Cool Recommendations

BenQ W7000 1080p DLP 3D Home Theater Projector | Gear Patrol

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Prices for quality projectors have dropped faster than Facebook’s IPO over the last few years, making the dream of mancave movie theaters much more realistic. BenQ’s first full-HD 3D W7000 Projection System is a particularly good bargain for movie-lovers looking for the best 3D experience at home.

So-called active 3D is becoming a projection standard for eliminating the irritating crosstalk associated with 3D images, but the need to wire a separate IR emitter to sync the projector with the glasses is an extra setup hassle that often requires recalibration to get everything working properly. The additional IR signals can also wreak havoc on IR-based remotes. The W7000 uses DLP Link instead, which provides the same benefits of other active systems with non of the tradeoffs. Tack on top-notch 2D and 3D picture reproduction, ICFccc certification (for professional calibration), a slew of inputs including two HDMI, one VGA, and one s-Video, picture-in-picture capabilities, and a flexible lens for a wide array of room installations — and you’ve got an incredible home upgrade that’s not to be missed.

Cryoscope | Uncrate

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Sure, it can be useful to check the weather on your smartphone, computer, or local news station, but it doesn't really help you to know what it's actually going to feel like outside. The Cryoscope ($300 and up) does. This crazy contraption heats or cools its top slab to a certain temperature, depending on the mode — time shift mode will give you the forecasted temperature, while space shift can give you the current temperature of anywhere you specify — letting you literally feel the temperature you're looking for. Useful for commuters, travelers, or those who want to torture themselves by checking the current temp in Wailea

Samsung ES9500 OLED TV

via gizmodo.com

The Samsung ES9500 OLED TV, the 55-incher is targeted to launch in South Korea in the second half of 2012 for the sticker shocking price of 9 grand. That's about twice as expensive as high end models right now. And though the picture is more than twice as good, that's still an insanely expensive price to pay for a TV. Especially when you can get something quite respectable on the cheap these days. Enjoy it, rich people. The rest of us will have to wait until OLED gets cheaper.

VTech LS6195 Retro Cordless Phone | Gear Patrol

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The new VTech LS6195 ($60) phone can’t take pictures, stream video, or connect to Facebook. And, unless you’re rocking Hammer pants, it won’t fit into your pockets, either. But it can do one thing really well that your current phone may not: make phone calls.

Unlike typical landlines, this unique “answering system” also embraces the aesthetics of a retro communication device while still featuring some very modern functions such as a cool illuminated rotary-style number pad and DECT 6.0 wireless technology that provides crystal clear, encrypted sound quality from up to 500 feet away from the base station. Plenty of other little tech perks are packed on as well, like a digital answering system with 14 minutes of recording time, caller ID, last 10 number redial, and a 50 name and number phonebook directory.

Netgear's R6300 uses Broadcom 802.11ac chipset | Engadget

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That 802.11n router not keeping up with the gigabit pipe to your homestead? Netgear's latest may just give you a much-anticipated boost. The R6300 Dual-Band Gigabit WiFi Router is the first to utilize Broadcom's 5G WiFi IEEE 802.11ac chips, making it roughly three times faster than aging 802.11n. This means the R6300 could be an excellent fit for folks lucky enough to take part in Google's Kansas City fiber experiment, assuming of course that they that also adopt yet-to-be-announced 802.11ac-compatible gadgets. For its part, the Netgear base ships with the usual suite of features, including Netgear Genie for configuring the network from a computer or smartphone, MyMedia with DLNA support, AirPrint (there's two USB ports built-in) and pre-configured wireless security, keeping your hotspot off the neighbors' radar right out of the box. The Netgear R6300 will ship next month, letting you future-proof your home for a mere $199.99.

Logitech Harmony Link | Uncrate

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You want to use your iPad as a remote, but don't want to attach a dorky dongle every time you want to change the channel? Perhaps the Logitech Harmony Link ($100) is the answer. This sleek system consists of a small black transmitter that connects to your home network via Wi-Fi, letting you control your entire system from your iOS or Android device without the need for any dongles or other nonsense.

Enso Pearl: The Only Timer Actually Worth Buying | Gizmodo

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Capable of timing 30 different activities concurrently, it'll cost you a $79 on Amazon. But that's worth it, especially if you're a multitasker with very strict schedules. Featuring an LCD face, the Enso lets you set up interval timing in case you have a lot of consecutive deadlines to meet. It also lets you repeat the same timer on several occasions and includes a stop watch and alarm function.

Say for some reason you're baking a pie and meditating at the same time. If the pie finishes baking before you're done meditating, the Enso Pearl wouldn't interrupt your zen. It boasts a several different peaceful chimes to choose from to signifying that the clock has run out, such as Japanese Tibetan singing bowls. Finally, the perfect gadget for the pie baking yogis everywhere.

Western Digital 2TB My Passport: The future is here | Crave

via news.cnet.com

The WD My Passport, the first-ever 2TB portable drive WD introduced last week, turned out to be pretty impressive. Despite the top capacity, the new My Passport drive remains very compact and portable.

Despite the fact that it offers the top capacity for 2.5-inch-based drives that use the current perpendicular recording technology, the drive is also compact and light. In fact, it's more compact than the My Passport Studio that offers just half of its storage space.

Originally, it was predicted that for 2.5-inch internal drives -- those housed inside portable drives like the new My Passport -- to reach 2TB, a new recording technology would be required. WD's My Passport is proof that that wasn't the case.

Fitbit Ultra | CNET's Video Review

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Fitbit Ultra - $99.25
The good: Small, light, and easy to carry, the Fitbit Ultra effortlessly tracks your basic daily activity level. It has a host of online analytical tools, it tracks sleep quality, and it boasts both Android and iOS mobile apps.

The bad: The Fitbit Ultra needs to be within 15 feet to sync with its USB-connected base station. The Trainer feature and a deeper activity data analysis cost extra. It's not waterproof.

The bottom line: The Ultra extends Fitbit's already impressive personal fitness data measurement abilities, but for the same $99.95 price. Already a high-tech pedometer, the Ultra now has an altimeter to record stairs climbed, too. It isn't as advanced as more expensive mobile fitness gadgets, but the tiny device is easy to wear all day long and fun to use.

Medisana TargetScale | Gear Patrol

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the Medisana TargetScale ($207), which transforms the entire notion of the bathroom scale into a device that any UFO fan could appreciate. The TargetScale quickly and accurately measures weight, BMI, water percentage, and even muscle and bone mass. Information for up to four users can be stored, and as you program a target weight, the rings on the scale will glow accordingly to how close you are to achieving your fitness goal. This information can also be monitored remotely with its free VitaDock app from your iPhone.