Logitech is taking the computer mouse to a new level. Beginning in August, Performance MX (99,99 €) and Anywhere MX (79,99 €) will be the first mice that can be used without any limitation on clear  glass and high glossy surfaces.

Logitech research showed that 40% of people has a glass surface in their home. If we couple this with a laptop computer, then we have a challenge: people are moving around and coming into contact with many different surfaces. So Logitech, a brand that has driven nearly every major innovation in mouse technology, decided to develop a device that could be used virtually anywhere you want. And Darkfield is the answer.

How does this new laser technology work? To track on glass, Logitech Darkfield uses dark field microscopy to detect microscopic particles and micro-scratches on these surfaces, rather than tracking the surface itself. This way, the sensor sees the clean areas of glass as a dark background with bright dots – the dust. Then, the sensor interprets the movement of these dots to track exactly where you’ve moved the mouse.

The full-size Performance MX has a sculpted, right-handed shape and a flexible micro-USB charging system that lets you recharge the mouse through the PC or a wall outlet, even when you are using it. other features are four customizable thumb buttons and force-sensitive side-to-side scrolling, a first in any Logitech mouse.

The compact size Anywhere MX works wherever you go, and it’s protected with a travel pouch.

Both of them feature the recently announced Logitech Unifying receiver, which stays in the notebook and lets you add up to five other compatible compatible Logitech keyboards and mice to this single receiver.

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Source: Logitech

Ok, so you feel bored with your actual GPS device… they all look the same: square or rectangle, but always those four boring corners.

Now, let’s bring some fresh air and hope for the future: Art Lebedev’s Studio has developed (not yet produced) a new concept that we expect to see in the stores in the near future.  Forget square screens and please  welcome a beautiful round touchscreen, plus USB adapter, microSD, lighter adapter and a nice detachable stand. Isn’t it beautiful?

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Source: Gizmodo

Olympic champion and professional cyclist Chris Boardman has designed, with UK’s SkySports, a revolutionary bike prototype that employs carbon fiber (a very strong material, yet lightweight and malleable)  and features a fingerprint-activated locking system, self inflating puncture-proof tires, a battery-assisted motor powered by solar panels and a computer attached to the handlebars to count calories, plus a clock  and an mp3 music player.

Unfortunately the cost of this marvel would be too high for mass-market adoption in 2009, so we will have to wait… 15 to 20 years. So relax, you still have plenty of time before replacing the bike you just bought one month ago…

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Source: Fast Company

Zune HD is a really spectacular device, miles ahead from previous versions. Design (both internal and external) is really amazing, and the new NVidia Tegra platform seems to be one of the secrets, perfectly integrated with a revolutionary software interface.  If we add a crystal clear OLED screen and 720p output resolution, the new Zune HD will surely please almost everybody.

CrunchGear has already tested a unit (although still a Beta) and the following video makes it clear that Apple will have to move fast if they still want to remain as the #1 player in terms of sales and innovation. Ipod Touch’s interface has not changed much since the first generation, so apple-addicts are eager to see (and buy) an improved version of the existing one.

But regardless the technical specs of the new Zune, the real question is: will it be able to compete against iPod without an iTunes and App store? Why should I buy one if I can use my own Samsung Omnia HD for watching videos and listen to music on the go? What are the real plans for the Zune HD platform in the future? Still a lot of questions to be answered, but at least Microsoft seems to be on the right track.

[Not yet confirmed: September 8th seems to be the launch date, and prices wil run from $220 (16 GB) to $290 (32 GB)]

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Source: Crunch Gear

New DSLR cameras are great for shooting fantastic images, but also for recording HD videos that can almost replace standard videocameras in some cases.

Marty Meyer, a videographer, decided to compare three of the best cameras with HD video capabilities available today, although they are conceptually different devices: on one side the not-so-expensive Panasonic Lumix DMC GH1. On the other, the new Canon EOS 5D Mark II, one of the best options for professionals. And in a different dimension, a futureproof concept quite difficult to classify: Red One.

The footage was shot on Vimeo by Byron Shah, Jason Ensler and their team last month. It’s a different way of comparing technological devices, and surely a more appealing one. Enjoy the video.

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Source: PDN Pulse

Are you tired of using Google maps to guide yourself inside a new city? Now iPhone owners with the software upgraded to 3.0 have a wide selection of navigation softwares to choose from.

Navigon has recently released their version for the USA and Canada, while the European version (covering 40 countries) was released one month earlier.  A version for Australia is available too from the iTunes store at an affordable price. An excellent software from one of the main manufacturers of Navigation systems, now available for your iPhone, which includes  interesting features like Lane Assistante Pro, 2D and 3D map displays, Reality view pro and information on speed cameras (not available for all countries).  I had the opportunity to use it recently  driving from Czech Republic to Austria, and the result was excellent!! Just try not to use your phone too much, otherwise you will miss the turn (the navigation system will temporarily turn off while you speak on the phone and will resume after finishing the conversation).

And just recently a new software came to compete with a very atractive offer.  ”iGo MyWay 2009” is available in three different versions: America (USA and Canada), Europe and Western Europe.  Although being a new competitor in this market, it offers a very attractive 3D navigation display showing the shape of famous monuments and free map updates till 2010.

But if you leave or you are planning to travel to Asia, Brazil or  Russia you will also have the opportunity to use your iPhone like a Navigation device. Go to iTunes and look for “Sygic mobile maps“. With the most exstense selection of GPS maps (and an attractive price too), it will for sure become a serious competitor for the other manufacturers.

And very soon, TOM TOM will introduce its own software.  We will cover this story when the software is released. Meantime, you can see an introduction video here

Who will be the winner? Time will say. ..

If you are still hesitating which mobile phone to buy next Xmas, watch this video first.  The Inquirer has recently published a video showing the new OS for mobile phones running under Windows.

New user friendly interface, large icons,  similar display to Windows Home Edition, and easier to browse around. Will be available sometime between October (after Windows 7 becomes available) and Xmas. A great step forward for Windows, but will this be enough to become an iPhone killer? Watch this video and judge yourself.

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Source: The inquirer

Nikon has just announced a new concept that will surely become a revolution in the digicam industry:  the 12,1 megapixels, 5x optical zoom compact Coolpix S1000pj is the first ultra-compact featuring a built-in projector for sharing and videoclips images on the go.

It’s not very powerful (10 lumens) but you can project images  from 5 to 40 inches,  screen-size equivalent. This is a totally new way of showing your favorite photographs to friends and family: just place the camera on itrs own stand and let the show begin with the wireless remote control, also included. We are eager to test one, so we will keep you informed as soon as we can grab one.

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Source: Nikon

When Samsung announced their new Omnia HD during the last WMC ‘09, quite a few of us thought: “mmmm… too many brands are talking about HD, but results are always far from real “High Definition”. Perhaps it will be the same with Samsung’s new baby”.

Fortunately Samsung Omnia HD is [almost] up to expectations; and not only when we talk about HD video recording and playback at 720p@24 fps: this amazing phone also has a 3,7″ AMOLED touchscreen with 16 million colours, the new TouchWiz 3D interface, Wi-Fi, an 8 megapixel camera (again: do you really need a digicam?), A-Gps, 8 / 16 Gb internal memory… everything running under Symbian S60 5th edition.

Although video recording could still be improved, this is the best multimedia mobile phone you can get. But if you still need some more information before rushing to the nearest store, there is a great review from Gsmarena right here, plus a demo video that will surely convince you:

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Source: Gsmarena