Gear Lover - by Craig Hill

Gadgets Toys Video - Gear Lover

USB Exercising Mouse

April 29th 2008 00:07

USB Typing enhancer

The USB Mouse with a difference

Most USB toys tend to entertain more than they exude a practical application, the USB exercising mouse from crazyaboutgadgets.com is an exception. Sure the little rodent peddles away on his bike to provide giggles but what powers him up is your typing speed. The more words you type in per minute, the faster the little varmint goes.

An LCD screen in the front keeps tabs on your output and even delivers a daily total for you to try and best. Less formal and rigid than any number of typing tutor software packages, this is a clever way of getting the children to accelerate their keyboard knowledge.

Actually forget the kid’s, I’m sure most of us adults would find a simple pleasure in coaxing the speedy Gonzalez cyclist to reach terminal velocity.

Technical Specifications; (From crazyaboutgadgets.com)

• Requires 2 x AA Batteries (Included)
• Compatible with Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP

Video of the USB Exercising Mouse

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Fitness, Gadgets, Toys, Video

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Rubot meet Rubik’s

February 12th 2008 22:42

The Robotic Puzzle solver

Up close and personal with Rubot II

Strictly speaking this may not be a practical gadget…yet.

Even before Fritz Lang’s 1930’s science fiction film Metropolis, man has dreamed of building mechanical robots that specialise in manual labour and dangerous duties. From the Jetson’s Rosie to Roy Batty in Blade Runner mechanical slaves are being imagined and developed as new millennium pioneers discover what is possible.

The Military may one day be made up entirely of non sentient beings. Household chores could become a thing of the past. Mechanised constructors are already squeezing out human kind in tasks of basic construction and manufacturing.

On the surface the idea of Rubot II The Rubik’s Cube solving robot seems less practical or threatening. Reeking of geekdom, when you get a load of the robot’s terminating good looks (or is that sinister?) you realise this sort of thing could only come out of the mind of children of the 80’s.

Then you remember that one of the first robots ever built was designed for the sole purpose of playing chess. In that light this modern wonder uses colour recognition problem solving abilities and an impressively fluid manual dexterity.

Rubot II works it out.

According to the author of the enclosed youtube.com footage, the Inventor of this impressive contraption is Pete Redmond of Dublin, Ireland.

It seems the Rubot II scans the puzzle with cameras before calculating the solution and then making its sure handed moves to all sides matching. The practical applications and programming that could replace the Rubik’s command boggle the mind?

Part Cylon, part T-100, see the Rubot II in action with the creators daughter.

For further adventures check out the man versus machine Rubik's battle

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Gadgets, Toys, Video

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Cinema Glasses.

February 5th 2008 00:06

Glasses through Celluloid Lens

The Zeiss Cinemizer Movie Glasses

Innovations in the way we experience and receive our digital media entertainment is moving faster than Big Blue on an international server. Now comes Cinemizer video eyewear from the Carl Zeiss school of logical optical electronics progression.

The plan is that you “will be able to watch any movie stored on your ipod, anytime and anywhere.” (Or is that any wear?)

Boasting an assortment of colours in one basic style, the sports cut makes them look more durable than they may really be. As a movie lover this idea sounds like it has potential and at a cost of around $AUS600 it may be worth the gamble investing in a pair once they have had some consumer road testing.

Here are some FAQ’s from the official zeiss.com website, including the release date.

Can all video-capable iPods be connected to the
cinemizer?
Yes. The cinemizer is compatible with iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod with Video, and iPod nano (3rd Generation).

Is the cinemizer also compatible with the iPhone?
With the current connector, we do not recommend using the cinemizer with the iPhone as there is no official certification as yet. Compatibility to the iPod and iPhone is established through an authentication chip in the connector of the cinemizer. Currently, the cinemizer is certified for video-capable iPods and comes with a corresponding connector. There will be a corresponding connector and clip for the cinemizer as soon as certification for the iPhone is received.

Is the cinemizer also compatible with other multimedia players, DVD players and game consoles?
Yes. You only need a 4-pin, 3.5 mm A/V phone jack (see technical note). Connect the cable to the jack on the battery box. An iPod should not be connected. You can also remove the iPod connector to get a flat battery box.

Can the cinemizer also play movies from a computer?
If you would like to use a video source other than the iPod, you need a standard 3.5 mm, p-pin AV plug (see technical note) and possibly a corresponding adapter cable, e.g. for the TV port of the graphic card on your computer. It is not possible to use a USB cable. An iPod should not be connected. You can also remove the iPod connector to get a flat battery box.

What is the resolution on the cinemizer?
Both displays on the cinemizer have resolution of 640 x 480 pixels.

Can eyeglass wearers use the cinemizer?
Yes. You can select a diopter setting between 3.5 and -3.5 on your cinemizer.

Can I see anything through the video eyewear while I am using the cinemizer?
No. It is not possible to see through the glasses because the housing accommodates the optics and technology. You will only be able to look out below the lower edge of the glasses e.g. to operate the iPod.

Can I already buy the cinemizer?
The cinemizer will be available in Germany at selected GRAVIS outlets beginning in February/March 2008.

Please visit zeiss.com for more information.

Here is a promo spot for the Zeiss Cinemizer

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Posted By: Dexter - Category: Fitness, Gadgets, Toys, Video

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The Zap Alias Electric Car may not park in 2009?

February 2nd 2008 02:23

Zap Alias Electric Car an unrealistic schedule?

The Zap Alias E.T.A 2009

Electric cars are nothing new, in fact in the early days of auto pioneering the electric car dominated. The battle for superiority on the roads was eventually won by the petrol driven internal combustion engine, largely due to behind closed doors wheeling and dealing.

In 1996 the Electric was set for a return to the market with the GM’s EV1 turning up on the roads in California. Sadly a combination of auto makers self sabotaging, a lack of consumer awareness and inevitable corporate kick backs rendered its early extinction.

Now with the community crying out for more environmentally responsible alternatives to combat global warming/cooling (nature again proves its universal balance), peak oil and dependence on foreign suppliers car manufacturers are taking development more seriously.

Meet the $100,000 competition. The Tesla Roadster

Leading this technological race is the $100,000, high performance Tesla Roadster. A bit pricey for the average Joe, news of the Zap Alias sportster seems to be the everyman’s light at the end of the rainbow.

Scheduled for a 2009 debut, speculation is now rife that the 321.85 horse power three wheeled sports mobile may be delayed. Sceptics are saying that it’s overzealous to think the release date will be met considering that Zap has only just began development with financial constraints in mind.