October 03, 2005
Hi-tech beermats for 21st Century
An intelligent beermat that alerts the bartender that your glass is empty could feature in pubs of the future.
Like an ordinary mat, it absorbs drips; but the gadget also has hidden sensors.
The device will detect the weight of the drink above it, working out how much is left before sending a signal to the bar for a refill.
The coaster can also tell which way up it is, and whether it's moving around. The creators think the mat could be used for voting in pub games.
This might be handy in a karaoke bar, for example, where the audience has to decide whether the performer should continue or stop.
"If they just raise their glass, that's a positive vote; if they raise their glass and flip over the beer mat, that's a negative vote," explained Professor Andreas Butz, at the University of Munich, Germany.
06:00 AM in Gadgets | Permalink
June 23, 2005
Nokia N770 Internet Tablet
Is it a phone? A PDA?
As wireless hot spots spring up like toadstools, Internet devices designed to take advantage of this trend are sprouting up as well. Enter the Nokia N770 Internet Tablet (5.5 by 3.1 by 0.7 inches; 8.1 ounces). Not necessarily a smart phone or a traditional handheld, the N770 is designed to provide a mobile user with Internet access either via Wi-Fi or by connecting to a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone. Packed to the gills with a host of productivity applications and multimedia features, the N770 is a promising device. That said, while it works with a myriad of multimedia, its lack of support for native Microsoft file formats such as WMA and WMV will limit its appeal. Also, as more robust smart phones appear on the mobile landscape, it remains to be seen how many users are willing to carry two devices when, in many instances, one will suffice. The price should be $350, and we should see it by the second half of this year.
06:38 AM in Cell Phones, Gadgets | Permalink
June 22, 2005
Get a free router (almost)
Get a free router...well, almost free. These routers may not be free, but they're dirt cheap, and an expensive wireless solution that delivers long-range and ultrafast throughput may be more than you need. If you live in a small apartment and have only one computer, consider spending less for a router that may not be top-notch but is up to the tasks in your humble circumstances.
We found three wireless routers that can be had for a song and come equipped with an integrated 802.11g access point and a built-in firewall. Though they may not be the cream of the crop, these routers are perfectly capable of servicing a modest home or small-office network.
06:34 AM in Gadgets | Permalink
May 13, 2005
Sony Direct DVD Camcorder, the DCR-DVD7E
Sony has launched their new DVD camcorder which features an odd circular design and direct DVD recording. The DCR-DVD7E records your footage straight to a DVD disc so you can instantly watch the footage on your DVD player.
The DVD7E will feature a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lense with 10x optical zoom and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. DVD formats include DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW. No release dates indicated, but expect to the new camcorder to set you back approximately $1200.
06:08 AM in Digital Cameras, Gadgets, MP3 players, Music | Permalink
May 11, 2005
Hilton iPod Alarm Clock
T he Hilton Family of Hotels introduced the new Hilton Family Alarm Clock, which will be installed in Hilton hotels nationwide. The custom designed clock allows guests to plug their iPod or other mp3 device to listen to tunes without headphones. To celebrate, they are giving away iPod minis and free hotel stays when you enter their Hilton Family Timing is Everything Sweepstakes.
06:01 AM in Apple iPod, Gadgets | Permalink
May 04, 2005
Aroma personal espresso machine
I am so sad that I can't actually get this yet. David Mansueto, the Australian designer of Aroma, is seeking help to bring this very important product to market.
In the meantime, chocolate spresso beans are a really good way to have portable caffeine fixes.
06:04 AM in Gadgets | Permalink
May 03, 2005
Windows Mobile PDA with GPS
This device certainly looks interesting….. GPS functionality included with a PDA/smartfone device is just one step closer to having one device in your pocket that does everything you want. (Until we do away with pockets and just have the things implanted into our bodies…. but doesn’t microsoft have a patent for that?)
06:01 AM in Gadgets | Permalink
April 30, 2005
Blood Pressure Monitor
Offer: 80% Off - Sharper Image’s Portable Arm-Cuff Blood Pressure Monitor. Measures blood pressure and pulse rate in 30 seconds. - Only $19.95 at Amazon
Start Date: Current
End Date: May 13, 2005, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time
Features:
One-touch portable monitor. Measures your blood pressure in just 30 seconds.
Exceptionally accurate arm-cuff monitor uses clinically proven oscillometric measurement, with fully automatic inflation and deflation.
Automatically stores your last 30 readings with date and time stamp.
Large-digit LCD shows your systolic and diastolic reading, with time and date, at the touch of a button.
Measures 8" x 5 1/4" x 3" and weighs 1 lb. 7 oz. Runs on 4 AA batteries (order separately). 90-day warranty.
06:53 AM in Gadgets | Permalink
April 21, 2005
LifeSize - High-def video conferencing over a 1Mbps connection
LifeSize, a new company which has created a line of video conferencing gear that combines some special software they’ve written with off-the-shelf components to deliver high-definition video conferencing over a 1Mbps connection. Apparently there will be some excellent non-porn uses for their high-def video conferencing system, and LifeSize are going after corporate customers looking for an alternative to Polycom.
06:34 AM in Gadgets, News | Permalink
April 18, 2005
EWT950 Wireless FM Transmitter for $10 shipped
Surplus Computers still offers the Emerson EWT950 Wireless FM Transmitter for $9.99. With free shipping, it's among the least expensive FM transmitters we've seen. Of note, the Griffin iTrip and iTrip mini FM Transmitters are still $24 each at Amazon.com.
06:19 AM in Apple iPod, Gadgets, MP3 players, Music | Permalink