Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

DIY Pinball Coffee Table
Photo Album Story Teller
Boomcases utilize old suitcases
Human-powered ornithopter makes historic first flight
Tokyo Game Show reveals iPad App with a virtual kiss
Skylon spacecraft uses internal engines and rocket fuel
Pac-Man Heat Changing Mug
Lightsaber Wall Sconce for Star Wars fans
Kensington has new iPad accessories in aim to boost productivity
Gadget Thumbnails for 22-Sep-2010
Gadget Thumbnails for 22-Sep-2010
Samsung ready to rock with new NX100 digital camera
MP3 Cap for hands-free tunes
TK-421 iPhone Case with Flip-Out Keyboard
Toshiba rolls out new Canvio portable hard drives
AIS 15” IP67 NEMA 6 Rugged Panel Computer

Posted: 23 Sep 2010 05:03 PM PDT

Now this is a DIY project worth investing your time in. Coffee tables are typically dull, but are very useful as a place to hold your beverages as well as use as footrest from time to time. What if you could have the best of both worlds? Instead of having the usual dull coffee table, make yourself a pinball machine stashed inside of a coffee table. Never again will you be stuck watching commercials with that bored expression on your face, now you can pass the time with a few rounds of pinball.

Being a DIY project you have the joy of getting to pick and choose how you want to build it and what advice you actually want to take. If you need a little more help than just seeing a picture, don’t worry there is a tutorial on this one. This fancy little pinball machine even has some LED lights to really give you the full effect. Of course you’ll need to buy a full-size pinball machine in order to convert it into a coffee table, but somehow I think it’ll be worth it if you can manage.

Source: GizmoWatch

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ DIY Pinball Coffee Table copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Photo Album Story Teller

Posted: 23 Sep 2010 04:49 PM PDT

Usually I write down the history of a photo as I put it in an album. That way if I forget or someone else seeing the album wants to know, it’s easy for them to glance at it and know. However, if you’re just not big on writing or would prefer to leave your voice behind instead, this Photo Album Story Teller will let you record the story behind each and every picture.

The great benefit is that you can have your Grandmother tell the story on some old pictures and you’ll get to hear it from her perspective. With each picture you put on a little sticker and the device scans that sticker. It will then play the story that goes with it out loud. The kit comes with 500 stickers, so you do have a limit on the amount of pictures you can do this on. Just in case the device gets compromised you can back up your recordings on your computer. You can purchase it for $99.95 through First Street Online.

Source: GeekAlerts

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Photo Album Story Teller copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Boomcases utilize old suitcases

Posted: 23 Sep 2010 03:18 PM PDT

Although Big Thumpy sounds like a 7 year old’s pet rabit, it’s actually a pretty cool set of speakers. These BoomCases are made to be incredibly portable, so if you plan to have parties in random places this device would be nice to have around. Plus, you’ll look incredibly cool carrying this around in public. Just try to keep a firm hold on it so no one takes off with it.

This line was created by Mr. Simo and oddly it’s even a little environmentally friendly. Instead of using shiny new cases for his audio concoctions, he creates them using refurbished cases and luggage. All of the cases are self-powered and will run for about 7 hours. It, like any set of speakers, will hook up to any iPod or random media device. In order to get a nicer sound the creator prefers wood and leather, while avoiding using plastic completely. The prices for these cases start out at $250 and go up from there.

Source: Gearlog

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Boomcases utilize old suitcases copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Human-powered ornithopter makes historic first flight

Posted: 23 Sep 2010 09:00 AM PDT

I’m sure you have at least heard an ornithopter before. It is essentially a flying machine that has wings that can flap like birds.

If you haven’t heard of it, perhaps you have seen it. For some reason, my mind has images of black and white films with people in machines with odd flapping wings that never get off the ground. I’m sure that when these old reels were filmed, it might have been tragic. After all, these guys wanted to be the Wright Brothers, but now their attempts are spliced together with a soundtrack that is plucked from America’s Funniest Home Videos.

Some guys at the University of Toronto have created the “Snowbird”, and it has a 105 foot wingspan, weighing 94 pounds. By the way, the pilot had to lose 18 pounds in order to fly this thing. The Snowbird managed to make it up in the air for about 19.3 seconds, and flew for 475 feet. It was only for 20 seconds, and can go at 16 miles per hour.

It’s hard to believe that mankind has actually achieved flying in the manner of the birds. It is a lot like Daedalus and Icarus, but the sun didn’t melt any wings. All of this happened on August 9th, and I don’t remember hearing much about it that day. That is a real shame, because this flight is historical. You can click on my Source if you want to see it fly.

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Human-powered ornithopter makes historic first flight copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Tokyo Game Show reveals iPad App with a virtual kiss

Posted: 23 Sep 2010 08:30 AM PDT

It would appear that there are more fun with virtual girlfriends going on at the Tokyo Game Show.

Just yesterday, we were discussing how to give your virtual girlfriend a massage with a Wii Balance Board. This one is a way to give your virtual girlfriend a kiss. I’ve got a video after the jump, and you should watch it. It’s just funny.

This iPad App is developed by Japan’s Neuro Sky and Double Crane. It requires that the user wear some sort of headband that can monitor sensory feedback. Apparently, if you can concentrate and relax enough, the supermodel photo will turn and kiss you.

You can choose from five models, and I would assume that you can kiss the touchscreen for some sort of reciprocation. I guess that’s fine if you want to pretend that you are kissing your lady friend when she is on the other side of a glass window. I’m guessing the iPad will be warmer.

I think that I have seen games with headbands and sensory motors, but these are for those levitation games like the Jedi one that came out a few years ago.

I don’t seem to have any date when this App is coming to the iPad, or how to purchase the headband that you would need to get your virtual kiss.

concentrate game
Uploaded by probe58. – More video blogs and vloggers.

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Tokyo Game Show reveals iPad App with a virtual kiss copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Skylon spacecraft uses internal engines and rocket fuel

Posted: 23 Sep 2010 08:00 AM PDT

This is the Skylon, and I fully realize that sounds like a Cylon from Battlestar Gallactica. I’m sure that you are looking at this spacecraft and thinking it is something out of science fiction.

However, this is just one of several vehicles that I have seen designed for the apparent boom in space tourist industry, which is set to come about at some particular date in the future, I would imagine. I think NASA is working on one that launches from a rail, then there is the XCOR Aerospace Lynx, and whatever Sir Richard Branson is working on now.

The Skylon is designed by British scientists so it “will travel at five times the speed of sound using two internal engines that suck hydrogen and oxygen from the atmosphere to send it 18 miles above the ground – and out of Earth’s atmosphere”. As soon as it reaches the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere, it cuts into rocket power.

I can only assume that the purpose of creating a craft that could do this is so there isn’t any damage to the environment from rocket fuel. Yes, there is some environmental harm done with the space shuttle, but not as much as the damage we do with all our automobiles daily.

Source

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ Skylon spacecraft uses internal engines and rocket fuel copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Pac-Man Heat Changing Mug

Posted: 23 Sep 2010 06:30 AM PDT

Everyone loves Pac-Man – how can you not love a yellow pie that goes around chomping on pellets and pills while listening to repetitive music? Well, modern kids these days love shacking up in dark rooms and doing likewise, but when they enter the workforce, it is time to put their crazy college days behind them and be a whole lot more responsible. Well, they can still have a link to their past with the Pac-Man Heat Changing Mug, and as its name suggests, you will be able to see the legendary Pac-Man maze plastered on one side of the mug. Fill it up with a piping hot beverage of your choice, and you will see Pac-Man make an appearance as though he was a ghost himself – now how about that? Not only that, his supernatural pursuers will also appear, leaving your imagination to determine who the victor is. This is an officially licensed product, where the Pac-Man Heat Changing Mug will retail for £5.99.

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ Pac-Man Heat Changing Mug copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Lightsaber Wall Sconce for Star Wars fans

Posted: 23 Sep 2010 06:00 AM PDT

If you’re a really, really huge fan of the entire Star Wars franchise, then you might be interested to check out what Hammacher has on offer – the Lightsaber Wall Sconce. This lightsaber wall sconce is a purchase that will keep you (and your guests) entertained many times over, since it will change color to signify various Jedi and Sith in the past, which is always a good idea since that would mean not having to accumulate different shades of colors just to complete a collection. Apart from that, the Lightsaber Wall Sconce works great by adding more ambience, delivering the famous Jedi weapon’s classic humming sounds. Each purchase will come with a remote control that will change the blade’s color, and you will need to have some of the Force to assemble all five separate pieces from the box. Powered by three AA and a trio of AAA batteries, the Lightsaber Wall Sconce is pretty affordable at $29.95.

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Lightsaber Wall Sconce for Star Wars fans copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Kensington has new iPad accessories in aim to boost productivity

Posted: 23 Sep 2010 05:30 AM PDT

If you were Apple, would you be insulted that a company rolls out additional accessories for your lovingly crafted device while saying it will improve a user’s productivity? Well, it really depends on which side of the looking glass you’re on, and Kensington claims that their trio of new iPad accessories will be able to help boost productivity for users of the tablet computer regardless of whether they are on-the-go or in the car. Meant to be breakthrough iPad accessories for users in need of extra versatility and best performance regardless of where they are, we can only wonder in anticipation as to what these are able to offer in the real world instead of just being on paper.

First of all, the Kensington's PowerBack Battery Case with Kickstand and Dock will deliver an innovative, all-in-one design which sees battery charging, protective casing, three-position kickstand and dock abilities crammed into a single offering. You get up to 5 more hours of juice for your iPad with this, where it will also help protect your precious iPad from unwanted scratches and marks when traveling.

As for the Kensington Wall Pack Duo Charger, it is perfect for a couple or small family who owns nothing but iDevices. After all, who can argue with its ability to simultaneously power a couple of iPads, iPhones, or iPods from a single wall outlet? You get a low profile design which makes it perfect for everyday use at home or in the office, where the additional power source will also ship with a detachable USB synchronization cable to synchronize devices from a computer.

Last but not least, Kensington's PowerBolt Duo Car Charger will be able to deliver a quick charge on the road, and as its name suggests, caters to both an iPad and iPhone, iPod, or other mobile device, thanks to a couple of power ports. After all, arriving at your destination with a dead device is not something anyone wants, so why not keep them juiced up throughout the entire journey? The Kensington PowerBack Battery Case with Kickstand and Dock will retail for $129.99, while the Kensington Wall Pack Duo Charger is cheaper at $29.99 with the Kensington PowerBolt Duo Car Charger going for $24.99.

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Kensington has new iPad accessories in aim to boost productivity copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 22-Sep-2010

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 10:01 PM PDT

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 22-Sep-2010 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 22-Sep-2010

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 10:01 PM PDT

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 22-Sep-2010 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Samsung ready to rock with new NX100 digital camera

Posted: 23 Sep 2010 05:00 AM PDT

Samsung has shifted another gear up where Micro Four Thirds cameras are concerned, with the Samsung NX100 being the latest in their family to deliver an innovative mirrorless camera optin alongside the world's first i-Function lens, letting you optain the ability to shoot a perfect photo without sacrificing on ease-of-use and controls. Samsung hopes that their NX100 will be able to dominate the new mirrorless camera category in due time, where it will take over from where the NX10 left off. For those who are not in the know, the NX10 is Samsung's first mirrorless camera and the first in the world to feature an APS-C size sensor. Among the technology found in the new NX100 include a similar APS-C size sensor, a 3-inch AMOLED screen for easy and clear viewing, the aforementioend intuitive i-Function lens, and one of the fastest autofocus on the market today to make sure you are there to capture all moments, any time of the day.

If you take a closer look at the NX100’s design, it was inspired by the simple shape of dew forming on a leaf, where it can be spotted on the camera's shutter button and curved body. Coming in a choice of black and brown colors, this lightweight, compact and modern design ultimately makes the entire camera extremely portable, where you will be imbued with a creative flair to tote the NX100 just about anywhere you go without looking intimidating as compared to carrying a DSLR, while being able to capture what some might even say DSLR quality.

Conventional lenses are passive in controlling camera settings, the i-Function Lens grabs the situation by its horns thanks to a proactive lens which communicates with the camera body. It will deliver total image control with fast manual settings, resulting in quick and easy image capturing. Not only that, the lens itself comes with a conveniently-located i-Function button, letting you scroll through manual settings, with a focus ring that can be used to easily change parameters for each setting. Have fun saving up money to purchase all the other lens available with the NX100!

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Samsung ready to rock with new NX100 digital camera copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

MP3 Cap for hands-free tunes

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 09:31 PM PDT

Some people just love the cap as a fashion accessory, and it also does its job of keeping your hair in place whenever you go outside, while protecting your eyes from the harsh rays of the sun. Well, how about a cap that plays back your favorite tunes at the same time? Enter the MP3 Cap, and by its name, you can tell that this fashion accessory will sport a built-in MP3 player alongside speakers to do away with the need for headphones or earbuds, although those who are sitting around you on a bus or train might not be too pleased with your choice of music. Ideal for joggers, cyclists and gardeners, it is the perfect portable entertainment tool that helps you remain fully aware of your surroundings so that you won’t run yourself into an accident literally. Features include a patented digital sound processing chip, a seven-channel equalizer, a microSD memory card slot and 2GB of internal memory. Its rechargeable Li-ion battery can deliver up to 30 hours of playing time from a 3-hour charge, and all files can be transferred via USB. The MP3 Cap can adorn your head for $99.95.

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ MP3 Cap for hands-free tunes copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

TK-421 iPhone Case with Flip-Out Keyboard

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 09:06 PM PDT

If you happen to love your iPhone to bits, but still have problems getting used to the virtual keyboard, then perhaps, just perhaps, you might want to consider bringing home the TK-421 iPhone Case with Flip-Out Keyboard. This will certainly provide you with the best of both worlds, where the physical QWERTY keyboard would increase your productivity and make typing on the iPhone a whole lot easier, while offering some form of protection to your favorite smartphone simultaneously. Retailing for $49.99 a pop, you can choose from either iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4 models, but unfortunately for those who have yet to place a pre-order, it is already out of stock at the moment. Well, if your boss gets you this for Christmas, you can be sure that he’s dropping a subtle hint for you to start replying emails the moment they are pushed to your inbox without complaining that you just don’t know how to use the virtual keyboard.

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ TK-421 iPhone Case with Flip-Out Keyboard copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Toshiba rolls out new Canvio portable hard drives

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 08:37 PM PDT

Toshiba knows that with tons of digital data going around these days, it makes perfect sense to have a safe and reliable method to store all of your precious memories somewhere. With this enters Toshiba’s latest Canvio line of portable hard drives that will deliver an exceptional blend of data protection, portability and simplicity into a single device. The Canvio Basics Portable Hard Drive family will target the PC, where all you need to do is plug it in and you’re good to go. There aren’t any software to install, and you will be able to have an instant 320GB, 500GB or 750GB worth of storage space to play with in the blink of an eye.

What makes the Canvio Basics so easy to use? This one plug ease-of-use device is further complemented by the drive's stylish design, thanks to a glossy black finish and soft, rounded edges. Even being light weight and small in size, the Canvio Basics is capable of punching above its weight when it comes to keeping your precious files safe. The inclusion of an Internal Shock Sensor, Ramp Loading Technology, and a three year Limited Warranty ought to deliver enough peace of mind for you to store all your precious data inside.

Apart from its technical capabilities, the Canvio Basics design is also extremely practical as evident in the drive's pocket-sized form factor. Students as well as frequent travelers will find this to be a joy to tote around since it won’t cause you to suffer from a tired shoulder after hanging out an entire day at the airport during a transit or waiting in between classes. For those with a heart for the environment, you will be pleased to know that the Canvio Basics' packaging is made from 100 percent recyclable materials, letting you sleep easy at night. The 320GB, 500GB and 750GB models will retail for $79.99, $99.99 and $119.99, respectively.

Press Release

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Toshiba rolls out new Canvio portable hard drives copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

AIS 15” IP67 NEMA 6 Rugged Panel Computer

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 07:07 PM PDT

Do you happen to work in a really, really tough environment, where it is hot as hell and your boss is the devil? Poor you, as your resume doesn’t seem to register interest in the upper tiers of management elsewhere, so you might as well make the best of the situation. We’re talking about the AIS 15" IP67 NEMA 6 Rugged Panel Computer that comes integrated with Optical Bonding Enhancements for military & aerospace applications, now how about that? I know that it can be quite heavy to digest at the moment, but hear me out in the extended post and see whether this AIS offering is worth your company’s dollars (and your time, of course) or not.

AIS is also known as American Industrial Systems Inc., where their latest 15" IP67 NEMA 4 Panel PC was specially designed for military, transportation, and aerospace applications. This AIS Military Panel PC has been completely sealed from the factory to IP67/NEMA 6 rated standards when it comes to water and dust protection, and is full well capable of operating in the harshest of environments – even if you’re submersed in water. Apart from sealing the display to make it compliant with MIL-STD-810F rating for vibration, shock, and drop for in vehicle applications, it will come equipped with a touchscreen HMI interface that was specially built-in for easy user control and monitoring. This military embedded computer system display will be optically bonded with surface treatments in order to improve contrast by eliminating mismatched reflective layers and to improve readability in direct sunlight.

Underneath the hood, things aren’t too hot though. I would have thought that the military would want more processing muscle than an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, but there it is, albeit running in a high performance fanless environment. You also get a high brightness 800 nit sunlight readable LCD panel that is touchscreen friendly, and you won’t need to worry about condensation issues even in wet and humid environments. The housing itself is made out of a rugged corrosion resistant aluminum alloy to protect its innards. No idea on pricing, but it shouldn’t be cheap.

Press Release

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ AIS 15" IP67 NEMA 6 Rugged Panel Computer copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Friday, September 24, 2010