packing

The Gizmo Report: APC's Mobile Power Pack UPB10

When I posted my review of Belkin's TuneTalk Stereo, a representative of APC commented on the story to suggest that I might want to use APC's Mobile Power Pack to extend the iPod's battery life when recording.

I started to reply to describe the gizmo I designed to power my iPod from a spare PowerBook battery-- a little clip that connects the battery terminals to an iPod dock cable. This is what I used to use to power up my old 4th-generation iPod while recording long conference sessions with the Belkin Voice Recorder for iPod.

But even as I was typing, I realized… Read more

Vista SP1: Small things come in big packages

Microsoft's planned Vista Service Pack 1 may not be adding many features, but it sure does take up a lot of space.

Based on current test versions, the operating system update will be a 1GB file when uncompressed. By way of comparison, Windows XP--the whole thing--shipped on a CD, which only holds about three quarters of a gigabyte. On the plus side, systems that already have the latest Vista patches can be brought up to the Service Pack 1 level with only a 50MB compressed file through Microsoft's online Windows Update utility.

Also notable, installing the OS will … Read more

Running in a pack

The folks in Mountain View, Calif., have recently updated their Google Pack, and while combining some of the best programs with an automatic updater and installer, some of the program choices have left me disappointed. The recent addition of StarOffice confirms that while this collection is good, it could be a lot better.

Forget your passwords with PassPack's auto-login

I'm a sucker for password tools. Since signing on with Webware late last year, I've since amassed a collection of site log-ins the size of a pulp romance novel, and despite my youthful brain, remembering all of them is clearly impossible. A solution I've been using for some months is Roboform, which is a small piece of software that will let you keep your user names and passwords safely tucked away, combined with a browser plug-in that will automatically log you in to each site. This morning I've been playing around with a new feature from … Read more

iRobot suing for PackBot patent infringement

Robotics company iRobot announced Monday that it has filed two lawsuits concerning its PackBot military robot and former employee Jameel Ahed, the founder and president of Robotic FX.

Ahed's Illinois-based company sells the Negotiator, a tactical surveillance robot that has been purchased by Illinois state police.

Robotic FX's Negotiator is "a knock-off version of the combat-proven iRobot PackBot robot," said an iRobot statement on the matter.

"We are currently reviewing our legal options and intend to aggressively defend our position," Ahed said in an e-mailed statement.

"Robotic FX sold its first Negotiator Tactical … Read more

Beta of Vista SP1 coming this year

It's been an incredibly busy evening in Microsoft-land, with news Tuesday of the company's agreement to change desktop search in Vista and its flip-flop on virtualization licensing changes.

But it's worth pointing out that, as part of its court filing on the desktop search changes, Microsoft says it will have a beta version of Vista Service Pack 1 before the end of the year. It's especially noteworthy given how little Microsoft has said on the matter until now.

There's no word in the filing on when the final version of SP1 will arrive, so I'… Read more

Dueling jet packs prepare to take off

If there was ever a case where we would strongly encourage competition, this would be it--and the products in question have barely hit the market.

In March we lusted unabashedly for a Jetson-style "Rocket Belt" being developed in Mexico, but its $250,000 price tag put it slightly out of range for a Father's Day gift. Only a few months later, however, we learn that Jetpack International is offering a rival model that's "competitive priced" at only $155,000, according to Popular Mechanics. Still a tad steep for us, but that's a pretty … Read more

News Roundup: UPS Delivery Intercept, YouTube Mobile, McCain's MySpace punk'd

UPS re-direct service goes live. Ever missed a package because it got delivered to your house or apartment while you were at work? UPS has introduced a new service called Delivery Intercept that lets you redirect, hold, and return a package en route, avoiding such mishaps. ( CNET News.com)

YouTube to launch mobile site. The popular video-sharing site is readying a version of its site optimized for mobile viewers. The only reason there hasn't been one sooner is an exclusivity clause with Verizon, from a deal inked last November for Verizon's V Cast service. (via GigaOm)

Google Pack expanded. … Read more

Will 'Rocket Belt' fly at $250,000?

We hope this isn't a hoax, because it's something we really want. Badly.

Everyone has fantasized about having a Jetsons-type jet pack, most likely while stuck in traffic. That supposedly can now become a reality, with a futuristic setup called the "Rocket Belt" from Mexico's Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana that's built specifically for your personal dimensions.

"The service includes a fully tested custom rocket belt, a machine to help you make your own rocket fuel, hands-on training including 10 flights in your own rocket belt and expert support," Luxist reports. Wait a minute ... … Read more

A speaker for your fanny pack

No fashion accessory seems immune to the trend of built-in speakers, from toolboxes to bowling bags. But the fanny pack?

The "Sound Box Waist Bag" not only carries your personal effects but also blares music from its sewn-in speaker. And if that's not enough reason to draw attention to your midsection, Red Ferret notes that it comes in bright orange. But we can't get past its name, which sounds disturbingly medical.