Posts Tagged miscellaneous gadgets

A way to put a USB Typewriter on your desk

Posted by admin in DIY Gadgets on September 1st, 2010

I don’t know about you, but I suppose that this is what our computers would look like today if certain technologies did not evolve the way that they did.

It is also a very complex project that you can do at home. Granted, it requires a lot of technical know-how in order to solder the essential parts together, plus others that you will probably have to buy.

You can check on my Source if you would like to try your hand at this one. It is sort of out of my tech league.

Still, like like the idea of having a computer with a keyboard that types like an old-fashioned typewriter. I suppose that we have since abandoned the typewriter for a reason, but we took away a certain aesthetic that has now been replaced with cold and practical soft clicking keys.

This device here reminds me of the computer/typewriters seen on the futuristic businessman’s desks in the movie Brazil. Yeah, a lot of that film was a pretty bleak, but I liked how some of the technology had a sort of vintage look to it.

In other words, I wouldn’t mind having one of these on my desk, and wouldn’t mind surfing the web with it.

Source

Conference Calendar – The global conference and expo finder.
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Show your virtual girlfriend a good time at Atami

Posted by admin in Games Gadgets on September 1st, 2010

This photo is being taken at a hot springs resort known as Atami, and this man is having his picture taken next to his virtual girlfriend.

Yes, this man is playing an extended version of the Nintendo DS game Love Plus Plus. The players of this game must keep their virtual girlfriends happy by throwing them birthday parties, going out on dates, etc.

Atami seems to be targeting their Love Plus Plus package as some very odd way of letting people spend time with their virtual girlfriends. There are about 12 spots at Atami with these augmented reality markers, and this one is a large pine tree known as Omiyanomatsu, a famous tree in a novel The Golden Demon by Koyo Ozaki.

This celebration of virtual girlfriends began on July 10, and already ended. More than 200 people came to the town for this, and it has drawn in about 2,000 visitors to the resort town overall.

Okay, this is probably the time to comment on virtual girlfriends. I’m not going to say what many would probably say about this. I’ll let you be the judge of this, just like I let you judge that exercise program with a mobile phone.

Still, a resort that sets up a romantic theme for those with virtual girlfriends? I don’t know what that says about us as a human race.

Source

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
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AS&E’s Z Backscatter Vans are like scanners on wheels

Posted by admin in Audio Gadgets on August 31st, 2010

Some of you might remember the Thruvision TS4 scanner, a way to see through a body without the use of radiation.

There has been much talk about privacy issues with these types of scanners. The issue just got more interesting with the AS&E’s Z Backscatter Vans.

These Vans are able to bounce a narrow stream of x-rays through nearby objects. Absorbed rays show dense material such as steel, but scattered rays can indicate less-dense objects like explosives, drugs or human bodies.

I’m sure you are probably imagining these things being used on the border, possibly to detect illegal aliens. Rest assured, that these ZBV things can identify people, but not by race, sex, or age.

Apparently, the company has customers on every continent except Antarctica, which is a little scary. Especially since I would prefer not being scanned too closely. I can’t see any embarassing features from the five or so people trapped in this transport, apparently.

You know how in movies, there are these spy vans that hang outside areas that are under surveillance? Imagine if they had one of these scanner things on it. I suppose that a lot things could be seen in a ZBV, right?

Source

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool :)
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uDraw GameTablet for the Nintendo Wii

Posted by admin in Games Gadgets on August 18th, 2010

It is amazing to see what sort of accessories are coming out for gaming. I’m not certain if the Wii was ever designed for typing, but there is the Nyko Type Pad for that.

I’m also not certain that it was ever intended as a drawing board, but this particular uDraw GameTablet by THQ is going to make it into one.

As you can see, the wireless Wiimote fits very snugly in the side, and a wired pen for a writing screen. Think of it as a Paint program for the Wii, and there is a video available after the jump.

However, it doesn’t look drawing is all that you can do with it, because it is compatible with certain games. One of them is called Dood’s Big Adventure and the other is a digital version of the classic board game Pictionary. I wonder if this will be used in conjunction with the game de Blob Underground, sequel to the should be classic THQ game de Blob. There will be more games for the uDraw by the end of 2011.

This tablet sounds like the ideal Christmas present, and it will be available for the holidays. It will cost about $69.99, but the games should cost about $29.99.

Source

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
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Telenoid R1 Robot

Posted by admin in Future Concepts on August 2nd, 2010

We have covered this technology of telepresence before, like the Anybot Telepresence Robot back at CES 2009. The purpose of telepresence tech is to make the user feel like they are having a conversation with a real person instead of a communication device.

Japan’s ATR and Osaka University have developed this Telepresence robot called the Telenoid R1 Robot.

As you may have noticed, this Telenoid looks very human. The reason is that it makes the interaction between a human and this mechanism as realistic as possible as the Telenoid matches the gestures of the person on the other side.

How it does this, I have no idea. I would imagine that the person connected to the Telenoid would have to have a lot of wires in him to match all their gestures. Then again, if Microsoft’s Kinect can detect our movements, who is to say whether or not a webcam or some other similar device can detect the subtleties of our features.

I am assuming that the gestures it transmits are all facial, as this thing does not have the arms required for the “talking with their hands” that most people use in conversation.

Man, I tell you, if I walked in a room and saw this thing, I know who I’m gonna call. That would be the Ghostbusters for those who don’t get this reference.

I believe this will be $8,000 when they finally get it running.

Source

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Telenoid R1 Robot copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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Turn invisible on video with this green suit

Posted by admin in Audio Gadgets on July 23rd, 2010

Apparently, someone spilled lemonade on the Blue Man Group and created this green man group that you see here.

Actually, this is the Video Green Full Cover Suit, and it is designed to be used with a Chroma Key video effect so that you disappear. It’s how they do the invisible man trick that you see in movies.

So if you have an idea to do some invisible man effect for your next YouTube post, this is probably needed for the special effect. That, and a good green screen.

I have never used one of these, but I’m sure that you have seen several movies with this green suit in action. I believe that Andy Serkis had to wear one of these when he played Gollum for the Lord of the Rings movies, but I remember that his was blue for the motion capture. I also remember watching a making of Cats and Dogs feature that showed that at least three guys in green suits were on hand for the special effects. So when you see scenes where cats and dogs are flying through the air, then it may just be a few guys in the green suits holding it up.

Well, you can get this green suit for about $225, and they are available in the aforementioned blue. They also come in two sizes, but my Source does not say what sizes they are.

Source

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool :)
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Smart Helmet detects how hard you have crashed

Posted by admin in Future Concepts on July 17th, 2010

This Smart Helmet, developed by Northeastern University researchers, is designed for skiers, even though I never remember skiing with a helmet on. Of course, I never biked with a helmet on either, and I think that is a requirement now. I don’t know about wearing a helm on the slopes.

The purpose of the smart helmet is to detect how much it has been impacted. Apparently, a lot of skiers are injured by hitting things like trees, rocks, and stuff.

The Smart Helmet can somehow measure the acceleration and impact, and can then report any potential injury that is based on the force of the impact.

There is some sort of LED light that will turn the screen red, to indicate that the wearer has a serious concussion. This will signal to the ski patrol that serious medical attention is required.

Of course, this could also have a military application. Just imagine what this type of helmet could do for a hurt soldier in the field.

It is a helmet that is still a concept, but I have another idea of how to improve this particular device. What if there was some panic-alert device that would send out a specific frequency to a medical team if the helmet detected a serious concussion? Think that one over, developers.

Source

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
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Spiked bench has you pay to sit

Posted by admin in Future Concepts on July 16th, 2010

While I was in Los Angeles for E3, I was staying at a nice hotel that was located in a poor side of town.

I noticed that one of the buildings had, on its outside window panes, spikes. They were not spikes like the ones seen on punk rocker clothes, but they seemed to be part of the architecture itself. I began to realize that the spikes had probably been put there to deter loiterers from sitting on these window panes all day. No one wants to sit where it is uncomfortable.

I couldn’t help but think of this when I saw this bench designed by Fabian Brunsing. The basic premise is that if you want to sit on it, then you must pay for it. Depositing half a Euro will cause the spikes to retract, and you can sit comfortably.

I’m not certain if I want to live in a society that would put something like this in a public park. I realize that nothing is free, including benches. However, what is next, coin-operated water fountains? I’m already quite disgusted with pay-toilets.

Also, what happens if I am sitting on the bench and the time runs out? I’m not certain that I would be comfortable taking a leisurely rest on a device that could go all iron maiden on me if I stay there for too long. Please tell me this bench is a joke.

Source

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
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Advertising billboard in Tokyo knows your age and gender, targets ads accordingly

Posted by admin in Audio Gadgets on July 15th, 2010

Billboard technology is just getting more and more advanced. We had that one with augmented reality in the Netherlands a while ago, and, more recently, the Forever 21 billboard at Times Square.

This one is not a billboard, per se, but a large advertising station at a Tokyo subway station. It is fitted with cameras that “read the gender and age group of people looking at them to tailor their commercial messages”.

So, if you are eight years of age, you will probably see an ad for a toy, or something. I would imagine that a person sixty years of age would see an ad for pharmaceuticals. A man in his fifties would probably see an ad for Viagra. Just kidding on that last one.

I’m sure all of you have already drawn the comparison to these Tokyo advertising stations and the ones seen in a subway in the film Minority Report. It is astonishing how many times I reference this movie in my writing, and the scene I am referring to is one where an electronic billboard actually calls Tom Cruise’s character by name. It did so by eye-scanning, and I can see this type of technology easily becoming a reality.

After all, the sidebar ads seem to be asking me if I am looking for Singles in my area, and they guess what area I’m living in quite accurately. Yes, that is a little scary, and so is this billboard technology.

Source

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
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Japanese Burger King offers customers a “musical shower”

Posted by admin in Audio Gadgets, iPod Gadgets on July 9th, 2010

Just when you thought the Aquanatass was the strangest appendage for the shower, you need to hear about the musical shower.

This isn’t about getting in the bathroom and being bathed with music. This is something completely non-aqua related, and it is only located at a Japanese Burger King.

See that transparent thing over the table? This is designed to deliver music to the person at the table, and designed only to be heard by them. Think of it as a Get Smart cone of silence, but I’m not certain if this would work so well either.

The music is delivered by docking your iPod or hopefully other compatible MP3 player in that docking station that you can see there. I guess then you would set your playlist, go to your table, eat your food, and leave your music playing device there for the duration of your dining experience. I suppose that if the music stops, that means that someone stole your MP3 player!

Right now, this is at a Japanese Burger King, but I see no reason why this cannot be put at restaurants everywhere. Why not bring in your own music rather than listen to the elevator music that can play at “finer” restaurants.

Source

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
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