Gadget Of The Week: Sony Vaio E Series Notebooks

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They say that brains and beauty are the complete package and when it comes to technology, it's terribly hard to find. Besides the obvious offerings from Apple that usually come with a premium price, I tend to find really awesome looking gadgets with terrible specs on the inside. And the best performing PCs out there tend to look like mini slabs of plastic. The Sony Vaio E Series is here to dispel the misconception of ugly yet smart PCs. The candy colored notebooks can be customized with your choice of exterior color an keyboard skin on the inside. Of couse, the Vaio E Series comes with all the latest and greatest in technology. Powered by a 2.4 GHz processor, running Windows 7 and includes a generous 500 GB hard drive, it's hard to believe it weighs in at just under six pounds. Other features include a 15.5 inch screen and an optional Blu-ray player so you can watch your HD movies almost anywhere. Brains and beauty can mix after all!


Price: $799
Who Found It: facadeindreams was first to add the Sony Vaio E Series Notebook to the Hive.

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Tags :   custom , e series , gadget , laptop , notebook , personalized , sony , technology , vaio

Gadget Of The Week: The LG Retro CTR Television

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While most everyone waxes poetic (or.. not so poetic) about the recently unveiled iPad, we're going to venture into lowbrow electronic territory and discuss a less newsworthy (but more respectably titled) tech find: the LG retro CTR television. It's relatively small, only available in Korea, not sleek by any means, and has rabbit ears... wait, why are we so excited about this? For one, it combines old school charm with equally old school, albeit reliable technology. The 14-inch screen is the perfect size for smaller rooms, and would look positively adorable perched on the kitchen counter, if you have the space. At $216, it's not the kind of television you'll be paying off for months and months, and can totally double as decor. Sure, you can't play your video games on it, but it's a fun throwback to simpler times, dial knobs and all, and I like to think that the rabbit ears give it character.


What do you think?


Price: $216
Where to Buy: LG Korea
Who: lisannebee was the first to add the LG Retro CTR Television to the Hive.

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Tags :   ctr , decor , electronics , gadgets , korea , lg , old school , retro , tech , technology , television , tv

Gadget Of The Week: HP Touchsmart tm2t Convertible Tablet

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Before all you faithful Mac enthusiasts write off this tablet PC as just another over-ambitious attempt to overthrow the Apple reign, hold up. This gadget is famous in the fashion world! If you tuned into last week's premiere of Project Runway season 7 (back in the Big Apple, baby!), you may have caught Tim Gunn's schpeel about the new gadget that's geared to expedite the sketching process for this season's contestants. Complete with a multi-touch swivel screen and a pen for scribing notes (or scrawling design sketches!), plus a webcam and a slew of high-tech specs I couldn't even begin to explain to you, this 12-inch tablet seems like a pretty sweet addition to the show, not to mention just about anyone's desktop! Check out the deals at LogicBuy and decide if you're willing to switch tech teams!


What: the HP Touchsmart tm2t
Price: starting at $949.99
Where to Buy: $200 off original price at LogicBuy!
Who: xgalexy was the first to add the HP Touchsmart tm2t to the Hive.

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Tags :   computer , computers , gadget , gadget of the week , gadgets , hp , hp touchsmart , laptop , logicbuy , pc , pcs , project runway , tablet , tech , technology , tim gunn , touchscreen , touchsmart , webcam

Gadget Of The Week: Firefly Speaker Dock

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If you give me the choice between going to a technology trade show versus fashion week, I'd actually have to give it a lot of thought. Alas, I missed the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas earlier this month. Thankfully my Twitter feed and favorite tech blogs have kept me up to date on all the new products. Amidst all the new netbooks and cameras, there's a gadget called Firefly that made its debut last week and causing lots of buzz. The speaker dock works with all versions of the iPod, iPod Touch, and iPhone. It comes with two speakers and a subwoofer which means this little guy packs quite a punch. Still not convinced? The Firefly took home this year's Innovation award for design and engineering at CES and is only $130. Now you just have to pick between red, black, and silver!


What: the Firefly Speaker Dock
Price: $129.95
Where to Buy: Vestalife
Who Found It: facadeindreams was the first to add the Firefly Speaker Dock to the Hive.

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Tags :   ces , dock , firefly , iphone , ipod , ipod touch , music , speaker dock , speakers , technology

Hot In The Hive: Luxeed Rainbow LED Keyboard

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If you have a tendency to spill coffee or soda on your computer keyboard (RIP to my first college laptop), then make sure you steer clear of this rainbow light-up version from Luxeed, because it's much too pretty to ruin! USB-powered and illuminated by 430 LEDs, this keyboard can be customized to change color, flash in patterns, or light up at each press of an individual key. It comes in white, which has a flashier, more transparent look, and black, which is slightly more subtle yet just as stylish with its opaque keys and rainbow lettering. At $139.99-149.99, it's quite a costly aesthetic investment if you're not already in the market for a separate add-on keyboard, but I have to say I'm tempted regardless! Of course, first I'd have to kick the habit of drinking coffee while composing e-mails...


Price: $139.99 for black, $149.99 for white
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add the Luxeed Rainbow LED Keyboard to the Hive.

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Tags :   computer accessories , gadget , gadget accessories , gadgets , hot in the hive , keyboard , keyboard cover , laptop accessories , led , light , lights , luxeed , rainbow , tech , techie , technology , thinkgeek , usb

Weave Me An iPhone Case!

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Forget those standard rubber iPhone cases, I love the textured look of these Chilewich iPhone cases (via Oh Joy!). Chilewich worked with Griffin to create a robust case that also allows for quick docking and the signature basketweave vinyl textile looks like nothing else. Me likey!


Available at apple.com for $39.95. Check out Coquette to read more on the latest fashion and style news.

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Tags :   griffin , iphone , iphone 3gs , iphone case , style , technology

Hot In The Hive: Hello Kitty Casio EX-Z90 Camera

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We may have left Christmas in the dust (unless you're like me and are still buying presents for yourself with the gift returns), but it's never too soon to start thinking about your next wish list! If you're a gadget girl and still haven't outgrown your 2nd grade crush on everything Hello Kitty (guilty as charged!), allow me to introduce the Hello Kitty Casio EX-Z90 Digital Camera, from one Sanrio fanatic to another. In honor of Miss Kitty's 35th Anniversary, Casio has unveiled a fancy feline version of its 12.1 megapixel Exilim camera, complete with a bedazzled chrome pink shell and a matching case and wrist strap! It's a little pink for my taste, but given my love for HK and the quality of the camera, if I had an extra $500 to blow, I'd be sold!


Price: $499.99
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add the Hello Kitty Casio Camera to the Hive.

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Tags :   camera , camera case , cameras , casio , crystals , digital , digital camera , digital cameras , gadget , gadget accessories , gadgets , hello kitty , hot in the hive , limited edition , pink , sanrio , tech , tech gifts , techie , technology

Hot In The Hive: Skullcandy Pipe iPod Speaker

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Before you write off the Skullcandy Pipe iPod Speaker as yet another gimmicky dock that saves space but doesn't quite deliver where it counts (sound quality and volume), hear me out. Yes it's suspiciously small, fits all-too-conveniently on your living room mantel or dining room windowsill without toppling off, and appears to be a too-perfect-to-be-true source of your holiday gathering ambiance music, but take the time to consider that maybe there's no fatal bug that renders it unworthy of purchasing. The little fella really does get loud despite its compact size and has the ability to sound great whether it's serving out gentle seasonal tunes to accompany the sounds of your meal-munching or filling the room with dance-worthy beats once your relatives have had a little too much eggnog. Plus, with its handy remote you can switch things up even from your food coma-induced collapse on the couch!


Price: $69.99
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add the Skullcandy Pipe iPod Speaker to the Hive.

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Tags :   dock , gadget , gadget accessories , gadgets , hot in the hive , iphone , ipod , ipod accessories , ipod dock , ipod speakers , ipods , music , music gifts , music player , skullcandy , speaker , speakers , tech , tech gifts , techie , technology

10 Unique Camera Gifts And Accessories For Shutterbugs

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Gift-giving is often made simpler when the person you're shopping for has one prominent interest or hobby -- let's say... photography, for the sake of this post. But even after you've narrowed the spectrum of present possibilities down to camera accessories and photo goods, how do you even begin to choose the perfect photo gift in a day and age so technologically diverse?! My advice is to aim for the unique -- while a photography fanatic can spend all the money and time they want trying to track down the latest release in digital cameras, they won't necessarily have a sturdy waterproof case to go with it, or a self-taking revolving tripod for it to sit atop! Browse the slideshow for 10 nifty gifts for the photo enthusiast, including frames, gimmicky gadgets, and more!

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Tags :   aquapac , camcorder , camera , camera accessory , camera case , camera strap , camera tripod , cameras , case , cases , gadget , gadget accessories , gadgets , gift , gift idea , gift ideas , gifts , gifts for her , gifts for him , kodak , kodak zi8

Hot In The Hive: USB Keyboard Vacuum

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Stumped on what to do for stocking stuffers? Here's a little goodie that anyone with a laptop (or any keyboard-toting gadget, for that matter) can appreciate. I'm convinced that the USB Keyboard Vacuum is the ultimate no-brainer-yet-still-completely-genius invention that took far too long to be created. Just plug it in and say "so long" to all those pesky crumbs and dust mites that seem to magically collect in between keys and under your mouse clicker. It even comes with two detachable nozzles -- a brush for vents and a rubber tip for narrow key openings -- so no unwanted debris is left lurking, even in the most hard-to-reach nooks and crannies! Oh, and with a convenient 58" cord, you can even do your cubicle-mates a favor and clean their keyboards too!


Price: $4.99
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add the USB Keyboard Vacuum to the Hive.

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Tags :   computer , computer accessories , computers , container store , gadget , gadget accessories , gadgets , hot in the hive , keyboard , laptop , laptop accessories , stocking stuffers , tech , tech gifts , techie , technology , the container store , usb , usb drive , usb hub , vacuum