Gadgets, Gizmos, and Games for Geeks

The soon to be released Logitech Z-10 Interactive Speaker System features a built-in display capable of showing title and track information for the currently playing digital music track. Data for the backlit LCD is fed via the speakers’ USB connection.

At the 2006 International Meeting on Information Display in South Korea, Samsung demonstrated prototype portable screens using AMOLED display technology. AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) claims to have a much greater contrast ratio, lower power consumption, better viewing angle, wider color gamut and faster refresh rate than similar TFT LCD screens.

LG is working on a 42-inch LCD monitor capable of displaying images in either 2D or 3D without glasses, by simply toggline a switch. At this time, there are no other details on the technology or when a release is expected.

While Microsoft is touting the wonders of the music sharing features of the new Zune media player, I’m quite familiar with a project in which a team from the MIT Media lab developed a similar wireless music sharing capability a couple of years ago.

Crunchgear has broken the news that the initial Microsoft Zune media player will be manufactured by Toshiba, not Microsoft. The device has been registered with the FCC as the Toshiba 1089. It’s been confirmed that the player features a 30GB hard drive, a 3″ LCD, USB 2.0 and 802.11 b/g connectivity.

I don’t know how I missed this video when it came out back in June… This guy recorded his call with the AOL anti-cancellation nazis. It would be really funny if it weren’t so sad. Actually, it is really funny…

This Audiovox D1420 portable DVD player is just about an inch more in diameter than the DVD itself. The tiny player features a built-in 4.2″ 16:9 LCD widescreen and battery life is quoted at 2.5 hours, so you should be able to watch most full-length movies on a single charge.

..or are you just glad to see me? The folks at Wenger thought it would be a good idea to create the ultimate in Swiss army knives by including every tool they make (85 in all) in a single form-factor.

“Virtual” desktops are for wusses. The new Powerscape Ultra HD from Zenview is the ultimate in desktop monitor rigs. The system features a huge 30″ diagonal widescreen LCD at 2560×1600 resolution, flanked by four 20.1″ “surround” monitors in portrait mode at 1200×1600 resolution each, for a total screen resolution of 7360×1600.

Not to be left out of the pack, the Nintendo DS Lite is jumping on the multi-color bandwagon this fall with the release of two new colors, “Onyx” and “Coral Pink.” These are expected to ship in the US on September 13th.

If you ask Lionhead Studios founder and game designer of legend, Peter Molyneux, the answer is ‘yes.’ In a speech he made at this week’s Leipzig Games Convention, he was quoted as saying: I’ve realised I’m an incredibly lazy person when I play games, and actually slouching back on the sofa, playing on my beer belly, is my most comfortable position.

ThinkGeek is now offering these totally over the top Star Wars Force FX Lightsabers. They’re far more substantial and effect-laden than the cheapo toy lightsabers out there. Each lightsaber features a variety of cool effects, including: glowing blades with sliding power-up/down effect sound effects digitally recorded from the movie motion sensor controlled sound effects, Power-up, idle hum, clash, and power-down a heavy-duty metal hilt to looks and feels like a “real” lightsaber The come in 5 varieties, including: Darth Maul – DUAL Red Blade – $199.99 USD; Darth Vader – Red Blade – $99.99 USD; Anakin Skywalker – Blue Blade – $99.99 USD; Mace Windu – Purple Blade – $119.99 USD; and Obi Wan – Blue Blade – $119.99 USD.

Apple and Creative Technology, Ltd. today announced a broad settlement ending all legal disputes between the two companies. Apple will pay $100 million to license Creative’s patent in all Apple products. Apple can recoup a portion of its payment if Creative is successful in licensing this patent to others.

Sony’s latest attempt to combine a flat panel LCD with a PC has resulted in the svelte new VAIO LS1 TV/PC. The new system combines a reasonably powerful computer into the back of a flat-panel 19-inch WSXGA+ (1680 x 1050) LCD display.

Samsung Electronics has developed the first consumer 70″ LCD HDTV panel, besting Sharp’s 65″ panel introduced late last year. The set will feature a full 1080p resolution and a 180 degree viewing angle. In addition, the refresh rate is 120Hz vs 60Hz, which should result in less visible blurring and flicker.

The Ziovia CS510 Media Streamer differentiates itself from the crowd by offering the ability to stream high definition content from your computer to your HDTV via an HDMI or component connection, and also features optical and coax digital audio outputs.