Coolest Gadgets

Whenever someone purchases a new device such as an Android smartphone or a shiny iPad 2, surely he or she would also be enticed by the person at the sales counter to pick up some sort of protective case – it is only natural to do so. After all, why risk scratching your latest purchase, or even worse, what if you happen to suffer from a particularly bad case of butterfingers that day and drop the iPad 2 onto a concrete floor with a thud? It might be made out of some tough stuff, but that does not mean it is exempt from cracks and scratches either. All of that will definitely drive you to fork out even more money for a case, and this is where another dilemma begins – just which model do you pick up out of the hundreds of cases out there? Seems that it took you long enough to decide on the kind of tablet to get, and now you have to scratch your head one more time to figure out the kind of case you’re going to keep it company with. Well, TRTL BOT has an interesting solution ...

If you’re an iPad 2 owners, you’re extremely blessed because you have a plethora of accessories to choose from. The only downside is this – with so many choices floating around, how are you going to make a decent decision? I guess this is where tech sites come in handy as they present it to you as it is, leaving you to figure out whether the context of presentation fits your needs and lifestyle. Griffin Technology has just unveiled their TechSafe Case for iPad 2 which offers a vital anchor point that makes sure your iPad 2 does not get stolen in a public place like Starbucks whenever you need to get up and have your attention occupied elsewhere for a while, thanks to the security of a desktop cable locking system that comes along with it. Taking just a few seconds to lock down your iPad 2, this is far safer than asking someone else at the local coffee joint to look after your device while you make your way to the loo – after all, you never know whether that person was a...

Are you a huge fan of Dr Who and love collecting all of their merchandise, much to the chagrin of the missus? Well, you might as well as this $29.99 Doctor Who Time Lord Psychic Container to your bucket list – this is a color-changing plastic cube that boasts both glowing as well as flickering effects, where you can choose to put into action three modes – color change, white glow and white flicker. Having said that, you can also let your overactive imagination run wild by thinking that a Time Lord is about to send you a message, and what better way to do it than through a Doctor Who Time Lord Psychic Container? After all, it just goes to show that every single bit of the message will not be lost in translation in any way, reaching you in the exact manner it was meant to be, perfect punctuation with no room for grammar Nazis to point their fingers at. To begin the light effects, all you need to do is tap it, and to make sure the trio of LR44 batteries powering it are maxim...

Now isn’t this cute – we all know that environmental awareness has risen a whole lot in the past decade, but the work is far from finished – otherwise we ourselves would be finished if we continue with the wanton destruction of the planet and environment through various methods including non-organic farming practices, genetically modified foods and lifestock, fuel guzzling vehicles, heavy use of plastic bags and styrofoam containers – the works! Green-Aid intends to bring the fight to these environmental threats with their $19.99 Grenade Shopping Bag that sends a clear message against plastic. This re-usable shopping bag is definitely fun to tote around, and it surely sends the right message to the rest of the shoppers who still rely on plastic bags that kill sea turtles to carry their merchandise home. Made out of neoprene, it can hold approximately 4 gallons of items. When you’re done, just tuck the bag back into it’s cover and you’re good to go. It would be better if t...

Comfort and ergonomics are very important when working a laptop. Ideally, it should be on a desk or table, but the WorkEZ Professional adjustable stand is made for those who are using the laptop on the bed, sofa, chair, floor, or small table. The aluminum stand can hold a load of 13 pounds. The secret of the WorkEZ Professional’s success is its adjustable joints, which are made to lock in place every 15 degrees. All that is required of the user is to push in the button and lock the proper angle, which insures that both the left and right leg are always at the same angle. The instructions show precisely what angle Joints A, B, and C have to be in order to create a stand for a standing position, a bed, a couch, even the floor. So the next time you are working with your laptop, and you find yourself putting your back in an awkward position, save yourself some back pain and pull out the WorkEZ Professional. Despite its aluminum frame, the WorkEZ Professional is ligh...

By now, I am certain that you are all aware of the iPad 2, and how the user can purchase the flexible, fold-able Smart Cover to protect the front. However, what about the back of the precious iPad 2? This is probably the mentality that led Bracketron to develop the Back-iT. It is a “low-profile, precision-cut polycarbonate back that securely holds and protects your iPad 2 from scratches and scuffs”. It comes in the same colors of the previously mentioned Smart Covers, which are all pastel and include a “soft-touch design for superior grip for interacting and carrying your iPad 2″. Yes, I used a lot of quotes here, but let me give you one of my own: “If you use the Back-iT with a Smart Cover on your iPad 2, it will be a beautiful bright color on either side. It is truly up to you if you want to make them match.” You should be able to purchase the Back-iT from the official Bracketron site here for an MSRP of $29.99 in pastel colors of gray, blue, pink, green, and ora...

We have reported on the Eco Pod before, and I got a chance to try out the Rugged All Terrain Speaker Case for myself. For those who aren’t familiar with this product, I’m not certain whether “Rugged All Terrain” is an adequate adjective for it. I mean, you can use your mobile device in any terrain where you can get a signal, really. The Eco Pod is designed for those who want to take their iPod, iPhone, or other smartphone in the rugged outdoor conditions of the real world. It is IPX7 certified to stay within 3 feet of water for 30 minutes without any leaks. The Eco Pod includes some IPX7 ear buds so you can listen to your music in watery conditions. The Eco Pod is a polycarbonate case with two reinforced clamps. It has a two inch detachable carbiner clip for travel, as well as a slot to keep it in your belt if you like. Now here is the bad news. When your smartphone or iPod or whatever device is in the unit, you cannot access the touchscreen. In other words, on...

When it comes to personal protection, you cannot be too careful these days. Of course, it pays to always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings wherever you go, and if you so happen to have enrolled in some self-defense classes, surely you would be better prepared should some creep come up on you and try something untoward. For those who are lacking in the art of fighting, there is the $16.99 Vigilant Emergency Wrist Alarm – while it will not disable an attacker the way a taser would, this unique wrist band will be able to be activated in a jiffy, where the alarm draws attention to you should you need help, not to mention deterring attackers as well. It comes in pretty pink, so I don’t think the guys would be wearing this anytime soon, and designed for one-touch activation with hands free operation, you can be sure that it will work well when called upon. There are also flashing emergency lights that cater for nighttime visibility and location. It is useful for rape-...

You can literally “power up” your meals with the Salt & Pepper Power Battery Shakers – these will come in interesting D battery replicas, and they’re not poisonous in any way whenever it comes into contact with your food. Definitely the way to amplify the taste of your spread, and whenever they run out of flavor power, you need not buy a new set for $11.99 – no sir, all you need to do is just refill them and you (and your tastebuds) are good to go! To know just what the remaining level of salt and pepper are left inside the respective shakers, there is a transparent strip on the side to indicate the amount of “power”. One thing’s for sure – while it might not be able to provide juice for your electrical items, “recharging” this will happen many, many more times in your lifetime than your Eneloop batteries are able to provide. Definitely the perfect gift for the geek at home (and in the kitchen).

Going skiiing can be quite the fun activity – after all, you have nothing but a huge expanse of snow to which you can ply your trade, slaloming through the slopes with wanton abandon (once your skill level is right up there, of course, beginners as well as those who are not experienced enough need to maintain a degree of caution). Sometimes of course, you still need to get your bearings correct wherever you ski, as exploring too far away from the base might see you getting lost (either that or, if you have a really bad sense of direction). Good thing there is this thing called GPS – and Zeal Optics from Colorado has introduced their latest model of goggles that sports a built-in global positioning system, calling it the Z3 GPS Goggles. These goggles will be constructed based on the technology introduced in the company’s Transcend GPS Goggles collection, where among the new features will include enhanced style and comfort, ease-of-use and data-capture capabilities. Your...

This is the Supertooth HD, and it is a Bluetooth speaker designed for use in the car. I realize that you can’t see the back of this device, but it has a magnetic clip that is designed to hold it to the visor. The Supertooth is good to have around if you need to take phone calls on the road, but don’t like to have something in your ear. It has dual microphones (one on the bottom and one on top) and two speakers with a 5-watt audio output and a 5.4-watt amplifier. The big orange eye atop this black, gravestone-shaped device is the volume dial. If you push the center of it, you can give vocal commands like a Voice Dial, Check Battery, and you can take or ignore phone calls as well. You can also press the button for 3 seconds and redial the last number that you called. The button with the envelope on it will automatically dial the “SuperTooth HandsFree Assistant”. I found that the Supertooth HD was able to absorb my contacts very easily. Though I haven’t yet seen thi...

Mophie is most famous for their Juice Pack Air, a protector/case that also serves as portable battery for an iDevice. The Juice Pack Reserve is also designed to give an iPhone or iPod an extended battery life, but it isn’t a case. It uses a Zippo construction. The “Zippo” is the company’s own words, and it definitely looks like one of those flip-top metal lighters. As you can see, the top flips off to reveal a 30 pin connector. Once this is plugged in, the Apple iDevice user is treated to 700mAh of battery power. That is enough for a quick charge, when you need it, and it is quite light. I’m sure that you can see the keychain ring, showing it is light enough to keep in your pocket or purse with your keys. What you can’t see is that the bottom of unit pops out to reveal a USB plug. This is how you charge its battery, and it is ultra fast. If you want to get one of these, you will have to wait a few days, as the Reserve won’t ship until September 30th. The Mophi...

I always like to see what Able Planet, makers of some great headphones, are up to. One of the latest is the True Fidelity Sound Isolation Sport Earphones (model number SI350). These In Ear/Hook headphones are pretty light, but they have pretty good sound. In fact, I am using them now to listen to a DVD, and I am pretty pleased. It is all part of the LINX AUDIO technology that the company has a patent on which enables both great bass and speech. In addition to the great sound, the SI350 has an inline microphone that allows the user to make some phone calls and take voice notes on MP3 players and compatible smartphones. The control of this microphone is done by a single button. Clicking the center button will pause and play tunes, and then there are all sorts of tricks the user can do for tracks. For example, double click goes to the next track, triple click goes to the previous track. Double-click and hold the button fasts-forwards within a track, and triple-cli...

I have tried out some interesting Bluetooth headphones before, and it is good to see that companies are putting out high-quality headphones at relatively low prices. The Nu Force BT-860 headphones that I recently tried out falls into that category. The BT-860 uses aptX audio coding technology for its quality sound, and it has the “impressive dynamic range” that it boasts about. Not only are these excellent headphones, but there is a headset and hands-free feature. According to the instructions, the user is required to charge the BT-360 for about three hours, but it only took about two, really. It has an indicator light that shows that it is charging, and when it wasn’t on, it was charged. It was difficult to see when these headphones were ready to work, but when it did work, and worked well. For those who are interested in the formal specs, it has Bluetooth V 2.1, a 16-bit 44.1kHz (CD-quality) sound, and a 10-meter range. As for the operation time, it is good f...

Want to let loose in an Arnie moment when he was still young, did not bonk anything and everything in a skirt, and was the macho man in Predator? Then surely the Foam Dart Rotary Cannon will allow you to re-enact any scenes from the movies that feature a gatling gun in action, although the kind of damage that this puppy can wrought is painless and will be all in the name of good fun. This belt-fed cannon is capable of firing a barrage of 25 foam darts in just 20 seconds, although the real gun on a battlefield would spit out far more fiery bullets of death. Paying homage to the hand-cranked Gatling gun of yore, this relies on an electric motor and sprocket instead to advance a plastic ammunition belt. Each dart measures 2.5″ x 0.5″, and will be nudged into the firing chamber with a piston whereby it is then accelerated by a couple of motorized wheels down the length of the 9″ central barrel. The effective range? A rather impressive 20 feet, and you can use it in both defe...

I guess the world just cannot get enough of George Lucas’ space opera, Star Wars, with the Blu-ray version of Star Wars: The Complete Saga breaking all Blu-ray sales records in the blink of an eye. Well, having said that, even if you already own all sorts of lightsaber replicas and toys with no more room left to spare in your basement, chances are you would also find the $119.99 Star Wars Force FX Removable Blade Lightsabers enticing, much to the chagrin of your other half. Touted by Thinkgeek to be the “most perfect lightsaber toy ever”, these new blades will light from bottom up accompanied by its unique sound, and whenever you’re done with slaying enemies as well as dispatching of the latest Sith (was it the Master or the Apprentice?), it will fade from the top down with an appropriate sound. Each swing will also trigger its own sound effect, and if it comes into contact with another person, object or lightsaber, the distinctive explosive sound will also be heard. You...

You know how the land of Japan tends to come up with some rather quirky items from time to time? After all, we were introduced to vending machines that sell used panties for those who have a penchant of sniffing on stuff stronger than glue, not to mention having the in-the-flesh “social network” of sorts in the form of Cosplay long before Facebook came into being. Well, here is another cute addition (although not that weird, but rather, it is extremely functional and practical) to the “Made in Japan” list – the Umiushi Smapho 2800 – a rechargeable battery charger that caters for both Android and iOS-powered phones. The beauty about the Umiushi Smapho 2800 would be the fact that it requires no external cables or adaptors, coming in roughly the size of your palm. Of course, one’s palm size is a variable factor, and since the target market of this feminine looking device would be for ladies aged between 20 to 40, then I would say it will be rather small especially for the ...

Samsung seems to have got their strategy down pat in the world of smartphones – they’re doing gangbusters where the Android scene is concerned, selling more than 10 million units of the Samsung Galaxy S2 to date despite being launched rather recently, and while their own set of bada-powered phones aren’t doing too hot, Samsung still finds the time to support another operating system – Windows Phone, where the latest model to be announced would be the Samsung Omnia W that will be the first Samsung device that runs on Windows Phone Mango, the latest version of Microsoft’s mobile operating system. As with most of the other high end phones from Samsung these days, your eyes will be treated to quite the performance thanks to a vivid Super AMOLED display and overall industrial design, not to mention enjoying enriched content and a social communication experience that is enabled by People Hub. Basically, Samsung is marketing the Omnia W as a different kind of handset which puts...

There is nothing that I like more than a laser pointer, and Griffin Technology has a good one with the Stylus + Pen + Laser Pointer. As the name implies, this laser pointer has a pen and a stylus on it. There really isn’t anything too special about the pen, but the pen portion can flip around for a rubber-tipped touchscreen stylus. The stylus is good for when you want more specific touches on your touchscreen. Since a lot of gaming applications require precise touches in order to win, this stylus could come in handy on tablet games. As for the laser pointer, it’s pretty obvious what to use this for: teasing cats. Actually, the company says this is good for presentations, but I’ve noticed that when I am viewing presentation, I am often distracted by a laser pointer like a cat. I got a chance to try out the Griffin Technology Stylus + Pen + Laser Pointer for myself, and I liked it and found it to be quite useful. My only worry is that I might absently leave it behin...

I think that we all want to watch TV from our computers, and Elgato’s HDHomeRun is granting consumers their wish. The HDHomeRun is a tiny box that connects to one’s cable or antenna, and then connects to one’s router. With the Windows 7 and Mac software, a user can stream digital television, and record TV shows, at the same time in full HD. It is too bad that the HDHomeRun is not compatible with older versions of Windows. It looks like it was made more for the Mac, as it comes with EyeTV for Mac. EyeTV allows the user access to SmartGuides to record shows, even entire seasons. It also allows for editing and sharing them with other Macs, provided they are on your network. With the purchase of the Elgato comes one free year of TV Guide data, with the option of renewing it for only $19.95 per year. The better news is that the HDHomeRun has an iPhone and iPad App, which allows you to watch live or recorded TV anywhere. All in all the HDHomeRun could be a terrific wa...

ThinkGeek has finally brought the Mindflex Duel to the market – never mind that in January this year, we reported that Mindflex Duel is already available for pre-order over at Amazon. Well, I suppose ThinkGeek made a rare mistake by calling it “Mindflex Dual”, but that’s just semantics talking here. What we’re more interested in is some sort of wizard-like powers you and your opponent will wield, where EEG technology is used to figure out your concentration level where the strongest mind will prevail. Basically, each of you will strap your respective headbands, and your concentration will be focused on the ball – it rises as you concentrate, sinking it when you relax. All you need to do is force the ball into your opponent’s end zone and you’ve scored a point. The entire $109.99 setup will come with a couple of headsets, a quartet of balls as well as different parts to set up mind games. This seems to be a rather heavy eater of batteries though, so rechargeables are recomm...

ski goggles are not just for fashion purposes – no sir, the reason for wearing them is to make sure that your eyes get adequate protection not only from the wind and snow, but from potentially glaring sunlight as well. Most of them come with frames though, so why not take the road less traveled with the £154.99 Dragon APX Frameless Goggles that is said to offer maximum vision with minimal bulk? The rather radical all-lens appearance is also quite the performer, where the APXs are state-of-the-art wintersports goggles. Since they’re frameless, you will most definitely get a lift up the slope the next time the ski lift goes by your way, even though it is already super cramped inside simply because the girls there want to ask you just where did you get such a cool pair of ski goggles. Bono won’t be out of place wearing these, that’s for sure. Unlike regular goggles, the APX’s face-hugging triple-layer foam surround will remain on the inside, helping achieve not only style but...

The ladies have their handbags and shoes to drool over, but we men have watches. Well, for the majority of us, to own a watch from one of the high end branded names remains a pipe dream simply because we’d much rather drive around a car than to have the same amount of money being exchanged for a shining timepiece on our wrists. Good thing there are different levels of brands, and Cadence offers a glimpse of the opulent at a rather reasonable price point – in the form of the Cadence Ecomatic Sport Watch. What makes this watch be part of the “green” revolution? Well, we are talking about a battery-free watch – yes, that’s right, you need not worry about dead batteries (although I admit, that happens only once in a while, and you always have your phone to tell the time), as Cadence’s Ecomatic watches will wind themselves as long as it experiences motion, thanks to the wonders of kinetic energy. These watches will be able to stash away energy for 36 days even without a sing...

Metronomes aren’t just for folks who play the piano, you know. FINIS, the worldwide leader in technical swimming development and provider of select training equipment for the U.S. Olympic Swim Team, has just announced that they have made available their Tempo Trainer Pro – which essentially is an audible metronome pacing device. This is not revolutionary, but it is new and improved where personal pace coach devices are concerned. The Tempo Trainer Pro is meant to assist a swimmer develop consistency by avoiding lulls through the transmission of an audible tempo beep while swimming. This is no doubt a tiny, waterproof device which can be worn under a swimmer’s cap, while sporting a sync button. It will be powered by a replaceable battery, sporting three modes which will monitor your strokes-per-minute and floating capability. If you want to up the ante in your swimming routine, the Tempo Trainer Pro can be yours for $49.99. Of course, this is meant for serious swimmers ...

I always like seeing what Griffin Technology is up to, and it looks like they are getting into the iPad 2 cover market. This is the Elan Passport for the iPad 2. One of the biggest bragging points of the Elan Passport is the cover opens to wake and closes to sleep the iPad 2. Is their something technical or magnetic there? The Elan Passport also has a tab that secures the cover when it is closed. Also included on the Elan Passport is a place to put a stylus, and it even has pockets on the left side for holding four credit cards. I can’t help but wonder why the designers of the Elan Passport didn’t make it so it was more like the Smart Cover. In other words, it should be able to stand the iPad up for portrait and landscape viewing. It barely does it in portrait mode, and I suppose that it could have had some magnets or something to stand it up. Oh well. I suppose that the Elan Passport compensates by having a soft microsuede interior. I am not certain what its...

For some reason, I seem to be encountering a theme when I am reporting headphones, as I seem to be reviewing ones designed for an active crowd. Yesterday, it was the Jabra SPORT, today it is the iHome NB (New Balance) 639. As you can see in the picture, the headphones have something else attached to them besides the iPod nano. The unit that you see there is able to detect your heart rate in your thumb at a touch of a button. It will then speak that information in your ear through the headphones, and save it. The unit also has a button to start a workout, and this clip-on unit functions as a pedometer and data recorder. The user can then attach the unit to the USB dongle to charge it and the information off the unit can be graphed. During exercise, the user can get real-time voice-over feedback on a heart rate, caloric burn, steps taken, as well as distance. It can do this while you are listening to your tunes on a mobile device. In short, the iHome NB639 is es...

Here is a good question that someone once asked me: which would you rather lose, your wallet or your mobile phone? If you have a Callet, then you have probably lost both. You can see it on the iPhone 4 in this picture, and it is a high quality Gel-Polymer the gives your mobile some pockets. (See the slits on the back?) These slit pockets are perfect for two credit cards, or maybe a little cash. It is perfect for situations when you are can’t bring in a bag into a stadium for a game. Granted, I never have that problem, but I don’t have a purse. Still, as a man, it would be handy to have a credit card and cash on hand. It turns my mobile phone cover into a money clip! Personally, I think the Callet is ahead of its time. This mobile phone cover is prepared for the age of the digital wallet, when we no longer carry our wallet and mobile phone as two separate items. I suppose that cash, licenses, and credit cards will all be apps, but until then, the Callet has the po...

So our smartphones as well as your regular handset comes with a built-in calendar, but sometimes, there is a need for an old school calendar. Instead of getting those free calendars that they dish out at the end of the year at retail stores as well as other kinds of shops, why not make sure even your paper-and-cardboard calendar keeps up with the times by moving along to the Angry Birds phenomenon? Yes sir, it seems as though Rovio is not going to stop until they have milked the Angry Birds franchise dry, down to the last feather. This is an officially licensed product from Rovio, and needless to say, it might either pique the interest of those who absolutely have no idea on what Angry Birds is all about, making them an addict for life, or cater to existing addicts whose sole purpose for each and every single day is to play Angry Birds – more and more of those furious avian friends being hurled at snorting green pigs. Retailing for $12.99 a pop, there are even 4 months ...

When we talk about tablets these days, there really isn’t any other comparison apart from Android-powered models and the iPad family – anything else really isn’t going to make the news. Having said that, Skytex Technology decided to throw their lot into the ring with Windows 7 by offering the EXOPC, which delivers a customized version of their touch-centric user interface to the SKYTAB S-series tablet device. Underneath the hood lies a dual-core Intel Atom N550 processor, where it is touted to be the ultimate in mobile computing. It will merge the portability of a slate or tablet alongside the flexibility and familiarity of Windows for those who have yet to take the plunge into the world of Android or iOS. HTC has their HTC Sense, and Skytex intends to impress with their EXO UI (user interface) which is said to deliver an additional layer of touch-friendly features and apps to the Windows 7 ecosystem. Coming in a sleek and functional design that will sport a vibrant and...

The Apple iPod touch has proved to be quite the sexy MP3 player, but is it cute? That’s definitely not the adjective that one uses to describe the iPod touch, but that does not mean there are no other devices out there that are able to melt your heart with a glance. Case in point, the $59.99 Cuddle Tunes MP3 Player. Sure, it might seem to be overkill to fork out that kind of money for an MP3 player, but how many MP3 models do you know out there that will be able to offer you some cuddly comfort at the end of a particularly long day instead of looking all brick-like? This device not only plays back all your favorite tunes, it will also allow you to record personal messages to your geekling, thanks to the built-in speakers. All you need to do is press play and a personalized bedtime soundtrack will play back. Let your imagination go wild as you record stories, songs as well as lovey dovey messages. Future updates can always be uploaded to the bear via USB, and each purchase...

While having naturally fast reflexes that are attuned to the way that makes you the envy of your friends when it comes to computer gaming, sometimes natural talent can only bring you so far – especially when you’re going head-to-head with someone else who is also equally talented as you are. Well, what then, becomes the determining factor between winning and losing? Surely this is where the right kind of hardware comes into play, and Speedlink intends to have your ears covered with their very own XANTHOS Stereo Console Gaming Headset. This particular universal sound solution was not developed to cater to just a single gaming platform – no sir, this particularly stylish stereo headset will be able to cater to three different gaming platforms – namely, the Xbox 360, its close cousin the PC, as well as the other console, the Sony PS3. I guess with Wii owners moving up and about, a wired headset is not really advisable in the vicinity, swinging controllers and all. Sporting...

Summer is out and school’s in, but that does not mean you still cannot have some fun with your family in your backyard at the end of the day and during the weekend, right? With the new $19.99 NERF Vortex Disc Blaster, this unique disc blaster will be able to carry a payload of 5 discs, blasting discs towards your opponent instead of darts. Somehow, there is just this psychological feeling that a disc is going to cut you right through just like Wolverine’s adamantium claws, but since these are made out of the same material as NERF darts, they won’t even scratch your skin. Capable of firing long-range, high-powered discs at over 40 feet, reloading it is a cinch as the side loading blaster will drop down at the flick of a switch. The single tactical rail will function with all NERF tactical rail accessories, but of course, those accessories will need to be purchased separately. Granted, 5 dics aren’t going to get you too far in a game and it will be over all too quickly, bu...

Somehow, when I see the Tiki Pepper Grinder, it reminds me of Captain Jack Sparrow and the many adventures that he went through, getting all exciting especially when he tries to run away from a tribe of cannibals (although there was not a single element of Tiki in the movie). The same kind of situation has also been depicted in many other adventure films, so why not bring home a little bit of movie magic into your dining room with the $15.99 Tiki Pepper Grinder? Definitely the perfect tool to perk up your luau or party, where pressing the Tiki’s nose will start the inner mechanism that grinds pepper within. This is nearly hands-free, but you sure as heck cannot deny that it is hassle free! Just like the original Game Boy, the Tiki Pepper Grinder will be powered by a quartet of AA batteries, although I am quite sure you will replace those batteries at a far slower rate than those on your Game Boy.

In the future, every household will have a 3D printer like they have a 2D printer. You will note that I didn’t put a year on this, because I’m not stupid. Every time I read a sentence that starts with “by the year” it hardly ever comes true. However, this Origo 3D printer could bring 3D printers into households sooner than later. The Origo is currently a concept from designers Artur Tchoukanov and Joris Peels, and it can turn any drawing into a 3D object. I have no idea how it can translate a 2D drawing into a 3D figure, but here is the real cool feature of the Origo. After a child has created his or her toy, he or she can recycle the material and make another toy. This 3D printer will be very simple to use as the Nintendo Wii or the Xbox 360. While we are on the subject of the Xbox 360, you should know that this thing is “as big as three Xbox 360’s and as expensive as three Xbox 360’s”. It is an odd size and price comparison, but I still believe that the Ori...

I got a chance to try out the Carbon Back-Skin from id America, and it is a way of putting some faux carbon fiber protective film on the back on an iPhone 4. You might be wondering what the point is of putting a carbon fiber on the back of an iPhone. The first would be the cool tactile texture, and the other is an extra layer of protection from nicks and scratches. The Carbon Back-Skin comes with one faux carbon fiber protective film, one microfiber cleaning cloth, and a squeegee for film application. By the way, the special adhesive does not leave any residue so it can be applied multiple times. If you go to id-America’s official site, then you can see the Back-skin being used with the company’s Gasket Case. It almost looks like they were made for each other. You should probably check out more of id America’s products while you are there. The Carbon Back-Skin faux carbon fiber protector for the iPhone 4 is available right here for about $9.99. It seems to onl...

The first time that I saw the PowerSlice from Fuse at CES last January, I was more than impressed. Sure, I have seen charging stations for multiple devices before, but the PowerSlice got my attention with its unique pizza construction. Allow me to explain what I mean. The user purchases a base unit that is like a pizza pan, and it is good enough for four “slices”. The interchangeable slices slide in for the proper connectors of micro USB, mini USB, Samsung 20 pin, LG, and Apple (all of them sold separately). The base unit even has a USB port so you can plug in your USB compatible gadgets. Actually, that isn’t quite accurate. The USB port is labeled “not for smartphones”, and this is accurate. It failed to charge my Droid X, but it does my Bluetooth headset just fine. Not sure why that is, but I would have used the Micro USB to charge my smartphone anyway. Fuse’s PowerSlice is probably the most original thing for charging stations, until completely wireless cha...

The iPad is one marvelous device, being a highly portable computing device that is easy to use and has phenomenal battery life back when it first came out (its rivals have since managed to catch up somewhat, of course). Well, there are many ways to use an iPad, and in a corporate setting, instead of LED TVs in the waiting room, why not mount an iPad in place instead? Bracketron promotes that idea with the iRoom iDock, where it is a powered and motorized in-wall mounting solution for the iPad, making it the first of its kind in the market at the moment. You can choose from two models – portrait and landscape to suit your needs, where it can be flush-mounted to seamlessly and stylishly integrate the iPad into any room. Boasting a patented motorized docking system that will open and close the iDock to make sure the iPad remains securely in place, the dock will also feature power and composite audio internal connections. As for the mount’s faceplate (otherwise known as beze...

When we talk about monitors, most of us would definitely think of the most common models that are sitting there, prim and proper on our desks. Well, AOC not only delivers said monitors, but they too know how some people feel about not getting enough viewing real estate whenever one travels. Guess this is why they have come up with what they deem to be the ultimate laptop accessory – a portable USB monitor that ain’t too small it might be deem useless, but is large enough to warrant more than a second look. This lightweight and sleek 16″ monitor will boast a convenient built-in USB port which allows it to receive not only power, but also signal from the computer. Basically a single USB cable eliminates the need for you to tote around a power cord or VGA cable on your travels, now how about that? It isn’t only good for dual-monitor setups, but multi-monitor configuration as well. Apart from being an extended display, this particular peripheral will also work great if you...

You might not be Joe Satriani or Santana, but that does not mean you cannot express yourself using a guitar, can you? Since technology has clearly advanced by leaps and bounds these days, it makes perfect sense for the guitar to be transported onto a totally unexpected item – that of a tote bag. Hence, ThinkGeek presents the $49.99 Electronic Rock Guitar Bag. The name of the bag gives the game away – you can basically crank out your favorite rock tunes and guitar riffs with this without needing much skill. After all, all the major chords are recorded from an actual electric guitar, where all you need to do is strum your thumb across the fingerboard and you’re good to go. There is also a mini amp that brings the volume level up by several notches, while the tone knob lets you adjust the sound just like the real thing. Every button on the neck is a major chord, so without much skill, you will definitely be able to play some classic tunes while impressing those around you. ...

So you’ve seen stress balls before (and perhaps used them), but how many of them will actually scream? Enter the £22.99 Stretch Screamers, where you will be able to choose from Mummy, Frankenstein or Ghoul characters. These are rubbery figures that will howl and moan whenever you give them a good stretch. Torturing the undead does not seem to be the wisest thing to do, no? After all, they can’t die, and who are we to say that they will not exact their revenge on you ala Chucky when you fall asleep? Just like all other horror movies you’ve watched, these rubbery characters are full well able to take quite the beating, as they tend to come back for a whole lot more punishment after you’ve given your best shot. Even more realistic is this – each character will feature their very own pop out item, be it a brain or an eyeball. Of course, they will fall silent once the two AAA batteries inside run out of juice. These don’t run on human brains for sure!

We have reported on prosthetic robot hands before, and I think we all know that this will be an obvious advancement in artificial limb technology. The Virtu-limb from i-Limb Pulse made an appearance at the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association National Assembly in Las Vegas this week. This Virtu-limb is able to pick up electrical signals in arm muscles via electrodes. This set-up is designed to transmit signals wirelessly to a prosthetic hand linked by Bluetooth to a PC. This hand on the dock is also known as a i-Limb Ultra. It can also do a PC simulation of an artificial hand in the digital space of a computer. The purpose of this device is to determine the best locations for a prosthetic device, as well as training for an artificial hand for prospective users. I’m not certain whether the terms “test-drive” or “try before you buy” are appropriate, but I suppose that it is the best way of describing what this can do. I suppose that we will soon live in ...

I have covered products from Dexim before, they usually make products that give more power to iDevices. One of their newest products is the AppSpeed, a Gyro Controlled RC Monster Truck. The AppSpeed allows an iDevice user to control a two-inch tall monster truck by tilting their compatible iDevice, provided it has iOS 4.0 or later. The App Speed comes with a custom-built RF Transmitter that fits in the bottom of the iDevice. The moment that contact is made with the 30-pin connector, the iDevice user is prompted to download the application necessary to control the AppSpeed Monster Truck. As for the little monster truck’s power, it comes with a USB cord that you can connect to your computer or a wall (if you have a USB wall adapter). It also has a quick battery charger that requires 3 AAA batteries (not included) for when you need some power on the go. The user also has a choice for the type of control as he or she can shift from gyroscope power to touch sensor mode...

I’ve tried out Jabra products before, and they are pretty famous for their Bluetooth headsets. You can’t see this in the image, but their new Jabra SPORT is like two Bluetooth headsets connected together for a Bluetooth stereo headset. I got a chance to try this out for myself, and I was quite impressed with its sound. Thanks to the AM3D Power Bass audio enhancement, I found that it kicked my ears when it played tunes from my Bluetooth connected phone. As you might have guessed, the SPORT is made for the active crowd. They fit on my ears very well, and I had a hard time getting them on the first time. The wire between them is stretched with little slack, and I don’t think they would even fit if I had a bigger chin. The SPORT even has eargels to secure them in place. Not only is the SPORT dust and shock resistant certified, but comes with a free download of the Endomondo Sports Tracker, a fitness tracking application for smartphones that works as a motivational to...

Don’t you think that sometimes, it is just nice to go back to the good ol’ days when there is no need to depend on this thing called electricity, and when you need to get something done, you do it yourself the manual way? The Veggichop certainly brings back memories of a mortar and pestle in the kitchen, with grandma pounding away on her family secret of herbs and spices to marinate that delicious chicken dish for tonight’s dinner. Well, dicing up vegetables can be quite the challenge for those who are not quite used to it – but I guess this is where the £19.99 Veggichop comes in handy. It does not matter whether you have a working blender or not – but with the hand-powered blender like the Veggichop, nothing much will be able to stand up to it – as long as your hands have the energy to grind and shred your way through whatever you put inside. It can whizz a wide range of produce from onions to ice, and since you are the one who tells the blade how fast it should go, you ...

If you are still mulling over just which tablet you should purchase (other than the iPad, of course) for your loved one this coming Christmas, perhaps you might want to consider the plethora of Android-powered options. For example, tablets running on the Android operating system are dime a dozen, so just which model should you pick up? I would say hold your horses until September 20th rolls around – Archos will be introducing their new G9 Android tablet which intends to merge both speed and affordability in a single device. Sporting an 8″ form factor, Archos will be the first manufacturer in the market that rolls out a dual-core, Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet that will not go beyond the $300 price point – making all of you out there smile, I suppose. Couple that with an OMAP 4 processor with an ARM Cortex dual-core A9 at 1GHz, there is yet another model for you to consider if your need is speed. Going for $399, there is the Archos G9 “Turbo” edition that will run on an ...

Hmmm, the world of printers might seem to be rather boring to some as improvements in this area are hardly worth reporting on – rarely making headlines, so to speak. Well, printing has taken on a new dimension with the introduction of 3D printers, as you get to deliver what your mind has conceived in an actual, 3D object – which previously you had to spend far more money elsewhere to get that done. Guess where is another use of 3D printer applicable in our everyday lives? We’re talking about using a 3D printer to roll out artificial blood vessels, and these blood vessels might soon see action during transplants of lab-created organs. It has been the major stumbling block until now in tissue engineering, as boffins had been scratching their heads as to how to supply artificial tissue with nutrients that require the use of capillary vessels to arrive. Why not provide artificial tissue with artificial blood vessels? That’s probably the route that a team at the Fraunhofer ...

You never quite know what kind of nasties are there hanging around us these days, and so it always pays to be safe than sorry – which is where the Mold and Germ Destroying Air Purifier comes in handy. This $299.95 device does not come cheap, but before you dismiss it off as some sort of marketing gimmick, hear me out. Hammacher claims that this device is capable of eliminating up to 100% of airborne bacteria, including mold, viruses, dust mites, and pollen – doing so by virtue of being a silent killer. Not only does it not make a sound, it also gets rid of all the nasties using a filter. The device will rely on natural convection in order to silently draw airborne impurities into its patented ceramic heating chamber, where upon doing so, it will instantly destroy all microorganisms within with 400º F heat. To make sure that this is no fly-by-night performance, it has been certified by an independent laboratory that 100% of bacteria and mold were destroyed regardless of t...

Want to teach your kids the impact that an accident can have on people in a car who do not wear seat belts? Apart from bringing them to a crash test dummy site, there might be a far more fun way of imparting such a lesson – through the $59.95 Driver Ejecting Bumpercrafts. Yes sir, the name itself says it all – these remote controlled bumpercrafts will see two players being pitted in a bitter duel, where the objective is to literally unseat an opponent driver. Since each bumpercraft has an impact area button on its left and right, whenever the button is struck by an opposing bumpercraft, there is no bargaining with the built-in spring as it ejects the craft’s driver out of its seat. Your remote control will allow the bumpercraft to move forward, backward, left, and right, as long as it remains within a 10 foot radius. Needless to say, it would be best to play this on smooth, level surfaces, anything rougher than that and it is going to get stuck all too easily. You might...

by Edwin - on September 16th, 2011 Want to teach your kids the impact that an accident can have on people in a car who do not wear seat belts? Apart from bringing them to a crash test dummy site, there might be a far more fun way of imparting such a lesson – through the $59.95 Driver Ejecting Bumpercrafts. Yes sir, the name itself says it all – these remote controlled bumpercrafts will see two players being pitted in a bitter duel, where the objective is to literally unseat an opponent driver. Since each bumpercraft has an impact area button on its left and right, whenever the button is struck by an opposing bumpercraft, there is no bargaining with the built-in spring as it ejects the craft’s driver out of its seat. Your remote control will allow the bumpercraft to move forward, backward, left, and right, as long as it remains within a 10 foot radius. Needless to say, it would be best to play this on smooth, level surfaces, anything rougher than th...

You know something? Being a geek would mean you would have access to a plethora of gadgets and gizmos to play around with, but sometimes, that would also mean having more stuff to keep track of – such as the amount of power adapters and cables that you need to bring along with you each time you go out for a trip. Well, there is nothing quite like a power strip to make sure that everything has a place to be plugged in, but sometimes, the traditional power strips weren’t designed in a way to fit into tight places or accommodate giant adapters. With the $29.99 Pivot Power Power Strip, this attractively designed piece of hardware is capable of fitting even giant adapters without losing a spot beside it. No longer do you need to grapple with the issue of unusable outlets, coaxing one thirsty gadget to hold on for just “one more bar of battery” as you place a higher priority on your smartphone to revive its flagging battery. Six adjustable outlets attached to six feet of cord ...