Slide Shows | Technology

2008 Gadget Guide: 33 Technology Innovations [Slide Show]

Holiday gift list: 13 high-tech toys, plus 20 green gadgets and socially responsible inventions

  • Share
  • Email
  •  8 of 11  
Video eyewear:
thumb: Video eyewear:

Video eyewear:

Virtual reality visors are challenging flat-screen plasma TVs to provide the best experience for watching movies, playing video games or surfing the Web....[More]

 Hoverit, Ltd.'s Lounger :
thumb:  Hoverit, Ltd.'s Lounger :
Hoverit, Ltd.'s Lounger:" data-pin-do="buttonBookmark">

Hoverit, Ltd.'s Lounger:

Inspired by Luke Skywalker's hovering Landspeeder in the Star Wars films, Hoverit's acrylic Lounger uses repelling magnetic forces in both the chair and base to keep the chair aloft....[More]

 Flight Motion Simulators, Inc.'s Dreamflyer :
thumb:  Flight Motion Simulators, Inc.'s Dreamflyer :
Flight Motion Simulators, Inc.'s Dreamflyer:" data-pin-do="buttonBookmark">

Flight Motion Simulators, Inc.'s Dreamflyer:

The Dreamflyer is a three-foot (0.9-meter) by six-foot (1.8-meter) virtual-reality flight motion simulator with a black powder-coated aluminum frame and sports seat that faces up to three video monitors portraying images of flight....[More]

Mini projectors:
thumb: Mini projectors:

Mini projectors:

Mini digital projectors (also called "pico" projectors) the size of an iPhone are sprouting up to provide "big-screen" viewing of movies, videos and other visuals stored on iPods, PCs, gaming systems and other devices....[More]

 BeamBox :
thumb:  BeamBox :
BeamBox: " data-pin-do="buttonBookmark">

BeamBox:

BeamBox's W-1 and B-1 (which come in white and black, respectively) are each about the size of two decks of cards and are able to display a 42-inch (106.7-centimeter) image, diagonally, from less than five feet (1.5 meters) away from the screen (a wall or any white surface)....[More]

Other mini projectors include:
thumb: Other mini projectors include:

Other mini projectors include:

Olens Technology's XPJ-USA010 Personal Entertainment Projector, priced at $300; and Optoma's PK-101 (not pictured), expected to run about $400 when released early next year....[More]

 3M Mobile Privacy Film :
thumb:  3M Mobile Privacy Film :
3M Mobile Privacy Film:" data-pin-do="buttonBookmark">

3M Mobile Privacy Film:

This mobile phone screen cover works in a way similar to vertical blinds--the film features a microlouver technology that makes LCD screens appear dark when viewed at an angle....[More]

Belkin International, Inc.'s RockStar:
thumb: Belkin International, Inc.'s RockStar:

Belkin International, Inc.'s RockStar:

RockStar is a hub for connecting up to five sets of headphones to the same MP3 player, making it possible to share the listening experience without having to pass around your iPod....[More]

 WowWee's FlyTech Bladestar :
thumb:  WowWee's FlyTech Bladestar :
WowWee's FlyTech Bladestar:" data-pin-do="buttonBookmark">

WowWee's FlyTech Bladestar:

The Bladestar is a helicopterlike flying toy that includes a navigation sensor to help keep it from slamming into walls and ceilings. (It's not made to be used outdoors.) Multiple Bladestars can engage in living-room aerial battles by exchanging infrared pulses....[More]

DEOS Group, LLC's diamond-studded earbuds:
thumb: DEOS Group, LLC's diamond-studded earbuds:

DEOS Group, LLC's diamond-studded earbuds:

Apple may offer about a dozen different types of iPod, but they all come with the same boring earbuds. DEOS is offering to add bling to your beat (and your iPhone) with three different styles of its diamond-studded covers (which slip over the standard-issue white buds)....[More]

 Channel-Changer Ray Gun :
thumb:  Channel-Changer Ray Gun :
Channel-Changer Ray Gun: " data-pin-do="buttonBookmark">

Channel-Changer Ray Gun:

Don't just watch science fiction on your TV, become a part of it by adding this ray gun–shaped remote to your collection. Price tag: about $15 for the joy of disintegrating a heinous reality show or vaporizing a bloviating pundit....[More]

risk free title graphic

YES! Send me a free issue of Scientific American with no obligation to continue the subscription. If I like it, I will be billed for the one-year subscription.

cover image
ADVERTISEMENT

6 Comments

Add Comment
View
  1. 1. Blu_Sage 08:11 AM 11/18/08

    Oh great we can bath on the chair of the deadly chemical Bisphonal A
    as reported right here August this year.

    GET PVC out of our world! , it's killing you.

    Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this
  2. 2. Blu_Sage 08:12 AM 11/18/08

    These have been proven to cause headaches and server eye strain.

    Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this
  3. 3. Chem_Dude651 in reply to Blu_Sage 11:47 AM 11/19/08

    It is not PVC that is the problem... Bisphonal A is a chemical component of Polycarbonate not Polyvinylchloride. Getting rid of PVC would mean that the cheap plumbing pipes in most houses would be killing people. Bisphonal A is found in clear hard plastic bottles that claim to be unbreakable (Nalgene bottles).

    Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this
  4. 4. reldoc 03:47 PM 11/24/08

    It is such a shame when someone with an actual science background is allowed to comment. Which of the millions of chemicals can we actually use without facing a protest group? These are worn for short periods of time.

    Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this
  5. 5. T- monica 09:30 PM 11/29/08

    Really bad for eyes

    Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this
  6. 6. briangch 07:35 PM 1/27/09

    yeah, i agree, it looks like this could be really bad for one's eyes. i would rather have companies move more green than virtual, like this: http://www.jumpintotomorrow.com/template/index.php?tech=201
    It's a 46-inch, sub 10 mm thick full HD TV with 30% less weight and materials and a power savings of 30% more than a standard 46-inch HD TVs.

    Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this
Leave this field empty

Add a Comment

You must sign in or register as a ScientificAmerican.com member to submit a comment.
Click one of the buttons below to register using an existing Social Account.
Advertisement

Email this Article

X
Scientific American Magazine

Subscribe Today

Save 66% off the cover price and get a free gift!

Learn More >>

X

Please Log In

Forgot: Password

X

Account Linking

Welcome, . Do you have an existing ScientificAmerican.com account?

Yes, please link my existing account with for quick, secure access.



Forgot Password?

No, I would like to create a new account with my profile information.

Create Account
X

Report Abuse

Are you sure?

X

Institutional Access

It has been identified that the institution you are trying to access this article from has institutional site license access to Scientific American on nature.com. To access this article in its entirety through site license access, click below.

Site license access
X

Error

X

Share this Article

X