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Around The Home
Look, no hands: the Qlocktwo from Biegert & Funk
By Paul Ridden
17:16 August 26, 2009 PDT
What's so great about numbers anyway? And why is it that the circular form seems so sought after? After all, the Qlocktwo from proves beyond reasonable doubt that it's cool to be square and words are what matter most. The familiar rounded clock face is abandoned in favor of a stylish and elegant, cornered design where illuminated letters spell out the time at set intervals. It's time-signal receiver ensures this quartz-driven timepiece is always accurate and its interchangeable faces offer numerous color coordination options. Read More
Roll-out vegie patch for the time-poor (and non-gardeners)
By Karen Sprey
06:13 August 10, 2009 PDT
From the ‘it’s so simple, why didn’t I think of that?’ file comes the… Roll-out Veg Mat. Lack of time or a green thumb is no longer an issue (or an excuse). Just roll out the pre-sown-and-fertilized corrugated cardboard seed mat, add soil and water, then sit back and enjoy the fruits – or rather, veg – of your very limited labor. Read More
Freshness valve keeps coffee at its peak
By Jeff Salton
23:53 August 9, 2009 PDT
Coffee-lovers of the world rejoice … a new coffee canister for the home that eliminates the four main causes of flavor loss in whole bean and ground coffee - CO2 gases, moisture, light and air - has been released by Friis. The company says its Coffee Savor container is the first in the world that vents away damaging trapped carbon dioxide gas created during the roasting process and also blocks out moisture, light and air to seal in flavor. Read More
The remote-controlled kitchen arrives
By Jeff Salton
17:27 August 6, 2009 PDT
Ever since home automation systems were invented, manufacturers have been looking at ways to integrate the technology into the busiest room of the house – the kitchen. But apart from the original Internet fridge (with its frightening price tag and lack of functionality) useful products have been few and far between. Not to be deterred, Anvil Motion has created a kitchen where, by choosing say, the ‘baking’ scene on a touch panel remote control, the cupboard doors slide vertically to reveal the oven, the utensils, the ingredients and the recipe books … all in unison. Read More
Talking calendar helps you remind yourself
By Jeff Salton
20:43 August 4, 2009 PDT
Missed another dentist appointment because the Post-It note fell off the fridge? Forgot your anniversary because you left your diary at work? Didn’t remember to buy milk? What was that tee-off time again? If that little voice inside your head isn't doing its job, the Jenda Voice Calendar might be the answer - it provides a simple way to record reminders in your own voice. Read More
Peeling groovy - Veggie-Peel cleans up after itself
By Jeff Salton
22:36 August 3, 2009 PDT
A vegetable peeler that traps and stores the peel for easy disposal into a composting bin, trash can or garbage disposal unit should win praise from cooks trying to keep their kitchens hygienically clean and tidy. Aptly named the Veggie-Peel, this kitchen gadget has a curved, rubberized non-slip handle and is ambidextrous, too, because of its double-sided stainless steel blade. Read More
Philips Wake up Light gets an iPod dock
By Gizmag Team
20:34 July 30, 2009 PDT
Philips' Wake-up Light is a 'dawn simulator' that uses light to ease you gently out of your snoozing state, but the latest version provides another option for those days when a little extra oomph may be required to get you moving with the inclusion of an iPod dock. Read More
Shrinking jug keeps milk fresh for an extra week
By Loz Blain
04:22 July 28, 2009 PDT
Milk goes sour in about a week, even if you keep it in the fridge. That's because Lactobacillus, the "good bacteria" that's found in yogurt, is constantly going about the job of oxidizing the lactose sugars in the milk into sour-tasting lactic acid - the same chemical that makes your muscles sore after exercise. But since this souring process requires the presence of oxygen, theoretically it could be slowed down even further if you kept the milk out of contact with oxygen. Rather than going with a high-tech nitrous contraption like the N2Wine globes we wrote about recently, one entrant to this year's James Dyson awards has come up with something devilishly simple: a shrinking milk jug that squeezes all the air out as you empty it. The inventor claims it lets milk last as much as a week longer. Simple and brilliant! Read More
Solar Powered Robotic Pool Skimmer makes a splash
By Mick Webb
19:42 July 21, 2009 PDT
For many a pool owner, removing the assorted leaves, bugs and other foliage that finds its way into the water can be a drain on their time in the backyard. Enter the smart Solar Powered Pool Skimmer, which not only takes the elbow grease out of keeping the pool sparkling, but as the name suggests, adds the bonus of being powered by the sun. Read More
Eternaleds' liquid-cooled LED light bulb
By Darren Quick
18:10 July 21, 2009 PDT
Liquid-cooled PCs are a mainstay for PC enthusiasts looking to eek every last bit of performance from their beloved machines and now it seems this approach has reached the world of the LED light bulb. A company called Eternaleds has introduced the HydraLux-4 LED Bulb, the world’s first LED light bulb to use "liquid-cooling technology" to give a true 360-degree light like a regular incandescent light bulb. Read More
The Bedol Eco-Friendly Clock - just add water
By Mick Webb
21:07 July 20, 2009 PDT
Anything that flies the green flag is a welcome addition to the array of resource depleting devices in our homes. The Bedol Eco – Friendly Water Powered Clock is as environmentally sound as they come – literally just add water. Read More
Bang & Olufsen's magical Beotime flute alarm
By Paul Ridden
07:19 July 20, 2009 PDT
Inspired by Mozart's famous Opera, the new Beotime alarm clock will, according to its creator Bang & Olufsen, turn the chore of waking up in the morning into an "extraordinary experience". As well as finding all the usual functionality of a standard alarm clock onboard, the elegant flute-like tube of aluminum can help you control all of your (compatible) audio/video gadgetry and even your room lights. As the suggested price tag of USD$375 indicates, this is no run-of-the-mill alarm clock. Read More
You gotta know when to fold ‘em: the furtive Flux chair
04:28 July 16, 2009 PDT
For purity of design and construction, the Flux chair is hard to beat. Fashioned out of a single piece of completely recyclable polypropylene, the Flux turns itself into a flat, self-contained “envelope” for ease of transport or storage. But then, in ten seconds, it can be folded out to transform into a beautiful piece of designer furniture. Read More
The Amana Jot Refrigerator makes a cool noticeboard
By Darren Quick
17:56 July 15, 2009 PDT
There’s no doubt the refrigerator is the central hub of the kitchen, serving more than its primary purpose of keeping things cold. In recent years we’ve seen fridge manufacturers pack their products with all manner of technological additions, from iPod docks to touch screens and TVs. In most households though, the humble fridge remains a central place to stick notes that are sure to be seen. Whirlpool has saved us the hassle of hunting for a scrap of paper on which to scribble such missives with the Amana Jot refrigerator. Read More
Recharge Electric mower helps keep your lawn 'green'
By Jude Garvey
23:22 July 8, 2009 PDT
There’s nothing like the smell of freshly-cut grass to bring back fond childhood memories of summer…alongside less fond memories of the sickly, sweet smell of mower fuel and the sound of cursing all over the neighborhood as people failed to get their lawn mower started. It’s no wonder that electric mowers have become so popular in recent times given they are easy to operate, quiet, require little maintenance and don’t strain your back (or your good mood) trying to start them. They are also much better for the environment than their fuel-guzzling two-stroke engine ancestors. The Recharge Mower offers all these benefits - and you don't have to push it. Read More
Oregon Scientific’s +ECO Clima Control solar powered weather station
By Darren Quick
01:36 July 8, 2009 PDT
Oregon Scientific’s solar powered +ECO Clima Control weather station allows users to monitor the temperature and humidity in up to four locations within the home and outdoors and includes weather predictions on the best time for the unit to soak up the sun’s rays. Read More
Base Mate ladder attachment provides stability on shaky ground
By Jude Garvey
18:21 July 6, 2009 PDT
It's estimated that more than 222,000 people are sent to emergency rooms across the USA each year as a result of ladder-related injuries. Even without this alarming statistic, it's obvious that your safety depends on the ladder being on a firm, even surface, whether you are on a building site or just doing some odd jobs around the home. The Base Mate Easy Connect is designed to improve stability by attaching to the base of your existing ladder to provide a wide, strong and supportive base, even when the ground surface is less than ideal. Read More
Dual chamber Eco Kettle boils only what you need
By Karen Sprey
01:04 June 30, 2009 PDT
Do you boil only enough water for your cup of coffee or tea or are you the person who can’t resist keeping the kettle filled to the top? The Eco Kettle caters to everyone. It features a central reservoir that you can keep filled to the brim and a central valve button in the lid that releases only the amount you need into its boiling chamber, from one to eight cups - saving electricity, time and even water. Read More
illumi-knob helps you find doors in the dark
00:56 June 24, 2009 PDT
If you’ve ever stumbled around a room at night trying to find the door, the illumi-knob will strike you as simply brilliant. Designed to fit over most door handles, the device uses a passive infra-red sensor to detect any movement within 10 feet and then turn on two gentle LED light rings. It’s not bright enough to wake anyone, but more than enough to get you safely to - and through - the door. Read More
Dulux BackPack Roller System twice as fast as a conventional brush
By Karen Sprey
02:34 June 23, 2009 PDT
There’s no doubt a lick of paint improves the appearance of your house, but when it comes to actually doing, it's a chore most of us would prefer to avoid. Dulux hopes to make the job cleaner, easier and faster with the new Weathershield BackPack Roller system. Once you've attached the power unit to the paint pack you just drop it into the ergonomically designed rucksack, switch it on and you’re ready to go – no more paint trays, spills or running up and down ladders to reload the brush. And Dulux says you'll get the job done twice as fast. Read More
StudioDesk: a neat solution for desktop clutter
By Jude Garvey
02:04 June 19, 2009 PDT
Not a week goes by without a slicker, faster or more versatile laptop hitting the market, but until wireless power takes off, we're still stuck with the problem of cords and peripherals cluttering up our workspace. The simple but effective StudioDesk from Bluelounge may be the answer. It hides adaptors, hubs, cords and other odds and ends beneath the desk top, leaving you with a clean look and plenty of room to spread yourself out. Read More
Offi Paket – the dining set that doesn't eat into the room
By Jude Garvey
17:59 June 17, 2009 PDT
Just because you live in a small apartment, doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style. Here’s a smart design idea that will transform a small space into a funky dining area in no time at all. The Offi Paket table and chairs quickly unpack from a uniform tower into a colorful dining set. Read More
Electrolux Rendez-Vous: the kitchen table becomes the table kitchen
06:12 May 27, 2009 PDT
Sharing food with family and friends around the dining table is a universal recipe for a good time, unless of course you're stuck in the kitchen cooking. Electrolux Global Design has come up with a way for everyone to be included in the celebrations with the Rendez-Vous - a concept interactive table with a very high-tech kitchen built-in, and it will even charge your mobile phone. Read More
iTalk voice-controlled alarm clock
By David Greig
00:21 May 27, 2009 PDT
If you're the type of individual who is too dead-dog tired to reach over to turn off the alarm, just couldn't be stuffed or who might enjoy the companionship – or convenience – of talking to an obedient alarm clock, then the iTalk from Neutrano may be what you're looking for. The iTalk is among the first household appliances to use TimeSet Voice technology that Neutrano claims can understand any English-speaking voice – although we're not sure how well it understands the morning slur after that big night out. Read More
Philips brightens up the home with a range of LED-lit decor
By David Greig
01:39 May 23, 2009 PDT
Domestic bliss can get a tad dull from time to time – but you have to hand it to Dutch electronics giant Philips for trying to brighten the home front up with its range of LED-illuminated home accessories. The products include a vase, wine cooler, coasters and platter and have been designed so as to be used in various combinations to create different moods around the home. Read More
Gary Noel
- November 22, 2009 @ 06:20 UTC
