Thanks, Mr. UPS Guy. The Q5W arrived at the office this morning. We got down to business and took some unboxing photos as soon as we got our hands on it. The box itself is much bigger than we thought; its width and height are about those of a legal-size paper.

Our first impression of the Q5W is good for the most part. The metal-bodied hardware feels really solid; a little bit on the heavy side. The LCD takes up the whole of the front, which is nice. The touch-screen LCD is bright and sharp at 800x460. The interface is where we have some concerns with. Since the Q5W runs on WindowsCE 5.0, the Cowon interface actually runs on top of it. A lot of the functions fall back to using the default WindowsCE native interface, which is not exactly user-friendly. Another big down side is that it was not able to locate our WiFi signal even when we placed the unit right next to the access point.

We'll be taking the Q5W through its paces in the next few days. We will let you know how it performs. As promised, we will also be comparing to its direct competitor, the Archos 605 WiFi.

For now, enjoy the unboxing pictures.

Update: The more I tested the Q5W we received, the more I am convinced that we have a faulty unit. Here are just a few things that I am having problem with:

• WiFi reception - the unit is unable to detect the WiFi signal in our office
• keyboard activation - the on-screen keyboard doesn't always come up when I place the cursor on an edit box; this makes it impossible to input any kind of useful information. This is worse when I open up Microsoft Word CE and have no way to "type"
• USB host - when connecting a camera to the review unit, I am unable to browse through the photos on the camera using the file browser
• FM reception - I am unable to receive signals from any station around my area
• and the 5-page quick guide filled with misspelled words and one upside down image really doesn't help at all. By the way, there is NO detailed manual for the unit, only that 5-page quick guide.

I guess some news just can't wait until the relaunch of the site.

Cowon America has made available the eagerly-awaited Cowon Q5W Digital Media Player (US twin of the Korean Q5 model). What is so special about this player? Here are some specs:

• 5" WVGA LCD Touch Screen (800x460)
  
• Alchemy Au1250 600MHz CPU
• 40GB or 60GB HDD
• 802.11g/b WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
• video play back of 720x480 at 30fps
• battery life of 13 hours for audio and 7 hours for video
• runs on WindowsCE 5.0

The best part? The review unit is coming in tomorrow. I will be posting the unboxing pictures then. As for the review, look for it comes next week after I spent the whole weekend running it through its paces.

Update: (11/29/07) I guess, it's not meant to be. I was informed that the Q5W is coming in tomorrow rather than today.  One more day, guys.

I know, it's been a while since the site was updated; over 2 months. I have to apologize for this. I've been very busy running two other sites: appletvsource.com and appletvhacks.net .

All this time though, I've been tweaking gadgetaholic behind the scene on and off, eventhough I didn't update the content. Some of new components are still not ready for prime time yet but they're coming along well.

Here's how the site is going to be when it's relaunched:

• avatar maker - Kind of like a Mii editor for the avatars
• user review - like reviewing gadgets? You will get to review them here for othes to see.
• member driven content - this means that you will be have a chance to shine by writing your own articles and posting them on the site.
• social networking - you will get to interact and share your thoughts with other gadgetaholics like yourself.

I am looking for new ideas for the site from you guys, too. So if you have any suggestions, please send them to luckk@gadgetaholic.com. I'll be happy to entertain your requests.

Sincerely,

Luck Kanthatham, THE Gadgetaholic

After all the complaints from early adopters of the iPhone about the $200 price drop, Apple is now offering a $100 credit to some of the customers.

While defending his stance on the price reduction, Steve Jobs also wanted to make peace with the early adopters. There had been outcries of anger on sites around the web surrounding this. Jobs hopes that this action will finally appease them. He cited hopes for a boost in holiday sales as the main reason for the price reduction.

While this maybe a kind act by Apple, this looks more like a well-orchestrated marketing campaign.

Am I the only one who is disappointed in the new iPod line up? I normally would be one of the first to wait at the Apple store and pester the sales guys to get the new products out so I could be the first to have them.. But this line up, I have to say is very disappointing. And I am one of Apple's biggest fans!

Read more about my disappointment with the line up

Far out, you say? Well, not that far off.

No, it won't dispense condoms, sponges, or spermicide. Nor will it protect you against STD of any kind. But it will help you and your partner minimize the chance of having a little one 9 months down the road.

Samsung has filed a patent that will monitor "woman's menstruation cycle through the measurement of basal body temperature (BBT)" and determine when it is safe to "get your groove on."

Man, once it is implemented, these phones are going to sell like hot cakes.

Does it have to come to this? Frankly, I'm worried for my children. The future does not look so bright if we really need a product like this.

Not to say that the intention is not good. I'm sure there are valid reasons for developing these backpacks. The web site says "now you can provide on the spot protection against guns and knife violence!" But, frankly, I think there are many too many flaws in this logic.

Now, let's analyze this shall we?

• First, I don't think any child in their right mind would be ducking behind this backpack and used it as a shield. First thing they want to do is drop their backpacks and run for their lives; the backpack would just slow them down.
• Secondly, they probably need to trained on how to use the backpack as a shield. Not one of those 15-minute training courses either. Probably many sessions of how to consciously use their freakin' heavy backpack against weapons like a GUN!
• The backpack is too small to protect children. There are too many unprotected areas on the body that are prone to be shot or stabbed.
• The first impact of the first bullet would most likely make the child drop the backpack. Now what?

You knew that sooner or later, somebody would eventually unlock the iPhone to use with other providers.  Here's a proof.  Not only is the iPhone unlocked, but it is also on sale in Hong Kong.  Gotta love those guys.

With the help of Turbo SIM card and some minor hacking, the iPhone is now unlocked to be used with any carrier you wish.  So now, you can either go to Hong Kong to get one of those pre-hacked ones.  Or, you can following instructions found on the web to try to unlock your iPhone.

There is also a video of the unlocked iPhone running on a non-AT&T network here .

Been wanting a RAZR since its release 3 years ago? Well, now you can one-up the other 100 million plus RAZR users out there comes this September.

The Motorola RAZR2 or the "son of RAZR" will now be available from all 3 top service providers: AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel. Equipped with features like 2 mega-pixel camera and a music player, this "razor" thin phone will sure to capture the hearts of all the cellies out there.

With a track record of 100 million phones sold, the RAZR2 has a long way to catch up with its predecessor. However, given the success of the original, it should come as no surprise that this phone, too, will be a big hit.

The RAZR2 will be priced between $249 and $299 (with a 2-year contract), depending on the provider.  Sprint will be taking the RAZR2 orders starting September 22nd and will be available at the stores on September 4th.

Don't get your iPhone all scratched up. Wrap it up the natural way with a hand-crafted wooden case fron Miniot.

Available in Oak, Padouk, Cherry, Mahoganey, and Walnut, you will sure stand out from the crowd when you whip your iPhone out, enclosed with one of these. You think you can't go any more unique than this? How about engraving it with a logo, or a personalized message? Just wait for the oohs and ahs. But wait there is more. You can't just dock your wood-enclosed iPhone anywhere. A matching wooden iPhone dock is available to complete the look.

The pricing on the Miniot iPhone case starts at EUR 70 for a basic case. Engraving it will set you back another EUR 10. And if you want that dock to go with it, it will be another EUR 20 extra.