As the IFA tech tradeshow winds down in Berlin, one of the clear standouts at the show was the Samsung Galaxy Tab, an Android tablet phone. The Galaxy Tab is a 7-inch tablet that is positioned to compete with the iPad.

For a side-by-side comparison of the Galaxy Tab and the iPad, check out the comparison chart at PCWorld. To summarize the differences — the Galaxy Tab is smaller and lighter and supports up to 32GB of expandable storage. In addition, while the iPad is without a built-in camera, the Galaxy Tab has both front and rear-facing cameras. And of course the Galaxy Tab has smartphone capabilities.

The newly designed Xbox 360 controller from Microsoft features a sleek silver and black finish. The controller’s D-pad converts into either a flat or raised configuration with a simple twist of the wrist, satisfying two different camps of gamers.

Read the more about the new controller in this PC World article. You can also see the controller in action in this YouTube video:

This new leather case for the iPad will provide some of the convenience of a netbook.  The folio-style case from KeyCase has a built-in Bluetooth keyboard and can flip into 3 different configurations, including the propped setup shown here.  The keyboard can also be removed when you want to lighten the load.

If you’re looking for a more compact solution, Apple makes a compact Bluetooth keyboard that you can stash in a backpack or bag.   And then there’s the built-in keyboard on the iPad, which many users prefer to an external keyboard.  Isn’t it great to have options!

The KeyCase iPad Folio with integrated Bluetooth keyboard is available at GearZap.com.

The Livescribe Echo smartpen is the perfect lecture tool for students, capturing audio and providing the ability to link it to written notes.   The Echo Pen  allows captured audio and written notes to be upload to a PC or Mac computer, where they can be filed and searched according to key words.  Students can also share their notes by attaching a pencast file to an email.  The pencast file, which consists of both images and audio, can be played back on any computer.

The Echo smartpen comes in 4GB (400 audio hours) and 8GB (800 audio hours) models.  Their available at BestBuy for $169.95 and $199.95. 

To see the Livescribe Echo Pen in action, check out the YouTube video below and / or visit the Livescribe website:

New York City will see the introduction of a new bike sharing system this fall that uses an iPhone app to help users location a bike.  Social Bicycles will provide bikes equipped with GPS devices locked to one of the wheels.  Members of the Social Bicycles network can borrow a bike, ride it to their location, then drop it off.  When a bike is not in use, it can be located via the GPS and iPhone app. 

The best part of this new bike sharing system is that bikes can be parked and locked just about anywhere, eliminating the need for special docking stations.  Read more about the Social Bicycles program on CrunchGear.

Read about other useful apps for daily living here.

Here’s the final part of our series on must-have dorm gadgets.  If you ever existed on Ramen noodles, you’ll love this next gadget.

Ramen cup of noodles are a long-time staple for college students, but it’s easy to get distracted and let them overcook.  This dedicated Cup Noodles Timer allows you to set your cup on the simulated “burner,” set the timer and then forget about it until you the voice alarm tells you it’s noodle time!

The Cup Noodles Timer is available for $12 at Beboxx.com.

Here’s the second installment in our series on must-have gadgets for the college dorm, just in time for the back-to-school season.

What starving college student hasn’t had the problem of food disappearing from a shared fridge?  This ingenious gadget will help you keep your snacks safe.  The Fridge Locker has a combination lock that keeps food in and “Refrig-A-Raiders” out.  They can see the food, but they just can’t get it!  The locker is completely portable, allowing you to grab your food and go.  Best of all, not more battles about missing food.

The Fridge Locker is available for $19.95 on Amazon.com.

As fall approaches, back-to-dorm school shopping is gearing up. In addition to sheets, towels and school supplies, every college student needs a few new gadgets. Here’s Part 1 of our back-to-school gadget review.

This Remote Controlled Cooler is like your own private butler.  It will bring your drinks to you or turn you into the perfect party host by serving your guests.  Four hidden wheels allow this R2-D2 lookalike to move in every direction.   The batter operated remote control operation at a distance of up to 30 feet.  You can also pick it up the cooler by its carrying strap and take it with you to parties and other special events.  When not in use, it folds down for compact storage.  We think you’ll find the R/C Cooler is one of the most indispensable yet useless gadgets you’ve ever owned!

You can see the cooler in action in this funny Australian commercial on YouTube:

The R/C Drinks Cooler is available for $69.95 at Firefox.com.

See also:

Dorm Gadgets – Part 2 and Dorm Gadgets – Part 3 🙂

Researchers have developed a new robotic fish that’s designed to lead other fish out of danger.  A team at Polytechnic Institute of New York University led by Maurizio Porfiri studied the dynamics of schools of fish and of leader fish.  They found that leader fish gain the attention of the school by beating their tail fins rapidly and swimming around excitedly.  They designed a mechanism that emulates the motion of the leader fish.  The goal of the team was design a robotic fish that can steer schools of fish away from underwater turbines, but additional application could be steering fish away from oil spills and other toxic environments.

Read more about the work at Polytechnic Institute on the DiscoveryNews website.

This popular YouTube video shows 10 amazing science-based tricks that will be the hit of any party. The tricks are presented by Professor Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire in the U.K. 

You can find more tricks by visiting Professor Wiseman’s daily blog.

In Professor Wiseman’s illusion pictured below, what looks like spirals of blue and green are actually the same color.  The overlay of orange or magenta stripes tricks are eyes into seeing different shades: