Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Hands on with the Jabra Stone 2
Scruble Cube combines a Rubik’s Cube with Scrabble
How to unlock an iPhone with a ring
Thrustmaster T500 RS wheel and pedal set ready to rock your living room
Dog Escape Preventer
Gadget Thumbnails for 26-Dec-2010
Shoe Odor Remediator
Mad Catz limited edition Sonic the Hedgehog Figure Inductive Charger
Synology DS1511+ is the company’s latest flagship
Is It a Map or a Projector? It’s Maptor!
Apple’s Anti- Sexting Device – in search of family friendly tech

Posted: 27 Dec 2010 03:01 PM PST

I have to admit that I wasn’t a fan of the original Jabra Stone when it first came out. I found that it would go out of sync with my mobile often. Granted, the original Stone might have had a hard time working with my four-year-old dinosaur phone.

Yes, that is practically antique in mobile technology years. It would appear that the sequel, the Jabra Stone 2, is better than the original.

The Stone 2 has some cool hands-free communication pictures like making calls with the sound of a voice. You can also Answer or Ignore a call by just speaking the word.

Of course, a lot of Bluetooth headsets have that feature, but the Stone 2 has many Voice Enabled Applications from Jabra’s World of Apps. These are third party apps to work with the Stone 2 that can do things like send text messages or email with the voice. You can also get email messages read, update Facebook, notify users of missed calls, and other things.

You might notice that the Stone 2 looks just like the first stone. It even has that charging station set-up. I guess if you don’t need to improve on something, don’t bother.

You should be able to get the Jabra Stone 2 for a price of $129.

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Hands on with the Jabra Stone 2 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Scruble Cube combines a Rubik’s Cube with Scrabble

Posted: 27 Dec 2010 02:38 PM PST

My Source calls the Scruble Cube a Scrabble/Rubik’s Mashup, and I think that is easily the best description you could give this particular toy/game. Personally, I’ve been seeing an overuse of the word “Mashup” since the TV show Glee started getting popular.

I never was able to solve the Rubik’s cube by making each one of the six sides its predestined color, but that isn’t the point of Scruble Cube. The object is to create words like in Scrabble, and make certain they are the highest point value.

I’m not certain how this game is played. You will note the 2X Word Score and 2X Letter Score, not to mention the red and white letters on this cube. So I’m not certain how many points this person got for spelling out “SCRUBLE CUBE” (see the red letters). In Scrabble, you got points for putting tiles on certain places, but there can’t be any “places” on this changeable contraption.

The Scruble Cube costs about $24.95, which is a lot more than a normal Rubik’s Cube. In it’s defense, the Rubik’s Cube is 3 x 3 x 3, and the Scruble Cube is 4 x 4 x 4. Yeah, that is a pretty weak defense, but how many Rubik’s Cubes can spell things out?

Source

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[ Scruble Cube combines a Rubik’s Cube with Scrabble copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

How to unlock an iPhone with a ring

Posted: 27 Dec 2010 02:12 PM PST

I’ve recently got a Motorola Droid X phone (which I will probably review later on this site), and I found that getting yourself a smartphone with a pure touchscreen interface can lead a user to all kinds of security issues.

After all, the screen will activate with any touch, and so anyone with a finger can access my e-mail and possibly the important information available there.

A man named Michael Knuepel has come up with a way to make an iPhone screen accessible with a secret ring. It sounds like something from a spy movie (a bad one) but he’s perfected the proof of concept, as seen in the video after the jump.

I’m not certain how the ring works. Perhaps there is some sort of chip in there that sends a message to the iPhone that the “key is in the lock” so to speak. It reminds me of the days when messages had to be sealed with wax and a specially molded ring.

Granted, the ring in the video looks like something that only Green Lantern would wear, but if it could be put on a normal-sized ring, like a wedding ring or class ring, then we have a marketable iPhone accessory with the bonus of some added mobile phone security!

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ How to unlock an iPhone with a ring copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Thrustmaster T500 RS wheel and pedal set ready to rock your living room

Posted: 27 Dec 2010 05:00 AM PST

When it comes to racing games, the keyboard just will not do. You will need to up the ante with a decent steering wheel and pedal set, that’s for sure, as that will definitely make you feel immersed without missing a beat. The Thrustmaster T500 RS wheel and pedal set is here to fill the gap, where this accessory was specially designed for the hotly anticipated Gran Turismo 5, resulting in the most realistic, powerful driving experience, with no compromises. If realism is up your alley, then you can stop your search with the T500 RS, as this real driving simulator will combine power and precision in a single device. Thrustmaster has more than 20 years of expertise in racing wheels, and their ultimate goal would be to develop a wheel and pedal set which enables users to go as far as possible in the GT5 experience.

According to Kazunori Yamauchi, CEO of Polyphony Digital and Senior Vice President of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., “The goal that I set for the Thrustmaster team was to design for me the most precise wheel ever developed, without any latency – to accurately reproduce the sensations of GT5, and let users truly feel the emotions experienced by drivers on real racing circuits.”

Fully optimized for GT5, the T500 RS is capable of meeting the demand for absolute realism. Users will definitely notice something about the T500 RS the moment they unbox it – it is rather hefty, at 4.6kg for the wheel, while the entire pedal set will tip the scales at 7.3kg. Not only that, another instantly visible feature would be the omnipresent use of metal, ranging from the gearshift levers to the wheel’s central spokes section (30cm in diameter) and the pedal set.

Since ergonomics plays a very central role in the wheel’s development, it delivers an eye on optimizing game play, performance and driving sensations. The sequential gearlevers that are mounted on the base will sport large 17cm levers which are constantly accessible without having to let go of the wheel. As for the wheel, it offers a remarkable 1080° rotation. There are 3 full turns which are also adjustable courtesy of a motorized stop, letting the gamer choose the maximum degree of rotation according to the type of racing circuit and the car being driven. Of course, it isn’t going to come cheap, as the T500 RS will be out later this year or in the middle of January at worst, for a whopping $599.99.

Press Release

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[ Thrustmaster T500 RS wheel and pedal set ready to rock your living room copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Dog Escape Preventer

Posted: 27 Dec 2010 04:30 AM PST

How many of you out there have experienced your four legged friend zipping out from the door the moment you open it? For those who nod their head in affirmation, then you might be interested in picking up the $69.95 Dog Escape Preventer. As its name suggests, this unit will mount easily to just about any door frame, housing a vinyl barrier which clips to the door and unfurls when the door is opened. This would create a 31″ high, impenetrable blockade – of course, if your dog is involved in agility sports, then chances are it might just be able to make that jump, although it would be highly unlikely since agility dogs normally have to go through obedience classes, which in turn ensures they stay put until you give the command. The vinyl barrier is tear- and puncture-resistant, and can unclip from the door and automatically retract to store in the housing unit in a jiffy. While minor assembly is required, you won’t need a rocket science degree to get the Dog Escape Preventer fixed up.

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[ Dog Escape Preventer copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 26-Dec-2010

Posted: 26 Dec 2010 09:01 PM PST

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 26-Dec-2010 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Shoe Odor Remediator

Posted: 27 Dec 2010 04:00 AM PST

Wear a pair of shoes for the entire day while making 10,000 steps, and you can be sure that the pair would stink the moment you take it off – not to mention your socks which would probably be able to smell enough to send Osama bin Laden packing from whatever rat hole he is hiding in. Good thing we have modern technology like the Shoe Odor Remediator which helps lessen the negative impact of your shoes’ smell, relying on UVC-light, a similar technology used to sanitize hospital surfaces, to eliminate 99.99% of the bacteria which causes unpleasant odors in shoes. Forget about sprays and powders that merely mask odors, the UVC light is capable of penetrating bacterial membranes, impairing their DNA, and killing the microorganisms which cause unpleasant smells and athlete’s foot. Not only that, the UVC light does not leave residue and it reaches into shoe crevices that sustain germ vitality, quite unlike chemical cleaning agents. The sanitizers can easily be slipped inside the footwear and sanitize the shoes in just 45 minutes, being powered by an included AC adapter. Just make sure you have placed the order for the right size before parting with $129.95 for this!

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Shoe Odor Remediator copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Mad Catz limited edition Sonic the Hedgehog Figure Inductive Charger

Posted: 27 Dec 2010 03:30 AM PST

When Nintendo had Mario breaking bricks and crushing turtle shells all over the place during the 1980s, they had a rival in the making when the 1990s rolled around – we’re talking about the world’s fastest hedgehog, Sonic. Of course, this spiky blue mammal had a pair of trainers that doesn’t seem to wear out no matter how fast he zips and rolls about a level, collecting gold rings in the process. Clearly Mario had the better economic sense, as gold coins contained a whole lot more value compared to rings that are hollow on the inside. Ah well, Mad Catz, the company behind a wide range of video game accessories, has come up with a limited edition Sonic the Hedgehog Figure Inductive Charger.

What does this special limited edition figure offer for the jaded gamer? Well, apart from featuring a six inch tall Sonic, it also boasts a charge base for use with the Nintendo Wii video game system. It has already started to ship, so you need not worry about whether it is available on store shelves or not, just look out for it under the company's Mad Catz casual gaming brand. For those who are more well versed with the rest of Mad Catz’s range of accessories, it will complement the officially licensed Sonic the Hedgehog video game accessory range and is revealed to the masses in time to celebrate Sonic's 20th Anniversary. Since it is a limited edition release, each purchase is individually numbered, and might even end up as a highly-collectible method for storing and charging up to two Wii remote controllers.

Wii remotes will charge up silently atop a green plateau that represents the classic 'Green Hill Zone' which fans will definitely recognize and appreciate, never mind that the last time they played that game was nearly a couple of decades ago. The inclusion of built-in magnets will ensure controllers and battery packs are aligned in the most efficient charging position possible whenever the rechargeable NiMH battery packs rapidly energize themselves to deliver up to 15 hours of game play. Thanks to an innovative electromagnetic induction technology used here, you can always juice up your Wii remotes without having to remove its protective protective silicone covers or Wii MotionPlus add-ons. The Sonic the Hedgehog Figure Inductive Charger by Mad Catz will retail for $49.99 a pop.

Press Release [Warning: PDF Link]

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[ Mad Catz limited edition Sonic the Hedgehog Figure Inductive Charger copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Synology DS1511+ is the company’s latest flagship

Posted: 27 Dec 2010 03:00 AM PST

Synology has recently unveiled the DS1511+ over the holiday season, where the successor to the highly popular flagship DiskStation, the DS1010+, looks set to bring storage at home to new heights. Basically this new five-bay NAS is capable of accepting up to a couple of DX510 expansion units, bringing the grand total to a whopping 15 drives. Surely your mind will be blown away by that figure; imagine using 3TB drives that are capable of yielding a potential of up to 45TB of storage – man, what are you going to do with all of that storage? Surely folks who download plenty of stuff will find the Synology DS1511+ to be heaven-sent, as they must be sick of purchasing hard drive after hard drive in a regular external drive setup. Well, that’s what we’re here for – to bring you more information on the Synology DS1511+.

The DiskStation is capable of delivering a reliable solution for the standard NAS roles, where among them include easy file sharing, scheduled backups, remote access, and centralized management. Not only that, additional services can also be enabled, where among them include a built-in web server capable of hosting up to thirty sites simultaneously, or even an add-on email server. Apart from that, remote access has also been further enhanced with apps available for free on Android and iPhone smartphone platforms.

According to Franklin Hua, a Technical Marketing Manager at Synology America, “The DS1511+ is the most scalable and full-featured NAS of its class. With the DS1511+ so affordable and packed with all the features Synology is known for, why would anyone choose DAS? This is a tremendous value.”

It will not cost you more than a grand for the new DiskStation which runs on Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) 3.0, but will in fact be no more expensive than nine Benjamins. DSM 3.0 will offer users an intuitive desktop-like interface to simplify access to the DiskStation, regardless of whether locally or remotely. Its user-friendly Storage Manager and Synology Hybrid RAID allows users to quickly and easily create redundant volumes. Each purchase of the Synology DS1511+ will be accompanied by a competitive 3-year warranty and in-house technical support for free.

Press Release

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Synology DS1511+ is the company’s latest flagship copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Is It a Map or a Projector? It’s Maptor!

Posted: 26 Dec 2010 09:16 PM PST

I love to travel and explore new places. But I have to tell you, I spent at least half of my trip to Paris finding, and reading the Metro maps. I'm still not sure how I ever made it to where I was going, but it was a great trip nonetheless.

On my next adventure, I'd like to have Maptor with me, it’s a combination map and projector, that can project the appropriate map onto any surface, your hand, T-shirt, floor or walls.

Maptor has an on-board GPS that provides a "you are here" arrow pointing to your current location, solving at least one major problem for me, as I am quite significantly directionally challenged.

Small and light. Made of environmentally friendly materials and as easy to carry as a penlight, the Bluetooth capable Maptor can download maps without cables and project them almost anywhere with the ability to zoom in or enlarge the entire map.

Only a concept for now, it's certainly a novel approach to figuring out where you're going. Much easier for some of us than asking for directions and I'd buy one, if only to save myself from the dreaded map-folding experience.

Source: www.idsa.org

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[ Is It a Map or a Projector? It's Maptor! copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Apple’s Anti- Sexting Device – in search of family friendly tech

Posted: 26 Dec 2010 07:50 PM PST

I guess its no secret that I love technology, I can't even imagine how I got anything done before we had computers and cell phones. Unfortunately my daughter has the bug as well, and it takes a bit of time and energy to make sure she's safe.

Apple is going to make it just a little easier, with a patented "system" or "device" that will allow for censorship, or lets call it, control of, the content of the all too prevalent text message. Messages containing, obscene or otherwise forbidden language will either be blocked in its entirety, or the offending phrases will be deleted when you receive the text. It will also alert the user, or administrator of the presence of such unauthorized material.

The system will also allow for user specified settings that exclude, or include specific criteria. In Apple’s example users could not only use the device to block inappropriate content, but to require certain content to be included in texts as well, Like a certain number of foreign words for a student learning a new language.

So I guess I see a short term solution to protect my computer newbie daughter from some inappropriate material, but I have to ask myself how long it will be before those tech savvy teens come up with new dirty words in their soon to follow game of beat the censors. It should be interesting. In the meantime does anyone want to know what I'm wearing?

Source: www.freepatentsonline.com

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Apple's Anti- Sexting Device – in search of family friendly tech copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Tuesday, December 28, 2010