Thursday, March 18, 2010

Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Strata Building can make its own energy

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 04:24 PM PDT

I believe that the ultimate goal of environmentalists is to have all of our buildings be completely independent from “the grid”. In other words, through the use of sustainable resources, buildings will have all the power they need without the power company.

This building, known as the Strata Building, is one step in the right direction. The Strata, also known as the Razor, has three giant turbines on its 42nd story top. These blades are in the building facade and can generate eight percent of the building’s energy use.

In other words, it is a building with windmills on top. A lot of homes have chosen to have windmills in order to generate power, but they usually only end up being energy efficient if you get all the wind you need. In the case of the Strata, they are capable of generating 50MWh of electricity each year, which is not bad, even if it is less than ten percent.

My source was quick to point out that the Strata must not be put in the way of other buildings. I mean, how would you like to design a building with wind turbines and then put it in the middle of a city so the wind can’t get to it? Why is it that I can totally see a city planning committee making just such a mistake?

Source

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool :)
[ Strata Building can make its own energy copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Hornet Superbike has one wheel

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 03:50 PM PDT

We’ve reported in many one-wheeled vehicles before, such has the supercharged UnoCycle and the probably never to be developed Audi Snook.

This would be the Hornet, a superbike developed by Liam Ferguson. I realize that it looks very unsteady, and I would have to agree. But it actually has two wheels, placed side by side, to keep it “balanced gyroscopically whenever it is parked”. Whenever the rider accelerates the motorbike, it can tilt forward to lift its rear stabilizer wheels off the ground to put all weight on the central wheel.

It has a dual 74 horsepower (55 kW) in-wheel hydrogen fuel-cell six-pahse Neodymium-Iron (Nd-Fe) electric engines, good for keeping a top speed of 235 kilometers per hour.

I’m guessing that the driver straddles the seat here, and grabs what looks like handlebars. That certainly looks like that could take you were you want to go, fast. It certainly looks like it won’t take you there safely, but maybe this is the point.

It sort of reminds me of a vehicle from Mega Race in the movie Spy Kids 3: Game Over. I remember thinking that those vehicles were extremely odd and could never actually run, and I am wondering, after viewing this Hornet, if I am right.

Source

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Hornet Superbike has one wheel copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

GM working on new enhanced vision systems

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 03:13 PM PDT

Research and Development at General Motors, in cooperation with several universities, is developing a way of using augmented reality in automobiles.

This isn’t the same type of augmented reality used in scavenger hunts, but it is able to gather data from vehicle sensors and cameras to project images generated by compact ultraviolet lasers right on the surface of the windshield itself.

Here is a link to a video where you can see a developer talking about the technology, also known as enhanced vision system. You will see an instance of when the lasers paint the edge of the road on the windshield in foggy weather. This is so the driver knows where the edge is and can avoid it, which is very difficult to see when visibility is low.

You may also have noticed how it can circle the speed limit sign as the car drives by. Some of you might have a GPS that reminds you have that, but I suppose the visual reminder helps as well. In fact, this system helps to locate other obstacles on the road too.

Well, it would appear that this is still concept technology, and it’s pretty crude. I mean, it would be cooler if there was a more defined line outlining the road, but this feels more like something at a laser show.

Source

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ GM working on new enhanced vision systems copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


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LED Desk Lamp with Variable Colour

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 02:31 PM PDT

Some people’s moods require different colors.  When you’re in a chipper mood you might want a bright shade or a darker one for those days after being out on the town all night long.  Well thankfully this lamp allows for you to decide how bright you want it and which shade you’d like as well.  It’ll let you mix colors or just stick with one of the main colors.

Each control represents a color, there’s one for red, green and blue.  I’m a little puzzled why they didn’t stick with prime colors and do yellow instead of green, but this works too.  Just slide the individual colors to mix the red and blue to get purple.  It’s pretty basic stuff, but it gives you a whole lot more control over the colors.  The lamp itself has a wooden base that can be customized to a finish of your choosing.  The whole thing stands about 30cm tall.  You can purchase it for $225 through Etsy.

Source: Technabob

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ LED Desk Lamp with Variable Colour copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

USB Multi-Functional Mini Speaker

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 01:35 PM PDT

This is the strangest looking gadget I’ve seen with the most normal sounding name.  That name itself barely even pulls you in, it’s the incredibly strange look that does the trick.  It looks about like something that would have been featured in the movie Gremlins.  It also makes me worry that they’ll release yet another sequel only with a pink gremlin to give Gizmo some company.  Even if there is no sequel or remake, this bright pink speaker will work great for any audio needs you might have.

It can hook up to a total of 3 different USB devices at one time.  It will also work just fine with a microphone.  The great thing with this speaker is that it has a small clip that will let it hook onto your monitor or laptop.  The speaker does only come in pink, so if you’re not a fan of the color you’re a bit out of luck.  You can purchase it for $22 through USB Brando.

Source: CraziestGadgets

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ USB Multi-Functional Mini Speaker copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Starburst Recycled Boombox

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 10:38 AM PDT

For those of you that are eco-conscious with a serious sweet tooth, then this is the set of speakers for you.  It’s a boombox made out of an old Starburst box, giving you a constant reminder of your candy cravings.  I suppose that might be considered a good thing for those trying to curb their cravings, but if you don’t mind them then you’ll be just fine.  In addition to being eco-friendly, it gives you a convenient spot to place your MP3 player.

Although it looks a little like it has a dock, it’s just a small cut-out area to hold your MP3 player.  It’s the perfect size for an iPod Touch or iPhone.  In order to play your music, you just plug it into your MP3 player like you would a pair of headphones.  Then it will play the music through the two speakers built-into the old candy box.  You can purchase it for $18 through Urban Outfitters.  You can choose between the Starburst box or a Skittles one.

Source: ChipChick

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Starburst Recycled Boombox copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Itch Chair does the job well for you

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 07:30 AM PDT



While we can’t use our legs to give our backs a nice, long scratch whenever it starts to itch, there is always the option to use our hands – but what happens when we have just cut our fingernails, and do not have one of those wooden back scratchers? Enter the Itch Chair which will let you feel how the motion is mapped, and later on scaled up to your own back. It does seem to be a piece of furniture from the future, where you can select from a wide range of “fingernails” which will then be attached to the itch-calming mechanism. Talk about getting a customized scratch that is as close as possible to the real thing apart from growing a third arm.

Source: Gizmodiva

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Itch Chair does the job well for you copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Archerfish Solo – the thinking camera

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 07:00 AM PDT

We would say that most cameras are dumb and require intelligent input to be of any use, but the Archerfish Solo aims to buck the trend by being the first "thinking" camera in the world. Having been introduced at CES earlier this January, the
Cernium-developed Archerfish Solo is actually a compact, wireless, IP video camera that was specially designed for homes and small business, boasting the brains to look out for stuff that matters to you. It is smart enough to differentiate between events that matter to you, including your merry bunch of kids arriving home from school safely, as well as identifying potential break-ins, where all these will be sent to your cellphone or email account. Best of all is, the Archerfish Solo is cloud-based and hence doesn’t need a PC connection since it can be managed entirely through a Web portal.

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Archerfish Solo – the thinking camera copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

My Apple Core gets rid of tangles

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 06:30 AM PDT



Somehow or rather, wires and cords seem to have a mind of their own, deviously plotting with one another to wind themselves up in a Gordian knot whenever there is nobody at the office or home. Well, My Apple Core prevents this unfortunate scenario from happening simply because it comes in a form factor that is similar to that of an – yup, you’ve guessed it, apple core, hence its name. Available in a variety of colors, you can purchase a dozen of these for $9.95, getting a free pair of headphones at the same time – now how about that!

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ My Apple Core gets rid of tangles copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Personal Theater kit for portable media players

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 06:00 AM PDT



Do you use your iPhone, iPod touch or other portable media players as the entertainment device of your choice? You might then want to consider the Personal Theater kit which comes with high quality graphics and detailed instructions on coming up with your very own mini movie theater that relies not on a cinema-class or home projector, but instead looks toward your portable media player which is located within an old shoebox. Among the options thrown into the kit include those meant for different walls, floors, ceilings, marquees and a slew of additional details. For families who want to recycle their old cardboard boxes, this could very well be it. Each download goes for $12, so that’s not too much to ask, is it?

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Personal Theater kit for portable media players copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

i-Got-Control for your Apple device

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 05:30 AM PDT



Don’t be too happy that your Apple contraption (be it an iPhone, iPod touch or the upcoming iPad) is more or less capable of doing everything under the sun that a road warrior needs, otherwise there would not be room for improvement thanks to the genius of the folks at i-Got-it Corp., where they have come up with the launch and immediate availability of i-Got-Control. Surely you would ask just what i-Got-Control is – well, it comprises of a plug-and-play accessory which is capable of transforming your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad into a universal remote control, virtually giving you a free reign of any infrared device in your home, be they TVs, stereo systems and more. Hmmm, sounds interesting, but could the Gizmodo guys equipped with this zap away TVs at showfloors and conventions just like how they did a few years ago at CES?

The i-Got-Control will feature an industry-leading database of over 40,000 IR codes for consumer electronic devices worldwide, and its associated iTunes app is able to support a nearly unlimited number of IR electronics globally, virtually making it a snap to take control anytime, anywhere. Thanks to the inclusion of i-Got-Control’s built-in IR library, you will be able to CONNECT, SELECT and CONTROL your A/V components in a jiffy without having to worry about issues such as the lack of a Wi-Fi network, wires or batteries.

If you are adamant on getting started with this, then just download the free i-Got-Control application through iTunes, hook up the compact accessory to an iPhone (OS is 3.0 or higher), iPod touch or iPad, launch the i-Got-Control application and you are good to go once the selection process of the device is complete. Selection is painless thanks to pre-defined, user-friendly screens that ought to give you full control in a jiffy thanks to a highly intuitive user interface. Just in case of the rare occasion of not finding your device’s IR code, the i-Got-Control’s user-friendly learning capabilities will let it learn so in a snap. Interested parties might want to think about forking out $69.95 for the i-Got-Control.

Press Release

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ i-Got-Control for your Apple device copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 16-Mar-2010

Posted: 16 Mar 2010 10:01 PM PDT

Razer has new mouse for lefties

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PDT



While most folks out there are right handed, this does not give them the avenue to discriminate against us lefties, eh? Southpaws have more often than not been on the raw end of the deal when it comes to computer mice simply because most of these were designed to target right handed people, while a more generic ambidextrous design is not as fluid to use even though it might be comfortable enough. Well, Razer knows that gamers (especially hardcore ones) can be a very demanding bunch, which is why they decided to try something new – by coming up with the Razer DeathAdder Left Hand Edition. Built from ground up to meet community demands for a mouse that was purposefully engineered to give lefties the competitive edge in a gaming environment, the Left Hand Edition merges a comfortable ergonomic form factor with a powerfully precise 3.5G infrared sensor.

This just goes to show that Razer has been listening to their clients so far, with the Razer DeathAdder Left Hand Edition being a monumental effort that deserves recognition and its 15 minutes of fame. You will find that this gaming peripheral will come with a special ergonomic form factor which offers lefties a comfort they can call their own, especially during extended gaming sessions. You get five programmable Hypereponse buttons to keep your adrenaline pumping, alongside its very own trademark 1000Hz Ultrapolling technology which is capable of offering gamers the speed required to make every moment count. Apart from that, there will also be a 3500dpi Razer Precision 3.5G infrared sensor which delivers four times the amount of precision compared to a regular 800dpi mouse, making this one lean, mean fragging machine.

Depending on which side of the pond you reside in, it will retail for 59.99 of the local currency, so you might want to purchase it from the US and have it shipped over, assuming the savings you make instead of using Euros will be offset from shipping fees. If you have been looking for a gaming mouse and are a southpaw, this might just be it!

Press Release

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[ Razer has new mouse for lefties copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Sony announces Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker PSP Entertainment Pack

Posted: 16 Mar 2010 08:05 PM PDT



Sony wants more of your money, and with news that their PSP Go is even being outsold be the ancient PS2 in Japan, we guess they finally realized that the stock PSP-3000 is still the handheld console to purchase from their company. With that in mind, Sony has announced the availability of the limited-edition Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker PSP Entertainment Pack. Available in Canada as well as the US, it will retail for $199.99 to coincide with the launch of the stand-alone game when it rolls out later this year on June 8th. There is nothing to download there since the game itself will come on the tried and tested UMD format, bringing a whole lot of gameplay which will revolutionize the handheld game experience – at least that is what Sony claims. Find out what you will get inside the package right after the jump.

This limited-edition package will see the debut of a “Spirited Green” PSP-3000 system, making it the inaugural moment where the color will be available in North America. Apart from that, you will also get special in-game content including an exclusive Camouflage Uniform with FOX logos and Stealth Gun feature, where both of them will be unlocked early in the game. There is also the inclusion of a PlayStation Network downloadable movie voucher (this is applicable to US residents only with the title yet to be announced) and a 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo. It would be a no-brainer that this is going to be a best seller when it hits the market, but just how high the sales figures will go is another question altogether.

While this is not a Nintendo DS where folks don’t mind picking up multiple instances of the diminutive console simply to complete their collection, we are quite sure that there will be a segment of the population out there who won’t mind forking out $199.99 to own yet another Sony PSP in a different color, but in these economically trying times, that might not be as easy as it sounds.

Press Release

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Sony announces Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker PSP Entertainment Pack copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

ASTRO Gaming A30 Cross-Gaming Headset

Posted: 16 Mar 2010 07:49 PM PDT



ASTRO Gaming has come up with their A30 Cross-Gaming Headset which will offer professional-grade experience for cross-gaming platforms when it comes to an audio solution, targeting gamers who are on-the-go. The ASTRO A30 Cross-Gaming Headset will come with a lightweight street-smart design, and don’t be fooled by its looks – it can deliver tournament-level audio quality and crystal-clear voice communication across a whole range of digital entertainment devices such as gaming consoles, PCs and mobile devices. You can make your purchase directly online via their website, but apart from that we’re sure that you can also do so in good retail stores near you.

The ASTRO Gaming A30 Cross-Gaming Headset shares plenty of DNA from their tournament-proven A40 pro gaming headset, and when coupled with their very own superior audio and voice communication technologies into a much smaller and compact form factor, it ends up as a lifestyle driven product. Imagine using it for a broad range of uses, including gaming when you’re on the road, switching over to your iPhone later on if you want to enjoy music via it. In a sense, it is the first audio equipment that was specially designed to move freely between mobile, console and PC gaming platforms, although a regular headset out there can do so but those lack the audio savvy of the A30. At least you don’t have to look like a dork wearing it, eh?

Among the features found on the ASTRO A30 include a Dual Mic System, where the removable boom mic offers perfect voice communication for tournament or home play, followed by the in-line mic allows for on-the-go phone conversations. Interchangeable Speaker Tags makes it easy to create a special look for teams, clans, guilds or even if you want to express yourself to the masses. Available in black and white colorways, the ASTRO Gaming A30 Cross-Gaming Headset is going for $149.95.

Press Release

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ ASTRO Gaming A30 Cross-Gaming Headset copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Posted by Mohammad khuram shahzad at Thursday, March 18, 2010  

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