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The Mercedes designed ultra-compact Smart (Swatch Mercedes Art) Car is about to hit the States. Designed in the 90’s, it has been in 36 countries for about 10 years and gets around 40 mpg. The car was designed for mostly localized driving, definitely not for salespeople continuously on the road. The Smart Car comes with a price starting at about $11,600.00. The delay comes, according to Mercedes market specialist Jessica Gamarra, because they didn’t feel the U.S. was ready for the minute automobile. We beg to differ. We fondly remember a Honda 600 Coupe that we had in the 70’s that had only 2 cylinders and got over 40 mpg highway.
Read More 
| CNN
Gallery: Smart Car to Invade the U.S
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The Tom Bihn Brain Cell - now better with memory foam
Posted by Sparky Categories: Accessories, Design, PC / Laptop,
We have written about Tom Bihn’s ultra-protective Brain Cell before, and were pleased to see this morning that the Brain Cell line has been updated with a memory foam lining which adds even more protection to the precious laptops they are designed to protect. The new strip of memory foam is nestled into the bottom of the Brain Cell - it’s the white layer shown in the picture to the right.
Memory foam plus the regular foam they use is better because it absorbs more energy due to its slower recovery than regular foam. The strip of memory foam at the bottom of the Brain Cell is an extra step and an extra layer of protection: should the case be dropped, the bottom of the foam sling will push into the memory foam instead of just air. If you have an expensive laptop and don’t have a case for it head over to Tom Bihn‘s website to pick up this $60 wonder bag to keep your laptop safe and sound from life’s little bumps and bruises.
Oh, and if you want to see how the bags are made, check out our Tom Bihn video tour.
Read More | Brain Cell Product Page
Gallery: The Tom Bihn Brain Cell - now better with memory foam
We were pondering the state of the holiday season that seems to be more concerned with what sells than what is really fun, when we discovered these basic wind up toys. Who needs a Whiz Kid or a Hello Kitty Computer when you can have a Kikkerland Chico Bicalho original wind up? Made of steel and plastic, Cosmo Jet turns upside down with no sense of direction and Cranky will liven up your next business meeting by running around with your business card. His latest creation, Le Pinch, was designed with wife Isabella Torquato to create a mechanical inchworm that is still in the prototype stage. You can purchase one of the Brazilian’s clever toys for only $9.95 from Mad Cat Toys.
Read More | Mad Cat Toys
Gallery: Wind Up Toys For Kids of All Ages
Washing Machine Meant For Dogs
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Smart Home, Misc. Tech,
We’re not sure if this is a godsend or cruelty in action. Folks in Poitiers, France, now have a washing machine for canines. Costing more than $30,000, the appliance washes and dries your dog in about 4 minutes, while the operator stands safely dry outside the apparatus. During its demo, the machine’s owner sat in with the pup to prove it was safe. We know that our dog will run at the sound of running water in the tub, so we can imagine what effect this might have on other furry friends. The very least the gadget should do is electronically toss in some kibble between cycles.
Read More | Keye TV
Gallery: Washing Machine Meant For Dogs
Latest DARPA Urban Challenge is Successful
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Science, Transportation,
This past weekend, the Defense Department’s Urban Challenge 2007 took place in the desert between LA and Las Vegas. Driverless, the computer-run vehicles had to maneuver around neighborhood streets and obstacles at a deserted AF base. Although “Junior,” Stanford’s 2006 Volkswagen Passat station wagon diesel, crossed the finish line first, the grand prize went to the Tartan Racing team, based on safety as well as speed. Stanford was second, followed by team Victor Tango. This time, 6 of the 11 finalists crossed the finish line. We can see why the military would be interested in this technology, especially when you consider its shock value application. Check out a video we shot of the Carnegie-Mellon team qualifying for the DARPA event.
Read More | USA Today
Gallery: Latest DARPA Urban Challenge is Successful
Networkers Rejoice: Business Card Composer
Posted by Jenny Lewis Categories: Apple, Design, Product Reviews, Software,
There are some things that even the most advanced cell phone or laptop can’t replace. Tops on that list is the business card - it’s one of the easiest ways to represent yourself or your company while meeting someone new. Trying to find a card that will represent yourself or your company can be a huge challenge - the clip art and fonts available at your neighborhood office supply store or print shop don’t necessarily have the best reputation for being contemporary.
Enter BeLightSoft’s Business Card Composer. The software publishing house that brought the Mac community publication-driven titles like Art Text, Swift Publisher and Printfolio has supplied a fantastic alternative to chain store business cards.
Click to continue reading Networkers Rejoice: Business Card Composer
Gallery: Networkers Rejoice: Business Card Composer
Digital Wallet Juggles Your Finances
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Smart Home, Misc. Tech,
For anyone that just can’t get the hang of their finances, Veronica Vail has designed a handheld Digital Wallet that dispenses with the need for cash, checks, or credit cards. It will track your earning and spending and devise ways for you to save. You can monitor your account, track investments, and make credit card payments. Fingerprint identification is used to access the information and make your payments so no one else can check out your private business matters. Still a prototype, we wonder if it could figure out a way to get us that money in the first place before we invest.
Read More | Yanko
Gallery: Digital Wallet Juggles Your Finances
Instructables Offers Last Minute Electronic Ideas
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Science,
Instructable’s annual DIY contest is going on now, and it may give you some last minute ideas for Halloween ghoulies, gadgets, and costumes. We especially liked this low-cost Lightning Globe, created by member NK5. You will need a bulb that is gas-filled, a black painted aluminum screen to attract electricity, a high voltage power source such as an old monitor, and a black plastic pot. NK5 claims that the entire project will cost about $5.00 but cautions that you had better know what you are doing to avoid frying yourself during the construction process. Check out the video for more details.
Read More | Instructables
Gallery: Instructables Offers Last Minute Electronic Ideas
I-Mate working on Foleo competitor
Posted by Sparky Categories: Smartphones, Design, Handhelds, Internet, Misc. Tech, PC / Laptop, Peripherals, Wireless / WiFi,
While the Palm Foleo died on the vine, the concept may live on. I-Mate, makers of many fine Windows Mobile based smart phones is rumored to be working on a “shell” to go with their new Ultimate line. While the new shell would not contain any processor or memory of it’s own, it would feature a 1024x768 screen and a full sized keyboard to act as a dock for the smart phone. It is still unknown if the shell would feature batteries to increase runtime, but if it does that could be a killer feature for todays power-hungry HSDPA chipsets.
This seems like it would be a better approach than the Foleo. It would be cheaper, provide similar functionality, and allow a user to select which form factor they want (laptop vs. cellphone) at any given time as simply as clicking the phone into the larger frame. If this comes to market in a timely manner and offers a good user experience it could signal a new style of cellphone based computing—and a step into the “world of tomorrow”.
Read More | UberGizmo via Gizmodo
Gallery: I-Mate working on Foleo competitor
Paper Airplanes Can Fly Electrically
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Toys,
Now you can launch your paper airplanes electrically. Designed by Middlesex University by specialized teachers of teachers, the Kit can launch your plane at a speed of up to 31 mph. Included are the base plate, plastic discs with pulley, motors, battery box, 4 connecting sleeves, suction cups, screw driver, and hardware. Available for $14.95, we hope that the kit and its guidebook will finally teach us how to actually construct something aerodynamically launchable out of paper.
Read More | Online Science Mall
