DJ Pauly D's laptop designer dishes on his famous bling - Slideshow

If there are two things DJ Pauly D is known for it's his blowout and his blinged out laptop. Like his hair style, the Jersey Shore favorite and star of The Pauly D Project has made his laptop all his own - by bedazzling it with $3500 worth of crystals.  When Pauly D needs his his famous laptop or headphones or iPhone (check out exclusive photos in the slideshow on the left) to shine he turns to Gina D'Ambra and her team at Crystal Icing. "He only lets Gina and her team crystalize all of his stuff and we adore her," Pauly's rep tells us. "He has been using her for years."
We caught up with Crystal Icing's Co-Founder and President Gina D'Ambra to get the inside scoop on just what it takes to create one of Pauly D's most sparkling accessories - aside from his diamond jewelry and smile, of course!I was contacted back in 2010 to make his laptop case as well as his headphones. (We also make Pauly's crystal headphones as well). I believe Crystal Icing was referred to his management by someone at MTV, as we have done a lot of different promotional pieces for numerous artists over the years.Actually, it was just a little surprise we sent to Pauly with his last set of headphones we sent him. After he posted the image of his SWAGG case (on Twitter), we had so much traffic our website got all jammed up!Third party accessories: Big advantage iOS over Android .Making custom products is what we do and what we are all about, so we love to create anything that will show off someone's personal style. The SWAGG case is just another way to offer that to our customers.
The MB7432 is a 74-inch-wide workstation that is 32 inches deep and 46 inches tall. The system features a 5-inch-deep, 66-inch-wide drawer for storing sockets and 3-inch-deep, extra-wide drawers for wrench. It also offers a deep PowerTech drawer on the bottom right that includes a power strip with four outlets for charging battery packs used on cordless tools. A storage rack will also be available and sold separately to more efficiently organize your power tools within the drawer.Mac Tools now offers the MB7432 Macsimizer Tool Box. It features a push-to-open laptop storage drawer with two outlets and a USB and Internet connection the company says is not available in competitors' tool boxes.The computer drawer is easily opened with a push to open feature providing storage for a laptop or tablet. The computer drawer includes two 110 volt power outlets, a USB outlet and a RJ45 ethernet jack for Internet hook-up.

RadioShack Corporation Reports First-Quarter 2012 Results

RadioShack Corporation a leading national retailer of innovative mobile and technology products, services and accessories, today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.Jim Gooch, president and chief executive officer of RadioShack Corp., said, "As we anticipated, the first quarter was extremely challenging. While our results were disappointing, we are working quickly to drive top line growth and expand margins. We were pleased to see progress from initiatives we began implementing last year, particularly in our highest gross margin signature platform. We believe these initiatives contributed to monthly sequential improvement in Company performance throughout the quarter that has continued into April."
Mr. Gooch continued, "Moreover, we are acting decisively to improve our marketing, with a sharpened mobility message that heightens awareness of our broad mobile offerings, a changed media mix, and a new lead creative agency. We are continuing to capitalize on our successes in expanding product assortments in the signature product platform. And, we are pursuing incremental growth through targeted international ventures and relationships that build on our strengths."
Mr. Gooch added, "As a result of these initiatives, and with our continued commitment to stringent cost control and cash management, we are confident in our ability to drive sequential quarterly improvement in performance throughout 2012."Dorvin Lively, executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief administrative officer, said, "Our substantial cash position allows us to manage through this period with maximum flexibility while reinvesting in the business to drive improved financial performance for our shareholders. Moreover, our new quarterly dividend is a central component of our commitment to returning value to shareholders."
Comparable store sales for company-operated stores and Target Mobile centers decreased 4.2% during the 2012 first quarter, which was primarily attributable to a decline in Sprint postpaid wireless sales, as well as decreased sales of prepaid wireless handsets, laptops and home entertainment accessories. This decrease was partially offset by higher postpaid wireless sales of AT&T, as well as sales of tablet devices, tablet accessories, headphones, and a net increase in sales at U.S. RadioShack company-operated stores of Verizon Wireless postpaid sales compared to T-Mobile postpaid sales in the 2011 first quarter.

Third party accessories: Big advantage iOS over Android

Geeks love accessories for their gadgets. It's not just an obsession, good accessories can extend the utility of smartphones and tablets a great deal. Whether it is an extended battery case for a smartphone, or a case for the tablet that adds functionality, the right accessory can be a game-changer when it comes to daily use.
When conversation turns to platform ecosystems, most folks usually think of apps. That's an important topic, but the third party accessory ecosystem is a source of big revenue that also helps drive mobile platforms. When you compare the accessory ecosystems of the two big guys, iOS and Android, the former wins hands-down.Want a case for your iPhone? Take a stroll online and you will find hundreds, literally hundreds of options to choose from. There are cases that range from just a few bucks for simple models, to over a hundred bucks for models with extended batteries integrated into the case.The same thing holds true for the iPad.HP Pavilion dm1 Heads Down the Catwalk as the Alexandre Herchcovitch PC .There are cases that add functionality to using the iPad in a variety of useful ways, using materials of all types. The number of cases with physical keyboards is amazing even though many iPad owners don't use them.
The Android world is very different when it comes to accessories. There are so many phones that if you have a choice of a couple of cases for yours you consider yourself lucky. Usually only the phone OEM will produce a case or two because they know it's not likely anyone else will.The situation with Android tablets is even worse, as sales don't justify third party accessory makers to take a chance. They have no assurance they will recover their development money.Why the big difference between iOS and Android for accessories? It's a number game. Not only do accessory makers know that Apple will sell millions of iPhones and iPads, they know that the latest model of each will stick around for a year. The window of opportunity with iOS is much longer than it is with Android.
That's due to the big Android platform being spread thin around so many phones and tablets. The market is shared by too many phones and tablets, and third parties have to gamble which ones will sell the most. It doesn't help that Android OEMs update their hardware all the time.If a tablet case maker spends time and money developing a nice accessory for one of the Android models, they're confronted with the tablet maker introducing the next model just months after the first. Often accessories for the previous model won't work with the newly refreshed one. The window of opportunity is very small, and it's the tablet OEM's fault.

HP Pavilion dm1 Heads Down the Catwalk as the Alexandre Herchcovitch PC

Whether it was their netbook collaboration with Vivienne Tam, or their recent Live 3D runway project, HP has a long standing history of embracing fashion, so the new Alexandre Herchcovitch Special Edition Notebook PC should come as no surprise. The Alexandre Herchcovitch Special Edition Notebook PC is essentially a Pavilion dm1 that has been covered in a design created by the Brazilian designer. In particular, it's a black lace pattern set against an iridescent olive pearl color that envelopes the laptop's chassis, as well as the keyboard deck and keycaps for an increased visual "glow" effect. HP has also created a matching laptop sleeve and mouse for the notebook, which compliments its stylish design to a T. These accessories are even bundled with the laptop.
The PC itself comes preloaded with Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 and Adobe Premiere Elements 10 for photo and video editing, HP ProtectSmart, and one year of Norton Internet Security, along with the online game It Girl by Crowd Star where players can become virtual fashion designers.If you're not familiar with the dm1, check out our full review here. The dm1 is a 3.5lb ultraportable laptop that packs in a 11.6″ LED display, an AMD processor, HDMI out, Beats Audio, and a HP TrueVision HD webcam. The Pavilion dm1 by Alexandre Herchcovitch will retail for $629.95 and is a QVC exclusive. However, it will also be available in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.
The Sena Keyboard Folio Case is built like a tank and comes with a Bluetooth keyboard. The case can protect your iPad 2 or the New iPad very well while offering cutouts to use all ports and buttons while in the case. The built-in stand is very handy for typing with the keyboard and the strong closure tap keeps the case shut securely. We like the keyboard well enough and impressed by the solid build and good quality of the case. One thing you need to keep in mind: the case adds considerable amount of bulk and weight for the extra protection and the portable keyboard.These days, digital cameras are packed with plenty of features such as face detection and a wide array of scene modes to help photographers get their shot. There are hotshoe flash units, tripods of different sizes, and straps that let you hang the camera for quicker opertion. Then there are accessories which look downright absurd. We've rounded up some of these quirky peripherals that have been featured on Crave, so take a look and see if any of them appeals to you.

IFA Preview: Tablets to Outshine HDTVs at European Tech Showcase

IFA organizer Berlin Messe, which is the biggest European consumer electronics trade show and held in the German capital at the end of summer each year, opened its Global Press Conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia, on Friday. The organizers were there to present the trends that will dominate IFA 2012, teasing products from its biggest exhibitors, like Samsung, Panasonic, and others.
From the remarks, it's clear that despite the recent rise of so-called smart televisions, HDTVs will not dominate the show as they have in the past. Instead, tablets will take their place. The TV market in Europe and many other countries has been in decline this past year, while tablets are on the rise. Smartphones and tablets are becoming primary screens to many users, and this will be reflected in the European tech showcase.Targus Vuscape Review: Great looking Case and Stand for the New iPad.At the preview, companies that were once HDTV market innovators showed off mobile gadgets, like iPhone and iPad docks. German Loewe had the most elegant device on hand, while Philips demoed a device that enables video, photo or music streaming to a HDTV from any Android smartphone or tablet. Furthermore, Philips showed off a line of speaker systems from its Fidelio line that are all intended for smartphone and tablet music reproduction.
In fact, it was Philips that most vividly showed in Dubrovnik how the HDTV market is suffering due to tablets and smartphones with the first public showing of TP Vision, its new spin-off that will handle the entire Phillips HDTV production and sales business.Samsung, which has used past IFAs to unveil some of its flagship Galaxy devices, brought some of its current high-end handsets and tablets, from Galaxy Beam to Galaxy Note 10.1. Sammy also presented its Smart TV management system that enables gesture and voice navigation. The solution is based around a camera built into the top of the television and is reminiscent of the Microsoft Kinect.
At a panel discussion on the first day of the IFA Global Press Conference, analytics company representatives were almost unanimous in the belief that no company would jeopardize Apple's domination regarding tablets in the upcoming year or two. It was discussed whether Android even had a shot, especially considering the arrival of Windows 8, which will coincide with the IFA show in the fall. The general consensus was that Windows 8 might eat into Android market share or expand the market, while the iPad will continue to be in high demand following the release of iOS 6.

Can You Get A Leather Briefcase For A Laptop?

A leather briefcase offers several advantages to its users. It provides durability and functionality. The leather undergoes several processes before it becomes ideal for any usage.The Italian leather briefcase is among the best leather types. The manufacturer ensures that the leather or the animal skin is well tanned to make it stable and non-decaying, hence making it excellent for leather briefcases, leather bags, leather purses and more.
Because the leather is exceptionally strong, it guarantees the users that the briefcase will not fall apart, does not make the documents rip the seam, and does not wither easily because of the elements in life.It also offers versatility. No matter if the weather is hot or cold, the leather adjusts to match the weather. It is naturally warm in winter, and cool in summer. To date, there is virtually no other material that has insulation characteristics of leather. A leather briefcase allows the process of ventilation and evaporation to take place.
The Italian leather briefcase comes in different fashionable styles to fit with your fashion statement. Although, you need to match your outfit and shoes to the briefcase, however as a whole, leather fabric is perfect in providing you with the proper accent.It also provides protection for your documents, especially from the wet season. Generally, the leather is water-proof, assuring that all items inside are safe. The briefcase also comes with different compartments inside for respective storage of items. The pockets come with a zipper, and other lock options.
It is similar to an organizer, in which documents are classified according to its section. There are also storage for business cards, ball pens, notepad, cellular phone, books and other accessories, making each object properly secured. It also keeps you organized.Today, a leather briefcase can also securely hold a laptop. This is especially true for briefcases with soft-sided frames and with durable padding inside to protect electronic gadgets, documents, flash drive, and other files.
Besides the variations in style, it also comes in different sizes, shapes, designs, and colors. It comes with or without the tooling of the leather, and is customizable. In the past, briefcases were available only in natural colors such as black, brown and tan. Now, leather can be tanned using vegetable oil, and it can be hand-dyed.There are now wide color options to fit your style. You can choose red, pink, blue, green, and yellow, making it ideal not only for businessmen, but for every individual.

Targus Vuscape Review: Great looking Case and Stand for the New iPad

The Targus Vuscape Case and Stand adds a touch of class to the new iPad 3rd generation. The Vuscape bests the ordinary folio style design of so many iPad cases with a more functional accessory for the inking iPad user. I like that it has a good balance between style and function.An ordinary folio style iPad case doesn't get me excited, but the Vuscape looks great, feels nice when held, doesn't add much weight or bulk to the iPad and provides functionality not typically found in a lighter form-factor case.The Vuscape includes a stand function, a loop for a Stylus, water-resistant material that cleans up easily and the magnetic on/off switch.The Vuscape comes in four colors – black, bone/white, charcoal gray and calypso, a pink color. The outer cover protects the iPad from short drops and is water-resistant, making cleaning a breeze.
The inner microfiber lining won't scratch the iPad's screen or the soft aluminum Apple uses to house their electronics.The case has openings for all the buttons and ports.The Week in iOS Accessories: Now hear this.The Apple logo is visible through the circular cutout on the back of the case. A clasp on the cover holds the cover closed. There's also get the magnetic on/off switch.The case's hard shell holds the iPad at six spots – four corners and two more on the shorter edges of the iPad. The two clasps closest to the cover will come loose so to can pop the iPad out and use the case as a stand. They do a good job of holding the iPad. In fact getting these two looser clasps to release the iPad is a challenge, one of my few complaints.
The case turns into a stand by popping two corners off. The inside of the cover has two ridges where the iPad rests to hold it at the sharper angles. The Vuscape case allows users to rest the iPad on the cover for a very low angle comfortable for typing.The iPad wobbles a bit at the highest angle. It's better for viewing content than for interacting with the iPad since a tap could knock the screen over.Targus put a loop on the front cover that holds a stylus in place. I like using a stylus with my iPad, so I'm glad they thought of it. I just wish they chose a different place. When open the, the stylus gets in the way (see below). The case can't lay the cover flat on a table or desk with the stylus in place. I suppose they assume users will always take out the stylus to use it while in stand mode, but I don't always use the stylus when in stand mode and wouldn't remove it if it weren't in this awkward spot. Also, the loop is a bit narrow for the company's Targus 3-in-1 Stylus.

Robo-Cam iOS Accessory Could Be a Photo and Video Game-Changer

The new Galileo iOS accessory allows users to remotely move an iPhone or iPod touch via the touchscreen of another iOS device, such as an iPad. When used with a device's camera, Galileo opens all kinds of doors for time-lapse photography, cinematography, video conferencing, baby monitoring, bird watching, vehicle inspection, robotics, etc."Really the possibilities are endless," says Galileo's co-founder and senior designer, Josh Guyot, in the company's Kickstarter video. He and co-founder JoeBen Bevirt have so far raised almost $360,000, nearly quadrupling what they originally asked for.
It's easy to see why people are so excited. Once your iPhone or iPod touch is in the Galileo dock, you can pan and tilt the devices and their cameras in any direction, creating a 360-degree sphere of vision.Guyot says users can move the device at 200 degrees a second, fast enough to catch a person walking by. It can also be programmed to move as slowly as you want, facilitating things like multiple-hour time-lapse shots.
The Galileo, which doubles as a charger, is controlled via a wireless connection — whether that's a cell signal or Wi-Fi.Guyot, who owns the company Guyot Designs and has invented other devices such as the SplashGuard, was motivated to make the device after trying to video chat with his young son from China while he was away on business. His son would often put down his wife's iPhone and walk away, leaving him staring off into space."Video chatting without being able to move that camera is really frustrating," he says.The $130 device was merely an idea until about nine months ago. That's when Guyot and Bevirt, the founder of Joby and the inventor of the Gorillapod, started moving toward an actual design and system for production.
They have a manufacturer in China and the $100,000 they first set out to raise on Kickstarter will pay for tooling and production costs. All the additional money they've raised will be used to create accessories and to enhance the product."Everything is going to go back into the development," says Guyot.The pair say they chose Kickstarter instead of traditional investors because Kickstarter served as both a fundraising and marketing platform."I don't know if there is a more cost-effective way to launch a product like this," says Guyot.Along with the Galileo device itself, Guyot and Bevirt have also released a software developer's kit, or SDK. This will allow developers to integrate Galileo into existing photography and video apps, or design completely new apps based on the device.