February 10, 2006 | Back

Tychi Systems Ships Biometric Doorknob

Have a tendency for losing your house keys? Tired of waiting for the neighbors to come home to let you in with that precious "spare" key? Stress no more! Tychi Systems, Inc., is now shipping their long anticipated BioKnob, the first doorknob with fingerprint recognition. Users brush their finger across the knob to unlock the door. 100 sets of fingerprints can be stored. Entry is also possible by an individually assigned passcode.

With the BioKnob, families do not need to carry keys or hide one in the yard. Managers at businesses need not worry about loose keys or having to re-key locks with every lost key or management change. Guests or short term visitors can be programmed; then after their stay, their fingerprints are deleted. An audit feature records entries by Individual, Date and Time, and records the last 1000 entries. Teens beware - your parents will now know exactly how late past curfew you came home!

> Source: Tychi Systems
> Estimated price: N/A
> Date released/expected: N/A

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January 12, 2006 | Back

U.K.'s Department for Transport Conducts Trial of Full Body Imaging Technology

Since we all know that terrorism is not exclusive to airports, it's good to know that our railway stations are being protected. Well, maybe not ours, but at least in the U.K. The U.K.'s Department for Transport has selected SafeView's Scout personnel screening systems for its London railway security trial. In the four-week trial, the system will be used to screen a small number of randomly selected passengers on London's Heathrow Express, which runs from Paddington Station in West London to Heathrow airport. This is the first technology of this type being tested by the U.K. government following the tragic events of last July.

SafeView's Scout systems utilize very low power millimeter waves to monitor individuals for conventional and non-conventional weapons, explosives and contraband. SafeView can detect new types of threats, including those containing metal, ceramic, plastic and other materials. This is the first Scout to be installed at a rail station. Let's hope that U.S. railway operators implement the next one.

> Source: SafeView
> Estimated price: January 2006
> Date released/expected: N/A

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October 24, 2005 | Back

PhotoWorks Hardback Photo Book Shows Off Photos

Hey mom, check this out! Just in time for the holiday season, PhotoWorks has launched the Photo Clutch for digital pics. It's professionally printed with crisp resolution on French-folded paper, hardback bound, and nestled in an imported leather wallet with an invisible magnetic closure. All you have to do is choose 12 to 18 favorite of your favorite pictures and upload them to your account at PhotoWorks.com. Within minutes, you've created your Photo Clutch and it will be at your door within a week.

> Source: PhotoWorks
> Estimated price: Clutch Book w/leather wallet - $40 - Refills $16
> Date released/expected: N/A

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August 09, 2005 | Back

Royal Launches the RP1000S Reference Organizer

Back to School time again kids! And you might want to get one of these for the road. Royal Consumer Information Products and Barron's Educational Series, Inc. have launched Royal's latest innovative reference tool, the RP1000S, featuring Barron's ''SAT Hot Word List,'' for students or anyone seeking to enhance their language arts and vocabulary skills.

At home or school, Royal's RP1000S pocket reference tool enables students to conveniently use and review ''SAT Hot Word List'' to enrich their understanding and recognition of words, boost their vocabulary and achieve better classroom and high school SAT test results. Students will also benefit from access to Royal's menu of powerful, easy-to-use reference features that include the American Heritage Dictionary with over 200,000 definitions, Roget's II New Thesaurus with more than 500,000 synonyms, English language spell checker, English-French-Spanish language translator, 10-digit calculator, currency converter and personal organizer. Whether it's English, Math, or Spanish, now you don't have to guess at the right answer - just look it up!

> Source: Royal
> Estimated price: $29
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

July 26, 2005 | Back

SunGuard Laundry Aid Helps Clothing Block UV Rays

Applying sunscreen and covering up with a T-shirt may seem like complete sun protection, but are you really shielded from the damaging rays of the sun? Not according to Phoenix Brands, the maker of SunGuard laundry aid. The company claims that harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can actually penetrate clothing and leave you vulnerable to skin damage.

However, now with SunGuard, the only laundry aid in the U.S. that washes UV skin protection into clothes, you can boost the protection level of your favorite summertime clothes to a UPF of 30. With the active ingredient Tinosorb FD, a UV protectant from Ciba Specialty Chemicals, SunGuard helps block more than 96 percent of the sun's harmful rays from reaching skin. (If you live in Alaska, you can probably stop reading this. But, for those of us in Florida - maybe worth a shot.)

SunGuard has also received the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval as well as The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation.

> Source: SunGuard
> Estimated price: $2 per box
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 09:22 AM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

July 22, 2005 | Back

Funny, Fuzzy, and Furry the Furrballz

Furrballz plush toys, which come in a wide variety of vibrant colors and three lines of characters - MeatBallz, HairBallz, and FurrBallz - are currently shake, rattling and rolling off store shelves across the country, says manufacturer, Fine Toy Company. Available nationwide at Wal-Mart and KB Toys, thousands of emails from real kids across the nation indicate that the new owners are getting a kick out of the motion activated toys, which dance and pop around while jammin' to tunes like "Who Let the Dogs Out?" and "Shake Your Body."

This inexpensively priced toy comes to market at the right time, according to CNN Money, which recently reported that back-to-school spending is expected to drop sharply this year. So, you can save money and get your kids a cool hairy gift - that gets them out of YOUR hair... Sounds like a good gift to me.

> Source: Fine Toy Company
> Estimated price: $8
> Date released/expected: N/A

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July 18, 2005 | Back

Martini's Future May Be on the Rocks

When Doug Hamer and Brian Higgins stumbled on the idea that they could pave their road to retirement with gelatin, or more correctly gelatin "shooters,"the two thirty-somethings hit on a generational shift that replaces martinis with a social twist: interactive drinking. The road to a possible nightlife phenomenon called Hamer out of the telecommunications world (he founded long-distance reseller Allsouth Communications) and Higgins out of information technology to create Suck and Blow, the first interactive beverage in the alcohol industry.

Suck and Blow are patented, six inch plastic tubes containing one-and-a-half ounces of flavored gelatin (13 percent alcohol, by volume). Safety-sealed caps on both ends of the tube require two mouths: one to blow out the gelatin and the other to suck it in. According to Hamer, "Suck and Blow gives hope to socializing singles who can use the need for a Suck and Blow partner to break the ice, rather than risk almost sure failure with those old, tired and just plain awful pick-up lines." (Right, nothing more appropriate than asking your companion to suck and blow on a first date.)

> Source: Suck and Blow
> Estimated price: N/A
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

July 15, 2005 | Back

WeatherBug Plus Debuts at Major Retail Stores Nationwide

It is hurricane season after all, and what better time to stay attuned to the forecast in your neighborhood? WeatherBug, the leading provider of weather information services, has expanded its distribution channel through a new partnership with retail distributor Navarre by launching the new CD version of WeatherBug Plus at retail outlets nationwide. Initial retail distribution partners for the ad-free version of its popular desktop application include: Best Buy, CompUSA, Circuit City, Frys, Microcenter and Amazon. Previously, WeatherBug Plus was only available online, from WeatherBug.com.

WeatherBug has established a variety of ways for consumer and business users to access the rich proprietary weather information gathered from its exclusive nationwide weather network of over 8,000 live WeatherBug Tracking Stations and more than 1,000 live cameras. This not only includes free and premium versions of its downloadable software application WeatherBug, but also SMS alerts, a Windows Mobile Smartphone application, and on-air distribution through partnerships with over 100 local TV station affiliates.

> Source: WeatherBug
> Estimated price: $20
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 09:07 AM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

June 29, 2005 | Back

Design for the Customer - Be They Human or Animal

Design Edge wins the 2005 Gold Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA) bestowed by the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) for a dog toy developed for their in-house company, Wetnoz International LLC.

If the secret to great design is serving the customer, then how do you determine what the customer wants? The most effective route to customer insight is to walk a mile in their shoes (like Nike), or clean a house with their brooms (like Proctor & Gamble). But how do you design when your customers do not even wear shoes, much less talk? Design Edge met the challenges of their pet demographic through research, interviews, and the easiest part -- being attentive pet owners.

The recent award focuses on Wetnoz's 'Spring Roll,' an 'Interactive Fetch Toy,' whose very name suggests that owners should play more with their dogs, rather than hand them a chew toy. The Spring Roll's hour glass shape is a modern interpretation of a bone, which opportunely conforms to the anatomy of a dog's mouth for easy pick-up and retrieval. Made of natural rubber, the Spring Roll inherently appeals to the senses of any dog and is non-toxic to their system. When thrown, the variable wall thickness creates a soft impact and an unpredictable bounce and roll pattern that keeps dogs guessing. The interior tunnel can hold treats for training or reward purposes.

> Source: Design Edge
> Estimated price: $10 - $15
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

June 22, 2005 | Back

The Ultimate Portable LED Gadget

This tiny little LED device is a bit like Frankenstein - it has aspects of a bunch of our products all shoved into one body! Unlike Frankenstein, however, PIX Sports is mega-portable and high stylin'. If you ever find time to wrestle yourself away from the latest console title, or if you are sick of programming and choose to venture away from the computer, don't leave home without PIX. It may not save your life, but it will die trying.

The clip will let you stick PIX Sports on almost anything. Take the clip off and you can even fix it to a lanyard and wear it as a necklace or attach it to your backpack. It only uses 2 buttons (cleverly marked "A" and "B") to give you access to all of the PIX's features. Whatever feature you are using, you'll have access to 75 high intensity LEDs all in a convenient 3" X 1" form factor. Flip the switch, Igor...Pix Sports is a clock, a stopwatch, a pedometer, a signal, a motion responsive display, and even a scrolling message display.

> Source: ThinkGeek.com
> Estimated price: $35
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

June 20, 2005 | Back

Electronic Portable Magnifier with Emphasis on Ergonomics and Design

For those of you who are a bit "sight-challenged," you may want to take a look at The Traveller, a battery operated, full color flat screen electronic magnifier with variable magnification. It has been designed to be truly portable giving maximum freedom to the user. The magnification ranges from 4.5 to 16 times, with continuous linear zoom, without any pre-set steps. Another unique feature of the Traveller is that it can also be used for writing. Open the Traveller up and you are ready to write on the spot. The screen features a full color photo mode and two high contrast text modes, giving the widest range of viewing options for looking at photographs, prints or handwriting.

> Source: Tieman
> Estimated price: $1,895
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 10:52 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

June 17, 2005 | Back

The Eye Ball by Remington Technologies

Criminals beware! Remington Technologies has launched The Eye Ball R1 remote-controlled 360-degree spherical camera system, or "mobile display system," originally designed and developed by O.D.F. Optronics, Ltd., out of Tel-Aviv, Israel. Remington's Eye Ball R1 is a compact wireless 360 mobile display system, designed to be used in tactical operations where law enforcement personnel need to see the situation before entering a building, floor or room.

The Eye Ball R1 is rugged allowing officers to roll, toss, lower or throw it as applications demand. Once deployed, the system can capture video out to 25 yards away and audio up to a distance of 5 yards, and then broadcast both up to 200 yards wirelessly back to a large remote control device called a Personal Display Unit (PDU), operated by the tactical operator. The PDU can communicate with two Eye Ball R1's simultaneously. Sounds like more fun than my PlayStation!

> Source: Remington Technologies
> Estimated price: Contact for quote
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

June 15, 2005 | Back

Your Pet Will Glow with Viatek's New Leash

See and be seen! Your pet will always be seen in the dark with Viatek's glowing leash. The leash comes with a dual beam high power 10000 hour strobe light so you can see what lies ahead, but it also includes a leash that glows in the dark and flashes as well. Powered by 2-AA batteries. A must for anyone who walks their dog in the dark.

> Source: Viatek
> Estimated price: $30
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

How Intelligent is Your Pet Dish?

Making feeding time simple, Viatek has launched one of the most intelligent pet bowls to date. The Intelligent Automatic Pet Dish is a quick and easy solution for busy, on-the-go pet owners. A digital programmable timer and self-opening food tray will automatically serve pets up to four meals at programmable times.

And when it opens, your recorded voice will call your pet. Removable lids are dishwasher safe. Your pets never miss a meal and maintain their normal eating schedule, even when you can't be there. (Or are simply too lazy to get up off the couch!)

> Source: Viatek
> Estimated price: $60
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

June 14, 2005 | Back

Sonare Introduces Babble, Voice Privacy Without Walls

Shhh. They'll hear your secret plans to overthrow the boss. Not anymore!, says Sonare Technologies, A Herman Miller Company. The company has just debuted Babble, a breakthrough technology that provides voice confidentiality and security of information in open-plan work environments.

Babble is a desktop device that connects to the telephone and sends the user's voice out in multiplied and "babbled" form through proprietary speakers arranged in the work area. It achieves confidentiality without distracting the user of the device, and those in the user's immediate area hear what sounds like an indiscernible, low-volume group conversation.

Privacy issues are a thing of the past, according to Sonare. Your conversations are now reserved for you, the person you're speaking to, and, of course, Babble.

> Source: Sonare Technologies
> Estimated price: $395
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 09:52 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

June 13, 2005 | Back

Smart Label Printers Make Creating Labels Quick and Cost-Effective

Labels, labels, labels. Just what we all needed, another label maker. I am sure you are overjoyed. In any case, Seiko Instruments USA, the pioneer of the one-label-at-a-time "smart" printer, has launched three new additions that offer full-functionality single label printing at comparable or lower price points than competitive offerings. Seiko Instruments' new SLP 410, 420 and 430 Smart Label Printers feature a sleek new industrial design and support Mac users, for the first time. (Whew, I thought I would be excluded!)

Because one label can be created and printed on an as-needed basis, costs are kept down, the process is efficient and there's no wasted sheets of labels. Direct thermal printing technology also eliminates the need for expensive inks, ribbons or toner. For those in larger office environments who prefer to hook the printer up to the company network, each SLP is equipped with a USB and serial connection built-in. A variety of fonts and graphics can be added. In addition, customized formats, complete with company logo and a post office-approved bar code, can easily be prepared. Okay, maybe this is more useful than I thought.

> Source: Seiko
> Estimated price: SLP 410 $99 - SLP 420 $129 - SLP 430 $179
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 09:45 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

May 27, 2005 | Back

OpenX Plastic Packaging Opener Gizmo

The OpenX stubborn plastic packaging gizmo that enables us to easily open our small gadgets that come in those maddening blisterpack containers, are now on sale on the OpenX web site for $5, including US shipping, through May 31st.

This gizmo will definitely save you some skin and will help enhance your new gadget experience.

> Source: OpenX
> Estimated price: $5 includes US shipping
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

May 26, 2005 | Back

SF Giants Pitcher Beams Autographed Digital Baseball Card from LifeDrive Mobile Manager

San Francisco Giants pitcher, Scott Eyre, beams an autographed digital baseball card from his LifeDrive mobile manager from palmOne to Giants fan Matt Crowley. Designed for people with a significant volume of digital information, palmOne's all-new LifeDrive offers loads of storage space for photos, videos, files, folders, email and custom applications like ScorePad.

LifeDrive is the first product in a new category of mobile managers, which fuses business productivity tools and entertainment applications. It's about time!

> Source: PalmOne
> Estimated price: $499
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 11:58 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments