Mimobots Give More Space

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

Mimico, the creators of mimobots, continue to entertain us with their line of USB toys. Not only have they created 2 more Star Wars figures, they now have more artists coming up with Limited Editions. We’re thinking that their “one love, one heart series” is an innovative way to express your feelings should your spouse/partner ask you for more space this Valentine’s Day. Each mimbot is a high-speed 2.0 USB, compatible for windows, and is available in 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB at mimico, with prices beginning at $69.95.

Read More | mimico

Tascam Teaches Guitar

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Music, Portable Audio / Video,

Tascam has created the MP-GT1 player for those of you who saw “The Grammys” last night and wanted to be part of the action, instead of just watching it. The guitar trainer can store up to 240 songs with guitar tracks that can change tempo or pitch, loop, or be eliminated while you practice your riffs. It also comes with a USB connection for downloading your tunes, an input that allows you to perform with your fave groups by cancelling the guitar part, a tuner, a metronome, and built-in battery. The MP-GT1 will be available in Japan beginning February 28th.

Read More | Far East Gizmos

The Bleeding Edge 139: Celestron VistaPix Spotting Scope

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cameras, CES, CES 2007, Features, Misc. Tech, Storage, Videocasts, Videos,

Read More | The Bleeding Edge

Grammy Contenders Get Free Netflix

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Movies, Music,

The rich just keep getting richer. This year the Grammy gift baskets include a free 6-month subscription to NetFlix, a year long membership to The Sports Club/LA, a Gibson guitar, a designer jean jacket and eyeware, and a two-night stay at the Morongo Casino Resort Spa in Cabazon, Ca. Distinctive Assets, the LA-based marketing company that produces the baskets, is in its seventh year of providing those-that-have with those-that-get-more. Do we sound spiteful towards all that opulence? No, not us.

Read More | Showbuzz

Nokia Now Has Free GPS

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

Nokia is now offering free GPS navigation and mapping system for anything from cell phones to handhelds. After downloading the application, you can select maps from 150 countries and 15 million points of interest. The catch here is that smart2go is just a basic service, and to get the full-blown program you must pay a weekly or monthly fee. Nokia plans on releasing the program on all new models. We are just happy to know that with competition so hot these days between manufacturers, GPS will probably become standard on all mobile devices and cell phones in the near future.

Read More | Nokia

Scientists Create Mini-helicopter With Insect-size Brain

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Science, Wireless / WiFi,

We already know that helicopters were inspired by creatures such as humming birds and dragonflies. Now scientists have designed a miniature version equipped with a simple visual sensor and electronic brain the size of an insect.  They feel this may allow it better take-offs, flights, and landings.

“It’s extraordinary to see flies navigate with just their small 10-milligram brains,” said researcher Nicolas Franceschini, a neurophysiologist and engineer at NCSR (France’s National Center for Scientific Research.) We think we will just keep letting them test this one before we trust anything with a brain that small.

Read More | LiveScience

USB Robotic Arm Plays Fetch

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

Sci-fi writer Robert Heinlein would be thrilled to see his Waldos finally reaching fruition. EleKit Japan has released a fully programmable, workable USB robotic arm. With 5 distinct motors, it has movement in the upper and lower arm, wrist, rotating base, and can grip. A minimal amount of assembly is required. The arm is made of semi-transparent plastic with an internal LED so that you can watch it work as you get the gadget to fetch you a Bud from the fridge. The device runs on 4 D batteries (not included,) comes with its own remote, and will be available from Japan in March in a Limited Edition for $80.00.

Read More | Elekit

TV2Art’s Lightascope Audio/Visually Covers Flatscreens

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

You finally got that flatscreen HDTV and the Superbowl is over. Surely there is more that you can do with it now than just watch bad sitcoms. TV2Art’s Lightascope, in three differing designs, features colors and light in ever-changing patterns along with six different types of music to soothe any savage breast. Made of durable plastic, it attaches by means of micro-suction tape. Available in 3 sizes, the Lightascope carries a MSRP of $135.00 to $199.00. If you would like to take it for a test drive first, head to the TV2Art website.

Read More | TV2Art

Kellogg’s Lets You Play With Your Food

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

When you get tired of playing with your Legos, you can now eat them. Kellogg’s has created gummy bear-like Lego Fun Snacks that contain 100% of your daily allowance of Vitamin C, not to mention corn syrup, citric acid, carnauba wax, and sodium citrate. Available in cherry, grape, and “grapeberry,” the snacks come in pouches and were probably designed for the younger crowd.  If you have ever visited Legoland under the disguise of doing it for your kids however, you will probably want some, too.

Read More | Kellogg's

coo.boo Assists Cooks

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

If you constantly feel the need to create a masterpiece in your kitchen for your spouse/partner and often download recipes, this new gadget will keep you from leaving a paper trail with gooey hands. Designed by IF Concept 2007 award winner Philipp Gilgen, the coo.boo is a digital alternative that syncronizes with a wireless docking station. Choose between a simple recipe display and full audio-visual instruction. Shaped like a spatula and washable, it can be hung with other kitchen utensils or placed on your counter. Not yet available to the general public, contact Mr. Gilgen to be one of the first to purchase this inventive device.

Read More | Philipp Gilgen