Elecom has a couple of new memory card readers available in Japan - the USB-style MR-A001BK as well as the cable-type MR-A002 series. The former is capable of handling up to 10 different types of memory cards, including the latest SDXC format which maxes out at a whopping 64GB, while the MR-A002 series plays around with 32 different types of media including SDXC, alongside the Memory Stick range from Sony sans an adapter. Design-wise, there is nothing much to shout about although we're pretty happy with them in terms of practicality. After all, isn't it better to be prepared than get caught with your pants down?

We brought you news of a new Super AMOLED handset from Samsung that will debut at Mobile World Congress (MWC), Barcelona, and today there is a new development on this mystery phone. Apparently, it is being promoted as the first Bada-powered Samsung phone, debuting on a day filled with love - Valentine's Day. What do you think of this news - will you be all thrilled about a Bada OS phone, or are you still saving up to make sure you have enough money to purchase an Android or iPhone OS-powered handset?

Google has recently been offering free turn-by-turn navigation for Android phones in the US, and while that is great, our friends on the other side of the pond have had to make do without for some time now. Fortunately Google seems to have been listening, and word is that Google has been working with a company in the Netherlands to bring said feature to folks over in Europe. Speculation is that the company might be Navteq (which is owned by Nokia), and the recent withdrawal of Navteq from the Android market serves to further strengthen speculation. If Google were to start rolling out its free turn-by-turn navigation in Europe, and maybe extend it to Asia, companies that focus on GPS such as Garmin might start to shudder in fear.

Are you a sports addict that flicks between channels all day long? If you think your remote isn’t keeping pace with the rate you’re flicking between channels, the ESPN Game Changer Universal Remote Control might be able to help you out. Featuring dedicated ESPN buttons (ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU); you’ll be able to quickly switch between sports channels to keep in touch with all the games that are running simultaneously. If you want to keep switching between a non-sports channel, you’re still covered, as the buttons are programmable, so you won’t miss whatever reality show you’re addicted to at the moment. The best part is, it won’t set you back $300 like the Ultimate Remote, rather you’ll be able to pick up two of these remotes for just $8 (plus $5 for shipping). Doesn’t seem like an expensive decision to make, does it? Especially since Amazon is selling it for $24.99 each.

After the NVIDIA Optimus teaser was posted in early January, there was some speculation about what it was, but we now have first-hand information: NVIDIA Optimus is an architecture for multi-GPU computers (typically integrated + discrete) that allows the operating system to seamlessly switch between integrated and discrete graphics. The goal is to use the most appropriate graphics processor at any given time in order to minimize power consumption or maximize performance.

I’ve seen it in action, and I can tell you that it is leaps and bounds better than what is out there today. Typically, today’s computers require several steps in order to switch from one GPU to another. It’s not intuitive and most users don’t even bother doing it because it’s a hassle.

Handheld has rolled out its Algiz 7 rugged tablet that is able to take its fair share of knocks while getting on just fine without missing a beat. After all, it features plus IP65 and MIL-STD 810G ruggedness, running on Windows 7 Professional while featuring a 7" widescreen tablet display, with an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor running within. The Algiz 7 also sports a 64GB SSD as well as 2GB of RAM, coupled with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS navigation, a 2-megapixel camera with LED flash and optional 3G cellular capability for you to remain connected on the go via high-speed GSM/UMTS/EVDO data transmission. Being Gobi 2000-ready, it has built-in antennas and works great outdoors thanks to its special MaxView screen technology. It has a hot-swappable 2,600mAh dual battery pack which allows you to change batteries on-the-fly without having to shut down. No idea on pricing though, which is a bummer.

Now here is one of the more unique robot projects out there from the folks at the Tsumaki Telerobotics Laboratory (Yamagata University) who have devised a Wearable Robot. Known as the Telecommunicator T1, this experimental model aims to offer gestural presence that you do not obtain from a cellphone conversation as it sits on your shoulder. The robot will remain connected to the Internet, where you can control where it looks simply by tilting your head. Apart from that, arm gestures including waving are also possible, although the current hardware restricts it movement by a fair bit. Whatever the robot looks at will be transmitted to you through a pair of goggles, while you can also hold Face-to-Robot conversations. No idea on where the project is at the moment, but it would be interesting to see a commercial version released.

We would say that the North Paw anklet is some sort of mystical geek device that ought to thrill nerds out there who do spend a fair amount of time in Role Playing Games - after all, this nifty little anklet will always let you know where North is, thanks to eight cellphone vibrator motors located around the ankle. A control unit that holds an electronic compass will sense magnetic north, jump-starting the appropriate motor to inform you of where North is at that point in time. The North Paw anklet is the result of a subsequent experimentation with the Feelspace research performed at the Cognitive Psychology department of the University of Osnabrück in Germany. Nifty - we would like to see this commercialized to come with a GPS navigation system for outdoor lovers.

It is true - sex sells, which is perhaps why Cube came up with this rather provocative shot of a pouty chick to market their yet-to-be-released ebook reader which supposedly comes with a 6" capacitive color touchscreen display, Wi-Fi connectivity and Windows Mobile 6.5 as the operating system of choice. Hmm, this is a new marketing tactic, or is it? We do know that the final product will not cost anything more than $150 after conversion in China, so it would be interesting to see whether there is enough back end support to make this ebook reader a success in its motherland.

Want to let your loved one know how much you love them, that giving them a tickle from time to time shows your affection? That's what the Hap.tickle Greeting dress designed by Lina Saleem is all about, where it comes with its fair share of ruffles, frills and vibrating motors on its back and sides. Whenever the dress receives an SMS, the motors will automatically get to work, sending tickles through your sides and spine. Not recommended for those who are in an important boardroom meeting talking about the company's performance as well as goals to its board of directors, that's for sure.

Still don't have a Blu-ray player in your living room? Why not kill two birds with one stone if you're thinking of upgrading your current standard definition TV to one of those newfangled HDTVs? Sony has just the thing with their latest Bravia TV which will come in 32" and 40" sizes, known as the KDL-32EX40B and KDL-40EX40B. As it is under the Bravia umbrella, you can expect staples such as Internet widget support, DLNA compatibility, Wi-Fi connectivity, USB media playback and an added bonus - a built-in Blu-ray player.

This Valentine's Day, if you're feeling particularly flush and want to impress your girlfriend with something much more than standard issue bling, why not fork out a handsome amount of dough for the Vertu Constellation Ayxta? After all, this late-2009 release sports the same features alongside coming in pink leather, although we would love to see it get adorned with diamonds and other sorts of precious jewels for that added touch of class.

The GuruPlug is an all-in-one server that is ready for pre-order if you lack the technical know how as well as wizardry to build one of these for yourself. This next generation SheevaPlug comes with new goodies including a couple of Gigabit Ethernet ports, a solitary eSATA connector, integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity (also found in the original) in addition to all that is available on the original SheevaPlug. It retails for $129 which is $30 more, and the fact that it sips a mere 5 watts of juice makes it all the more interesting.

Google isn't going to let the popularity of social networking just pass by them without doing anything about it - word has it that the Internet search giant is taking on Facebook and Twitter on their own turf, thanks to a new module in Gmail which can stream media and status updates of online friends. Hmm, this module more or less resembles a Gmail Labs feature that can be enabled or disabled at the account holder's discretion. Some might not say that this feature is worthy enough to be a rival since Google has already integrated Twitter updates in its search, but it could be a stab at Facebook considering Facebook is already mulling over plans to introduce their own email service.