Gadget Access

Okay, not really. But this R2D2 standup alarm clock is bound to attract the Star Wars faithful who’s bedroom at their parent’s house is filled with thousands of dollars in Lucasian memorabilia (wait, that’s Star Trek fans, Star Wars fans actually have lives). Now that I’ve taken the loving swipe at SciFi fans (I kid with love, you know), how can anyone not think that this R2 Alarm clock isn’t the coolest for anyone even with a passing fancy for the SciFi epic?

R2 stands up 6 ½” tall on his three adjustable droid legs which can be changed to alter the angle of projection. R2 also makes classic beeps and chirps from the movie as he displays the time, in hours, minutes and seconds, on the wall along with the current date. The time can be displayed in either classic AM/PM time or in military time using the 24 hour clock designation (where 1pm is 1300, etc.).
The time is also displayed on an LCD screen on R2’s body so that it isn’t displaying the time on the wall all the time. But owners can manually display the time should they choose to.

Cost is about $30 US from Firebox.

Hat Tip – ZATH UK

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I realize that the title of this particular article is obvious, to say the least. After all, this tiny device is called the Sonic Nausea because it uses “a unique combination of ultra-high frequency soundwaves” to produce nauseous effects for those in its range.

The Sonic Nausea is also capable of causing “headaches, intense irritation, sweating, imbalance”, as well as making people puke. It is powered by a 9-volt battery that is actually bigger than the device itself. That won’t get you too much power, but it is possible to increase the runtime with six AA batteries with transistor clips.

The device is available at the SHOMER-TEC site for about $29.00, and the description states the possibilities are endless. For example: “hiding this device in your inconsiderate neighbor’s house might put an end to their late-night parties”. It went on to suggest other covert operations, such as hiding the Sonic Nausea in “the abusive bureaucrat’s office or the executive lunchroom”.

However, most of these examples are nothing more than petty revenge. I think the only situation that would justify using a device like this would be a hostage crisis or an unruly mob. The flashlight that induces puke was certainly designed for such events, but that particular device used LEDs, not sound.

I’m surprised that this vomit-inducing technology is readily available on the market. I’m not certain whether the power to make people vomit should be in just anyone’s hands. Chime in with a comment if you agree or disagree.

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Here are a few coolest gadget gift ideas for the handy man or woman.

Ultimate Package Opener - $7.98

Plastic “Clamshell” Package Opener safely cuts through any size or shape product packaging in seconds! Even the awkward plastic “clamshell” curves of electronic, cosmetic and toy packages are no match! No longer use harmful knives, break nails, or chip teeth trying to access contents.

The Ultimate Package Opener is available from Taylor Gifts for $7.98.

Swiss Tech Multi-Tool - $8.95

These impossibly tiny multi-tools will soon become an indispensable take-everywhere item, alongside your keys, wallet, cell phone and SpongeBob Pez dispenser (what, haven’t you got one?). Because let’s be honest, carrying around a full-size toolbox wherever you may roam is impractical, not to mention pretty weird.

The Swiss Tech Multi-Tool is available from Firebox for $8.95.

MagnoGrip - $14.99

The MagnoGrip is a magnetic wristband guaranteed to securely hold nails, screws, drill bits, fasteners and tools. It allows professionals and do-it yourselfers to finish jobs in less time and with less frustration. The magnogrip is built to handle the most rugged of jobs. Its fabric construct consists of durable heavy duty canvas, industrial grade velcro and high-powered magnets that are strong enough to hold a hammer

The MagnoGrip is available from Think Geek for $14.99.

BodyGard Self-Powered Emergency Tool - $19.99

The BodyGard Self-Powered Emergency Tool is 12-in-1 unit featuring a built-in hand crank, so you can generate power when you need, wherever you need it. Never worry about batteries for your flashlight or radio. Never worry about charging your cell phone and mp3 player. The flashing red light, panic button and motion activated security alarm help to protect you from harm - at home, while biking, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and boating. If you get lost, the compass and signaling mirror can help you find your way or lead others to find you.

The BodyGard Self-Powered Emergency Tool is available from Think Geek for $19.99.

8-Inch Auto Wrench Adjusting Wrench - $19.99

Manually adjusting a wrench to fit particular nuts and bolts can be a real hassle, especially in tight spaces. Enter Black & Decker’s battery-powered Auto Wrench, a phenomenally handy tool that opens and closes with the push of a button. Boasting 220 foot-pounds of torque, this wrench is powerful enough to handle most household tasks, from car repair to fixing leaks.

The Auto Wrench is not meant to replace specialty tools like pipe or torque wrenches, but the jaws open wide enough (up to 1-1/4-inch) so that it could conceivably replace a range of manual wrenches sitting in your toolkit. This is an ideal product for someone looking to buy a wrench that’s both easy to use and versatile. At 8-inches, you could toss it in the silverware drawer and whip it out when you need it.

The 8-Inch Auto Wrench Adjusting Wrench is available from Amazon for $19.99.

Auto LED - $24.99

It’s just big enough to sit in your cigarette lighter and trickle charge off of your car’s electrical system. All the while, emitting a soft blue glow. When you need a quick light to highlight that road map, or to track down that errant french-fry that fell beneath the seat (just let it go, man), this little guy is Johnny-on-the-spot.

The Auto LED is available from Think Geek for $24.99.

Power Welder - $29.95

Discover the power to make and create with the tool that safely welds plastic to plastic.

-Make 3 fun projects – dinosaur, plane and car
- Safely welds plastic to plastic
- A hands-on way for kids to learn about welding
- Includes templates, welding rods and re-usable pieces

Weld a design, break it, then reuse the pieces to weld something else! Non-stop fun and learning the hands-on way.

The Power Welder is available from Discovery for $29.95.

Leatherman 830039 - $93.00

The most popular full-size Leatherman tool is now better than ever. Larger knives, stronger pliers, longer wire cutters and all-locking blades make the new Wave an essential piece of equipment for any job or adventure. The pliers have been redesigned to withstand more than double the previous squeezing load, and the new bronze bushing makes one-handed knife access a smooth operation — plus, the one-at-a-time blade selection function means that the tool you want is the tool you get. The versatile Wave comes with a durable and attractive leather sheath.

The Leatherman 830039 is available from Amazon for $93.00.

Handyman’s Chrome-Vanadium Tool Set (124-piece w/ Cordless Drill). - $329.95

This 124-piece tool set contains all the tools needed by a handyman. Made of high-quality chrome vanadium steel, a metal compound stronger and more rust-resistant than carbon steel, the tools are housed in a sturdy, well-organized portable case, secured with elastic straps, and five pliable foam dividers protect the tools. Set includes the following chrome vanadium tools: six metric combination wrenches, six SAE combination wrenches, one adjustable wrench, one needlenose pliers, one slipjoint pliers, one tongue-and-groove pliers, 41 piece socket set with ratchet, four nutdrivers, and 16 hex keys.

The Handyman’s Chrome-Vanadium Tool Set (124-piece w/ Cordless Drill). is available from Hammacher for $329.95.

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This modern age of cell phones has certainly made communication easier, and the only downside is the necessity of charging our cell phones. This need always keeps us going back to the AC outlet, often at inconvenient times.

Devices like the solar-powered Solio or other AA-battery powered chargers might give a cellular phone a tiny bit of juice that it needs, but what if there was a simpler way? What if charging our phone was as simple as talking to it?

This is what some University of Houston scientists are suggesting is possible with piezoelectricity, when a mechanical force is converted to electricity. For example, a barbeque grill lighter uses piezoelectric forces when you push a button. The button puts pressure on a crystal, the crystal produces a voltage, and the result is a spark that lights your coals.

A specific size of crystal or ceramic material could become a power cell for a mobile device, and the sound waves for our own voice could be the spark that powers it. Some of the power generating crystals would have to be very small, only 23 nanometers wide. To put this into scale, a human hair is about 100,000 nanometers thick.

Something that miniscule would be hard to perfect, and scientists are saying that it could be years before this technology gets going. However, phones that run on speech alone would save a lot of energy. After all, most teenagers are chatting on their phones constantly, so you might as well put this chatter to good use.

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If you join MvixCommunity today and join in the group order, you can get an MvixBOX for as little as $159 including shipping!

In case you don’t know what the MvixBOX is, it’s a NAS Server. You can get more info about it here at GfG or over at MvixUSA. Also, it was named as one of InfoWorld’s top 10 gadgets of the year.

Get more details at MvixCommunity.

Posted in Miscellaneous

There have been several attempts to find alternative methods to help you fall asleep. Some seem a little ridiculous, but if you don’t want to take sleeping pills a lot of them are worth a try. This light actually seems to be based on a decent idea, whether or not it works is as always questionable. It basically coaches you through breathing exercises till you fall asleep. Which is no different than what you would do to for meditation, so if nothing else it will likely at least get you to relax and unwind before sleep.

The Nightwave has a pale blue light that is supposed to be barely visible. The light fades and rises, you’re supposed to match your breathing with the light. Having something as simplistic as breathing to focus on, it might help you drown out the thoughts that keep your mind too active to sleep. As time goes on it will slow your breathing down more and more. It doesn’t advertise spectacular things, like suddenly making you fall asleep heavily every single time. It merely states that it will help you sleep by relaxing you before bed. To pick it up it will cost you $59.98.

Source: Ubergizmo

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Have a geeky book worm in the family? Check out our geeky and tech book gift recommendations.

Are You a Geek?: 1,000 Ways to Find Out - $8

Let’s face it–we all do geeky things, from checking e-mail obsessively to playing video games to tripping over our own feet. But here’s your chance to find out just how much of a geek you really are. With 1,000 questions for every area of your life–from childhood to lifestyle to entertainment to sex (you met your wife in a Web chat room–3 points), Are You a Geek? helps measure your precise geek quotient. From challenging intelligence quizzes to testing your dating compatibility with “Geekline,” Are You a Geek? lets you in on the secrets that separate the geeks from the grown-ups. Or the nerdmeisters from everyone else…

The Are You a Geek?: 1,000 Ways to Find Out is available from Amazon for $8.

The Sneaky Book for Girls - $9.99

Let’s face it: girls are sneaky. And they have one advantage to being sneaky over boys - they are girls. Girls out there, you know what we mean: your brains are just smarter or something. We want to help ramp up your sneakiness quotient even more, and this book is it. The Sneaky Book for Girls provides complete how-to instructions and diagrams for sneaky gadgets, survival skills, communication codes, science projects, as well as having profiles of more than a dozen famous women. It also explores recycling and conservation techniques.

The The Sneaky Book for Girls is available from Think Geek for $9.99.

The Sneaky Book for Boys - $9.99

A bit like the sneaky book for girls but err for boys .

The The Sneaky Book for Boys is available from Think Geek for $9.99.

It’s a Guy Thing: Awesome Innovations from the Underdeveloped Male Mind - $11.16

Man may have invented the wheel, but it was a Guy who first looked at an ordinary pogo stick and realized it would be greatly improved by the addition of a combustible-gas-powered engine; a Guy who invented a high-five simulator so he’d never be left hanging again; a Guy who dared to dream of airbag boxer shorts to protect that which he holds most dear.

It’s not difficult to imagine these bold inventors reclining in front of their TVs (or Victrolas), one hand resting halfway down their boxers, the other holding a beer, when inspiration struck! Unfortunately, what they envisioned as the next lightbulb was, in actuality, the first toilet lounger.

The It’s a Guy Thing: Awesome Innovations from the Underdeveloped Male Mind is available from Amazon for $11.16.

The Google Story - $11.20

The strength of the book comes from its command of many small details, and its focus on the human side of the Google story, as opposed to the merely academic one. Some may prefer a dryer, more analytic approach to Google’s impact on the Internet, like The Search or books that tilt more heavily towards bits and bytes on the spectrum between technology and business, like The Singularity is Near. Those wanting to understand the motivations and personal growth of founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin and CEO Eric Schmidt, however, will enjoy this book. Vise and Malseed interviewed over 150 people, including numerous Google employees, Wall Street analysts, Stanford professors, venture capitalists, even Larry Page’s Cub Scout leader, and their comprehensiveness shows.

The The Google Story is available from Amazon for $11.20.

Gadget Nation: A Journey Through the Eccentric World of Invention - $13.57

Greenberg, a writer and “innovation insider” who works the quirky device beat, looks into a number of those “why didn’t I think of that” (and “why did anyone think of that”) products in this colorful, fully illustrated guide. From the incredible (bird diapers) to the practical (mom’s third arm, a flexible bottle-holding device that attaches to car seats) to the ingenious (the slanket, a blanket with sleeves) to the goofy (a kitchen utensil for turning a hot dog into an octopus), Greenberg profiles odd products and the oddballs behind them, dutifully chronicling the ups and downs of inventor-dom. Though the products are interesting, the real story is in the arduous trip from garage to store shelf, a long, expensive and risky enterprise. Greenberg finds inventors in all stages of the process, many of whom face the chilling prospect of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The Gadget Nation: A Journey Through the Eccentric World of Invention is available from Amazon for $13.57.

Backyard Ballistics - $14.99

Ordinary folks can construct 13 awesome ballistic devices in their garage or basement workshops using inexpensive household or hardware store materials and this step-by-step guide. Clear instructions, diagrams, and photographs show how to build projects ranging from the simple, to the more complex, to the offbeat. Learn how to annoy your neighbors and amaze your friends by building such things as: a match-powered rocket, a tennis ball mortar, and a pneumatic missile.

The Backyard Ballistics is available from Think Geek for $14.99.

Inside Steve’s Brain - $16.29

“Throughout his storied Silicon Valley career, Apple CEO and Pixar Studios founder Steve Jobs has been labeled, among other things, an egomaniac, a Zen Buddhist, a business mastermind, a sociopath and a music mogul. Blogger, author and Wired News editor Kahney, who has chronicled Apple in previous books (The Cult of Mac), attempts to plumb the depths of Jobs’s prodigious mind in this engrossing biography. The author devotes much time to the sensational aspects of Jobs’ life, including his demeaning and ferocious interactions with employees, his relentless high-mindedness and fanatical attention to detail, clearly demonstrating how his tyrannical and perfectionist impulses have have shaped the award-winning designs and consumer-friendly products that have made Apple a juggernaut. Though it doesn’t penetrate the Mac man’s psyche too deeply, and sections on tangential figures like Apple design guru Jonathan Ive and Apple Store visionary Ron Johnson can meander, those searching for a telling portrait of Jobs’s management style and its impact on Apple will not be left wanting.”

The Inside Steve’s Brain is available from Amazon for $16.29.

The Darwin Awards - $25

The Darwin Award Box Set is a collection of people who did sometimes stupid, yet funny things to die. There are the classic Darwin Awards such as the person who decided to make a neckless out of live amunition and others who did not die, but were injured doing stupid stuff, such as the guy that tied 45 Navy ballons to a lawn chair and sailed up to about 20,000 feet.

All in all a funny look at some stupid people.

The The Darwin Awards is available from Amazon for $25.

Kindle: Amazon’s Wireless Reading Device - $359

Thanks to electronic paper, a revolutionary new display technology, reading Kindle’s screen is as sharp and natural as reading ink on paper—and nothing like the strain and glare of a computer screen. Kindle is also easy on the fingertips. It never becomes hot and is designed for ambidextrous use so both “lefties” and “righties” can read comfortably at any angle for long periods of time.

The Kindle: Amazon’s Wireless Reading Device is available from Amazon for $359.

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Cut the wires and enjoy music without pesky headphone wires. And lower your chances of an embarrassing fall off the treadmill at the gym. (Ok, maybe that’s just me.)

iMuffs by Wi-Gear are sleek, ergonomically-designed headphones that are wireless and deliver impressive stereo sound. iMuffs work with iPods and BT phones. (That leaves us iphone users out.) The control panel on the headphones is easy to use and lets users pause, change volume, skip tracks, and seek music right from the headphones. And when paired to your BT phone, you can pause music and answer incoming calls as well. Features a noise canceling microphone, which is essential these days.

I took them to the gym, where I have almost killed myself with tangled wires on the elliptical machine, and found I could leave my nano in my gym bag and get a good 30 feet away and still hear strong sound. It doesn’t travel through walls or when you get over to the free weights, though I’m sure soon advances in BT will change that.

If you have a pair of the original iMuffs, don’t despair since now you can buy the Adapter MA110
and upgrade your iMuffs to the ipod nano, classic, and touch. ($59.99.)

Just in time for Christmas shopping, the price has dropped from $179 to $129.00. They’re also available at Amazon.

Have a friend or family member that seems to be away more than they are at home, surprise them and show you care with a travel related gadget.

OHSO Pocket Toothbrush - $17.99

OHSO was engineered to be the ultimate travel toothbrush. Besides looking good the OHSO is useful and durable. Toothpaste is stored in the handle for safekeeping and the window shows you how much paste is in the chamber. Turn the knob clockwise and paste is dispensed though the rubber nozzle on the bristle head. Tilt down and paste is delivered directly to the bristles.

The OHSO Pocket Toothbrush is available from Think Geek for $17.99.

Digital Luggage Scale - $19.99

The Digital Luggage Scale allows you to pack smarter and avoid paying overweight luggage fees. With an easy-to-read digital display, you can lift up to 100lbs (or 44 Kg), wait for the beep, set the luggage down and read the weight.

The Digital Luggage Scale is available from Think Geek for $19.99.

Universal Power Adapter - $19.99

Worry no more, ’cause this power adapter lets you plug your device into four different kinds of outlets - British, European, Japanese, and Australasia. Check out the complete country list below to know just how good we are. Yeah, I know. We’re impressive - we try to not let it go to our heads.

The Universal Power Adapter is available from Think Geek for $19.99.

Digital WiFi Detector - $69.95

As its name suggests, this pocket-sized device sniffs out the presence of Wi-Fi wherever you may roam. So far, so obvious.

But here’s the twist: as well as detecting a signal and indicating its strength in a matter of seconds, this ingenious box of tricks also displays essential network info, including network ID (SSID), encryption status (WEP and WPA) and channel. And when multiple networks are present you can scroll through info for each individual network.

The Digital WiFi Detector is available from Firebox for $69.95.

GPS Homing Device - $79.95

This is the simplest portable GPS locating device available, ideal for finding your car after shopping, returning to a favorite spot on the beach, or returning to camp. Simply push a button to mark your current location and the device points the way back. Nearly the size of a drink coaster, the compact receiver fits easily on a keychain, in a pocket, or in a purse. Unlike typical GPS units that are highly complex, this one only has two buttons: one for power, another for setting your starting point and two other destinations. It uses an advanced GPS receiver chipset that provides a high degree of accuracy–within five yards–in urban canyons or heavily forested environments thanks to its superior Time To First Fix for locating and locking onto satellite signals. It counts down the distance (in yards, miles, meters, or kilometers) as you approach your starting point and its self-calibrating digital compass displays your heading in degrees and indicates direction with an easy-to-read arrow.

The GPS Homing Device is available from Hammacher for $79.95.

FlareSafe - $84.95

The ingenious 3-in-1 FlareSafe is destined to become an essential travelling companion for all you safety-conscious, off-the-beaten-track-types. Because as well as functioning as a powerful LED flashlight, this revolutionary device is also an optical smoke detector and a distress alarm. Clever, eh?

The FlareSafe is available from Hammacher for $84.95.

Priority Pass - ~$100

Not a gadget exactly but lets you play with you gadgets in comfort whilst waiting around in airports.

Enjoy a drink from the stylish lounge bar, catch-up on the news or simply relax in peaceful surroundings, away from the crowded terminal. Use the state-of-the-art facilities to fine-tune that presentation, check your email or just browse the internet in the comfort of a VIP lounge.

The Priority Pass is available from Priority Pass for ~$100.

Talking 14 Language Portable Translator - $199.95

This is the portable device that articulates 32,200 phrases and 280,000 words into any one of 14 languages. At the touch of a button, you can access translations for pre-programmed words or travel phrases in English (uses the New Oxford American English Dictionary), German, French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Dutch, and Portuguese

The Talking 14 Language Portable Translator is available from Hammacher for $199.95.

Amazon Kindle eBook - $359

Thanks to electronic paper, a revolutionary new display technology, reading Kindle’s screen is as sharp and natural as reading ink on paper—and nothing like the strain and glare of a computer screen. Kindle is also easy on the fingertips. It never becomes hot and is designed for ambidextrous use so both “lefties” and “righties” can read comfortably at any angle for long periods of time.

The Amazon Kindle eBook is available from Hammacher for $359.

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Mail Online reviews the Apple iphone 3G and writes, “The camera is still the weakest part of the phone. A two-megapixel camera just doesn’t cut it when most of Apple’s rivals are on the verge of launching eight-megapixel models.”

Read more about the Apple iPhone 3G.