iPin Laser Presenter makes its way to North America

by Edwin - on October 30th, 2013

I am not quite sure about you, but when it comes to making a presentation, there are some essential tools that one will have to take into consideration. One, you will need to make sure that the venue has a projector which is bright enough to ensure everyone in the presentation hall will be able to get a good look at what you are trying to convey to them, and two, a laser presenter which makes it a whole lot easier to point out certain areas on the presentation screen to the audience. Just like how not all headphones are created equal, you have the award winning iPin laser presenter which will be able to turn your iPhone into a professional laser presenter.

The iPin laser presenter hails from Conary Enterprise, and it has already picked up its fair share of accolades in the past including the COMPUTEX 2013 d&i Gold Award. Good to know that it has finally made its way to the folks over in North America, so if you know that you have this particular presentation that you want to make to win a multi-million contract for your company, but are hoping that the right tool comes along to complete the picture, the iPin laser presenter would do the trick.

The iPin is a small, iPhone-powered laser pointer and presenter which will be accompanied by its own slide-controlling app. This is one delicately designed device which transforms your iPhone into a professional presentation system, where it takes just seconds to do so. Of course, if you are an avid Android fan, you will just have to sit this puppy out since it caters for the iPhone market only at this point in time.

The iPin would be placed nearly flush with the phone surface, and it can be turned on and off with but a simple twist. Needless to say, when it is turned off, it will not interfere with normal phone operations, making this the ideal tool for those who run plenty of presentations for a living.

Product Page

See.Sense bike light helps make it safer for cyclists

by Edwin - on October 30th, 2013

Cycling is no doubt a healthy habit and a kind of exercise which is gaining popularity in many cities around the world. It has also been touted to be one way in reducing massive traffic gridlocks as cities which were built a long time ago did not anticipate the massive growth in population, so much so that the fast growing number of cars and SUVs have contributed their fair share of traffic jams. Well, if you love cycling, that is fine and dandy, but do make sure that you have the adequate amount of protection as you can never tell just what the future might bring. Increasing your visibility at night or in low light conditions are also important, which is why the See.Sense bike light might be a useful addition to your arsenal of cycling devices.

The See.Sense is said to be able to improve your visibility when you need it most, as it does not only flash, but does so in a smart way. The See.Sense bike light is not just something that you decide to add on as an afterthought to your two wheeler, but it works in a way in your favor to make you a whole lot more visible whenever you need it the most. This is made possible as See.Sense Relies on advanced, patent-pending sensor technology which will monitor you, your bicycle and your environment, allowing it to detect situations when you might not be seen by other road users.

There are various examples of a situation where See.Sense might just be able to detect when you are at a road junction, filtering in urban traffic, on a roundabout, travelling in low light areas such as under an overpass or in a road tunnel, or approached by a car with headlights on. In such circumstances, See.Sense will automatically increase its brightness and flash rate so that you are a whole lot more visible to other road users.

There are two models available, a normal one and an “Intense” model. Runtime has been rated at approximately a dozen hours, depending on how heavy your usage is. It is right now a Kickstarter project which we hope to see it become reality in due time.

Kickstarter Page

Binocular Adapter for iPhone 5 adds some serious zoom

by Chris - on July 12th, 2013

Have you ever seen a perfect Kodak moment before your eyes, and tried to capture it on your phone, only to realize that you’re entirely too far away? Recently there was a “super moon” which resulted in some very cool sights when the moon was rising or setting. It was pretty overcast here during those nights, but the one time that it was out, I was in the car without my good camera. I ended up stopping to snap a pic with my phone, but it just didn’t look as great as I’d have hoped. What I needed was a really nice zoom lens.

Sure, you can spend a fair sum of cash on a special lens for your phone that adds some nice zoom, but wouldn’t it be great if you could use something you already had around the house? If you happen to have a pair of old binoculars lying about, then you’ll just need $18 to turn it into the best zoom lens you’ve ever seen. For that price you get a special case, and a binocular eyepiece adapter.

This little accessory might not be the most life-changing purchase you’ve ever made, but it will help you take better pictures, should you actually happen to have some binoculars on you at the right time. It will work with the iPhone 4/4S/5, and most full-sized binoculars.

Zcapture is open source product photography at its easiest

by Caitlyn - on October 28th, 2013

When you’re looking to purchase something online, there are a lot of different aspects to factor in. The validity of the website, how much information is provided, and possibly most importantly of all, what it looks like. Maybe you need a size or color comparison, but a bad photo doesn’t tell you everything you need to know.

If you’re looking to auction off some of your stuff on eBay or are wanting to start selling products online in general, you’re going to need to make sure you’re taking good photos. The best option would be to get 360 degree views of it, but taking all of those photos, editing them, and putting them together can be a pain. Well, until the Zcapture came along that is.

This is an open source 360 product photography device that will let you go from snapping photos to posting them online within about 15 minutes. Of course, that’s what they say on their page, which means that’s the normal time for someone who is a bit more proficient at the process. There is a mini version which will cost you around $150, or you can get the full version for around $480. Both of these come with the software license for life with all updates. While it’s a pretty hefty purchase, it can be quite useful to those who do product photos regularly. It’s compatible with just about every camera, and for those of you that know how to do it, can tweak this device as you see fit.

Available for crowd funding on Kickstarter

Cold Bruer does cold-freshly brewed coffee

by Edwin - on October 28th, 2013

Many people do require a cup of freshly brewed coffee each morning in order to kick start their day. Of course, these cups of coffee tend to be piping hot, and the aroma is simply irresistible. Well, the folks over at Bruer have come up with what they have called the Cold Bruer, and for obvious reasons, of course. The Cold Bruer is a special device that will be able to churn out cold-freshly brewed coffee. It was made possible thanks to a successful crowd-funding campaign, where the Cold Bruer is able to offer any ice-coffee drinker a simple device that is capable of making fresh home brewed coffee â€" which is cold, of course.

The Cold Bruer comes in a compact form factor that is also extremely easy to use, where it is capable of processing up to 24 ounces of water alongside a couple of ounces of coffee, which would end up yielding three cups of cold brewed coffee extract. The amount of brewing time pays homage to the adage that “good things come to those who wait”, where it can be anywhere between two and eighteen hours. This particular extract can then be poured over ice, where it can be mixed with water or with dairy in order to yield approximately half a dozen cups of cold brew. This coffee extract can be refrigerated for up to a fortnight after brewing.

What advantage does a cold brew have over the standard issue coffee that you find in your local Starbucks? Well, cold brew is sweet, less acidic as well as less bitter compared to traditional hot coffee, which might just find a new set of fans who will fall in love after the first sip. Those who are interested in picking up the Cold Bruer will be able to place a pre-order for a special limited time price of $55, with shipping set to commence later next January. I guess this means we will not be able to find this under the Christmas tree later this December.

Press Release

Page Illuminating Cordless Magnifier

by Edwin - on June 15th, 2013

As we age, our bodies do not get any better from a certain point onwards. Some of us start to “break down” earlier than the others, but regardless, no one has yet managed to find the secret to living forever, even the fictional characters like Mr. Weyland of Prometheus fame still failed to do so despite being the first trillionaire in the world. Having said that, wobbly hands and knees, pains and aches all over the place, as well as failing eyesight are all common symptoms of getting old, so if you are an avid reader of traditional reading material, you might want to consider getting the $59.95 Page Illuminating Cordless Magnifier.

The Page Illuminating Cordless Magnifier comes across as a tabletop magnifier with an added touch of class â€" it will illuminate an entire page without having to being tethered to a power cord. Boasting an extra large 7.5″ x 10″ lens that delivers up to 3X magnification of a full page of a magazine or book at once without having to reposition the magnifier, it works great since you would not lose your train of thought or reading pleasure along the way. A dozen bright LEDs would help reduce the amount of potential eyestrain, making this ideal as well for close work such as crocheting, writing, and coin-inspecting. A trio of AA batteries are required to power this puppy.

The Best Automatic Hose Reel

by Edwin - on May 29th, 2013

The folks over at Hammacher tend to throw in superlatives whenever they are describing some of the stuff that they sell over there. The thing is, who are the ones carrying the standard and enforcing it? Well, if it is an in-house proclamation, every Tom, Dick and Harry can sell plenty of “sound good” items, but I suppose Hammacher has done their homework before, which is why they have managed to stay in business all this while. The latest device to roll out from them that carries a “The Best” title in the name would be the $229.95 The Best Automatic Hose Reel.

Folks who spend plenty of time in the garden would be able to know just how useful it is to have a hose reel ready, and just how the heck did it pick up the “The Best” rating from the Hammacher Schlemmer Institute? Well, it did so because it was the easiest to retract and most durable, and analysts have already done their bit to retract each model 50 times, making The Best Automatic Hose Reel being the only model that retracted every single time without fail. Kiss goodbye to required multiple tugs, as you can snake the Best model around the garden nonchalantly with its 66′ hose, in addition to its ability to swivel 180° when mounted to a wall and 360° when mounted to a deck surface.

Color-Changing Pre-Lit Tree makes your holiday season more jolly

by Edwin - on October 3rd, 2013

Can you believe it? The Yuletide season will soon be upon us yet again, and it does seem as though it was just a couple of months ago when the world first welcomed the new year. Well, here is something for you to consider that the Boy Scouts have always mentioned â€" be prepared. Why not make early preparations for Christmas this year so that you can relax more when the time comes? For starters, get your living room decorations up and running first with the $499.99 Color-Changing Pre-Lit Tree.

The name of this Color-Changing Pre-Lit Tree says it all â€" it basically does away with the need for you to decide on what kind of Christmas tree lights that you want to put up. This is one handsome looking faux tree (albeit very lifelike), where it boasts of 750 energy-efficient LED lights. All you need to do is click the foot switch, and you will be able to choose from one of the four lighting options: steady soft white, steady multicolor, fading soft white or fading soft white to multicolor. Setting it up is also a cinch, as it comes in three sections and stands proudly at 7.5′ tall (59″ in diameter). Folks will most probably think that it is the real deal until the touch it, too. No wonder, as the crush resistant branch tips were molded from real tree branches for that added touch of authenticity.

Easy To Use Powered Nail Clipper

by Edwin - on June 14th, 2013

It seems that we are all into automatic stuff these days â€" anything that ain’t automatic just is not going to cut the mustard. After all, they did say that if you want to prevent anyone from stealing your car, just buy stick â€" as car thieves these days are unable to drive stick, so they will most probably settle for an automatic car. Well, surely you have grown up all along, using a manual nail clipper to ensure those nails remain nice and short, right? Fast forward to the 21st century, and the power of electricity would help you shorten those claws in the form of the $39.95 Easy To Use Powered Nail Clipper.

The Easy To Use Powered Nail Clipper is pretty much self explanatory, and if it was not, then it certainly does not deserve the “easy to use” tag. Operating be a couple of AA batteries, it is ideal for those who happen to have limited manual dexterity. It has a 0.5″-long x 1/16″-wide alloy bit which will spin at 500-rpm, allowing it to use its precisely beveled blades to safely and gently trim nails each time you gently nudge your fingernail against the bit, and all of this is done without having to squeeze the fingers one bit, neither do you need to bend your wrist or risk cutting the cuticle. Easy as pie, no?

Trent Airbender 2.0 ensures your iPad Air is well protected

by Edwin - on October 25th, 2013

The world did more or less stop in its tracks earlier this week, as Apple made an announcement which touched on not one, but two iPads â€" the iPad Air that is thinner and lighter than ever before despite being more powerful, alongside the iPad mini with Retina display, a feature that iPad mini users have been hoping for to arrive for quite some time already. Well, this can only mean one thing â€" the potentially huge number of people who will be upgrading to the iPad Air would also need a slew of new accessories to go along with their device, and this is where the Trent Airbender 2.0 would be able to step up to the challenge.

The Trent Airbender 2.0 would come in the form of a durable, hard clam shell case where it will be accompanied by a detachable Bluetooth keyboard that makes it ideal for home or office use. Not only that, the Trent Airbender 2.0 will also be able to deliver the necessary protection against minor scratches and knocks, not to mention the added functionality to the iPad Air thanks to its 360 degree rotating case for landscape or portrait viewing angles. Oh yeah, as we also mentioned earlier, there is also the user friendly Bluetooth keyboard that should make your typing on the go a whole lot easier compared to relying on a touchscreen display.

The Trent Airbender 2.0’s ultra low-profile, built-in keyboard will be able to hook up to the iPad Air seamlessly thanks to Bluetooth connectivity. This particular keyboard would feature tactile, chiclet keys that ought to deliver a comfortable, all-round typing experience. Apart from that, this keyboard will aso be accompanied by a row of convenient shortcut keys that would hopefully be able to enhance productivity and efficiency whenever you are taking down notes or drafting documents on the iPad Air. It can be folded up easily for convenient transport, where its compact design should make it fit into any carry-on, backpack, purse or briefcase. Those who are interested in picking up the new Trent Airbender 2.0 will be able to do so on the same day that the iPad Air is available â€" this coming November 1st for $54.95 a pop.

Press Release

Swann Doormat Chime – Are You In or Out?

by Julie - on May 29th, 2013

We just adopted a homeless dog, his name is Hamilton and  he is fitting in with the family quite nicely, he loves the car, plays fetch and came already potty trained. Problem is, we’re never exactly sure when he’s telling us he needs to go out, so we keep dragging him out into the yard at any hint of pacing or whining… only to be met with a ‘what the heck?’ look.

Check out Swann’s Wireless Doormat Chime, this pressure activated doormat can be positioned under any mat or carpet, either indoors or out and easily lets you know if your pet, or anyone else for that matter, needs to come in, or go out. Simply position the mat in the area you would like to monitor, and when pressure is applied, the chime unit will activate by playing one of 3 built in chimes, at whatever volume you choose.

The Swann Wireless Doormat Chime is a completely wireless door monitor, that uses only  3  AA batteries for the chime unit and a single (included) A23 battery for the mat. Included in your kit is a doorbell unit, which will also trigger the chime, independent of the mat.

So if you need to know if your pet wants in or out, have a toddlers room you would like  to monitor, have an elderly family member you don’t want near the stairs alone, or simply want to know when a customer walks into your shop, Swann’s Wireless Doormat Chime may be perfect for you, and you can get one for around 65 bucks, at sears.com

Walking Dead Animated Teddy Bear Girl makes it just in time for the Season 4

by Edwin - on October 12th, 2013

Since we are about to approach the end of October, that can only mean one thing â€" Halloween is well on its way, which means one ought to start making the relevant preparations in place, such as party favors, candy, and of course, presents for those whom you think deserve one. To set aside $199.99 for the Walking Dead Animated Teddy Bear Girl is a sign that you are an avid fan of the rather graphic comic series which has since seen a TV series (the fourth season is about to premier!) and a computer game to boot. This is an officially licensed Walking Dead memorabilia, and would definitely be an unforgettable addition to your Halloween collection as it comes in a life-size reproduction of a zombie girl.

To make things creepier, “she” is voice activated, pretty much in the same way that noise more or less attracts zombies in both the comic and TV series. Something about zombies do bug me, however, why can’t we wait until all of their teeth have rotted out, that they are unable to sink into our juicy flesh? Well, that is just one aspect of my doubt for this genre of undead, but then again, millions of Walking Dead fans cannot be wrong, and the awesome first time we saw Rick Grimes in the TV series get confronted by a girl wearing teddy bear slippers, and yet is deadly, is one that remains seared in my memory. Since she’s sound activated, it would be the ideal tool to have to scare trick or treaters who walk up your home. Powered by a quartet of AA batteries, she won’t rot â€" ever, and does not need to survive on human brains.

Portable WiFi Signal Booster ensures you get a connection always

by Edwin - on September 5th, 2013

I know that we are living in an increasingly connected world these days, and it is getting more common to see public spaces such as parks, cafes, coffee shops and restaurants come with a Wi-Fi network of sorts (free or not, that is another story for a different day). However, some of us do live in places where there are certain “dead spots” in our homes â€" which is rather difficult to explain, really. What are you to do then, not work in that particular room or corner of the house? Fret not, here is the $49.95 Portable WiFi Signal Booster that might help you out of your quandary, and as its name suggests, this is a portable WiFi signal booster which will extend the range while improving the signal strength of a wireless network.

The device itself will plug into an AC outlet, where it then hooks up to a wireless network before it will re-broadcast the signal to deliver a faster, more reliable WiFi connection â€" whether you are at home, at a hotel or at the airport. The wireless hotspot’s power prongs will fold into the device naturally, ensuring that the whole unit would fit into a pocket for simple, unobtrusive storage whenever you travel. Relying on the most advanced 802.11 n protocol (which will also play nice with b and g devices as well), it enables up to 150 Mbps download speed (theoretically speaking), and is capable of letting up to 10 devices piggyback on its Internet connection simultaneously.

Power Toolbox misses out on the Father’s Day boat

by Edwin - on September 1st, 2013

Does dad like to tinker around the house? Most men do, and they would obviously need a set of tools that they can call their very own. The thing is, how many of us are serious enough to make sure that the tools in our possession are of of good enough quality? Even then, you would also need a decent toolbox to stash away your little gizmos and gadgets that continue to confound the missus. Why not do that in style with the $39.99 Power Toolbox?

The Power Toolbox is said to come with more than enough room, allowing it to hold the various gear that are required for you to handle just about any odd job around the home. What happens when you are in need of electricity? That is not an issue with the Power Toolbox (hence its name), where you can detach and unspool the 20′ heavy duty extension cord with four grounded outlets. The Power Toolbox will boast of a trio of stacking removable caddies, in addition to specially-designed compartments that will allow drill bits, screwdrivers and others to have their own “place of residence”. Made out of durable, impact-resistant plastic, the Power Toolbox will feature a non-skid surface, and can support up to 300 lbs., meaning when you need to take a break or reach out to higher place, it doubles up as a seat or stepladder. You do not have to wait until Father’s Day next year to get him one of these bad boys now, you know.

Apollo AP1 Tactical Flashlight will light up your life

by Chris - on July 4th, 2013

There are a lot of things that we take for granted in life. It’s not until they’re stripped away suddenly, that we really appreciate some of the most basic things. We’ve had some pretty bad storms over the last month where I live, and when the power goes out, you suddenly miss all of that light that was previously flooding every room. Suddenly flashlights, candles, and your cell phone are your best friends. Of course, things like flashlights are useful in more situations than just around the house when the power is out. So why not get one that is versatile, and can work in just about any situation?

The Apollo AP-1 Tactical Flashlight promises to be the the last flashlight you’ll ever need. This compact light is capable of providing nearly 1000 lumens of light, which can illuminate objects from over ¼ mile away. Check out the video below for a really cool demonstration of that feature.

The light has five different modes of illumination, which are high, medium, low, strobe and S.O.S. On the lowest setting you can get around 20 hours of light, and still an impressive hour while on the highest. The device is rugged, and can withstand most punishment that you dish out. It is tested to resist drops up to 1.5 meters, and can be submerged in water up to 20 meters deep. To get one of your own, you’ll need to pledge $99 to the Kickstarter project. It has already surpassed its goal many times over, so no need to worry about that. Expect to get yours sometime in October of this year.

This Cloud light is the only raincloud you’ll want to follow you home

by Caitlyn - on October 22nd, 2013

In every cartoon or TV show, when someone is in a bad mood or sad, a raincloud will appear over their heads and downpour on them. Needless to say, most people don’t want something like that to happen unless they are either in the middle of the desert, or in desperate need of a shower. Thankfully that doesn’t happen in real life, but storms definitely do, and even though the rain isn’t exactly fun all the time, listening to thunder and seeing the lightning is certainly peaceful.

While I doubt anyone is going to want a full-fledged storm cloud in their living room, wouldn’t it be nice to have just the sounds of it happening hanging around? Of course you can get audio or video recordings of it, but they always end up playing in a loop, ruining the chaotic order an actual rainy day has that makes it relaxing in the first place. This Cloud light won’t be as good as the real thing, but it will definitely try. It can’t really function as a lamp, but it would do quite nicely as a nightlight.

It is arduino-controlled and motion-triggered, and once it goes off it will give you a combination of light and sound. This is of course, an artistic project, and as there aren’t likely many of these floating around, it should come as no surprise that it carries a $1,800 price tag. There isn’t any word on being able to change out lights or colors, but this could be a disco ball on the nights you’re not trying to relax.

Available for purchase on the artist’s website RichardClarkson, found via incrediblethings

Braven 440 portable Bluetooth speaker

by Edwin - on October 21st, 2013

A portable Bluetooth speaker would always come in handy whenever you want to share your favorite music with a group of people simultaneously, and it would also be useful if you are holding some sort of dance or drama practice out in the open â€" as music can be pumped out in the middle of nowhere without the need for any nasty cables or wires which could trip someone up. Braven has answered this clarion call with their Braven 440, touted to be the “most talented and portable Bluetooth speaker yet”. We cannot really put this claim to the test, but we do know that the Braven 440 is water resistant for sure, as it pumps out room-filling stereo sound, in addition to juicing up your mobile devices while being highly portable thanks to an ultra-compact and lightweight design.

For the eagle eyed, the Braven 440 would come with similar features like those found on its predecessors, where among them would include a built-in noise-cancelling microphone for speakerphone functionality, the ability to deliver crystal clear sound and Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity for a wireless experience. Not only that, it would also be able to feature the signature Braven “look”, as it highlights the clean lines with sleek curved borders as well as arriving in five fiery colors, which will include Lunar Black, Fiji Green, Rio Purple, Monaco Blue and Sahara Red.

Underneath the hood, the Braven 440 will be able to deliver up to a dozen hours of non-stop playback, ensuring that users will be able to enjoy music from just about anywhere without having to juice it up. Not only that, it will also be IPX5 water resistant rated, which makes it the ideal tool for both indoor as well as outdoor use, without the need to worry about accidental spills and splashes. The asking price for the Braven 440 stands at $89.99 a pop if you are interested.

Press Release

Soundmatters announces DASH7 Bluetooth speaker that is ultra thin

by Edwin - on October 20th, 2013

When it comes to high quality portable speakers, there are many names out there in the market. The thing is, the selection process can be rather tricky â€" so why not pick one from Soundmatters? The name of the company itself is pretty self-descriptive, as Soundmatters was founded by former NASA engineer/audio legend Dr. Godehard Guenther. Recently, they announced that they will be shipping what is deemed to be the world’s slimmest, lightest high-fidelity Bluetooth Speaker, simply known as the DASH7.

The Soundmatters DASH7 happens to come in the form of an extremely flat 0.75” high wireless pocket-portable Bluetooth soundbar as well as speakerphone which will deliver huge omnidirectional sound despite coming in a thin size which will slide into the slimmest purse or jacket pocket. Is this the world’s best travel speaker? That remains to be seen, but frequent travelers who have given all sorts of different portable Bluetooth speakers a go in the past might want to check out the Soundmatters DASH7 and share their opinion on it.

Apart from that, the DASH7 will also feature a 5th generation twoofer and BassBattery for true hi-fi sound, where it is accompanied by an angled stand for direct on-axis high resolution music, which results in a great soundstage with the best stereo separation for serious music listeners. You will be able to pick it up in a choice of three colors â€" Vibrant Red, Arctic White, and Midnight Black.

The omnidirectional sound that it offers makes it ideal for watching movies or music videos, and it will also include a combo case and stand. The angled stand also offers even higher resolution on-axis listening, while there is a noise cancelling speakerphone that will allow you to answer incoming phone calls even while you are listening to music or movies. The asking price for the Soundmatters DASH7 stands at $249 a pop.

Company Page

4 1/2′ High Roadside Emergency Beacon

by Edwin - on May 6th, 2013

Experiencing a breakdown in your vehicle is not a good experience to go through at all, and it gets even worse when you are driving on your own and it is already late at night. Of course, there is a need for the proper kind of tools to make sure that your safety is ensured, such as the safety triangle. A safety triangle might not be enough if you are a paranoid android, which means the $99.95 4 1/2′ High Roadside Emergency Beacon would be right up your alley.

This 4 1/2′ High Roadside Emergency Beacon will be affixed to the roof of a car, where it offers superior visibility in the event of an emergency. It is different from roadside flares, and is of course different from window-mounted triangles or a car’s flashers to boot, where all of them remain low to the ground. You can elevate this beacon to an extra height so that it can be seen from a distance, allowing first responders to locate a disabled vehicle and it also gives oncoming traffic additional time to slow down. The beacon comes with 16 ultra-bright red and white LEDs which will flash a 360-degree warning signal that lasts for up to 10 hours. The kit can be stashed away neatly in a trunk, and it holds a flashlight and orange safety vest. It will be powered by a trio of AAA lithium-ion batteries.

Zipz Wine – In a Glass, to Go!

by Julie - on April 8th, 2013

Yes, I am here to extol the joys of portable, self contained, alcoholic beverages. I fondly remember the days where anything could be made better by a  six-pack (or two) of my favorite beer, heck you could take a can of beer anywhere, it came in its own serving container, just pop the top and enjoy… none of that pesky bottle opening, cork closing, annoying wine glass business you have with a bottle of Merlot.

So wine never got to be the beach beverage of choice.. or tailgate parties, picnics or sporting events. (anywhere convenience was a factor) Until now. Meet Zipz Wine, a neat solution that brings you premium wines in a very sophisticated single serve “glass” that lets you take your wine with you, almost anywhere you want to go, yet still be able to sip it in style.

Each 100% recyclable Zipz Wine “glass” is covered in a special, patented plastic wrap that you simply peel off, allowing you to remove the lid which is then simply snapped to the bottom of the base, becoming the foot. It looks and feels like real glass, but won’t cause a problem if dropped near your pool or patio… neat!

Sure, I still love a good beer, but a lovely glass of wine is always a treat, and Zipz is serving up some premium California wines like Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and a nice Pinot Grigio. I can see some poolside Cabernet in my future, if you can see some in yours, visit Zachys.com or find a local retailer at Zipzwine.com. Cheers!

Tenth Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control

by Edwin - on July 20th, 2013

Fans of the Doctor Who series would definitely have watched the shows many times over, so much so that some of those who are more engrossed might actually go down the path of collectibles, which is fine if you are single, but often to the chagrin of your other half because “good money” is deemed to have been wasted on such collectibles. Perhaps you need to travel back in time so that you can find a spouse who is equally in love with the Doctor Who series as you, which is why you decided to pick up the £69.95 Tenth Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control, no?

It does not matter what gadget you want to control, be it the TV, iPod, or other compatible devices, you can do so with multiple gestures. There is a quartet of modes in the Tenth Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control that will allow you to become a fully-fledged Time Lord â€" in your own mind, at least. Built to a 1:1 scale, this is a true blue replica that does more than just sit pretty on a display shelf, where it was made by 3D scanning of David Tennant’s Tenth Sonic Screwdriver. Being an officially licensed collectible by BBC Worldwide, who knows, it might be worth something many years down the road. The universal remote control part of this collectible can be used with up to 39 remote control codes at any one time, now how about that?

Smart Cargo adds storage space to your iPad

by Chris - on July 2nd, 2013

When you carry around a tablet, there are certain other accessories that you’d like to keep on-hand. A charging cable and wall adapter are great for when your battery is running low. A stylus can be nice, if you prefer not to smudge up your screen, or you need a little more precision. Finally, a set of earbuds will keep people from getting upset when you want to watch a movie. The big question is where you’re going to store these things. In a bag? Your pocket? Why not store them on your tablet?

The Smart Cargo is an interesting case for your iPad. That is to say, it’s a case that attaches to your Apple Smart Cover, not a case that protects the tablet itself. The small hard-shell case locks itself to the cover using a series of magnets, much the same way the cover is attached to your iPad. Once attached, you can flip open the little door and stash a number of things inside, and be confident that they won’t fall out. Check out the video below to see just how well it stays put.

What’s really interesting is that this add-on does more than simply stores accessories. It was designed to roll up in your Smart Cover, act as a hand grip, and be detached and used as a wrist rest when you’re typing. The accessory won’t break the bank, either. If you put down just $20, you’ll get one of your own when they start shipping this October.

Source: RedFerret

Marinade Infusing Meat Tenderizer

by Edwin - on June 7th, 2013

Father’s Day is just around the corner, so you might want to ensure the entire family has something special for dad. After all, hasn’t dad busted his back over all these years to do his level best and provide for the family? Assuming it is your family tradition to perform a cook-out each year on Father’s Day, and dad being the main cook of the home as he makes the best hamburgers, how about a present that he needs not wrap around his neck (aka the dreaded tie), but rather, the $49.95 Marinade Infusing Meat Tenderizer?

It should be a gizmo that he will appreciate, as this particular meat tenderizer will be able to infuse food with marinade. This is made possible thanks to a built-in plunger which will release marinade into meat through a trio of needle-like applicators, where it will quickly saturating the interior of food with flavor enhancing ingredients. A total of 27 seven stainless steel blades would do the job of severing tough connective tissue, softening the meat in the process. Capable of holding up to 3 oz. of marinade (which for the kitchen challenged, is enough to flavor 2 lbs. of flank steak), the tenderizing blades will feature two depth settings to deliver optimal penetration of thick roasts or steaks. Not only that, when it goes up and about its job, it will not alter the meat’s thickness.

Ten iPad Charging Bay

by Edwin - on June 4th, 2013

So you live in a house where just about every head under the roof own at least one Apple device, be it a smartphone or a tablet. Assuming most of the folks there settle for an iPad for their portable computing needs, then you would know that charging these iPads individually can sometimes be a hassle. Since you are all one big happy family, how about having a communal charging point instead? Splash a little bit of money with this $899.95 Ten iPad Charging Bay.

Yes sir, I am quite sure that you read that right â€" we are talking about an iPad charging bay that is capable of charging not one, not two, not three, heck â€" not even five, but a whopping ten iPads simultaneously. This is the mother of all home based iPad charging stations, and needless to say, it also picked up the gong for the iF Product Design Award. The Ten iPad Charging Bay is a compact cabinet that simplifies the maintenance of multiple tablets for businesses and schools. Inside the cabinet lies slots for ten iPads regardless of their generation, and USB ports located right below each slot will connect to the tablets using their charging cables. Whenever you connect a MacBook via the included USB cable, you can synchronize up to 10 iPads simultaneously too, making sure that all of them will have the same version of a program or files.

Average Days Watch – What are you doing with your life?

by Caitlyn - on October 15th, 2013

The way we live life now seems to move at such a quick pace that we can hardly cope. Every minute that we’re not doing something productive feels as though we’re wasting time. Even if we’re supposed to be sleeping, our mind is racing with all the things we should be doing, rather than the task at hand. We’re not robots, and you sometimes forget that while you can have something of a system to your day-to-day happenings, there’s always going to be a wrench in your plans somewhere along the way.

If you do like keeping with a certain regimen, has it ever occurred to you that many people out there do the same thing? So many people keep the same sort of daily routine that there is actually research done specifically on how we use our time. The Centre for Time Use Research director gave a customized data set to Mr. Jones Watches so they could create the Average Days Watch.

It’s not overly flashy, because it’s not supposed to be. This is a very unconventional watch though, as it shows time without numbers, and in a 24-hour format. The minutes are still easy to read, and go in a full rotation every hour. This will allow you to see the most commonly way time is used by people, whether that be sleeping, eating, taking a little time for yourself, or working on a hobby. There are only 100 of these made, and they cost around $200.

Available for purchase on Mr Jones Watches found via Technabob

Expedition Sky Flare who knew having fun could save your life?

by Caitlyn - on October 14th, 2013

Going camping doesn’t always mean the same thing to everyone. Some are going out to reconnect with nature, others are going to get away from technology, and some bring everything but the kitchen sink with them, and only went because they want a change in scenery. While most of us aren’t terribly adventurous in our excursions into the wild, that doesn’t mean that something won’t go wrong.

If you have an emergency come up while you’re out hiking at night, and are too far out to receive signal on your phone, you’re going to have to find a different way to acquire help. Yelling at the top of your lungs may work, but that’s only if there’s anyone around to hear you. You’ll need a signal like the Expedition Sky Flare if you want to get any notice.

This is a slingshot sort of setup in which you set the little rocket that has an LED on it and send it flying into the air. You’ll need to make sure you actually turn on the light before you toss it up though. Once launched, it can go up to 50′ vertically, and is said to make a whistling sound as it returns to the ground. This will only cost around $8, and would also be fun for playing with at night. Just so long as you’re not using it in the woods where people might think you’re in real danger (boy who cried wolf if you catch my drift).

Available for purchase on Amazon, found via thisiswhyimbroke

PowerBall, the little speaker that could

by Edwin - on October 16th, 2013

All right, I am quite sure that most of us would think of the lottery when the word “powerball” is spoken or read out loud. However, with the folks over at Digital Treasures, the term “PowerBall” does not have anything to do with the factor of luck at all, but rather, it would arrive in the form of a tiny, portable speaker. This tiny beat blaster can be said to be an essential item for an impromptu party or dorm room dance session. Not only is it highly portable, it is also wireless to boot, but just like how one should not judge a book by its cover, neither should we make a passing statement on how good (or lousy) a particular speaker is before it is actually released or tested out. Not only that, despite its diminutive size, you can be sure that you will be able to party late into the night as the PowerBall would be able to pump out tunes for a dozen hours on a full charge!

Brian Austin, President of Digital Treasures, shared, “We wanted to create a speaker that would outlast your next party. Long after you call it a night, the PowerBall continues to play. Don’t let the small size fool you either. The PowerBall fits into the palm of your hand making it easy to bring with you anywhere; but, the incredible sound that pulses from the speaker is simply stunning. The best speaker in its category by volume range, clarity and longevity…”

As long as you have a compatible Bluetooth-enabled device, you will be able to play nice with the PowerBall. Apart from that, you are also able to stream your favorite playlists or log onto your newest Pandora station at any time you desire. The full range mono speaker will be able to deliver clear notes and pounding rhythms, boasting of an audio output power of 1.6 Watt RMS with a 40mm driver. Since it plays nice with Bluetooth connectivity, that would mean it would arrive with a theoretical working wireless range of up to 33 feet.

Each PowerBall purchase would include a hanging strap, letting you set it up regardless of where you are at home or at the office. For $49.95 a pop, you can choose from blue, green, pink, red, black, and purple shades.

Press Release

Swann Security announces the Bubble Bomber mini RC helicopter

by Edwin - on October 15th, 2013

A global leader in security monitoring solutions, Swann Security, has just announced something that will border on the fun side of things. After all, isn’t there a saying that goes something like this, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”? To make sure that the security line might be fun despite an air of seriousness about it, Swann Security has unveiled their Bubble Bomber mini RC helicopter. The latest Bubble Bomber RC Helicopter will be able to offer security staff a fun and unique way to carry out “missions” of their own, where it will arrive complete with the most recent and cutting-edge features of a modern remote controlled helicopter. Apart from that, the Bubble Bomber would also be designed with Swann’s Easy-Fly Gyro technology so that it is a snap for new users without any experience to take to the skies in a jiffy.

Available over at Fry’s for $59.99 a pop, the Bubble Bomber has been named so simply because it will arrive complete with a bubble solution and an injector that will be able to squeeze the liquid into the helicopter’s undercarriage. The moment the Bubble Bomber takes to the skies, you can drop bubbles by pressing the Bubble Button on the 2.4GHz wireless remote control, and have loads of fun doing so. At least it does far more than just have folks gawk at the remote controlled helicopters for a few minutes before their batteries sizzle out.

The Bubble Bomber is operational from up to 1,000 feet away, where it will feature a couple of joysticks as well as trim control on the video game-styled remote so that you can have six-way multi-directional maneuverability, where among them include up, down, forward, backward, left, and right. There is also a “turbo” button that introduces an additional boost of speed as and when required during those high-intensity bubble-blasting missions.

Half a dozen AA batteries would power the remote control, while the helicopter runs on a rechargeable 3.7-volt Li-poly battery that delivers up to 7 minutes of continuous flight time.

Press Release

The iKettle wants you to have a swell day

by Caitlyn - on October 14th, 2013

There’s nothing like a nice hot cup of tea in the morning. It wakes you up, gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, and preps you for the day ahead. If you are as fond of hot beverages as I am, then one cup is normally just the beginning of many to come. However, our natural laziness deters us from making it as often as we’d like.

The idea of having a butler or maid bringing you tea throughout the day is a nice one, but most certainly something we can’t afford. In our unrelenting quest to make our lives easier, we looks towards gadgets and gizmos. Sometimes they can do the work for us, or cut down on our load. While making a cup of tea isn’t necessarily a difficult task, the iKettle will make it a little more easy.

This hot pot can be controlled through an app on your phone, and can also act as a wake up call. It will send you a text in the morning asking if you’d like a cuppa, and you can program it to ask you again as you’re coming home from work. Of course, you can also turn it on pretty much any time from your phone as well, just make sure you remembered to put in plenty of water. It doesn’t have an internal element, and is made of stainless steel, so it can stand being on for a while. There are different heat setting for different types of tea or coffee, and also has an option for keeping warm. This will cost you around $160, and will likely have you drinking more tea than you ever intended to.

Available for pre-order at Firebox

Beard Trimmer with laser guide will have you looking prim and proper

by Caitlyn - on October 14th, 2013

Looking professional and acting professional go hand in hand. Of course, you need both to succeed, but dressing the part is often harder to keep up with. You can slap a smile on your face, but coming to work looking clean, and as though you’ve spent some measure of time on your appearance is much more difficult. It’s all in the little details, like having manicured nails, no wrinkled clothing, and well-kept hair can attribute to a well-put-together package.

Of course, going in for an actual manicure, getting your hair trimmed or shaved every few days or weeks, and having your clothing dry-cleaned and pressed can be a major burden on your wallet. So long as you go about things in the right way, you can do most of that at home for a relatively cheap amount. Of course, for the gentlefolk, shaving your facial hair can be a bit more of a challenge. The Norelco Beard Trimmer with laser guide is hoping to help with this aspect, so you can keep up with the Joneses.

This has a reversible trimmer, and won’t annihilate your face as you shave. There is an LED display that will let you choose your length, and 17 lock-in settings to pick from as well. You’ll also be able to tack on a beard or detail comb for whichever issue you face (on your face). The laser aspect is the same as a scope on a gun, helping you to hone in and take care of business with precision. It needs to charge for an hour to work for an hour, and is water-resistant for easy cleaning. This will set you back around $100, but would be better than going to a barber on the regular.

Available via Philips Norelco

SweetPea3 MP3 player range introduced for all ages

by Edwin - on October 13th, 2013

With the proliferation of the smartphone, you can more or less say that the dedicated MP3 player is dead, and so is the once popular portable media player. I mean, just take a look at the sales charts of the iPod touch and the more or less defunct iPod, and you will get what I mean. Hence, it is rather interesting to see how the SweetPea3 MP3 player has decided to make an appearance over on Kickstarter in order to raise enough funds for itself to launch. The SweetPea Toy Company is both the designer and manufacturer the SweetPea3 MP3 Player for Kids, and with that product being on the market for years already, it is high time for a refresh, hence the creation of the SweetPea3, an Android-powered device.

The new range will actually comprise of the new SweetPea3R and SweetPea3, where they are at their very core, music and media players which targets the kiddy crowd. Basically, they will be able to perform what they were created for at an exceptional level, and parents too will be able to benefit from getting one of these for their kids since it could assist them in helping keep their kids quiet, especially during a particularly lengthy road trip.

What makes these new devices different from the ones that are in the market? Well, apart from a decent design that is not childish in any way, it will also be accompanied by solid execution and a really good understanding of the needs of all age groups, whether they are kids, seniors, special needs or folks of a school-going age, those are the target markets, in addition to parents and caregivers.

An integrated speaker would deliver smooth sounding audio, as it tries to discourage the use of headphones for young kids, while coming with a rubber coating as well as buttons make it easy to use for seniors who face tactile difficulties. Both the SweetPea3 and SweetPea3R will arrive in Violet, Red, Blue and Black shades. Other specifications and features include a Parental Sleep-in Trainer, Nap Alarms, an auto-off timer, 4GB of internal memory, and a rechargeable battery via its microUSB port.

Kickstarter Page

Leash Plus brings an update to the good ol’ leash

by Edwin - on August 16th, 2013

Do you treat your dog as your best friend? After all, don’t you think that man’s best friend deserves your very best, too? Leaving Fido chained to the fence is definitely no fun, and you’re better placing him in a home that loves him if that is the case. For those of us who treat our dogs as furkids, we would know that giving them adequate exercise is extremely important for them to burn up their mental energy, and this is where having a good quality leash comes in handy â€" so that your dog would not get hurt, and neither will your hand should Fido suddenly dash forward. The $18.99 Leash Plus might be something worth looking into, as it is not only stylish and practical, but has been deemed to be “puppy-approved” to boot.

Thanks to a revolutionary design that has been applied to the Leash Plus, it will include a pop-up water bowl, a storage bin for food or treats, a baggie receptacle with waste bags thrown into the mix to get you started right away, a LED safety flashlight that is powered by a trio of AAA batteries, an LCD clock with date and time so that you know it is time to head back home, and a locking button for the 16 foot retractable leash. Choose from Midnight, Yellow/Green, Plum and Blue colors, although you would do well to pack an extra bottle of water as well as treats separately as you can never quite tell just when these will come in handy.

Talking Ted R Rated Talking Mug

by Edwin - on July 17th, 2013

I do know of parents who originally wanted to bring their kids to watch “Ted”, but after reading movie reviews online and realizing that this talking teddy bear is a whole lot more profane compared to the average playground chatter, they decided to settle for a different movie â€" which is more child friendly, too. I guess if you are one of those who are old enough to watch Ted on the silver screen, you too, can handle having a Ted-friendly mug in your office. I am referring specifically to the $17.99 Talking Ted R Rated Talking Mug, and as its name suggests, this mug has a mind of its own and can speak for itself, but it is all R-rated speech, so do keep this out of reach of little kids, all right?

After all, a mug is no good if you cannot put whatever you want in it, And with the Talking Ted R Rated Talking Mug, you can throw in coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soup, vodka, moonshine or absinthe, whatever drinkable liquid you desire, and your friend Ted will still welcome it, being by your side each time you take a swig. How does the Talking Ted R Rated Talking Mug work? Every time you lift it off a surface, Ted will mention a phrase from the movie at random, although his library is limited to just 5 phrases which tend to be full of swear words. It is powered by a trio of removable 3LR44 batteries.

Ballerina Tree makes for an interesting decoration piece

by Edwin - on October 12th, 2013

The Christmas season is one that is supposedly full of joy, and of course, you would do well to make sure that the overall feeling of festivities all around are adhered to with the right kind of food and snacks served, in addition to getting the mood up with the correct decoration â€" in the house, as well as outside of it. For those who want something different from the usual shebang when it comes to sprucing up the home with the Yuletide spirit, how about getting the $299.95 Ballerina Tree?

The Ballerina Tree happens to be a rotating 6′ Christmas tree which has been specially modeled after the classic jewelry box ballerina. This brings the best of both worlds together, where it delivers a whimsical take on a traditional indoor tree. Sporting some rather lifelike PVC branches as well as twigs which have been reimagined as a ballerina dancer’s long limbs, you can be sure that some of your more curious friends might even want to run their fingers through it as their brain tells them that it is the real deal. As for the green PVC pine needles, those have been fashioned into a tutu. The dancer’s bodice and skirt will arrive in a festive red tinsel, while the whole pre-lit display would radiate with the elegant light of 200 white LEDs. The lights themselves have been rated for 10,000 hours, so you know for sure that the Ballerina Tree is going to last you for a good many years down the road.

Acer C720 Chromebook delivers affordable computing on the move

by Edwin - on October 11th, 2013

When it comes to a highly affordable notebook that you can bring around without hurting your back, at the same time to have it do all the basic computing stuff that you need such as checking up your email, to post photos on Facebook, as well as to update your blog, then the Acer C720 Chromebook might be just the thing for you. With this particular Acer C720 Chromebook, one is able to enjoy fast and responsive performance, not to mention up to 8.5 hours of long battery life thanks to the inclusion of an Intel processor that is based on the new Haswell micro-architecture.

The Acer C720 Chromebook would sport a new design which is 30% thinner than before, while your eyes will definitely appreciate the anti-glare 11.6″ ComfyView display at 1,366 x 768 resolution which is said to reduce reflection in order to deliver a better visual experience for the end user. Not only that, when you want to get cracking right there and then, you do not need to worry about stuff like long boot up times, since the Acer C720 Chromebook boasts of a boot time that is less than 7 seconds.

Right now, those who are interested in picking up the Acer C720 Chromebook will be able to place a pre-order over at Amazon.com and BestBuy.com for $249.99 a pop, where it will arrive with 4GB of RAM. This third generation Chromebook will continue from where the hugely popular Acer C710 Chromebook left off, integrating Google’s Chrome operating system. Other hardware specifications of the Acer C720 Chromebook include Wi-Fi connectivity, up to 100GB of free Google Drive storage for the first two years after making your purchase, the ability to access files offline, as well as a Kensington lock that gives you peace of mind as you secure it to a classroom table or mobile cart. Local storage space on the Acer C720 Chromebook stands at a 16GB SSD.

Press Release

Genius DVR-HD500D Dual Lens Vehicle Recorder settles accident disputes once and for all

by Edwin - on October 11th, 2013

Have you ever been involved in a fender bender before? Whenever there are no other eyewitnesses around other than you and the other person in the vehicle, it is only your word and the other person’s after lodging an accident report. If only there was a way for the authorities to see that you were totally not at fault apart from a verbal presentation. That is made possible with vehicle recorders, but the folks over at Genius have gone one step further with the Genius DVR-HD500D Dual Lens Vehicle Recorder that has just been announced to go for sale in North America.

The Genius DVR-HD500D Dual Lens Vehicle Recorder will see a couple of vehicle recorders, connected via a cable, do a fantastic job of making sure that nothing goes unnoticed in the event of an accident. There will be one recorder that is located on the front windshield, where it will record in 720p, while there will be another one that is located on the rear windshield, recording in 480p so that you have both ends covered. The Genius DVR-HD500D will be able to record road conditions that are both in front and behind the vehicle, simultaneously, where its 130 degree wide angle view and high-definition video capture would pave the way for excellent video quality during playback â€" which is extremely crucial when you need to pony up evidence that it is not your fault in an accident.

It made me wonder actually, how come standard vehicle recorders will only capture what is in front, and not behind? Looks like the folks over at Genius have already answered this particular issue, and just so that you know, the rear recorder will be hooked up to the DVR via a 19 feet long cable. Each time your vehicle is started, the recording will commence automatically, which means that all important evidence will be retained. All data will be stashed away on a microSDHC memory card, and the Genius DVR-HD500D will retail for $169 if you’re interested.

Product Page

Floating Cooler Fridge lets your cold drinks float next to you

by Chris - on July 24th, 2013

One of the best ways to beat the heat is to relax in a pool, or even the ocean. There’s just something about the cool water on your skin while you feel the sun’s rays beating down upon your face. Whether you’re swimming laps, or just chilling out with some friends, it’s a great way to spend your day. Until you realize that you’ve got nothing cold nearby to quench your thirst. If only you had a container to keep them in, that you could bring into the water with you.

This 30 Qt Cooler Floating Fridge from Wow Sports is exactly what you need to beat the summer heat. Rather than trying to clumsily position a cooler on some floatation device, this one is built-in. And unlike other coolers, the top stays on with a zipper. This makes sure that the precious cargo doesn’t end up at the bottom of the pool, river, or ocean.

The cooler is constructed from heavy-gauge PVC with thick sidewalls and a double-layered padded bottom. These should go a long way in making sure that your beverages stay cold. As for the one you’re drinking, you can set it in one of the four convenient cup holders. At a price of $46, I’d say that this is a must-have for any trip to the lake, or even for lounging around your pool in the back yard.

MP3 BBQ Grill

by Edwin - on May 25th, 2013

There is nothing quite like the feeling of having not only good food (especially a BBQ, of course!), but also to have great music to go along with it. What happens when you want both of them together, and yet you are working on a limited budget? This is where the $199.99 MP3 BBQ Grill comes in handy, where it will be able to keep hungry stomachs full with the right kind of fare, in addition to keeping your ears entertained, and to get your booties shaking the next time you throw a poolside BBQ party. Heck, you can also drop the poolside, and the MP3 BBQ Grill will still work just right.

The MP3 BBQ Grill is a clever electric device that was specially developed for outdoor as well as indoor use, sporting a generous 200 square inch cooking surface which is ideal for grilling vegetables and burgers among others. Not only that, it comes with a non-stick coating to ensure easy food release and cleanup, where there is also a center channel that drains away fat into a large grease tray. Thanks to the 10-watt speaker, this is the most complete BBQ grill you can ever look for if good music and food are right up your alley. In addition, you can also crank up the integrated AM/FM radio or plug in any iPod, iPhone or other MP3 device to get your music fix.

Airocide annihilates that ‘lived in’ smell

by Caitlyn - on September 23rd, 2013

It seems sad that we have to pay for certain necessities. You can’t very well walk up to a stream and expect to pull clean water from it anymore, so you have to pay for the H2O you can drink. It’s sad, but the air we breath is slowly becoming fairly polluted as well. Thankfully the air outside has a long way to go before we start worrying about a big company selling it to us, but it’s a different story inside of our homes.

Hopefully we won’t have to see the day when we have to buy clean air, but if you want your house to smell as fresh and clean as a medical facility, then the Airocide is the way to go. OK, it’s not going to have it smelling like bleach, but it will cut all the UN-pleasantries from floating around. This isn’t just a plain Jane air filter either. It will literally suck up and destroy mold, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and a lot of the smaller stuff as well.

There’s nothing left to change out or clean as all of the airborne nasty things are forced into a “packed matrix of highly reactive catalysts that are activated by a high intensity 254-nanometer light, which destroys pathogens on contact”. It’s approved by the FDA, and comes from technology that was developed by NASA. Those two names are plastered everywhere there is product information available so you feel validated in putting down $800 on this.

Available for purchase on Airocide, found via BookofJoe

HP Chromebook 11 unveiled

by Edwin - on October 9th, 2013

Are you in the market for a spanking new notebook, but do not need to settle for one of those high powered models that cost a couple of thousand dollars? There is always a more cost effective alternative, and that would come in the form of a Chromebook. There has been some Chromebooks released in the past, but this time around, we have the folks over at HP announce their HP Chromebook 11 which was designed and built by the computer manufacturer HP themselves, delivering the kind of speed, simplicity and security benefits that you would normally expect to experience from a Chromebook, in addition to carrying its fair share of unique design elements that will address a fair number of challenges that folks face with computers today.

After all, the whole idea of a laptop is to make sure that it is light as well as mobile, and mobile. This means the HP Chromebook 11 is extremely thin without any kind of extra bits and pieces that will make it thick. Tipping the scales at slightly more than two pounds, it would be one of the lightest laptops of its kind in the market. Apart from that, you will also notice that there are no sharp edges all around, which means your wrists will thank you for such a design in the long run if you spend all day long doing plenty of typing. Of course, even when you travel, there is no need for an additional charger, as the HP Chromebook 11 can be juiced up using a micro-USB charger. This is a similar charger that one can use to power an exhausted Android phone or tablet.

Other hardware specifications to take note of include finely-tuned speakers, plenty of pre-loaded Google apps, 100GB of Google Drive cloud storage that is free for two years, and 60-day free trial of Google Play Music All Access. Expect the new HP Chromebook 11 to retail for a wallet friendly $279.

Press Release

LG Display to mass produce flexible OLED panel for smartphones soon

by Edwin - on October 8th, 2013

The folks over at LG Display seem to be on to a new groove, where they have just announced that they will begin to mass produce the first flexible OLED panel in the world, targeting the smartphone segment, of course. This is a state-of-the-art display panel which will represent yet another milestone that will continue in the company’s commercial footsteps where they too, were the first to introduce the first 55-inch OLED TV display in the world sometime earlier this year. LG Display has placed a positive spin on the future of the flexible display market, where they do hope that this particular market segment will be able to grow quickly since this technology is tipped to expand even further into a range of other applications including displays, tablets and wearable devices.

With this move, it does seem as though LG Display intends to gain an early lead in the flexible display market, and we cannot wait to see what other new products will they reveal next year that will arrive with enhanced performance as well as differentiated designs. Just how does LG Display’s flexible OLED panel become possible? Well, it has been built on plastic substrates instead of relying on the traditional material, which is glass. Through the application of film-type encapsulation technology as well as attaching the protection film to the back of the panel, LG Display has ensured that the panel ends up as bendable and unbreakable. Now that is definitely some food for thought, don’t you think so?

The new display will vertically concave from top to bottom where it carries a radius of 700mm, which would open up a world of design innovations in the smartphone market. Not only that, it will also measure a mere 0.44mm thin, which would make this particular offering from LG Display as the world’s slimmest flexible OLED panel in its class, too. Apart from that, there is another feather in its cap, which would mean it is the world’s lightest as it tips the sclaes at just 7.2 grams even when it features a 6″ display. I guess this advancement from the folks over at LG Display can only mean one thing â€" the advent of flexible display smartphones are just on the horizon, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds.

Sony HMZ-T3W Personal 3D Viewer delivers on-the-move viewing in style

by Edwin - on October 8th, 2013

Back in the good old days, there was this thing called the ViewMaster, where one would go through a slideshow using the ViewMaster device that makes it look as though you were staring into a huge screen even from an inch or so away. Well, times have certainly evolved, and while we have heard of the promise of wearable smart glasses, here is another innovation from Sony that might just make you want to blow your monthly budget for impulse purchases. I am referring to the Sony HMZ-T3W Personal 3D Viewer which will feature a pair of OLED displays, where they are capable of delivering an immersive ‘big screen’ experience regardless of where you are at that particular point in time.

It is right now available for pre-sale in the US now at Sony Stores and select retailers, where it sports a $999 price tag. With the Sony HMZ-T3W sitting comfortably on the bridge of your nose, it would enable consumers to be able to sit back, relax and immerse themselves in portable entertainment ecstasy, where their eyes will meet super-sized High Definition images as well as realistic sound reproduction, all without having to remain tethered by some kind of cable or wire. This is a third generation personal 3D viewer from Sony, which means certain advancements such as it being lighter than its predecessors is in line with expectations, offering an easy-to-wear form factor alongside a bunch of simple connections that allows you to hook it up to the likes of gaming consoles, PCs, home theater components, tablets and smartphones so that you can enjoy a jaw-dropping view of movies, games and apps thanks to a massive virtual screen size which will let you bring a cinematic, home theater viewing experience wherever you go.

The ergonomically-styled head mounted unit will boast of flexible headbands so that it is capable of adjusting in a jiffy to fit the head of just about anyone. Not only that, there is also a large, cushioned head pad so that it reduces wear pressure, in addition to easy lens adjustment for a relaxed, fatigue-free viewing experience. Since the Sony HMZ-T3W will no longer cause viewers to remain tethered to an AC power socket, watching your favorite shows on this puppy while you are on a long road trip would definitely make life far more enjoyable.

Not only that, the Sony HMZ-T3W Personal 3D Viewer can be connected via MHL, where it also boasts of HDMI connectivity as well as the ability to charge the battery of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets while you are watching something. It is time to throw out that old faithful personal media player and start looking all futuristic with the Sony HMZ-T3W Personal 3D Viewer!

Press Release

Sholdit Scarf is the keeper of secrets

by Caitlyn - on October 7th, 2013

There are days when you find yourself without a suitable pocket in which you can put your keys, cards, cash, and phone. Nowadays, those are the only real ‘essentials’ we need to tote around. However, you don’t always want to carry a bag with you in place of your pockets, as they can quickly become quite cumbersome. For ladies, we have the go-to of jamming things in our bra (it seriously is another pocket), but that can become pretty uncomfortable after a while, and doesn’t always look that inconspicuous.

If you’re wanting to stay fashionable without having to lug around an entire bag or purse, then there may an option for you yet. It has been named the Sholdit Scarf, and it is both clever and cute. This infinity scarf will allow you a bag that won’t be recognizable by anyone but you.

Obviously, this is aimed at women from the photos they have provided for this product, but that shouldn’t deter gents who like to be trendy on occasion. There are black, cranberry, eggplant, and titanium color options to choose from, and they’ll cost you about $50 a piece. This would be great for travel so you have less to carry onto the plane, and no one will be terribly tempted to snatch a scarf. Possibly the most important factor is whether or not it’s soft, as it will be wrapped around you when you wear it. I don’t know enough about materials to make a valid claim for polyester with spandex, but I am a tad skeptical.

Available via Magellan’s, found via bookofjoe

Motrr Galileo Bluetooth and Galileo 30-pin for iPhone pre-orders are now available

by Edwin - on October 7th, 2013

Ever heard of Motrr before? Well, they happen to be the designers behind the Gorillapod range of innovative camera tripods, and this time around, they have announce the pre-order availability of the Galileo Bluetooth and Galileo 30-pin that will target the iPhone, and this window of opportunity is open from now until the end of this month. Galileo has been named after the well known character from the past, where it happens to be a revolutionary iOS-controlled robotic iPhone platform this time around that comes with infinite spherical rotation capability so that it will open up the doors of iPhone owners to a world of photo, pano, and video possibilities.

Jasper Eisenberg, Marketing Manager at Motrr, said, “We are thrilled to release Galileo, a device platform we hope will inspire creativity and allow for more immersive experiences with people from anywhere in the world. Motrr’s mission is to transform the way we communicate with each other and with the world around us. With an entirely new dimension of control, everything from video calling, time-lapse photography, cinematography, and spherical imaging get way more interesting.”

With the Galileo, your iPhone will work with the Sphere app, ensuring that you remain just one tap away from capturing amazing spherical panoramas. Not only that, you are able to set pan and tilt controls in a jiffy for Galileo in order for it to locally create dynamic time-lapse sequences. Using a second smartphone, tablet, or web browser, you will be able to control Galileo remotely so that it can function as your “eyes” at home using one-way video. Want to do more? Not a problem at all, as it also delivers an immersive 2-way video calling experience, where all you need to do is to swipe your finger on your device and Galileo will responds, as it orients itself in any direction, which basically means you are able to control what you see.

The Galileo 30-Pin will play nice with the iPhone 4/4S, iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch 4th generation., while the Galileo Bluetooth is compatible with the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, and iPod Touch 5th generation.

Press Release