20 Gadgets You Want
Popular applications of science and technology for you to give and get
20 Gadgets You Want
- 20G-Guide-lighter.jpg Zippo Style Digital Cigarette Lighter Camera
Cigar? Cigarette? Camera? Smoking may be out of vogue, but spy cameras never go out of style. So this may be the perfect stocking stuffer for the spy in your life. This camera masquerading as a cigarette lighter won't light anything (or strike up a flame), but it does have 64 megabytes of SDRAM that stores up to 104 images at standard resolution (640 by 480) and 30 images at high resolution (1,280 by 960). The digital images can be downloaded to a computer via USB cable.
Price tag: $105 Courtesy of Spygadgets.com - 19G-Guide-defibulator.jpg De-FIB-ulator
The next time a friend's sincerity is in doubt, (like when you discover that fake $20 using your iTeki signal-detector pen) try this portable lie detector that measures varying degrees of vibration in the voice, which may or may not be a measure of the speaker's honesty. The device's on-screen "Demonochio" character's nose will grow and horns will appear to grow as your subject's voice gets more tense. We're betting the evidence is not admissible in court (so you might want to double-check before pointing fingers at pals).
Price tag: $50 Courtesy of Spygadgets.com - 18G-Guide-sudokube.jpg Sudokube
Love Sudoku, but discouraged by all of the writing and erasing? Not a problem. Dust off your Rubik's Cube skills and get ready to satisfy your math puzzle addiction. For those of you who don't know the drill, move the numbers around the cube by twisting its different segments.
Price tag: $10 Courtesy of Boysstuff.co.uk - 17G-Guide-globe.jpg Oregon Scientific SmartGlobe Deluxe
Explore your world using the latest geo-global information with this Internet-upgradeable globe. It plays quiz games featuring countries, capitals, major cities, populations, languages, currencies, time, distances, history, science and current events. (Thirty of the games are in English, six are translated into Spanish.) The globe comes with a "smart pen" and works with headphones. Downloadable information is kept current with weekly Web updates. Sorry Mac users, this only works with PCs.
Price tag: $150 Courtesy of Oregonscientific.com - 16G-Guide-keyboard.jpg Bendi Lightup Keyboard
It's virtually indestructible (or so they say); it can be rolled up for mobile computing; it's waterproof and—best of all—it glows electric blue or hot pink. USB-connectable, it's also designed for silent typing. No software required.
Price tag: $50 Courtesy of Coolest-gadgets.com - 15G-Guide-goldmac.jpg 24-karat, 15.4-inch Gold MacBook Pro Finished
Upgrade your desktop bling with a gold-plated MacBook Pro that also boasts a diamond-encrusted Apple logo (two-karat total weight in diamonds). The customized MacPro comes complete with a one-year warranty on the hardware, plating and custom-painted keyboard / track pad. The exterior finish is polished 24 karat and the interior is satin 24-karat gold. Oh, yeah, it's also powered by Intel's Core 2 Duo processor and comes with up to four gigabytes of memory.
Price tag: $9,000 and up Courtesy of Powermax.com - 14G-Guide-binary-clock.jpg Powers of 2 Binary LED Clock
Want to show everyone how smart you are? Set up this silver-tone clock on your desk. It displays the time in binary—the 1s and 0s of computer language. The blue-lighted pattern changes as time passes. The secret: calculate the values of the lit LEDs in each column to derive the time. Runs in 12- or 24-hour mode. Stands 3.5 inches (8.8 centimeters) square.
Price tag: $30 Courtesy of Computergear.com - 13G-Guide-cubicle.jpg Shooting Cubicle Alarm System
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean someone isn't out to get you. Protect your gear (or at least your company-issued gear). Each unit has an ever watchful motion sensor and three settings. When Alarm 1 is tripped, the system flashes and Klaxons signal an intrusion. At the same time, it also arms Alarms 2 and 3 using invisible wireless signals. Alarm 2 also has an audible alarm that is not only louder than Alarm 1, but also detects motion using its red light beam. Alarm 3 raises the stakes, firing two missiles to drive off any intruders. (Don't worry, they hardly leave a mark.)
Price tag: $40 Courtesy of Thinkgeek.com - 12G-Guide-scale.jpg The Jumping Man's Scales
As if you weren't already afraid to step on the scale. Check your weight while simultaneously experiencing the euphoria of walking on the edge—literally. This scale has a printed glass top that resembles the ledge of a tall building with traffic speeding along below your feet. Clearly something everyone should have.
Price tag: $70 Courtesy of Boysstuff.co.uk - 11G-Guide-toaster.jpg Transparent Toaster
This one is still in the labs, but it promises to answer the age-old question: How exactly does bread become toast? Sure, you can find this out by using a toaster oven, but wouldn't you rather have a transparent toaster? The idea is based on a transparent heating glass technology that's not quite ready for prime time.
Price tag: Unknown Courtesy of Inventables.com - 10G-Guide-pen.jpg iTeki Hidden Camera Wireless Signal Detection Pen
This pen isn't just for scribbling notes; it can also detect radio-frequency and ultraviolet signals of 900 / 1200 / 1,300 and 2,400 / 2,600 / 3,000 megahertz. This means that it not only lets you know when your favorite café has a wireless access point, but it can also alert you to incoming signals that may be trying to steal your data. If that's not enough, use the UV light to check for a legit watermark on that $20 bill your parsimonious buddy chipped in for dinner; knowing him, it could be a fake.
Price tag: 25 Courtesy of Vavolo.com - 9G-Guide-trackstick.jpg Super Trackstick
It's a small global positioning system (GPS) recorder that logs its own location histories for extended periods of time. These detailed recordings include time, date, location, speed, heading and altitude. Built-in flash memory and long battery life allow for the storage of months of travel information. The Trackstick receives signals from 24 GPS navigational satellites, using this information to calculate its own position anywhere on the planet to within about eight feet (2.5 meters). All of Super Trackstick's information can be downloaded to a computer via the USB port and viewed on Google Earth's 3-D model of the planet.
Price tag: $269 Courtesy of Trackstick.com - 8G-Guide-umbrella.jpg Ambient Forecasting Umbrella
Need to know if it's going to rain? Why not just ask your umbrella? A built-in wireless receiver gets a daily weather forecast from Accuweather.com and blue LEDs will flash to let you know if the forecast is rain or snow. The LEDs located at the base of the handle will flash in proportion to the likelihood of precipitation in your area; if there is a 100 percent chance, it will flash quickly, and if a 10 percent chance, it will flash slowly. Could it be any less accurate than your local TV weather guy? Features a generous 58-inch (1.5-meter) diameter canopy.
Price tag: $100 Courtesy of Thinkgeek.com - 7G-Guide-UV.jpg Oregon Scientific Personal UV Monitor with Exposure Timer
A sun worshipper—or not—but want to make sure you're not overexposed to harmful ultraviolet rays? Good news: you can use this handy dandy monitor to check the most current UV index and temperature, while also calculating your recommended exposure time based on UV, sunscreen and your personal skin type.
Price tag: $18 Courtesy of Oregonscientific.com - 6G-Guide-photonegative.jpg Hammacher Schlemmer Slide- and Negative-to-Digital-Picture Converter
It may be hard to recall a time before ubiquitous digital cameras, but you no doubt have boxes full of reminders in the form of old 35-millimeter slides and film negatives. Wish you could easily convert those relics of the past into sharp digital images? Wish no more. This device does just that, negating the need for a conversion service. The way it works: it has a five-megapixel complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor that provides 10 bits per color channel for data conversion and it uses fixed focus, automatic exposure control and color balance, resulting in digital images without loss of resolution. The device scans images up to 1,800 dots per inch (dpi) and uses three white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a backlight source. It comes with a USB cable that plugs into a PC running Windows XP to transfer photos and includes software that allows you to edit, crop and resize your slides as well as convert your negatives into positives.
Price tag: $100 Courtesy of Hammacher.com - 5G-Guide-cassette.jpg Ion USB Cassette Deck
Not sure what to do with all of those old cassette tapes that got you through high school? (If you don't know what a cassette tape is, you obviously have never listened to Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet" at top volume.) The Ion USB Cassette Deck has your name written all over it. Using the included software, you can rip your audio cassettes into digital format for playback on an iPod or burning onto a CD. The Ion comes bundled with EZ Tape Converter by MixMeister, which converts audio cassette recordings directly into iTunes. Enjoy the trip down memory lane.
Price tag: $150 Courtesy of Thinkgeek.com - 4G-Guide-planets.jpg Duevel "The Planets" Speakers
In home settings, these shiny orbs are designed to be precision wave guides that disperse music in a 360-degree pattern. The Duevel Planets are handmade in Germany and use a specialty short horn tweeter, high-efficiency 5.9-inch (15-centimeter) woofer. The speakers require 10 watts of power per side to produce sound at a sensitivity of 85 decibels. Tailored to be used as the front, left and right channels in home theaters, the orbs sort of look like an homage to Earth and the moon.
Price tag: $1,300 (with some paint finishes costing $100 extra) Courtesy of Urbanfidelity.com - 3G-Guide-bluetooth.jpg Portable Bluetooth Speaker MBS-100
Why keep all of the cool tunes you have stored in your phone to yourself, when you can wirelessly (via Bluetooth 2.0) hook up this baseball-size speaker? With a range of up to about 33 feet (10 meters), each speaker (3.9 by 3.9 by 3.9 inches / 10 by 10 by 10 centimeters) features a built-in rechargeable battery and can also be plugged into your computer. The product is set to begin shipping early next year, but the price has yet to be set. Courtesy of Engadget.com - 2G-Guide-H-racer.jpg H2 Hydrogen Racer
Eager to go green but can't bear to part with your gas-guzzling SUV? Try out the energy-efficient, hydrogen-fueled H2 Hydrogen Racer to see if this zero-emission vehicle fits your new ecofriendly lifestyle, while at the same time getting junior interested in the green movement. This spiffy little toy has an onboard hydrogen storage tank, an electric motor and emits only water vapor. Power up the fueling station using water, and it will run for up to 100 feet (30 meters), or about four minutes. The fueling station can be powered using batteries or solar panels. The car is approximately six by three by two inches (15 by eight by five centimeters); the fueling station is approximately 4.3 by 3.5 by 2.8 inches (11 by nine by seven centimeters).
Price tag: $115 Courtesy of Discoverthis.com - 1G-Guide-Ferrari.jpg Limited Edition Ferrari Segway PT i2
Word on the street, er, sidewalk, is that Ferrari employees' fondness for Segway personal transportation has morphed into a two-wheeler with the luxury sports car maker's trademark logo and flashy red coloring. If you're not already a Segway fan (and unless you're one of the few people who own one, you probably aren't), this model isn't likely to change your opinion. The i2 travels up to 25 miles (40 kilometers) or about 480 city blocks on a single charge of its lithium ion battery. The nifty, new i2 is designed to be stored in the trunk of your car—unless, that is, your car is a Ferrari, where trunk space isn't a big selling point. The lux scooter comes with a classy leather handlebar bag. Warning: don't be fooled by the candy-apple red color; the Ferrari-inspired i2 has the same motor under its hood as Segway's other models, which putter along at two speeds: "beginner" (six mph / 13 kph) and "standard" (12.5 mph / 20 kph).
Price tag: about $10,470 Courtesy of Ferraristore.com
