Starbucks Dog of The Week

Okay so he's not tied up to the meter post but I figured I saw him while sitting here so he qualifies. Hehe.

k@t ^_^

Icicles

There were hanging on the carport thing that's in front of our garage. I guess it really was windy. Though it was cool looking.
k@t ^_^

Ow! Ow! Ow!

Well, had one of my wisdom toofs pulled. Hurts like a mofo but it had to get done. The actually pulling wasn't so bad. A little awkward because all I had thoughts of were my dentist with his foot on my forehead and him yanking my toof out with two hands and the pliers. Lmao! But he just wiggled it around some then pulled for about 15 seconds and that was it.

So now I'm lying awake and the anesthetic has worn off. NOW it hurts. Plus he got me so paranoid about getting a piece of rice stuck in the hole where my toof used to be that it took me forever to finish dinner!

Hopefully the pain will go away soon and I'll be fully healed for Chinese New Year.

k@t ^_^

Dentist

Waiting to see the dentist for my toof. I believe I have a cavity but I think that I might need to have it extracted. I know what you're thinking, "Eewww! She's not brushing well enough!". Its actually my wisdom tooth that grew in crooked. I think its because I couldn't get into the tiny corner. Who knows. All I know is I like my dentist but I can't stand having work done on my teeth!

k@t ^_^

More Snow

Still coming down, here's the railing in the backyard. Looks about 5" left on there after the wind was done blowing it around.

k@t ^_^

Snow!

This is what my neighborhood looks like today. It's only about 3pm so I'm assuming the snow will only get worse as time passes. Thank goodness my boss let me come home early. The commuting would have been a mess!

k@t ^_^

Hi-Fido Limited Edition Speaker

Err, I don't know how to feel about this...

Hi-Fido Limited Edition Speaker: "

I never thought that I could own a speaker that I felt like I could pet, but now there is something out there that’s looking a bit like a dog. Not in the dog ugly sort of manner, but it actually has four legs and a tail. It’s even called Hi-Fido in honor of the dog-like appearance. All around making for a very cute speaker to have in your home.

It will be a little difficult to get your hands on though. A total of 10 of these will be available in the US and that’s it. Which means it’s pretty safe to say that a majority of us will never actually see one of these in person. The speaker itself uses the acoustic properties of ceramic to diffuse hi quality sound with a bass reflex system. It of course swears to have top of the line sound quality and considering how few of these are being created it’s probably true. Currently they aren’t saying how much one of these will cost, but I doubt it’s cheap.

Another Heart Shaped Gadget For Valentine’s Day

Aww, how sweet...

Another Heart Shaped Gadget For Valentine’s Day: "

Valentine’s Day is coming up quick and in light of that here’s one more cheesy heart-shaped gadget to go along with the lovey little holiday. This tiny heart will hold onto your iPod and play your favorite music for everyone to hear. Whether they like it or not. They even come in other colors besides pinks and reds. Alright, so it’s only one other color, but it’s something other than pink.

As far as colors go this comes in black, red, dark pink and pale pink. The sweet heart-shaped dock will work with your iPod Classic, iPod Nano and even the iPod Touch. Beyond that it’s pretty much your average run of the mill iPod dock. Except this one is in the shape of a heart. Unfortunately it might be a little difficult to get one of these since it’s straight from Japan.

Dog-e-Minder keeps tabs on your dog's vitals so you don't have to (video)

For those anal retentive dog owners....

Dog-e-Minder keeps tabs on your dog's vitals so you don't have to (video): "

You're already weighing down the massive head of your Frenchton with some sort of bark collar and GPS-enabled location tracker, so what's another pendant around the neck, anyway? Dog-e-Minder, which is cleverly being marketed to the 'As Seen On TV!' crowd, is a battery-powered device that records the last time your pup (or cat, or iguana, or anything else that rocks a leash) ate, walked or took his / her medications. Essentially, owners simply mash the corresponding button after an event has occurred, and an internal timer keeps track of how long it has been since said event has happened. It also doubles as a dog identification tag (displaying the owner's contact information and the pet's name) whenever it's idle, and it's even available in a foursome of hues to match your canine's personality. The pain? $19.95, and the second one is thrown in absolutely free. Obligatory TV spot is after the break, and remember, 'If you own a dog, this product will change your life.' Change your life.

Starbucks Dog of The Week

No dog today. Curious. It was every weekend without fail for at least 5 weeks. There goes my theory.

Netbook

I managed to get my Blackberry to tether so I can use my netbook at work. Yay!

Mushroom Lamp for grown up Mario addicts

This is so cool.

Mushroom Lamp for grown up Mario addicts: "

Mushrooms have managed to becomes slightly famous. In part due to..well..the drug version of course. Then the type that you run into to make Mario grow. Actually, they are both pretty similar. This mushroom doesn’t look like a cheap plastic mushroom though, with this you can pretend to be chic and modern. When in reality you just love it because of the hours you’ve spent chasing mushrooms just to make you a little taller. Hopefully in virtual form only. People look at you strange when you start chasing after mushrooms in the woods, because you think they’ll make you grow.

This pretty designer lamp comes in white as well as black. Sorry no brightly colored ones with white polka dots. This color makes it blend in with grown up décor, which eventually it’s probably best to make the switch towards. You can purchase the lamp for $1,750 AUD or about $1,543 USD. So you’re going to have to be a very well off Mario addict.

New Hat

Bought myself a $5 hat today.
KY ^_^

Heat Changing Arcade Mugs

For those of you who are ol' skool...

Heat Changing Arcade Mugs: "

Love all those old, retro games from of yore? Heck, you would most probably be sitting at your now office desk, thinking about your heydays at the local arcade, holding on to the High Score in Pac Man till today. The joys (and pains) of growing up, eh? Why not relive those moments with the Heat Changing Arcade Mugs? After all, any decent office ought to have a well-stocked pantry that has a hot pot of coffee waiting for its employees always.

Normally the Pac Boy mug displays an empty maze and the Space Intruders mug displays a blank starry sky. But add some kind of hot beverage and instantly the Pac Boy maze is filled with 8-bit style ghosts and energizers while the Space Intruders shows a retro invaders style battle in action.

At $7.99 a pop, this would make for the perfect gift for any geek in the office (including yourself).

Happy Birthday Balloons

Today is Mom's birthday. The girls took her out for her birthday and got her some birthday balloons. Yay for birthday balloons!

KY ^_^

Starbucks Dog of the Week

This is the Starbucks dog of the day. See it never fails that a dog is tied up to a post! Lease he has a jacket on. It is 17 degrees outside as I am writing this.

KY ^_^

Wireblooms manage cables while sitting pretty

For those of you who are techy AND designy.

Wireblooms manage cables while sitting pretty: "

Cords are a common nuisance within everyday lives. Sure, they’re unattractive, and often get tangled up in ways we never imagined possible. However, they give us all of those modern conveniences we know and love, so it’s an evil that we deal with. We usually attempt to hide them away to make it easier to ignore their existence. Instead of doing that you could feature them with these Wireblooms.

The Wireblooms don’t just dangle from the cord or wrap around them. Instead they have a spot to hold the cord and then can be screwed into the wall. Therefore these are not only pretty, but they’re useful as far as cable management goes. When you purchase one of these kits you’ll receive a pretty little bird and three green leaves. Unfortunately, there is no pricing information. You’ll have to contact Monkey Business if you’d like further details on purchasing the item.

And we say we're on top of the food chain.... pff.

Motz Wooden FM Radio

This is so cute...

I can't believe it actually works... lol.

Motz Wooden FM Radio: "

For some unknown reason we all tend to get overly excited when normal everyday devices are made tiny. I have no idea why, but they’re just cooler when they’re miniature. This wooden FM radio even has an itty bitty antenna attached to it to pick up your favorite stations. Not only does it happen to be small, it also fulfills that need to own gadgets that are made out of wood.

It can be used alone as an FM radio or you can hook it up to an iPod and use it as a portable speaker. This 1.45” wide by 1” high by 0.75” radio can be charged fully by hooking it up to your USB port. If just one of these isn’t enough you can pick up a stereo-to-mono splitter cable and use two. Currently these are retailing through the Korean Early Shop. They’ll cost you 39,800 won or about $34.

Source: Technabob

Dog Central

Sitting in the Starbucks across the street to my second job. Seems that every single weekend I never fail to see a dog tied up to a meter post.

Lego Brick Earphones

Here's something to match that Lego mp3 player in my previous post...

Lego Brick Earphones: "

If you’re worried more about the personality of your earphones as opposed to the quality, then these would be perfect. At the price they’re set at, it’s highly unlikely that they’re top of the line. However, you’ll still manage to get one more item that reminds you of your favorite toy as a kid. You could match this up with the various other Lego themed items out there.

There were a set of earphones out there before that mimicked the Lego look, but they were styled a little different, plus they were only available in Japan. These new headphones are available in the US and are far cheaper than the other set. All around it’s a win win situation. The earphones come in black, blue, green, pink and red. You can purchase a set for $10 through Gadget4all.

Source: GeekAlerts

Crackberry

Okay, I know it's been a long time since I posted anything on the site but I really haven't had all that much to say.  Life has been boring... work then home, then work again the home... rinse, lather, repeat.  I have to say the only exiting things that did go on was that my sister and my cousin were in NY visiting for the holiday season.  I was good and didn't spend too much money and I purchased some really nice things.  Nothing crazy,  just good basics that I  needed.  Although I'm still on the search for a nice pair of black jeans that aren't to flare-y and that aren't cut "skinny."  Those of you who know me, "skinny" and "Kat" are two words that are never seen together.  So, onward goes my search.  I think I might have to break down and go to the Levi's store and search their plethora of denim.  I might even have to pay, *gasp*, full price!  Ouch says my wallet.  Further posts on that....

My sister and I bought our cousin Audrey her first Blackberry.  Congratulations!  I knew it would come in handy for work and school.  Plus with the busy life she has she can be much more organized.  Of course now you can just guess who has a hankering for a new device... ugh.  I hate that I love technology so much.  (Image of Napleon Dynamite's brother pops into my head.... and that stupid song.)  Anyway, with my contract being up or nearly up I can get a deal on the device.  The question is, to Blackberry or not to Blackberry.... hmm.

Polaroid Is Recreating Their Classic Cameras

My birthday is coming up in March y'all... ahem.

Polaroid Is Recreating Their Classic Cameras: "

Polaroid is one of those household names that will likely be remembered for a long time. Their instant pictures brought joy to a great deal of people who were used to having to wait at least a week to see their handy work. After digital cameras became popular Polaroid was never the same again. They made attempts to keep up with the times by creating digital cameras that also printed pictures. However, they didn’t exactly catch on. Well now Polaroid is going for a different angle, they’re bringing back their original models.

Yes, that’s right Polaroid is going to create brand new cameras that take pictures just like they did in the good old days. Truthfully I was recently considering trying to find a working Polaroid camera, purely because I enjoy older cameras. However, I think I’ll wait until these shiny new versions come out to give them a whirl. The new camera, PIC 1000, will offer instant color photos. Each one requires Polaroid Color 600 Instant Film, they come with 10 pictures on each pack. You can expect these to start being released sometime this year and sometime closer to time they’ll probably release the pricing information.

Source: PhotographyBay

Gravity Ruler is a simple way to weigh luggage

Hey Grace! This one's for you!

Gravity Ruler is a simple way to weigh luggage: "

For those of you that travel a great deal by way of airplane, you’re constantly dealing with worrying about keeping your luggage lightweight enough. It’s not going to be too bad on your way from home to somewhere else. However, when you’re coming back home it always seems like your luggage has gained a bit of weight. Instead of having to worry whether or not you’re going to be charged outrageous fees, you could keep this very portable scale in your bag and know exactly where you stand.

Then after you’ve weighed things out, you could always make the choice to readjust some things or even have items mailed to your home. The device is incredibly simplistic, it’s merely a bungee cord that measures the pull of the weight and then lets you know how much the bag weighs. These were created by some design students. However, it’s not exactly what you’d call a concept. They already created a batch of 35 of these and took them to the Travel Trading Fair in Milan. They managed to actually sell out within an hour. As successful as their first run went, I imagine we’ll be seeing these in stores at some point.

Digital Blue Lego MP3 Player

You know if this wasn't so big and bulky I would actually consider buying it...

Digital Blue Lego MP3 Player: "

Thanks to the Lego generation growing into full grown adults, Lego has found its way into creating fully functional electronics that kids and grown ups can enjoy. This MP3 player is one of the many Lego themed electronics spotted. This one will allow for your music to be played. Plus unlike many of the normal MP3 players out there, this one has an LCD screen to view upcoming songs on.

The 2GB MP3 player will hold up to 500 songs, which should be enough to keep you happy for a little while at least. It’ll also play continuously for 8 hours before it dies. In order to power it up again, you’ll just need to hook it up to the USB port of your computer. It also has the typical 3.5mm headphone jack. The biggest feature on this MP3 player is that you can add real Legos to both the top and the bottom. You can purchase it through Amazon for $29.99.

Nahla-the-Rottweiler

She's so cute. I love the way puppies look when they're teeny tiny.

Nahla-the-Rottweiler: "
I'm Nahla and I'm just a fun loving little pup. I lick everyone's face when they come home and wag my funny little tail like there is no tomorrow. You better give me a chew toy or your hands my become my new toy! My big sister and I play really nicely together and she is always caring for me. All my family loves me and I love them even more!

Click for more pictures and comments...

"

The USB Apple Speaker

The USB Apple Speaker: "

When someone mentions an Apple USB speaker, most people picture sleek lines and a massive price tag. Something with a whole lot of class and sophistication, not to mention a very recognizable brand name. Well if that’s what you had in mind then you’ll be sorely disappointed by these Apple USB Speakers. However, if you have a thing for quirky speakers then these little apples will work out just fine.

These USB speakers even have a small keychain attached to the side to make carting the speaker around a little bit easier. It also has a rechargeable Lithium ion battery that makes the speaker just a little more environmentally friendly. As well as having the usual 3.5mm stereo audio connector, which allows for it to hook up to MP3 players, your laptop and anything else with that type of connector. The apple comes in a few different colors, such as yellow, red, pink, green and black. You can purchase it for $13 from USB Brando.

Machine Gun USB Drive

So y'all can keep it gangsta....

Machine Gun USB Drive: "

If having a USB drive resembling the bullet from a machine gun isn’t enough for you, perhaps this USB drive made to look like an actual machine gun would be better suited for you. Don’t worry, it’s not quite as large as a machine gun, so it is somewhat portable. Although I’d advise keeping it away from places like the airport, despite that it is small enough to fit into your pocket.

Even though it appears pocket-sized, I’m not sure it’d be very comfortable within your pocket. These Machine Gun USB Drives look like they have plenty of small pieces to poke you with and even break off within your pockets. However, you could just leave this 4GB drive on your desk. You can purchase the drive for $22 through USB Geek, which isn’t too bad of a price for a 4GB drive.

Jaybird's SB1 Sportsband Bluetooth headphones finally find their aesthetic calling

For those of you who like design-y things.

Jaybird's SB1 Sportsband Bluetooth headphones finally find their aesthetic calling: "

y

With product names like 'Endorphin Rush,' 'Freedom,' and 'The Tiger Eyes' for its headphones, it's always been clear that Jaybird strives for a little bit more when it comes to the image associated with its listening devices. So naturally the imaginatively named 'SB1 Sportsband' set of Bluetooth headphones would bring one of the classiest designs we've seen for that purpose, and certainly Jaybird's most stunning contribution to the market. The headphones boast about eight hours of stereo music use, feature moisture-protected music controls, and can even handle the odd call or two. They're shipping now for $89.

Mini Wearable Air Purifier for your pet

For all you people who have fur-kids.

Mini Wearable Air Purifier for your pet: "

There are those that really don’t feel the slightest need to pamper their pets. They just let them do their own thing and feed them when necessary. However, for the more committed bunch, you might want a gadget here or there to improve the life of your pet. If you’re concerned about the air your pet breathes, now you can have a tiny gadget to solve even that problem.

This small air purifier can be worn directly on the pet. To be specific it clings to their collar, making sure the air around them is clean. It’ll keep your cat or dog from dealing with airborne allergens, smoke, viruses, dust, germs toxic chemical fumes, mold, pet dander and even diminishes pet odor. It even comes with different scents that are meant to relax, calm and energize your pet. It’s powered by 2 AAA batteries. You can purchase one for $17.20 through UXSight.

Round 2 of Crazy Earphones from Solid Alliance

I like the mushroom ones personally... hehe.

Round 2 of Crazy Earphones from Solid Alliance: "

There’s nothing quite like owning a pair of earphones that make it appear as if you have a mushroom growing out of both ears. You’re bound to turn heads, but you may cease to turn the heads of the opposite sex in a way that you’d prefer. Instead of a come hither look, you may begin to receive that social leper look. However, if you can ignore all of that, you’ll have some of the most unique and hilarious earphones around.

These Crazy Earphones will be released next month. It appears that it’ll only include four different versions. There are the mushrooms, the arrow through an apple, a miniature ear and then a katana. Each one begins one one ear and makes it appear as if it goes through to the next. Each pair will cost you $22. Although they’re only being released in Japan, so it may be difficult for those outside Japan.

The USB Duckling 4 Port Hub

Hehe, those of you who have the rubber duckie fettish....

The USB Duckling 4 Port Hub: "

I’m a strong believer in finding a USB hub that really reflects your personality. If you prefer clean simplistic items, then the average looking USB hub is just fine. However, if you have that quirky streak going for you, then you should show it off proudly with an odd USB hub. For those that enjoy their rubber duck when they’re in the tub, there’s this Duckling that’s happy to accommodate your USB needs.

The duck has 4 ports, which is plenty for the average person. Plus it comes in the shape of a perky little duck. He comes in more than just the classic yellow too. You can get him in plain white or in a bright blue instead if that suits you better. The duck works just like your basic USB hub would. Just purchase it for $10 through USB Brando and you’ll be set up with 4 extra ports.

TearDrop iPod Water Resistant Bathroom Speaker

For those of you who just can't live without your tunes.... take these into the shower with you.

TearDrop iPod Water Resistant Bathroom Speaker: "

There are several different types of speakers that will work for your bathroom. No matter what your tastes or preferences, it won’t be hard for you to find that perfect fit for you. These cute speakers will keep your iPod safe, all the while giving a cute and quirky shape to your music. The water droplets will make sure your music can go with you even into the most damp conditions.

I wouldn’t exactly dunk these under the water in your bathtub. However, they are water resistant, so you could hang one in your shower. Just put your iPod within the water drop and it’ll allow for your music to play while it’s out of harm’s way. It stays powered by using a set of batteries. It’s compatible with the iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle and various other MP3 players. It also has an earphone jack. You can purchase the speaker for $58 in pink, blue or white.

Stem cell therapy restores British man's eyesight

Stem cell or not to stem cell....

Stem cell therapy restores British man's eyesight: "

Russell Turnbull, now 38, lost almost all the sight in his right eye after trying to break up a fight and being sprayed with ammonia 15 years ago. The result for him was what's known as Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency, which caused him great pain, the need for therapeutic treatment, and economic dependency. Good news for Russell is that he can put all that behind him now, after becoming one of the first recipients of a new stem cell grafting procedure, whereby healthy tissue from his left eye was implanted into his right and -- just like a video game medpack -- restored his vision to normal. For the moment, this treatment is limited to patients with at least one healthy eye, but given the pluripotent nature of stem cells, it is hoped that tissue from elsewhere in the body could one day be used to regenerate damaged parts, such as the cornea in this case. You may find further enlightenment in the video after the break.

Toshiba and Electrolux Escargot snail vacuum cleaner

How cool....

Toshiba and Electrolux Escargot snail vacuum cleaner: "

I think we all know what comes to mind when we think of a vacuum cleaner. You know, that stand up job with the wide front? I don’t think that vacuum cleaner design has changed in the past 30 years.

You got to admire that Toshiba, in a partnership with Electrolux, has created the Escargot, a vacuum that looks like a snail.

It’s always good to see a concept device that is “borrowed” from nature. The Escargot rolls up like that slimy gastropod, but it will fit in between the space of the large wheels that make up the Escargot’s “shell”.

It weighs about 2.1 kilograms, and it can it can be rolled around or carried with a shoulder strap. My source does not reveal how large this vacuum cleaner is, but if it was as large as a regular vacuum, than it wouldn’t be so compact, would it?

Personally, I’m already sold on it just by its shape alone. In fact, I highly recommend that Toshiba paints it in bright colors to look like Gary the snail from Spongebob Squarepants.

Yeah, I realize that that is unlikely, because by the time this concept probably sees the light of sales, Spongebob will have been canceled.

You-Vision Video Glasses

Now only if they were in a more attractive frame...

You-Vision Video Glasses: "

When you’re trying to capture those perfect moments, getting out a camera always seems to take two minutes too long. By the time it’s out, the moment has passed and you don’t even have any proof that it ever happened. Now you can wear a video camera on your head at all times. Don’t worry, it doesn’t require you to strap a conventional camera to your head. Instead it’s a pair of glasses with the camera inside of them.

Just flip the switch on the top of the frames and it’ll start recording your day. Although I wouldn’t suggest recording your full day. When you start recording that much it becomes a bit of a narcissistic obsession. Plus you’d have to unload the 2GB of memory every 5 hours. This records both video and audio and will work with both a PC and a Mac. You can purchase the glasses for $149 from Photojojo.

Fisher-Price Power Wheels Cadillac Escalade EXT

I think they should've tricked it out a little more. Where are the future rap stars? Why do they have these suburban kids riding in the Escalade? Hehe.

Fisher-Price Power Wheels Cadillac Escalade EXT: "

For a little kid, having a battery powered vehicle is as good as it gets. Nevermind that the battery takes an eternity to charge and only keeps the device powered for what seems like a very short time. It’s the fact that a kid can hop in a vehicle, with a friend and go round and round the yard to their heart’s content. Well for those kids that aren’t satisfied with any old normal toy, now they can have a Cadillac branded one.

It’s not just any type of Cadillac, it’s an Escalade. Nothing quite screams rich kid like a Power Wheels Cadillac Escalade EXT. It would help if the child was actually a rich kid for them to be able to afford the amount of cash it’ll cost to put this under the Christmas tree. It has 2 working doors and 2 seats, so they can have a friend with them. It also has a working FM radio and a battery charge indicator that lets you know when it’s time to charge it up again. The 12 volt battery can make the vehicle go up to 5 mph. You can purchase the Escalade for $399 from Amazon.

S&J Co. offers Eggy portable mini speakers

These are so cool looking, but do they work well....

S&J Co. offers Eggy portable mini speakers: "

How many designs can a pair of speakers come in? S&J Co. of Korea decided to take a different route instead of settling for the usual boxy or rectangular shape with the Eggy portable mini speakers. This 20mm micromini unit is insanely small, packing in an impressive 4 watt of RMS alongside an integrated digital amp for all your portable audio needs. This will squarely target the notebook and netbook market which have speakers that leave much to be desired, although that too is changing these days. Since it draws power from a USB port, there is no need to pick up another adapter with you on your travels, although it will put your notebook and netbook battery under additional strain.

Lego Head Lamp

Ha! So cute!

Lego Head Lamp: "

Does you little one go adventuring regardless of where he/she is? Just to make sure that your kids are all right and well equipped just in case they decide to get themselves in a tight spot (i.e. checking out dark tunnels which generations of rabbits and moles have burrowed through), you might want to consider a head lamp that is extremely appealing – especially when it comes with a Lego minifig. We’re talking about the Lego Head Lamp here, people. It helps one navigate through dark areas without encumbering your hands, and you can turn it off and on with but a single click. The light is much more focused compared to a candle, and it can be clipped onto a myriad of items including your backpack, jacket or belt among others. The Lego Head Lamp is available for $11.99.

Bacteria Assassin Ninja Toothbrush Sanitizer

Haha, this is so cute!

He's kind of shaped like me.... hehehe. AND wearing all black, go figure.

Bacteria Assassin Ninja Toothbrush Sanitizer: "

You never know just how many microscopic nasties there are that reside on your toothbrush, and just because your naked eyes can’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there. After all, roaches and other nocturnal insects who make a visit to your bathroom might also crawl all over your toothbrush, while you unknowingly use it to scrub your orifice each morning with glee without knowing any better. Dispel all doubts with the Bacteria Assassin Ninja Toothbrush Sanitizer then – after all, aren’t ninjas supposed to be superb silent killers? All you need to do is place your toothbrush into the Bacteria Assassin Ninja Toothbrush Sanitizer, where it will use UV light from its body to eliminate bacterial growths on your toothbrush. Powered by three AA batteries, this cute little hygienic device is going for $36.99.

Tegu uses both wooden blocks and magnets

Tegu uses both wooden blocks and magnets: "

I’ve reported on some advancements in building blocks before, such as the MUJI kits that blend hard paper with Lego bricks.

Here is a new development for building blocks that I’ve never seen before, but really should have. You know those terrific castles that your kids build out of blocks, the type that constantly fall over? Well, imagine if there was a way to lock the blocks together. I’m not talking about Lego, which uses those bumpy things, but magnets.

Yes, the Tegu is designed to lock together magnetically, so they have a little more resilience than your typical wooden blocks. I can’t imagine the Tegu structures being too solid, but it is a lot better than just gravity. Best of all, the shapes of the blocks are more than just rectangles, but cubes and flat pieces for some very creative models that you can see in the picture.

If you want it, the Tegu kits come in the three forms. The first is the Starter Set with 26 blocks in 3 shapes which include cubes, long planks, and short planks. The Original Set has 52 blocks in 4 shapes, and adds long planks. As for the Limited Edition Mahogany Set, it’s a bigger one. The prices of these are $50, $85, and $125, respectively.

Touch Bionics offers ProDigits for those missing their amateur ones

Touch Bionics offers ProDigits for those missing their amateur ones: "

Touch Bionics has been at this bionic prosthetics business for a while now, already providing i-Limb solutions to those deprived of the use of their hands or arms. The company's latest innovation is to reduce all that tech down to the level of individual fingers, with its freshly announced ProDigits being able to replace anywhere between one and all of your precious little piggies. Relying on a traditional myoelectric regime -- which reacts to muscle signals from the residual hand -- or pressure from the remnant finger for its input, this invention can even be tweaked by doctors (over Bluetooth) to adjust the finer motor functions on a per patient basis. Costing up to £40,000 ($65,000), these new prosthetics will be custom-built for each person, and there are plans to apply to have them made available through national health insurance -- in countries that are into that sort of thing. Video after the break.

Continue reading Touch Bionics offers ProDigits for those missing their amateur ones

Touch Bionics offers ProDigits for those missing their amateur ones originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iriver takes the leash off new black Hello Kitty PMP

Oh no! I have to have this!

iriver takes the leash off new black Hello Kitty PMP: "

iriver's newest dedicated PMP is something to behold. A shiny black (with gold accents!) version of its no doubt beloved Hello Kitty player, this newest addition is all about its looks. The little player comes in 2GB and 4GB storage varieties, comes with a USB cable, ear buds, and a cute little lanyard for attaching it to things like your beltloop. The cases they make for the Hello Kitty PMP -- such as the red devil horns -- essentially sell themselves. They're going on sale just in time for the holidays and the new year -- but this one's a Japan-only release for the time being. It'll run you ¥7,980 (about $90) to grab one. There's one more shot of this glorious product after the break!

Continue reading iriver takes the leash off new black Hello Kitty PMP

Filed under: Portable Audio

iriver takes the leash off new black Hello Kitty PMP originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kids’ MusucBags for the holidays

Hmm, would I put my kid in one of these. They're hilarious....

Kids’ MusucBags for the holidays: "

Can’t figure out what to get for your kids this coming Christmas? The Kids’ MusucBags might be just the thing if you can’t make up your mind, where this sleeping bag suit offers not only comfort on a cold, hard floor, it also provides total freedom of movement.

Features-wise, these suits pack in a whole load of useful innovations. The hoods are elasticated, there’s a kangaroo pouch and pockets on the chest and legs for keeping whatever it is kids keep in their pockets (usually penny sweets and a copy of The Beano, isn’t it?), and there’s even some elastic in the ankles so that the material doesn’t bunch up as they walk around. A pocket just below the neck for an MP3 Player or mobile phone means the most important things are safe and easy to access, and they’ve even put little name labels in them to save mums everywhere sewing them in.

You can choose from a variety of sizes to suit all sorts of kids, with blue and pink colors to choose from. Regardless of the size, they will retail for £64.99 each.

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Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Kids’ MusucBags for the holidays copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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$10 USB power outlet leaves no plug behind

I think these will become more common in newly built homes. Most devices charge on USB now a days.

$10 USB power outlet leaves no plug behind: "

Don't freak out or anything. But all that time you spent building a DIY in-wall USB charger may have been for naught. Of course, you've gained a useful learning experience and potentially gotten a lesson in the dangers of electricity, but you could have simply ordered this TruPower UCS outlet from FastMac, which packs the same two USB charging ports as the DIY outlet, along with two standard power outlets for your other power-hungry devices. Best of all, it only costs the same ten bucks that the DIY option would have set you back, but it looks like it won't start shipping until sometime early next year.

$10 USB power outlet leaves no plug behind originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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