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No need to worry that your Christmas tree may overheat if you keep it up a little too long this season. DuPont has devised this innovative smoke detector that screws into ceiling-mounted sockets and rids you of that bothersome chore of replacing the battery. Its AngelEye technology contains an internal self-charging power pack, so that all you have to do is turn on the light in its own socket on the bottom. It also sounds an alarm if the charge is low.
When fully charged, it will operate for 30 days and can even be used in unheated garages or workshops. The smoke detector measures 3 x 5 x 3-inches, is available at firstStreet and various retailers at a MSRP of $34.95, and comes with a 10 year warranty.
Read More 
| DuPont
Gallery: DuPont’s Smoke Detector Self-Charges
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USB Missile Launcher Designed for Cubicle War
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Toys,
This kewl gadget will cover all those in your office that you have neglected in your gift-buying spree this holiday season. The USB Missile Launcher moves 180º horizontally and 45º vertically, is moveable with your mouse, and even makes sound effects when you launch your missiles. Windows 2000 and XP software is included as are 3 foam missiles, and it requires 3 AA batteries (not included.)
The launchers are available at one of our favorite online shopping sites, Latest Buy, and although they are not the cheapest toy you can find at AU $54.95 (US $44.51,) grab a twinpack for $80.96, give one to your boss, and maybe he/she won’t care about the extra long lunch you took last week.
Read More | Latest Buy
Gallery: USB Missile Launcher Designed for Cubicle War
Togo Reveals Portable Reader for Braille
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Science,
The Chinese company Togo has unveiled a new gadget that will allow the blind to slide, scan, and translate text into Braille. The portable reader also has the capability of saving text to a built-in hard drive for later perusal and folds out for oversized tomes. It works by translating the images into analog electrical signals with an optical-to-electrical transducer, then changes the analog into digital. Although still in the planning stages, we applaud Togo for creating this amazing reader.
Read More | Yanko Design
Gallery: Togo Reveals Portable Reader for Braille
This winter promises to be a wicked one. Even if your tiny apartment doesn’t get quite warm enough, we have the solution in this sculptured Frontgate GlassFire fireplace. Composed of Italian glass and aluminum, the tabletop gadget can be used indoors or out, and features sand, faux logs, a lighter, and a snuffer. It utilizes Fenola Gel fuel which makes it smokeless and presumably 40% more energy efficient than wood. The mini-fireplace is available at shop.com for $549.00, which unfortunately won’t leave much to purchase a few chestnuts to roast.
Read More | Frontgate
Gallery: Smokeless Fireplace Goes Diminutive
I Am Your Nutcracker, Luke Skywalker
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Movies,
With only a couple of weeks left before Christmas, it’s difficult not to notice the extremely weird that you would never even consider buying the rest of the year. This Limited Edition Darth Vader Nutcracker, designed by Germany’s Steinbach is a case in point. The Lord of the Sith is 18 1/2-inches tall and weighs 4 lbs. He features his signature helmet, and vinyl cape and boots. He even sports a chest control unit, breathing apparatus, and light saber.
Darth is to be part of a Star Wars Collection (a Yoda nutcracker is also available) from our friends at Hammacher Schlemmer for a whopping $349.95. He comes with a lifetime guarantee, but for that price, he should at least have a working voicebox so that he can sound like James Earl Jones.
Read More | Hammacher Schlemmer
Gallery: I Am Your Nutcracker, Luke Skywalker
GreenHouse’s USB Ashtray Literally Sucks
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, USB,
If you smoke and want to be politically correct, GreenHouse’s USB car Ashtray will take care of irritating second-hand smoke. Simply lift its top, and as its headlights come on, the fan will literally suck up the smoke. You can also utilize 3 AAA batteries to keep you smoke-free wherever you travel. At a size of 135 x 97 x 82 mm, the ashtray’s interior is removable for cleaning and will be available in Japan near the end of December for ¥500 (~ $4.00.)
Read More | Akihabara News
Gallery: GreenHouse’s USB Ashtray Literally Sucks
The Talking Plate Warns You of Gluttony
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Science,
Worried about pigging out during the holidays? Ukrainian Dr. Hryhory Chausovsky of the Zaporizhia University Life Activities Laboratory has created the Talking Plate, which lets you know if it is overfilled. The plate measures 15 cm in diameter and is connected to a palm-size computer. Its integrated weigh sensors judge how much food is on the plate, and then issues nagging phrases such as, “Where’s your willpower?”
Although the plate is not yet available to the general public, Dr. Chausovsky has also invented other dining aids, such as a belt that issues a tone when you eat too much and a plate that plays music each time your fork hits the plate. “If the utensil strikes are too rapid, the plate will play fast and aggressive music while if the person eats more slowly, the music will be calmer and less stressful,” Chausovsky said.
We think we will stick to our usual over-feasting and just not look at the scales until 2007.
Read More | iol
Gallery: The Talking Plate Warns You of Gluttony
K7 KLOK Kit Utilizes Old Nixie Tubes
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Science,
Russia meets America as industrial designer Mike Mayberry of KLOK Modern has created a K7 KLOK Kit which is sure to attract gadget freaks of all ages. Made from half century-old Nixie Tubes that he found stashed in Russian warehouses, the 136 mm x 63 mm x 65 mm clock features 10 layers of glowing orange electrodes embedded on an aluminum housing made in the U.S. Offered as a limited edition for $105.00, check out the demo then preorder your KLOK for its January re-release.
Read More | KLOK
Gallery: K7 KLOK Kit Utilizes Old Nixie Tubes
Lego Mindstorms NXT Can Be Your Kids’ New Best Friend
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Science, Wireless / WiFi,
Lego has joined the bot revolution. The MindStorms NXT has 3x servo motors, touch, light, and sound sensors, and Bluetooth capability. It features a 100 x 64 pixel LCD, a USB full speed port, a 32-bit microprocessor, and an 8 kHz sound channel with with 8-bit resolution and 2-16 KHz sample rate. Imagine the glee from your kids when they get their own bot to feed their pet, guard their room, or pick up their dirty clothes. Imagine your own glee dishing out $249.00 to Lego and getting to put the MindStorms together.
Read More | Lego
Gallery: Lego Mindstorms NXT Can Be Your Kids’ New Best Friend
From Our 2006 Holiday Gift Guide: Black and Decker Infrawave Oven
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Smart Home,
This is an entry from our Holiday Gift Guide. We will be updating it daily through the holidays, so be sure to check it often for some great gadget gift tips!
Read More | Gear Live Holiday Gift Guide
