04.29.2008

kickTrak - baby kick counting

If Tom Cruise had this gizmo when Katie was preggars with Suri, she never would have made it out of the house. Remember how he bought the fetal ultrasound machine for use at home and took photos almost every hour? (According to National Enquirer, and you know how they fact-check all their stories.)

KickTrak does just what you think it does. The non-invasive handheld device counts your baby's kicks to track his movement and assure you that he's doing well. Ultimately, its real goal is to prevent the risk of stillbirth. Starting at 24 weeks, the kickTrak records and stores the time it takes for your baby to complete 10 movements, including kicks, rolls, jabs, and turns-- once a day, at the same time, when your baby is usually most active.

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Posted by Evan Category: body | devices | misc gadgets
Tags: babies health
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04.14.2008

Ladybug reads memory cards and U.S. dollars

Memory card readers come in all shapes and sizes these days, but few rely on a rechargeable lithium battery to power their . . . built-in cash note verifiers. Yes, this innocent-looking ladybug 3-in-1 reader ($16) is absolutely unforgiving against counterfeit currency. Don't ask me how it works (I couldn't tell you if you did), but the 2.2" x 1.4" x 1.0" ladybug is packing a black light (?) somewhere under those wings that "illuminates" the security strip embedded into U.S. dollars.

If you've never questioned the legitimacy of the cash in your wallet, you can still make use of the ladybug's integrated USB charging cable and ability to read T-Flash, microSD, and microSDHC cards.

Via GeekAlerts.

Posted by Jenn Category: devices | misc gadgets | novelty
Tags: memory cards
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04. 9.2008

WiFi Camera Umbrella

Imagine being stuck in a downpour, your destination still miles away - and you have nothing other than an umbrella to protect yourself. You resign to a dull, wet journey, right? Not if the umbrella happens to be the Pileus WiFi Camera umbrella.

The Pileus umbrella seems like it came straight out of a sci-fi movie – it has a built-in camera that you can use to shoot pictures in the rain, plus other add-ons too. That includes a GPS system (wow) and in the future, a video camera as well. Though I choose to be skeptical about the picture quality you'l get out of the camera under such weather conditions, I have to concede that the concept is definitely unique. The Pileus also has integration with Flickr! With a wireless Internet connection in place, the photos you click can be uploaded to Flickr at the touch of a button on the handle! Or you can browse photos from Flickr on the umbrella’s webbed innards just by “a snap of your wrist.”

I think the reasons behind the creation of this umbrella would be as interesting as the features themselves. There's no word yet on the release or detailed specs, but expect to see it selling soon on Sharp Edge.

Via Shiny Shiny.

More on innovative umbrellas:
Self Standing Umbrella
Weather forecasting umbrella, plan for puddles
Almost unbreakable umbrella: Senz
Music in the Rain
NanoNuno umbrella featured in Time's Best Inventions 2006

Posted by kanchana Category: accessories | cameras | misc gadgets | novelty
Tags: umbrella
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04. 7.2008

5-in-1 Gadget Pen isn't just a writing instrument

Though I am usually skeptical about multi-functional devices, my love for unusual pens weakens this stance when it comes to the 5-in-1 gadget pen.

This cool pen has 5 different integrated tools which includes a ball-point tip for writing, mini torch, laser pointer, bank note checker, stylus for your PDA, and a neuralizer which you can use to wipe away people’s memories! Like Agent J from Men in Black. Credit the neuralizer to my wild imagination (read yearning), but even without that, the 5-in-1 pen holds my interest. The sleek silver finish adds a geeky touch to the gadget which weighs just about 30g in spite of the embellishments. All yours for just $11.

Via The Red Ferret Journal.

Posted by kanchana Category: devices | misc gadgets | novelty
Tags: pen
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03.21.2008

Roller arms face massager

If you think the ubiquitious spider head massager looks ridiculous, then you haven't yet seen this face massager from Japanese company Akaishi. The device has four little arms, with a roller on the end of each arm. You move the rollers over your cheeks and chin to relax your tense facial muscles. The model pictured above seems to be using this and the other version made by the same company, which is used for the ridge of the nose and scalp.

Seems rather primitive compared to the electronic device marketed by Suzanne Somers, the FaceMaster, which stimulates your facial muscles with electricity to whip them into shape, though I suppose the rollers have a different purpose (relaxation as opposed to beauty enhancement).

The roller arms sell for 1,575 Yen (about $16).

Via The Nikkei Weekly (subscription).

Posted by lydia Category: body | misc gadgets | novelty
Tags: beauty
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03.19.2008

Gumball machine telephone

Doesn't this Dubble Bubble gumball machine phone look like something that the kid from The Toy would have had in his bedroom? You know he would've made Richard Pryor call him again and again so that he could hear the circus music, see the flashing lights, and eat the gumball every time the phone rang.

$139 a pop from Custom Phones. I hope they have a Wonder Wheel phone too.

Via Shiny Shiny.

Posted by Jenn Category: misc gadgets | novelty | toys
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03. 4.2008

The Mobile Digital Scribe uses ordinary paper and ink

Digital pens that can capture handwritten notes, drawings, and memos, store them electronically, and even turn them into digital text are not exactly a dime a dozen, but they've been around for a while. Here's a new and mind-boggling variation that sounds straight out of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The Mobile Digital Scribe claims to be the first device that can capture and store handwriting employing only - here's the mind-boggling part - ordinary paper and an ordinary ballpoint pen refill available at your average office-supply center. The company says you don't need a special digital notepad or special digital ink to take electronic notes that you can upload to a computer for display, export in JPEG, or even turn into text.

I'll be fascinated to read the reviews. But if the process is as easy as its promotional material makes it seem, the Mobile Digital Scribe should be heaven for those - medical types, journalists, students - who would rather be wired but must take handwritten notes because they're on the move or in class.

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Posted by Tam Category: devices | feature | misc gadgets
Tags: digital pen
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02.27.2008

Ziscor handheld paper shredder

With all the dire reports about identity theft, it seems like pure idiocy not to have a paper shredder (I'd put mine right by my mailbox and ask the mailman to feed all the junk mail from credit companies directly into it). But, seriously, how do you manage the flow? There's just so much, every single day. It never lets up. How many hours per month would you have to spend shredding mail if you really heeded all the advice about protecting your personal information when it seems to be free-floating everywhere?

The hand-held paper shredder by Ziszor may not be big or fast enough to handle the mountain of mail with sensitive information that we pile up every month, but I have to say, it would give me some satisfaction to feed the more outrageous mail I get through this little device. The Ziszor, which operates on 4 AA batteries, has 28 blades within, and can hanle 5 layers of paper at one time. Now priced at $39.95 (down from the regular price of $49.95).

Posted by Hoyun Category: home | misc gadgets | novelty
Tags: security shredder
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02.22.2008

USB owl doesn't give a hoot

About actually hooting, that is.

He obviously cares about the work you do on your computer. Why else would he 1) clip onto your monitor or perch on the included tree stump and 2) require USB power to come alive in a mildly frightening sort of way? He blinks and moves his head in a way that somehow makes you anticipate a scene from The Exorcist, but (here's the scary part) he does it all silently.

The owl's quiet observation is so disconcerting that your productivity is sure to receive a healthy boost. Anything that gets you away from the computer as quickly as possible is worth the £12.99 suggested retail price.