We continue to be impressed by the functionality and the grace by which Google's latest version of the Android OS offers.  This new tablet specific version of the ultra-popular mobile OS will be debuting this month on a handful of tablet devices and many more later this year.

QuickOffice has been making top-notch productivity apps for smartphones for quite some time, and now the company has unveiled a new version for Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablets. As is the case with its apps for other platforms (including iOS and webOS), the new tablet version features Google Docs, Dropbox, MobileMe, and SugarSync integration and offers on-the-go editing of documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. QuickOffice is fully Microsoft Office compatible, of course.

To see QuickOffice for Android Honeycomb in action, take the jump and check out the hands-on video from the folks at Laptop Mag. Those of you on the Apple side of the tablet war can currently pick up QuickOffice for about $15 -- which is a good deal on a great app suite.

It looks like Bluetooth stereo headsets are finally joining the mainstream. Plantronics came out the $150 Pulsar 590, a combo unit that works as both a phone headset and a stereo headset for audio players. The Pulsar includes a telescoping mic, which can be minimized when you're just using it for music. Another thing we like: the universal Bluetooth adaptor is an optional add-on, which means if you've already paid for Bluetooth devices, you don't have to pay again for a dongle you don't need.

Available with a universal Bluetooth audio adapter, the Pulsar 590 provides immediate wireless compatibility for any device with a headphone jack, such as laptops, home stereos, MP3 players, including Apple iPods, and multimedia devices, such as Sony PSP.

The Pulsar 590 uses multipoint technology to function as both a stereo headset for high fidelity listening, as well as a communications headset for use with mobile phones and other voice-enabled devices. The headset includes a telescopic voice tube with an omni-directional microphone for clear voice communications.

With 10m (33 feet) range, it enables users to listen to music or have conversations away from their laptop, music device or mobile phone. The Pulsar 590 provides up to 12 hours of talk time and 10 hours of listen time.

The device has a familiar headband wearing style with pivoting ear cushions that provide all-day wearing comfort. The portable, lightweight headset features a foldable design for compact charging and travel storage and ships with a full range of accessories, including a desktop charging stand, AC charger, USB charging cable, in-flight cable and travel case. The in-flight cable allows the headset to be used with the Bluetooth radio disabled, a requirement for most airline travel.

The headset can be purchased with the universal Bluetooth adapter for devices that don't have Bluetooth stereo capabilities.

Computers, media and mobile phone devices compatible with the new Bluetooth Advanced Audio Distribution Profile, or A2DP, don't require the universal adapter to experience stereo sound.

plantronics headsets

When Wii Fit first launched, a lot of people rushed out to buy it thinking that it would solve all their fitness problems. Unfortunately, for a lot of people, the Nintendo Wii peripheral didn't change a thing.

However, one woman in the UK has proved that if you combine your Wii Fit work-outs with a balanced and healthy diet, the device can be just as beneficial as real yoga classes and regular trips to the gym.

The News of the World reports that Lara Roberts, a wife and mother of two, managed to drop eight stone or 112 pounds by eating healthy and using Wii Fit every morning. The 38-year-old woman said she was becoming increasinlgy depressed about her weight but only kicked her 4,000 calories-per-day diet when a friend commented that she never seemed to stop eating.

In early 2008, Lara purchased Wii Fit because she wanted to get healthy but couldn't face going to a gym or jogging in the street. Waking at 5 a.m. every morning, she worked out with her Wii Fit and swapped her junk food diet for healthier food.

Just over a year on she has dropped from 252 pounds to 140 pounds.

If you are a typical gadget tech geek, you've probably drooled over any one of the hundreds of new LED flashlilghts powered by the new light-power CREE LED modules.  These suckers are bad to the bone!  You thought your D-cell Mag Light was bright and built tough...

Enter the Fenix TK11.  Fenix is one of the top manufacturers of high-quality tactical flashlights. This new model in the TK line is a killer!

The Fenix TK11 gives you an amazing amount of light in a flashlight that measures a mere 5.3" long. Fenix TK11 has two output modes - Turbo at 225 lumens and General at 60 lumens, and has a smooth reflector for a long distance beam. (Note: the TK11 differs from the TK10 in that the TK11 has a smooth reflector and is compatible with a 18650 rechargeable battery.)

The entire head of the TK11 is machine from aluminum with a 3-point crenelated bezel which allows you to see if the light has been left on when placed head down. Beneath the bezel sits a toughened, AR coated glass lens similar to other Fenix products. A smooth reflector is used in the TK11 which provides a sharply focused beam with some artifacts. The emitter and reflector are perfectly aligned in my sample. The exterior of the head has 6 shallow scallops machined on it which serves well as an anti-roll feature. The hard anodizing on the head is pretty well done with consistent coloring. This is probably due to the thickness of the coating. Its purely cosmetic though, the surface still feels smooth. Looking inside the rear end of the head you'll see the PCB for the "+" battery contact though do take note that the TK11 does not have the reverse polarity protection implemented so that it will work with flat-topped 18650 cells. The threads on the head are smooth, clean and thicker than previous Fenix models.

The TK11 produces a very tightly focused hotspot due to the use of a smooth reflector. It throws significantly further than the TK10 which uses a textured reflector. Due to this, the beam area has some artifacts such as a dark ring right around the hotspot and a feint yellow ring too. Beam tint is a neutral white on General mode and shifts to a slightly cooler tint on Turbo mode.

The notable feature of the TK11 is that it now officially supports the use of a 18650 cell. The circuit used in the TK11 is different that that used in the TK10 as it allows a 3.7V li-ion cell such as a 18650 to power the light up to full brightness instead of about 75% as the TK10 did. Regulation isn't as consistent as the TK10 when using 2x 16340 or CR123 cells, output seems to increase slightly as the cells run down. The TK11 struggles to maintain regulation with 18650 cells on Turbo mode. Run time is good considering the variety of input voltages the TK11 accepts.

Operation of Fenix TK11 LED Flashlight:
Select either Turbo mode or General mode by turning the bezel:
• Turbo Mode: 225 lumens, 1.5 hours of runtime
• General Mode: 60 lumens, 10 hours of runtime

Features of Fenix TK11 LED Flashlight:
• Cree Premium Q5 7090 XR-E LED with a lifespan of 50,000 hours (approximate)
• 2 brightness modes, maximum of 225 lumens
• high efficiency head with smooth reflector throws a long range beam
• digitally regulated to maintain brightness over the life of the batteries
• light will flicker rapidly to indicate low battery power
• powered by 2 ea CR123A lithium batteries or one 18650 Li-ion rechargeable battery, (batteries NOT included)
• runs for 1.5 hrs high, 10 hrs low using 2 ea CR123A batteries
• runs for 2.7 hrs high, 12 hrs low using 18650 Li-ion rechargeable battery
• durable aircraft grade aluminum body with Type III hard-anodized, anti-abrasive finish
• waterproof to IPX-8* standard (not dive rated)
• toughened ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating
• removable grip ring
• pushbutton tail switch for momentary on and constant on/off
• anti-roll body design
• includes 2 spare O-rings, spare switch boot, nylon belt holster and wrist lanyard

2009 saw growth in sales and popularity of eBook readers, although there was still an innate reluctance for people to read from screens rather than paper. 2010 will see a shift in emphasis towards e-ink and paper developments, and the new kids on the block will be offering equipment that the more established Amazon and Sony will work hard to emulate yet alone beat.

There is no doubt that eBook readers are continuing to increase in popularity, although it is believed by many that sales will settle to a background level as most potential users wait for the technology to improve. Although many would like the convenience of an eBook reader and the capability of loading a library of books into one machine, they prefer to wait for improvements in both the e-ink and e-paper technology, and also in the quality of the eReaders.

Many feel that if the Kindle is the best there is then they would rather wait. However, they might perhaps not be waiting too long, because many businesses that believed that portable eBook readers would have a niche clientele at best are now developing their own versions of a technology that is proving to have an unexpectedly large demand.

It looks like sales of eReaders are going to rocket in 2010; that is if the bubbling activity in sales and development planned for the year is anything to go by. It seems that many of the problems that consumers have with eBooks and their readers are being addressed, and that development is not only being restricted just to the production of bigger and better machines, but also to new cutting edge technology. So what's in store for you if you are currently considering the pros and cons of eReaders against the real thing?

The devices themselves are becoming increasingly more sophisticated, with companies such as Plastic Logic and Barnes and Noble entering the arena. The latter has just unveiled its 'Nook', which with its multitouch color screen looks hot enough to knock the Kindle of its pedestal. Plastic Logic is entering the market with a business-oriented eReader with 3G connectivity.

The Plastic Logic proReader will be shown to the public at the Consumer Electronics Show on 7th January, 2010 in Las Vegas. With its 8.5 x 11 inch touchscreen, the QUE is the first true business eReader, enabling users to read PDF, Excel, Word and PowerPoint files. As it was described in the article "The QUE e-Reader: The New Kid on the Block", the screen is not only shatterproof, but also capacitive without any loss in sensitivity that such layered screens often show (Digital Book Readers). "The QUE proReader enhances business performance and gives you a competitive edge," according to Plastic Logic's CEO, Richard Archuleta.

In a market currently dominated by Amazon's Kindle, the two computer giants, Apple and Microsoft, are said to be working separately on a multifunctional tablet device that will also offer computer and multimedia functions to their customers. Sony are also rapidly improving their eReader range and the new IREX DR800SD eBook reader goes some way towards helping with the size problem with its 8.1 inch screen.

Many potential users have been put off by the screen size of the earlier products and these new 8 inch+ products are beginning to look very attractive to them. However, apart from increasing wireless connectivity and larger screen sizes, what else should we be looking for in 2010?

Screen size has not been the only problem with newspapers, although some of these will be resolved by 3G technology providing the ability to update quickly without the need for a hard connection. In fact, the concept of digital newspapers is an attractive one to many people, and it is certainly environmentally friendly. Add to that the saving in printing and distribution costs and it is little wonder that many of the larger newspapers are considering trials based upon a 3G and digital subscription model.

Future hardware could involve thin, rollable screens that would convert a large number of people who currently prefer magazine and tabloid formatting. However, given that news is freely available online, the e-News experience would have to offer something special over and above just what can be found on any laptop or palm computer.

Perhaps the new product being developed by Asus might meet the needs of everybody. This eReader is said to have twin color touchscreens that open up just like a hardback book, thus meeting one of the complaints that reading eBook readers with one page open at a time detracts from the reading experience. The eReader will also have a speaker, microphone and webcam, thus enabling Skype videocalls.

In fact, Amazon had better shape up because word has it that the Asus will cost less than the Kindle, and with all the extra features, is liable to jump ahead of it in sales. 2010 might see a massive sea-shift in popularity, particularly if Amazon and Seiko have been resting on their laurels a bit. There is no time for that anymore because the next 12 months will see a massive surge in both R&D and in developments on existing products.

Another of the gripes of genuine book lovers is the appearance of the print. E-ink has gone a long way towards solving this problem, and the continuing development of both ink and e-paper technology by companies other than just Prime View International will lead to improvements in the appearance of eBook reader text and also in prices for the equipment. Early 2010 will bring more competition in this technology that will benefit customers' pockets and their reading experience.

As the popularity of such devices continues to grow, computer and cell phone manufacturers will offer their own equivalents, based on 3G technology and utilising the best e-ink and e-paper technology available to them. Devices will become larger, though still portable, which will involve rollable screens commensurate with the restriction in screen size of portable devices. An increasing number of devices will offer touchscreen throughout 2010, although color screens will not likely be generally available until the year after.

You will also be seeing stores setting aside space just for eBook readers and associated technology. To date, such equipment has been hidden among other miscellaneous electronic applications, but it is now being recognized as a mainstream technology deserving its own promotions.

Finally, don't forget Asia! 2010 will also likely see a significant increase in inexpensive eBook readers from China, Taiwan and other Asian countries. However, it will be the screen and ink technology, and also the range of books, magazines, and eventually newspapers available to users that will ultimately distinguish between those eReaders that sell and those that don't.

This article republished from Article Alley Technology Articles

Rumors have been circling about a motion sensing "remote" controller for the PS3 for years. Since the release of the Nintendo Wii, Playstation gamers have been talking up the possibility of a controller with motion sensing capabilities (like Wii has) for the PS3. The latest rumors say we’ll see one by June of this year.



Sony applied for a patent for a “detectable and trackable hand-held controller” back in 2006 and reports doing the rounds this morning suggest that Sony will debut the device in just a few weeks, at E3.

According to "The Cut Scene", a good source saw a working prototype several months ago that largely fit what was in the patent documentation. Sony's controller apparently used LEDs coupled with a small web cam to track movements. Because the camera can read different color lights and the shape and angle of each light, it's much more accurate than the Wii controller.

Exclusive Heads up: A few months ago, Skype CEO Josh Silverman was asked when was he going to launch the iPhone version of the P2P voice and IM service that has now been downloaded more than 405 million times. His response was, “Stay tuned.”

Now Skype is almost ready to launch that iPhone version, perhaps as soon as next week (reported by gigaom.com). CTIA Wireless, a large mobile industry trade event, kicks off in Las Vegas next Wednesday, so perhaps the announcement will be made there.

The biggest clue about Skype’s pending iPhone launch came when iSkoot decided to move on from its Skype-centric strategy. The company had been offering a client that allowed cell phone users to use Skype services. Skype already offers a Windows Mobile version of its client.

As I’ve said before, Skype will have to turn to mobile to keep its growth intact. In recent months, many services, among them Truphone and Nimbuzz, started supporting Skype in their communication clients. However, a standalone Skype client would get a lot of traction among the Skype faithful. In the meantime, I think Skype is slowly flexing its muscles and swatting away little VoIP players with some of its recent moves.

We purchased a Magic Jack on a tip from a fellow tech blogger a few months ago. We were admittedly skeptical being that the only advertisements and marketing we saw of this product was on late night infomercials. The product claims to be a small, USB device that turns any computer with an available USB port and a broad band internet connection into a portal for ultra-low cost phone service.

The device is very simple. Slightly larger than a standard thumb drive with a standard phone jack on the other end. It really couldn't get any simpler than this. The software is embedded on the flash device and installs once the USB device is recognized. It will map two drives on your PC. You will be prompted the first time installing to setup your account and choose a new phone number. There are growing their list of available area codes and region exchange codes everyday. We found our local area code and were able to pick a number from a list of several dozen.

Once installed, you can operate your new Magic Jack phone one of two ways. A softphone software automatically installed, allows you to place and recieve calls from your computer using your PC's audio device (you will need a microphone and speakers). This works well with a decent headset with a microphone and is great for those extended calls with tech support.



The other method is to plug any standard phone into the analog jack and operate the phone as you normally would. We had a cordless phone set that broadcasts from the base to three handsets. This is an ideal setup for this type of phone service. You don't have to worry about re-wiring your house to push the phone signal from your outside phone company line to this new Magic Jack phone service. This allowed us to plug the master base station into the Magic Jack by the computer and place two other slave handsets throughout the office (or house).

Service quality was at first poor. We found the audio to be very low volume. After playing with the volume on the handsets we got it barely acceptable. Later we discovered there was a setting on the softphone software that controls the volume by clicking on the small "Menu" button. This brought the handset volume up dramatically.

Overall, this is a great alternative to home phone service and certainly your cable companies VOIP service. Most VOIP phone services will still run your between $20 - $30 / month. At less than $20 a year, the value is obvious. We found this to be a great solution to making international calls as well. Take the device with you when you travel internationally, and plus it in to a computer with high-speed internet and you can make calls as if you were still in the USA.

Sony's new E-Reader is a lightweight, very slim device will hold and display books for you to read. The case is made of an aluminum-like material, and feels very nice to hold for what could be hours. At only 0.3 inches thick it is much smaller than any book you would carry around and most likely weighs less than a paperback. It comes with a leather cover adding a nice touch of style.

It features E-ink display which makes it very easy to read (similarly to a real book) and is touted to be better for your eyes than a computer screen. However there is no backlight so you're stuck reading with some sort of light on.

Book titles are purchased on your computer and transferred to your E-Reader via USB cable. Titles are easy to search for and the device syncs the books you buy similar to an iPod does with iTunes. Sony has 20,000 titles to choose from, but you can find an additional 170,000 on Amazon.

The downsides are that there is a noticeable lag when navigating menus. Also the price… $270 may seem a little steep when you factor in also that books can cost up to $20 themselves.

It's a very nice gadget though, if you have the money.

Rating: 4/5