Your's Web Tech Power Blog's: Aug 31, 2010

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Slim Accent Solar Light for tricky stairs
AS&E’s Z Backscatter Vans are like scanners on wheels
Have fun swimming with the crocodiles!
Heated Dining Room Table
Ithaca College Tots program uses Wii Balance Board
Mister Steamy Dryer Balls
Gadget Thumbnails for 29-Aug-2010

Slim Accent Solar Light for tricky stairs

Posted: 30 Aug 2010 05:55 PM PDT

If your patio steps are away from any source of light, it can make walking down them tricky for any clumsy relatives you might have visiting. Thankfully there are these tiny lights that don’t require you to do any wiring to get them up and running. Just hook them up and they’ll help you make your steps a little safer.

They just sit in the very corner of your steps and during the day soak up a little sun. Then at night they’ll kick on all on their own. It only needs 2 hours of solar charging will keep it shining all night long. Then when the sun comes up again, the light will kick on automatically. You can purchase a set of 4 for $54.

Source: Gizmodiva

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[ Slim Accent Solar Light for tricky stairs copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

AS&E’s Z Backscatter Vans are like scanners on wheels

Posted: 30 Aug 2010 05:12 PM PDT

Some of you might remember the Thruvision TS4 scanner, a way to see through a body without the use of radiation.

There has been much talk about privacy issues with these types of scanners. The issue just got more interesting with the AS&E’s Z Backscatter Vans.

These Vans are able to bounce a narrow stream of x-rays through nearby objects. Absorbed rays show dense material such as steel, but scattered rays can indicate less-dense objects like explosives, drugs or human bodies.

I’m sure you are probably imagining these things being used on the border, possibly to detect illegal aliens. Rest assured, that these ZBV things can identify people, but not by race, sex, or age.

Apparently, the company has customers on every continent except Antarctica, which is a little scary. Especially since I would prefer not being scanned too closely. I can’t see any embarassing features from the five or so people trapped in this transport, apparently.

You know how in movies, there are these spy vans that hang outside areas that are under surveillance? Imagine if they had one of these scanner things on it. I suppose that a lot things could be seen in a ZBV, right?

Source

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ AS&E’s Z Backscatter Vans are like scanners on wheels copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Have fun swimming with the crocodiles!

Posted: 30 Aug 2010 04:46 PM PDT

I’m sure that most of you have seen Jaws, and remember the scene where Richard Dreyfuss goes underwater in a shark cage. Yeah, it didn’t turn out well for him, but Jaws was no ordinary shark.

I suppose that is the best way to see a shark up close without getting hurt, and the same applies to crocodiles. This is the Cango Wildlife Ranch, an endangered species breeding center in Oudtshoom, South Africa, and it has a “croc cage” that must be an insurance nightmare.

Yeah, you might not want to stick your hands through the bars. It has two crocodiles swimming around that are about 14 feet long, and the Ranch doesn’t chum the waters to get the crocs to swim any closer. Yeah, I’m kind of glad they don’t do that.

My source on this one is somewhat old (two years, which is ancient in Internet time), so I’m not certain whether or not a person can still do this. According to the Source, it costs about £20 per person, and anyone under the age of 12 is not permitted. Any child 16 or younger has to have an adult with them.

So is there anyone out here who wants to try out this thing? Man, I once saw an alligator in Florida that gave me serious chills. I don’t think I would jump at the chance to try this.

Source

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ Have fun swimming with the crocodiles! copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Heated Dining Room Table

Posted: 30 Aug 2010 04:30 PM PDT

It never fails, no matter where I go I am always the one that’s frozen. Everyone else could be almost sweating and I’m resisting the urge to shiver. If you’re also cold natured, then this is definitely the table for you. This Japanese design will keep you warm while you sit in that drafty dining room. Of course if you’re the only one cold, you’re going to end up roasting whoever else is stuck at the table.

The table is from Hidakagu and has a 360 watt infrared heater underneath of the table itself. It is designed to keep your legs and lower torso warm. The table was actually inspired by the traditional Kotatsu, which is a low table/blanket/heater combination that wasn’t designed for dining. This table takes the two and combines them. Unfortunately, I don’t see a whole lot of information on purchasing these just yet.

Source: OhGizmo

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[ Heated Dining Room Table copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Ithaca College Tots program uses Wii Balance Board

Posted: 30 Aug 2010 04:19 PM PDT

I’m sure that most of our readers who are parents know how important it is when a child learns to walk. I have three young children who have gone through that particular rite of passage, but I take for granted that there are a lot of toddlers who can’t walk at all.

In all honesty, I am not certain I would know how to raise a child that couldn’t learn to walk, but a study at Ithaca known as Ithaca College Tots on Bots helps babies with physical disabilities using something that many households have: a Wii Balance Board.

As you can see, the toddler sits on a specially made chair that sits on a Wii Balance Board. That board has some wheels on the bottom, and a baby can go along by simply leaning in the appropriate direction.

This toddler Wii-board wheelchair also has sonar that will avoid crashes, and there is a remote control that is enabled so an adult can take control at will.

I suppose that adult wheelchairs could be made with this same technology, but something tells me that I don’t know the half of it when it comes to this. If you want to leave a comment and agree with me, I wouldn’t hold it against you.

Source

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Ithaca College Tots program uses Wii Balance Board copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Mister Steamy Dryer Balls

Posted: 30 Aug 2010 03:55 PM PDT

Dryer balls are nothing new, they’re just a rubber ball that takes the place of fabric softener. Just don’t ever use them in the winter, unless you enjoy your clothes being absolutely filled with static electricity. Well normal dryer balls are pretty dull, but these new ones could be pretty handy. Instead of just keeping clothes soft, this will steam all of your clothes while they’re in the dryer.

The hotter the ball gets the more it shoots out steam. As it bounces through the dryer cycle it will get rid of all of those wrinkles in your clothing. Although the dryer will take care of a lot of wrinkles, there are certain types of clothing that still show quite a bit of wrinkles. In those cases you could keep yourself from being forced to drag out the ironing board as long as you use this ball. It works by just filling it up with water and tossing it in with your clothes. You can pick one up for $14.98 through Taylor Gifts.

Source: Bookofjoe