The DVD to iPad converter rips the audio and video files from the CD to the iPad. It can convert MP4, MPEG-4, H.264 videos and MP3, AAC and M4A audios. When extracting the files from DVD to iPad, the file are ripped at the best resolution so that the you, the viewer, enjoys the same listening and watching pleasure you would get from watching the film on a DVD player.

This program has amazing editing features. If you want to watch the first half of the movie, you can split the DVD movie and convert the video segment into the iPad. In addition, you can capture movie stills, preview other DVD movies, and even customize conversion parameters so that that movie being converted doesn’t take up too much memory space. The actual converting of files from DVD to iPad can cover up multiple files in the movie at one time. In other words, you don’t have to worry about transferring each file from the DVD one at a time. The program allows you to do the transfers per batch.

There’s been a lot of hype about the latest sensory fabrics to hit the market (see previous post on the couples-therapy sofa), and the latest thing of a more practical nature is Eleksen’s wireless fabric keyboard. Finally released through certified retail outlets and directly to lager companies such as those using mobile solutions with Smartphone platforms in the UK, the product is designed around the company’s ElekTex smart fabric touchpad technology. Light as a feather (just 65 grams) and designed with the term “compact” in mind, the keyboard is extremely portable, and easily rolls up to a nifty size to squeeze in to the smallest bags or pockets. Unlike traditional keyboards which have the annoying problem of gathering dust, coffee spills and biscuit crumbs from the average working day, Eleksen’s ElekTex smart fabric enables this clever device to offer easy clean-up and virtually water-damage resistant (spills are ok, but don’t take it swimming with you) through its absence of mechanical parts and fabulous wipe-clean capabilities. Once you roll out one of these babies, it magically becomes the size of most laptop keyboards, which makes it perfect for mobile devices and on-the-road work. The only hitch is its price and availability – around $73 – and you’ll have to get it through a certified reseller or one of the bigger companies.

While such is a given, there are people who can give their two cents worth of opinions and stored knowledge as well. This all stems from these individuals who have put emphasis on certain areas of interest that include electronics, travel and history. Not all people are expected to invest such effort and time since every individual would want to cater to a lot of things with nothing particular to specialize in.

Ideally, such knowledge from people which are tagged geeks at some time would go as far as holding technical information such as content, components and workflow processes. Such areas are not given much attention in the normal phase of life. But such are investments to which one day; such stored and solicited knowledge shall be of big use towards other people and big entities who seek better knowledge as well.

Software applications have little bearing on the burning output of a compiled project. Nero and Roxio, two of the better known burning software today, contains such features of CD burning. People would rely largely on the default setting, the default of which is the maximum writing speed of a DVD/ CD writer drive. The usual speeds offer 12X, 32X, 54X and 72X among others.

Compatibility once the project has been successfully compiled will always be the next area for consideration. A burned CD that fails to play would usually be over-burned or be linked to compatibility issues with the independent player being used. Ideally, the default speed for conservative burning is 12X or the maximum speed of the drive is capable of.

-Illegal
-Unethical
-Embarrassing

That narrows it down, doesn’t it?

There is one thing that gadget hoarders like you and I can do, though: sell old toys! It’s not a novel idea but I am in serious cash trouble so I am willing to part with some stuff that I have gathered. If you’re thinking of the same thing, take a look at these web sites to get you started.

BuyMyTronics buys used gadgets such as mp3 players, iPods, Apple Desktops, gaming consoles, and mobile phones. It looks like a great site since you can immediately get a quote and they even buy broken stuff! Even if I will not get much for my old (and broken) PS3, it’s better than having a dead black box collecting dust.

Another site that looks like it has potential is Gazelle. From what I have seen so far, it has a wider range of acceptable electronics. Just like BuyMyTronics, you can get an immediate quote.

Here’s the deal though: I tried getting a quote for that PS3 of mine. BuyMyTronics gave me $65 while this is what I got from Gazelle: “Darn, this item has no cash value. We’ll be glad to recycle it responsibly.”

But what if you had portability with a full sized keyboard?  That’s what the guys at ThinkGeek have come up with – a full sized keyboard that can be rolled up so you can take it with you anywhere you go!  Netbook users who miss the ease of a full size keyboard can simply roll this baby up, put it in their bags, and then unroll it anytime!  Gamers who are on the road a lot will also welcome this roll up keyboard as it will make their packs lighter.

This is nothing new, truth be told.  We’ve seen and heard of keyboards like this one before, but according to user reviews, this roll up keyboard has amazing performance.  While it may take some getting used to, the keys are quite responsive – thanks to the number of sensors built in.  Even better, this keyboard is moisture proof and dust proof as well!  The keyboard connects through the USB or PS2  port.

Get out $23.99 and order from ThinkGeek.

Flip Plus Waterproof Case
There are waterproof cases for most any kind of gadget these days. But if you want to take videos and stills without worrying about ruining your camera, I suggest that you get a Flip. It has been around for quite some time and it is quite cheap. Then get a waterproof case for it and you’re all set!

Atlantic Ego Ice Waterproof iPod Dock
What’s a beach party without music? Of course, you wouldn’t want your iPod to get ruined because of the water. With this waterproof iPod dock, you can play music even if you’re in the middle of the pool. You can use this dock with any kind of iPod, and it uses simple AA batteries!

Panasonic Toughbook
Okay, this one may not be as easy to get as the first two. It is the toughest laptop out there, no doubt about it, but it will also set you back almost $2000, even more. Still, if you have the cash to spare, this is the laptop to bring to the beach – or practically anywhere!

Any other gadgets you’d like to bring with you?

I am a self confessed Apple fan – if I had enough money, I would probably buy everything made by Apple that I could get my hands on. Fortunately for me, I do not have that much money to spare and I have to line up my priorities as to what to purchase. Next on my list is the Apple iPhone, which I think is on many people’s lists anyway. I was due to get the newest version in a month or so. Take note of the tense of my verb – WAS.

Now I am not so sure if I am going to get the iPhone. The reason behind my having second thoughts? I read about the newest baby coming from Palm. Dubbed the Pre, this PDA is believed to be the most significant release after the iPhone AND going one step further, it might even be a better thing than the iPhone. Is that possible though?

Take a look at some of its features that just might change my – and your – mind.

- Keep multiple applications open and move easily between them—email, maps, photos, websites, whatever. Pre thinks of your applications as “activity cards”, and lets you flip through them, move them around, or throw them off screen.

- Thanks to Synergy, all your conversations with the same person are grouped together in one chat-style view. (Even if it started in IM, for example, and you want to reply with text.) You can also see who’s online right from contacts, and start a new conversation with just one touch.

- Check email from Outlook® or personal accounts like Gmail, AOL, and Yahoo!. Take advantage of Wi-Fi hotspots. And look up directions or nearby points of interest using GPS. It’s everything you need, everywhere you go.

Oh and have you heard of its wireless charging feature using the Touchstone charging dock? This is one serious contender for THE most wanted handset. Visit Palm’s web site to get notifications about the Pre, which is yet to come.

(photo by Engadget)

HP announced a new netbook to join the array currently out in the market. While most of what’s already out is basically of the same power/features, HP has gone the Atom route ((1.6GHz N270). It offers 512MB, 1GB and 2GB RAM configuration variants, the Window XP model will be up to 1GB only though.

For storage, it can handle 60GB of regular HD at 4200RPM, or the 8GB/16GB solid state drives. Engadget says that if you go the SSD route, you can have more room for a plug-in flash drive in 2, 4 & 8GB options. HP calls it “HP Mini Mobile Drive,” which is a regular USB drive that inserts all the way into a special slot for added integration. Other features include an SD slot, VGA webcam, 802.11b/g, optional Bluetooth, Ethernet and dual USB plugs. Your choice of operating systems would be XP, Ubuntu linux, MIE. The XP version will sell for about US$399.

The design, as you see above, is a sleek black finish. It kinda reminds me of my old Compaq laptop though. The keys are a little bigger than the usual netbooks. I like how HP has placed the power buttons, wifi and what appears to be volume control up front. Nothing beats easy/visible access to those important buttons!