Fed up with store bought mobile phones? Fancy making your own instead? Then maybe you ought to lock in with the Homebrew Mobile Phone Club folk and roll your own. Er…and did we mention that it helps if you live in the Californian sunshine? Geographically distant persons are also encouraged to participate in discussions on the mailing list or (if you’re adventureous) you can form your own local chapter. There is currently no formal national or international membership organization, so starting…
Read MoreMonthly Archives: November 2006
Ferret posts this week
Here’s a quick round-up of Ferrety posts from the past week for anyone who missed them. Enjoy. Jitterbug Cell Phone – big numbers, easy eyes – Jitterbug Cell Phone. Designed for… DECT Wireless Phone Extender – DECT Wireless Phone Extender. Turn… Light in Food – brighten up your tastebuds? – Light in Food Lamp. This 19 cm… BlazePak – fire resistant document wallet – The BlazePak Fire Resistant… Sunflower Network – computer help on tap – The Sunflower Network is…
Read MoreBathroom Automation – the clean machines…
The Ondine ESS Tub fills your tub for you. Just set it and forget it. Right level, right temperature, right flavour (OK, we’re exaggerating that last bit). With optional remote control and presets for all the family. $5100.00. Alternatively, if a shower’s more your thing, how about a Grohtherm Wireless Shower? Just push a bedside button and the shower will be waiting for you at the right temperature and water flow by the time you reach the cubicle door. Pampered, moi?…
Read MorePocket Plasma – sizzle and snap
Pocket Plasma. This sound sensitive, clip-on pocket lightning pod is sure to get you talked about at parties. You know, the ones where people don’t have a lot to say to each other? Have fun. $45.00 in Danish equivalents. The pocket plasma has a sound responsive mode and the lightning will move to your voice or music. The frame is clear glass…Clip pocket plasma to your shirt pocket, your jeans, the sun visor in your car, and almost anywhere else….
Read MoreUnderwater monitor kit – fish police?
The Underwater Monitor Kit is the kind of thing you’d expect a James Bond arch villain to have in his armoury. ‘Do you expect me to talk, Goldfinger?’ ‘No, Mr Bond, I expect you to dive’. Ah fond dreams and memories. What? 1) 7” TFT LCD panel 2) High resolution with vivid picture 3) Up/down, right/left reverse 4) DC 12V input 5) One-way video input and output 6) Storage battery for 5 hours continuous working 7) No radiation, eyesight protection
Read MoreMotorized Umbrella Controller
The Motorized Umbrella Controller with Remote Control says more about your patio smarts than a brace of laughing gnomes ever will. It speaks also of affluence, power, intelligence and a desperate desire to avoid any form of physical exertion. Good luck with the cardiogram. $99.99. Impress neighbors and guests by automatically opening and closing your patio umbrella remotely using a table-mounted switch or a wireless remote control. The Motorized Umbrella Controller’s RF remote control has a 40-foot range and even works through…
Read MoreHeated Massage Car Cushion
Heated Massage Car Cushion. Heat, massage, remote control. The answer to a taxi driver’s prayer? £29.99. Heated massaging car seat with AC and DC adaptor for in-car or home/office Using the heat function, the seat will gradually emit heat, ensuring a cosy comfortable drive Using the remote control supplied, you can select the heat function, or a selection of massaging programmes Control the speed of the massage and which part of the body gets massaged (the neck, back, hips, legs) Control the…
Read MoreRetrobotics – cute metallic art
Retrobotics Ulisee. Limited edition sterling silver space art. $795.00. [via ThisNext] Retrobotics is basically one guy, me, Christopher Jennings. I am an artist located in Chicago. I have been making sterling silver vintage space art for many years and have decided to step it up a bit and produce my designs in limited edition runs. I will post more back story soon.
Read MoreDrop Spots – friendly treasure hunt fun
Drop Spots. Kind of a treasure hunt for trivia. Hide something in town, note the details down on the site and let others exchange their trivia for yours and pass on the fun. International too. A dropspot is a kind of alternative mailbox. It’s a hiding place in a public space, where people can leave things for exchange. Anything. It’s a wierd and wonderful way to add personal character to the streets that we live in. Stash something fun and see what you get back.
Read MoreFirst impressions of the MDA Vario II HSDPA handset
I was on a panel at the Radio Academy’s Radio at the Edge seminar yesterday, discussing the future of radio broadcasting, and it was a bit of a hoot. The radio crowd got to listen to us pontificating about podcasting, the Internet and how radio schedules were a thing of the past (my contribution). John Plunkett reported it live on the Guardian blog if you’re interested, but that’s not really what I wanted to talk about. I thought you might like to get my first impressions…
Read MoreWeb Speedometer – how fast is your connection?
The Web Speedometer. Find out how fast your Internet connection is. That’s it really. Now you can find out how fast or slow your Internet connection. You could be using your network connection at work, or at home using a dial-up modem, ISDN connection, a cable modem, or a digital subscriber line (DSL). Whatever the device or technology you’re using to surf the Web, we’ll tell you the speed of your Internet connection.
Read MoreDUALPhone 3088 – first Skype phone without a PC
The DUALPhone 3088 is the world’s first Skype phone which doesn’t need a PC. That’s right, the Skype client is in the handset itself. It’s DECT wireless and comes complete with a full colour Skype-ified interface and all that stuff. So you just plug it into your landline for ordinary calls and into your broadband connection for Skype calls and switch between the two at will. Priced from around £99.00. The phone also allows the user to decide whether to…
Read MoreThermometer Cufflinks – cool hands warm heart
Thermometer Cufflinks. Classed as retro style. We’re trying to figure out who needs to know the temperature difference between their two arms that badly? Maybe a chef? $165.00 a pair. Black faced working thermometer cufflinks in a shiny silver finish by Tateossian London. Oversized for a retro feel.
Read MoreVictorinox s.beat MP3 player – slick sounds, sharp blades
The Victorinox s.beat MP3 Player. Well, you couldn’t call it cute, could you? But hey, it’s gotta be the single most versatile MP3 player you’re ever going to stick in your pocket. Great for getting DJs out of horses hooves and stuff. Crucially, you can remove the player from the toolkit, which should help at the airport security conveyor. Around $170.00 for the 1 GB model. Optionally, s.beat is also available in a flight version without tools. Fans who want both – smooth passages through airport security…
Read MoreUSB Mad Dog Speakers – howlin’ wolf heaven
USB Mad Dog Speakers. Mad? You’d be furious too if they stuck speaker solenoids in your chin. Built in amp, massive 2w power output, USB powered, 3.5mm headphone jack socket. Go on, make yourself laugh and the cat cry why doncha? $20.00. Dual 4cm speaker with 3.5mm audio jack cable. # High quality sound with a 2W+2W power output. # Frequency arrange: 120Hz ~ 20KHz # Signal Noise Ratio: 86dB # Support Windows XP/2000/ME/98SE, Mac OS with USB port. # Simple,…
Read More
