Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Three high school students team with NASA to solve spaceship problem
Vivos Underground Shelter Network for surviving in style
Portable office for the easily movable workspace
Stamp.y stamps off your photos
JayBird SB2 Bluetooth Headphones
Dog Lamp Desk Organizer
Doggie Fountain for thirsty pooches
iPhone 4 costs $188 to build
Hitachi 2010 line of LCD HDTVs announced
Gadget Thumbnails for 28-Jun-2010
Cirago CDD2000 USB 3.0 Hard Drive Docking Station
Sanyo Pedal Juice introduced
Acer AG7750 Predator gaming rig announced

Three high school students team with NASA to solve spaceship problem

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 04:39 PM PDT

This next article isn’t really about a cool gadget per se, but it definitely inspired me to tell all our readers how to really improve science and technology. Hear me out on this one.

As Adrian Monk would say, here’s how it happened:

A Massachusetts high school science teacher recently put his three best students on a special assignment. They were told to imagine a world where some sort of spacecraft was hurtling toward Earth, and that it was up to them to figure out how they would record the event while onboard a separate aircraft.

The three students eventually put their heads together and came up with a way of doing what the teacher said. Then, the plot twist occurs, and the teacher is revealed to be a representative from NASA. He then took the students to Japan, and they implemented their solution to the problem. They even got to board a DC-8 and actually took photos of the Hayabusa spacecraft.

Sounds like some children’s story, doesn’t it? Like any children’s story, there is a distinct moral: Scientific problems can always be solved by kids.

Seriously. I would be willing to bet that if Steve Jobs were to give a group of smart high schoolers an assignment to create a better iPhone, they would have come up with a more decent version of the iPhone 4. Perhaps they could have figured out why it loses reception if you hold it a certain way.

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Three high school students team with NASA to solve spaceship problem copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Vivos Underground Shelter Network for surviving in style

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 04:21 PM PDT

I’m not really into Fallout 3, but the popular video game begins with the idea of starting in a “sheltertown” before journeying into the wasteland.

Fallout shelters since the beginning of the Atomic Age have usually been nothing more than just holes in the ground, but the Vivos “ultimate underground shelter network” is one that I would be glad to stay in. Not that I want some sort of global disaster to occur. I am just saying that the accommodations look much better than a bunker with shelves of canned food. According to Vivos:

Complexes will be deep underground, airtight, fully self-contained shelters designed to survive virtually any catastrophe, or threat scenario including natural disasters, a nuclear blast, chemical and biological weapons, or even social anarchy.

I have included a video of Fox News talking to the head of Vivos, and he says that he has built these 10 million dollar complexes underground in the Mojave Desert. That is about 100 miles from a major city, or ground zero for a nuclear strike, theoretically. The Vivos complexes were designed after cruise ships, and it is apparent that the complexes connect together. Perhaps they are to form some sort of underground city like in City of Ember.

Like it is said in the video, this is the one piece of real estate that you want to own, but you never want to use.

Source

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Vivos Underground Shelter Network for surviving in style copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Portable office for the easily movable workspace

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 03:53 PM PDT

As a professional blogger, I don’t really have an office per se. In fact, all I really need to do my job are three things: a laptop, an electrical outlet, and a stable Wi-Fi hotspot.

However, I used to work for “the man”, and there is one thing that I know about corporations: never have permanent office space. Perhaps you work in an office where there is this unnecessary shuffling of cubicles, and I’m sure you are having a hard time seeing the big picture.

I would suggest that you simply make your office spaces more portable with these portable offices. As you can see, all your office equipment such as chairs, desk, shelves, etc. can all be put on this one thing, and then moved with the simplicity of a wheelbarrow. After the jump is a picture of what it all looks like when it is placed.

I can’t help but feel sorry for this guy in this picture. He looks like he works at some real evil corporation out of some dystopian future like 1984 or Brazil. The fact that he has that “Agent Smith” from The Matrix movies look to his hair isn’t helping.

Still, this is the way of the future, isn’t it? Everything is easily portable so it can always be moved around. This doesn’t inspire a lot of trust in permanent features, does it?

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Portable office for the easily movable workspace copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Stamp.y stamps off your photos

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 03:00 PM PDT

Polaroid cameras still get a bit of love even now, despite the age of the technology. You can’t help but love instant pictures no matter where you’re at. Well this concept design taps into that just a little. It gives you instant pictures, but in a very different way. Instead of printing out pictures, it just gives you a stamp to use on random bits of paper.

With this instead of getting black and white you’ll get red and white. Now I doubt that this would ever get to the point where it has near as much of a cult following as Polaroids, but it is an interesting new idea at the very least. Stamp.y is a concept by Jinhee Kim, so it’s obviously still not up for sale.

Source: Technabob

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Stamp.y stamps off your photos copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

JayBird SB2 Bluetooth Headphones

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 02:00 PM PDT

It looks like JayBird is tapping into the sudden love for the 80’s by releasing headphones with colors that could easily be described as neon. These Bluetooth headphones also come in less neon colors, so if you’re not really loving that trend, you’re still in luck. Plus, with these headphones, you don’t have to deal with any of those unattractive cords.

The wide band might not appeal to absolutely everyone, but it does still stick with that 80’s feel. These headphones will work with Bluetooth A2DP or even apt-X Bluetooth audio codec. On the side of most of their headphones they include buttons to control your music. Plus, to finish off the deal there is an integrated mic for making phone calls. You can purchase a pair of these for $99.

Source: OhGizmo

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ JayBird SB2 Bluetooth Headphones copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Dog Lamp Desk Organizer

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 01:15 PM PDT

If you’re feeling a little crafty, this could make a weekend project for those of you not scared off by wiring jobs. This isn’t a kit that’s up for purchase, but the idea might be enough to give you some ideas on how to make your own version of this sort of thing. This dog design makes it perfect for kids who want to have their own desk space to work on school projects.

On the inside of the mouth is a light that makes the eyes glow once the rest of the lights are out. Then on the back of the dog is a spot to hold all sorts of small office supplies like pens, markers and scissors. If you are using it for a kids room you might make sure that the wires are extra secure, so they don’t go accidentally tugging too hard on it. This particular dog is a design by David Zhang, who hopefully will get some kits out for those of us that aren’t the best at woodworking.

Source: Yanko

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[ Dog Lamp Desk Organizer copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Doggie Fountain for thirsty pooches

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 06:30 AM PDT

It goes without saying that you ought to supply enough fresh water for your furkid at all times, but what happens when you’re a forgetful person to fill up Fido’s water bowl every now and then? Save yourself dirty looks from your neighbors as well as sparing Fido from thirst with the $39.98 Doggie Fountain, where it will connect to any garden hose where you can adjust water height simply by controlling the water pressure. The fountain will be activated whenever the dog steps on the metal plate, which means fresh water is available at all times without worrying about hot days evaporating all the water you poured out earlier. The thing is, how do you train your pooch to step on the plate when it is thirsty? After all, not all owners see a dog as part of the family to go the extra mile to do so…

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ Doggie Fountain for thirsty pooches copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

iPhone 4 costs $188 to build

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 06:00 AM PDT

The whole world seems to be obsessed with how much things cost, and the same applies to the iPhone 4. For other countries where the smartphone is not available officially yet, folks who want first mover advantage to pick up an unlocked handset will have to fork out up to $1,000 for it, which is plain insanity if you ask us. It gets worse after you realize that the iPhone 4 costs all of just $188 to build, sans marketing and promotion dollars of course. A breakdown of the components point towards the Retina Display being the most expensive component within, as it is estimated to retail for $28.50. Bear in mind that this figure is based on the $199 16GB model with a two-year service contract in the US. As for the custom-built A4 processor, this Samsung-assembled piece of silicon is estimated to go for $10.75, while its gyroscope costs less than a burger at $2.60. What do you think of forking out much more money over a 2-year contract for something which is intrinsically worth less than a couple of Benjamins?

Source: Apple Insider

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ iPhone 4 costs $188 to build copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Hitachi 2010 line of LCD HDTVs announced

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 05:30 AM PDT

We’re well halfway into 2010, but Hitachi has just announced their 2010 line of LCD HDTVs for those of us living Stateside. Hmmm, guess that there really isn’t much urgency to roll out a new model for the year, but hey, you can always look at it on the bright side that they are half a year early before the clock tolls and 2011 rolls around. With the world’s economy still hanging precariously, it makes perfect sense for Hitachi to make sure their 2010 line up offers technology and advanced features alongside value-driven pricing to cater to today's tech-savvy consumer. Let us take a look at the UltraVision UltraThin LED Series in greater detail in the extended post.

The UltraVision UltraThin LED Series are extremely slim, which means you can place them on your wall without much hassle, and they won’t look like an eyesore at all. Measuring under 2″ thin while taking full advantage of the latest high-efficiency LED technology, this new range is more than capable of delivering stunning Full HD 1080p 120Hz picture quality. Hitachi also has a heart for the environment, as they are all environmentally-friendly models by virtue of being mercury-free and ENERGY STAR 4.1 compliant, sipping definitely less juice when compared to conventional LCD models without compromising on image brightness or color vibrancy. The inclusion of CONEQ Surround and CONEQ 3D sound will further enhance Hitachi's LED line, helping deliver an immersive audio experience to match the brilliance of the high definition video. The higher-end models will feature Instaport technology for ultra fast HDMI input switching, and you can choose from 42″ and 46″ screen sizes for the UltraThin LED series.

As for the UltraVision CCFL Series, it will come in 32″, 42″, 46″ and 55″ models, where all of them boast 1080p resolution, 120Hz panel speed and Hitachi's Reel120 movie motion technology. They also sport a quartet of HDMI pure digital inputs for the best possible picture. You will find CONEQ 3D Sound thrown into the mix as well for a musically accurate three-dimensional audio image that will do justice to any on-screen programming. Heck, why not turn this into a USB photo viewer at the same time, after all it is large enough to double up as a digital photo frame in your living room.

Last but not least would be the Alpha CCFL Series that offers versatile connectivity with 7 high definition inputs, including 4 HDMI pure digital inputs for a brilliant picture. All Alpha Series model are also ENERGY STAR 4.1 compliant. If you’re on the lookout for a new LCD HDTV, which one would you go for?

Press Release

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Hitachi 2010 line of LCD HDTVs announced copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 28-Jun-2010

Posted: 28 Jun 2010 10:01 PM PDT

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 28-Jun-2010 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Cirago CDD2000 USB 3.0 Hard Drive Docking Station

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 05:00 AM PDT

Cirago is a leading name when it comes to multimedia centers, storage and wireless solutions, and the company has just announced that their latest baby, the CDD2000 USB 3.0 Hard Drive Docking Station, is available for purchase Stateside. While we know that the USB 3.0 standard has been around for some months already, hardware and computer manufacturers seem to be pretty slow in adopting the inevitable. Good to know that cirago is not shying away from the future, with the CDD2000 USB 3.0 Hard Drive Docking Station more than ready to rock and roll, letting you enjoy the speed and benefits of USB 3.0 when used in tandem with proper devices, while playing nice with older USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 devices for folks who want to have legacy hard drives hanging around the home or the office, offering quick and easy access to archived data or expanded storage options.

The CDD2000 USB 3.0 Hard Drive Docking Station is capable of offering high-performance data transfer of up to 5 Gbps, where it will play nice with both 2.5″ and 3.5″ SATA I and II hard drives with plug-and-play ease and hot-swappable convenience. Since it is meant to be a device for the future, hence it boasts a sleek, contemporary design which is unobtrusive on the desktop, coming in a compact size that makes for a small footprint for you to fit into your cubicle or workspace nicely without any hitches. Glad to see Cirago maintain backwards compatibility with legacy hard drives, since there are plenty of obsolete computers out there that are just waiting to be thrown into landfills or scrapped, and with the CDD2000’s ability to extract data from such hard drives without having to place a bulky computer case and the works around, it might just make the job a whole lot more enjoyable and less tedious.

You also save some money as there is no longer any more need to purchase an enclosure for each hard drive, while making sure the number of electronic waste is also reduced. Basically, “recycling” hard drives allows companies to help meet sustainability or “green” operating objectives thanks to Cirago’s latest CDD2000 docking station. Each purchase will be accompanied by its own USB 3.0 cable and a UL-certified power adapter for added reliability and safety. It will retail for $49.99 a pop and should already be out at major electronics retailers if you’re interested.

Press Release

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[ Cirago CDD2000 USB 3.0 Hard Drive Docking Station copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Sanyo Pedal Juice introduced

Posted: 28 Jun 2010 06:15 PM PDT

Sanyo is well known for their line of Eneloop products that comprise mainly of rechargeable batteries that work right out of the box, alongside a bicycle that has a built-in battery to help you tackle those mean uphill slopes if you happen to live in areas like San Francisco. Well, here is yet another effort from the Japanese electronics giant to keep the earth green in the form of the Sanyo Pedal Juice, which in essence is a a 9V DC Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery device that will target musicians who want to find a new (and cleaner, greener) way for musicians to power their effects pedals, multi-effect devices, and mobile recorders. Expect to see it hit leading national music retailers and distributors throughout the U.S. before the month is over for $199.99 a pop

Sanyo’s Pedal Juice is said to be developed to meet the needs of both professional and entry-level musicians, where a solitary Pedal Juice battery is able to offer up to 50 hours of non-stop, stable power for a single analog pedal or up to 20 hours of continuous power to three digital pedals. This is made possible thanks to the eneloop 9V rechargeable lithium-ion battery within that does away with the need for AC power. Apart from that, it will ensure that the output voltage remains much more stable for longer periods of time without running the risk of AC ground looping noise. You will be able to recharge the battery hundreds of times, hence doing your bit to eliminate the waste and inconvenience of disposable 9V alkaline batteries.

The Sanyo Pedal Juice will feature a couple of DC outputs, which means it can power multiple devices such as pedals, multi-effect units, and portable recorders. You will be able to use the Pedal Juice to offer portable battery power to a single pedal or can be used to power several pedals simultaneously. Sanyo also threw in a 3-stage visible LED power indicator to show the remaining power level with green, orange, and red LED lights, making it a whole lot easier for musicians to see at a glance. It is also water and shock resistant to JIS IPX3 compliance level, which means you can spray water all over the stage during rehearsal as a celebratory move without worrying about short circuiting this little battery that could.

Press Release

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[ Sanyo Pedal Juice introduced copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Acer AG7750 Predator gaming rig announced

Posted: 28 Jun 2010 05:58 PM PDT

Acer knows just how serious gamers take their gaming sessions, which is why they have come up with an updated version of their Predator gaming rig in the form of the AG7750, harnessing the pinnacle of processor, graphics and memory technologies for conquering the fiercest opponents. Getting a machine like this is a double-edged sword, since it leaves you no room to make an excuse for yourself should you lose a game to a less illustrious opponent the next time round as your hardware is faultless. Well, great champions who lose don’t make excuses for their poor performance but rather, take full responsibility for it, so the same can be applied in the world of computer gaming.

The Acer Aspire Predator was specially designed for avid gamers with a whole lot of ammunition on hand to handle whatever graphics-crunching title comes your way, with an Intel Core i7 quad-core processors running at the heart of things comlpete with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX470 graphics card with 3-way SLI support and a whopping 12GB DDR3 memory which ought to ensure your frame rates remain mighty high and then some. Of course, to purchase another two graphics cards to run it in 3-way SLI would mean a much higher power bill at the end of the month, but what price are you willing to pay when it comes to winning? Doing so will definitely add a considerable amount to the final $1,999 base system price tag, so if budget is your concern, you might want to look elsewhere or settle for a less powerful configuration.

Since the NVIDIA SLI graphics card is ready for 3D gaming, you can always throw in an Acer GD245HQ/GD235HZ 3D monitor for a fully immersive experience with NVIDIA 3D Vision, a merging of of high-tech wireless glasses and advanced software that lets you enjoy hundreds of PC games in full stereoscopic 3D glory. Storage-wise, the AG7750 will not disappoint since it comes with a 1.5TB hot-swap SATA hard drive alongside a trio of other easy-swap hard disk drive cages, giving you a maximum of four Serial ATA 3 G/bs high-capacity hard disks which can be added. Audio-wise, you will be able to enjoy high-definition 7.1-channel audio with EAX (Environmental Audio Extensions) 5.0 for clear heart pounding sound. This is a true beast of a gaming machine, get this if you don’t want to build a system from ground up.

Press Release

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Acer AG7750 Predator gaming rig announced copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Wednesday, June 30, 2010