Michigan Researchers Develop Robotic Exoskeleton

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

University of Michigan researchers have developed a robotic ankle exoskeleton that can be controlled by its wearer’s nervous system. Although there are no plans to build it for commercial purposes, the team sees usage in rehabilitation and physical therapy.

“This could benefit stroke patients or patients with incomplete injuries of the spinal cord,” said Daniel Ferris, associate professor in movement science at U of M. “For patients that can walk slowly, a brace like this may help them walk faster and more effectively.”

We think this puts us one step closer towards achieving our “Bionic Human” status.

Read More | Space Daily

Cartoon Network: Number One in The Hood Again

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Internet, Misc. Tech,

The quick thinking Time Warner Cartoon Network is making headlines again. They will be offering ring tones for cell phones in the voices of their cartoon characters. Their CallToons service will also be available to alert you to new voice mails or low-battery alerts. The Network has filed for a patent on the technology as they claim they are the first to respond to the idea. We just can’t wait to not only see the Mooninites in action, but also to hear them with such witticisms as, “Try as you like Carl, but you cannot heat up our moon juices.”

Read More | USA Today

Swiss Army Knife Becomes USB

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Storage, USB,

It cuts, it screws, it slices, it tweezes, it goes digital. The company that has brought us our beloved Swiss Army Knife has created a USB version that will store 512MB or 1GB. It also features an LED light and ballpoint pen, and works on Windows, Mac OS, or Linux. The knife is priced at $85.00 and $115.00, a bit more than the one we got for $11.00 at Target. We are still trying to figure out how the clever company managed to combine all of this in only 2 1/4 x 5/8 x 1/2-inches.

Read More | RedEnvelope

Lover Duck Inspires Valentine Bathers

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

What can say “I love you” more than a glow-in-the-dark duck? Okay, a lot of things, but who could resist this LED Lover Duck ? Turn the lights off in your bathtub (and don’t forget the bubbles) and watch its changing colors put your Valentine in the mood. At a size of 8.5 x 8 x 10cm, its batteries will run up to 45 hours and will go on standby when removed from the water. Get your Love Duck for a mere £6.99 (~$13.71) and your spouse/partner just may treat you to a marathon weekend in the tub.

Read More | The Glow Company

Carry Mini-Digital Photos With You

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Misc. Tech, USB,

It’s Valentine’s Day and you still haven’t gotten off your computer to do that last minute shopping. Even if you cannot order something online and make it in time, we’re hoping we can give you some last minute suggestions like this photo viewer. The Tricod heart-shaped Mini Digital Photo Frame can carry more pictures of your loved ones than anyone wants to see. It holds up to 56 images and displays them on its 1.1-inch LCD screen. Available in three colors, it can be used as a keychain or pendant, and is rechargeable with its USB cable. Find the picture viewer online for $39.95.

Read More | Tricod

Pixelator Featured at NY Toy Fair

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

We just couldn’t omit our electronic game of choice at the NY Toy Fair this week. Kid Galaxy of Pro Sudoku fame has created Pixelator, a bizarre game if we ever saw one. Players take multi-colored hexagonal cards and arrange them on a quad-fold game board. An electrobotic module reads them with its electronic eye, then moves around and spins according to color. If it gets to your opponent’s home base before yours, you win. Available soon at Kid Galaxy for $30.00, we’re thinking that this is the game to play at our next beer fest.

Read More | Toy Directory

Kid Galaxy is Answer to Sudoku Addicts

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Handhelds, Misc. Tech, Toys,

Hooked on Sudoku? Kid Galaxy, designer and developer of creative toys and games is featuring their handheld Pro at this week’s NY Toy Fair 2007. The gadget features over 1,000,000 puzzles, 4 different skill levels, and an adjustable screen. It also sports check, hint, and mute buttons, a timer, a step counter, and an input for downloading games. Pro Sudoku is available online for $15.00, requires 3 AAA batteries (not included,) and also comes in a $5.00 Sudoku To Go Model.

Read More | Kid Galaxy

Disney’s Digital Camera Adds Character to Photos

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Cameras, Misc. Tech, Toys,

Leave it to Disney to make digital photography even more fun and kid-friendly. With the Disney Pix Max, a 3.0 MP camera from Digital Blue, kids can superimpose their favorite Disney character onto the picture they’re about to snap. Just press a button and voila! Mickey Mouse appears in the viewfinder and can be posed anywhere within the frame. The $80 camera contains 32 MB of internal storage, but in case your budding Ansel Adams needs more space, there’s a slot for SD and MMC memory cards. The camera requires 2 AA batteries (none of these are included). An editing package complete with Disney clip art is included.

Read More | New York Times

Spidey and Superman Come To Life

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

At this week’s NY Toy Fair 2007, JazWares is displaying its Marvel Heroes Ani-Movie movie studio. With it, you and your kids can animate artwork, drawings, pictures, and action figures into short digital films. Load a background of your choice then select comic art or toys. Using stop-motion, you capture each frame utilizing its stage platform controls. Playback and review is possible on a TV screen, and you can save your work with an optional SD card. Make it quick if you want to get one of these before the Fair makes them more expensive. Toys ‘R Us has them available now at a reduced price of only $24.98.

Read More | JazWares

USB Cannon Turns Workspace Into Circus

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Toys, USB,

Need a pleasant diversion in your 9:00 to 5:00 cubicle? Simply plug the Circus Cannon into your USB connection, pack it with one of its “babes,” point it at its net up to 20 feet away, and let ‘er rip. The Cannon can move vertically and horizontally, includes 3 feet of cable, and even comes with downloadable sound effects. Compatible with Windows XP, the USB Cannon is available at USB.brando for $35.00. We figure this is much more amusing than trying to make our In boxes smaller than our Out boxes.

Read More | USB.brando