Retractable, wireless or bluetooth – take your pick

Belkin has launched a new line of mice dubbed Comfort designed to stay ergonomic while looking somewhat good (I prefer ergonomics over looks any day when it comes to mice though). The mice will be available in a slew of different colors (Midnight Blue, Pitch Black, Fuchsia, Candy Red, White) and as for connections you get to pick between retractable USB cords, Bluetooth connection or wireless with a USB dongle (running on 2 AAA batteries).

The Comfort line will start shipping at the end of June and expect prices ranging from $19.99 for the retractable cord models to $49.99 for the Bluetooth ones.

Just a few decades ago, the idea of traveling wherever you go with a computer in tow was a foreign one. Two decades ago, you would have gotten strange looks if you described a magazine-sized computer that’s essentially a big, reactive monitor. Perhaps, designer Hiromi Kiriki is on to something similarly prophetic with the Sony Nextep wrist computer. The name of the concept certainly indicates that he thinks so.

While tablets are convenient, who would really lug around a large, stiff brick of a computer when they could enjoy a flexible computer that attaches to the wrist? With flexible OLED technology, Kiriki envisions a super adjustable type of portable computer with a thin, pull-out keyboard and wrist-wrapping design. The design also includes a holographic projector to add a little extra space to the OLED touchscreen when needed. Seeing how OLED technology is advancing, perhaps we’ll see a device like this within the 2020 timeframe that Kiriki designates. I wish this design actually came from Sony (or any manufacturer) because I’d definitely buy one.

Amazon CEO Jeff  Bezos was quoted at a shareholder’s meeting yesterday as stating that a color version of the Amazon Kindle is still a “long way out.” Despite making some early moves that appeared like it was going to try to compete on the iPad’s turf, Amazon looks like it will retain the Kindle’s classic, black-and-white e-ink display for the forseeable future.

Bezos did allude to the fact that there are some color designs in the works, but stated that they’re not ready for introduction yet. Essentially, it sounds like the Kindle will continue to be the colorless e-ink option, while the iPad will be the color option and the Nook will be the hybrid. There are plenty of others two, but those are the heavyweights.

If you’re looking for a color e-reader and don’t want a tablet or an indefinite wait, check out the new Pandigital Novel, a bargain option that retails for just $200.

Classic from 1959 gone digital, looks even better

Oh man, I remember buying a Panasonic DMC-LX2 just for the old-school look of it, but Olympus PEN E-P1 gives me an even stronger crave. Olympus launched the original half-frame film PEN in 1959 and now this light-weight little device with interchangeable lens is available in a modern, digital form.

Besides the striking looks you get 12.3 megapixels, TruePic V image processing engine to provide high quality stills (equivalent to traditional SLR’s according to Olympus, but you know), 3 inch display, level gauge to help you shoot straight horizons, HDMI output, stereo audio recording and the possibility to record 720p HD movies. Software-wise you get face detection, automatic shadow adjustment and manual focus assistance.

The PEN will start selling in July 2009, no word on pricing though.

Now shipping to the U.S. and Canada as well

Edifier iF500 Luna is a 5-driver iPod/iPhone speaker system with a quite unorthodox design that has been available in Europe for a while now will make its way over the big pond to the U.S. and Canada any day now. Besides the iPod integration you get aux in for other audio players as well as digital FM radio. The speaker power output is 10W x 2 + 32W (subwoofer).

Edifier: Luna iF500 Product Page
Amazon.com: Edifier iF500 Luna ($299.00)