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Jude Garvey
Why Cry Baby Analyzer - too good to be true?
By Jude Garvey
00:47 July 9, 2009 PDT
Babies can be petulant little creatures at times. One minute, they’re happy as the proverbial pig in mud, the next minute they’re screaming at the top of their lungs for no particular reason. It’s OK if you can discover the cause straight away…but when nothing seems to soothe, it can be a tad stressful. Enter the Why Cry Baby Analyzer - a machine that apparently lets you know within 20 seconds why your youngster is screaming at the top of their tiny lungs. 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
Prototype system enables the visually impaired to ‘see’ the world with sound
By Jude Garvey
04:35 July 8, 2009 PDT
If you’re lucky enough to have perfect eye sight, it is incredibly difficult to imagine what the world is like for a visually impaired person. There have been some astounding breakthroughs in the development of new technologies to assist the blind which aim to replicate the function of the eye, but this project takes a totally different approach. The Cognitive Aid System for Blind People (CASBLiP) uses lasers and digital video images to create a three-dimensional acoustic map which, when relayed through headphones, enables users to "see" the world with sound. Read More
ARPRO sports helmet offers protection from multiple impacts
By Jude Garvey
02:22 July 7, 2009 PDT
It’s a fact of life that when you engage in certain sports you need to wear protective gear. Obviously, your head needs to be protected from any accidental impact and that’s where sports helmets come in. If you’re a keen sportsman, you’re likely to be frustrated by the fact that every sport requires a different helmet, which are not always comfortable or particularly cheap. Worse, if you happen to come to grief on your bike, snowboard, or other thrill seeking conveyance, you’ll be forced to buy a new helmet every time it's subjected to an impact. That could be about to change - Tatoo is a new sports helmet that is designed for comfort and can still be used even after multiple accidents. 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
The bike lane that travels with you
By Jude Garvey
03:17 June 26, 2009 PDT
The first automobile crash in the United States is said to have occurred in 1896, in New York City, when a car crashed into - surprise, surprise - a bicyclist. Even today, despite the introduction of reflective gear, helmets and lights, cyclists are still very vulnerable, particularly at night. Enter LightLane – a clever concept that uses lasers to project a virtual bike lane on the ground behind and around the cyclist. Read More
Bloom's Alma: a contemporary crib for baby
By Jude Garvey
20:41 June 24, 2009 PDT
When parents-to-be begin looking for a crib for their new baby, it can be a little confusing. Do they start with a cradle like the Hushamok or are they best to put baby straight into a full-size crib? Is it important that the crib fits in with their existing décor and can it be moved from room to room? A new crib from Bloom might help end that elusive and often frustrating search. Alma Urban is a contemporary, wooden folding crib that will sleep baby from newborn to two years, can be moved in minutes and because of its minimalist design, should suit even the most fastidious home-decorator. Read More
Wikipedia to open up to video
By Jude Garvey
03:10 June 22, 2009 PDT
The Wikimedia Foundation plans to launch an editable, video encyclopedia to complement its text-based online encyclopedia. Since its launch in 2001, Wikipedia has grown at an astounding rate, with about 65 million visits per month and thousands of volunteer contributors writing, adding to and editing thousands of articles every day. In a multimedia age, adding video hopes to take Wikipedia to a new level. Read More
Babyglow color-changing suit tells you when baby is ill
By Jude Garvey
02:08 June 22, 2009 PDT
Usually, when a young baby cries, the cause is one of three things. They are hungry, tired or need their diaper changed. When it’s not one of these problems causing the tears, it may mean they are not well. This new invention might help parents immediately recognize that their child has a high temperature - the Babyglow baby suit is designed to change color when your baby’s temperature rises to a dangerous level. Read More
Hillcrest motion sensing mouse keeps you in the Loop
By Jude Garvey
20:27 June 21, 2009 PDT
Almost three years after we first encountered the Loop pointer, Hillcrest Labs has announced that its uniquely designed motion sensing mouse is available direct to consumers. 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
Sharp introduces color changing LED light bulbs
By Jude Garvey
22:47 June 17, 2009 PDT
When it comes to choosing light globes these days, energy-conscious consumers have a multitude of choice. Both CFL bulbs and LED bulbs offer energy-efficient lighting and whilst they seem expensive at first, you realize they will save you money in the long term. However, a less appealing feature of LED globes is the bright, white light they emit, not particularly compatible with creating a warm, romantic feel in your home. That may be about to change. Sharp Corporation has just announced an LED globe that includes a remote-controlled, adjustable-color function and a dimmer. 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
Popular schoolyard games come out to play for the Wii ones
By Jude Garvey
15:43 June 17, 2009 PDT
The development of Wii computer games, where handsets take the place of real equipment from sports, such as tennis, golf or baseball, has been very successful. Now, a unique and ambitious collaborative project in the United Kingdom looks set to convert popular skipping and clapping playground games into Wii-styled prototype games. Read More
Tamago play furniture: 100% recyclable for 100% fun
By Jude Garvey
17:06 June 16, 2009 PDT
Merci Design has developed a line of children’s play furniture made from 100% recycled paper pulp, the same material used to produce egg cartons. Tamago, meaning ‘egg’ in Japanese, consists of seven different pieces, designed to be utilized by the child in whatever way they choose. Read More
GE and NASA to give open-rotor jet engine systems a spin
By Jude Garvey
06:31 June 15, 2009 PDT
GE Aviation and NASA will run a wind tunnel test program over the northern summer to evaluate and test counter-rotating fan-blade systems for open-rotor jet engine designs. The newly improved rig for testing was originally used by GE and NASA in the 1980s on scale models of counter-rotating fan systems, which led to the development of the GE36 engine. The test program also demonstrated that an open-rotor jet engine consumed 30 percent less fuel compared to similar-sized conventional jet engines. Just think what a 30 percent drop in fuel consumption would deliver today, not only to an airline industry struggling to keep ticket prices down, but also the positive benefits to the environment. Read More
OdorBox eliminates kitty litter odor and keeps bacteria at bay
By Jude Garvey
23:04 June 14, 2009 PDT
There is nothing pleasant about cat litter or “kitty litter”. Although the product has certainly evolved from the days where sand, ashes or dirt would be used in the litter box, it's really little more than an open indoor sewer. There are all sorts of deodorizers and sprays that claim to eliminate cat litter smells but often they just mask the odor short-term, and while options such as biodegradable litter which can be safely composted or silica gel litter which is highly absorbent do improve matters, there is no getting away from the fact - cat litter smells. Here's another approach designed to stop you gagging when near the litter tray - the OdorBox uses air purification technology that removes the odor and keeps the litter bacteria-free. Read More
Lonely Planet iPhone travel guides put the world in your pocket
By Jude Garvey
16:22 June 11, 2009 PDT
Gen Y doesn’t know how easy they’ve got it. Young intrepid travelers used to set off on world adventures with little more than their summer savings, a few changes of clothes, a promise to phone home and a well-thumbed guide book. How times have changed. Today’s youth don’t leave home without being wired to the hilt – and that’s just to meet friends at the mall. It seems only logical that Lonely Planet, a 35-year-old guidebook publisher, has just released its City Guide series for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Read More
Water Building resort is far more than a drop in the ocean
By Jude Garvey
01:47 June 11, 2009 PDT
Given some of the intriguing and unusual eco-friendly resort concepts we've seen of late, a luxury hotel in the shape of an enormous drop of water that's designed to convert air into drinking water with the assistance of solar power should come as no surprise. Read More
360 Paper water bottle offers renewable alternative to plastic
By Jude Garvey
05:20 June 10, 2009 PDT
Most people realize that plastic water bottles are bad for the environment, not only because research suggests it takes 2000 times more energy to produce bottled water than tap water but also because so many of them are not recycled. You may choose to filter your own water or just go without, but a new environmentally friendly solution may mean you can continue to drink bottled water and keep a clear conscience - the 360 Paper Water bottle. Read More
Visual Voicemail lets you see important messages at a glance
By Jude Garvey
21:30 May 20, 2009 PDT
One of the more tedious jobs at the end of a working day is listening to all the voicemails that have piled up while you’ve been busy in meetings. If wouldn’t be so bad if callers left a brief message, but listening to messages that aren't urgent drone on for minutes can be a little frustrating. Help may be at hand. As the name suggests, Visual Voicemail allows you to see all your voicemail messages at a glance. Read More
The ergoErgo delivers a new twist on the old exercise ball
By Jude Garvey
05:22 May 20, 2009 PDT
ergoErgo is a cleverly designed stool that promises all the benefits of a sitting on an exercise ball in a compact package that will not roll away from under you. Just like a health ball, Alan Heller's funky design helps to strengthen your inner core and align your spine whilst you get on with your work. Read More
The Etive kinetic energy charger gives power walking a whole new meaning
By Jude Garvey
00:06 May 20, 2009 PDT
Hiking has its share of highs and lows. One of the less pleasing aspects is ensuring you have an adequate source of energy to power your personal electronic equipment. There are a number of renewable energy options available that you may consider when planning your next hiking trip. You could harness the sun’s energy and use a solar-powered charger or solar-wrapped batteries. Perhaps you might choose to use wind power to keep you in touch with the world? But wouldn’t it be great if you could harness power using your own kinetic energy? It makes sense. You’re using your legs all day, surely all that sweat, pain and muscle fatigue is good for something? Enter the Etive – a concept device that uses kinetic energy as a power source for recharging all the electronic gadgets you bring to the great outdoors. Read More
Liftt baby sling: functional and fashion-friendly
By Jude Garvey
23:20 May 17, 2009 PDT
It is not always easy to find a functional and attractive baby sling. More often than not, they are difficult to put on, have too many buckles, are uncomfortable or come in a color that manages to clash with every outfit you wear. A new baby sling design from Liftt promises to offer support and comfort for both you and your baby and comes in a range of colors that is more likely to complement rather than clash with your wardrobe. Read More
Lighten your workload with the LED-lit workstation
By Jude Garvey
06:47 May 17, 2009 PDT
A bright idea (pun intended) for lighting a workstation is one of the entries in this year’s Emotionalize Your Light competition. Andres4, the designer of the LED-enhanced workstation, has created a working prototype that features a band of LED lighting running around the desktop edge and additional lighting suspended from the ceiling. The disc in the middle of the upper panel is a “must for every Star Trek fan”, according to the designer. The colored lights of the desk can be changed using switches, but the designer is working on a way of switching the lights using a computer controller. Read More
John M
- November 25, 2009 @ 17:19 UTC
