Swarovski Fashion Rocks Headset

As lifted from Forbes.com's Style Gadgets is probably one of the most extravagant headsets you could find... the Swarovski Fashion Rocks Headset, estimated at $1,963

Luxe gadgetry knows no bounds, as shown by Swarovski's exclusive "Fashion Rocks" 2007 jewelry collection. Released in October, these compact, folding headphones, completely encrusted in amethyst crystals, come with a single-sided, specialized cord for low-loss conductivity and a stereo unimatch plug.

For more information, visit http://www.blogger.com/www.swarovskisparkles.com.

BlackBerry's New Click To Call Feature

Via PCworld.com, Research in Motion(RIM) relayed one of its new capabilities to be added to the already famous BlackBerry unit, and that's merging voice with instant messaging. Users who run IBM Lotus Sametime or Microsoft Live Communications Server will be able to click on an instant-messaging (IM) contact on the BlackBerry phone in order to call them, or convert an ongoing IM session into a voice call. They will also be able to check whether their colleagues are going to be available before they send out meeting requests. Now that is just cool, combining the features of internet connectivity with the convenience of the telephone.

Many have said that online communication (email, and instant messaging) are missing the personalized touch of traditional means of communication like the phone or the snail mail. However, RIM seeks to introduce unified communications by putting together technologies advantages to provide people with more ways to communicate and interact.

Research in Motion pioneered enterprise handheld connectivity with the BlackBerry's push e-mail system and BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). Competitors have since muscled in on this territory, while RIM has invested in software and devices to expand its appeal to the consumer market. With the new features, the company is looking toward a future in which almost all communication capabilities on the desktop are available on the road through a set of capabilities often called unified communications.

(image from ITreviews.co.uk)

Forbes' Hottest Cars For 2008

From Forbes.com, here are some of the hottest vehicles to watch out for in 2008


Hyundai Genesis
On sale early 2009

The Korean carmaker is moving into premium territory with this 3.8-liter V6 with a six-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive and limited slip differential. It promises to be an affordable 300-horsepower sports car.



BMW 1-Series
On sale this spring

This model slots below the popular 3-series, but still packs a punch. The base BMW 128i comes with a 3.0-liter, 230-horsepower, in-line six-cylinder engine. It starts at $29,375, while the 135i, which has a twin turbo-charged 300-hp engine, will sell for $35,675. Convertible versions of the 1-series--to be revealed for the first time in Detroit--will sell for $33,875 to $39,875.




Subaru Forester
On sale this spring

This is the third-generation of the iconic all-wheel-drive crossover. The new design is bolder and more SUV-like, but engineering improvements allow for a better ride and handling.



Ford F-150
On sale this fall

No vehicle is more important to Ford Motor than the F-series, which is the best-selling vehicle in America. For 2009, it is redesigned with a bolder, brawnier look and new technologies that control stability, even when towing a trailer. The truck comes in a dizzying array of choices: three cab styles, four box options and seven trim levels, including a new Platinum series--35 different configurations in all. Cool features include Sirius Travel Link, which provides real-time traffic and weather, and can even direct you to the service station offering the cheapest gas. Three V-8 options are available, but diesel and Ecoboost gas turbo direct-injected engines won't arrive until 2010.




Honda Pilot
On sale this spring

Honda's car-based SUV is redesigned for 2009, featuring a bolder design and more refined handling, along with more interior space and seating for eight. Safety features include a specially engineered body structure to mitigate crashes with vehicles of all sizes, and a pedestrian safety system that absorbs energy in the event of a collision. Its V6 engine features the latest version of Honda's fuel-saving, variable-cylinder management system, which shuts off half the car's cylinders at highway cruising speeds.

Ultimate Traveller's Gift - De Gualle Briefcase

In Forbes.com's Gifts for Travellers

I came across this thing of beauty. Made from water-resistant, full-grain leather, the handcrafted De Gualle briefcase from Want Les Essentiels De La Vie can withstand the wear and tear of frequent travel.

With a padded gusset pocket for laptops, one for a passport wallet and another for a cellphone, the briefcase combines traditional style with modern functionality. It's $975 and available through www.southwillard.com

Piaget Polo Chronograph

From Forbes.com's hottest luxury watches, here's the first self-winding movement in Piaget's 133-year history, this 18-carat pink gold watch boasts a 52-hour power reserve. It will debut at SIHH.

For more information, visit www.piaget.com

Here are more specs from Worldtempus:

• Large model
• 18-carat pink gold case
• 18-carat pink gold bezel with alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces
• Silver-colour dial, applied 18-carat pink gold hour-markers
• Manufacture Piaget 880P mechanical self-winding chronograph movement
• Hour, minute, small seconds (counter at 6 o’clock), double time zone (24-hour indication at 9 o’clock), flyback chronograph function (30-minute counter at 3 o’clock)
• Movement thickness: 5.6 mm
• Casing diameter: 12''' (ø 26.80 mm)
• Number of jewels: 35
• Cadence: 28,800 vph (balance with screws)
• Approximately 52-hour power reserve (double barrel)
• Sapphire crystal case-back
• Bridges bevelled and drawn out with a file
• Finishing: circular Côtes de Genève, circular-grained mainplate, blued screws
• Brown alligator leather strap
• 18-carat pink gold folding clasp

Lenovo Set To Challenge HP And Dell In Consumer Notebooks

An article from Information Week reports that Lenovo last Thursday officially entered the U.S. consumer notebook market with three products for people willing to spend more than the basic-notebook price in order to get better entertainment features.

The notebooks fall under the new IdeaPad brand, which will be the consumer side of Lenovo's mobile PC business. The Chinese company is best known in the United States for its ThinkPad line of business notebooks.

The IdeaPad Y510, Y710, and U110 models are powered by Intel's dual-core Centrino mobile platform, use facial-recognition technology in combination with a 1.3-megapixel embedded camera for security, and have five Dolby Home Theater speakers. In addition, the notebooks have Wi-Fi support, DVD/CD recordable combo drives, touch-sensitive control surfaces, textured outer cases, and frameless screens. "They look very smooth, sleek, and clean," Craig Merrigan, VP of global consumer marketing for Lenovo, said of the screens.

This new product is meant to go head-to-head with Hewlett-Packard's Pavilion entertainment notebooks and Dell's XPS line. Both combine sleek design with features for playing and organizing music and video, as well as editing and showing photos.

Lenovo is hoping its notebooks' design, VeriFace Face Recognition software, and Dolby Home Theater system will help differentiate them from rivals. The VeriFace software uses the notebooks' embedded camera to recognize a user's face for login, making it unnecessary to remember passwords. "Your face becomes your password," Merrigan said.

The sound system includes four speakers on the top of the machine -- front, top, and each side -- and a subwoofer underneath. The systems also include Lenovo's Multimedia Control Center software, which the company claims makes it easy to play movies, listen to music, and view photos. The notebooks also have touch-sensitive controls for choosing multimedia files and for setting volume and the built-in equalizer.