Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Metropia will redefine traffic
Great Pyramid to be explored by robot
Laser Backpack can scan interiors in 3D
Plant Watering System for travelers
SmartDiagnosis makes your washer or dryer sing out when broken
Human Skull USB MP3 Player
Live Action Infrared Skeet Shoot
Sprint Battery Boost from Technocel
Razer Orca gaming and music headphones set to make a splash
Control4 rolls out dedicated in-wall touch screens
Gadget Thumbnails for 10-Aug-2010
Tuned Up offers unique silicone case & video stand for iDevices
Crossbow Pistol merges weapon technologies into one device
WikiReader now comes with 15 more languages
Texas Instruments ready to rock new school year with TI-Nspire with Touchpad graphing calculator

Posted: 11 Aug 2010 04:34 PM PDT

Some of you might remember that gigantic-enormous rail train that can go over two lanes of traffic, to hopefully be built in China.

This is another piece of concept technology called Metrotopia. That certainly sounds like the city of the future with this idea to beat traffic.

Picture a city where everyone drives around in a two-seater transport vehicle that has some sort of ball on the bottom that is perfectly balanced. Now, these transports are worth a posting in and of itself, but wait, there is more.

Just imagine if you could take this transport vehicle, and then drive it on a specially designed tram where it will dock with others. As the driver rests in the two-seat transport, the tram takes him or her to near where he or she is going. The driver can then drive the rest of the way and save on fuel, as the tram will also recharge the transport.

In other words, think of the transports as cars, but one that you can take on a bus with you.

Yes, this would be a Metro-utopia and it would definitely redefine traffic and transport as we know it. Yeah, this is up there with Minority Report as far as tech advancements are concerned.

Source

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Metropia will redefine traffic copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Great Pyramid to be explored by robot

Posted: 11 Aug 2010 04:06 PM PDT

This is the Great Pyramid of Giza, and it has been around since 2560 B.C.. Believe it or not, there are some areas of it that have not been explored.

In fact, there are two unexplored air shafts that can cannot be searched in the traditional archeological manner. The solution is robots.

This is the Djedi project, a robotic tunnel explorer that can drill through stone and burrow through holes less than one inch in diameter. It also has a mini ultrasonic device that is able to listen to the response to help determine the “thickness and condition of the stone, and a coring drill that can penetrate the rock (if necessary) while removing the minimum amount of material necessary”. Lights and “snake cameras” will help the researchers see exactly where it is going.

This is important because an archaeological expedition in 1992 found a limestone door with two copper handles. After drilling through that door ten years later, they found another door, and they still don’t know what is behind that other door.

It is delicate work, and who knows what could be behind that door. Maybe it is some giant machine that will destroy the sun, like in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Oh, that is just one of the bad things of that awful film. Here’s hoping they find some real treasure.

Source

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ Great Pyramid to be explored by robot copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Laser Backpack can scan interiors in 3D

Posted: 11 Aug 2010 03:33 PM PDT

Just to let you know, this man isn’t some new intern at the Ghostbusters. He is wearing a prototype of a room-scanning backpack.

Yes, it is heavy, but this UC Berkley project is downright useful. It has a lot of lasers and cameras on it, and the wearer can walk down a hall, stairs, or even caves and use the data to generate a really quick 3D model. It essentially is one of those satellite mapping programs but can do indoors instead of outdoors.

I believe that one of the purposes of this device is to map out interiors easily, and it would be a very useful tool for making 3D video games. So, the next time Tomb Raider has to run with guns through Croft Manor, the interior shots can be done with this device.

I find this quote from my source quite disturbing:

One day, you’ll have a little pack of sensors on your belt. And, as you walk inside buildings, you collect data about everything. Every location in the universe, both indoors and outdoors will eventually be mapped and we’ll have it all online. So, without ever going anywhere, you can see what everybody’s interior looks like.

I suppose that I support the belt-sized unit of this, but I don’t know if I want every area in the universe to be mapped. Do you really need to know what posters your neighbor has on his or her wall? Plus, I like going to places even though I can see them on the computer.

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Laser Backpack can scan interiors in 3D copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Plant Watering System for travelers

Posted: 11 Aug 2010 02:30 PM PDT

You can’t help but love traveling on occasion, but there are a few hurdles you have to deal with. Those of you that love to be surrounded by living things have those pesky plants and pets to handle. They aren’t so bad while you’re there, but the second you need to leave you have to make accommodations for them. I’ve come across automatic feeders before for the pets, but for plants you’re almost always stuck calling a neighbor. However, now there is this Plant Watering System for while you’re away.

I suppose you could use it all of the time, but it’s not all that attractive. Plus, you’d have to keep your plants clumped together all of the time. To use it, you just put the battery-operated pump into a large container filled up with water. Then you run the tubing to each plant. There is a timer on the system that can be programed to give a certain amount of water and can work as often as 5 times a day on down to once a week. You can pick it up for $39.99 through Skymall.

Source: RGS

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Plant Watering System for travelers copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

SmartDiagnosis makes your washer or dryer sing out when broken

Posted: 11 Aug 2010 01:30 PM PDT

Appliances are more and more finding themselves connected to the internet for repair purposes. If for some reason you don’t have wi-fi or just have fickle wi-fi that means you’re going to be running a networking cable when your appliance is on the fritz. Thankfully, LG has created an alternative for their washers and dryers. Instead of hooking them up to the internet, they play a little tune for the technicians on the other end of the line.

You just call your LG technician and they’ll give you some complicated code to punch in. Then once that’s finished your washer or dryer will start to play a series of tones for the technician. Then LG can decide whether you’re in need of a repairman or something simple like unplugging the dryer and plugging it back in. SmartDiagnosis is already making it into some of their machines, one of which is the one shown here, WM3885. It runs for $1,900, so these aren’t cheap machines. Personally speaking I think I’d like the tones better than an internet connection, but this is one of those areas where it’s all about personal preference.

Source: OhGizmo

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ SmartDiagnosis makes your washer or dryer sing out when broken copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Human Skull USB MP3 Player

Posted: 11 Aug 2010 12:33 PM PDT

Since everyone is very different on their tastes, MP3 players should match that. Although most are content to pick up an iPod, there might be those of you that want something a little less mainstream. I love my iPod, but truthfully I did grumble a little when Apple products became insanely popular. Although this Human Skull MP3 player is a touch on the goofy side, it adds a little variety to this mass produced world.

The MP3 player features glowing eyes, which give it that truly classy edge. It works as an MP3 player, but you can also use it as a speaker for all of your other gadgets. It doesn’t actually come with any built-in memory, but it does have a micro SD(HC) slot. The built-in Lithium ion battery is rechargeable through the USB port. You can purchase one of these lightweight speakers for $18 through USB Brando.

Source: GeekAlerts

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Human Skull USB MP3 Player copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Live Action Infrared Skeet Shoot

Posted: 11 Aug 2010 08:00 AM PDT

So you think your FPS skills are so great on the computer? Why not go for live shooting then? If you can't afford some dough to go to a shooting range to practise with actual guns, there is a cheaper alternative here – the $49.95 Live Action Infrared Skeet Shoot. This unique game will challenge shooters to hit three flying targets, relying on a harmless infrared gun. All three targets will be ejected from the “trap” at pre-determined intervals, which is one every two to one every ten seconds, achieving dizzying heights of up to 7', making it possible for indoor use as well just in case the weather does not permit. Whenever the gun’s infrared beam detects a "hit", the plastic targets will “break” apart into two pieces as a reward. Shorter intervals will need faster “reloading” by pumping the gun, where it will then respond accordingly with a realistic loading sound between each shot. The targets can be snapped back together for immediate replay. The trap itself is powered by a quartet of C batteries, while the gun uses three AAA batteries.

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Live Action Infrared Skeet Shoot copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Sprint Battery Boost from Technocel

Posted: 11 Aug 2010 07:30 AM PDT

Technocel has just rolled out its latest device, the Sprint Battery Boost which is actually a portable recharging solution that doubles up as microSD memory card reader, catering for most of the gadgets out there such as cellphones, Bluetooth headsets and devices that come with a micro USB port. The Sprint Battery Boost itself has a 600 mAh lithium ion battery that can offer up to another hour of talk time on your handset on average, while its microSD memory card slot reader lets you store and transfer data files such as photos, documents and music files on-the-go. It can be juiced up when connected to any powered USB port, and thanks to its built-in carabineer clip, you can always keep it close to you wherever you go. The Sprint Battery Boost retails for $29.99 and is already available at Sprint Stores nationwide.

Press Release

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Sprint Battery Boost from Technocel copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Razer Orca gaming and music headphones set to make a splash

Posted: 11 Aug 2010 07:15 AM PDT

Hmmm, Razer now concentrates on animals that spend a whole lot of time under the water, with their latest release being the Razer Orca gaming and music headphones. Mention Orca and many of us will probably think of killer whales, who are majestic mammals in their own right but have been hunted much over the years. Perhaps the qualities of this fine creature have so enamored the folks over at Razer that they decided to name their latest gaming peripheral the Razer Orca. As with many other peripherals from Razer to date, the Orca will not only feature a style which is ahead of its time, it will also deliver a comfortable ergonomic design alongside quality sound and an ultra sleek look. To keep in step with most of Razer's products, the Orca sports a distinct, venomous green color.

Just who is the target market for the Razer Orca? It intends to bring together both the music enthusiast and the hardcore gamer, where it is able to make the transition from a gaming setup to the subway, letting you enjoy great audio regardless of whether you're busy trying to complete the later levels of Starcraft II or just chilling out to your favorite tunes on your iPod. The Razer Orca will come with a plug and switch cable, offering a quick and convenient solution for seamlessly switching between gaming and listening to music.

If you want to enjoy music on-the-go, the Razer Orca would do well with its shorter, standard braided cable, but whenever you want to kick some Zerg ass, then it is time for the braided 2 meter extension cable to make an appearance. Enhanced drivers have been included to optimize both in game action and the thumping bass of your favorite artists, making it the ideal dual-purpose solution for gamers and music lovers alike. Some of you out there might be turned off by its tardy color scheme though, but we think most people wouldn't mind bringing home the $59.99 Orca if they could afford it. For our friends living across the pond, it will retail for €59.99 as well, so picking one up Stateside if you live in Europe might make more financial sense.

Press Release

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ Razer Orca gaming and music headphones set to make a splash copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Control4 rolls out dedicated in-wall touch screens

Posted: 11 Aug 2010 07:01 AM PDT

Heard of Control4 before? Well, the company is now a leader in affordable IP-based control and entertainment systems, where they have recently announced a new generation of dedicated in-wall touch screens. We're talking about the Control4 InfinityEdge Touch Screens here, where it will be available in 5" and 7" sizes while boasting edge-to-edge capacitive glass and a low profile design. The 5" and 7" models will retail for $599 and $899, respectively, where both the InfinityEdge Touch Screens will also offer intercom capability that is optional, where it will cost another $499 for a license.

One of the reasons to introduce the InfinityEdge Touch Screens would be to deliver affordable home control solutions which enables home owners to access their Control4 system from just about every room in the house. We aren't talking about a castle or mansion here though, so bear in mind that an average sized house or apartment is the median that we're referring to. Having said that, Control4 InfinityEdge Touch Screens will deliver intuitive, fingertip control of lights, music, climate, entertainment and security systems. Thanks to edge-to-edge capacitive glass, they deliver the full functionality of Control4 OS 2.0, which includes a new flash-based user interface and the ability to access and extend Control4 system capabilities with apps from the 4Store Application Marketplace. If you decided to go for the whole works and get the intercom capability as well, it lets you monitor rooms, communicate between rooms, or to broadcast messages to multiple InfinityEdge touch screens under the same roof.

You will be able to opt between AC power or Power Over Ethernet (PoE) to keep the screens juiced up, but the latter is more environmentally friendly. Apart from that, you also have a choice of wired or Wi-Fi connectivity options and four programmable buttons which will cater for customized commands, making the InfinityEdge Touch Screens a whole lot more flexible. Since both the 5" and 7" models share the same back-box, it lets you change to a different model at any time you like.

Press Release

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[ Control4 rolls out dedicated in-wall touch screens copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 10-Aug-2010

Posted: 10 Aug 2010 10:01 PM PDT

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 10-Aug-2010 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Tuned Up offers unique silicone case & video stand for iDevices

Posted: 10 Aug 2010 06:30 PM PDT

As long as you don’t own a first generation iPhone, then you would be pleased to know that the Tuned Up silicone case which also doubles up as a video stand for your Apple device will definitely add an air of being in vogue to it. It will definitely bring back fond memories for those who used to listen to their music on a Walkman whenever they’re on the go, and now the iPhone which also has great media playback capability does the job with aplomb, and more. Why not trick out your state-of-the art iPhone in this totally retro audio cassette cover? People will turn their heads and wonder why you’re talking into a cassette tape at first before they finally realize that it is a silicone case which offers state-of-the-art protection. Whenever you decide to watch videos on your iPhone, just flip over the clear outer case and you are greeted with a stand. No idea on pricing as at press time though.

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Tuned Up offers unique silicone case & video stand for iDevices copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Crossbow Pistol merges weapon technologies into one device

Posted: 10 Aug 2010 06:15 PM PDT

The ancient crossbow was a powerful ranged weapon, offering a range that is beyond that of the ordinary bow and arrow, but it had its drawbacks too, since it was heavy and cumbersome to tote around, and has a much slower rate of fire. Well, fast forward to today and you get the Crossbow Pistol, a £12.99 toy which would render the slingshot and pebbles setup for little ones obsolete. After all, even troublemakers of today will require pinpoint accuracy and a decent range, and the Crossbow Pistol offers them both. You won’t find anything that can knock down Goliath though, since the 3 darts with suckers on the end are perfectly harmless, sticking to glass surfaces or TV screens. Apart from that, there is also a space underneath to store them, making sure you can annoy your colleagues or family members at a drop.

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Crossbow Pistol merges weapon technologies into one device copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

WikiReader now comes with 15 more languages

Posted: 10 Aug 2010 05:54 PM PDT

Openmoko’s WikiReader device might resemble a pager, and for some, it could very well share the same status as the pager in this day and age. After all, with many people already being proud owners of a smartphone which allows one to access the Internet any time they please, why would there be a need for a portable version of Wikipedia which is not updated dynamically? Currently, the Openmoko WikiReader palm-sized electronic encyclopedia contains more than 3 million English language Wikipedia articles, but the latest English language version is now equipped with 14 other language versions of Wikipedia including Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Norwegian, Greek, French, Finnish, Danish, Dutch, German, Spanish, Welsh, Russian and Hungarian. Apart from that, the virtual keyboards with characters to support them are also thrown in for good measure.

The main reason behind the WikiReader’s existence was belief that people don’t go to Wikipedia because they want to be on the Internet, instead, they end up there as it’s the world’s best resource for finding answers and discovering new questions. WikiReader is more or less “Wikipedia in your Pocket”, although it isn’t updated as often as one would like it (unlike the Internet version). This lightweight device is battery operated, featuring a simple three-button design, a glass touchscreen display and an ergonomic rounded housing which makes it perfect to tote around. With a sophisticated compression technique, the WikiReader is able to store and deliver more than 3 million Wikipedia articles, which would mean there is no need to worry about external connections, additional monthly subscriptions, and Internet connections. A couple of AAA batteries offer enough juice to last for months on end for the average user, and can perform lightning-fast searches if you so desire.

Openmoko hopes to see more people use multiple language Wikis, and have made them available on a microSD memory card format. For example, the Chinese version starts from 32MB while it takes up to 5GB to hold the English language Wikipedia. Currently, the WikiReader supports microSD cards up to 16GB in size. It will cost $69 for a WikiReader with a 4GB microSD card, while an International 8GB version of WikiReader is available at Amazon as well as the company’s own web store for $99.

Press Release

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ WikiReader now comes with 15 more languages copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Texas Instruments ready to rock new school year with TI-Nspire with Touchpad graphing calculator

Posted: 10 Aug 2010 05:45 PM PDT

Do you love math? If the answer is in the affirmative, and you want to make sure your progeny follows in your footsteps, then watching the Count from Sesame Street in one’s early years is a pretty good start. When your kid gets to middle school, surprise him or her with the following birthday present – we’re talking about the TI-Nspire with Touchpad graphing calculator which is suitable for math and science classes. After all, this is a one time investment which is good tnough to last through college-level math, now how about that? Costing just $150, it could be one of the better purchase decisions that you make in your life.

The graphing calculator will be accompanied with TI-Nspire Student Software for the home computer, enables students to have the flexibility of doing their homework at school, at home or anywhere they go. Said software allows them to view their work in more detail on a larger computer display, which is also good for the eyes in the long run since you don’t need to squint. The computer software also supports color when it comes to having vibrant views of graphs and charts. All of these come together in making learning math easier and more interactive, and thanks to a more convenient touchpad and the keypad layout, one is able to access functions easily and crunch numbers in a jiffy.

TI-Nspire with Touchpad also come with instructions on how to order a TI-84 Plus keypad for free via mail. This TI-84 Plus keypad can then be interchanged with the TI-Nspire Touchpad keypad, offering students the ability to select between two calculator models without forking out additional dough. Now that’s one smart product, and you certainly don’t need a calculator to tell you how much value there is in a single purchase. Heck, it is even accompanied by access to free, downloadable test preparation questions for SAT, ACT and AP exams from Princeton Review, where it is also legit to see action on SAT, AP, ACT, IB, PSAT/NSMQT, and Praxis exams, alongside a slew of state standardized tests.

Press Release

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Texas Instruments ready to rock new school year with TI-Nspire with Touchpad graphing calculator copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Thursday, August 12, 2010