April 2009 - Posts

gadget. New Sanyo Projector
17 April 09 10:00 AM | Zach | with no comments

Sanyo does not want to be left behind in Samsung’s wake with the latter recently announcing eight more new projectors that will hit the market shortly, and hence have come up with a solitary defense - a front projector that is touted to throw an amazing 100″ image from just 63cm away. As for this front projector’s color reproducibility, it currently stands at 170% of the NTSC standard so you can be assured that there is a high standard of quality we’re talking about here. This projector is able to perform as it does thanks to the use of ultra-short focus projection technology that merges both projector lenses and concave mirrors, projecting light from the upper surface of the device with laser as a light source.

Sanyo’s latest will also come with a brightness of 7,000lm, where Sanyo is willing to stake its claim of this being “the world’s highest brightness among laser projectors.” As mentioned earlier, it boasts a color reproduction range that is “about twice as wide as that of general LCD TVs”, although we’re not too sure whether this is able to compare to what the best plasma TVs and LCD TVs have to offer. After all, no point making a comparison with average/general products from a rival range, right? You might as well learn to pit it against the best for merit.

The Sanyo DLP projector will come with a trio of 0.95″ DMDs (digital mirror devices), and is capable of handling full High Definition video flawlessly with a pixel count of 1,920 x 1,080. You will be able to choose from a variety of screen sizes that range from 100″ to 150″, and even at its maximum size, the projection distance is a mere 94cm, making this useful for presentations when you don’t want folks crossing right in front of your display to distract the rest of the audience. Other features include a throw ratio of 0.28 which is also better than the industry average. Commercialization of this projector will commence in 2012.

 

Filed under: Projector

gadget.Human Washing Machine
16 April 09 02:00 PM | Zach | with no comments

This one was just too cool to pass up...

This next machine is a real sign of the times. It is a washing machine that is designed to wash you instead of your laundry.

This human washing machine, known as the Avant Santelubain 999 allows the user to lie down and let the machine spray him or her with soap and water, along with infrared light for steam heat. It will even use aromatherapy and sound, then has an option of a seaweed wrap.

Say what? I’m not really certain how that seaweed wrap part works, but I have heard that the Human Washing Machine will sterilize itself after a wash is completed.

So what are we looking at here? A replacement for the shower and the bathtub? It looks like it takes up just as much space. It combines the spraying of the shower, and the relaxation of the tub. That might make a good slogan if anyone ever wants to market this thing.

I imagine that you could probably stick yourself in a washing machine and accomplish the same thing, but you don’t want be around for the spin cycle. Now, if only someone could invent a human washing machine that could also clean the clothes that you are wearing.

 

Filed under: washer

gadget.Calima Washer
16 April 09 10:00 AM | Zach | with no comments

 

Going to get your dry cleaning clothes cleaned is always a pain.  It costs extra, plus you have to remember to go and pick them up.  There is the option to use things like Dryel, but after a while those inserts can cost quite a bit too.  Although, the Dryel does at least prevent you from having to drive to get your clothes done.  If you tend to use the dry cleaners for some of your delicate clothing that doesn’t necessarily require dry cleaning, this washer could help you out.

One other issue in the laundry room is finding places to hang clothing that needs hang dried, especially if your laundry room is more of a hallway than a room.  Well with this takes care of both problems while still functioning as an actual washer.  Calima is a washing machine with a tray to safely dry your hang dry clothing.  The board is 60 x 60 cm, but can be extended an additional 32 cm for larger items.  The integrated fan pushes warm air up through the board’s small holes which will dry off your delicate clothing.  The washer itself also has various presets within such as Easy Ironing, Jeans, Delicate, Synthetic, Sportswear, Ecowash and several other options to choose from.  The washer will retail for €700 or about $923.

Filed under: washer

gadget. SanDisk's SlotRadio
15 April 09 10:00 AM | Zach | with no comments

The slotRadio is a simple device that comes ready to use with a microSD preloaded with 1,000 of hits selected from the Billboard charts themselves. The user can use from genres of Rock, Alternative, Country, R &B/Hip Hop, Contemporary, as well as Workout and Chillout.

If you don’t like any of the preloaded tunes, then you can just connect it to your computer and load up the tunes that you do like with drag and drop. So if you want an MP3 player, and don’t want to deal with the hassles of loading, or messing with iTunes, then you don’t have to. In short, this might be the perfect Portable Media Player (PMP) for those who are not in the iGeneration. That’s right, your mother or even your grandmother could use the SlotRadio.

This is the best part of the SanDisk SlotRadio: from out of the box, a new user can instantly immerse him or herself in a world of music. If he or she does not like what is currently playing, the user may cut to the next track, or to another genre. It even has a built-in FM tuner if you want to listen to more music.

This is the worst part of the SanDisk SlotRadio: it is too random. The device only has a forward advance button. So if I wanted to hear “Dream Police” by Cheap Trick again, I have to keep hitting the forward advance until it gets to it.

If this is the PMP for you, feel free to head over to the SlotRadio site for about $99. The company is even offering a Mini Travel Case ($14.99 value) for a limited time.

 

Filed under: mp3 player

gadget. Circulation Improving Seat Cushion
13 April 09 10:00 AM | Zach | with no comments

Most of us are office drones these days - a far cry from our forefathers where they had to settle for backbreaking work on the farm or at the factory. This time round, we are often seated for hours on end in the office before packing our stuff and heading off for a short lunch break before we return to the boring monotony at the office. Enter the Circulation Improving Seat Cushion that ought to ease your burden somewhat.

"This alternate-pressure inflating seat cushion stimulates circulation and alleviates pressure points in your posterior and legs. Made by a company that supplies the same technology to the U.S. Air Force, the unit’s twelve integrated air bags inflate and deflate intermittently, stimulating blood circulation through areas of soft tissue that receive insufficient blood flow during prolonged sitting. The 12-minute, four-step sequence disperses weight evenly across your posterior, relieving point-of-contact pressure and helping to prevent blood vessel and capillary constriction that can lead to pressure sores. Ideal for long flights and road trips, those with sedentary jobs, or someone who is wheelchair bound, the cushion fits in nearly any chair. The cushion’s rechargeable battery lasts for 48 hours after a two-hour charge (AC adapter included)."

No idea whether the boss/finance department would approve $299.95 to bring this to your office though considering the current economic climate.

 

Filed under: comfort

gadget.Stow away garage
10 April 09 10:00 AM | Zach | with no comments

 

The Cardok garage is an interesting parking solution that is starting to be seen around more affluent London locales. The owner’s car is raised and lowered by means of a hydraulic lift. At present there are eight in action around London, four under construction and another ten that have been ordered, which is no small feat as the price for the single model is $61,181 and if you want an over and under double it will be $72,816. 

 

Filed under: car, storage

gadget. Remote Control Concept
09 April 09 02:00 PM | Zach | with no comments

When I was a kid, TV remotes essentially had a handful of buttons for on, off, volume control, and the channel selector. That was it. But as TVs became more sophisticated and programming choices expanded beyond 3 networks and a gaggle of local channels, the remote control became larger and more complicated. Eventually, it became not only programmable, but some are quite expensive (on the order of up to $1,000 or more). The problem is that programmable all in one remotes that can handle your TV, Cable box, even Internet access have buttons that just never get used. Now researchers are seeking to change with GestureTek, a camera mounted on the TV which translates your hand movements into TV remote control functions.

Today’s TVs are more like computers than what our fathers would call “the boob tube,” and as such, having an interface that works like a mouse is more practical. GestureTek turns your hand into a mouse interface and interprets hand movements like mouse controls. It’s like a scene out of Minority Report. Users will simply maneuver the on screen cursor to the menu item, click it with a flick and select it. Or move the channel up or down with the channel overlay. And built in programming language prevents the TV from reading conflicting hand gestures and thereby eliminates the possibility of siblings fighting over the TV.

Cool video here.

No word on when gesture based remotes will be incorporated into HDTV designs, but Hitachi is quite interested in the gesture based remote-less TV option and approached the company that makes GestureTek with the idea of a TV camera that reads depth and hand gestures to control it. If they can keep the price down (depth cameras, which are the heart of the system cost about 3 times more than webcams) on incorporating GestureTek, it could be sooner, rather than later.

 

Filed under: remote

gadget. Rear View Mirror Car Camera Recorder
09 April 09 10:00 AM | Zach | with no comments

 

Often times, automobile accidents boil down to either one man’s word against another or some arbitrary rule that the one driving behind is automatically at fault. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to have video proof of who’s at fault? Well, only if it’s the other guy, that is! But that’s the idea behind this Rear View Mirror Car Camera Recorder.

Check out the video of it recording an accident here.

The video camera is mounted in the rear view mirror and it functions as a blind spot reduction, backup camera, and a DVR. It records to SD card and records not only the video image, but equally important is the time and date. And with SD cards, removal of the video clips to play on your PC is extremely simple. And what’s really cool is that the Rear View Mirror Car Camera Recorder works with your existing rear view mirror as an overlay, so there’s no expensive and time consuming installation process to replace the stock mirror. It just slips right over it.

Other features include 2.5” LCD screen, adjustable lens, recording that automatically begins when you start the car, and auxiliary camera port for optional rear view camera – which is a great idea, especially if you’re driving an RV or pulling a large trailer like a boat or camper.

Cost is about $400, but is currently on sale for $50 off with a 1GB SD card included at Brickhouse Security.

Filed under: car

gadget. PUMA
08 April 09 10:00 AM | Zach | with no comments

This is probably one of those stories that might be getting too much press, but I’m covering it anyway for those who haven’t heard. Essentially, General Motors and Segway have teamed up to create Project PUMA.

PUMA stands for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility, and it is essentially the next step up for Segway. The PUMA can hold two or more passengers, and everyone always asks how in the world a third person could ride this without being dragged.

Is anyone still amazed at the perfect balance? I admire that they figured out how to put two people on it. Anyway, the PUMA can reach speeds of up to 35 miles an hour, at a cost of 35 cents per charge.

A recent press release has stated that this versatile vehicle will be good for “social networking”. Man, everyone wants to dip into that Kool-Aid these days, don’t they? PUMA drivers may not be able to update their Facebook sites as they go, but the OnStar system will inform the PUMA drivers or other PUMA drivers in the vicinity.

PUMA will be on display at the New York Auto Show this week, and is certain to draw a crowd. As far as my sources are concerned, there doesn’t seem to be any word about a price or availability.

 

Filed under: car, Future

gadget. Wii Dumbbells
08 April 09 02:00 AM | Zach | with no comments

Shape up or ship out - that’s the mantra that most people hear these days concerning the current global economic downturn, where performance trumps everything else, with most people putting in more than expected just to retain their jobs. The same can also apply to gamers who have a notoriously poor reputation of keeping their health in check - and Power Play Corp. hopes to somewhat debunk that myth/fact with the Riiflex Wii Dumbbell. This not only doubles up as your Wiimote cover, it also offers the chance to exercise while you swing that Wiimote around wildly. For those who want to add a little bit of resistance weights to their Wii regime, you can pick up the 2lbs set foor $20 or 4lbs set for $40.

 

Filed under: exercise, Wii

gadget.AK Rock Box
06 April 09 10:00 AM | Zach | with no comments

Anyone who has become addicted to Rock Band knows the woes of dealing with the controllers.  For some it’s just left out and ignored, then others have closet space to store it within.  However, none of the solutions are ideal.  Especially the one where they’re left out, for those that prefer to be respected as an adult it could cause issues.  Something about plastic controllers cluttering up your living room makes people see you in a slightly different light.  Well now you can store them away and in a highly convenient way.

This ottoman could stay out in your living room, giving easy and convenient access to the controllers.  Inside the ottoman you can store a microphone, a foot pedal, two guitars and the drums.  The drum storage solution is probably the best part of the whole ottoman.  Due to the way they have it set up the drums never entirely come out of the ottoman.  They just lift up and you play them while they’re still attached to it.  You can purchase the 38” long by 22” wide and 17” tall ottoman for $199 on Amazon.

Filed under: games, storage

gadget.Moody Message Pad Hub
03 April 09 10:00 AM | Zach | with no comments

This next device, the USB Moody 3-Port Hub and Erasable Memo Pad, is one that I believe that everyone needs.

I can’t begin to tell you how many times that I have been sitting at my computer and had to write down a number. I then have to put the phone in that place in between my neck and my shoulder and then type it onto some Notepad document, only to lose it later after I close my computer and forget to write it down.

Now, if I had some erasable pad to write down the number, that would be another thing. Granted, this product isn’t a Wacom Tablet, and doesn’t transfer the number onto a digital file for a Paint program, but do you really need that?

Not only is this product environmentally friendly, but it has a mood light with three colors. So if you want to see some periodic flashes of blue, red, and green as you work on the computer, this is the product for you.

The USB Moody 3-Port Hub with Erasable Memo Pad plugs into the computer via USB, and has 3 USB ports so you can plug other devices in as well.

It’s hard to believe that this device is available for only $14.99. You can get it at the gadget4all site.

 

Filed under: eco-friendly

gadget.X celebrates 25 gadgets!
03 April 09 08:22 AM | Zach | with no comments

After today's post, we will officially have posted 25 gadgets which means absolutly nothing other than we are out of beta phase! No turning back now...

In the coming weeks we will have a few celebratory items on the blog such as:

A new banner! (refresh if you don't see it!)

And a CONTEST! In which we will give out a featured gadget! It will be a gadget that was posted here on the blog, may not have been posted yet and the only time you will know what gadget it was is after you won it! 

Thanks for reading.

gadget.Takara Tomy Minutes Gym
02 April 09 10:00 AM | Zach | with no comments

 

I’m certain that Takara Tomy does not want me to describe this product as a miniature WiiFit, but can you honestly think of a better description?

Unlike the WiiFit, the Minutes Gym requires no thing to stand on, and needs to console to operate. It plugs right into TV through the A/V (red and white) ports on any old or new television. It is easily portable, and runs on 3 AAA batteries.

This tiny little box has a body-fat analysis to measure your current physical state and body fat. Hopefully, it won’t show your obese form like the WiiFit does, or insult you for having an improper sense of balance. (I can’t stand it when WiiFit asks if I have trouble walking. I can’t think of a worse insult, seriously.)

The Minutes Gym has over 100,000,000 guided three-minute interval workouts, and it can display over three months of workout history. It also comes with a series of avatars whose looks range from muscular, sexy, cute, cool, or Dr. Aiba. I included a picture of these characters after the jump if you want to see them for yourself.

You should be able to purchase the Minute Gym on the Japan Trend Shop for about $73. Hopefully, this product will live up to its slogan that you will “look good naked…eventually”.

Filed under: Virtual, exercise

gadget.BSODmizer
01 April 09 10:00 AM | Zach | 2 comment(s)

Since it is April Fools day, I thought I would post a gadget that would make a SWEET prank!

The Blue Screen of Death is a popular and extremely frustrating error that drives almost everyone crazy, so what better way to prank one than building your own BSOD fun gadget that can be implemented randomly or by a push of a button?

Some funny individual has created the bsodmizer, which is may be used to easily prank your friends with the infamous and terrible Blue Screen Of Death. It is explained how you can either build one of these yourself or even purchase an already made one for easy laughs.

These BSOD prank is utilized either periodically or by a push of a remote control, making you stir away from the crime scene and staying undetected.

Microsoft errors have plagued many so many times, so it is great to see something fun created out of them. Other cool ideas are the Windows Errors Music and also the funny Matrix Windows.

 

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