Gadgettes, the blog

In honor of our special guest, Micky Hoogendijk, we cover gadgets with an international flare. You might think that a show as classy as this one might not include any questionable content. You would be wrong.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Giorgio Armani extends designer touch to new mobile

Samsung Blue Earth sees light in Sweden

http://dvice.com/archives/2009/10/lgs-pop-touchsc.php

Dolce Gusto single-cup coffee maker is a beautiful thing

Dyson Fan

Speakers as thin as your TV

We all know that invading space aliens have one primary objective, and that is to impregnate human kind. That and possibly to collect today's assortment of handy gadgets for use on their own planet. Meanwhile, there we'll be, doing their alien chores and cooking their alien dinners for them with no ability to break from their alien spell. Aren't we just a sad bunch of humanoid life forms?

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Cool Window Phone would simulate the weather

Gizmo gauges gals’ fertility–20,000 times a day

Japanese rescue robot consumes injured humans

The 10 most badass sci-fi battlesuits ever

STS-111 multisegment airship is not a flying sandworm but a flying spermatozoon

Two months worth of Twilight talk has resulted in this homage that we lovingly refer to as "goth-lite." Take a walk on the dark side with the Gadgettes and special guest Natali Del Conte.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

EPISODE 146

Skull phone shows just how wild and crazy you are

Report: U.S. military developing robots that eat human flesh

Gory intercom system a savagely funny concept

Meet the black Wii

iKey's AK-39 wearable keyboard is about as weapon-like as it sounds

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

OK. Maybe not everything in today's show is super cute, but it gives the ladies the chance to speak in exaggerated falsettos. Jason, on the other hand, balances all the cute with an unintentionally awkward joke about one of the newest segments. Oh, you'll see.

EPISODE 127

Candy Comfort Earphones are comfy and kitschy

PBS Sprout makes iPhone apps for preschoolers

Yuruppy, a virtual-pet petting gizmo

Australian IT expert invents the shoe phone

Could the Bra Dryer save your lingerie?

EPISODE 92

A TV phone that Spongebob would appreciate
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9954140-1.html

Take to the seas, it’s barbecue time!
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9954596-1.html

Baja BBQ
http://www.core77.com/blog/events/baja_bbq_9953.asp

Always be ready for battle with a squirt-gun coffee table
http://dvice.com/archives/2008/05/always_be_ready.php

Dutch claim world’s first solar speedboat
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9951260-1.html

The Dough-nu-matic: Homer Simpson would be having a field day
http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2008/05/the_doughnumati.html

Kill me:
Best Buy’s Geek Squad jumps on ‘Sex’ fever
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-9954973-36.html

SheZoom. It’s “for women.”
http://www.shezoom.com/

PRETTY!
Astrodea Celestial Watch puts the universe right at your wrist
http://dvice.com/archives/2008/05/astrodea_celest.php

Fiber-optic art
http://www.sharonmarston.com/

Tool Time
Freehand wrist storage puts your pocket on your wrist
http://dvice.com/archives/2008/05/freehand_wrist.php

VOICEMAIL:

Alberto - A new segment!

(Celebrity siting) E-MAIL(s):

Hey guys, you asked for people to write in with their celebrity sightings.
I just wanted to share with you briefly that I met the entire Dave Matthews
Band outside of the Minneapolis Target Center in November of 2005. I was
star struck and they were all extremely polite individuals. I got pictures
with them and had them sign my ticket; it was incredible. Anyways, thanks
for the podcast, peace.

fili0047

***************

Since Molly asked: my only random celebrity sighting was when I saw
Paul Walker (of “The Fast and the Furious,” etc.) in the small Central
American country of El Salvador in 2005. I was there visiting my
friend’s family, and one night we all went to an Argentinian
restaurant to celebrate his cousin’s 19th birthday. She got quite the
unexpected surprise when Mr. Walker strolled into the restaurant. Our
waitress went over to his table and returned with a very nice birthday
wish he had scribbled onto a napkin. He even paused for a picture
with her as he returned from the restroom. Needless to say, she spent
the rest of the evening on her cell phone calling each and every one
of her friends. (It turns out that El Salvador is somewhat of a mecca
for surfers which is why he was there in the first place.)

Roy

*************

Maybe 20-ish years ago I was in, of all places, the Little Rock, Ark., airport looking out the windows into the kind of ridiculous fog that limits your visibility to maybe 4′. It was at this point that I heard someone SCREAMING about how ridiculous it was that planes weren’t taking off and I actually heard the phrase “do you know who I am?”

It was Jerry Van Dyke. Not Dick - Jerry.

Was kinda surreal to see Luther from “Coach” yelling obscenities at hapless ticket agents.

In retrospect I wish I had had the “Douche Cards” on me at the time.

Snit

************

Hey Gadgettes,
I was in O’Hare a couple of years ago on my way back home from Chicago. My flight was delayed, so I decided to get some eats in the food court. It was the last day of Lollapalooza. I was waiting in line at the Burger King when a blur of eyeliner and hairspray cut in front of me. Turns out it was Jared Leto’s band 30 Seconds to Mars, and they got in line with their roadie. I was tired and I’ve also done the whole partner-in-line cut, so I didn’t pick a fight. Well, every member of the band decided to order on a separate ticket. Jared was last, and he had a long (LONG) order. Then he couldn’t find the money, so he had to ask his bandmates for cash in the form of quarters. By this time, I was FREAKING OUT. There was one greasy actor keeping me from the greasy pit that I call love. It had been like fifteen minutes, and I was freaking hungry! As I finally walked away with my foodstuffs, I saw him bring back his order, complaining that they didn’t put enough ketchup on his burger and he ordered them to make his order over.
Grade-A Douche.

Jay

************

OMG Jason’s wife exists! It’s not Molly!

I once rode in a hotel elevator with George Takei. I got in and, like
Molly didn’t make a big deal. I just smiled. He left before me and he
said ‘have a nice day.” His voice is soooo deep, it’s hard to believe
it comes from that tiny body! I was giddy.

Also, Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) did my friend’s incoming voice mail
message for him once; and he sounds like 3PO, but really tired.

Sheala

The Gold Lantern VisorTalk adds caller ID to the hands-free equation.

(Credit: Gold Lantern)

There are plenty of Bluetooth hands-free speakerphones for the car out there, but the Gold Lantern VisorTalk distinguishes itself with a caller ID display--all the better to screen calls while you're on the road. Otherwise, the VisorTalk--so named because it clips to the sun visor--has all the standard features covered: It sports Bluetooth 2.0 (for pairing with any compatible cell phone) and a full duplex speakerphone, and the rechargeable battery is rated at 8 hours talk time and 200 hours standby (a car charger is included). And that "H" button centered below the display is a "hot-line" number that you can set for any favorite number you choose. Sure, it may not beat the text-to-speech caller ID feature on the Sony Ericsson HCB-150, but the $75 street price on the Gold Lantern is less than half what you'll pay for the Sony Ericsson. The VisorTalk is available now.

EPISODE 85

The Hanged Man Lamp: Ever so slightly morbid?
http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2008/04/the_hanged_man.html

Mood Clock + USB Hub = Twice as much fun
http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2008/04/usb_moody_clock.html

Glowing flower pot for the trippy garden owner
http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2008/04/glowing_flower.html

Enjoy nighttime bocce ball with LED Bocce
http://dvice.com/archives/2008/04/enjoy_nighttime.php

Light-up tweezers enable precision plucking
http://dvice.com/archives/2008/04/lightup_tweezer.php

Tool Time (Things That Glow Edition):
SpeaQualiser: Because graphic equalizers make great party props
http://dvice.com/archives/2008/04/speaqualiser_ra.php

Sega Private Ocean Interactive Clock shows you soothing animations to music
http://dvice.com/archives/2008/04/sega_private_oc.php

What the hell!? (Things That Glow Edition)
Latest watch phone gets clamshell design
http://crave.cnet.com/8300-1_105-1-4.html

It’s About Time
How does Jack Bauer wake up? The Danger Bomb Clock
http://dvice.com/archives/2008/04/how_does_jack_b.php

Why didn’t I think of that!?
A ‘grate’ (ha ha) new kitchen invention
http://www.popgadget.net/2008/04/when_i_was_at_u.php

PRETTY
Fooseball for the 21st Century
http://chipchick.com/2008/04/fooze_ball_for_the_21st_century.html
http://www.core77.com/blog/events/ milan_preview_2008_11_the_beautiful_game_9447.asp

VOICE MAIL:
Gadgettes_GetTheWordOut

E-MAIL:

Crystal LED wristwatch

The first thing that pop in my head was hearing you guys say prettttyy.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/09/ conceptual-crystal-led-wristwatch-is-all-kinds-of-gorgeous/

Peterjon

Some really fun/cool/weird/must have (or not) gadgets

http://andfunforall.blogspot.com/search/label/ Gadgets%20and%20Inventions

Unfortunately the individual items only link to a larger picture so if you see something you like you’ll have to “google” it by name. I guess.

Keep the good times rolling.

Roger
Palm Beach County

Hey Gadgettes,

I’m sure I won’t be the only person to let you know but that MTV thing was a satellite decoder box, not a laptop. Sky (who make the thing) is the British DirecTV.

Love the show

Cheers

Iain from the U.K.

EPISODE 81

Dedicated to Dave from Denver
http://jackmythingie.com/

Pandigital debuts kitchen TV with extra perks
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9893490-1.html

A digital culinary recipe for the futuristic cookware
http://www.gizmodiva.com/home_improvement/ a_digital_culinary_recipe_for_the_futuristic_cookware.php

Lego-touch for iPhone and iPod Touch
http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/ legotouch_for_iphone_and_ipod_touch_9199.asp

Monster felted handbag
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/03/12/ monster-felted-handb.html

Presto
http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/11/27/ presto-because-computers-scare-old-people/

Electronic Yodeling Pickle could actually be useful
http://dvice.com/archives/2008/03/electronic_yode.php

Why didn’t I think of that!?
Pants in a pinch
http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/ pants_in_a_pinch_9219.asp

What the hell!?
Super Mario corset
http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2008/03/super_mario_cor.html

Boombox backpack: All-around bad idea
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9892373-1.html

Kill me.
Txt Spk baby names? Oh dear God in heaven…
http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2008/03/txt_spk_baby_na.html

Cell-U-Lite Text Messaging: Simple service but super name
http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2008/03/cellulite_text.html

In honor of the new Get Smart movie, I am naming Molly's magnetic field of destruction "Field of Kaos."

Molly, in Gadgettes #80, you mentioned you are finally getting a computerized car. Hmmm...better check with Brian Cooley to be sure, but I think cars had on board computers since the '90s if not earlier (e.g., for OBD, antilock brake, both require computers). They may be embedded and application specific, but nonetheless, computers. So your Field of Kaos is ruining cars like the BMWs, which have a lot of computers (ignition control integrated with the fuel grade sensors/oil turbidity sensors, air pollution sensors integrated with the climate control, MPG/range calculations, antilock brakes with anti skid, ignition key locks which randomizes your key code). But you would look cool in the 1960's Mustang which is completely analog.

Dickson

***********************

Hello again,

I’ve got something else for you guys:
http://dvice.com/archives/2008/03/minigod_speaker.php

Stephen

***********************

Since I’ve been in Dallas for just over a year, I was planning on a weekend back in Houston where I have a married couple (good friends of mine) have a 9-month-old daughter. I was looking around for gifts ideas--pop-up books, touch/feel books, something crafty, lullaby CD (Curious George movie CD is a winner, I think), etc. Then, I see this “Netflix of baby toys” idea on a favorite blog of mine: BabyPlays

http://unclutterer.com/2008/02/19/online-toy-rental-in-the-spirit-of-netflix/

Pretty neat idea. As far as safety goes--all products are sanitized, tested for lead, and wrap up for you. It’s a start-up by a Houston area mom.

I dunno if I’ll get them a subscription, but I’m sure I’ll point them in that direction.

Best,
Shalin

************************

Hey Gals and Jason

I am looking for an item of such rarity that I have only seen it on Flickr but I thought with your formidable powers and army of gadgetters(?) you could help me I am looking for….a pink hello kitty ukulele! I know how horrible, but it is for my 4-year-old daughter…so please HELP!

Thanks
zac_in_ak

Power three devices--plus two USB products--with this portable surge protector.

(Credit: Belkin)

You'd think that the design for power strips and surge protectors would be pretty much played out, but Belkin has actually done some pretty interesting things with them in recent years: clamp-on models, ones that hide all of the wall warts, and even the forthcoming Conserve, an eco-friendly model that truly shuts off connected devices at the touch of a wireless remote.

The company is taking that spirit of innovation on the road with its latest power product: the Belkin Mini Surge Protector. The travel-friendly model packs three grounded three-prong power outlets and two powered USB ports into its tiny frame, and plugs directly into the wall socket, so there's no dangling cord. A green LED confirms that connected devices are protected against surges, which Belkin backs with a $75,000 warranty. In other words, this one miniature power strip should be able to power and protect your laptop, iPod, and cellphone--and still have space left over for connecting two other AC-powered devices. Belkin even throws in a mini-USB cable, which will work with many brands of cellphones. Yes, laptop-toting travelers can usually use the spare ports on their computer to juice up various mobile devices. Considering that the device is slated to cost less than $25, the Belkin Mini Surge Protector looks to be a worthwhile combination of the Monster Power Outlets To Go (see related hands-on review) and Belkin's Dual USB Power Adapter. Like that latter model, we wish Belkin would include more USB ports, since the list of USB-powered devices--phones, Blackberrys, iPods, the Nintendo DS, PSP, and Bluetooth headsets--is seemingly endless.

You might see the Belkin Mini Surge Protector already available for preorder on some online stores, but the company says that it should be widely available "in office superstores" by the end of April.