Sand+Time Watch

The Sand+Time Watch designed by Pavel Balykin is a concept digital hourglass that tells the time digitally at the touch of a button. When in screen saver mode it displays a digital hourglass. Retro and contemporary in one. Cool.

[Yanko Design via ubergizmo]

Agent 007: Omega Seamaster Diver 300M James Bond

Omega is the preferred watch of agent James Bond and the updated Seamaster Diver 300M James Bond Collectors Edition version features a polished, lacquered black dial with black gold plated hour markers filled with white Super-LumiNova. The luminous hour and minute hands are also plated with black gold. The watch has a central seconds hand with a red tip and a red "007" logo. The watch includes Omega's caliber 2500 self-winding movement. Only 10,007 pieces of this exclusive Seamaster will be produced.

[newlaunches]

Archos 605 Wi-Fi Competitor: Polaroid MPU-43315 PMP

Polaroid just released the MPU-43315 pmp which features a 4.3-inch LCD, 60GB hard drive, a Wi-Fi connection, and a FM tuner. It supports MP3, WMA, and WAV audio; H.264, WMV video; and JPEG images. Battery life is estimated at 16 hours for audio and 4 hours for video. It measures 0.87 x 3.15 x 5.67 inches.

[jbmm via gmp3]

100 Hours of Playback: Panasonic SV-SD870N

The Panasonic SV-SD870N mp3 player features noise cancellation (83%) which achieves 100 hours of continuous play. It supports direct recording on its internal SD card, if plugged into any Panasonic D-Dock device. It comes with a 2GB SD card (16GB SD cards supported). It supports AAC, WMA and MP3 audio and measures 1.38 x 3.54 x 0.45 inches.

[akihabara]

Tactile LCD or Camera: Soundstream X-ITE PMPs

Soundstream announced two new pmps. The MP28-T pmp features a 2.8-inch touchscreen, 2GB (MP28-T2G) or 4GB (MP28-T4G) of memory, FM radio, voice recorder, built-in speaker, lyric synchronization, and miniSD card slot. It supports MP3, WMA, ASF, WAV, FLAC, OGG, & APE audio; MP4, DIVX, XVIDV, AVI, and MTV video; and JPEG and GIF images.

The MP28-C pmp features a 2.4-inch TFT LCD, 2GB (MP24-C2G) or 4GB (MP24-C4G) of memory, 2 mega pixel CMOS Digital Camera, FM radio, voice recorder, built-in speaker, Lyric synchronization, and a miniSD card slot. It supports MP3, WMA, ASF, WAV, FLAC, OGG, and APE audio; MP4, DIVX, XVIDV, AVI, and MTV video; and JPEG and GIF images.

[Soundstream via gmp3]

The Wearable PMP: D'Cube Diny D7 PMP

D’Cube announced the Diny D7 pmp(successor to the D5). The D7 features a 1.3-inch 128 x 160 pixel LCD, 2GB or 4GB of memory, an FM tuner/transmitter, and a voice recorder. It supports MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV audio; and MPEG4 SP, and WMV video. It measures 2.34 x 1.3 x 0.43 inches. The Diny D7 can be hung around the neck.

[gmp3]

Conventional with a Twist: Citizen Independent ITX21-5014

The Independent ITX21-5014 watch by Citizen features an LCD display background dial which can be turned on or off. When on, the LCD modes include alarm, calendar, chronograph, timer and time. There is also a EL backlight for night time activated by the yellow button. Random fact: Tokyoflash was was built behind the Independent brand. I knew it looked familiar.

[Tokyoflash via TFTS]

Emotional Technology: Exmocare Watches

Exmocare watches are uniquely designed to monitor many physiological signals at once. By interpreting physiological cues, these devices can help make us aware whenever there is a physiological or emotional problem, big or small, with ourselves or our loved ones. Since Exmocare watches are built using state-of-the-art wireless technology, this happens automatically and reliably.

Exmocare watches can be used for many things: for remote elder care, for monitoring people with chronic illness such as heart conditions and diabetes, and for managing personal fitness and weight loss, just to name a few.

[Exmocare]

Concept Home SmartPhone: OpenPeak OpenFrame Touchscreen SmartPhone

OpenPeak OpenFrame concept smartphone WVGA touchscreen device serves as both an standard and a VoiP telephone whilst including multimedia capabilities and offering internet access for up to the minute news, travel and weather information as well as accessing video and music sites. The smartphone also acts as an electronic memo pad (written and voice), an appointments manager, a calendar, to-do list and full address book. Is it wrong that I really want one?

[OpenPeak via TFTS]

Hands-On: Asus R70a UMPC

A few weeks ago, I posted about the Asus R70a umpc. The R70a features 7-inch stylus-optimised, high brightness touchscreen, a 120GB drive, built-in GPS and HSDPA, dual cameras (2mp, 0.3mp) and a DVB-T receiver. It runs Vista on an Intel Silverthorne processor with Poulsbo graphics. Battery life on the pre-production model is about 4 hours.

Check out the video:

[UMPC Portal]

Seven Up! Seven Alarm Clock

The Seven concept alarm clock by designer Joel Escalona wakes you up to the sound of your favorite mp3 music and if its motion-sensor detects your continued inactivity, it raises the volume level of that music a few notches, until you’re finally awakened. Clever.

[DVICE]

Preview Video: Sansa Fuze

Earlier in the week I posted about SanDisk's iPod nano competitor the Sansa Fuze. Here's a preview video:

[gmp3]

Extreme Geekiness: Roland Edirol MP3 Player

The Edirol mp3 player from Roland features the ability to record and playback 24-bit audio, SD/SDHC card slot, and up to 4 hours of recording time. The new Edirol R-09HR (update of Edirol R-09) includes a remote control, a preview monitor, a small internal speaker and Cakewalk Audio Creator LE. It does look like an electric shaver... but it's so geeky, how can you not love it?

[DVICE via TechDigest]

Digital Frame, HDTV, Cookbook? Pandigital Photo Frame

I admit to having a weakness for multi-purpose gadgets. This photo frame from Pandigital is also a 720p HDTV and a "digital cookbook". The frame features a 15-inch "mess-proof" sealed display, mp3 and video (MPEG, MP4, AVI) playback, includes a 6-in-1 card reader and an HDMI input. It comes with both table stand and cabinet undermount, and its software includes not just an expandable collection of recipes, but an alarm clock and a calendar. Perfect!

[Pandigital via Gizmodo]

Beats Per Minute: Nixon Murf Watch

Nixon released a new range of Murf watches that are inspired by the 1970s. The watches feature a dial watch that has rotating hour and minute wheels which are located behind a fixed-position indicator. The Murf watches are powered by a direct drive quartz movement. I think they look awesome!

[Nixon and Ubergizmo]

Measuring Time in Years: Lifetime Clock

The Lifetime Clock ticks years instead of hours. How utterly depressing. This clock takes the "time flies" saying to a whole other level. On the plus side, the clock can be used to remind loved ones of upcoming birthdays. Okay, 'nuff said.

[Gizmodo]

Ultra Slim and Ultra Stylish: Picto DigiArt i90 Camera

Quite a few PMPs feature a low resolution digital cameras. Digix's Picto DigiArt i90 is a 7-megapixel camera that includes PMP features. The camera features a 3-inch LCD screen, a 3x optical zoom, Image Stabilizing Helper, video at 30fps with maximum resolution of 740 x 480 pixels, shoots up to ISO 1000, and has a 9-megapixel interpolated mode. Additionally, the camera includes an mp3 player, video player, voice recorder and SD memory card slot.

[Gizmodo]

Jackpot Rewards Deal of the Day: myvu Solo Plus Personal Media Viewer

I mentioned the myvu personal media viewers a couple of months back. The myvu viewers, if you recall, are dark, sleek glasses with built-in visual and audio systems. The glasses connect to a video player and display the video feed on a pair of LCD screens inside the headset as if the user were watching a large screen TV from six feet away. Users can watch videos on a full-sized screen anywhere, anytime.

Jackpot Rewards is offering the myvu solo plus personal media player for iPod for a cost of $99.95 (that's $100 off) as their "Deal of the Day" for today only. Limited number of units are available. Note: you must be a member to see the "Deal of the Day".

Jackpot Rewards is a new online rewards program that provides its members with the most cash back on online purchases as well as exclusive deals and discounts.

1980s Retro: Casio G-Shock Watches

The new Casio G-Shock watches have the G-Shock classic look of the 1980s but include a modern twist. They feature a solar panel under the face to constantly recharge the watch. They come in white, green, and red... I don't recall the 80s being so colorful.

[Gizmodo]

iPod Dock: HSM iPod Clock Radio Locker

Now this is a most original iPod dock. It's Disney's High School Musical Clock Radio for iPod. It not only looks like a locker but it features an iPod dock inside of it too. It has an AM/FM tuner, sleep timer, snooze button, and volume display. The clock measures 5.75 x 7.24 x 10.0 inches.

[Chip Chick]

Akihabara Review: iRiver E100 MP3 Player

As reported last week, Akihabara had an iRiver E100 in hand to review. Well, Akihabara have the results of the review now and they were most impressed.

To summarize:

Pluses:
+ Excellent audio quality
+ D-Click system
+ MicroSD port
+ MTP/UMS (the player is detected as an external drive)
+ Price to quality ratio
+ All around player (audio, video, photo, text, FM radio, and voice recorder)
+ Design

Minuses:
- No Bluetooth
- Autonomy in Video mode
- D-Click sometimes lacks reactivity

Check out the full review here.

iPod nano Competitor: Sansa Fuze

SanDisk’s up and coming Sansa Fuze PMP is clearly a device aimed at competing with the Apple iPod nano. The Fuze features a 1.9-inch display, voice recorder, FM radio, microSD/microSDHC card slot, and comes with 2GB (black), 4GB (black, red, blue, pink), and 8GB (silver) of memory. It supports WMA, MP3, WAV, Audible audio; MPEG4 video; and JPEG images. Battery life is estimated at 24hrs audio playback and 5hrs video playback. It kind of looks like a cross between the Sansa View and the Sansa Clip, doesn't it?

[Busines Wire, TFTS]

Wireless Broadband PMP: Samsung SWT-W100K

Samsung announced the Samsung SWT-W100K WiBro PMP in Korea. The SWT-W100K features a 4.3-inch 800x480 pixel TFT touchscreen, 8GB memory, GPS module, a 2 megapixel auto-focus camera, a microphone, Bluetooth connectivity, DMB and DMB PIP (Picture In Picture), and WiBro. It supports WMA audio; and MP4, XviD, WMV, and H.264 video.

Check out the video:

[Akihabara via gmp3]

CNET Review: Cowon Q5W versus Archos 705 Wi-Fi

vs

CNET pitted the Cowon Q5W to the Archos 705 Wi-Fi in a head-to-head competition. Why those two devices? Well, according to CNET, supersized Wi-Fi portable video players such as the Cowon Q5W and the Archos 705 WiFi feature large screens, full Web browsers, incredible file support, plenty of storage, and enough features to make your head spin. The devices were compared in five categories: Navigation, Sexiness, Compatibility, Sound and Science, and Wallet Factor. See the details here.

And the winner is... the Archos 705 Wi-Fi!

I wonder if the result would have been different if CNET had factored in that the Cowon Q5W now has a SNES emulator? Check out the video:

Revolutionizing Workouts: Yamaha BodiBeat

BodiBeat by Yamaha comes preloaded with thousands of electronic mixes or can be loaded with songs like other mp3 players. The synchronization technology detects impact during walking or jogging and selects songs with tempos that match the walking/jogging pace. The BodiBeat monitors distance, time, pace and heart rate. BodiBeat has four operating modes: Free Workout mode that matches song tempos to walking/jogging speed; Fitness mode that provides most appropriate music for optimal aerobic exercise; Training mode for serious runners or advanced users; and Music mode for regular mp3 player functionality.

[Yamaha via gmp3]

Dynamic Navigation: Blaupunkt TravelPilot 200

Blaupunkt introduced their new navigation device at CeBIT 2008 - the TravelPilot 200. The TravelPilot 200 features a 3.5-inch TFT touchscreen, SD card slot, and includes five different route options: short and quick routes as well as optimal, economical and ecological routes, the latter being an optimum calculation of route and time. It also features integrated Traffic Message Channel (TMC) receiver and antenna, provides visual and acoustic warnings when the legal speed limit is about to be exceeded, and displays current speed, estimated time of arrival remaining driving time, and distance to the destination.

[technikdirekt]

Super Stylish and Unique: EleeNo Watches

EleeNo watches are very reminiscent of Tokyoflash watches.

The EleeNo Illusion is certainly unique. It features two circles representing the minutes (large circle) and hours (small circle) on a grid background. It comes in black and white.

At first glance the EleeNo Radar certainly does look like a ship's search radar display with its black background with green highlights. In fact, the outside green "highlight" is the minutes hand and the inside green "highlight" is the hours. It also comes in reverse coloring.

The EleeNo Holes watch is well, covered in holes. The inside circle of holes is used for the hours while the outside holes are the minutes. Very unique.

[EleeNo]

For the Globetrotter: Diesel DZ9023, DZ9024, DZ9025 Watches

Check out these multi-display watches by Diesel. Pretty distinctive, don't you think?

The DZ9023 style is the fashion statement of the Signature collection. Five miniature movements are aligned vertically and curved to lie comfortably on the wrist. The all black watch has a stainless steel case covered in black Ionic Plating and a black genuine leather strap. The five dials are black with applied silver indexes and black electroplating. A Mohican head insignia is featured on the custom molded case back and custom buckle.




The DZ9024, like the DZ9023, features five miniature movements aligned vertically. The stainless steel case has etched airport codes corresponding to New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), London (LHR), Paris (CDG) and Tokyo (NRT) on its side and is attached to a black genuine leather strap. A Mohican head insignia is featured on the custom molded case back and custom buckle. It is water resistant up to 30 meters.

Finally, the DZ9025 is the showpiece of the Diesel Signature collection. The dial features a chronograph and 4 miniature movements. The case is made of stainless steel with signature Diesel screws. The gunmetal sunray dials have a black lapped logo, black applied texture and applied silver indexes and features a Mohican head insignia. The watch is water Resistant up to 30 meters.

[DVICE]