FXI Cotton Candy – The Miniature PC On A Stick
March 3, 2012 by mintgadgets
Filed under Computer Gadgets

FXI Technologies has recently just released in limited availability the Cotton Candy miniaturized dual-core PC computer the size of a USB flash drive.
The FXI cotton candy is referred to as an “any screen computer” which really means it’s a tiny miniaturized fully capable PC computer that doesn’t come with a screen or monitor. These miniaturized computer devices are ideal for embeded applications including portable set top box gaming and entertainment equipment, mobile “any screen” computing, and a full range of specialized applications including medical, automotive, security, surveillance, and other dedicated solutions.
This tiny fully contained computer is packed with impressive raw horsepower and offers integrated HDMI, USB and MicroUSB connectivity for surprising flexibility in the portable market.
And let’s talk about just how how tiny and compact. The Cotton Candy miniaturized PC on a stick weighs only 21 grams. That’s just a little over 1/2 ounce. The dimensions of this super miniaturized computer are roughly 3 inches in length and a bit over 1/2 inch in width.
The cotton candy architecture will lend itself as an ideal add on to smartphones, tablet computers and notebook PCs including Macs. In addition, the device is perfect for adding intelligent computing capabilities to displays, set top boxes and gaming consoles.
FXI Cotton Candy Technical Specifications
- ARM® Cortex™ A9 1.2GHz Central Processing Unit (CPU) with NEON extensions and Trustzone extensions.
- ARM® Mali™ 400MP Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) delivers 720p and 1080p OpenGL ES v2.0, can process 30M Polygons and 1.2 GPixels per second.
- Wifi 802.11 b/g/n network connectivity.
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.
- 1GB DRAM memory.
- Up to 64GB expandable memory with microSD local storage.
- Supports standard OS’s including, Android (Gingerbread and Ice Cream Sandwich), Linux (Ubuntu), and includes embedded virtualization client for Windows, Linux, Mac.
- USB 2.0 port for power and connection to devices that support USB mass storage.
- HDMI 2.1 port with audio.
- Decodes MPEG-4, H.264 and other video formats, displays HD graphics on any HDMI equipped screen.
FXI Technologies (www.fxitech.com) is a Norway-based hardware and software startup with a focus on improving the world of digital screens with smart and personal capabilities. This includes initiatives
- Improving consumer access to Cloud computing.
- Accelerate the adoption and use of “smart screen” technologies.
- Easy ability to share media and content (videos, movies, photos, games, etc.) from mobile and portable devices on large screens and projectors.
FXI Cotton Candy, the PC on a stick, may very well open up even more exciting embedded computing applications around the corner, and we’ll be ready to talk about it here at Mint Gadgets. If you’re interested in learning more about the cotton candy miniature PC on a stick, you can visit the comunity website at cstick.com where development units are available now for pre-order.
Source: [FXI - cstick.com]
Desk Pet Tankbots with Smartphone Controller
February 21, 2012 by mintgadgets
Filed under Cell phone Gadgets, Toy Gadgets
Your cluttered desktop is full of obstacles like your computer mouse, coffee mugs, staplers, notebook computers, etc., right? Maybe you didn’t realize, but this clutter creates the ideal obstacle driving course for the Desk Pet Tankbots. These clever little mini-robot remote controlled gadgets are actually masters at navigating in and around any maze.
The amusing little Desk Pet Tankbot is equipped with an advanced optical navigation technology. It can search at detect any obstacle in its path at easily navigate around it. This is the pinnacle of procrastination busting, robotic desktop entertainment at its best.
This ingenious little Desk Pet Tankbot can operate in three different modes.
- Touchless navigation – detects objects in its path with optical navigation technology and can automatically navigate through the maze on your desktop.
- Autonomous personality mode – spins around and shows off its lights and sounds.
- Smartphone control – use your Smartphone or iPhone as a remote control to steer and guide the Desk Pet Tankbot.
And what’s better than one Tankbot. Well, two tankbots, of course! Desk Pet Tankbots can “fire” infrared shots at each other and the tankbot optical sensors can detect when they’ve been hit. After enough shots, the winner disables the loser.
Smartphone Controlled Desk Pet Tankbots Demonstration
Smartphone Controlled Desk Pet Tankbots Features
- Avoids and steers around obstacles with advanced optical navigation technology.
- The little tankbot has a personality too with light-up eyes and cute little robot sounds.
- Tankbots are randomly picked from four different colors (Grey ,Blue, Orange, and Green). Sorry, you can’t order the color you prefer, but they’re all great Tankbot colors.
- Come on, you know your desk needs a maze-navigating tank robot.
- Three modes of operation: touchless navigation, autonomous personality mode, smartphone remote control.
- Compatible with iOS devices and Android devices (2.1 and up), you can download the free remote control tankbot app from the App Store or Android Market.
- Insert the DeskPet Universal Remote into your headphone jack to control your TankBot.
- Includes the integrated USB flip out connector to recharge using your computer USB port.
- Automatic shut-off after 3 minutes of inactivity to conserve battery life.
- Internal rechargeable battery provides 15 minutes of tankbot play time from a 40 minute battery charge.
- Suitable for Ages 8 and Up
A Desk Pet Tankbot (or two) provides hours of desktop mini-robot fun entertainment. Get your Desk Pet Tankbot today!
Available: ThinkGeek
Price: $24.99
iHome iW1 AirPlay Wireless Stereo Speaker System
January 24, 2012 by mintgadgets
Filed under Audio Gadgets, iPad Gadgets, iPhone Gadgets, iPod Gadgets
For so many music enthusiasts, one of the biggest attractions to the iPod, iPhone and iPad is the easy and convenient way to collect and enjoy virtually any kind of music through iTunes. And today for so many folks, they turn to their iPod or iPhone exclusively to listen to their favorite music. If most or all of the music you enjoy is through your iPod, iPhone or iPad, what happens if you’d like to listen to your music throughout the house? Now you can easily stream your music to any room of the house wirelessly with the iHome iW1 AirPlay Wireless Stereo Speaker System.
The iHome iW1 AirPlay Wireless Stereo Speaker System is a super convenient and ideal audio solution for iTunes, iPhone and iPod owners that leverages the latest technology from Apple to stream your music throughout the house. With Apple’s AirPlay wireless audio streaming technology, you can play your favorite music anywhere in the house using your home Wi-Fi network.
iHome iW1 AirPlay Wireless Stereo Speaker System Features
- AirPlay wireless audio streaming over Wi-Fi networks
- iHome iW1 AirPlay is certified for 802.11b and 802.11g Wi-Fi network technologies. AirPlay is a built-in feature with Apple devices that enables users to stream audio wirelessly from their iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, and iTunes. AirPlay works wherever there is a Wi-Fi network.
- Simple, easy and quick wireless setup with the iHome application technology.
- Convenient and simple network setup and custom device naming using iHome Connect, a FREE app available on the iTunes app store (available for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch).
- Attractive, sleek design will look great in any room of the house.
- Includes a handheld IR remote to control the streaming of your music from a distance. The IR remote and the speaker control panel supports play/pause, next track, previous track, and the volume control on your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch.
- Rechargeable battery with charging base and carrying handle for use anywhere at home, in-doors and outside.
- You can also recharge the battery by connecting to your iPod or iPhone through the USB port using the included USB cable.
- Includes an aux-in input as well. You can connect any music device with the analog 3.5mm stereo auxiliary input.
- Real-time high-fidelity audio signal enhancing technology. Digital signal processing extends the audio bandwidth effectively improves brightness, clarity and presence as well as delivers deeper and more resonant bass.
If you’ve been looking for a simple way to enjoy your iTunes music collection from anywhere in your house, you’ll want to try the iHome iW1 AirPlay Wireless Stereo Speaker System.
Available: Buy.com
Price: $299.00
The Virtual Laser-Generated Keyboard
January 10, 2012 by mintgadgets
Filed under Android Gadgets, Desktop Gadgets, iPhone Gadgets, iPod Gadgets
iPads and iPhones are wonderful devices that have achieved enormous popularity. But while these devices strive for perfection, they do leave a bit to be desired for those of us that sorely miss the keyboard. If you’re like so many users that really do prefer a keyboard when you have to get some serious work done, then have a look at this cutting-edge new innovative keyboard device for the iPad and iPhone as well as Android Phones.
The Virtual Laser-Generated Keyboard is the latest keyboard invention that projects a laser-generated keyboard image onto any flat, opaque surface. A Class II laser draws a full-size 9 3/4 inch wide by 4 inch high keyboard and renders 3/4 inch square keys with a bit of drop shadow for visual depth.
The Virtual Laser-Generated Keyboard has an optical sensor that detects your finger placement at different locations on the keyboard in three dimensions. And an infrared horizontal plane is projected just millimeters above the surface which detects the actual contact your finger makes with the keys when the infrared plane is interrupted.
The virtual keyboard device translates the detected key strokes into the appropriate character code and sends to your iPhone, iPad or Android device via the Bluetooth radio interface, so no wires or cables needed.
The Virtual Laser-Generated Keyboard can keep pace with even the fastest typists, able to track typing speeds up to 400 characters per minute. The rechargeable battery provides up to 2 1/2 hours of typing from a 1 1/2 hour charge using the included USB/AC adapter. The virtual keyboard device dimensions are 3 inches high by 1 1/2 inches wide by 1 1/4″ deep, and a light weight 2 1/2 oz.
Available: Hammacher
Price: $199.95
FlipIt Portable Power Strip and Surge Protector
January 8, 2012 by mintgadgets
Filed under Travel Gadgets
Heads up road warriors! How many times have you arrived at your hotel room after a long, tedious day of gruesome travel and you need to plug in your computer, phone and maybe your iPad or tablet in serious need of a charge? Only to find there aren’t enough outlets in the hotel room to plug into? Somehow the hotel manages to use up all the available power outlets with lamps, TVs, DSL/modem adapters, mini-refrigerators, etc., leaving you, the guest, with one single power outlet for all of your devices. Hey, who’s the guest in this hotel anyway?
The FlipIt Portable Power Strip and Surge Protector is the answer to your problem. We’ve brought you other great power strip solutions from FlipIt including the very smart Pivot Power Strip. Now you can add the FlipIt Portable Power Strip to your list of essential travel items.
The FlipIt Portable Power Strip definitely packs a very capable punch in a convenient portable travel power strip. This portable power strip includes three US 110v grounded AC power plugs and two USB charging ports. And the power strip combines a surge protector that will protect all of your valuable gadgets from a 612 Joule electrical zap! Typically, you’d be looking a power strip and surge protector at least three times the size to get that level of protection.
FlipIt Portable Power Strip and Surge Protector Features
- Includes 3 surge-protected power outlets and 2 USB ports
- Simultaneously charge a combination of portable devices including the iPhone, iPad, iPod, portable computer, etc.
- AC power plug folds down for convenient easy travel
- Compact dimensions: 2.25 inches in length, by 1.63 inches wide, by 4.25 inches high.
- Surge protector protects your devices up to 612 Joules
- 2 USB Ports rated at 5V / 750 mA each (1.5 Amps Total). Note: an iPad typically likes a 1.0 Amp or more to charge efficiently, but you can charge an iPad from the 750 mA USB port, it will just take a little longer.
- The manufacturer warranties connected electronic devices for up to $30,000 in damages
The FlipIt Portable Power Strip folds up into a nice compact collapsed form for convenient and easy travel. You’ll have room for this compact portable power strip in your luggage, briefcase or travel bag. At last, no worries about running out of power outlets in your hotel room.
Available: ThinkGeek
Price: $19.99









