Device

No matter how big Nikon and Canon make their rear body LCDs, you can never quite beat the control you have when shooting tethered. SmallHD’s DP-SLR external monitor for DSLRs offers up a good solution for previewing 1280 x 800 resolution images on a hotshoe-mountable, hand-sized screen which boasts the title of the world’s smallest HD monitor. Priced at US$1199 for the model with all the bells and whistles, it will also be available without the 3G/HD/SDI inputs to keep the cost down to $899. Read More

It might look like a McDonald’s fries packet, but the Firescuba concept is nothing to be laughed at if it keeps you alive until help arrives. Smoke inhalation is the major cause of most fire-related injuries and deaths so if this device with its carbon filter lets you breathe through smoke, it’s probably worth carrying one around with you or keeping one within reach at home. Read More

As great as advances in mobile technology have been in recent years, many mobile devices still suffer from unsatisfactory battery life. Japanese company, Links International, has created the iCharge in two versions - the standard DX and the smaller Lite - solar solutions to your mobile power woes. Actually, the devices are three-way charging system, capable of solar, AC, and USB charging. Read More

Avid fans of the barbecue grill will know there is little more annoying than having to constantly attend to making sure the charcoal keeps on burning, often resulting in ever bigger huffs and puffs and the odd singed eyebrow. Well huff and puff no more with what is a very simple yet effective looking solution to backyard breathlessness, the Barbecue Hand Crank. As the name suggests, the hand held and operated portable blower lets the user produce a stream of constant air with a simple turn of the handle. Read More

In addition to its recent 7-year / 150,000km warranty announcement, Kia has created further interest with the showing of its UVO in-car voice and touch activated communication and entertainment system. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, the system offers users an easy to use interactive hands-free alternative that uses speech recognition for making and taking calls, sending text messages and managing in-car music. Featuring a 4.3” full color touchscreen display and built-in 1GB storage with the ability to rip CD’s and MP3’s onto the system’s “Jukebox”, the open platform UVO system also doubles as a rear view camera when the vehicle is in reverse. Read More

Now here’s a clever device no electrical, gas, plumbing, fire, police or first responder crew should be without ... if they ever have to go into confined spaces where there’s even a remote chance of fire. It’s called a Stat-X First Responder® and it only does one thing – extinguish fires in confined spaces really fast. If fire breaks out, you activate the aerosol-based fire suppression device and toss it in the hole. It’s clean, compact, cost effective and safe for the environment. Fires in manholes are rare but can be deadly without the correct firefighting tools to enable a trapped worker to escape. Read More

Are you were waiting for a good reason to join the armed forces? Perhaps you are just a kid who always dreamed of flying and never grew up, or maybe you are thinking of challenging Yves (Jetman) Rossy in the human winged flight game? This could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. Get ready to duck … the Gryphon Next Generation Parachute System could be headed your way. Although engine-less, the Gryphon still has an electronic guidance system and heads-up display navigation and all equipment is cleverly tucked away making for better “stealth” flights. Read More

Anyone who likes to tinker with a tool set knows how frustrating it can be when that particular screwdriver you need has magically disappeared. Enter the Scruzol, which not only has a strong central magnet and holds up to twelve screw bits, but also features a bit socket on both ends, enabling it to be both a screwdriver and a power driver for an electric drill. Read More

Fitbit is an activity monitor which conveniently clips to pants, shirt or wristband and pays careful attention to what you are doing. It counts your steps, records distance traveled and tells you how many calories you've burned. When you're not being active it'll record data on how long it takes you to fall asleep, how many times during the night you awoke and how much sleep you actually managed to get. Go within a few feet of its base station and it will automatically upload the data to a website for subsequent detailed analysis and storage. Read More