Technabob » glove

TapCaps: So You Can Wear Gloves and Still Use Your Touchscreen Phone

Hazel Chua — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:30:35 +0000

Even though we’re headed towards the warmer summer months, there’s still that random cold spell that makes it nearly impossible to leave the house without gloves on. This becomes a problem when you have to use a touchscreen device, simply tapping or swiping at the screen with a gloved finger makes nothing happen.

The solution? Alice Ning’s TapCaps. They’re tiny capacitive stickers that you’re supposed to stick onto your gloves so you can make it usable with a touchscreen.

Alice plans to come up with smaller, thinner, and more flexible prototypes of the TapCaps, but not until she can raise the necessary funding to get access to in-studio machinery and materials.

That’s where you come in. If you’re interested in supporting this project and getting the TapCaps once they’re made available, then you can make a pledge of at least $25 to the project. Head on over to TapCaps’ Kickstarter page to find out more.

Own Justin Bieber’s Steampunk Robot Arm

Technabob — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 15:00:07 +0000

I didn’t even know that Justin Bieber had a steampunk robot arm, but then again, I don’t really follow the Biebs. I’m not exactly in his target demo. Apparently, he donned this curious bit of steampunk wear for a photo shoot and a holiday music video a few months back.

While you can’t actually buy the exact one he wore (I’m sure that anything that Bieber touches instantly is worth ungodly amounts of cash), you can own one made by the same artist – based on the same design worn by the teen pop idol.

This cool neo-Victorian glove is handmade by artist Ian Finch-Field of SkinzNhydez, who specializes in leather steampunk goods. It’s made from leather, brass, rivets, studs, an old pocket watch, and even has a working LEDs built into it. Each glove is made to order and appears to have had some design refinements since Bieber wore his. For some reason, it makes me think of a steampunk Iron Man – if he were played by Justin Bieber instead of Robert Downey, Jr.

If you just have to do everything Bieber does, or just think it looks cool despite Justin wearing it, you can buy one of just ten of these being made over on Etsy – for $1,700 CAD (~$1,765 USD). While that might seem a bit expensive, at least your purchase will go to a good cause, with 20% of of each one sold going to the Greater Victoria Animal Crusaders.

Flamethrower Glove: Iron HuMan Torch

Lambert Varias — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:00:03 +0000

We’ve featured a pair of flame-throwing gloves before, but this variant by hand-mounted weapons expert Patrick Priebe is more compact and just as toasty.

I’d warn you not to try this at home – but you probably won’t be able to replicate Priebe’s gadget because he’s not going to share any details about it or even sell a unit. The only thing we know about it is that it uses four AA batteries and that it uses butane fuel. Here, check out the fiery action below:

Hey Patrick, do Tony Stark’s boot jets next! Check out his website for more gadgets and weapons.

[via Geeky Gadgets]

The Magic Glove Vacuum and Dusts All At Once

Hazel Chua — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:30:46 +0000

I remember back in the day when vacuum cleaners were huge, noisy, metallic machines that had to be lugged around or dragged around on stands with wheels. My mother used to have me carry the heavy vacuum while she went around with the hose and the vacuum’s brush head, poking it around here and there and in corners everywhere. That’s one of the reasons why I hate having to vacuum.

If vacuuming isn’t one of your favorite chores, then the Magic Glove might be something you’d like to own.

It doesn’t really help you do magic, but it can certainly take a little bit of the chore out of vacuuming itself. The Magic Glove is a concept design by Christian Sallustro and hopes to cut down your house cleaning time in half. That’s because it would vacuum and dust at the same time, allowing you to hit two birds with one stone in a neat and compact device.

The Magic Glove comes with a wrist strap which secures the device on your arm. It also comes with a rechargeable battery so you don’t have to stop your cleaning when you run out of juice.

I imagine this device would add a little bit of fun to your daily dusting routine. It’s amazing how a device that used to stand at least two feet tall is now something that can be held in your hand or fitted into a single glove.

[via Yanko Design]

Keyglove is a Mouse and Keyboard for One Hand

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:41:03 +0000

There are lots of reasons that a person might need to control their computer with one hand, and not all of them have to do with self-gratification. Being able to control a computer with one hand is a great thing in a small workspace or if you are standing up and need to hold a notebook or tablet. One-handed control is also something that people with some sort of physical handicap benefit from as well.

A dude named Jeff Rowberg has developed a cool one hand input device that controls the mouse and the keyboard for a computer user. The glove is called the Keyglove. It’s festooned with 34 sensors that produce keystrokes and letters when you touch them together.

You can even have shortcuts for multiple key strokes too. Its powered by Arduino/AVR prototype boards and has a motion sensor inside that controls the mouse pointer on a computer.

Jeff is looking for the loot needed to build his concept device on Kickstarter. He’s is looking to raise $10,000 and has about 27 days left to hit that number. Contributors who kick in at least $400 (USD) will receive one of the initial production batch of Keygloves (or you can have yours donated to a physically-challenged person.)

Vulcan Oven Mitt: Live Long and Potholder

Technabob — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:51:34 +0000

Boy, this must be a record – two posts about oven mitts on Technabob in a single day. I know that it seems weird for a techy geek blog, but this one was just too good to pass up.

The guys at Meninos have created the Salute Oven Mitt, which, as you can see is perfect for Trekkies everywhere. Spock would be so proud to see you wearing these the next time you synthesize a batch of cookies in your replicator. Though I’m not sure having your fingers splayed out like that while you’re pulling a pan out of the oven. Maybe this will convince you: here’s the most overly-dramatic video about Star Trek oven mitts you’ll see today…

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You definitely you want one now. Grab one now over at Meninos for $29.99 (USD).

Bluetooth Glove: From Headset to Handset

Lambert Varias — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:59:32 +0000

Here’s an adorably childish hack from Rachel, the Lead Java Developer at Instructables. She stuffed the guts of a Bluetooth headset into a glove in such a way that she could actually talk on the phone by making that gesture we usually make when pretending to talk on the phone:

Yes, the speaker is in fact placed near her thumb, and the mike near her pinky finger, so she really has to make that gesture. Rachel placed the answer button on the palm part of her glove, so she can press it web-shooter style.

Here’s Rachel’s demo of the Bluetooth glove, which we’ll have to take as proof since we can’t really tell if it actually works or if she’s just pretending:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I don’t know which is sillier – someone talking to the air while using a vanilla headset or this. At least this one’s more natural. Check out Rachel’s guide at – where else? – Instructables to find out how to make a Bluetooth (headset) glove.

Rock Paper Scissors Glove: Computers Don’T Play Games for Fun, They Play to Win.

Lambert Varias — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:58:03 +0000

Maker/Problem-solver Steve Hoefer made an Arduino-based glove that can play Rock Paper Scissors. Why? Why the hell not! You think a nerd would pass up the opportunity to play with a computer? The glove has an accelerometer that detects when the user is shaking his fist to signify the beginning of a round. A flex sensor takes care of determining what move has been pulled off, i.e. whether you played rock, paper or scissors, and a layered edge-lit display shows what move the computer played. LEDs are used to show the score.

So how does the Arduino Mini Pro fare in Rock Paper Scissors? “It wins. A lot. And it adapts.” The glove remembers a user’s playing habits, so if you have a pattern of moves (whether you’re aware that you have a pattern of moves or not), the glove will adjust accordingly.

For example, if most of the time your opening move is Rock, then the glove will start using Paper as its initial move more often. Or if you usually play Paper twice in a row, then the glove will learn to play Scissors after your first Paper. It’s Rock Paper Scissors Championship Edition, and it seems that ironically, you’ll have a higher chance of winning if you don’t have a strategy and are totally random.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Tinkerers and hackers should check out Hoefer’s website for more details, as well as instructions, tips and the source code for the Arduino. Maybe you can build a glove that incorporates Lizard and Spock as well.

[via Neatorama]

Deranged Animals Keep Your Hands Warm While You Type

Technabob — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:12:51 +0000

Despite the fact that it’s currently zero-degrees Fahrenheit outside my door, my hands don’t feel that cold while I’m typing this. That said, I’m sure some of you guys out there have some cold, numb hands when the air conditioning is blowing in your office. Here’s an effective, if not stylish way to keep your hands toasty and warm while your click away at your keyboard.

Sure, you’ll look like a complete moron wearing these plush animal USB hand warmer mitts, but your hands don’t have eyes, so they shouldn’t care. The “Happy Lamb” above looks like he’s been poked in the eye, or maybe he’s just having a seizure because he’s been decapitated and you have your hand rammed up his neck. Who knows. At least your hands remain warm. And if you’re not into sheep, you can always get your self a pair of peaceful anesthetised monkey hand warmers.

If you really have cold hands, you could always just turn up the heat, but if you really want to look like an idiot at the same time, you’ll need to pick up a pair of these. They’re available over at gadget4all for $21 (USD) a pair.

Peregrine Gesture Glove: Not Your Daddy’S Power Glove

Technabob — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:25:31 +0000

Remember those gesture control gloves Tom Cruise wore in Minority Report? Well, starting in 2010, you’ll be able to work similar magic with your fingertips thanks to the new Peregrine gesture glove.

The unusual computer controller features over 30 touch points which can be used to interact with your games and other software like you’ve never done before. Each glove can be custom calibrated to your own unique touch and hand size, and each touch point can be mapped to your computer keys using the included configuration software. Since the glove emulates keys on your keyboard, you can play just about any game with it – although it’s probably best for RTS and MMORPG games. But I’d still like to try playing MAME with one.

The military-grade glove attaches to your computer with a breakaway magnetic connector pod that’s designed to breakaway in case you get too raucous when thrashing around. And since it’s a standard HID-compliant USB device you can use it with Windows, Mac OS and Linux computers without a problem. (though the configuration software is only coming for Windows and Macs).

Check out the videos below to see the Peregrine in action:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Peregrine expects to start shipping the glove in early 2010 for $129 (USD) – $20 off of the regular price, and you can pre-order yours here.

Bear and Rabbit USB Hand Warmers Perfect for Furries

Technabob — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:28:11 +0000

Wanna look like a complete freak while you’re sitting at your computer surfing the web? Then look no further than these ridiculous USB hand warmers that look like stuffed animals.

I don’t know if the fluffy bunnies or the pooh bears are more insane. And even if they weren’t completely stupid looking, do your hands really ever get so cold that you can’t type and you need to wear hand warmers at the computer anyway? It’s certainly never happened to me, but then again, I don’t live in an igloo.

Both Bear and Rabbit USB Hand warmers are available from Gadget4all for $22.50 (USD) a pair. I dare you to bring these to work and wear them during a board meeting while you’re typing on your laptop. When the CEO asks WTF is going on with you, just tell him your hands were cold. I’m sure he’ll understand.

Pac-Man Oven Mitt for Grabbing Your Hot Wok-a-Wok-a-Wok-a

Technabob — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 04:04:50 +0000

I give you the greatest kitchen accessory of 2009 – the Pac-Man Hothead oven mitt. New from Worldwide Fred.

[via Walyou]

Click Oven Mitts: Pixelated Potholders

Technabob — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:55:57 +0000

I don’t usually associate computers with cooking, but that doesn’t mean that your geek style shouldn’t find its way into your kitchen.

Brazilian designer Anderson Horta’s Clicking Kitchen Grip oven mitts are inspired by the little pixels of the hand cursor from your computer.

It’s too bad that there’s no way to make version that turns into an hourglass or a spinny beachball while your food is cooking, into an arrow when you can’t pick something up, and a closed hand when you grab your pots and pans. Damned non-virtual world!

Still, they’re pretty cool, IMHO. You can get your grubby little mitts on these anything-but-grubby, not-little mitts from Bazar Design for $24,80 Brazilian Real (appx. $11 USD). You can contact them directly for information on international delivery.

[via Designboom via Inspire me, now!]

Like the NES Power Glove on Steroids

Technabob — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 21:59:34 +0000

Way back in 1989, long before today’s Wii-mote and the SIXAXIS motion sensing controllers, Mattel launched their rather silly looking, but ahead-of-its-time Power Glove controller for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Now, Immersion Corporation is offering a modern update to the concept with their CyberGlove II Wireless Data Glove.

Immersion’s new controller is capable of precisely sensing palm, wrist, arm and individual finger movements and sending that data to a computer (via a 3D tracking device) to either record movements or to control software applications. The glove can interact with their optional software for 3D manipulation of objects in virtual space, or can be programmed to work with custom-developed software through Immersion’s VirtualHand SDK.

Unlike the old NES Power Glove, however, this glove isn’t designed for consumers or casual gamers, rather for use by 3D animators, product designers and for medical and military training applications.

[via OhGizmo!]

Perps to Get a Cheap Thrill During Patdowns

Technabob — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:55:01 +0000

Police officers in England now have a strange new trick up their sleeves in the war against crime. The Roboglove is a special glove that police can wear when patting down suspects that contains a miniature metal detector.

The battery-operated glove vibrates to alert officers when it comes across knives, guns or other metal objects on a suspect. Since it does this silently, there’s less risk of tipping off the perp (although the vibration might give it away). Each glove runs just about