Gadgets On The Today Show

By popular demand we are now taking Today Show viewers through the latest from the Gadget world every two weeks at 8:20am. This mornings Today Show Gadget wrap up (June 2, 2008) was a mix of some of my favourites and some of the gadgets we have seen getting world wide attention. Here is an outline of each and why I think it is a rockin item to look out for:

1) Sony Rolly – RRP Not Available In Australia

When Sony released vision of the Rolly onto Youtube it ended up getting over 120 million views! It’s a cross between a Digital Music player and a Robot (well kind of), and will play all your favourite tracks while also dancing across the table. I don’t really see the point of it, however it is new and different, and no doubt being bought by many in Japan. For me the digital pet idea has never been a big draw card and so I will not be shedding a tear when I return the Rolly to Sony.

At present the Sony Rolly is not available in Australia and there has been no announcements as to when it may be released (whether it will be released or not)


2) Lamborghini Notebook from Asus – RRP $4599

I have always watched the arrival of Notebook PC’s licensed by car companies with great interest. I doubt whether I will ever own a fast Italian car, but it is exciting that I can at least have another prized possession related to the car so many aspire to own.

The Asus VX3 Lamborghini Notebook PC is new to the Australian market and is a notebook pc I wish I could own. Some of the specifications that you need to know include: 4 Gig of ram, 320 gig hard drive, 12.1 inch screen and built in DVD multi drive this has all the specs that a high end notebook must have. the VX3 also includes a titanium alloy in it’s construction to ensure strength but maintain the lightweight design. Add to that leather stitched into the area next to the keyboard and hey presto, this is a hot machine.

The only negitive is the price, at just over $4500 it is by far the most expensive notebook on the market, without including high end machines that weigh over 4 kilograms and those unbreakable laptops that you see at open stripe mining sites!

Asus have built a notebook PC that any hot blooded Italian would be proud to rest on the back of their Vespa.

Read more about it here, but I am impressed.

3) Portable Apps – Download Here RRP FREE

When a Technology reviewer says – “This free program is awesome and I use it all the time”, you should definetly spend 30 seconds of your life listening to what it is. I did and I have to say this is one impressive program.
Portable Apps requires a USB memory card, a host pc, an internet connection (for some of the programs like the web-browser and the email) and that is about it. The concept is an easy one, load portable apps onto the memory card and then plug it into the host pc (this could be any PC running windows).

Some great uses for Portable Apps are backpackers and people who want to check their email on their office pc.

The best way to learn how to use it is to watch this short video on Youtube (Watch Me!).

4) KANNAD 406 XS 3 PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON – WITH BUILT IN GPS – RRP $699
If you love the great outdoors and some of the locations you visit are no where near any kind of civilisation then a personal locator beacon might be something for you. The new technology of the Kannad allows rescuers to know your position down to 120 metres. The positioning service is global and the Kannad uses the newer 406 global frequency.

Be careful not to set it off by accident as the search and rescue authorities will send help and you will need to pay for the costs!

Check out locations to get them here

5) Jabra BT3030 Stereo – Headset for Mobile Phones – RRP $99

With phones and digital music players converging into the one device accessories are now available that make using your phone easier. If you want to pack your phone away in a back pack, say you are riding a bike or hiking etc, then a blue tooth enabled device like the BT3030 is a good option.
Connecting wirelessly to the phone this ‘Dog Tag’ hangs around your neck and has all the controls you need to listen to music, take a phone call and most importantly keep doing what it was you were doing without worrying about your phone.
Check out the details here