Posts from — October 2008

Here’s an assortment of geek-worthy toys for gadget gurus everywhere. First up, and my favorite of the three, is this remote control Multi-Color LED light, which would be a perfect addition to your Halloween props. The color-changing LED light plugs into a standard light bulb socket, and can produce dozens of colors.  You can even adjust the brightness and adjust transitions from color to color.  I found it at ThinkGeek.

Ooh, and here’s a kinda spooky, kinda goofy, computer accessory, just in case you’ve ever wanted to wear your USB drive on your finger.  The skull rings above are made by Solid Alliance and they open up to reveal a USB gadget with 2 GB of storage space. The skull rings are available at Geek Stuff 4 U for $145.  May the force be with you.

And, if you’re into robotic toys, you should check out this guinea pig robot named Gupi.  The virtual pet makes more than 30 noises and responds to your voice.  He charges via the carrot, and comes with a cardboard house.  You can find Gupi the guinea pig at I Want One of Those.Com.

I read in the news this morning that the release of the latest PlayStation 3 game, LittleBigPlanet, is indefinitely delayed due to religious concerns.  According to the LittleBigPlanet article, the game, which was set to be released tomorrow, contains music mixed with scripture quotes from the Qur’an, something deemed seriously offensive to some Muslims.

With the game so close to it’s release date, it’s inevitibly sitting in the back rooms of WalMarts and Targets everywhere.  I’m betting there will be a few copies of this on Ebay within hours.  The new version of LittleBigPlanet is set to be released October 27.  So, just a few more days of waiting for this much-anticipated PS3 video game.

Are you guilty of talking on your cell phone while driving?  Not a good idea.  According to the experts, driving while talking on a cell phone makes it harder for you to maintain steady control of your vehicle, and increases your likelihood of an accident.

If you’ve recently been pulled over for using your cell phone (without a headset) while driving, you might be interested in this deal from Headsets.Com.  They’re giving away free Bluetooth headsets, specifically the Plantronics Discover 925, to anyone who can provide proof of a receiving a citation after July 1, 2008.  Limited quantities (just over 700) available.  Here are the details on the free cell phone headset offer.

Even if you haven’t received a ticket for gabbing on the freeway, you might want to consider a Bluetooth headset for keeping your hands free while driving.  The Motorola H375 cell phone headset is available at Hello Direct for $39.99.

So here’s what happened to all those old Mac computers…they’ve all become Halloween pumpkins in a second life.  This looks like a cool way to have some fun with your old computers and make some cool Halloween decorations.  And, blaze orange spray paint just has a way of bringing out the best in outdated hardware.

Here’s the quick rundown on how to make these Halloween gadgets:

Obviously, the orange spray paint is used on the outside of the computer.  Next spray paint the mouse brown, and attach it to the top of the monitor using epoxy.  Make a Jack-O-Lantern face with any photo program and upload it to the Mac, and POOF, you’ve got a Mac-O-Lantern!   Complete Mac-O-Lantern instructions here.

Any volunteers for turning a new AirBook into a Mac-O-Lantern?

There’s nothing more convenient than transferring the memory card from your digital camera to digital photo frames to create instantly framed photos.  This digital photo frame made by Coby goes a step further to include sound files, and digital video playback.

The Coby DP848 photo frame plays MP3 and WAV sound files, and AVI, MPG, and XviD video files.  The frame has an 8.4 inch LCD screen with 800×600 resolution, and a 500:1 contrast ratio.  There are options for creating a slide show set to music, and built-in stereo speakers.

The Coby digital frame, available at J&R, also includes a remote control, a 5 in 1 card reader,  and a headphone jack. You can mount the frame on a wall or place it on the included stand.

Every collection of Halloween decorations should include a fogger, and I think this is the best of all the Halloween fogger gadgets I’ve looked at this year.  Shaped like a witches’ cauldron, the fogger has multi-colored lights, and you can use it indoors or out.  Best of all, it uses tap water instead of fog juice.  The cauldron fogger is available at Oriental Trading Company for $54.99.

This sign made me laugh, and it reminded me that I’m due for a new DVD player.  Mine’s acting up, and I want to be able to play my Hithcock DVDs at my Halloween party.  What’s Halloween without Norman Bates? The illuminated Bates Motel sign is one of many officially-licensed Universal Studios Halloween decorations, and you can find it at Costume Hub.

Quick, grab some eye protection, it’s the world’s most expensive MP3 player, and it’s encrusted with more than 400 diamonds (over 4 carats). Over the last couple years, Thomas Heyerdahl, a Norwegian jeweler, has produced a handful of these glitzy gadgets, some of which have been auctioned for charity. When it comes to MP3 players, this golden Apple accessory is a bit out of budget for most: $40,000+!

Heyerdahl also likes to put the Midas touch on cell phones. He received some attention last year for his similarly blinged-out Nokia 8800 cell phone.

You know, if you can’t afford the $40K iDiamond MP3 player, perhaps you could spring for the diamond earbuds to go with your Nano? Comparitively speaking, they’re a bargain, and available separately, for just over $6,000. Here’s the iDiamond video.

Olympus digital cameras seem to be appealing more and more to the extreme sports and outdoors crowds. This one got my attention because of the built in tap control. The camera responds to a tap anywhere on the body, so that you can operate it without fumbling around for the button-ideal if you’re wearing gloves or moving quickly.

The Olympus Stylus 1050 SW is features 10.1 megapixels, and it’s shockproof, waterproof, and freezeproof. It also comes equipped with “Smile Shot” technology which automatically detects a smile on the face of your subjects, and shoots 3 frames in rapid succession.

Measuring 3.7 in. X 2.4 in. X .76 in. , the camera also has a 2.5 inch LCD viewing screen. Shutter speeds range from 1/1000 of a second to 1/4 of a second (night mode). The Olympus Stylus 1050 SW digital camera is available at CompUSA for $299.

First, let me say that I understand the convenience of Bluetooth headsets for those who have to be on the phone all the time, and the added safety of not fumbling around with a cell phone in the car. I get that. But is there anyone else out there who thinks that these things are just plain goofy looking-especially when they’re worn as a “look how important I am” accessory?

I’ve ran into people at the grocery store, at my son’s football games, and at restaurants, wearing Bluetooth headsets who clearly dig having a cool looking gadget hanging from their face. I have a name for the Bluetooth accessorizing crowd - “Spaceman Spiff” (the fearless, outer space-gallivanting alter-ego of Calvin from Calvin & Hobbes).

As I near the end of my rant, let me recap. Bluetooth headsets certainly are a wonder of modern technology, and I totally get the use for them. But when you walk around looking like your headset is wearing you, rather than the other way around…something’s gotta give. And as for wearing one while consuming a meal at a restaurant….don’t EVEN get me started.

Apparently, gaming chairs have come a long way since the glorified beanbags of a few years back. Although they used to be just an ergonomically convenient place play video games and sit close to the TV, now some gaming chairs are no-holds-barred wireless playgrounds for gadget lovers. And, they’re not just for video games…many of them will work with MP3 players and DVD players in addition to video game consoles.

The gaming chair above, the Pyramat PM450WR, is a wireless and rechargeable sound rocking chair. With a 50-Watt, 5-inch subwoofer, the Pyramat chair is equipped with enough sound capabilities to send the vibrations of your game or movie right through you. There’s also a headphone jack, RCA multi-player audio outputs, RCA inputs, and bass control. The wireless sound is transmitted from up to 20 feet away.

The Pyramat gaming chair is compatible with Playstation, X-Box, GameCube, PSP, all iPods, most DVD players, computers, TVs, and stereo systems. I found it at Boy’s Stuff, a British e-store, for the equivalent of $389.