Coolest Gadgets

Wait a minute here – did I read it correctly? Is Volkswagen’s semi-autonomous hands-free driving system supposed to help you get around in your vehicle while keeping your hands free to do something else? The answer is in the affirmative, where Volkswagen has dubbed their new system as the Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP), where it will link between existing driver assist technologies and completely automated vehicles. You as the driver have a role to play – monitoring the system, but at least TAP paves the way for semi-automatic driving on a highway at speeds of up to 130 km/h (80 mph). You won’t find a driverless car here, but TAP will merge automatic driving assisting technologies that are already in place, alongside semi-automatic functions which require constant monitoring by you, the driver. TAP is capable of controlling the car’s speed, making sure it maintains a safe distance from other vehicles, while dropping its speed right before a bend. Apart from that, it will als...

The iCADE iPad Arcade Cabinet which was first spotted on ThinkGeek as part of their April Fools’ prank, has finally been turned into flesh thanks to the demand from users who think that it isn’t such a zany idea after all. Being of sturdy built (it needs to be, otherwise who else is it supposed to be able to stand up to the rigors and abuse that arcade cabinets go through out of a player’s frustration at losing?), the iCADE gaming cabinet was specially designed in a retro manner so that it can hold an Apple iPad or its successor, the iPad 2, bringing users back to the good old days when quarters were being fed to the ever hungry machines at a dingy looking local arcade, as you attempted to best the locality’s high score. According to Ty Liotta, head of ThinkGeek’s GeekLabs, “We partnered with ION Audio to make our vision of the iCADE a reality. After it was announced as an April Fool’s Day joke back in 2010, thousands of our customers wanted it and we’re excited to make ...

If you’re the type who loves being early for anything and everything, then the Prelit Halloween Tree would definitely be in the pipeline – assuming you celebrate that holiday, of course. After all, Halloween’s still a long way off in October, but it doesn’t hurt to bring home this $249.99 garden enhancement now, does it? Boasting 240 colored LEDs that are encased in plastic four-leaf blossoms, this metal tree will cast an eerie, orange Halloween glow. The LEDs have been rated to work for 25,000 hours, while the branches and trunk are made from weatherproof metal which are sheathed in a black vinyl wrap that contrasts the orange light. Standing at 6.5 feet tall, the tree sports 10 branches with pliable tips so that you are able to shape it to replicate the random, natural pattern of a live specimen. With an integrated stand and a quartet of stakes, stability outdoors is more or less ensured – unless, of course, a tornado decides to drop by and say hello. Just make sure you...

What you are seeing here is a new type of 3D viewer from DXG, creator of a lot of terrific HD camcorders. This 3D viewer can only take still shots, and I got to try it out. You get the 3D that you may or may not have been looking for, but you really have to jump through a lot of hoops for it. What happens is that you take pictures with the dual-lens camera. The viewscreen on the back of the camera is only 1.44 inches, and you can see the images in realtime. You can then print them out and put them in the included paper 3D viewer for a “Viewmaster” effect. When it comes to printing them out, I had trouble at first. I used the included USB cable, but it didn’t quite work. I eventually ejected the SD card (which is not included with the product) and inserted it into my printer’s slot. Thanks to PictBridge technology, it recognized my 3D images and printed them out in the form of two 2D images that merge together to form a 3D image in the viewer. I hope it works wit...

It seems like any time mophie makes any changes to the juice pack air, they make a very big deal of it. We have reported on the juice pack air before, and it is designed to give some extra juice to an iPhone device. They have now made it a snap. I have tried them out before, and it looks like the only change is that the snap has a removable bottom to make the phone easier to insert. You can see the seam on the removable snap in the picture. I’m not certain how many of these other features are new, but it has a Standby Switch that can toggle between charging and standby. Then there is the LED Status Indicator that indicates charging mode and current battery life. Oh, did I mention that it has a USB Charge and Sync for when you want to connect to iTunes without removing it from the juice pack? Like I said, I have no idea how many of these features are new to the snap, but here are the stats: it has additional talk time of 6 hours on 3G, up to 12 hours on 2G. It al...

I have been wanting to try out one of Avaak’s VueZone Systems for a while, and I finally got my wish. For those who aren’t aware of this technology, VueZone uses tiny cameras that you see to the left of this photo. These cameras are wirelessly synced to the “gateway” that you see on the right of the photo. All you need to do is set up the cameras, which come with these dome-shaped stands that magnetically lock to the cameras for easy angle adjusting. Once everything is set up, you can view the footage from your computer or the App on iOS or Android. Of course, it was a slight inconvenience to set up. After I plugged the gateway into my router, turned on the cameras, and set up my account, it didn’t recognize my cameras. At least not at first. Eventually, it kicked into gear, and then I was able to record and take still photos. Sometimes the pictures or videos wouldn’t show up at first, either. Another downside was that even though I had two cameras, I couldn’t ...

For those of you who still have your vinyl records, and want to convert your tracks into digital files, your prayers have been answered. The ION U-Record Music Archiver is designed to attach to a turntable, cassette player, or any other line source. It can then attach to a computer, and turn those only tracks into MP3 files (or WAV format). No drivers are required for this operation, and it includes an EZ Vinyl/Tape Recorder software for the PC and EZ Audio Converter for the Mac, for “hassle-free recording”. It also has Audacity software that can record, edit and reduce noise for both platforms. Also included are line and phono input options, as well as an input volume control knob. Now, there is only one thing that you have to be worried about: the copyright police. Actually, I’m not certain what the law is concerning the recording an MP3 from a record or cassette tape. I guess if you tried to share it, then you would probably get in trouble. Maybe. Doe...

I have reviewed a lot of products from iFrogz before, and I usually think of them as iPad, iPhone, and iPod accessories for the masses. However, after seeing the iPad 2 Summit Case, I’m seeing a case that is quite classy. Seriously, if I was ever at a party full of rich people in tuxes and women in fancy dresses, I wouldn’t be surprised if the people in attendance had this type of case on their iPad. Just to let you know, it isn’t real leather, but it would fool me. The Summit has a folio case which has polyurethane with the same material in its core. The Summit case allows access to ports, inputs, and sensors, so nothing is blocked. Not only does it protect against impact damage, dust, and scratches, but it doubles as a stand for many angles. The folds even attach to the case via velcro. Yes, all in all, it is really classy, and practical. I would imagine if I could afford an iPad, I would spend a little more to get a case like this. Aft...

Kitchein-meisters would definitely love to have a well-equipped kitchen, and for those who do plenty of frying, you ought to have a spatula collection not to be laughed at. Well, where are you supposed to stash away those spatulas when not in use? Being the organized person that you are, behold, the Spatula Docking Station! This $39.95 purchase is a modular spatula system which will hold up to five of those essential kitchen tools in an organized manner and in a readily accessible stance, taking up a mere 6″ square of countertop space. Each spatula head will be attached to the included handle, and can be removed with but a button touch – similar to how blade razors work. They will be stashed away neatly in a holder with a footprint which is no larger than a CD case to further help reduce kitchen clutter. You will find three different sized hard plastic spatulas (two with slots and one without), a slotted spoon, and a narrow, flexible silicone spatula in the entire deal.

This is one USB hub that has most probably gone through the rigors of yoga for years, hence being able to contort in ways that were previously unimaginable. This 4-port USB hub and cord manager intends to fulfill its task of protecting your devices from accidental damage, and can even expand to accommodate additional cables if the need arises. For $24.99 a pop, you will end up with a four-port USB hub and cord manager that boasts of a flexible neck which will protect all your USB devices from accidental damage. The neck itself sports 360-degree mobility, while built-in cord management with a quartet of anchors will help corral your cables. Definitely a must-buy for those who are neat freaks.

Yes, we know that summer is the time when you spend your time outdoors instead of being cooped up at home, zapping aliens and saving the earth yet again from another extra-terrestrial threat. For those who know that summer days can be extremely fleeting, it makes perfect sense to capture all those wonderful moments using a camera. Granted, most of us already have a digital camera in some way or another (phones count too, you know), but how about turning back the clock and going old school for once? We are talking about the Fujifilm Instax Mini 50S, where it will be able to deliver beautiful, high quality instant photo prints. Being the latest addition to the popular Instax family, the Instax Mini 50S will rely on Instax Mini Instant Film that results in credit card sized photo prints, where these can then be shot anywhere and developed on the spot – letting you experience a retro take when it comes to sharing memories on-the-spot with friends and family. Coming in a sle...

We have reported on items from Jakks Pacific before, and I had a chance to try out three of their Plug and Play video games. All three of them plug into the television with white and yellow composite cables, and they are all pretty fun. The first is the Pac-man Retro Arcade, which is a joystick that brings back the goodness of the arcade. Not only is Pac-man available, but all sorts of games like Xevious, Galaga, Dig Dug, and about ten more. I found that it was definitely bringing me back to the old Atari 2600 days, but with better graphics. Hit the jump to see the other two gaming systems. The second is Golden Tee Golf, and it is strictly a golf game with a track ball controller. The player is able to draw back the club by rolling on the track ball, and then roll it forward quickly to strike it. This one I found difficult to control, but then again, I’ve never really liked golf games. The third is Big Buck Hunter, and it is a TV adaptation of the arcade game w...

T-Mobile has at long last, announced their latest myTouch 4G Slide smartphone which will be part of T-Mobile’s exclusive line of myTouch devices. The myTouch 4G Slide is said to deliver the most advanced camera of any smartphone with zero shutter lag – now this is something that is surprising since Android-powered smartphones tend to fall behind the iPhone when it comes to camera technology. Having said that, you can’t just waltz into any T-Mobile store at the moment to bring home a myTouch 4G Slide since it is expected to be available only in July – now, now, that isn’t too far away, is it? It is already the end of June, and you can sniff July out around the corner. The naming convention of the myTouch 4G Slide also gives the game away when it comes to 4G connectivity support, so you know what you’re getting with this smartphone right from the get go. It is said that the myTouch 4G Slide will be accompanied by an 8-megapixel camera with a dual LED flash, coupled with a...

I believe that I have said it before, but children have all this energy that adults actually need. I figure that you might as well tap into that energy in this pedal powered school bus! This bus, powered by Flintstones Kids technology, is made in the Netherlands by De Cafe Racer. It has room for about ten kids, and they will be put to work. Oh man, this would solve so many problems with unruly kids on the schools bus! Just try and make those spitballs now, junior! Yeah, those kids should have both hands on the handlebars. Of course, I think we all know that a pedal powered school bus might tire out most school children. Fortunately, there is an auxiliary electric motor for some power if needed. However, if you are the school bus driver, only use it in the case of an emergency! Yeah, I’m not certain how practical this technology is either, especially if there is no roof on the bus. Still, I like the idea of using the energy of unruly children to power transpo...

Dr Who fans, here is something you might want to get your for kids – especially if they have yet to find the same love as you for the TV series. Supposing you fork out £199.99 for this Dr Who Ride On Dalek, which hopefully, will make them see what a cool parent you are, and turning their allegiance from Glee to a much more serious TV series. This Dalek body is composed from a mixture of ballistic nylon/laminated rubberised polyvinyl which is soft and tactile to the touch. Basically, getting around in this Ride On Dalek shouldn’t leave any doubts in your mind – it is very durable, structurally safe, tear resistant and easy to inflate and assemble. Standing tall at 128cm with 360 degree movement, the Dr Who Ride On Dalek boasts of 10 sounds and phrases, lights within so that you need not ride in the dark, a 6v rechargeable battery, and a maximum speed of 3km per hour – this makes sure wayward kids who are thinking of using this as an escape ride won’t go very far.

Wait a minute here – the title might sound a little bit naughty, but rest assured, the iball3 has nothing to do with bedroom antics. This £16.99 purchase is actually a handheld puzzle game that is surprisingly simple, but in its simplicity, it blows you away by being infuriatingly tricky, making it a lethal mental combination which makes it extremely hard to put down. This tiny blue ball sports half a dozen light-up buttons, where each of them might be red, blue or green. Whenever you press them, they will change their color, although not in a predictable cycle. The whole idea of the game is to figure out just which sequence you should press them in, so that they all transform into the same color. This is one baffling, maddening and thoroughly addictive ball! Powered by a trio of LR44 batteries, you can even submit your high scores to an online leaderboard for that added competitive edge.

I think we all know that soldiers have to make split-second decisions in order to survive. I suppose this is why scientists are working on a haptic belt that can transmits GPS directions to soldiers out on the field. Instead of a soldier looking at a GPS handheld to figure out where he or she is going, the soldier wears a belt with haptic feedback. This belt has over eight “tactors” that are spaced out in 45 degree intervals, and when one of them vibrates, this indicates where the soldier should be going. There is even the possibility of wirelessly linking the belt to a gesture recognizing glove, so that the leader can issue commands to multiple haptic belts. This can be done from a secured location, from miles away. I suppose that now is the time to question if this technology is really necessary. I mean, I think that we all need some guidance, but this borders on the possibility of remote control people. I mean, once we start telling soldiers where to go, ar...

V-MODA has announced its latest pair of V-80 on-ear headphones, which is part of the V-MODA for True Blood range that was developed in partnership with HBO. The V-80 not only looks great, it functions great (on paper) as well. Being a lightweight, high-fashion headphone which is poised to redefine the headphone industry, it fuses life-like 3D sound, timeless materials, ultimate durability and the unique ability to shapeshift its style. Customization fans would definitely fall in love with the V-MODA V-80 right from the get go, as it offers a great deal of customization options – especially for True Blood fans as they can choose from a range of designs which showcase their fanatical passion for the show. There will be a couple of iconic V-MODA metal ear shields, located on either side of the ear cushions, where these can easily be switched out so that you can show off other popular images and icons from the show – ranging from the night club, Fangtasia, to the Japanese sy...

When it comes to rechargeable batteries, you won’t go wrong with the name Sanyo. After all, they are the ones who rolled out the eneloop series in the past, which are still going strong today. Heck, I have a few eneloops that I use around the home for my remote controls and old school digital camera, and they don’t show off any signs of wearing down despite so many charges over the years. Well, it isn’t Sanyo’s character to just sit there without doing anything, which is why they have just announced the XX rechargeable batteries. These will naturally take a page out of eneloop’s book by relying on eneloop technology, making the XX powered by eneloop ready to use right out of the box as it can retain up to 75% of its charge after one year of storage. The XX powered by eneloop package of four AA batteries will arrive from next month onwards, retailing for $24.99 a pop. If you can’t wait, then look towards Amazon as they will be featuring the item for pre-sale starting from...

While I was covering the Plug and Play video games from Jakks Pacific , I also had a chance to try out this SpyNet Night Vision Infrared Stealth Binoculars. This particular device is essentially night vision for kids. It definitely uses real night vision technology to see up to fifty feet in complete darkness. I tried it out for myself, and I asked my daughter to try it out with me. I must admit that looking through the Spynet Night Vision caused her eyes to glow in a freaky way. It reminded me of the freaky ending to the movie Quarantine . For some reason, this device allows you to see night vision in different colors. So if the traditional green isn’t for you, then you might want to try purple. It also lights on the front to make it look like your eyes are glowing red. Yeah, that ought to please the kids. If you are interested in this type of technology for you or your kids, you should be able to purchase it off the Wal-Mart site for about $40. By the way, t...

This is Aimi Eguchi, and she is the newest member of AKB48, a Japanese pop group. I have never heard of them, but they recently did a candy commercial, where they introduced Aimi into their ranks. She certainly gained a quick fanbase, but as it turns out, she is really too good to be true. She is nothing more than an amalgam of the other members of the band. Seriously, this 150 gigabyte creation is just a CG patchwork creation combining the nose, eyes, mouth, hair, and other facial features of all the members of AKB48. Apparently, there are 61 members in this girl band. Yes, just imagine if someone took that number of Mrs. Potato Heads, then pick and choose the best features and put them on a new potato. In all honesty, I think this new computer generated lady would have fooled me. I suppose that I am having flashbacks to the movie S1M0NE , where Al Pacino creates a computer generated actress who becomes a worldwide phenomenon. Considering that the film was wr...

Looking for a new e-book reader to usher in a new revolution at home so that you need not purchase new Billy bookcases from Ikea? Why, getting an e-book reader is the easy part, but choosing the correct one does take more effort than usual. After all, there are quite a few players out there in the market, so to pick up the Kobo eReader Touch Edition from the crowd could be one of the more astute decisions that you have taken so far. The Kobo eReader Touch Edition is touted to be the perfect choice for consumers who want a book-like reading experience wherever they are, not to mention being on the receiving end of the very best features available without breaking the bank. Borders.com is now taking in orders for the Kobo eReader Touch Edition, alongside other select Borders stores to boot. Retailing for a mere $129.99 (making it $10 more affordable than the next leading device), the new Kobo eReader Touch will make you feel as though you were turning the pages of a real b...

When it comes to the world of tablets, it cannot be denied that the iPad wins hands down compared to the myriad of competitors out there. You hardly see lines forming to pick up the Motorola XOOM, and neither did everyone become super excited concerning the BlackBerry PlayBook (and for good reason, too – that model had some spiffy looking hardware, but when it comes to the software bit, it does tend to disappoint for the moment). Well, there is another tablet that has just entered the fray, looking to target the under 25s market. Storage Options is the company behind the miScroll tablet, where it is touted to be the world’s first personalized tablet for the age group mentioned (under 25s). It will retail for £119.95 a pop, and is actually the 4th addition to the Scroll family, making it the only tablet in the world that will sport a replaceable high capacity battery – perfect whenever you are on a long journey without any power outlet in sight, although the iPad’s batter...

Kyle Broflovski is one of the more memorable cartoon figures to date, alongside his bunch of merry friends over at the cartoon South Park that is full of vulgarities and yet keeps up with the times. He does seem to have a higher moral standard compared to the rest, not to mention being more patient around Eric Cartman. Well, if you think that you are as level headed as Kyle, you can always check out the South Park Kyle Talking Bobble Head that is going for $11.99, where he will have some handy phrases to light up your day such as “Sick, dude… I’m not kissing a girl! It’s just wrong, that’s all!”.

Internet radio is not exactly the newest idea on the block, but there are times where a particular make or model does stand out from the rest of the crowd, and French-based Archos is one of them at the moment – rolling out the Archos 35 Home Connect web radio. What makes the Archos 35 Home Connect so special? Well, this is touted to be the perfect music box, in addition to being the best portable Android device that will stream radio and music anytime, anywhere you are around the home. It is a snap to tote around, where it relies on Wi-Fi connectivity to get the job done. Touted to arrive later this September, the Archos 35 Home Connect web radio ought to set you back by around $149. What are some of the better web radio recommendations from you? Press Release

Most folks do work with their hands, but what about your feet? Surely you shouldn’t just leave them to tap or shake all day long (yes, some people have that kind of habit). Of course, there are also those who have lost the use of their hands, leaving them to rely on their feet to write or even paint instead. With the SoftStep KeyWorx multi-touch foot controller, you might just stumble upon a new hands-free method of using your computer. Touted to be the world’s first foot controlled digital interface, where it is said to provide a new and faster way to operate a computer. It will come in Mac and Windows flavors, making the SoftStep KeyWorx a valuable new tool for everyone and anyone using a computer. It doesn’t matter if you’re a hardcore or casual gamer, a video editor, programmer, data entry professional, or even disabled – this is one of the faster ways to use the computer. Capable of remembering up to 100 sets of commands, the SoftStep will be powered via USB, and is...

Ever wondered how it will feel like when you walk on water? Of course, you might not be able to live it up as with Peter, but with the Aquaskipper Hydrofoil Human Powered Watercraft, it might give you a semblance of such a feeling. This $495 purchase is not going to be made on a whim and fancy, but at least you can use it constantly without having to worry about ever rising fuel prices – simply because it is human-powered. Made out of lightweight aircraft aluminum, it weighs a mere 26 pounds when fully assembled. Good thing you don’t need a rocket science degree to get this assembled, and if you’re smart enough to work out your own constructions using LEGO, surely the Aquaskipper Hydrofoil Human Powered Watercraft should not be a problem for you to put together. Capable of flying up to 17mph, you can basically fly across water by hopping up and down. Just make sure you are not heavier than 250 pounds, and pass the 70 pounds mark if you ever want the Aquaskipper Hydrofoil ...

Panasonic is one brand name that you can definitely trust when it comes to using a tough-as-nails notebook, thanks to their Toughbook series. Well, the latest machine from them that will fly the Toughbook flag is not new – we’re talking about the Toughbook C1, although Panasonic decided to take the vanilla model and throw in some updates to help it keep up with the times. The new Toughbook C1 will hold the self-proclaimed record of being the world’s lightest 12.1” convertible tablet PC, where it will sport a 320GB hard drive at the very least, alongside up to 12 hours of battery life, 2GB RAM right out of the box that can be updated to 8GB and a faster Intel Core i5-2520M vPro processor which runs at 2.50GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz. Apart from that, Panasonic knows how valuable your time is to you, which is why the Toughbook C1 has a start-up time that is around 30% faster compared to its predecessor. The upgraded Toughbook C1 won’t skimp on its built-in wireless ...

There is nothing quite like having a nice hot cuppa of your favorite joe in the morning to spruce things up. After all, the work day isn’t going to get any easier as it progresses (that’s the norm, no?), right? You could always receive help from the kitchen or pantry using one of those machines that churn out coffee by the cup, but if you use your hands via the Hand Powered Espresso Maker, it will be done with love and passion – and surely that would translate to a better taste for most folks. This hand-powered espresso maker is touted to produce rich Italian coffee drinks sans electricity, letting you stay up through the day in the office even when there is no power supply. All you need to do is pour hot water into the top of the unit, push down both levers to drive a piston downward, where that will create up to 10 bar of pressure to extract rich, complex espresso topped with crema. With a portafilter that holds one or two shots of ground coffee alongside its removable ...

I’m not certain why we haven’t reported on more products from Otterbox before, but I had a chance to try out the Defender Series of cases. The Defender Series for the iPad 2 and iPhone 4 are very much alike. Each of them have a inner polycarbonate shell with a foam interior, as well as a silicone skin case. They also have snap-on covers that allow you to stand up your iDevices. The one for the iPhone 4 has a clip, and the one for the iPad 2 has something like a kickstand. These particular cases will definitely protect your favorite iDevice from scratching, as well as absorbing shock. I find it hard to believe that these don’t protect from water, and I can see why the official sites for these products make that disclaimer. My only complaint is that it is very difficult to get the Defender cases on and off the devices. My thought is this: the best suits of armor can’t be put on like pajamas. Don’t let what I just said put you off, as their tutorial videos are a hu...

The third Transformers film, Dark Side of the Moon , is coming out this week, and it is no surprise that it is in 3-D. Hasbro is all ready for the release with all kinds of toys, and this is one of them, specially made 3-D glasses. As my headline states, there is no way that I will be wearing in the theater, even though the multiplex charges a price of “renting” them. My son, pictured here, is another story. By the way, these glasses only work on RealD equipped 3-D movies, but the toy does come with red and blue type, as well as a 3-D poster. You should be able to get this 3D mask for about $9.99 at the Toys R Us site . I couldn’t find it on the Hasbro site, but it is available in Optimus Prime form . Check out the jump for more Transformers action. For example, Hasbro also has another version of Bumblebee with the Mechtech Leader Class Bumblebee. It looks very similar to the Battle Ops Bumblebee that we reported on a while ago. I have to admit that the sounds a...

I think that, as a society, we are moving away from paper and going toward an all digital format. Considering that almost every consumer owns a scanner with their printers is a sign that most of our documents need to be made digital, fast. Those who need their scanning in a more portable form should probably check out the VuPoint Solutions Magic Wand. I first saw it at CES a few years ago, and I finally got a chance to try it out. I was hoping that I could get past the frustration factor soon, and I did. The Quick Start Guide showed me exactly what to do the moment I took it out of the box. As soon as I inserted a microSD card (not included), I was ready to scan. I found a few of my daughter’s drawings, and you can see the results after the jump. As you can see, there are a lot of edges that are slightly off, but it captured the image perfectly. A little cropping could take care of that, and I am certain that I could easily perfect this in time. The scanner h...

It is always fun to take a nice, long bath after a particularly long and hard day at the office. Of course, what’s better than soaking in a warm bath with your favorite aromatherapy candles burning, while you have a glass of milk and some cookies at the side to munch on, reading your favorite book in another hand? Why, some of your favorite tunes would always come in handy! Enter the iDucky waterproof floating bath duck that not only functions as a speaker for MP3 players, it also doubles up as an FM radio to boot. It is compatible with any device as long as it is connected via the 3.5mm headphone jack. Retailing for $29.99 a pop, the iDucky is powered by a couple of AAA batteries, and will feature an egg transmitter that has a 10 meter working range – that ought to be enough to work with most bathrooms unless you live in a mansion.

The SuperTooth HD Bluetooth speakerphone is touted by the manufacturer themselves to be the most advanced model of its kind in the market – anyone out there willing to dispute that claim? It is said that the SuperTooth HD Bluetooth speakerphone has three times the power compared to other models, while letting you communicate across social networks using nothing but just voice commands – hopefully the algorithm is smart enough to serve the needs of non-native English speakers, too. Among the features of the SuperTooth HD features would include twin speaker V Array technology that comprises of a couple of 2.5 watt speakers and a 5.4 watt amplifier, emitting high-fidelity audio in the process. The built-in dual microphones are capable of picking up voices even more clearly, while the anti echo and DSP control for noise cancellation makes sure you get to communicate the with person on the other end in a crystal clear manner. With the inclusion of advanced voice commands, dri...

Smart TVs have been around for some years now, but it is safe to say that they haven’t really caught on just yet in the mass market. Well, for those who are sick and tired of watching videos as well as playing catchup on your TV programmes on a much smaller notebook display, here is the Veebeam HD to solve your woes. With this little puppy, you are able to effortlessly stream just about any content from your notebook to your home TV. You name it – live sports, streaming music, movie websites, home videos from your hard drive, the possibilities are more or less endless as long as you can view it on your computer. Since the Veebeam HD works over the wireless spectrum, you have one less cable to worry about when it comes to keeping your home clutter-free and neat. All you need to do is plug in the USB receiver into the funky-looking £139.99 Veebeam HD unit, hook it up to your TV while plugging the separate USB antenna into your computer or notebook – it doesn’t matter wheth...

Jabra has been right there from the very beginning where Bluetooth headsets are concerned, I remember the extremely early days when colored displays on cell phones were just starting to proliferate, while those wearing Bluetooth headsets were seen to be like Borg walking on earth. Well, while colored displays on handsets are a given these days, it can still be quite hard to get used to those wearing Bluetooth headsets despite it being rather common. This means the Bluetooth headset market is alive and kicking, and Jabra is making more than enough money to continue rolling out newer models. Their latest release would be the Jabra EASYCALL headset that is available exclusively at AT&T retail stores and online from today onwards. The EASYCALL is so named because it boasts of easy-to-use, intuitive controls, where it will be accompanied by the Jabra CRUISER2, which by itself is a popular in-car speakerphone that boasts of voice controls and superior sound for hands-free ...

Most folks do work with their hands, but what about your feet? Surely you shouldn’t just leave them to tap or shake all day long (yes, some people have that kind of habit). Of course, there are also those who have lost the use of their hands, leaving them to rely on their feet to write or even paint instead. With the SoftStep KeyWorx multi-touch foot controller , you might just stumble upon a new hands-free method of using your computer. Touted to be the world’s first foot controlled digital interface, where it is said to provide a new and faster way to operate a computer. It will come in Mac and Windows flavors, making the SoftStep KeyWorx a valuable new tool for everyone and anyone using a computer. It doesn’t matter if you’re a hardcore or casual gamer, a video editor, programmer, data entry professional, or even disabled – this is one of the faster ways to use the computer. Capable of remembering up to 100 sets of commands, the SoftStep will be powered via USB, and i...

Ever toyed around with the Rubik’s Cube when you were a whole lot younger? Surely without this thing called the Internet, most folks would have given up solving this particularly interesting puzzle. Of course, there will be others out there who would remove the stickers on the Rubik’s Cube and paste them elsewhere to show that they have ‘completed’ this puzzle. Well, kudos to them for creative thinking! Back to the Rubik’s Cube Speaker – this little device has a bark that is worse than its bite, playing nice with all sound sources that rely on a 3.5mm headset jack. Since it can be juiced up via USB, that means there is no need for any batteries that eventually end up in the land fill somewhere. The Rubik’s Cube Speaker can be yours at an extremely cute $29.99.

Now that summertime is in swing where I live, I figure I am going to be going to the pool a lot with my kids. Since my wife is going to want to get it all on video, I am going to need a camera that can deal with the water. Fortunately, DXG has the 5B1V, a HD camcorder that can go up to 10 feet deep in the water. It is rated at IPX8 grade, so it can take some immersion and some splashes. According to the official website, it takes still pictures up to 12 Megapixels, but the box says about 16 Megapixels. At least the box and site are both consistent in saying that it shoots video at 1920 x 1080 at 30 fps. So how does it achieve its power of waterproofing? The compartment that holds the battery and SD card locks with waterproofing capacity. The same is true about the HDMI port and mini USB port. I’m guessing that you want to make certain that these things are locked before you take it to the pool, beach, shower, or whatever wet environment that you are filming. ...

The Musical Ruler would have been cool while you were still in pre-school or kindergarten, but now that you are all grown up, working in a cubicle and slaving your way through the office so that you can pay off that ever ballooning mortgage, the $13.99 Musical Ruler does not sound so enticing anymore. Either way, it will still be an eccentric addition to your office desk, but others might just measure whether your sanity is still there or not. Perhaps the years of crunching numbers in a tight dateline has taken its toll on you… Available from, where else but Stupid.com.

There is nothing quite like having a nice hot cuppa of your favorite joe in the morning to spruce things up. After all, the work day isn’t going to get any easier as it progresses (that’s the norm, no?), right? You could always receive help from the kitchen or pantry using one of those machines that churn out coffee by the cup, but if you use your hands via the Hand Powered Espresso Maker, it will be done with love and passion – and surely that would translate to a better taste for most folks. This hand-powered espresso maker is touted to produce rich Italian coffee drinks sans electricity, letting you stay up through the day in the office even when there is no power supply. All you need to do is pour hot water into the top of the unit, push down both levers to drive a piston downward, where that will create up to 10 bar of pressure to extract rich, complex espresso topped with crema. With a portafilter that holds one or two shots of ground coffee alongside its removable ...

Just when I thought I was out of E3, they pull me back in! Yes, E3 2011 was over as of Thursday of last week, but there is already a rumor brewing for E3 2012. And that rumor is…a new Xbox console! The only reason why we know this is because Crytek is working on TimeSplitters 4 for a “next-gen console” and they are using hardware supplied by Microsoft. Assuming that Microsoft does not want to hold off on the releasing this new hardware, we could be looking at an unveiling of a new Xbox console by E3 2012. Of course, this doesn’t mean that consumers would get to play it by that year. After all, Nintendo Wii U was unveiled at E3 this year, but won’t be sold in stores until 2012. I predict it will be the big holiday gift of next year, and I don’t see what Nintendo could possibly unveil in E3 2012. If Microsoft wanted to, perhaps they could kick the production of the Xbox 360 2 into high gear after E3. Then they could have their newest console out at the same time ...

Want to have some fun with a bottle of pop that you’re done gulping down? Here’s the Aquapod Bottle Launcher that retails for a mere £24.99. Not exactly pocket change, but at least you can have some imaginary Space Shuttle moments with it. The Aquapod Bottle Launcher is capable of allowing you to fire any regular fizzy-pop bottle (2 liter ones) an incredible 100 feet right up into the air. Do bear in mind that you require a bike-pump which isn’t included, so scurry over to the nearest hardware store to pick it up. Fresh water (instead of fossil fuel) will be the propellant of choice, and a solid brass check valve prevents over pressuring.

It seems like I am always reporting on how the mirrors of the future will be touch-interactive. This Through the Looking Glass mirror takes it one step further. Designed by Romy van den Broek, this mirror allows children to experience an interactive fairy tale. If you have ever seen one of those interactive storybook iPad apps, then I am guessing that the experience is going to be quite similar. Right now, they have it set up for Hansel and Gretel, and I am told that two kids can interact with the mirror at the same time. I wonder if they can take advantage of the mirror’s reflective surface, which would be the only difference between this an some sort of storybook app or interactive website. The technology is done with a highly reflective LCD touchscreen display, and I suppose the idea is to imitate the magical mirrors that are seen in many stories. For example, Harry Potter’s Mirror of Erised, which I just realized is “desire” spelled backwards. Right now, t...

You know that when you get older, your body stops to work as before. It is less elastic, and certainly not as flexible at the joints. Of course, there are others out there who get involved in sports and activities that help preserve or maintain your flexibility, such as yoga. How about a machine right in the comfort of your living room such as the Flexibility Increasing Stretching Aid? Those who are in the know would realize that something like this can be found in better-equipped workout facilities, where this stretching aid will employ the body’s weight in order to improve flexibility. It works more effectively in stretching the lower back than others, what with its pivoting seat and kneeboard that allows users to isolate a muscle in order to lessen overall resistance and control the intensity of a stretch. Basically, you stretch using the machine instead of having it the other way around. Benefits include improved posture, improved circulation, and a decreased risk of ...

Sanyo has just announced their latest compact, portable Wide XGA projector, going by the model number PLC-WU3800, where this particular model will boast of the highest brightness in its class at 3800 lumens. It is effective even in well-lit offices, conference rooms and classrooms, and you do not need to be a rocket scientist in order to set it up nicely, never mind that you are a first time user yourself thanks to the Auto Setup Function. Offering advanced display functions that include Picture in Picture and Picture by Picture, we do know that Sanyo has competitively priced the PLC-WU3800 at $1,995. Sporting a high performance optical engine that delivers a high aperture ratio LCD panel with 1280 x 800 True WXGA native resolution, it will also feature improved light efficiency as well as effective cooling technology, letting it cram in a high output 275-watt lamp that delivers 3800 Lumens of brightness. Apart from that, this model comes with a 16:10 aspect ratio so tha...

Sony is back with a new range of notebooks from the VAIO family, what with the affordably-priced line of VAIO E Series notebooks. The E Series will comprise of 14-inch and 15.5-inch notebooks, where you will be able to choose from a quartet of colors – midnight blue, glacier white, charcoal black and blush pink, and for those who want something more, there is the 17.3-inch model that will sport charcoal black and glacier white color choices. There are geometric patterns that appear on the lids in addition to matching palm rests, and you can be rest assured that all the colors are fingerprint-resistant so that the models will look brand new all the time – unless you take a marker and start drawing stuff all over it, of course. With a WEB button that delivers a one-touch Internet connection without having the need for a full boot into Windows, you can also take advantage of the VAIO button that will launch Media Gallery software, Sony’s intelligent playback software. As f...

I think that Hollywood has taught us that in the future, everything that is has wheels will be hovering. Think of any episode of The Jetsons , or the Back to the Future II hoverboards. An Australian inventor named Chris Malloy has figured out how to build a hoverbike, using nothing but parts from motorcycles. These propellers are powered by a 1,170-cc engine for 107 horsepower, with a 231-pound thrust-to-weight ratio. According to my Source, he should be able to get this guy flying at 10,000 feet, at a speed of 173 mph. As of now, the fuel tank is good for 92 miles of cruising at 92 miles per hour. So far, this is only a prototype, and the inventor is looking for some funding to get his invention off the ground. Okay, that was a terrible joke, but you will have to agree that this thing doesn’t look very safe in its present form. By the way, you won’t need a pilot’s license to fly one of these, as it is classified as an ultralight. Still, I’m sure that it will ...