First we had the Sony PSP then came the slimmed down version with a more sleek design. What happens if we combine the PSP slim with a Sidekick mobile phone?

Samuel Lau has designed a concept gadget that includes the features of both these devices. You can see a concept photo above, a video below this post and more images on Yanko Design

We love looking at concept gadgets and the main reason for this is the ability to do almost anything you can dream about.

The so called 3rd generation Sony PSP includes: a slide-up QWERTY keyboard, a full frontal webcam, another 3.2 megapixel cam around the back, geo-tracking, a touch screen and motion sensors.

While we love the idea, I’m sure the third generation Sony PSP will not look like this. Would you really want a gadget like this and how much would you pay for it?

Today we see five recalls on the CPSC website, they include Chairs, Magnets, Rattles and Exercise Cycles. Below you can see information on each recall. Visit CPSC for more information.

Cost Plus Recalls Santorini Chairs Due to Fall Hazard - Units: About 8,600, Manufacturer: Cost Plus Inc., of Oakland, Calif., Hazard: The seat weld can fail and allow the chair to collapse, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Cost Plus has received reports of four incidents involving weld failure. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Santorini outdoor stacking chairs. The black metal chairs have vertical bars on the back and horizontal bars across the base.

Sold at: Cost Plus and World Market stores nationwide from January 2008 through April 2008 for about $50.

Manufactured in: Taiwan, Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the chairs with side weld joints (see below) and return them to any Cost Plus or World Market store for a full refund or exchange. Chairs with rear weld joints (see below) are not included in this recall. To identify if the chair is part of this recall consumers should locate the seat base weld on the underside of the chair. Weld joints located on the sides of the seat are included in this recall.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Cost Plus toll-free at (877) 967-5362 between 7 a.m. and 12 a.m. ET daily, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.worldmarket.com

Horseshoe Magnets Recalled by Dowling Magnets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard - Units: About 91,500, Manufacturer: Dowling Magnets, of Sonoma, Calif.

Hazard: The plastic coating on the magnets contains excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard. Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the Classic Horseshoe Magnets. The 6-inch tall horseshoe magnet has a red plastic coating on the “handle” end. Each “foot” of the magnet has an engraved “S” or and “N.”

Sold at: Specialty retail stores and educational supply distributors nationwide from March 2003 through April 2008 for about $10.

Manufactured in: China, Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the classic horseshoe magnets away from children and contact Dowling Magnets to receive a free replacement horseshoe magnet.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Dowling Magnets toll-free at (866) 623-3336 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PST Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.dowlingmagnets.com. Consumers can also email the firm at support@dowlingmagnets.com

Kids II Recalls Infant Rattles Due to Choking Hazard - Units: About 19,000, Distributor: Kids II Inc., of Alpharetta, Ga.

Hazard: The tip of the rattle’s antenna, which is attached to a bee figure, can detach and pose a choking hazard to small children.

Incidents/Injuries: Kids II has received two reports of the tip of the antenna detaching from the rattle, including one report that the purple ball from the tip of the antenna was in the baby’s mouth. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The soft toy rattle is a bee with a yellow head, ring-shaped green body, blue/green wings and purple/red antennas. Model number 8534 and date code PA8 are printed on a sewn-in label on the bee’s head.

Sold at: Toy stores, mass merchandisers, and other retail stores nationwide from January 2008 through June 2008 for about $2-3.

Manufactured in: China, Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled rattles away from small children and contact Kids II to receive a free replacement rattle.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kids II toll-free at (877) 325-7056 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.kidsii.com

Pacific Science Supplies Recalls Magnets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard - Units: About 40,000, Importer: Pacific Science Supplies Inc., of Bensenville, Ill.

Hazard: The paint on the magnets can contain excess levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard. Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: Magnets included in the recall: “Large” and “Small” U-shaped Magnets: These magnets are in the shape of a “U” or horseshoe. One half of each magnet is painted red and is imprinted with the letter “N”; the other half is painted blue, and is imprinted with the letter “S”.

“Large” and “Miniature” Bar Magnets: These magnets are in the shape of a bar. The magnets are painted half red and half white. The red half is imprinted with the letter “N” and the white half is imprinted with the letter “S”.

Magnet Sets: This set contains a small u-shaped magnet, two small bar magnets, and two small compasses. All magnets are painted half red and half white. The red half is imprinted with the letter “N” and the white half is imprinted with the letter “S”. The package is labeled “Magnets & Compasses.”

Magnet Needle Sets: This set contains 10 sets of small cone-shape bases and elongated-diamond-shaped magnets which can be fastened into the bases. The magnets are painted half red and half white.

Sold through: Distributors nationwide which sell to educational institutions, including colleges, high schools and middle schools. A small number were sold through educational stores nationwide from April 2000 through February 2008 for about $9.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled magnets and contact the firm to receive a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Pacific Science Supplies Inc. at (800) 530-1500 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.pacsciusa.com

Reebok International Ltd. Recalls Exercise Cycles Due to Laceration Hazard - Units: About 20,000, Manufacturer: Fitness Associates Incorporated (F.A.I.), under license from Reebok International Ltd., of Canton, Mass. Note: F.A.I. is no longer in business.

Hazard: The alloy cranks on the exercise cycles can break during use, posing a laceration and abrasion hazard to users.

Incidents/Injuries: Reebok International Ltd. has received five reports of cranks breaking and causing lacerations. Three consumers required stitches.

Description: The Reebok Studio Cycle is an upright exercise bike used primarily in fitness centers and other institutional settings. The recalled bicycle is black with silver cranks. The unit has an internal belt drive. The base of the bicycle is a single piece that is welded to the frame. The legs are two straight horizontal bars with rounded edges. There is a logo located on the side of the exercise cycle that shows a person riding a bicycle.

Sold by: F.A.I. to health clubs and specialty fitness dealers nationwide from 1997 through 2000. The bicycles were not sold directly to consumers.

Manufactured in: United States, Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled Studio Cycle immediately, and owners should contact Reebok International Ltd. to receive a discount on a model currently made by a licensee of Reebok.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Reebok International Ltd. at (800) 382-3823 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.reebok.com

Visit CPSC for more information and photos of products.

Today the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society, Michigan Chapter announced that Ford SYNC® is one its 2008 da Vinci Award winners. The National MS Society honors innovations annually that give people with disabilities the ability to participate and contribute in all aspects of society. SYNC is being honored because it features a voice-recognition interface that allows hands-free operation of a variety of Bluetooth enabled devices in a safe manner.

“Ford is honored to be recognized by the National MS Society with the da Vinci Award for SYNC,” said Paul Mascarenas, Ford Motor Company vice president of Engineering. “We are committed to developing products and technologies with the flexibility to address the changing needs of consumers. With SYNC, we are able to continuously upgrade the functionality with new features like 911 Assist and VHR that will prove to be valuable for everyone.”

Introduced in the fall of 2007 and developed jointly by Ford and Microsoft, SYNC provides customers the convenience and flexibility to bring digital media players – Apple iPods, Microsoft Zunes and other MP3 players – and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones into their vehicle and operate the devices via voice commands or with the buttons on the steering wheel or radio.

SYNC has been very popular. The new technology – which is exclusive to Ford and Lincoln Mercury vehicles – has reached 200,000 unit sales since launch and is poised to reach 1 million sales in 2009. The technology is available today on nearly every new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle.

SYNC adds two new features in the fall of 2008 on 2009 model year vehicles – 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report (VHR) – and because SYNC is a software solution, owners of 2008 models equipped with SYNC already on the road will be able to have their systems updated with the new functions, as well.

View more Ford news.

Thanks to mobile devices’ increasing availability and continuing accessibility for professional users, Latin American users are joining the mobility wave prevailing in developed markets.

Buenos Aires (Argentina) - With a 52% service revenue share in the telecommunications market, far exceeding that of fixed telephony (35%), mobile telephony services, including voice and data, are the industry’s top performer in Latin America, and show the regional users’ need to be continually connected.

These conclusions were addressed by IDC Latin America Telecom Director Romina Adduci during the conference hosted by Nokia in Buenos Aires around the new Nokia E66 and Nokia E71 mobile devices, proposing an ideal balance between personal and professional life.

This mobile services growth is being mainly supported by access to personal and professional communication resources, ranging from email solutions, messaging and Internet navigation to more complex, business-related applications, including CRM, ERP, Workforce Automation, etc., which are supported by the corporate intranet in the mobile environment.

Such mobilization is favored by a growing user eagerness and willingness to make their mobile devices their core communication tool. According to a survey conducted by IDC, this kind of device easily tops the list of Latin American aspirations when selecting among other core, daily routine items, including the wallet, the keys, etc.

For Latin American users, the entertainment and multimedia experience leads personal aspirations. But, while major interest for innovative communication forms is personal, real adoption occurs through the corporate world, basically for budgetary reasons.

The IDC study states that having a corporate device allowing users to stay online on the move, wherever they are, is conducive to enhancing the individual’s communication experience significantly. Latin American users see that mobility brings more efficiencies, productivity and access to resources in multiple environments, thus contributing to balancing and even improving their quality of life, because they are able to manage their communication time and space.

According to the report, mobility is growing in Latin America - a trend that will continue to be on the rise as long as both users have more access to devices meeting their resource access expectations, and service plans are made more available enabling permanent connectivity at competitive prices.

Read more Nokia news.

Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) today announced the latest addition to its HD ultrasound family of products. The Philips HD15 ultrasound system provides physicians with superb imaging and workflow performance in a cost-effective system.

The HD15 is a new platform designed to deliver an advanced level of image clarity and broad application support for everyday use in small hospitals, clinics and private practices. The system may be used as a primary system for some users, particularly those in emerging markets who require a feature-rich system but may not need all of the features of a high-end ultrasound solution. The HD15 contains multiple usability features to improve workflow, as well as versatile capabilities for a wide range of exam types including general imaging, cardiac, vascular and OB/GYN applications. In addition, advanced features like contrast enhanced ultrasound and PureWave transducer technology allow users to perform real-time guidance and evaluation of minimally-invasive treatment procedures and provide more diagnostic confidence on technically challenging patients and pathologies.

“Physicians are increasingly turning to ultrasound to help support the growing demand for diagnostic exams and treatment guidance,” said Anne LeGrand, senior vice president, Ultrasound, for Philips Healthcare. “The HD15 brings capabilities that assure user simplicity and productivity to more clinicians, in a variety of clinical settings worldwide.”

Advanced Philips technologies such as QLAB quantification software, XRES image processing and PureWave transducer crystal technology have been integrated into the HD15 to provide clinicians a robust system that assures ease of use and productivity. New Microfine EX focusing provides sharper images and improved tissue uniformity throughout the depth of field through application of new dynamic receive lens tuning with five times more focal points than previous generation systems. Tissue Specific Imaging presets and iSCAN one button image optimization can quickly provide clear images with little to no adjustment. A broad suite of configurable patient reports and exam storage options, such as DVD-CD-R/RW, USB drive, and full DICOM capabilities, provide efficient patient data management and colleague or specialist consulting.

The HD15 may potentially change the way clinicians review ultrasound exams with active native data and live compare. Active native data allows clinicians to manipulate exam parameters and image settings even after the patient has left. Images and Cineloops can receive further investigation by manipulating the original image to see new detail. Live compare allows the clinician to compare a previous exam side-by-side with an active exam in order to immediately see changes in structure or blood flow. This can be particularly helpful in comparing changes in cardiac and vascular anomalies, further documenting changes after interventional procedures, or evaluating fetal development.

The HD family of performance systems now includes the small, utilitarian HD3, the HD7 which was introduced earlier this year, the popular, feature-rich HD11 XE and the new HD15. More information on the Philips HD15 ultrasound system is available at: philips.com/HD15

I’m having such a hard time writing BlogHer recaps, because there is so much packed into every single day, and so many people to meet! Since this is a product review blog, how about I tell you about some of the great products I got to try (and bring home!)?

I tried a Wii Fit and FELL IN LOVE. I did the balance test and my score was “unbalanced”, ha! I want one so bad, I pretty much shamelessly BEGGED the Wii PR people to send me one. I don’t know if they will, but I left my business card and I’m keeping all my fingers crossed! They did this whole “Nintendo Enthusiast” dinner cruise and when I heard about it I was like “but…but…our family’s first gaming console was a Gamecube! I kicked ASS at ‘Banjo Kazooie’ and ‘Banjo Tooie’! I’m a NINTENDO ENTHUSIAST!!” Sniff. Guess I need to write more about my love of video games, huh?

I met the wonderful ladies at the Leapfrog table, they were SO nice! I just got a Leapfrog Tag in the mail (thanks Mischa!) and even though the recommended age is 4-8, Kaitlyn is ROCKING at using it! She holds the pen correctly, she touches the right spots on the pages, I’m just thrilled with it. At the Leapfrog table, I also got a peek at the Leapster 2, which connects to your computer and downloads game play data that unlocks extra online games and rewards, plus provides info to the parents about what skills the child is learning. Awesome! And it comes with a DORA game, so I’m thinking birthday gift for Kaitlyn! I also learned about the Leapfrog Didj, which combines game playing with school skills like spelling and math, and has the user earn points they can trade for customizable characters, backgrounds and music. I think Nathan would love one!

I also met the Story Reader people, they were giving demonstrations of Story Reader plus Video, which is SO cool. It’s a portable audio storybook, plus you can plug it in to your TV and use the very easy to use controller to “watch” the story and play games that go along with it. I spotted a My Friends Tigger and Pooh Super Sleuths storybook that Kaitlyn would go nuts for!

Picnik was there, if you use Flickr to upload photos and you’ve ever clicked the “edit this” link, the site you go to is Picnik. I love how easy their photo editing tools are! They gave everyone a free Picnik Premium subscription which gives you advanced photo editing tools plus fonts for adding text to your photos and clipart images too. I can’t wait to play with it! I also snagged an extra subscription card which I will be GIVING AWAY here! And they gave me a very nice blue t-shirt which I happen to be wearing right now.

Oh, speaking of giveaways, remember when I was trying to figure out how to get to BlogHer and I mentioned the “Who’s your BlogHer Hero?” contest? Well, I didn’t win, but they did print up a booklet with interviews with each of the people who did win, and I snagged some of those too. I have four of them, let me know if you want one.

Let’s see, what else? I bought a TON of books, I couldn’t help it, I was there working in the Bookstore all weekend, surrounded by all those great books and meeting all the authors! I’ll have reviews for you shortly of “Half-Assed: A Weight Loss Memoir” by Jennette Fulda, “Straight Up and Dirty” by Stephanie Klein, “No One Cares What You Had for Lunch:100 Ideas for your Blog” by Maggie Mason, “Good Night California” and “Good Night San Francisco” which are adorable children’s board books, “Emily’s Sharing and Caring Book” by Cindy Post Senning and Peggy Post (I met Anna Post! Granddaughter of Emily Post! And she was SO sweet and lovely, I wish we were neighbors and could be friends :).

I also brought home three books from the MomCentral party, they are “The Disorder of Longing”
by Natasha Bauman, “Confessions of a Contractor” by Richard Murphy, and “Comfort Food” by Kate Jacobs. From the Kirtsy/Alltop swag bag I also scored “The Wishing Year: A House, a Man, My Soul A Memoir of Fulfilled Desire” by Noelle Oxenhandler.

PBS Kids and SPROUT were there, I scooped up activity books, a DVD about the new show “Raggs” (SO cute), AND, from a total stranger who will definitely be enjoying good karma for a long time, I scored a Raggs Plush toy! They had a bowl to drop in your business card to win one of the toys, and he got the last one, and all I did is say “hey, you won a Raggs toy, that’s great!” and he turned around and said you know, why don’t you take it? I was all no, no, no and he was all I’m serious, I don’t even have kids, just a baby nephew, he’ll never know the difference, and I was all I LOVE YOU KIND STRANGER.

Speaking of PBS, the most awesomest thing they had at BlogHer this year? The SESAME STREET SUITE. A small room completely decorated to look like the street scene on Sesame Street! And inside, cupcakes frosted to look like Big Bird, Grover, and Abby Cadabby, plus bowls of candy, a computer showing the upcoming redesigned PBS Kids site, a TV showing Leslie Feist singing “1,2,3,4″ on Sesame Street. I got the DVD “Countdown to Sports” starring Bert, Ernie, and Elmo (even Nathan liked it!), walked a few more steps in, and then saw HER:

It’s Abby Cadabby! I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to talk to the puppet or the puppeteer, so I did a bit of both. The lady who does the voice is adorable, of course. I could have reserved a time to make a VIDEO with Abby or with GROVER, but all the slots were taken and I was so busy with the bookstore anyway. But I did snap a photo of the Grover puppeteer, who learned the voice from Frank Oz himself! You can see it on my Flickr page as well.

I’m sure I’ll find more stuff as I go, I’m still rummaging through ziploc bags and tote bags and finding more things that I brought home! It is always a bit overwhelming, more than a bit exhausting, and TOTALLY worth it to go every year. Remember, you DON’T have to be invited to BlogHer, it’s open to everyone (including MEN), you don’t even have to BE a blogger to go! So I hope to see more MomReviews readers there next year, okay?!?!?

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Windows web hosting has been around for some time and has evolved from a simple platform hosting static HTML pages to a sophisticated environment where applications can be designed to enable user interaction. In modern times, Windows hosting is ideal for personal sites, small businesses and large corporations alike.

Web hosting packages are backed by a variety of operating systems. Windows Server 2003 and Debian Linux are two of the most well known examples. Although Windows is often looked down upon by Linux users, this platform offers a number of benefits to the potential webmaster. Despite the advancements, the Windows operating system still supports common scripts such as HTML and also more advanced languages like ASP and ASP.NET, which are Microsoft branded technologies.

Windows hosting makes use of a built-in technology known as IIS (Internet Information Server). IIS contains servers of its own and is responsible for serving pages to a web browser. When you visit a Windows hosted site on the web and are presented with content, your browser downloads those pages stored on a Windows server via IIS.

Choosing Windows or Linux

The choice of whether to host on a Windows or Linux platform basically boils down to proprietary technologies. If you feel that your site requires ASP or ASP.NET to be successful, the Windows environment would be more suitable. However, if you have a bit of experience designing web pages, these scripts may work on a Linux system as well. While Windows has its own brand of scripting languages, it also supports the common PHP language as well.

When hosting with Windows, you have numerous options for uploading your web pages to the server. Many providers offer a number of FTP (File Transfer Protocol) clients which can be used for this purpose. Another web building tool is Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia DreamWeaver which allows you to upload directly from your offline applications.

Windows hosting also makes it easy to send and receive email. The average host will typically provide you with a number of accounts that can be set up rather quickly. Once your email accounts have been established, you can then use the WebMail interface to send and receive messages directly from your web browser. You can also integrate these accounts with popular Microsoft email applications like Outlook and Outlook Express.

Managing your Windows account is made easy with the implementation of quality control panel software. One of the most widely used control panels available for the Windows platform is Plesk, a comprehensive program designed by Sw-Soft. Plesk provides users with a web-based GUI (Graphical User Interface) that enables control over nearly every aspect of a website. You can create and mange your email accounts, handle domains and sub-domains, view website statistics, set permissions for HTML, ASP and PHP scripts, redirect requests, block IP addresses and much more.

Closing Thoughts

There is really no right or wrong when it comes to Windows or Linux hosting. Both are quite reliable and include many great features and services to enhance your web appearance. While Linux tends to be more geared for small business, Windows is suited for small companies and large e-commerce sites just the same.

The month of July has been inundated with moans and complaints concerning the Apple iPhone 3G and it appears that people aren’t done with it yet either. This time people are bemoaning about the 3G network.

According to Wired, there are hundreds of irate iPhone users all over Apple’s support forums complaining they are experiencing problems with the 3G network. CNET editors say they are receiving emails concerning 3G issues while Gadget Lab readers have also written in with complains.

At present is unclear whether the issues are network or hardware related, but one Gadget Lab reader said AT&T assures them it is a problem with the iPhone. Problems vary as some say they can only connect to 3G for a few minutes and then get bumped to EDGE and this is happening even in 3G rich coverage areas.

AT&T spokesperson, Brad Mays says the iPhone 3G is “performing great.”

Yep, seems like the iPhone fiasco continues to plod on, but I’m sure that one day everything will run smoothly, when the one day will be of course is anyone’s guess.

Mobile phone usage worldwide continues to evolve and increase to include forms of enjoyment and entertainment. Mobile users want new and better ways to personalise and boost fun on their mobiles. Berggi’s ZipClip may be the answer.

A review on Slashphone says ZipClip can clip videos, images, photos, animations, graphics, avatars, thumbnails, along with text on the web and instantly send them to your mobile phone with just a right click of your mouse.

To gain ZipClip you need to visit their website and select “get It Now”, ZipClip will then direct the user through the installation process thus installing ZipClip onto both computer and mobile phone.

When a user browses the net and see a certain item they would like on their mobile phone, they just right click on the content, select “Send to my phone” from the ZipClip menu and the clipped content is instantly sent to their “My Stuff” folder which is in the ZipClip app on their mobile.

The latest word on the net waves is Orange is to start offering their broadband customer free PCs.

Well according to PCRetail mag, Orange has apparently struck a deal with Asus and HP so customers, including SMBs who use broadband services will be given a laptop in exchange for signing a two year contract.

There have been rumours in the past that Orange may take this path, and Orange Chief exec, Tom Alexander saying he wants the company to “evolve”, however after than it all went silent.

However, Orange has now revealed a plan which could possibly have PC retailed biting their nails. Customers will gain a free Asus Eee PC 900 16GB laptop by signing to a £25.00 per month two year contract. While business customers will be offered the choice of an HP 6370 or 6730b carrying a tariff ranging from £35 to £45 per month.

Orange stores and online will stock Asus laptops as from August. So it now appears Orange is into computers as well as mobile phones