Connect a second display to your PC

If you hate having to change the video card in your PC to support multiple displays, here's a product that can help save you all the hassle. The Logitec LDE-SX010U, which is expected to be released in Japan in mid-March, is a USB-to-DVI dongle that lets you connect additional monitors to your computer via the USB 2.0 port.

The Logitec dongle supports a maximum resolution of 1,400 x 1,050 pixels, which is the standard native resolution for most 19-inch panels. Up to six displays can be connected to one PC, although a higher-spec'd computer is recommended as more displays are added. Users can choose to activate the multi-display option for larger desktop real estate, or the mirroring mode which essentially duplicates the content on the different screens. A "90 degrees" option also enables the display to be rotated for portrait viewing. Unfortunately for Mac users, the Logitec dongle supports only Windows Vista, XP and 2000.

Via Akihabara News.

A feast of sight and sound

Unless you are an audiophile, speakers are one of the first components people skimp on when building a PC. After all, surfing is a "private" affair and God forbid your neighbors hear which site you've been "researching".

But for the occasional techie, PCs are more than just bits and bytes. No reason why function and beauty can't go hand-in-hand. Ugly speakers are a big no-no. For this group with exacting aesthetic standards, check out the winners of the recently concluded speaker design contest at c4dcafe.com.

A full body workout with this force feedback vest

Too bad this one's only for PC games. Being a Wii gamer, TN Games' all-body force feedback FPS Vest would be perfect for complete immersive gameplay, together with the Wii's full-body interactivity. Until that happens, this US$169 (bundled with a game) body suit ups the ante for PC-based first-person shooters who desire more out of their game than just simple force feedback from their controller.

Thanks to eight active zones with integrated pneumatic technology, this simulates the direction and force of the bullets and explosions, letting you get into the thick of the battle with actioners like Space Incursion and Call Of Duty 2. Though why anyone would want to feel what it's like to be kicked in the chest or punched in the guts is something only the male of our species can answer.

Thanks to Uncrate

Fujitsu's 2.5-inch drives hit 500GB

Fujitsu announced two new 2.5-inch hard drives Monday that push capacity up a big notch to 400GB and 500GB.

The models will begin shipping in May, and the company said it hopes to ship 20 million this fiscal year.

But the drives, part of the MHZ2 BT series, aren't the fastest models around, spinning at 4,200rpm. Many laptop drives spin at 5,400rpm, and some at 7,200rpm. But it does consume relatively little power--1.8 watts when reading or writing, according to the company.

Fujitsu also intends the drive for use in digital video recorders, set-top boxes, tape backup replacement systems, and external hard drives, the company said. Several of those devices aren't as demanding of fast response but do demand lower power consumption.

Via Crave CNET

Novint's Falcon takes second flight

We initially thought the attraction to Novint's Falcon controller might be mostly superficial, piquing the interest of hardcore gamers with a bizarre design that resembled a complicated outdoor lightbulb fixture. But it turned out to be the real deal as it lived up to its hype in hands-on testing by fellow Craver Jeff Bakalar.

That opinion is apparently shared by others in the marketplace, because Novint is introducing a new model in black and silver with an interchangeable grip for both standard and pistol versions, according to Coolest-Gadgets.

The grip is particularly important for the Falcon because, as you may recall, the 3D controller is known for allowing players to virtually sense such things as motion, weight, texture, and dimension.

Novint's CEO says the black Falcoln is an "edgier aesthetic option",which isn't exactly going out on a limb considering that the original was white. But he probably focused on the color to downplay concerns about gunplay.

Via Crave CNET

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