K7 KLOK Kit Utilizes Old Nixie Tubes

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

 

Russia meets America as industrial designer Mike Mayberry of KLOK Modern has created a K7 KLOK Kit which is sure to attract gadget freaks of all ages. Made from half century-old Nixie Tubes that he found stashed in Russian warehouses, the 136 mm x 63 mm x 65 mm clock features 10 layers of glowing orange electrodes embedded on an aluminum housing made in the U.S. Offered as a limited edition for $105.00, check out the demo then preorder your KLOK for its January re-release.

Read More | KLOK

Lego Mindstorms NXT Can Be Your Kids’ New Best Friend

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

Lego has joined the bot revolution. The MindStorms NXT has 3x servo motors, touch, light, and sound sensors, and Bluetooth capability. It features a 100 x 64 pixel LCD, a USB full speed port, a 32-bit microprocessor, and an 8 kHz sound channel with with 8-bit resolution and 2-16 KHz sample rate. Imagine the glee from your kids when they get their own bot to feed their pet, guard their room, or pick up their dirty clothes. Imagine your own glee dishing out $249.00 to Lego and getting to put the MindStorms together.

Read More | Lego

Targus Mobile Sercurity Lock Keeps iPods Safe

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

If you are concerned that someone may want to covet your iPod, Targus has a Mobile Security Lock that can be connected to a backpack, clothing, or your laptop. Compatible with iPods that have a dock connector, it contains a 3-digit combination that can easily be reset and a retractable cable. At dimensions of 1.8 x 4.2 x .6-inches and a weight of 2.8 oz, you might want to get your hands on one at Targus for $39.99 (with an instant rebate of $10.00) before someone gets his/her hands on your iPod.

Read More | Targus

Lightkeeper Pro Makes Christmas Bright

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

Let’s file this one under: “It’s about time.” No more endless twisting and turning of those Christmas tree lights after they are on the tree and decide to fizzle out. The Lightkeeper Pro detects and repairs uncooperative light bulbs by sending an electrical pulse through the string. It has an LED in the tip for darkened corners, a voltage detector with sound, a bulb/fuse tester, 7 bulbs, a space for electrical accessories, and a bulb remover. The Lightkeeper Pro is available at Solutions for $24.95 and uses three button cell batteries which are included.

Read More | Lightkeeper

Intellicot Replaces Parental Chores

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

We dig telling you about the latest gadgets for adults, and even occasionally dabble in those for kids, but this one takes babysitting to a whole ‘nother level. It was bad enough when diaper companies discovered the means that would allow you not to have to change your baby for hours at a time.  The Cencio Intellicot makes it possible for you not to have to attend the little nippers for even longer. The gadget rocks your baby, has a video camera for surveillance, a built-in lift system, and circulates air. It even has a convenient window for your tot to watch you watching her/him. Called a “labour of love” by Britain’s Coventry University, we call it a glorified ant farm and a terrible replacement for a couple of hugs and a good old-fashioned rocking chair.

Read More | Intellicot

CompuStar Unveils the Next Generation of Security Remotes

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

CompuStar remotes may be a familiar name to those of you who already own a Hummer fully equipped. The up and coming P2WSS-R Pro Series SS Remote by Firstech features programmable time and temperature start at up to a 2 mile range, multi-color LCD, clock display with alarm, vibration and audible alerts, even a parking meter timer. The remote operates on 900MHz Spread Spectrum 50-Channel frequency changing technology. Already honored at the CES 2007, check with Firstech for availability and price.

Read More | CompuStar

TiVo is Free With Subscription Commitment

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

With all the holiday 2-fers and buy-1-get-1s this season, TiVo wants to join in on the festivities. They suggest you deck your hall with a free TiVo. It may not be the fanciest model on the block, but if you order a subscription plan, they will toss in an 80 hour, Series 2 Model TCD540080 for your viewing pleasure. The prices are $19.95 a month for 1 year, $14.95 for 2 years, and only $12.95 if you can commit to them for 3 years. You can even choose to prepay the entire amount. Just don’t terminate your service early or you will be expected to pay for the gift of TiVo.

Read More | TiVo

Stickman Communicates Through Flowers

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech,

For those of you who know someone trapped in a sterile office cubicle for endless hours with only wilting dandelions for companions, consider the possibility of cheering him/her up with an E-Revolution stickman. A mini-version of the little guy is placed in the vase with the flowers, and each time you touch it, it will utter such platitudes as “Aren’t they lovely?” Available in mid-December for 4170 Yen (~$35.00) in Japan, the stickman comes in pink, green, or white, and contains over 200 phrases to flatter any gloomy Gus.

Read More | Akihabara News

Japan Celebrates the Holidays in Wine Spa

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

You know not to drink the water in a pool because of the chlorine or other “additives,” but in Japan last weekend it was actually encouraged. At the Hakone Kowakien Yunessun hot spring resort southwest of Tokyo, the owners added 12 bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau wine daily to their pool to celebrate this year’s bottle release from France. The wine has become a seasonal fad in Japan and last year 11 million bottles were sold.

“We installed the wine spa last year, and conducted the Beaujolais Nouveau celebration. It was a great success,” said Seiji Sanada, an official at Yunessun. He added, ”Wine smooths [sic] the skin and its aroma relaxes the mind.”

We’re thinking that it might be a good idea for the winery to donate 12 bottles to those of us lucky enough to acquire portable saunas this year.

Read More | Taipei Times

CUBO Reads Bedtime Stories

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

Advanced bots aren’t just for adults these days. Unveiled at Korea’s Next Generation Computing Show 2006, IZI Robotic’s CUBO is a homebot designed for educational and entertainment purposes. When your kidlet clicks an icon in a book, the robot automatically recognizes it through its OID (Optimal Identification Device) and reads it to them. He can also monitor your home, give news and weather updates, and handles scheduling, e-mail, and wake-up calls. At dimensions of 225 x 150 x 150 mm and a weight of 1.5 kg, we just wish CUBO would get rid of that monster hiding in the closet.

Read More | IZI Robotics