Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

iHome iA63 App-enhanced Alarm Clock FM Radio Stereo Speaker System
This Touchscreen lets you feel your touch on the other side
Christian Schallert’s shape-shifting apartment
X-Fingers replaces non-existent digits
ThinSink is thinnest heat sink in the world
Karlsson Projection Clock
Waterskiing Chair for the adventurous
Gadget Thumbnails for 09-May-2011
Perplexus 3D Game Maze – Kill Time, Not your Kids

iHome iA63 App-enhanced Alarm Clock FM Radio Stereo Speaker System

Posted: 10 May 2011 02:23 PM PDT

Sometimes it feels that when you have seen one iPod/iPhone dock, you have seen them all. Well, despite their similarities, at least the iHome iA63 is different in some ways.

The iA63 is a “next generation app-enhanced alarm clock FM radio for the iPhone and iPod touch”. I got a chance to try it out, and the iA63 has one cool feature as it can spin the iPod/iPhone around so it can be viewed in portrait and landscape mode. Of course, I have seen a similar model from Sharper Image’s catalog.

This one also has a remote control, and a clock and alarm. The user can wake or sleep to an iPhone, iPod, or the FM radio. Nothing different there, but the iA63 is App-enhanced, which allows it to work with iHome+Radio and iHome+Sleep.

As for the sound, it has Reason8 speaker chambers, which are “specifically designed high-end drivers for astounding clarity, depth, and power”. I found that they worked quite well. Other features include an aux-in jack and six FM preset stations. It appears to be compatible with most iPods and iPhones.

If you are looking for a somewhat unique iPod or iPhone dock, then I can recommend this iHome iA63 App-enhanced alarm clock FM Radio Stereo Speaker System at the official site for about $99.99.

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ iHome iA63 App-enhanced Alarm Clock FM Radio Stereo Speaker System copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

This Touchscreen lets you feel your touch on the other side

Posted: 10 May 2011 01:53 PM PDT

Some of you might remember yesterday when we reported on the PaperPhone, and how it could be the new touchscreen for mobile devices. Today, it is another concept touchscreen that could change mobile technology as we know it.

This touchscreen from Japan’s University of Electro-Communications is meant to be used on one’s palm, and then interfaced with the other hand. When the user touches the screen, it can actually be felt from the other hand.

You can watch a video of it to see it in action after the jump, and how there are sensors on the other side along with some gel so that the back of the touchscreen conforms to the palm. I suppose that for those that really need more haptic feedback then the simple vibration on the finger, this is your gadget.

You can see in the video that this device allows the user to feel like ants are crawling on their palm. That sounds neat, but I see no reason to have something like that. Is there a mobile game that would take advantage of this?

I suppose that this could help the visually impaired, as it would work like Braille on the hand. Perhaps this is the purpose of this particular item.

Source

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ This Touchscreen lets you feel your touch on the other side copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Christian Schallert’s shape-shifting apartment

Posted: 10 May 2011 01:16 PM PDT

We have reported on many small apartment dwellers who have turned their cramped spaces into something innovative. There was that Hong Kong man who created the Domestic Transformer, and the Japanese man who built his house in a space designed for parking.

This is Christian Schallert, who lives in what many blogs are calling a “Lego apartment”. At least, that is how one of his friends in the video (which you can see after the jump) describes it. I’m not certain whether the Lego is a good description, but it certainly is creative.

Schallert took a place that was a complete dive and turned it into a compact yet cozy living space. Apparently, he was inspired by the designs of Japanese homes plus hidden storage units.

You will note how this bed conveniently slides underneath the balcony. The dining room table folds up into the wall, and everything else seems to fit conveniently behind cabinet-like doors. There is even a small room for the toilet, and a “glass cube” for the shower.

Well, if I was living the single life, I would sure like to live here. Right now, I am trying to live in a small place with three kids, and trying to compact as much as possible. I’m not dong as good a job as this guy.

Source

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Christian Schallert’s shape-shifting apartment copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

X-Fingers replaces non-existent digits

Posted: 10 May 2011 07:56 AM PDT

Losing your finger (or even worse, fingers) can be quite a traumatic experience for anybody, as our hands and fingers are parts of the body that we more or less use everyday to do work, never mind if you’re a blue collared worker or one sitting behind a cushy desk, hacking away on the keyboard. Well, we have yet to advance to a stage medically where one is able to grow back fingers from a petri dish that is compatible with your body, so what other alternatives are there? The X-Fingers answers this clarion call, where they are made out of surgical steel and can move, flex, and grasp just like the original.

Didrick is the brain behind the X-Fingers, having designed what is touted to be the world’s first active-function artificial finger assemblies specifically for amputees. With SolidWorks software in tandem, it allows one to have these robotic fingers (and a thumb addition, to boot) to work just like a natural body part without the help of electronics. Want to know more about the kind of magic that makes it possible? Head on after the jump to find out.

The X-Fingers and X-Thumbs will feature criss-crossing surgical steel levers, hence the "X" in X-Fingers, and are actuated by the remaining finger or thumb while remaining covered in thermoplastic for a lifelike look and feel. This allows patients to pick up coins, button shirts, tie shoes, type letters, carry buckets – and for the artistically inclined, play the piano – albeit you might not be able to dance those digits across as expressively as before, still, it is better than nothing.

X-Fingers are vastly different from the traditional flaccid latex appendages, as the latter only intends to mask the problem without providing any solution. Having entered volume production recently, you can choose from more than half a thousand different configurations that cover five different finger thicknesses, 16 different lengths, and myriad injury profiles.

I do wonder whether future insurance policies will cover the purchase of X-Fingers…

Press Release

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ X-Fingers replaces non-existent digits copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

ThinSink is thinnest heat sink in the world

Posted: 10 May 2011 07:47 AM PDT

Novel Concepts really live up to their name, as the company has come up with what they tout to be the thinnest forced convection (fan cooled) heat sink in the world. This successful development has patents pending for it, and you will be surprised to hear just how slim it is. Ready? Take out your wallet from the back pocket, and check out your stack of credit cards. Those are quite thin by any standards, right? Well, the ThinSink is thinner than that just to give you a better idea.

This low-profile ThinSink will boast of a volumetric cooling efficiency that is 25 times greater than today’s best microprocessor heat sinks, and to put it in layman’s terms, it will cool 25 times more heat per cubic centimeter.

Specially developed to fit inside small electronic devices that range from notebooks to monitors and tablets, ThinSink is able to efficiently cool integrated circuits, semiconductors, LEDs and other microelectronic heat generating devices.

ThinSink’s smooth fan surface will not sip up too much juice at all – on the contrary, it will consume a mere 0.031 watts of electricity (that means up to 2 days of non-stop whirring on a single AAA battery). The credit card-sized ThinSink (85mm x 55mm x 0.75mm) will rely on a 40mm diameter smooth fan that spins at 6,000 RPM, and yet is able to achieve an amazing thermal performance of 2.73 degrees Centigrade per watt at a fan speed of 6,000 RPM.

Despite being super thin, it won’t wake up the dead – it is extremely quiet thanks to its thin, smooth fan surface, where it will do away with the pulsating sound and vibration that is caused by traditional fan blades. At 6,000 RPM, the credit card-sized ThinSink will feature a sound output of less than 34 dBA (that is quieter than a soft whisper at one meter distance if you need a comparison).

The Ikea-inspired flatpack idea will also be lightweight, tipping the scales at a mere 13.8 grams (motor included!) while occupying just 4.5 cubic centimeters of space. Not only that, the ThinSink might just be the most cost effective thing in your computer setup to date. We look forward to seeing future devices that have the ThinSink running inside.

Press Release

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ ThinSink is thinnest heat sink in the world copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Karlsson Projection Clock

Posted: 10 May 2011 07:37 AM PDT

Projection clocks are nothing new, but there are new iterations from time to time – although you would not expect the technological jump to be as drastic as that of a computer or smartphone. The Karlsson Projection Clock that comes in either black or silver shades are now available for pre-order (shipping commences a couple of days later) for £69.99 each, and what can you expect out of them?

Never mind about wall clocks – a clock wall is what you need, and the Karlsson Projection Clock will fill up this gap without missing a beat. This will be a mains-powered timepiece (obviously, considering the amount of juice you need to get it going) and will beam an analog clock face, alongside a sweeping second hand for that added touch of reality. Capable of working up to 8 meters away, it has an LED life of 40,000 hours.

That translates to slightly more than 4 years of non-stop running – not too shabby, eh? Of course, a solitary AA battery can also be used to power this, but we would prefer to have it hooked up to the mains at all times so that you won’t inadvertently run late should the AA battery run out.

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Karlsson Projection Clock copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Waterskiing Chair for the adventurous

Posted: 10 May 2011 07:20 AM PDT

Do you have a penchant for adrenaline rushes? If the answer is in the affirmative, then you would do well to check out the Waterskiing Chair. The name itself is somewhat an oxymoron – have you ever seen anyone go water skiing sitting down in a relaxed position? Well, this patented chair will be mounted to a pair of waterskis, where it paves the way for both beginners and experts to ski from a stable seated position.

The idea isn’t new as it was introduced nearly half a century ago (!), where the chair comprises of a backless seat that is connected to broad, widely-spaced skis by a pivoting steering mechanism. If you happen to lean to one side in the chair, it will automatically cause the skis to carve the water in the same direction. Sounds like the perfect tool to get started without getting too wet in the process!

The asking price could prove to be a stumbling block though at $799.95 each, so make sure you have the missus’ approval before you sign that cheque!

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Waterskiing Chair for the adventurous copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 09-May-2011

Posted: 09 May 2011 10:01 PM PDT

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Gadget Thumbnails for 09-May-2011 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Perplexus 3D Game Maze – Kill Time, Not your Kids

Posted: 09 May 2011 07:14 PM PDT

I need to take a trip to North Carolina in a few weeks, and from NYC, we're talking just under 10 hours in the car. Keeping my kid entertained for a 20 minute trip to the mall is a little tough, 10 hours is going to be insane.There are only so many times “I spy with my little eye…” can keep ANY kid entertained and let's face it by the 5th time I have to guess "is it an indicator light on the dashboard?" I just want to kill myself. To keep the “are we there yet” questions to a minimum, PlaSmart Inc. suggests that parents can keep their kids occupied and entertained while on the road with their new Perplexus 3D game maze challenge.

Named one of the ‘top 15 smartest toys for kids’ by Time Magazine in February 2011, the Perplexus 3D game maze is the bendy, trendy, can’t put-it-down 3D maze game where players must maneuver a marble around very challenging bridges and barriers inside a large-sized transparent sphere. Unlike traditional flat-surface mazes that are composed of one path, Perplexus challenges players like no maze has before, with numerous paths to choose from and dozens of barriers to overcome… offering hours of entertainment and fun.

“The best travel toys are quiet, do not have a lot of parts that can get lost or scattered under seats, and can engage a child for extended periods of time,” says Timothy Kimber, President, PlaSmart Inc. “They are also compact so they can be packed easily and don’t take up a lot of room in the car. All three Perplexus maze challenges fit these criteria nicely, and best of all, they can be enjoyed equally by kids and their parents.”

There are three Perplexus challenges two of them are new this spring, The Perplexus Rookie (around $19.99), is for newcomers and younger players and features 74 barriers to overcome. The Perplexus Epic ($29.99), is for those looking for the ultimate 3D maze challenge and features 125 difficult barriers to overcome and of course the previously reported on Perplexus Original ($15.00), featuring 100 barriers to beat.

Now if we just didn’t have to make a stop at every single rest area on I-95.

Perplexus is available at www.amazon.com and is for ages 4 to 104.

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Perplexus 3D Game Maze – Kill Time, Not your Kids copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Wednesday, May 11, 2011