Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

eKitch Digital Measuring Jug and Scales
Nuu Mini Key for the iPhone
Logitech ready to rumble with three more gaming controllers
Gadget Thumbnails for 05-Sep-2010
Energizer has new Inductive Charger for the masses
Carnegie Mellon making robotic snake
Inbrela Collapsible Umbrella
Globen Skyview elevator is one of a kind
MiLi Power Projector for iPhone/iPod
HP Mini 5103 now available Stateside
DivX and Yamaha team up for new DivX Plus HD Certified Blu-ray Disc Players

Posted: 06 Sep 2010 06:30 AM PDT

Going digital seems to have pervaded the house in more than one way, and the kitchen is not spared as well. After all, chances are most modern kitchens these days come with their own range of microwave ovens and cookers as well as induction stoves, but how about other everyday items to help make cooking easier? The eKitch Digital Measuring Jug and Scales is worth looking into as it delivers a 2-in-1 product – a measuring jug and a kitchen scale, of course. Capable of weighing both solids as wlel as measure liquids in the digital manner using the same jug, it will go out of its way to save time whenever you want to whip a delicious meal that requires precise measurements of ingredients within. With its smart add-and-weigh function, the jug is able to measure all the liquids necessary for a recipe, be they water, milk, oil, or wine. It retails for a highly affordable £14.95 – Mother’s Day might be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t surprise her with this delectable gift.

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ eKitch Digital Measuring Jug and Scales copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Nuu Mini Key for the iPhone

Posted: 06 Sep 2010 06:00 AM PDT

Some people love the iPhone in its entirety – except for one thing – the lack of a physical QWERTY keyboard. With the Nuu Mini Key, it is an accessory worth looking into if you’re one who wants to pick up a physical QWERTY keyboard for the iPhone. Making a debut at IFA 2010 in Berlin, the Nuu Mini Key protective case will not only double up as a solution for the iPhone 4's reception issues but also doubles up as flip-out QWERTY keyboard. One can only assume that this will hook up to the iPhone's dock connector which adds a considerable amount of bulk to the bottom of the case, but the benefits could very well be worth it. It has been stated that the keyboard includes a Bluetooth v2.0 class 2 and HID profile compliant Broadcom chip alongside an integrated rechargeable battery that will power the keyboard's backlight so that the iPhone's battery will not be under additional strain. Expect the Nuu Mini Key to hit the market sometime this Christmas for $69.

Source: OhGizmo!

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Nuu Mini Key for the iPhone copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Logitech ready to rumble with three more gaming controllers

Posted: 06 Sep 2010 05:30 AM PDT

Logitech has had its fair share of quality gaming peripherals in the past, and this time we have three more models in the form of controllers which are ready to enhance your gaming experience in the living room. We’re talking about the Logitech Gamepad F310, Logitech Rumble Gamepad F510 and Logitech Wireless Gamepad F710. First of all, the Logitech Gamepad F310 will definitely feel familiar with most gamers, since it boasts a comfortable control layout as well as a special floating D-pad design which will deliver exceptional accuracy in all eight directions. Incorporating both XInput and DirectInput technology, this allows it to play nice (pun intended) with just about any game that supports a gamepad, even on emulators like MAME. Of course, if you happen to want to have a go at games that do not support gamepads, you can always install the included Profiler software while configuring the gamepad to emulate keyboard and mouse actions.

Up next would be the Logitech Rumble Gamepad F510 that comes with all the same features as the Gamepad F310, although this one adds more oomph during your action moments, as it boasts dual vibration motors. Basically, this allows those who want to enjoy vibration feedback get the whole works, feeling every hit, crash and explosion. Just in case you wonder whether your hands are able to take it or not, it will throw in comfortable rubber grips and a soft-touch bottom case that makes it perfect for long gameplay sessions. Of course, it won’t do much for those suffering from sweaty palms, of course.

Last but not least would be the Logitech Wireless Gamepad F710, where it will again be just like the Rumble Gamepad F510, albeit coming with the freedom of 2.4GHz wireless connectivity. All you need to do plug in Logitech's plug-and-forget Nano receiver into any USB port and you’re good to go. It won’t simply break off whenever your device is traveling with you simply because it is so small. The Logitech Gamepad F310, Logitech Rumble Gamepad F510 and Logitech Wireless Gamepad F710 will retail for $24.99, $34.99 and $49.99, respectively.

Press Release

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Logitech ready to rumble with three more gaming controllers copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 05-Sep-2010

Posted: 05 Sep 2010 10:01 PM PDT

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 05-Sep-2010 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Energizer has new Inductive Charger for the masses

Posted: 06 Sep 2010 05:00 AM PDT

Mention alkaline batteries and chances are you will have both Energizer as well as Duracell names come into mind. Well, this time we will concentrate on the former, as Energizer has just unveiled a spanking new inductive charger for the mass market where it will be built using Qi technology, which is actually a new universal charging standard that was developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). The device will be known as the Energizer Inductive Charger, where it supposedly makes charging devices a whole lot easier as it will help you do away with cords and clutter.

Touted to be one of the most compelling new developments in charging technology to date, Qi (pronounced chee) will bring wireless freedom when it comes to charging a plethora of devices including smartphones, MP3 players, cameras – basically any device that requires 5 Watts or less juice on a single charging station, without paying any regard to the type of manufacturer. This will be the first generation of the Energizer Inductive Charger, and it was specially designed to conveniently charge up to three devices simultaneously. Two large inductive charging zones that will not require any locking of the device into a precise position are available, while a USB port is also there for you to juice up another device including a phone, headset, MP3 player, camera or GPS unit. With a couple of LED charge lights, they will indicate whether a particular device is charging or not.

Each Energizer Inductive Charger will be introduced with a Qi Sleeve for the iPhone 3GS/3G alongside a one-time replacement Qi Door for the BlackBerry Curve 8900, letting you get started right out of the box – for owners of said devices, of course. One can only expect that as this catches on, more and more devices in the future will come with Qi technology built-in right away. The Energizer Inductive Charger will hit the retail market from next month onwards, where it will be priced at $89. As for the removable Qi sleeve for the iPhone 3GS/3G and the Qi door for the BlackBerry Curve 8900, those can be purchased separately for $34.99 a pop.

Press Release

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Energizer has new Inductive Charger for the masses copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Carnegie Mellon making robotic snake

Posted: 05 Sep 2010 10:55 PM PDT

Nothing that I like more than robots, and we have reported on a lot of interesting ones.

This one is under development at Carnegie Mellon’s Biorobotics Lab, and it bears a resemblance to the Omnitread. That was a snake-like robot with treads on it like a train, designed to slip into small places.

This robot lacks the treads, but looks like it could creep into small places. In other words, it really is like a snake, and it can even climb trees. It is able to climb a tree with a specific trunk width of 1 meter off the ground. I have a video of it climbing a tree, and it looks kind of creepy.

Apparently, they want to make robots that can climb thicker and taller trees. This is, of course, there is a market for robots like this.

In addition to the Omnitread, this also reminds me of the Tentacle Robot that is under development by the U.S. Military.

I guess one day we will see a day when a building collapses, and these robot snakes will be all over the wreckage, searching for survivors. Man, that is just a weird image from a weird science-fiction movie. Still, I can’t help but think that robot snakes are just pretty cool.

Source

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Carnegie Mellon making robotic snake copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Inbrela Collapsible Umbrella

Posted: 05 Sep 2010 10:29 PM PDT

For those of you who happen to stay in an area where there is plenty of rain throughout the year, it goes without saying that you ought to always have an umbrella handy somewhere – in your car, at the office and at home. Just in case, you know. With global warming happening, the weather sure gets crazy this time around. Unfortunately, wet umbrellas can be a pain to store especially when indoors, which is why the Inbrela Collapsible Umbrella could come in handy. This umbrella will be able to fold into the tube itself – making your car stay nice and dry, while making it a snap to get in and out of cars with but a simply push. When pushed open, the Inbrela will pop out of its tube and opens away from your face. Pull it back into the tube to close for dry surroundings. Don’t worry about its sturdiness – it is made out of flexible aluminum ribs that will not snap even in the wind. The Inbrela Collapsible Umbrella will retail for $29.99 each.

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Inbrela Collapsible Umbrella copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Globen Skyview elevator is one of a kind

Posted: 05 Sep 2010 10:28 PM PDT

I have always liked glass elevators, and this one looks as good as the one Willy Wonka and Charlie flew on.

This is a glass elevator that is in the shape of a sphere, and it is located in Stockholm. I’m not familiar with Stockholm (or any other part of Sweden, by the way) but it is located outside the Ericsson Globe.

Apparently, there is no such structure like this anywhere in the world, and there are two of these elevators on this globe. So you will have to wait in line less, I guess. If you want, you can watch a video of it in action, but be warned that is not in English.

Each of these spherical cars can accommodate 16 passengers and it can go about 130 meters high. This particular structure took about two and a half years to build, and I got to admit it is one of the most interesting that I have ever seen.

I mean, they say that the best architecture is in the simplest of forms. Think the universe and atomics. This small sphere rotating around a big sphere reminds me of the Earth rotating around the sun. As for the atoms, the elevator is like an electron, and the building itself is like the nucleus.

Source

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Globen Skyview elevator is one of a kind copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

MiLi Power Projector for iPhone/iPod

Posted: 05 Sep 2010 10:16 PM PDT

Everyone knows that the iPhone isn’t exactly the most long lasting device in the market – after all, it does tend to run out of juice pretty fast if you use plenty of features and functions such as reading and replying email, surfing the Internet over 3G while listening to a variety of music on the go. There have been cases in the past that includes a built-in battery while offering protection – but the MiLi Power Projector for iPhone/iPod goes one up by offering a built-in projector. Yes, sir, you can project images and video from the iPod or iPhone up to 70-inches in size onto a suitable surface like a wall or screen, but the price to pay – £239.95, might be a wee bit steeper than what you’re used to. Of course, you can also dock it to your iPad, iPod touch, Blackberry and most other media players/phones if the need arises. The resolution is nothing to shout about though, at just 640 x 480 VGA with an LED bulb that lasts up to 20,000 hours.

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ MiLi Power Projector for iPhone/iPod copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

HP Mini 5103 now available Stateside

Posted: 05 Sep 2010 09:41 PM PDT

Looking for a new netbook to tote around on your travels? You won’t be disappointed with HP’s offerings, despite many netbooks these days being the same within (and for some, without). After all, HP didn’t become to the top computer manufacturer in the world for no apparent reason. You can choose netbooks from different manufacturers, but we will look at what HP has to offer with their Mini 5103 netbook today. It tips the scales at just 2.64 pounds, but is more than capable of delivering the capability of a full-performance companion PC, targeting mobile professionals as well as K-12 and higher-education students. Underneath the hood, the HP Mini 5103 will support the latest dual core processor from Intel, the Atom N550. Of course, you can also opt for the Atom N455 and N475 processors, where all of them will be able to handle faster DDR3 memory for better performance.

Depending on your preference, you can choose from standard or touch-enabled models, and the HP Mini 5103 will also be accompanied by a sturdy, lightweight, anodized-aluminum display enclosure with a brushed, espresso-colored finish. Not only that, you can also opt for the handle to make transportation of the netbook a whole lot easier. You won’t find your fingers cramped either, simply because it is 95% the size of a full QWERTY keyboard alongside the addition of a touchpad that delivers an optimal experience for email, instant messaging and other text-driven applications. Nice to know the optional touchscreen display is also capable of handling a range of multitouch gestures, finger taps and swipes across the screen for more convenient navigation of applications, information and websites.

Other hardware specifications include a 10.1-inch diagonal LED display, a Broadcom HD video decoder card, the choice of a four-cell battery for lighter weight or optional six-cell battery for longer battery life, the HP DayStarter software program, and a range of other accessories. Prices start from $399 upwards.

Press Release

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ HP Mini 5103 now available Stateside copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

DivX and Yamaha team up for new DivX Plus HD Certified Blu-ray Disc Players

Posted: 05 Sep 2010 09:26 PM PDT

Both DivX and Yamaha have come together to reveal a new range of DivX Plus HD Certified Blu-ray Disc Players for the masses – bringing added functionality to what was originally a mere Blu-ray Disc Player. This happened at the IFA 2010 show in Berlin, Germany, where they not only handle the latest Blu-ray movies, but are also stereoscopic 3D capable to keep up with the times and usher in a new age of visuals. You will be ensured that stunning playback of full 1080p DivX Plus HD video can be achieved using the MKV container in these new Blu-ray players.

In Yamaha’s new line of Blu-ray players, as mentioned earlier they are not only 3D-ready, but will also boast universal playback (BD, SA-CD, DVD-Audio/Video, CD) for a variety of media and formats. Interested people will be able to pick up the BD-S1067 in Europe, although those who are living across the pond won’t miss out on anything as Yamaha intends to launch additional DivX HD Certified Blu-ray player models in North America, apart from Oceania and other parts of the world as well. The inclusion of DivX Plus HD technology allows such Blu-ray players to empower consumers to enjoy their personal and Internet video collections in the DivX format straight on their HDTVs without missing a beat. After all, DivX makes it a snap to load and playback digital videos up to 1080p and Hollywood movies in the hugely popular DivX format.

For those who are wondering what DivX Plus HD Certification is about, it is the premium level of certification available from DivX, where it has been specially optimized for consumer electronics products while supporting the playback of all content created with DivX software. DivX Plus HD Certified devices are more than capable of playing back all previous versions of DivX video and DivX Plus HD video files as long as they are in the .mkv file extension while sporting AAC audio created with third-party tools. No idea on pricing just yet, but we’ll probably get a beep from Yamaha down the road.

Press Release

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ DivX and Yamaha team up for new DivX Plus HD Certified Blu-ray Disc Players copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Tuesday, September 7, 2010