Technabob » globe

Steampunk Globe and Newfangled iPad Control Google Earth

Lambert Varias — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 12:17:56 +0000

The steampunk “Electromagnetic Geospacial Globe and Remote View with Obligatory Goggles” doesn’t just look cool, I like what creator John Knight is trying to do – making the ol’ globe more useful. RFID tags attached to the surface of the globe allow Knight to control Google Earth on an iPad and provide a more detailed view of a chosen area. And the goggles? They don’t have any purpose yet, except to make the whole thing look more steampunk.

Here’s the setup in action. It’s a work in progress, so don’t expect too much from it yet:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

If I had tinkering skills I’d ditch the iPad and make a touchscreen globe that runs Google Earth.

[via Engadget]

Moonlight Speakers Project Sound and Light

Technabob — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:21:38 +0000

At first glance, you’d look at these pictures and think that these were some pretty cool lighting fixtures. You’d be right. But in addition to casting a warm glow, these illuminated orbs are actually speakers.

Moonlight’s light globes conceal speakers which can handle from 120 to 200 watts of amplification — more than enough to pack some serious punch. The speakers project sound in a 360-degree dispersion pattern, providing sound in every direction, no matter where you might be standing.

In addition to fluorescent light sources (behind colored filters), they’re also available with a wireless LED bulb, so they can change colors too. Plus, the globes are made from a durable weatherproof polyethelene shell, so they can be used outdoors — even in extreme temperatures. They’re available in several different sizes, and can be made in either a floor or hanging pendant style.

Designed for use at nightclubs, parties and special events, Moonlight doesn’t list prices on their website, so you’ll need to contact them if you’re interested in pricing.

(Unless you want to blast your eardrums some really annoying background music, you’ll want to turn your volume down when you visit their website. You have been warned).

[via freshome]

The Earth Watch

Technabob — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:38:57 +0000

This watch uses a tiny globe to tell the time instead of conventional hour and minute hands.

As each hour passes, the globe gradually rotates around the North Pole, making a full revolution every 24 hours. A tiny indicator on the edge of the globe tells you what hour it is, and a little dot rotates around the globe to indicate minutes.

Think The Earth’s WN-1 Earth Watch is made from a titanium body with a tough Hardlex crystal dome to protect the earth’s fragile ecosystem. The watch features a black band made from Sophista, a lightweight, durable synthetic material designed to wick the sweat away from your wrist.

Keep in mind that the globe is really made from a dome, and only shows the Northern hemisphere. So if you live South of the equator, maybe this isn’t for you.

The limited-edition watch retails for about $800, but the guys over at Wrist Dreams managed to find some on sale over on Amazon for $594.