ePawn Arena set to be a game-changer

I’m sure that by now you are probably sick of hearing the term “game changer”, and I apologize for using this buzzword in the title. However, I guarantee you will like what this post is about.

While wandering the booths at CES last week, I discovered the ePawn Arena. It uses ePawn tracking technology for a large 26 inch IPS screen, which enables you to place game pieces for a very interesting gaming experience.

The demonstration showed an iPhone plugged into this thing, and the user could play a game using physical markers like chess pieces. The touchscreen seemed to know where these pieces were, and it creates a rather interesting environment for gaming.

The ePawn Arena is designed to link to smartphone, tablet, or PC and can be used for role-playing games and board games. This isn’t the first time that I have seen board games mixed with touchscreen interactive devices. After all, there was the Game Changer and Wowee’s AppGear, both of which had prominent appearances at CES.

The ePawn Arena is expected to be available in the “second half of the year”. I do’t seem to have a price, but the flyer I have on the product promises “patented technology provides state of the art performances at an affordable price”. Hopefully the average household can afford something such as this.

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Stock Car Racing Simulator

You must have pretty deep pockets if you want to shower your kid with the Stock Car Racing Simulator – especially since it costs a whopping $60,000, but at least you know for sure that it will not be able to turn turtle in real life no matter how bad it goes on the simulator. Touted to offer the most realistic stock car racing experience available, the Stock Car Racing Simulator relies on the same kind of moving platform mechanics that are employed in museum simulators, thanks to the electric actuators that were built into the base so that the simulator can roll and pitch.

This faithful reproduction of actual racing conditions include entering a turn or moving up a bank. Heck, to up the realism ante, it will even raise and lower during tire changes, while the cockpit sports a fluid-dampened steering wheel that offers the similar feel as driving a real stock car. There is one thing it does not replicate though – the super hot conditions inside, as you can always play this in the comfort of your air conditioned garage. Located behind the wheel are a couple of paddle gear shifters which can be found in the real deal, while the aluminum accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals will adjust for resistance.

A 5.1 sound system envelops racers in realistic audio as they are placed in a padded racing seat. Realistic graphics are displayed on a 22″ wide-screen LCD monitor, delivering 1680 x 1050 resolution, while a decaled, fiberglass shell and netted windows covers its steel frame roll cage for that added touch of realism. Can you say outrageous?

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iTwin Multi functionality announced

iTwin, the company behind the world’s first ‘limitless’ secure USB device for remote file access, recently announced their spanking new iTwin Multi functionality. This is a free iTwin upgrade that allows users to share files stashed on a computer with multiple people – simultaneously. The iTwin Multi will enable multiple users and workgroups to safely connect multiple iTwins to the same computer for remote access, not to mention being able to edit and share files as well without having to go through the headaches associated with email, VPN, or remote access software.

Take for example, with the iTwin Multi, field sales reps are able to remotely download or upload the latest confidential client contracts and proposals. On a similar scale, tiny businesses including CPA firms are able to securely share large accounting files in addition to other sensitive data with multiple clients. iTwin boasts of being the first and only remote file access solution which is 100% Plug ’N’ Play, where it delivers two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption.

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Violet launches Karotz smart rabbit

CES 2012 came and went, and while there were literally hundreds – or perhaps, thousands of new devices that were launched across over a million square feet of showfloor space, not all of them made it to our hallowed pages. Well, Violet’s Karotz does have a place, though, simply because it has been a long time in coming. The long-awaited US launch has finally happened, with this being the self-claimed first hardware device to date that was tailor made for Facebook, the world’s most popular social network at the moment with more than 800 million users and counting. Just in case Karotz looks familiar to you, that is because this is the third generation “rabbit” from the Nabaztag line.

Being an immensely popular robotic companion that actually changes the way you live out your daily life, as it is capable of delivering a link to the family, friends and the world. With Facebook compatibility thrown into the mix this time around, it will complement Karotz’ already impressive range of features.

This is a rabbit that you would love to keep as a digital pet of sorts, since it will also play nice with other key social media sites including Twitter, letting you interact with others over your new favorite desktop companion. Friends can also take control of your new Karotz in order to communicate with you, sending messages as well as audio files, while using the Karotz integrated webcam to see what it can see. Send a poke and Karotz’ ears will move, or they can even change the color of its light in order to get your attention when all other forms of online communication fails.

Heck, Karotz is even smart enough to record and post status updates as an audio file, text or photo directly to your Facebook wall. Being connected had never been this fun, and Fabien Bardinet, CEO of Violet, has this to say, “We are excited to launch the widely popular Karotz smart rabbit with the US and to make the new Facebook compatible devices available here first. Karotz’ unbelievable success in Europe leads us to believe it will do very well in the US, where there are more than 157M Facebook users. The concept behind Karotz is to make communicating with friends and sharing information both an interactive and fun experience.”

There is also a free Karotz Controller application which you can download from the Apple App Store and Android Market just to get you started!

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Giant Optimus Prime statue sees rainbow gush from my mouth

There is just one thing about robots that tend to fascinate mankind – otherwise, how else do you explain the amount of money raked in by the Transformers franchise over three films, despite the fact that the second and third parts were unable to live up to the first movie in terms of storytelling and fleshing out of its characters? Not to mention other robot films and cartoons that had made an impact in our lives all these years, too. For those who feel that they have this strange attraction to Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, here is one memento that you definitely could make do with in your living room – a 2.7 meter tall Optimus Prime.

I am quite sure in real life (fictionally speaking, that is – I know that came across as weird), he is far taller than this, but considering this is a hand-made effort that was built using recycled metal, useless auto parts as well as other machines, it is a true masterpiece. The asking price for this half ton behemoth? We are looking at $10,500 here, and that does not even take into account shipping costs.

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SteelSeries Ion Wireless Controller

When it comes to gaming peripherals, your choices are just like multiple choice questions – all of them sound right from one point or another, but when you dissect it down, you would realize that there is only one answer for you – and that answer might not necessarily be what other people have chosen. SteelSeries knows this, and hence they have a wide range of new mice which we will cover in the coming days, but for now, here is the Ion Wireless Controller.

Thanks to a licensing partnership with Zeemote Technology Inc., the SteelSeries Ion Wireless Controller was specially designed to play nice with the computer, in addition to delivering classic control schemes to touchscreen devices such as tablets and phones, where a virtual button layout definitely cannot beat something that has tactile feedback. After all, it can be rather hard to wean yourself off something which you have grown up with, not to mention there is no physical feel of virtual buttons, leading one to press the wrong button during times of gaming stress.

Bluetooth connectivity is summoned for action in this case, where it is a snap to customize and configure thanks its own application on the device. One advantage of the Ion Wireless Controller would be its size – it measures roughly the size of a standard deck of cards (108mm x 55.5mm x 18mm) and can be stashed away or carried easily without breaking your back. A white LED light is there to let you know whether it is connected or not, while a rechargeable, lithium battery inside ensures you are able to enjoy up to 20 hours of wireless use before requiring a trip to the nearest power outlet. You can plug this into your device for charge and play use as well if you do not mind living the tethered lifestyle for a while.

The SteelSeries Ion boasts comes in a classic controller design that comprises a couple of mini-joysticks, a left side Dpad button, 2 trigger buttons one at each shoulder, and a four button layout on the right, which means there is very little learning curve for those who are already familiar with Nintendo, Xbox 360 and PlayStation controllers. No idea on pricing, but the SteelSeries Ion Wireless Controller is being prepared for a Q3 release this year.

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XtremeMac has new mobile charging solutions for the masses

With the ever growing number of gizmos and gadgets that we own these days, traveling involves one more thing to consider – packing in all the relevant chargers. After all, going to a foreign country that has a different wall outlet to what you have at home could prove to be a downer, especially when you have exhausted all juice on the iPad during the long haul flight. Good thing there are companies out there like XtremeMac that comes up with really nifty portable charging solutions, and the company has done it yet again with the 3-in-1 USB Mobile Cable, InCharge Boost and InCharge Micro Boost.

All three new convenient mobile charging solutions are able to deliver an efficient and convenient charge for iPad, iPhone and iPod – regardless of whether you are at home or on the move. We will look at them in greater detail right after the jump.

First of all, the 3-in-1 USB Mobile Cable will comprise a single cable solution that has a trio of different connectors that deliver a universal charging solution for the majority of mobile devices. With three different connectors, this cable is ideal for home/office use or travel. The USB to micro USB, mini USB and 30pin tethered tips will function with most Apple devices, tablets, smartphones, cameras, GPS devices and MP3 players.

As for the InCharge Boost, this portable rechargeable battery pack is meant for the iPod, iPhone and iPad. With a powerful 2300 mAh lithium polymer rechargeable battery inside, it will come with a tethered 30-pin connector to juice up Apple devices, while a USB connector is used to recharge its internal battery. Other features include an on/off switch to conserve power, status LED indicators and an integrated carabineer for portability.

Last but not least, the InCharge Micro Boost comes in the form of an ultra compact emergency rechargeable battery pack for the iPod and iPhone. With a 500mAh lithium polymer rechargeable battery, it comes with an integrated carabineer, ensuring the Micro Boost remains attached to your keychain or backpack all the time, making sure there is a quick charge on hand whenever required.

All three will be released before the first quarter of the year is over.

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