Author Archive

Bowlingual Dog Bark Translator

Saturday, June 12th, 2010

TakaraTorny, a Japanese toy company, has announced development of a dog collar that interprets a dog’s barks.  The Bowlingual Voice dog collar includes a microphone and digital reader.  Barks are translated into one of six emotional states – sad, happy, needy, frustrated, aggressive or threatening.  Many animal experts and dog lovers are skeptical about the science behind the color.  View this YouTube video and judge for yourself.  You can also read more at the Wired Gadget Lab blog.

Category: Uncategorized | Comments (0) | Author: Catie

James Bond’s Aston Martin for Sale

Friday, June 04th, 2010

“The World’s Most Famous Car” will be going on the auction block in October.  The 1964 Aston Martin DB5 is one of two original cars driven by Sean Connery in Thunderball and Goldfinger.  The car is still equipped with all of James Bond’s gadgets, including machine guns, tire slashers, a revolving license plate and a rear oil sprayer.  The car was bought by in 1969 from Aston Martin by an American broadcaster named Jerry Lee for $12,000.  It’s expected to bring at least $5 million when is goes up for bids in London.

See the gadget-equipped Austin Martin CB5 driven by James Bond in this YouTube video.

Category: Uncategorized | Comments (0) | Author: Catie

Chobi Mini Digital Camera

Friday, May 21st, 2010

The Chobi Mini Digital Camera is ultra-compact, but don’t be fooled by its small size. It can take high resolution pictures (2048 x 1536 pixels) and record high resolution video. Yet it measures only about 2 inches by 1 inch. Instead of using a battery for power, it recharges from a USB port. The Chobi Mini retails for about $150 and is currently only available in Asia and online. Check it out at GeekStuff4U.com.

Category: Uncategorized | Comments (0) | Author: Catie

Fast Finger Keyboard for the Typing Challenged

Sunday, May 02nd, 2010

The QWERTY keyboard was designed to make typing easier, but only if you learn how to touch type. This poses a real problem for “hunt and peck” typists, many of whom spend an inordinate amount of time looking for a key on the keyboard. Now there’s the Fast Finger Keyboard, providing a solution for the typing challenged. The keys on this keyboard are arranged in alphabetical ABC order. If someone else wants to use the keyboard for QWERTY typing, a flip of the switch changes the mode.

Another handy feature is that the function keys along the top of the keyboard can be put into a mode where the provide shortcuts for popular IM acronyms – LOL, IMO, TTYL, etc. Amazing that no one thought of that until now!

The Fast Finger Keyboard is available for $29.95. It was developed by two women in Pennsylvania and can be purchased on the Fast Finger Keyboard website.

Category: Uncategorized | Comments (0) | Author: Catie

iPad is the New Catnip?

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Apple’s new iPad supports the touch screen technology that has made the iTouch and iPhone so popular. We doubt if Apple tested the iPad on any non-human users, but here’s a YouTube video that shows the appeal of the iPad for a cat named Iggy. Do you think its claws scratched the screen?

Category: Uncategorized | Comments (0) | Author: Catie

Avaak Vue Personal Video Network

Sunday, April 04th, 2010

The Vue is a personal video network that provides wireless access to video camera output. Small Vue cameras can be easily installed in your home or business using a patented peel-and -tick magnet system. The output from the camera can be remotely viewed from any web browser or iPhone.

Avaak provides each user with a secure account at VueZone.com where video clips can be stored and viewed later. Videos can also be uploaded to Flickr and YouTube. Although Avaak plays up the fun aspects of sharing Vue videos, the most obvious use of this system is as a personal security system and for keeping tabs on what’s going on when you’re not there. The basic system with 2 cameras sells for $299 on Amazon. Additional cameras cost $99 each.

Find out more on the Avaak website.

Category: Uncategorized | Comments (0) | Author: Catie

The ZOMM: A Wireless Leash for your Phone

Sunday, March 28th, 2010

If you’ve ever lost your cellphone, you probably wish there was a way it could tell you that you were leaving it behind. Now you can put a leash on your cellphone – a wireless leash. The ZOMM is a new device that uses Bluetooth to connect to your phone. When you move beyond a certain range, the device will first vibrate and then beep, alerting you to your missing phone. The ZOMM is a small disk (about the size of a poker chip) that you can put in your pocket or attach to your belt. It’s available in eith black or white models. In addition, the ZOMM can be used as a speakerphone or can be used to automatically send an incoming call to voicemail.

The ZOMM can also function as a personal security device, emitting an alarm or alerting emergency assistance with the touch of a button. The ZOMM recently won the 2010 International CES “Best of Innovations” award. Read more about the ZOMM on the product website.

Category: Uncategorized | Comments (0) | Author: Catie

Flip Slide HD Camera

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

 

The Flip camera is known as a simple-to-use and inexpensive video camera. The next generation Flip is now available, and it offers added functionality along with a higher price tag. Instead of the small screen that was previously available for viewing video playback, the new Flip Slide HD has a 3-inch screen with  touchscreen capabilities. The new model Flip is priced at about $279, cancelling out many of the benefits of the Flip’s low cost.

See a demonstration of the Flip Slide HD in this YouTube video.

Category: Uncategorized | Comments (0) | Author: Catie

Solar-Powered Water Bottle Lantern

Friday, March 12th, 2010

The LightCap 300 is an ingenious solar-powered lantern that’s built into the cap of a BPA-free water bottle. More than 25,000 units of the original LightCap were sold. This new version features four super bright white LEDs, 40% more solar panel output (which means faster charging) and a more light weight construction. The cap is made from rugged polycarbonate. A swivel retaining ring has slots and holes for easy hanging. You can find the LightCap 300 for $29.95 on the SoLight website.

Category: Uncategorized | Comments (0) | Author: Catie

The Samsung W1 MyFit

Thursday, March 04th, 2010

Here’s an MP3 player that will help you get fit. The fitness-friendly W1, also known as MyFit, is the first portable player that includes built-in fat and stress sensors. An accelerometer lets you measure calories burned while walking or running. The MyFit also includes functions for recording meals and exercise. In addition, there are tools to help quit smoking and improve hydration. Since it’s an MP3 player, you can create exercise playlists that can be controlled with a single tap. A video player and FM radio tuner are also included.

The MyFit will be available sometime in Spring 2010.  See more pictures on ZDNet.

Category: Uncategorized | Comments (0) | Author: Catie