TechPin

“She stole my voice!”, said the penguin

2009-07-03T20:54:34Z

“I need a friend!”, this is what my inner voice keeps telling me for a day or two. I would be thankful if someone came to me and begged for my friendship. I don’t want for people to beg, don’t get me wrong, but I’d like to see a dose of interest showed towards my person. I need a friend and I’d be happy to spread my love and care all over the place, to overwhelm a special someone with everything that I hide somewhere deep inside.

But what I need should be flesh and blood, should be alive just like I am. Imaginary friends, I’ve had so many of them. I’ve shared my secrets with enough souless creatures, so I’m more than entitled to say no to this penguin, even if I love penguins, as I’m one myself. Don’t laugh, there’s someone who thinks I’m a penguin and if he says so, then I will surely believe it myself.

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MyDeskFriend is supposed to be such a friend for those who need a shoulder to cry on. It is presented as the “social-media companion” for people who live their lives on Facebook. Created by Arimaz, the cute penguin is expected to start selling sometime in September. And, for only $99, you’ll be having someone to talk to.

Actually, no. For this amount of money, you’ll have to exercise and feed the creature, if you don’t want him to get moody. And if you feel like you can’t handle the situation, you can always invite some Facebook friends to play with it using the gameplay interface. What you should know right from the start is that you won’t be able to lure the penguin, because te MyDeskFriend comes with five infrared sensors that help it avoid the edges of the desk. So, before making the worst move ever, it will stop.

In addition, the penguin will let you know when your Facebook friend log on, will read your messages, while the eyes are able to display five different moods. Besides the Facebook functions, it can read other information such as e-mail, RSS feeds, weather, Twitter, instant messages and so on. Last, but not least, it can memorize 15 different vocal commands.

(Source: Coolest-Gadgets)

Portable solar panels on your vest

2009-07-03T20:49:07Z

If you’re the fashion-conscious people type of person, then you probably wouldn’t like to wear the vest I’m about to praise up to the skies in the following lines. As a matter of fact, if I were to be honest I wouldn’t wear this either. It looks rather peculiar, doesn’t it?

But if you don’t care very much about fashion and you have never wanted to be a trend setter or to follow the trends imposed by others, then this solar vest is perfect for you. And if you aren’t sure about it being a solar vest, just like I said, you should take something else for granted: the big letters all written across the shoulders that let you know that you’re not dealing with a regular vest.

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The letters are placed above the four solar panels which are all weatherproof and provide enough juice for your devices: the cell phone, the media player, the notebook computer, the digital camera or any other portable device that you might own.

“It comes with big storage pockets for holding tools or camera equipment and includes a battery pack + cables and connectors for all of today’s popular portable electronics. The vest’s canvas is soft but durable and the stitching is second to none. The vest’s 4 solar panels are laminated to be truly weatherproof, so you don’t have to change this vest just because the weather is bad. You can also detach the solar panels and place them in sunlight while you are working inside a cave or shaded terrain.”

The four panels have an 8,800 mAh capacity and there are multiple connectors and 5V, 6V, 9V, 12-20V output. You can buy the vest equipped with the four portable solar panels from Chinavision for $140.

(Source: Coolest-Gadgets)

Leyio is your data mate

2009-07-02T23:32:40Z

Some people say they have a memory like an elephant, while others, on the other hand, confess they have a lousy memory that has never helped them when they most needed. There are a couple of years since I started to be less preoccupied by the amount of information my brain stored deep inside and I have to admit that I’m more relaxed right now, as I don’t feel overwhelmed by all sorts of things that I have to remember.

So what I’m trying to do is to keep in mind only the important stuff and leave anything else behind. Another solution would be to find a second brain to use when I need extra space for the data that I run into on a regular basis, such as documents, music, photos and so on. And this is where Leyio has something to say.

“Flexing 16GB of onboard flash, it’s roomy enough to accommodate thousands of pictures or songs or PowerPoint Presentations or… However, where Leyio departs from your traditional memory devices is in its ability to share. Using Ultra-Wideband radio technology, two Leyios can transfer files between each other at a startling rate of up to 10MB per second. Simply pair them, select the file you wish to share and then transmit the data from one to the other, with a flick of the wrist.”

If, for example, the person whom you want to send some files to don’t have a Leyio of their own, you should know there’s a USB port placed on the side. Not to mention the fact that the Leyio has an integrated 2GB USB “Shuttle” that is built in the casing. Other features include a 1.5 inches OLED screen with 65k colors and a resolution of 128 x 128 pixels, , a biometric thumbprint detector, a 90mAh Lithium Polymer Li-Po 3.7V battery with an autonomy of 30 days.

Available in three different colors, ice grey, mirror and pink, the Leyio is currently being sold at Firebox for £129.95.

(Source: Coolest-Gadgets)

BodyTrace eScale cries shame upon you

2009-07-02T23:24:25Z

The junk food is the end of healthy people and the beginning of desperate human beings that won’t rest in the future until they find a solution for their weight problems. I see more and more overweight children who don’t have the energy to move, to run in the parks or to just have an evening walk that would make them feel a whole lot better.

I’m worried about this aspect because it’s something that will affect my kids (when I decide to have one or two of my own). And because people are always more interested in all sorts of unusual solutions, like diets that are very close to starvation, here you have something to help you keep your weight under control.

The so-called BodyTrace eScale is a device that cries shame upon you by sending the information about your weight to your computer and then to the BodyTrace website. This wireless bathroom scale doesn’t need a software configuration in order to be used.

The motivational interface of the website is a very noble one: it is aimed at encouraging people to exercise, to share the information about the progress, the recipes or the ideas for new exercises with others that face the same problems. In addition, people have the chance to create groups that have a common goal.

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In addition, the weight monitoring system consists of some interesting elements such as interactive weight, BMI charts (the Body Mass Index), a food diary and an intake calculator. The latter is designed to give some guidelines with regard to fat, protein, water, carbohydrats and calories.

“We are very excited about our new product and we hope that this excitement catches on. The BodyTrace eScale and Website is a truly unique service that offers instant feedback on someone’s success while keeping them responsible for the results. Nobody wants to step on our eScale and see that the charts are getting higher, especially that you are doing this in front of your supporters, so there is definitely a peer pressure that helps everybody reach their goals”, said Gyula Borbely, the president of BodyTrace.

Both the BodyTrace Scale and the website are expected to become available sometime during this year, in September most probably. The price of the scale is said to be $119 while signing up on the website will cost each user $19.99 for a period of three months.

(Source: Dvice)

Waterless air cooler

2009-07-01T16:32:50Z

The summer is here and the weather is intolerably hot, even if, here in my country, we have enjoyed daily torrential rains, at approximately the same hour, as if it were the equatorial climate in here. I’m not a specialist, so I won’t bother looking for possible explanations, but it’s kind of weird.

The point is the weather is so damn hot, or at least this is what everyone says, because I’m one of the lucky human beings that feel as comfortable as possible at 30+ Celsius degrees.

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However, for all of you out there who just can’t stand the high temperatures, here you have something to give you a helping hand: the waterless Air Cooler Plus, which is different from any other air cooler you might have seen before. And do you know why? Because, as I said, it’s waterless, which means the Air Cooler PLUS is able to provide “effective cooling in even the muggiest humidity”.

This way, there won’t be an excess of humidity to be added to the room. In addition, there’s a patent-pending waterless cooling chamber that is part of the design of this device and inside of it there are two advanced frozen gel packs that are both stuffed with advanced HD-Ice™. Another important feature consists of the fan that has a variable speed and is very efficient as far as the energy is concerned.

This waterless air cooler is available for shipment and you can order it online at WaterlessAirCooler for $189.

(Source: Coolest-Gadgets)

Add some color to your iPhone 3GS

2009-07-01T16:32:18Z

Some of you might already know about ColorWare, a company that is quite famous among gadget lovers as it has put at their disposal all sorts of products that are meant to make the gadgets look a little bit different from how they usually do. So, if you want to give your iPhone, for example, a touch of… you, then ColorWare is perfect for you.

These guys think that splashing a shade to your iPhone can help you stand out from the crowd, just like you like it. And it doesn’t matter whether you prefer solid color or, why not, metallic ones.

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And if you think that your iPhone 3GS is too new in the market so that you already find accessories for it, you’re wrong, because ColorWare has just come up with these custom colors. Now, let’s see what choices you have t your disposal in accordance with your budget, of course.

So, if what you want to change is just the back-plate of your iPhone, then it will cost you approximately $150, which is pretty much, if you ask me. Then, you’re also given the possibility to waste another $20, in case you want to change the button and the bezel frame. Last, but not least, changing the SIM holder and the earbuds will cost you $15 each.

For the moment, you can only send the iPhone 3GS in the United States to have customized, because ColorWare aren’t yet selling the smartphone.

(Source: Coolest-Gadgets)

Let’s talk about your favorite Twilight characters!

2009-06-30T20:27:16Z

I’ve heard all sorts of things about Twilight. I’ve been asked by so many people (too many, if you ask me) if I saw and liked the movie. Actually, it was more like “I’m sure you saw Twilight. And there’s no doubt about the fact you also liked it. Now tell me, what are your favorite Twilight characters?”.

I haven’t seen the movie and to be honest I have no intention to see it, just because I’m not interested in this type of movies, with vampires and stuff. But people seem to be fascinated by the story presented in Twilight, so Entertainment Earth has every reason to be happy for the moment they decided to release with a Twilight USB drive.

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Being equipped with 2GB of storage space, you can save as many Robert Pattison photos as you like. You can even save some room for the other Twilight characters whom you wouldn’t like to neglect under any circumstances. This USB flash drive, with a special design of the Cullen family crest (I’m sorry if I give you the feeling that I’m talking about things I do not know, but it’s quite like that: I don’t know who in earth is this Cullen family) allows you to store all of your important files.

It measures 3 inches in height and it’s made of sturdy plastic. If you want to have one of your own, then go pre-order the Twilight USB Drive for only $24.99. But you’ll have to be a little bit patient up until the fall when it is said to hit the market.

(Source: Coolest-Gadgets)

Baby Sshh Bee doesn’t stand a little kid crying

2009-06-30T20:21:01Z

If you want to know the funniest stories about yourself, from the day you were born up until the moment you read this, from a childhood that you know very well it’s yours, even if you don’t actually recognize each and every step of it, then ask your mom. Who else could tell you more things about the kid you were, about the worst things that used to do to your parents when you were a couple of years old?

I was a whimpering kid and I know for sure that I managed to drive my parents crazy. Yeah, crazy is the perfect word, guys! I drove them crazy, because it seems that my favorite activity when I was an infant was to cry all day long. With no reason whatsoever, this is the best part.

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Maybe I was crying because I wanted to say something and I couldn’t. Maybe I was desperately trying to communicate, and it’s a plausible reason if I think about my typical loquacity. I don’t know. What I know is that my parents would have been thankful back then if they had had something like the Baby Sshh Bee to soothe me when I most needed and nothing else did.

“The Baby Sshh Bee has been developed in collaboration with the Japan Acoustic Lab to create a toy that will help soothe your baby and stop them crying. The Baby Sshh comforts your baby by distracting them – the sounds and music it plays have a constantly changing tempo designed to make your baby curious. Your baby will be so busy trying to make sense of the wonderful noises coming out of their new toy that they’ll completely forget about crying.”

There are two different modes that you can activate the moment you press the buttons that are placed on the Baby Sshh Bee’s face. The first mode plays melodies that were scientifically developed to shift their tempo, while the second one is able to play all sorts of silly noises that are designed to make your kid curious.

The device runs on 3x LR44 batteries that are included and measures 17.5 x 12 x 5 centimeters. You can have one for your kid from Iwantoneofthose for no more than £14.99.

(Source: Coolest-Gadgets)

Just look at me now!

2009-06-29T20:22:08Z

And when I say now, I mean now, because a couple of seconds later it might be too late. It sounds a little bit drastic, isn’t it? But when it comes to domestic violence issues, I don’t think that such requests should be neglected.

Being part of a campaign aimed at developing, where such thing doesn’t exist, and increasing the public awareness concerning a subject of general interest, this bus stop ad is absolutely genius, if you allow me to use such a pretentious word. You can’t blame me for having such an opinion, especially because the ad is focused on a very important aspect of our lives. And the best part is that the guys behind it found a brilliant way to tell people about the domestic violence.

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The bus stop ad that I’m talking about was recently erected in Hamburg, Germany, and it’s able to change when someone is or is not looking at it. There’s an integrated camera stuffed inside, equipped with the eye-tracking technology, which tells whether someone has his/her eyes on the poster or not.

When no one pays attention, neglecting what happens right there, in front of their eyes, a typical scene of domestic violence is displayed. When the eyes of a passer-by are “caught”, the image changes in just a couple of seconds, giving him/her the chance to see the change. The new photo shows a happy couple, the same couple, as if nothing happened before. Because, as you all know, “it happens when nobody is watching”.

Amnesty International, on the other hand, the advertiser, has every reason to be happy, as the agency that had to create the ad did the greatest job of them all. And the most clever, if you ask me.

The effect is undoubtedly powerful. And it makes you wonder. It makes you ask questions you have never asked before.

(Source: Dvice)

Ultimate gaming system is just a concept

2009-06-29T19:58:18Z

Gadgets are meant to evolve with every day that passes by. Since the day each and every gadget is invented, its destiny is undoubtedly put under the sign of changes, as many changes and improvements as possible. Because, as you all know very well, you can’t have enough features within a device, nor enough technology. There will always be room for more.

And this is what happened with the portable consoles, devices that were subdued to all sorts of processes: they got smaller and smaller, they got stuffed with more and more features and ingenious technologies.

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The gaming system created by designer Wilson Song, for example, is the perfect example when it comes to the influence time and technological development had on such devices. Thanks to this concept, called Samsung WM, what we have here is a mixture between a portable console and a watch.

In his attempt to create the ultimate gaming system, the designer has stuffed inside the Samsung WM a pen that the user can clip into the back panel of the gadget, earbuds, a camera that is placed at the back, a huge display and, of course, a control system that works perfectly due to the motion capture technology.

As the display is flexible, you can wrap it around your wrist. Not to mention the fact that, “by measuring the movement of feet, it is possible to make a video game that is controlled by both feet and hands”. Too bad it’s just a concept.

(Source: Concept-phones)