A great way to pass the time while you are waiting for your food to cook! Ten classic games, miniaturized and magnetized so you can stick them on your fridge and play them in your kitchen, or anywhere else where you have a metallic surface that you can stick magnets to. The series has following games:
gadgetsgameskitchen
One of the advantages of the iPod (yes, I do think there are some good things about it altough I probably wouldn't get one) is the huge number of accessories that's available. A popular accessory is the docking station. It is used for connecting the player to your computer and charging the battery, but also for connecting it to your stereo or tv. I think there's a good chance this type of setup will replace audio systems with cd players eventually.
The Griffin Technology AirDock is one of the better docking stations. It connects to your computer with a USB cable, it can connect to a stereo or a tv so you can play audio and video files, and it comes with an AC adapter to charge your iPod. Most docking stations can only recharge your player from the USB port, or don't come with an AC adapter. The best part is that it comes with a remote control that works with RF technology, not infrared.
Read article on The Gadget Bloggadgetsgadgetsaudio
If you are into gadgets, you probably have a load of rechargable batteries. I don't even know how many sets I have. I use them for my MP3 player, the lights on my bike, my Wiimote, digital camera, wireless keyboard and mouse, flashlight, and probably a few other things. These batteries, wich come in AA size and have a 1300 mAh capacity, are charged by plugging them in a USB port. No charger needed (although they can be charged in a regular charger as well), just plug them in a USB port.
One use that immediately comes to my mind is for a wireless keyboard and mouse. I have already enough cables on my desk and I really don't need another one for a battery charger. I can just charge them in the USB ports on the back of my monitor. Now if only they also came in AAA size!
Buy from FireboxgadgetsUSB
In a previous post, I have explained my opinion about the iPhone. I'm quite sure it will be too expensive, loaded with features nobody will use and, let's face it, it's too big for a cellphone. Take a look at the following picture:
gadgetsappleiphone
If you are born before 1980, you will probably remember the Commodore 64. With over 30 million units sold, it is the most successful home computer of all time. I still have mine, still in working condition, with lots of peripherals and software. It even had a Mac OS-like graphical operating system called Geos! But of course the number one reason people bought this wonderful machine was to play games, something it did very well.
The C64 may be history, but still has a loyal fanbase, including myself. The C64 DTV is a C64 built into a classic arcade joystick, complete with 30 classic games, including:
gadgetsgames
iPod killers have been announced before, and even though this one isn't exactly competition for the full-size iPod, it definitely is for the iPod Shuffle and maybe even for the iPod Nano! The Sansa Express is a 1 gigabyte MP3 player with oled display and FM radio that plugs directly in the USB port, like a USB drive.
Some of the advantages of this player over the iPod Shuffle: it's cheaper, it has a display, it doesn't require a cable, and it has an expansion slot for micro SD cards, something that's quite rare today in flash memory players. Another great advantage of this type of players is that they behave like a USB drive and don't require any software with media libraries and playlists; you just drag and drop files!
This player was the "Editors Choice" in PC Magazine, and I definitely agree with them. It's cheaper than an iPod and has more features. I think the iPod is overhyped anyway.
Read article on Chip Chickgadgetsaudio
The USB 2.0 Rotate Hub is one of the smallest USB hubs I have ever seen. It combines a three port USB hub and memory card reader. What makes this hub special (besides its incredibly small size, wich makes it a perfect choice for laptop users) is the ability of the ports to rotate 90 degrees. Why is this so useful? Because it happens too often that you plug a USB stick in a connector, but it's so wide it blocks any adjacent connectors! With this hub, you can rotate the connectors so they don't block each other. Definitely recommended for mobile use!
Read source article on Chip ChickgadgetsUSB
The Japanese have created some of the most original and unusual gadgets ever (remember Tamagotchi?). Their latest invention is a game that is also a piggy bank, and has some educational value! The idea behind the following game is to put your loose change into it. You start out as a poor guy, but for every 500 yen (about 5$) you put into it, your situation improves. Aimed at kids, it teaches them the value of money. It's called "Jinsei Ginkou", or "Life Bank", and has been a huge succes in Japan.
gadgetsgames
USB drives have more or less replaced floppy disks (finally!) and banned zip drives to the eternal darkness of technology hell where they belong. Cheap, reliable and user-friendly, they are the portable storage medium of choice.
Most USB drives look pretty dull, but the Star Wars OT drives (OT means "Original Trilogy", without midichlorians or Jar-Jar Binks) are the coolest I have ever seen. Displayed here is the Darth Vader drive, also available are R2-D2, Chewbacca and a Stormtrooper drive. They are available as 1, 2 and 4 gigabyte drives.gadgetsUSBstorage
The console wars have been raging for a few months now. One month ago, the PS3 was launched here in Europe, and the Wii in december last year. Each system has its group of loyal, sometimes radical (and sometimes even psychotic) fans. The Gadget Blog and Yahoo News have made a comparison between the two systems. I myself have a Wii; I have played the PS3 a few times in stores. Here's my opinion about it.
Let's start with some advantages of the Wii. It's cheaper and the controller is plain and simply revolutionary. Even though it's a bit tricky in some games, like Red Steel, it is an amazing achievement. The PS3, of course, has better graphics, plays Blueray discs (although that's the last thing I would care about) and can handle HD. But in the end, it's essentially a PS2 with better graphics! Let's face it, there's nothing revolutionary about it!
But of course the Wii isn't all perfect. The graphics aren't exactly top of the line, but that's something I can live with. I prefer mediocre graphics and great gameplay of stunning graphics and crappy gameplay any time! Something that seems to be a problem for some other people is the fact that the controller needs batteries. I don't understand what the problem is. Is it really that difficult to make sure you always have a set of charged batteries at hand? Some people have also complained that it doesn't play DVDs, but unless you are one of the very few people that have a TV, a game console but no DVD player, that's no problem.
I'm very happy with the Wii. To me, it's the only true next generation console, and if I take a look at how much are sold and how hard it still is to get one, I'm not the only one who feels that way. Here's what I think Nintendo should do in the future:
gadgetsgamesnintendoplaystation
Although I don't really think it will keep intruders away (perhaps those annoying Jehova's Witnesses will be freaked out by it), but is sure is an incredibly cool idea! This automatic BB-gun can be remotely controlled by a PC and has a built-in webcam, so you can aim it and fire from the security and privacy of your secret, underground lair (insert demonic laughter here). Now if only it could also launch rockets... I guess it will only be a matter of time before someone builds one that could do that as well! Here's a video demo of the device:
Article on Tech Scoopgadgets
Raise your hand if you never receive any coffee mugs as gifts! That's right, nobody raises a hand! Coffee mugs with funny stuff on them are the most obvious choice when you run out of ideas for christmas or birthday presents. I myself have at least ten of them, all with some sort of geeky stuff on it (a caffeïne molecule, a periodic table, something encoded in binary, ...)
Even though they are cool gifts, there comes a point where enough is simply enough! What are you gonna do with all those mugs? I have used a few as flower pots, but most of them are sitting in a box in my basement, collecting dust.
A popular use for spare coffee mugs is storing office supplies. Pens, markers, pencils, scissors, crammed together in a disused coffee mug. With the Mug Boss you can turn a boring coffee mug into a cool desktop container! You just put in on a mug and it adds twelve extra pockets to the outside. Large stuff like pens and laser pointers still go in the mug itself, while the outside pockets are perfect for small stuff like erasers, pencil sharpeners and spare batteries. If you have a lot of mugs you don't use, this is something to put on your wishlist!
Buy from The Gadgetergadgetsoffice
If you have a lot of gadgets, you are probably familiar with the following problem: too much cables! Let's see how much of them I have: three data cables for mobile phones, four that came with cameras, a few for MP3 players, and then a few USB extension cords. And let's not forget all the cables who's purpose I can only begin to guess! There's an interesting article about this problem and it makes some very good points:
The K0NR Weblog: USB and Power Adapters
One thing in particular was right on target: why are there so many types of USB connectors? The side that goes in the computer is always the same but the other side is always different! Why can't hardware manufacturers go for one, and only ONE, standardized connector and use that on all equipment so you can connect everything with just one cable?
And then there's another thing the article mentions, and it's power adapters. With all the rechargable appliances, wich are of course powered by batteries that need a very specific charger, you'll have a drawer full of chargers and adapters in no time! This is, by the way, the reason why I'll always get something that works on AA or AAA batteries when I have the choice. One charger to charge them all! According to The K0NR Weblog, the USB port may be a solution to this problem, by designing everything that's battery powered and has a USB port so that it can be recharged through it (with a standardized USB connector, of course) so all you need is a power adapter with a USB connector, and no load full of different adapters and chargers for your camera, iPod, PDA and other gadgets.
TechEBlog has made a list of the five most useless iPod accessories. In a previous post I mentioned there are thousands of iPod accessories and the iPhone will soon follow. Of course, not all of them can be useful and some of them can even be classified as the most useless junk ever created! Anyway, here's the list, with my opinion of each item.
gadgetsapple
This badge, wich is available with red, green or blue leds, can display scrolling text messages up to 6024 characters. The badge doesn't require a computer to program, everything is done with onboard buttons, and it's powered by a rechargable lithium ion battery.
Here are some applications that come to my mind. First of all, it's a lot cooler than a boring nametag. If you're on a trade show, it will be an instant attention beacon! Or you can use it as a billboard and ask companies money for displaying their message on it! There are people who get paid to walk around with the name of a company written on their forehead with a black marker pen, so it might be a good idea.
Or imagine putting your favourite pick-up line on it if you're going out? I doubt it will work, but you will get lots of attention!
Buy from Boys Stuffgadgets
Even though the phone hasn't hit the shelves yet and is still in development, it seems that accessories are already on the way. Manufacturers hope that the iPhone will replicate the gigantic succes of the iPod series of audio players, and the gigantic selection of accessories spawned by it. The first protective already appeared, and it will only be a matter of time before all sorts of colorfull, original (and sometimes useless) gizmos pop up.
Altough I believe the iPhone is overhyped (it looks quite wide and I think the big display will be quite vulnerable, not to mention it will probably be expensive as hell), I also believe that this will be another cash cow for Apple. Rumours about the iPhone have been going around for years, and considering the hype while it's not even for sale yet, it will be a huge success. And of course every company that makes accessories for cellphones will want a piece of that succes!
Article on The Gadget Bloggadgetsapple
Here's something I have never seen in my life. The Omelette Express Maker is a device similar to a waffle iron, but this one doesn't make waffles or grilled cheese sandwiches but omelettes! It comes with deep, non-stick plates that you fill with the scrambled egg mixture and within five minutes you have a perfect, tasty omelette! Oh, and it comes with a spatula to get the omelette out of the plates.
Buy from Gadgetergadgetskitchen
I think everyone agrees with me that anything remote controlled that flies kicks ass bigtime. Unfortunately, most RC aircraft and helicopters are quite difficult to fly and not exactly suitable for indoor use. For those who want to fly indoors or don't want to spend months learning to fly without crashing, there's the Turbo Blimp!
Looking almost like an alien spaceship with its metallic color and flashing leds, this airship is very easy to fly. It can't crash and it doesn't matter if you fly it into a wall. Even better, you can get two of them and set them to a different channel so you can have races! Because of their good manoevrability, they are perfect for three dimensional obstacle courses.
Buy from Boys Stuff
The balloon is filled with helium gas, wich inevitably will leak away slowly, no matter how well the balloon is sealed. To refill the balloon, you can get disposable refill bottles.gadgetsremote control
Since I'm a coffee addict and usually down a mug in less than ten minutes, this isn't really a situation I'm familiar with, but it is probably a common problem in many offices. You take a cup of coffee, continue with your work and forget about it and before you know it, it's ice cold. Throw it away and get another one? Before you know it you have wasted an entire pot of coffee!
This little thingy keeps your cup warm as long as you want. It plugs right into an available USB port, draws its power straight from it and warms your cup of coffee. And on top of that, it's also a full-speed USB 2.0 four port hub! With all the magnificent gadgets that go in the USB port, you can never have too many of these.
Buy from The Gadget Hub (mug not included)gadgetsUSBoffice
