With a controller as add-on-friendly as Nintendo’s Wiimote, we knew it was just a matter of time before peripheral makers everywhere hopped on the sure-to-be-overcrowded bandwagon of completely unnecessary adornments. That sleek, handheld device we once knew and loved will soon become the literal center of attention if JoyTech‘s smorgasbord of accessories gets ahold of it. While we knew a steering wheel contraption was coming down the pike, it looks like JoyTech is beating everyone else to the punch by unveiling a slew of Wiicessories that are supposed to “enhance your gameplay,” but stand a good chance of just adding unwanted girth. Nevertheless, we know the firm is pumping out a racing grip, golf grip, and racket grip to help hone your Wii Sports skills, while offering up Wii Silicon Gloves in a range of colors to presumably prevent the awful scenario only known as butterfingers from happening in your living room. Lastly, the Wii Power Station boasts dual battery packs, recharging ports, and a retractable cable to store your Nunchuck. While we’ve no idea how much money you’ll end up pouring into that fanciful controller, you can find these hanging around Wii displays shortly after tomorrow night’s launch.

[Via Joystiq]
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from engadget

If you think the weekend was meant for kicking back in your ZipConnect Massage chair, or that uber-comfy Aeron apparatus for those fortunate enough — we completely agree — but Ronda’s Media Chair makes even the most technologically advanced seats look like child’s play. Sporting a stylish, modern design with questionably tall armrests, the Media Chair comes pre-loaded with a personal computer and a good reason to never leave the safe, familiar confines of your living room. Hanging off a polished aluminum swing arm is a fanless PC packing a 1.0GHz Intel Celeron processor, 512MB of RAM, Intel’s 855 GME integrated graphics set, 20GB hard drive, built-in stereo speakers, USB 2.0, and the obligatory Ethernet / WiFi connections. You also get a 10.4-inch 800 x 600 resolution display, mini keyboard with integrated mousing device and “background illumination,” and can get connected even in remote locations thanks to the optional UMTS unit. While we aren’t quite sure how much coin you’d have to lay down to pick up this masterpiece of furniture design, we’re sure the feeling of having everything you need all within arm’s reach is indeed priceless.

[Via Uber-Review]
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from engadget

True road warriors tend to be willing to sacrifice that FPS-boosting power for “just a few more minutes” of battery life, and having an always-on 3G connection sure makes things easier, too. Panasonic’s wee Toughbook CF-W5 replaces the slightly heavier W4, and performed quite admirably in the longevity / portability departments during Laptop Mag’s prodding. Reviewers marveled at the 12-inch LCD, “rigid” nature of the 1.8-inch thick machine, and its ability to withstand the typical bumps and bruises you’d expect, say, while trekking through through the woods or camping out for a Playstation 3. Another nice touch was the combo drive’s automatic shut down feature after three minutes of inactivity, but they were none too pleased to find that a DVD burner wasn’t even an available option. Further criticizing the specs, the (admittedly paltry) 60GB hard drive and 512MB of RAM were scoffed at, and the “cramped” keyboard wasn’t exactly made for cranking out dissertations. Overall, however, the machine accomplished its main goals — staying tough and toughing it out — by offering up 8 hours and 28 minutes of realizable battery life with wireless options inactive, and still mustered just about 5 hours while surfing the ‘net. So if you’re rarely near a power outlet, and come across cellphone towers entirely more often that WiFi hotspots, the Toughbook CF-W5 just might be your “ideal candidate.”

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from engadget

There’s certainly no shortage of low-res video goggles on the market, but Australia’s 22Moo seems to think there’s room for just one more (they must know something we don’t), bolstering its own lineup with the SeepuStar DV230 wearable display — apparently, coming courtesy of OEM manufacturer Icuiti. While 22Moo’s holding back on most of the specs for now, they do say that the Seepustars will give you a virtual 35-inch screen and can be used with just about anything with video out — just don’t be too disappointed if your brand new PS3 looks more like a PS1 after you hook it up to a pair of these. At least, we’re guessing — $250 will only buy you so much resolution. Look for these to be available later this month.

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from engadget

Nokia’s N97 Smartphone will supposedly feature a 3-inch TFT-LCD touchscreen display, 5.0-megapixel camera w/20x digital zoom, 20GB of built-in memory, and a microSD card slot. Pricing and availability have not yet been announced. We’ll keep you posted as more information rolls in.

[via Gizmodo - MobileWhack]
from techeblog

From techeblog:
One of our readers just sent in an interesting video of the FN F2000, a futuristic looking “assault rifle manufactured by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal (FN Herstal).”

The F2000 platform has a bayonet lug mounted near the muzzle, and has an adjustable gas regulator with two settings: “normal” for standard ammunition meeting SAAMI or NATO specifications, and “adverse” to send more gas into the system to ensure proper functioning when fouled or when using out of spec ammunition. The chamber, rotating breech block, and ejector mechanisms can be accessed by flipping up the access cover, or known affectionately by many operators of the F2000 as the “toilet seat” cover