The Air Voltage, is a combination of a jacket (Energy Cover) and a wireless charging pad (Energy Stand), specifically for use with the Apple iPad 2 tablet. According to the company, the device is the first of its kind.

Technically, there is still a cable involved, but it only connects the charging pad to the power source. Connection to the iPad 2 itself does not require the use of any cable at all.

“As smartphones and tablet PCs become more essential to our lives, these devices must be recharged more and more frequently, bringing a rising need for them to be equipped with wireless recharging functions,” said Murata in its press release. “We have thus applied our original circuit design technologies and module manufacturing technologies to develop a field-coupled wireless recharging system and are working to implement its practical use.”

It works by putting the iPad 2 into the Energy Cover, then place it on the Energy Stand. This lets the Air Voltage charge the tablet without the use of cables. According to Maxell, the wireless transmission of 10 watts takes around 3 hours to full charge your tablet, just as long as charging the iPad using the AC adapter.

Maxell will launch the Air Voltage induction charger for the iPad on November 25 in Japan. Unfortunately, they have released no word on worldwide availability and pricing, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed.

via: Geeky Gadgets

Hitachi Maxell unveils its Air Voltage wireless iPad charger is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The data comes from 60 airports in Europe and North America, and around 400,000 Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide. With the 58.9 percent, 83 percent of those are from smartphones and tablets that run Apple’s iOS. Android has more than tripled its market share since last year, but it is still placed at fourth place next to the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

“Given the latest numbers, I think it’s safe to say 2011 is the year Wi-Fi became an essential part of mobile Internet connectivity,” said Boingo Wireless Vice President of Consumer Marketing Dawn Callahan. “Since the launch of the iPhone in June 2007, we’ve seen a marked growth trend for non-laptop devices, but the exponential growth in iPhones and iPads in the last year pushed mobile devices past laptops, showcasing just how disruptive the trend is.”

The report also revealed that the overall size of Wi-Fi devices has increased five times in the last five years, with the growth of tablets and smartphones and the doubling of laptops. Tablets and smartphone have surpassed laptops as the most widely carried device in airports.

Boingo also thinks most people use their devices to stream music and video, as mobile data usage is skyrocketing. In 2011, the amount of data used per minute is 0.89 MB, compared to 0.37 MB in 2009.

via: Gizmodo

iOS devices dominate airport Wi-Fi use is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The motion sensitive Wizard Stick is connected wirelessly to PCs, enabling unprecedented control of applications and games by waving or moving the controller in the air. The Wizard Stick can also be used like a conventional controller. The device includes the AIWI gaming platform, which includes 16 flash games that can be played on the AIWI website. This controller even comes with a copy of Sega’s Virtua Tennis 2009, from the critically-acclaimed Virtua Tennis series.

The Genius Wizard Stick enables players to play standing up and really get into the game rather than just sitting in front of the computer. The Wizard Stick works by connecting wirelessly to a small receiver that plugs into any USB 2.0 socket.

The package also comes with the downloadable AIWI software, which can turn any Android phone, iPhone or iPod Touch into a wireless motion controller for multiplayer gaming. The Wizard Stick also features an “air mouse mode,” where the device can be used to control the mouse cursor with the device.

The Genius Wizard Stick runs on two AA-sized batteries and comes with a wrist strap.

The Genius Wizard Stick Wireless Motion Joystick has a suggested retail price of £37 ($59.90) and is available now.

via: Genius

Genius launches its Wizard Stick controller for PC is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The total amount of PayPal transactions in 2008 was $60 billion and in 2009 $71 billion. Yet while it remains the virtual account of choice for many people around the globe there is a strong chance that it will see more competition in the years to come and that in a few years time it may no longer be the ubiquitous presence we have been used to seeing.

Three of the big problems which PayPal customers often complain about are the fees, the US bias and the reliance which it has on the user’s existing, traditional bank accounts and cards. While the first point is one which a potential rival could presumably attack (revenues were well over $600 million in the first quarter of 2009 so there seems to be scope for this) who out there could find a way to challenge them by looking at the second and third points?

One of the names which we often see linked to the world of online banking is Facebook. There are strong hints that the company will be looking at moving into this lucrative market in the future and they certainly could find ways to integrate a payments system into their site. If seems to be a question of when rather than if and the answer could arrive sooner rather than later.

Another possible contender is Square. This is a system which lets you accept card payments wherever you are. While the most common current use is to let small business owners accept payments from customers there is also the interesting possibility of people receiving their wages or other funds by this method and then using the money as their spending cash. While the current system doesn’t support the full functionality needed for this it could happen soon.

There are also cards issued by sites such as Payoneer and Moneybookers which let you fund your account and then use at an ATM to get cash or spend it in shops which accept credit cards. This type of funded card can also be used online and can be loaded by anyone who owes you money. While it is currently used mainly by the likes of internet freelancers who live in countries where the PayPal site doesn’t offer a full service it is easy to imagine this service being used more extensively over time and gradually becoming people’s main cards for both online and real life transactions.

So how will we receive and spend money in the future? There are still plenty of unknowns which need to be answered and it seems certain that there are more twists and turns to come. The one thing clear is that PayPal is going to receive some more serious competition in the near future.

The Future of Virtual Bank Accounts is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The iPad will be landing in the UK and many other international destinations on May 28th. It is possible to head to Apple’s online store and pre-order the two versions of the iPad from today (May 10th), so keen fans can get their name on the waiting list of what is sure to be one of the most in-demand gadgets of 2010.

Sales of the iPad in the US have vastly exceeded the predictions of many observers, with over a million sold. The booming app market is also getting another boost and there are well over a thousand apps that have been crafted exclusively for the iPad.

The international release date of May 28th will not see the iPad arriving everywhere, as folks in places such as the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands and New Zealand will have to wait until an unspecified point in July before they get Apple’s slate computer.

What makes the iPad special is its Wi-Fi or 3G connectivity, depending on the model, coupled with its intuitive interface, vast software library and ability to operate as an eBook reader. Detractors have criticised it for its lack of Flash player support and its shunning of USB peripheral connectivity, which makes it a little less versatile than netbooks in this respect.

UK iPad launch date confirmed is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The most obvious area of superiority is the display, which will be 11.2 inches across and capable of displaying full HD video, which is impressive considering its small size. This also suggests that the Tegra 2 processor that the Gemini houses is a capable powerhouse.

3G connectivity will be included as standard, which will allow for voice calls and data transfer. The Gemini will also have a forward facing 2 megapixel camera which can be used to chat via video link and there is an even more impressive 5 megapixel camera on the back for higher quality still shots.

Connectivity is rounded off with a GPS receiver, Wireless N capabilities and the latest Bluetooth. USB peripherals can be plugged in, which is a bonus. The basic onboard storage can be augmented with extra memory via an SD card.

The Gemini’s screen will use capacitive touch technology on the most expensive models, but a cheaper resistive version will be available, which will mean that multi-touch will only be accessible to some users.

Google’s Android OS is on board, which means that the Gemini will not only be competing with the iPad, but also with tablet PCs powered by Windows 7. The inclusion of Flash compatibility will be welcomed by many who have been put off the iPad by the lack of native support for this essential piece of software.

iPad Rival Revealed is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The bluetooth headset is built into the handle of the umbrella so it won’t get wet (unless the umbrella’s crap, of course) although you will have to hold the umbrella up like a periscope. Just in case having your very own bluetooth umbrella isn’t enough it comes complete with an FM radio transmitter too.

Unfortunately, umbrellas just aren’t sexy or cool, and probably never will be so while the concept may have merit hidden away somewhere it’s fairly unlikely that it will be a popular product even when it does have an iPod dock and party speakers attached (that’s what happens to all gadget concepts eventually).

We nearly forgot to mention that, if it were to go into production, the bluetooth umbrella would also sport a touch screen display hidden away in the handle somehow. Either you have to have particularly dainty fingers or it would be the mother of all umbrella handles.

Bluetooth Umbrella – Will It Go Down A Storm? is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The Nintendo DS has a particularly active community of modders and homebrewers. A homebrew application is one that has been written by a hobbyist programmer, and not a commercial software producer. The applications on offer are quite staggering and, compared to mods, they require little intervention that might lead to the complete destruction of your DS unit or your fingers.

Lick Media Player

The Lick Media Player is essentially an iPod emulator. The touch screen displays a scroll wheel and navigation buttons and the controls are pretty much identical to the original iPod. Custom skins, shuffle mode, and the happy homebrew price tag make it a genuine alternative to the Apple mp3 playing personal audio device.

Win2DS

Win2DS is a really cool homebrew application that allows you to remotely view and control your desktop PC. What’s more it can also be used as a wireless gaming pad for pretty much any game you want to play.

DSOrganize

DSOrganize is probably the first homebrew application that most users will want, or indeed need. It’s almost an operating system for your DS. A calendar enables you to store important dates and times, and set reminders for those occasions you can’t forget. Address book lets you store multiple contact details for all your friends, family, and colleagues. The to-do list is, well, a to do list and scribble pad is a quick application that lets you doodle, write, and store the information. File browser, chat client, and even a homebrew application database are also included in DSOrganize.

The DS Homebrew community is a fervent one and enables owners of the incredibly popular Nintendo handheld system to quickly download and use applications that completely change and improve the functionality of the DS.

DS Homebrew Applications is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The 605 series features a 4.3” touch screen display offering 800 x 480 pixel definition. Depending on your own preference you can choose from a 4GB model with expandable SD memory slot, or a 30GB, 80GB, or 160GB model. By adding the DVR Station you can even record TV shows so that you can watch them back at a more convenient time.

The Archos 605 is also WiFi enabled so that you can connect directly to the Internet. As well as being able to stream content from your PC, using the ARCHOS Content Portal you can directly download music and video content or you can browse the Internet and share your content with friends and other devices.

Because Archos PMPs are now in their fifth generation of production, they do everything well. They support the greatest number of formats and include some unique features. As well as being able to view photographs and images you can edit them, add music, and create slideshows to share with others or transfer to another device. A huge collection of accessories and plug-ins can also be used to further extend the device’s functionality.

If you have particularly itchy feet and are constantly moving from one place to another then the Archos 605 GPS combines all of the above features with state of the art GPS software.

While the 4GB version does include SD memory, it also costs about £125. The 30GB model, which obviously offers a lot more on board storage, costs £160. You will need to fork out £200 or more for the 80GB and about £250 for the largest 160GB model. For the GPS model with 30GB of storage you should expect to pay £300.

Our advice if you want one of these is to really shop around because online prices can fluctuate ridiculously with a disparity of as much as £100 in the mid range categories, and more in the high end range.

Pimp Your PMP is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

By leaving the Power Charger in the sun for 10 hours, it will completely charge the battery. A fully charged battery then offers six hours of life to an mp3 player, ten hours of standby to your mobile, or two hours of talk time. What’s more it can be re-used as many as 500 times.

Let’s face it, we’re not always blessed with ten hours of sun are we? On dull days with little or no sun, you can fill the battery charge with USB power giving you a convenient and sleek emergency charger.

The Power Charger is an excellent and ecological solution to your emergency power needs. While it won’t give you a full charge it should be able to provide ample power to tide you over, and it is essentially free power that you’re getting.

A Solar Charger For Under £25 (Just) is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos