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Thanko Fanbrella: Cheaper and Cooler

Range — Mon, 23 May 2011 12:13:06 +0000

The first time I heard about fanbrellas was a short while ago, and I guess they make sense in very humid and wet climates. It didn’t take Thanko long to announce their version of the Fanbrella. Even though it’s cheaper, it actually looks somewhat sturdier than the one we mentioned before.

In my experience, if it’s raining, it’s usually not that hot, even in tropical climates. While I can see the logic behind having a small fan in your umbrella, what happens when there are gusts of wind? Won’t the fans be broken immediately?

On top of that, umbrellas are very easy to lose. I don’t lose them easily, but my wife goes through a few every few months. This also makes your umbrella slightly more attractive to umbrella thieves. Either way, the fan is a smart idea if it gets really hot and steamy where you live. Thanko’s Fanbrella sells for ¥3,980 ($49 USD).

[via Ubergizmo]

Plug Mug Renders Your Mug Useless – Take That You Coffee Cup Thieves!

Technabob — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:01:28 +0000

How many times have you walked into the employee break room to grab a cup of Joe, only to find that some ass-hat has “borrowed” your coffee cup out of the cabinet? Well now, you can finally do something to make sure that your mug is safe from pilfering by co-workers once and for all.

Spinning Hat’s Plug Mug features an ingenious design that ensures that only the person in possession of the watertight drain plug can partake of a cuppa without ending up with a scalding hot lap full of liquid. And you’ve got no reason to feel guilty if that were to befall Susie Secretary when she walks off with your cup. If the bright exclamation mark and stop sign and gaping hole in the side of the mug aren’t sufficient warning, she fully deserves what she gets.

You can grab the Plug Mug over at UK gadget shop I Want One of Those for £9.99 (Appx. $14 USD.)

Torch Flashlight So Hot You Could Fry an Egg on It

Technabob — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 04:16:43 +0000

How many times have you pulled the flashlight out of your utility drawer only to find out it can barely light up 2 feet in front of your face? This insanely bright flashlight certainly doesn’t have that problem.

As a matter of fact, the Torch flashlight is so intense that it generates sufficient heat to fry an egg before you can say “Egg McMuffin” ten times fast.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Personally, I prefer mine over easy. The Torch is even hot enough to ignite a small fire (or better yet, toast a marshmallow) in seconds flat.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Cranking out an unbelievable 4100 lumens of brightness, you’ll have no problem finding your way around in the dark with this bad boy.

The Torch gets its mighty strength from a 100-watt halogen bulb which runs on a 14.4-volt rechargeable battery. Of course all this intensity does chew up some power – battery life is only about 15 minutes per charge – so you’ll want a spare battery or two.

The $299 Torch flashlight is available from Wicked Lasers.

Automatic Hot/Cold Mug Takes Your Coffee’s Temperature

Technabob — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:00:29 +0000

A little while back, I told you guys about a nifty coffee mug that could automatically change states from “on” to “off” when a hot beverage hit its surface. While that mug turned out to be insanely popular, many of you pointed out the fact that a simple change in the design to read “hot / cold” would make infinitely more sense. Well ask, and ye shall receive.

The gang over at Charles & Marie listened to your feedback, and have worked with Dutch designer Damien O’Sullivan to produce a new version of the minimal black-and-white mug that says “cold” when it’s cold, and “hot” when it’s hot. It’s amazing how one small text change can really make such a difference. Heck, just the utility of knowing when that coffee that’s been sitting in there all day long is cold as ice should be enough to merit the $25 price tag.

Charles & Marie is now offering the Hot/Cold mug on a pre-order basis now, so if you want one, you’d better head on over and place your order. They should start shipping in about three weeks.

On/Off Coffee Mug

Technabob — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:35:40 +0000

This simple, clever mug automatically indicates its current state of mind when you pour a hot beverage into it.

In its dormant state, the mug offers a black “OFF” display, but once your hot coffee or tea hits the inside, it gradually transforms to read “ON”. A heat sensitive pigment changes the color of the mug from black to white.

While it may be designed for coffee, the $25 mug is Charles & Marie’s “Soupe du Jour” offer of the day. So if you want one in time for the holidays, you better grab yours now.

Wmf Coffee Pad: Just One Cup of Joe, Please

Technabob — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:46:58 +0000

This cool coffee maker offers up a smart industrial design which cleanly integrates a ceramic mug in place of a carafe. It’s perfect for making a single cup at your desk, or if you’re living a bachelor’s life.

The WMF1 Coffee Pad takes a single portioned coffee filter and can brew up a fresh cup of Java in about 1 minute. The compact coffee maker features a clean white design, with a choice of four accent colors: kiwi (green), mango (yellow), berry (red) and stone (dark grey). And yes, it includes the perfectly-fitted ceramic mug. The brilliantly minimal design even won a 2007 red dot award for its creators.

At this point, the Coffee Pad is only available in a European 220-volt configuration, so you’ll need a power converter to use it here in the States. It’s available now from French online retailer Singulier for €139 (appx. $198 USD).

Cool Your Hot Console With a Radiator

Technabob — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:42:26 +0000

For certain current-gen consoles (espectially those that start with an “X” and end with a “360″), overheating has been a recurring problem for many of us. I’ve seen all sorts of cooling fans that claim to help with the problem, and sometimes they do. That said, there doesn’t appear to be a perfect solution, other than a redesign of the console’s innards.

However, for those of us who have already purchased said white-hot console, we’re always looking for options too keep the thing from melting down. This add-on takes a vastly different approach than those noisy fans.

This passive “heat radiator” lays on top of your (horizontal) sweltering console or computer. It’s aluminum fins are said to dissipate the hot stuff, decreasing the heat retained inside your precious electronic gear. As a bonus, it’s got a funky picture of some unknown JapAnime character on it (take that Intercooler!)

The Console Heat Radiator is available from Japan’s HimeyaShop for $35.

Caution: Mouse Contents May be Hot

Technabob — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:09:50 +0000

What happens when you combine a computer mouse and a cup of ‘joe? 2nd degree burns? Nope. You get the Mug Mouse, a conceptual design that’s meant to make you slow down when using your computer.

Simply fill the cup with coffee, then plug it into your USB port (or is it the other way around?) and you can sip your Maxwell House between mouse clicks.

Under no circumstances, should you attempt to use the Mug Mouse while surfing for porn.

[via Ubergizmo]