Soon a new Droid, the Droid X joins Verizon Wireless. Here's a first look.

The Droid x from Motorola Droid will be the newest smart phone when it's released on July 15th. It has a built in (720p) HD camcorder, 8 MP camera (with dual flash), Skype mobile (keep in touch with the folks back home)  GPS (don’t get lost), plays movies on a crytal clear 4.3” HD screen (use on the airplane) and HDMI output so you can watch your videos on the big screen at the hotel. (Be sure to bring your own HDMI hookup cable.) It's a lot of high tech travel gadgets in one small device.  There’s also Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and of course, GPS (with turn by turn voice navigation, but not live traffic.) The Droid x has some newer initials too: DLNA which stands for wireless Digital Living Network Alliance technology. It's a way for different formats to work on a wider variety of devices.  Droid X is shipping with Android 2.1 with an updated version of Motorola's Blur coming later in the summer. It will be an over the air update, so you don’t have to take your phone anywhere to have it upgraded. Something I’m really impressed with is the Swype typing app which is preinstalled. Swipe your fingers across the keyboard to spell words and they appear on the screen with a very high degree of accuracy. I was sure the phone couldn’t figure out exactly what keys I was dragging across, but the word I wanted appeared on the screen. It’s like typing with some amazing ESP app. But wait there’s more. This gizmo has three microphones. Two are for directional audio capture and one is to add in noise cancellation. If you're eligible for a Verizon Wireless upgrade at any point in 2010, you'll be able to pick one up for $199 (after a $100 mail-in rebate) starting on July 15. The phone comes with 8GB of internal storage and a 16GB microSD card installed. A data plan is set at $24.99. the Droid X lets you create your own WiFi 3G HotSpot that can connect up to five devices, but that will cost you an extra $20 a month. It comes with a perhaps unwelcome 2GB data cap.  

www.verizonwireless.com

A screwdriver that gives you extra power to drive screws, without electricity!

My T Driver has two has two stainless steel flip-out folding arms that help deliver five times more torque than a traditional screwdriver. To prove it, at the National Hardware show, they had one hooked to a torque meter. I got to turn a screw both with and without the flip-out arms extended. It works! I was able to get about four times more torque with the folding arms extended. (See link to video below)  The My T Driver is also a ratcheting screwdriver for even more power. And don’t worry about breaking this tool. The company says its powerful lever-action design withstands up to 300 inch-lbs. of torque. With the ability to use any type of screw or ratchet attachment, this new device can drive any type of screw or socket into tough surfaces. It comes with three reversible multi-head bits and a reversible shaft for small spaces. It has three blade lengths (standard, compact and stubby), six versatile tips for home or job-site applications, a socket head adapter to tighten bolts without reaching for a ratchet set, and a ratchet dial with forward, reverse and lock positions. It’s equal to 24 different screwdrivers. The “My T Driver” retails for $19.95 plus shipping and handling. But wait there’s more! Price includes a “My T Light” LED attachment so you can see clearly in dark areas. Although it’s not available right now, it should be available by Father’s Day.

www.melcodirect.com / www.mytdriver.com

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1091

The Giz Wiz using MightyTDriver at the Hardware Show: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr4TovkjVm4

A keyboard that's good for QWERTY typists & 'hunt 'n pecker' typists!

There have been many keyboards designed especially for Hunt 'n Peckers, those folks who don’t know how to use the standard QWERY keyboard. They prefer to hit the letters one-at-a-time as they ‘hunt & peck’. The Fastfingers Keyboard has several unique advantages for all kinds of typists. If two people share the computer and one is a touch typist and one is a ‘hunt ‘n pecker’, the Fastfingers Keyboard works for both. Instead of having to plug in and use two different keyboards, you just touch a button to toggle to the alphabetical (ABC) or the standard (QWERTY) key layout. It’s Plug & Play, just plug into a USB Port and select the layout option that works best for you. But wait! There’s more! If you’re into instant-messaging, there are shortcut keys to common acronyms like: LOL, BRB, etc.) Other Internet shortcut buttons provide instant access to web browsing and e-mail , plus there are media shortcut buttons that allows easy music or video playback and volume control. Compatible with PC and Mac computers. $29.99.

www.fastfingerkeyboards.com/

It’s under $25 at Things you never knew existed:
http://www.thingsyouneverknew.com/product/86325.do?WT.srch=1&code=RJS00000

Take your own speed typing test: http://speedtest.10-fast-fingers.com/

(I took it a couple of times & average 54 words per minute.)

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1103

The most "wire-mess-free" way I know to charge 3 gadgets at once.

This is a new way to charge three gizmos at the same time. The IDAPT I3 charging station works for just about all your portable devices and eliminates the pain of finding and switching around AC adapters. This neatly organized power dock charges up to three of your devices simultaneously.  What’s nice about it is that there are no messy wires dangling everywhere. The only cable you'll see is the one running from the IDAPT platform to your wall outlet and that’s at the back of the unit. The charging station comes with a variety of interchangeable tips — you plug in the three that you use most often. To release & change any of the interchangeable tips is easy. Just push down to the two silver tabs at the base and it pops out. I have my IDAPT I3 set up for charging my cell phone, my MP3 player and my mini camcorder. The included tips cover a wide range of smartphones, mobile phones, GPS units, point-and shoot cameras, and more. Additional tips are available separately, including one that can charge rechargeable AA batteries. I recommend using a bit of care when plugging and unplugging your device since your gizmo will be suspended over the IDAPT via the charging port. It’s not a big worry, just something to be careful of. I had no problems charging my devices. If you go to the company’s website you can see a list of the tips the unit ships with and the optional tips that are available. There is also a two device charging IDAPT, but who has only two devices to charge? UPDATE:  I just spoke to Matt Shumate at IDAPT’s PR agency and got the lowdown on the rechargeable battery tip. Here it is:

The IDAPT i3 does not have a rechargeable battery tip as one of the 6 tips in the pre-packaged box.  However, you can customize the IDAPT online to include 4 tips you select, for the same price as getting 6 of the most popular tips. If you do that route, you can choose to get a battery charger tip, which is really a two AA or AAA charger for rechargeable batteries.  Battery tips are available for sale as are all other extra tips at

www.idaptweb.com  and amazon: direct link: http://tinyurl.com/29h7pso

To my mind the way to go would be to order the exact four tips you want instead getting the six that are prepackaged. But you can decide for yourself after checking out both websites above and comparing prices. The 2 device IDAPT I2 is under $40, and the three device version IDAPT I3 is under $50. There are available in black, silver and red.

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1089

You asked for it! You got it. Navigation Lights for the Toilet!

Yes, it’s no joke. Well, it might bring laughs, but this gadget is so simple, it will “bowl” you over. (Sorry about that.) LavNav is the Lavatory Navigation Night Light. The less pleasant sounding name: Toilet Night Lights. Bathroom lights can be so blinding in the middle of the night when you flip on the switch. And they can  disturb your partner's sleep, especially in a small apartment. Sure you can use a nightlight, but non-LED nightlights waste electricity all night long. Worse, they occupy valuable electrical sockets and they don't put light where you need it. The LavNav solves those problems. A motion sensor turns it on when you approach in the dark, and turns it off after you leave. It shines a gentle light that is sufficient for you to do what you have to do. But wait there’s more!! The LavNav uses a RED or GREEN light to cleverly show the position of the seat. RED means the seat is up. Green means the seat is down. This can also end fights between male and females who share the same bathroom. I’ve used LavNav for a couple of days now and it works great. It uses two AA batteries, which you supply. To install them follow the “slide direction arrow” on the front of the LavNav. Pop off the cover and insert the batteries. There is no on/off switch; it’s all automatic. It installs to the toilet seat cover (in the open position, of course) in seconds. Just peel the backing off the attached adhesive tape and follow the two easy-to-understand photos on the package. Now you’re set to “go”. (Sorry again.) $19.95 

www.lavnav.com