David Novak's blog

8G Electronics Aims to Improve the Way We Charge our Electronic Devices

Most of you can identify with the problem of having too many devices that charge over USB, and not enough USB outlets in the house. In this new era of BlackBerrys, Kindles and iPads, households frequently find themselves very…..very……very short on places to charge all of these devices. Let's face it; a typical family these days has not less than 5 mobile devices that require USB charging. Finding an available charging port has successfully become "family game night" at many a residence.

Or, an equally common scenario might be traveling with your iPhone, eReader, and laptop, and then realizing that you brought the cables, but not the mini power brick. Bummer! Or, you brought the charger, but find that your big bulky chargers are blocking any remaining outlets. Add on the fact that these chargers chew up electricity even when they're not being used to charge anything, and you're quickly coming to grips that we as consumer electronics junkies need a "Fix"…..no not that kind of "fix"……a "FIX"…..a solution.Read more

Apple's next-generation iMac will reportedly feature a new high-resolution Retina display according to reports. Stories from reliable sources have emerged claiming that Apple is readying a next-generation MacBook Pro with a redesigned ultra-thin case and a 15-inch Retina display. Production of the new MacBook Pro laptops has already begun according to earlier rumors.

At the same time, Apple may take the wraps off an updated iMac model that also includes a high-resolution Retina display. Rumors of a launch of a Retina display-equipped iMac alongside a new MacBook Pro with a similar display seem imminent, though no launch timing was discussed. Many expect Apple to unveil its next-generation iMac and MacBook Pro computers during its keynote at the annual Worldwide Developer Conference on June 11th.Read more

Samsung just released a European television commercial for its upcoming flagship Galaxy S III smartphone. Rather than full specs and feature sets, the 60-second TV advertisement highlights the handset's connection to humans and nature.

The Galaxy S III "understands you, shares what's in your heart, keeps track of loved ones, recognizes who you are, follows your every move, sees your best side, connects with nature and waits till you’re asleep," the commercial states. The smartphone is scheduled to launch at the end of May overseas and some time in June in North America.

Check out the Samsung Galaxy S III commercial....

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Rovio earlier this week confirmed that it bought the IP for the game Casey's Contraptions. The company's founder and CEO Mikael Hed revealed to Finnish TV channel Yle on Friday that the game will have an educational element and revolve around Alex, a curious young boy who loves to build things.

"The quality pressure is high. We want to maintain the high standard Angry Birds fans have come to enjoy," Hed said. "Amazing Alex" is scheduled to be released this summer on iOS and Android, then "extending to further platforms rapidly after that," the CEO previously said.

David Novak is an internationally syndicated columnist. His column, the GadgetGUY, appears in over 120 newspapers around the world each week, enjoying over 3 million in readership. The GadgetGUY has his pulse on everything related to new gadgets, computers, camcorders, car tech, cameras, gaming, TVs, computers, wireless devices, media devices, cell phones, home appliances, wearable technology, sports science, power tools and gadget news.

A company called Rock Out Apps has introduced Slippery Seal, a new App Store game for kids, which offers fun and eco-friendly education. The game follows the exploits of Slippery the Harbor Seal as he swims from San Francisco to Alaska in a side-scrolling adventure. Along the way, the seal finds clams to keep up his strength for the journey home, all the while, fighting off equally hungry creatures looking to make a meal out of him. Slippery Seal includes 10 beautiful Pacific Coast Highway locales, and the 99-cent game is compatible with all devices running iOS 4.1 or later. Additionally, a free version with the first two levels is also available from the App Store.

It's a gaming app that deals with real-life aquatic creatures. Unlike many other apps out there, Slippery Seal's message is a more positive and educational one, proving users with a unique real-life experience and maintains key elements of marine wildlife as realistic as possible. The game is loyal to the Seal's movements, environment and habitat. Each level of the game transports the player to landmark locations located on the Northern Pacific coast.Read more

Whether you've tried foams, gels, laser combs, pills, treatments, ointments or whatever the case, a lot of these "regrowing hair" methods are old news. Enter laser-based hair rejuvenation and the iGrow Laser Hair Growth System by Apira Science.

The iGrow helmet is a stylish new wearable device that stuffs 21 laser diodes and 30 LED lights into the lid, and matches the output of most clinical hair lasers. Ideally, it should result in thicker, fuller and healthier hair, according to Aspira.

In just a few short months, you should experience more stimulated hair follicles, which will result in a better head of hair. Additionally, the iGrow also includes a remote that has been programmed for both men and women, and it has a built-in set of headphones that you can use with your own iPod or MP3 player.Read more

When it comes to professional music listening, fans are somewhat divided when it comes to sound. Some like sound reproduction, while others demand that a good sound should have the look to match. If you belongs to the latter camp, then there's good news. A more affordable version of the B&W P5 Headphones, known as the P3, is coming to you this June.

Priced $100 cheaper than the P5, the P3 does suffer from some trimmings such as fabric-wrapped ear cups instead of sheepskin leather, and 30mm drivers as opposed to the 40mm drivers found on the P5s. Having said that, however, you will still get the same sleek aluminum design, but with the added advantage of foldability for ease of storage and transportation.Read more

What's better than the Jambox? How about a bigger, more powerful version of the portable Bluetooth speaker? That's right, Jawbone just announced plans for a Jambox on steroids and it's called the BigJambox.

Jawbone hasn't said how much more powerful this larger version of the Jambox is, but just based on size alone, it's clear that this version of the Jambox will probably be almost twice as loud, which should equate to an output level of over 160dB. Like its smaller version, the original Jambox, inside are a pair of proprietary acoustic drivers, dual passive bass radiators and a mic for taking calls via Bluetooth.

In terms of actual size, we're looking at a box that measures 10-inches long, 3.1-inches wide, 3.6-inches high and weighs 2.7lbs. For comparison's sake, the original Jambox weighs just 12oz. Aside from added sound to your music, the BigJambox boasts a 15-hour battery, which is 50% more than the original Jambox. Aside from that, the BigJambox largely remains the same, coming in a variety of colors (Graphite Hex, White Wave and Red Dot) and includes a micro USB port for charging, a 3.5mm input for a wired connection and the ability to pair two Bluetooth devices to the speaker.Read more

The Cube is a WiFi enabled 3D printer. You read that right. It starts at $1,299 and includes 25 creations right out the box. Some 3D model examples include an iPhone case, a sandal, bracelets, knobs and other assorted items that may or may not have any utility. Fortunately, you can create your own models using the included software and print them out in variety of colors (10 in total). Replacing an empty print cartridge looks ultra simple and you can print objects that are up to 5.5" x 5.5" x 5.5".

Also available is a Kinect-To-Print app, which allows you to design objects with "coloring book simplicity," then have them printed up and shipped to your door, or you can post your creations to the web for others to purchase and earn cash. The site also has a selection of games and other custom objects ready to be printed on demand either at home on the Cube 3D or by the company and shipped out to customers. Read more

Micron Technology's upcoming Pop Video pico projector will beam video at the iPhone's 960 x 540 resolution display. And at a cost of only $99, you can't beat it. The key feature with the Pop Video pico projector is its 30-pin connector that allows you to dock your iPhone or iPod so that it forms one compact unit. Since it's designed to be more portable, it doesn't have an integrated doc like larger pico projectors. Plus, it fits into a pocket when not in use. It weighs only 3.5 ounces with 4.4 inches x 1.8 inches x .6 inch in dimension.

There's also an accompanying Pop Video app that will allow you to manipulate and reformat the images, and will also allow you to beam additional content directly from your iPhone, like web pages, Facebook, and videos downloaded from iTunes or iTunes U that are not MPEG 3 protected. Can you say, "pocket home theater"? Read more