Toys & Gadgets

Of course, the Batman Tumbler we saw a year or so ago is totally bad-ass, but sometimes you need something more suitable for black tie events: cotillions, charity functions, and so forth. This Batmobile (circa Batman Forever) is hand-built by a sculptor named Bob Causey and features a retractable hard top, a high-tech interior (including three LCD displays) and, the builder assures us, is actually road worthy. If anything, this guy should provide the perfect vehicle for your neurosis. Because, let’s face it — this whole donning Lycra Spandex and looking for people to beat up act? It’s a cry for help. Video after the break.

[Via Oh Gizmo!]

Continue reading Video: Homebrew Batmobile ready to fight crime, compensate for your rotten childhood

Filed under: Transportation

Video: Homebrew Batmobile ready to fight crime, compensate for your rotten childhood originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

It’s not exactly for everybody, but those looking to spare no expense when it comes to protecting their data may want to strongly consider adding Axxana’s elaborate Phoenix backup system to their shopping list (just below the Bond villain hideout and above the robot army). At the heart of the system is the Phoenix Black Box pictured above, which houses an SSD array that stores your essential data, and packs both WiFi and 3G connectivity to let you retrieve it even if the box itself is inaccessible — which it may well be, considering that it’s designed to withstand earthquakes, floods, and other disasters (including shocks up to 40 Gs and temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit). Of course, the system also gets paired with a remote backup service for an added layer of protection, and you’ll have access to a full range of management tools to keep an eye on your data at all times.

[Via OhGizmo]

Filed under: Storage

Axxana Phoenix backup system promises to withstand earthquakes and other disasters originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

The original VholdR was already one of the more attractive propositions when it comes to helmet cams — let’s face it, when it comes to strapping a video camera to your head, style is likely your first priority — and now the even sexier followup is here: VholdR ContourHD. The camera shoots 720p at 30fps and WVGA (858 x 480) at 60fps, making it what is apparently the world’s first HD “wearable camcorder.” A goggle mount and flat surface mount are included, and the lens swivels 192 degrees for easy alignment, with dual lasers to help with setup and a 135 degree wide angle lens to catch your faceplants in a comprehensive manner. There’s a 2GB microSD card included, and we must say the H.264 default codec is an extra nice perk. ContourHD is on sale now for $280, and starts shipping on May 15th.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

VholdR ContourHD helmet cam upgrades your brain to HD originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

They’re not exactly breaking down any barriers of style or function, but those looking for some straightforward Bluetooth headphones may want to consider one of Sony’s latest offerings, which come in both in-ear and over-the-ear varieties. On the in-ear front, Sony has the DR-BT100CX (pictured after the break), which includes some USB charging capabilities, a promised eight hours of playback time, and three different silicon ear buds to ensure a snug fit. Those looking for something a little less discreet can opt for the DR-BT101CX, which offers the same USB charging, a slightly better 12 hours of playback time and, most notably, a 30mm neodymium driver for a bit more oomph. No word on pricing just yet, but it looks like both should be available any day now — in Europe, at least.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Continue reading Sony rolls out new Bluetooth headphones for in-ear or out

Filed under: Portable Audio

Sony rolls out new Bluetooth headphones for in-ear or out originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

If there’s one green thing I could never be fed up with, it’s be this bad boy.

(Credit: Marx Toys)

We start off this week with some advice from Dong that, to me, seems about five years too late. It is: don’t open e-mail attachments from people …

Originally posted at Inside CNET Labs Podcast

If it’s fancy you’re scouting, you needn’t look here. If you’re fine with a classic design, a relatively low price and plenty of oomph to handle everyday tasks, you’ve got your eyes right where they need to be. Averatec’s latest rig is a 12-inch ultraportable that gets powered by a 2GHz Core 2 Duo T6400 processor, a WXGA panel, 4GB of DDR2-800 RAM, a 250GB SATA hard drive, 8x SuperMulti dual-layer DVD writer, WiFi, gigabit Ethernet, a trio of USB 2.0 ports, FireWire and audio in / out. Furthermore, you’ll find a VGA output, 4-in-1 card reader, GMA X4500HD graphics set, 1.3 megapixel camera and Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit. This four pound lappie will set you back $699, and if you’re already sold, we’re happy to inform you that it’s shipping right now.

Filed under: Laptops

Averatec debuts 12-inch $699 N2700 ultraportable originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

(Credit: IGN.com)

This week brings us card games and paper planes for the DSi while the Virtual Console gets another Japanese import title.

DSiWare

• Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics (Nintendo, 500 DSi Points): Enjoy five card games right on your DSi. Choose from Blackjack and Five Card Draw, or

…

Seagate’s new Replica drive aims to be for PC users what Time Machine is for Macs (in fact, there’s no Mac software included), and seems to do a pretty good job of it. You merely plug the drive into your computer, accept a license agreement, and you’re off to the races with hassle-free incremental backups of your system. The drive is available in Single PC and Multi-PC models, with the former sporting 250GB of capacity, and the latter doing 500GB and adding in a vertical dock — but to actually backup multiple PCs you’ll have to move the drive around sneakernet style. ComputerShopper found the drive pretty slow, and while you can drag and drop files off of the drive, it doesn’t actually allow you to toss specific files on and use the drive as way to move your projects around town. Still, it’s simple, and the $200 starting price isn’t criminal.

Read - ComputerShopper review
Read - Official Replica site

Filed under: Storage

Seagate Replica does automatic, incremental backup for the everyman originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

While mere mortals will most likely have to wait until May to get at Cupcake (probably even stooping so low as to refer to it as Android 1.5, those commoners), the proud, good-looking possessors of Android Dev Phones can get at the update right this instant from HTC’s website. Naturally, we’d assume somebody’s going to figure out how to get these images onto rooted G1s before long, but we wouldn’t want to over estimate the intelligence or temerity of the proletariat.

[Via Talk Android]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Android Dev Phones get early shot at Cupcake originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

(Credit: VHoldR)

Yes, you could, in theory, strap the Flip MinoHD to your ski helmet, hit record, and see what happens. But a couple of companies are making extreme YouTube-friendly camcorders, and VHoldR’s second-generation model is billed as “the first HD wearable camcorder.”

VHoldR says it maintained the simplicity

…