A blog about likeable gadgets and electronic products such as GPS, MP3 players, digital cameras, cell phones, music equipment, computers or other geek-worthy toys.

Super Tiny Keyboard

This almost microscopic-sized USB keyboard has to be the smallest I’ve ever seen.  At just 6.7″ X 2.9″, it is about the size of an open hand.  I can see this portable keyboard becoming a favorite of PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii gamers to eliminate having to use the video game controllers for inputting data.

Although I get the whole idea of making cell phones, notebook computers, and other new gadgets as small as possible, I’m wondering if this is really practical for business purposes?  My point is, if you’re going to use a keyboard this small, then why don’t you just type on your Blackberry or cell phone?

The super tiny keyboard has a retractable USB cord and 56 keys.  I found it at Brando for $25.

September 20, 2008   No Comments

Portable screen for PlayStation 3

Ever wish you could take your PlayStation 3 on the road? Add this to your PS3 accessories list. Now you can play PS3 games anywhere with the Clearvision PlayStation 3 LCD screen. The 7-inch LCD screen and speakers combo unit attaches to the top of your PlayStation 3 console allowing you to play it anywhere you can plug it in. While it’s not exactly the most compact combination I’ve seen, I guess this is just the thing for die hard PS3 folks. I found the Clearvision PlayStation 3 LCD screen at Shenzhen Madcow. Hey, what about one of these for a Nintendo Wii? I’d like to see Wii users waving those controllers around in public places.

July 26, 2008   No Comments

Nintendo Wii Demonstrates That Fun Beats Fancy Graphics

Nintendo Wii

The console gaming industry has proven this before — just because you have the fanciest gaming system for sale does not mean it will win. In the late 70s and early 80s, the Atari 2600 beat the graphically superior Mattel IntelliVision and Coleco’s ColecoVision because it had games based on familiar, popular arcade games (even if they looked blocky). Nintendo’s GameBoy completely dominated the portable gaming market in the early 90s, despite far superior units like the NEC TurboGrafx-16, the Atari Lynx, and the Sega GameGear.

In the latest round of console wars, the Nintendo Wii was up against some technological powerhouses, the Microsoft Xbox 360 and the Sony PlayStation 3. Yet, the Wii has outsold them. Why? In part because of its price, but the primary reason the Wii has garnered such love is its unique baton-like controller, the Wiimote. With it, gamers can interact in a physical way. Sword-fighting. Bowling. Drawing. Tennis. Nintendo tapped into demographics not typical of other gaming systems: the elderly, female, and other adult non-gamers.

Meanwhile, the Sony PS3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 have struggled to keep up despite impressive graphics. The PS3 in particular has had the disadvantage of being the most expensive and being the most difficult to develop games for, leading to fewer games and fans for the system.

Still, the question remains — will the Wii maintain its top status? Will physical games continue to appeal or is this a passing fad?

May 21, 2008   1 Comment