Author Archives: Dan

Full Name: Dan Ferris Website:
Info: Dan Ferris is the Red Ferret’s Oceanic correspondent and Associate Editor based in Sydney, Australia. Despite not knowing Russell Crowe or Nicole Kidman, Dan has risen above adversity and now scours the world for interesting tidbits to write about. He spends far too much time photographing stuff and tinkering with computers.
Awesome May 18, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

Idle Keyboard – Keeps the tippy tapping noises going while you surf at work

You like surfing the net at work but the lack of typing noises emanating from your cubicle is getting you suspicious looks from your nosey co-workers. No problem, just browse to Idle Keyboard, turn up the speakers and keep surfing. Just make sure you don’t visit any noisy sites. [Via] If you work in an office, you know it’s important to look busy at all times. Many things you do on a computer involve very little sound and give the…

Read More
Idle Keyboard – Keeps the tippy tapping noises going while you surf at work
Gadgets May 17, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

Strobella – Awesome funny looking flash umbrella

Everyone knows the camera’s pop-up flash is ok in a pinch, but for macro, product shots and portraits it doesn’t really cut the mustard. Enter the Strobella, a tiny, shoot-through umbrella that straps onto the top of your speedlite. It spreads out the light and gets rid of harsh edged shadows. The best bit is it’s super cheap, €6.90 plus shipping anywhere in the world. Awesome, and there are more pics on the Strobella site. [Via Strobist] Strobella (Strobe +…

Read More
Strobella – Awesome funny looking flash umbrella
Gadgets May 17, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

Resonance Speaker and iPod Dock – Shake rattle and roll

There are plenty of doohickeys about that will turn your iPad/iPhone into things resembling the current iMac, but the poor old G4 iMac doesn’t get a lot of love (not really surprising). If you feel this way too then you’ll probably love this Resonance Speaker and iPod Docking Station. It’s shaped like nobody’s favourite iMac, it’s an iThing dock AND it’s a resonance-type speaker so it will use the desk it’s sitting on to make things louder. It’s posable and…

Read More
Resonance Speaker and iPod Dock – Shake rattle and roll
Gadgets May 13, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

Mini Bluetooth Keyboard for Smartphones

Woah, the mini Bluetooth keyboards are coming out of the woodwork. This Mini Bluetooth Keyboard for Smartphones just out from Chinavasion is tiny, about the same size as an iPhone and packs 49 qwerty keys. It works with Macs, PCs, PS3s and the iPad as well as Symbian60, Android and Windows Mobile 6.0 phone. It recharges via USB but alas there no function keys. Can’t beat the price though ~US$23. Use this Mini Bluetooth Keyboard with your computer or smartphone…

Read More
Mini Bluetooth Keyboard for Smartphones
Gadgets May 12, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

Low Voltage Heated Body Pillow – Safe, warm and available

If you you can’t find someone warm to curl up with on chilly evenings, try something warm, like this Low Voltage Heated Body Pillow. It’s 120 volts but converts it to a nice and safe 16 volts, and there’s 11 different heating levels. Toasty. US$99 This is the heated body pillow that uses 87% less power than typical models, resulting in safer usage without sacrificing warmth. Patented heating technology converts the 120-volt output from a wall outlet into safe 16-volt…

Read More
Low Voltage Heated Body Pillow – Safe, warm and available
Gadgets May 10, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

Motorized Wine Opener with Foil Cutter – Take the skill out of a dying art

Many, many years ago, people used to stop wine falling out of bottles with plugs made out of plastic or tree. If you can remember this kind of thing, then you may need this Motorized Wine Opener with Foil Cutter. The rest of us just have to remember which way to unscrew the tops. Lefty loosey righty tighty. Cordless, recharges in a cradle and somewhere about its person is a foil cutter. US$39.99 When you need to open a bottle…

Read More
Motorized Wine Opener with Foil Cutter – Take the skill out of a dying art
Gadgets May 10, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

Excalibur 3G Android Phone – Hands on review of an Android smartphone for the rest of us

This Excalibur 3G Android Phone is the first higher-end, unbranded Android phone we’ve managed to get our greasy little paws on. It’s fully-featured too with a 3.2″ resistive touchscreen, GPS, camera, rotatable screen, trackball, stereo bluetooth and a pair of batteries so it should keep you out of trouble. Turns out it’s a pretty darn good phone at a good price too. If you like just jump to the end and check out the hands-on video and conclusion.

Read More
Excalibur 3G Android Phone – Hands on review of an Android smartphone for the rest of us
Gadgets May 6, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

Eton Scorpion – All in one survival gadget

The Eton Scorpion is a day-after-tomorrow survival gadget powered by a hand crank or just good ol’ Sol. There’s a 3 LED torch, an AM/FM/Digital radio, carabiner, solar cells, high grip weatherproof case and a USB phone charger. Now all you need is a disaster. Available now for US$50 Digital AM FM Radio Tuner NOAA Weather Band Built-In LED Flashlight Large Solar Panel Crank Powered USB Cell Phone Charger Audio Line Input Aluminum Carabiner Splashproof Rugged Exterior Skin Battery Charge…

Read More
Eton Scorpion – All in one survival gadget
Awesome May 6, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

Wireless Flying Key Mouse – Air Mouse for your home theatre PC

Well how do you like that? We spotted this Wireless Flying Key Mouse doohickey a couple of weeks back in Shenzhen and now Brando’s got them up for sale. Basically it’s a cordless QWERTY keyboard, but when you hold down the mouse button and wave it around, it’s an air mouse. Runs on 2.4GHz wireless and needs 3 AAA batteries. US$59. The USB 2.4GHz Wireless Flying Key Mouse is a mini handheld keyboard which consists of 75 keys and a…

Read More
Wireless Flying Key Mouse – Air Mouse for your home theatre PC
Gadgets May 5, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

Titanium – Quadband Projector Phone

This Titanium quadband projector phone seems to have just about everything. There’s a 2.2″ touchscreen, GSM phone usable in most countries, 640×480 LED projector, FM radio, stereo bluetooth, camera and it can receive good ol’ analogue TV. Oh and it’s dual SIM too. I wouldn’t be expecting stellar battery life out of it though. It can also play 3gp and mp4 videos and the projector will throw an image 80cm across, over 2 metres away. All this multimedia heaven can…

Read More
Titanium – Quadband Projector Phone
Gadgets May 4, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

Slim Bluetooth Keyboard – The most comfortable way to fit 52 keys in your pocket

I don’t know if anyone is lamenting the iPad’s lack of a physical keyboard (and they probably wouldn’t say anything if they were) but Brando can help if you are. This Slim Bluetooth Keyboard is about the size of an iPhone and vaguely Apple-styled. It works with everything Bluetooth, including Symbian S60, Mac OS, Windows Mobile, Windows 2k/xp/Vista/7 and has a USB rechargeable internal battery. US$37 This slim keyboard is a Bluetooth enabled keyboard. It portable and slim design can…

Read More
Slim Bluetooth Keyboard – The most comfortable way to fit 52 keys in your pocket
Bookmark This! May 3, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

Coblis – The Colour Blindness Simulator

If you’re a web designer or product designer you probably don’t think too much about designing for people with colour blindness. There are quite a few variations so where would you start? Well, maybe Coblis can help. It’s a colour-blindness simulator that lets you visualise how people with different forms of colour blindness see the world. The page lets you upload different images to test or you can use the default one. Definitely will come in handy if you’re trying…

Read More
Coblis – The Colour Blindness Simulator
Gadgets May 1, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

Bosch 11221DVS Rotary Hammer – Cough free drilling

I’ve drilled a lot of holes in concrete and brick, and it’s a pretty darn messy business, especially inside. In fact I’ve even killed a Dyson vacuum cleaner by feeding it one too many powdered bricks (no loss of suction, my foot). Anyway, Bosch know all this and they’ve been making dust-retaining powertools for DIYers for a while now. This Bosch 11221DVR Rotary Hammer with its scuba-like onboard dust collection and capture system, would seem to show they’re now stepping…

Read More
Bosch 11221DVS Rotary Hammer – Cough free drilling
Gadgets April 30, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

Thanko Notebook Tripod Stand – Turns a camera tripod into a desk

I like this Thanko Notebook Tripod Stand, it gets your stupid leg-burning laptop off your lap and onto an ergonomic and adjustable surface. Sure it’s just an aluminium plate with a 1/4″ tripod thread and air vents, but it’s probably got a million uses; books, computers, sheet music, notebook holder. Might even come in handy if you shoot with a PC tethered to your camera. Even comes with a couple of Velcro straps to make sure your PC stays where…

Read More
Thanko Notebook Tripod Stand – Turns a camera tripod into a desk
Gadgets April 29, 2010 posted by Dan
Share

USB Golf Ball Flash Drive – FORE gigabytes

Ooo, we have a theme today at the Ferret. I’ll let you guess what it is. This USB Golf Ball Flash Drive is quite possibly the silliest thing ever invented. I can’t think of many laptops that could accommodate it, and it’ll just keep rolling off your desk when you’re not looking. Comes in 2/4/8GB sizes and even has its own built-in tee. US$19-US$33. USB Golf Ball Flash Drive is built-in flash memory lets you store your data on the…

Read More
USB Golf Ball Flash Drive – FORE gigabytes