Study Ball
May 18th, 2009
Concentrating on work isn’t always easy, but for a student that would rather be out socializing, it’s close to impossible. Some students are committed enough that they can manage to concentrate on school work and ignore the nagging urge to slam the text book closed and go out. Well this Study Ball which is made to look humorously like a ball and chain can help the not so dedicated students stick to their studying goals.
This isn’t just a timer, it actually shackles to your leg until the set time is up. On the shackle itself it lists how much time you have left, so you can count the minutes down until you’re finally free again. The ball weighs 20.95 pounds, which is possible to move, but still a bit on the difficult side. So if there’s an emergency, you can still pick it up and run. It can’t be set for over 4 hours at a time and they suggest that minors not use this without adult supervision. It runs on 3 AAA batteries and will cost you 85,45€ or about $115.
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Filed under: Home Gadgets, Random, Weird | 13 Comments »
Gadget Watch - Tap with face recognition
May 18th, 2009
If there’s one thing in your house that you thought they’d never computerize, would it be a tap? Well, the guys at iHome have decided that a touchscreen tap with face recognition is the future in household gadgetry. I have to admit, this is pretty cool. The SmartFaucet recognises your face and then remembers exactly what water temperature and pressure you like. And if you get bored while you soak? Just use SmartFaucet to catch up on a few emails or find out how your calendar’s shaping up for the weekend.
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Filed under: Home Gadgets, New Tech | 9 Comments »
Foxit’s eSlick Reader
January 29th, 2009
Despite its ugly appearance, Foxit’s upcoming eSlick Reader will get a close look because of two key things: Its $230 price makes it attractive against the more expensive Kindle and Sony Readers and because, according to rumors coming out today, it might be the first large hardware eInk device to play eReader files.
In the comment for a post at JKontherun, a rep from Foxit announced they’d be offering support for eReader software around the time of the device’s release. eReader freeware program files are well regarded by users in the digital community because they can be played on a number of different devices like iPhones, Windows Mobile phones, and any Symbian handset. This would allow people who already own large libraries of eReader books (like the G-Lab’s own Charlie Sorrel) to play them on a larger display and on the easier-to-read eInk tech. If this move works for Foxit, it could open up other eInk hardware makers to allow other file formats on their own devices.
Currently, one of our biggest gripes with the current generation of readers is their unfair DRM content stranglehold they have on content. Amazon’s Kindle can only play downloaded books from its site, and Sony’s Reader works the same way. While eReader files also have DRM properties, the fact you can play them on more than once device makes them valuable and user friendly. Plus, DRM is going out of style, right?
The eSlick Reader will also come with a PDF creator that converts doc files, powerpoints, and XLS files to the eInk format. Like we mentioned previously, the eSlick Reader won’t include a wireless feature like the Kindle, but the company has said it will probably add this in an upcoming version.
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Filed under: Home Gadgets, New Tech | 38 Comments »
OhMiBod Freestyle Wireless iPod Vibrator
January 28th, 2009
If you ever wondering what to get the special someone in your life. I think that this is one of the coolest things I’ve seen at AEE. There is more info on this at http://www.ohmibod.com.
Filed under: Apple, Home Gadgets, Sex | No Comments »
Razer Mamba Gaming Mouse
January 22nd, 2009
Gamers take their hardware very seriously, so it is no surprise to see a company like Razer thriving on gaming peripherals alone. The recent CES saw Razer release new products, and we’ll take a closer look at the Razer Mamba gaming mouse today.
"Razer has unleashed the full potential of gaming mice by designing an ergonomic, lag free gaming mouse with 2.4GHz gaming grade wireless technology, making it the fastest mouse both on and off the cord. With dual mode wired/wireless functionality, the Razer Mamba lets users immediately and seamlessly switch from wired to wireless play. With first in class polling rates at 1ms as compared to traditional wireless mice that poll at 8ms, players will have virtually lag free game play. The Razer Mamba also includes a host of features like Razer Synapse on-board memory that lets gamers store and bring their mouse settings wherever they go. And the world’s fastest 5600DPI Razer Precision 3.5G Laser sensor, the Razer Mamba wireless gaming mouse lets gamers move with lightning speed and precision to easily escape from becoming prey."
How soon will you be able to get your hands on this lethal weapon? Well, it will be put up for sale on Razerzone.com this February, followed by a worldwide release sometime in the first quarter. It will retail for $129.99 in the US, while our friends living in Europe will have to fork out the same amount in the Euro denomination which kinda sucks considering how we’re losing out on the exchange rate.
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Razor Carcharias Headset
January 22nd, 2009
We took a look at the Razer Mamba earlier today, and apart from the fastest gaming mouse in the world, Razer has not forgotten about another key area in gaming - audio. This is where the Razer Carcharias comes in handy, offering uncompromised comfort and audio clarity. The Razer Carcharias is extremely comfort-centric, taking on a circumaural shape that will cover your ears fully without making them feel stifled or stuffy. The adjustable headband also helps to make it a perfect fit, even after your head has swelled to large proportions due to pride of being the best gamer in the area. Other features of the Razer Carcharias headset include :-
* Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz
* Impedance: 32 _ at 1kHz
* Sensitivity (@1kHz, 1V/Pa): 102 +/- 4dB at 1 kHzMax.
* Input Power: 200 mW
* Drivers: 40 mm, with neodymium Magnets
You can pick it up for $79.99 in the US while those in Europe will have to fork out 79.99 Euros when it is re
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Thanko’s USB LunchBox
January 22nd, 2009
Now, if I had the USB powered lunchbox from Thanko, all I would need to do is plug it into my laptop, insert the food, and subject it to 140 degree temperatures. No food goes to waste.
This is also a lunchbox that allows an ordinary worker to heat their lunch without using the community microwave. That is a good thing, because no one cleans that usually outdated microwave anyway.
Something tells me this USB-powered lunchbox might be a bit harder to use than your average microwave, and might take some getting used to. I’m not certain if I would even try using microwave popcorn on it, because you know that awful smell it leaves when you overcook it. Still, you can’t beat the price at about $20.
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Filed under: Home Gadgets | 13 Comments »
SkiGym
January 7th, 2009
I’ve never been skiing, but i’ve done a lot snowboarding. But this simulator looks to be best that ive seen. Its not like the downhill skiing in the back of an arcade that has not been played in months.
The SKIGYM was developed from Pro-Idee in Germany with some help from sports specialists, ski instructors, and physical therapists. The balancing-control technology is similar to that of the WiiFit, but this SKIGYM isn’t available for a gaming console, but for the PC.
The software includes Alpine Ski Racing 2007, which has 32 different ski slopes including 18 real life ones like Lake Louise, Beaver Lake, and Chamonix. The user also has the option of setting difficultly levels from junior, amateur, and even professional, and can choose between from six different disciplines including slaloms and super G.
Clearly, there are some fitness advantages to skiing at home, and it comes with a set of ski-poles for added realism. I’m not certain how much of a workout you would get on the SKIGYM compared to a real day on the slopes. This type of exercise/gameplay will cost you, as it will cost about $2,280.
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Top 10 Gadgets of 2008
January 3rd, 2009
10. Yes we are going to start this list off with one of my personal favorites. The Beer Bottle Opener Counter. This little gadget will always let you know how many beers you have consumed. So if you and your buddies ever have the urge to find out who can drink the most this will help prevent any cheating. I just think this is one of those little things everyone needs. Its a great conversation starter also.
9. Clocky lets you snooze once before he runs away. He can jump from up to 3 feet, and can move on wood or carpet. In case he gives you too much trouble you can disable his…wheels. Yes, we are talking about a machine, not a pet, although the characteristics are quite animal or maybe even human like. He loves playing hide and seek, and catch me if you can. He is not that great to look at, but the cute face makes the owner laugh at a critical time of the day…waking up time.
8. The Potenco PCG1 pull-cord generator creates electricity for portable gadgets with far greater efficiency than hand-cranked devices. The PCG1 is the geek-chic version of a generator for the developing world. It weighs 14 ounces, has both an internal NiMh battery and a mini-USB output jack and can convert 2 minutes of effort into 40 minutes of cellphone talk time.
7. The wii fit was and still is one of the most popular products anywhere. Its new style of playing games and interaction is why it made this list. You can play all kinds of games with the balance board, from hoola hooping to snow boarding. The wii fit is even fun with a group of friends. This is one item I think a lot of people enjoy and will keep enjoying for many years to come.
6. If you’ve got a Netflix account, the decision to buy this is a no-brainer. Connect the Roku box to your TV and it automatically finds your home’s Wi-Fi network and you’re good to go. It streams 12,000 movies and TV shows for free and you can hold on to them as long as you want. Netflix is constantly adding more programming. One day, video-on-demand streaming through devices like the Roku box will completely replace DVDs.
5. Amazon unveiled its digital-book reading device at the end of 2007, but in such small quantities that you couldn’t really get one until 2008. While it definitely takes some getting used to — the awkward placement of the page-forward and page-back buttons makes it easy for newbies to lose their place — this is simply a terrific tool for people who love to read books. Travelers will especially enjoy the luxury of taking a veritable library on the road, and the Kindle can connect to a high-speed cellular network that delivers books ($9.99, even for new titles) on demand.
4. This iPod-sized camcorder shoots high-definition video. That means you get an image crisp enough to view on your HDTV, which is a pretty cool feat in such a small, easy-to-use package. Mino’s product line stresses one-button simplicity, and the MinoHD comes with its own editing software on board. The first time you connect it to your Mac or PC — via a flip-out USB plug — you install the software, which automatically lets you post your videos to YouTube and other places. The bitty viddy has 4 GB of internal memory, or enough for about an hour of video, and an internal rechargeable battery that provides two hours of shooting time.
3. It doesn’t handle email as well as the cheapest BlackBerry, and as a telephone, it’s no better than most cell phones. But this is the gadget that launched the era of mobile computing, and what an epoch that promises to be! With 10,000 free and paid applications, tethered to on-board GPS and utilizing an array of sensors that include a motion-sensing accelerometer, what can’t the iPhone do?
2. Of all the gadgets on this list, this is the one that James Bond is most likely to carry. That is, it’s one of coolest gadget of the year. It’s a pocket projector — meaning you plug the 4.1-inch gizmo into your iPod or iPhone, and it projects your movies on a wall, or even on the seat back in front of you on the plane. It displays images crisply on a surface as close as 8 inches away and as distant as 8 feet away, even in daylight. The super-bright Pico weighs 4 ounces and is smaller than many cell phones. Two cautionary notes: The sound output is dinky, so you’ll want to use it with headphones, which makes it less fun for the whole family, or an external speaker, which makes it bulky.
1. ARCHOS, award-winning for its constant technology innovation and leadership in portable media players now introduces a new concept: the Internet Media Tablet.
The ARCHOS 5 is the flagship of the new range, bringing the customer a new way to enjoy Internet, Media and TV…in a handheld device.
Uncompromised Web surfing in the palm of your hand
With its built-in capabilities, your Internet Media Tablet becomes the ultimate way to surf the web. The amazingly sharp and high-resolution screen lets you navigate effortlessly through the web just like you would on a PC.
Browsing becomes almost seamless with the ARM® Cortex™ processor and the Adobe Flash™ 9 video support. Surfing on a handheld device has never been so fast and smooth.
The full email application lets you read, write, download and send attachments, and manage your contacts.
Your entire digital library in a thin handheld tablet
The ARCHOS 5 features a very high capacity internal hard drive from 60 GB to 250 GB, in slim and sleek enclosures.
You can thus download a vast number of songs and videos from the unique selection of renowned movie and music partners assembled in the Media Club.
You can play movies in HD or DVD quality for the richest media experience on the go.
The ultimate TV experience at home or on the go
Enjoy your ARCHOS contents played directly back to your TV, with the DVR Station. Schedule TV recordings from any channel on your cable or set-top box in just a few clicks. Then choose when and where you want to watch them.
Play back all your digital content from your ARCHOS 5 to your TV, even in HD quality, at 720p.
Filed under: Apple, Computers, Home Gadgets, New Tech, Phones, Top 10 | 3 Comments »
Clocky The Runaway Alarm Clock
January 2nd, 2009
According its maker, Clocky is for people who have trouble waking up.
Clocky lets you snooze once before he runs away. He can jump from up to 3 feet, and can move on wood or carpet. In case he gives you too much trouble you can disable his…wheels. Yes, we are talking about a machine, not a pet, although the characteristics are quite animal or maybe even human like.
Clocky is a clock. He measures 5.25″ x 3.5″ x 3.5″ and is available in three beautiful colours, almond white, aqua and mint.
Clocky has been created by Gauri Nanda who is a MS in media arts and sciences from MIT. Gauri has always had trouble waking up and created Clocky. The creator doesn’t much like the alarm clocks available which are “obnoxious, stressful devices that don’t do their intended job very well.”
Clocky on the other hand is more like a pet. He loves playing hide and seek, and catch me if you can. He is not that great to look at, but the cute face makes the owner laugh at a critical time of the day…waking up time.
Clocky can be pre programmed for a fixed number of snoozes. Once those are over and the owner hits the snooze button yet again, Clocky will fall off the table and roll away, bumping into objects on the floor with gay abandon till he finds a place to hide. After a while, when the alarm rings again, the sleeper has to get out of bed to look for Clocky. Clocky has internal chips that make him look for a new hiding place everyday, so all the user’s senses are wake trying to find him.
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Filed under: Home Gadgets | 17 Comments »