Archive for April, 2008
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Uberstix Universal Building Set
I always love those building block toy sets such as the Erector, K’nex, and the Almighty Lego. The only problem is that these sets are incompatible with each other. However, the Uberstix, a new construction kit toy, is designed to connect to all of the aforementioned building toy brands, even the Zoobs (although I never heard of that one).
The basic Uberstix building set contains about 450 pieces that allow the player to build cool things such as a ray gun, sailboat, and other models. There is a separate kit available for the ultra cool Uberpult, which allows you to fling things. As you can see, all sorts of construction toys are used in the making of these models, even non-construction toy materials such as spoons and even bottled water bottles under the ships.
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Averatec gets rugged
Averatec has introduced a couple of semi-ruggedized notebooks in the market for those who tend to knock their notebooks around unwittingly whenever they travel. The new Voya series of notebooks consists of two models – the Voya 4473 being a 14.1″ standard notebook while the larger Voya 6494 boasts a 15.4″ widescreen display. With both of them featuring robust drop and vibration resistance, you can rest easy even if you suffer from a particularly bad case of butter fingers that very day. Heck, its spill resistant keyboard and keypad makes it all the more appealing since you no longer need to pick your heart up from the floor when the resident clumsy colleague at the office drops by your cubicle for a chat with a mug of coffee in hand.
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Nintendo Entertainment System, Now in Cartridge Form
Isn’t it amazing how much smaller our technology is, compared to what our technology was? I once heard that the first computers took up entire buildings, and yet they had no more memory than an average cellular phone. That’s decades of progress in electronic technology for you.
I am proud to report that in just two decades of electronic progress, someone has actually designed a Nintendo Entertainment System that is the size of an NES cartridge.
Popular console modder and DIYer Kotomi has created the Fami-Card, which uses a now-vintage 8-bit Super Mario Brothers cartridge for a housing for a full NES player. A Chinese NES emulator is used for running the games, and there is room enough for a full-functioning cartridge slot, video audio out, reset button, and even ports for the joysticks.
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Virtual Wall Stops Traffic
In the 1982 science fiction classic Blade Runner, there is a scene where Deckard (a much younger Harrison Ford) is chasing a Replicant across futuristic city streets. If you listen closely, you can hear the crosswalks speak in a monotone voice, demandingly repeating “Cross now” or “don’t walk”. There was something really dystopian about seeing people follow these machines like electric sheep.
I guess what disturbs me the most about that particular scene is that I could see something like demanding crosswalk signs being implemented today. Don’t get me wrong, I want our crosswalks to be safe, but talking crosswalks are a little too creepy for me. I think there are limits you should go with crosswalk safety, and the Virtual Wall might be one of them.
The Virtual Wall is a barrier made up of plasma laser beams to show drivers that pedestrians now have the right to cross. Sure, the lasers won’t stop the car, but it is a definite preventative step to make sure the driver hesitates before crossing.
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Paint Thickness Tester can help you spot a lemon
Unless you live in a very large city and rely solely on public transportation (or your own two feet) to get you everywhere, there’s a good chance you’ll be buying a car sometime in the future. Unless you’re buying a brand-spanking new car, there are certain things you need to look at to make sure you aren’t getting a lemon. One thing that helps to know is if the car has its original paint job. If the vehicle is newer and has been repainted, it’s very likely that there has been some damage (and thus repair) to the car that you haven’t been told about. Here’s a handy little device that will let you know the status of the paint job.
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Hide your speakers behind a pair of picture frames
It’s always interesting to see how different people have their offices set up. Some, like myself are proud of their technology, and aren’t afraid to show it off. Others prefer to keep the tech to a minimum in their work area. They prefer to keep family photos and other important items on their desk. These Photo Frame Speakers are perfect for such people.
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Track your mail with GPS
Have you ever wondered how your mail gets to it’s destination after you post it, or which is the most inefficient sorting office? You can now find out with the Micro GPA Mail Logger, I kid thee not.
The GPS mail logger is half an inch thick and bendable, so it can be used in parcels and even envelopes.
The GPS Mail Logger records the global position of your mail throughout the delivery process. Once you receive your mail, plug in the GPS Mail Logger’s microSD card and find out where your mail has been in seconds. With time stamps and recorded downtime you can find out where your mail has been and if it was delayed or misrouted. With GPS you get your mail’s exact satellite location, how fast it was traveling, and even its altitude throughout the delivery process.
You can buy the Micro GPS Mail Logger for $695.95 so this is one parcel you definitely don’t want to get lost in the post.
Guitar Hero Handheld Game
Say you can’t get enough of Guitar Hero and would love to bring the experience with you wherever you go – ThinkGeek has the solution with the Guitar Hero Handheld Game.
Just like the real game, you’ll press the keys as the “notes” slide down the fret bar – playing along to some of the best loved rock standards (there are riffs from 10 rock songs, including Smoke on the Water, Rock this Town, Cherry Pie, Heart Shaped Box and more). And when you need to ramble on, the neck folds down and you can either clip it to your gig bag with the integrated carabiner or slip it in a pocket.
This nifty little device allows you to rock out for $14.99 a pop.
