Asustek’s latest netbook has broken cover, in the shape of the 12.1-inch ASUS S121. A larger-screen version of the ASUS S101, full details on the netbook are unknown – and ASUS are yet to officially confirm it – but it’s believed to be based on the usual Intel Atom N270 platform.
Distinctive, beautiful and just plain strange, the Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical is the brainchild of Vianney Halter and the engineering masterpiece of the DMC Group’s Jean-François Ruchonnet. A wrist-watch built around a winch-driven chain fusee movement, it has a tiny 450 link chain and nickel silver drums; altogether there are 1,352 separate components.
Remember the original Luke Skywalker lightsaber prop that went up for auction on December 11th? The prop – which was used in both the first Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back – well exceeded its $185k guide price, with the hammer finally falling at $240,000 (£160,000). The specific buyer is unknown, but the item is just one of a number of high-price props to sell at the event.
It’s almost Christmas, which means just about everything goes red for a special edition. If you’re going to pick up one festive-themed gadget this year, might we suggest the Redpoint Model A Testa Rossa Racing Red edition – the company’s classic audiophile turntable. Built upon a solid aluminum billet base with a silicone-oil-damped composite Teflon platter, the Model A would make the ideal gift for someone who refuses to give up their vinyl.
Normally a switch in speaker grill color wouldn’t be enough to make something news-worthy, but when it’s Bang & Olufsen making the changes then you know it’s not just a case of a ordering up a new bolt of material. Intended to accompany the firm’s existing white A/V equipment, the new white speaker-covers have been put through the paces for longevity and sound performance, with B&O even traipsing to Milan fashion fairs to see what fabrics are on offer.
Love Star Wars? Disgustingly wealthy? Step right up, my friend, have we got the auction for you. Luke Skywalker’s original lightsaber – as used in Star Wars: a New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back - is going up for sale, with an expected price tag of around $185,000. If you’ve always been more of a fan of effeminate robot menservants, then how about C-3PO’s helmet and gloves? Yours for a predicted $83,000 and $30,000 respectively.
More auction items after the cut
LG have officially launched the Prada II cellphone, as expected, and it’s brought along a friend in the shape of a Bluetooth watch, the Prada Link. Like other such devices we’ve seen, it can show caller ID as well as preview text messages, without requiring you to whip out the handset itself (and promptly get mugged). As we’ve already seen, the Prada II itself is a 3G HSDPA (900/2100MHz) device with WiFi, a 3-inch capacitive WQVGA touchscreen and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.
Bang & Olufsen have officially announced the BeoSound 5, a digital music system intended to bridge the gap between the company’s high-end hifi systems and music stored digitally. The main interface is the BeoSound 5 controller, a 2.65kg table-top or wall-mounted remote dominated by a 10.4-inch 1024 x 768 LCD and an aluminium scroll wheel. Providing the power is the BeoControl 5, a 500GB music server with internet connections. The whole system runs MOTS (More Of The Same), B&O’s new intelligent playlist system.
Navigon have announced their latest GPS device, the 8100T, which the company is calling an “uber-premium” design offering “unmatched” functionality. Centered around a 4.8-inch widescreen touch-sensitive display, and with a brushed-metal casing, the 8100T includes rolling 3D hills based on NASA terrain height data, free lifetime traffic updates and Bluetooth hands-free functionality.
Claustrophobics look away now. Measuring 6 x 4 x 4 feet, the PodWombats Mark III Gaming Cockpit is billed as the best thing for gamers looking to eliminate all distractions during play. Constructed from particle-board and with a sliding canopy section, inside there’s an adjustable racing seat, mounting points for joysticks and other controllers, and ventilation to stop you – and your PC or console – from overheating.
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