Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Computer Algorithm will determine grouping of names on 9/11 Memorial
Could the PaperPhone change the way we do mobile devices?
The Aeros could start a new era of airships
Sony Ericsson Xperia acro announced
Motorola Titanium steels up Android line of smartphones
Thirsty Light signals for more water
Corner Drifting Go Cart
Electric Unicycle that keeps you balanced with Gyroscopes
Gadget Thumbnails for 08-May-2011
Accidentally Ingest some Poison? – There’s an App for That

Computer Algorithm will determine grouping of names on 9/11 Memorial

Posted: 09 May 2011 11:41 AM PDT

This year marks the tenth anniversary of 9/11, and there is a memorial planned to be unveiled on September 11th of this year.

Like most memorials, such as the Vietnam War memorial, this one will be a list of names. These particular names will not be in alphabetical or chronological order, but will be grouped by affinity.

In other words, the police officers will be grouped with other police officers, the firefighters with other firefighters, the stock traders with other stock traders, and so on. It took a computer algorithm to figure out this grouping, and it was done to “reflect friends and co-workers”. In short, it is a way of remembering a loved one in the group that he or she associated with in life.

This is the work of New York media design firm Local Projects, taking over 1,800 requests from the families of the 3,500 9/11 victims. They intend to launch an application for smartphones, tablet computers, and electronic kiosks when the Memorial officially opens on the decade anniversary date.

For those that will have a hard time finding the name of a lost loved one, this Memorial Finder will find the specific panel and number where the name is located.

Source

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Computer Algorithm will determine grouping of names on 9/11 Memorial copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Could the PaperPhone change the way we do mobile devices?

Posted: 09 May 2011 11:07 AM PDT

I think we all know that consumer electronics companies are struggling to make their devices thinner and thinner. We all know where this is heading, to a future era where every piece of paper is like a tablet PC, like on the failed Caprica TV series.

This PaperPhone seems ready for that era, and it takes it a step further with a bendable interface. You can see what it is like on a video after the jump, but it really isn’t like anything that is on current mobile phones or tablets.

Not to be too much of a spoiler, but I was confused with how the user can bend certain corners in order to produce different functions. It seems to have some touchscreen capability, which comes in handy when making a phone call. I could see how flicking a corner can advance a track on the music player mode, but I don’t know how simple to use this would be. It’s not like the touch interface of the iPad that has become so popular.

The technology used to make the PaperPhone is already here, as it is same found in the Amazon Kindle e-reader, which is millimeters thick. It is under development by researchers from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, Arizona State University, and the E-Ink Corporation. So, is this bendable touchscreen display the “must have” tech of the future? We shall see.

Source

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ Could the PaperPhone change the way we do mobile devices? copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

The Aeros could start a new era of airships

Posted: 09 May 2011 10:30 AM PDT

I believe that there was a brief era when airships were in their prime, but the invention of the airplane as well as the Hindenburg accident changed all that.

Yes, zeppelins are simply not the most efficient means of air travel. The reason why has to do with a buoyancy problem which is about venting the helium in order to return to earth. This makes take-offs and landings quite costly. However, this Aeros airship by Ukrainian entrepreneur Igor Pasternak could bring back the age of the airship.

The Aeros solves the problem of the deliberately leaking helium by compressing the gas, in order to store it for later use. If everything goes according to plan, then the Igor Pasternak’s Aeros company will produce the first demonstration of his new style of airship, the Pelican, by the year 2013. This is assuming that the Mayans are incorrect about that whole end of the calendar thing.

I seem to recall a similar situation for a concept airship that never came to pass. I honestly hope that this one does, because I want to see a future where our skies are full of cool looking and functional airships, like in the alternate realities of Watchmen and Fringe. I suppose that we’ll have to wait and see.

Source

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ The Aeros could start a new era of airships copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Sony Ericsson Xperia acro announced

Posted: 09 May 2011 09:59 AM PDT

Sony Ericsson has recently lifted the curtain for the Xperia acro, making it the latest addition to the Xperia range as it was specially designed for users who live in the Land of the Rising Sun. Sounds familiar? Some of our dear readers might just be confused with it being the Xperia Arc, but that is another story for a different day. The Xperia acro will continue to carry the success (hopefully) of the Xperia line, spearheading the challenge with a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

It will not come up short where the operating system is concerned, as it runs on the latest version of Android (2.3 Gingerbread if you do not know). With mobile TV functionality being touted, you can expect best-in-class imaging and display technology features from Sony, after all, who else better to do so than they?

The Sony Ericsson Xperia acro will be a flagship model in Japan, and it will be interesting to see how the handset holds up to the others in such a highly competitive market. After all, the Japanese tend to have really different phones from the rest of the world (same with the Koreans), and for something more “mainstream” like the Xperia acro to make a debut spices up things.

As mentioned earlier, the Xperia acro will tout mobile TV functionality, and with its Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine, you will find your eyes more than welcoming the 4.2" display. Not only that, you can capture stunning 8.1-megapixel shots with its camera that boasts the Exmor R engine for mobile handsets, allowing one to shoot low-noise, high quality images and even record HD video (720p) under low light conditions.

There is no word on pricing as at press time, but we do know that the Sony Ericsson Xperia acro will hit Japan later this summer in just two colors – black and white. Surely you can’t go wrong there, right?

Press Release

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[ Sony Ericsson Xperia acro announced copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Motorola Titanium steels up Android line of smartphones

Posted: 09 May 2011 09:52 AM PDT

The world of Android smartphones have certainly grown by a large number over the years, and it makes perfect sense, too – after all, the operating system is free, so why not as a handset manufacturer, you jump straight into the action and deliver better hardware compared to other smartphones that run on a different OS with the money saved in the first place? Well, there is a new Android handset to hit the market from Motorola, known as the Motorola Titanium.

The Motorola Titanium is touted to be a sleek, attractive and durable smartphone. It intends to continue where the hugely popular Motorola i1 left off, and is proud to be the first iDEN device that combines Sprint's best-in-class Nextel Direct Connect. What we are puzzled is this – why is it running on Android 2.1 Éclair instead of Android 2.2 Froyo at the very least, considering how so many more new phones will come with Gingerbread (Android 2.3) soon?

That question ought to raise some eyebrows in the process, but it should not detract from the kind of hardware that Motorola has thrown into the mix. We are talking about Wi-Fi connectivity built right in, a full QWERTY keyboard and a 3.1″ touchscreen display that delivers a feature rich business-class experience.

Not only that, when we mentioned durable in the second paragraph, we meant it. Otherwise, why bother calling the phone the Motorola Titanium? It was specially designed to meet Military Specification 810G for dust, shock, vibration, low pressure, solar radiation, high temperature and low temperature. Apart from that, it also boasts of a 5-megapixel camera and camcorder with flash and 4x digital zoom, Stereo Bluetooth connectivity alongside the slew of high-end features that smartphone users have come to expect.

Offering Nextel Direct Connect, users will be able to experience instant, one-to-one Push-to-Talk communication nationwide with any other Nextel Direct Connect subscriber. As for Group Connect, it will help communicate or coordinate activities with up to 20 other Nextel Direct Connect subscribers simultaneously throughout the nation. Want to save money? No problems. International Direct Connect allows you to instantly connect from the US to users in other eligible countries, including Canada and Mexico, and lets you make and receive Push-to-Talk calls while traveling in those countries.

No idea on pricing, but it would be something worth looking out for if you’re in the market for an iDEN Android-powered handset, that’s for sure.

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ Motorola Titanium steels up Android line of smartphones copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Thirsty Light signals for more water

Posted: 09 May 2011 09:39 AM PDT

If you lack green fingers, fret not – there are some remedies out there that can help you (and your plants) out. Firebox steps right up to the plate with the Thirsty Light, and by the name itself, you know that it serves as a visual aid so that you will never go through the nuances of under- or over-watering your precious new green addition in the home.

All you need to do is place the probe into the plant’s soil, and should the conditions be too dry, the LED located right on top will start blinking – perfect if you tend to under/over-estimate how much water a plant needs. It might be rather unsightly at first, but as usual, leaving it there for a while will let it slip under your radar after a while.

With an ABS casing, it will specially blend in without looking unobtrusive or invade your visual space. A single Thirsty Light should be more than enough for your home, unless you own a mansion, of course. At £9.99 a pop, it can be used to test all the plants around the hope – just make sure you wipe the durable brass sensor each time you remove it from the soil and it'll be good to go. There are 5 different levels of dryness for a more accurate result.

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Thirsty Light signals for more water copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Corner Drifting Go Cart

Posted: 09 May 2011 09:30 AM PDT

Ever played Mario Kart and drifted around the track, tackling those corners at insane speeds? Well, if you want to have a taste of real life action, then you can always take up actual go karting – or in this case, fork out $349.95 for the Corner Drifting Go Cart.

This is an electric-powered go-cart that will let you execute drifting slides into corners, impromptu straightaway fish tails, and perform nimble 180º hairpin turns without missing a beat. The rear tires of this puppy relies on injection-molded polyoxymethylene, a thermoplastic that was engineered using a low coefficient of friction, albeit being high abrasion- and heat-resistant.

That allows the tires to slip during turns without “burning rubber.” It also boasts of an electric motor that delivers ample torque to propel a rider up to 140 lbs. at a top speed of 12 mph. The U-shaped steering yoke will also be accompanied by a hand brake for the rear wheels and a variable-speed throttle. With a a rugged steel frame and a bucket seat, you need no rocket science degree to assemble this for your kid (or yourself).

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ Corner Drifting Go Cart copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Electric Unicycle that keeps you balanced with Gyroscopes

Posted: 09 May 2011 07:56 AM PDT

Gyroscopic Electric Unicycle

Being able to ride a unicycle is a cool skill to have, however having your own gyroscopic electric unicycle takes it to the next level of cool.

This is the briefcase-sized electric unicycle that keeps a rider perfectly balanced at all times with gyroscopic sensors. Equally suited for urban commuting and suburban recreation, the unicycle requires a rider to merely stand on its two folding feet pads; gyroscopic sensors detect a rider’s subtle feet movements while accounting for a shoulder-slung backpack or bag for its center-of-mass calculations. Forward leaning results in steady forward acceleration without jolting, while leaning backward brings the unicycle to a slow, steady stop. A rider

You can but the gyroscopic unicycle from Hammacher for $1800.

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[ Electric Unicycle that keeps you balanced with Gyroscopes copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 08-May-2011

Posted: 09 May 2011 12:18 AM PDT

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 08-May-2011 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Accidentally Ingest some Poison? – There’s an App for That

Posted: 08 May 2011 08:01 PM PDT

What do you do if your kid drinks acetone? is stung by a jellyfish or drinks bleach? Do you induce vomiting? and what would be the best way to do that? Now, everyone with a smartphone can immediately find answers to these types of questions and more, by using the new SOS Poison app. This app is now available for your iPhone.

The SOS Poison application for smartphones contains an alphabetic list of around 250 toxic substances. For each substance, there are instructions on what to do if someone has ingested it. In addition, the app also contains a list of more than 70 toxic plants and each of the plants has a clear photo next to it, so that users can immediately recognize which plant it is that your kid decided to eat. The app also provides advice on ticks, snakes, jellyfish, bees or wasps and there's even a separate chapter with prevention tips and other relevant information.

“This app is of course intended for parents, but is certainly also useful for teachers, sports instructors and others who deal with children,” says publisher Don Veldkamp.

“An important advantage of the app is the ease with which new advice or altered insights can be implemented. We can therefore continuously keep the app up-to-date,” says Veldkamp.

Once purchased, the SOS Poison app is constantly updated for free, via the app store.

I prefer to think of it as a “I’ll drive at a safe speed to the hospital app” because I might have enough info to know I’m not involved in a life or death emergency… and that’s pretty good, isn’t it?

The SOS Poison app can be downloaded from Apple’s iTunes App store for only $ 4.99.

Source: www.itunes.apple.com

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[ Accidentally Ingest some Poison? – There's an App for That copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Tuesday, May 10, 2011