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Weeks ago, Mike of JPMH drop by with a message, asking if I’m interested in trying out one of the latest gadgets they are helping to launch – Kodak Zi6. 4 days ago, I received it, experimented with it and overall I think it’s a great product. Mike says there’s really no obligation in writing a review, in the email he says:

Of course, you wouldn’t be obliged to talk about the device on your blog. We just hope you will love the camera and perhaps consider talking about it to your readers. It’s yours to keep. And, if you hate it you can always just give it away to a reader or flog it on eBay.

I totally respect that, and is satisfied with the camcorder so I’ve decided to share my review – a totally neutral perspective with no moolahs involved.

Who else are in the loop

JMPH outreach to a number of bloggers for this campaign, 35 blogs/bloggers including hongkiat.com to be exact. Among those whom I read are these followings: TechEBlog, Toxel, Ubergizmo, Kottke, Kineda, ArenaMagazine, Yanko Design, Sizlopedia, Smashing Magazine, Lifehacker, Engadgets, Gizmodo.

Kodak Zi6

In a nutshell, Zi6 is a pocket video camera the size of mobile phone with capability of recording stunning HD video quality. Recording comes in these following options: HD60, HD, VGA and camera photos. The video camera also comes with AV and HD port so you can hook it up to TV right after some recording session, or instantly retrieve to computer with the build in USB port. Softwares are also included to upload videos to YouTube on the fly. The video camera runs on 2 AA batteries, but Kodak got it covered with their re-chargeable batteries and charger included.

The above is an image of Kodak Zi6 un-boxed, respectively 2GB SD Card (thanks Mike for including that), Kodak Zi6 video camera, Kodak Mini Charger, 2 AA rechargable batteries, AV and HD wires. There’s also a canvas bag, which I have not included in the photo. More photos.

What’s Hot

Great Video Quality

The video quality is absolutely stunning. Can’t imagine a small video camera to produce such a high quality video. Here’s a video I randomly recorded with Kodak Zi6 on HD mode.

Video camera for dummies

Navigation and controls are easy. Zi6 uses a joystick navigation. Press once to record, second time to stop; left to play a video and right to stop. A gadget you can actually pickup within minutes, at least for me.

Sharing made easy

The USB port comes in pretty handy. After any recording, all I have to do is plug it into my mac and retrieving videos are really easy. There’s also a software allows video sharing on YouTube. I’ve not personally tested because it’s made for Windows only.

Small Thoughtful Ideas

Sometimes tiny ideas makes us like a product better. Here’s few I like on Zi6:

• Supports external memory card – Not too big deal, but at least I know I can boost the memory to 32GB max.
• Macro mode – Macro mode available just in case you are focusing on something real close.
• Large LCD – The LCD screen on the front is fairly large.
• Speakers – View recorded videos with audio supported.
• Mirrors – The button to push for USB port is actually a tiny mirror. For those who takes photo and videos for yourselves (cam-whoring) you know how important is this.
  
• Tripod supported – Tripod holes at the rear, allowing you to attached a tripod to the cam.

What’s Not

Shape

Not to say it has a badly shape, but I though it’d be better if it can be slimmer and smaller.

Lack of software

Kodak Zi6 comes with Windows applications for easily video sharing on YouTube. I think there should be something for Mac too.

I’ve conclude my review on the first paragraph. It’s a great product and it comes just in time because I’ll be in Bangkok 2 weeks from now. Last but not least, Kodak Zi6 is only selling at USD $180, click here to find out more.

You have to give it to Dell, their Studio Hybrid is probably the nicest and smallest in the PC market. According to Dell, it’s 80% smaller than standard desktops and uses 70% less power than typical desktops. Are you ready to get one?

Studio Hybrid comes with 6 interchangeable color sleeves and a extra bamboo design. Now who say desktops are not portable! Click here to read more about Studio Hybrid.

Hat tip from Jason Cheow.

With the storage capacity of a USB flash/thumb drive growing rapidly fast, it’s no longer just for file storage. Instead, people are installing OS (Operating System) into it. LiveUSB Creator is a cross-platform tool that makes installing operating systems on USB flash drives easy. It’s free and it runs on both Windows and Linux. Click here to find out how to install liveusb-creator on your thumb drives.

If you roughly browse through, you might think they are nothing but some normal iPhones. Take a closer look, you’ll be surprise. Now scroll down the list, you’ll be jaws dropping surprised. China alone has more than 20 different iPhone clones in the market. Here’s a list of iPhone clones we are able to find. These are not mocks or dummy handsets, they works. Now are your iPhone one of these?

Mobile Phone

We’re not sure what this model calls, but it’s labeled as ‘Mobile Phone’ The owner (Malaysian) bought this from China, and guess what, it has 2 sim card slot but only one workable at a time. Awesome!

iPhon

With the black plastic back, it looks like the new iPhone 3G for one second. Try harder.

iLeaf?

This is by far the worst cloner. Not only it don’t look like a iPhone, it’s just a mp3 player.

tPhone

They call it the tPhone, yet another iPhone from China. Comes with a stylus, and the funniest thing about this clone is, phone starts with a Microsoft audio.

Meizu

This is the latest Smart phone from Meizu called miniOne.

C-002

This is the ultimate rock solid 99% iPhone clone and is selling like crazy. It is unlocked so just plug your SIM card in and you are good to go. Comes with one year warranty. Sells for only $239. No contracts. No rate plans. Just your existing SIM card is enough.

iPhone Nano

They call it iPhone Nano because it has a iPhone look with the size of iPod Nano.

CECT P168

The CECT P168 has a 3.5-inch QVGA LCD touchscreen, a 2 Megapixel camera (actual resolution: 1.3 Megapixel). It has integrated music player, video player, dictionary.

CECT T5 T32

Cool999

iPhone clone powered by Windows Mobile 6.0 with Touch Flo technology.

ePhone, iiPhone

If there’s any cell phone out there (currently before the WWDC) that will make me abandon my iPhone for, it has got to be this – HTC Touch Diamond. For Malaysians who live in KL, you should know that there’s now a HTC concept store over at Low Yat Plaza. ground floor. So if you are interested in knowing more about this cool mobile phone or just wanna touch and feel it, I urge you pay the shop a visit.

This is definitely one of the most creative iPod stand ever created. Japanese manufacturer RockRidgeSound want your iPod touch to look like a mini iMac when you attach it on their newsly designed iClooly iPod stand. iClooly will be released on 7th of June, selling at about ¥4,980 (about USD $47)

iCooly via engadget

Say you are traveling, your iPod’s battery run out and you forgot to bring the charger nor cable. It’s not really a problem if you happens to have an onion, electrolytes solutions, an orange or even a durian. I know, what’s the odds that you’ll be carrying these things around, but still it’s good to know some crazy alternative ways you can charge your iPods. It’s weird, but it works. Videos after jump.

Charging with orange

Charge using electrolytes and onion

Charging with lemon

Charging with potatochips

Charging with durian

It’s confirmed that Apple will include Chinese input in iPhone together with the launch of Firmware 2.0. This is a very good news for those who needs Chinese inputs on their iPhone. You can expect Chinese input support for SMS texting, contact namings, etc once this is launched. Perhaps in the mean time, you’ll still need depend on 3rd party Chinese input application until Firmware 2.0 is out.

via macrumors

Without further ado, here’s ten unusual and cool USB gadgets you probably haven’t seen before. Full list after jump.

USB Paper Shredder
It shreds your confidential documents, notes, business cards easily on the go.

USB Solar Charger
It is convenient for you to take along with when you are out on business, on travel, on a long journey on bus or ship, etc.

USB Stylus Pen
This USB Stylus Pen combines a ball point pen with a PDA stylus and a 128MB USB flash drive, in a stylishly minimalist device.

LaCie Hub
Experience the art of connectivity with this fun, stylish USB & FireWire combination hub for your PC or Mac.

USB Air-Conditioned Shirt
Feeling hot?

USB Butt Cooler
The USB butt cooler goes onto your chair, over the cushion, and flows "cool" air onto your arse via the onboard fan.

USB Blender
USB Blender alarm clock is a unique blend of eye-pleasing retro-style, high tech functionality, and pureed whimsy.

USB Posture Monitor
Toot! toot! toot! You are too close. Please back off.

USB Heated Gloves
Keeping your hands warm while blogging?

USB Disco Ball
Time to get those feet moving under your desk with this Office Mirror Ball! Liven up your Monday mornings, or begin the weekend early. You won’t know if you’re in the office, or a disco!

Just when you are typing comfortably on your laptop while it rest nicely on your lap, don’t start getting idea that this is only made available thanks to the technology revolution made possible these recent decades. The image above is an laptop ad from the 1893, perhaps the first laptop ever.

This typewriter measures at 12 inches long by 6-1/2 inches wide by 2 inches deep; very much similar to the measurement of any laptop nowadays. Read more at io9.

via BoingBoing

Cube3 is not only an audio player, but also capable of playing video clips. The more interesting part is that it comes in a small cube shape and it’s claimed to be the smallest digital audio player with color display. This cute little gadget gives you 2Gb of space storage and is selling at $99; accepts international orders but only after 1st of May 2008. Not a bad idea for gifts. More specifications after jump.

Cube3 Specification

• Supports MP3, WMA, and “Protected” WMA (DRM)
• PlaysForSure™ Certified – Compatible with music download and subscription-based sites.
• Podcast Ready™ -enabled
• View Digital Images and Watch Video Clips
• Available in 2GB (1,000 Songs*)
• Full Color OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) Display
• Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery – 10 Hour Playtime
• FM Tuner, FM Recording, and Voice Recording
• SRS WOW HD (High Definition) and TruBass Sound Enhancement
• High Quality SRS Designed Earbuds
• Single Connector for Headphone, File Downloads, andCharging.

Cube3 via Technospot

Toshiba ApriPoko Robot

This 11 inch tall robot will help you switch to your favorite program, turn on/off the TV or basically any action you command it to do with the TV. But before it can do it, you kinda need to program it. ApriPoko Robot testing product in Toshiba research lab, it’s availability is yet to be announced.

Face Bank

Wave your coins at the light-sensored eyes and the mouth will open up, you can then ‘feed’ it with your coins. This saving gadget cost about $50, comes in 8 colors but only available in Japan.

Check out the full list here.

We’ve seen latest iMac inside out, what about the Macbook Air? Folks at TechRepublic has recently ‘disected’ the world thinnest laptop so you can see it from the inside out with more than 20 high resolution photos on the parts and components of Macbook Air. So does it still looks like a gadget worth few grands to you?

TechRepublic via The Danesh Project

Here’s my latest addition to my collection of Apple gadgets – Macbook Black. Few of my friends were asking why not Macbook Air? Well, as much as I love it’s slim-nest, but the 1.6Mhz processor and a non solid state HDD just don’t add up. Secondly there no optical drive, and also what am I suppose to do with only 1 USB port? I find it much of a traveler’s mate instead of developers machine.

The Macbook

Black because there’s too many white Macbook out there, also because black has a higher spec for better performance. And of course higher specs comes with higher price. Here’s a rough run down on the specification.

• 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 1GB memory
• 160GB hard drive1
• Double-layer SuperDrive

The Delivery

I have to congratulate the Apple Singapore Store for their amazingly efficient service. The order was placed on Monday afternoon and I received calls on Tuesday saying it will be courier to me that day itself. Tuesday night, I’m already un-boxing it. Less than 48 hours from ordering to delivery, that’s awesome.

The Price

The Macbook Black cost me $1200+ USD. The reason why it’s cheaper than market price is because I purchased a refurbished set. Refurbished sets are as good as new ones, and it comes with 1 year limited warranty. Refurbish products usually sold out in matter of hours after listed on local Apple Store. If you are looking for refurbish products, I suggest you constanly monitor the page update.

Following the additional of Pink iPod to the iPod Nano family, Apple today adds another 2 new model to iPhone and iPod Touch. iPhone now is available in 8GB ($399) and a larger capacity model, 16GB ($499). iPod Touch also comes in brand new 32GB ($499).

Both products are now available in US Apple store, and soon international stores. I already have a feeling that my iPhone and iPod Touch will get outdated very soon with Apple announcing new models to their respective family so fast.