Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets |
- Cool NASA Gadgets and other artifacts go up for auction
- The Scooba 230 and Roomba 700 series updates by iRobot
- Charles the GPS robot can read a driver’s expressions
- Vizio to release the Via Tablet and Via Phone
- Lexar to announce 128GB SD cards at CES
- The last rolls of Kodachrome have been processed …
- Blinput system helps visually impaired get around easier
- Archos 70 Internet tablet sports 250GB of storage space
- Intel 310 series of SSD offers big performance in a tiny package
- Gadget Thumbnails for 02-Jan-2011
- Archos 28 and 32 Internet tablets set to rock CES 2011
- IRISnotes Digital Pen – You write, it types
- My BMW Remote – Talk to your car
| Cool NASA Gadgets and other artifacts go up for auction Posted: 03 Jan 2011 03:00 PM PST  A piece of NASA's historic technology goes up for sale ... If you’re like me, growing up, you never got the space program out of your blood. I remember watching Neil Armstrong take that one small step on a grainy black and white TV and thinking I’d graduate college on Mars. Alas, my martian education wasn’t meant to be, but if I could afford it, I’d definitely be springing for some of the coolest NASA gadgets that are currently up for auction … Included in the auction, certified and run by RR Auctions, is the headset that astronaut and capcom Charlie Duke used to communicate with Apollo 11 when Neil and Buzz set foot on the moon. You may recall his infamous retort upon landing – "Tranquility, we copy you on the ground. You got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We’re breathing again. Thanks a lot!”. And with a few adapters, I know I could do a skypecast with it on my laptop! Also up for grabs is an official, pre flown, Apollo command module control panel, a page torn from the original Apollo 11 flight plan and signed by Neil and Buzz, maps used by the astronauts on the lunar surface during Apollo 17, and a curiously entertaining photo of Playboy’s Playmate of the Month which was hidden inside the cockpit of the Apollo 12 command module for astronaut Richard Gordon to find. There are also a host of autographed photographs and other artifacts which are up for bids as well. The auction begins January 13th. Hat Tip – D’Vice Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news. [ Cool NASA Gadgets and other artifacts go up for auction copyright by Coolest Gadgets ] Related Posts:
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| The Scooba 230 and Roomba 700 series updates by iRobot Posted: 03 Jan 2011 02:37 PM PST
You’ll be pleased to know that iRobot, the company that makes the Roomba, has come up with some upgrades to the 700 series that include the 760, 770, and 780. You can see an image of one of them on the left. The company has also come out with the Scooba 230, which is the tiny disc that you see on the right. The 230 is 3.5 inches tall and 6.5 inches in diameter, and it is a terrific cleaner for places you don’t want to clean. For example, it is able to squeeze between the toilet and the wall, and it is able to mop around chair legs as well. It can be filled up with water right from the faucet, and it keeps dirty water and cleaning solution separate for washing, scrubbing, and squeegee jobs. It can then beep and flash when the job is done. I don’t have a date of their release, but I’m sure these devices will make an appearance at CES. You should be able to get the Scooba 230 for $300, the Roomba 760 for $450, the Roomba 770 for $500, and the Roomba 780 for $550. Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist. [ The Scooba 230 and Roomba 700 series updates by iRobot copyright by Coolest Gadgets ] Related Posts:
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| Charles the GPS robot can read a driver’s expressions Posted: 03 Jan 2011 02:16 PM PST
This is Charles, a GPS unit that is not a small box that suction cups to your dashboard. As you can see from the picture, Charles has a head along with shoulders. (He is the one on the right, by the way.) Charles is designed from scientists at Cambridge, and it can read the user’s facial expression, voice tone, as other behavioral hints so it is “more sympathetic to your mood”. I’m not certain what that means. Does this mean it says things like “it’s okay, you’re not lost” in a sensitive voice so I don’t feel too bad about not being there by now? By the way, my Source says that Charles is “70 percent accurate at gauging the emotional state of the driver”. I had no idea that our technology was that accurate. I guess that I wouldn’t mind having a GPS that is a little more human, but this is a little too human. It reminds me of the Johnny Cab from Total Recall, only Charles is the passenger and not the driver. Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool  [ Charles the GPS robot can read a driver’s expressions copyright by Coolest Gadgets ] Related Posts:
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| Vizio to release the Via Tablet and Via Phone Posted: 03 Jan 2011 01:57 PM PST
These Via products are designed to be remotes for Vizio’s Google TVs. This Via experience combines “content consumption from one device and seamlessly transition the content to another device allowing entertainment to be continuously enjoyed anywhere and anyplace without interruption”. The Via Plus Phone and Tablet will be on the Android operating system, and have a built-in IR blaster along with a universal remote control app, HD playback, with HDMI output. Both devices will feature access to the thousands of Apps in Android. The Via Phone has a 4-inch screen, a 5 Megapixel rear facing camera, front facing camera, as well as an HDMI port. The Tablet has an 8-inch screen, front-facing camera, as well as 3 separate speakers. The release of the Via Phone and Via Tablet comes just in time for CES 2011 in Las Vegas. It doesn’t look like Vizio has any booth on display, which is no real surprise. Their pattern is to rent out some space at the Wynn Hotel and allow people to come to them. If I have time, I’ll visit them myself. Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews. [ Vizio to release the Via Tablet and Via Phone copyright by Coolest Gadgets ] Related Posts:
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| Lexar to announce 128GB SD cards at CES Posted: 03 Jan 2011 01:27 PM PST  SD Card capacity breaches 128GB with 133x write speeds Wow. Seems like only yesterday I was posting the ground breaking announcement that the 16GB threshold had been breached in high capacity SD cards. Now, Lexar is poised to surpass that mark by nearly 10 times with an announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show of an SD card that is 128GB! Using the SDXC standard (secure digital eXtended Capacity) which will eventually allow for up to 2TB of storage capacity, the 64gb and 128gb cards that Lexar is announcing will be aimed square at professional users and will also have a write speed rating of 133X, which translates to the ability to read and write data at 20MB/sec (my first hard drive was 20MB!). And their not stopping there. According to Cnet, the SDXC standard Lexar is pursuing will also have improved electrical contacts that will make transfer speeds three times as fast in the near future, nearly getting on pace with where compact flash cards are today. This will be great for a market which is now firmly added HD video to still cameras and pocket camcorders, giving users far more storage and faster write times to keep up with those kodak moments. And the sky’s appears to be the limit. Hat Tip – C’Net Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news. [ Lexar to announce 128GB SD cards at CES copyright by Coolest Gadgets ] Related Posts:
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| The last rolls of Kodachrome have been processed … Posted: 03 Jan 2011 11:59 AM PST  Momma don't take ... my Kodachrome away ...
Yep, singer Paul Simon said it best. And anyone serious into photography remembers the stunning images they got when shooting Kodachrome film. Yes, that’s right, I said film. The old school analog medium which was as cool a gadget as there was from beginning to the end. But according to Gizmodo, the end has come as the last rolls of Kodachrome have been developed at Dwayne’s Photo, the last surviving lab in Missouri.  End of an era ... The last rolls of Kodachrome have been processed. Kodak stopped making Kodachrome last year and so it was only a matter of time before the last rolls would trickle in for developing. In many ways, Kodachrome was the first experiment in high dynamic range photography. It offered amazingly bold colors and fine grain. The gamut of color was simply stunning. And it was always used for when the photographer meant business. Then along came digital and the end was nigh. Even Kodak "read the writing on the wall" and stopped manufacture last year. And now, the final images have been captured, processed and printed. And it’s time to turn off the lights on one of the coolest gadgets ever to come to photography. "Momma don’t take my Kodachrome away …" Hat Tip – Gizmodo ps – for a trip down memory lane, check out the Kodachrome group on Flickr. Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy. [ The last rolls of Kodachrome have been processed … copyright by Coolest Gadgets ] Related Posts:
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| Blinput system helps visually impaired get around easier Posted: 03 Jan 2011 05:30 AM PST
Since smartphones these days do come with supreme processing power that was previously unimaginable a decade ago, they have also worked pretty well as a navigation device to boot. The Blinput system concept will go even further for the vision impaired, where it will enable visually impaired people to not only find their way around, but it will also double up as a tool where one can interact with the connected world thanks to the smartphone's camera (which seems to increase in megapixel count all too often) which will gather context relevant information that will be processed and subsequently relayed to the user via a pair of headphones. This will require the visually impaired person to wear a smartphone around his or her neck, where the camera will face outwards while a pair of headphones will produce audio in 3D for a better positional sense. Despite being a pair of headphones, it will come in an open model so that ambient noise can be heard. Of course, it doesn’t say anything about detecting thieves and robbers, since those with evil intentions might just go out and rob a blind person of his or her smartphone. There is also the issue of battery life, as smartphones are notorious of not being able to last the distance so everyday charging of it is a must. Source: Gizmag Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist. [ Blinput system helps visually impaired get around easier copyright by Coolest Gadgets ] Related Posts:
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| Archos 70 Internet tablet sports 250GB of storage space Posted: 03 Jan 2011 05:00 AM PST
Apart from that, it will also not disappoint when it comes to the amount of technology crammed inside, as you will find a high resolution capacitive touchscreen display, a speedy 1GHz processor that zips through your apps without breaking a sweat, and Wi-Fi connectivity to help you surf the Internet whenever possible, all for the relatively decent price of $349.99. Of course, despite packing in all those features, you won’t find the Archos 70 to be fat in any way, as it is still the slimmest and lightest 250GB tablet device on the market at 14 ounces while measuring 7.91 x 4.49 x 0.55 inches. Oh yeah, did we mention that the Archos 70 Internet tablet will also sport a 3D graphics accelerator to help you maximize its perofrmance? Sporting Android 2.2 Froyo as the operating system of choice, you will find that the Archos 70 will not come up short where connected applications are concerned, as you can take advantage of the web browser and email application and Flash 10.1. Fancy viewing whatever page on a large screen TV? That can easily be done via HDMI, thanks to its HDMI output connectivity option. For those of you out there who are interested in picking up a tablet, which model would you go for? Would Apple’s iPad appeal to you especially, or are you willing to give other brands a chance? Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist. [ Archos 70 Internet tablet sports 250GB of storage space copyright by Coolest Gadgets ] Related Posts:
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| Intel 310 series of SSD offers big performance in a tiny package Posted: 03 Jan 2011 04:30 AM PST
The Intel SSD 310’s small size makes it ideal for tablets, rugged, low-power military or industrial embedded apps, where in fact it was the candidate chosen by DRS Technologies for its upcoming ARMOR tablet PC. Measuring a mere 51mm-by-30mm and only 5mm thick, the Intel SSD 310 is no slouch when it comes to speed tests, being a fast, ultra-compact SSD which delivers flexibility, ruggedness and scalability to innovative form factors and devices. Not only that, it is able to enable highly responsive dual-drive notebooks, innovative single-drive tablets and low-power, rugged embedded industrial or military applications. When used in tandem with a high-capacity hard disk drive in a dual-drive system, benchmark tests have shown that the Intel SSD 310 is capable of improving overall PC system performance by up to 60% – now how about that? Since it is a SSD, there are no moving parts to worry about – which in turn makes it more durable and reliable than a mechanical hard drive, all the while sipping less juice while delivering improved system responsiveness. The Intel SSD 310 series comes with a 34 nanometer (nm) Intel NAND flash memory and is available in an m-SATA form factor in 40GB and 80GB capacities. Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist. [ Intel 310 series of SSD offers big performance in a tiny package copyright by Coolest Gadgets ] Related Posts:
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| Gadget Thumbnails for 02-Jan-2011 Posted: 02 Jan 2011 09:01 PM PST Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist. [ Gadget Thumbnails for 02-Jan-2011 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ] Related Posts:
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| Archos 28 and 32 Internet tablets set to rock CES 2011 Posted: 03 Jan 2011 04:00 AM PST
Both of the tablets mentioned are extremely pocket-friendly in terms of their size, with the Archos 28 measuring 3.9" x 2.1" x 0.35" while the Archos 32 is slightly larger at 4.1" x 2.1" x 0.3", retailing for $99.99 and $149.99, respectively. Sounds pretty darn cheap to us, comparing it to the Apple iPad, but of course, you won’t be able to enjoy the iPad’s amazing App Store support, but there is a price to pay for everything, don’t you think so? With the Archos 28 and 32, you can store, play and discover more music with free access to all the great music applications including the once popular Napster (which has since been revived). Users will be able to easily access music from these open-platform MP3 players at a comparable price to MP3 players with closed platforms. Archos will also throw in the Music Cover Carrousel, a built-in music application which enables users to browse through album covers and add widgets to the home screen, enjoying instant access to media controls. Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews. [ Archos 28 and 32 Internet tablets set to rock CES 2011 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ] Related Posts:
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| IRISnotes Digital Pen – You write, it types Posted: 02 Jan 2011 07:56 PM PST
I have a secret to tell you, I can't type. That's right, I'm a writer, have about 17 years of schooling behind me, spend hours at the computer daily and simply cannot type with more than 2 fingers and *gasp* not a word without peeking at the keyboard. What I would have given to have had IRISnotes, it's a digital pen and mobile note taker that captures handwritten notes and drawings and then converts them into editable text. You can write your notes anytime and anyplace and when you get back to your computer you can upload and convert your information wirelessly by way of USB receiver. IRISnotes digital pen works on the paper of your choosing by simply placing the receiver on the top, or corner of the document and you're ready to start writing. This digital pen also utilizes normal ink refills. IRISnotes 1.0 recognizes 22 different languages, stores up to 100 pages of notes and is compatible with Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP or a Windows 2000 operating system. The Executive version has additional search features, supports 4 additional languages and is also compatible with Mac OS 10.5 or better. Reviews say you need to write clearly and neatly, but having all my notes typed and editable is certainly worth the effort, especially when I am away from my computer. IRISnote 1.0 is available for $99.00 from www.irislink.com Source: www.irislink.com Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews. [ IRISnotes Digital Pen – You write, it types copyright by Coolest Gadgets ] Related Posts:
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| My BMW Remote – Talk to your car Posted: 02 Jan 2011 07:06 PM PST
Ah, heated car seats, I would be lying if I said I didn't find them an incredible luxury, okay, a necessity. Dual climate control has prevented many an argument. DVD players, satellite radio, lets face it, in some cases your car can be even more entertaining, comfortable and inviting than your living room. Enter My BMW Remote, available this year for new 5 and 7 series BMW vehicles. It is just the thing you want to have just in case you ever wanted to preset the interior temperature of your car, while you were say, having your creme brulee and coffee, or maybe in your haste to get to Nordstrom's half yearly sale, you forgot where you parked? Now, with your iPhone and this free app, you can preheat or cool your car, track it down via GPS, or just activate your car’s horn and headlights and let it signal you to come on over. Maybe you left your BMW hours ago and you just realized that your wallet is inside and you can’t for the life of you remember locking the doors, and you just can't stop thinking about it, from now on, you can grab your iPhone, and lock her up tight. BMW also protects you with security fail-safes that require a very specific registration procedure, so not just anyone can come along and start chatting up your precious Bimmer and to ensure even greater security, the application on your phone is PIN code protected. Oh yeah, mama like. Source: www.bmw.com Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews. [ My BMW Remote – Talk to your car copyright by Coolest Gadgets ] Related Posts:
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I’m sure a lot of you probably can’t live without those circular robot discs that clean up our floors while we sit back and do what we want to do: not clean. 
This week, we are going to be at CES 2011 in Vegas, and we will be covering a lot of brand spanking new technology from a lot of real companies. I thought that I would get this conceptual product out of the way before I head down to Vegas tomorrow. 
Vizio, one of the biggest HDTV retailers in the world, is planning on releasing two more new products with the Via series, which include the Via Phone and Via Tablet. 
Archos is a name that while isn’t as popular as the iPod family when it comes to portable media players, it has done reasonably well enough by itself to remain competitive in the market. Well, the company has just announced yet another Internet tablet for the masses, this time around concentrating more on storage space than anything else. We’re talking specifically about the Archos 70, where it sports 250GB of storage space. This unique Internet tablet will come with a unique over-molded PVD stainless steel structure that is not only slim but lightweight in design.
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