Over50Tech.com

True to the rumors of the last several weeks, Apple announced the iPad today. There are 75 million people who already know how to use it, they allready own iPhones. The interface is very similar, just larger. The existing 140,000 iPhone apps will work on it also, and with pixel doubling they can be expanded to fit the large 9.7 inch backlit color display. Think of it an an iphone of steroids that has the features of the iPhone, a notebook, and a Kindle all rolled into one. Starting at $499 for the 16GB WiFi model and topping out at $829 for the 64GB WiFi + 3G model, there are 4 other price points in between based on memory and connectivity. Most mobile wifi plans for your laptop cost about $60 from most carriers, but Apple struck a deal with ATT to provide 250mb/month at $14.99 and unlimited for $29.99.

Accessories include a dock which props the unit upright in “picture frame” mode, a real keyboard, and a nice carry case. Also included is a big make over for the iWork suite of applications so they can work on the iPad and take full advantage of the interface.

The standard WiFi version ships in March and the 3G version ships in April.

//Jon

For the iPhone users who have experienced short battery life (like when Wifi is turned ON) then this gadget may be the answer. It is certainly the best looking add-on battery I have seen for the iPhone.

//Jon
Via Macworld

Mophie Juice Pack Air gives iPhone longer run time by Peter Cohen, , Macworld.com mStation|mophie has introduced the Juice Pack Air for the iPhone 3G. It costs $79.95 and it’s coming this Spring. The ultra-thin Brenthaven Metrolite BP The Juice Pack Air is billed as “the world’s thinnest Apple-certified external battery for the iPhone 3G.” Inside is a 1200 mAH lithium polymer battery that can double the amount of time you have to talk, , listen to music or access the Internet.

The Juice Pack Air comes in a form-fitting hardshell case for the iPhone 3G. The case features a a pass-through USB connector that lets you charge and sync with iTunes. The case sports a four LED charge status indicator and an on-off switch; when off, the Juice Pack Air functions just as a case.

Mophie plans to make the Juice Pair Air available in black, white and purple.

link: Mophie Juice Pack Air gives iPhone longer run time | iPhone Central | Macworld

Now this is cool. Duct tape is mighty handy and should be part of any toolbox. But magnetic duct tape is simply over the top!

//Jon
via OhGizmo!

By Luke Anderson

I think it is almost universally agreed that duct tape is nearly the most useful tool on the planet. At the very least, it is by far the most useful tape out there. However, I’ve discovered another very useful adhesive that will have a permanent place in my toolbox. Yes, I do sound like I’m getting worked up over tape, but you have to admit that Self-Adhesive Magnetic Tape is rather appealing.

The concept is rather simple; just cut off a strip of tape, stick it to the wall, another piece goes on the item you’re hanging. Now just slap the two things together and it stays. This is rather handy for items that you might need to take off the wall and hang back up again. Sure, you could buy velcro strips and get a similar effect, but those wouldn’t be nearly as fun. Not to mention at $16 for a 5-meter roll, this stuff is probably a lot cheaper.

[ Pro-Idee ] VIA [ RedFerret ]

Not exactly an electronic gadget, but very cute anyway. Perfect for baking cookies when the grandkids come over.

via OhGizmo!

By Luke Anderson

I’ve discovered that I’m the kind of guy who finds himself baking something tasty at least once a month. I don’t really have a love for baking, nor am I usually making something for a get-together. Rather, I just happen to like the taste of cake and cookies, so I’ll just end up making some for myself instead of conning someone else into doing it. As a gamer, I’ve been wondering how to represent my gaming affection with my baking tools. (Okay, I haven’t actually been wondering that, but just play along.) So how does one do that exactly? With Pac-Man oven mitts of course!

The Pac-Man HotHead Oven Mitts are made completely from silicone and resemble our favorite yellow pill-eater. To give the inside of his mouth a bit of extra grip, it has been designed to look like the classic Pac-Man map. You can pick one of these up starting in April for $15.

[ Perpetual Kid ] VIA [ Technabob ]

Do you own a Kindle from Amazon.com? If so, leave us a comment. do you like it? How much do you use it compared to print media? for those who don’t know what it is, check out this link at Amazon. I particularly like that it will download newspapers automatically overnight, and that the font size is adjustable.

Silicon Alley Insider has found that printing the New York Times costs twice as much as if the company gave every subscriber an Amazon Kindle using some rough numbers and elementary math. Obviously, not everyone likes the Kindle and cutting out the distribution of the NYT would eliminate thousands of jobs, but it clearly shows how digital is killing the print star. The transition to a digital print medium will not be complete until the next generation though as many baby boomers – and their parents – have trouble with GPSs and cell phones. So no matter how much it costs to keep killing trees, the practice will continue for their sake alone.

via CrunchGear

This is interesting, a fire extinguisher that is east to use, that is so attractive it does not have to be hidden out of sight, and that has flashing lights so you can find it in the midst of all the smoke. It’s fun when someone brings a sense of design to a product who’s form factor has largely been ignored.

via DVICE

Fire safety and prevention is some pretty serious business – something small can turn into something big rather quickly. Along those lines designer Sigrun Vik, a student at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design, is operating under an interesting assumption: We don’t use (or know how to use) our fire extinguishers because they’re unsightly and hidden away.

To remedy this, she’s created the Act Fire Extinguisher, which is easy enough on the eyes that it could go in the corner of your living room, kitchen, in the hallways or wherever, really. It’s designed to be hooked up to a wireless fire alarm system (which many homes do not have), and when there’s a fire, it’ll flash it’s own lights so you can clearly see it through the smoke.

Other than that, it appears to work like a normal extinguisher. It’s unclear whether you have to lug the entire thing around or if the extinguisher pops out, but we’re guessing that little pull-ring on the handle is how you use it. Either way, it’s a more integrated fixture, and one you’re likely to figure out how to use. Check out down below for more of the Act Fire Extinguisher.