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Have we gotten so lazy that we need a Pancake Machine?! – Gadget Zone

Gadget — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:54:20 +0000

Have we gotten so lazy that we need a Pancake Machine?!

Well, busy perhaps. Maybe if you don’t have the time to flip them yourself and there’s hundreds of hungry guests lining up for breakfast. The Chefstack Automatic Pancake Machine can make 4-inch size pancakes from no-mess batter pouches. And it only takes about 30 seconds as the flapjacks get cooked and stacked assembly style while you’re off doing something else.

The machine is about the size of microwave oven and has already been proven quite popular with coffee shops, cafeterias, convenience stores, and other small businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

But will it find a following at a Starbucks here in the States? Well, if competition from McDonalds continues to challenge their java marketshare, it just might. But come on, can a $3,500 machine really make yummy tancakes without being touched by human hands? I’m betting not. At least not in my kitchen.

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Gloves turn you into Spider-man – Gadget Zone

Gadget — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:23:04 +0000

Gloves turn you into Spider-man

Sure, we all wish that we could climb walls like Tobey Maguire in Spider-man, but Jem Stansfield actually did it. Jem didn’t have little razor things come out of his hands, either, but used vacuum gloves.

As you can see from the attached video (after the jump), Jem’s vacuum gloves really sucked. That is, he was able to attach them to a sheer surface. The particular building that he was climbing was smooth enough to allow him to work.

Of course, you may notice the high amount of safety lifelines around him. The man has more wires on him than a marionette. I certainly don’t think that Mr. Stansfield was being over-cautious. He’s got quite a get-up on, and I don’t really want to see him fall.

Too bad he didn’t have any vacuum boots for his feet. I’m guessing he had to use all of his arm-strength to accomplish this climb, and I am sure that was quite difficult.

This demonstration of the vacuum gloves was performed for a new BBC science show called Bang Goes the Theory. I suppose that Mr. Stansfield was attempting to show that man could climb walls like a spider after all.

Perhaps someone could make a smaller version of these vacuum gloves, and then mass-market them. If so, be prepared for a whole new definition of traffic as New York City becomes filled with many spider-men who literally climb walls to get to work.

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Hama Digital Photo Album – Gadget Zone

Gadget — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:18:31 +0000

Hama Digital Photo Album

I don’t think that I could have sung higher praises of the Digital Foci Photo Book on my hands-on review, but that was before I saw that the Hama Photo Album is about to be released.

I suddenly had a flashback to CES last January, when I stumbled across the booth with this fine product. The only reason why I remember it is because of its Braille dot logo on the word “Album” and its simpler three-button interface. (Simpler when compared to the Photo Book, which is still pretty simple, really.)

The Digital Photo Album comes with a 7” inch screen that displays JPEGs in 800 x 480 pixel resolution. These images can be transferred directly to the device via USB port with USB OTG. There is about 4 GB worth of memory on the Album for the user’s photos, and it can also read SD, SDHC, and MM cards.

As far as I can tell, the Hama Digital Photo Album is almost identical to the aforementioned Photo Book from Digital Foci. Digital Foci’s got an extra inch worth of frame on its diagonal, but lasts the same amount of time after recharge: 2.5 hours.

The problem is, my source doesn’t say when the Hama Digital Photo Album will be released, nor a price. It would appear that little has changed since I saw Hama at CES, but I’m sure they are making progress, and I look forward to seeing the Digital Photo Album when it is finally released.

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Forearm Pain Relief Massager – Gadget Zone

Gadget — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:17:10 +0000

Forearm Pain Relief Massager

Have you been working extra hard on the computer during the past months so that you can complete whatever project your boss has thrown at you? Unless the office is kind enough to get ergonomically correct hardware (keyboard and mouse), chances are your arms (and the entire body, to boot) will require some form of massage to soothe its protests of aches and pains. Why not do it with the Forearm Pain Relief Massager?

Invented by a licensed massage therapist, this is the forearm massager that can relieve pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injuries in the forearm without medication. The device replicates the Swedish arm massage technique to soothe the inflamed, stiff extensor and flexor muscles that cause forearm pain. Simply place your arm between the compression spring-loaded rollers, turn the dial to your preferred level of tension, and slide your arm back and forth through the cushioned rollers. Two ridges on the upper roller provide a penetrating massage that eases nerve compression and relieves tension in the muscles responsible for hand and wrist movement. The bottom roller’s rubber nodules grip and stretch sore, overworked muscles and tendons. The massager sets up unobtrusively on a desk or table.

Hammacher is carrying the Forearm Pain Relief Massager for $49.95.

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ClimbStation – Gadget Zone

Gadget — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:57:06 +0000

This Climbstation isn’t a video-game accessory to an outdoor version of PlayStation, but it is definitely one of the most technological ways to train for the grueling sport of rock climbing.

The climbing platform itself is 150 centimeters wide with about 90 holds that can be placed wherever the user wants. It can also tilt with an angle that adjusts from +15 to -30 degrees for an added challenge.

From what I can tell, the ClimbStation is like a vertical treadmill that revolves at a top speed of 17 meters per minute. In fact, the Climbstation can automatically adjust the scrolling speed to match the user’s climbing speed, or lack thereof. I’m guessing that the padding is placed underneath in case the climber cannot keep up

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DSS Co. Ltd. can track those pesky employees – Gadget Zone

Gadget — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:32:51 +0000

DSS Co. Ltd. can track those pesky employees

Okay, let’s say that you are the Big Boss of a huge corporation. The bigger your company gets, the harder it is to keep track of your employees. Unless you call DSS Co. Ltd. and go from Big Boss to Big Brother.

Yes, this Japanese company will give your company an intense tracking system that includes a tiny video camera that can be attached to the chest pockets of your minions, I mean, workers.

Also included in the surveillance package are ankle sensors, just like the kinds used in house arrests! These ankle bracelets have “milestone” sensor points that can track how long a worker has been in a certain area. For some reason, DSS gets a high amount of readings around the coffee machine, copier, and the water cooler.

So, after two days, you can watch hours and hours worth of footage of your employees and their wasteful behavior. Actually, if the employees are smart, they will give you, the Boss, the best show ever! That is, if they don’t quit because of some issue about rights and invasion and privacy.

This two-day collection program can be yours for just 980,000 yen ($10,434). Man, you better have some efficiency plan in order to spend this kind of money for this.

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Warn PullzAll – Gadget Zone

Gadget — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:04:22 +0000

Warn PullzAll

When I first saw the Warn PullzAll, I thought that it was another version of the Rescue Reel. It would appear that the PullzAll doesn’t look like it was made for rappelling down buildings, but it could be used that way. In fact, it could be used for climbing up things.

As it is, the PullzAll can lift or pull 450 kg (1000 pounds) with a variable speed motor. According to the PullzAll web site, this is the ideal tool for anyone who needs something heavy moved such as “construction, pipe fitting, iron work, equipment and plant maintenance, farm and ranch use, auto shops, garages, machine shops, home improvement, hunting, camping, and more”.

The PullzAll comes in AC or DC powered styles, and it has 4.5 meters (15 feet) of 7/32 inch steel cable with an integrated swiveling anchor hook. The DC version runs on a 24 volt NiCad battery, and the AC versions are in 110V and 230V.

So if you’re tired of hauling heavy weight around, then this might be the product for you. I have been seeing a lot of discrepancies as far as price is concerned on this product. The $479.99 from the Warn website, and $279.00 for the AC model. Other offers from Amazon.com include $300 for the DC, and $220 for the AC.

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LOLrioKart is a hoot – Gadget Zone

Gadget — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:49:42 +0000

LOLrioKart is a hoot

Everyone looks back on their college days with fondness, as we tend to be involved in some really crazy antics back in the days. Well, students who go to MIT are different not just because of their intellect, but for their enterprising spirit that has consistently placed the institution’s name at the very top of universities to attend worldwide. This time round, a bunch of MIT students decided to take an unwanted shopping cart and throw on new, more durable wheels and a chunk of NiCd aircraft batteries to power 15hp brushless motor, helping this shopping cart move at speeds of up to 45MPH. They have dubbed this shopping cart the LOLrioKart – in honor of Mario Kart.

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Flashlight Wristwatch – Gadget Zone

Gadget — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:56:16 +0000

Flashlight Wristwatch

Most of us wear a watch on our wrists, but how many of those actually illuminate at night so that you can tell the time at a glance? This isn’t exactly an essential feature but a nice one to have, although many more people now rely on their cellphones to tell the time while using the screen’s bright light to double up as an imprompty flashlight in the process. Enter the Flashlight Wristwatch that merges both devices into a single model.

This is the wristwatch that has three LEDs in its face that provide bright illumination or a soft, ambient glow. The LEDs are located at the Noon, four, and eight positions on the watch; the first press of the button causes the LEDs to generate soft blue light that illuminates the watch’s face–ideal for reading a theater program–and the second press generates bright white light. A third press of the button shuts off all LEDs. The white LEDs can illuminate subjects up to 10? away, ideal for finding keys and opening a door at night. The rechargeable watch uses electromagnetic quartz movement for precise timekeeping for up to three months on an eight-hour charge from the included charging stand. The hands and markers are luminescent. The solid stainless steel case and mineral crystal dome provide a sealed environment that is water-resistant down to 165?.

If dad is in need of a new watch this coming Father’s Day, have you considered the $149.95 Flashlight Wristwatch? After all, Internet shopping helps relieve you of driving down to the store and jostling for your place in line with the rest of the commoners.

The Juice Bag Solar Beach Tote – Gadget Zone

Gadget — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:51:58 +0000

The Juice Bag Solar Beach Tote

Now that weather is nice and warm outside, spending a day at the beach might be nice. If you live close to one and are out there on a regular basis, you might want to check out this bag to take with you. It’ll hold all of your necessary beach essentials, all the while giving your technology a little boost. After all, spending all that time at the beach might drain your battery and give you little opportunity to charge your phone or iPod again. You might as well invest in a way to charge your gadgets while you’re on the go.

This would be especially great if you enjoy laying out in the sun and playing your iPod while you’re out. Eventually, it’s going to go dead, so instead of giving up on your music, just plug it into this solar bag and you’ll be ready to go again. Of course you’ll have to wait a little while for that to happen. Specifically, you’ll have to wait about 2-4 hours of charging before it’ll be up and running again. Most gadgets will require about 2-4 hours, be it cellphones, cameras, GPS or your camcorder. You’ll have to be careful with the bag around water though, thankfully, they did make it so that the bottom is water resistant though. You can purchase the tote bag for $249.99.

Gadget Zone » Uncategorized

Have we gotten so lazy that we need a Pancake Machine?! – Gadget Zone

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Gloves turn you into Spider-man – Gadget Zone

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Hama Digital Photo Album – Gadget Zone

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Forearm Pain Relief Massager – Gadget Zone

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ClimbStation – Gadget Zone

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DSS Co. Ltd. can track those pesky employees – Gadget Zone

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Warn PullzAll – Gadget Zone

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LOLrioKart is a hoot – Gadget Zone

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Flashlight Wristwatch – Gadget Zone

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