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Around The Home
Fold-Up Trailer saves valuable space
21:15 January 29, 2009 PST
Trailers are extremely useful items when you need them. When you don't, which for most of us 99% of the time, they can be a storage nightmare... after all, how many urban dwellers have a spare 5 x 8 foot patch in their backyard or garage that couldn't be used for a better purpose. Lifetime's folding trailer design solves this issue by significantly reducing the storage space needed. When you're done carting loads for the weekend, the trailer folds to just 29 inches wide in a process that takes only 90 seconds. Read More
New Crestron Green Light occupancy sensors optimize energy usage
By Mike Hanlon
18:24 January 27, 2009 PST
January 28, 2009 Crestron has released a new range of occupancy sensors to enhance the functionality of its Green Light™ environmental controls, further reducing energy usage. The sensors have built-in microprocessors and photocells which continually analyze and adjust to changing conditions to significantly reduce on-time for lights. Climate and device control can also be integrated. A combination of both ultrasonic and passive infrared sensing is used to detect motion while minimizing false triggers, such as electrical noise, air currents, and temperature changes. A built-in photocell can override the occupancy sensor if ambient light levels are above a set threshold, preventing lights from turning on when there is sufficient daylight in the room. Read More
The inflatable window - 50% insulation improvement
By Mike Hanlon
00:40 January 23, 2009 PST
January 23, 2009 The inflatable window is a secondary glazing system that uses an inflatable rubber tube to seal into the window reveal to provide better insulation for the windows. The Australian Building Codes Board has published data showing that 87% of heat loss and 48% of heat gain is through the 8% of windows in the average building . The inflatable system is proven to offer up to 50% improvement on insulation resulting in a 68% improvement on the energy use for heating and cooling. Read More
Quicksnap - a better ice block tray
By Mike Hanlon
02:43 January 22, 2009 PST
January 22, 2009 One of the finalists in the recent Toyota IQ-sponsored Royal College of the Arts design contest was this simple but effective ice cube tray. Graeme Davies invented Quicksnap so that single ice cubes can be popped out without the normal problems associated with twisting an ice tray. With those who know their way around the kitchen increasingly freezing fruit pulps, curry paste and other sauces that take a lot of time to make, Davies’ invention will be welcomed when it hits the market later this year. Read More
Garage|Shadow turns any Bluetooth cellphone into a garage door remote
By Mike Hanlon
23:43 January 12, 2009 PST
January 13, 2009 As the smartphone captures and ever greater share of the mobile phone market, it’s clear that people want their phone to become ever more multifunctional. Unify4Life envisages a day when their products will enable a BlackBerry to interact with and control any home or office product a customer desires. The company announced US$40 Garage|Shadow at CES, which allows you to open and close your garage door from your Blackberry or any Bluetooth enabled cell phone. The previously announced US$100 AV|Shadow does the same thing for controlling a set top box, DVD, VCR, TiVo, PVR or home theater. Read More
POLLI-Brick: turning plastic bottles into green architecture
By Emily Clark
03:01 January 12, 2009 PST
From the maker of the HYmini wind and solar portable charger comes a polymer architecture brick combining post-consumer materials with environmentally friendly function. The POLLI-Brick is made entirely of recycled materials and offers passive cooling, natural ventilation and even integrated solar/wind powered LED lighting. Read More
EasyBloom helps gardeners make the right choices
By Emily Clark
22:33 January 8, 2009 PST
Incorporating the same sensor technology used in the NASA Mars Mission, the EasyBloom Plant Sensor from PlantSense helps even the most novice gardener select the right plants for their garden and rescue unhealthy plants from an untimely death. Read More
Flexing your cords to eliminate cable tangles
By Loz Blain
06:19 January 7, 2009 PST
January 7, 2009 A simple invention here, but one with some merit - Flexicord cables can be gently bent into shape, and they'll stay the way you set them, the idea being that you can coil them up so they're always the perfect length, and never in the way of anything else. They're available in HDMI, Cat5e, RCA phono jack, S-Video and USB varieties in lengths up to 10 feet. Read More
How to avoid taking out the garbage quite as frequently
By Mike Hanlon
22:43 January 1, 2009 PST
January 2, 2008 Taking out the garbage (who and/or when and/or how frequently) is undoubtedly the greatest threat to household harmony of any domestic chore. The Broan Elite XE Trash Compactor won’t exactly remove the chore, but with a compaction ratio of 6-to-1, it’ll reduce the number of times you need to argue about it and/or do it. With a three-quarter horsepower motor offering 3000 pounds of compacting force, each 1.5 cubic foot compacted bag holds the equivalent of six 13 gallon bags of ordinary trash, so it’ll lighten the volume for local landfills and reduce the volume for garbage pick-up, providing a cost saving for consumers who pay by the load. The unit also has antimicrobial protection to fight odor-causing bacteria and a replaceable odor control disc that is rotated automatically and hence lasts six months. Read More
Black & Decker to offer remotely lockable deadlocks
By Mike Hanlon
20:30 January 1, 2009 PST
January 2, 2009 The advent of the automated or smart home is gathering momentum and acceptance in the community, and Pocket-Lint is reporting that Black & Decker is about to enter the smart deadlock marketplace. Black & Decker owns Quickset which recently released a range of keyless entry deadbolts as the SmartCode Signature Series (pictured) but the description offered by Pocket-Lint goes well beyond the capabilities of the current Quicket offerings. Apparently the new B&D motorised electronic deadbolts can be locked and unlocked remotely, mimicking the functionality of the recently acquired Z-Wave product which enables such remarkable initiatives as the Nokia Home Control Center. The product is due to launch this month so stay tuned. Read More
Knife Block eliminates germs
23:55 December 30, 2008 PST
Knives are an essential part of any kitchen - germs aren't. This sanitary knife block promises a high level of protection against cross-contamination by using UV-C light technology to sterilize your blades, getting rid of 99.99% of food bacteria and viruses in a process that takes just 20 seconds. Read More
Serious celebration: the Waring Professional Cordless Wine Opener
21:54 December 21, 2008 PST
Here's a last minute gift idea for the hard working waiter or the wine-lover who does a great deal of entertaining. Featuring one touch operation and a soft rubber handle, the new Waring Professional Cordless Wine Opener can remove up to 80 corks on one charge. Read More
Parrot announces sleek Philippe Starck designed wireless speaker system
21:25 December 21, 2008 PST
Renowned and prolific French Designer Philippe Starck has added to his diverse portfolio in a collaboration with wireless specialist Parrot. The result is the 'Zikmu', an iPod ready wireless speaker system that combines Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability with 360° NXT surround sound in a design that's a fusion of modern minimalist lines and 70's bell-bottom fashion - it certainly works for us. Read More
Old shape, new technology: GE energy saving light globe
By Emily Clark
20:56 December 11, 2008 PST
GE Energy’s new Smart compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb combines miniaturized electronics with GE’s Spiral CFL inside the glass bulb to achieve a conventional-sized bulb with added energy saving capabilities. The profile of the CFL bulb is virtually identical to a standard incandescent light bulb but offers the equivalent power of a 60W bulb with just 15W. Read More
Road test: Sumo Omni Chair rocks our 'tocks
By Loz Blain
23:11 December 9, 2008 PST
The march of technology and design has elevated the humble bean bag into a surprisingly versatile bit of furniture. Sumo's range of "urban lounge gear" now includes a stiff-walled, tiny-beaned maxi-pillow that can be moulded into several super-comfy positions from crashmat to loveseat to recliner couch. Sure, there's a learning curve - try to "ride the pony" without the proper preparation and you'll end up on the floor - but once mastered, this is one of the most outrageously awesome, buttock-coddling sitting experiences we've ever tried. Loz Blain is barely able to report on his road test of the Sumo Omni Chair due to extreme relaxation. Read More
Roberts digital kitchen radio
By Emily Clark
03:27 December 8, 2008 PST
This digital Kitchen Radio from ROBERTS fits neatly under the kitchen cupboards and offers a range of features, including - yes - an egg-timer, making it a nifty cooking companion. The space-saving design means the radio won’t encroach on your much needed counter space when cooking up a storm. Read More
The iPhone Refrigerator
By Mike Hanlon
19:43 November 25, 2008 PST
November 26, 2008 An emerging prestige manufacturer and designer of quality and innovative household goods, Slovenia’s Gorenje graced our pages earlier this year with its wow-factor SmarTable, and has backed up with two prototypes (modern and retro) of a very clever iPod refrigerator and the news that the soon-to-be-available production versions will be followed by an iPhone refrigerator in 2009. Slip your iPod into the dock on the front and it’ll charge, play music and video through the refrigerator’s two built-in 7 watt speakers, and connect to the internet if you have wifi. Gorenje’s plans are ambitious, and include using the touch screen on the iPod to control other Gorenje appliances and there’s an internet portal under development which will enable the remote control of its wifi-enabled oven and dishwasher and plans to add wifi to other Gorenje appliances in the near future. The iPod fridge will cost around EUR1200 and comes with an iPod Touch. Read More
Two-in-one-furniture: the table-chair
By Emily Clark
00:07 November 21, 2008 PST
We've seen some interesting dual-purpose furniture design concepts of late and the SwiTCh from Ellesco International in Belgium is another bright example. Put the two pieces together and it's a comfortable armchair, separate them and flip the back section upright and it becomes a small table with a seat. Read More
Treehouse escapes: re-live your childhood in style
19:38 November 20, 2008 PST
Treehouses have the ability to fire the imagination and transport you back to the long care-free afternoons of your childhood like almost nothing else. These days, the professionally crafted designs available far outstrip the rudimentary structures we would slap together during summer holidays and they are being used not just as magical playrooms for the kids but as spare guest bedrooms, entertainment areas, hotel escapes and even conference suites. The latest examples to cross our desk are these striking arboreal dwellings from Andreas Wenning of German architecture firm baumraum. Read More
Warming to your Plasma TV
17:57 November 20, 2008 PST
Before television became the new opiate of the masses the fireplace was the focal point of many living rooms. This design lets you combine the two. Picture House TV Furniture produce fully working fireplaces that conceal your plasma screen at the push of a button and their latest offering - the Slimline Montana - can house up to a 50-inch TV and includes space for hiding DVD and cable equipment. Read More
SunStick helps gardeners find the light
By Darren Quick
20:00 November 19, 2008 PST
As a self-confessed ‘black thumb’ (I’m told that’s the opposite of a green thumb), anything that improves the chances of survival of a plant under my care always piques my interest. My parents constantly tell me the importance of ‘location, location, location’, when it comes to plant placement and a new product from Plumstone, LLC, might just help me get that aspect of gardening right. The SunStick is a garden tool that resembles a faux flower top and measures the light in its immediate area, be it indoors or out, to give gardeners an idea of what plant would be suited to that location. Read More
Kwikset update touchpad doorlock
By Darren Quick
00:15 November 18, 2008 PST
Keys have served mankind well for thousands of years yet we all know the horrible feeling associated with misplacing those ubiquitous chunks of jangling metal. Now Kwikset, the makers of the SmartScan biometric keyless entry system, are looking to lighten the load on people’s keyrings with their next generation SmartCode Signature Series keyless entry deadbolt. Read More
GE twin oven cooks two different meals at once
By Darren Quick
20:53 November 17, 2008 PST
If the proliferation of cooking shows on TV and celebrity chefs is anything to go by, people either like to cook or they like to watch people cooking. I fall into the latter group but for those of you in the former, GE have unveiled an oven that can cook two dishes at two temperatures at the same time. The new GE Profile 30-inch single/double wall oven fits two ovens into the space of a single standard wall oven by including a 2.8-cubic-foot lower oven and a 2.2-cu.-ft. upper oven to provide a total of 5.0-cubic-feet of capacity, making it the largest oven of its kind. Read More
Samsung French Door Refrigerator with 7-inch touchscreen
By Emily Clark
22:10 November 4, 2008 PST
The latest addition to its kitchen suite of appliances, Samsung’s new RFG299 French Door Refrigerator transforms the humble fridge into an interactive, digital lifestyle centerpiece. The RFG299 features a 7” LCD touch screen above the ice and water dispenser and boasts exceptional internal storage at 28.5 cu. ft. in a standard footprint. Read More
Six-bladed Rolling Razor ups the ante against sharp competition
By Loz Blain
21:29 November 2, 2008 PST
If you watch a lot of TV commercials, you could be forgiven for thinking that today's top white-coated science professionals have no higher goal than delivering you and I the perfect shaver. Gillette, having almost reached the logical conclusion of its "more blades = more sales" policy, currently touts the "Fusion Power Phenom" as its flagship stubble eliminator, packing no fewer than FIVE blades, one precision trimmer, 15 microfins and a battery-powered, microchip controlled micropulse generator that improves "razor glide." But Rolling Razor are fighting back with a rubber-grip ring mounted, double tilting headed monster featuring no less than SIX blades mounted in opposing directions so you can shave UP as well as DOWN. Read More
Jonathan Cole
- November 6, 2009 @ 16:15 UTC
