We’re kicking off our series exploring memorable gadgets from memorable people with one of the most influential tech giants: Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple. ?JC

OK…meaningful…here goes…

For that definition, it was probably an electronics learning kit I got for Christmas at about age 8 or 9. As I recall, it didn’t teach electronics formulas or resistor codes, but was full of projects to hook up input devices like switches and output devices like buzzers and lights. It was like learning how to connect all the devices to your hi-fi, or connecting all your peripherals to a computer. It also gave me a good start toward understanding logic rules, like both switches have to be on for the light to shine, or if switch A is on, then switch B selects which light is on.

I call this one the most meaningful, because, pretty clearly to me, it preceded my other important gadgets and inspired me to like gadgets and to understand how to build some. It’s like how the transistor led to the chip, which led to microprocessors, which led to personal computers. Everything goes back to the first invention, in that sense. This electronics kit gave me the understanding that made it easy to progress to large logic devices with multi-pole switches, and some relays, which then progressed to a large tic-tac-toe computer with transistors which progressed to a large adding/subtracting machine with transistors, etc.

The word ‘meaningful’ has the root ‘meaning’ which implies some emotion. In that sense, my first transistor radio, at about age 10, would fit the bill. It gave me portable music that I could listen to all night long as I slept, every night. 20 years later came the walkman, and 20 more years later came the iPod, but the real change in life, the one having the most ‘meaning’, was with the transistor radio.

I always wanted my own computer. With the Apple I, I now had a machine that I could program. I would never run out of things to do in my entire life. So it’s a close runner up to the other two.

The gadget that has been the most attractive of attention ever is not my Segway. It’s my nixie tube watch from CathodeCorner. It looks very large to other people and looks very strange. It’s handmade in America too. The nixie tubes run on 140 volts on your wrist. Airport security guards who have seen every kind of watch ever made have a thrilling time with this watch.

I used to fly to Japan regularly to scour new gadgets, and always bought tons of things which were always surprising at the time, but looking back, few have special meaning. The first consumer digital camera, I think the Mavica technology, was meaningful. The first one for computers, not TV’s, was the QuickTake from Apple. But in many ways, no digital camera to this day has been as good as the first Ricoh one.

The HP-35 calculator was also very meaningful in my life, as it led me to an incredible job designing for the follow-on models.

Much thanks to Woz for helping to kick off our series. Coming up soon: Phil Torrone, gadget maker and modder extraordinare.

Image credit: Sony Mav, HP Calculator

www.chinazrh.com via from Gizmodo

China has urged the United States to drop measures limiting imports of Chinese products in a bid against protectionism.

Countries should not take protectionist measures against the WTO rules, and stem the abuse of WTO trade remedy measures, deputy minister of commerce Yi Xiaozhun said at the Global Think Tank Summit in Beijing Saturday.

“The US special safeguard provision on Chinese products is a symbolic protectionist measure and should be abandoned,” Yi said.

The minister said it was important to implement the G20 commitment, which could effectively prevent the massive resurgence of protectionist sentiment across the world.

He also called for pushing forward the Doha round negotiation, which he believed is also key in fighting against protectionism.

“If countries could be two to three times more open to each other than the current level, it could generate $150 billion in direct returns to the world,” he said.

www.chinazrh.com via from?Gizmodo

How easy is it to make an HD camcorder? Even Thanko, proprietor of all gadgets weird and crappy, has pooped one out. Akihabara News has some not terribly telling sample video, but says for the price ($175), it’s “decent.” [AkihabaraNews]

www.chinazrh.com via from Gizmodo

LG Electronics has announced its intention to produce a so called watch phone this July. 3G This concept watch phone is expected to hit the market of Asia, the Middle East, Australia and Latin America. Featuring a smooth glass face, this touch watch phone houses a high-quality metal casing which is just 13, 9 mm in thickness.

This smart watch phone is Quadband GSM network supported along with incorporated touch screen interface. This beautifully designed watch phone has also 3G capacity with 7, 2 Mb / s HSDPA while giving you the possibility to make a video calls. The LG GD910 watch phone features stereo Bluetooth connectivity.

In addition, you will be able to place your call or use text to speech (TTS) in order to read your text messages or other data. The LG GD910 watch phone has a fitted speaker which is capable to play music. Besides, its large phone book and scheduler will make you more organized.

LG is a kind of record breaker with its touch watch phone supporting 3G video telephony option. This fashionable phone to be worn on your wrist is surely a fun phone having all the necessary features you might be dreaming of. This never seen before state of the art model looks like a spy gadget which is capable to impress all your friends once it is seen.

This fascinating miracle makes its appearance due to most advanced technologies of LG. Looking like a regular wrist watch it does have much in common, at least at first glance. LG Electronics used some components found in time pieces from famous watch makers, making it possible to provide the same comfort a standard watch does, like keeping good time.

Due to this marvelous watch phone, you will be able to send data at high speeds while using your camera for your new experience video phone calls. This clever watch phone appears to combine portability, functionality and design which is a best trend setting criterion. This alluring watch phone comes with LG easy to use Flash interface.

In addition, LG GD910 watch phone has a voice recognition feature to be use in tandem with or without Bluetooth headset, which allows easier contacts finding as well as place calling. If you are music enthusiast, you will find it helpful to listen to you MP3 player incorporated in this LG watch phone.

LG GD910 watch phone is going to have different price tags, depending on the region but is liable to cost dearly. It is expected to be available in Europe sometime this year. This next generation watch phone has 1, 43 inch touch screen display and is supposed to open a new niche market.

According to LG Electronics, this watch phone is expected to show a clock when phone is not used and is going to have water resistance feature, alarm, speakerphone and calendar. Hopefully, this watch phone concept will find its place under the sun.

www.chinazrh.com via from Gadget