Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Commodore USA PC64
Venturi Buckeye Bullet breaks 300mph Hydrogen speed record
Washable Thermometer Just For Women
Mag Gun for FPS games
Sink And Urinal In One
Working Nokia Steampunk Cellphone
Exped DreamWalker 450 Sleeping Bag
Panasonic Hearing instruments have arrived Stateside
Apricorn to release EZ Writer II ultra-portable Dual Layer DVD burner
Voice Control Helicopter
Gadget Thumbnails for 26-Aug-2010
Fire Stash is a glorified lighter
Circadian Sleep System
The Dormouse Bridge
LG uses Hillcrest Labs’ patented Freespace in-air pointing and motion control technology their 3D TV
Netflix app hits iPhone and iPod touch
Matrix Key System changes the lock when you lose your key
NTT’s “t-room” is almost like being there

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 04:26 PM PDT

I remember growing up in the 80’s, I had a friend who had a Commodore 64. Even though he only had a black-and-white monitor that was nothing more than a TV, I was amazed at what he could do with a modem and 5 1/4 floppy disks.

Commodore 64 apparently sold 30 million units, which makes it the best selling computer of all time. Yes, I a surprised that no one has passed that record.

Commodore plans to offer the PC64, an Intel Atom-powered PC that has 4GB of DDR3 memory, SATA 1 TB HDD, an optical drive of DVD/CD, or optional Blu-ray, and HDMI output. Plus it has that awesome beige keyboard, with the keys that will probably click like they did thirty years ago.

At least this is what my Source says that it has. I don’t really understand why I have a picture saying “Insert PC Here”. After all, I thought that the Commodore keyboard things that we were seeing here was the PC. Perhaps it should say “insert monitor here”. It’s nice to know that they have some better monitors since my old friend’s black and white monitor.

It should be available this holiday season, and it is a geek-from-the-80’s flashback that is as welcome as Tron: Legacy.

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Commodore USA PC64 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Venturi Buckeye Bullet breaks 300mph Hydrogen speed record

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 04:04 PM PDT

I always like seeing this cars that look more like rockets, designed to do nothing more than just go really, really, really fast.

This is one of the latest of these super-fast vehicles, known as the Venturi Buckeye Bullet. It was built by student engineers, at Ohio State University’s Center for Automotive Research.

It also runs on hydrogen, and it just achieved an average speed of 307.7 mph at a two-run pass at the Bonneville Salt Flats on August 24.

I must admit that I have never been to the Salt Flats before, but if this picture is what they look like, then it looks like a frozen over ocean. I like how the Venturi Buckeye Bullet looks a lot like a shark in the midst of these frozen-over waters.

As for the “car”, for lack of a better word, is about 36 feet long and is only 1.5 inches from the ground. The battery pack in the Venturi Buckeye Bullet V 2.5, is capable of providing “instantaneous power of more than 600 kW. The pack reportedly uses 1,600 cells’.

I believe that the speed record for this particular vehicle is the fastest for any hydrogen-based vehicle. I have heard that the actual land speed record is over 700 miles per hour, with a non-hydrogen vehicle.

Source

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[ Venturi Buckeye Bullet breaks 300mph Hydrogen speed record copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Washable Thermometer Just For Women

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 04:00 PM PDT

I’ve never felt the need to own his and hers thermometers. After all, they all check your temperature well enough. Sure, some are better to use on squirming children, but between men and women it’s all pretty much the same. However, the Japanese feel very different than I do as it turns out. Instead of sharing a thermometer, they have a special washable thermometer just for women.

This Celsius thermometer features a backlight that’ll allow for you to even read the temperature in the dark. Again, yet another thing that I didn’t think I needed. It’s always so nice to have vendors out there to let you know what you didn’t know you always needed. Like a pink little thermometer that can be washed up after you’re finished. These will be released September 1st for only $35.

Source: Gizmodiva

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Washable Thermometer Just For Women copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Mag Gun for FPS games

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 03:32 PM PDT

This is the Mag Gun controller, and it is probably one of the most advanced FPS gun controllers that I have ever seen.

I have included a video after the jump if you want to see it in action, and it has a lot of action to see. You will note how the controller has a joystick on it that will control in-game movement, and it looks like all the other major controls are located in a very convenient place.

Another thing you might note is how it has a wide-angle camera that can be calibrated with just touch of a button. It also has a sensitivity dial atop of it for some serious user adjustment.

Best of all, the Mag Gun appears to be compatible with practically any console. I believe that the video specified the Xbox 360 and PS3, but there is nothing about the Wii. Somehow, I am not surprised at that.

Now, if only someone would go and mass produce this thing. That’s right, this is not an official product as yet. It made a debut a recent Hong Kong gaming show, and since it was available for purchase there, it can probably be purchased privately.

Personally, I think that someone is going to purchase this an change the market of FPS games so that Halo, Gears of War, and Medal of Honor can be played with a lot more realism.

Source

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ Mag Gun for FPS games copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Sink And Urinal In One

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 02:36 PM PDT

At first I wasn’t the most thrilled over the idea of someone peeing and washing your hands in the same place. Honestly, once you really think it through although it is odd, it would save on space and spending money on multiple fixtures in bathrooms. Plus, it couldn’t be much more unsanitary than washing your hands right next to the toilet, which is the case in most bathrooms.

On the bottom of it all is a urinal then up top is the sink. The water that you use to wash your hands is used to wash out the urinal. With that extra design quality it’ll help to save on water, which could really cut down on the bill for any large establishment like a restaurant. This was a iF Concept Design winning entry and for good reason. It was designed by Yeongwoo Kim.

Source: Treehugger

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Sink And Urinal In One copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Working Nokia Steampunk Cellphone

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 01:53 PM PDT

It would be hard to overlook the numerous steampunk gadgets that people have built and sold. However, I can’t say that I’ve come across anyone that has as many and as broad of a collection as Ivan Mavrovic. His features everything from a pen disguised as a gun, to toothbrushes and razors. The most interesting out of the bunch are the several cellphones that he’s managed to steampunk.

It appears his specialty is with Nokia phones since all of the phones he’s managed to steampunk appear to be Nokia phones. Each one of the phones look very different from the rest. They’re all fully functioning despite their antique appearance. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that these are up for sale, but it might be possible to contact the designer to have something like this made for you. That is if you have a whole lot of cash that you’re willing to spend.

Source: Neatorama

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Working Nokia Steampunk Cellphone copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Exped DreamWalker 450 Sleeping Bag

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 12:11 PM PDT

Are you one who loves the great outdoors, and go on camping trips frequently? You might be interested in the Exped DreamWalker 450 Sleeping Bag then, considering this boasts a design that is unlike any other. You get a unique sleeping back pattern which can be converted into a downcoat when the situation calls for it. Not only that, it will feature a temperature rating of 1 C or 35 F, so near freezing spots should still be OK for you to take a night’s rest without freezing to death. The inclusion of a tuck-stitch design with bar-tacking at stress points ensure you will end up with a reasonably good quality product which ought to see you through many years of camping trips before it starts to wear out. Depending on the size, you will have to fork out anywhere from $264.16 to $300.00 for this ideal coat which targets activities including bird watching, cooking or sitting around camp.

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Exped DreamWalker 450 Sleeping Bag copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Panasonic Hearing instruments have arrived Stateside

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 12:03 PM PDT

Panasonic Hearing instruments have finally made their way to the US, where a trio of digital hearing instruments will debut in this part of the world. They will also come in a new form factor which resembles the style of an MP3 player, and will feature a receiver-in-canal and behind-the-ear models to boot. These were specially designed for the patient while delivering features, convenience and performance requested by hearing care professionals and their patients. Not only that, they shed the tag that hearing instruments are outdated and ugly, since this batch will come in an attractive design, and is comfortable to wear, easy to use and have a unique circuit design for high performance and long battery life.

Panasonic’s JZ Series will kick off the range with a style that resembles an MP3 player to keep up with the times. This is a palm-sized unit that comes with an LCD display and a stereo binaural headset (earphone with microphones), and can be worn for hours on end comfortably without inducing any headache whatsoever. Perfect for individuals with dexterity challenges, impaired vision and those with situational hearing loss, it will come with a Scene Select function that allows the user to view the listening modes on the LCD screen while choosing the most appropriate mode based upon the surrounding environment from a quartet of different modes available. A rechargeable battery heolps you make the most of this unit, but you can also rely on AAA batteries if there isn’t a power outlet nearby to juice it up.

As for the Panasonic 4-Series, this will be a Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) digital hearing instrument which is the smallest among the three. It will feature a stylish waveform design, and you can wear it discreetly behind your ear thanks to its diminutive size. It will target patients with mild to moderately severe hearing loss. Last but not least would be the Panasonic 2-Series, a Standard Behind-the-Ear (BTE) digital hearing instrument which will integrate Panasonic’s advanced digital signal processing technologies, targeting those who suffer from moderate to severe hearing loss.

Press Release

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[ Panasonic Hearing instruments have arrived Stateside copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Apricorn to release EZ Writer II ultra-portable Dual Layer DVD burner

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 11:48 AM PDT

Do you happen to own a netbook that you absolutely love, but there is just one thing which bugs you – it lacks an optical disc drive that could make it harder than usual to install new programs? Well, there is also the other problem of not being able to burn copies of data from your netbook simply because the netbook itself lacks an optical disc drive! Apricorn aims to solve this problem by offering their very own EZ Writer II ultra-portable Dual Layer DVD burner. This useful peripheral will come with its own integrated USB cable that makes it all the more enticing – it means you no longer need to tote around another cable on your travels, and since it is bus-powered, you will also save on a power adapter when moving around.

The Apricorn EZ Writer II will also do the standard DVD and CD playback as and when the need arises, tipping the scales at a mere 11.7 oz while coming in a black gloss finish and sleek, slim-line design. Not only that, it is easy on your pockets at $54 (after a $25 mail-in rebate). Just in case you were wondering how its built-in USB cable looks like, it will fit securely in a concealed groove when not in use to make its transportation a whole lot easier in your notebook bag. Thanks to its Dual Layer recording engine, the user can record up to 8.5GB of data per DVD, which is more than enough for today’s needs unless you’re one who deals with Blu-ray sized chunks of data – that’s a totally different story altogether then.

Each purchase of the EZ Writer II will be accompanied by a 1-year warranty, where it will also include two leading CD/DVD software programs for burning and playing DVDs, and a USB Y-cable for additional juice if the situation calls for it.

Press Release

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[ Apricorn to release EZ Writer II ultra-portable Dual Layer DVD burner copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Voice Control Helicopter

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 11:05 AM PDT

Are you frustrated that whatever you tell your kids seem to fall on deaf ears? Then the Voice Control Helicopter might come in handy, although it is rather sad that you will need to fork out £39.99 to have a mechanical contraption obey your commands. This ingenious Voice Control Helicopter is smart enough to respond to your commands, and will be able to obey five pre-loaded commands. All you need to do is wear the microphone set (which somewhat resembles a Bluetooth headset) and start sending out commands to show who’s boss. You will be able to tell it to start its engines, head up higher or go lower, to hover in mid-air or even move forwards and backwards. Not only that, there are LED lights that make it look all the more cooler, while juicing up the Voice Control Helicopter is a snap. Folks who speak in French or Spanish will also be able to have a go at it, making this a truly intercontinental flight.

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Voice Control Helicopter copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 26-Aug-2010

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 10:01 PM PDT

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 26-Aug-2010 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Fire Stash is a glorified lighter

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 07:56 PM PDT

A lighter is just a lighter, don’t you think so? Perhaps not, as some of the more individualistic folks out there might prefer something a whole lot more different. Case in point, we have the Fire Stash which is actually a lighter but definitely does not look like one. Not only that, with a price tag of just £6.99, you won’t burn a hole in your pocket when bringing this amazing keyring lighter home, as it offers the ultimate convenience for anyone who needs fire instantly. Well, even non-smokers might just find this to be useful since you can never quite know when you need a light, such as camping situations, a birthday cake that has candles, or even casually offering a lighter to potential suitors. It comes with a screw-top while holding a fully functional petrol lighter within.

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ Fire Stash is a glorified lighter copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Circadian Sleep System

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 07:44 PM PDT

Can’t get to sleep, and you have just about tried all sorts of solutions to no avail? The Circadian Sleep System from Hammacher might just do the trick, since this clock will rely on both light and sound therapy in order to reset your body’s regular sleep patterns to make it a whole lot (in theory, at least) easier when it comes to falling asleep at night only to wake up with a more rejuvenated feeling in the morning. In other words, this unique sleep system will move in tandem with your body’s internal clock, where the circadian rhythm responds to light levels over the course of a 24-hour cycle, causing one to sleep or wake up. The clock will feature a light panel that relies on 70 white and 30 blue LEDs which decrease or increase in intensity to simulate dusk or dawn. In a Harvard Medical School study, blue light can immediately improve alertness in the morning – no questions there. You can also hook it into a desk lamp and dim its light at dusk and brightening it at dawn for maximum effect. Sleep and wake time intervals of 5, 15, and 30 minutes to match waxing and waning light levels with music played from its FM radio or your MP3 collection can also be programmed. Spending $249.95 to end your agony shouldn’t be worth losing sleep over, eh?

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Circadian Sleep System copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

The Dormouse Bridge

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 07:37 PM PDT

Yes, this is the Dormouse Bridge, but that is not its formal name. Actually, it is more of a descriptor of what it does.

Have you ever been driving, or worse, walking on the road and seeing roadkill? I suppose that if you want to get technical about it, this is a roadkill preventer. Perhaps this would be a good name for this bridge.

Unfortunately, it isn’t designed for all sizes of roadkill, as this one is specifically made for a breed of dormouse. Apparently, the dormouse is being threatened by highway expansion in South Wales, and so this bridge was erected to keep them safe from traffic.

I suppose that you could call it “hamster trails over the highway”. However, these bridges are made of a reinforced mesh material that is “easy for the mice to traverse”. I seem to have noticed that the bridge has two huge gaps in it, where the two slopes meet the flat area. Does the dormouse hop over these areas?

By the way, this bridge costs about $290,000 to build. I suppose that it is a small price to pay for the dormouse. I wonder if you could hang a sign from this bridge. Hopefully, semi trucks can drive underneath it.

Source

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ The Dormouse Bridge copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

LG uses Hillcrest Labs’ patented Freespace in-air pointing and motion control technology their 3D TV

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 07:31 PM PDT

Hillcrest Labs is proud to announce that LG, the South Korean consumer electronics giant, will be using their patented Freespace in-air pointing and motion control technology for their latest line of 3D-ready, Internet-connected HDTVs which have hit the Korean market, only to be unleashed upon the rest of the world later on. Known as the “Magic Wand” remote, it will see action in selected models within LG’s new INFINIA line of LED LCD HDTVs. Just to whet your appetite, the INFINIA sets will come in a slim design, a thin bezel, and an enhanced Internet connectivity package that will carry with it a variety of entertainment options, such as LG’s NetCast Entertainment Access. Not only that, the inclusion of a wired Ethernet jack in the INFINIA sets will allow these NetCast-enabled TVs to integrate themselves into a wireless home network seamlessly thanks to a USB wireless broadband adaptor (that is sold separately, unfortunately). If you love being first in everything, then the INFINIA models ought to be your purchase choice, since they are the first to use LG’s unique “Magic Wand” remote control system.

LG’s “Magic” user interface will merge Internet-based applications, television menus and embedded games amongst others using simple hand motions (should be a snap to those who have had experience with the Nintendo Wii, while newcomers will find it natural and intuitive) to control an on-screen cursor on the television. No longer will you need a computer, since the “Magic Wand” remote with Netcast will be able to access and navigate Internet-based applications specifically designed for the TV.

What makes the “Magic Wand” so special? Apart from its high resolution pointer accuracy that makes it a snap to easily select icons and images, small and large, on a high-resolution screen, you also benefit from orientation compensation – basically, it doesn’t matter the orientation of the Magic Wand remote in space, Freespace technology will still generate intuitive cursor motions on the screen. The use of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) sensors combined with Hillcrest’s proprietary software will result in consistent control of the device from any position – standing, sitting or reclining.

Press Release

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[ LG uses Hillcrest Labs’ patented Freespace in-air pointing and motion control technology their 3D TV copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Netflix app hits iPhone and iPod touch

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 07:14 PM PDT

While the Netflix app was originally meant for the iPad, this free app has been modified to cater for those who are rocking to the iPhone and iPod touch, thanks to the availability of the free Netflix App for iPhone and iPod touch. Basically, this app enables current Netflix members to enjoy watching their favorite shows and movies anytime, anywhere on the mentioned two iDevices for just $8.99 a month. To put it in layman’s terms, you will be able to instantly watch a vast selection of TV episodes and movies streamed to your iPhone or iPod touch at no additional cost.

You will be able to pick up the Netflix App for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. According to Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder and chief executive officer, “Apple has changed the game for mobile devices. We’re excited that our members can now carry Netflix around in their pockets and instantly watch movies and TV shows streamed from Netflix right to their iPhone or iPod touch.”

You can be assured that the Netflix App is able to deliver a high-quality viewing experience, courtesy of a broad array of movie and TV choices and a clean, intuitive interface that ought to have just about anyone use it without having to go through a prior user experience. Of course, regardless of whether you’re rocking to Wi-Fi or 3G networks, you can still enjoy your streaming video although Wi-Fi does seem like a better bet if you happen to stay in an area that has spotty 3G connection. All TV episodes and movies have been conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members’ personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members’ individual instant Queues. As usual, you can always pick a show of your choice and watch instantly or save the title for viewing later. In addition to that, you can also fast forward and rewind the video stream, stopping at any time of your pleasure. The Netflix App will play nice with any iPhone or iPod touch device running iOS version 3.13 or later.

Press Release

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[ Netflix app hits iPhone and iPod touch copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Matrix Key System changes the lock when you lose your key

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 07:10 PM PDT

Okay, I don’t know if you are confused about this headline, but just to let you know, I was slightly confused when I heard about this new invention.

I will briefly try to explain how the Matrix Lock System works. You know how when you lose your keys, and you have to use your backup keys? With the worst case scenario, you can’t find a spare key and you end up having to change the lock. However, with the Matrix Lock System, you actually have a full set of backup keys, each one different from the other. So, if you lose one key, you just take from the next key in the “cycle”.

The lock has some sort of tiny metal discs that change the pin and tumbler mechanisms inside. This means that when you use the new key, it will change the lock, and now your old key will not work anymore!

So, if someone steals your keys, you can just use your new key to change the lock, and keep the key-thief out of your space.

I couldn’t figure out how to embed this video if you want to see what happens exactly, but you can click on it here to see it for yourself.

I don’t know about you, but if I hear the words “Matrix” with the word “key”, I can’t help but think of that Keymaker guy in The Matrix Reloaded.

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Matrix Key System changes the lock when you lose your key copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

NTT’s “t-room” is almost like being there

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 06:46 PM PDT

I realize that this picture looks like two ordinary people shaking hands, but what is actually going on is far more technical and far more complex.

This photo comes from my Source, who was at NTT’s Showroom at Tokyo and got a chance to try out the “t-room”. Yes, that is what they call it, and is actually is very similar to sitting down for tea.

Here is a brief explanation of what the t-room does. A person stands in this small circular room that is surrounded by person-sized video screens. They can see an image of the person they are talking to, who is in another t-room somewhere. This allows for some video conferencing that is exponentially better than FaceTime on the iPhone 4. You can watch the video after the jump to see what is up.

In the photo, you see these two people shaking hands. In actuality, only the man is real, and has just overlapped his hand with the image on the screen.

Not only is the t-room good for video conferencing, but it is possible for the user on either end to program a different background. For example, the user gets to see the Aurorae in the video. Not only can the background change, but the user can put windows of information on display, as if life was one big Powerpoint Presentation. You can also see that in the video, along with some weird time-delay feature. If you haven’t watched the video by now, then I don’t know how many more hints I can drop to get you to watch it.

I’ve had a lot of phone calls and video conferences in my time, but I think the most life-like communication that I could experience, other than being there, is with the t-room.

Source

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ NTT’s “t-room” is almost like being there copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Saturday, August 28, 2010