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Mindflex Duel up for sale
ThinkGeek has finally brought the Mindflex Duel to the market – never mind that in January this year, we reported that Mindflex Duel is already available for pre-order over at Amazon. Well, I suppose ThinkGeek made a rare mistake by calling it “Mindflex Dual”, but that’s just semantics talking here. What we’re more interested in is some sort of wizard-like powers you and your opponent will wield, where EEG technology is used to figure out your concentration level where the strongest mind will prevail.
Basically, each of you will strap your respective headbands, and your concentration will be focused on the ball – it rises as you concentrate, sinking it when you relax. All you need to do is force the ball into your opponent’s end zone and you’ve scored a point. The entire $109.99 setup will come with a couple of headsets, a quartet of balls as well as different parts to set up mind games.
This seems to be a rather heavy eater of batteries though, so rechargeables are recommended if you’re going to play it in the long run. A quartet of C batteries will be required for the console, while a trio of AAA batteries will power each headset.
Dexim’s AppSpeed is a miniature iPhone-controlled monster truck
I have covered products from Dexim before, they usually make products that give more power to iDevices.
One of their newest products is the AppSpeed, a Gyro Controlled RC Monster Truck. The AppSpeed allows an iDevice user to control a two-inch tall monster truck by tilting their compatible iDevice, provided it has iOS 4.0 or later.
The App Speed comes with a custom-built RF Transmitter that fits in the bottom of the iDevice. The moment that contact is made with the 30-pin connector, the iDevice user is prompted to download the application necessary to control the AppSpeed Monster Truck.
As for the little monster truck’s power, it comes with a USB cord that you can connect to your computer or a wall (if you have a USB wall adapter). It also has a quick battery charger that requires 3 AAA batteries (not included) for when you need some power on the go.
Continue reading » Dexim’s AppSpeed is a miniature iPhone-controlled monster truck
Stretch Screamers make Halloween more fun
So you’ve seen stress balls before (and perhaps used them), but how many of them will actually scream? Enter the £22.99 Stretch Screamers, where you will be able to choose from Mummy, Frankenstein or Ghoul characters. These are rubbery figures that will howl and moan whenever you give them a good stretch. Torturing the undead does not seem to be the wisest thing to do, no? After all, they can’t die, and who are we to say that they will not exact their revenge on you ala Chucky when you fall asleep?
Just like all other horror movies you’ve watched, these rubbery characters are full well able to take quite the beating, as they tend to come back for a whole lot more punishment after you’ve given your best shot. Even more realistic is this – each character will feature their very own pop out item, be it a brain or an eyeball. Of course, they will fall silent once the two AAA batteries inside run out of juice. These don’t run on human brains for sure!
Origo, the toy 3D printer that makes more toys
In the future, every household will have a 3D printer like they have a 2D printer. You will note that I didn’t put a year on this, because I’m not stupid. Every time I read a sentence that starts with “by the year” it hardly ever comes true.
However, this Origo 3D printer could bring 3D printers into households sooner than later. The Origo is currently a concept from designers Artur Tchoukanov and Joris Peels, and it can turn any drawing into a 3D object.
I have no idea how it can translate a 2D drawing into a 3D figure, but here is the real cool feature of the Origo. After a child has created his or her toy, he or she can recycle the material and make another toy.
Continue reading » Origo, the toy 3D printer that makes more toys
NERF Vortex Disc Blaster
Summer is out and school’s in, but that does not mean you still cannot have some fun with your family in your backyard at the end of the day and during the weekend, right? With the new $19.99 NERF Vortex Disc Blaster, this unique disc blaster will be able to carry a payload of 5 discs, blasting discs towards your opponent instead of darts. Somehow, there is just this psychological feeling that a disc is going to cut you right through just like Wolverine’s adamantium claws, but since these are made out of the same material as NERF darts, they won’t even scratch your skin.
Capable of firing long-range, high-powered discs at over 40 feet, reloading it is a cinch as the side loading blaster will drop down at the flick of a switch. The single tactical rail will function with all NERF tactical rail accessories, but of course, those accessories will need to be purchased separately. Granted, 5 dics aren’t going to get you too far in a game and it will be over all too quickly, but at least its a start in a father-son bonding session, no?
Mini Mez-Itz Batmobile with Batman
Ever read a Batman comic and wondered just what you would have done differently if you were the caped crusader? Sure, you have the benefit of hindsight since you know how the story pans out, but pretend for a while that you are in Bruce Wayne’s shoes – would you do what he has done? If you feel that you would have taken a different route, then might I interest you in the $19.99 Mini Mez-Itz Batmobile with Batman that allows you to relive those crucial moments in the comics, but with your own style?
The Mini Mez-Itz Batmobile with Batman set is miniature goodness at its very best – Batman here measures a mere 2″ in height, but you can definitely let your imagination run wild. Boasting a real cloth cape, the mini Batmobile comes with a removable hard top, letting Batman (and his sidekick of choice) jump out and save the day.
Even the dash is highly detailed, sporting a wide range of buttons and switches, and obviously for privacy’s sake, the windows will be tinted (partly because they are made out of solid plastic). This is the perfect desk set for Batman fans to have their imagination run wild. Just be more liberal with your thoughts, since the Batmobile has wheels that will not roll.
Operation game gets a Star Wars Makeover
I suppose that the game of Operation needs no introduction. That game where players attempt to pluck out plastic things and avoid a buzzer has now been given a Star Wars look.
It is appropriate that Hasbro has put this out, as they have the rights to Operation and Star Wars toys. For some odd reason, R2-D2 is on the slab, and it would appear that C3PO is the surgeon. In all honesty, I think both of the droids sustained equal amounts of injury in the Star Wars series. I suppose this is why the players can pull things out of C3PO as well.
Continue reading » Operation game gets a Star Wars Makeover
RePro3D system lets users play with and touch digital 3D characters
This is the RePro3D system, and it is under development by Keio University in Japan.
My Source calls it a miniature holodeck, but I don’t believe that this is an accurate description. You can see in the video after the jump what it actually is, and it combines several technologies.
The user looks into this box, and projectors create a naked-eye 3D fairy character. An infrared camera tracks the users hands, and that device that you see in the photo is for haptic feedback. It reminds me of those devices we discussed yesterday that could be used for virtual video game stabbings and shootings.
Continue reading » RePro3D system lets users play with and touch digital 3D characters
