Whenever I need to know how my Mac is put together, I go to the website where they take it apart – iFixit.com. As is to be expected with the release of any major new product, they got one and took it apart, all within a few hours of the iPad’s launch. So what can we glean from their tireless efforts?

First, this thing doesn’t seem too difficult to disassemble. The screen comes off with a spudger, although they do report that you might break a few tabs in the process. They also note how balanced the device is, with perfect 50-50 distribution between the front and back panels. Apple also uses the smallest screws that iFixit has ever seen on an Apple product – T4 Torx heads.

There’s really no revolutionary info here – other than the device itself, it seems – but it is a good look at the inside of a beautifully designed product, The fact is, Apple takes as much care on the details from the inside, as well as the outside. For example, check out the antenna. Hidden behind the Apple logo, it’s press fit into a carefully machined insert in the back of the aluminum case, yet sits flush with the surrounding metal. Little details like this are the reason why Apple has so many fans.

Like the iPad or hate it, you’ve got to respect some of the pretty parts contained inside of this new device. Now let’s see what the modding community does with that information.

It displays 15 common knots, but instead of using rope it uses various bits of iPhone cabling, including the headphones, dock and USB connectors.

Are you a lucky person who has never had a pair of headphones tie themselves up in knots? It tends not to happen with more expensive headphones with slightly thicker wires, but smaller earbuds and thinner wires always seem to get caught up in themselves, no matter how carefully they’re put away.

Ford’s point is that Bluetooth comes with every new Ford car. While this isn’t Ford’s only ad, it’s interesting that the influence of the iPod is so strong that it has deemed it worthwhile to make a point of it.

I rarely use my original iPhone buds any more, and I’ve got one of those little clips that you can wrap the wire around to stop it getting tied up. I don’t recall my cabling ever getting tied up quite as neatly or as identifiably as the pics in the ad.

Via

The Jabra HALO is a wireless Bluetooth stereo headset that allows users to enjoy wireless music and answer phone calls in crystal clear stereo sound. Featuring A2DP technology, the Jabra HALO gives users the ability to seamlessly connect to any Bluetooth music-playing device – and all 3.5 mm music playing devices – including mobile phones, Mp3 players, laptops, and TVs. -gizmodo

It was shown at Mobile World Congress a couple of months back and, apparently, there are plenty of people who want this blocky-looking gadget on their wrist. It’s certainly not the look I’d go for (I preferred Hyundai’s 2007 attempt, and it’s not even got the most cutting edge technology on board.

Sure, it’s got a touch display but there’s only room to squeeze in 132 x 176 resolution. It’s triband but no sniff of 3G, and simply WAP for browsing (though why you’d want to surf the Internet from your wrist is beyond me). It’ll come with a Bluetooth headset and can be used for email, music and video.

And the price? Around £200 SIM-free. Hyundai says that it’s already “selling well” in Europe and will arrive in Britain sometime this summer. Would you wear it?

I already had my rant about the LG wrist wratch phone, but this concept design of a wrist wratch Bluetooth phone (Try saying that 10 times without stuttering!), I must admit looks cool.

Designer Pedro Gomez calls it _technically_ a bracelet with watch and phone. When someone calls, the bracelet rings and/or vibrates. The entire face pops out as a wireless headset without sacrificing a screen since there’s a secondary LCD. Both LCDs are touch enabled.

I’m not that all too tired about geeky headphone sets, they do serve their purposes quite well, in fact I am using one… Plantronics Explorer 360. I could tell you though that there are places I wouldn’t be caught wearing it… like if I’m in a formal event in a Tuxedo or suit. It just is “too loud” to wear paired with it don’t you think?

I saw this pretty ear dongle from the Yanko Designs page, by designer Ilshat Garipov. And if it’s from Yanko’s pages, you bet they’re not on sale as yet. I don’t even know what is the official product name at press time. But DVice has aptly called it the “Sexy Waterdrop headset”.

I agree that these are a bit too girly for the tech guys. But the concept is there that these small gadget helpers can blend better for users.

So Plantronics… could you develop one soon? Just don’t make it in grimy green colors… please!

Saw this little dongle at Office Max the other day and thought “hey that’s a dongle I could have used 5 years ago!” when I owned a Dell Inspiron 8600 and desperately needed a bluetooth connection with my Nokia cellphone. Dell was selling bluetooth with the 8600 model for a US$500 premium, too expensive for something I’d use occasionally.

Fast forward to 2008… look here, the same functionality for about US$5!

The Tiny USB 2.0 Bluetooth Doogle Adapter for PC Laptop, sold here, almost vanishes into your USB port. If you’ve got a bluetooth mouse with “giant” dongles that always get in the way, this is a good replacement.

I hope, though, that 5 years from now these would offer “pass-through” ability. It still consumes a USB port and it would be awesome if you could still use the port the dongle uses. Oh well, maybe soon, eh?

Here are the specifications:

Size: 20x14x4mm, or 0.78×0.55×0.15in
Net Weight: 2g, or 0.07oz
Bluetooth Compliant: V2.0/V1.2
Supporting Profiles: Networking, Dial-up, Fax, LAN access, and Headset
Operation System: Windows98, 98SE, ME, 2000, XP, VISTA
Interface: USB compliance
Symbol Rate: 3Mbps
Receiving/ Sending Range: 0-100m

I am aware of how useful the iSight Mac webcam is, I believe Mac computers pioneered the embedded webcam feature on notebook computers that it has now become a standard. If a notebook computer doesn’t have a built-in webcam, it usually is ignored! Beats the hell out of occupying a USB slot and dangling your webcam on to of your notebook lid.

Happy as I am there are times, though, that the iSight just doesn’t fit in certain video situation. Like if I’m on a video conference and would like to share my surroundings to my chatmate I’d pick up my Macbook and swivel it like a monkey with my hands up. LOL!

Good thing there is now the BT-1 Bluetooth Webcam. This webcam was built to pair up with your Mac computer. And no cables, honey, it operates on blue tooth with about a 10-feet radius from your laptop. That means you can stand up and carry your wallet-size BT-1 bluetooth webcam around. Great job!

Here are the product features:

- 640×480 H.264 video and 48 kHz AAC stereo audio
- Compact 2″ x 2½” x 5/8″ design
- 4 hour talk time
- Compatible with iChat, Skype and more
- 10 – 30 foot wireless range
- Standard tripod mounting screw
- Includes a flexible mini-tripod and USB charging cable.
- Requires Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard or newer and Bluetooth v2.0+EDR or better.

My only wish… colors! I hope when this product hits the shelves it will come in say… colors compatible to the iPods colors? That would be really swell now, wouldn’t it? :)

Price is set at about US$150 and seen to be released late Q1 of 2009.