Archive for May 20th, 2008
Nintendo is really rubbing in its NY-only launch date for the Wii Fit. Not only do New Yorkers get the Fit a whole two days prior to the rest of America, they also got to try it out for free alongside celebrity trainers in Central Park. Despite the threat of rain, we saw quite a few folks out enjoying the device, from young to old. Many of older set wasn’t even aware there were two products in play, the Wii and the Wii Fit — and some of the trainers seem to have trouble explaining that concept — so it seems to us that a bundled SKU could do good things for Nintendo. Not that it won’t sell like gangbusters anyways. Video of people exercising is on the way. You have been warned.
Update: Video has been added.
Apparently not one to let a tacky trend pass him by, Bill Gates has commissioned 100 mother of pearl-clad Xbox 360s to be used as extra special gifts, the first of which was given to South Korean President Lee Myung-bak earlier this month, prompting a response that we can only imagine to be, “gee, thanks.” To be fair, the design by Korean artisan Kim Young-jun is a bit classier than most of the crystal-encrusted gadgets we come across, but the same can’t quite be said for the move of bringing a bit of thinly disguised self-promotion to a visit with a head of state. We can also only assume that Gates is dreading the day that the President calls him up and asks him what the red rings on his Xbox mean.
We’re not exactly hurting for wireless, USB-sharing options right about now, but when it comes to devices that let us yank another cable from our desk, we’re all for a bit of excess. This latest one comes to us from IOGEAR, which opted for the sharing-over-network method with its new Net ShareStation. Like other similar devices, this one plugs straight into your router (wireless or otherwise) and, in this case, accommodates up to four USB devices of your choice, although you’ll need to provide your own AC-powered 4-port USB hub if you plan to use more than one device with it. If that last rather lame detail isn’t a deal-breaker for you, you can get your hands on this one now for $80.
[Via Blast]
After careful deliberation, we can only assume Vosonic’s VP5700 is some form of portable media player, but considering just how unsightly it is, the actual nomenclature is probably a non-issue. Nevertheless, this unit features a 3.5-inch display, way too much plastic, a bizarre looking control scheme, a multicard reader and support for a slew of image, audio and video files. Mum’s the word on a price / release date (again, not like you care, right? Right.), but those flash cards sure look as if they’re entering the device mighty hastily, wouldn’t you say?
[Thanks, Yoav]
Update: Seems this thing may actually be a photo backup device — thanks Almus!
Look out! The world’s ugliest UMPCs are all getting the SSD treatment, or so it seems. Just five days after Raon Digital added a 32GB solid state drive option for its Everun S32S Dic, WiBrain has introduced a SSD-equipped B1. Starting today, users can grab one of these devices with an 8GB, 16GB or 32GB SSD packed within, each of which will set you back ₩399,000 ($383), ₩549,000 ($528) and ₩599,000 ($576), respectively.
[Thanks, Jenn]