Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Zune 30GB brickification acknowledged, Microsoft says to wait it out originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"Coming soon," huh? Soon, indeed. Optoma's DLP-based pico projector, which is formally known as the EP-PK-101 (or PK101 in some circles), is now up for pre-order at Amazon. So, just how much will you pay for a 4-ounce beamer that you can carry in your left front pocket? If your answer is anything less than $399.99, you're out of luck here.

[Via I4U News]

Filed under: Displays

Optoma's DLP PK101 pico projector up for pre-order at $399.99 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Electric cars and other fuel-efficient vehicles certainly have plenty going for them, but all that reduction in fuel consumption also has the side effect of reducing the money earned from gas taxes, which has prompted folks like Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski to turn to some alternative solutions to keep those funds rolling in. In the case of Oregon, Governor Kulongoski is proposing a mileage tax that would eventually replace the gas tax altogether, and make use of GPS units to determine just how far each person travels and bill them accordingly (Oregon is proposing a 1.2 cent per mile tax). To assuage privacy concerns, that information would apparently only be collected when the driver fuels up, and actual travel information supposedly wouldn't be tracked. Obviously, that system would only work if everyone had a GPS, so the governor is proposing an increase in the standard gas tax in the interim, with drivers already equipped with a GPS unit eligible for a refund on the taxes paid. All of this also still has to pass the Oregon legislature to become law, but it certainly wouldn't be the first time that the state broke with convention.

Filed under: GPS, Transportation

Oregon governor looking at GPS-based mileage tax to fund roads originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Home Entertainment

Sonoro Eklipse iPod / CD sound system hits the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Radio Flyer has been putting out toy wagons since 1917, and their model has remained, for the most part, unchanged. However, the company has recently released a concept model of the Cloud 9, a wagon like no other. I believe that this concept alone will change the world of toy wagons as we know it.

The Cloud 9 is the RV of wagons with two padded seats, cup-holders, and fold-out storage containers. It is also designed for safety as each seat has 5-point safety harnesses, as well as foot brakes.

The wagon is also technological. There are digital controls that include a dock for an MP3 Player with speakers. I’m even told that there is some type of digital readout in the handle that will give the time and temperature. This control will also give the speed of the wagon, and also has a built-in odometer.

Clearly, this is a wagon designed for kids like Richie Rich. There’s something about putting an iPod Dock in a wagon that crosses some line somewhere. I have children under the age of five, and I don’t think they really need an iPod in the wagon.

Since the Cloud 9 is still in concept form, there is no price as yet. In all honesty, I don’t really want to know how much it costs. I’m not certain if I should buy a wagon like this for my kids, even if I could afford it.

Source

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Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Radio Flyer is on Cloud 9 with concept wagon copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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Continue reading Jaybird releases 2009 Bluetooth Stereo Claws, earbuds, and more

Filed under: Portable Audio, Wireless

Jaybird releases 2009 Bluetooth Stereo Claws, earbuds, and more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It is New Year’s Eve, and you’re probably going to want to drink some cold beverages tonight. If there is one thing I can’t stand, it’s when you go to reach for a cold one and find nothing but warm cans. “Oh, why didn’t I take the time to put the cans in the fridge!”

This situation should never occur with modern-day technology. After all, we have microwave ovens that can make things hot in a short amount of time, but what we need is something that can make things cold, quickly. This is exactly what the Cooper Cooler Rapid Beverage Chiller is designed for.

All the user has to do is fill the Cooper Chiller’s compartment with ice and water and put the can in. The machine then does the work of spinning the can for about sixty seconds, which will cool it down to 43 or 34 degrees Fahrenheit.

The process can chill a can 40 times faster than leaving it in the fridge, and it can even work on bottles of wine. I am assuming that the user cannot close the lid, but I have no idea how large the Cooper Chiller actually is.

I don’t know about you, but the Cooper Chiller is the gift that wasn’t under my tree this Christmas. If someone had given me an Amazon gift certificate, I would gladly shell out $60 and order a Cooper Chiller. In fact, I think that every workplace and household that has a microwave should have a Cooper Chiller.

For more information about the Cooper Chiller and other quick-fix coolers, click here.

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Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Cooper Cooler Chills Cans, Quickly copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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Continue reading FLATMII streams games to your Wii, via USB

Filed under: Gaming

FLATMII streams games to your Wii, via USB originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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