Into Tech

Hate getting up? Would a really cool alarm a clock help? Ok, probably not, but this is something different. We covered this back at the tail-end of 2005 but now it’s available.

The Blowfly Alarm Clock has a propeller on top and when the alarm sounds, it kicks in until the top part of the clock is hovering in the air emitting strange, annoying noises. You have to snatch it out of the air and place back in its pod for the din to subside. I think I’d be happy staying in bed with earplugs watching this hover all day.

It’s not often that concept products, even a competition winner like this, make it into production so it might just be time to abuse my plastic just one more time. Yours for around £27 here.-Martin Lynch

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For those three or four of you out there who have managed to make it through Christmas with cash still burning a hole a in your pocket, you might want the latest in luxury iPod add-ons.

This is the George, from Chestnut Hill Sound, and is designed not only to massage your keen auditory senses but its £350 price tag will gladly blow a gaping hole in your New Year’s Resolution not to spend any more money on unnecessary gadgets.

The product is being touted as the “first digital audio system to combine an iPod music playback system, full feature wireless remote, AM/FM radio and alarm system in one product.”

The [big] remote also acts as the face panel which is a novelty but the omission of DAB functionality is glaring in a product that costs this much. Some retro wood finishes are also available for an extra £30, if the you have any change left over.

For those on more sensible budgets, check out the less expensive, non-radio, yet stylish Amplifi dock from Griffin.

Some more pics after the jump.-Martin Lynch

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Though it looks like it could blow a hole through a steel door, what you’re looking at is a 400mm picture camera from Leica. Dubbed the Leica Gun, it’s part of a rare camera auction taking place on January 28th through Tamarkin Photographica and eBay Live Auctions. While it looks like it can scare the pants off of the meanest DSLR out there, I can’t imagine you’d have much luck getting your subjects to sit still when shooting with it. – Louis Ramirez

The Gun Camera [High T3ch Magazine]

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There are plenty of people out there for whom winter weather means finding the first possible flight to a hotter climate for a quick tan top-up. That said, taking technology anywhere near water can be a hazardous and costly exercise.

For a mere £50 though you can save yourself the trouble of lying to Canon or Fujifilm about, er, ‘domestic accidents’ and buy yourself this waterproof digital camera, complete with S&M-grade wrist strap. It looks a bit bulky, to be sure, but if you’re planning some aquatic snapping in the sun, this could be your best friend since you will still have two hands free to operate that harpoon gun when that hammerhead turns around for a second look.

This is how it shapes up:

Capture over 360 pictures or 32 ten-second video clips with this waterproof wrist camera.

* Shockproof and waterproof
* Can be used up to 30 feet deep
* Polycarbonate water housing protects the camera
* Pivoting neoprene strap allows for on-the-fly photos
* Ultra-light, weighs less than twelve ounces
* 32MB fixed memory stores up to 360 pictures or 32 ten-second video clips
* One size fits all design, plus fits over large jackets and gloves
* Auto exposure
* Includes self-timer
* Lays flat on the wrist and flips up to take the picture
* PC and MAC compatible USB interface

So, anyone for the world’s biggest wrist watch can go here.-Martin Lynch

[Red Ferret]

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You’ve gotta be one hip grandma to be caught rolling one of these ghetto blasters. Created by Classen & Partner, the Mskyo (which stands for Momma Said Knock You Out) is an old-school shopping cart with a built-in speaker and auxiliary jack that lets you blast out your tunes while cruising the aisles at the supermarket. No word on pricing or just how much battery life you can expect from the speaker, but what better way to commemorate grandma’s 75th.

Product Page [via Tech Digest]

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Be the most popular player on your rec softball team next summer
with this Beer Tap Backpack. Perfect for alcoholics, functional
alcoholics, and college students, it loads up with beer and allows your
friends and family to drink refreshingly warm and flat brew via the tap
strapped to your back. It even has a mesh holder for cups, making you a
portable party. It’s a mere $44, way cheaper than the liver transplant
you’ll eventually need. Party on! –Adam Frucci

Product Page [via ProductDose]

Chocolate fountains are just so 1970s, right up there with fondue and meringues. Still, life would be very boring indeed if it wasn’t for comebacks and makers Giles & Posner believe that there’s an upmarket for a £5,000, 24 carat gold-plated chocolate fountain.

Cordless and rechargeable it works with pretty much all types of chocolate and are on sale through Selfridges. Director of Giles & Posner, Justin Posner said:

“When asked to create this Christmas’s most spectacular chocolate fountain we went all out and came up with our new gold plated version. Gold and chocolate work so well together, as two of the most precious and enjoyed gifts associated with Christmas. We are delighted to have our new fountain showcased and available for purchase exclusively at Selfridges”.

There’s no doubting it’s pretty and more importantly, it’s exclusive. Just four of these are being made so there’s no chance that the hoi polloi will have one this Christmas.

That just leaves the Montagues, Bryce-Hartletts and Fortescue-Bretheringtons to compete with. Tally Ho! –Martin Lynch

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It’s Christmas which means it’s time to mix pets and robotics, with varying degrees of success. The shops are filled will all manner of mechanical creatures from ‘Raptor-this’ to ‘Mega that’ . In staying with the theme, here’s one puppy that won’t spend Christmas shitting on your carpets and eating your cushions.

However, with an in-built VGA camera capable of 30fps video he just might catch you falling on your ass after too much grog or getting amorous with the missus under the mistletoe.

He’s a USB-powered dog with a Web-cam in his nose. When not making embarrassing videos of you, he will even do some tricks (sitting, that is). Jump now for full specs and tricksy pose shots. Yours for about £15 from Brando.-Martin Lynch

Specs

# Features: Robotic dog design
# It can perform different posts by controlling its legs
# Adjustable the angle of the cam
# Lens rotation for adjusting clear image
# Sensor: VGA 350k Pixel
# Resolution: 640*480
# Video format: 24-Bit True Colour
# Brightness: Automatic or manual controlled
# White balance: Manual adjust or Auto
# LENS-Focus: 5cm to infinity
# Frame rate: 30 frames/sec.
# S/N ratio: 48dB
# View angle: 360 degree
# Green LED indicator
# Interface: USB 1.1/2.0 compatible
# Support Windows 98/ME/2000/XP

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I’m not sure I’d buy a watch called ‘The Quenttin’. It’s about as exciting as buying one called ‘The Brian’ or ‘The Nigel’. Still, it is far better looking that any Quenttin has a right to be and would, literally, set you back the cost of your home.

Built by Jacobs & Co, the darlings of celebs and taste-free rappers, The Quenttin is a beautiful looking piece of machinery. And, because it costs so much, you get to see all that miniature wizardry at work.

The case comes in 18K white gold, rose gold or even magnesium and are limited to 99 of the white gold and just 18 each for the rose gold and magnesium editions. Platinum versions can be requested by those for whom the value of money has long ago lost all meaning.

Jump now for some great photos and the full specs. –Martin Lynch

[Watchismo]

The Quenttin - Limited Edition

Case: 18K White Gold, 18K Rose Gold, Magnesium
Size: 56 x 47 x 21.5 mm
Bezel & Case: White, Rose Gold or Magnesium with carbon fiber applications on the side of the watch
Movement: Vertical mechanical movement with manual winding escapement, incorporates Swiss anchor mounted in a Tourbillion cage. This cage is suspended without roller bearings and positioned vertically. Winds with integrated key, external hand key or motorized in the box.
Caliber: 5
Power Reserve: 31 day power reserve (744 hours), supplied by the energy of 7 barrels and displayed through vertical rolls
Jewels: 40
Functions: Indications of hours, minutes, power reserve is made by vertical disks assembled coaxially
Crystal: Sapphire
Water Resistance: 100ft / 30m
Special Features: On-off key for time set up or winding; external access to the Tourbillion for fine-tuning; Tourbillion cage visible on the edge of the clock
Strap: Rubber
Warranty: 2 years
Limited Edition Series: 99 pieces in White Gold, 18 pieces in Rose Gold, 18 pieces in Magnesium
Platinum on request

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It’s a mirror. Nope. It’s a radiator. Nope. It’s a clock. Nope, it’s all three.

Those arty Italians have been crafty again on the home décor front by designing a radiator that doubles as a clock and a mirror at the same time. This thing oozes class and yes, it really is backlit with soft neon too.

It’s the Tubor Mirror Radiator from Tubor, which hangs on your wall like a piece of art. It’s a reflective mirror that hides a stainless steel radiator underneath, while the time is presented using a smart little LED. It would be wasted on my ugly mugg but someone pretty might need something like this to perk them up.

No price but if you have to ask….-Martin Lynch

[Trendir]

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