Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Your next Wi-Fi signal provider: Flying robots
This robot can do a curved balance beam
Fits.me solves a problem of online shopping
NYC gets snazzy new taxi toppers
Solar Window Light
Gadget Thumbnails for 29-Sep-2010
Belkin Conserve SmartAV Power Strip
Star Wars cuddlies speak up
Hypnotic Illumicube adds zest to living room
Personal Soup Chef
Fast Track Race in a Case
Verizon Wireless announces Droid R2-D2
Kingston Digital releases CompactFlash Ultimate 600x memory card

Your next Wi-Fi signal provider: Flying robots

Posted: 30 Sep 2010 04:47 PM PDT

I’m sure that many of you have had the problem of losing a Wi-Fi signal for your laptop. Instead of using the access point at your local library or coffee shop, have you considered flying robots?

This is SMAVNET (Swarming Micro Air Vehicle Network), a project from Swiss-based lab EPFL, and I have included a video of their progress after the jump so you can see how it works. The robots themselves are these boomerang shaped miniature planes that have to be thrown to be launched. The user then monitors their formation, and they will form an ad hoc network.

I am assuming that they work by having one robot bouncing a stable Wi-Fi signal to the other, until you finally have five bars of signal quality.

I’m not certain what the power source for the flying robots would be, but judging from the picture, it looks like it is solar. I don’t know how long these guys could stay up in the air if they were battery-powered or something.

I believe that the purpose of SMAVNET isn’t for the average user, but made for emergency situations. So if there was some catastrophe in some out-of-the-way area, you would still have an active Wi-Fi signal so you could get the crucial information that you need.

Source

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[ Your next Wi-Fi signal provider: Flying robots copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

This robot can do a curved balance beam

Posted: 30 Sep 2010 02:09 PM PDT

Is it just me, or should I just get over the fact that technology has created machines that have mastered the art of perfect balance?

After all, we have Segways that can stand on two wheels, so why not things that can balance on one wheel. Well, we have reported on many machines that can do that. This particular robot is going to be added to the list.

This unicycling robot by Japanese company Murata can not only pedal its way across a straight balance beam, but a curved one as well. You can watch the video of it after the jump if you don’t believe me.

You may notice that it does this balancing act rather slowly, and it has this propeller in front of it for steadying it on its path, presumably.

I admire the look of this thing. It was clearly designed by a Harry Potter fan. After all, it has the face of an owl and the body of a dementor.

I suppose that the next step is to create a robot that can go across a tightrope, but I’m assuming that there is already one like it. Perhaps if you could put curves in a tightrope, this robot could do it.

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ This robot can do a curved balance beam copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Fits.me solves a problem of online shopping

Posted: 30 Sep 2010 01:33 PM PDT

One of the biggest obstacles in online clothes shopping is not knowing if the clothes that you order fit. Even worse is when you buy the clothes and find out they don’t go well with your body shape.

This is why Fits.me, an Estonian company, has created this robot mannequin. Those sections are designed to shift around to match body measurements such as height, chest, arm length, and torso.

When customers see a shirt that they want to try on, they can input their measurements and see what it looks like before they buy it. I am assuming that Fits.Me has to take many pictures of the particular item in the adjusting mannequin. That, or they have a 3D program that works out those details.

Right now, this mannequin is only designed for the male form, and it can shape-shift into 2,000 male body shapes. I suppose that once the female mannequin prototype is made, there will be a lot of perverts playing with the bust size adjustments.

The Fits.me virtual fitting room has already been launched earlier this year, and it is being tested at several retailers like Hawes & Curtis in the U.K. and Germany’s Quelle.

I suppose that this technology could do a lot to improve online clothing sales, but we will have to see. The numbers won’t lie on gadgets like this.

Source

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Fits.me solves a problem of online shopping copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

NYC gets snazzy new taxi toppers

Posted: 30 Sep 2010 06:30 AM PDT

That triangle on the top of a taxi hasn’t changed much in recent years. They’re handy for broadcasting whether or not the Taxi is on duty, but not for much more than that. Instead of having a taxi with the ugly plastic box on top they could have this far more attractive metal box that is packed full of LED lights. It’ll allow for companies to advertise on Taxi cabs, plus this little box makes your iPhone run a whole lot better while you’re in the cab.

The EMI emissions from the board are much lower than ever before, which means there’s less radio interference. That is what makes it so your iPhone works better. The strong aluminum frames will be able to handle serious weather conditions and the bright LED backing will make advertisements stand out. These are not just a concept design either, they’re through Bluemap Design in collaboration with Show Media, Inc and Distec GmbH. Cabs in NYC will already be fitted with this as soon as the end of this month.

Source: Yanko

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ NYC gets snazzy new taxi toppers copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Solar Window Light

Posted: 30 Sep 2010 05:36 AM PDT

I usually keep a flashlight near the backdoor of my house, so it’s handy if I need it, but this Solar Window Light would be just as useful. Instead of grabbing a normal flashlight when you need a little illumination, you could pull this light off of the window. After hanging out on the window all day long it’ll have plenty of juice to keep you from tripping over random tufts of grass in your backyard.

This comes with 2 AA ni-mh batteries that get charged through the solar panel. When it’s on you’ll be able to see the full power of 6 LED lights. Just attach this to a window that gets plenty of light and after it gets a full charge it’s capable for running for up to 12 hours. You can purchase it for £19.99 or about $32 through Nigel’s Eco Store.

Source: Envirogadget

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Solar Window Light copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 29-Sep-2010

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 10:01 PM PDT

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 29-Sep-2010 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Belkin Conserve SmartAV Power Strip

Posted: 30 Sep 2010 04:16 AM PDT

Here’s another power strip that’s made to help you save some money on your energy bill. Instead of allowing your home theater system to suck power even when it’s not being used, you could plug it into this Belkin power strip. It’ll make sure that those items are not allowed to use up power when the TV is not on at that particular moment.

You just plug the TV into that bright green spot and it’ll understand when the TV is on or off. When it senses the TV is off it’ll kick off the 5 items plugged in directly next to the TV and it’ll turn them on automatically when the TV is on. There are also 2 outlets for other items that you don’t want to be turned off with the TV. You can purchase the power strip for $29.99.

Source: OhGizmo

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Belkin Conserve SmartAV Power Strip copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Star Wars cuddlies speak up

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 08:08 PM PDT

There is just something about the Star Wars space opera that has had its fair share of fans with each passing generation (so far). Having made its debut a good 30 years ago, we wonder just how much farther can this cash cow be milked? Well, for quite some time more, we suspect. Just check out these Star Wars cuddlies that won’t break the bank at £29.99 each, where you can choose from R2D2, Darth Vader, Chewbacca and Yoda designs. All of them will come with their own characteristic sound effects, where R2 will beep a whole lot, while Darth Vader seems unable to clear his throat (with all the money and power at his disposal, he can’t even find a good specialist), while Chewbacca yaps away like a distressed walking dog with old man Yoda rambling on and on. All it takes is a single squeeze for them to make a sound or phrase, how cool is that?

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Star Wars cuddlies speak up copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Hypnotic Illumicube adds zest to living room

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 07:59 PM PDT

Are you one who loves dressing up your living room tastefully? Well, here is something else that you might want to look into for a different look and feel to the place when the sun sets. We’re talking about the Hypnotic Illumicube which is actually a clear acrylic cube that has been filled with 64 multi-colored LEDs which will systematically illuminate in 500,000 different combinations. That amount of combinations will definitely go a long way in producing a mesmerizing light show, especially so at night. Each LED is capable of generating 1,000 different colors, and when they illuminate in unison or in succession, you can be sure that your eyes are in for a treat. All 64 LEDs are full well capable of emitting a vibrant crimson hue which will slowly fade to magenta, where each row may illuminate in succession to create waves of rolling light, or the LEDs may light-up one at a time to produce a flaring, twirling light streak. The LEDs themselves are able to last up to a whooping 100,000 hours. How much for the Hypnotic Illumicube ? Just $99.95, which is a pretty fair price to pay in our opinion for something so pretty.

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Hypnotic Illumicube adds zest to living room copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Personal Soup Chef

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 07:57 PM PDT

Chop! Chop! The Personal Soup Chef is perfect for you to get your favorite soup recipe going in no time at all. After all, it is capable of chopping up your vegetables automatically without the price of nagging at you for all your other faulty traits. It is capable of simmering broth at the optimal temperature to make nearly two quarts of homemade soup with minimal human intervention. Inside the soup cooker lies food processing blades that will slice vegetables and gently stir ingredients as they cook. Nice to see the manufacturer throw in a digital timer as well, letting you set it up to 24 hours in advance so that the cooking process can begin even when you are not around. Depending on the soup that you’re cooking, the temperature can be automatically set from 104º F to 248º F to simmer or rapidly boil the contents. There is also a removable basket that keeps herbs, meat, or stock bones immersed in the soup as it cooks yet enables you to easily strain them from the finished dish. Expect to fork out $149.95 for the Personal Soup Chef to fill up hungry stomachs at home.

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ Personal Soup Chef copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Fast Track Race in a Case

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 07:50 PM PDT

Love living life in the fast lane? Then you will most probably find the Fast Track Race in a Case one handy piece of work. This £19.99 purchase literally allows you to set up a race within seconds, but of course you will need an adequate amount of batteries to get it going. With this, you can tear up the tarmac (well, plastic would be a much more appropriate and accurate description) to just about anywhere you like within seconds. To get it up and running, just flip open the portable case, slot together the compact figure-of-eight circuit, line up the sub-Eccleston-sized cars, grab your hand-throttle and you’re good to go. The remote itself is a no-brainer to use, all you need to do is give it a squeeze and your racer will pick up additional speed.

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ Fast Track Race in a Case copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Verizon Wireless announces Droid R2-D2

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 07:45 PM PDT

So we know that the entire Star Wars saga is going to come in fill 3D glory from 2012 onwards, and for those whose favorite episodes are in the latter part of the space opera would be disappointed to know that George Lucas will be releasing his movies in sequence – which means you might have to wait until 2017 if Return of the Jedi is your favorite. Having said that, you can get a piece of Star Wars action from tomorrow onwards in the form of the Droid R2-D2 smartphone from Verizon Wireless, where this limited edition smartphone will feature a graphic design that resembles the iconic Astromech Droid from the Star Wars saga. This Motorola-manufactured smartphone will also look great in the box itself, where it will feature a custom box that resembles carbonite while featuring a Star Wars media dock and wired stereo headset. Of course, as with many other limited edition smartphones, this one will also feature exclusive content such as R2-D2 notification sounds and ringtones, a quartet of live wallpapers, a R2-D2 Clock Widget and “The Best of R2-D2″ video with the original Cantina music. Oh yeah, did we mention it will also feature an exclusive Binoculars App as well?

As for the rest of the populace (who are loyal subscribers to Verizon Wireless, of course), you can always get on the Star Wars action with the Star Wars Mobile App. Available to those who own Android 2.1-powered phones, the Empire Strikes Back app will be available from the Android Market, where customers will be able to access premium Star Wars content for a one-time charge of $2.99. Inside this mobile app, you will be able to find features and content such as :-

Bounty Hunt Visual ID: Find and capture images around the Star Wars universe to unlock hidden content
Sound and Photo Gallery
Live Wallpapers: Blast the Probe Droid, Luke Balancing Yoda, Navigating the Asteroid Field, Watch Bespin’s Cloud City
Trivia Challenge: Answer trivia questions about The Empire Strikes Back
Widgets

How much for that droid, you ask? Well, the Droid R2-D2 by Motorola will retail for $249 after a $100 mail-in rebate, as long as you agree to a spanking new two-year customer agreement. Apart from that, you will also need to subscribe to a Nationwide Talk plan or a Nationwide Talk & Text plan (monthly access starts from $39.99 onwards) as well as an Email and Web for Smartphone plan (with prices starting from $29.99 for unlimited monthly access).

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Verizon Wireless announces Droid R2-D2 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Kingston Digital releases CompactFlash Ultimate 600x memory card

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 07:18 PM PDT

Mention the name Kingston Digital and chances are you will have flash memory come into your mind, with tons of USB flash drives as well as memory cards being released by the manufacturer to date. Of course, I’m pretty sure that all of us own at least one Kingston USB flash drive that we picked up at the shop or even at trade shows. Well, the company has just rolled out its latest CompactFlash Ultimate 600x memory card to the masses recently, where it is capable of supporting UDMA mode 6 and offers read and write speeds of up to 90MB/seconds – now how about that? Such performance figures would automatically boost the Kingston Digital CompactFlash Ultimate 600x memory card to the top of the pile in terms of speed, making it suitable for high-end digital cameras and other devices.

According to Mike Kuppinger, Flash card product manager, Kingston, “The Kingston CF Ultimate 600x cards are great for photographers shooting in burst mode. For example, in a situation like a wedding or sporting event where the ability to rapidly take successive shots could make the difference between capturing the perfect shot or just missing it. We are pleased to add the 600x card to our CompactFlash family of products which also includes the 266x Ultimate and 133x Elite Pro cards.”

Just how many capacities do you expect the CF Ultimate 600x to come in? Well, it won’t be able to max out like the SDXC format at 64GB, but will come in 16GB and 32GB capacities that are capable of supporting large file sizes created when shooting in RAW mode or HD video. When working in tandem with UDMA mode 6 enabled cameras and readers, the 600x speed will make room for data to write to and read from the card at a faster rate than previous generations of cards. Not only that, you also have added peace of mind thanks to a free downloadable data recovery software from MediaRECOVER. All purchases will come with a lifetime warranty and 24/7 live technical support, so sleep easy, sharpshooter.

Press Release

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Kingston Digital releases CompactFlash Ultimate 600x memory card copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Friday, October 1, 2010