Universal Cell Charger Approved By ITU

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Republicans, Democrats, Europeans, Americans, Theists, Atheists, Circus Clowns, and small children can all agree on one thing; waste is bad. One of the most needlessly wasteful by-products of our modern existence is, wait for it, the cell phone charger. Think about it; every time you get a new cell phone, you get a new charger. Many of them aren't compatible and most cell chargers get thrown away when you stop using the phone.

Gizmodo states that we could reduce our waste by 51,000 tons a year if we were to switch to a universal charging standard. That's what they're doing over in Europe (Reuters) and all of the major manufacturers seem to be on board. If everyone uses the same charger, new phones don't need to come with new chargers. That's money saved for manufacturers, and for the carriers who have to ship all of that extra charger weight to their customers.

Posted on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:48:55 CDT | by Robert Evans

Emerge 90W Universal Laptop Charger has Dual USB Ports

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A company called Emerge Technologies has debuted a new laptop charger that is universal and ships with tips to fit many of the most popular notebooks on the market. One of the most interesting features of the device is that is has a pair of USB ports built-in to allow you to charge USB devices like mobile phones and cameras.

The charger promises to be up to 60% smaller than competing devices and has cables that are designed to be retractable. When fully extended the cables are 9.5 feet long to allow you to reach hidden plugs. Read more

Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Logitech Harmony 700 Universal Remote Review

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Today I am going to check out the latest universal remote to be added to the Harmony line from Logitech -- the Harmony 700. This is the entry level remote for the Harmony line and still packs in lots of features at its low under $150 price point.

The remote can replace up to six remote in your home theater now and supports just about every brand and model of component on the market. If you have wanted a nice universal remote without having to spend $300 to get it, the Harmony 700 may be perfect for you. Read more

Posted on Tue, 8 Sep 2009 07:55:52 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Logitech Unveils Harmony 700 Universal Remote

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Logitech has officially announced another new universal remote called the Harmony 700. This new remote is designed to simplify the home entertainment experience by replacing up to six remote controls. The device has a small color screen, rechargeable batteries, and one lick control for activities.

Like the other Harmony remotes, the 700 allows you to set up an activity that changes all the inputs for tasks like play a game or watch TV. The color LCD screen shows icons for channels that can be pressed for direct access. Read more

Posted on Thu, 3 Sep 2009 07:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Blu-Link Universal PS3 Remote Tips Up

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Until Logitech offered up its Harmony PS3 adapter for its line of universal remote controls, there was really nothing that PS3 owners could do to combine control of the console with control of their other home theater components. The only downside to the Logitech Harmony set up is that it's more expensive than users on a budget can spend.

A company called SMK-Link has unveiled a new PS3 universal remote called the Blu-Link Universal Remote control for PS3 that combines standard IR technology with Bluetooth for the PS3. The remote can control all aspects of the PS3 for movie playback and menus. Read more

Posted on Wed, 2 Sep 2009 11:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Logitech Harmony 900 Universal Remote Control Review

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Today I am checking out the new Logitech Harmony 900 universal remote control. The remote control is very similar to the Harmony One with the addition of more buttons on the remote.

The 900 also features an IR blaster that is easy to program and allows you to operate components that are in a closet or behind cabinet doors. The 900 is easy to program and just plain works well. Read more

Posted on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:25:22 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Universal Music and Gemalto Offer SIM Card DVD Music Hybrid

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Gemalto and Universal Music have announced the introduction of a new music delivery format called the Smart Video Card. The card is a DVD-compliant optical disc embedded into the body of a regular SIM card.

The Smart Video Card can hold 120MB of content, which can be played in a standard DVD player and can include both video and audio content. The format allows the music to be listened to on a PC, mobile phone, or MP3 player. Read more

Posted on Thu, 9 Jul 2009 06:29:50 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

iON Universal Mobile Power Bank Review

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Today I am checking out the iON Universal Mobile Power Bank. The device is an external battery pack that works with the iPhone, iPod and other devices.

The battery has 1500mAh of power and promises to add 50 hours of extra power to your iPod. The only downside to the iON is that it adds significant bulk to your device. Read more

Posted on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:01:17 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Logitech Harmony 1100 Universal Remote Control Review

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Today we are looking at the Logitech Harmony 1100 Universal remote control. The Harmony 1100 is the big brother to the fantastic Harmony One we have looked at before.

The Harmony 1100 can control up to 15 different components and can be programmed to automatically change inputs for specific activities like watching a movie, watching TV, or playing a game. The remote makes using a complex home theater setup much easier. Read more

Posted on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:25:57 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

WildCharge Announces Universal Wire-Free Mobile Phone Adapter

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WildCharge has been showing off its wire-free charging solution for a while now, and I will admit it is an interesting device. It's not wireless, but you can place your phone on the WildCharge pad and charge the battery without having to plug anything in.

The only catch is that the phone must have a WildCharge adapter installed. The company makes adapters for several specific phones and has now announced a universal adapter that will work for most phones. Read more

Posted on Wed, 8 Apr 2009 08:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Philips Offers New Svelte Universal Remote

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A universal remote is a great thing. Rather than having a remote for the TV, one for your Amp, one for your Blu-ray, one for your Xbox, and one for your cable box, you simply have one remote. The new Philips remote is called the SRT9320 and is mixes a touchscreen with normal keys.

If that set up sounds a lot like the fantastic Harmony One from Logitech to you, you are not alone. The Philips remote can control up to 20 devices and is programmable with learning modes and multimedia macros without needing to connect to a PC. Read more

Posted on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

$7.99 Philips Universal Remote leads Buy.com Black Friday Blowout Sale

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Buy.com offers the Philips SRU4105/27 universal remote for an ultra-low $7.99 (limited stock, $92 savings).
There are many more deals but this remote control deal stands out and is a great gift idea too.
The Philips SRU4105/27 has no display but you can place stickers of your favorite icons to the remote, next to a button. When you want to go to a favorite channel, just press the button next to your favorite icon sticker. Read more

Posted on Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Logitech Harmony 670 Universal Remote Review

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Hardware Pacers published a review of the Logitech Harmony 670 Universal Remote.
Quote from the review: "Logitech has a large line of universal remotes, ranging from simple no frills devices to high end, robust multifunction, touch screen remotes. Read more

Posted on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Zoombak Universal A-GPS Locator Now Available at PEP Boys

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We talked a bit about the Zoombak A-GPS locator before. Today Zoombak announced a universal A-GPS locator and announced that it will be available nationwide in more than 600 Pep Boys stores across the country.

The new universal locator is small enough to be placed in a vehicle, a backpack, briefcase, or attached to a bicycle or dogs collar. Like the other locator's it uses a cellular network for positioning, and provides real-time location information. Read more

Posted on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:19:45 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

SANYO C- and D-sized eneloop Batteries and Universal Charger unveiled

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Sanyo finally adds C and D cell eneloop batteries to their great pre-charged, rechargeble battery product line.
The AA and AAA eneloop batteries have been available for a while now and I have almost replaced all my batteries to use eneloop. I still have several gadgets that need the bigger C and D cell batteries, including the power hungry WowWee robot.
The new eneloop Universal Charger can charge all eneloop battery sizes from the smallest, AAA, to the largest, D. With advanced charging technology including voltage monitoring to prevent overcharging, the Universal Charger also has LED lights to indicate charge status. Read more

Posted on Fri, 8 Aug 2008 01:36:58 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

IOGEAR Announces Universal Memory Banks

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IOGEAR announced a pair of new products in its Universal Memory Bank line. The two products are the IOGEAR 12-in-1 Pocket Card Reader/Writer and the IOGEAR 56-in-1 Memory Card Reader/Writer. The card readers and writers help to make it easy to move data and files to and from memory cards used in many different device types.

The 12-in-1 Pocket Card Reader/Writer retails for $11.95 and can read SD, microSD, miniSD, MMC Memory Stick and MS Dup cards. The card reader is only 2.5-inches long and 1-inch deep and uses a built-in USB cable that won’t block other USB ports. The 56-in-1 Memory Card Reader/Writer works with all popular memory cards and retails for $19.95. Both products are available now for purchase. Read more

Posted on Mon, 7 Jul 2008 10:33:32 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

NBC Universal and other Investors Buy The Weather Channel

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A group of investors including NBC Universal, Bain Capital, and The Blackstone Group announced today that an agreement has been signed to buy The Weather Channel from landmark Communications. The investors say that The Weather Channel will be operated as a separate entity.

The Weather Channel will be based in Atlanta and will have management provided by NBC Universal. The terms of the purchase were not disclosed. Considering that The Weather Channel Networks are the third most distributed cable network and is seen in 97% of cable TV homes, the price wasn’t cheap. Read more

Posted on Mon, 7 Jul 2008 09:35:28 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote Review

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Tweaktown published a review of the Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote.

Quote from the review: "Logitech really is covering all the bases with its peripherals these days. The last Logitech product I reviewed was the MX Air Mouse and I thought that was a nifty bit of kit to control your home theater setup. The proverbial cake however has not just been taken; it’s been flaunted and eaten right in front of our starving faces. Read more

Posted on Mon, 19 May 2008 15:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Rocketfish Universal Wireless Rear Speaker Kit Review

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Today we are looking at the Rocketfish Wireless Universal Rear Speaker Kit. This kit allows you to make any rear 5.1 surround speakers into a wireless system requiring no wires running from your receiver to the rear speakers.

The system has a 100 foot operating distance and works very well. The system does require an AC outlet to operate, so it’s not totally wireless in that respect. Read more

Posted on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:16:29 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote Control Review

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Today we are looking at the latest universal remote from Logitech called the Harmony One. The Harmony One can control up to 15 home theater and home automation devices.

The best part about the Harmony One is the activities that do everything you need for specific tasks like watching a movie or playing video games with the press of one button. Read more

Posted on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:26:59 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Universal Drives to be 2/3 of High Def Market worth $2 Billion

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ABI Research says that the High-Definition DVD drive market will be worth $2 billion USD by 2012. It also says that 2/3 of that market is expected to be made up of combo drives that can read both HD DVD and Blu-ray formats.

"ABI Research expects high-definition drives to bring in revenues of about $2 billion by 2012," says principal analyst Steve Wilson. "Of that, about two-thirds will be accounted for by universal drives, which can play either format. Few universal drives are sold today, partly because of their higher price. But those prices will fall to about the same as Blu-ray players by 2009, and we forecast universal player sales to exceed Blu-ray the following year." Read more

Posted on Tue, 1 Jan 2008 12:38:58 CST | by Shane McGlaun