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Dots Gloves – A Review

Jay — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:00:24 +0000

In case folks around here hadn’t noticed, it’s gotten rather cold of late. And one of the difficult things about being cold is that using electronics in the cold is just a rotten experience. In tech’s never ending quest for miniaturization, designers seem to forget that there may be impediments between your tech and your hands that prevent proper usage. I speak, of course, of the glove, bane of gadgetlovers everywhere there is snow and ice and freezing rain. This problem is a lot worse with devices that use capacitative screens, such as the iPhone/iTouch. Those devices rely on the electrical resistance provided by skin to do their thing. In the case of the iPhone, you can’t even make an emergency call without touching the screen. DOTS gloves were designed to address this issue.

The company itself is a couple years old. I remember reading about them last year but by the time I’d gotten around to ordering them, they were out of stock. They also only had one model last year if I remember correctly; this year they have three. And this year, I went and ordered my pair early before winter really started so that I could be assured of having a set.

The DOTS gloves work by providing a small patch of thermally conductive fabric on two fingers plus the thumb portions of the gloves.

(Please excuse the crud on the gloves – the large animal in the background enjoys gloves for breakfast and dinner, and it’s a constant battle to ensure the gloves survive their daily use.) If you look closely, you can see the two dots on the tips of the first and second fingers of the glove. A similar dot adorns the thumb.

The conductive patch allows the gloves to pass electrical resistance from your skin to your device while keeping your hands warm and comfortable. They come in three sizes – small, medium, and large. My advice is to err on the smaller side.

I purchased the D200 model, which is their warmest one. I originally ordered the medium and then ended up switching them for the small. It’s critical to have a tight fit with these gloves, and the medium made me feel like my hands were swimming inside fabric. Even with the smalls, my hands still have plenty of room, and therein lies the problem.

The gloves themselves do OK at keeping your hands warm. They aren’t going to be a lot of use in really intense cold but then again, few mass market gloves will, so that’s not a big problem. I’d rate them at about the same level as a good pair of Isotoners. But in terms of letting you use your iPhone while gloved, I’d have to rate them as only so-so. I don’t know if other reviewers had really big hands or if there’s a smaller size I could have gotten that would have fit better but I just couldn’t get the gloves to be tight enough against my skin that the dots would consistently make contact. And without that contact, it’s like wiping a microfiber cloth against your screen – nothing happens.

I freely admit that I have delicate hands – my piano teacher called them bird hands they were so thin. But in a way, I represent a subsegment of the potential user base that DOTS is eventually going to have to figure out how to handle, namely women. I can’t imagine that women would find the size small versions to be a good fit. I know girls who have hands even smaller than mine, and there’s no way they would be able to use these gloves in the way they were intended. Even women with big hands could be challenged because in general, women tend to have thinner fingers than men. Maybe the other DOTS models provide better fit and contact, but in my daily use, I ended more often than not taking the gloves off, working my iPhone, then putting the gloves back on. I think if they could incorporate some Lycra into the gloves so that the fit were tighter and if they made the dots bigger so that they contacted more skin surface, the gloves would work better across a wider range of people.

I like the concept of these gloves, but now that conductive thread has come out, I’m tempted to get a really close fitting pair of regular gloves and sew a couple of big fat patches onto the fingertips. Better fit and bigger usable surface.

Video – SixthSense Technology Is The Real iPhone Killer

Quang Ly — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:58:47 +0000

Sithsense Paper Laptop

I have been following Pranav Mistry’s SixthSense technology since his debut at TED conference in which he had a standing ovation. SixthSense allows for an ultra portable and interactive augmented reality based on genstures. It enables interactions between the real world and digital information.

His latest invention which he displayed at TED will kill any iTablet rumor from Apple or likes. Better yet, it is the introduction of the paper “laptop”. It works by attaching a microphone on the paper to sense the touch. Check out the whole video.

Via Engadget

Self heating boots

Sarah — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:55 +0000

Living in Texas I probably would never have a use for these, but anyone that lives north of us and has weather that actually provides snow and below freezing weather for longer than five minutes a year will probably appreciate these a whole lot. Just this past January I was reminded just how much suck can be brought to an otherwise awesome snowboarding adventure because your socks are wet and starting to freeze your toes.

As the blogger at Wired already noted, the name for these battery powered self heating boots is just awful. The Bugathermo, ugh! The women’s version, imo, is even worse. The Snow Hottie. But regardless, they look pretty awesome. I personally would prefer the men’s to the women’s just based on style alone (you’d be amazed how often that happens… sometimes I wonder just what exactly designers think women really like).

Made by Columbia Sportswear, the boots are powered by rechargeable lithium polymer batteries that will give you four to eight hours of heat depending on which level you pick. They have insulated soles, are waterproof and breathable so your feet will be both warm AND dry down to -25°F. And for around $250 I’d say it’s an excellent investment.

Via Wired’s Gadget Lab

Glow in the dark bicycle

Sarah — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:30:29 +0000

I’ve been caught out after dark on my bike with no safety lights more times than I care to admit. Sometimes I just forget to bring them, sometimes I’m out later than anticipated. But if I had a bike that glowed like the new Teague Pulse, well, it might not be such a big deal.

It even has left and right turn signals built into the handlebars.
The bike’s turn signal operates like a motorcycle’s, with a kill switch on the left handle, illuminating LED turn lights on both the handlebar ends, and a taillight mounted on the seat tube.

The only downside, for me at least, is that it’s a fixed gear bike. Can’t ride around South Austin’s hilly terrain with no gears. But if they could put the glowy frame on my Marin Hybrid, well, that would be, like, totally awesome.
So far I haven’t found out how the frame glows, but it does look like, for now anyway, that this is still a concept bike.
If they make it with gears then I’m totally in.

Via Popular Science

Inhabitat.com

Sarah — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:34:32 +0000

Last week I discovered inhabitat.com while researching the floating apartment complex and it has quickly become one of my favorite sites. It indulges in two of the things I am most passionate about: sustainable living and innovative design.
I want to share three of my favorite things that I have so far discovered and that are accessible to the average consumer, not just a mere curiosity or cool concept.

The first are the stackable fridge units. They remind me a bit of my Tetris playing youth.

There are a number of reasons why these are awesome.
First, you can buy just the space you need. Perfect for college dorms or single people living in efficiencies (Japan, I’m looking at you… mostly).
Second, If you have roommates you can separate your stuff more easily and hopefully avoid the inevitable who-ate-what arguments.
Third, these fridges also conserve energy. Instead of opening one giant fridge and letting all the cold air out, you only open one section, letting a little cold air out at a time.
Finally, each unit can be set to it’s own temperature. So chill your wine in one fridge and keep your fruits and veggies in another fridge that maybe isn’t quite so cold. The back of my current fridge gets so cold that if I’m not paying attention, the 4 eggs in the back of the package will freeze. Ever try scrambling frozen eggs? The texture isn’t quite there, you know?

via Inhabitat.com

Next on my list are the cassette tape lamps.

I wish I had thought of this before I dumped all my cassette tapes (this was years ago before I was conscious enough to try and do something else with them).
These lamps are very cool and would be even cooler with my collection of New Wave and Punk Rock tapes. Sadly those tapes are gone but I can still order one made with someone else’s recycled tapes. But if YOU have any tapes you can send them in and have a lamp made just for you! The light patterns on the walls are particularly gorgeous, especially when there is a stack of them.

Via Inhabitat.com

Last but not least are the pieces of living furniture. There are several designs, some for indoor, some for outdoor.

This particular one doesn’t seem super comfy, but it certainly looks cool.

However, my favorite is the lawn chair.

It’s a chair landscaped into your lawn. As soon as I get a lawn, I’m making one of these (or several, probably). I may even make a table to go with it, all overgrown with grass. Then I’ll invite over Alice and the Mad Hatter (aka: Johnny Depp) and we’ll have the trippiest tea party there ever was!

Via Inhabitat.com

Solar camping!

Sarah — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:00:28 +0000

How often do you go camping just to find yourself messing with inadequate battery or gas powered lamps? Or the inability to charge your cell phone (I know I know, you camp to get AWAY from people, but sometimes you just need your phone)?
Well I found a few green (or semi-green at least) camping solutions while prowling the internet the other day… all of them having to do with solar powered tents!
First the Woods Solar Powered EZ-Tent:

The tent itself is OK (though materials still consist of PVC which is less than desirable when trying to go green). Essentially there is a solar panel that powers the set of internal integrated LED lights. The solar energy can also be used to charge batteries. It takes 4-6 hours of direct light (or 6-8 hours of indirect) to yield 2-4 hours tent light. The tent comes in 4 and 6 person versions and run $180 to $220 respectively.
via: treehugger.com

Second is the much cooler Recharge Pod built by Orange in the UK and created for last years Glastonbury Music festival.

The tent has 500-watt solar panels and a 500-watt wind turbine to generate electricity so patrons can charge their phones while at the festival. Great idea, but would be cool to make a personal use production model.
via: engadget.com

Finally, the coolest of the three by far, and the one I’m just salivating to get my hands on even though it is still in concept mode…

Again created by Orange, this time in conjunction with Kaleidoscope, and unveiled at this years Glastonbury Music Festival, this solar tent not only looks comfortable and functional, it has really been taken to the next level. It uses the new flexible photovoltaics that have recently been developed and will be covered in semi-photovoltaic fabric woven with both coated solar threads and conventional threads to form a solar shell that could be adjusted to get the most sun throughout the day. The Solar enegery would be channeled into four main power uses: heating, lighting, communications and recharging.

One of the unique features includes a wireless charging pouch. Instead of plugging in, you would drop your phone or other portable device into a pouch inside the tent. A coil in the pouch would carry an electric current that generates a magnetic field to produce a charge which would then serve to power the device’s battery.

Some of the captured solar energy could also be channeled toward radiant floor heating as well. This is exciting news! I can’t tell you how many times I wake up freezing in the middle of the night while camping, no matter how good my sleeping bag is.

But the most innovative part is the “Glo-cation” technology. When you are trying to find your tent you can send an SMS message or use an RFID tag. Basically press a button and your tent lights up in response, like using your wireless remote to find your car in a parking lot by listening for the horn.

The concept tent also has the ability to broadcast a Wi-Fi signal, though whether or not it acts as a router or just a booster is unclear.
If this ever goes into production (and I hope it will) it will be on my must have list for Burning Man.

via CNET

Mosquito Head Net Drab

Quang Ly — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 13:28:32 +0000

My mom loves to garden. She has a beautiful flower garden in the backyard. One day, however, a bug bit her face and it turned into a serious infection. She thought it would go away but it kept getting bigger and bigger. My dad ended up having to take her to the emergency room. Fortunately, it wasn’t serious and they gave her a topical solution and it cleared after a few days. She asked me to find a head net to prevent bugs from biting her head. I found this on Amazon and it is really worth it. One size fits all.

Mosquito Head Net Olive Drab

Aerodynamic helmets

Sarah — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:00:47 +0000

WIth the Tour De France underway and my hometown hero, Lance Armstrong, performing as strong as ever (I hope nothing happens between now and the time this actually posts), I thought I’d post some tech related to cycling.
Cycling may seem like an awfully low tech kind of sport. It involves lots of muscle and sweat, and pretty much no electronic gadgets at all, but you wouldn’t believe the amount of science that goes into helmet design.

The Rudy Project Wingspan TT Helmet, which was just announced for the Tour and is in use by the German team Milram, has shown between and six and thirteen second benefit over competitors in a 40km test trial performed by an independent testing lab.
I’m sure you know that races like this can be won and lost based on milliseconds. So every advance they can make in aerodynamic helmets gives an edge to the competitors.

I myself don’t cycle for speed and therefor won’t be spending the $299.99 they’ll be asking for this helmet when it comes out on the market.
But I’ll definitely be interested to know how much of a difference it will make for the German team who are sporting them this year.

Here is their (rather uninformative) YouTube video for the helmet:

Via Popular Science

Safest table saw EVER!

Coleman On-Demand Portable Water Heater

Quang Ly — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:57:19 +0000

Coleman Portable On Demand Hot Water Heater

Technology is really making us to become ultra portable. Next up, the Coleman Hot Water-On-Demand Portable Water Heater. This portable water heater can produce up to 5 gallons of hot water within 5 seconds! It runs on a rechargeable battery and the heat comes from 16 ounce propane cylinder. The propane can heat up to 40 gallons of hot water. No more cold showers during camping trips. I wonder of Bear Grylls from Man vs Wild will be carrying this.

Coleman Hot Water-On-Demand Portable Water Heater

Via Gadget Grid

Urban farming movement is a revolution

Quang Ly — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:36:33 +0000

Urban Farming

This is a very exciting and much needed change in our food culture especially in the urban areas where access to fresh produce is limited or expensive for minorities. What you tend to find is more fast food is located in the poor urban areas which are one of the causes of obesity and diabetes. Urban farming promotes a self sustaining food supply system in a community garden.

Benefits

Use of Solar Energy and reduction of carbon foot print for trips to grocery store
Quality fresh vegetables and fruits
Less reliance on fast food and thus reduction in obesity and diabetes
Less waste
Implicit excercise through gardening

I think this is SOOO important for us to really take back our food communities from fast food nation like McDonald’s (McDeath), Burger King (Murder King), Taco Bell (Taco Hell). It benefits us in so many ways.

Via CNN

Jump-o-Lene

Quang Ly — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:18:57 +0000

jump-o-lene

Remember as a kid you there were those giant and potentially dangerous trampolines? Now we have something called the Jump-O-Lene which can accommodate two kids. It has an 82 inch jumping surface. It is filled with air for that bouncy effect. The mattress is made up of two separate heavy duty vinyl cushions for extra bounce. Repair is easy. it comes with a kit. The Jump-o-Lene supports maximum of 120 pounds. It inflates with any air pump or 120 volt AC electric pump. The dimensions are 82 inches deep and weighs 21 pounds.

Jump-o-Lene

Travel Honey GPS detector finds your parked car

Jay — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:00:57 +0000

While I am elephantine in many ways, memory is not one of them. I am constantly wracking my brain when it comes to remembering where I’ve placed my keys or my wallet or my girlfriend. And finding my ride in a megamall parking lot is a royal pain. Until now.

Travel Honey GPS detector

This handy dandy little gadget is a multifunction GPS tagger and location finder. Can’t remember where you parked your car? Well just remember to hold down its little locator button before you leave your car. A two-second press will lock the current GPS coordinates into its little brain. Then when you’ve loaded yourself down with consumerism goodies, use the direction finder to navigate yourself back to the set coordinates (and your car).

But that’s not all. It is connectable (and rechargable) via a micr0-USB port. When connected, the dongle acts as a GPS unit for your PC, meaning you can use software like Streets and Trips to navigate yourself to your next megamall destination. It is constantly recording your GPS coordinates so you can plot all that data using Google Maps or Google Earth. It even provides software to allow you to attach pictures to GPS points.

Travel Honey GPS detector

All that for only $54. A bargain.

First Store 4 U GPS Receiver + Location Finder + Data Logger + Photo Tagger

Via Chinavasion via Geekalerts via DVICE.

Contech Electronics Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler

Quang Ly — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:30:22 +0000

My parents now have a beautiful flower garden. At our old house, we had a problem with moles and badgers eating all the fruits of their labor. I never understood how scarecrows worked for farmers since they are pretty static. When was the last time you were frighten by a scarecrow that wasn’t in the Dark Knight?

Contech Electronics Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler In Action

The Contech Electronics Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler immediately shoots startling burst of water when it detects intruders coming onto your lawn. The noise and movement of the Scarecrow scares away animals which then are conditioned to avoid your yard in the future.

Contech Electronics Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler

The Scarecrow is really easy to setup and does not require any special tools. Just install a standard 9-volt battery, connect the sprinkler to your water hose and pusht he 17-inch stake into the ground. You can also adjust the sprinkler arc to cover the area you want to protect.

What’s also great is that you can keep animals off your lawn without harsh chemicals that pollute the environment. This is even safe for neighbor’s kids who like to test their boundaries. It is safe and environmentally-friendly.

Contech Electronics CRO101 Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler

Mosquito Repelling Digital Watch Ideal for Outdoor

Quang Ly — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:23:34 +0000

Summer is a great time to go camping and explore nature. Unfortunately, you are not the only one outside. We also have to face mosquitoes which can bite, sting, and even carry disease.

Mosquito Repelling Digital Watch Ideal for Outdoor

The Bug Scare Mosquito Repelling Digital Watch is great for picnicking, camping, traveling, hunting, fishing, jogging, hiking and gardening. There is no need for sticky sprays to ward off those vampire mosquitoes. The mosquito repellent watch uses advanced harmonics circuitry to emulate ultra sonic high frequency to ward off pregnant female mosquitoes, which are the type most likely to feed on your blood. The frequency reproduces the presence of male mosquitoes to keep the pregnant ones away.

Mosquito Repelling Digital Watch with EL Backlight, Ideal for Outdoor, Electronic Repeller by Ultrasonic Sound

Now let’s see if James Bond has this on his Christmas shopping list.

Liquid Image Undwater Digital Camera Mask 5.0MP

Quang Ly — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:25:48 +0000

Scubadiving and snorkeling are wonderful recreational sports. You get to see another world full of plants and animals you don’t normally find on land. Before, it was only for the rich that could afford to take pictures underwanter. Now you can take pictures underwater for less than $100.

Liquid Underwater Digital Camera Mask 5.0MB

But wait, this is not an ordinary underwater camera. The camera is built within the mask leaving your hands free to swim, touch, and grab life forms underwater.

Soon, you can take pictures with Aquaman and show your friends who didn’t believe you before.

Liquid Image Undwater Digital Camera Mask 5.0MP

Back to Basics TEM500 Egg and Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher

Quang Ly — Wed, 13 May 2009 01:57:38 +0000

Do you ever get the urge for McDonald’s breakfast? That yummy tasty Egg McMuffin but too lazy to get out of the house early enough? What’s the deal with that? Why can’t McDonald’s have their breakfast menu all day long? To get around this challenge, check out the TEM500 Egg and Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher.

Back to Basics TEM500 Egg and Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher

Back to Basics TEM500 Egg-and-Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher

Put in 2 slices of Muffin and an egg, and there’s your magic breakfast! This is fast food at light speed!

Product Features

Innovative 3-in-1 appliance functions as toaster, egg cooker, and meat warmer
Makes a breakfast sandwich in 4 minutes; wide toaster slots; light to dark toast settings
Automatic shut-off for individual toasting and poaching functions; cancel button
Easy-to-clean control touchpad; removable crumb tray; cord storage; measuring cup included
Measures 7-1/5 by 15-1/4 by 8-1/6 inches; 1-year warranty

EyeClops Bio Cam For Kids

Quang Ly — Sun, 10 May 2009 14:02:29 +0000

I got Lasik about 4 years ago and it was one of the best decisions. I can see so clearly without contact lens or eye glasses. However, I did not get the 400x Zoom package procedure done to see into objects at the micro level. Well, at least now I can get the EyeClops Bio Cam to let me do that. Actually, it’s probably more suited to entertain and educate kids.

EyeClops Bioni Cam

The EyeClops BioniCam Video Microscope from JAKKS Pacific let’s kids (Ages 8 and up)have fun by exploring their microscopic world by easily taking pictures and videos.

Bioni Cam

It runs on five AA batteries (not included) that are inserted into the blet clip battery pack. You also use the included USB memory ontop of the BioniCam to store videos and pictures.

The camera has an ergonomically shaped handle for long hours of fun. You can focus ona number of everyday objects like clothing, fur, hair, soil. EyeClops then shows you the images in real time and full color on your LCD screen. You can also use the menus on the screen to manage your video and photos.

The zoom dial works in either 100x, 200x or 400x magnification modes. You focus on an image by twisting the I.R.I.S. lens attachment until everything is in perspective. It does take some practice mostly due to shakes of your hand, but afterwards, you’ll be focusing soon.

EyeClops BioniCam

Barefoot walking in Five Fingers

Jay — Sat, 02 May 2009 11:51:34 +0000

I’m used to being looked at as I walk down the street – I know I’m stunningly gorgeous. Well in the summertime, I can’t decide if it’s my rugged good looks that are drawing the eyes or the fact that I’m wearing these:

These are Vibram’s Five Fingers. This particular model is the KSO (for Keep Stuff Out – clever, no??). They are actual shoes designed to replicate as closely as possible the feeling of barefoot walking. There are four different models, each one slightly different, but all of them are incredibly thin and incredibly mobile. You actually CAN wiggle your toes in these things. They are also very comfortable. In the summer, I pretty much wear these all the time. They are perfect for all manner of different outdoor activities, though they do get a bit hot if you don’t wear socks. But pair these with a set of toe socks and you’re good to go. (BTW, I highly recommend toe socks – I’ve started wearing those all the time now as well because they are infinitely more breathable than regular socks. I’ve noticed a significant difference in comfort when wearing my toe socks in dress shoes.)

One big disclaimer – just as you wouldn’t want to walk barefoot in gravel, these things will not insulate your feet from the effects of gravel or pebble pathways. I took a walk once on a trail that was primarily small uneven stones and gravel and by the end of the walk I wanted to rip my hips out of their joints.

For those of you who are dubious, the benefits of barefoot walking/running have been covered by the New York Times and researched by Stanford University. No matter how much we deny it, we are the product of a bunch of apes who spent their lives walking/running around barefoot for most of our evolution. Why fight nature, baby?

Philips Cinema 21:9 LCD TV shows true movie format

Jay — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:00:35 +0000

I absolutely hate hate hate hate those black bars above/below my movies when I watch at home. The whole point of getting a big screen LCD or plasma TV is to replicate the movie experience. You don’t see those silly bars in the theatres now do you? Well Philips hears your pain. And they have produced this gorgeous beauty.

Philips Cinema 21:9

This is the Philips Cinema 21:9 LCD TV. It is the first truly cinematic screen tv, meaning that it reproduces exactly the screen dimensions of your local cineplex. It is full HD, meaning 2560×1080, not this 1920×1200 junk you’re used to in the standard 16:9 format. It is also equipped with Philips’ Ambilight technology to set the proper mood when you’re watching your porn…er I mean art flick. Built in cable tuners capable of showing 1080p signals. Wi-Fi enabled, so you can watch Hulu and YouTube and the like. DLNA certified, so you can stream video from your PC. Man, with this baby, why would you ever leave your couch?

Downsides? Unfortunately, only available in Europe. Black bars on the sides instead of the top/bottom when you’re watching TV. And not out yet. Oh well – I’ll have to pick one up for the pad in Barcelona next time I’m on the Continent….

Cardok PopUp Is The Coolest Garage

Quang Ly — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:56:23 +0000

CarDok Garage

The Cardok PopUp Garage takes the phrase “Keepin Up With The Jones” to a whole new level! The garage hides your car under ground using an elevator like mechanism. It is driven by a hydraulic platform which can be hidden under a water feature, flowerbed, or even a second car. You can activate it using your electronic key fob. So far, only eight have been built in London and are growing with popular demand.

CarDok Garage

They don’t come cheap though. First you h ave to be on waiting the list which is currently four months long. It takes 10 weeks to build and will cost you up to $61,181 depending your customization. Add another car ontop and it will be $72,816 (50,000 pounds).

Don’t just watch James Bond movies. Live like him.

Via Born Rich

Track swine flu outbreak using Google Maps

Jay — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:44:58 +0000

We’za gonna DIE! No, I’m not channeling Jar-Jar Binks – I refer to the horrors of swine flu, delivered to us courtesy of Mexico and legions of drunk college spring breakers who just couldn’t stay the frak out of a country despite US State Department warnings about drug gang turf wars. Well now the rest of us are going to pay for their partying. To track the status of the pandemic-wanna-be, Google user Niman has mashed Google Maps with the CDC’s confirmed case identifier to show us where the spots of doom are showing up. Maybe those Japanese and their surgical masks aren’t so crazy looking now after all, eh?

View H1N1 Swine Flu in a larger map

How safe is YOUR location?

via CenterNetworks

HUMMER Skates For Kids

Quang Ly — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 13:50:33 +0000

Meet the Skorpion Multi Terrain Skates. These skates introduce a new level of fun for the summer for your kids. You can wear them with your shoes and they offer steering and spring suspension. These can be used in the parks, streets, uneven surface, nature trails, boardwalks, grass, and cobblestones.

Skorpian Multi-Terrain Skates

Skorpion Multi Terrain Skates 2009

Via Gadget Grid

Black and Decker TLD100 Energy Series Thermal Leak Detector

Quang Ly — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:39:41 +0000

The Black & Decker’s Thermal Leak Detector helps you find energy leaks in your home like in window edges an doors. Once you find the leak, you can seal it up saving you up to 20% off heating and cooling energy costs giving you your return on investment.

Black and Decker TLD100 Energy Series Thermal Leak Detector

You simply shine the light on your wall and set the reference temperature. When you move the light around your house, the light will change to red or blue indicating a hot or cold leak when the temperature deviates from the reference.

Black and Decker TLD100 Energy Series Thermal Leak Detector

It is definitely worth the investment.

Product Details

Uses infrared sensors to measure surface temperatures
Helps homeowners track down power-draining drafts
Sold with a 5 step guide to fixing basic energy leaks comes with the thermal leak detector, offering guidance on everything from caulking to weatherproofing windows and doors
Plugging leaks can save up to 20-Percent on heating and cooling costs!
2 Year warranty

Via Gadget Grid

TrendyKid Trunki Makes Luggage Fun For Kids

Quang Ly — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:43:03 +0000

Let’s face it. Not many of us like packing for trips. So how do we expect kids to do so? Meet the Trunki by TrendyKid. It makes packing fun.

TrendyKid Trunki

The Trunki is a suitcase that is fun for children. The luggage resembles a cute animal. There are other varieties. It is perfect for both boys and girls. It has four wheels attached to it and they can even sit on the suitcase and ride it. No more boredom at the airport. It is also light enough for an adult to just carry on his shoulder.

TrendyKid Trunki

Hot Pot Portable Solar Cooker

Quang Ly — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:55:15 +0000

Hot Pot Portable Solar Cooker

One of the things I love about the warm season is spending time outdoors like hiking. With the Hot Pot Portable Solar Cooker you can achieve cooking temperatures for stew or baked goods within just an hour in the full sun. The oven can reach temperatures up to 350-400 degrees and comes with a 5.3 quart enameled steel pot utilizing the solar power of the Sun.

What’s also great is that when you purchase a Hot Pot, you also help subsidize the distribution of this device in developing countries to reduce deforestation and respiratory disease caused by traditional cooking methods.

Hot Pot Simple Solar Cooker with 5.3 quart Enameled Steel Pot

Product Features

Can reach temperatures up to 350-400 degrees
Comes with a 5.3 quart enameled steel pot
The aluminum reflector sides fold down for easy storage
Low-cost, high-performance solar oven
15½” x 15½” x 10½”; ship weight is 19 lbs.

Via Gadget Grid

The Dog Pedometer

Quang Ly — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:20:43 +0000

Do you have that dog that is a little on the chubby side? Did your vet tell you that he should walk at least once a day? How do you know how far he should walk to get enough excercise to trim that belly of his? Well, meet the Canine Pedometer. It tells you how many steps your dog has taken in a day. You simply attach it to your pet underneight the collar and it will measure each step like The Police.

The Dog Pedometer

It was invented by Takara Tomy to help your pets get proper excercise each day. The Canine Pedometer can monitor movement of all four legs and has a mechanism in place to disregard shaking of the dog. No price yet but expect it to be less than £39.

Balloon Lamp

Quang Ly — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 12:29:44 +0000

I like balloons. But their novelty tends to run out after say a few hours. Meet the Balloon Lamp designed by Kouichi Okamoto. The balloon has an LED light inside of it providing you with useful lighting.

Balloon Lamp Designed by Kouichi Okamoto

The LED light uses 2 lithium-ion watch batteries (not included)that will shine for 100 hours. They are expensive though costing $63 from the Japan Trend Shop. It doesn’t say how it will work if the balloon blows up or how safe it is.

Via Coolest Gadgets

Solar Insect Zappers

Quang Ly — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:13:05 +0000

Solar Insect Zapper

I am excited about the Summer coming soon. What I am not looking forward to are the pesky mosquitoes always hanging around my lights.

Now there is an easy way to zap them without dampening my electric bill. Mosquitoes, meet the Solar Insect Zapper.

It comes with four solar insect lights that stake into the ground on your yard and harvests the sun’s energy to efficiently deliver 100 varieties of flying insects to their maker.

The UV bulb turns on automatically at dusk and attracts mosquitoes, flies, and other insects and instantly eliminates them with a 300-volt electric charge for up to eight hours on full charge.

The Solar Insect Zapper has a grate surrounding it protecting children and pets. It is made from 100% stainless steel and resists the sun and rain.

It can also easily switch to accent lights with a touch of a button

Solar Insect Zapper $99.95

Honda Element goes to the dogs

Jay — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:11:03 +0000

I just adopted a dog. It’s a pound puppy (well, kinda) and by the time this post is published, he’ll be the newest addition to the family. So when I read about Honda releasing a version of their popular Element utility vehicle specifically for dog owners, I was all ears.

The Element was already popular with active folks cause it’s basically a giant sheet of plastic inside. You can wash the thing out with a hose. And its various tent options allow for simple tailgating to taking a family of four on a three week safari through darkest Africa. Ok maybe only a week safari through the jungles of the exurbs, but still.

The canine-friendly version can be equiped with dog restraints, a ramp to help older dogs get in/out, a raised platform so your pooch can still see the family, rear fan for ventilation, and a built-in water bowl. I am seriously eyeing this baby as my next car.

via Coolest Gadgets

Zero Gravity Chair by Varier

Quang Ly — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:46:56 +0000

Varier Gravity Reclining Chair

Welcome to the modern world where gravity is optional. Meet the Varier Gravity Reclining Chair for your office or your living room providing you the ultimate floating comfort.

The Varier Gravity Reclining Chair by Stokkes lets you relax in a variety of positions depending on your preference.

Stokke Gravity Reclining Chair

The chair can be used as an upright office chair or rocked back like a hammock for a quick nap.

Specifications

* Wood Finishes and Stains: black, natural lacquer, mocca, cherry, natural oiled
* Leather: Yellow, Beige, Cognac, Red, Pale Green, Dark Brown, Brown, Black, Navy Blue, Blue
* Adjustable headrest

Via Gadget Grid

Child Locator by BrickHouse from Duracell Commercial

Quang Ly — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:42:53 +0000

BrickHouse Child Locator

I was told that as a 3 year old child, I once wandered off at the flea market and my mom lost me. It was only when my uncle who happened to be there found me and brought me home. Looking back, I wonder how my life would have changed if I had not been found and instead picked up by a stranger.

Meet the BrickHouse Child Locator which will prevent problems like this by alerting you when your chld is too far away. You attach a small tag to your child’s clothing and it will alert the homing device that will lead you to your child in a matter of seconds if your child is leaves the designated zone.

The Locate Mode beeps faster the closer you are to your child and also provides an on-screen display. Your child can also press the Panic Button to alert you of an emergency.

Specifications

Locate Your Wandering Child Anywhere
Very Easy to Use, Portable Indoor/Outdoor Design Too Far
Includes 4 Locator Tags (1 being a Panic Tag)
Get Alerts When Your Children Wander

Child Locator by Brickhouse Security with Distance Alert (As Featured in the Duracell Ad) Child Locator Device

Via GadgetGrid

Optical Zoom Lens for iPhone

Quang Ly — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:29:48 +0000

Optical Zoom Telescope iPhone 3G

If you cannot wait for the next iPhone coming Summer 2009 with the 3MP Optical Zoom Lens, you might want to pick up this Telescop for iPhone 3G instead.

It features 6x Optical Zoom lens attached to your iPhone and also supports wide angle for a cinematic look. It is also overall brighter and has better color than the default iPhone lens.

The price isn’t too bad either. Currently it is $25 at Hand Held Items.

Product Features:

Zoom in and out with 6x optical lens
Special made case to fit the telescope
Wide angle, larger luminous flux, good color reduction
Better quality of picture
Includes iPhone telescope case, lanyard and the telescope

Via Gadget Grid

ThumbSaver for Homer Simpson and You

Quang Ly — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 11:58:00 +0000

ThumbSaver

If Homer Simpson had used the ThumbSaver, we probably would not have as many laughs. However, you don’t want to be the one in pain because of a nervous hand. The ThumbSaver holds the nail steady with a safe distance between your fingers and the thrust of the hammer.

It is a perfect gift for Father’s Day, the new home owner, or the overly confident delegated hammer guy.

ThumbSaver TS001 Magnetic Nail Setter Bonus Pack Includes The Standard and Mini Size

Highlights:

Protects your hands- say goodbye to banged thumbs
Magnetic Nail Holder
Picks up as well as holds nail securely
For the Home owner, hobbyist,professional, DYI
One Year Limited Warranty

Via Gadget Grid

Lowepro SlingShot 100 Camera Backpack

Quang Ly — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:38:54 +0000

[svgallery name="lowepro"]
One of the things that interrupts my inspiration at the moment is having to take off my backback and take out my camera to take a shot. During this time, I may miss the shot. With the Lowepro SlingShot 100 Camera Backpack, I don’t have to worry about that. It is designed in a way so that you do not have to take off the bag. You basically swing or rotate it around and have quick access to your camera and accessories. It is also weather proof so will have more peace of mind.

The SlingShot 100 holds an SLR camera with mid-range zoom lens attached. It also allows room for 1-2 extra lenses, cables and accessories, and has a full access lid to make loading it a snap.

Lowepro SlingShot 100 All-Weather Digital Camera Backpack (Black)

Conveniently folding bike

Jay — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:30:35 +0000

We all love the environment, right? We want to drive less, carpool more, etc etc etc. Now I’m all in favor of the bike, but they take up too much room when you’re not riding them and they’re a pain to secure when you want to go indoors. And I’m all about the efficiency. So this new folding bike design from Pacific Cycles has me intrigued.

Called the IF MODE (Integrated Folding MODE), the bike screams coolness. Here’s the riding configuration:

Pretty hot, right? The wheels look full size (not like the clown wheels of most folding bikes) and you could almost imagine it flying down the finish line of the Tour de France. I deem it worthy of my too-cool presence. Now here’s the same bike folded.

Now THAT is nifty. The really great thing is that, when folded, the bike is still roughly of a height that allows you to walk it around from place to place rather than lugging it. For people who are not as uber-buff as I am, this is a big plus. Know what else is great about it? No exposed gears or chains, which means there’s no real risk of getting your clothes streaked with grease or oil or dirt. Elegant.

I’m going to ring my rickshaw driver around and have him pull me to see one of these babies.

via

The X12 Wireless Stun Gun

Quang Ly — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 17:44:24 +0000

X12 Wireless Stun Gun

A few months ago I was robbed of my iPhone right out of my hand while I was using it. The thief ran away with it. I wasn’t hurt besides a scratch on my face that healed due to my mutant super powers. Now, if I had the X12 Wireless Stun Gun, this would not have happened and I would definitely had gotten my iPhone back.

The new X12 stun gun was launched at the Global Security Asia 2009 event and is the world’s first wireless stun gun. It has a maximum effective range of 27 meters.

The X12 penetrates clothing to transmit electrical impulses which causes the body to be temporarily paralyzed. Conventional stun guns causes immobility by causing pain. I wish this could do both.

The product will only be available in June and the Singapore Police Force has already expressed interest in it. If this is available in the US, I will definitely be getting one..

Go ahead thief, make my day!

GE releases water resistant camera

Jay — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:32:30 +0000

When I’m lounging around my pool with my supermodel posse, I sometimes want to capture the moment. Unfortunately, my cameras don’t like the water too much, so my adventures are often left visually undocumented. But now, GE has released this new gadget to help me.

The GE G3WP is a fairly basic point-and-shoot with 4x optical zoom, 12 megapixels, and a 2.7″ LCD. The nifty part about it though is that it’s waterproof to 10 feet, which is perfect for the spring break pool party I’m planning. Hmm…they all seem to be busy…

via

Solar Rechargeable Batteries

Quang Ly — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:43:20 +0000

Solar Rechargeable Batteries

What do these SunCat batteries and Superman have in common? They both recharge their power from the sun. They are designed by inventor Knut Karlsen who had the ingenious idea to have batteries that charge themselves in the sun.

Via Gadget Grid

IKEA Lights Up the Night For Less

Nichole — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 12:30:12 +0000

Sure, it’s still March and the snow’s barely started to melt in some places, but you’re probably already thinking about spring cleaning. And once your brain gets started down that road, it’s easy to start anticipating balmy summer days. If you just can’t wait to get a start on your warm-weather decorating, IKEA’s introduced a line of solar-powered lighting options to prettify your patio or garden. The SOLIG series includes stake light chains (left, $19.99), uplight chains ($14.99), hanging lamps ($19.99) and lighting posts ($9.99). All SOLIG solar-powered products come with auto mode and an on-off switch. Even the SOLIG battery-operated lighting is greener than most; it uses LED technology, which is more energy-efficient and longer-lasting that traditional lighting.

A Real Solar Powered Flashlight

Quang Ly — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:17:24 +0000

Solar Powered Hybrid Flashlight

I never thought I would see this. I always thought it was one of those childhood jokes like screen doors on a submarine. Meet the Solar Hybrid Flashlight that is charged by solar panels with a built-in battery. The flashlight can be charged by the sun or indoor lighting. A 8 our charge can last 12 hours of use. The battery’s lifetime lasts over 3 years. It’s also waterproof up to 80 feet! Very nice build indeed.

HYBRID SOLAR POWERED FLASHLIGHT WITH EMERGENCY BATTERY BACKUP BLACK

Via Gadget Grid

Sunforce 80001 Solar Pest Repeller

Quang Ly — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:40:26 +0000

Sunforce 80001 Solar Pest Repeller

Spring and Summer is coming but so are the annoying pests that are causing problems in your soil. Meet the Sunforce 80001 Solar Pest Repeller. This gadget is earth friendly and won’t cause any pollution like other chemical treatments that find their way in our water. Better yet, it is solar powered and won’t add anything to your monthly electrical bill. Sunforce 80001 Solar Pest Repeller helps get rid of moles and other rodents through sonic vibrations that annoy the pests.

Product Features

Solar pest repeller keeps voles, gophers, or other rodents from invading your lawn or garden
Repels over a 6000 square foot range by emitting an intermittent combination of sound and vibration
Works day and night and runs on long-life Ni-Cad solar charged rechargeable batteries (included)
Safe for kids and pets
Made of durable ABS plastic and corrosion-proof aluminum

This would be a wonderful gift for your mom or dad that likes to garden. We used to have an issue with several moles in our old house years ago. I wish we had this at the time.

Sunforce 80001 Solar Pest Repeller