Samsung

Three top tablets that *aren’t* Apple

RIM Blackpad

Due to be available as of November, this 7″ high end tablet is designed more as en enterprise tool so predominantly aimed at business users. It will include a new graphical menu system, secure email and of course wi-fi. We love Blackberry so will be interesting to see how it compares to the iPad…

HP Slate

 

Due to arrive early 2011, this will be a Windows 7 computer that has great touch screen capability and fast web browsing. Keep a look out for the so-called PalmPad, HP’s rumoured webOS tablet, which is said to be landing later this year, complete with stylus.
 

Samsung Galaxy Tab

 

This arrives in September and is a 7″ tablet  with a good quality OLED display, powered by a 1.2GHz processor. It is probably the closest rival to the iPad and runs Android 2.2. It also has wi-fi and 3G.

My BBC2 Something for the Weekend Gadgets

Samsung Navibot

The Samsung Navibot is the latest Robotic Vacuum Cleaner in home cleaning technology.

The Navibot robotic vacuum is the first to have a camera on board, which takes up to 30 images per second to create a visual map of your home and plot the most efficient route to clean determined by its ceiling shape recognition function.

To avoid the bumps and falls the Navibot has infra red sensors spread across various points of the body. This stops the unit from crashing into walls and even falling down the stairs. The device has two “smartgate” sensors, which create an invisible fence or guarding system of the objects in the room to steer clear of.

When the Navibot’s battery is low during operation, it will return to its charging dock for a quick auto-charge and continue where it left off. Once it’s finish cleaning every corner, it will find the shortest route back to the charger.

The Samsung Navibot comes in two models, which are available at the end of April from around £350.

BoostAPak

The BoostApak is a combination of a backpack and a portable booster seat all in one, aimed at children between 4-12 years old or 15-36kg or under 1.35m (135cm) tall.

The law requires all children travelling in cars to use the correct child restraint (i.e. a booster seat) until they are either 135 cm in height or the age of 12 (which ever they reach first). After this they must use an adult seat belt.

Designed by the guys that brought us the Trunki (the animal shaped suitcase for kids that featured on Dragons Den), the BoostApak is a convenient way to have a booster seat available wherever you go - making it ideal for school runs, holidays and parents on the move.

It is quick and easy to set up with its unique fold out seatbelt guides. When it’s not in a car, it can also be used in social venues such as restaurants, cafes etc.

The hard plastic shell means that the BoostApak is able to store travel essentials in a strong and durable rucksack, without crushing the contents.

The ergonomic design even protects growing spines and encourages better posture for children. The product was a finalist for innovation at the leading global trade fair, ‘Kind and Jugend’.

The BoostApak is available in May for around £40.

 Boombox Freeview DVD Projector

The Boombox Freeview DVD Projector is exactly what it says it is, a combination of CD/DVD player, with a projector and a Freeview tuner all in one.

This portable all-in-one cinema/entertainment device makes it possible to display up to a 75-inch display on any wall, ceiling or other flat surfaces, under dimmed light is obviously the best way to view the picture. Its flip open LED-powered projector can be used to watch your favourite DVD films, or live TV channels using its in-built freeview tuner.

There is also a card slot for an SD card and one for a USB device to watch videos and view photos.

And finally, the unit can play CDs, tune into FM radio and amplify your chosen mp3 player.

The Boombox could be the perfect item for any party, from screening rom-com for a girl’s night in, to even watching the upcoming World Cup matches for the boys.

The Boombox Freeview DVD Projector is available online now for around £330.

Samsung i200 world’s slimmest smartphone

 
Do you find Smart phones too big to fit in your handbag, too dull not stylish enough? (the last bit sounds like some men I know).  Perhaps even too expensive? Well there maybe an answer.  The Samsung i200.  I know we are all against size zeros but in the world of technology zero is queen and the Samsung i200 measures just 12 mm deep!!!!! (Size isn’t everything!!)
 
That makes it the skinniest Windows (6.1) compatible phone on the planet.  It can happily do Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook.  It also has HSDPA to keep the internet connection nice and fast and has a 2 meg camera. It doesn’t however have Wi-Fi or GPS.
 
The screen is a decent size too at 2.3 inches and the back light has a sensor that automatically dims to save on your battery power - so it is green as well.

It retails at £200 although not confirmed and is great for those wanting to get into the smart phone market.

I’m due a phone upgrade, I want something sleek and sophisticated

Dear Girl Geek,

I am due an upgrade on my phone and I want something that is sleek and sophiscticated, easy to use and with a lot of memory for photos and videos. I usually have Samsung’s but am looking for something a little different this time, although if there is a great Samsung about at the moment I’d love to hear about it!

Thanks

Sarah

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Portable Solar Charger Perfect for Festivals

Running out of battery on my phone, iPod or Tom Tom is really annoying whether at home or abroad, but now help is at hand.

With green being the new black the new freeloader portable solar charger means you can power your gadgets without plugging them in so you can tick the box of helping the planet!!

How does it work? well, open up this slim device ,point it at the sun and within around 5-10 hours you have a fully charged device that can power an iPod for up to 18 hours, a PSP for up to 2.5 hours and a mobile phone for up to 44 hours! (neat!)

But I hear you say what with the great British Summer how will I ever charge it. Well don’t worry you can also charge it via a USB cable which will take 3-4 hours.

Once charged the battery will then hold its charge for up to 3 months. Tough, stylish and impact resistant this little thing is also very compact, only 12 cm long, 6 wide 1.5 deep plus it comes with adaptors to charge the following gizmos:

  • LG Chocolate series phones,
  • 2 adaptors for Nokia mobiles,
  • 2 adaptors for Samsung mobiles,
  • Sony Ericsson mobiles;
  • 4mm straight jack plug for PSP, Tom Tom sat nav, digital cameras etc;
  • Mini USB adaptor for Motorola RAZR, Blackberrys etc;
  • a USB 2.0 female socket for MP3 players and PDA’s;
  • an iPod adaptor;
  • an adaptor for Nintendo DS Lite.

If you want in pink then no problem but I think I prefer the grey and it costs around £29.99.