The GATR Inflatable Satellite Antenna. Now why can’t they make these in a consumer friendly size so we can all carry one around for those moments when we must-have, gotta-have our satellite TV fix? This unique patented inflatable antenna design allows for a wider aperture (thereby reducing satellite transfer costs) without the added bulk and weight associated with rigid deployable systems. When deflated, the antennas are small enough to fit in the trunk of a small vehicle, and they can even be…
Read MoreMonthly Archives: May 2007
DV1210 DV Camcorder – the first 8-in-1 camcorder?
The DV1210 DV Camcorder is unremarkable in every way except one. It comes with a built-in FM Radio. Say what? So it’s a 5.1 megapixel, MPEG-4 recording camcorder with the ability to record off TV, play music, act as a voice recorder, USB storage device or webcam and play FM radio. Now that’s what we call convergence with a capital K. £99.99. True 5.1megapixel resolution with 4x digital zoom and 2.4-inch colour TFT LCD screen • Powerful MPEG-4 video format for larger…
Read MoreBringo – at last, an end to nightmare corporate phone trees
Bringo is one of those applications that you wish for with all your heart while you’re tearing your hair out trying to navigate one of those endless corporate phone tree systems. You know the sort, “please press 1 for help, 2 for sales…54 for self-immolation…”. The service aims to cut through all the hassle, do the navigation for you and connect you right at the end when the human finally appears on the line to talk to you. Amazing and wonderful idea….
Read MoreClimate Change – a guide for the perplexed
Climate Change: A guide for the perplexed. New Scientist debunks myths, explains issues and tries to make sense out of chaos. If you’re interested this is a great place to start. Even if you’re not interested actually. Oh and here’s the site which is probably the most authoritative on the whole vexed question – RealClimate (a pure science site which is run by non political…gasp…climate scientists). Our planet’s climate is anything but simple. All kinds of factors influence it, from massive…
Read MoreiLoad – copy from CD to iPod fast, and with no PC
The iLoad lets you transfer material from your CDs to you iPod at 5 times faster than ‘real time’. And without a computer in the way. So a full audio CD should take around 8 minutes to transfer across. Not a bad idea, eh? Speeds are affected by scratches on the disc though, so very old collections could take 40 years or so to copy across. Or something like that. $299.00. iLoad offers convenience and portability. No waiting for a computer…
Read MoreThe $139.00 computer – how low can they go?
Ugly as sin but twice as cheap, the MadTux MT-100 Low Cost Linux PC is proof that computers are so totally commodity products right now. $139.00 – think about it – buys you a 1.5GHz processor, 256 MB of RAM, a 13.5 GB hard drive and the usual stuff like Ethernet networking (but no wireless). You’ll have to supply your own keyboard, mouse and CD/DVD drive, but hey, you’ve got three of each lying around in a cupboard, right? Astonishing how far (low?)…
Read MoreBlack & Decker Stormstation – for when your power’s out and about
The Black & Decker Stormstation is a veritable treasure trove of usefulness. Not just a rechargeable emergency light in case your juice dies suddenly as aliens land in your backyard. But also a radio, detachable flashlight and power socket to keep your small appliances going too. What indescribable value at just $54.60. This portable unit is equipped with a weather radio, power inverter, and detachable flashlight. When the power goes out, the StormStation’s “Find Me” light automatically turns on. Use its 25-watt inverter…
Read MoreSonim XP1 Ruggedised Cell Phone – don’t leave your cave without one
The Sonim XP1 Ruggedised Cell Phone looks tough enough. After all it’s yellow, with chunky strips of black ribbed rubber distributed around the body at strategic locations. With two extra loud speakers and a walkie talkie button. And sure it’ll work at temperatures that would kill a mammoth stone dead. But is it toddler proof? That’s the ultimate test, isn’t it? £233.83. · IEC lP52 rating for protection against water, dust, salt, fog, and humidity · Shock protection rated at 1.65…
Read MoreLife size whale – up close to a denizen of the deeep
The Life Size Whale site from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society has a purpose. To make us aware of these majestic creatures….before they’re possibly gone forever. It’s rather spooky actually (especially if you have your sound turned up) and of course political, but worth a viewing nonetheless. [Via 4 color rebellion] Tags: whale+site, life+size, wdcs
Read MoreIcebrrg – web forms for free
Icebrrg is yet another free online web form maker. Not really understanding the need for all these forms right now, maybe the web is short of them or something? Anyhoo, there’s a varied set of pricing plans starting with free of course, so even the most form fanatic should be OK. Personal Inventories. Why not organize your personal life with Icebrrg? How about cataloging your collection of DVDs, CDs, or baseball cards? Create your forms and then use them to…
Read MoreFerret posts this week
Here’s a quick round-up of Ferrety posts from the past week for anyone who missed them. Enjoy. NowThen – phonecam your life, live… – NowThen. Think Twitter combined… m:ssage – the massaging phone – The m:ssage is a mobile phone with… Wii Combat Pack – ahar there, take that… – The Wii Combat Pack is just… Jackie – the mullet’s mullet wig – The Jackie Mullet Wig. We stumbled… Poly9 FreeEarth – the free online 3D globe – Poly9 FreeEarth…
Read MorePhotoframe Aquarium – fish and family in fiylial bliss
The Photoframe Aquarium combines a strangely conventional, if slightly clunky looking, photo frame with a fake fish tank. Complete with real water, plastic guppies and a single battery. Now you may think that plastic fish cavorting around your photo is a little out of plaice, and who are we to argue? $49.95 (£21.48). Next, “just add water”, as they say in the classics, to the removable tank at the front. Finally, add 1 x D size battery (not included) and watch your sea creatures…
Read MorePhidgets – cool USB sensor kit for your computer
The Phidget Interface Kit is a cool package of various sensors which you can attach to the nearest handy computer USB port and do stuff. The sensors include a motion sensor, temperature, vibration, light and magnetic sensors and some other cool stuff which gives your computer more finely tuned external senses than a cat. Great hobbyist toy or even for serious hacker, inventor types. CAD$250.00. Phidgets are the most user-friendly system available for controlling and sensing the environment from your computer….
Read MoreSmart Power Strip – no kidding Sherlock?
The Smart Power Strip. So are we talking Einstein here or what? Power surge protection, noise filtering and a sophisticated microprocessor based system to turn off your peripherals when a central device (e.g. a PC)is switched off. Great way to save electricity and possibly your equipment in an emergency. $34.95. [Thanks Kari] The Smart Strip Power Strip features advanced circuitry that not only offers excellent power surge protection and line noise filtering, but is actually able to ‘sense’ the flow of electrical current through the strip’s…
Read MoreTamagotchi is 10 years old – sing out, happy birthday…
Tamagotchi Version 4.0. The cutesy Tamagotchi franchise is 10 years old this year, and my goodness have they come a long way. Or not, depending on your point of view. Now the little virtual creatures grow up, go to school and have careers. Assuming that you look after them properly of course. It’s all a bit scary, really, isn’t it? [Thanks Peter] Each choice leads to a variety of opportunities, whilst special messaging, fortunes and life time events provide unexpected twists. Play…
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