This show starts out as the Recycle, Reduce, Re-Use Episode. Shortly into the show, we realize how poorly thought out a theme that was. Wow, it's been a long break.
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EPISODE 121 |
Pee-powered battery (that technically runs on water or juice too) (Thanks Cianna!)
Sega robo-cat will meow, won’t catch mice
Quit smoking or be forced to wear these clothes made from cigarette butts
Breathalyzer key chain lets you see if you’re drunk while on the highway
Recycled condoms used on hair bands???
Snopes confirms this as legit! ACK!
Facebook spoils the free Whopper fun
... Read more
(Credit:
SourcingMap)
The trend of anti-gadget gadgets continues. Well, maybe anti is too strong of a prefix--it's really more about control, as is everything else in life.
The growing list speaks for itself, as seen in this sample: the "Best Net Guard," the "Covert Clicker," "TV-B-Gone," and most recently (as well as controversially), the "T-1000 Cell Phone Jammer." Now there's the "Mini Universal TV Remote Control Keychain."
While not a stated purpose, its diminutive form factor--3.7 inches x 1.6 inches and less than three-quarters of an inch thick, according to GeekAlerts--has an obvious use: To surreptitiously control the TV while no one is the wiser. Just don't get too enthusiastic pushing the buttons while it's in your pocket, or it could lead to some embarrassing misunderstandings.
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Proporta)
As the tech industry has finally come close to combining all major functions into single handheld devices (phone, camera, media player), GPS often remains the odd man out. But until that technology gets absorbed into uber-devices as well, there's at least one practical alternative: a GPS keychain.
It's obviously not the most sophisticated device of its kind, but Proporta's Freedom Keychain GPS SiRF III is "the world's most compact and neatest GPS receiver available," according to The Gadget Blog. The company says it can handle 20 satellite channels at a time for 10-hour stretches, connect with phones or PDAs by Bluetooth and works with all of today's major mapping software.
Depending on the size of your car remote, you may need to reinforce your pocket lining to handle the weight of your keys. But for $130, it's still better than having to carry around the dreaded second device.
Nothing delights the tortured teenage soul more...
...than using adorable keychain fobs to discover the title of their favorite Morrissey song.
It's a good thing teenagers are attracted to ironic fashion statements like a moth to light. MusicMarker, purveyor of the too-adorable Tamagotchi-like MusicMarker song-identifying keychain fob, will soon be selling their product at America's one-stop solution for disenchanted suburban youth--Hot Topic.
The MusicMarker helps people identify songs they hear by recording a short audio clip into its memory and then uploading that data to the MusicMarker Web site when it gets plugged into a computer USB port. The data then gets analyzed and (ideally) reveals the song information and where to buy it. A number of people have been using this technology for quite a while as either software (Tunatic is one example) or with a handful of MP3 players and cell phones.
To be fair, Hot Topic actually makes sense for this product. I mean, come on, teenage hipsters are unmatched in both their ravenous appetite for new music and their terrifying fear of not being able to name-drop cool bands. Plus, if they can get away with selling Rainbow Brite T-shirts and Hello Kitty seat covers, then a little egg-shaped USB toy should fit right in. Price should be around $15.
(Credit:
Brando)
(Credit:
ABC-TV)
Much of the stuff that comes out of Hong Kong-based Brando ranges from the curious to the bizarre, but every once in awhile its insane R&D department will come up with something that tickles our fancy, like this battery-powered LED lightbulb flashlight that Technabob found. And it would do the same to you too, if you grew up with bad--sorry, "classic"--TV in the '60s.
We're alluding to our affection for the Addams Family's "Uncle Fester," of course, best known for being able to light up a bulb using his mouth as a socket. The ability to replicate that is worth the $6 price alone.
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ThinkGeek)
We have to admire the gumption of those who proudly display their nerd quotient with a Lightsaber umbrella, remote, phone or MP3 player. Or any combination thereof.
Alas, age intervenes. But you can maintain your loyalty to The Force discreetly with a keychain "Micro Lightsaber" while boss and spouse alike are none the wiser. Just to mix things up, Gizmodo says, ThinkGeek also offers a range of weapons that span the Star Wars series, from Han's Blaster (original movie) to Anakin's Saber (prequel). And to explore your dark side, the sabers of both Darths are available too.
(Credit:
Everything USB)
Portable photo devices are fine for desktop use or for transferring files, but often they're just not as convenient to whip out as old-fashioned wallet prints on a moment's notice when parental bragging is in order. Mustek may have solved that problem with its "KeyFoto," which has a 4MB storage capacity to hold more than 40 digital photos and easily slip into your pocket, according to Everything USB. It must be small enough to do that, in fact, because it doubles as a keychain. The KeyFoto must be recharged after only two hours of continuous use, but that may be a reasonable tradeoff given its $30 cost, which is far lower than comparable products we've seen.
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