Solar panels are becoming more efficient and cheaper to produce every year, and manufacturers are starting to add them onto keyboards and laptops to extend battery life and save energy in general. Just this week, Logitech launched their snazzy-looking K750 solar keyboard. Unlike other solar keyboards I’ve seen, which resemble large calculators because of ugly-looking solar panels, this one is quite elegant looking and efficient. It has a 2.4 GHz wireless tech and lux meter to let you know when light levels are sufficient. It’ll stay charged in a dark room for three months and if your windows are large enough, it can charge light from indoors. All in all, Logitech’s K750 solar keyboard looks like a great solution to wireless keyboards with crappy battery life.

Then there’s the LCD panel manufacturer called AU Optronics, who one-upped Logitech with their own 14″ solar touchscreen keyboard. But unlike the Logitech keyboard, which is designed as a peripheral device, the AU Optronics keyboard is 2.1mm thick and has a solar module built into the notebook’s cover and keyboard panel. This saves power by around 20%, giving you around an hour of extra battery life. No news on cost just yet but the AU Optronics keyboard will be showcased sometime this month. As for the Logitech keyboard, it’s available for $79.99

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I have a new toy, the Huawei E585, a mobile Wi-fi that comes with an OLED screen, which displays the connection/3G signal, amount of data used, number of WI-FI connections (up to 5) and the battery life.

I first saw this nifty gadget from techie friend, Art Samaniego when we were en route to Boracay for a SONY Event. It gave me an internet connection at the departure lounge. I knew this was one gadget I wanted to own. Imagine sharing WIFI connection among friends and better yet , among your gadgets especially since I have my iPhone 4, iPad, laptop with me. Family members can also share when we are out together. Globe offers Globe MyFi ( branded version of the Huawei E5830 3G router) , an older model at a very low price of 4,000 pesos for prepaid accounts .

My problem with this offer is that I will be locked to Globe and I can’t use other SIM Cards. Thanks to Longbeard, I was able to purchase the Huawei E585, a more updated version of the old model that Globe uses.

I had difficulties at first because the web-based dashboard was in Chinese. The unit came with a password which I wanted to change and so with the username and dashboard password. The problem was solved when I restarted the portable router. Then it was a breeze from thereon. The device seemed to identify the SMART’s APN automatically. I can even view text messages on the dashboard, send and receive SMS. The OLED display shows if a text message arrive which I then check on the dashboard. It also shows on the right hand side, the data speed connection, number of WIFI connections and data usage. More configuration can be done under advanced settings.

I finally got to test it out in Makati yesterday where my iPad and iPhone got connected. Speed is not too fast. I can browse, read emails, write posts but not much on uploading photos.

On the OLED display, you will see the following:

- Signal bars
- 3G or H for HSDPA (network connection type)
- WiFi (number of WiFi connections)
- World Symbol (shows internet access)
- SMS message symbol (received text messages)
- Battery power remaining ( self explanatory)

I find it really cool to use because when Globe 3G is down , I can just shift to the SMART 3G connection with the portable router tucked neatly in my purse. I used it for 3 hours yesterday for my iPad and iPhone and the battery life was at 50%

Some observations:

1. Turn off the power to save on battery.

2. When you power it back on, it will take 45 seconds to get connected to the data connection.

3. The connection is strong within 10 meters from the router. Beyond that, it has difficulty connecting.

4. Buy the micro-sim adaptor if you need to use the micro-sim

5. I will monitor the speed. Although I am using it right now to blog this entry, the speed is not that fast. Speed Test from a SMART server says it is 1 MBps . Other server tests say it is 200 kbps or less. All I can say it is better than nothing especially if one needs to work outside of home or the broadband connection is down.

I will update as I get to use this portable router more often.

This post shows a comparison of the Huwaei E5830 and the Huwaei 585

Where to buy the Huawei E585

I bought mine from Longbeard. Check his site at http://longbeard.info

Clipper is an Asian novelty store that recently opened their first branches in the Philippines. They sell the usual assortment of stuffed toys, gift items, and other things that will probably just gather stuff on a shelf. But what I didn’t know is that they sell the most useful laptop bags ever. My mom just got this convertible laptop bag and she absolutely adores it.

If there’s anything I hate, it’s those boring black laptop bags that usually come free with laptops. Try getting her a cute laptop bag from Bratty Bonita. They look just like regular purses, which she will definitely appreciate, but they also have protective foam inside as well as pockets for a charger, mouse, and other peripherals.

I don’t like getting stuffed toys because they just end up gathering dust. However, a USB teddy bear is the perfect Valentine’s gift – cheesy enough for the holiday, but practical for everyday use. This one is from Cool USB – P500 for 1GB and P700 for 2GB.

If there’s anything girls enjoy, it’s taking photos of themselves and their friends. Let her take camwhoring to another level with the DiCAPac underwater case for digital cameras. The DiCAPac comes in all sizes, from slim point and shoot cameras to chunky DSLRs. Buy one online from Digital Printing.

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy getting practical things for Christmas – and gifts don’t get any more practical than peripherals for my PC. It looks like I’m not the only one who thinks this way because Logitech is making it easy for shoppers to get their hands on their products this holiday season. From December 25 to December 30, 2009, Logitech is giving free H165 headset for every purchase of V470 Cordless laser Mouse or V550 cordless Laser mouse or Premium Notebook headset. You can also get a free Z103 speaker for every purchase of Illuminated keyboard or Webcam C905. Find out more about these products under the jump!

Logitech V550 Nano Cordless Laser – Clip and Go

Many people prefer a mouse to a touchpad but often leave the mouse behind when moving from room to room. Logitech is changing all that with the introduction of the Logitech® V550 Nano cordless laser mouse for notebooks, featuring the Clip-and-Go dock. The unobtrusive dock lets you conveniently clip the V550 mouse to your laptop – and go.

Always ready for use, the V550 Nano also features the Plug-and-Forget Nano-receiver – it’s so small that once it’s plugged into your computer, you can forget about it. The Nano-receiver stays nearly flush against the side of the computer (protruding just 8 mm), so it doesn’t have to be unplugged when you stow your laptop.

Cordless Laser Mouse with Bluetooth® technology

Easy set-up is the key to efficient mobility. The V470 Cordless Laser Mouse connects to notebooks enabled with Bluetooth®wireless technology, Freeing you from the hassle of cords and the need for a receiver. Laser tracking technology outperforms optical mice and delivers smoother cursor control on nearly any surface. A low battery indicator light eliminates surprises, while the on/off switch extends battery life. The tilt wheel plus zoom is perfect for viewing digital photos and spreadsheets, allowing you to instantly zoom in and out, as well as scroll horizontally and vertically. Includes a pouch to protect the mouse during travel.

New Logitech Keyboard

To help you find the keyboard that best matches your needs – and style – the Logitech® Illuminated Keyboard, which offers an optimized backlight experience, Logitech PerfectStroke™ key system and Logitech’s thinnest design ever.

Logitech Portable Webcam

Video calling is free, fast and easy with Logitech® Vid™. Zeiss® optics with autofocus deliver razor-sharp images even in extreme close-ups. A 2-megapixel HD sensor delivers true-to-life video at up to 720p and photos at up to 8 megapixels (software enhanced) through webcam C905.

Premium Notebook Headset

Designed specially for the needs of notebook users, the Logitech® Premium Notebook Headset features a low profile, adjustable, behind-the-head design that will fit you comfortably and securely. When not in use, it folds flat and slips into a protective travel case, making it an excellent travel companion. It offers high-performance audio, a noise-cancelling microphone to filter out unwanted background noise, and a convenient inline volume and mute control. It?s the perfect headset for PC calling,Internet chat, gaming, movies and music (including most MP3 music players).Provides both digital USB and traditional analogue connectivity.

Logitech has always been my go-to brand for speakers, keyboards, and mice because their products are known to very durable and reliable – a rare commodity in the age of cheaply-made, poorly-constructed Chinese electronics. If I’m not mistaken, the very Logitech keyboard and mouse I’m using now have been with me since college. The Logitech speakers and sub-woofers on my computer were purchased early this year and have blasted thousands of mp3s and endless hours of movies and TV shows since then. The sound quality is excellent and I’m confident that I won’t need to replace them until a year or two down the line.

I suppose I’m just one of the thousands of Filipino consumers satisfied with their computer peripherals because Logitech chose to open their first Southeast Asian brand store right here in the Philippines. Today, I attended the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Logitech brand store at the SM Megamall Cyberzone (fourth floor). It’s just a small kiosk, but in here you can find every single Logitech gadget available market, from computer mouses and webcams, to laptop accessories, to console gaming accessories, such as the official wheel of Gran Turismo.

Unlike other computer retailers, who will only let you test out the item when you’re sure to buy it, the Logitech brand store in Megamall allows you to play around with their array of products so you can make an informed decision about which model you’d like to get. I must admit, even I had to restrain myself from making an “unnecessary purchase” – the ultra-thin the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard enhanced with the PerfectStroke key system.

With the launch of the new Logitech store came the unveiling of their expanded line of laptop peripherals. The Logitech Comfort Ladesk is designed to make using a notebook more comfortable with its stable, elevated base. It even protects you from laptop heat when you’re working from the comfort of your couch or relaxing on your bed. A similar product is the Logitech Notebook Riser N110, which elevates your notebook while you’re working on your desk to give you an optimal viewing position of your screen.

These are just some of the exciting products available at the Logitech Brand Store. Check it out today at Megamall Cyberzone, 4th Floor Mega B.

In the Philippines, laptop owners have to live with the fact that there’s a very high chance that their laptops will get stolen from them – even if they leave it at home. And if there’s any Think Geek product that should come to the Philippines, it should be the DormVault. Originally designed to for paranoid college students dorming with untrustworthy roommates (although really – what’s there to be paranoid about?), the DormVault is a big metal box with a simple lock and bolts from the inside, keeping it safe from cheap bolt-cutters. When the lid is closed and locked, the wing-nuts that keep the vault glued to your bed or wall gets locked in with your laptop. The DormVault can accommodate a 17″ laptop, and accessories. You can even keep an external hard drive in there, or small gadgets like your phone. The DormVault also comes with bolts and mounting brackets so you can permanently attach it to a large piece of furniture, like a bed or the wall.

Available for $59.99 at Think Geek.

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I used my iPhone and selected Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Oh my! A crowd soon gathered outside the store smiling at my direction. A customer nodded his head to beat of Thriller and seemed to agree with my choice. Yup, the sound emitted from this “boom look-alike” speaker was really good. A review from ilounge.com says that the pros are

The best-sounding transportable iPod speaker system yet released, with impressive detail across the entire sound spectrum, particularly in the bass department, and capable of doing pretty well at high volumes. Includes a good RF remote control, simple carrying handle, D-cell battery option, and USB port for iPod-to-computer synchronization.

and the cons?

Cons: Odd iPod dock design makes screen hard to see; remote’s complexity-adding iPod menu navigation features are thereby worthless. Despite boombox functionality, system isn’t as ruggedized or iPod-protective as some competing options, and its modern looks will appeal more to some users than others. Price isn’t aggressive relative to other all-in-one speakers given lack of certain features, and sound differences between this and considerably less expensive all-in-ones will be lost on many listeners, particularly those who prefer user-adjustable bass or treble controls.

Measuring 20” wide by 9.5” tall and 9” deep, the matte black system’s most unique feature is a huge stainless steel arc of a handle, which runs fully from side to side, and ties visually into oversized matching speaker grilles on the unit’s front and back. Viewed from the top or front, Go + Play looks like my oversized hobo bag. I don’t know if it is appealing to others but for me, the design is just right… but hey, I am after the sound quality.

Setting up is also idiot-proof. There are only three buttons on the whole system – illuminated power and volume, all on top and in metal – and four ports in the back, each covered by rubber. I connected the speaker to my PC and it worked immediately! Definitely , it is full-fledged tabletop audio system that’s as well-suited to use alongside a computer as elsewhere in your home or outdoors. One can even use 8 D batteries if one needs to bring it outdoors.

Harman Kardon Go + Play boasts two 30-watt tweeters, and two 30-watt woofers which explains the delivery of such powerful audio. It also has an excellent Signal-to-Noise Ratio of >85dB, which means you can really turn this thing up outside without fear of distortion, limited only by the wrath of your neighbors’ complaints.

The dock is designed to accommodate smaller iPod minis and the first-generation iPod nano, while a dial in the compartment provides extra back support for thinner full-sized iPods. That means even my daughter can use my portable Hi-Fi Speaker during parties at home.

It also comes with a six-button RF remote control for iPod controls. The remote is based on RF radio technology rather than Infrared, so you can control the system without pointing the remote at the speakers, and it works from 35 feet away rather than Harman’s stated 20.

Overall, I love the Harman Kardon Go + Play for the wonderful sounds coming from my PC speaker. It helps that I can also use it an iPod speaker system . Reviews says that it’s the best-sounding boombox design they have yet heard, but also the priciest, and not necessarily the one you’d actually want to carry someplace where it or your iPod could be damaged.

I bought it for 12,995 pesos at Electroworld, SM Marikina. I think it is worth it considering that it has multiple uses for me. Excuse me while I play the “Boom Boom Pow” by the Black Eyed Peas.

A very comprehensive review is written by ilounge.com.

Here is a manual for the Harman/Kardon Go+Play Portable Hi-Fi Speaker for iPod

Harman/Kardon Go+Play Portable Hi-Fi Speaker for iPod

I have three internet service providers at home. Now I prefer to use a USB adapter than cable wires as it looks neater and more organized. Well, if you are like me, I think this small adapter will prove to be handy.

Buffalo’s Wireless-N Ultra-Compact USB 2.0 Adapter offers a portable solution to add high-speed wireless connectivity through an available USB port on your Windows laptop or desktop. With faster wireless data rates and more coverage than legacy 802.11 products, WLI-UC-GN provides better performance than most PCs’ internal wireless card. It offers sufficient bandwidth and range to stream video, voice, and music. Support for the AirStation One-Touch Secure System™ (AOSS™) allows you to set up a high-speed, secure wireless network within minutes.

Features and Benefits
• Wi-Fi Certified™ to insure compatibility with other certified devices
• Faster speed and greater range than standard 802.11g
• Ultra-compact – smallest form factor
• Great for multimedia streaming or online gaming
• Push-button Setup with AirStation One-Touch Secure System™ (AOSS™)
• Supports WPA2, WPA-PSK (TKIP, AES), and 128/64-bit WEP Security
• USB 2.0 support
• Backward compatible with 802.11g and 802.11b
• For best performance, use with Buffalo Nfiniti Wireless-N Router

Suggested retail price is only 1,450 pesos

Maintaining a long-distance relationship requires constant communication, and doing video chat on Skype or iChat is a great substitute for the other’s physical absence. I would love to get my hands on the world’s first 3D webcam by a Japanese company called Novo. That cute, robot-like toy above is the Minoru 3D webcam and those two eyes are actually two cameras spaced the same distance as human eyes. Apparently, Novo’s designers discovered that an anthropomorphic-looking webcam lets the users look into the eyes of the camera as they talk, giving a more realistic video feedback. The Minoru has an adjustable multi-position stand, so you can make your robot-webcam sit, stand or perch on a monitor or desk. The camera is compatible with Skype, Windows Live Messenger, and AOL messenger, and can also be used to take still pictures or record videos. You can also use it as a normal 2D webcam.

Grab one for $89 at the Minoru website.

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