Technabob » stopwatch

Weird Japan: the 5 Second Stopwatch Game

Technabob — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:39:47 +0000

You’ve got to hand it to the Japanese. I’m pretty sure that the ONLY objective of this new handheld game is to press the stopwatch button at exactly 5-seconds, but I’m so completely mesmerized by the marketing materials that I must go buy one now.

If those images pique your curiosity, then you must check out this Flash promo movie, which could be the best, strangest, and catchiest jingle to hit since I laid my eyes and ears on Katamari Damacy for the first time. It’s truly a must see (and hear).

While the concept of the game appears to be as simple as it gets, clearly it’s changed the lives of the inhabitants of this strange parallel universe.

The 5 Second Stopwatch should find its way to stores in Japan on July 26, 2008. I’d expect someone to start importing them Stateside this Fall. In the mean time, you can play this simple online version of the game and start warming up your trigger finger.

[Bandai 5 Second Stopwatch Game]

Nike Triax Vapor 300: Futuristic Watch for Sports Fiends

Technabob — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 04:04:34 +0000

I do my best to avoid showing you guys products that are just “concept” designs, so when I saw the image for this watch, I almost skipped right over it. Usually when I see industrial design work that’s as futuristic as this, I just assume it’s a conceptual mockup and move on to the next thing.

To my surprise, Nike’s Triax Vapor 300 digital watch is anything but vaporware. Its striking looks include a super-thin LCD screen mounted in an aluminum case that follows the curvature of your wrist. The screen is protected by a high-quality mineral glass lens, so it should handle all but the most extreme sports.

The watch is designed for serious athletes, with a 300-lap chronograph and five-segment interval timer. The Vapor 300 can also resist water at depths of up to 100-meters. It’s available for about $129 and comes in a variety of color schemes.

[via Wrist Dreams]

Timer Tells Athletes Their Hang Time

Technabob — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:59:47 +0000

This unconventional watch is designed for daredevil types who love sports that involve flying through the air.

Perfect for those who enjoy skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding or biking, DropZone’s HangTimer measures how much time you spent in the air once your body left the ground. By combining a stopwatch with a 3-axis accelerometer, it automatically detects the second you hit the sky, and the second you land. The result: an accurate reading of your hang time.

The compact device hooks onto your belt loop or your sporting equipment using a durable carabiner clip, making it pretty tough to lose. It’s also water resistant to 3 meters and shockproof so it should hold up to most of the relevant “extreme sports” (although high diving would be out.)

In addition to its hang time measurement capability, the HangTimer is a fully functional clock with current date and temperature readouts.

It’s available directly from the HangTimer website for $99. Once you get one for yourself, be sure to post back with your record times!