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Learning is always better with robots. They even make golf fun, or at least automated, which is about ten times better than having to play it. To test the Z Shaft, a pool cue designed to help players eliminate cue deflection for truer shots, the folks at Predator enlisted the aid of Iron Willie, a…
EarLove are earplugs designed for (and by) people who love live, loud music, but just can’t hang with losing their ability to hear. Using the same technology that’s in the high-end, custom-fitted Etymotic Musician’s Earplugs (which go for about $150 a pop), the EarLoves reduce sound across all frequencies by about 20 decibels, which means…
Sony’s tries at gaining serious ground in the portable media game is starting to remind me of a very special Hallmark movie about crippled children, only without the winning against the odds part at the end. Their new Hi-MD Photo player gets a few things right: it’s small, which is always nice. The display is…
IOdata’s latest USB flash memory key is the EasyDisk Platinum, which in addition to the standard password protection for its encrypted content, also uses ‘VOLATILE DATA’ technology to create a temporary folder on your PC that is cryptomagically hosed after usage. That should prevent, in theory, data recovery tools from accessing the content, presuming you…
Rogue Amoeba software, the folks who produce the excellent Audio Hijack Pro, have just announced ‘Airfoil,’ software for the Apple Airport Express that allows you to stream any sound source over Wi-Fi, not just iTunes. While it still isn’t a perfect solution for something like movie playback (where the audio will lag a couple of…
The Electroactive Polymer and Devices conference in San Diego on March 7th will play host to a number of projects that could literally change the way we live and abuse robots. On display will be artificial muscles and robotic mechanisms inspired by human organs, windows that change colors, an android head that can imitate human…
In the glove box of this new Lexus sits a Mac Mini, USB 2.0 hub, and an easy bundle of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. On the dash is a Pioneer in-dash receiver with touch screen displaying the mini’s OSX output. Gin and juice, money on your mind optional. Hopefully within a couple of months this…
Pacific Rim Technologies is releasing a silicone cover of their own for the iPod shuffle, called the Gel Shield. Available in 5 colors, including this ‘Juicy Pink,’ the cases will ship next Tuesday in 3-packs for $25, or a single for $11. I’m waiting for a case that looks like a pack of Juicy Fruit.…
R&D Automation is selling the Project: CFFA interface card, which allows users of the Apple II computers to use CompactFlash cards for storage. Since most Apple II software is stored on floppy disks—far from the most robust long-term storage medium—many users are using the $109 cards to backup their old timey favorites to something a…
My brain goes all crunchy with potential Jetsons-type disaster of the Super Trainer Bicycle Treadmill. At about twelve feet long, three feet wide, and something like twenty-five hundred pounds, the Super Trainer simulates a patch of road with far more clarity than the so-called streets here in New York. With no restraints to hold the…
Robert Oschler has devoted at least a small portion of his ample talents towards the development of the Robosapien Dance Machine. A complete and simple-to-use script editor allows you to create robust Robosapien command scripts that wow those who have the pleasure of witnessing the fruits of your ladder-logic labors. Completely free as open source…
The day all six of you have been waiting for is finally here: the new line of Segways has been announced! At any rate, it seems the good folks behind the Segway have made up for the short comings of the original model by adding that consumer favorite “practicality.” Take the XT for instance, with…
Create Digital Music has somewhat shocking information that HP might actually be doing something cool, as the electronics giants shows off the “DJammer.” The device is more than just a digital music player, as it can also hold and scratch tracks via motion sensors, and can stream to other devices for collaboration. HP has been…
IBiquity Digital has converted another Electronics giant to the idea of HD Radio with Alpine announcing plans to offer the new DVA-9965 receiver this August. Which is good, as the quality of digital radio stomps all over the analog variety and more people selling receivers for it means more support for the format. But don’t…
Try to stay with me on this one. FCC specialists want mobile phone users on the ground to be able to send SMS messages to the crew of the International Space Station. To ask them about the weather. On other planets. I can see some scientific purpose for this, as the ISS crew will have…
Product Highlights • New Game Boy this year? [CNN] • Why does PC support stink? Ask Symantec [CNet] I’m still unsure if this sort of rant actually changes anything (not that it stops me, either). Business • TiVo records new DVR patents [CNet] • My Interview With Microsoft s Media Center Bloggers [ThomasHawk] Culture •…
Creative responds to the Apple iPod mini update with a bump in the Zen Micro line, which now offers not only $200 4GB and $250 6GB models, but a new 5GB model in between for just $230. I don’t know that people really need that much granularity in their Zen choices, but whatever works, I…
Smarthome’s new IP thermostat lets you control the temperature anywhere in the house with just a few mouse clicks and a secure internet connection. Hold the living room hostage with the threat of your incredible weather-controlling machine! All for the bargain basement price of $398, which can be subsidized by ransom. IP Thermostat [Smarthome]
There’s something about squishy, brilliantly colored cushions that make me just want to gnaw on them, like I used to do with my dad’s keychain while locked in the Fun Trunk. The Ti Collection by Heltzer Furniture is a bench, chair and ottoman made of titanium, with silicone-topped air cushions completing the mix. The air…
Sony Ericsson is also showing off the mid- to low-end K300 and J300 phones. The K300 comes with a solid, if not awe-inspiring digital camera built in for still photo or video capture and Quickshare to simplify sending them to other phones. The J300 is company-mandated “fun” phone, available in a host of colors and…