Monthly Archives: August 2007

Gadgets August 31, 2007 posted by

Digital Video Rocket – bird’s eye view at a down to earth price

The Digital Video Rocket soars to a majestic 500 feet, all the while recording a VGA video for you to gawp at on landing. Only 12 seconds of footage or 3 still images stored per flight, so you’d better make sure you’re pointing in the right direction. Fortunately the camera is impact resistant, which is probably more than you can say for your neighbour’s greenhouse. $59.95.  This rocket, made by Estes, makers of model rockets for nearly 50 years, provides…

Read More
Gadgets August 31, 2007 posted by

ION Beauty Wand – quantum cosmetics makes you beautiful

The ION Beauty Wand delivers frequencies up to 1 Mz to ‘optimize the absorption of whatever skincare products you use.’ So slap on that WD40, power up and let’s give those wrinkles a real hard time. $79.95.  # Ultrasonic waves # Infrared waves # Positive/Negative ionic stimulation # Use regularly for more supple and vibrant skin # Helps eliminate aging spots and reduce wrinkles Tags: ion+beauty+wand, cosmetics

Read More
Gadgets August 31, 2007 posted by

Reproduction Country Wall Phone – real oak ringer rates a resume

This Reproduction Country Wall Phone comes with a choice of push button convenience or rotary dial authenticity. Never be tempted by the easy option, children, always dial properly. Because proper dialing leads to proper calling. Remember that. $270.85.   * Repro of country wood wall phone * Cloth cord * Touchtone buttons in dial layout or true rotary dial: choose below * Real oak cabinet – not particleboard * Memo box writing surface Tags: country+wall+phone, reproduction, telephone

Read More
Mobile Tech August 31, 2007 posted by

Nokia 6110 Navigator – new GPS phone oozes class and features

The new Nokia 6110 Navigator is the first in a new line of ‘Navigator’ handsets which feature on-board GPS for navigation, and it’s a lovely piece of work. I’ve been playing with one for a few days and I’ve got to say I’ve fallen in love. Let’s be clear, this is not a pretty phone by any means. If the iPhone is Miss South Carolina, then the 6110 Navigator is her distant cousin with the slightly crooked teeth. But with a feature set…

Read More
Gadgets August 30, 2007 posted by

Small Fry – the smallest stun gun in the world

The cutesily named Small Fry is billed as the smallest stun gun in the world. Littler than a pack of cigarettes, this thing shoots out 1,000,000 volts, which should be enough to cook most pork chops. Rechargeable and all crackly, yours for $79.95. Yee-haw!  Traditionally, the higher the voltage of a stun gun the larger the unit had to be. This is because they are normally powered by 9 volt batteries and the higher voltage units required three or four batteries….

Read More
heh heh! August 30, 2007 posted by

IT Crowd – ouch, hurts hurts

Thanks to Cory I managed to download and watch the first episode of the second series of the IT Crowd show that I’d missed. Oh my! Ribs aching, tears streaming. Oh my! Tags: it+crowd, comedy, television

Read More
Gadgets August 30, 2007 posted by

Aura Ball – discover your aura colour quickly and easily

The Aura Ball Flashing Phone Strap is a small cell phone charm ball that detects and displays the colour of your personal aura. Whaddya mean you don’t have one? Tsk! We’ve all got one. And it changes day by day, c’mon what rock have you been hiding under? So anyway, you’ll need to check it every day to make sure you know how to act the next time you meet a handsome Klingon shaman in the street. $23.33.  Compact and handy! Check up…

Read More
cool tech August 30, 2007 posted by

Retro Electro Cars – give your Mini an ecological makeover

The folks at Future Vehicles have launched a Retro Electric Car Conversion service which will convert an olde worlde Mini (or other suitable bone shaker like a Citroen 2CV) into an electric vehicle. The entry level priced model will travel at 40 mph and have a range of 50 miles, but you’ll need to stump up £17,500 to experience the joy of such stylish silent motoring.   The classic Mini is an iconic city car, it is lightweight and fun to drive. Converting…

Read More
hmm..interesting August 30, 2007 posted by

Fuzzmail – send what you write, warts and all

Fuzzmail is a free online email service which records your typing as you create your message and sends the whole animated shebang as your email. That’s right all the editng, mistakes, changes of mind and general junk that happens when you type gets delivered to the recipient as an animated message. It’s one of those ideas that’s so out there it’s ridiculous, but you’ve got to love the thought of delivering love notes with all the ‘second thoughts’ word changes, doncha?…

Read More
cool tech August 30, 2007 posted by

DIY upgradeable laptop – bling blang, it’s aluminium man

Torquil Harkness decided to build his own upgradeable laptop computer as a protest at the scarcity of good, cheap DIY laptop cases on the market. We share his angst. Repeat after us kittens, homebrew good, factory mediocre. Anyhoo, he’s ended up with a 2GHz machine with an ATI Radeon 9200 graphics card, all of which can be upgraded as tech improves. And it’s shiny, dude!  This, my first original computer design came out of frustration and I hope one day…

Read More
Bookmark This! August 30, 2007 posted by

Joel’s back…

Joel’s back. Yay!  Ideally, we can create an electronics industry that wastes less to create better things. It’s not such a daunting goal. If our industry weren’t capable of progress, we wouldn’t have the good things we have today, even if we’re a long way from perfection. Perhaps my optimism is irrational, but I hope it’s the last vice I give up. If the electronics industry only exists to trade our time, peace, and money for quickly-cooling baubles, I’m not…

Read More
Gadgets August 29, 2007 posted by

JVC XA-AW33 Floating Bathtime MP3 Player – itunes for the itub

The JVC XA-AW33 Bathtime MP3 Player floats. In yer bath. Not only that, but through the miracle of NXT flat panel technology it plays tunes at your face too. Incredible eh? It’s waterproof, which will impress your rubber duckie no end, has a nice pulsing blue light motif and plays MP3 and WMA formats. But $239.00 for 256 MB? Yeah, riiiight. More here.  The compact Victor JVC XA-AW33 bath mp3 player/speaker is designed specifically for use in the bath, either in or…

Read More
Gadgets August 29, 2007 posted by

Air Purifier Spy Cam – catch those pesky allergies before they catch you

Air Purifier Spy Cam. The built-in digital video recorder with motion sensor and remote control will make sure you’re not surprised by those pesky house mites or other nasty impurities. Of course catching the nanny kicking the cat would just be a bonus. $725.00 complete with 16 MB MMC card and USB cable.  No need to hassle with complicated camera and VCR wiring or wireless cameras that transmit your images all over the neighborhood! The new MC/Air Purifier-Camera/DVR (digital video…

Read More