On Gear Live: Circuit Breaker: The Tech Newsletter that Elevates Your Gadget Game

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Footprint Quiz

Want to find out what effect your life is having on the planet? Take the Earthday Network’s Footprint Calculator Quiz. The short test asks questions about your energy usage in and outside your home, then suggests ways you can cut back. We were told that it would take 4 planet Earths to provide enough resources for us. Excuse us while we put up our tepee and begin to grow our own in the back yard.

 

Read More | Earthday Network

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My Pet LawyerWho needs a high-paid r/t attorney when you can have your own My Pet Lawyer? The 10-inch tall dude has light-up mouth and eyes, and his arms are bendable. He comes with nine pre-recorded phrases or you can record your own. He can also laugh or growl. Stand him on his Scale of Justice briefcase that doubles as a remote with his magnetic feet. Your new pet comes with a spiked collar, crushed victim, and needs 5 AAA batteries (not included) at a mini-price of $4.95.

Read More | Speak to Me

Watch Anywhere CameraThe Watch Anywhere Monitoring Camera can catch your mate or kids in the act of doing something that they would rather you not know. About the size of a webcam, it installs in a room or car. When the motion sensor detects something, it sends a 3 second video to the owner’s cell phone. Users can also dial to receive images, listen with its built-in mic, or set it up at night with infrared mode. Launched last week at the Melbourne at Home Exhibition, it comes with a price of $495.00. We are thinking this is a bit too much Big Brother for us.

Read More | The Inquirer

Latest Gear Live Videos

NapbookHafsteinn Juliusson designed the Napbook, a laptop case that can double as a pillow. It was created for students, business folk between sessions, or anyone who has the need to catch a few winks. Because the Napbook is only available at the Apple store in Reykjavik, Iceland, it wouldn’t be that much of a stretch to pick up an inexpensive pillow, cut out some of its innards, and make your own.

Check out Hafsteinn’s other ideas, including his Slim Chips, flavored paper with no calories and Growing Jewelry, made with live Icelandic moss.

Read More | Hafsteinn Juliusson

Backup CameraJealous of those who have gadgets to help them park and/or avoid things in the driveway? The Wireless Backup Camera can be mounted on your license plate and plugged into your reverse light socket. The 3 1/2-inch LCD goes on your visor, air vent, dashboard, or other convenient spot. The cam comes with all the hardware needed at a price of $129.99. Think of it as saving your kid’s bike, your lawnmower, the neighbors dog…

Read More | Sky Mall

Dell Inspiron Mini 9

Such a back-to-school deal! If you live in the U.S. and purchase a Dell Studio 15, XPS M1530 or XPS M1330 laptop before September 9, you can receive an Inspiron Mini 9, which ordinarily retails for $349.00, for only $99.00. At a weight of only 2.28 lbs., the Mini features an 8.9-inch LED display (1024x600,) built-in Wifi, a sealed keyboard, and SSD memory storage. Dell is even offering a free basic plan of 2GB storage on Box.net. A built-in webcam and Dell Video Chat are optional.

 

Read More | Dell Blog

Dasur’s ThumbKey claims to be the answer to your QWERTY keyboard frustration with your handheld. It identifies intended keys through size and position of fingers rather than being spot on. Algorithms process the typed letters. All this sounds like a good thing because the letters look tiny in the video (where it is referred to as ThumbIt.) It has word recognition by using only the first few letters and supports all versions of Microsoft Windows Mobile. The ThumbKey will set you back $25.00 or you can download a demo for fifteen days free to test it out.

Read More | Dasur

Snap & Lock

If you are a photobug but don’t have time to get to a computer, Johanna Schoemaker’s Snap & Lock is a viable alternative. The digital cam and photo viewer/docking system combine with reinforced cable and magnets keep them in their place. The camera features saving, transfer, viewing, and editing when attached and has a flip screen for protection when not in use. While the description doesn’t mention it, the prototype appears to be a touch screen for further simplification. Good job, Johanna!

 

Read More | Yanko Design

Q-Car Flash DriveRacing Car Mouse

Even if your first car is a gas-guzzling SUV, you can show the world that you mean well with the Q-Car USB 2.0 Flash Drive. The device holds 8GB memory is only 65 x 25mm and weighs 15g. Available in blue only, it carries a price of $49.00. And if you really want to impress, a Racing Car Mouse is also available for plug and play with a price of $14.50 in four different colors.

 

Read More | gadget4all

Illuminated Keyboard

Logitech has a brand new peripheral that lights up your late evenings in the cubicle. The Illuminated Keyboard uses microlens reflectors, multilayer painting and laser etching for an advanced backlighting design. At a mere .37-inches thickness, included is their PerfectStroke key system, a full-size key layout, a soft-touch palm rest, and media and volume control keys. Expect the keyboard to make a U.S. and European debut in October with a MSRP of $79.99.

 

Read More | Logitech

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