MIT Makes Inexpensive Solar Dish

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Editorial, Misc. Tech, Science,

A team of MIT students has successfully tested a prototype solar dish by lighting a plank of wood on fire. The system is a 12 ft. wide mirrored dish made of thin, inexpensive aluminum tubing and strips of mirror. It concentrates sun rays by a factor of 1,000, enough heat to melt a steel bar. Because water in the tubing turns to steam, the team is hoping that could revolutionize energy production as we know it. We think it’s great and would certainly opt for solar panels over building more nuclear power plants, as was recently suggested by a certain presidential contender.

Read More | MIT

Toy Story 3D Midway Mania

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Movies, PC / Laptop, Toys, Videos,

It’s been a while since we have been to a Disney Park and notice that technology has come a long way. Their Toy Story Midway Mania is a 3-D gaming experience that was created with help from the Pixar folks. The attraction includes an animatronic Mr. Potato Head barker and a swiveling ride that takes you past a series of virtual games. Each of the five is based on a different Toy Story character. While you can’t actually win anything, virtual prizes are awarded. A central PC-based gaming control is run by a computer farm that consist of about 150 computers, including one Windows XP PC from HP for each of the 56 game screens.

Read More | Mechatronics Zone

Channel Changer Ray Gun

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Misc. Tech, Movies,

There is not much info available on this Channel Changer Ray Gun, but we figure it has to be even more functional than the SMK remote prototype that was shaped like a water pistol. Due out in August, you can pre-order now for £8.99 (~$17.00) and get ready for the new fall season on the Sci-Fi Channel, or a few old episodes of the myriad of Star Trek re-runs that seem to go on forever.

Read More | Play

Remote Buddy Organizes

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Smart Home, Misc. Tech,

Every time we get a new gadget we get a new remote. While we suppose a universal one should be in order, we prefer the simplicity of the Remote Buddy. It holds up to 4 remotes with a cup holder for your fave brew. The outstanding thing about this is that it has one-touch buttons in case you lose one of the controls. Made of plastic, the 16 1/2 x 7 1/2 x 3 1/2-inch holder carries a MSRP of $59.98.

Read More | Taylor Gifts

Maxwell Smart Shoe Phone Closer Than We Think

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Wearables, GPS, Misc. Tech, Portable Audio / Video,

From TV show to movie to reality. ArchPort founder and president Matt Potts has already incorporated a slot in the sole of his shoe for wallets, keys, and credit cards. The man says that he came up with the idea in 1989 when playing tennis. The sandals and sneakers are named for the storage location, and Potts says that he sees them carrying smaller GPS devices, remote controls, MP3 players, heaters, and yes, even a diminutive cell phone a la “Get Smart” in the future.

Read More | GPS Daily

Jelly Stick Cell Phone Charger

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Misc. Tech, Storage,

Even if we are not particularly into lipstick or girly-intended products, we still appreciate the Jelly Stick phone charger. Available in gold, silver, blue, pink and macho black, the tube-shaped device will give your cellie an extra hour of talk time with the use of a AA battery. This would be a great thing for trips, especially those long car rides when it seems that our cell phone is never charged in case of an emergency.

Read More | Tokyo Mango

Electronic Cigarette

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Science,

Not too long ago we showed you an electronic cigarette that was both expensive and unavailable. How about the less expensive version that includes 10 low, medium and high refills? It says that there is no tar or any other substance inside so we assume that it is veggie based. About the same size as the real thing, the ciggy lights up at the end with a red LED and lasts up to 8 hours on a 2 to 3 hour charge. If you don’t think you will look or feel too foolish, you can give the device a try for $42.00.

(Thanks, Fanny)

Read More | gadget4all

Fuji Electric Solar-Powered Vending Machine

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech,

While we are on the subject of vending machines, the recent Vendex Japan displayed Fuji Electric’s prototype of a solar-powered machine. It is comprised of panels to supply energy to cool and heat beverages, while the mossy cover not only improves insulation, it will add a touch of green to overly grey cities. Coca-Cola is also working with Fuji to make a 100% hydro fluorocarbon-free machine that will appear this July at the G8 summit in Hokkaido.

Read More | ping mag

Smart Car Vending Machine

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Transportation,

In a kind of belated April Fool’s joke, a vending machine was constructed in Japan that holds a full-size Smart Car. Located in the Smart Vendor in Shibuya station, you get to choose between a Coupe and Cabrio and deposit your $20,000.00 in the slot. While we realize this probably an incredible effective marketing ploy, we were thinking that we might go for the real thing since it wouldn’t involve smarmy automobile salespeople looking for commission.

Read More | C Scout

Those Who Dig Gadgets Make Better Leaders

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Misc. Tech,

A recent online study took 25,000 American adults and found that the ones who purchased a lot of techie products tended to score higher in the traits of leadership, dynamism, and assertiveness. The research, done by a collaboration between Mindset Media and Nielsen Online, found that it is not just based on age and gender. We know that you have been telling people this for years and, by the way, the study also concluded that another trait found in the same group of people was a lack of modesty.

Read More | Reuters