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Latest Gear Live Videos
JumpSnap, The Wireless Jump Rope
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Design, Misc. Tech, Toys,
Although we’re sure there’s an audience for this item, we secretly think this is a case of technology actually taking the fun out of something. It’s the JumpSnap Wireless Jump Rope, an exercise device sans rope that can be customized according to your height, skill, duration and more. It even talks to you (offering feedback), comes with a DVD, and makes a jump rope sound! The JumpSnap comes in Blue and Pink, the latter of which proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The Individual Package ranges from $50-$60 USD.
Read More 
| Jump Snap via Chip Chick
Gallery: JumpSnap, The Wireless Jump Rope
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Remember Gizmo? Modeled after the 1984 star of the movie “Gremlins,” you can now own one. Give him a little love and he will hum and rock a bit like any good Mogwai does. While we are pretty sure he does not have Howie Mandel’s voice (who did it in the original flick,) he certainly looks lifelike. Just remember not to feed him after midnight or get him wet. Gizmo is 18 x 29 cm, needs 2 AA batteries (included,) and can be yours for DKK 229,00 (~$44.00.)
Read More | Gadgets.dk
Gallery: Gizmo Makes a New Appearance
We loved our old Etch-a-Sketch and were thrilled to find out it is now available in a mini-version with usable rubber grips that we can pass off as a ballpoint pen at work (because it is.) Also available is a mini-Operation Pen with the same obnoxious noise and nose that lights up just as in the original if you miss. Included are batteries and miniscule tweezers. The pens use standard D-1 mini ballpoint refills and at only $5.50, you can get some for some of your tiny fingered co-workers.
Read More | Vat 19
Gallery: Old Games Go Mini
We dig anything that makes music electronically, especially if it involves a touch of creativity. Unità Zero takes the five senses and users hands and feet to create its own tunes. It consists of light feedback, video sequencing, and audio mixing. With 5 platform assemblies, the thought behind it is, “Five are the senses, many more the combinations of feelings. If senses describe reality, their combination is an ideal and intangible depiction.”
What more can we say except where does taste come in? Unità Zero makes its debut at dorkbot in Germany this week.
Read More | We Make Money Not Art
Gallery: Senses Make Music Combos
LEGO Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon time-lapse assembly video
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Toys, Videos,
Today, the LEGO brick turned 50 years old. That is quite an achievement for a toy that, at first glance, is so simple. I guess that just reiterates that while you can pack every feature under the sun into a device, simplicity is really what matters. Just take a look at some of Apple‘s recent innovations to see what I mean. Anyhow, back to LEGO. My friend Joel Johnson over at Boing Boing Gadgets decided it best to spend a couple weeks worth of evenings putting together the Ultimate Collectors Millennium Falcon LEGO set. This thing features over 5,000 individual parts that need to be carefully fit together to create one bad-ass looking piece of LEGO beauty - a daunting task, indeed. Joel created a time lapse video, which we have posted above for your enjoyment.
Read More | Boing Boing Gadgets
Gallery: LEGO Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon time-lapse assembly video
You know things are getting pretty commercial when online gadget-oriented companies actually sell pocket protectors. At a size of 5 3/4 x 3 3/8, it is made of vinyl and has multiple storage compartments for a pen, flash drive and MP3 player. It even comes with a sheet of stickers and a 36-inch lanyard in case you want to prove that you are a bonafide geek. At a mere price of $4.95, it would, at the very least, be a great Secret Santa gift next Christmas.
Read More | Archie McPhee
Gallery: DIY Pocket Protector
Next time you decide to try to meet a new acquaintance when out on the town, increase your chances with the Pick-Up Line Generator. At a size of 12 x 6 x 2.5 cm, the device fits in your pocket. With 40 random comments, at the push of a button it will utter such lines as, “Do you think I’m cute, or haven’t you had enough to drink?” You will either get a laugh or a slap on the face, but we figure you WILL get noticed. Available for $17.95, the Generator runs on 2 AAA included batteries.
Read More | Latest Buy
Gallery: Let This Gadget Find You a Date
If you still have one USB port left to fill with a toy, you might want to add the Boxer. Play with him in three different modes, auto, manual, and keystroke. The most amusing aspect of this device is that you control his punches with enclosed software and your arrow keys. Each hit is marked on his counter and you can rotate him to vary his workout. Add the bell and some crowd noises, and you have the definitive answer to interactive boredom. The dude will set you back £29.99 (~$59.00,) but at least this time you get to work out some of your cubicle frustration with some results.
Read More | Thumbs Up
Gallery: USB Boxer Delivers Punches
Somehow we managed to overlook this rather unique ornithopter from our CES reports. Interactive Toy’s i-Fly Vamp is less than 10-inches, will soar both indoors and out, and is recommended for those over the chronological age of 8. It features a built-in lithium polymer battery that can last up to 30 minutes. The controller itself need 6 AA batteries. We have to admit the kewlest feature, however, is that glowing red eye. The Vamp is available at Radio Shack for $35.99, recently marked down $5.00. Here’s looking at you, kid.
Read More | Interactive Toy
Gallery: i-Fly Vamp Peers in the Dark
Tokyo’s Gakken has recalled 10,000 of their Smart Globes after customers complained about a mislabeling. Taiwan split from communist China in the late 40’s and is still being identified as part of the People’s Republic on the device. It seems that Gakken agreed to the factory based in Shenzhen, China to label the country “Taiwan Island” for its audio pen reader in order to get them manufactured. There have been so many complaints that the globes were recalled with full refund. A similar fate befell Takara Tomy’s Talking Globe, which was also made in China and similarly labeled.
Read More | Pink Tentacle
