Eclectic Tech

Tech that should be used, but isn't. (Yet)

Archive for December, 2009

Rugged SD Cards

Dec 10

Posted by Aaron in Uncategorized | No Comments

sammyThis is a no-brainer if you ask me. SD Cards are one of the most ubiquitous memory card formats for cameras and camcorders. Yet for how popular they are, the main flaw they have always had is their seemingly flimsy build. New DSLRs are now water resistant, dustproof and shockproof, but what happens when you take the SD card out after it is full?

These new cards from Samsung are built to last. Solid, waterproof for up to an hour, and armored against the elements, these could easily save your precious photos and videos while taking a ride in the bottom of a backpack or camera case. Sign me up for a pair of these bad boys!

(via Crunchgear)

USB Power Outlets

Dec 6

Posted by Aaron in Now-Tech | No Comments

poweroutThe first thing I have to say about this is: About dang time!

USB has become the defacto standard for charging all sorts of gadets and gizmos, and each one come with a wall adapter or expects you to find one on your own, or plug it into a computer.

Now, there is another option! This seemingly normal AC wall outlet has two USB plugs as well for direct USB power. Genius.

They can be pre-ordered now, and will become available in early 2010, once approved by the UL.

Sign me up for a 12-pack!

(via Gizmodo)

End of the CrunchPad

Dec 3

Posted by Aaron in Uncategorized, Wishful-Tech | No Comments

crunchpadfinalThis past week saw the demise of a very promising new gadget. The CrunchPad project has dissolved into a puff of greed and miscommunication.

The CrunchPad was a project to create a high powered Internet tablet device that would allow anyone to surf the net, check email, and watch online videos with ease where ever they were. Similar to netbooks, but in the form of a large, bright multitouch screen.

The project was the brainchild of bloggers from TechCrunch and other websites, and was the first example of how the consumers can influence and create a product for the masses, exactly how they wanted it.

Yet it all fell apart this past week due to disputes over manufacturing, intellectual property rights, and straight-forward greed.

Click here to read the full story of the demise.

I find this news to be very sad. The tech behind the CrunchPad was not extremely complex, but the idea was something entirely new and innovative. Somewhere between a netbook and an eReader, the CrunchPad had many people eagerly awaiting its arrival. In my opinion, this would have been an amazing gadget to have. Those who used prototypes at trade shows and conventions said that it was a joy to use, intuitive, and stable. But the sad fact remains, there is little hope of seeing this dream come to reality in the near future.

RIP CrunchPad.