<![CDATA[Gizmodo: electronic candles]]> http://tags.gizmodo.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/gizmodo.com.png <![CDATA[Gizmodo: electronic candles]]> http://gizmodo.com/tag/electroniccandles http://gizmodo.com/tag/electroniccandles <![CDATA[DIY Blow-Outable LED Birthday Candles Perfect for Uber-Geeky Kids]]> Kids nowadays are so showered with electronic goodies that I suspect a traditionally-lit birthday cake just wouldn't cut the mustard for some of them. Luckily, over at Instructables they've got a recipe for DIY electronic "candles" that actually lets you blow them out. Its flickering LEDs are accompanied by a thermistor warmed above room-temp by a nearby resistor, and accompanied by a microcontroller. When you puff hard on the thermistor, the circuit senses the temperature drop and switches off some LEDs. Brilliant, but sadly it seems you can't get extra wishes by blowing them all out at once. The demo video is undeniably funny though: a fake birthday part thrown by the builders.


All you need now to please an uber-geeky kid is to follow the instructions, box the device up somehow, and embed it in a cake. It's even a lower fire-risk than real candles... assuming your wiring doesn't go horrifically wrong. [Instructables via Hacknmod]

]]> http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5025720&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Hono Electrical Candle]]> You're going to need a lot of Marvin Gaye music to make this Hono Electrical Candle look sexy, but maybe in a really dark room it may have some odd appeal. Touch the candle with the included "magic match," and it lights up, then when you're done, blow it out just like a real candle. The rechargeable candle includes a battery charger, a circular stand, and a holder that makes the candle appear to be standing on its own.

We're wondering exactly how this might be better than an old-fashioned wax candle with its charming and unpredictable flame. Perhaps it's a safety issue. All of this exotica comes at a price, too—brace yourself—it's $159.99. You could buy 10 years' worth of candles for that much. Perhaps there are some areas where technology just shouldn't go. – Charlie White

Product Page [Fancylogic, via I4U News]

]]> http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=176950&view=rss&microfeed=true