Square mice and smartphones as projectors: New technology products

Jan 29, 2012, 3:06 GMT

Logitech Cube unites mouse and presenter in one device

Berlin (dpa) - Logitech plans on bringing the Cube onto the market this month with the square box uniting the laptop mouse and the controlling device for presentations. It is small enough to fit any hand and when used as a mouse the touch-sensitive surface replaces the scroll wheel. Picking up the device turns it from mouse to presenter, with a click on the surface bringing up the next slide while it goes back by turning the cube. The connection to the computer is through a small unifying receiver which can communicate with up to six other Logitech devices at the same time. The Cube will cost about 70 euros (90 dollars).

RaumfeldOne streams music via WiFi

Berlin (dpa) - The company RaumfeldOne has developed a new stereo speaker to stream music as the device not only accesses your own music collection via WiFi connection but also online radio and services such as Napster and Simfy. The built-in power amplifier outputs 100 watt from the speakers with a 130 millimetre Downfire woofer available. The speaker can be operated by a free iPhone app. The RaumfeldOne is available now in specialist shops for about 450 euros.

Plug-in projector for iPhone 4

Berlin (dpa) - Trekstor's i.Gear lumio transforms newer iPhones into a mini-projector. The 127-millimetre-long device works with Apple's 4 and 4S smartphones. A hard shell attaches to the iPhone and can be powered by electricity. The projector displays pictures with a maximum diagonal of 130 centimetres at a resolution of 640 by 360 pixels. The three LEDs provide a brightness of up to 15 ANSI lumens and the i.gear lumio has a speaker for videos. The mini projector costs 200 euros and is now available.

Digital satellite receiver with network access

Berlin (dpa) - The new TechniBox S1 from Technisat can receive digital satellite television DVB-S as well as data from the home network. The built-in Ethernet connection allows the receiver to pick up videos and music via DLNA standard. A USB connection and a CI Plus module for encrypted TV signals is also included. Parents looking for parental control can set up various user accounts with differing access to television stations. The TechniBox is available now for 150 euro.

Motorola Xoom's successor is lighter and quicker

Berlin (dpa) - Motorola has announced a follow-up model for its Xoom tablet. The Xoom 2 will come with a 10.1 inch glass display though the manufacturer is also coming out with a more manageable version at 8.2 inches called the Media Edition. Both tablets will have a 1.2 GHz dual core processor and run the Android 3.2 operating system while providing WiFi, UMTS, 1 GB RAM and a 5 megapixel camera which can record HD videos. The pre-installed software MotoCast allows for the tablet to have continual access to files saved on a PC.

Manufacturers say the Xoom 2 is furnished with a water- and dirt-resistant coating. The device weighs 599 grams or about 130 grams lighter than its predecessor while the Xoom 2 Media Edition weighs 386 grams and is especially designed for multi-media use with stereo speakers and a subwoofer. Motorola claims the battery has a life of six hours during surfing and more than three days if only music is being played. The Xoom 2 is supposed to last about 10 hours during surfing.