Vuzix Pushing Plenty of Bad 3D Movies

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With a lot of the consumer electronics industry clamoring to release 3D TVs, Vuzix is quietly bringing the same experience straight to your cornea.

We’ve seen Vuzix video eyewear for years now. At first, it seemed a little goofy. After all, slap on a pair and you look like you’re headed to a Laser Tag tournament. Style issues aside, the individual experience is pretty cool.

Now, to jump on the 3D buzz, the company just announced that they are selling 3D DVD titles. Each one is mastered for use with Vuzix’s Video Eyewear and is also compatible with 3D TV sets — which no one has yet. Another thing they have in common? They are all equally bad.

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WTFJeans are the Latest in Wearable iPhone Accessories

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Just when you thought that there were enough extra gizmos and doodads for the iPhone and iPod Touch, one European company has released the ultimate in wearable gadget accessories. Say hello… or WTF… to WTFJeans.

The jeans, which are being produced in limited supply of 1000 pairs, are specially designed to hold and protect your portable gadgets, particularly Apple’s popular touchables — special pockets are designed to hold the toys snugly and feature microfiber lining to protect the devices from scratches and clean them when they’re taken out.

Don’t have either one? WTFJeans may still be right for you, whether you’re a guy or a girl, as they protect (or show off) your own personal touchables. iPhones and iPods aren’t the only things protected, as the mens’ version features extra padding to protect the family jewels; the womens’ version features Sexyass™ (that’s right, it’s trademarked), so that “the pockets … are positioned in such a way to make your ass stand out in a crowd whether you’re slim or big.” Meaning that the guys aren’t going to be poking your iPod. “Never been groped? There’s always a first time.”

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Star Wars “The Force” Trainer

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Star Wars The Force TrainerUncle Milton does it again with this Star Wars “The Force” Trainer. Due out in just under 2 months (link leads to a massive countdown clock for the UM Star Wars Science launch), this toy is set to revolutionize the industry. It also kind of gives me the willies.

The Force Trainer has two pieces – the first is a headset equipped with dry EEG sensors (a technology developed by NeuroSky…a name just a little too similar to SkyNet for my tastes). The sensors actually read your brainwaves and then relay that information to a fan inside the toy itself. The idea? The harder you concentrate, the more control you have over the fan. The fan lifts a lightweight ball in the toy, letting you then “control” the rise and fall of the ball.

I am not making this up.

The Force Trainer has 15 training levels and built-in voice guidance from Yoda, your Jedi Master. It’s expected to cost between $90 and $130 (seriously?! that’s it?! are brain wave sensors that cheap?!).

The rest of the Star Wars Science line will clock in at a reasonable $25-$45 price point and includes an optics teaching tool, a Darth Vader Robotic Arm, a Naboo Sea Creatures set (I wonder if they’re all really annoying?), a Dagobah Frog Habitat, a Jedi Telescope, a Jedi Projector and a Mustafar Volcano Kit.

So, how long before The Force Trainer replaces beer pong as the drinking game of choice amongst college students?

Get Smart with a Spy Camera Video Watch

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Spy Camera Video WatchThis watch has a 50/50 chance of getting you arrested. It’s essentially a minuscule video camcorder (records in AVI format) embedded in a watch. The files can then be transferred later to a computer for viewing/archiving.

It comes with an impressive 8GB of storage (note: by the time you’re finished reading this post, 8GB of storage will no longer be impressive), meaning you can record hours of mindless meetings, encounters at the convenience store and an afternoon spent reading Kindle 2 reviews. I’m not actually sure why anyone would need this watch for anything less than clandestine, but it’s still awesome.

Of course, you could think about it this way – let’s say you stop in at the bank on your way home from work. All of a sudden, a hold-up is underway. Well, guess who’s videotaping the perps and nobody’s the wiser? You, that’s who. Local News Hero Status, here we come.

It’s also kind of  a cool watch and certainly beats the calculator watch hands down. It’s full metal, has a glass cover and it’s gear driven in seconds, minutes and hours (how they fit gears in there with a miniature camcorder and flash memory, I have no idea).

The watch comes with a USB cable, user manual, and Power adapter (110-240V 50/60Hz). It sells at ThinkGeek for $99.99

Uncle Milton’s Pet’s Eye View Camera

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Pet's Eye View USB CameraEver wondered what your best buddy gets up to when you’re at work? Think the cat might be sleeping on your clean laundry? Now you can finally find out. This 640×480 resolution camera (by Uncle Milton Toys) hooks on to your pet’s collar and takes snapshots at 1-minute, 5-minute and 15-minute intervals.

When you get home, simply plug it into a USB-port, download and review your pet’s day. From the 10:00am perusal of the toilet to the afternoon spent licking himself and napping, it will all be there for you, waiting. I’m guessing my own dog’s 35-photo breakdown would look something like this (35 is the maximum number of photos this camera holds):

  • 08 photos: Barking at the door.
  • 02 photos: Chewing on socks.
  • 03 photos: Drinking water.
  • 04 photos: Harassing the cat.
  • 19 photos: Sleeping.

The novelty would wear off pretty quickly, but at $39.99 this is a pretty fun gift for either the pet lover or the guy who’s convinced his wife cat is “marking” his shoes.

Blast Rain to Bits: The LED Lightsaber Umbrella

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"Be mindful of the rain, my young padawan"Before the Sharper Image in Seattle closed its doors, I used to stop in every time I was downtown and play with the lightsabers. You see, Sharper Image sold two models of “lightsabers” that made those classic “schwoooommmb” and “schrrrchk” sounds when you swung them or clashed the saber against something. They had a good weight to them too, they “felt right in the hand.” I would say that 90% of all the men that came into Sharper Image would at least touch the sabers, with about 60% of those individuals actually picking them up and 30% engaging in some sort of fake saber battle with a friend or fellow customer/stranger.

But then Sharper Image closed and I was back to dreary days in Seattle. That is until I discovered this LCD Light Saber Umbrella (that’s “light saber” not “lightsaber”). Available in three colors from eCrater, this is the perfect remedy for the gray drizzle of a city like Seattle.

It’s LED-powered though, meaning it’s not exceptionally bright. On the other hand, it never burns out, definitely has a lightsaber look and won’t be an overpowering beacon of light when you’re trying to inconspicuously creep past a group of surly teenagers with your giant lightsaber umbrella. Retails for $22.95 and takes 3 AAA batteries (included).

Dualeez Multi-LED Strap-On Skates

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Calling all big kids: have you ever been jealous of the kids zipping around on those shoes with the hidden wheel in the sole? Cursed the shoemaking gods for not thinking to extend the same favors to adult sized sneakers? You’re not alone.

Dualeez, evidently a company full of kids-at-heart, have built these Mutli-LED Strap-On Skates to leave a blaze of color as you skate around the quad/office/grocery store/wherever. No batteries required (it’s all magnetic flashing-light technology), the pair of skates easily strap to the heel of your sneakers adjusting to fit your shoe, and are quickly put on/removed so you can throw them into your bag once you’ve had your fun. With two wheels on either side of your heel you’ll enjoy a little more stability than those poor kids with only a single wheel in the center, but mind your balance (and your toes!) to avoid a full-force faceplant. Available from Glow Authority for CAN$39.95.

Silkscreened Ties That Don’t Suck

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ZZ Top wasn’t lyin’ — women really do go crazy for a sharp dressed man. And since we’re nowhere nearer to bringing the fedora back into mainstream style (dammit), you can still safely lean on a well built suit to drive the ladies wild this Valentines, date or not. The real problem with suits, of course (beyond those unfortunate souls wandering around in something so ill fit you could swear it was stolen from an uncle’s wardrobe), is that a trip to the local mall forces you to choose from a truly ho-hum variety of neckties.

But you, you’re too sharp for that pedestrian crap; you’re a shining star and deserve a tie as stunning as you are. And we’ve got just the place for you: check out Cyberoptix TieLab, a bounty of hand silkscreened ties “that don’t suck!” — and really, they don’t. Just check out some of our favorite picks below, available in a ton of fantastic designs and prices (median pricing sits somewhere around the $30-$70 range).

Kitty Wigs – Oh My.

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I’m not suggesting that cats come with enough hair of their own, or even saying that your special bond with your feline friend isn’t the best relationship ever, but word to the wise: if you’re going to start putting wigs on your cat, be prepared to sleep with one eye open. The ladies over at Kitty Wigs either have the most mellow cats ever or a trunk full of kitty tranquilizers, because somewhere between hectic workdays, loud music and dancing the idea of crafting high-color wigs for cats — with chihuahua versions expected in 2008 — came naturally. All of the wigs sell for $50, with 20% of the profits being turned over to the ASPCA (without a hint of irony). Want to test your kitty’s love? I dare you — and please, please take pictures.

Safe Hit Condom Caddy

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Ever run across one of those items that leaves you a little lost for words? The Safe Hit Condom Caddy takes the sex and baseball analogy to a whole new level via this brushed steel case fitted with a retro image of a baseball player, well, hittin’ it. The next time you’re feeling a little Sosa, the caddy packs 3 condoms for a night of fun without wondering how long the wrapper has been rubbing around in your wallet. Or just leave it on your nightstand for an interesting conversation piece on your way to a home run. Available for $30 from UncommonGoods.