Technabob » chameleon

Huey the Chameleon Lamp Changes Colors to Match His Surroundings

Technabob — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 03:09:39 +0000

A while back I discovered these cool RGBy LED lamps from Japan, which could automatically detect the color on which they were placed and change to match. While they were quite cool, they were also quite expensive . Now, thanks to the folks at ThinkGeek, you can now experience the same concept, in a decidedly more whimsical package, and at a much lower price point.

Huey is a chameleon – and just like the real deal, he automagically changes colors to match his environment. More precisely, you place Huey on a colored surface, and his electronic guts will do their best to blend in with the color he’s placed on. If you don’t care for that color, you can put him in color-cycle mode and squeeze the lizard when you see a color you like.

You can get your hands on Huey over at ThinkGeek for $29.99 (USD). The light-up reptiles are currently backordered, but they expect another batch in the next day or so. Keep in mind that he’s available in limited quantities, so you’ll want to get your order in sooner rather than later.

Xcm Black Light Chameleon Case for Xbox 360 Gives Your Console a Colorful Makeover

Technabob — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:48:55 +0000

This dramatic replacement case for the Xbox 360 is a great way to give your 360 system the much-needed makeover it deserves.

Despite its name, the new XCM Black Light Chameleon case doesn’t actually have a black light in it. But it is black, and it has lights in it, so there is truth in advertising after all. The sleek black case has a set of bright color-changing LEDs that let you choose from one of 7 colors of your liking. You can also set the LEDs to gradually cycle between colors if you can’t make up your mind. In addition to the backlit clear window on the side of the case, XCM includes a matching AirTube Chameleon, an illuminated replacement for the 360′s fan shroud.

XCM provides everything you need to swap out your Xbox 360′s case including a matching faceplate, DVD bezel, eject button, a case opening tool. From start-to-finish, you should be able to change cases in about 10 to 15 minutes. Not bad.

Keep in mind this case is for Xbox 360s with an HDMI port. If your model doesn’t have one, the case won’t fit. You can get your hands on the XCM Black Light case over at Extreme Mods for $89.99 (USD).

Rgby Color-Sensing Tech Goes Portable

Technabob — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 14:03:47 +0000

Remember the oh-so-cool RGBy Desk I showed you a few weeks back? The desk uses color sensors and tons of RGB LEDs to change colors to match items placed on top of it. But it was a one-of-a-kind piece that would probably cost thousands of dollars even if you could buy one. So I was excited when I came across these new mini color-morphing devices from the same guys.

Japan’s Mongoose Studio took the same basic color-chameleon technology found in the RGBy Desk and turned it on its head for the RGBy3.0. Each individual puck-shaped device can be placed on top of any object, detect its predominant color, and instantaneously replicate it.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

From the looks of these pictures I found over on their blog, I’m guessing Mongoose is ramping up production so you can buy these for yourself.

Pricing and availability hasn’t yet been announced, but I’m looking forward to getting my hands on some of these once they’re released later this year.

[UPDATE 3/10/2008: The RGBy is now available from Generate for a rather pricey $199]

Rgby LED Desktop Offers Chameleon-Like Surface

Technabob — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 22:29:15 +0000

This amazing LED tabletop surface can sense the color of objects placed on top of it, then automatically change its own colors to match.

The RGBy desk uses small clusters of photo sensors and multicolored LEDs to work its color-changing magic.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The RGBy desk was created as a collaboration between computer scientist Ichi Kanaya and designers Makoto Hirahara and Shinya Matsuyama of Japan’s Studio Mongoose (the same guys who brought us the super cool Bright Blind).

At this point, the desk is a one-of-a-kind piece, so don’t expect to find one in your living room any time soon.

[via MoCo Loco]