Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Hitachi LifeStudio drives makes it easier to archive digital memories
Airpiano gets some airtime
Clip On Mosquito Repeller
Beamer iPhone Case
Check out these Dinosaur costumes!
Robot Bina48 gets interviewed by the New York Times
Liquid armor hardens in contact with bullets
iSound takes a cue from ocarinas
Steampunk iRetrofone iPhone Base
USB Powered UVMini
Gadget Thumbnails for 11-Jul-2010

Hitachi LifeStudio drives makes it easier to archive digital memories

Posted: 12 Jul 2010 04:45 PM PDT

While digital cameras in this day and age are extremely affordable (if you’re talking about a decent entry-level model) and have no recurring costs like purchasing and developing film, it comes at a price – you will need to have a proper backup system of all your photos if you were to dive knee deep into photography. Not only that, do remember the pain of migration from one platform to another over time since formats and media types tend to change as well, alongside the risk of the magnetic bits on your hard drive platter disintegrating in time, so make sure you always have at least two backups of a single photo wherever you are. Hitachi is proud to develop what they call an evolved hard drive, bringing the Hitachi LifeStudio Drives to the market as the first and only All-in-One external drive that makes it a whole lot easier to organize, protect and relive life’s most stunning moments.

Among the highlighted features would be Automatic Organization and Easy Sharing – now who wouldn’t want that? How does Automatic Organization work, you ask? Well first of all, the drive will automatically pull together and organize your photos, videos, music and documents from your computer, a compatible connected USB device or even over your range of social media outlets, making them a whole lot easier to access as and when you want them, not to mention making the dissemination process a whole lot easier as well. You can also easily upload, view and interact with photos on Facebook, Flickr and Picasa Web Albums without once leaving the application – that is how tight the integration is.

With 3D Navigation built-in, you can relive those beautiful moments on a 3D wall, making it easier to search for an individual photo instead of going through folder after nested folder due to a failing memory. Hitachi LifeStudio drives are also big on data protection, bringing the concept to the next level by offering both local and online cloud backup in a single integrated solution. Not only that, you only need to familiarize yourself with just one interface, so there is no need to go through the hassle of downloading and installing two separate programs any more. All online content will be stored in its natural format, so you can access your files from virtually anywhere in the world as long as there is an Internet connection. Prices start from $79.99 upwards.

Press Release

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[ Hitachi LifeStudio drives makes it easier to archive digital memories copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Airpiano gets some airtime

Posted: 12 Jul 2010 04:15 PM PDT

You and I know what a piano is, but an Airpiano? Come on now, from its name alone, how do you think the musical instrument is able to function? Does it mean you will need to blow into some sort of tube before pressing a single key on the piano will emanate sound? Or fast forward to the 22nd century, will this piano float on air thanks to a built-in hovering mechanism? Well, it is neither of the above, although seeing the Airpiano being played in the hands of the master is truly a sight to behold as it gives you the feeling as though you were watching a graceful martial artist, musical conductor or mysterious magician at work here. Why is it called the Airpiano? The answer is simple, really, as it features an innovative interface that is activated and controlled by moving a hand in mid-air above the flat display surface – as long as you remain within range of a sensor array matrix. This is only made possible thanks to custom software, enabling one to have a huge library of tones and sounds at a one’s disposal.

There is a total of eight Infrared proximity sensors together, all of them spread horizontally across the surface of the Airpiano in order to let you play three notes depending on your vertical hand position. These sensors have the option to be specially programmed to provide up to eight control faders for altering volume, pitch, and filters among others. Custom software paves the way for MIDI mapping while Open Sound Control message assignment ensures you will be able to project a vast soundscape at your spatial command. Should there arise the need for confirmation of user action, LED lights located at the surface of the instrument comes in handy.

While it might resemble the Theremin, the Airpiano’s inventor has this to say about his pet project. “What makes it so different from a Theremin, besides the technology, is the concept of interaction. Playing a Theremin is hard to learn since every slight movement of the hand changes the pitch/volume of the generated sound. It also lacks visual feedback. The idea of the Airpiano is to keep things as simple as possible in order to achieve full control over the instrument.”

Expect a limited run of production devices to hit the market sometime in September or October for a yet undisclosed price.

Source: Gizmag

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Airpiano gets some airtime copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Clip On Mosquito Repeller

Posted: 12 Jul 2010 04:00 PM PDT

Going out for camping can be fun, but you can bet your bottom dollar that mosquitoes will be part of the equation, so it makes perfect sense to protect yourself from those irritating bites as you would much rather donate your blood to those who need it instead of feeding off the current generation of mosquitoes so that they can multiply even more and bite you and your kids all the more during your next camping trip. The Clip On Mosquito Repeller might just come in handy compared to chemical-based sprays, since it will clip on (as you can tell by its name, obviously) to a belt and repel mosquitoes which are within a 15′ radius of wherever you go. In older days, you might even be deemed to be a wizard with such great power that even nasty mosquitoes prefer to take the path less flown. This is made possible thanks to the device automatically emitting a subtle floral scent of geraniol, a plant-derived essential oil which is also a natural insect repellent. In laboratory tests which were performed by a University of Florida entomologist, geraniol proved to be way effective compared to DEET, a chemical that sees action in most bug repellents. Since the Clip On Mosquito Repeller runs off a silent fan, you need not worry about it driving you nuts instead of the buzzing of mosquitoes. Each geraniol cartridge (two included with each purchase) can last up to 120 hours, where it has a button to turn it on or off. Powered by a couple of AA batteries, give yourself some relief from mosquitoes with this $24.95 purchase.

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Clip On Mosquito Repeller copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Beamer iPhone Case

Posted: 12 Jul 2010 03:59 PM PDT

The iPhone 3GS is a very capable phone, and we would have placed the iPhone 4 under that category as well if it did not have reception issues. Well, while the iPhone 3GS could do just about any thing imaginable thanks to its vast array of apps, why not marry such a smartphone with a smart case? That is what makes the Beamer iPhone Case special – no, it is not meant for those who drive BMWs as its name suggests phoenetically, but rather, is more noted for the brains behind the case. Quirky.com is the place where the idea for the Beamer iPhone case was born, and this durable, iPhone-hugging hardcase is equipped with a built-in super bright LED. This is perfect for you to get that extra oomph when you want to make video recordings or shoot photos in low light conditions, and comes in handy when you’re in a cinema and need to find something you dropped on the floor by accident. Good thing it is powered by a replaceable coin cell battery, so you need not worry about having it suck up more juice than your iPhone could spare. £34.99 for a brilliant idea – pun not intended!

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

Check out these Dinosaur costumes!

Posted: 12 Jul 2010 03:36 PM PDT

Just when I thought that the New York Times interview with the Bina48 robot was the coolest thing that I was going to see today, along comes another cool video.

This video, which you can watch after the jump, contains two of the most realistic dinosaur costumes that I have ever seen. As you can see, their heads turn like real heads, and they also roar and growl as good as anything seen in Jurassic Park.

Of course, the effect isn’t perfect, as you can still see some legs clad in spandex. I am going to assume that a human leg isn’t made into the shape of a dinosaur leg, which is why they didn’t just put fake dinosaur skin on the legs. I’m wondering if the people in the dinosaur costumes are working the heads, or whether there is some weird second-party remote control going on.

My source does not say where this dinosaur video was taken, but it speculates an Australian theme park. The guy who is herding the dinosaurs sounds like he could be Steve Irwin. Let’s just hope that the Dinosaur Hunter doesn’t get killed by his “pets”.

Man, what I would give to have one of these dinosaurs as a Halloween costume. If I wore black spandex on my legs, I would camouflage with the night sky. Then no one would suspect that I wasn’t the real thing.

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Check out these Dinosaur costumes! copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Robot Bina48 gets interviewed by the New York Times

Posted: 12 Jul 2010 03:16 PM PDT

When I first saw this picture, I thought it was a female version of Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite, but with a blond wig. It is actually a robot.

Needless to say, it could “make your wildest dreams come true” about sentient robots. This is Bina48, a robot that is not at MIT or some major university, but the Terasem Movement Foundation in some small town in Bristol, Vermont.

I have included a video of the interview after the jump so you can see the “Interview with a Robot” for yourself. As you might have guessed, Bina48 did not understand some of the questions.

In fact, when the reporter mentioned “cool”, Bina 48 thought that she was referring to the weather or sickness. Robot misunderstandings like that are fodder for really bad science fiction.

As for Bina48’s appearance, that is modeled after Bina (Martine) Rothblatt, and she apparently spent a lot of time with this project. The robot’s “mental programming” is derived from her, and Bina48 seems to want to know more of the human Bina.

Okay, do we want to speculate where this is going? Do I even need to give you the whole: “should we make robots more human” essay? All I can tell you is that Bina48 could be the breakthrough that we have been waiting for, because it certainly is more advanced then a chatbot.

Source

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Robot Bina48 gets interviewed by the New York Times copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Liquid armor hardens in contact with bullets

Posted: 12 Jul 2010 02:52 PM PDT

What you see there is a bullet-proof vest, and I’ve just learned that even the best ones cannot completely keep bullets out. However, this one model could change all of that.

This model uses “custard-like goo” that somehow makes molecules lock together when it is hit. I’m going to assume that makes it really, really hard.

Apparently, these “shear-thickening liquids” have been used by downhill skiers in order to prevent broken bones and injuries, and, even though it would seem obvious, this is the first time it is being used as armor.

I don’t know about you, but this technology sounds like something that Wayne Enterprises would have in its basement in Batman Begins. After all, Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman’s character) had this very expensive bullet-proof vest as well as some “memory cloth”. That memory cloth was the stuff that made Batman’s cape go all hard and like a glider. I don’t see why Mr. Fox wouldn’t be working on some bulletproof custard.

Bulletproof custard. Man, that sounds like an item from a desert menu at a school cafeteria. At least, that is what the students would call it.

Well, I’m sure that if this tech works, then all the cops will probably be wearing these bulletproof vests filled with this goo. Hopefully they will not leak.

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Liquid armor hardens in contact with bullets copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

iSound takes a cue from ocarinas

Posted: 12 Jul 2010 01:41 PM PDT

I have pretty much given up on ever finding a pair of earphones that I’m entirely happy with. It’s not that I’m so obsessive over sound quality that I’m never satisfied. I really just don’t think they’re that comfortable. They’re either falling out due to being too small or just slowly work their way out over a few minutes. Either way I really don’t think anyone should have to settle and deal with that. Thankfully the designer Yong Lee agrees. They’ve designed some earphones that may actually stay in your ears.

These earphones took a design cue from an ocarina, they work by pressing into your ears, but at the same time they get a little support from the other side as well. They have a T-shape design, so it sits snugly within your ear and hopefully takes away from the slipping problem. Now of course these are still a design right now, so you can’t actually purchase them. However, I’m glad to see someone thinking these things through a little more.

Source: Yanko

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ iSound takes a cue from ocarinas copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Steampunk iRetrofone iPhone Base

Posted: 12 Jul 2010 01:27 PM PDT

Finding the proper iPhone dock to really represent your iPhone can be tricky business. Especially if you’re a very particular person who prefers to keep their gadgets as unique as humanly possible. Thankfully there are enough hard working men and women out there that strive to make interesting accessories for all sorts of gadgets. One example of that is the iRetrophone-Steampunk iPhone Base.

It’s completely hand-sculpted and made out of cold cast copper, with extreme attention to detail. For those of you worried about radiation, you’re in luck with this base. Thanks to the base, they say it gets rid of radiation problems. It can accommodate sync and charge options through a USB cable that you’ll have to provide yourself. The base is compatible with all iPhones. You can purchase one for $450 through Etsy.

Source: Ubergizmo

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[ Steampunk iRetrofone iPhone Base copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

USB Powered UVMini

Posted: 12 Jul 2010 12:25 PM PDT

If you’re traveling and happen to be staying in a strange hotel, you don’t always know whether or not the place is sanitary. That’s a tricky thing if you happen to drop your toothbrush on the bathroom floor or within the shower. Thankfully there is this UVMini that lets you sanitize your toothbrush while you’re on the go, instead of having to purchase a whole new brush every time you get clumsy.

The UVMini uses USB power to make sure it stays up and going. That’s convenient for those of you that never travel without your laptop. If you happen to be away from your computer though, it does have a decent rechargeable battery that’ll let you sterilize your toothbrush even when it’s not plugged in. Each of these tiny boxes comes with a cute little design on the front. You can read more as to which stores you can find this in by going to the UVMini website.

Source: EverythingUSB

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ USB Powered UVMini copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]