Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Daily Digest Coolest Gadgets for 02/11/2013

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Coolest Gadgets

Feb 11, 2013 07:00 am | Alison

Small Phone, Big Peace of Mind

Some people really don't need a cell phone. Seriously. A 5 year old kid does not need to have a phone. Elderly folks are another market that does not necessarily benefit. If your parents or grandparents are like mine they have an old school cell phone but never have it on. Hhhhmmmm, sort of defeats the purpose. But there are definitely reasons that young 'uns or elderly may have a need to communicate. In emergencies or when they get lost a phone can be a savior. Many manufacturers have attempted a minimal button phone. Yet none have taken off. Are they still too complicated?

An Irish company wants to try to keep the hassle to a minimum for children or the elderly with a simple, cell phone-like device that eliminates any complexity. The Swish Mini Phone claims to be the smallest cell phone in the world. About the size of a 6th generation iPod Nano, Swish contains 4 simple buttons.  Two are programmable to the numbers of your choice. One button is used for hangup. The fourth button (SOS Panic) will continuously dial your two programmed numbers until a connection is made. To make a call simply press a button and the device automatically goes to speaker mode. The kids can reach mom or dad with a single button touch or elderly can call their caretakers when needed. The Swish also comes with built in GPS, so the users location can be detected. 72 hour standby time or 90 minutes of talk time before charging give plenty of life.The Swish Mini Phone operates on GSM networks and can be purchased at the site of Swish Arthouse Studio for €285 (about $380 US). Pop in a SIM card and you can give yourself and the more vulnerable people in your life a little peace of mind with The Swish.
[ Small Phone, Big Peace of Mind copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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Feb 11, 2013 06:20 am | Alison

Transparent Cell Phone on the Horizon

Transparent anything is cool. Seriously, things that are see through automatically scream 'futuristic' based on all the sci-fi shows and movies that used transparent props. They sort of defy all logic, especially when technology is involved. Yet liquid crystal technology and its constant switching open and closed are being put to use to make a transparent phone possible. Which makes me wonder, will we someday lose our phones because we literally can't see it?

A few companies, including, Polytron Technologies are working to produce a transparent smartphone. Their Smart Glass technology looks cloudy white. But when powered on the switching molecules open up and the device becomes opaque. Obviously other technology in the phone (SIM card, SD card, battery, speaker, camera) are not transparent. Polytron anticipates having an opaque filter to cover those less sexy spots. Working prototypes are expected this year and with any luck Polytron will find some interested phone manufacturers and become an OEM partner. So keep an eye out (if you can see them) for transparent phones in the near future.

Thanks: Mobile Geeks
[ Transparent Cell Phone on the Horizon copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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Feb 11, 2013 04:45 am | Alison

A High Tech Toilet

Most every part of our world has been touched by technology. It keeps us entertained, enbles communication and socializing, it keeps us safe and informed. The toilet will even feel the impact of tech.  Yes, I'm writing about a toilet. But trust me, it is cool.

The plumbing hardware masters at Kohler want your toilet experience to become the next technology-impacted part of your life. The Kohler Numi toilet brings stylish design and state of the art engineering together into a unique package. Numi includes features like hands free (motion activated) opening and closing plus articulated cover movement so you never see the bottom of the lid. The heated seat means you avoid the cold shock we have all encountered. A warm air vent on the bottom also keeps your foot space heated. Control the temperature and pressure of the self-cleaning bidet as you need to. The most impressive part about Numi is the touch screen remote which controls all of these functions mentioned and more. Choose your flush (½ or full), set up different user preferences and even plug into the auxiliary jack on the remote's wall mount which then plays through the speakers on the back of the unit. Yes, tunes on the toilet. And of course included lighting will guide you to your seat in the dark. Numi performs too – being Kohler's lowest flow and quietest commode – and is EPA WaterSense certified. Obviously the design of the Numi matches the technology within. So much so that it actually fits in the lifestyle pictures with fashionable models in a sleek L.A. home. Brace yourself for the price tag: $6,390. Yes, a six thousand dollar toilet. But for the person who has everything they can add some tech to their toilet time.
[ A High Tech Toilet copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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Feb 11, 2013 03:58 am | Alison

Surface Pro Woes

The highly anticipated launch of the Microsoft Surface Pro tablet went over well. How well? So well that inventory levels appear to be minimal just two days later. Shoppers flocked to Microsoft's website at the stroke of midnight, February 9 to place orders but encountered frustration. 128GB units ($999) ended up selling out, leaving 64GB units at $899 as the available option. Other shoppers chose to visit Staples or Best Buy, only to find only a couple units on hand – which, of course, went quickly.  Speculation is that total inventory levels were lower than anticipated. Could it be an effort to portray it as more popular? Was there supply chain issues? Or was that Microsoft's intention? Who knows.

As we discussed in January, the Surface Pro is a Microsoft PC in a tablet's body. Windows 8, Intel chip mean it performs like a computer. A touch screen mean it functions like a tablet. We will soon see what the market has to say about the latest Microsoft product and whether the PC performance in a tablet product will succeed. Keep in mind that Microsoft has had their share of successful product launches which are followed by less than average sales. But with the popularity of tablets perhaps long-term Surface Pro demand will live up to that experienced on launch day .

Thanks: Forbes
[ Surface Pro Woes copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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