AOC’s Aire Pro LED monitor provides a good entry point to screens that are nice to look at whether they are powered on or off. The extremely thin screen (less than ten millimeters thick) is quickly noticed for taking up only a small amount of depth while still offering a picture that is clear and comfortable. The 23” display keeps pace with larger, more expensive monitors, outputting a bright, clear, high-resolution picture that won’t set you back more than a couple hundred dollars.

With 2 HDMI ports, a VGA out, a 3.5 mm jack for audio, and just five buttons located on the monitor’s base, the Aire Pro’s angle is clearly minimalism, and it pulls that off very well. The lighting is subtle, the monitor is light-weight, easily transportable and a snap to reposition to fit your needs on your own desk surface. One aspect where I think this design betrays the overall aim of the monitor is that because all of the power, volume, and menu buttons are located on the monitor’s base, which is a silvery near-circle about six inches in diameter and an inch thick, the monitor can’t detach from the base. You have to have enough room for the base and mounting the screen is not an option whatsoever.

Other than that, the AOC Aire Pro LED performs as sharply as it looks. With a 50,000,000:1 contrast ratio, native 1920×1080 widescreen resolution, and backlit screen, one of the biggest perks about this monitor is how sharp it looks from all but the most extreme viewing angles. I was able to move all about my room and the picture quality stayed consistent no matter where I went, making this an ideal display for presentations or family or party viewing. Even when dealing with careful timing during precise gaming, the 5 ms refresh rate didn’t leave me disappointed – a sticking point I have whenever I’m looking into displays.

I was disappointed but not surprised by the quality of the monitor’s on-board speakers, in that they leave a great deal to be desired. Without hooking up any additional equipment, the sound is fuzzy, with highs too high and almost no bass to speak of. The second HDMI port can be put to use with high-end sound systems, but anything else is going to have to sacrifice at least a little audio quality using the 3.5 mm jack instead.

One of the features advertised on the box that may give some consumers, particularly gamers, cause for alarm is that the Aire Pro LED uses in-plane switching. However, the Aire Pro has no ghosting issues, almost no motion blur whatsoever, and really I can’t say anything bad about its use for any application you might put it to. Purists may protest, and sure there is room for improvement in the overall display, but for the price and the size, it’s pretty hard to argue against this display.

Editor’s Rating

4 out of 5 stars

Great

Bottom Line: The AOC Aire Pro LED is competitively priced for somebody looking for a quality display that’s not too big or too flashy. As such, it’s not really going to compare to larger, high-end monitors, and it’s easy to see where the extra cost goes sometimes. Still, this is a great monitor for your average desktop user, and I found it very handy to carry around and set up at parties or gatherings for gaming thanks to its slim build and low weight. The Aire Pro isn’t perfect, but finds a comfortable balance between affordability, portability, and usability.

Pros:

• Backlit LED makes the picture pop out and look sharp regardless of most viewing angles
• Ultra slim design fits nicely onto desks or dressers without taking up a good deal of space
• 2 HDMI ports make this unit good as a multimedia center for both computers and personal media devices

Cons:

• Since controls are attached to base, mounting the screen is not an option
• Onboard speakers are tinny and aren’t really worth the addition
• HDMI ports and 3.5 mm jacks only exclude any optical-based audio solutions

The AOC Aire Pro 23” LED Monitor is available from Amazon for $197.57.

When shopping for a new HDTV, you may wonder which should you get, LCD or Plasma? It’s really a good question and is often subject to almost a religious debate amoungst videophiles. But the reality of it is, that it largely depends on where the TV is going to go. Here’s breakdown of the differences between LCD and Plasma and what you should get for your home.

Resolution:

When it comes to how sharp either HDTV is, it’s pretty much a wash. Both come in 1080p models so the resolution is about the same, depending on what model you get. Additionally, both come in 120hz versions (meaning 120 frames go by per second) and LCDs actually go up to 240 and even 480 in some high end models. The down side here is that you end up with the “soap opera” effect of a plastic like look with a higher resolution TV – especially when most broadcast programs are sent at 60hz.

Color and Contrast:

Here’s where plasma can really shine. Plasmas offer richer, bolder colors – especially with blacks, which look really dark and make scenes that are in shadow highly detailed. LCDs that have back lit LEDs and local dimming are closing the gap here, but plasma still has the edge, especially with conventional LCDs that use edge-lit LEDs or florescent light, which can make for a pretty contrasty display.

Off angle viewing

Plasma offers a nice bright and vibrant picture from any angle that is off axis, while some viewing LCDs off axis (especially 3D) may find a slightly dimmer picture.

Reflectivity

This where room location is key. Plasmas have highly reflective surfaces and as such, are generally better in home theater rooms that have either no windows or where the room can be completely darkened. If you have a living room or den with bright, ambient light, then and LCD is your best bet since most models opt for a matte finish display.

Power consumption

LCDs have the lead here, especially LEDs which are very stingy when it comes to power. Plasma, by contrast, are power hogs and will definitely put a dent in your monthly electric bill. As time goes on, though, plasma manufacturers are working to improve power consumption levels – they have to since states like California have mandated it by law. But in the short run, LCDs use far less electricty than their plasma cousins.

Life Span

Both LCDs and Plasma are generally rated at 60,000 hours, or about 20 years if used 8 hours per day. But some plasmas, have been experiencing a phenomenon where after only a few thousand hours the screen amps up the brightness of black levels which could cut the lifespan short. Panasonic has acknowledged the issue and is working to solve the problem with a potential firmware fix. Plasmas also need a break in time of about 100 hours where only full screen viewing should be done, and in movie or cinema modes. This prevents the plasmas phosphors from being overly stimulated by the dynamic brightness settings which could impact it’s lifespan. And widescreen or letterboxed programming need to be avoided in those first 100 hours to avoid prematurely affecting the phosphors with black stripes as well. Digital Video Essentials (not the Blu-ray) has a great pattern that’s a solid, full white field of noise which will exercise all the pixel phosphors the same. Also, there’s a Plasma TV Logo Removing DVD, available in NTSC or PAL format. You can get it at beginwithsoftware.com. It puts colored noise on screen.

What about burn-in complaints on plasma? That was a problem with early models which would have those station logos (called bugs) burned into the corners since they are always on. But plasma makers have virtually eliminated that issue although it could manifest itself if the TV is on 24/7.

3D

You can find 3D capable HDTVs in both Plasma and LCD. In fact, many experts – including Walt Mossberg and Scott Wilkinson, are of the mind that 3D TVs are the best 2D TVs on the market. And as time goes on, 3D is going to become just another available feature. The real question is, active or passive. And generally, passive is far cheaper than active. And if you like to entertain, using passive 3D glasses will impact your wallet far easier than active – where you must have the same glasses for each person viewing.

Price

Because LCDs are more popular and available, they tend to be less expensive than plasma TVs. Additionally, only two or three manufacturers (namely Panasonic and Samsung) actually still make Plasma.

Conclusion

So whether you are looking to get an LCD or Plasma TV, the important thing is to start with where you’re going to put it. If it’s near a bright light source like a window or sliding back door, then LCDs are probably your best bet. If in a darkened room like a den or basement, then plasmas definitely provide a leg up.

Portal nerd alert!  Say hello the “consumer version of the Aperture Science Turret.”  Okay, so it’s anything but what is in the video game (sans machine guns), but Portal fans will still take enjoyment in this miniature, replica Turret.

It includes a bright LED light and real turret sound effects from the Portal and Portal 2 games.  To activate it, just squeeze the body and the Portal Turret will light the way. Though at 3.5-inches tall don’t expect it to light up more than the undercarriage of your couch and keep in mind the LED glows red, which as it happens won’t ruin your night vision, but won’t exactly help you spot that loose change you so desperately are seeking for laundry night.

Thinkgeek sells it for $24.99.

Back to the Future 2 was full of empty promises.  And by that we mean the Hover Board, which we hoped would some day actually get released by Matel. Instead it turns out that it was simply movie magic at its best.  However, Marty McFly did make good and release a pair of those futuristic Nike Mag sneakers, though they fell short in terms of expectation since they weren’t self lacing.  So the only way we see fit to satiate our need for all things futuristic is to buy one of these magnetic floating lamps.

The name leaves something to be desired, Light-light, but the tech is giving us a rather large bulge in our pants.  While it looks like a normal light, the top, or tip of the lamps are completely wireless, light up and float freely above the base unit thanks to a set of magnets and the egineering genius of one Ger Jansen and a company called Crealev.  They’re available available in two models, Silhouette and Eclipse, and incorporate LEDs, which are not only energy efficient but dimable to your mood

The Light-light was designed by Angela Jansen, a Design Academy Eindhoven graduate, and are available for $1,300 each.

Laptops by design boast limited screen real estate.  Fine if you’re updating a spreadsheet or tacking a word doc, but not if you’re trying to accomplish design work in Photoshop.  Sure, you could just stay home and sit in front of your dual 30-inch LED monitors, but what fun is that when you can head off to the local coffee shop with AOC’s latest 16-inch portable LED monitor.

The e1649fwu requires no external power source as it draws its power from your computer’s USB plug, which also delivers the video feed.  The built-in stand rotates to accommodate portrait or landscape mode. The screen itself features a 1366×768 resolution, 50,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 5ms response time and 250 cd/m2 of brightness.  Not too shabby for a portable monitor that doesn’t run directly off the grid.

However, it does weigh a tad over 2.1lbs and measures 1.4-inches thick, so it will be like carrying around another ultra light laptop, which is perfectly fair considering all 17-inch laptops weigh nearly twice the total weight of both those devices combined.

AOC says that the e1649fwu 16-inch USB monitor will be available at major retailers this October for $139.  You can probably expect Newegg or Amazon to sell it for a tad less.

AOC Unveils 16-inch Portable USB Monitor, The Must-Have Laptop Accessory

Fremont, Calif. – September 20, 2011– AOC, the worldwide leader in monitor display technology, announces the sleek and portable USB Monitor, the ultimate laptop accessory. The lightweight monitor features a convenient built-in USB port that receives both power and signal via a single USB cable for plug-and-play connection.

The monitor does not require a power cord or VGA cable, and is ideal for dual- and multi-monitor setups. Along with functioning as an extended display, the accessory can also be used for on-the-go presentations. The AOC USB Monitor will be available at major retail chains nationwide in October 2011. The 16-inch model (e1649fwu) will have an MSRP of $139. “The USB Monitor showcases AOC’s dedication to expanding its display offerings and using the latest technologies to come out with innovative and user friendly products,” said Robert Velez, Marketing Manager of AOC. “The USB Monitor is ideal for business presentations, photo frame applications, multiple monitor displays and as a companion monitor for laptop and netbook users who want more out of their computer.”

With the launch of the USB Monitor, AOC continues its commitment to providing the latest in digital display technologies and innovative styling. The 16-inch e1649fwu model also offers impressive image quality with 50,000,00:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, 5ms response time and 1366 x 786 resolution. A handy built-in Smart Stand pivots out when needed and stores flush against the back of the monitor when not in use. The foldable stand supports both portrait and landscape display.

Because the monitor does not require a power cord or VGA cable, it permits maximum portability while still allowing the display of multiple applications like instant messenger, movie player, gaming and digital picture frame apps. The e1649fwu has a clean and modern aesthetic that is complemented by a black piano-polish finish on the bezel, while a hard glass screen offers superior protection.

One laptop can support multiple USB Monitor connections to create a multi-monitor setup. The USB Monitor is also compatible with desktop PCs. Every AOC monitor is manufactured to meet the most stringent green standards. Along with being mercury free, the packaging for the eco-friendly USB Monitor is made from recycled materials. In addition, AOC’s industry-leading LED display technology allows for a powerful and crystal clear display while minimizing power consumption.

• Panel Type: LED
• Widescreen 16:09
• Screen Size: 15.6″w
• Viewable Image Size: 395 mm
• Brightness (typical): 250cd
• Contrast ratio (typical): 50,000,000:1
• Response Time: 5ms
• Max. Resolution: 1366×768 @60Hz
• Input Signal: 1 USB
• HDCP Compatible: No
• Special Features: USB Powered

About AOC
AOC is the world’s largest manufacturer of LCD/LED monitors and HDTVs. With more than 60 years of design and manufacturing experience, AOC has earned a reputation for selling user-friendly, technologically advanced monitors, TVs and multi-functional displays. Every aspect of AOC’s global business focuses on the development of products that fit seamlessly into consumers’ digital lifestyle. For more information, please visit us.aoc.com.

One look at the Light Pick and you’d think it’s a one trick pony. But not true.  This handy guitar tool not only adds a cool effect that will surely wow any audience, but boasts some tech that makes it a worthy $25 investment.

While we can’t comment on the viability of the “string shock technology (SST),” that’s exactly what the company, SCLW, says is inside the Light Pick.  It supposedly absorbs vibration, thus increasing the player’s stroke.  Though, we couldn’t help but notice that they used “arm” in reference to this, and last we checked guitar playing was in the wrist.

$25 if a fair bit of cash for a guitar pick, so they’ve made sure that the tip, which receives the brunt of the abuse, is replaceable.  We can only assume that the Light Pick uses LEDs, and while the batteries are user replaceable, these are not.  Sort of a moot point, since you’ll probably lose it before they burn out.

Tapping the Light Pick turns it on.  Lay it down, untouched for 16 seconds, and it will automatically power down.

This version of the Light Pick has only one setting, which is 600 beats/minute.  In addition to blue, there is also a yellow and a green version.

Since the Light Pick is contoured to match the player’s thumb and index finger, which adds comfort for extended playing, you’ll need to select a version to match your playing hand; left or right.

The LED Door Handle might only be a concept, but it’s just so damn brilliant we can’t see why it wouldn’t go into production.  But before we get into the details, lets consider the following scenario.

Your power goes out.  The room is pitch black and you can’t see more than an inch in front of your face.  You know you’ve got a flash light stored in the junk drawer, but navigating your way to it and not stabbing yourself in the hand with a rusty nail is slim at best.  Ask most people and they’ll probably have no problem finding their way to a door since they can depend on the walls to guide them, not to mention it’s a much larger object than a puny, under powered flashlight.  And that’s why the LED Door Handle makes that much sense.

But that’s not the only reason we’re all giddy about this concept.  A built-in light sensor can detect when to turn on the night light (the ring around the handle) and detaching the handle from the base converts it automatically into an LED flashlight.  But wait, it gets better.  The very action of opening and closing the door -turning the handle – charges the the integrated battery, though we’re a bit skeptical to how effective it could be.  Nonetheless, this is a sick idea that needs to come to fruition and adding it to any home will look rad as all get up.

The LEDoorHandle is a 2011 Spark Awards Winner.  It’s designed by Kun-hee Kim, Kei Shimizu & Nguyen-vu Dang.

It doesn’t get any basic than interior lighting as far as home furnishing items are concerned. Sure, you can use any old lamp to light up your place, but for those who want something a bit more unique and stylish, here are some interesting lighting choices that will not only light up your home…but light it up with a bit of flair!

Hyphae Lamp by Nervous System

The Hyphae Lamp might look like some a piece of futuristic alien debris, but it’s actually a series of organic lamps inspired by how veins form in leaves. Created by Nervous System, the lamps are lit by an eco-friendly 3-Watt 200 lumen LED light (with three bright Cree LED’s that will last for 6 years of continuous use) and allow for some very dramatic (not to mention cool) branching shadows within the space you place it in. No show lamps in the series are ever alike, given the lamps are made using a simulation that uses physical growth principles to build sculptural, organic structures. In essence, lighting your place with one of these Hyphae Lamps will provide beautiful lighting and be the talking piece for all your guests.

Joker Lamp by Volker Haug

While it may sound as if it’s something out of a Batman movie, the Joker Lamp by designer Voker Haug is actually a second-hand chandelier that gets a very interesting makeover. Haug actually created a custom-tailored zip-up leather “jacket” for chandelier out of recycled leather and fitted it accordingly. The result is a unique piece that will add character to any room.

Dom Lamp by Domo

Created by Barcelona-based Domo, the Dom Lamp is a very sleek and modern lamp that’s comprised of a geometric design made up of triangular sections. The entire lamp is made out of aluminum triangular shapes all pieced together, creating a very rugged and functional appearance. There are two sizes to choose from: Dom and Small Dom.

Say hello to HP’s Elite L2201x, an ultra thin 21.5-inch LED backlit monitor.  Okay, so it actually measures .4-inches thick, but that ain’t nothing to snub your nose at.  It provides a full HD picture (1920×1080), 5000:1 contrast ratio, 16ms response time, 250 cd/m2 brightness and one displayport for connectivity.  

You’ll be able to scoop one up this June for $250.

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It will be sometime before the extra widescreen format becomes a standard, but if you can’t hold out for the tech to go mainstream then you be glad to hear that Philips has announced their Philips Cinema 21:9 Gold.

It’s not the first 21:9 TV that we’ve seen from Philips, however this one boasts 3D capabilities, or something Philips is calling Easy 3D.  The set measures 50-inches diagonally, is LED backlit, can connect to the Net and has a 100hz refresh rate.  

But that’s all run of the mill stuff, especially when you consider that it can also display two different images to each viewer negating the need for split screen video game mulitplayer.  Course, you’ll need to be wearing the 3D glasses to take advantage of this feature.  If you remember we saw comparable tech in Hyundai and Mercede’s GPS car nav system a few years ago.

As of now there is no word on a price or release date.

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3 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Multiple light options, including red LEDs for night vision
• Converts from headlamp to lantern in minutes
• 2 AA batteries = 72 hours

Cons:

• A bit cheap feeling, especially the lantern portion
• No padding on battery compartment

Joby’s Gorilla Switchback isn’t exactly what anyone would call a must have product. Sure, it boasts utilitarian value, but unless you’re a camper who is tight on backspace and is into novel gadgets, you’re probably gonna pass on this one.

As with all of Joby’s flashlight products before the Switchback, it too uses Joby’s bendy legs and universal tripod mount, which is included in the box for those looking to add this tripod to their line of camera accessories.

The Switchback takes two AA batteries (included in the box) and literally straps around your head. The portion that holds the batteries, which sits at the back of the skull, is devoid of padding. So I can only imagine that it could become a bit uncomfortable after long term use, although after 15 minutes of wearing it I didn’t find the case to be such.

The front portion of the device, the headlamp, contains three different LED lights: a 130-lumen Bright CREE LED spotlight, 2 white led flood lights and 2 red LED flood lights – the last are intended to provide light without impairing night vision.  Controls on the battery pack allow you to cycle through the different light choices as well as vary the intensity of the main lamp.

What makes this device unique is the included lantern portion, which effectively acts like a lamp shade. You simply stuff the head lamp and all its contents into the plastic casing, snap the base into place – it took me a few minutes to get it to all fit – and attach the tripod legs. Then with a slight tug you expand the casing to the reveal the translucent portion of the casing (the lamp shade) and walla, soft light spills out over a wide area.

My first attempt at installing the lantern took me about 5 minutes, since it took a few tries to get all the wires neatly in place and the base locked in. I also managed to rip the top portion of the lantern from the base since it didn’t smoothly slide open – no breakage, though.

Joby says you’ll get 72 hours of use from two AA batteries, though that time will probably vary since you can increase the brightness of the main lamp. The design, while a bit cheap, is light weight, water resistant (IPX4) and does provide enough light for the two campers sharing a tent and is plenty bright for night time exploration.  It just doesn’t exude the same confidence and build quality as the Joby Blade.

You can buy the Joby Gorilla Switchback at Amazon for $59.95.

Active Shutter 3D televisions can get very expensive, and it certainly holds true for the 65 inch Theater 3D Razor XVT3D650SV LED, which also happens to be VIZIO’s biggest screen. But the new Theater 3D technology allows for the use of polarized glasses, similar to those found in movie theaters for 3D projections, and teamed up with the 3D razor they accomplish the same effect as more expensive electronic glasses.

In fact, VIZIO’s press release claims that their Theater 3D technology gives brighter and flicker free images, and not prone to dimming, the way Active Shutter TVs are. The simpler display technology also means no need for recharging the glasses – of which four will come bundled with the set, and VIZIO is planning on offering others in multiple styles.

VIZIO also included their range of Internet Apps, and SRS TruSurround integrated speakers to round out the features of this $3,499 120HZ edge lit LED LCD. That’s right, $3,499 starting sometime later this month, and it will be available at Sam’s Club and Costco, as well as online.

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In what seems like a brilliant touch that is sure to both wake up and permanently scar the souls of those among us who are late sleepers, Aphelion is a LED  alarm clock that comes with a very special feature.

When it’s time to wake up, it launches a ball into the room, and will not stop ringing until you fetch the ball and place it back into its receptacle. One wonders how far and with how much power the ball is launched, and also how random its trajectory is – it looks like it’s metal and pretty heavy, so it could brake things.

And while that is sure to wake you, do you want to sacrifice your possessions for being at work on time? In case it does break something, Aphelion will try to soothe you by playing a library of MP3 songs or the AM radio of your choice.

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The LightCap 300 is an ingenious product that combines a water bottle with a lantern.  That’s right.  The top of the water bottle, the cap, is embedded with a 4 super-bright LED lights as well as a red LED light which serves as a night light.

No batteries are necessary since the cap includes a small solar panel that utilizes FastSolar Technology and a light sensor to prevent battery drainage.  If you’re worried about lugging around another hefty piece of kit while in the outback, don’t.  The total weight of the Lightcap 300 doesn’t exceed 9.7oz.  And since the light projects into the bottle you’ll be able to see any floaters before taking a sip by the night time fire.  Did we mention that the bottle is BPA free?

You can pick up the LightCap 300 for $30.

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This handy device was shown off at this year’s IFA by a Chinese company called Magic Bulb.  It uses an LED bulb that consumes just 4 watts of power, but produces the equivalent light of a 50 watts incandescent bulb.  But that’s not the best part.  The bulb contains a rechargeable battery, which means in the event of a power outage the light will remain lit.  And that’s not all.  It can double as a flashlight thanks to the handy extendable neck.

The flashlight/bulb is expected to cost about $30-40 with a 20,000 hour lifespan (about 2.2 years).

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NOTE: This review is very much subjective and does not include official screen tests and benchmarks.  The LG E2350 was tested using a Macbook Pro (pre unibody) and an Xbox 360.

The LG Flatron E2350V is a 23-inch LED backlit LCD monitor featuring a black glossy frame.  It includes a stand, a touch control system and DVI cord in the box.  The monitor’s depth is 17.5mm and weighs just under 7 pounds.  Inputs include HDMI, DVI and VGA.  There are no speakers.

Official specs include a 1920×1080 resolution, 250 cd/m2 brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 5ms response time and 68% color gamut.

The lower right corner of the monitor sports 7 touch buttons, one of which is used to toggle the power on and off.  Touch any of these (except the power button) and it will bring up the E2350′s internal menu.  We’re not huge fans of most touch controls since we find them more challenging to use than convenient, but all in all LG’s version was relatively pain free.  In this particular instance the touch controls help maintain the monitor’s aesthetic by not disrupting the frame’s glossy black finish.  If you so choose you can turn off the power and menu button indicator lights, which stream lines the black frame all the more.

The included stand doesn’t offer much in the ways of adjustability.  You can’t rotate or increase the stands height.  What you can do, though, is tilt the stand back and forth.  There is a button locking mechanism which allows for about a 15 degree variability in angle.  Push the button at the rear of the stand and you can kick the monitor back up to 90 degrees making it parallel to the floor.  For what purpose we don’t know, but we guess it’s nice to have the option.  The stand won’t fall over from an accident bump, but will wobble around.

If you’re concerned about your energy consumption, and eyes, LG offers a feature that monitors the content being viewed and adjusts its brightness accordingly.  If this feature is enabled you will not be able to manually adjust the monitor’s brightness level. This feature will also monitor the ambient light in the room and should turn down the brightness if you go from a well light work space to a dark work space and vice versa.

As with LCD monitors viewing angle is always limited.  Surprisingly, the E2350 was still visible from about a 30 degree angle, although brightness and clarity were significantly diminished.

In terms of all over visual performance the E2530 faired pretty well.  The blacks were very black and the colors, while not eye popping, held up well and seemed to accurately represent the RGB spectrum.  For the most part, though, the E2350′s brightness was lacking, which ironically maybe a contributor to its solid black levels.

Visually text was not as clear when compared to my Macbook Pro’s monitor and appeared to have some convergence issues, displaying a slight ghosting effect.  Another hurdle we faced was finding a sweet spot for the contrast.  Set too high and the light grays were washed out of the screen.  Set too low and the monitor would become uselessly dark.

We connected the E2350v to an Xbox 360 and checked out MW2.  While useable for gaming, the colors and overall image were lack luster compared to some bigger screen LCD LED TVs, such as Samsung’s UN46C6300.

Overall the LG Flatron E2350v is decent monitor.  We largely used it a second screen and it served it’s purpose well.  Web videos, such as Youtube seemed to be impacted most by the screen’s lack luster brightness.  The text convergence issue made it challenging for long term reading, so if you’re a big blog reader or like to get your news online you might want to look else where for an LCD monitor.

Amazon has it for $280.

Pros:

• Good blacks
• Slim design
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Poor contrast ratio
• Text appeared to have convergence issues
• Stand lacks height and rotation adjustment

Joby, we like your products, but the incessant product iterations are beginning to wear thin.  Today, the company announced the GorillaTorch Flare.  Much like the GorillaTorch it includes an LED flashlight, magnetic feet and their lovable bendable arms that seem to fix to just about anything.  Added to this version are 3 red LED lights that, you guessed it, double as a flare or warning light for any roadside blunders you might face.  There are six unique light settings in total: medium/low/high or flashing white light, or a steady or flashing red light.

The GorillaTorch Flare is available now for $35.

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The Kisai Round Trip Pocket Watch from TokyoFlash is a very future forward LED timepiece that will easily let you tell some far fetched story about yourself at this year’s ComiCon.  Featuring water resistant casing, USB charging, and LED animations that display the current time, I can imagine this watch appearing in weird photographs across different time periods and therefore becoming some lost relic.

At any rate, you can get one of these for $70 at the link below.  Note:  The display only refreshes every 15 minutes.

[via TheGadgeteer]

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I love stuff like this!  This 13 inch message banner lets you program up to 6 phrases in BMP or dot matrix patterns.  The patterns call also be rotated independently through the access controls on the side of the banner (see pic).

All USB, the banner charges and inputs text via your computer as well as letting you display text 3x times the width of the panel for a 3 page scrolling message.  Allowing for 4 levels of brightness there are also some animated transitions you can choose from.  No word on how long the charges lasts.

Choose from Blue ($140) or Red ($120) LED’s at the Brando Online Store now.

[via EverythingUSB]

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Looking like some type of space age Event Horizon or Stargate style speaker dock, the TEAC SR-LUXi is now in its 2nd iteration that supports all things iPod Touch and iPhone this time around.  The SR-LUXi has a LED lamp that is meant to be used as a bedside dock and it also has a sleep timer, AM/FM radio, and alarm.  The speaker size is small, as you could guess from the picture so I’m not sure how good this thing could sound.

No word yet on price or availability and beyond the cool aesthetics, this seems like a very outdated speaker dock.

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