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Latest Gear Live Videos
Locca Access Opens the Door to the Future
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Wireless / WiFi,
Don’t you love it when you approach the supermarket and the door opens automatically? Well you can re-create that scenario at home with Locca Access, a remote control that unlocks your front door from 150 feet away, and comes with an electronic device that actually pushes the door open! The system comes with two remotes, a receiver that can store nearly 20 secret codes, and even a backup battery in case of a power outage. Yes, we love the notion of callously letting in guests without leaving the couch, but Locca Access also offers the convenience of not fumbling for keys when your hands are full—or when you’re coming home alone at 3:00 in the morning.
Read More 
| Locca via Red Ferret
Gallery: Locca Access Opens the Door to the Future
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The Battery Converter Transforms AA Battery into a D Cell
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Smart Home, Mods / Hacks,
We wonder if the D-Cell battery suffers from low self-esteem, as it’s never been as popular as rivals AA and AAA. Another blow to D’s self-image is the Battery Converter, a plastic case the size and shape of a D-cell with connectors that allow you to slip in a AA…and use it as a D battery. Ouch. Since both AA’s and D’s have the same voltage, it’s an easy conversion—just don’t expect them to last as long as bona fide D-cells. At $5 USD for two, we think the Battery Converter has potential, especially for your flashlights during blackouts.
Read More | Brando via Shiny Shiny
Gallery: The Battery Converter Transforms AA Battery into a D Cell
Researchers Generate Electricity With Nanoparticles
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Science,
A research team headed by Arun Majumdar of the University of California at Berkeley has successfully created energy by trapping organic molecules between metal nanoparticles. At this time, approximately 90% of our electricity is created by fossil fuels which is converted to heat, some of which is wasted. This technology could help to make new energy sources and less expensive appliances.
For the last 50 years, scientists have been developing thermoelectric converters to alter heat more directly, based on the Seebeck effect in which 2 metals kept at different temperatures respond to that difference and generate electricity. Although we are not all together sure of all the techno babel, we look forward to having our iPod nanos “nanoized.”
Read More | Live Science
Gallery: Researchers Generate Electricity With Nanoparticles
Stikkit has turned the Post-it note up a notch by organizing your daily details. Their “little yellow notes that think” recognize names, email addys, and other important notations then organizes and categorizes them for you automatically. Use Stikkit for gathering phone numbers, addresses, and important dates, or plan a meeting and invite others online to read your ideas. If that isn’t enough, you can even share them with buds that don’t have their own Stikkit accounts. Although we applaud the idea of this free service, we wonder how unfriendly our computer desk would seem if it was actually Post-it free.
Read More | Stikkit
Gallery: Stikkit Eliminates Post-its
Swiss Army Knife Becomes USB
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Storage, USB,
It cuts, it screws, it slices, it tweezes, it goes digital. The company that has brought us our beloved Swiss Army Knife has created a USB version that will store 512MB or 1GB. It also features an LED light and ballpoint pen, and works on Windows, Mac OS, or Linux. The knife is priced at $85.00 and $115.00, a bit more than the one we got for $11.00 at Target. We are still trying to figure out how the clever company managed to combine all of this in only 2 1/4 x 5/8 x 1/2-inches.
Read More | RedEnvelope
Gallery: Swiss Army Knife Becomes USB
Lover Duck Inspires Valentine Bathers
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Toys,
What can say “I love you” more than a glow-in-the-dark duck? Okay, a lot of things, but who could resist this LED Lover Duck ? Turn the lights off in your bathtub (and don’t forget the bubbles) and watch its changing colors put your Valentine in the mood. At a size of 8.5 x 8 x 10cm, its batteries will run up to 45 hours and will go on standby when removed from the water. Get your Love Duck for a mere £6.99 (~$13.71) and your spouse/partner just may treat you to a marathon weekend in the tub.
Read More | The Glow Company
Gallery: Lover Duck Inspires Valentine Bathers
Z-Man Releases RPGs for Tots
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Smart Home, Toys,
Z-Man, maker of card, board, and role-playing games, has decided to contribute to the next generation of wizards and warriors with a new line called KidFun. Displayed at the NY Toy Fair 2007, upcoming titles include Dragon Parade, Gumball Rally, Arne Junior, and “Baby’s First Mythos,” a book that somehow combines the mystic with the ABCs. With the new line available next month, you can find current Z-Man games at their online store at prices ranging from $9.99 to $49.99. Lovecraft would undoubtedly be pleased that toddlers will be able to delve into his work before they even reach kindergarten.
Read More | Z-Man
Gallery: Z-Man Releases RPGs for Tots
Steve Irwin Immortalized With Action Figure
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Smart Home, Toys,
Crikey! Wild Republic is at the NY Toy Fair 2007 this week featuring none other than action figures of the late Steve Irwin and Croc. Partnered with the Australian Zoo, the line took 18 months to develop and proceeds got to its endangered species program. They feel this will help “educate children about the wonders of the wild through creative play.”
Wild Republic’s booth will display 36 different products including plush toys and playsets, and will feature Zoo members Kate and Briano Coulter, dressed in khaki, no doubt. Steve once said, “I consider myself a wildlife warrior. My mission is to save the world’s endangered species.” All we know is that although the cause is worthy, this warrior looks pretty silly in plastic.
Read More | eMedia Wire
Gallery: Steve Irwin Immortalized With Action Figure
Sci-fi writer Robert Heinlein would be thrilled to see his Waldos finally reaching fruition. EleKit Japan has released a fully programmable, workable USB robotic arm. With 5 distinct motors, it has movement in the upper and lower arm, wrist, rotating base, and can grip. A minimal amount of assembly is required. The arm is made of semi-transparent plastic with an internal LED so that you can watch it work as you get the gadget to fetch you a Bud from the fridge. The device runs on 4 D batteries (not included,) comes with its own remote, and will be available from Japan in March in a Limited Edition for $80.00.
Read More | Elekit
Gallery: USB Robotic Arm Plays Fetch
The Bleeding Edge 133: New APC Uninterruptable Power Supplies
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, CES, CES 2007, Features, Smart Home, PC / Laptop, Videocasts, Videos,
|Download| - iPod-formatted H.264
|Download| - Apple TV High Resolution
|Download| - MPEG-4
Read More | The Bleeding Edge
