Gadgets Blog » This and That

To keep up with the times, I always heard the rule of thumb is an upgrade ever 1.5-2 years. Unless you’re King Kong, that’s not really enough time for you to truly exhaust your gadgets, so what do you do with that old iPod nano that sits in your drawer now that you have an iPhone? Or the Verizon cell phone, that was unceremoniously throne into the work table in the garage, again, once the iPhone was in your hands. These technologies still work and could function, but are no longer used because they have been outbid in our lives by bigger, better technologies. But maybe you want to clear out the garage and get rid of your personal cell phone museum or iPod mausoleum. Plenty of local hardware places will buy your phones off you for parts, or maybe you can donate them to a local charity. The latest in these recycle-oriented technology swaps in the Electronic Trade-in feature at Walmart.com.

Here’s how it works:

1. Find your item listed in the Walmart.com Electronic Trade-In database and see how much it traditionally is bought back for, depending on usage, functionality and wear and tear.

When you click on your type of electronic, a website questionnaire like this will pop up:

Then, once you answer the questions, you will get a bid on your item:

2. Ship your item to Walmart.com. Unfortunately you will have to pay shipping, so make sure you will be paid more than the shipping costs!

3. Get a Walmart prepaid VISA card for the amount of your electronic, to be used anywhere VISA is accepted. You just earned some cash off your old electronics! Good for you!

What an absolutely clever way to freshen up your workplace! All you have to do is plug the Aroma USB drive into your desktop’s USP port ,  close your eyes and imagine you are having a long luxurious bath at home with scented candles. On second thoughts, maybe not…your boss might not like that too much, but he might come around if you manage to get rid of all that stench that tends to creep up around the desk from old coffee, takeout boxes, sweaty co-workers….You have lavender, lemongrass and orange scents to choose from. Styles and colors can be customized. You can even print your company’s logo on it. Wouldn’t that be so much neater as a campaign give away instead of the usual mug or pen?

AromaUSB does not provide memory however. If you want to kick it up a notch and grab one with memory, visit scent-drive.com for a very designer looking array of fashion colors, cool designs and scented USB drives that come with your choice of memory too.

It sounds really friggin cool, but I wonder if privatizing spaceflight isn’t one of the riskiest travel options to be considered?  Awesomeness aside, commercial airplanes have enough problems, though touted to be safer than driving in a car, and yet my tummy gets butterflies of excitement at the very thought of seeing the Earth in a way that only a handful of people ever will.  Here’s my quick list of pros and cons on the subject:

Pro:
AWESOME! I may have already said that.  Looking out the window and realizing you’re nowhere near solid ground would be unforgettable, mind-blowing and life-changing.  Seeing something that we normally regard as huge reduced to a beach ball sized orb would really put things in perspective.

Con:
Listening to endless renditions from other passengers of “It’s A Small World” or “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” once you hit orbit.

Pro:
Experiencing something only a limited number of people ever have or ever will, and in a sense, being a part of history.  I wonder what the new name for the “Mile-High Club” will be?

Con:
Airsickness in zero or low gravity.  Having it happen to someone next to you on a regular flight is bad enough.  Having to ask someone to “keep that to yourself” is a whole other level of gross.  Does Dramamine work in suborbit?

Pro:
Because only a few people have accomplished this feat, there’s got to be some sort of merit badge or ceremonial certificate deal you can display with pride on the wall after your successful return.  And like skydiving, I’m sure there will be packages to purchase photos and video of the journey.

Con:
Which also bring me to the biggest con — price.  At $35 million, I for one would have to save every dollar I’ve ever made, ever will make plus rob a few banks to make that deposit.  However, Virgin Galactic (yep, Galactic) has a plan to take tourists on suborbital flights as early as 2011 for the bargain price of $200,000.

Source: CNN, valleywag.gawker.com

Are they dedicating this to Michael’s memory, or is it a marketing ploy?   Either way, this creepy looking thing, as the name suggests, is a skull shaped regular phone with LED eyes that pop (pun intended) when it rings.  As for the “Thriller” part, well, that’s the not so subtle Michael insinuation.

Package Includes:

• 1 piece Thriller Skull Phone
• 1 piece Socket phone cable
• **FREE Bundle with(with EU/US socket adapter)
• Tone/Pulse Switchable Size: 16 x 12.5 x 11.5 cm

If you want to stash it away for Halloween or think it is a great idea for your teenage son who is into Goth , you can buy it at gadget.brando.com for $25.

Anyone who’s stayed up past prime time knows that late night TV is full of infomercials presenting sometimes awesome, sometimes kooky gadgets for just about anything.  I find myself endlessly watching the looped broadcasts and fighting the temptation to pull out the old credit card and order right away.

What I can truly appreciate about these gadgets, though, is the engineering and inspiration that goes into them.  That’s how all gadgets get started really.  Someone has an idea, someone else thinks it’s good enough to produce and promote, and voila!  The Snuggie is born.

I joke, but apparently that particular item is a great seller in certain regions.   I see it and I think, “Hey, why not use a blanket?” but others see it and think, “That’s brilliant! Must have immediately!”   Just goes to show… Actually, I’m not really sure what that goes to show except that we love gadgets equally for their practicality or kitsch.

The Clapper:
Classic! I’ve never actually used one or seen one in use but this is probably the first helpful home gadget commercial I can remember.

Clapper Plus Remote Control: $8.95

Portabook:
The uber-adjustable laptop accessory, it’s a stand and an organizer too. My lap does get hot after a few hours of use so that increased airflow would be helpful.

PortaBook Multifunctional Laptop Stand:  $20.25

MP3 Waterproof Sound Case:
For iPods and other MP3 players, it keeps the device dry and plays sound through waterproof speakers.  The floating case would make a great summer accessory for partying in the pool or relaxing in the Jacuzzi.

Waterproof MP3/iPod Sound Case: $29.99

Chamease / Zorbeez / Shamwow:
I haven’t tried these, but from watching the commercials, this could be an excellent way to go green by minimizing paper towel use.  Yeah, you could use regular kitchen towels, but I’ve never seen one pick up a spill like these suckers – haha, get it?

ShamWow: $19.95

Power Trainer Pro:
The compact design looks easy to store and allows for chin-ups in the doorway — you know, for the home workouts I always intend to do.

Power Trainer Pro Pull-Up Bar: $59.88

Quick Chop / Slap Chop:
A popular design, choppers like these are really useful in the kitchen. Having used similar gadgets, I can definitely say they make the nasty business of chopping things like onions a lot easier. I don’t have to run to the freezer and let my eyes chill for a few seconds to get rid of the sting.

Slap Chop: $19.98

Riddex Plus / Pest Free Ultrasonic:
These appeal to me on a whole different level.  They produce digital pulses or ultrasonic sirens that we can’t hear but bugs and rodents can’t stand.  Even if I don’t currently have pests, it might make sense to install them to keep it that way, right?  And also, does it work on certain pestery people?  Kidding.  Kind of.

Riddex Power Plus Electronic Pest & Rodent Repeller: $19.98

‘Ove’ Glove:
This was a great gadget idea because sometimes bulkier potholders don’t let a person get a good grip on a dish and I worry that it might slip, not only making a mess but risking another burn mark from trying to catch it too.  Plus, men won’t feel as awkward using it as they might about a frilly, gingham patterned oven mitt.

Ove Glove: $9.99

Space Bags:
Anything that helps me keep organized is attractive. Not that I have so many clothes I need to compress them, but I like maximizing valuable storage space and minimizing clutter.

Space Bags: $6.95-$9.95

Fish Pen:
Not like the writing kind, like the fishing kind.  Looks like a regular pen but the telescopic rod extends, reel attaches, and there you go.   Having hiked with fly-fishing gear in tow, I can appreciate the convenience this compact rod-and-reel style gadget offers.

Coleman Fish Pen: $8.99

Margarator:
Haha, ’nuff said.

Margarator Margarita Slushee Maker: $54.95

No, it’s not a poem.  But it could very well be, if you read the author’s inspiration behind this new Japanese camera.  It promises to recapture the wholesome pleasures of yesteryears when photography tended to be more reflective and simplistic.  The designer seems to have been motivated to want to allow the user to savor the art of photography along with the memories created with it and not just through it.  He has put as much thought into the outside of this funky retro looking piece that is a throwback to the 1920s as he has to its functionality.  Blackbird is a twin-lens reflex camera where one lens is used to expose the film and the other is used like a viewfinder.  Unlike most twin-lens reflex camera, which take larger 120 format film, the Blackbird, fly uses 35mm film which you can process, scan and print at any one-hour photo store.  By varying the masks provided, we can take 3 types of pictures -24×24, 24×36 and 36×36mm.  Visit their website for more detail.  Retails at $129.99 .  Seems like a great idea for someone who collects unique pieces, loves photography or the first “grownup” camera for a child…

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop through a variety of affordable cameras.

I’d bet many of us spend the daily 8 hours in front of a computer at work and then go home and spend another six gaming or surfing.  Spending so much time on one position, it’s easy to find ourselves slouching or rolling our shoulders resulting in sore muscles.  We know we shouldn’t, but we do it anyway.  Here’s a refresher on some simple exercises we can do to increase circulation and minimize the physical stresses of the daily grind:

• First of all, sit up properly with back straight and shoulders back.  The top of your monitor should be at eye-level.  Hopefully your chair has lumbar support or you can use an orthopedic pillow to fill in.  Adjust your chair so your feet are flat on the floor with your knees level with your hips.
• Squeeze a stress ball or hand gripper from time to time, maybe while reading and not using your hands on the keyboard.   This helps your hands and wrists from getting stiff and can help prevent carpal tunnel.
• Stretch out your arms to the sides, pointing your thumbs up and back, pulling your shoulders back and correcting that hunched over position we easily slump into.
• You want to get up and walk every 30 minutes to an hour. Just a short walk around the office, to the water fountain, to get more coffee will do.
• Let your eyes focus on something other than the screen. Look out the window or across the room.  You can do this while you’re taking that walk as well.
• While seated, roll your wrists and ankles every now and then.
• Lean your head forward and slowly move it left to right, right to left, stretching those stiff neck muscles.
• Contract your abs and glutes, holding them for a few seconds and then release. A good point about this move is no one can really tell what you’re doing so you can repeat it every few minutes throughout the day.
• Hold the frame of a doorway and lean forward. This stretches your arms and shoulders.
  To give the neck a stretch, turn your head and torso each way like you’re looking behind you.
• Also, a large ball style desk chair is effective for keeping that back straight and those abs firm.

If you’re feeling extra ambitious and don’t mind comedic co-worker commentary, the standard push-up and sit-up is helpful for whole body circulation.

Find ergonomic chairs and stability balls at Smarter.

Image Source: SafetyConcepts.com.au

With most of the iPhone apps being free or about $1 (with some being a surprising $5.99… I’m looking at you, Myst!), it’s hard not to load up on as many bits of entertainment as your pocket will allow.  Just like the commercial says, there’s an app for just about everything I can think of…except on-the-spot background checking and print scanning, but I’m sure they’re working on it as we speak.  Here are a few of our favorites:

1. Air Hockey:  Classic gaming entertainment and competition at the tip of your finger.  Some of these matches can get just as heated as the real thing.  Be careful though, if you get too excited the app is easily pause “by accident” and has trouble keeping up with your fingertip, or at least those were the excuses I kept hearing from my opponent.

2. Stay In Tune Chromatic Tuner:  More accurate than my ear, which isn’t saying much, but very useful in a bind.  There are some free tuners available but for the price, this one’s a decent tuner.  Says it works on a variety of other instruments but I haven’t yet had the need to tune a banjo or violin.  I suppose I could someday.

3. Arctic Shuffle:  Reminds me of Lemmings… aw, remember when?  Lots of levels and, hello, exploding penguins.  It’s a strategy arcade style game where the player aims their penguin at the target while avoiding and navigating obstacles.  Some of these angles can get pretty daunting but it’s a good time.  Also available in a “Lite” version.

4. Facebook:  Because we have to keep up with each of life’s moment’s play-by-play even when we’re on the go.   This shortcut brings your account right up and instantly connects you to your virtual social network.  Chat, upload and view photos, and above all, update your status. Ahhh…

5. Tweetie:  Again, keeping yourself in the loop is vital.  Manage your Twitter profile; post new, repost, and reply to tweets; view your timeline, replies, and direct messages; follow/un-follow, block/unblock users, and of course upload pictures and update your Twitter location.

6. iPolitics:  For people who want to follow U.S. politics, especially in this history making year of promise and change, this app pulls headlines from reputable TV stations, newspapers, blogs, magazines, etc.  It lends balance to the dozens of other dirty joke and pick-up line apps you’ve downloaded.  Now you can show there’s some substance to your character as well.

7. Big Quotes:  Over 1,200 quotes from over 600 authors like Hemingway, Einstein, Aristotle, Newton, Confucius, Kennedy and Edison, easily accessible by author, category or keyword.  Once you’ve found the perfect phrase to borrow, save your faves with the favorites feature for quick reference later.

8. iWalk:  For all of us who like instantaneous visual self-approval, this app keeps count of your steps, how long you walked, how far you walked and calculates calorie burn.  It’s strangely comforting to know that the number of steps from the couch to the fridge is 12 and if I do that a few more times I’d work off the caloric equivalent of one potato chip.

9. Evernote:  Yeah, those mental “note to self: buy blah-blah” or “remember to blah-blah” never work for me.  What can I say?  I forget.  This lets you photograph, write or speak your note and records it for safe keeping and later review.  Helps you remember things from the mundane grocery list to that awesome idea for an award-winning screenplay.  You can even take note of your parking spot, level and row for easy reference.   I still remember the fruitless 30-minute search for my friend’s car on the third level, only to find he was on the fourth. *wah-wah*  Saves yourself some time and trouble.

10. Pandora Radio:  Just like the computer version, enter your favorite band’s name and Pandora streams them and auto-suggests others like them.   Uses the web account you’ve already created and plays your stations.  This one’s vital for any music lover.

We could easily go on…

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for iPhone accessories.

Image Source:  newtech.aurum3.com

Neuroscientists at SUNY Downstate Medical Center have apparently found a drug to erase memories from the brain. 

Just like something straight out of the movie, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the researchers have been selectively erasing the minds of mice with a drug called ZIP.

I don’t know why it’s taking scientists this long to figure out how to erase someone’s memory.

The folks down at Anheuser-Busch have been doing it since 1852. And if you don’t believe me, hit up a frat-row at a college campus. Oddly they support some of the smartest and dumbest kids in America.

And I’m hoping our minds are a bit stronger than that of a mouse, or we have some serious Darwin issues to deal with.

Why do I smell cheese?

Source.

Photo Source.

Summer is here, so that means it’s time to get that pool ready!

And pool parties are no fun without any music. And we all know with all the splashing and drunk antics, it’s hard to hear the music over all the noise. Especially if the speakers are positioned so far from the pool.

Well, that problem is solved with these babies. Especially since they’ll be in the pool with you!

The Aqua Sounder floating speakers are wireless and can transmit your tunes from up to 150 feet away and it has two LED mood lights.

Don’t know what the lights will really do besides help you tell it apart from a volleyball so you don’t end up clocking your buddy with a block of plastic.

But hey, at least they’re submersible!

Source.