Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

The Yeti from Blue Microphones
AirSwing is a new way of scrolling through choices
Uzi Tatical Pen
Cub Lamp makes wood shine
The Golf Bag Alarm System
Alarm Clock Tea Maker
MSI presents Wind Top AE2420 3D at Computex 2010
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX75 digital camera small in size, big on features
ViewQuest WiFi Radio
Cordless Wall Charger for iPhone
Gadget Thumbnails for 01-Jun-2010
Clickfree Transformer for iPod/iPhone
i-Got-Control iPhone Universal Remote
Panasonic wireless home theater audio system
Panasonic offers first surround bar home theater speaker systems

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 05:33 PM PDT

I’ve tried out many Blue Microphones products before, such as the Eyeball and the Mikey.

This time, I got a chance to try out the Yeti, also known as “the ultimate professional USB microphone”. Yes, that is a big claim, but it helps to have THX Certification.

It has four different ways of recording. The first is Cardioid, that is perfect for picking up solo vocals. The next is Bidirectional, when the Yeti picks up sound at the front or the rear of the mic. The last is Omnidirectional that can pick up sound in all directions.

Just to let you know, I had a somewhat difficult time with the setup of this guy. I had it plugged in, and then set up some recording on a Voice Recorder app. It seemed to register as sound, but I couldn’t get it on the playback.

It worked when I put the sound file on the Windows Media Player, and I heard it as clear as day. The sound was quite good, and there is some serious good sound coming forth.

Last time I checked, the Yeti from Blue Microphones was available from places like Amazon for about $149.00. It appears to be made for the professional and home user for all kinds of transmissions.

Source

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ The Yeti from Blue Microphones copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

AirSwing is a new way of scrolling through choices

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 05:09 PM PDT

My source seems to insist that this AirSwing from Toshiba is Minority Report technology, which always makes me want to write about it, honestly. I think I’ve probably referenced this film in more posts than any other science fiction film, and this includes Blade Runner.

There are no special gloves like the ones that Tom Cruise wore at the beginning of Minority Report, but the AirSwing does use webcams to make this technology work.

I have a video of this after the jump so you can see it in action. You can see how the user’s reflection is on the screen, super-imposed with a menu of selections. I’m not certain if the reflection is a result of the screen being reflective or some part of the Airswing program.

Either way, the user can wave his or her hand or some other gesture, and can scroll through mall maps, flight plans, or other type of selections.

Best of all, this particular program does not take much processing. So it won’t freeze up on you while in action.

Of course, this is still concept tech, and is not in any particular place at this time. However, I can think of many places where I would use it. I can just see an interface like this being used for customer service in any store in the future.

Source

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ AirSwing is a new way of scrolling through choices copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Uzi Tatical Pen

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 04:44 PM PDT

This is the Uzi Tactical Pen. Just so you know, it is not a pen that can shoot like an Uzi. It would probably have to be larger for that.

Here is what it can do. Imagine that you get mugged by someone like the guy in the picture on the right. Now, you could just escape him, but he could just run away and you would never see him again. How can you press charges against this Bono wannabe without any evidence?

You could stab him with this Uzi Tactical Pen. It has a razor shard DNA catcher that can trap the assailant’s blood sample so the DNA therein can be used against him in a court of law later.

I can see a lot of what-ifs with this. I mean, what if the assailant gets the drop on you and you can’t stab him with the Uzi pen? Worse yet, what if you stab him with this pen and he gets really angry? By the way, that is a nice pen, and if your assailant might want to take it.

According to my source, this pen can write underwater. Apparently, all the good pens do, and this one is constructed by aircraft grade aluminum and can accept standard Parker and Fisher Space refills.

Source

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ Uzi Tatical Pen copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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Cub Lamp makes wood shine

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 01:30 PM PDT

This is one concept design that would probably baffle your guests if they happened to see it while the light was off. When the light isn’t on it just looks like a big hunk of wood with a mysterious cord coming out of the back. The true colors of the light aren’t revealed until you happen to flip it on.

The dimensions of the lamp are completely unknown, so for all I know it’s 3 feet tall or 3 inches tall. It appears that it’s actually a pretty decent size though. On the inside of the Cub Lamp is an etched on leaf design. This was designed by Julian Robin and there’s no word if it’ll be headed towards mass production or ever be created into something purchasable at all.

Source: Yanko

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Cub Lamp makes wood shine copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

The Golf Bag Alarm System

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 12:20 PM PDT

Golfing is tricky business, you never know when someone is going to try to make off with your balls. To prevent those pesky golf ball thieves or anyone that might try to steal your whole golf bag you can pick up one of these handy little Golf Bag Alarm Systems. No one will ever suspect the funny looking golf ball can sound an alarm loud enough to put some serious strain on your ears.

This alarm system consists of two parts, a golf ball and a key fob. You leave the golf ball inside of your bag and then when the motion sensing ball notices some serious movement, the alarm will sound. Not only will an alarm go off on the ball, but your key fob will start to vibrate and beep. It’ll also not be very happy if you happen to get the key fob over 30 yards away from the ball. Which that will help you realize when someone is driving off with your bag. You can pick up the set for $49.95.

Source: CraziestGadgets

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ The Golf Bag Alarm System copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Alarm Clock Tea Maker

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 11:15 AM PDT

This has to be the strangest combination gadget ever and yet I could see it becoming very handy. Instead of waking up to an obnoxious beep, you could wake up to that beep noise and quickly recover with a nice hot cup of tea. Of course maybe you should keep away from the chamomile, it’s probably best not to do anything that might help you fall back to sleep.

If you like instant coffee instead of tea, it can do that as well. Should you be a tea fan though it’ll require 2 of your favorite tea bags and your own cup and saucer set. You just put either your mix or tea bags into the teapot the night before and fill up the Teasmade with cold water. A few minutes before the alarm it’ll boil the water and then the alarm will go off after the water is finished. You can purchase it for £59.99 or about $88 through MenKind.

Source: RGS

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Alarm Clock Tea Maker copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

MSI presents Wind Top AE2420 3D at Computex 2010

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 09:59 AM PDT

MSI decided to take advantage of its presence at Computex 2010 in Taipei, Taiwan, by rolling its latest desktop machine – the Wind Top AE2420 3D. This is the first 25″ 120Hz panel 3D touchscreen computer in the world, and it looks pretty stunning in our opinion. What makes the AE2420 3D stand out from all of the other all in one machines? Well, this model is no slouch when it comes to performance, boasting an exclusive built-in 3D Station technology, 3D Shutter Glasses and Hollywood grade sound system to keep you as well as anyone else in your home to be impressed with your setup. Not only that, instead of sporting an Atom processor as with other all-in-one PCs, the 3D AIO PC carries the latest Intel Core i series high performance core computing series. Whether for gaming or entertainment, you can be sure that the Wind Top AE2420 3D will not fail you.

The MSI Wind Top AE2420 3D is also more than capable of running touch-operated 3D games, although it remains to be seen just what sort of titles will be made available to the masses in the immediate future. You get a 120Hz high resolution panel which will transmit high density 3D digital content to pair of shutter glasses, where using precise image processing technology, 3D visual effects can be simulated. Basically, you get to 3D-fy everything, even regular DVDs by popping them in, and the 24″ display ought to be large enough to cater for a wide range of folks sitting around in your living room.

While this sounds like a dream machine, it is more or less suitable for those who are just starting off and want an above average machine, although purists and hardcore gamers will prefer to stick to a machine that is built from ground up, since they know what they’re getting as well as have full control over which components go in for the best possible gaming experience. If you want a no-frills machine that is able to juggle between work and play right out of the box, you probably won’t go wrong with the MSI Wind Top AE2420 3D. Just make sure you keep a cleaning cloth handy nearby since I think there will be lots of fingerprints and smudges for you to clean up after each use.

Press Release

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ MSI presents Wind Top AE2420 3D at Computex 2010 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX75 digital camera small in size, big on features

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 09:29 AM PDT

We’re pretty sure that most of you out there are familiar with the phrase, do not judge a book by its cover? The same applies to the world of gizmos as well, as we are not supposed to judge how a gadget will perform based on its size and looks. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX75 is one such device that ought to be approached with a degree of respect, since this super-slim digital camera might be small in stature, but it manages to pack in big features such as a 24mm ultra-wide-angle F2.2 bright LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens with 5x optical zoom that will come in handy if you’re a huge fan of shooting High Definition video for posterity. Apart from that, this slim and stylish LUMIX FX75 is a 14.1-megapixel digital camera that makes it one of Panasonic’s high-performing hybrid models.

The LUMIX FX75 is able to record HD video in the AVCHD Lite format, where this format will more or less double the recording time in HD quality when compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. When doing so, this content makes perfect fodder for viewing on an HDTV, while Dolby Digital Creator can also record high quality audio. Of course, you can also record in Motion JPEG if you want to, not to mention WVGA (848×480) and VGA (640×480) resolutions. You will find the LUMIX FX75 equipped with full touch-screen operation, where Auto Focus (AF) lets you capture the subject by simply touching the large 3″ 230,000-dot LCD display. Not only that, you can also click onto a subject with a single touch, where the FX75 will go ahead and track the subject with the AF tracking feature – despite moving.

Panasonic’s iA (Intelligent Auto) mode will also go one up on its previous iterations, as the LUMIX FX75 offers a new Motion Deblur mode mode that will update the motion detection (Intelligent ISO Control) and brightness control (Intelligent Exposure) in order to gain the highest shutter speed possible. This will greatly reduce blur created from handshake or the subject moving. Other technologies in the iA suite include POWER O.I.S., Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. There is no word on pricing just yet, although expect an announcement to be made a month before it ships to various market.

Press Release

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX75 digital camera small in size, big on features copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

ViewQuest WiFi Radio

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 08:54 AM PDT

Are you one who still listens to radios over a regular boombox? Isn’t it time to keep up with the times, where you have the ViewQuest WiFi Radio which allows you to enjoy thousands of Internet stations, not to mention audio streams as well as podcasts as long as there is a Wi-Fi network in the vicinity of reasonable bandwidth. The ViewQuest WiFi Radio is touted to be the smallest portable Wi-Fi internet radio in the world, and just in case there isn’t any Wi-Fi network nearby, fret not. You can always rely on its integrated FM tuner that lets you enjoy old school radio stations at the right frequencies. Its internal battery offers more than 15 hours of continuous playback time. Would you fork out £89.99 for this puppy?

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ ViewQuest WiFi Radio copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Cordless Wall Charger for iPhone

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 08:42 AM PDT

Own an iPhone, where you originally purchased it to stand out from the rest of the crowd? Well, since everyone and their uncle already own an iPhone these days, how else are you going to differentiate yourself from the rest? Enter the $29.99 Cordless Wall Charger for iPhone, where this device offers fast iPhone and iPod charging thanks to its click and pivot mechanism. Being compact, its pivoting feature lets you slide your device into place without having to wrangle with wires or cables, and since you are hooked up to a wall socket, it delivers much more juice than a USB connection over a computer, resulting in a faster charge. The Cordless Wall Charger for iPhone will play nice with all three generations of iPhones, the iPod touch, iPod classic and iPod nano.

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Cordless Wall Charger for iPhone copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 01-Jun-2010

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 10:01 PM PDT

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 01-Jun-2010 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Clickfree Transformer for iPod/iPhone

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 07:45 PM PDT

Transferring files, especially music ones, from your iPod or iPhone to a different computer isn’t exactly rocket science, but it isn’t elementary math either. Not to mention that if you ever want to make a backup of important files, the steps involved can get complicated for the newbie. Good thing devices such as the Clickfree Transformer for iPod/iPhone are here to help even the least tech savvy person transfer files from a computer to the iPod or iPhone's excess storage space in a jiffy, taking the tried and true plug-and-play method. There isn’t any software to install or further setup to do, and to make things even more idiot proof, the Clickfree will never overwrite your iPod's existing content since it will deal only with unused storage space. Expect to pay £39.99 for some peace of mind.

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Clickfree Transformer for iPod/iPhone copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

i-Got-Control iPhone Universal Remote

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 07:30 PM PDT

The iPhone is one hot gadget no matter how you look at it, and even its detractors cannot deny its appeal to the general populace – just take a look at how many more folks out there who tote around an iPhone just for the sake of looking cool? Well, it isn’t just all looks only as we know without personality, a device cannot last this long in the market. One of the strengths of the iPhone would be its App store that offers a bunch of useful and quirky apps, where today the i-Got-Control iPhone Universal Remote speaks for itself by letting your iPhone be used as a universal remote. It basically enables you to control thousands of devices through an intuitive touchscreen interface. For those who can’t seem to find their device on the list, you can always learn its codes and save them as a new device. Retailing for $69.99 a pop, you will need to get your own iPhone first. Hopefully it won’t drain your battery even further, as the iPhone’s daily battery life is already rather poor in relative to other smartphones.

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ i-Got-Control iPhone Universal Remote copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Panasonic wireless home theater audio system

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 07:15 PM PDT

Panasonic rolls out yet another first today in the form of their maiden fully wireless home theater audio system that was specially made for Full HD 3D, where it comes in the form of the new SC-ZT2. This wireless device is a design-matching solution for any self-respecting Full HD 3D home theater system, where it is capable of producing rich surround sound with the life-like ambience of a 7.1-channel system, all using a mere two speakers – now how about that! When it works together in tandem with the new Panasonic DMP-BDT350 Blu-ray 3D player, it is as though you were witnessing a marriage made in heaven, or at least somewhere near to that extent. The Panasonic SC-ZT2 offers high definition surround sound audio portion of Full HD 3D, letting home theater enthusiasts as well as folks who are fortunate enough to own 3D theater systems, to see cables that run across the room as a thing of the past.

The SC-ZT2 will play nice with Audio Return Channel (ARC), which in turn enables receiving audio signal from the TV through a single HDMI cable. This new feature will help simplify the set-up by removing the need for a separate optical audio connection, while offering support for Full HD 3D images and video. Not only that, Panasonic’s advanced proprietary virtual technology lets users enjoy Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD 7.1-channel surround sound using just a couple of speakers, where each of these speakers will hold a quartet of one-inch tweeters. The tweeters themselves are vertically aligned and can emit sounds parallel to the floor, enabling one to listen from anywhere in the room. Theoretically, it doesn’t matter if you’re lying down or sitting on a sofa, audio will still reach you in the way it was meant to. Boasting an ultra-slim design, the SC-ZT2 system will offer minimum unwanted sound reflections for crisp, clear sounds delivered directly to listeners.

The speakers also include an integrated long-stroke woofer, where you get around 5″ of diameter which enables it to generate sounds from the low-frequency range to deep bass which is normally produced by subwoofers. Thanks to its Down-Fire structure which relies on the floor as an acoustical reflector, you will be able to enjoy dynamic bass sounds that are extremely robust for the size of the speakers. Expect to fork out $999.95 for the Panasonic SC-ZT2 wireless audio system that will ship with a couple of ultra slim pole speakers and a wireless receiver. Something worth considering for dad this Father’s Day, eh?

Press Release

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Panasonic wireless home theater audio system copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Panasonic offers first surround bar home theater speaker systems

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 07:04 PM PDT

Panasonic is first off the mark to roll out their maiden surround bar home theater speaker systems known as the SC-HTB10 and SC-HTB500 which will arrive at store shelves just in time for all of your summer entertainment purposes. Both models are able to fit in front of the TV in a pinch, and will not require any rocket science to install, being a stylish alternative to a home theater sound system. They come with a single HDMI 1.4 input that is also able to pass through 3D video from a connected Blu-ray 3D player, coupled with a solitary HDMI 1.4 output with audio return channel. Guess this summer is going to be an interesting one as you look for upgrades to your living room entertainment system to keep up with the times, and being 3D ready, you might as well splash more money on a new 3D-capable TV, don’t you think so?

As for the SC-HTB10, this model will come with an integrated subwoofer, making it the ideal choice for televisions up to 42″ in size, while the SC-HTB500 was designed for larger screen TV displays and will ship with a separate wireless subwoofer. Needless to say, the latter would reside in the higher end in the overall scheme of things, but with more and more people living in smaller and smaller apartments due to the lack of space, it would be no surprise to see the SC-HTB10 sell many more units compared to the SC-HTB500, and we’re pretty sure that the cheaper price has something to do with it as well.

Both surround bar systems are able to deliver dialogue that is crisp and clear, courtesy of the advanced bamboo cone speaker design and Clear-Mode Dialogue that makes the sound seem as though it is coming from the center of the TV display. Not only that, you will also benefit from more precise linking of the picture and the sound, resulting in clean pure sound for dialogue voices on video and vocals on music. The SC-HTB10 won’t take up too much space at a mere 31.5″ wide, while the SC-HTB500 has a width of 41.5″. Shared specifications include 2.1-channel audio. Expect the SC-HTB10 and SC-HTB500 to retail for $199.95 and $349.95, respectively, as they roll out in June and August.

Press Release

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Panasonic offers first surround bar home theater speaker systems copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Thursday, June 3, 2010