Saturday, January 16, 2010

Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets


Solar Charging 1-LED Torch

Posted: 15 Jan 2010 01:13 PM PST

brando-solar-powered-torch

If you’re tired of dealing with batteries, then this would be one less gadget you’d need to purchase batteries to use.  Although it won’t make everything you own magically convert to non-battery gadgets, it does take a little bit of the stress out of your life.  Just put this flashlight in a spot that it can catch some sun and it’ll be ready to go whenever it’s needed.

It’s not a very large flashlight either, so it’d be great to use for when you’re cramped under the sink trying to repair a leak.  Then in order to charge the flashlight you just slip it inside of the solar panel and it’ll give it the power it needs.  For being such a tiny flashlight it is surprisingly pricey.  For one of these little things it’ll cost you $42 through Brando.  I suppose that’s the price you pay for attempting to live in an eco-friendly manner though.

Source: TechFresh


Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Solar Charging 1-LED Torch copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Digital Concept Compass

Posted: 15 Jan 2010 11:59 AM PST

kompis03

I have had the debate many times as to whether or not GPS units are actually a good thing.  A world full of people with zero directional skills thanks to them always relying on an electronic device could have a couple down sides to it.  The conclusion I’ve come to is that GPS is great in certain situations, but sometimes it’s great to go back to using more outdated techniques.  If you don’t want to look too old fashioned for not using your GPS, this compass would keep you looking hi-tech while still not babying you through your entire trip.

This compass is sort of a form of GPS, but its method of getting you home isn’t quite as detailed.  Instead you choose a location and it will point you in the general direction of your location of choice.  It uses a light to show the direction and goes from red to blue light just depending on how close you are to your destination.  It’s great for anyone that doesn’t want to read a map and doesn’t mind making several wrong turns.  Right now this is still a concept, so you’ll have to wait and see if it’ll actually ever make it to the general public.

Source: Ubergizmo


Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Digital Concept Compass copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Barbecue Hand Crank Fire Air Blower BBQ Accessory

Posted: 15 Jan 2010 11:30 AM PST

bbq-hand-crank

Going green is fine and dandy, but don’t you think that the Barbecue Hand Crank Fire Air Blower BBQ Accessory is taking things a bit too far? After all, you would already be sweating while making sure everyone has their fair share of steak and BBQ meat, so to provide more hand cranked power to this BBQ Air Blower just, well, blows. On the other hand, at least you continue to do your part in keeping the earth green while being an example to the rest of your household. Capable of controlling dust and sparks, you will be able to emit a stream of constant air as long as you are well fed and your arm isn’t tired from all the cranking. The 4th of July is still a long way off, but you can’t be faulted for preparing early, especially when it retails for a mere $4.69.


Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Barbecue Hand Crank Fire Air Blower BBQ Accessory copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Sleepsuit lets you take a snooze in a cocoon, anywhere

Posted: 15 Jan 2010 11:27 AM PST

sleepsuit-thumb-550x413-32122If you entered your apartment, and you saw this at the bottom of your stairs, what would you think? If it were me, I would probably think: “Are they making another of those Mummy movies?” I’m sure I would ignore this cocooned individual and softly tread up the stairs, which is exactly what the person in the sleepsuit wants you to do.

Yes, the sleepsuit is made of connected rings of EVA foam to give the user the feeling of being swaddled in their beds, even when out on the road. Apparently, this foam is quite compacted, and reminds me of those red hearts made of crepe paper that can fold up on Valentine’s day cards.

Anyway, this “transportable and adjustable cocoon” is designed for portable sleep, and it has been tested in the four basic positions: face up, face down, fetal position, and passed out at the desk.

I honestly cannot see anyone putting on one of these outfits so they can take a siesta somewhere. I would be afraid that people would think that I was homeless. The Sleepsuit also sort of looks dangerous, doesn’t it? However, there is constant airflow going through here, so you won’t suffocate.

I’m afraid that I can’t do anything with designer Forrest Jessee’s concept sleepsuit, except write it off as “silly”. However, you never know what will catch on, and this sleepsuit could work in a college atmosphere, where students are sleeping all the time.

Source


Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Sleepsuit lets you take a snooze in a cocoon, anywhere copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Tamiya R/c car replica

Posted: 15 Jan 2010 11:15 AM PST

tamiya-sand-retro

Check it out – a full sized, vintage Tamiya radio controlled car replica of the vintage Sand Sorcherer which was released by Tamiya a good three decades back. While the original remote controlled car was 10% the size of what could possibly be the best selling radio controlled car ever manufactured, this life sized model ought to make heads turn. Don’t bother with D batteries for this though, as you will definitely need a whole lot of juice to move something that size remotely. While Christmas is a far way off, that doesn’t mean that you can’t start saving up for this if you’re feeling particularly loaded and want to please the man-boy in your home.

Source: Hobby Media


Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool :)
[ Tamiya R/c car replica copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Believe it or not, I’m biking on air, and it’s all thanks to the Kolelinia!

Posted: 15 Jan 2010 11:07 AM PST

500x_kolelinia_1_01_01Hopefully you sang the title of this posting to the theme of the classic show The Greatest American Hero. If you don’t know the theme, watch a few episodes on Hulu, and then realize that “flying away on a wing and a prayer” is possible with the Kolelinia.

It is the Kolelinia that makes it possible for this man in the picture to bike on a tightrope. A Kolelinia user would not need to learn any special balancing skills, but would need some special equipment.

You see, the “tightrope” that is under the bike wheels is not some thick line of wire. In fact, it is a half-pipe shaped material that encloses the wheel quite safely, making the bicycle very difficult to tip over. Of course, one does not dare defy gravity like this on that wheeltrack alone, but a special contraption is attached to the handlebars. This device clips to the other tightrope that you can see at the handlebar level in the picture.

In short, the Kolelinia rider is secured at the handlebars and the tires, and is free to ride/fly wherever these special Kolelinia tracks are. You might think that is a pretty precarious balance, but so is a ski-lift. By the way, the rider can belt themselves to the bike for extra protection from falling.

Honestly, I’m feeling very positive about Kolelinia technology, and can easily see a world where Kolelinia bikers ride above all the traffic below. Of course, there is no guarantee of traffic-free Kolelinia tracks.

Source


Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Believe it or not, I’m biking on air, and it’s all thanks to the Kolelinia! copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Lenovo ThinkCentre M90 and M90p announced

Posted: 15 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST

m90pLenovo has announced its most recent efforts where high-performance desktop PCs that target large businesses are concerned – the ThinkCentre M90 and M90p. These new desktops were specially designed to handle the complex computing needs of today's global, round-the-clock businesses with the inclusion of enhanced security, manageability and flexibility features. Both the ThinkCentre M90 and M90p also hold the honor of being Lenovo's first ThinkCentre desktops that are equipped with the new 2010 Intel Core vPro family of processors that were specially designed to provide sufficient computing horsepower to multitask easily even when operating intensive applications.

Enterprise IT managers will definitely be pleased with the management as they place an order on the M90 and M90p machines, since they are best able to appreciate Lenovo's special range of software tools that come pre-loaded, including Remote Power Management that works in tandem with the Energy Star compliant Power Supply Unit which can help managers monitor energy consumption of individual machines remotely, helping them take stock of the situation while helping the company identify areas where some savings can be made in terms of power consumption. Apart from that, the latest Lenovo Secure Managed Client 2.0 remote storage-based solution paves the way for an alternative client solution like centralized image and user provisioning, secure data storage and redundancy and single image capability.

Not only that, Advanced Remote PC Fleet Management will rely on the hardware-based Intel vPro Technology that enables IT managers to effectively discover, heal and protect networked M90p desktops in the entire computer fleet – even when the PC itself is powered off. Now that’s unprecedented flexibility, although we’re pretty sure that some IT managers might cringe with this ability since they no longer have any more excuse not to troubleshoot a particularly tense computing situation at the office even when he/she is hundreds of miles away from the office. Out in February later this year, the ThinkCentre M90 and M90p desktops will come in tower, small form factor and ultra small form factors. Pricing for the ThinkCentre M90 starts from $779 upwards, while the ThinkCentre M90p desktop will begin at $899 and go north from there.

Press Release


Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool :)
[ Lenovo ThinkCentre M90 and M90p announced copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Diego-san: The working robot with the freaky baby head

Posted: 15 Jan 2010 10:42 AM PST

babybot-2-thumb-450x426-32086You want to hear what freaks me out the most? Babies. I’m not talking about real babies that crawl, coo, and you have to change every once in a while. In fact, I think these babies are cute.

I’m talking about every time someone makes a baby’s head and puts it on something like a doll, or in this case, a robot. This is Diego-san, a four-foot tall robot with the head of a baby.

Why they used a baby’s head instead of a some sort of artificial face, I will never know. I mean, Number Five, C3PO, and Wall-E looked cuter. However, Diego-san’s face is made up of 20 moving parts, and it is designed to communicate via facial expression rather than talk.

This baby has already learned how to stand up from a chair on its own, and it can hold a water bottle. I’m guessing it can’t drink the water, as it would probably rust. Maybe the creator should feed it baby oil. Yes, that was a bad joke, and there is no way that I can call the Diego-san anything but “it”.

I’m guessing that Diego-san was designed as some baby simulator or something. Perhaps he is another stepping stone for the advancing science of robotics. I think that it is weird that we have the technology to create this baby’s robot body, but we just don’t have the technology to make an artificial baby head that doesn’t look freaky. Honestly, I feel like this robot should have appeared in the movie Brazil.

Source


Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool :)
[ Diego-san: The working robot with the freaky baby head copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Lenovo ThinkCentre A63 desktop

Posted: 15 Jan 2010 10:39 AM PST

thinkcentre-a63

Lenovo has just announced their latest desktop machine – the ThinkCentre A63 which targets small-to-medium businesses (SMBs). As with any other new desktop, you must be wondering whether it is able to add value and enhance productivity to your organization. Why not read on further to find out more about the ThinkCentre A63, and come to your own conclusion? For starters, the A63 will feature Lenovo's Enhanced Experience for Windows 7 that paves the way for blazing fast boot-up time, while you will be able to choose from an array of the latest AMD Sempron, Athlon II and Phenom II processors with prices starting from $329 upwards. Talk about keeping your computing department as well as accountant happy simultaneously!

Financial market analysts as well as entry engineers will find the ThinkCentre A63 to be particularly useful for one main reason – it is capable of supporting dual independent displays for an expanded work area. Apart from that, the A63 can also hold up to a 500GB hard drive as well as 1,333MHz DDR3 memory for future expansion options. This is by no means a gaming machine, since you only get an integrated graphics chipset that supports DirectX 10, but it ought to be more than enough to handle your everyday office use as well as playing some Flash-based games on the Internet.

Being a business machine, you would definitely have a bunch of other business tools that need to be connected to this constantly, ranging from mobile phones to business card scanners and the like. Lenovo’s got your back in this aspect with eight USB 2.0 ports incorporated to turn the A63 into a flexible hub. You can also keep in touch with the rest of your business partners thanks to an optional high-resolution webcam and a pre-loaded copy of Skype to turn this into an impromptu VoIP center. After all, isn’t commuting old hat by now, with many SMBs moving on towards a virtual office with video calls being the norm? To get you up and running faster, Lenovo has also made sure its Think PCs with Enhanced Experience for Windows 7 can help you achieve 57% faster boot times and five second shutdown times compared to other Think PCs in the family that are powered by Windows XP or Vista.

Press Release


Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Lenovo ThinkCentre A63 desktop copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Gadget Thumbnails for 14-Jan-2010

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 09:01 PM PST

iGo Power Smart Wall

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 07:31 PM PST

pm00112004_mI had a chance to visit iGo’s meeting room at CES last week, and they promised me a product that could help me get rid of the “Vampire Power”. Even though I’m not a Twilight fan, they had me at the word Vampire.

iGo explained to me that devices that are turned off and plugged into the wall still consume power. This is the Vampire Power that they were talking about, and devices like this Power Smart Wall will cause me to suck less (power).

The Power Smart Wall is about the size of an ordinary outlet with 2 plugs. It fits right over the outlet, and the Wall itself has 4 outlets that the user can use. Two of these outlets are for devices that are always on, that need continuous power. The other two use iGo Green Technology, and will automatically power down the outlets when not in use. For example, if you have a laptop that is already charged, the Power Smart Wall will cut the unnecessary power that it would have drawn.

According to iGo, the Power Smart Wall can “reduce standby power by up to 85 percent”. Dang, is that a big boast, or what? By the way, if a user needs power on a device that is plugged into the iGo Green outlets, he or she can simply push the “Instant On” button, and power will be freely given. The Power Smart Wall is also equipped for surge protection, with an LED indicator.

All in all, the Power Smart Wall is something that every household needs: a way of reducing power. You can purchase it at the iGo store here for about $29.99.


Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ iGo Power Smart Wall copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Innergie mCube Mini

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 07:10 PM PST

mCubeMiniI believe that the basic mission statements of the Innergie company is “Power Your Life” and “Charge Everything Everywhere”. This company realizes that, as a society, we live in a world full of mobile devices that we really need (and I mean, need) to keep charged.

They have launched a series of products devoted to this need, and one of them is the mCube Mini, which is the World’s Smallest Auto/Air Adapter. The device is designed to recharge a user’s notebook, netbook, or other portable device such as an ebook reader, GPS, mobile phone, as well as whatever Portable Media Player you are using.

Of course, the mCube Mini is meant for 12 and 15 volt cigarette light sockets in cars and airplanes, and it also has an adapter for EmPower aviatic sockets. It can then charge laptops requiring up to 65 watts of power at 15 to 21 volts.

The MCube Mini boasts a 96 percent efficiency, so it is quite green. In case you are wondering if it will work for your laptop, then you should know that it has tips for Acer, Asus, Compaq, Dell Fujitsu, Gateway, HP, IBM, Lenovo, MSI, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, and much more. All these tips come in a nice bag that ships with it, so I’m guessing your portable computer is more than likely compatible with the mCube Mini. I got a chance to try it out for myself, and it worked with my Toshiba for a little more power when needed.

You should be able to get the mCube Mini at the Innergie store here for about $69.99.


Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Innergie mCube Mini copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Hands on with the Haier Theatre

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 06:49 PM PST

-home-haieramerica-www-assets-live-b8c7e47a15_large.pngI had a chance to try out the Haier Theatre, or HV3A-4G. I will have to say that it bears a strong resemblance to the iPod touch that I picked up last Christmas.

For some reason, it didn’t require any charging, and I was able to slide through touch screen menus of Music, Video, Photo, FM Tuner, Ebook reader, and Voice Recorder. I managed to get the 4GB version, which is good enough for 12 hours of audio playback and 3.5 hours worth of video playback. It comes in an 8GB version, by the way.

I’m not certain if this is a unique feature, but one of its features is the ability to switch to another song simply by shaking the unite itself. It also features a built-in accelerometer that can view the footage either vertically or horizontally, depending on which way it is turned. Now I know that isn’t a unique feature, as it’s practically standard for any PMP these days.

The device itself has a 3 inch screen, and came with the USB cable that you would expect for downloading. It also came with headphones, skin, as well as a tiny CD for setup and instruction.

You should be able to purchase the Haier Theatre 4GB version for about $90, and I believe that the 8GB will go for about $100.


Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Hands on with the Haier Theatre copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


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