Blogs I Read - Coolest Gadgets
September 25th, 2006 byA great place to keep up to date with all the latest gadgets coming onto the market.
Coolest Gadgets
Playing with cool gadgets in the ongoing search for the Coolest Gadget
• Armpit TV for mass-transit? Optimal for deodorant sales!
by AndrewD
24 Jul 2008 at 9:58pm
Here’s a new word that might be invading your vernacular in the near future if you happen to be a frequent mass-transit commuter. Pitvertising. That’s right. Ads directly from the deep caverns of your fellow passengers’ armpits.
It might sound sort of creepy and unpractical, but think of the most common sight on a crowded subway car. Tons and tons of sweaty armpits, attached to those very same fellow passengers who are reaching for the handy support hanger. And what better way is there to utilize such a medium than by advertising, oops, we mean “pitvertising” a brand of deodorant?
Deodorant company Right Guard recently sent out a flock of pitvertisers out into the wilds of London to test out their new form of media. And while it might not be playing something entertaining like The Best of Monty Python, at least it’s better than the choice of entertainment you usually have, which usually consists of glancing between the same poster ad over and over again or staring into the depths of an non-displayed armpit.
I guess the question remains, can such a scheme actually sell deodorant? Well that all depends on the pitvertiser’s hygiene. If I were running Right Guard, I’d make sure the owners of the armpits in question were only to wear the display after a serious workout at the gym. It’ll just get people thinking about how many times they might have been emitting a foul odor from their pits. And what does that mean for Right Guard? Boku bucks.
Source via Textually
[ Armpit TV for mass-transit? Optimal for deodorant sales! copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Gift Ideas: The Coolest Gadgets Gift Guides.
• Vancake Camper: A Really, Really Lowrider
by AndrewD
24 Jul 2008 at 9:30pm
If there was a limbo competition for cars there is now no question on who the winner would be. How low can the Vancake go? Try this out for size. This mini-Volkswagen bus is only 3-feet and 1-inch tall. Meaning for the average 6 foot man, this automobile only reaches to around the waist area.
Officially known as the Camper, but affectionately titled “Vancake”, this super low-rider is the world’s lowest Volkswagen bus. Call us crazy, but we don’t see this niche having a super stringent competition at this point. And to add even more to its wonderful allure, there’s a little back story to go along with its awesomeness.
Designers Just Kampers and Andy Saunders created the Vancake in only three days! Working away during the Bug Jam festival at the UK?s Santa Pod Raceway from June 18 to June 20, the team managed to remove the Volkswagen’s roof, equip an electric sunroof, and completely redo the car’s previous paint job to give the Vancake a more scaled feel.
The Vancake is not only totally snack sized, but is also totally street legal. The only thing we’d worry about is getting rear-ended by fellow drivers who are fascinated by our tiny car. For only three days of work, we’d say it’s a hell of an accomplishment.
Source via Coolbuzz
[ Vancake Camper: A Really, Really Lowrider copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
• Paint Drip Table
by AndrewD
24 Jul 2008 at 9:04pm
Whether you want to tell people that this table is supposed to represent blood or red paint, the awesome design is totally inspirational. The “Paint or Die But Love Me” Table designed by John Nouanesing seems to be melting. And if not melting, than not even solid in the first place, but rather a paint spill suspended in motion.
There’s a very good reason that people put sheets all over their furniture when they paint their homes. Paint has a tendency to drip from a surface when wet or heavily applied. Once you get some paint on your carpet or on your plush sofa, you can say goodbye to that particular space. Not to be melodramatic, but I just don’t know if I can fully trust some sort of paint removing chemical solution on my furniture. This table not only promotes the beauty of dripping paint, but embraces it as an art form.
The “Paint of Die But Love Me” Table is not something that will be easily produced for the mass market. In fact, so far it’s only in the conceptual art stage. The table’s design, with its ultra-thin paint droplet legs will be pretty hard to structure while offering also offering support, but just from scoping around a few blog comments you can see there are plenty of people willing to turn this sketch-up into a reality.
Who knows? Perhaps one day we’ll be able to buy our very own Paint Drop Tables, possibly available in assortment of colors rather than just the gruesome blood red. At least we hope this table gets picked up by a manufacturer of some kind. It’s just such a cool idea.
Design Page vic Core77
[ Paint Drip Table copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Gift Ideas: The Coolest Gadgets Gift Guides.
• Ball Shaped Concept PC Could Change the Shape of Computing
by Mark R
24 Jul 2008 at 6:45pm
There?s nothing that I love more than covering new concept gadgets, and this is one of the coolest that I have ever seen.
Introducing the ball-shaped PC from designer Apostol Tnokovski. This PC ball is a 6-inch orb, that is said to be the smallest PC ever made. This is assuming that it has been made. Some of these pictures that I?ve seen of it (including the one here) look a little CG to me, but these days, you can hardly tell.
The PC ball has legs that fold out, and remind me of the droidikas from Star Wars: The Phantom Menance. (Speaking of CG) As for the keyboard, it is one of those laser keyboards that I have seen before on other applications. As for the mouse, it is a pop-out job that affixes to ball.
The display is a projector that can put the screen on any flat surface. In fact, there is a holder that can clamp onto a piece of paper, in case a flat surface is not available.
I always like it when new concepts come out, but I always wonder how they will change things if they ever become reality. For example, how will this change laptop cases? Perhaps people will carry around cases that look like bowling-ball carriers.
Source
[ Ball Shaped Concept PC Could Change the Shape of Computing copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
• Speak-A-Message brings sound to your messages
by Mark R
24 Jul 2008 at 6:05pm
I am always amazed with the new ways that we find to communicate. Ten years ago, most people didn?t use cell phones, and email capability was somewhat limited. Don?t even get me started on Instant Messaging or text messaging. Were they even around back then?
Now, there is new way to communicate with Speak-A-Message. This is a free audio recorder that can make or send voice messages through email. It is available for download, and shows up on the computer screen as a separate window.
The user has the option of putting a different ?skin? on that window based on pre-programmed patterns or can even customize the skin with a digital photo. The user also has the option of adding sound effects to their message if they want.
In addition to providing vocal messages to email, it can also add audio comments to text documents or to add a user?s voice to comments and presentations.
If you want to try it out for yourself, feel free to try it out here for absolutely nothing. Sounds like a great product, but I have only one complaint. See that little mascot guy there that looks like an extremely happy emoticon? He also looks like a character who should really be copyrighted: Pac-man. I sense a lawsuit from Namco in the works.
Source
[ Speak-A-Message brings sound to your messages copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
• The Hang On Outlet keeps cords in place
by Ally
24 Jul 2008 at 6:00pm
Pretty much all of us have heard that we should really unplug our electronics when they aren’t in use. Several issues arise with that, one of them being later you have to search around for the plug and pray your cat didn’t use it as a toy. Well this design by Paulo Oh addresses that specific issue. They have designed the Hang On outlet to keep your plug up against the outlet even when it’s unplugged. Which means less hassle for you.
Granted this does nothing for the fact that the plug-in is located in the hardest to reach spot. The one where you end up practically throwing out your back to actually get to it. Those are the ones that we end up deciding maybe it’ll just kill off the bad parts of the environment. Like maybe it will end up heating the world up so that all the poison ivy dies off. Whether or not it’s true is besides the point. As of now, this outlet is still a design, so no word on pricing or availability.
Source: yanko
[ The Hang On Outlet keeps cords in place copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Gift Ideas: The Coolest Gadgets Gift Guides.
• The Amazing Brando now selling a USB Alarm Clock Fan
by Ally
24 Jul 2008 at 4:00pm
Alright, those of you that actually saw the Mystery Science 3000 reference, you get a sticker. Granted, you have to go buy it yourself as well as pay for it. This clock may appear to be just a perfectly innocent clock, one that seems to just sit there and tell the time. Just like every other clock on the universe. However, plug it in to your USB port and after flipping a fancy little switch it will come to life and show its true colors. This sneaky little clock actually doubles as a fan. This way you can hide the fact that you think your boss is just a big sissy who needs to crank up the AC a bit more rather than cooking their employees.
Although, it is quite brightly colored, so no streamlined chic electronics for you. It comes in red, white and green. On all of them the brightly colored clock looks like they could have been easily slipped into the movie Toys. If you are interested in picking one up to toss on your desk it will only cost you $10 from USB Brando. If you’re worried about little ones, if you intend to use this at home, the blades are made of soft plastic so it won’t hurt them.
Source: pocketlint
[ The Amazing Brando now selling a USB Alarm Clock Fan copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Gift Ideas: The Coolest Gadgets Gift Guides.
• Samsung unveils Series 9 LED LCD HDTVs
by Edwin
24 Jul 2008 at 3:00pm
Samsung aims to launch a serious assault in the world of LCD HDTVs (not that they already aren’t trying their darndest best at the moment) with the new Series 9 LED LCD HDTVs. This flagship line is the second generation LCD HDTV from Samsung to utilize LED SmartLighting technology which merges both LED and 120Hz technologies for some truly stunning specifications and performance in the living room. More of these features will be listed down in detail after the jump, but to kickstart the entire new range, we will cover a couple of models - the 46″ and 54″ in this post.
As Samsung’s second generation LCD HDTV to use advanced LED SmartLighting with local dimming technology, the Series 9 LCD HDTV is able to achieve dramatic contrast levels and express “actual black levels” by completely shutting off a pixel’s light source, eliminating the grayish black picture plaguing many LCD HDTVs. Conversely, groups of pixels can be locally controlled to produce more light increasing the brightness of the Series 9’s picture when necessary. Furthering the Series 9’s ability to show deeper black levels, Samsung’s improved Ultra Clear Panel technology eliminates ambient light reflection that may affect picture quality, ensuring perfect picture clarity even in bright viewing surroundings. By enhancing color reproduction level, Samsung’s Ultra Clear Panel technology also lets consumers enjoy the detail and vibrancy of colors. Adding to the superior picture quality in the Series 9 is Samsung’s Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology that reduces the motion blur caused by fast-paced content. It?s ideal for diehard sport fans, avid gamers, and movie mavens alike.
Specifications of the Series 9 950 LED LCD HDTV include :-
46″ and 55″ screen sizes
Full HD 1080p resolution
1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
4ms response time
LED SmartLighting technology
Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology
UltraClear Panel
Wide Color Enhancer 2
DNIe Pro (Digital Natural Imaging engine) technology
46?: 10-watts per channel, 2 channels
55?: 15 watts per channel, 2 channels
4 HDMI (HDMI-CEC) version 1.3 inputs (3 rear, 1 side)
1 side USB 2.0 port (WiseLink Pro)
2 component inputs
1 composite input
1 S-Video input
1 PC input
1 Headphone jack
1 Ethernet connection (for InfoLink, and DLNA connectivity only)
You can pick up the 46? and 55? models for $3,199.99 and $4,199.99, respectively.
Press Release
[ Samsung unveils Series 9 LED LCD HDTVs copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
• Kingston revamps DataTraveler line of USB flash drives
by Edwin
24 Jul 2008 at 2:30pm
Kingston Technology has further expanded its old standby product line, the DataTraveler range by offering a few decent arrivals to the popular DataTraveler 400 with MigoSync software and DataTraveler 100 lines with 16GB models. In addition the recently introduced DT101 drive also comes pre-loaded with security software and is available in bold, fashionable colors to offer something for everyone. More detailed specifications are available after the jump if you want the nitty gritty on these new USB flash drives.
According to Jean Wong, Flash memory product manager, Kingston,”The DT400 with MigoSync has been recognized by business travelers as the perfect solution for keeping files and documents up-to-date while on the road. The DT100 now available up to 16GB is an affordable, portable storage solution allowing users to save large amounts of data while our new DT101 is an attention getter with its bright colors.”
DataTraveler 400
The DT400 with MigoSync gives users the freedom to work on multiple PCs. Data such as emails and Internet browser settings are stored on the drive, thus allowing users to recreate their desktop on virtually any PC. When the drive is connected to the “host” machine, MigoSync software automatically synchronizes to keep data up-to-date.
DataTraveler 100
Built with simplicity in mind, the DT100 can hold large amounts of data in a small form factor with capacities between 2- and 16GB. There is no cap to lose as the thumb-action slider controls the retractable USB connector for safe housing and ease of use.
DataTraveler 101
As the latest addition to Kingston’s family of USB Flash drives, the DT101 sports vibrant colors (cyan, pink and yellow), a swivel design and capacities up to 8GB. For added peace of mind, SecureTraveler software allows the user to create and access a password-protected, secure area of the drive.
All of the above mentioned drives will come with a five-year warranty and 24/7 live technical support for added peace of mind. For the 16GB DT400 and DT100 models, those will retail for $196 and $85, respectively. Prices for 2GB models for all three ranges start from $14 to $24.
Press Release
[ Kingston revamps DataTraveler line of USB flash drives copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Pressy idea: Educational Toys
• XARA iPlay Jacket
by Edwin
24 Jul 2008 at 2:00pm
The XARA iPlay Jacket is unique and different from any other jacket you’ve seen, since it comes in iPod-white color and boasts a space for you to store your iPod inside safely and securely. Of course, since the iPod is well-hidden within, it makes perfect sense that the XARA iPlay Jacket comes with a sleeve-based iPod remote control for you to choose whatever track you want to listen to without having to take out the iPod and put it back in again. Features include a mesh lining, bungy sleeves and hem for wind protection while inner cuff hand warmers are there to help keep your hands warm and toasty during those chilly days. The XARA iPlay Jacket will retail for $150.
Product Page via OhGizmo!
[ XARA iPlay Jacket copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.