Your's Web Tech Power Blog's: Jul 14, 2010

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

The ElliptiGO combines running and biking
Taranis, the unmanned Stealth Jet from BAE Systems
GRASP Labs creates quad copters to pick up things
Dualie Portable Hard Drive with iPod dock
ArkHippo iPhone Case offers cushion
Flip Clock spells it out
Sony Walkman NWZ-W252 Review
Gadget Thumbnails for 12-Jul-2010

The ElliptiGO combines running and biking

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 05:01 PM PDT

This is the ElliptiGO, a bike that combines running and cycling, designed for low-impact but high-output workouts.

It was created by a former cyclist and Ironman triathlete who suffered hip and knee injuries. The ElliptiGO is designed to help runners avoid “beating up their bodies through repeated impact” as well as “position riders ‘out of the saddle’ and using their weight to generate torque with every stride”.

A recent video of the Early Show that you can view at my Source link shows weatherman Dave Price riding it. While he is riding, he states that “it feels so natural” despite the ElliptiGO’s spokesperson saying “that’s not proper technique”. I have another video of it that you can watch after the jump.

The ElliptiGO weighs in at 40 pounds, and is capable of speeds up to 15 to 25 miles per hour. It has eight shifting speeds, and braking is possible with hand levers. You will note how the mechanisms look like the arms of a swimmer doing freestyle.

According to my Source, the ElliptiGO costs about $2,200, and is available in blue, green, and black. I’m not certain if twenty-two hundred dollars is going to be too much. I would have to really know what kind of body I am going to get by using this product before I make a purchase that high.

Source

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ The ElliptiGO combines running and biking copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Taranis, the unmanned Stealth Jet from BAE Systems

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 04:39 PM PDT

This is the Taranis, defense contractor BAE Systems’ version of Boeing’s Phantom Ray Unmanned aircraft that we reported about a while ago.

I’ve included a video after the jump to show a recent British newscast about it, and they say that there isn’t much they can tell you about it due to confidential military secrets and all. The CG animation of it is quite lame, actually.

To be honest, they had me at it can strike targets on another continent. Okay, that is just more than a little scary, especially when this thing has this weird red window on the front. Is this supposed to be an homage to the Cylons of Battlestar Galactica or KITT from Knight Rider? The name of Taranis sounds a lot like Tardis from Doctor Who.

You know what it reminds me of? Stealth. Yes, that mediocre movie with Josh Lucas, Jessica Biel, and Jamie Foxx as three super cool fighter pilots who have a fourth automated pilot join them. When the robot fighter goes rogue, the action begins.

Yeah, I can think of several science fiction stories with that premise, but it really is sort of scary that the stage is being set for that situation to take place.

Source

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Taranis, the unmanned Stealth Jet from BAE Systems copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

GRASP Labs creates quad copters to pick up things

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 04:15 PM PDT

This isn’t the first time we have covered flying drone robots such as the Parrot Ar.Drone, or the voice-controlled one at MIT.

This particular one is from UPenn, developed by the GRASP Lab. I have no idea if GRASP is supposed to stand for something, but it certainly is a good enough description of what this quad-copter does.

I have included a video of it so you can watch after the jump. You can see one of them picking up a board or something, and you will notice how much it flies into the air when it drops it. At least it does not spiral out of control.

Even more impressive is the fact that these quad-copters can work together in order to pick up something quite heavy. This uses some sort of swarm technology that is aptly named, as it sounds like a swarm of bees.

I’m sure this technology is still in development now, and I am not certain what you can really use it for. I mean, I would love to have one of these things fly around the house and pick up things, but that’s more of a toy, really.

Perhaps in the future, we can send them out on the city streets and pick up trash. Yeah. There we go. I’m sure I’m just not thinking of any more practical uses.

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ GRASP Labs creates quad copters to pick up things copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Dualie Portable Hard Drive with iPod dock

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 01:30 PM PDT

A portable hard drive is a handy thing. It can help you to take around a whole lot more than what a flash drive would allow. Plus, it lets you back up all of your important files that you don’t want getting erased due to an untimely death of your computer. This particular hard drive has a little bit of an edge that allows for you to easily sync up your iPod or iPhone.

This 500GB Dualie Portable Hard Drive has a built-in docking station just for your iPhone or iPod. Then behind it is the hard drive that’s easy to take with you should you need to transport a whole lot of data at once. In addition to the dock it also has a 2 port USB hub should you want to charge anything else. You can purchase the whole package for $149.99.

Source: OhGizmo

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ Dualie Portable Hard Drive with iPod dock copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

ArkHippo iPhone Case offers cushion

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 12:30 PM PDT

If you love your Croc shoes, then you’ll be excited by this case that uses that same sort of materials to protect the iPhone 4. These cases add a whole lot of bulk to your iPhone, but you’ll be able to toss around your iPhone to your heart’s content. Plus, for those of you that are clumsy it’ll save your iPhone from that sudden impact when it hits the ground.

Now granted it’ll still leave the touchscreen open to use and that also means it could still be damaged. The overall jarring from a fall will be taken care of though. Plus since it is such a bulky case it can be doubled as a stand. I have no idea how they’ll actually fit inside of your pocket though. In order to purchase one of these you’ll have to contact Ark to find out pricing and availability.

Source: GeekyGadgets

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ ArkHippo iPhone Case offers cushion copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Flip Clock spells it out

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 11:34 AM PDT

Clocks are full of all sorts of numbers, which does the job perfectly fine. Except that it’s pretty boring to always read time the same old way. Instead of just glancing at numbers, you can read the words. It’s the perfect gift for the wordsmith or scholar in your life. After all, normal clocks are much better suited for the mathematicians of the world that actually enjoy staring at numbers.

The clock states things in 5 minute intervals. It states things like "five to three" and "three o’ clock". It just flips through all of those words to give you the proper time. It only comes in the black shown here, so hopefully you’re a fan of black and white. Unfortunately getting everything spelled out for your comes at a cost. You can purchase the Flip Clock – Time Talks for £299.00 or about $454 through Rockett St George.

Source: HolyCool

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Flip Clock spells it out copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Sony Walkman NWZ-W252 Review

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 08:40 AM PDT

The Sony Walkman NWZ W252 is a new type of MP3 player. It has a cord-free, wearable design, which is perfect for people who want a music player for the gym and unlike the previous version, it is water resistant. It can be quite uncomfy if in use for a prolonged amount of time as the ear buds are fairly heavy, which is understandable considering the controls and battery are attached to the side.

Despite the wearability flaws, the concept of the design is pretty good. It has no cables – meaning that you have more freedom to move – easy to master controls – featuring shuffle, pause, play and volume. It also incorporates ZAPPIN™ technology which allows the listener to scan through their collection of songs by listening to a small/long clip of each song, making it easier to find the song you want to listen to.

When fully charged (taking an hour and a half), you are provided with 11 hours of continuous playback, but if you are in a rush or you simply don't want to be waiting around, you can plug it in to charge for three minutes for three hours worth of music. The product comes with a USB cable for charging and no AC adaptor.

It has a few songs on it to start with, and it is quite simple to transfer your own music files, (I didn't need the instructions) and once they're on, the sound is great! The background noise is blocked out very well and the volume can get quite loud! Compared to the iPod, I think that the Walkmans sound quality is better, but the headphones are not as comfy as the Apple ones as they are not as light. It has open format, meaning that it can accept WMA, MP3 and AAC files. You can transfer your entire library by dragging and dropping.

If you have long hair (like me), it can get irritating putting the device on as you have to move your hair out of the way, although if you're at the gym (which is what it is intended for), you will most likely have your hair tied back so this is not a problem.

It is available in four different colours (black, white, pink and green) at £49.99 ($59.95) from Amazon and on the Sony website. The box contains:
● Holder
● Operation guide on software (stored in the built in flash memory)
● instruction manual
● Stand with USB cable
● Content Transfer software (stored in the built in flash memory)
● Earbuds (small, medium and large)