wireless

What will undoubtedly go down in history as the first and only cell phone named after a mythical one-eyed monster, the Cyclops was launched today by Kyocera Wireless and Virgin Mobile (nice Halloween release timing on that one). Named because of its 1.3-megapixel camera lens located on the top middle of the phone, the Cyclops is pearly white with a red stripe down the middle and weighs 3.5 ounces.

It is also the first Virgin phone to feature TXT Tones and Audio Messaging. TXT Tones are ring tones for your incoming text messages, and through a partnership with … Read more

Cities keep promising to blanket us all with free Wi-Fi networks, but we're not holding our breath. At the same time, though, we're way too cheap to pay $10 just to read our e-mail while we have a soy latte at Starbucks.

So given our frugal nature, we're conflicted over whether it's worth shelling out $70 for a wireless detector like the DigiWifi from ThinkGeek. On one hand, that's only seven T-Mobile day passes at Starbucks; on the other--well, it's $70.

This particular device does claim to be a step above other Wi-Fi detectors, … Read more

Earlier today, a Crave reader chimed to praise a Japanese sit-down shower that one of our bloggers found a wee bit creepy. (He has other issues, but we won't get into that here.)

For one thing, the reader liked the shower's design because a bather could get the right temperature before jumping in. But here's another idea: By coincidence, we saw this wireless digital shower on Popgadget that can be operated by remote control even before you get out of bed. And that, in addition to being convenient, can help preserve relationships: You can set specific temperatures … Read more

As the saying goes, "If at first you don't succeed try, try again." Well it appears Samsung is following such advice to the letter. After the relatively lackluster performance last year of Cingular's Samsung SGH-D307, the Korean electronics giant seems to have gone back to the drawing board for dual-hinged devices. Photos of the upcoming Samsung U710 appeared on Howard Forums today with the promise that it's coming to a CDMA carrier near you. And if Howard Forums is correct that the phone's official designation is SCH-U710, then Verizon Wireless will be the lucky … Read more

For all its hype, Microsoft's Zune obviously faces a daunting challenge against the wildfire popularity of the iPod. So what magic arrow does Microsoft have in its quiver? The closest thing might lie in the wireless realm, as indicated by CEO Steve Ballmer in a video interview with CNET News.com. Ballmer suggested that a wireless network connecting all Microsoft media properties to Zune--such as its Xbox and Media Center, as well as phones and other products--could go a long way toward helping the device catch up.

The room depicted in the photo at left might look like your average well-furnished living room in your average pricey loft apartment in downtown Manhattan. But it isn't: it's one of the rooms that was featured in a model apartment for the Z-Wave Alliance's demonstration of home wireless control earlier this week. The apartment was packed with hardware, software, and futuristic controllers that can make everything from the thermostat to the window blinds accessible at the push of a button. Check out CNET News.com's photo-adorned coverage. Z-Wave home control might be a few years away … Read more

This is one little guy that could be dangerous. At first glance, Bandai's NetTansor looks like a lot of other cute robot toys on the market--but don't be fooled.

It's equipped with a WiFi webcam that can beam transmissions back to its owner's screen, according to Gizmodo, with a power supply that can provide up to "two and a half hours of voyeuristic fun." You can talk to it through email or just let it bop around on its own, because the NetTansor has sensors to keep it from running into walls or inflicting … Read more

It's a time-worn formula in the retail business, especially when designers run out of ideas: Update an old product and call it retro chic.

ThinkGeek has done just that, with this Bluetooth retro handset, an updated version of the corded model introduced earlier that also works with mobile phones. Why? We have no idea, but it would make a perfect complement to the updated Princess phone in the next room.

After you're done yapping, you can head to a drive-in movie.

(Photo: ThinkGeek)

If nothing else, this item is noteworthy because so few people seem willing to admit publicly that they like anything Microsoft has done these days.

In examining the guts of this new wireless keyboard, Slashgear notes that Microsoft built it with three Synaptics "capacitive sensing modules." Translation: It senses when you're nearby, allowing it to automatically do things like switch from standby to active modes. The thin, backlit Bluetooth keyboard and mouse are also rechargeable.

Slashgear, already a fan of Synaptics products, notes that Gizmodo took the keyboard for an exclusive spin and generally gave it a … Read more