Find Our Latest Video Reviews on YouTube!
If you want to stay on top of all of our video reviews of the latest tech, be sure to check out and subscribe to the Gear Live YouTube channel, hosted by Andru Edwards! It’s free!
Tattooed Fish Are Cruel Gimmick
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Science,
Steve Lane, owner of a pet shop in Williamsville, New York, has been receiving an inordinate amount of press pre-Valentine’s Day because he is offering tattooed fish for sale. Imported from Singapore, he hopes that they will attract enough attention to get more people into becoming aquariasts. Alan Lee, Chairman of the HK Aquaria Mall in Hong Kong, claims that his cichlids are tattooed with a permanent dye using a low intensity laser.
A local news channel interviewing Lane purchased four of them, and took them to their local SPCA to find if they believed this to be cruel to the fish. Spokesperson Gina Browning commented, “Morally and ethically what we’re looking at is incorrect. Any animal lover would agree, it’s so unnatural.”
We concur with Ms. Browning, and hope that anyone who sees the poor creatures will not only not purchase them, but remember that a number of years ago, humans had enough sense to outlaw the sales of turtles imported from Mexico whose shells had been decorated with toxic paint.
Read More 
| First Coast News
The Bleeding Edge 132: DATZOO FixDAT
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, CES, CES 2007, Design, Features, Misc. Tech, Transportation, Videocasts, Videos,
[Download] - iPod-formatted H.264
[Download] - 720p HD
[Download] - 1080p MP4
Read More | The Bleeding Edge
Advertisement
JaiQi Creates Knock-off Wowwee Bots
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Toys, Wireless / WiFi,
As we have said often enough, we dig Wowwee’s roboline of creatures. China’s JaiQi has created a knockoff line of bots for those of you who perhaps cannot afford the genuine article. The Robone has 54 pre-programmed functions such as dance, pick-up, throw, perform a bit of Kung Fu, and of course burp and whistle. Running Robo, Robosaur, and Robodog are also available. The robots feature 2 program modes, an infra-red remote, and are powered by 4 D and 3 AA batteries (not included.) Contact JaiQi if you have a yen to try out their new line.
Read More | JaiQi
Latest Gear Live Videos
Brando Turns AA batteries into Ds
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Portable Audio / Video, Storage,
During the last power outage you needed a couple of D batteries, but all you had were spare AAs for your now useless remotes. Gadget.brando solves this problem with their Battery Converter. Simply insert the AA battery using matching polarity signs and you have the capacity to get that flashlight working. Since the devices only cost $5.00 apiece, you can keep several on hand. While we are wondering if that would be a faster drain on the resulting power, we are also thinking that it’s better than lighting a dozen candles.
Read More | Gadget.brando
Purdue researchers have devised a generator that eats garbage and spits out electricity. Dubbed a “tactical biorefinery,” it was designed for the military to convert waste into multiple fuels to feed into a diesel engine that powers a generator. Not only will it create power, it will dispose of leftovers from troops that are in transit. The University claims that the portable device creates 90% more power than it takes in. Tested last November, it is still in the experimental stage, but we are thinking that when it becomes available to the general public, no one will be able to berate us for not cleaning our plates.
Read More | Purdue University
The Bleeding Edge 131: The Celestron SkyScout
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2007, Design, Features, GPS, Misc. Tech, Portable Audio / Video, Toys, Videocasts, Videos,
[Download] - iPod-formatted H.264
[Download] - 720p HD
[Download] - 1080p MP4
Read More | The Bleeding Edge
Solve the NYT Crossword Puzzle Anytime
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Handhelds, Home Entertainment, Misc. Tech,
Bill Clinton does them. Jon Stuart and Sheila Franklin do them. What are they? The New York Times Crossword Puzzles, of course. What better way to stave off Alzheimer’s or prove your mental acumen than by doing them in pen? We suggest a stylus and the NYT Electronic Crossword. With a 4 x 2.5-inch LCD screen, it contains 1,000 puzzles and comes with a memory saver, three levels of skill, a spell checker, and a hint helper (although we consider that cheating.) The handheld device runs on 2 AAA batteries (not included) with auto-shut off and adjustable contrast, and is available at Hammacher Schlemmer for $99.99. What’s a six letter word for “expensive?”
Read More | Hammacher Schlemmer
With so much road rage going on these days, we have found the perfect Valentine gift to remind your partner or spouse that they don’t have to utter obscenities or physically assault the driver in the car next to them. The Road Rage Racer shifts into four gears and becomes increasing hysterical in each one. Simply put him on your dashboard and let him be a comfort when you commute. The 19 x 13 x 9-inch Road Rage Racer requires 3 AA batteries (included) and is available online from our pals at Latest Buy for AU 34.95 (~US $27.61.)
Read More | Latest Buy
Yesterday we showed you Chaos, a bot that can be used in military applications, so we decided to counterbalance that with Dacky, a robotic puppy that doesn’t have to be housebroken. Tomy Takara, creators of the pooch, says it has 6 sensors and can learn up to 650 Japanese words. It also can wish you a happy birthday and sing karaoke. We don’t yet know if Dacky will be coming to the States, but if he does, we think we have finally found a singing partner that won’t care if we are off-key.
Read More | Tokyo Mango
ASI’s Chaos is our latest entry into the area of homeland security bots. His 4 independently controlled tracks can wander up over hills and down into valleys where danger may be lurking. Recently tested at Disaster City, Texas, a search and rescue training ground with a name that just sounds creepy, the robot can be used for surveillance, hauling gear, explosives disposal, reconnaissance, and search and rescue.
At a weight of 120 lbs., Chaos functions with the help of its OCU (Operator Control Unit) which contains Mobious software. Contact ASI if you would like to watch their demo and are thinking of starting your own military coup.
Read More | ASI
