I got a large list of deals today, instead of the usual one. So I picked a printer as the top deal, only because we get them so rarely. But it’s still a decent deal, as this rebate pretty much slashes the price in two, bringing Epson’s 545 printer’s price down from $130 to $65, shipped. This is probably the same price as the toner cartridges you clearly need right now, so might as well upgrade the printer and get new cartridges along with it, no?
The POPA accessory might have made a bit more sense back in September 2011 when it first appeared in the Amazon store, since iOS 5 hadn’t been released yet. So the idea of a standalone button to trigger your camera was appealing. But in a way, it still is now, if only because it’s big and red and so conspicuous. It has to work with its own picture taking app, of course, since the iPhone’s native one isn’t compatible with it.
The only problem is the price: $75. You gotta ask yourself just how badly you want a big red button and a grip…
Ok, so your tweets will appear in actual letters, but you will have composed them using Morse code, and that’s where the cool part is. It’s cool of course only because it’s redundant, inefficient and arcane, but in a geeky, satisfying manner. One Martin Kaltenbrunner created this device and he likes to call it an exercise in interface archaeology. In other words, it’s the study of just what happens when you try to mate the old and the new via invented interfaces. The Tworse Key device contains an Arduino brain and other electronics which enable this conversation between communications circa The Titanic and communications circa Justin Bieber. Just plug the machine into an Ethernet port, dust off your Morse skills and you’re good to go.
Best part is that if you posses tinkering skills, the schematics are available for you to make your own.
Sadly, it’s not a jolt of electricity but rather a more gentle vibration that discreetly points out that you’re standing in a less than optimal manner. This is bad for you as it can cause aches, can damage your heart and lungs, and lead to gastrointestinal issues. So now a pair of suspenders specially modified with conductive elastics, an Arduino Pro Mini, a battery, and said vibrator all combine to create an on-the-fly posture corrector. The sensor fabric changes its electric resistance as it stretches and the software continually monitors this, encouraging you to maintain the right tension, which is associated with the right posture.
There appears to be a crude prototype at the moment, though we’re finding no signs of a price or availability.
The Overade cycling helmet was designed back in 2010, but it’s going to be made this year. Envisioned by Agency 360, this helmet simply folds into what appears to be half its size when not in use. Easier to store and allegedly has the same protective attributes as the regular non-folding stuff. Strangely, it looks more like a construction hat when unfolded…
Anyway, there’s no word on price or details of its construction.
$32 might not seem like that much money, but when you factor in the fact that it represents 15% of the price, it’s not too shabby. This leaves Dell’s P2312H 23-inch professional LED-backlit LCD monitor at $186 after rebate with free shipping.
Videos of people wantonly destroying things are a dime a nothing on YouTube. But this particular one is a little more spectacular, and a little more poignant than others. You have to watch it to understand. But if you can’t, just know that what you see is what happens when you throw a brick into a washing machine.
Or better yet, let me quote the top YouTube comment:
“At first, it was awful like watching someone getting tortured to death… as more and more pieces flew off, it became more and more poignant… then finally they threw a brick in to put it out of it’s misery and it finally ripped itself asunder, its motor screaming out its death cry to the heavens.”
There are more powerful light sources on the market. But what stands this one apart is that it’s self contained. And has LEDs. So the XM18 light cannon (it’s kind of hard to call this thing a flashlight, though I suppose you could try) houses either 32 or 36 Lithium batteries and has a cooling fan, because even more efficient LEDs still get hot. It has three power settings, the highest of which will output 15,000 Lumen. And the hexagon shape means you can just keep buying more and more of them, easily chain them together, and compete with the sun. But that sort of enterprising spirit will cost you dearly as even one XM18 fetches $2,500. And they’re made to order so expect to have to wait a bit for yours to arrive.
Here’s the thing about driving and consumption and pollution: a lot has to do with how you drive. It’s all that stopping and going, and how you step on the pedal; whether you smash it or tickle it. But it’s possible to change all that and the EcoSpeed application teaches you how. It does two things. First, it can give you a route to your destination that may not be the shortest distance, but that has the lowest likelihood of stops. It avoids traffic lights and traffic, and calculates things in such a way that even with the additional mileage, you end up spending less gas and don’t necessarily take much longer to get to where you’re going.
The second part addresses your habits. Since your phone has an accelerometer, it can tell how you’re driving and scream at you to ease up on the pedal mashing. With all this coaching, EcoSpeed claims you can shave up to 30% in your fuel consumption, and consequently on your polluting.
The app should be free and available in March for Android and iOS devices.
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By David Ponce
