Friday, January 6, 2012

Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets


WowWee AppGear combines augmented reality with real toys

Posted: 05 Jan 2012 06:30 AM PST

I’m sure that most of you coolest-gadgets readers are familiar with WowWee, as they make some really cool robot toys. Last year at CES, they unveiled the Cinemin Slice, and CES 2012 will be the year of the AppGear.

I have a video of it after the jump, and it apparently uses augmented reality apps for both iOS and Android, combined with physical toys. I’m not certain how it all works, but it could be the next generation of gaming.

After all, who doesn’t want to see their toys come to life? It looks like the Alien Jailbreak works by placing the alien jail toy in front of you and then shooting the aliens with an iOS or Android augmented reality application of some type.

There will be six of these games/apps available, which will be available sometime in early 2012. They will cost about $9.99 and $19.99, and include the aforementioned Alien Jailbreak, Zombie Burbs, and Elite Commander.

I’m sure that more games will come, especially with Star Wars franchise tie-ins. that’s just a theory, but who wouldn’t make more money for Lucas if they can?

Source


Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ WowWee AppGear combines augmented reality with real toys copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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Hovering car racetrack apparently not as real as we want it to be

Posted: 05 Jan 2012 06:15 AM PST

When you hit the jump, you are going to see a viral video that looks quite neat. Not to be too much of a spoiler, but it features tiny hovering cars on a miniature racetrack.

It certainly looks real, and if you wanted to create a hovering vehicle, then the liquid nitrogen tanks that you see inserted in these miniature racers would be the way to go. Liquid nitrogen is both superconductive and magnetically repellant, so it can make objects float if you manipulate it right. The problem is that there is way too much evidence supporting that the video is a fake.

The first being that there is no “Japan Institute of Science and Technology”. Now if they had said “Japan Advanced Instituted of Science and Technology”, that would be a real organization. Also, the copyright is from Sony Entertainment and SCE Studio Liverpool, and in the center of the track is a logo for WipeOut.

So what this looks like is an elaborate viral video campaign for WipeOut, a video game. It certainly makes me interested in the game, and makes me wonder how difficult it would be to make a hovering car track like this.

Does anyone think it is odd that videos like this circulate online, promising some sort of cool technology when it is all a special-effects trick? I don’t mind as long as it says “Simulation” on it, but when it isn’t made obvious, this could be a problem.

Source


Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Hovering car racetrack apparently not as real as we want it to be copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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IED attack simulator designed for soldiers, not gamers

Posted: 05 Jan 2012 06:00 AM PST

What you are seeing here is not a new video game, but a simulation exercise at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center. It is located near Edinburgh, Indiana and it is designed to prepare soldiers for IED (improvised explosive device) attacks.

With the mounted jeep and large screens, it is designed to replicate the conditions that occur with IED situations like in Afghanistan. This includes simulated explosions, smoke, noise, and poor visibility.

Spc. Darren J. Ganier-Slotterbeck has said that “if we’d had the ability to go through training like this at the time, those deployments would have been a lot different.” Ganier-Slotterbeck was deployed three times with the Marines in the past ten years, and he has had to deal with real-life IED situations like the main character in The Hurt Locker.

Every time I go to video game conventions, the U.S. Army always has some sort of booth on display. I don’t know if it is some sort of recruiting tactic, but the booth usually has some sort of set up like this IED simulator there.

In other words, you might want to be on the lookout for this type of simulator at a video game convention near you. Hey, I would love to try it out, and if it helps our soldiers, that is an added bonus.

Source


Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
[ IED attack simulator designed for soldiers, not gamers copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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AOC takes the USB route with latest LED monitor

Posted: 05 Jan 2012 05:30 AM PST

I used to wonder why some people used a large monitor when the relatively small 15″ notebook of mine works just fine, until I myself tried out a multi-monitor setup. Boy, were my previous misconceptions and misgivings blown away – with more visual real estate, I can keep track of more things at once, not to mention being able to be on top of the situation faster than normal, especially when it comes to sniffing out the latest news.

AOC, a name that is often associated with monitors, has just announced their latest effort which comes in the form of the 22″ USB LED Monitor. Needless to say, being able to plug in to USB brings a two-fold benefit – you are not only able to save on one more cable, it would also mean freeing up one more power outlet while you are at it. Let us take a look at this USB LED monitor in greater detail after the jump, shall we?

Energy-efficient and affordable, this 22″ device will also be known as the e2251Fwu, where it offers simple plug-and-play connectivity. Equally suitable for business, gaming and entertainment use with its convenient built-in USB port and excellent image quality, it will retail for a mere $199 – which is rather affordable in this day and age, although others might just want to top up another hundred or so and get a far larger monitor.

Being green is also high on the agenda of many people, and this 22″ USB Monitor does not disappoint with its ultra-light and super slim frame which measures a mere 10.6mm in thickness. It is said to consume up to 50 percent less energy compared to the majority of CCFL backlit monitors in the market, while the removable stand turns it promptly into a digital photo frame or presentation display.

  • USB-powered LED display
  • 250cd brightness
  • 20,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
  • 5ms response time
  • 1920 x 1080 @60Hz resolution
  • HDCP compatible
  • Ultra-slim (10.6 mm)
  • Supported on all leading operating systems including Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7 & Apple MAC OSX Tiger/Leopard and Lion

Press Release


Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ AOC takes the USB route with latest LED monitor copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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While You’re Away Cat Toy

Posted: 05 Jan 2012 05:00 AM PST

You can more or less leave your cat at home for a couple of days when you want to go for a break from the office, but doing so is not recommended if you happen to have dogs around. For feline lovers, just in case you want your cat to occupy itself (since you cannot expect it to watch the entire season of House while you are gone), there is the $39.95 While You’re Away Cat Toy. The name itself gives the game away – this swinging and bouncing toy is “active” in a sense where it is capable of being programmed so that cats will remain amused when you are not around.

This motorized toy will bob and sway its “teaser” (a feather- and bell-bedecked ball that is hanging on a tether), where it will taunt the cat to spring into action. Should you turn the “Play While You Are Away” mode on, this toy will automatically transform itself by going on for another two more 10-minute sessions, sporting a two-hour rest period between. A suction cup located under the motor will be able to hold the toy to any smooth surface, while making sure the target remains within striking range. Just in case Garfield gets a little rough, there are two teaser ball replacements included. The While You’re Away Cat Toy is powered by a trio of AAA batteries.


Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool :)
[ While You’re Away Cat Toy copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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Star Wars Darth Vader Lightsaber Umbrella

Posted: 05 Jan 2012 04:30 AM PST

Lightsabers are weapons for a more civilized age, at least according to Obi-Wan Kenobi, but here is an interesting amalgamation should the Jedi walk among us in the 21st century. The £39.99 Star Wars Darth Vader Lightsaber Umbrella would come in handy to fend off this pesky thing called rain. Imagine if Obi-Wan had this while he dueled with Jango Fett on the planet on the planet Kamino – not only would he have concealed his weapon while keeping himself dry at first, I am sure the material used in his umbrella might be strong enough to function as a shield. What we have now is the Darth Vader version, where it measures 1.2 meters in length and comes with the iconic lightsaber handle.

The 100% black nylon canopy will ensure you remain dry even when it pours, and hopefully the wind does not act up too bad. You can also opt to add your own vhzzhhing, wuhmming sound effects should the Jedi in you start to act up. This is an officially licensed Star Wars umbrella, and is yet another path for George Lucas and his estate to earn all the more money.


Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Star Wars Darth Vader Lightsaber Umbrella copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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