No doubt, the Luxeed Dynamic Pixel LED Keyboard is more exciting than its mouthful-of-a-name suggests. That’s because it literally lights up its keys with bright colors.

Two colors are available. The white one lets all of the color shine through, while the black lets the chromatic beauty peek through the key font. We’d have ignored this LED keyboard, if it weren’t possible to actually customize the color arrangement through the bundled software, nor if it was impossible to quickly switch between up to 4 arrangements via the 4 special buttons to the top of the arrow keys.

This means the keyboard will appeal to aesthetes and gamers alike. Starving artists will probably waste time coming up with creative patterns through the customization software. And giving specific keys a different color is sure to be useful for anybody relying on deadly combos to wipe out the virtual opposition.

Some practical specifics: 15″ x 7.5″ x 1″ (width by length by thickness). Customization software works only on Windows XP or Vista. The keyboard costs $200, but lacks a numeric keypad—which is available as an add-on for $35. (thinkgeek.com)

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Read the Frickin’ Manual! Too many people rant about how their gadget has failed them, when the solution was available in the manual! If you’re too lazy to pull out the box and flip through the manual, many companies make their products’ manuals available online. You have no excuse!

Learn Keyboard Shortcuts. Real gadget veterans know how to do things on their desktops and laptops really quickly; tapping commands with the keyboard will always be quicker than selecting them with a mouse. Check out Developer’s Alarm: 200+ Hotkeys To Boost Your Productivity and Mac Shortcuts That Boost Your Productivity.

Use Bluetooth. We discovered the wonders of Bluetooth a long time ago. Aside from allowing easy file and data transfers, and syncing, there are programs out there that allow you to lock a PC and control it, via Bluetooth.

Take care of your batteries. The instructions vary for each gadget type. Here are some resources to get you started: ipodbatteryfaq.com, How To Maximize Laptop Battery Life, and Maximizing Your Cell Phone Battery Life.

Don’t Save Anything Compromising. Let’s see, if Vanessa Hudgens didn’t snap herself nude with a camera phone, there would’ve been no chance for her privates becoming public. A simple rule: Need something to be absolutely secret? Make sure it isn’t on any gadget, or at least keep it very very secure!

Visit (and Participate in) Forums. Look for forums relevant purportedly to your gadgets, see if members post useful info, and participate. Forums are a great way to learn new stuff, especially when it comes to fully utilizing your tech toys.

Join User Groups. Related to the previous item, active gadget user groups are a great way to meet literally like-minded people. Nothing beats first-hand advice from a fellow user who’s experienced the same problem. And for certain gadgets, like gaming consoles, there’s nothing like a little friendly competition!

Save Your Money. No one said it better than Joel Johnson: “Stop buying this crap. Just stop it. You don’t need it. Wait a year until the reviews come out and the other suckers too addicted to having the very latest and greatest buy it, put up a review, and have moved on to something else.” In other words, maximizing your gadget starts with making sure you’re spending for something genuinely useful, and pay only for the features you need.

Got any more ways to maximize your gadgets? Do let us know, dear readers!

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As the “cleverly” worded press release goes, the DSC-T77 is a new line of Cybershot cameras that will carry the following specs:

• 10 megapixels image sensor (max 3648 x 2736, JPEG)
• VGA video capturing (640 x 480, MPEG1)
• Max 3200 ISO
• Super Steadyshot
• 9-point autofocus
• 3.0″ LCD with 16:9 aspect ratio

…in a case no larger than 94 x 57 x 15 mm (width by height by thickness). Looks good for the pockets, but how will it images turn out? (dpreview.com)

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In an apparent effort to boost his presence on Google, the self-styled Office Master will be giving away an Aliph Jawbone. Well, to be fair, he’s not really requiring a link to his blog, theofficemaster.com. It’s probably best to just visit the contest page and check out the detailed rules and see what you have to do for yourself.

This contest is worth mentioning because it provides participants a chance to get a free Aliph Jawbone, a Bluetooth headset previously lauded for its design and comfort.

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Through the magical wireless technology known as Bluetooth, it’s apparently possible to pair this bracelet with a cellphone, so that it vibrates on your arm when a call comes in. Obviously this is easier to detect, especially if your hand is gracefully resting on the table.

$36.99 for this baby. We’re not really sure if it comes in different colors, but at least it’s easy to make black work with any wardrobe. (mobilewhack.com)

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“The red icon on your iPhone or iPod touch always reminds you (and others when you show it to them) that you were rich enough to afford this,” the app’s information page says in iTunes. “It’s a work of art with no hidden function at all.”

The catch: this is a $999.99 app, and all it does is show a red virtual gem on the iPhone’s screen. It’s good that the app’s now missing from the iTunes Application store. But for the sake of civilized society, we hope no one was foolish to actually spend on it.

• Apple’s iPhone-App-Approval Mouse Falls Off Treadmill: Buy The $1000 App That Does Nothing
• Worthless, $1000 “I Am Rich” iPhone App Disappears

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Press Start FTW!

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But wait, wasn’t Minority Report’s slick 3D interface (which the above is very reminiscent of) listed as one of the Top 10 Movie Usability bloopers by expert Jakob Nielsen? His point was that “it’s very tiring to keep your arms in the air while using a computer”. And, as this post gets typed out, it’s easy to see that the keyboard is still the fastest way to do things. (dvice.com)

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It’s clear that HP has a winner here. Despite being no larger than a large hardbound book, the HP Mini-Note 2133 is a fully functional PC that blends the line between ultra-portable and laptop.

For some reason, HP managed to cram in a bright 8.9″ 1280 x 768 display, a semi-full-size keyboard that’s still a pleasure to type on, and loud speakers that don’t distort even at high volumes. WiFi and Bluetooth are available of course, while an SD Card reader and an ExpressCard slot round-up this laptop’s capabilities. Even though it runs on Windows Vista, the 2133 is pretty speedy.

No doubt, this isn’t for gamers or people trying to compute Pi to the 1000th decimal point. But for anyone looking for a capable internet and business application platform, the Mini-Note has plenty enough power to get the job done. The available capability is more than enough to make up for the 2133’s expensive price, relative to other gadgets in its class.

Stay tuned for a full review!

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There really is no need to mention that this gadget can convert music on those old vinyl records and cassette tapes into digital music. Or even that this piece of legacy-driven tech can cram entire collections into a portable media player. It’s probably better to focus on the £39.95 price tag, the apparent fact that it works with a USB port, and the oodles of time you’ll need to set aside if you want to do some serious converting with this baby. (gizoo.co.uk, image from coolest-gadgets.com)

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Whether or not it is, the product’s website needs to be more informative. Yes, there are pictures of the product, but these are limited to basically it’s packaging and the available colors.

What about pics of the UVEE Universal Solar Charger in action? You can tell us it converts solar energy for storage in its Li-Ion battery, features 16 power adaptors that let it work with virtually any gadget out there, and that it comes in four colors (silver, black, the aforementioned pink, and white). But again, no pictures of it in action.

What are we to think, when the product pictures look like they could’ve been photoshopped into existence? And can’t we even get the glimpse of the solar panels that supposedly allow this gadget to provide power? The UVEE may be for real, but until the website is more convincing, it would be hard to find anyone willing to plop down £27.49 for it. Even if free delivery in the UK is available.

Or maybe we’re being too paranoid? If any of you have used the UVEE, feel free to share your experience. Who knows? Maybe the website owners will use your testimonials on their product page, as they should. (uveeit.com)

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Once again, the aquatic mammal sector has been completely ignored by the major cell phone manufacturers. Given their track record, I shouldn’t be surprised.

We understand your pain Flappy, having realized that water-proof gadgets have their uses after all. It’s too bad tech companies haven’t yet learned the lessons clearly outlined in the seminal rundown. A year ago, all three smartphones failed to survive more than a few seconds while under water; why haven’t we seen any manufacturer step up as of late?

Unless the iPhone 3G is more resistant—or even proofed—against water? Has anyone tried swimming with theirs?

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This baby’s equipped with Nvidia SLI (the garish branding makes sure you won’t miss it). Continue to see the backside.

And what about this one, which leaves the components exposed on a makeshift brakepad? The folks over at Indian Autos Blog were kind enough to list the specs: “disc brakes, red caliper, EPIA SP13000 LVDS motherboard/processor, 512MB of Crucial Ballistix memory, and a picoPSU”. The make and model of the wheel wasn’t specified.

Let’s just hope they don’t roll of the desk. And, where do you hook stuff up?

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As you can see, none cost more than P4,000 (a shade over $100). But again, you get what you pay for. While the specs aren’t clear, no unit features a camera over 2.0 megapixels (compared to the 5.0 of the real deal). Thanks to migsmobile.net.

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Two things that are really bad for gadget geeks everywhere. You’ve got confiscation of a beloved technological tool. Then you can’t get anything significant done, as you wait for the stereotypically long American bureaucracy to return your laptop, even if they’re interested in doing so in the first place. Read on for the “rational” reasoning behind this policy, which amazingly applies to US citizens as well.

According to an article by The Washington Post:

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff wrote in an opinion piece published last month in USA Today that “the most dangerous contraband is often contained in laptop computers or other electronic devices.” Searches have uncovered “violent jihadist materials” as well as images of child pornography, he wrote.

With about 400 million travelers entering the country each year, “as a practical matter, travelers only go to secondary [for a more thorough examination] when there is some level of suspicion,” Chertoff wrote. “Yet legislation locking in a particular standard for searches would have a dangerous, chilling effect as officers’ often split-second assessments are second-guessed.”

What about us Mr. Secretary? What’s to protect us from gaming-starved DHS agents who set eyes upon our gaming laptops, and decide they need a rig for a few rounds of Unreal Tournament? You can pry my laptop when you take it from my cold, dead hands—or at least until you threaten us with a beating.

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• Californian Judge Rules Early Termination Fees Illegal
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• Femisapien is One Giant Leap for Mankind
• A Truly Unlocked iPhone Will Break the Bank

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You’ve already been warned about getting those extended warranties. But Crave takes a different stance on GreenUmbrella. And why not, when “one plan [$9.95/month, tax inclusive!] covers multiple products and all major brands for 3 years!”

GreenUmbrella also promises not to assess additional fees for service repairs, and the ability to cancel at any time. Over 50 kinds of appliances and gadgets are eligible for the program, so long as they’re worth under $5000.

Any GreenUmbrella customers out there? Sounds good, but it’s those real-life testimonials that really deserve attention. (greenumbrella.com, via news.cnet.com)

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Organizations must start to develop standards and guidelines for out-of-hours use of devices such as BlackBerrys and other remote working tools.

They must also explicitly state what is expected of employees who use these devices and whether their compensation includes out-of-hours access.

Sounds good right? Maybe not.

The rationale behind this is of course, the protection of the employees’ personal lives from the so-called Crackberry phenomenon. By making expectations clear, workers are freed from worrying about any unanswered mail as they try to enjoy their off-time.

But this could have a scary side-effect. Once employers start specifying how much attention employers should give their office gadgets away from the office, won’t this be a license for them to start imposing even more on the employee’s personal space?

In other words, won’t businesses start saying “hey, we’re giving you a raise, but you have to be available 24/7″? What’s to keep them from doing so (and getting away with it), as office politics and competition will force people to step up or lose opportunities for advancement?

But then again, it can be argued that employers who are willing to do this aren’t really worth working for—at any price. It’s still up to the employee whether or not they agree to a setup, if and when it becomes a reality. Hopefully, employers who respect the personal time of their most valuable assets may end up attracting the best and brightest talent, diminishing or even eliminating any incentive to request constant availability from employees.

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I’ve been using the Brando Solar Mosquito Repeller for a week and it does not work. I normally leave it in my bedroom while opening the window. I thought this will make the Mosquitoes fly out the window but it does not work. The high pitch sound it makes does not irritate the Mosquitoes and they still stay in the room.

Take that as a warning not to spend $14 on a non-functional gadget folks! With all due respect, any mosquito gadget repeller should be able to work over a range of 1-2 meters, more than proposed by Mr. Low.

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