Having been quite happy with the Nokia e61i in our organisation it was with a little trepidation that we approached its new sibling, the Nokia E71. We use these devices in our organization primarily for their email messaging abilities (using Mail for Exchange) though we are starting to see more interest in the application of mobile broadband technology.

From the brief information we received about the Nokia E71 from our supplier it seemed a small step up with some added refinements, so we pressed ahead, but when it arrived it turned out to be a little different from our expectations.

I have to say, to hold this phone, it is quite beautiful and feels really comfortable in the hand. It is physically smaller than the e61i and as a result the screen size has had to shrink to 2.4 inches from 2.8 inches which I really am in two minds about (as our preference is for emailing). In comparison, it is physically larger than the more commercial Nokia N95 but heavier and more substantial.

The display interface feels quite different from the e61i though it does feel a little more responsive (the problem with the e61i was at times it could feel a little sluggish). You can read more about our first impressions of the Nokia E71 here: Getting hands on with the Nokia E71: First impressions

This is a totally automated self-cleaning cat litter box. What it does is washes, sanitizes and dries the litter automatically, and leaves you with a germ-free, odor-free litter box. The Cat Genie is AC-powered.

You really need to watch the video to see it in action. Before you start thinking it’s too expensive, just ask yourself how much you pay for litter and what your time is worth. Your kitties are gonna be really happy to have clean litter all the time too!

Gimme!

Price: $257.02
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

Yes, that’s right – a 64GB USB 2.0 thumb drive. I’m not sure what else to say, except perhaps to wonder when the 128GB drive is coming!

Ok, ok, so you get a few bonuses with this $190 flash drive – the JetFlash software pack that includes:

• PC-Lock – use as a hardware lock on your computer
• Secret-Zip – password protect files
• E-mail – securely send, receive and save e-mails.
• Autologin – automatically login to your password-protected websites
• DataBackup – backup your PC data using JetFlash

Gimme!

Price: $189.99
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

In another pro-environmental move by Dell, and they’ve already started, but all Dell laptop displays will switch to LED (light-emitting diodes) backlights by 2010.

This will eliminate mercury in the displays, and will reduce energy usage in the laptops by as much as 40+%. In a double-benefit, LED displays also extend battery life; it could be as much as double in some cases.

But wait, there’s more – the laptops will get thinner because LED panels are thinner.

Sweet!

I had no idea that my goldfish were this smart. They actually have a memory of at least 3 months and can be trained. Yup, trained.

Enter the R2 Fish Training School Kit. For just 40 bucks, you can be training that $5 fish of yours to get this… go through tubes, weave, fetch, play soccer and more.

Just watch the video:

Amazing, eh? And I thought I could only condition my koi to come to the right spot in the pond for food.

Buy Now!
Price: $29.99
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

This nice, compact device gives you multiple (3) surge-protected power outlets plus the ever needed USB power outlets (2). The Belkin mini surge protector is inexpensive and travels well. It rotates 360° with four lockable positions to fit any outlet.

The surge protector is good to 918 Joules with a max spike current of 36,000A. Not too shabby.

Gimme!

Price: $19.99
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

Woot! Another alarm clock to add to our collection. This one appeals to the kid in us all. When the ‘alarm’ goes off, this clock pounds its fists and opens its mouth to wake your sleeping *#$ up right away.

It starts off timidly, but if you don’t get to the snooze button quickly enough, then the ‘tantrum’ gets into full swing. Love it.

[via Coolest Gadgets]

Gimme!

Price: $49.95
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

The Google G1 phone is now available for pre-order on the T-Mobile network for $179.99. You may be able to get your hands on one as early as Oct 22.

So what can you expect in the HTC handset running Android, the Google-sponsored mobile OS? For starters, a touch screen, a slide-out screen that reveals a full QWERTY keyboard, a screen that displays in both landscape and portrait modes, a 3 Megapixel camera,  3G network and Wi-Fi access.

The G1 will come with a number of apps built-in, yes, all centered around Google applications, such as Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Calendar, Google Talk. It will also thankfully have an IM application that is multi-platform.

Google has also already announced the Android Market which is analogous  to the iPhone Store, where you can download and/or buy apps for your Android-based phone.

It remains to be seen how successful Google will be with their handsets in terms of open sourcing the whole Android platform. My suspicion is yes they will, and I won’t be surprised if Apple ends up doing something similar with the iPhone OS within a year. After all, if both Google and Nokia/Symbian are running open source systems and have significant market share because of it, well… you can figure out the rest.

If you loved Rock Band, then you’ll love the follow-up, Rock Band 2. A whole slew of new songs awaits plus some cool new features, including: an online World Tour mode, set challenges, and the very compelling ability to compete against other real Rock Band bands who are hooked up to the Interwebs. Oh yes, for you drum enthusiasts who really want to learn to play drums, there’s a tool to help you do just that!

What I really like about this is the track selection: my top 5 favs: Alice in Chains – “Man in the Box”, Metallica – “Battery”, Kansas – “Carry On Wayward Son”, Pearl Jam – “Alive” and Rush – “The Trees”. Ah, who am I kidding? There’s easily another dozen that I’d love to play. Full track list here.

Of course, the songs from Rock Band and the ones you downloaded are fully compatible with this version.

Gimme!
for Xbox 360 | for Playstation 3 | for Wii | Game + Instruments for Xbox 360 ($189.99) | Game + Instruments for Playstation 3 ($189.99) | Game + Instruments for Wii ($189.99)

Price: $59.99 ($189.99 for bundle)
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

Common sense says that leaving the job that you currently have in a severe economic downturn, such as the one we’re experiencing in the US, is a bad idea. Well it turns out that IT/tech jobs aren’t as badly hit as in other industries.

If you’re like me, and are tired of your Office Space/Dilbert existence in the still misunderstood IT world, then it may definitely not be a good time to be thinking about switching careers.

In case you’re not a ‘computer guy/gal’, and are wondering why such a person would not love their gig, take a look at the top 10 reasons not to be the computer guy.