Gizmodo: talking

Talking Twittering Teddy Bear is Nearly A Freaky Mod Too Far

Kit Eaton — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:27:00 EDT

Having a cyborg teddy reading out your Twitter alerts... *shiver* the idea gives me the creeps a little. But not the guys who came up with the idea over at HyHome2.0. They've even got an instructional video so you can build your own artificial-voice bear, which uses Bluetooth to get data from your PC so you can plop the toy anywhere and still keep in touch. I'm not going to be building one: I've got a vision of teddy getting bored with endless inane Twitter updates, slapping in some steel fangs in its cyber-jaw and chewing its way out of the house. [Project page via Hackaday]

Automatic Talking, Feeding Dog Bowl

Jason Chen — Wed, 23 May 2007 20:40:08 EDT

What happens when you take a talking dog bowl and add automatic feeding to it? You get an Automatic Electronic Pet Feeder with Voice Recorder, of course.

The bowl feeds your dog/cat/baby with three separate trays, which can be programmed to open at 8-, 12-, or 24-hour intervals. That means the maximum you can leave your house for is three days, unless you somehow put enough food in each tray to last more than one day.

Our idea? Make one of these for wives to use when they go away on business trips so their husbands don't starve. No really, we're totally serious. – Jason Chen

Product Page [WildElectronics via Nerd Approved]

Talking Butler: "She was out of your league"

Mark Wilson — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 13:15:05 EST

Gizmodo Tip #45: Avoid any gadget that speaks unnecessarily. This includes but is not exclusive to talking...bottle openers, plush dolls, birthday cards, keychains, nose hair trimmers, trout that hang on your wall, any trout, anything that hangs on your wall and anything that I will in any way hear ever.

Gizmodo Tip #46: Avoid speaking back to any gadget that speaks unnecessarily. Especially when drinking. The $66 talking butler is just a hired hand. He doesn't care about "the one that got away" or how you were "born to do something very important" with your life. And neither do your guests who are sharing the bottle. – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via scifi tech]

Talking Dog Bowl Mindfraks Your Pets

Jason Chen — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 15:10:12 EST

Although a dog bowl that plays back a recorded message for your dog may seem like a good idea at first, it really isn't. Sure, the "comforting your pet while you're away" angle is nice, but what about when you're home?

Will Fido understand that no, you're not hiding near the dog bowl? Or will he spend hours searching your house, tearing apart your newly-purchased sheets and blankets in a costly game of hide-and-seek? If you're truly up for punishing your pets, the bowl costs twenty bucks and you can order online. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Chatterbowl via Gizmag]

Talking Tombstone, You Know, For Dead Jokesters

Travis Hudson — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 16:36:36 EDT

You may be dead, but that doesn't mean the hijinks need to stop. The Talking Tombstone is quite possibly the most distasteful and tacky addition to any dead person's repertoire, but, oh man, it could be funny.

Cheer up, you silly mourners, and listen to my deceased voice insult your mother from beyond the grave. This tombstone will set you—or your life insurance company—back $5,000. But that isn't too bad considering you are getting the last word, for all eternity. Oh ho!– Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Coolest-Gadgets]

Rex, the Talking Prescription Bottle

Travis Hudson — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 17:32:20 EDT

No, Rex won't be your friend and listen to you whispering sweet-nothings, but it will help you take your medicine correctly, every time. The Rex kit includes three bottles and a recording device for $55. This device is primarily targeted for the elderly or visually impaired. With a push of a button the bottle will play back the recorded dosage instructions. There are even participating pharmacies that have a computer to convert the label information into a recorded message on the Rex bottle.

Product Page [Via Gearlog]