Update (2010/9/01)

Sanyo has just announced a new mobile USB booster, the KBC-L2BS, which offers the enhanced 1A charging without the need for a separate parallel cable. The new booster looks identical to the KBC-L2A so assuming the cells haven't changed it should be similarly priced but it'll probably show up in the more expensive mainstream stores like Yodobashi & Bic before the cheaper novelty stores around Akihabara.

--- end update ---

I've mentioned the Eneloop KBC-L2A (KBC-L2S in the US) in a previous post. It's a 5v 5000mAh Li-ion USB battery booster that I carry as regularly as my wallet. With it, I know I'll have enough juice to power all my gadgets for an entire day.

Unfortunately the KBC-L2A has a few limitations like not having a power level indicator and, more importantly, having a max output current of 500mA @ 5v for each of the two USB ports. 500mA is actually the official specified current for USB ports but recent computers provide more for power hungry devices. None of my current devices require more than 500mA but I did have a problem with a Verizon MiFi which I rented in Hawaii. It simply refused to charge from this booster but did charge from a 1A cigarette adapter.

Enter the 100円 (~$1.16 USD) cable.

I saw this unique new GPS unit for SLR geotagging on Engadget a few months ago called the GiSTEQ PhotoTrackr Plus.  Besides being $20 cheaper than Nikon's GP-1 on sale, the PhotoTrackr plus is also wireless, doesn't occupy the hotshoe, and consumes less camera battery so the decision to get it was easy.  After a little waiting it arrived and I must say I'm impressed.

This is a list of apps I currently have installed on my Android phone.  I'll try to keep the list up to date but if you want real-time updates follow @KylesApps on Twitter which uses AppAware to automatically tweet my app activity.

Update

2010-06-07

I've decided to provide a link to my appbrain page instead. It won't have my opinions but it'll be up to date.

View installed apps on Appbrain

This was supposed to be a post about how much better my new hard drive case performs than my old case but I couldn't get the new case to work.  So, like any curious geek I poked around to see if I could find out what was wrong even though I have very little knowledge of electronics engineering.  What I came to find was the shoddiest craftsmanship I've seen in a modern electronic gadget.  The reseller (not manufacturer) who sold the device through Amazon UK promptly issued a full refund so there's no hard feelings toward them.  The reseller told me not to send the defective unit back so I decided to prod a bit more and blog about it.

While passing by one of the shops in Akihabara I happened to catch a glimpse of an Eee PC but to my surprise it was not running Linux but Windows XP home edition.