Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One Google Edition

You knew that those devices were coming: the Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition (GPE) was announced at Google I/O and the HTC One Google Play Edition followed shortly after that. There are even unconfirmed rumors of an XPERIA Z Google Edition (loaded with the stock Android OS, without modifications), but so far only two have finally landed in our offices: The S4 and the HTC One. You may wonder why Google does sell those devices, and the reason is quite simple: Google wants the general public to be able to experience Android as it was originally developed, on the best possible hardware. In this review, we will focus on the Android aspect, and if you are not yet familiar with the industrial design, performance and other critical aspects of those phones, I recommend reading our in-depth Galaxy S4 Review and HTC One Review articles since they will provide a lot of details.

iPhone 4 Case With Slider QWERTY Keyboard

Just for $70, Keyboard Buddy from Boxwave fixes the biggest problem Blackberry users had and still have with the iPhone. It adds a physical keyboard! The case basically contains a sliding Bluetooth keyboard that can pair with the iPhone 4 and act as the perfect onscreen keyboard replacement.

Google prototyping real-time universal translator device

Language barriers suck. They suck so much that Hollywood has long used them as a foible in romantic movies. Sci-fi, of course, has long had a fix for such problems: the universal translator. Most iconically utilized in Star Trek, the device is about to step off the silver screen and into reality.

Google has been developing its translator software for quite a while, but the tech giant now claims to have working prototypes of a real-time, vocal translator device, which is approaching 100 percent accuracy. Someday soon, Google will simply have an app for language barriers. Some language translations, English and Portuguese for example, seem to be nearly ready for market.

One of the challenges facing Google's real-time translator is the difference in syntax, or the ordering of words, from language to language. Even if its translator is successful, real-time translations might sound more like talking to Yoda than the picture-perfect translators seen in Star Trek. Maybe it's this issue that leads sources at Google to state that the universal translator is likely still a couple years away.

By then, Google hopes to not only be able to translate for you seamlessly, but to practically read your mind, anticipating your every need. Google also hopes to swap their basic search engine out for something more akin to Star Trek's semi-sentient computer. Talk about boldly going where no one has gone before

Smartwatch lets you control it using simple gestures

We've seen the clever combination of Google Glass and the Tesla. And we've witnessed the amazing combination of the Occulus Rift with a flying drone. But in terms of practicality, not all mashups offer the best mileage per astounding feature. However, a new combination of gesture control and the emerging space of smartwatches just might deliver a truly practical innovation combination.

The Hot Watch smartwatch is a device that allows you to control some of its functions via simple gesture controls. With just a wave of the hand, the smartwatch allows the user to answer a call, reject a call, or dial a favorite number. There's also a function that automatically dials an emergency number if the wearer suddenly falls down. In addition to calling functions, the Hot Watch also supports apps for SMS messaging, as well as weather, stock, pedometer, and social networking.

Another ingenious feature is the private call feature, which uses a directional speaker to reflect a call's sound from the palm of your hand. With the ability to connect via Bluetooth to an iPhone or Android phone, the water resistant device also comes with an e-ink display that accepts swipe and tap inputs.

The final retail version of the device will cost $169 for those not pledging early support on the company's Kickstarter campaign, and estimated delivery time will be this December. As of this writing, the Kickstarter already has over $58,000 in funding towards its $150,000 goal. And the campaign still has 37 days to go. Only time will tell if this idea will pan out or end up like the Pebble.

Smartphone Controlled Desk Pet Tankbots

Control a robot with your iPhone or Android phone
Can navigate a maze all by itself in automatic mode
Advanced optical navigation technology in a tiny package
You probably didn't know, but we're psychic. Need an example of our talents? On your desk is currently: at least one computer, at least one monitor, many, many, many cables, a coffee mug, a dirty coffee mug, a water bottle, a stack of papers from that HR person who claimed you were going to have a paperless office, and the crumbs of whatever meal you last snarfed up at your desk. Are we close?
That clutter will come in handy when you have a Desk Pet Tankbot. You see, the Tankbot is a maze master, searching for obstacles and navigating around them with ease. Set up a labyrinth on your desk and let your Tankbot zip around, achieving robo-enlightenment while giving you a few precious moments of procrastination before starting your weekly TPS report. Prefer to be in control of your tank? Attach the Universal Remote to your smartphone and use the free Desk Pet app to drive your TankBot all over the place.
Product Specifications
For Ages 8 and Up
Tankbots are randomly picked from four different colors (Grey,Blue,Orange,and Green)
Your desk needs a maze-navigating tank robot
Advanced optical navigation technology means it steers around obstacles
Features light-up eyes and robot sounds
Three modes: touchless navigation, autonomous personality mode, smartphone control
Compatible with iOS devices and Android devices (2.1 and up)
Download the free app from the App Store or Android Market
Insert the DeskPet Universal Remote into your headphone jack to control your TankBot
Integrated USB flip out connector to recharge using your computer
Automatic shut-off after 3 minutes of inactivity to conserve battery life
Batteries: Internal rechargeable battery (40 minutes charge for 15 minutes play time)

Google goggles are here! Watch video of the mind-boggling techno-glasses which layer Maps, email and web searches OVER your view of the world

For those who can’t be torn away from their smartphones, Google may have the answer.

They have invented a pair of internet-connected spectacles which will make your life flash before your eyes.

If you want to know the time, the temperature, talk to a friend or get directions to that café you read about in a magazine, it will all appear as if by magic in front of you.

Scroll down for video

The demo shows off Google Maps being 'added' to the real world - providing real-time directions from your current location

Enlarge In demonstrations, the glasses are mainly voice-controlled, using voice commands to bring up contacts, send emails and search

The glasses appear to run a variant of the Android operating system, using the same microphone icon and other recognisable parts of Google's mobile OS

The demo shows emails and other information 'layered' into a view of the world via screens in the glasses

Called Google Goggles, they are not yet on sale, but a promotional video released by the company has shaken up the technology world and prompted claims they could revolutionise the way we live.

The wraparound glasses feature a miniature display that sits above one eye, allowing users to surf the internet, make video calls, listen to music and update the diary without lifting a finger.

The screen is controlled by voice and by tilting your head, so one catch may be a few funny looks in the street.

A prototype is being tweaked and tested in public by the company’s employees before it goes on sale. The technology is known as ‘wearable computing’ and is expected to launch a new generation of gadgets which display a layer of information over everything the wearer sees – bringing together the search engine, GPS tracking, a phone and a camera.

The service lets you locate nearby friends in a similar way to Google's current Latitude service

The demonstration shows off a weather forecast layered over a view of the world

The demonstration shows off navigation information similar to what Google currently offers via its Maps service

In the video, entitled One Day, the wearer is given information instantly from buildings they are looking at, landmarks or friends in the area. The device is potentially a gift to advertisers as they could reach users in ever more personal situations, such as a restaurant, shop or relaxing on their sofa.

Applications featuring ‘virtual reality’ situations could be offered in future. This is the first glimpse of the glasses after months of speculation. Reports suggest the price will be comparable with the smartphone.

It is a coup for Google’s Android system which has in recent years been stung by the popularity of the Apple iPhone.

The glasses also allow users to record and share videos from a built-in camera, just like on YouTube

The world is just an eyeball away: Models demonstrate how the goggles look in practice