technabob » gadgets

hyundai boombox sports 12-inch screen, defiles memory of breakin 2: electric boogaloo

technabob — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:25:27 +0000

When I think of the word “boombox,” it usually conjures up visions of a massive luggable stereo, powered by 8 “D”-Cell batteries, riding along on the shoulder of some urban youth, while Boogaloo Shrimp does his best poppin’ and lockin’ to the rhythm. My, how times have changed. Here’s the 21st century version of the boom box.

At the front and center of Hyundai’s portable boombox is an oversized 12.1-inch LCD monitor. The spec sheet says the screen is 1280 x 800, but from the pictures I’ve seen, I’m not sure that’s really the case. It’s not like you’re going to be watching Hi-Def video on this thing anyhow. Unlike the classic ghetto blaster, these new compact stereos are all about the image, and not the sound. As a matter of fact, the speakers on this boombox have taken a serious backseat to the screen.

The Hyundai HY-1210 is all about watching movies and TV – not listening to your jamz. The portable has a built-in DVD player, and can play content in VCD, DVD, CD, CD-R, JPEG, MP3, MPEG-4, AVI formats. There’s even a Karaoke feature built-in so you can sing along. And if you don’t have any DVDs lying around, there are USB and SD/MMC/MS slots for watching media stored on digital memory devices. And there’s a VGA connector on the back for some reason too. I can officially say this is the first boombox EVER with a VGA port.

Unfortunately, the TV tuner is analog, so you won’t be able to tune in stations in many parts of the world. At least you can listen to the FM radio when you’re not watching those Harajuku girls on screen. And with a 10-watt per channel stereo amp under the hood, audio actually isn’t that bad. One other technological advancement – this boombox only needs 8 “C”-Cell batteries – so we have made progress in the last 25 years or so. Maybe by 2035, we’ll have OLED boomboxes that run on 8 “AAA” batteries.

The Hyundai HY-1210 boombox can be yours over at ChinaGrabber for $219.99 (USD).

usb alien: in your cubicle, noone can hear you scream

technabob — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:40:13 +0000

Here’s a creepy little critter to put on your desktop, right between the stapler and your coffee cup.

Fresh off the boat from Japan, this USB gadget looks just like the grotesque giant-headed, acid-blood-dripping, eponymous alien of Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, Alien vs. Predator, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, Alien: Resurrection (and the soon-to-be Alien prequel).

Just plug the nasty thing into your USB port, its grotesque inner mouth randomly pops out of it’s mother mouth, backlit by a glowing red LED. Yummy.

If you’re a fan of Alien, you’ve gotta grab one of these. They’re available for pre-order over at Strapya World for ¥3990 (appx. $44 USD), and should start shipping this December.

I think I’ll put this right next to Hello Kitty and Domokun.

firefox coming to the ps3?! please be true [rumors]

lambert v. — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:47:38 +0000

Sony rolled out firmware v. 3.10 for the PS3 today, bringing Facebook integration to the system. Your boss will now know that you’ve been playing Pro Evo 2010 instead of writing your blog posts. Yay. Screw that, here’s something us PS3 owners can look forward to: a PlayStation Insider source who’s “very close to Sony” says that the company has been discussing the possibility of porting Mozilla’s increasingly bloated/ultra-versatile web browser on to their console. <— THIS, SONY. WE WANT THIS.

Before we commit ourselves to this future, note how doubly frail this gossamer tip is – it’s a rumor about a possibility. So it may be as real as Duke Nukem Forever (or do kids nowadays refer to GT 5?). But a gamer can dream, can’t he?

logos from Mozilla and kotaku

[via PlayStation Insider via Maxconsole]

fuji instax camera prints tiny pics for $1 each, will really make you treasure your captured memories

lambert v. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:33:04 +0000

Remember the PoGo? That’s Polaroid’s modern-day take on their classic instant cameras. The PoGo lets users edit pics before printing them, or you could save the pics and upload them to a computer later on. Fuji’s Instax instant camera has half of the functionality of the PoGo at half the price, which seems like a fair trade at first glance, plus the Instax looks way cuter than the PoGo. But the Instax film is quite expensive – $20 (USD) for a pack of 20 exposures. Damn. Let’s have a closer look at the Instax; I’ll leave it up to you to decide if it’s worth the long-term costs.

Measuring 5″ x 5″ x 2.5″, the Instax is a chubby white thing, like a marshmallow or a cloud. It looks friendlier and more playful than most other cameras. The cute camera prints cute pictures too – wallet-sized pics that have the classic thick border popularized by Polaroid. Note that it can only print pictures of that size, so if you want bigger pics then you’re better off with a conventional cameras. Here’s a sample of pics taken and printed on the Instax:

What’s funny is that the Polaroid PoGo actually prints borderless pics, which makes the Instax more of a spiritual successor to the old Polaroid cameras than the PoGo.

The Instax has a wide-angle lens, a built-in flash, and four exposure settings. Basic features, but then again Fuji isn’t marketing this to serious photographers, and a simple feature set helps keep the price down. The large bay at the back of the Instax houses the film cartridge.

Note that I have not used the Instax (or the PoGo), and I don’t know how much it costs to print digital pics where you live, but for me the short & long term costs of the Instax are just way too high. Photojojo is selling the Fuji Instax instant camera for $90 (USD), but if you’re going to get one you might as well go for the camera + film bundle which costs $105, and save yourself $5. As I said earlier, the film costs $20 for a pack of 20 exposures, which I’m sure most people will use up in no time at all. Three packs of 20 exposures are also available for $55.

[via bltd]

nec batteryless remote control: we don’t need no stinkin’ batteries

technabob — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:22:55 +0000

How many times have you had to get your lazy ass off of the couch to get up and change the channel because the batteries in your remote died. Well thanks to some fine high-tech minds, someday you may never need to worry about changing the batteries in your remote again.

This unassuming looking prototype might not look like much, but it’s actually the EZ-REM-0001, the very first remote control to require no batteries at all. Power to the remote control is generated using the tiny vibrations caused by pressing the buttons on the face of the remote. The device uses a combination of a sound vibration power generation device, an RF remote control, and a specialized power supply that can drive the circuit with very little power. This new technology was developed as a joint-venture between Japan’s NEC Electronics and Soundpower.

While this might not seem like much, the notion of powering your electronic gadgets simply by using the power generated through button presses is pretty groundbreaking. Perhaps someday we’ll see other devices that can convert your physical movements into renewable energy for electronics. While I don’t know if vibrations will ever generate enough power to send radio waves, you might someday juice up simple electronic devices by simply pressing the power button.

Cool stuff, Maynard. Very cool stuff, indeed.

[via Tech-On!]

hypnoseye turns your iphone into a projector

technabob — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:37:20 +0000

The HypnosEye lets you project images from the screen of your iPhone, iPod Touch or other mobile device onto a screen. Nope, it doesn’t take the video signal and project it using a separate light source – it actually uses a special anti-glare mirror and lens to blow up the screen onto a projection surface.

While it is sort of a cool analog hack, I can’t imagine you’d get much brightness from your mobile phone’s screen. That said, the makers of the HypnosEye claim you can project an image from 17″ to 45″ diagonal from a projection distance of 0.5 to 2 meters away. And of course, you’ll want to turn the lights down – way down – to see your images.

You can check out the HypnosEye in action in the video clips below:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The HypnosEye kit comes with both the projection lens unit and a portable 17″ diagonal projection surface that’s optimized for projection. If you’d like to try one, they’re available over at the Japan Trend Shop for $80 (USD).

While I’d much prefer an actual pocket projector, I suppose you might want to look at this wacky device if you’re a real cheapskate.

minivan speakers for tiny soccer moms

technabob — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:04:35 +0000

One of my recurring nightmares is about the day I end up driving a minivan. Thankfully, that particular dream hasn’t come true, but this new gadget might keep that idea in the back of my mind if I kept it in my pocket.

This minivan mini speaker from Korea’s Newgood is perfect for those times when you don’t need a lot of sound, but want something more than a pair of ear buds. While they won’t blow your eardrums, I bet these little vehicles would get a million miles to the gallon if they could actually drive. And they’d probably have tiny little DVD players in the headrest of each of the front seats too.

Each minivan measures just 9cm (appx. 3.5 inches) long, and cranks out tunes from your favorite media player. The tiny little vehicle charges up a built-in battery using an included USB dongle, and even has teensy little LED headlights for nighttime driving.

I haven’t found anyone outside of Korea selling these yet, but they’re cute enough that I’m hoping someone will decide to import them so suburbanites around the globe can enjoy them. For now, you’ll have to admire them from afar over at 10×10, where they sell for 13,700 Korean Won (appx. $12 USD) – a whole lot cheaper than a real minivan.

thanko four sd slot pen: a pen that can write and read!

lambert v. — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:11:12 +0000

Get it? Thanko’s neat pen and SD card reader combo can accommodate up to 4 SD or MMC cards in its slim 0.6″ x 0.6″ x 6″ frame. And if you really want to look like a dork, just keep your memory cards on the pen all the time.

If you need to use the reader half of it, just unscrew the pen to reveal the USB connector. I don’t know if you can use the pen half on its own though.

Maybe in the future we’ll have pens that can recognize our handwriting and store it as a text file, ready for us to plug in to computers - or our heads! – for reviewing.

You can get the Four SD Slot Pen at GeekStuff4U for appx. $22 (USD); at that price you’d better not be the type who easily loses pens. The pen comes with two ink refills and a USB cable.

frolicat bolt entertains your pets with laser, not lightning bolts

lambert v. — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:08:01 +0000

So pet owners, you don’t have to worry – the FroliCat BOLT is basically a laser pointer for lazy people. Simply turn it on and projects a red dot and moves it in random patterns for 15 minutes, or until your cat (or dog, or baby) realizes what’s going on and attacks the gadget itself.

The FroliCat’s adjustable mirror allows you to direct the dot up to the ceiling if you want. Here’s the FroliCat in action, complete with jangly hoedown music:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You can get the FroliCat at Amazon for $17.25 (USD). Ironically, the FroliCat has a manual mode; I think if you’re going to wave this thing around anyway then you’d be better off with a laser pointer.

[via GadgetGrid]

zoombak’s iphone app: where’s the heck is my stuff?

technabob — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:43:34 +0000

The guys over at Zoombak make these nifty little GPS trackers that you can place on cars, bicycles, suitcases or other items that you want to make sure you don’t lose track of. Now they’ve launched an iPhone app that lets you keep track of the precise locations of all of your stuff, wherever you go.

Stash a Zoombak in you kids’ backpacks and you can tell exactly where they are at all times. Or stick on in your glovebox and find out where that valet is really going with your car. Just load up the iPhone app, choose your tracked item, human or pet, then click “Find Now”. You can even enable a continuous tracking mode, which will watch the movements of your Zoombaks at five-minute intervals.

While Zoombak modules retail for $99 to $149 (USD) each, but I managed to find many modules for as little as $38 over at Amazon, which is a steal. You can grab the iPhone app here.

(Note: If you already have a Zoombak, you will need to update your devices to the latest software to use this app. Be sure to read the notes up on the iTunes store.)

10 key calculator is also a numpad-ator

lambert v. — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:56:44 +0000

USB numpads are nothing new, but IDEA Japan’s 10 Key also functions as a calculator, so it’s… lemme calculate that… yep, twice as useful.

Those who want their peripherals to blend in with the rest of their computer will be glad to know that the 10 Key also comes in black and white.

I don’t know if there’s any way to re-map the arrow keys though, and that could be a problem if you’re used to the 2-4-6-8 layout of ordinary numpads. Unless of course that functionality is baked into you operating system and not in the peripheral itself.

You can get the 10 Key at Retail Factory for £50 (approx. $80 USD). I guess the dual functionality and the design were factored into the formula used to derive the price.

[via ChipChick]

tissue box sleuthgear recluse hidden camera is also an actual tissue box

lambert v. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:39:23 +0000

Unlike some of the hidden cameras we’ve featured here, the KJB SleuthGear Recluse hidden camera is not only extra hidden because it doesn’t have a wire or pinhole to give it away, it’s container is also a legit tissue box. So you’ll still have some use for it even if you’re not spying on anyone. Just make sure that it doesn’t end up spying on you while you’re doing nasty things with tissue paper. Picture of the innards after the break.

The camera is motion activated and takes CCD color footage by day and black and white at night. It’s max resolution is 720×480, while it’s maximum framerate is 30 fps. Like most other hidden cameras, the SleuthGear Recluse records the time and date of any footage, and can also be scheduled to activate on a particular time. The camera supports SD cards for up to 16GB worth of damning evidence, and its rechargeable battery lasts up to 6 hours in between charges.

The KJB SleuthGear Recluse. A sophisticated camera crammed into a box so ordinary and plain that you won’t know how to explain to your spouse why you just paid $600 (USD) for a tissue box at Amazon.

[via 7Gadgets]

aero spider laser cars drive on walls, follow laser beams, confuse cats

technabob — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:14:30 +0000

Takara Tomy’s latest remote-control car is definitely unique. Not only does the Aero Spider Laser drive on walls or ceilings, it goes where you tell it to using a light gun.

The gun-shaped controller projects a bright red light beam (not sure it’s really a laser beam) where you want the car to go, and the car follows along. The vehicles stick to smooth surfaces using a reverse-fan mechanism that creates suction between the bottom of the car and the wall or ceiling.

Each car has a set of photosensors mounted into it that detect the light beams’ position and tell the car which direction to turn. Place the light beam in front of the car, and it follows, place the beam at the back of the car, and it turns around and starts following the light again. And if you thought that all sounded cool, wait til you get a load of this…

Convinced? The guy in the skintight blue suit has me sold already. In action, the cars are actually pretty cool. Here’s a good video clip showing off how the Aero Spider Laser works. And more people dressed in silly outfits for no particular reason. You gotta love Japanese marketing.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Aero Spider Laser cars start shipping early this month, and are available over for pre-order over at Hobby Link Japan for ¥6,000 (appx. $65 USD).

bodum bistro flatbed toaster: the ipod nano of toasters

lambert v. — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:48:26 +0000

Bodum’s Bistro flatbed toaster is a versatile device. Thanks to its design, the 700 w toaster can heat, toast or defrost almost any size or shape of bread.

The design has its drawbacks of course, like being able to toast only one side at a time, so that may be a deal breaker for some folks. But if you’re looking to liven up your kitchen, then you’ll be glad to know that the Bistro comes in all sorts of crazy colors.

Or I guess I should say it will come in all sorts of crazy colors; I’m not sure, but I think right now only the default color scheme is available. You can get the Bistro flatbed toaster at Amazon for $80 (USD). Are you insane and would rather pay an extra $10? Then get it at Hammacher Schlemmer. And oh I just thought of another drawback: compared to the common slot-loading toaster, it’s easier to accidentally burn yourself on a flatbed toaster. At least it’ll only burn one side at a time, right? Right?

[via Uncrate]

joker racer: drive r/c cars with your web browser or iphone

technabob — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:04:45 +0000

Joker Racer is a new service which lets you race remote-control cars from across the internet.

The system uses a custom wireless computer that receives digital information via a Wi-Fi connection and translates your maneuvers into servo control signals for R/C cars. There’s also a USB jack for a compact webcam. Joker Racer lets you use a web browser to drive cars on a closed course, and watch POV video from tiny cameras on-board each car.

There’s even an iPhone app coming in 2010 that lets you control cars using the iPhone’s motion sensors. In addition to being able to drive their remote-hosted cars, in future you’ll be able to buy your own Joker Racer R/C Server hardware for your own racecars.

Here’s a couple of videos showing off Joker Racer in action…

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Joker Racer’s website recently wrapped up its initial beta and is moving on to a full release in early November. For now, you’ll just have to sit back and enjoy some of the site’s pre-recorded clips and maybe remotely control the course webcam.

[via TechCrunch]

flashlight pendant lamps prove that porcelain can make anything look sophisticated

lambert v. — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:51:32 +0000

Even if you were asked to name a hundred beautiful objects, would you include flashlights in your list? Of course not. But what if the flashlights were made of porcelain?

Oooo shiny. Of course they’re not portable, but who cares right? Nothing says you’re a millionaire like porcelain hanging flashlight lamps! They’re just $42 (USD) a piece at Fred Flare, whether you want the small, medium or large version. So what are you waiting for? You gotta get yourself some porcelain flashlights!

[via holycool]

os calculators: I bet the mac version will be twice as expensive as the windows one

lambert v. — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:45:15 +0000

Call it a case of life imitating software: a designer at Mintpass recently showed off a couple of designs for calculators that look exactly like the calculator apps in Windows and in OS X.

The Mac version has a metal case and a 2-liner LCD screen like its software counterpart, while the Windows calculator sports the classic XP color scheme, and even has menu headers. I know that these are just concepts, but what would the window buttons (maximize, minimize, close) be for in a real calculator? It would be awesome if you could actually maximize a real calculator though.

The designer is aware of the fact that it would be unlikely for either Apple or Microsoft to let any third party get away with making these calculators, so is leaving it up to the two computer makers to make real-life versions of their OS calculators, if only to give away as gifts or for marketing gimmicks. And if they decide to go ahead with it, maybe they should contact Mintpass.

twitterpeek can only send and receive tweets: fail whale?

lambert v. — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:34:55 +0000

I’m not a Twitter addict – although I do have an account – so I might be wrong on this one, but will a device that only sends and receives tweets be worth buying? That’s what Peek is counting on as is launches the TwitterPeek. Much like their one-trick ponies Peek & Peek Pronto, which can only send & receive emails but reportedly do a smashing job at it, the TwitterPeek was made just for tweeting. But if you come across a tweet with a link on it, you won’t be able to look at whatever’s being linked, because the TwitterPeek doesn’t have a browser.

That said, the TwitterPeek does have a lot going for it: it has a scroll wheel and a back button, a large, colored screen, a raised and illuminated QWERTY keypad, a battery that lasts 4-5 days and can be charged in 2 hours, plus nationwide coverage (US only) that doesn’t depend on WiFi. But no browser. Those of you who are familiar with the Peek Pronto know that although it doesn’t have a browser either, it reads PDF, docs and pictures.

So Twitter addicts, is the TwitterPeek just the thing that you’ve been waiting for? Or will you stick to your Twitter apps on your phones and computers? If you said yes to the first question, head on to Amazon and get the TwitterPeek for either $100 (USD), which comes with 6 months of free service (you’ll pay $8/month after 6 months), or $200, which comes with lifetime wireless service. It comes in two colors, grey and aqua (or Twitter blue).

Update: PC Mag has reviewed the TwitterPeek and gave it 1.5 stars for its poor controls and very limited functionality. Apparently it makes even the simple act of reading tweets a chore. Wow. (via Gizmodo)

[via Engadget]

tele scouter translator will literally let you see what someone is saying

lambert v. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:21:14 +0000

NEC aims to overcome language barriers with the Tele Scouter, a system that will process spoken language and display a translation on a retinal display. To maintain the portability of the gadget, NEC split the Tele Scouter into three parts: an eyepiece, a small computer and a remote server.

Aside from the display, the microphone used to pick up speech is also mounted on the eyepiece. The mic sends data to the small computer, which is meant to be worn on a user’s waist. The computer then sends the data to the remote server, which takes care of the heavy stuff, converting speech to text and finally translating. Then the translated text is sent back to the computer, and finally displayed in the eyepiece. The text is displayed on the user’s peripheral vision, so you won’t go wall-eyed trying to read the translation.

…or so goes NEC’s big plan. Currently the system’s translating capability is not be good enough for real world application, so for now the device is being promoted as a convenient means of looking at user manuals or guides for engineers or technicians to use while their working on something. And since it can receive data from a remote server, the Tele Scouter can also be used to send instructions to several personnel all at once, in real time.

NEC will begin selling Tele Scouter systems next year. I don’t know if it will be fully functional by then, but even if it did it’s not like we’ll be able to afford it: a set-up good enough for 30 users will cost ¥750 million (approx. $8.3 million USD).

[via gizmag]

pocket light portable folding light bulb is a really bright idea

lambert v. — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:47:12 +0000

Ryan Harc says that his Pocket Light concept will let us share “the blissful moments with your beloved. Draw out a little light which can be the best conveyor of your feeling.” Wink wink. I wish this was a real product; it’s just so nice to look at. And practical. And so nice to look at. So nice.

A watch battery powers the light, which provides a more or less even brightness. The lamp itself tucks inside its wallet-sized card frame. I can probably fit a couple in my wallet.

There are lots of situations when a flashlight would come in handy, but the big ones are bulky; small flashlights on the other hand usually emit weak ass light. Something like the Pocket Light would be a much better – and sexier - portable light source.

Check out Harc’s website and have a look at his other projects. My favorite is the XY Bag, a luggage that transforms into a cart so you can put more bags on top of it.

[via likecool]