Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

RoboEarth is a “World Wide Web” for robots
Activision pulls the plug on Guitar Hero
Pelican Imaging’s Plenoptic camera for camera phones
Monopoly Revolution Edition – Do you take credit cards?
Turbospoke – Bicycle “exhaust” system
Epson PowerLite X9 projector to the fore
iCam Game Console System
Zing Air Zing Shot Launcher
Gadget Thumbnails for 09-Feb-2011
Samsung Galaxy Indulge joins the 4G LTE family

RoboEarth is a “World Wide Web” for robots

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 04:46 PM PST

You know how the Internet has become a place where billions of people are coming together and learning all sorts of things they never heard of before?

Now, imagine that system of interconnected computers, but for Robots. This is the basic concept from RoboEarth, which its creators are saying is a “Wikipedia that’s just for robots”.

So, if a robot is having trouble doing a certain task, it can essentially download how to do it from another robot. As far as I know, that is what RoboEarth is all about.

In all honesty, I had no idea that robots were this advanced and could share knowledge like this. However, if my mobile phone can transmit information to my Bluetooth headset, is this too much of a stretch?

Well, I think we all know where this is going. Soon all the robots of the world will be able to communicate with one another on a system that we humans won’t be able to understand. They will soon become complete equals, and then realize that they don’t need “the pesky humans” anymore.

Granted that is a worst case scenario, and one that we’ve seen played out in The Matrix, Terminator, I, Robot, and more science fiction movies yet to be made.

Source

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ RoboEarth is a “World Wide Web” for robots copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Activision pulls the plug on Guitar Hero

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 04:08 PM PST

You know how certain franchises are just going on and on, and no one seems to want to end them?

After all, do we really need another Spider-man or X-men movie? All I see here is just a perpetuation of mediocrity. Fortunately, Activision had the gusto to say “enough is enough” to Guitar Hero.

I didn’t really think that we were at this point yet with music games, but considering that I have lost count of how many Guitar Hero versions there are, not to mention the Rock Band and other knock-offs (think Band Hero and DJ Hero), I guess I am not too surprised.

Activision has stated that they are seeing a decline in the music gaming industry, and they “cannot make these games profitable given the current market”.

You have no idea what that means to me. It means that the next video game convention that I attend will not have a booth devoted to fans signing and playing faux instruments.

Still, there really isn’t any way music games can be improved, except for new playlists. As long as new songs will be created, there will probably be a demand to play them in a simpler form on Guitar Hero or its derivatives.

In other words, the plastic instrument video gaming fad could live on. That, or we’ll look back on this gaming fad like we do the Powerglove.

Source

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Activision pulls the plug on Guitar Hero copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Pelican Imaging’s Plenoptic camera for camera phones

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 03:38 PM PST

This is a prototype for camera phones known as the Pelican Imaging’s array camera.

Pelican’s array works on the same principle as those antennas that work together so that they can see things light years away. Have you ever seen photos of the VLA (Very Large Array)? If you’ve seen movies like 2010, Contact, and Terminator Salvation, then you have seen at least one of the 27 giant antennas in some form.

Now imagine this VLA technology miniaturized in what Pelican Imaging calls the plenoptic camera. You can see the 25 ball-shaped lenses, which all work together all of the small images to create a larger one. I have a video of it after the jump that demonstrates this tech in action.

If this technology was somehow mass-produced, it would lead to thinner cameras, which would invariably lead to thinner phones. Hopefully, the pictures don’t look like the usual shotty ones that often appear on camera phones. It seems like camera phone technology is constantly improving, and soon it will probably be that photos from cameras and phones will be just as good. If that is the case, then the future of cameras is not that bright.

So, is this the camera for the next iPhone? It seems like the goal of Apple to make their products thinner and thinner, so I don’t see why not.

Source

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Pelican Imaging’s Plenoptic camera for camera phones copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Monopoly Revolution Edition – Do you take credit cards?

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 03:05 PM PST

In case you guys missed it, because I know I did, I thought I'd share the newest addition to the Monopoly line. To celebrate the game’s 75th anniversary, last fall Hasbro introduced a circular Monopoly board in the “Monopoly: Revolution Edition.” This game does away with the iconic monopoly money, and keeps up with the times with an electronic pod and, get this, credit cards to keep track of a players cash position — and to prevent cheating.

Hasbro has also provided cost-of-living increases, adjusting monetary amounts to account for about 75 years of inflation, so when you pass Go, not only will you hear a party tune, you’ll earn $2 million, instead of a measly $200 bucks. With sound effects and music from the past five decades this is a stylish addition to the Monopoly family.

This game is full of fun features that will bring your favorite property-trading game to life!

More than 275 million games have been sold worldwide and it's available in 111 countries, in 43 languages, maybe it's time to get yours?

Available now at www.amazon.com for about $20.00 bucks

Source: www.hasbro.com

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ Monopoly Revolution Edition – Do you take credit cards? copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Turbospoke – Bicycle “exhaust” system

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 10:18 AM PST

So here we go again, something to add to my list of reasons I want to be a kid again. I remember my first bike, a purple and white Schwinn with the streamers on the handlebars and a bell. Eventually I needed more, so my dad added playing cards by clothes pinning them to the spokes, I waited for the sound of raw power. Okay, so it wasn't quite what I had hoped for…

Meet Turbospoke, the bicycle "exhaust" system that makes your bike look and sound like a motorcycle. Turbospoke is a cool new bicycle accessory that transforms any bike, except for maybe a purple Schwinn with streamers, into a super cool street machine. Using only the power of your bike’s pedals, Turbospoke produces pretty nifty engine sounds from chopper to dirt bike, and then amplifies them for a realistic rider experience.

While Turbospoke certainly wasn't attracting the attention of the police, it sure was head and shoulders above the card in the spokes trick, it comes with three different motor sounds to choose from and it's definitely something that you don't see on every kid's bike. Check out the video HERE.

At around $20.00 bucks, what kid wouldn't want one? I'm guessing it's gonna look stupid on my 10 speed, but then again, I look really stupid on my 10 speed anyway. Available at www.amazon.com

Source: www.schylling.com

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Turbospoke – Bicycle “exhaust” system copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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Epson PowerLite X9 projector to the fore

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 05:30 AM PST

Another day, another projector, and this time around we have the Epson PowerLite X9 that will target the education market without breaking the bank. Yes sir, this new projector is capable of delivering up to 2,500 lumens of color and white light output alongside XGA resolution for just $599 – making it a suitable addition as well to any small or medium sized conference rooms.

It is no surprise that many states in the US are already experiencing budget cuts, and one of the sectors to be hit pretty badly is the education segment, so it makes perfect sense for companies who deal with educational equipment to do their bit to help America out of the pit they’re in by lowering their profit margin and charging schools less for equipment – and we believe the Epson PowerLite X9 projector is one of such an instance.

Among the convenient features of the PowerLite X9 that will light up (no pun intended) the classroom and boardroom are :-

USB Plug ‘n Play Instant Setup: Instantly projects images and controls the presentation from either a Windows PC or Mac via a standard USB cable; allows for easier set up and eliminates the hassle of dealing with bulky VGA cables and toggling between computer keys
Versatile Connectivity: Audio out port helps classrooms connect to external speakers to enhance the sound of presentations; monitor out port helps classrooms connect to external monitors to help the teacher stay focused during a lesson or presentation
Closed Captioning: Built-in closed captioning decoder makes presentations accessible to viewers with hearing impairments with no added cost, and helps meet ADA section 508 compliance
Setup Flexibility: 1.2x optical zoom and +/-30 degree automatic vertical keystone correction provide easy and convenient setup in multiple classroom settings
Convenient Control: Direct Power On and Off allows for an installed projector to be powered with a flip of a wall switch; Instant On/Off enables teachers to avoid delays when starting and finishing presentations and be up and running in seconds; A/V Mute Slide stops the sound and picture to allow for a quick pause in the presentation
Extended Lamp Life: Using Epson’s exclusive E-TORL lamp technology, the lamp life can last up to 5,000 hours in economy mode helping to maximize presentation time
Compact: Lightweight design and compact form factor make it easily portable from classroom to classroom
3LCD Technology: Features the latest, 3LCD, 3-chip technology to deliver amazing, true-to-life color and detail for powerful presentations; 3LCD technology provides an energy efficient light engine which efficiently uses available lamp light to create stunning images; in contrast to 1-chip DLP technology, 3LCD requires, on average, 25 percent less electricity per lumen of brightness

Expect to see the Epson PowerLite X9 arrive in April this year via a variety of channels including national resellers, pro audio/visual dealers, mail order, and distribution. Each purchase comes with a two-year limited warranty for that added peace of mind.

Press Release

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Epson PowerLite X9 projector to the fore copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

iCam Game Console System

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 05:00 AM PST

They say that learning works best when you’re playing, which is why animals tend to play a whole lot when they’re young – the same applies to us humans, but with some countries in the world being more rigid and placing extra emphasis on being naively obedient, then the element of play is removed, hence actually slowing down their mental development.

If you intend to let your little one fulfill his or her potential (or at least doing your bit), then ThinkGeek’s iCam Game Console System might be able to help. No guarantees here, but this console has hundreds of education games that require specially designed magic wands to interact with the game on your PC – Nintendo Wii clone, anyone?

Apart from that, there will be multi-level activities allow children to progress at their own pace so that there won’t be any undue or additional pressure on them to excel and outperform their mates. Currently available for $59.99 each, this purchase will come with a couple of magic wands and a magic driving wheel alongside the CD parent guide which we strongly recommend you to read before getting started – you didn’t expect your toddler to read on your behalf, did you?

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ iCam Game Console System copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Zing Air Zing Shot Launcher

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 04:30 AM PST

Want to make a real pest of yourself, and intend to outdo the legendary Dennis the Menace? The Zing Air Zing Shot Launcher is a pretty good bet in helping you reach that social ladder, where £9.99 will net you a “weapon” which is fun to the wielder, while those on the receiving end of its shots will definitely go nuts.

Needless to say, the theory of evolution is applied to the humble slingshot here, where it boasts soft foam bullets as well as a range of up to 45 feet away – now that’s pretty far, and good thing those foam bullets are unable to gauge anybody’s eye out even if it hits the unintended target. Of course, better behaved ruffians out there (now is that an oxymoron or what) will be able to use this to shoot down cans from afar so that they can hustle the next fun fair that rolls by…

Of course, you can always augment your arsenal further with the £4.99 Zing Air Zing Shot refill pack just in case whatever comes with it isn’t enough to fulfill that itch that asks to be scratched.

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ Zing Air Zing Shot Launcher copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 09-Feb-2011

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 09:01 PM PST

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 09-Feb-2011 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Samsung Galaxy Indulge joins the 4G LTE family

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 04:00 AM PST

Samsung intends to expand their Galaxy (range of phones, that is) with the latest addition, the Samsung Galaxy Indulge. It is rather interesting to note that this latest release will not arrive on any of the big four carriers, but rather, will be made available to MetroPCS, one of the smaller players over in the US. Still, that doesn’t detract from the fact that the Galaxy Indulge is one of the world’s first commercially available 4G LTE enabled Android smartphone.

MetroPCS’ main selling point that will accompany the Galaxy Indulge is this – it costs around half that of other 4G smartphone where service plans are concerned, as consumers are able to “have it all”, so to speak, with MetroPCS’ $50 and $60 4G LTE smartphone service plans, where it will comprise of all applicable taxes and regulatory fees.

If you happen to talk a whole lot, text as well as browse the Internet on your smartphone, enjoy streaming audio, video and gaming content, downloads and Android applications, then this does sound like the perfect plan for you – although we’re not too sure whether the coverage of MetroPCS is going to jive with you or not.

Running on the Android 2.2 Froyo operating system, the Galaxy Indulge is touted to be the perfect smartphone for folks who want to manage every aspect of their lives from a mobile device. MetroPCS’ 4G LTE service is more than capable of delivering the latest exclusive entertainment and multimedia content from their favorite shows through the MetroSTUDIO application.

With more than 100,000 apps to choose from from the Android Market, you’re spoilt for choice. Of course, it goes without saying that Samsung has skinned the Galaxy Indulge with their very own TouchWiz enhancements to make navigation around the device’s home screens a whole lot easier compared to the vanilla Android user interface. In addition, the combination of touch screen/QWERTY keyboard lets you choose which mode you’re more comfortable with – I personally prefer the latter, of course.

Other hardware specifications include a 1GHz processor, access to Google Mobile services, a 3 megapixel camera and camcorder with auto-focus, music player, Stereo Bluetooth connectivity and a microSD memory card slot. Expect it to hit MetroPCS stores later this week for $399.

Press Release

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Samsung Galaxy Indulge joins the 4G LTE family copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]