Gadgets Blog

Kids absolutely love making a din, and if your house has kids and it is too quiet for comfort, you can bet your bottom dollar that they’re up to something. Why not get the GeoSafari Digital Recording Lab to augment their latent musical abilities? This device helps them learn more about sound and electronics without coming across as boring, offering up to 59 projects in total. The GeoSafari Digital Recording Lab will enable your little one to learn how to build various devices like a rhythmic sound generator, a digital voice recorder, an electronic parrot, a voice alarm and a voice changer among others.

All the components for these projects are permanently installed on the GeoSafari Digital Recording Lab; all your little ones will have to do is connect them in the proper sequence using the connection wires. The project guide will not only show them the order of the wires, but also explain how the different electronic parts (transistor, capacitor, resistor, etc) are actually working. Your kids will start with the GeoSafari Digital Recording Lab and learn so much they will quickly ease into a career designing layered sound effects for Skywalker Sound. Trust us.

Sounds (no pun intended) like $49.99 well spent, this!

There is nothing quite like painting the town red to celebrate a joyous occassion like a marriage or promotion on the job, but drinking responsibly is another important thing to consider even if you decide to let your hair down. For folks who do not trust cabbies to bring them back in one piece after a hard night of partying, there’s always the Keyring Alcohol Breath Tester that allows you to know whether you need a friend to bring you back or not.

Just hold down the power button until the LED turns green and blow across the top of the grill. If the light remains green, then you’re under 0.05% BAC, and in theory in the clear. If the yellow LED comes to life, then you need to use caution (and probably a bus) as it means you’re hovering dangerously close to the legal alcohol limit of 0.08% BAC. If the red and yellow LEDs come on, then you should throw your car keys into the nearest river and start weaving your way home as you’ve had far too much to drink.

Of course, if you can’t even remember where you’ve parked your car, then there isn’t even any need to purchase this £7.99 device.

We all know that electrical devices and water don’t make good friends, as whenever they meet, there tends to be flare ups as well as a possible explosive “argument” since both parties aren’t able to see eye-to-eye. Well, computers do fall under the electrical devices category, which is why the WPC-500F from Stealth Computer is different from the rest. After all, their WPC-500F is an industrial rugged machine that is waterproof, coming in a small footprint that does away with built-in fans to keep things cool. It is tough enough to operate in situations where regular computer hardware would have long ago given up the ghost. Definitely worth considering if you want something different in your home, as how many of your mates own a waterproof computer?

According to Stealth Computer, the WPC-500F offers the most environmental protection of any PC to date from the company, where it was specially created to completely sealed on all half dozen sides despite operating in the harshest of environments. This 100% water-tight computing machine is able to handle virtually anything thrown at it, including liquids, chemicals, dust and dirt intrusion, as it meets IP67/NEMA 6 environmental specifications. The internal processor will remain cool without the help of any cooling fans since it relies on advanced heat pipe technology. In addition, the rugged aluminum chassis also doubles up as a heat sink to dissipate internal heat and provide noise free operation.

Just in case you were wondering how small the WPC-500F is, it measures a mere 7.51″ x 11.37″ x 2.97″, and despite being this small, it is somewhat like one of those tiny breed dogs that tend to boast a superior bite compared to larger breeds. In fact, the WPC-500F is powered by the latest Atom processor from Intel, helping it surpass the performance of most other industrial and embedded PCs available today in the market. Prices start from $1,995 upwards when the WPC-500F hits the market later this July, and will go upwards according to the specifications you throw inside.

Press Release

Stray hairs can get quite irritating especially when you’ve got a date coming up or a social event where plenty of the rich and famous will be in attendance. Well, we suppose if you were actually invited to such an event you would definitely be able to afford the best forms of beauty care, but for folks who are part of the rags-to-riches story and prefer to take on a more DIY approach might prefer to remove these stray hairs themselves without the pruning and preening of some prima donna beautician who costs hundreds of dollars per session. The Easy Trim from Andis Company is a spanking new battery powered personal trimmer which aims to eradicate any stray hair spotted. Measuring a mere 4.5″ long, the Easy Trim is highly portable and slips into a travel bag or purse, ready to trim hair from ears, nose, eyebrows, beards - virtually any spot that requires a quick trim before an encounter where errant hairs might cause embarrassment.

Accordin to Fred Koeller, Vice President of Marketing at Andis, “Easy Trim is about the size of a lipstick. It has a protective cap that covers the blades and is a lot safer than carrying a pair scissors, even small ones, especially when traveling.” Easy Trim will feature surgical stainless steel blades that are recessed, rust proof and a snap to rinse clean after each use. Each purchase will be accompanied by a couple of interchangeable heads, where one will be used for hard to reach areas like ears and noses, while the other for detail trimming on areas like beards and mustaches. This translates to the magic ability to shape eyebrows within seconds.

Powered by a solitary AA battery, the Easy Trim will come with a sleek stand and a five year warranty. Looks like this would make a great gift for dad if he tends to be an hirsute person.

Press Release

This is a hoot - we all know that Mr. Obama fought his way to keep his BlackBerry by his side even after he became the most powerful man on earth by virtue of his political standing in the world, but this - the Blockberry 9500, a clone of the BlackBerry even gets a standing endorsement from the man in his trademark smile? More than one thing smells fishy here, with the slogan on the phone’s poster, “Obama have Blackberry, I have blockberry” being one of the funniest marketing pitches we’ve come across in a long, long time. Interestingly enough, the Blockberry 9500 will be powered by Windows Mobile 6.1 alongside a 460MHZ proccessor, a 3.2″ touchscreen display, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, WIFI and Bluetooth connectivity, a SiRFStar III GPS navigation chipset as well as support for 3G and EDGE networks.

Source: Cloned in China

Logitech has released their Wireless Guitar Controller for the Xbox 360 that is one of the more authentic Guitar Hero controllers to date. After all, this was specially licensed for Guitar Hero use and is made from authentic materials such as a wood neck, a rosewood fingerboard and metal frets, offering gamers a chance to unleash their inner rock star in the living room with aplomb. Since it was also licensed for Xbox 360, setup is a cinch.

The virtually silent Strum Bar and fret buttons won’t distract you from the music. Plus, with a wireless range of up to 30 feet, you’re free to go where the music moves you. The Logitech Wireless Guitar Controller for Xbox 360 is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in August for a suggested retail price of $199.99.

Sounds pretty steep for a video game controller, don’t you think?

Press Release

Mention National Geographic and what comes across your mind? Surely you will think of exotic far off places, or a patient cameraman waiting for days, weeks even, to capture that glimpse of a rare animal, or even visit the remotest jungle tribes in the world and view their culture over TV? Well, the informative company is now taking a rare step into something totally different - it has just announced their very own handset, known as the National Geographic Duet Travel Phone that was specially designed for the needs of the international traveler. We don’t suppose all those folks who act as hosts on National Geographic documentaries will be getting one of these puppies, eh? This new handset will come with dual SIM card support and is traveler friendly, featuring functions such as Bluetooth connectivity, a camera, an integrated FM radio for entertainment, mobile TV support and a memory card slot.

To sweeten the deal, the Duet Travel Phone will also come pre-loaded with various National Geographic content that ought to keep a fan of documentaries and nature magazines happy, including ringtones, wallpapers and travel-related videos from the National Geographic Channel. What makes the Duet special is it comes with National Geographic’s pay-as-you-go National Geographic Travel SIM card. What this SIM card does is enable affordable calling in 185 countries, including free incoming calls in over 80 countries and 30 minutes of outgoing call credit (for most countries). Users can also choose to use up the remaining SIM card slot for a secondary number and service, making it perfect for folks who want to retain their current number when traveling overseas while enjoying the call options offered on the first SIM card. Another great feature to have would be its 24/7 toll-free US-based customer service that is accessible straight from the handset through a three-digit access number.

You can pick up the National Geographic Travel Phone from CellularAbroad.com, Amazon.com, Expansys-usa.com and other select retailers.

Press Release

Motorola is one cellphone manufacturer that we would hate to see bite the dust considering how they have changed the industry landscape over the years, and the way their iconic RAZR handset (which ultimately proved to turn the company into a victim of its own success as it failed to release new models that could surpass the initial success of the RAZR) made cellphones as a sexy must-have business communications tool. Well, nice to know that they’re still hanging in there despite being rather lacklustre in terms of handset releases compared to other players in the market, but their latest device, the Motorola Endeavor HX1 Bluetooth headset won’t do much in helping turn the company’s fortunes around it seems. Read on after the jump to find out why.

Firstly, the Endeavor HX1 Bluetooth headset, while is a pretty decent looking model, will not be able to evoke your emotions in a positive manner compared to the first time you laid your eyes on the RAZR. Granted, a Bluetooth headset and a cellphone are worlds apart in terms of functionality, but surely there must be an idea somewhere which has yet to be tapped which will get folks excited about purchasing this hands-free cellphone accessory? The Endeavor HX1 will be the first headset from the company that brings together Motorola’s CrystalTalk noise cancellation technology with a stealth mode, enabling you to hear and be heard regardless of how noisy your surroundings are (OK so there are limits, including using this at the starting grid of an F1 race where 20-odd cars or so start revving their monstrous engines).

The use of true bone conduction technology is not new as Aliph has been doing it for years, but it is nice to see Motorola take some steps to keep up with the times. This technology will help relay only your voice while knocking out the most extreme noise and wind for a revolutionary premium headset experience. The stealth mode can be activated at the touch of a button to trigger bone conduction technology, where an ear sensor will help seal off outside noise instead of using an exposed exterior microphone. Each word you speak will see the sensor tap your vocal vibrations, converting them to speech seamlessly so that the listener hears nothing but your voice. Expect to pick up the Motorola Endeavor HX1 later this July for a yet unannounced price.

Press Release

Super Universal Car Mount! Super Universal Car Mount! Super Universal Car Mount! Okay, I don’t think I could hype this product any more.

Considering that most countries have that whole “no handhelds law while driving”, you need something to hold the mobile devices. Of course, I assume laws like that were made so drivers would not be distracted, but I can’t think of anything more distracting than this device that looks like a baby’s mobile.

However, this really is a handy device for holding a cellular phone, a satellite navigation system, and an MP3 player. Yes, this one thing can pretty much do it all and attach to the windshield with a strong suction cup. From there, all three goosenecks can adjust for all sorts of mobile views.

Okay, I think that is about all I can say about this particular device. I’m not certain what else you can use this for, really. It’s too bad they don’t have some attachment that can hold your coffee, but I guess that’s what a cup holder is for.

Well, if you want to get your paws on this one, head over to the USB fever website. You might be wondering: what does a USB have to do with this product? Absolutely nothing. Just shell out $29.99 for the Super Universal Car Mount!

Source

It would appear that someone has finally invented a computer designed for Seniors with the Go Computer. All I can say is: it’s about time!

The Go Computer is designed to be simple and “easy-on-the-eye”. I guess the large typeface keyboard and color-coded keys is what makes it easy for those who are visually impaired. In addition to the big font hardware, the Go Computer runs MyGait software, an Operating System with a large typeface and easy magnifier. Another bonus for seniors is the one click access to the email and web.

You may also note the trackball mouse and the all-in-one architecture. There isn’t really a disk drive tower, but a desktop Eeebox PC on the back of the display.

There are only two things required to make this work: a power outlet and a broadband Internet connection. The latter of that could be difficult for some senior citizens. Believe it or not, I just helped my mother get her Broadband Internet connection set up. Before that, she was using dial-up and AOL for over ten years. Some of you are not liking the sound of that.

So, if you know someone who is in need of a computer like this, you should be able to get it on the Go Computer website for about $799.00.

Source

Although this has the appearance of a radio you’d find overly dusty in the attic, it’s actually a new machine with all the conveniences of modern technology.  It’s sometimes nice to find new technology that doesn’t stick with the modern clean lines and goes for a retro look.  Well this not only looks like an old radio, but is a working radio, with the addition of being able to play music from your MP3 player.

Of course it’s not an iPod dock, so it won’t charge your iPod, which can be a little obnoxious.  However, it’d be nice to have around a radio that plays music from your MP3 player.  The radio end of things is said to have fantastic sound thanks to the utilization of AroundSound.  It eliminates “hot spots” in sound reproduction.  Which gives it a nice clear sound with great acoustics.  It has both AM and FM radio.  You can purchase the Crosley Attic Radio Speaker for $98 from Urban Outfitters.

Last week, we reported on the E-LEAD Bluetooth Lazy Pad, a wireless device that uses Bluetooth for a combination keyboard and mouse. This year’s Computex was the stage for the unveiling of the Cideko Wireless Media Keyboard.

These two products are somewhat similar, but the Lazy Pad uses its patent dynamic mouse, while the Cideko functions as a mouse in mid-air, like that one from Logitech. I’m not certain if the one from Cideko uses Bluetooth, but there has got to be some wireless action going on with its USB key.

On the top of the Wireless Media Keyboard are two buttons that serve as the left and right mouse buttons. In addition to the full QWERTY keyboard, it has a row of keys that serve as media control keys.

Yeah, we have seen devices like the Cideko Wireless Media Keyboard before, and I would like to bring up an important issue with these mini-QWERTY keyboards: how exactly do you type on them?

I mean, I have a mobile phone with a QWERTY, and I use two thumbs to type with it: the left thumb for the left side of the keyboard, then the right thumb for the right. If there is some proper mini-QWERTY keyboard procedure, I would like to know, because my other eight fingers are going to waste.

Well, there is no word on price or availability of this device, and we’ll see if customers warm up to it.

Source

There have been a few different power inverters that you can toss into your car.  Which makes it much easier to make sure your gadgets are always charged up and ready to go.  However, if you’re actually needing to get quite a bit of work done while you’re on a trip, this case might be a better option.  The power inverter stays in the case and has enough of a cord to plug into your car, even if it’s sitting behind the passenger seat.  Then it also has storage for any items you might need to take with you from the office, to make sure that you can get your work done while you’re on the go.

Of course it’s not advised to type up your full report while you’re driving, but if you’re the passenger this would work out great.  It features a thick strap that will hold up to 100lbs, so you can pack plenty into the bag.  It has a total of 10 different pockets, one of which for your laptop.  That pocket will fit laptops that are up to 15 inches.  It also has 2 file pockets, 1 extra large front pocket, 2 water bottle pockets and then one pocket for a cellphone or iPod as well as various other pockets.  It has a USB port and the power inverter has an extension cord with a range of 6 feet.  You can purchase the bag for $132.99.

Most kids have played with a kaleidoscope, but most of us remember an extremely lo-tech version.  Well now kids have one more way that technology changes the toys their parents remember into something much bigger and much more complex.  Leaving the kaleidoscope of yesterday looking not nearly as cool.  With this instead of looking through a small opening and seeing the colors that way, you can project the image for more than one person to enjoy.

Not only does this project the image onto a wall, floor or the ceiling, but the image is customizable.  It comes with 7 small transparent disc shaped trays and then several colored beads.  That way you can combine the different shapes and colors to make your own kaleidoscope image.  If you don’t want the image projected, you can also make the colors show up on the dome of the lamp itself.  It comes with an AC adapter and has a 60 minute timer.  You can purchase the projector for 109,00€ or about $152.

Q-London isn’t the first to come up with the idea of video glasses to be sure. But they claim that their new 3D QL Xperience Video Eyewear gives the viewer the equivalent experience of watching an 80″ TV from 2 meters away.

I know what you’re thinkin’. Is it in HD? Well, no. But still, if users are on a plane or alone traveling and wish to have that large cinematic experience from their portable DVD player or iPod, this video headset may be the answer.

In addition to the headset, the QL glasses come with a built in rechargeable battery, and infra-red remote control (which makes sense since the viewer is completely immersed in the experience), adapter cables, mini-jacks and a USB charging cable. Those wishing to use the QL Xperience Video Glasses for their iPod must have an adapter, but they are readily available.

Viewers can use them across platforms as well, meaning PAL/NTSC and SECAM are all readily available. The one downside, however, is that there’s no diopter adjustment for those who wear glasses, so if vision correction is a daily part of your life, you may want to look at other options.

Cost is around $310 US.

Hat Tip - Slash Gear