Alesis ProTrack is a buddy device for the iPod turning it into a Pro Audio digital recorder. Not that many of use would need up to 160GBs of high quality audio recording, but it’s out there if you need it. The Alesis ProTrack includes 2 combo XLR input jacks for in line mic recording [or other line recording] that will digitally record those spoken word masterpieces at 16-bit, 22kHz or 44.1kHz stereo. The ProTrack offers up 1/8 output stereo connection along with limiter and volume control.
Designed for any on-spot location the ProTrack will run solid for five hours with just four trip-A batteries. The little guy is also threaded for tripod mounting to set it & forget it.
ProTrack is ideal for capturing sound effects, recitals, jam sessions, speeches, interviews, rehearsals, performances, meetings, lectures, notes-to-self, or any other audio material directly to iPod. It will be available from pro audio dealers Q3-2008.
The ProTrack is due out in 30-45 days (although Alesis is notories for pushing back release dates) with an undisclosed price tag [damn].
Source:Â Engadget via Brad Linder’s Blog.
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Wish you knew where your friends and family were at all times? Have you heard of Loopt yet?
Loopt is a mobile phone application that enables users to spy on see the location of their friends on an interactive map (see image below). The application also allows you to message friends in your general area and setup automatic alerts to notify you when friends are nearby.
In the last few months, Loopt has published several BlackBerry versions of its software for all major American cellphone carriers including T-Mobile, AT&T, Alltel and Sprint. Loopt also demonstrated an Alpha version of their software for the 3G iPhone at the 2008 World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC). You can sign up to be notified when the full iPhone version of Loopt is released here.
If you have a Jailbroken iPhone, then the function and features of Loopt might sound similar to Twinkle. Twinkle is a native Twitter client for the iPhone that pairs your GPS location with your Twitter posts. Twinkle also gives you the ability to add images to your Twitter Tweets.
But whether or not you use Loopt, Twinkle or Twitter.. it’s not any fun unless all your friends are also using the service.
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Get your funk on with this USB plasma tube from Brando. Using the latest plasma technology this little rod turns into a glow fest upon USB power up. It pulsates and jams with the beat of the music to create a psychedelic like atmosphere. The USB plasma tube is also a good tool for testing your rhythm, something us tone-deaf folks would have a hard time with.
You can chose a USB plasma tube with either blue, green or red light and just $15 each you might as well get all three. At just 56 x 78 x 214 mm you’ll need all three too.
USB plasma tube product page.
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This video ad has been out for some time, but it still cracks me up when I see it. I’ve also posted about other USB Wine products recently.
If you can’t see the video, click here.
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The Data Tray from Brando is their most recent gadget to dress up a HHD dock station and give more functionality than just a dock. The data tray includes additional slots to house a 4 port USB hub and 15 type card reader. The HHD sled will accomidate any 2.5″ hard drive along with all the power connections needed for integration.
What I like most about this dock station is the sleek look Brando has put together for the enclosure. Makes the portable USB hub or card reader almost something you want to tote around.
The advantage with this system is easily swapping out one of two 2.5 hard drives to hot swap in a USB hub or card reader for quick connection for data transfer. Given all the flexibility this system has to offer you could pick up two – one for work, one for home – at just $69 each.
Mac from Zedomax picked up a nice story on turning a wine cork into a USB stick. Why ask you say? So wine companies can data load the cork with company history, processing methods and other marketing spin (mood setting music) to give the ultimate crushed grapes experience. You couldn’t do this with CDs or DVDs that’s for sure.
Brando has a small collection of USB Cube Hubs to color up your desktop. The USB ports are spread all over the USB Cube for easy connection of fat devices or bulky gadgets. The USB Cube Hub includes two On/Off switches to take control of Bus power to the device.
Brando gives you light blue, white, green, yellow and orange as your collection options along with a $12 price tag for those on a budget.
You may have seen the term Steampunk before, you may even have seen this USB Steampunk drive before – it’s a fantasy like design based off steam power for this USB gadget. Enjoy the detailed pictures then brush up on Steampunk history at the footer:
A massive new online business is scheduled to launch on July 11: Apple’s App Store – an online hub for third party iPhone and iPod Touch applications.
Beginning later this month, developers will begin to upload apps to the store accessible by iPhone users or to a new section of the iTunes Store, sharing revenue from app sales with Apple in a 70/30 split. These apps will be in addition to the 1,700-odd apps already developed for the iPhone’s Safari web browser.
One of the games people are looking forward to playing is Super Monkey Ball. Sega’s Ethan Einhorn showed off Super Monkey Ball on stage at the WWDC. According to Einhorn, after 8 weeks of development, the developers have created 110 stages.
The new 3G, GPS-enabled iPhone should open up a world of possibilities for clever developers in the realms of gaming, entertainment and enterprise applications.
In related news, the AOL Radio app for the iPhone won for Best Entertainment Application at the 2008 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), providing users free access to over 350 online radio stations (including 150 local CBS radio stations) and more than 200 AOL Radio channels.
Other WWDC iPhone App winners:
Best iPhone Game:
Enigmo by Pangea Software
Best iPhone Social Networking App:
Twitterrific by the Icon Factory
Best iPhone Productivity App:
OmniFocus by the Omni Group
Best iPhone Healthcare & Fitness App:
MIM from MIMVista
Gadget4All sent me their Blue Mirror wireless Bluetooth visor car kit for review and I’m glad they did, as California will start enforcing the “mandatory hands free car kits” come July 1st and the ticket is expensive, so this review couldn’t have come at a better time. This is what I found:
Review Summary for Wireless Bluetooth Visor Car Kit:
UPDATE: The bluetooth visor car kit is available at Amazon for immediate delivery. Great product for the quick fix you might need if in California or another state which has a “hands-free” wireless policy.
The wireless visor Bluetooth car kit is well made, easy to operate and performs well. Sound quality is good, setup is easy and user design is well thought out. Strong mounting assembly yet portable and easy to disconnect.
Out Of Box Experience:
The Blue Mirror is packaged well and comes with:
Main Bluetooth wireless visor kit (5″ x 3″ x .75″)
Mount clip with very strong magnets
USB cable (mini to Type A)
Car power adapter (cigarette style)
The product is simple and intuitive to put together. I was able to charge up the unit in under 1 hour as it was already charged. The full charge time is maximum of 3 hours. You can use either the USB cable and power from a laptop/computer or use the cigarette power adapter in your car along with the USB cable to recharge that way.
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Lets cut out the middle man (PC or laptop) and directly wire a Western Digital Passport to your USB DVD Player. This hack will give you the ultimate in A) storage size of movies and B) portability without lugging around a laptop.
If you can’t see the video click here.
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Have we seen this before? I don’t think so, a four claw Goth Style Plasma Ball. It’s a must for any kids play-room or psycho girlfriend looking to spice up her digs. It’s not a USB powered gadget, but who cares, it’s cool looking. At just $18 each I wonder if I could illuminate my entire office with a collection of these. What do you think?
A massive new online business is scheduled to launch on July 11: Apple’s App Store – an online hub for third party iPhone and iPod Touch applications.
Beginning later this month, developers will begin to upload apps to the store accessible by iPhone users or to a 
The 
