The Anti Static Car Finder LED. $19.95. Boy, you guys must really lose a lot of cars in them thar huge parking lots. How else to explain the veritable rash of gadgets to retrieve said vehicles? This one lets you record a message (‘You left the car over there, dufus’), has a timer, an LED to light your way and – coolness – a static electricity discharger to prevent those nasty door handle shocks. Bargin. The LCD timer with…
Read MoreMonthly Archives: August 2005
Private view.
3M Privacy Filters for laptops. Slap this on your screen and stop peeping Toms getting a look at your private notebook data. Around $29.95. And yes, TFT LCD screens originally took off because of their wide viewing angle vs DSTN. Go figure. True story. I’m on a recent press trip to the US to visit a large tech company, and just happen to end up sitting next to a seriously senior exec of the same company. He doesn’t know me from Adam…
Read MoreFuture tech.
The British Telecom Timeline. There’s nothing so foolish or futile as forecasting the future [fabulous falliteration – Ed], but someone needs to tell BT. This little technological timeline stretches to infinity and beyond (well OK 2055) and makes some bold predictions. Artificial brains by 2044, genetically engineered teddy bears by 2041? Tell you what, let’s meet back here in 50 to see if it turns out to be correct? You can log on via holographic thought waves. Oh yes. Downloadable version…
Read MoreP2P book club.
MyBookYourBook. Is this the world’s first P2P book club, aka online co-operative library? Join up, submit a list of 10 of your paperbacks and become part of the online library. When someone wants one of your books, they send you a stamp addressed envelope. You send book. When you want a book, you select from catalogue. Brilliant! £8.95 a year membership. On joining you submit a list of ten paperbacks you own and are willing to share with others through mybookyourbook. You…
Read MoreWiFi finder phun.
The Mobile Edge WiFi Signal Locator. Billed as the world’s smallest WiFi detector. Sarah, where’s the tape measure? $29.99. [Thanks to Jose, who also suggested we check out the pink faux-croc cases. Woot!] Patent-pending technology instantly detects ONLY WiFi signal presence Eliminates false readings from microwave and portable phone interference Detects 802.11B and G Networks Four bright LED’s to show signal strength
Read MoreBaby, come back…
The In Touch Address Recorder. You know that horrible feeling when you scoot off the train in a hurry, only to look back and see your baby scrabbling frantically at the windows because you’ve forgotten her? No? Tsk. Well, here’s the supremest solution. Apparently. Just record a 20 second message with contact details etc on this and staple it to your child somewhere. Voila. Still a lost infant, but one with a name, address and porpoise in life. Yeah well….look…
Read MoreBags of security.
The 2005 range of Tech Air laptop bags like this 5504 Messsenger Bag are now apparently being shipped with 12 months of free i-Trak security attached, which is kind of interesting. The lurid green tag should make it easier for people to identify and return your precious should it ever get lost in transit, and the service can even SMS you when your bag is located. The Ferret has a Tech Air Azura bag which is actually quite cool, although it has to be said…
Read MoreDIY X-Ray machine.
The DIY X-Ray Machine. Oldie but goodie. But remember, kids, be safe out there! Whenever the machine is in operation, the experimenter must wear a lead apron and stand well behind the orifice through which the rays are emitted. Never turn your back to the machine so that you are between it and the apron!…Finally, resist the temptation to make X-ray examinations of the bones in your hands or other body parts. A frozen fish makes a much safer…
Read MoreWeb page power.
Protopage. Billed as a free personal start page creator, this is unquestionably super clever Brit tech. Ajax meets Geocities meets Sitebar meets MSN Start. Superb!
Read MoreiSoundz.
The iSoundz Sound Wallet Mini Speakers. Oh at last, Dolores. A set of powered iPod travel speakers for the discerning gentleman. In handsome leatherette too. $29.95. The iSoundz Sound Wallet’s unique design embeds a pair of stereo speakers into the left hand side of the case. Easy to connect to both iPods and iPod Minis (with adjustable fitted strap), the Sound Wallet includes audio cable, AC adapter, and even a USB charging cable so you can recharge the Sound Wallet’s…
Read MoreJiggle time.
The Tissot Silen-T watch. The tactile timepiece. Sitting in a movie and get a sudden urge to set your alarm? Why of course, who wouldn’t? Well just press the button, run your fingers round the edge of the bezel and feel the time settings vibrate against your digit. Wonderful, no? Demo here (needs IE). Around $400.00 or so. Simply through pushing the crown and touching the screen you can set and read both the time and the alarm in a…
Read MoreCreate, burn, print.
The new Rimage 360i CD/DVD printer. Let’s just say, for argument’s sake, that you have a need to burn lots of discs. Complete with colour graphic labels. And fast. Well then, why not consider one of these desktop doodads? £1595.00 lets you burn and label 25 discs an hour, which is more than enough for any small indie music house, isn’t it? The Rimage 360i offers the best in both printing and recording technology. For printing it uses HP’s Photo Ret IV…
Read MoreChuffer controller.
The RailDriver Desktop Train Cab Controller. Hook up your treasured train simulator and chuff away with this fully comprehensive…almost surreally delicious…controller. $149.95 makes you more Thomas the Tank Engine than Fat Controller. Drive your train simulation game or your model train with realistic throttle, brake, reverser, and switch controls, plus 34 programmable buttons. The RailDriver Desktop Train Cab Controller supports MicroSoft Train Simulator and Auran Trainz UTC and makes you feel like you’re driving a train, not a computer.
Read MoreTurbo Digital.
The Turbo Digital engine enhancer. Got a car? Don’t have a turbo installed? Then get one of these Brazilian thingies and pretend. Broom, broom, chuckatucker, chukatucker! Listen to the audio, do. Around $60.00.
Read More20 Skype tools.
Skype is hawt. Oh yes it is. So here, for your delectation, are 20 Skype tools as chosen by a small furry mammal. Enjoy!
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