Funky stuff, man!
The recent announcement by IKEA that it has started selling electric bicycles in Austria looks as though it could be the start of something very big for the world of eco-friendly transport in general. When one of the world’s largest and most popular retailers trials the sale of a product like this, you can bet there’s something going on back at headquarters.
So here’s a fascinating fact. Apparently we humans lose half of our taste receptors by the time we reach 20, and from then on it’s all downhill. Yikes. As if that wasn’t enough, our tastebuds can only recognize 5 primary tastes – sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and unami – and if you’re a non-taster, you’re probably not even going to be able to do that. So it’s fascinating to report on a new product which aims to help things along…
I love food, so anything that makes my kitchen work better is aces in my book. The Flare Pan was designed by a team of rocket scientists to cook food more efficiently – i.e. better and faster – than conventional cookware. It took three years to perfect, and has won awards for innovation and energy conservation.
Over the years we’ve seen – and featured here – any number of fancy, 3D search engines, all of which we knew instantly would disappear from sight instantly. Why? Because search is about speed, not fancy 3D icons, thumbnails and other junk. All of which slow down the process. So it’s nice to report on a new search tool which goes completely the other way.
Skateboarding is pretty awesome, specially when you know how to ride that piece of wood properly. However it can be hard work getting from A to B if you’re not fit enough to deliver all the push you need to keep going. Especially up hill. Which is where electric boards come into play. But the problem is, most electric boards are really heavy to carry around and can weigh almost as much as a bicycle.
The Oculus Rift is the VR baby of the tech world but it’s not the only game out there. In fact, for a few bucks you can actually build your own. Sure it won’t be as sleek as the Oculus Rift but the Google Cardboard VR Toolkit will definitely take you less time to build, and you won’t need gazillions in venture capital and a buyout to make your eyes happy.
We’ve been covering Android TV boxes for a while, and they’ve come a long way since the early days of under-powered, over hyped gum-stick units. Nowadays the best of them are really cool, and can turn your television into a beast of an Internet enabled multimedia device. Now the manufacturers have stepped up the game and introduced the first of the ultra high resolution models, which can deliver 4K to your compatible TV.
![M8 4K TV Box – stylish, powerful Android TV box delivers 4K ultra high resolution Internet, games and more to your television [Review]](https://www.redferret.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ottm8androidtvbox-1.jpg)
Hmm…now here’s interesting. This brand new theQ camera aims to replace your smartphone as the camera of choice by offering instant uploads to social networks using in integrated 3G wireless networking. Which basically means you should be able to do instant uploads from just about any place on earth. Which is fascinating.
Buried amongst all the headline hoop-la about Google’s self-driving cars, there’s a steady stream of interesting snippets from various car manufacturers who are clearly working towards some sort of radical future for the automobile. The era of the driverless car looks as though it’s going to be a part of our lives sometime soon, whether we like it or not.
Lots of folk like the look of steampunk gear, and add vintage touches featuring cogs and gears to their homes at the drop of a hat, but First Light takes it the next level by being an actual clockwork, wind up lamp. This lamp may not be right for every home but it sure is a discussion piece.
Every year there are far too many tragic deaths caused by accidental drowning, so it’s always good to report on products which are designed to prevent these sad events. The problem is especially acute at crowded public pools where it can be very difficult to keep track of small children from poolside.
I love rainy days. Love them. Every time I have to leave my house on a rainy day, and forego listening to the sound it makes, I feel it was a day wasted. Now my dark and gloomy soul can have a thunderstorm (sans rain) whenever I want with the Smart Cloud.
A couple of years back we told you about the Orée Board, a wooden Bluetooth keyboard. Since that post, the company has upgraded its product and introduced the Orée Board 2 as well as expanded their customization options.
We’ve all suffered from lost phone syndrome at one point or another, haven’t we? Back of the sofa cushions, yesterday’s coat pocket, a bag at the end of the rainbow. It’s just one of those frustrating things that can happen, especially when we’re on our way out of the door to catch a train/plane/bus. But now there’s an app which can help you find your phone in an instant without having to make a call, and it’s totally free.
![Whistle Phone Finder – lost your phone, just whistle. You know how to whistle right? [Freeware App]](https://www.redferret.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/whistlephonefinder.jpg)
Making machines and projects out of various different objects is a pasttime that never gets old. But your creations generally don’t come with a huge selection of electronic components to choose from, nor do they snap together as easily as LEGO kits do. Until now.
