I own a Macbook and I couldn’t tell you how thankful I am that NumberKey is now available. NumberKey helps convert your iPhone into your own personal number key pad. What’s even better is that it is available for purchase right now for US$1.99. How cool is that?

NumberKey is an application you install in your Apple notebooks. It connects wirelessly through wifi. It has about four graphic skins that make sure it’s a visually good pair with your trusty Macs.

So if you’ve been holding out in getting a Mac all these years because it doesn’t have a numbers keypad option AND you use an iPhone, hey, this is a no-brainer. Get that Mac you’ve been wanting all these years. All your Excel files will run with the equivalent Mac program Numbers. Get NumberKey installed and talking with your iPhone and, viola (!).

I must admit there’s a little sense in this. First time I saw this picture I said “sure, I would need a quick shout when the boss turns the deadline a week earlier… changes some of the specifications I need to finish the project… and asks for a show and tell in three days”. I’d have no time to run to the roof to shout my heart out, so the “Shout Vase” is something I’d quickly grab.

The Japanese may have had bouts of emergencies such as these that’s why they have fashioned a “gadget” to keep them the timid culture they always are. For $79 you can own your own vent machine… here are some quick specs:

• Size: 12.5cm×12.5cm×18.5cm
• Weight: 210g
• Material: ABS resin
• Instructions: Japanese

The design covers your mouth and actual studies have resulted in measurements where … well, you gotta see it yourself right here:

I personally use a stuffed Dilbert toy occasionally, that gets the job done quick and easy and I think I paid about $15 for it at Barnes and Noble. But yes, Dilbert does not convert my shouts to shhhh…. but anyway, still works for me! :)

Some of the names being thrown about by fans include Brad Pitt (not a bad choice, actually) Serenity star Nathan Fillion, Matt Damon, Aaron Eckhart, Ryan McPartlin (the guy who plays Captain Awesome in Chuck), and Cole Hauser.

I myself am partial to Brendan Fraser.

What about you guys? Who do you think should play Captain America?

Street Fighter 4

Of course, perhaps of greater concern is just how anyone with an Xbox 360 will play the game when it has such a poor d-pad? I’ve no idea yet, one can only imagine that you’ll have to fork out for a gaming joystick like they released for VF5.

Here’s a little more information on the game:
Street Fighter IV features a mix of returning favorites such as Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li and Guile along with new characters created for this game, such as Crimson Viper, Abel, El Fuerte, and Rufus. Characters and environments are rendered in stylized 3D, while the game is played in the classic Street Fighter 2D perspective with additional 3D camera flourishes.

Six-button controls for the game return, with a host of new special moves and features integrated into the input system. Mixing classic genre-defining game mechanics the franchise is known and loved for with all-new, never-before-seen gameplay systems, Street Fighter IV brings a brand new fighting game to fans the world over.

With the inclusion of Capcom’s latest advancements in new generation technology, Street Fighter IV promises to deliver an extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts.

Date of release: February 2009

Remember when mom would come in your room and check up on you when you were sick. I do and the very thing I would always look out for was when she would put here hand on my forehead. No medicine in the world could match that. When mom does that I feel the fever leaving me that instant. Ah, just one of the fondest memories of my childhood. Now that I’m a parent I’d like my child to experience that same feeling. I’m sure it is also heavenly for her.

Parents today now have an option, via a concept design from Yanko Design called the Lunar Baby Thermometer.

The idea is based on a common and natural behavior of putting your hand on the forehead to measure internal heat of their body. Checking the temperature by scanning the forehead with this device is easier and faster, since it eliminates the need to insert an external tool while holding them in a still position. The intuitive shape of the device allows the user to easily understand how to hold and use the device. The organic and ergonomic shape provides a secure grasp in the users hand.

It’s real simple to use, as you can see all it takes is to place the device between two fingers. A beeping sound and a flashing red LED light will notify you when the reading is done.

Now I know there are other temperature measuring devices out that uses technology, just like the ones in doctors’ offices where it is inserted in-ear. That is a little expensive though. I’m sure the Lunar Baby Thermometer would be priced (if it ever makes it to the assembly line) for consumers well.

Unfortunately, the white Wii sticks out like a sore thumb especially when it’s placed beside my trusty old thick Playstation 2. I’ve never been a fan of this white craze that Apple started with the iPod so I’m constantly on the lookout for other choices.

I recently discovered the Wii I-Case Replacement Shell that comes in various colors. I think this is a great mod for people who are tired of the white color like myself, or those who just want to color coordinate their consoles.

Just a warning though. Disassembly of the Wii can be tricky so if you’re not really good with this kind of stuff ask someone else to do it.

I was at Toys ‘R Us this weekend and along the stuffed toys aisle I saw the iDog getting to be as cuddly for the kids. Was a little amused that they were in front of the Nerf Guns which is fast becoming a craze here. Those LED lights look like a target don’t they? :)

iDog is a speaker system able to receive audio source from your MP3 players or your iPod. What’s special about the iDog is that when you do plug your audio in, he will move to the groove. Play a fast song, he’ll move his head and body fast. Play a soft soothing song and you’d see it bob its head softly to the rhythm.

A cool feature is even if you do not play audio through it, it can sense sound around him (like if you put him in front of a speaker) and still react as if he’s listening to it.

Sells for about US$35 right here. I think this is a perfect gift for your little princess.

Works on 3 AA batteries.

I’ve started doing a 45-minute brisk walk very early in the morning and I top it off with a 20-minute workout with my WiiFit Balance Board. Using the WiiFit for fitness can be fun. It’s a novel way of doing exercises since you really don’t think it’s exercise but a game. My only complaint is the limitation in terms of aerobic exercises. I think the number of exercises that you can do are quite limited. Hopefully, Nintendo will release another version of the game with more exercises.

Some of you may have upgraded to the iPod Touch, and may have been asking what is there left for your older iPods to do? The Alesis Pro Track will definitely increase your old iPod’s usage by turning it into a mini recorder. Yeah, I know, Apple could have done it way back then. My guess is that they’d like to stay in the playback feature to keep their iPod brand features as simple and solid as it can be.

The Alesis Pro Track sells for US$200 at Amazon. Here are some of its feature highlights for you to review:

Product Features
- Integrated iPod design.
- Records to iPod Classic or 5th Generation, or iPod nano 2nd or 3rd Generation.
- Professional connectors two combination XLR - 14-inch inputs, 18-inch stereo output.
- Two built-in condenser microphones for detailed recording.
- Built-in microphones in XY configuration for optimum stereo image.

Technical Details
- Recording Power: 16-Bit, 44.1kHz or 22kHz stereo
- Phantom Power: 48V
- XLR Inputs 2: 14-inch inputs, 18-inch stereo output

Now I’m not really an audio pro but when I see that there are XLR input slots that means you can use professional microphones. The Phantom Power tells me you can attach an even more sophisticated microphone thru a mixer control made by high professional brands.

If you’re looking for such a gadget you can use for your recordings OR you’d just basically want to use your iPods for other use, this is a good option to consider.