Gadgets Blog

Here’s a mega gadget for those of you that are hardcore about your audio gadgets.  It combines numerous audio devices to make it so that you just have one big gadget, instead of a bunch of small ones to fit your audio needs.  It has just about everything you could possibly need, no, it’s not perfect.  It is missing a USB port to make it possible to just plug it into your PC.  However, it has so many other things that it’s not so bad that’s left out.

It comes with a turntable, a cassette player/recorder, a CD player/recorder along with a PLL synthesized AM/FM stereo tuner.  Teac announced the device today and it will be released in Japan as of July 30th.  The CD portion supports CD/CD-R/CD-RW and the 3-speed turntable supports 33(LP)/45(EP)/78(SP) and has an auto return.  It comes with a remote control and has built-in 3.5Wx2ch speakers.  Once it is released in Japan it’s going to cost $750.

Source: Crunchgear

Nintendo is releasing a whole new Wii, it’s far far different than the old Wii.  This one is shiny, new and all black.  None of that bright white will be featured on this Wii, it’s gotten a bit of a makeover.  They’re probably trying to make it appeal to the hardcore gamers, because everyone knows jet black consoles are far cooler.  There’s probably some scientific reason behind it, I hear even the Xbox plays better when it’s painted black.

Alright, so that’s all bull, but you have to admit, the Wii is looking pretty good covered in all black.  Not that the pearly white didn’t look good, but it’s a refreshing change.  This black console is being released in Japan actually, as of the first of August.  They had mentioned they would eventually be releasing this black console, but now that it’s getting closer they’re showing off the new packaging. There isn’t a release date for the rest of the world though.  Actually, they aren’t really saying much of anything about whether or not they’ll ever release it so that the rest of us can buy one too.

Source: Crave

Marketing is so pervasive in our world that image and branding has taken a stanglehold of our lives, and here we are with the Brand Everything keyboard where individual keys on the keyboard do not come with just the letter itself, it has been replaced with logos of some of the biggest and most famous companies - for example, Google represents ‘G’ while HP is the ambassador for the letter ‘H’. Kudos to Ignacio Pilotto for concocting such an idea - it would be interesting to see which company/brandname will actually sell something like this. Hey, it sound so crazy, it might actually work!

Source: Geeky Gadgets

Could OLLO be the new LEGO? After all, we’re pretty much used to everything being in motion, where static building sets that require this thing called imagination from our kids might actually be out of vogue if the OLLO Action Kit is in vogue. The driving force behind the OLLO action kit is its motor, and it really depends on your imagination on what you are able to churn out.

Other building kits use motors, so what makes OLLO unique? you may be wondering. The difference is how OLLO pieces attach to one another. They attach with an innovative two-part rivet (one goes into the other and presses down to lock the pieces in place). And of course you can always undo the rivets (tool included) to build new and wilder things. The OLLO Action Kit is perfect for getting young minds interested in mechanics and building. OLLO is so much fun to work with, you might just have to buy two: one for the kids…and one for you!

Interested? They’ll set you back by $29.99 per set.

More and more space on this earth is getting cramped and uncomfortable no thanks to ever increasing prosperity as well as better mortality rates alongside one important fact - nobody makes land anymore, unless you want to run extremely expensive reclamation projects. Having said that, it is extremely common for families to live in apartments, making space a premium in such tight build-up areas where elbows tend to rub against one another. MicroFridge has just rolled out the next generation in small space convenience where this new product line comprises of patent-pending Safe Plug technology, a Dual Outlet Charge Station for safe and convenient charging for a range of popular electronic devices including notebooks, MP3 players, cellphones, digital cameras and more. These environmentally-friendly, safe and convenient devices will merge both functionality and styling to take combination appliances to a new level.

Each MicroFridge appliance is said to combine the features of a spacious refrigerator, freezer and microwave(!) in a single unit, making it the perfect device regardless of the place, be it hotels, college residence halls, assisted living residences, military housing, offices and homes. Measuring over two cubic feet of storage space, the separate freezer comes with a 0.75 cubic foot capacity. Food preparation is made easy thanks to a fully programmable 700-watt microwave oven, while the refrigerator’s Smart Store Door enables upright storage of two-liter bottles or half-gallon containers to do away with leaks and spills which often result during the storage of tall containers on their side. As for its relatively spacious zero-degree freezer, it works much better than single-door refrigerators with an internal ice compartment.

You will be able to choose from classic black, white and stainless steel models, where the MicroFridge 2.9MF-7TP model combination appliance is currently going for $425 a pop. Sounds like the perfect appliance for a college dorm!

Press Release

Back when Lego celebrated 50 years of Lego creations, they released shiny gold colored bricks.  Well someone took one of the bricks from that release and turned it into a USB drive.  If you enjoy bright golds and miss the days of toying with Legos for hours on end, then it’d be a fun drive to carry around.  Don’t worry though, although this was done by an individual, you can actually purchase it.

The 2×4 brick came in gold, however, the button plates and the cap are painted gold.  The seller states very clearly that although it does look good, the golds do not quite look the same.  So you shouldn’t purchase it if you’re expecting a first class paint job.  The drive itself is a 2GB drive and the Lego comes attached to a key ring to make it harder to lose.  You can purchase it for $29.95 on Etsy.  Although due to the paint issues, there are probably going to be many that don’t think it’s quite worth that price.

Source: GeekyGadgets

I’m sure that anyone who has learned CPR knows who ResusciAnne is. Just hearing that name flashes me back to high school health class, where I had to put my mouth on some plastic girl’s bleach-flavored lips.

It would appear that someone is giving traditional CPR training a makeover with the addition of a PC application and Wiimote. So when you push on ResusciAnne’s chest, the motion controlled joystick interprets it as correct or incorrect chest compressions.

This is currently a concept technology that has been under development by the University of Alabama at Birmingham since the beginning of this year. A working prototype was created last Spring, and the American Heart Association has pledged $50,000 in grant money for this effort. The Wii CPR software could be available for download as early as this Fall. It would be an open source code so the user can program it to their own specifications.

I’m not certain if users will have to pay for this, but they might have to pay for a broken Wiimote or two. I mean, look at the picture, the lady is crushing it! Well, I hope this technology for CiiPR works, as it sounds like a Rejected Wii Play Game, like the one in this attached video.

Source

Some of you may remember when we reported on the IDVault, a device that kept all your passwords in one convenient USB thumb drive. I believe the creators of that particular device wanted to insure that user personal data was kept safe, so that he or she would not have to worry about entering a password.

It is also an extra level of security. In an age where everything is on the Net, someone could easily obtain our information with nothing more than a few passwords and numbers. The SmartSwipe was invented to insure that our credit card numbers would be safe.

The SmartSwipe is a credit card reader that plugs right into the USB drive, and makes you look like a retail cashier. However, it is designed for those who shop online and will encrypt the credit card data before transmitting it to the computer. This is different than most online security programs, that only protect information on the way to the Internet.

So not only can users feel safe about their online purchases and other credit-card related business, but they have an easier way of entering information rather than typing in their credit card number and expiration date.

Of course, you have to wonder if the $99.95 pricetag makes this device worth it. You must be making several credit-card purchases a day in order to justify this purchase. Then again, if you can afford to live like that, then you could easily work the SmartSwipe into your budget.

Source

This next product is designed for those who just can’t wait to play the next NDS game. In fact, it is for those who have the short attention span of a channel surfer, who are ready to flip to the next game with a flick of a switch.

The Blaze Game Selector from Superfo is designed to hold three game cartridges, and it affixes to the back of the top screen. Of course, I am wondering why anyone would have a device like this, when it might be just as easy to carry around the three cartridges with you. I mean, it only takes a minute or two to change games.

The only advantage that I can see to the Blaze is that maybe the game that you had before you flipped will be saved. Then you can just go back to it when you’re bored of the other game. Yes, I never had game-playing habits like this and I hope that I never do. To me, the Blaze seems as needless as a random scene player on a DVD player.

Perhaps the reason the Blaze was invented was to combat the flash games that are not necessary legal. At least this labor saving device is low-cost at just $13.42.

Source

Another day, another keyboard. There is a brand new keyboard in town, and this time round it will be the new iKey AK-39 which is totally different from what you’re probably used to - it was specially designed to be worn on the arm in order to provide a simple, compact human interface device (HID) meant for use in the military that will not restrict a soldier’s movement. It would be interesting to see what kind of battlefield applications one can think to use this with, as it clearly looks more like something out of a science fiction movie than reality, although it is already available for the latter. In order to survive in the tough environment, this ruggedized, wearable keyboard is able to handle MIL-461 standards, fully capable of working just fine in extremely harsh electromagnetic interference (EMI) environments.

Features include a tiny footprint design that features all of the essential components for military applications, and this includes a pointing device utilizing Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) technology with left- and right-button functionality, alongside an adjustable green LED backlighting which is also available with night vision (NVIS) compatibility.

According to Pete Fuselier, iKey’s engineering manager, “The AK-39 is the most functional and versatile wearable keyboard available with robust EMI performance. And because it is designed and built to the high standards of iKey products, it is ruggedized to withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as rain, dirt and extreme temperatures.”

Another interesting feature of the AK-39 is its integrated USB cable that comes in both left- and right-arm configurations, where the lightweight plastic case is easily position onto a Velcro arm strap which can fit over bulky combat clothing in a jiffy. It won’t be uncomfortable for the soldier either since it features a curved back for arm comfort. You can choose from two different styles - one that affixes directly over the forearm, and one that includes a thumb loop for added stability.

Press Release

Recently, I’ve been seeing a lot of video games that require some peripheral in order to make them work. Now, when you go to your local retail giant like Wal-Mart, you will see entire shelves devoted to Rockband and Guitar Hero. The most recent game that depends on an accessory is Tony Hawk: The Ride.

Then there are other games, such as Mario Cart for the Wii which have a steering wheel accessory that is nothing more than a piece of plastic. Sometimes I question how video game company decide how to package their peripherals with their games.

Especially when the new edition of Modern Warfare 2 comes with night vision goggles. I can’t help but question why. Granted, I’m not familiar with the original Modern Warfare game, but it doesn’t sound like the Night Vision goggles are required to play this game.

What really isn’t required is this casting of a human head that comes with it. What is this, something to smack around if you can’t defeat the game?

The price of Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition has not been named. However, night vision goggles tend to be pretty expensive. Think of that kid in Jurassic Park who found a pair in the tourist vehicle. As I recall, the blood sucking lawyer said: “Are they heavy? Then they’re expensive. Put them away.”

Now, if there was a way to connect the goggles to the game and make the gameplay more fun, that would be something!