11. 6.2009
You know how you hate the sound of the alarm clock in the morning? Maybe you sullenly get out of bed and begin you morning routine, maybe you mumble things so foul it would make Lisa Lampanelli blush. if you're the owner of the Moshi Voice Control Travel Clock, you might want to watch what you say, you might just hurt its feelings.
Okay, it's only a machine so it doesn't have feelings, but it does understand what you're saying to a certain degree. Instead of fumbling to set the alarm or engaging in a knock out, drag out fight to turn it off in the morning, you simply utter a key phrase and the Mochi clock hears and obeys thanks to the advanced voice recognition technology. Through the combination of "Neural Net and Hidden Markov Modeling (HMM) Phonetic Speaker Independent (SI) Recognition Software", the clock can understand over 1,000 different recorded voices. I wonder how this works when you have laryngitis? Commands include:Time, Set Time, Set Alarm, Turn off the Alarm, and Snooze.
Even though it's marketed as a travel clock, I see no reason why this couldn't be your main clock. It's got a cute rounded body and at 3.75" x 2.75" x 1" it doesn't take up much space. There are three alarm sounds to choose from and is powered by three AAA batteries. And for $24.99, it's a steal.
Interested in owning a Moshi? You can purchase one on their site or just check out the video for more information.
Via Gearlog
Posted by sherri
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11. 5.2009
There are times when a girl just needs a good massage, but who wants to pay all that money? And better yet who has the time to rush of to some fancy spa? No worries, comfort comes from the land of the rising sun.
The Pure Lady Message Chair is a portable number that will melt all your troubles away with its soothing massaging air bags that delivers accupressure to all your sore spots. Made of synthetic leather, the chair massages feet, calves, butt, waist and back while you sit and wonder what you ever did without this chair. The waist and back message are said to mimic the motions of a Shiatsu massage.
When you've been massaged back into good spirits, you simply fold it up into a neat little box. There's a handle and wheels on the bottoms so your can roll it to somewhere inconspicuous without any hassle. Or you can use it as a nifty stool where you can kick back and smell the roses.
Available in red and white or plain white, there's no word on pricing or if this product will come stateside, but there are millions of aching backs and feet that are hoping they can order this product soon.
Via Born Rich
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10.29.2009
If you've ever had dreams of embracing your inner Julia Child a la "Julie & Julia", here's your chance. Thanks to a nifty new gadget from France, you can throw away all those tattered recipes and cookbooks.
The QOOQ (pronounced "cook"), is a kitchen computer that might be able to make cooking a pleasurable experience for those of us that are a little gun shy around the oven. QOOQ comes with video recipes as well as 500 preloaded dishes. And if that's not enough, users can sign up for a monthly subscription and have new recipes and sent to device. The digital recipe box can get internet access using WiFi or Ethernet. There's no web browser to speak of, but you can check the weather and update recipes as needed.
In addition to the recipes and videos, the QOOQ also serves as a meal planner and can help create a shopping list, so you don't off track with the impulse buying when you hit the grocery store. And when you need a little entertainment, QOOQ doubles as a digital picture frame and receives internet radio stations.
The 10.2-inch touchscreen tablet PC has a glass screen that makes for easy clean up as a precaution against those unexpected splashes and spills. Unfortunately, QOOQ is currently a French exclusive, but if there are plans to bring the device stateside, I'm sure it will sell like hotcakes (pun totally intended) to the burgeoning foodie movement.
Via Coolest Gadgets
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08.27.2009
Ask me to name any one "gadget" that has only been absolutely utilitarian and rarely good-looking, and I would answer in a blink - the toaster. Really, the toaster is the last appliance I would expect to possess great beauty. Perhaps the reason lies in the fact that its job of toasting bread is an absolute necessity and not one that people can be excited about, compared to say, the iPhone that does your communication, photos, videos, music, what not. But this Bistro toaster from Bodum challenges the underdog status that has been assigned to toasters, and manages to bring elegance to the mundane task that it is assigned with.
This two-slice toaster commands total attention with its sprightly, heat-resistant rubber exterior that always stays cool to the touch. Take your pick from 8 bright colors to suit your kitchen decor. And be assured that the bread will be toasted to perfection with its powerful 900-watt capacity. The Bistro also features adjustable-width slots, variable browning function, built-in warming rack, cancel and defrost settings, and pull-out crumb tray. Personally, this device gets a thumbs up because of its great looks plus a sensible, sturdy design. Priced at $79.95 from Sur La Table.
Via OhGizmo.
Posted by kanchana
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08.25.2009
Let's face it. Sometimes we look so good its hard to stop checking ourselves out in the mirror. Ad notam, creator of the LCD mirror is about to make the dilemma that much harder, thanks to it's new Vanity line of mirrors. Shaped like a halved oval or a subtly curved "V", the Vanity is a stylish way to admire oneself.
The mirror is an ample 23.3" h. 11.2" w. 1.3", making sure there's more than enough view to go around. It also rotates horizontally and vertically so users can always find the right angle. The 5.6" patented LCD Mirror Image is nestled near the bottom of the mirror to further entertain the beholder.
The Mirror Image screen can support a number signal sources including DVD, PC, TV, and HD. It's customizable, so there's always a reason to peer into the looking glass. Prospective buyers can also choose from a number of mounting and sound options.
Easy to clean and pretty to look at, the Vanity mirror from ad notum is a cool place to say your daily affirmations.
Posted by sherri
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08.10.2009
What caught my attention about this Hourglass Coffee Maker was not its looks. Not even that it is an ingenious idea to use the hourglass to churn out great coffee. But that you need to use cold water to make a cuppa with this fella. Now that is not something that is wired into our brains, is it?
The portable Hourglass coffee maker has two sections - the upper one where you put in the coffee grounds, pour cold water and leave overnight. And expect "uncommonly smooth gourmet" coffee to collect in the lower section as you walk in the next morning. Apparently, the cold brewing cuts out the acidity in the coffee by almost 70%, and gives a brew that's "distinctively smooth with a full bodied rich flavor and a sweeter taste profile" than when hot brewed. That also means you can refrigerate and reuse the coffee, simply because there's little acid to ruin the taste over time. The coffee maker is spill-proof, shatter-proof and uses a permanent stainless steel filter inside so you don't have to buy paper filters either.
Just make sure you set up your coffee before you pop those lights off, or you might miss your morning cuppa. Costs $69.95.
Via The Gadgeteer.
Posted by kanchana
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07.30.2009
Where I come from, it is believed that a peek into the refrigerator always reveals a little bit of the owner's personality. If you can discern personality types based on leftovers, that is. But seriously, for me, the fridge is one appliance where innovation is all welcome. Especially if it is so unique and promising as the cool stackable Flatshare Fridges designed by Stefan Buchberger, a student at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna.
This design proposes clever solutions under three different categories - lessening the cold air that escapes from the fridge while it is open, storing different food groups under customized environments to save energy, and having stackable compartments for different people sharing the same fridge. That's accomplished with style by the Flatshare as each fridge brick (resembling a Lego block) is much smaller than a traditional fridge, thus not only requiring lesser input energy to cool but also allowing lesser cold air to escape each time you open the door. And the bricks are stackable, meaning different compartments can be assembled (each fridge can hold up to 4 stackable compartments) and allocated to different people, say room-mates, making food storage personal and hassle free.
Best of all? This is perhaps the most good-looking and efficient fridge you can ever lay your hands on. If ever, as the Flatshare fridges are not available to us hungry masses yet.
Toxel, via Inhabitat.
Posted by kanchana
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07.28.2009
Isn't it a smart idea that you make use of the scorching sun itself to keep you cool during harsh summers? Why not. And it just seems so perfectly logical, I wonder why solar-powered air-conditioners haven't made themselves loud enough (not literally) to be heard by folks like us who spend shameful amounts on our electricity bills all summer.
The Frost is a concept solar-powered air-conditioner designed by industrial designer Philip Stankard that uses stored solar energy to power its fans, and refrigerator freezer energy to provide a source of low temperature for the fans' breeze to circulate into your home. While the unit itself soaks up the sun and converts that into power to operate the fans, there is a removable freezer pack that you can put into the refrigerator's freezer unit for soaking up the ice. All you then need to do is switch on the unit and insert the freezer pack to get some cold wintry breeze.
Apparently it's not only a breeze on your electricity bill, but also an air-conditioner that looks swell. As there aren't more details available yet, one would assume that since this device doesn't seem to have the luxury of temperature regulation, it would perhaps be more appropriate to term it an air-cooler. Which still doesn't take anything away from how cool a concept this is. This time, literally.
Via Ecofriend.
Posted by kanchana
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07.16.2009
They are cooking "gadgets" that double up as drumsticks, but not of the eating kind. MIX STIX is an innovative set of wooden spoons that can not only help you rustle up your meal in style, but also aid your musical inclinations by becoming a pair of drumsticks as you flip them around.
Designed by Ignacio Pilotto & Jason Amendolara, MIX STIX are a pair of beechwood spoons, one solid and the other slotted like a musical note, and made specifically for dual use as spoons-cum-drumsticks. Sounds pretty logical, doesn't it?
Now I wonder if there is any amongst us who hasn't used kitchen cutlery for purposes other than cooking - breaking into impromptu musical compositions, for instance. Or letting your spouse know explicitly that you are frustrated with the day's proceedings, for another. Thank your stars that nobody has let their imaginations stretch as far as the latter idea just yet.
Watch out for the spoon sisters to hit Urban Outfitters stores this fall.
Via OhGizmo.
Posted by kanchana
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07.14.2009
Remember that old MGM cartoon "The House of Tomorrow," where we were given a glimpse into the future of the modern household? While it was silly and over-the-top, it got one thing right, today's house is totally different from the appliances of 1949 or even 1990. And thanks to companies like iHouse, the House of Tomorrow is closer to becoming the House of Today.
Continue reading "iHouse Builds the Better Faucet"
Posted by sherri
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