iphone ocarina: go blow (into your iphone)

http://technabob.com/blog/2008/11/07/iphone-ocarina-wind-instrument/
I’ve seen all sorts of musical instruments running on the iPhone, but this is the first one I’ve come across that might involve getting a little spit on your screen.
Smule’s new iPhone app, Ocarina turns your iPhone into a fully-functional musical wind instrument. This amazing little application works very much like the real deal, combining touch, tilt, gestures and human breath to create ethereal sounds which bring out your inner Zelda.
Just place your fingers over four virtual “holes” on the multi-touch screen, and blow into your iPhone’s microphone. What’s really cool about the software is that none of the sounds are pre-generated, rather they’re built in real-time based on your exact gestures and movements.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhCJq7EAJJA

Sky Factory’s SkyV HD Virtual Skylight

The company that made the SkyV HD Virtual Skylight is Sky Factory, and it allows the user to have a realistic skylight without putting a hole in their roof. These three HD LCD screens allow you to watch skies, birds flying over, trees swaying in the breeze, or just about anything else you want to program in it.

If it were me, I wouldn’t mind seeing spaceships fly over. I would count them instead of sheep. Of course, if you wanted a little realism, you could probably just mount a waterproof camera on your roof and get a realtime shot of the sky. Hopefully it would look like a real skylight. So real, you might have to tell others your skylight is a fake.

I’m not certain how much this particular item will cost, but I’m guessing it isn’t cheap. I’m also not certain how you program the SkyV, either. Hopefully it has some wireless feed that you can program from your computer. You can find out as the SkyV will be seen at trade shows and expos later this year, and should roll out sometime next year.

Wooden Mouse from Actbrise Electronics

So what is this sphere that we see here, some new ball for croquet? No, what you are seeing here is a mouse for the computer, and yes, it is made of wood.

This is the Jupiter Mouse, created by a company called Actbrise Electronics. You can clearly see the four buttons on the mouse, and it is not exactly designed to roll around on the side of the desk.

I have included a YouTube video so you can see it in action. The Jupiter mouse works on a gesture-based motion. Essentially, you roll it in a certain direction, and the cursor moves. As you can see on the video, the ball-shaped mouse comes in handy for 3-D graphics.

SmartLock uses color dye to prevent theft

I’m sure all of you have seen movies where special dyes are used to catch criminals who have stolen valuable items. Remember at the end of Speed when Dennis Hopper is on the subway after he thinks he has made a clean getaway with lots of cash? He goes to check his loot, and gets a face full of purple dye.

Considering there is a whole show devoted to non-existent technology used to catch criminals, I was surprised to discover that this technology actually exists. The Smartlock takes this crime-fighting technology and puts it on a more commonplace item: a bike lock.

The SmartLock is a bike-lock cable filled with compressed air the special liquid dye. So if someone tries to cut open the cable with a file or bolt cutters, there will be sudden squirt that the criminal won’t forget.

Best of all, the dye has a distinct residue that works as an “invisible forensic property marking liquid”. I’m not certain what that means, but I’m guessing the dye is not only hard to wash off, but leaves some sort of stain that is visible only under certain lighting.

The SmartLock is just concept at this present time, but it is one of those that should be rushed to production due to its usefulness.

Get rid of Winter blues

The goLite Blu
from Phillips gets rid of winter blues

Gloomy winter days can get to even the most cheerful of people eventually, so companies have started making light therapy clocks. It triggers your release of “active” hormones and keeps you feeling more cheerful. Oddly the light can even help you sleep better at night. Since it gives you so much more energy during the day, it makes it so that at night you’re a lot more restful. Which just about anyone could do with a better nights sleep. Apparently the key is with the blue light itself, due to our bodies reactions to a bright blue summer sky.

All you have to do is flip on the light for 15 minutes a day. Which would be easy to fit into a morning routine. Whether it be while eating breakfast, or for the ladies while putting on makeup and fixing their hair. The light comes with a two year warranty, but unfortunately it is a bit expensive. To pick up the light it will cost you $279. However, if you tend to get really down every winter it might end up being worth it to spend the money.

ECO Showerdrop

Cool Green Gadget: Save Water with the ECO Showerdrop
If you’re all about doing your part to save the planet, then you’ll love this gadget.

The ECO Showerdrop is a little device that will beep, time you and measure how much water you use during every shower. So when the next water bill comes around and it’s time to divide the water bill up between and your roommates, now you have a nice little measuring device.

“Johnny, you used 12 more gallons than me this month, that will be $20.”

Of course, if you still want to take your hour long showers, just turn the ECO Showerdrop off and resume cleaning. There’s always some way to beat this system. In this case, just remove the batteries.

Something everyone should have.....

Cool Green Car:
The Cool and Eco-Friendly BamGoo Car

If this thing ever makes it into production, we’ll have a lot of mad koala’s on our hands.

The researchers over at Kyoto University have come up with this new little car, made almost entirely out of bamboo. The “BamGoo” car as it is rightfully called, weighs about 130 pounds and can travel up to 30 miles on a single charge.

I’m sure that this car is intended for non-smokers, seeing how if they dropped a cigarrette on the floor, the BamGoo car would turn into a giant fireball on wheels.

Mintpad allows for digital note-passing

Some of you remember last week when I covered the E-note, which is the closest thing to a digital Post-it that I have seen. Of course, that was before I found the Mintpad, which looks a lot like a non-digital Post-It.

As you can see, the Mintpad allows the user to draw on a digital pad with a stylus that is a lot bigger than most that I have seen for digital electronic pads. Do not ask me how to change colors on the pen, but you have to admit that the drawing of the shoe is more in color than living color.

So what can you do with this device? Well, you can draw an image, and then send it off via Wi-Fi. Sadly, you can only send it to other Mintpads, for now. Just think of it as passing notes in the classroom, but don’t let the teacher take the Mintpad away.

Periscope from the Amazon Kindle

This isn’t the first time we have reported on Amazon Kindle accessories, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. At first glance, you may think the Periscope is just a clip-on light, but it is many things, including a cover for the Kindle, notepad, and pen holder.

The cover itself is not genuine leather, but leatherette. There are some that would not like the cover, as it can make the not-so-mini Kindle even bigger. However, for those who like to take to notes as they read, you might as well have a notepad and pen holder.

As for the light itself, it uses two LEDs for illumination. Unfortunately, these two LEDs are not powered by what powers the Kindle, but three not included AAA batteries. These batteries are good for about 40 hours worth of power.

Cool Kitchen Gadgets: Darth Vader Toaster

This is one instance where you’re allowed to play with your food.

Imagine if you will, you’re hiding behind your counter, when POP! Your toast emerges from the toaster, branded with the face of the Dark Side, Darth Vader! You do somersaults, jump to your feet, then before you take a bite, you announce in a raspy and deep James Earl Jones voice, “Luke, I am your father, prepare to die!”

A bit over the top, maybe, for a morning routine, but at least now you have the option when you pick up this Darth Vader toaster. This kitchen gadget puts the face of the Star Wars villain on each piece of toast. For only $54.99, you can make your dream of defeating the Dark Side every morning come true!

Sound Ball Portable Speaker for iPod

http://www.hardwaresphere.com/2008/07/17/sound-ball-portable-speaker-for-ipod/
Mini gadget lover will love this type of speakers. It’s a small speaker in a sphere shape which distinguished itself as a strap for cellphone.
ZumReed Sound Ball Portable Speaker








Sound Ball Portable Speaker comes in 3 main colors choice from pink, violet and green. Too bad it don’t provide my favorite blue color. to use this sound ball speaker, just plug in the provided double headed audio jack to your iPod and speaker. The little plastic ball comes in pink, lime green and purple, and has a built-in rechargeable battery (charges via USB).

No word on availability outside of Japan, but if you want to deal with an overseas transaction, head on over to Dreams6 and plunk down your ¥2,480 (appx. $24 USD).

Nokia Travel Speakers,

With the Nokia Travel Speakers, you can enjoy stereo sound on-the-go. The innovatively designed pocket-sized portable system provides great sound from its compact form, and includes a 30 inch-long cable which neatly stores in the base. Four AAA batteries included provide approximately 27 hours of use.
http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_Travel%20Speakers_10451_10001_50650

Travelocity flies into the Web 2.0 era

http://video.zdnet.com/CIOSessions/?p=180
(video of what it does and how it works.)

Barry Vandevier, CTO of online travel site Travelocity and CIO of the company’s parent Sabre Holdings talks to ZDNet editor-in-chief, Dan Farber about his company’s efforts to deploy Web 2.0 technologies, such as Ajax and mashups, for the next generation of online travel. He also discusses Travelocity’s green strategy–a program that allows users to purchase “carbon offsets” when booking travel.