2010 February | Gadgets & Technology

Wish List: Nintendo DSi XL

dsixl 300x274 Wish List: Nintendo DSi XL Last month under strict secrecy, I got a sneak peek at the new Nintendo DSi XL. At first, I was skeptical about how we could possibly need one more gaming gadget. What could this system do that our DS and DSi can not? Will it be just one more thing for our kids to nag us about buying?

Sometimes when a new technology comes out, it can be hard to look at the old one…and, of course, ever since I played a game the DSi XL, I’ve been thinking about buying one.

I played Mario Kart on a regular sized DSi and then the XL. The differences are clear: with a screen that’s 93% larger than a DS, the game play experience is heightened. Plus, the lithium ion battery delivers four to seventeen hours of play.

Sometimes bigger really is better.

The Nintendo DSi XL will be available for $189.99 starting March 28. The system comes with a large stylus, three pre-installed software titles: Brain Age Express: Math, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, and Photo Clock.

Apple Kicks Out 5,000 Offensive iPhone Apps

siapp 300x261 Apple Kicks Out 5,000 Offensive iPhone Apps Are some apps too sexy for your iPhone? Apple kicked 5,000 programs out of it’s iPhone app store this week for containing sexually explicit or offensive content.

The adult-themed apps were removed, Apple told the New York Times, because customers were concerned about the proliferation of programs featuring scantily clad women and other sexual content. The decision is drawing fire from app developers and customers because of seemingly inconsistent guidelines for what remains and what got axed.

PC Magazine points out that while some titles were removed for having words like “boobs” or “sexual content,” there are still plenty of adult titles available for download, including: Adult Sex Life – which offers tips on sexual positions,
iKamasutra – another graphic sexual app, LoveLine with Dr. Drew, a Playboy app that features photos from the magazine, among others.

So, what do you think? Does Apple’s move, which they claim was to shield kids from inappropriate content, make sense?

Gloss Find: Timbuk2 Ballistic Laptop Sleeve

timbuk2envelope 300x268 Gloss Find: Timbuk2 Ballistic Laptop Sleeve Sometimes protecting our precious electronics feels like being in the middle of a battlefield. This Timbuk2 envelope-shaped sleeve will help combat the little fingers trying to smear peanut butter all over mom’s laptop. Lined with high-density foam and covered in durable ballistic nylon, the camouflage fabric and a strong velcro closure are sure to thwart even the most sneaky little soldiers.

Timbuk2 Ballistic Laptop Sleeve – $25 at Timbuk2.com

Barbie’s New Career: Computer Engineer

computerengineerbarbie 200x300 Barbies New Career: Computer Engineer A new Barbie is hitting the market after fans were asked to choose what the iconic doll would venture to try in 2010 as her 125th career. Since starting out with a career as a Teenage Fashion Model in the 1950s…today’s Barbie has much higher aspirations. Following an online campaign, voters chose Computer Engineer as her latest occupation.

“All the girls who imagine their futures through Barbie will learn that engineers — like girls — are free to explore inﬁnite possibilities, limited only by their imagination,” says Nora Lin, President, Society of Women Engineers. “As a computer engineer, Barbie will show girls that women can turn their ideas into realities that have a direct and positive impact on people’s everyday lives in this exciting and rewarding career.”

The Society of Women Engineers worked with Mattel to design an authentic, chic look: Barbie sports a binary code patterned tee and carries all the latest gadgets–including a smart phone, Bluetooth headset, and a stylish laptop travel bag.

Valentine’s Day iPhone Apps?

iphone valentine Valentines Day iPhone Apps? Need help with your love life this Valentine’s Day? The iPhone has an app for that!

Mashable has a list of some cool iPhone apps that could help woo your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day or give you dating advice and even help you work out your issues with Valentine’s Day if you’re single this year.

iWrite Poem Generator – iWrite helps you write a poem for your Valentine. This app walks you through the process and gives you step-by-step guidance. If you’re stumped, it’ll even generate your poem for you. If you’re not in a lovey-dovey mood, you can try out humorous Love Poem Generator.

Check out the Mashable article for the rest of the iPhone apps for Valentine’s Day.

Send “Tweethearts” On Valentine’s Day

A little behind on your Valentine’s Day cards? Or, want to share a cute Valentine’s Day greeting with all your social media buddies?

After learning that “Tweet Me” was among the top phrases of the year, Sweethearts–the iconic Valentine’s Day candy that’s been a longtime favorite–is going digital with a free web and iPhone app. The Sweethearts app lets you send virtual candy hearts with custom messages to friends and family via email or through Twitter.

Just log onto mysweethearts.com or download the free Sweethearts iPhone app, customize hearts with your greeting and tweet away!

Jill Stuart Designs “Sweet” Limited Edition PSP

jill stuart psp1 300x234 Jill Stuart Designs Sweet Limited Edition PSP Netbooks have gained inspiration from the runway, so why not gaming handhelds? Sony has teamed with Jill Stuart to release the limited-edition “Sweet” package — complete with a Pink Blossom console, 4GB Memory Stick Pro Duo, and AC adapter and a super-cute pouch designed by Stuart.

Bad news? The $230 package is only available in Japan. But, CrunchGear‘s got some online gaming shops that should be able to export the stylish, limited edition set as of March 4.

Google Buzz: Google Adds Facebook-Like Features to Gmail

Google Buzz brings Facebook-like sharing to Google Gmail! The company rolled out Google Buzz today, launching it in 1% of Gmail inboxes.

Google plans to roll out the service out to the majority of Gmail users within the week. Buzz allows users to share photos, videos, web links, status updates and conversations with friends, just like on Facebook.

But Google Buzz only allows sharing with other Gmail users. Unlike Facebook or Twitter, you don’t have to sign up new friends or ask permission to “follow” folks — your followers are pre-existing Gmail contacts.

Photo sharing is limited to links from Google’s Picasa or Yahoo’s Flickr. Video links are limited to Google’s YouTube, where videos can be played from within the e-mail.