Home Automation
We find home automation a really interesting use of gadgets, so we’ve dedicated this section of coolest gadgets to all the interesting products that can be used in home automation systems.
The Scooba 230 and Roomba 700 series updates by iRobot
I’m sure a lot of you probably can’t live without those circular robot discs that clean up our floors while we sit back and do what we want to do: not clean.
You’ll be pleased to know that iRobot, the company that makes the Roomba, has come up with some upgrades to the 700 series that include the 760, 770, and 780. You can see an image of one of them on the left.
The company has also come out with the Scooba 230, which is the tiny disc that you see on the right. The 230 is 3.5 inches tall and 6.5 inches in diameter, and it is a terrific cleaner for places you don’t want to clean.
Continue reading » The Scooba 230 and Roomba 700 series updates by iRobot
SAECO XELSIS DIGITAL ID – the coffeemaker that cares
Okay, so I’ve been married for over 10 years and usually I’m the one in charge of making the coffee. Unfortunately, to this day, I still have to ask my husband how he likes it. I suppose if I thought about it, I would remember, but who has the energy at 7 in the morning?
Thankfully, Saeco has set out to save my marriage, its touch panel has a fingerprint scanner that memorizes the preferences, such as strength and amount of froth, for up to six people and automatically brews one cup at a time. So with one quick touch, he can make the coffee himself and I don’t even have to be there.
Continue reading » SAECO XELSIS DIGITAL ID – the coffeemaker that cares
Is this the Coolest Swimming Pool Ever?
Over the years we’ve reported on some pretty cool swimming pool gadgets, from huge infinity pools to motorised bumper boats and many more. This next one is something special, it’s an outdoor terrace that converts into an indoor pool (yes you did read that correctly). Below is a photo before (in terrace mode) whilst above shows the terrace mid transformation.
To fully appreciate it you need to check out the following video:
Continue reading » Is this the Coolest Swimming Pool Ever?
Coolest Door Lock in Town
World famous lock specialists Yale have just introduced their new Keyless door locking product, so after a drunken night you don’t need to fumble around with keys just slur the words “Open Sesame” (whilst pressing the included key fob) and the door will automagically unlock.
The Yale Keyfree locking system’s groundbreaking technologically advanced features include fake PIN recognition, remote locking from up-to 15 meters away, voice alerts and the ability to create multiple codes– to mention just a few. Keyfree has been designed to not only conform to, but to set new industry security standards, using ‘Secured by Design’ (a UK police initiative for safer homes) as a benchmark. Additional security features include triple locking points, Kitemarked cylinders and an 80 decibel alarm. A full list of features is available from the Yale Door website.
Due to our relationship with yaledoor.co.uk we are excited to offer the Keyfree locking system for FREE to the first 10 orders or a new Yale composite door from Coolest Gadgets. This offer is only available until the 14th of May 2010 and is exclusively for readers of coolest-gadgets.com.
To take advantage of this excellent offer or to find out more simply visit Yale Door, obtain your promotional code and enter it when prompted within the purchasing process.
Hydrofloor, for when you want to hide your pool
I think I have only seen devices like the Hydrofloor in movies. They are usually used by eccentric rich villains who have a scheme to make yet even more money, and their lair changes appearance at the touch of a button to display their nefarious plan.
However, this Hydrofloor is much more useful. Imagine if you own a home (a very expensive one) and you want a have a big ballroom and an indoor pool in the same room. The Hydrofloor is there for you, decreasing the floor until it is deep enough for the water. It even has some stairs. I have no information about where the water goes, or how long it takes to transition from floor to pool, and back again.
Continue reading » Hydrofloor, for when you want to hide your pool
DISPLAX: The touchscreen wallpaper of the future
I think that we all know that the future is full of Microsoft Surface technology, and I look forward to the day when every table or desk is a touchscreen.
DISPLAX, made by a Portuguese company, is prepared for an age where every tabletop, wall, or any large flat (or even curved) surface could be a touchscreen. DISPLAX is a thinner-than-paper polymer film that can be applied to glass, plastic, or wood and can detect up to 16 touches at once.
I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to think of some good uses already. In fact, my dream house will have DISPLAX as wall-paper in every room.
That way, any wall I want can be a television, and recipes can appear on the wall in my kitchen. I would imagine that I could check my email or social media sites from any room, including the bathroom.
Continue reading » DISPLAX: The touchscreen wallpaper of the future
XV-11 robo-vacuum, appropriately from Neato Robotics
I’m not certain if you’ve ever heard of Neato Robotoics before, but they have created one neato robot vacuum cleaner with the XV-11. It uses Room Positioning System (RPS) Technology that implements laser vision to map the user’s entire floor space and avoid obstacles.
When I say avoid obstacles, I’m not talking about bumping into them to discover that they are there. Special sensors pick up the object beforehand, which results in a “smarter robot that thoroughly cleans an area in less time”. The XV-11 is designed after jet engines, which means that it is one bad sucker.
The RPS Technology gives the XV-11 a 360-degree of the room, and then it learns a cleaning process with SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) in order to find the best and most efficient path to clean for the user.
Continue reading » XV-11 robo-vacuum, appropriately from Neato Robotics
Dude, can I crash on your Athena Sofa?
Normally, when you spend the night sleeping on your friend’s couch, you’re usually in for a second-rate experience. I mean, the best you can hope for is that it folds out into a bed.
In the case of the Athena sofa, I could easily make it into an office. I mean, it has an LCD in each armrest that are integrated by a multimedia PC.
As you can see, these screens pop out of the armrests itself and flatten themselves out when not in use. (I wouldn’t rest my coffee cup there, though. At least not without a coaster.)
I see that one of them has a keyboard, but if they were touchscreens, then I’d have a fun time running all my operations with Windows 7.
The Athena sofa also comes with an iPhone and iPod dock, and a set of hidden speakers that include an 8-inch subwoofer.
Continue reading » Dude, can I crash on your Athena Sofa?
