Wind power - it's the future, or so a number of environmentalists argue. So why not harness the power of the wind to keep your mobile on the move?

The Micro Windmill mobile charger has been developed by NV Satyanarayana, a science graduate based in India. His device is basically a small fan with blades of 10cm diameter connected to a generator with an output wire which connects to a mobile phone. The components are weather proof so you can use it in any weather conditions and being lightweight it can be carried about easily. It can also even charge batteries of of laptops. handhelds and MP3 players. Though this might take a little time!

The Micro Windmill mobile charger is currently still in the development stage - no release date has been set as yet.

Via New Launches

More environmentally-friendly charging:
Solar-powered PSP charger
Wind-up charger

Pop stars and their cars - as soon as they get any money, they're off down the showroom to buy the biggest blingmobile money can buy before driving it off the nearest road or into the nearest swimming pool. Obviously no-one told Freddie Mercury this.

Over at Bayraider, the team have found the Queen singer's old runaround up for auction. Rather than the diamond-encrusted Roller you'd expect, it's a more modest motor - a charcoal grey Volvo 740 GLE, bought for Freddie as a present around the time of the Barcelona album, obviously by a very sensible friend. Though perhaps not that sensible - Freddie couldn't actually drive.

Anyway, if you want to bid for this unique piece or rock memorabilia, head on over to Bayraider.

You can't beat a long soak in the bath, with the only downsides perhaps being the water going cold and the slight boredom of sitting in the same place with nothing much to do. Well, if you're feeling flush (no pun intended), maybe you should get a Videospa TV for the bathroom.

The Videospa is a water resistant, wall-mounted TV set created for bathrooms and kitchens in homes and luxury hotels. Not your ordinary TV, the Videospa has a 12 inch LCD screen with integrated water resistant speakers, an in-built heater to prevent misting in steamiest of bathrooms and it runs on "Phantom Power" to keep high voltage away from the viewing area.

Even better, it has a water resistant remote control, unfortunately not shaped like a rubber duck.

If you want one, they retail for around £1,850.

Find out more www.videotree.com

More for your bathroom:
Water-resistant MP3 player
Toilet seat of tomorrow

There seems to be a never ending stream of iPod docking stations hitting the stores right now, so why is the iFi any different? Well, it looks different (in a good way) for a start and comes with an impressive pedigree.

The iFi is manufactured by leading audiophile manufacturers Klipsch and is pitched as the first iPod-dockable home stereo system. It features an 8-inch subwoofer, 2 RSX-3 satellite speakers, the iPod dock and a radio frequency remote.

The dock, which also acts as a charger, connects to all iPods including the iPod mini, iPod photo, and early 1G and 2G.  The shuffle and nano need to connect via an audio port on the rear. The RSX-3 satellite speakers have 3.5in aluminium drivers and 0.75in titanium tweeters, which are coupled with Klipsch's Micro-Tractrix horn. Add to that the 8-inch 200w subwoofer and you're guaranteed a seriously powerful sound system for any room.

You can pick one up from March onwards for £249 from iWorld.

Find out more

More sound systems:
iPod DJ deck sound system
Creative Zen TravelDock

Sony hopes to bring high-definition video to the mainstream with the launch of its compact HDR-HC3E HD camcorder.

The HDR-HC3E features a 2.7-inch LCD screen with an anti-reflection coat to improve viewing in strong sunlight plus a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 10x Optical Zoom. It uses the ClearVid CMOS sensor, combining with Sony's new Enhanced Imaging Processor for high quality images with both high resolution and heightened sensitivity. You can also capture high resolution 2.3 MP still pictures even while you are shooting movie footage by saving them temporarily on the camcorder's internal memory. And the HDR-HC3E is also HDMI ready - so you can playback movies and audio through your newly-purchased HD-ready kit.

And the good news if you're out and about is that it's also lighter and smaller, weighing 500g, which is 26 per cent lighter compared to the previous HC1.

The HDR-HC3E is heading for Europe in April. As yet, there's no price available.

Via Akihabara News

More Sony:
Hands on with the Sony Ericsson W950
Sony's new GPS systems

The notebook market is certainly a competitive place these days - meaning falling prices and ever-greater specifications. Averatec has taken note of both of these things, introducing their slimline 4155 notebook for less than £800.

Despite its 31.6 x 22.4 x 3.1 cm size, The Averatec 4155 with dark blue cover and contrasting white interior still features a 13.3" WXGA screen, along with a wear-resistant full-size keyboard and is powered by the AMD Turion MT 30 processor with 512MB RAM. It also packs in an 80GB hard disk, a multiformat DVD burner, 802.11g wireless LAN, a 4:1 card reader for MultiMedia Card, SD Card, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro, along with FireWire and USB 2.0 ports - one of which is active, so can be used (for example) as a charger for a phone or music player while the notebook is switched off.

It should be in the shops now for a retail price of £799.

Find out more www.averatec.co.uk

More notebooks:
Pegasus 550N notebook
Dell brings 3G to notebooks

I don't think it's an overstatement to say that the majority of business run much of their daily affairs via instant messaging services. Your contacts are at your fingertips, available (you hope) to give you the information you need right away. AOL are looking to capitalise on this with a new version of its existing IM service aimed at business users and corporations.

The new service, in conjunction with WebEx, synchs up with enterprise directory services and calendars, allowing users to securely chat, share desktops, launch conference calls, have online meetings and produce live demonstrations with just a few clicks. Known as AOL Pro, it operates outside of the traditional server-based IM network, using instead a secure web-based service running on WebEx's MediaTone Network, but still allowing workers to instantly connect with users on the AOL instant messaging network via AOL, AIM, ICQ and Apple iChat services. 

The new service should be available in the second quarter of 2006.

More messaging:
Virtual friend for MSN Messenger
Google adds chat to email

Remember Sony's hybrid VoIP mouse that we featured back in January? At the time it seemed like one of those strange gadgets that would never make out of the Japanese market place. Well, amazingly, it has and it's coming to the UK!

The Sony Mouse Talk as was will now be known as the Sony VN-CX1. It looks and operates like a normal mouse, but it also doubles as a VoIP phone. When you want to talk, open it up and there's an earpiece at the top and a microophone at the bottom. The scroll wheel even doubles up as a volume control. The Mouse Talk connects via USB 2.0 and is compatible with Windows 2000 and XP only.

It's available in the UK from March, priced around £55.

More VoIP:
Barabu's free mobile to mobile calls
Vonage goes wireless

It could be argued that Apple's generational jump in technology for its iPod players makes a lot of money for a lot of companies, including Apple. On top of the cost of a new player, many accessories become redundant when Apple update, meaning more money out of your pocket into their tills.

It doesn't have to be this way. You can avoid upgrading all your kit with the uLink for nano. It lets you connect accessories that previously only worked with the 3rd and 4th generation iPods and the iPod mini to your iPod nano.  The uLink simply adapts the dock connector port and headphone jack into a socket that resembles that on the top of the older iPods. Just plug and go with the gadgets in your existing collection.

You can pick one up for around £10.

Find out more

More for your iPod:
PocketParty micro speaker system
Boomtube portable speaker system

Busy day at the office over at HDTVUK.

There's a review of Sky's HD clips here, speculation as to whether a Freeview for HD will emerge here and news of a non-Sky HD satellite receiver here.

Pentax has announced 3 new additions to its Optio range in the form of the T10, M10 and W10 digital cameras.

The 6MP T10 with 3x optical zoom features a very generous 3-inch high-definition LCD monitor for easy viewing and a touch screen interface - touch the icons on the LCD monitor to access the camera's functions, as well as to customise and edit images on the go. A lack of buttons also means a more minimalist design.

The Optio 6MP M10 also features 3x zoom but is a little more basic in functionality.It does feature a lightweight body and long battery life, thanks to the energy saving design - so ideal if you're away from a power source for a long period of time.

The W10 is a waterproof 'go-anywhere' camera for the more rugged amongst you. Also 6MP, with 3x zoom and a 2.5-inch screen housed in a tough water and dustproof body, capable of underwater photography without requiring a waterproof case or other accessories. It's also snow-proof and sand-proof!

As yet, no prices or release dates are available. Watch this space.

More digital cameras:
Casio gets colourful
Sony's latest W-series cameras

In fashion, colours come and colours go - but black always seems to stay the right side of cool. If you've already been seduced by a black iPod, you might like to know that the previously-featured i-deck is now available with a matching black finish.

The black i-deck will be exclusively available from Apple Online from next week, before hitting the high street stores in April. Just like the original, the new black i-deck turns your iPod from a personal digital music player into an impressive sound system simply by plugging it into the docking station. Sound levels can reach 102 dBA, with the speakers able to separate to create a proper stereo experience. The i-deck also charges your iPod and comes complete with its own remote control.

You can pick it up now for around £200.

Find out more

More speakers:
Boomtube portable speaker system
Creative GigaWorks T20 speakers

According to those clever people over at Propellerhead, if you have a webcam and PC running Windows XP then you don't need to do too much more to turn your kit into a time-lapse video surveillance recorder - ideal if you fancy keeping watch on your car, your home or any unusual activity taking place round and about.

All you need is a  small freeware utility called Webcam Timershot, which can be programmed to take a still picture from your webcam at preset intervals ranging from once a second to once every 999 days. You can choose your resolution and view them in your preferred format with your chosen image viewer.

Want to know more? Head over to Propellerhead now.

This week is National Tinnitus Week, so it seems appropriate to mention a piece of technology that can help people manage this distressing condition as well as those who are in need of a bit of relaxation in their lives.

The Tinnitus Relaxer with Aromatherapy is a funky little invention which relieves the symptoms for those who experience tinnitus. With seven relaxing sound selections including ocean, birdsong and spring rain, this little fella is perfect for anyone who wants to effortlessly drift into the land of nod!

The aromatherapy beads offer fragrances which can revitalise and refresh, relax and relieve stress or to energise and motivate, depending on your mood.

You can pick one up for £25 at www.rnidshop.com.
Find out more about Tinnitus at www.tinnitus.org.uk.

More relaxation:
Fall asleep with the Sound Pillow
The massage bed

Well, we reported last week that the official line from Sony was that the PS3 would definitely appear in 2006 and despite more delays based on the specification of the machine, it might just do that - but not in the UK.

Sony has always stated its intention for a spring launch, but could miss that date if industry specifications for some of its technology are not finalised soon. These final specifications - which are decided by industry consortiums - include technology connected to the Blu-ray drive and to the input and output of video and sound.

Yuta Sakurai, a senior analyst at Nomura Securities, said he expected Sony to try to launch the PS3 in Japan in early summer, in time for the school holidays in July. Other analysts believe the US launch will not be until before November's Thanksgiving holiday, while a European launch is now expected in early 2007. So a little longer to save up - but one big gift off the Christmas list.

Via BBC

More on the PS3:
PS3 "not a games machine"
Sony takes wraps off PS3

Casio has updated it's EX-S500 with the catchily-named EX-S600. It might not have the most dynamic title, but it does have the looks and plenty of features packed into the small body too.

The credit card-sized 6MP EX-S600 with its 2.2 inch screen has a 3x optical zoom and a movie mode which allows you to film up to an hour's worth of TV-quality movies (if you have a 1GB SD card installed). It also features anti-shake technology that works for both still images and when in movie to boost results, plus 34 "Bestshot" scenes for the novie. Casio also claims it can take an impressive 300 shots on a single charge.

The EX-S600, available in 'Sparkle Silver', 'Mistral Blue' and 'Latin Orange', should be in the shops this month.

Find out more

More digital cameras:
Sony's latest W-Series digital cameras
Fuji updates its F-series cameras

Projector's are becoming more popular as they become more affordable and flexible in their use. Take the Sony VPL-ES3  projector, with its six preset picture modes for use in different environment and an aspect ratio of 4:3 for data projection, which can be switched easily to 16:9 format for watching films and gaming.

The VPL-ES3 accepts a range of sources including high definition images while the short focal lens enables a maximum screen-size of up to 300 inches. The VPL-ES3 also comes with a monitor-out connection, so the image to be displayed on a second screen. It can be integrated with other equipment - for example, the audio output connector can be linked up to an external speaker system.

The projector also has a range of security features, including password protection and control locking to block unauthorised access and a Kensington lock fitting to prevent physical removal of the projector from a work surface.

The VPL-ES3 will be available in March. No price as yet available.

More projectors:
Epson's projector with built-in DVD player
Smallest projector ever?

Sky has gone live with HDTV. But only on the web, and only showing trailers. Provided you have a high spec computer and a decent screen, the rugby and wildlife clips will give you a fair insight as to how HDTV will look when it launches.

HDTVUK has all the details here, plus the basics on how to watch HDTV on your PC here.

If you're in the market for an HD Ready Tv, there's four new models to consider from Toshiba in the form of the WLT66 series in a rather stylish black "Picture Frame" casing.

The four sizes are 32", 37", 42" and 47", with each featuring 2 x HDMI inputs (with HDCP), 2 x SCART and a Component video input, plus an integrated digital tuner. Tosh claims the range offers high picture quality thanks to their "Active Vision LCD picture processing technology" which boosts detail, colour, contrast and movement. And if you really want to treat yourself, the  42" and 47" models both feature a full 1920 x 1080p screen resolution, while the 47" model alone includes a slim-line speaker system, positioned along the bottom of the TV.

You can pick one up from April. No price as yet available.

More HD Ready TVs:
NEC's HD Ready plasmas
JVC's HD LCDs

It's been threatening an appearance for some time, but unfortunately, a working PlayStation 3 console has still to go on show after rumours of an unveiling at the Taipei Game Show proved unfounded. However, that hasn't stopped Sony exectives from making statements about a release date.

Sony has promised to ship the PlayStation 3 in 2006. Head of Sony Computer Entertainment Asia, Tetsuhiko Yasuda, told reporters at the Taipei Game Show that the console will launch this year, though he didn't want to push it to the point of giving a specific date or even month. However, he did claim that the new machine will out-sell the PS2, with accumulated global shipments of 100m consoles expected.

That's all well and good, but will we see that elusive working model? All eyes are now on the E3 show, to be held in Los Angeles in May, for the debut of a working machine. Unless of course Sony sticks to its original release date of March this year for the machine. But I wouldn't bank on that if I were you.

Via The Register

More PS3:
PS3 "not a games machine"
Sony takes wraps off PS3