Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Camcorder Projector hits Hammacher
GoPro LCD BacPac detachable LCD display
3Feet mobile device accessory vs. a pizza box accessory
Wedgi offers hands-free smartphone operation
Sony DSC-HX100V Cyber-shot digital camera
Luton Airport of London has holograms at their security checkpoint
DIY Modder makes ammo counter for weapons
Gadget Thumbnails for 31-Jan-2011
Measy – Selecting tech, made simple

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 04:46 PM PST

Hammacher Schlemmer has had a long, 163-year history that delivers nothing but what they deem to be the best for home consumers, giving you devices and items that are supposed to make life at home more comfortable and convenient. Of course, in the face of ever changing technology, it makes perfect sense for them to deliver up-to-date gizmos and gadgets, and the Camcorder Projector is definitely one of them.

The Camcorder Projector is actually a high-definition camcorder which is capable of instantly projecting video or still pictures onto any flat surface as its name suggests. This will, of course, depend on whether the surroundings are dark enough, and whether you have a light colored wall (white is best to maintain the color shown of course). As to whether it will support full High Definition or not, you will need to read on in the extended post.

For something so small, it doesn’t do full HD video recording which can be a downside for some, since several other more notable manufacturers like Sony and Toshiba have long rolled out full HD camcorders that are pretty small in their own right. Still, the Camcorder Projector does a respectable 720p HD video capture while shooting 8-megapixel still photographs.

As for its projecting capabilities, it will throw a 5″ to 65″ image for an instant sharing moment, and depending on the display “size” so to speak, it can be an intimate gathering or a large one. This will do away with the inconvenience of huddling around a typical camcorder’s small viewfinder, or waiting until you have uploaded all the photos onto a PC and projected onto a TV or wall after that.

As for hardware specifications, the Camcorder Projector sports a 5-megapixel sensor, automatic focus, and 5X digital zoom. The integrated projector will feature a 12- to 14-lumen lamp that shows off video and pictures at 640 x 480 resolution, so to view your videos in HD, you will need to connect it to a higher resolution display. Nice to know a microSDHC memory card slot is included for up to five hours of video.

Hammacher is selling the Camcorder Projector for $299.95, making it a decent pico projector alternative.

Press Release

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[ Camcorder Projector hits Hammacher copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

GoPro LCD BacPac detachable LCD display

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 04:37 PM PST

GoPro is a name that is more often than not associated with wearable as well as gear mountable cameras, and to manufacture those, it also makes perfect sense to have accessories accompany them. Come to think of it, accessories for cameras are somewhat the equivalent of french fries and a Coke to go along with your main burger meal, right? What we will look at today is the LCD BacPac detachable LCD display.

The name itself more or less gives it away, as this is a detachable LCD display that will accessorize your HD HERO camera, being the first in a line of expansion modules that is set to hit the HD HERO camera in due time. You will be able to place your order today at GoPro.com, although those who are not in a rush can always wait until it ships to retailers worldwide. The asking price? $79.99.

How does the LCD BacPac attach itself to your 1080p HD HERO camera like a barnacle? Well, it will do so via the HERO Port, which in essence is a small expansion port that is located on the back of the camera. Since this is a removable accessory, the LCD BacPac will help the HD HERO camera maintain its status as a small and light device, while delivering the convenience of an LCD screen when attached.

Among the benefits and convenience of a detachable LCD screen on your HD HERO camera would be easy framing of complex scenes; letting you see exactly what you are shooting, the ability to playback video and photos directly on the HD HERO camera, turning the HD HERO into one of the world's most powerful everyday cameras while making it one of the more versatile ones on the market.

This seems to be the perfect present for those who already own a HD HERO camera and want to expand their video shooting ability.

Press Release

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ GoPro LCD BacPac detachable LCD display copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

3Feet mobile device accessory vs. a pizza box accessory

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 04:29 PM PST

What you are seeing on the far left is the 3Feet, and it is a stand for a mobile device from iPad to iPhone size.

It was a device that I tried out at CES 2011, and got a chance to try out for myself. It definitely did a good job holding up my Droid smartphone.

Then again, so did this other accessory to the right of the 3Feet that I got for free. The item in question came from a pizza box. You know that weird plastic thing with three legs that serves no purpose except give your pizza box lid more support on the top? Yes, I masterfully figured out how to use one as a smartphone stand, and it worked.

Am I saying that the 3feet Stand is just as good as some plastic you get for free? Absolutely not. I found that I could not do portrait mode on the pizza thing, just landscape. I’m pretty certain that the pizza thing couldn’t hold up an iPad either.

Also, the pizza thing couldn’t fold up very neatly and fit conveniently in a normal-sized pocket. In short, I do recommend the 3Feet, and you can get some more information about it here.

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

[ 3Feet mobile device accessory vs. a pizza box accessory copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Wedgi offers hands-free smartphone operation

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 04:28 PM PST

Everyone knows that driving around while yakking on your cell phone without a hands-free kit (be it a speakerphone or a Bluetooth headset) is dangerous, not only to you but to other road users as well. After all, having your concentration taken off the road by an iota could potentially lead to a catastrophe down the road, pun intended. This is why getting a hands-free kit is of utmost importance, but which one do you choose?

Out this week by C & C Designs Technology, LLC, the patent-pending wedgi can be said to be the most versatile smartphone kickstand and dashboard mounting device available on the market at point of publishing. Of course, that is just PR spin, but we will have to test it for ourselves (or wait for our dear readers to be an early adopter) before coming up with our own conclusion.

Why the wedgi? Well, it takes its name from its slim, lightweight design, where the wedgi has been specially designed to be inserted into any seam in a car’s dashboard, resulting in a simple hands-free operation of any mobile device. It doesn’t matter whether it is used as a kickstand or a dashboard mount, the wedgi’s ratcheting, rotating head is full well capable of adjusting to any angle.

Since necessity is the mother of all invention, the same law applies to the wedgi as C & C Designs Technology co-founder Santo Curatolo realized that being a frequent traveler, he has had plenty of experience with a host of cell phone holders only to have them frustrate him since they do not have a multi-purpose function like the wedgi.

With the wedgi, you can use your phone in a rental car or watch a movie on an airplane with your handset, all using the same peripheral. It will also play nice with GPS navigation devices and MP3 players, retailing for a mere $9.99. Time to give your wallet a wedgie, eh?

Press Release

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ Wedgi offers hands-free smartphone operation copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Sony DSC-HX100V Cyber-shot digital camera

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 04:19 PM PST

Sony’s foray into the world of digital cameras has expanded further with the DSC-HX100V Cyber-shot, where this model is the first compact digital camera of its kind that will come with a 27mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonar T lens as well as a 30x optical zoom – this is definitely one of the rarer compact digital cameras that boast such a high zoom level – optical to boot.

Of course, as with any other digital camera worth their salt, this puppy will also pack in full HD (1920 x 1080/60p) video recording capability. Accompanying that would be a 16.2-megapixel “Exmor R” back-illuminated CMOS sensor that is located inside both cameras, supporting a brand-new Intelligent Sweep Panorama HR (High Resolution) mode. Let’s see how that works in the extended post.

All you need to do to activate the Intelligent Sweep Panorama HR mode would be to press the shutter button and sweep the camera, it is as easy as that. Doing so will allow you to capture up to 42.9 megapixel panoramic images with crisp 10480 x 4096 resolution – mind boggling, isn’t it? All images can be viewed on the cameras’ 3-inch 921,000-dot Xtra Fine LCD display that has a wide viewing angle, so you won’t miss out on any details during the preview.

Apart from its amazing lens as mentioned earlier, the flagship DSC-HX100V is also a snap to carry and hold, boasting a design that echoes the style and control layout of larger DSLR models, although it is pretty light on its own. As for its Dual Record mode, that translates to the ability to shoot video, and doing so while you capture 3-megapixel digital still pictures simultaneously (2-megapixel in 4:3 ratio when recording in the MP4 format).

In keeping up with the Joneses, the DSC-HX100V also does 3D content – this means viewing it over a HDTV with 3D home theater system capability once you’re done. All 3D images are captured thanks to its 3D Sweep Panorama mode, with the choice to use the 3D Still Image mode as well. The camera is able to produce a 3D effect simply by shooting two consecutive shots in different focus positions, using its “brain” to calculate the depths while churning out respective left-eye and right-eye images.

Out this April, the DSC-HX100V is surprisingly affordable at around $450, leaving you with three months thereabouts to save up for one.

Press Release

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Sony DSC-HX100V Cyber-shot digital camera copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Luton Airport of London has holograms at their security checkpoint

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 03:53 PM PST

For those who are traveling through Luton Airport in London today, you are going to receive a surprise at the airport security.

I realize that doesn’t sound good, because most of us don’t want a surprise at airport security. It usually involves being pulled aside, like I had happen to me at LAX.

These surprises that I am referring to will hopefully prevent the surprise of being pulled aside, and they are two holograms that remind you to prepare you the potential passenger for walking through the metal detectors.

These holograms just went on line recently, and they tirelessly tell through visual example to remove belts and laptops before walking through, making that airport security walk a little less painful.

These holographic staff members are named Holly and Graham (like “holo-gram”, get it?) and I don’t think they are actual holograms. At least not like the phantom-like holograms that you see in Star Wars.

There is a video on my Source link that shows the holograms on film, and it looks like Holly and Graham have reflections on them like glass. It looks like they are like the holograms shown off by Epson a while ago.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing these at all airport security checkpoints. The future for them looks as bright as they are.

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Luton Airport of London has holograms at their security checkpoint copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

DIY Modder makes ammo counter for weapons

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 03:27 PM PST

This is an ammo counter that was built by a DIY modder named Michael Ciuffo.

As you can see, it resembles those ammo counters that you see in a lot of FPS games. Some of you might remember that Ripley had a digital one on her futuristic rifle in Aliens.

The gun can be used on a lot of different weapons. I wish that I had a list of armaments that it accommodates, but it has to do with an accelerometer to detect recoil from the gun.

According to my Source, the maker has seen so many requests for these ammo-counter that he wants to start putting it into production. I have no idea when he will get started, or how long it will take to market them. I wonder how much he will charge.

I think this is one of those times when life imitates art. Does anyone think that this is odd that someone builds an accessory for armaments that was inspired by video games or science fiction movies like Aliens?

So what is next for inspiration for DIY-ers. Can I make some suggestions? How about some of the cool weapons that we saw in District 9? How about the gun Samus Aran uses in the Metroid series? I’m pretty certain that we are working on every 2054 advancement that we saw in Minority Report.

Source

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[ DIY Modder makes ammo counter for weapons copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Gadget Thumbnails for 31-Jan-2011

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 09:01 PM PST

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool

Measy – Selecting tech, made simple

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 08:40 PM PST

I guess I consider myself an avid photographer, and I have been told I take some pretty amazing shots. What I wasn't good at was selecting my first camera. They were all so darn expensive, and while I knew what I wanted the thing to do, I couldn't for the life of me figure out which one to get. It took me over 5 months to decide. In the end I got what I was hoping for, but let's not kid ourselves, I was just lucky.

I'm a little more camera savvy these days, but I wish back then they had Measy.com. Measy is like having a gadget guru in your family, one you can talk to right before you buy a new smartfone, e-reader, HDTV, netbook, DSLR, printer or video camera. Measy.com gathers ratings and reviews from some really respected sources and then via a short quiz about some of the more important aspects of what you're looking for, Measy makes recommendations using those reviews coupled with your quiz answers.

From there you can get product overviews, read the review listings, and view the product from front to back with the enlarged image library. You can also compare the specs of up to 5 products at a time.

The results are tabulated with the internet reviews providing the base points and extra points are added to the product for every one of your user defined criteria that has been met. Measy.com is just getting started, but I'll definitely be checking in with them from time to time. Why can’t everything be this Measy? I mean easy.

Source: www.Measy.com

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[ Measy – Selecting tech, made simple copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]