So I went to the HTC Touch mobile phone launch yesterday. Mmm… Question: what are the odds that two companies separated by thousands of miles come up with an incredibly similar navigation interface which works by stroking the screen with a finger? 10 to 1? 1000 to 1? More? Well you’re wrong. It’s a total coincidence, at least that’s what HTC CEO Peter Chou told me when I asked him directly. His version of events is that none of his team have…
Read MoreMonthly Archives: June 2007
PocketMod – roll your own mini paper Filofax
PocketMod is a DIY organiser maker which lets you create clever little pocket notebooks with different page styles and content. So you can add a variety of calendar pages a la Filofax, games, info pages, or just plain sheets with or without lines. There are even To-Do and shopping lists available. Once you’re done, just follow the folding and cutting instructions and bingo. It’s a superb idea, and excellently done (although I think it needs a bit more work on the cutting part)….
Read MoreGoogle transits maps – transport information on maps
Google has added a cool transport feature to maps. Click on a bus, train or underground (subway) icon and you’ll view information about that station. A second click will deliver more detailed stuff (like departure times etc). These guys are keeping it on, aren’t they? Oh and it looks as though they’ll soon roll out a Trip Planner feature too, to let you arrange your public transport journey in detail (including a cost comparison with driving there). Amazing. Tags: google+transit+info, google+maps
Read MoreBlancier Worldtimer 1 – world’s first global timepiece
The Blancier Worldtimer 1 is the first wristwatch in the world which displays the correct time in all thirty-nine time zones on earth. Apparently the trick lies in using an extremely accurate 18th century Lambert projection map of the globe. It took them 2 years to develop this idea which is probably why prices start at $13,450.00 a pop. We may just stick with our OldTimer 1 for now. The concept behind the building of the Lotterman & Söhne Worldtimer 1:…
Read MoreSpace Man Moppel LED Light – bendy, friendly, flexible and focussed
The 12 inch tall Space Man Moppel LED Light comes with magnetic feet, one clippy hand for fake expense forms etc, another hand for cable tidying and a ‘soft white’ LED lamp to lighten your cubicle darkness. All together now… awww. $29.99. Each foot has two power magnets, so the Space Man can stand in almost any pose, any direction, and any gravity! The arms, legs, and neck are super bendy, too. One hand is molded to hold a cable or two, and the…
Read MoreGakken Emile Berliner Gramophone – scratch your own disk itch with style
The Gakken Emile Berliner Gramophone is a mock reproduction of the original audio technology which wowed the world when it first appeared way back in….well the dinosaur age or whateva. You can create your own very dodgy sounding recordings on the platter and realise how much worse off we are today, having to endure crystal clear recordings of celebs such as Paris Hilton and William Shatner. Oh for the good ole days. $69.00. It uses the same method that Emile Berliner used,…
Read MoreThe Automotive X Prize – probably the best ecological initiative ever
The Automotive X Prize aims to do for alternative fuel vehicles what the Ansari X Prize has done for space travel. Namely move it up a huge notch in development urgency and effectiveness. The goal of the multi-million dollar prize is ‘To inspire a new generation of viable, super-efficient vehicles that help break our addiction to oil and stem the effects of climate change’, and if it achieves that in the 2 year target timescale it will be a whole…
Read MoreThe best of Google Street View – voyeurism goes global
There’s a shed load of text floating around about the new Google Street View, so I won’t add too much more lest you get over tired. However if you’ve got a spare minute or two why not visit the Favourite Google Street View Locations site and take a look at some of the interesting, bizarre and sometimes cool things that the GoogleCam car has captured on its wide ranging route? Or even submit your own finds? Below is a list of the best…
Read MoreEyeOS 1.0 – the operating system comes to the browser
The new EyeOS 1.0 is being billed as an Open Source ‘web operating system’, which means that you can install applications, tweak settings and do a whole passel of O/S type things just using your web browser. The technology is all very innovative, but will it really deliver some compelling new experience, or is it just another online desktop alternative? Only time will tell. In the meantime take a look for yourself and let me know what you think. I’m not fully ‘getting…
Read MoreStressEraser – calmness through bio-feedback
The StressEraser. Grab some peace, man, by controlling your mind through bio-feedback technology. Apparently it’s all about synchronizing your breathing with the ‘Breathwave pattern’. Who would have thought…? The $299.95 price may make you hyperventilate just a little bit first though. The StressEraser is an award-winning, hand-held biofeedback medical device designed to calm your mind and relax your body in just 15 minutes. # The StressEraser’s effectiveness is based on science’s understanding of the physiological manifestations of psychological stress. # The StressEraser…
Read MoreiWay iPod SD Adapter – load your photos without a computer
The iWay iPod SD Adapter lets you load up your iPod with photographs without having to use a computer. Just plug in the adapter, insert your SD memory card and voila. Great for off-loading photos from your digital camera when you’re on holiday or whatever. Only works with the Video iPod though, not the Photo or nano models. $69.95 (black or white versions). Just plug iWay into your iPod, and gain a portal that lets you instantly upload photos from any standard SD memory card. So…
Read MoreKingmax USB Flash Memory 2GB for $15.95 – flash price plunge?
The Kingmax 2 GB USB Flash Drive Memory for only $15.95 (£8.00)? Wow…that’s a ridiculously cheap price for a USB drive, isn’t it? Next week Kellogg packets. Just check the reader review about cracks appearing though… [Via Ask Metafilter] The world’s lightest, thinnest and only water-resistant USB flash drive. The Super Stick is convenient enough for consumers to carry anywhere, and its trendy design makes it a great mobile phone strap accessory, necklace or keychain. It can even be stored…
Read MoreGaboogie – conference calling calls you
Gaboogie is an online conference calling service with a twist. Instead of someone having to run around hustling everyone to log on to the conference at a particular time, this system calls each participant on the dot to make sure the conference starts as it should. No having to remember log in codes or passwords either. The system will even call three phone numbers in turn for each participant to track them down and make sure they attend on time. A very…
Read MoreYod’M 3D – cube based desktop manager for Windows
Yod’m 3D is a Windows desktop manager which sports one of those swivel cube interfaces so beloved of…well…interface designers. It probably has no real advantage over just switching desktops using a task bar icon, but there’s no question that it looks cooler all round. One for intrepid interface adventurers? Yod’m 3D is a virtual desktop manager with the fashionable effect : the cube Tags: yod’m, 3d+windows+interface
Read MoreFerret posts this week
Here’s a quick round-up of Ferrety posts from the past week for anyone who missed them. Enjoy. PodXtreme – loud sound, small body – The PodXtreme Sound Box for iPod… Zonbu – small, silent and hugely innovative Linux computing – The new Zonbu Computer is a… Viper Defender – 950,000 volts for peace of mind – The Viper Defender is a 950,000… Build your own electric car for $800 – DIY eco warrior – Greg Coleman has built an… Make-A-Game – DIY…
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