Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Halo Intersceptor is a car, copter, plane, and boat
Microsoft unveils three AT&T phones for the United States
Microsoft Kinect gets an odd peripheral with the Game Boat
Solar Powered Race Car
Motion Sensing Remote Controlled Jet
New external DVD writer from Samsung makes traveling easier
Gadget Thumbnails for 10-Oct-2010
Sprint aims to change things with Samsung Transform
Trekbot micro robotic racer
Sonim introduces XP1300 Core rugged smartphone

Halo Intersceptor is a car, copter, plane, and boat

Posted: 11 Oct 2010 03:39 PM PDT

I’m sure you are probably thinking that this is a pretty cool car. It sort of reminds me of the futuristic Audi that Will Smith drove around in I, Robot.

This concept auto, known as the Halo Intersceptor, is one of the most advanced cars that I have ever seen. In fact, it isn’t just a car, but a plane, boat, and helicopter. Yes, that does sound more like a cartoon than an actual car. Just to let you know, the Halo Interceptor doesn’t have any hidden wings or rotors like some spy car on M.A.S.K. That was a cartoon from the eighties, in case you don’t get that reference. Think about what would happen if G.I. Joe and Transformers were mixed in a blender and you would get M.A.S.K..

The way the Halo Intersceptor works is that the car parks and locks itself in a different chassis. There is a video after the jump if you want to see it in action. It is pretty neat, and it’s definitely something Batman if he didn’t mind having the Batmobile being used for the Bat-plane, the Bat-copter, and the Bat-boat.

I would imagine James Bond would get a kick out of this too. This is one of those things that I would have to see before I believed it.

Source

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Halo Intersceptor is a car, copter, plane, and boat copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Microsoft unveils three AT&T phones for the United States

Posted: 11 Oct 2010 03:36 PM PDT

Microsoft is having a field day making announcements about Windows Phone 7 left and right, and they have revealed ten new phones for 30 countries. Three of these new phones are for AT&T.

The first is the Samsung Focus, which is the slimmest of the phones at about 9.9 millimeters thin. It has a 4-inch super AMOLED display, a 5 Megapixel camera, 1GHz processor, and 8GB of internal memory.

The second is the LG Quantum, and designed more for the business professionals. It has QWERTY and Dolby mobile as well as a “Play To app that can wirelessly stream videos, music, and photos to any DLNA-enabled TV or other device”.

The last is the HTC Surround, which is picture to the above left. The Surround has a 3.8 inch touchscreen as well as 16GB of internal memory. It also has a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, a 5-megapixel camera, and the first smartphone that has Dolby Mobile surround sound speakers that can slide up.

All three of these phones will be out some time around the holiday season, but my Source does not have an exact date. However, a recent ad for Windows Phone 7 said November 8th. I do know a price for these phones, and each of them are about $199.99.

Source

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Microsoft unveils three AT&T phones for the United States copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Microsoft Kinect gets an odd peripheral with the Game Boat

Posted: 11 Oct 2010 03:12 PM PDT

I never did get to try out the Microsoft Kinect when it debuted at E3, but I am told that one of the games associated for it is Kinect Adventures.

I am assuming that Kinnect Adventures is the Kinect’s version of Wii Sports. You know, with a bunch of random games put together just to demonstrate how the new gaming system works and show off how cool it is.

One of these Kinect Adventures apparently involves rafting. In order to make this game more realistic, Play On is offering gamers the chance to have a Game Boat raft in their gaming room for added realism.

Considering that the Kinect actually requires about 6 to 8 feet of room in order to operate, I suppose most living rooms or gaming rooms will not be affected the addition of of a liferaft on the premises.

I don’t have a price point for this as yet, but they have a model which will accommodate two people. By the way, this “gaming peripheral for a gaming peripheral” raft can actually be used as a real raft.

The question I have is: how does it inflate? Does it come with a pump or do you have to blow this yourself? That would affect my decision on whether or not I would purchase this. Then again, I never really wanted a raft for my gaming.

Source

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Microsoft Kinect gets an odd peripheral with the Game Boat copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Solar Powered Race Car

Posted: 11 Oct 2010 06:30 AM PDT

Most toys are powered by batteries, especially those with mechanical motors and lights while emitting sounds for an even more engaging play experience. Well, most parents would also have noticed by now that purchasing batteries over and over again just to feed a particular toy can be quite taxing on the pocket, which is why there is this thing called “rechargeable batteries”. However, there are even times when one can forget to juice up a particular set of batteries, and solar power is what we’re looking at with the Solar Powered Race Car. This fun solar racer is agile enough to move along at 3m a second, and for £14.95 you get to build it from scratch to encourage thinking and motor skills in your little one. Capable of going up 30 degree slopes without any problem, the solar panel can be adjusted for optimum speed and power. Of course, if you want it to run and there isn’t enough solar power to keep it going, you can always rely on a solitary AAA battery to have it move those wheels.

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Solar Powered Race Car copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Motion Sensing Remote Controlled Jet

Posted: 11 Oct 2010 06:00 AM PDT

Just because you’re an adult now doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in having toys of your own, right? After all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and in this case, man. Heck, the Motion Sensing Remote Controlled Jet that you see on the right could prove to be just the tonic required for a healthy father-son bonding time, as it is full well capable of responding to the motion of its master joystick in a similar manner as that of the yoke in an actual cockpit. A slight tilt to the left and right will turn the jet in flight, enabling young pilots to better imagine themselves at the controls of a military aircraft. It might just spark off a lifelong interest and fuel little Johnny’s ambition of joining the Air Force in the long run. Whenever you squeeze the throttle trigger, speed and altitude will increase. Those who are less familiar can always be guided by the traditional manual stick method. Bear in mind that there is a 150 feet range to this, leading us to wonder what happens when the jet flies beyond that range, will it just drop to the ground? Propelling along at a maximum speed of 25 mph, a half hour charge will result in up to 10 minutes of flying time. You can bring home the Motion Sensing Remote Controlled Jet for $69.95.

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Motion Sensing Remote Controlled Jet copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

New external DVD writer from Samsung makes traveling easier

Posted: 11 Oct 2010 05:30 AM PDT

When faced with an external DVD writer, what comes into your mind? Most people would probably think along the lines of “one external DVD writer is as good as the other, since they all use the same internal parts anyways but sport different labels on the outside”. Well, not all external DVD drives are created equal, and if you’re a frequent traveler with a netbook as your working tool of choice, then we might want to suggest you quickly pick up an external DVD drive before you continue on your next stop. After all, you can never quite tell just when you’re going to have something to burn on your next road trip, eh? Let’s face the fact, carrying even the largest capacity USB flash drive is not going to make the cut (not to mention expensive in the long run) if you need to transfer huge chunks of data onto other portable media for friends and associates. Enter Samsung’s external SE-S084F optical disc drive which we’ll look at in greater detail in the extended post.

The SE-S084F optical disc drive will hit the market just in time for the mad holiday season, which is a good thing since it would mean you are able to burn all your favorite memories on numerous discs even from your netbook as long as it is hooked up properly via USB. It isn’t going to be a burden on your shoulder either, since it tips the scales at less than one pound and you can even choose from five distinct colors to suit your mood and personality. Targeting netbook as well as mini PC users, it will be able to deliver the flexibility of a smaller device without sacrificing the benefits of an optical disc drive.

Another plus point would be having it work straight off an USB power source, which does away with the need to tote around an AC adaptor or power cables that will ultimately add more weight to your luggage. It also has a heart for the environment, as this eco-friendly DVD writer plays nice with RoHS guidelines that limit the use of chemicals such as Pb, Cd, Cr+6, Hg, PBBs and PBDE. Samsung has also relied on lead-free soldering manufacturing technologies in order to further eliminate the use of harmful materials. Some of the writing speeds include 24X CD-ROM, 24X CD-RW, 8X DVD±R recording, 5X DVD-RAM recording, 6X DVD+R Dual Layer recording, 6X DVD-R Dual Layer recording, 8X DVD+RW recording and 6X DVD-RW recording. The asking price is pretty reasonable as well, costing a mere $59.99.

Press Release

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ New external DVD writer from Samsung makes traveling easier copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 10-Oct-2010

Posted: 10 Oct 2010 10:01 PM PDT

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

Sprint aims to change things with Samsung Transform

Posted: 11 Oct 2010 05:00 AM PDT

The Android operating system has really taken off in a big way, and it has clearly proved to the world that not everyone wants a closed system like Apple’s iOS platform, where an open-ended one like Android will still be able to do well. The deluge and phenomenal growth of Android-powered smartphones has certainly been something that nobody (except maybe for Google) expected, but we’re all the happier since stiff competition does benefit consumers in the end most of the time as companies will have to be on their toes to deliver the best. Sprint has sided with the Android platform yet again with their latest smartphone, the Samsung Transform. This is one of the higher end Android powered devices that will work with Sprint ID, a user-friendly method of personalizing Android phones.

Just what does Sprint ID add to the Samsung Transform? Well, it will introduce a whole new level of personalization that enables one to customize their device to match their hobbies, interests or personalities. Basically, you are able to download ID packs that offer a predefined experience, ranging from applications to widgets, ringtones and wallpapers simultaneously. Imagine being a sports fan and downloading a sports pack, while fitness fanatics can enjoy widgets that let them know just what kind of workout and nutrients they should be getting to coincide with their fitness goals.

Hardware-wise, the Transform comes with a 3.5-inch HVGA touchscreen display, a full slideout QWERTY keyboard, a 3.2-megapixel camera, VGA front camera, social networking support, access to corporate and personal email as well as the Android 2.1 operating system. We just wonder why Android 2.2 wasn’t included in the package from the get go – wouldn’t that have been so much better? Anyways, Sprint did mention that they will be offering an upgrade in the future, so no worries about being left behind there. If you’re interested in introducing a change to your life, it will cost you $149.99 with a two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in-rebate for the Samsung Transform.

Press Release

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ Sprint aims to change things with Samsung Transform copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Trekbot micro robotic racer

Posted: 10 Oct 2010 07:09 PM PDT

Desk Pets International (HK) Limited might not be a name that most of you out there are familiar with, but they are actually the creator of interactive micro-robotic toys and gadgets that offer big-play value. Well, the company has just announced its latest addition to the market which is known as the Trekbot, a special hubless micro-robotic racer. This unique toy will be accompanied by a signature patent pending 5-function USB remote control that basically enables racers to perform sharp turns, headstands, and full flips without compromising on the speed at which it zips around. Features include a built-in USB charger for the Trekbot to get juiced up just about anytime, anywhere without having to rely on a specific type of power outlet.

This could very well be just the toy that your little one is looking forward to this coming holiday season, where the Trekbot is capable of delivering endless hours of inexpensive playtime, doing away with the need for expensive batteries. If you’re interested, Toys "R" Us and RadioShack stores nationwide are offering the Trekbot for $19.99 each, delivering a superior RC gaming experience with an easy-to-use and low-cost charging solution.

You will be able to choose from four different colors (black, gold, white, and clear) if you decide to pick up the Trekbot, and with a four frequency system working in there, it enables multiple users to race simultaneously. Boasting an angled wheel design, it is a snap for racers to perform flips and spins at the touch of a button. Juicing it up shouldn’t be too much of a hassle either, all you need to do is plug in the retractable USB remote into your PC, laptop or Mac and you’re good to go. One thing that we aren’t too happy with though is the diminishing returns when it comes to charging up the device. Thirty minutes of charge will deliver half the amount of playtime, no matter how intense it might be.

Press Release

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Trekbot micro robotic racer copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Sonim introduces XP1300 Core rugged smartphone

Posted: 10 Oct 2010 07:01 PM PDT

Get tough with the latest Sonim XP1300 Core rugged smartphone, where it is the latest product from the folks over at Sonim themselves. After all, tough and no-nonsense handsets have long been the forte of the company, and the Sonim XP1300 Core will break new ground especially where waterproofing technology is concerned. Why do we say so? Well, it is the first IP-68 rated GSM handset in the world, which means you are able to leave it fully submersed in 2 meters of water for long periods of time without worrying about it not working after that. Additional hardware features include a 2-inch high-resolution, scratch-resistant display and a noise-cancelling microphone, giving workers who hang out and perform their daily grind even under the harshest conditions without having to worry about whether their handset is able to perform or not.

Of course, you can say that this is no ordinary phone, which means it isn’t meant for ordinary people either. We don’t suppose that Sonim would stop any average Joe from picking one up though, especially if you seem to suffer from frequent bouts of butteritis fingeris (you heard it here first on Coolest Gadgets!) and seem to drop your newly purchased gadgets all the time, everywhere. The Sonim XP1300 Core is able to adopt to just about any environment, being Sonim’s first product built on their very own 4th generation rugged platform.

Other wonders associated with this smartphone include it being shock and water resistant, as well as being dust proof so that you are able to keep in touch with family, friends and superiors even if you’re trapped in a mine while waiting for a rescue squad to get you out. Apart from noise cancellation, you will also find that the waterproof connectors come in handy, while an improved display that comes in the formof Gorilla Glass adds to its overall toughness. Not only that, the Sonim XP1300 Core US meets MIL-810G certification for salt, fog, humidity, transport shock, and thermal shock. It will hit the market this coming November for $399 a pop sans contract, now how about that?

Press Release

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ Sonim introduces XP1300 Core rugged smartphone copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]