Verizon Wireless has a new partner to help market its wireless services. Qwest has signed a five year agent agreement which will allow customers to secure Verizon Wireless phones and services from Qwest retail outlets and kiosks. Current Qwest Wireless customers will receive recommendations in regards to comparable Verizon Wireless calling plans and equipment. In addition to Verizon Wireless offering exclusive offers to Qwest Wireless customers who switch, Qwest will also waive any contract termination fees for those switching to Verizon Wireless. Residential Qwest customers who bundle their services will be able to be charged Verizon Wireless services on their Qwest bill beginning in the fall. (Read the full post about ‘Qwest to offer Verizon Wireless equipment and services’…)
I know that winter’s a long way off, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for it a few months in advance? The Travelmate fireplace is one such device that takes on a briefcase form factor, handle and all, to allow you to tote this thing just about wherever you go. It features glass sides that are held in place by magnets, so you’ll need to remove these glass sides before lighting the fire, replacing them shortly thereafter to prevent burning down the building you’re at accidentally. While there is no word on what kind of fuel the Travelmate fireplace uses, speculation has it that alcohol gel is the main player here. The Travelmate fireplace is definitely for the well-heeled as it retail for a jaw dropping $3,300. (Read the full post about ‘Travelmate Fireplace’…)
Lian Li is more famous for their range of PC chassis, but here we have the Lian Li BZ-U02 I/O port bezel that enables convenient access to essential ports without having to bend down and check out the back of your PC chassis. Features include one standard 5.25″ bay, a special dust cover that prevents dust bunnies from establishing colonies around the ports, four USB 2.0 ports, FireWire, eSATA, and even an audio jack to hook up headphones or speakers, with a microphone port to complete the happy reunion. Lian Li will be offering the BZ-U02 for $30. (Read the full post about ‘Lian Li BZ-U02 I/O Port Bezel’…)
I hate Bluetooth headsets. Being a geek, I liked the idea of them and tried to be an early adopter, but they all sucked. From the static introduced by poor Bluetooth connections to minor incompatibilities between phones and headsets to the problem of keeping them charged and the fact that they either hurt my ear or fell off, I never found one I could use. And that’s after purchasing the best that Logitech, Plantronics, and Motorola had to offer. I looked at the Apple Bluetooth headset, but the reviews on it all stated that the range and connection quality was poor. I also have rather small ears, so headsets designed to be held in place by the ear canal have never worked for me. (Read the full post about ‘Review: Jawbone Bluetooth Headset’…)
It’s amazing how some simple things can be turned into cool geek products. This latest desk lamp designed by Japan’s 25togo looks very much like an oversized LEGO block. The top of the blocks have a snap-off top layer that can hold pens, pencils and whatever else that will fit inside it. The bricks are measured at 6” x 4” x 2.4”, which makes them quite a bit bigger than the standard LEGO block. It’d be interesting to see if anything can be actually built out of these lamps, perhaps an illuminated Christmas tree? The only downer is that these lamps are only available through 25togo’s online store, and are going for about $15 each. (Read the full post about ‘LEGO Lamps To Light Up Your Day’…)
This is where we call out by names the actions and companies that seem odd, out of touch or just plain straight up smokin crack. Technology is an odd realm where PR speak doesn’t hold a lot of water if the 1s and 0s don’t line up. This week sees posturing, positioning and flat out insanity. Here is what caught my eye this week: iphone 3G stock - Apple seems to be going to the Nintendo Wii’s model of avoiding any price deterioration: keep the darn thing out of stock. Almost 3 weeks after launch and finding a phone is harder than finding Waldo. Heck, there is even still lines in most stores to pick one up. This doesn’t seem to be settling down; and it is looking like a huge customer grab for AT&T. Amazing, either demand is just huge or Apple is playing with the supply figures and screwing with everyone’s lunch hour. Either way, crack is involved. (Read the full post about ‘Gadgetell’s “Who’s on Crack” game’…)
After much speculation on what the latest Sidekick device from T-Mobile will be called, the carrier decided to just name it Sidekick, plain and simple. There won’t be any other code name attached to it, bringing us back to the basics. You will be able to choose to fit one out of two shells that come with each Sidekick purchase - black and metallic green. There will also be a wide range of pre-designed shell patterns and colors for you to pick up at T-Mobile retail stores or online, and I’m pretty sure we won’t have to wait for long until someone with an excess amount of Swarovski crystals and super glue decide to bling up their Sidekick. (Read the full post about ‘T-Mobile Sidekick, plain and simple’…)
Sometimes I’m amazed at the sheer amount of Lego inspired gadgets and even furniture that pops up. Well here’s one more for you and this one comes in a chic smoky white form. For once, this one won’t actually cost you a small fortune either. So many vendors take advantage of the fact that Legos have so much geek appeal that no matter the price, someone will buy it. This light actually has an extra perk thrown in. It has an extra layer that can be snapped off or on that has little cups to hold your pens and other little things you keep on your desk. (Read the full post about ‘Lego desk lamp and organizer’…)
Back in September of last year we reported that Sprint was rolling out a new service which would offer enhanced wireless mobile coverage in the home or office in addition to optional unlimited calling. The service utilizes the first commercially available femtocell which acts like a tiny cell phone tower. The Sprint AIRAVE by Samsung provides enhanced wireless coverage for up to 5000 square feet by using any Sprint phone, excluding Nextel phones, and a broadband Internet connection.The AIRAVE, which is expected to retail for US$99, will require the addition of a US$5 enhanced coverage service to an existing Sprint calling plan.
(Read the full post about ‘Sprint clears the AIRAVE for nationwide use’…)
Some people buy them for the comfort or features, and some just to make a statement. Here is good news for the luxury car aficionados. Although the head-turning Alfa Romeo Bertone BAT 11 coupe was conceived only as a concept outside the 2008 Geneva motor show, those behind the sexy roadster are now considering producing it. The car was revealed during a press event a weekend before the 2008 Meadow Brook Concours D’Elegance. The car was was designed around the chassis and running gear of the 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. The most important thing about this amazing design concept is that no more than 25 or 50 would be produced, going mostly to customers in Russia, China, the Middle East, and North America. (Read the full post about ‘Alfa Romeo Bertone BAT 11 Concept heads for limited production’…)
