Category: Gadgets and Tech

We got excited over it when it was announced in Japan, now we have had it confirmed that the Sanyo Xacti CG9 will hit the UK.

This cool retro-styled camcorder will be offered in slightly different colours though – silver, black or pink (as opposed to the initial colour range above). Each will capture video and 9.1-megapixel still images, with the video recording in MPEG4 to SD card, assisted by a 2.5-inch LCD screen and 5x optical zoom. You can also upload your videos from the pocket-sized device straight to sites like YouTube, MySpace and Facebook.

Expect it from mid-April, priced around £200.

Sanyo website

Remember the Bird Electron retro iPod mixer? Well, the company is back with something equally as cool – the retro-styled Ezison 0 portable speaker.

Available in red or white cloth finishes or metallic gold, white or purple, all have leather handles and hook to virtually any audio source – drawing power from that same source (so no batteries). No volume control either – just a ‘high’ or ‘low’ setting.

Sadly, this vintage-styled speaker is only available in Japan right now, where it sellf for the equivalent of around £35 – £38. But like the iPod mixer, it’s likely to be available to order worldwide eventually.

Bird Electron Shop (Japanese)

Via New Launches

We recently got an invite to the official launch of the much-anticipated Colombo Phone from ChauhanStudio. Sadly, it’s in Milan, so we can’t make it. But we did also notice this 70s-style space age TV on the product listing – and very cool it is.

It’s also the work of ChauhanStudio, in association with TV retailer Humax. details are scarce apart from the above picture and that this is a ‘new TV concept for Humax Electronics’. Whether that means it will  go into production is anyone’s guess – we’ll know more in April.

And if it goes on sale…we want one!

ChauhanStudio website

Levi’s stuck the Red Tab on its jeans back in 1936 and now it has done the same with a mobile phone – the Levi’s ultra limited edition Red Tab mobile phone. There’s just 100 available to order – and we know where they are.

They are being sold online via cool Parisian retailer Colette – we’ve just checked the Levi’s mobile site and there’s not even a mention of this model there, so we’re guessing this is retailer specific.

Looks-wise, it has that famous Red Tab on the top, while feature-wise it has an MP3 player, stereo Bluetooth and a two megapixel camera with flash. Extras include a ‘premium’ presentation box, a case for the handset, stereo handsfree kit, a metal chain and if you like, customisation with your name (up to 13 letters).

Not cheap obviously – yours for 549 Euros. But with just 100 available, it’s unlikely to be around for long.

Find out more at the Colette website

Via Switched On Set

It might look like an authentic 80s-style boombox, but look closely and you’ll see that the iPod Boombox replaces the cassette with everyone’s favourite portable player.

Yes, housed within the spring-loaded door is an iPod dock, so you can charge and playback via the controls on the front of the Boombox. It also supports USB drives, SD/MMC cards and features an AM/FM radio with 20 presets, clock/alarm, 12w speakers, equaliser, connectivity to your TV, a remote control and lots more too numerous to list.

All of that retails for $220 (£110) from Urban Outfitters. I’ve not seen it at the UK branch as yet – but might be worth popping in to check.

Find out more at the Urban Outfitters website