Category — Gadgets

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  And, blaze orange spray paint just has a way of bringing out the best in outdated hardware.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.

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.

Remember way back when….before digital cameras and before pocket camcorders, when people actually used film and  35mm cameras to capture their memories?  If you remember those days, then chances are you’ve got stacks of old photos laying around, or in albums.  I’ve always talked about using a photo scanner to convert my old paper pictures to digital files for preservation purposes, but the whole idea seemed slow and cumbersome.

The gadget above looks like a fix for the problem.  The photograph to digital picture converter instantly captures the image of a paper picture and stores it as a digital image.  Slide the paper photo into a tray, and hit the copy button, and that’s it.  Rather than scanning the image, the photo converter works like a digital camera, and shoots an image of your entire photo with a 5MP CMOS.  There’s a USB attachment for moving the digital files to your computer.  The Photograph to Digital Picture Converter is available at Hammacher Schlemmer for $149.

Halloween props, especially remote control Halloween props, are some of my favorite gadgets. Have you checked out some of the high tech Halloween decorations available this year? This remote control grim reaper is 5 feet tall and has red light up eyes. The reaper mounts on an included pole and rolling base which is disguised by the flowing shroud.

The remote control allows you to control front to back, and side to side movements. Just for some added spookiness, the grim reaper also laughs, and has pose-able arms. For indoor use only. I found the remote control grim reaper at Buy Costumes. Com for $69.99.

Erratic driving habits leaving your GPS on the floorboard? Here’s a portable friction mount for your Garmin GPS system, that will securely hold your GPS wherever you want it wthin your car or SUV. The base of the mount will hold firm to a dashboard or center console, and then you just pop on your GPS unit.

The ball attachment allows you to adjust your portable GPS system to the angle that’s comfortable for you. This is a “no tools needed” project- the base grips the dashboard on contact, without adhesives or fasteners.

The GPS mount works with many Garmin GPS models, including the Nuvi series, the Street Pilot i series, as well as C530 and C550. The portable Garmin GPS friction mount is available at Day Deal for $32.99.

If you’re into iPhone accessories, or international spy missions, you might like this telescope for your iPhone camera.  The telescope gives you 6x zoom for improving the quality of iPhone photos .  The telescopic lens mounts to a built-in bracket on a hard plastic iPhone case (included).  Focus can be improved by manually adjusting the bezel on the telescope.

One important note- this gadget only works with the original iPhone, not the iPhone 3G. The lens is 7 cm long, and comes with a carry strap.  I found the iPhone telescopic lens at ThinkGeek.

Digital photo printers are evolving from mediocre plug and play gadgets to full blown home photo labs.  Check out the Sony Snap Lab home photo system. It uses thermal transfer printing to create “lab quality” digital photo prints. Many digital photo printers limit you to 4X6 prints or smaller, but this one allows you to print 5X7s and 3X5s too.

The Sony Snap Lab features an 8-inch LCD touch screen for on-screen editing, and you can use it with or without a computer.  A 4X6 takes about 15 seconds to print, and you can print in black and white as well as sepia tones.

The photo lab includes software, a paper tray, a paper holder, and other items. It’s big too-measures 10-7/8″W x 11-7/8″H x 14-15/16″D and weighs 24 lbs. Since it’s priced at more than $1400, you’ll be wise to take advantage of the built in security slot for using a security cable with this new gadget.  I found the Sony Snap Lab at B&H Photo.