Here’s an interesting twist on the boring old web camera. Just like 8 bazillion other web cams this will provide video through an Internet connection. And (yawn) it does so via Wi-Fi. But here’s where things get interesting. This version goes mobile and provides images via 802.11b/g while simultaneously performing 360 degree turns. For a projected cost of only $169 this gizmo’s worth a look. I’m not sure how much or how precisely you can steer - though the literature mentions 360 degree turns.

Spyball can be connected to from many WiFi enabled devices such as PC’s, video game consoles and even cell phones. It comes with a USB cord that takes the user through an easy setup process to configure Spyball for remote access. Spyball is little brother to the self navigating and self recharging Rovio robot.

Spyball has two revolving domes, one per side that act as wheels. The middle section is unmoving and holds the camera. In its closed state, the camera folds down and a balancing wheel tucks into the body. In this state, you can roll the ball along the ground. It has a bottom weight which is used to correct its positioning when it comes to a stop. This orients Spyball into the correct position for the changing to the camera or open state. Once activated electronically the head and balancing wheel pop out to allow you to start driving it again.

WowWee - Spyball - Available Q4 2009 - approximately $169

Observers watching the live coverage of the Macworld keynote on popular web site Macrumors probably noticed the site was hacked for at least the last portion of the keynote coverage 20 minutes during which phony messages such as “STEVE JOBS JUST DIED” were injected in between the site’s commentary of the keynote. I started noticing the hack at about 12:30 pm (various other sites have screen shots showing it happening about 12:25 pm). Then at about 12:40 the site was re-directing visitors to Macrumors regular site before both the Macrumorslive.com and Macrumors.com domains went offline.

Macrumors Live

Macworld keynote is getting underway in about 10 minutes. Head on over to Slashgear to catch all the latest news as they live blog the event. Although it’s widely expected that there will be very few major announcements, Vincent has just pointed out that the Apple store has gone down for maintenance.

Live Macworld Keynote Coverage - SlashGear

Sling Media is making the rounds as Macworld approaches providing demonstrations of their SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone. You may recall that the company originally demonstrated SlingPlayer as a jailbroken application in the days leading up to the launch of the App store. Apparently they’ve fine tuned it enough using the official Apple guidelines that they expect to submit it to Apple so that it is available by March 31, 2009. The pricing is not yet announced but expect a $29.99 cost which is the same as their other mobile clients.

SlingPlayer Mobile is a much improved application that I’ve been using on my BlackBerry Bold with excellent results. Sling have integrated the application with their web site so that your slingboxes and favorite channels are all stored online without need to punch in an insane amount of data on your SlingPlayer mobile.

Sling

Inside ThinkGeek: The Interview from Geeks are Sexy on Vimeo.

Check out this excellent video that spotlights popular gadget geek store - ThinkGeek. These guys always seems to have the coolest in offbeat stuff, like this Bluetooth cassette tape adapter and Baby’s First MP3 Player. Jimmy Rogers of Geeks are Sexy sits down with John Frazier, the man at Think Geek who buys all this stuff. A couple of interesting items come up during the interview. First, I didn’t know that Think Geek has a very interesting corporate parent, as well as a widely read sister site. For more information take a look at the video above or click through the link below.

Geeks Are Sexy - ThinkGeek Exclusive Interview

This little guy will be announced by Nextar at CES later this week.

Picture provided by Nextar

The Nextar Z10 is a LCOS, or Liquid Crystal on Silicon, projector which fits in your pocket.  Nextar also is also introducing a 20 inch screen to go along with it.  The screen is only 640×480, but may be just the thing you need for a small presentation setup.  It will work with your iPod, iPhone, PSP or a DVD player.  It also has a slot for a microSD card and can play MP4 videos directly on the projector.

Continue Reading

Kevin over at JKOnTheRun has a nice video spotlighting a new downloadable software service from Phoenix, called Hyperspace. Essentially what this program does is allow you to significantly speed up the boot process for your computer or netbook.

Continue Reading

Retail outlet Best Buy today announced plans to sell refurbished iPhone 3G devices for a reduced price of $149 for 8GB and $249 for 16GB. These prices require 2 year activation and carry the regular Apple refurbished warranty policy of 1 year. Additional warranty coverage is available via Applecare or Squaretrade. Although Best Buy says’s it isn’t so, this move does appear at least partly to be in response to the recent availability of iPhones at rival Walmart.

Reuters

If you’ve ever stared at a blurry photo after you’ve taken it with a digital camera then you know the importance of a steady hand. Unfortunately in certain conditions such as low light, it’s almost impossible to hold the camera steady enough with just your hand. You can try propping it on any number of things but a mini-tripod is always something you’ll wish you had at hand. ThingFling has a three pack of Philips tabletop tripods for only $5.99 shipped. The tripods feature 5″ legs and flexible feet that bend to create different positions. The tips of the feet are covered with rubber caps that keep them from slipping in most situations.

ThingFling

Will you be buying one?

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

Thanks Julie!