So this bunch of Danish amateurs called the Copenhagen Suborbitals (site down) have banded together to produce and launch a manned spacecraft. They’re doing it using voluntary donations and sheer gung-ho and it is beyond awesome. So far I think it’s cost them thousands of dollars (vs NASA billions) and in six days time the first test launch with a crashtest dummy in place will happen. Forum posts. Wikipedia article. As if that wasn’t amazing enough, the guys are going…
Read MoreMonthly Archives: August 2010
Constained Ball – Draws straight lines with ease
Anyone who’s ever had to draw a straight line freehand knows how tough that is. Now this will be a piece of cake with the Constrained Ball, a cool drawing aid by Korean product designer Giha Woo. Attach any pen and you’ll draw like a pro. This simple device is fitted with a rubber gasket and provides control for the writer to smoothly draw straight across. It even measures the length of the line as you go with a measuring…
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Ferret posts this week
Here’s a quick round-up of Red Ferret posts from the past week for those who missed them. Enjoy. Supra HumBuster – kill the noise on your computer A/V system – This Supra HumBuster is a… 100 Free Open Source Design Tools – This 100 Free Open Source Design… Luxury Private Jet Interiors – owned by heads of state and dictators – This set of photos of the interior… 5 Eccentric Saunas – some weird hot places to chill – Five Eccentric…
Read MoreMini Infrared Flashlight Camcorder – spy cam sees in the dark when you can’t
This Mini Infrared Flashlight Camcorder is a pocket friendly flashlight which features a night vision camera and infrared lighting system. So now you too can skulk around peering into dark inaccessible places looking for crime, grime or sleeping hedgehogs. The device also features a voice recorder, and all your data is nicely stored onto microSD cards. We’re talking 30 fps, 1280×960 HD video here, so it’s no slouch on the resolution front, and with a charging time of 3 hours and video…
Read MoreFujitsu Lifebook T 730, TH 700: Slatebooks, or Notetablets, you decide
So are you going for a plain old notebook, or rather a fancy slate /tablet /pad? Or both? Fortunately there’s Fujitsu, last remaining maker of personal computers on European soil, whose engineers (of former Siemens and Nixdorf fame) have continously been cranking out transformeresque computing devices for years now. Widely unnoticed by the public, which is a case of unneccessary negligence, as the recently introduced Lifebook T 730, and TH 700 notebooktablets feature some very nice specs – a 12.1…
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Weed Whacking Golf Driver – keep trim as you keep trimming
This Weed Whacking Golf Driver is just about the most mysterious product we’ve ever featured. Ah no wait, you need to carry around a grass trimmer just in case you land in the rough, right? And what better way to do it than have something which looks like a golf club? Now we’ve got it. Phew, for a moment there we thought people were expecting to do some extra-curricular gardening while enjoying the ancient sport. $39.95. This is the golf…
Read MoreUSB Turtle Mouse – cute
This USB Turtle Mouse is cute and ridiculous all at the same time. Hmm…but it’s got an optical mechanism with 800dpi, so maybe not so ridiculous as first appears. Also available in *p.i.n.k.*. $15.99. With 2 standard buttons plus a scroll wheel for fast navigation while working. # Optical technology allows it to respond to even your fastest movements with accurate tracking on virtually most surface. # Comfortable for both right and left hand use. # USB Interface #…
Read MoreBlueCell F7 Rearview Mirror – more high tech than the Moon Rover
This BlueCell F7 Rearview Mirror sports more high tech goodness than your average Space Shuttle. Not just 2 microphones and twin speakers, FM radio and MP3 player, phonebook and voice recording. BUT also, wireless Bluetooth earphone tech as well as wireless parking camera functionality so you can make sure you don’t injure the mailman. Just clip it onto your existing rearview mirror and instantly double the geek value of your vehicle. Guaranteed. Super thin bluetooth car kit with inner battery supply,…
Read MoreChameleon Folder – freeware gives permanent easy access to favourite folders
Chameleon Folders is a cool Windows freeware program which gives permanent 1–click access to your favourite folders. Why? Well if you’re like me, you’ll have one or more folders which are buried deep in the bowels of your computer which are important to a project or your life, and it’s a real pain to have to keep clicking through in Windows Explorer to get to them. With this program it’s just a matter of clicking your chosen hotkey and bang you’re there,…
Read MoreElectric VW Bus – hippy wagon comes of age
Here’s a cool 1966 vintage VW Bus uprated with electrical power for the new century. Price, about $6,000 including batteries, 50 miles range. Right on, dude! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3orXopgLNs Tags: vw+electric+bus, video, electric+vehicle, ecological
Read MoreHipmunk – cool online flight finder strips out the intimidating
Hipmunk is a very cool online flight finder, which has completely abandoned the traditional boring, listing design motif in favour of a super neat web 2.0 graphical interface. The result is you get to see a lot more information, and more importantly it’s very easy on the eye, so you can find bargains and suitable flights very easily. The whole thing takes a lot of the ouch out of searching for flights, and there are some great features to make…
Read MoreSenseg e-Sense – bringing haptic touch feedback to a phone screen near you soon?
Finnish company Senseg has developed a haptic touch technology called Senseg e-Sense which produces feedback on touchscreens using a tiny electrical charge and non-mechanical vibrations. The idea is for the charge to be sent through a film attached to the screen, which vibrates in different ways according to the on-screen stimulus. The result is a tactile response as you move around the screen elements. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXITjLurof0 It’s clever stuff and has now been picked up by Toshiba, which is about to release a software development pack…
Read MoreTocky – alarm clock runs away while shrieking for help
Tocky is another ‘run away’ alarm clock but with a difference. This one can be programmed with your choice of alarm audio or MP3 tracks. Use the inbuilt mic to record some choice wake up audio, and then enjoy chasing the thing round the room as it blares out the sound of your mother-in-law in a disdainful ear piercing torrent. $79.00 for the truly masochistic. Just like Clocky, Tocky will jump from your nightstand and roll away to get you out of bed. With Tocky,…
Read MoreDIY Library Kit – make like the Librarian of your cubicle
The DIY Library Kit provides everything you need to set up and operate your own desktop book library service. Install the library card pockets into your books, and use the date stamp to manage people who ‘borrow’ your books and ‘forget’ to give them back. Not sure how popular you’ll be come Xmas, but you should be OK for a while until you start sending them late return demands with a hefty fine. From $5.99. Are people always asking to borrow books from…
Read MorePrimo Bottled Water Pump – zero power water dispenser
This Primo Bottled Water Pump strikes us as being very practical. It fits any 3, 4 or 5 gallon bottle, needs no power and is perfect for backyard shenanigans on hot days. Yours for just $19.99. Ideal for homes, sporting events, job sites, camping and emergencies • No electricity required • Dishwasher safe • Fits 3, 4 or 5 gallon round or rectangular bottles • 1-year limited warranty • Water and bottle not included • No tools required for assembly…
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