Nabaztag/tag

by Josh Rubin

Nabaztag/tag, the latest version of the Nabaztag, the little WiFi bunny that displays information, is here. Now communicating via sound, light and movement, it can alert you to incoming emails and appointments, among other functions. The Nabaztag/tag's new features include its bellybutton (a microphone that makes the device capable of voice activation), an ambient noise sensor that can tell if there are people in the room, the ability to recognize smells which enables programmed responses (such as alerting others that you're home when you wave your keys under its nose), and limitless talk capabilities so that you can stream audio, like blogs, music and newsfeeds, from the internet. You can also leave voice message on the Nabaztag/tag via your PC or text message for easy communication with fellow Nabaztag/tag owners and housemates, hook it up to an external speaker using a mini-jack and train it to recognize RFID tags. An improved website allows for more intuitive control of the rabbit and enables users to network with other Nabaztags.

Pre-order it for $180 from Firebox.

Apple TV

by Ami Kealoha

Overshadowed a bit by the iPhone's debut (and though it was already announced last September), Apple TV ($299) is a device that holds its own in the growing shift to (finally) get the internet out of the confines of the PC. For complete coverage including gratuitous photos, check Gizmodo and Engadget. What follows are the standout details.

Like the iPhone and .Mac, one of the most clever aspects of Apple TV is its ability to auto-sync with the content on your computer. That means every time a new episode of Cool Hunting Video comes out (or you download a TV show, movie, music or photos), it will automatically be uploaded to Apple TV (either via WiFi or a wired network) for optimum viewing on a widescreen.

With a remote, a USB port, ethernet, component video and stereo audio inputs, the system is ready to be wired into an existing home theater and computer system—televisions need to have widescreen capabilities and enhanced definition or HD with an HDMI, DVI or component input. Apple TV's 720p output reportedly looks sharp too, which means it will put pricey HD TVs to good use.

Featuring an Intel processor and a 40GB hard drive, Apple TV can store up to 50 hours of video, but—also capable of streaming wirelessly from up to five PCs—you can watch media from other computers without storing it on the hard drive.

WidgetStation

by Josh Rubin

Taking home a 2007 CES Innovation Award for design and engineering, Emtrace's Linux-based WidgetStation is a dual screen desk clock that comes with a wide variety of functionality. Just like PC widgets, users can browse and download widgets and customize both sides—either black and white or color—of the LCD via an Ethernet, WiFi or mini-USB connection. Also like the computer-based counterparts, users can create their own widgets for an even more personal experience and to share with friends. A remote and MP3 player (it has a speaker and a stereo ear jack) make it an even more fun way to get the functionality of the Internet without an awkward laptop or CPU. Available in black or white, the device is set to come out toward the middle of this year with a tandem service site.

iPhone

by Ami Kealoha

The big news from Apple today of course is the hotly-anticipated iPhone that combines a widescreen iPod, a GSM phone and internet connectivity into one device—Steve Jobs calls it, "a revolution of the first order." With over 200 patents on features like a multi-touch user interface and a sensor that automatically switches between landscape and portrait mode, he just might be right. Here are the highlights of the new mobile gadget, available in 4G ($499) and 8G ($599) models exclusively through Apple and their partner Cingular this June 2007 and following in Europe later this year and in Asia in 2008. For blow-by-blow details go to Engadget or Gizmodo.

The multi-touch capabilities inspire the most oohs and aahs by enabling users quickly and easily perform tasks like zooming in Google Maps with a pinch movement or double tapping to increase the size of a webpage. The interface ignores unintended touches, making it far more accurate.

Like the iPod, the iPhone syncs all of your media, (including calendars, bookmarks, music, movies, podcasts, tv, photos, contacts, email, notes, etc.) using a cradle (it has the standard iPod docking port at the bottom) through iTunes.

Running on OS X makes for an overall smooth experience—text messaging is more like iChat, you can scroll through iTunes (it uses Coverflow), and the internet browser is Safari (which can handle having multiple pages open at once and takes advantage of some of the multi-touch features with zoom and widescreen capabilities). Google Maps has satellite imaging and is similarly easy to navigate.

At a thin 11.6mm wide, the phone packs in 2.0 MP camera, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a speaker, mic input, iPod port, a 3.5 inch wide screen with 160 ppi resolution, the highest res screen ever shipped of this size, and only one button, the "home button." Internally the iPhone has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0.

In addition to the accelerometer that switches between screen modes, the iPhone has a proximity sensor that turns off the display and sound when you bring the phone to your ear and an energy-saving detector that senses ambient light and adjusts the display accordingly.

Key in the partnership with Cingular (they will be the exclusive multi-year partner), the iPhone brings visual voicemail so that users can pick and choose among a list of received voicemails. The onscreen buttons also makes phonecalls a "killer app," as Jobs likes to call it.

AntiBabel EP

by Leonora Oppenheim

There’s nothing like a cross-cultural experimental musical collaboration to start off the New Year. The AntiBabel EP is the creative project of multi-talented musician, beatboxer and comedian extraordinaire Reggie Watts and Tibetan singer Yungchen Lhamo—who has worked with Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, Phillip Glass and Natalie Merchant, among others. The pair came together after they both performed at the 2006 Pop!Tech annual conference, which itself is a unique gathering of innovators from across several disciplines. Out on Pop!Tech’s own label (this is their first release), the debut is a great example of what can happen when different cultures and musical art forms connect. Not only an amazing sonic experience, all of the purchase price supports the non-profit Machik, which promotes sustainable development and local communities in the Himalayas. Andrew Zolli, the curator of Pop!Tech says, “Yungchen and Reggie are two of the world’s most original voices, and we were honored to not only foster their collaboration, but to channel the results to further promote positive global change.”

Pick it up from Pop!Tech for $10.