Friday, November 30, 2012

SticknFind



If the number of “finding” systems cropping up lately is anything to go by, we seem to be quite a forgetful bunch. One of the latest such systems, known as StickNFind, looks to be particularly simple – just some little adhesive tags, and an app on the user’s smartphone.


The tags are about the size and shape of an slightly-fat U.S. quarter dollar. Each one contains a circuit board, a replaceable watch battery, a buzzer and an LED light. They also each have an adhesive backing, which allows them to be stuck to things like keys, TV remotes, or any number of other things that tend to go AWOL.
Using a custom app on a paired iOS or Android smartphone, users can assign specific tags to specific objects. Should they subsequently need to find one of those objects, a display on the phone’s screen will show them how far away it is – as long as it’s within the maximum range of about 100 feet (30 meters).

It won't show what direction the object lies in, but users can determine that by moving in different directions and seeing if they get closer or farther away from the item. They can also simply get the app to sound the buzzer, illuminate the light, or do both on the missing object’s tag.
If the object is out of range, users can instruct the app to notify them when they – and their phone – later get within its range. The app can also alert users when a tagged object moves more than a given distance away (useful if the tag is attached to a child in a shopping mall, for instance), or when they forget an object and walk away without it (also useful if the tag is attached to a child in a shopping mall, perhaps).
Up to 20 tags can be paired to one phone. When any of their batteries get low, the user will be notified via the app.

As mentioned, there are already similar systems available, such as the Gadget Hound, U Grok It, and BiKN. All three of those, however, incorporate hardware that is used either instead of a smartphone, or that the phone must be docked into.
The designers of StickNFind are currently raising production funds on Indiegogo. A pledge of US$35 will get you two tags (or “stickers,” as they’re referred to) when and if they go into production – the planned retail price for two is $49.95.


Friday, November 16, 2012

Ball-shaped Camera



If you’ve ever played XCOM: Enemy Unknown, you’ll be familiar with the Battle Scanner, a gadget used by the game’s sniper class. The Battle Scanner provides visibility to an area covered by fog-of-war. A new company is currently working on a real world equivalent of that device. And not just because the Sniper won’t share his toy with the rest of us


The yet unnamed device is being developed by Bounce Imaging. The device will have six cameras that can take two pictures per second, which will then be stitched together to provide a 360º degree of its surroundings. It will also have infrared LEDs to help it take pictures in low light. The ball will send the 360º view to a mobile device so the user can scout and plan in safety. Aside from the cameras, the ball could also contain various sensors, such as ones that analyze temperature, chemicals or radiation




As with the Battle Scanner, this concept device will be extremely useful in combat situations. But Francisco Aguilar, the founder of Bounce Imaging, was actually compelled to start his company after the earthquake in Haiti back in 2010, where his concept device could have helped find survivors. Aguilar says the device will be tested by SWAT teams and Massachusetts police in January 2013 and could have a retail price as low as just $500 (USD).

[via New Scientist & Time via Digital Trends]

ATC Chameleon Dual-Lens Action Cam



Between GoPro, Contour, Drift and several others, the market for digital action camcorders has gotten mighty saturated. So with all the competition out there, how do you make your action cam stand out from the crowd? Well, you could do what Oregon Scientific has done with their new ATC Chameleon



This unusual action camera has a unique feature in that it has a pair of moving lenses which allow it to simultaneously capture two angles at the same time. It can record two different 170° views at the same time, so you can capture a total 340° field of vision. This allows you to see the action from more than one viewpoint on a single split-screen video. In addition, each lens can be moved up to 180° – one moves side-to-side, and the other moves up and down. Just flip a switch to choose between side-by-side or top-and-bottom video modes.

The camera offers 1080p resolution from each lens, however, the FAQ states that you’ll probably need to work with the video in 720p. According to my math, two 720p images side-by-side is 2560×720, so they must have to do some funny business with black bars and downscaling to get that to fit into either a 720p or 1080p video. Still, it looks like a pretty cool way to capture more than one angle without having to splurge for two cameras.

Oregon Scientific offers a wide a variety of optional mounts – most of which sell for $29.99 – which make it easy to attach the camera to vehicles, helmets, surfboards, handlebars and more – however, the camera itself doesn’t include any of these. While the camera is splashproof, you’ll also have to spend extra if you want the waterproof case. That said, the ATC Chameleon is priced at just $199(USD), so it’s pretty reasonable to begin with

Taken from Technabob site thanks


Thursday, November 15, 2012

Switch 8 Solar Power



If you were put off by the price of Goal Zero's Sherpa, then here's something that might be more deserving of that slot in your backpack. The Switch 8 Solar Charging Kit costs $100 and bundles together a 2,200mAh battery and Nomad 3.5 solar panel. The manufacturer says that the 8-watt dynamite-shaped battery can be tanked up via sunlight in six hours, although this time can be reduced to four if you use a USB power source before you head into the wilderness. Interchangeable tips, which will be sold separately in the coming months, will allow compatibility with a variety of devices and also let you use the battery pack as a fan or flashlight -- no cranking or pedaling required


Sparrow Uncuff Links



Seemingly targeted at dapper globe-trotting spies, or wealthy perpetrators of corporate crimes, these stylish Sparrow Uncuff Links feature a handcuff key secretly incorporated into their design. Except that it's not so secret. How long is it really going to take for super-villain henchmen or law enforcement to recognize that distinctive telling keyhole logo on the cufflinks? Not very.

Still pretty cool to have in a pinch and it's for the more sophisticated criminal. Not for everyday use. Gotta have it....

Bali-USB

The first 50 state legal Bali-Song®!

Data storage and Bali-Flipping fuse, creating this extremely handy 50 state legal Bali-Song® USB flash drive. the Bali-USB is a fully functioning 2gb USB flashdrive that swings, flips and makes it easy to bring your important files anywhere. Constructed from three pieces of injection molded plastic, this little bali is tough enough for any file format you can throw at it.