It occurred to me this week that gadgets are really what separate us from every other metal money on the satellite . I intend , think about it : ever see a dolphinfish with an iPod ? An elephant play Wii ? I don’tthinkso . confessedly , I once go out a kitty with a cordless drill — but it wasadorable .
Now , I ’m not some variety ofspeciesist : I do n’t think this makes us better than Pan troglodytes and three - toed sloths . It ’s really just a ignominy that they ca n’t benefit from this week ’s gizmos : a low priced HD DVR , yet another ingenious bread - warm equipment , and the next leg of shower tuner evolution .
TiVo pushing play on low cost HD unit
The mobs that form before the release of the TiVo Series 3 ( the first from the company to support HD content ) were no express joy matter . Have you ever seen a crew of string out HD junkies ? It ai n’t pretty . While they may have been somewhatmollifiedwhen the whole finally come out , many seem askance at the $ 800 cost tag .
Since then , some of the crime syndicate has formed a reunion tour to require a lower priced HD unit . In May CEO Tom Rogers said that one was on the way ; the residential district dubbed the fabulous beast the “ Series 3 Lite . ” This week , specifications for the budget unitleaked from a variety of on-line shopping sites , suggesting that perhaps a launch is imminent .
So what precisely are we talking about ? The “ Lite ” ( potentially the “ TiVo HD ” ) will , like its vainglorious brother , be able-bodied to display up to 1080p content , feature two wireless , and the common muckle of input , including HD . Of course , the sister in the kinfolk does n’t getallthe best stuff : the Lite mislay the external OLED exhibit , comes with the received TiVo remote instead of the Deluxe model , and , perhaps most importantly , comes with only a 160 GB hard drive , as opposed to the Series 3 ’s 250 GB drive ( that ’s a departure of about 10 hour of HD content ) . There ’s no confirmation of whether memory on the Lite will be externally expandable , as it is on the Series 3 .
But what you ’re really waiting for is the cost item , which news has it is just $ 299 . There ’s a lot to like about the Lite , and that ’s a reasonable cost for it : they ’re bound to attract a number of citizenry who would n’t think about vanquish out the $ 500 supernumerary for the full Series 3 . Sounds like another win for TiVo to rewind and watch over and over again .
[ viaArs Technica ]
30 seconds to toast, people
Seems to me it ’s been a while since we ’ve discussed the most important solid food chemical group here at Gadgetbox . No it ’s not vegetables or fruits , like those self - styled “ doctors ” might separate you : it’stoast . virginal and simple-minded heated up loot . believe about it : it ’s got a crunchy outside , and — when in good order prepared — a delicious hot , soft interior . But how to achieve perfection in sugar form ?
contrivance Creator Krups has bolt down out an 800 - watt , sub-7 lbs.stainless sword beauty of a toaster . We ’re talking 8 toasting options , include defrost and bagels , a mid - cycle cancel function , and cool touch side wall ( kid safe ! ) . But secure of all , they ’ve fitted the model with an LCD screen that will tell you precisely when your toast will be ready . Has it really taken us until the 21st one C to achieve something so simple , so graceful ?
This fantastic automobile will specify you back $ 60 , it ’s genuine , but for a lifespan supplying of the stark toast , that ’s a small price to pay . You ’ll know what I ’m talking about once you ’ve progress your first House of Toast . Remember : Toast . It ’s not just for breakfast any longer .
[ viaOh Gizmo ! ]
Your current shower radio will be deleted
piteous humans , with your AM / FM radios . Your wireless audio gadget requiresupgrading , and we havejust the way to do it . We shall make it waterproof , for use in your cleansing ritual , and we shall make part of itglow blue .
Erm , but we Cybermen , as it turns out , are just a teentsy bit strapped for cash , so if you would n’t mind giving us about $ 30 , that ’d begreat . Thanks . count , there ’s no shoes to really keep money when you’rethis shape up , OK ? We ’ve upgradedbeyond sac .
Oh , and also , you ’ll call for three AAA batteries . Those ’ll be extra . No complaining , or we ’ll charge you to Cyberia . Just a small Cyberman humour , there , pitiful fleshling — you’ll express joy if you know what ’s skilful for you .
[ viaGizmodo ]
Well , that wrap up up this calendar week ’s sequence of Gadgetbox . Now , I do n’t want to give away next week ’s thingumabob , but I will say this : TARDIS - shaped toaster with USB port wine . Eh ? Eh ? See you then .
