Oh! Gizmo

By Andrew Liszewski

I’m all for the pros when it comes to compact fluorescent lighting, but most people don’t realize just how dangerous mercury vapor can be when a bulb breaks. Not the people at ClearLite though. They’ve created a new CFL bulb called the ArmorLite (SRP $7.99) that features a silicone safety shell preventing broken glass and mercury from escaping if the bulb breaks. Unfortunately while it’s a clever solution to the problem, it’s not a perfect one. The silicone shell will require extra steps when it comes to disposal, and it will no doubt have an adverse affect on the lumen rating and color temperature of each bulb. But it’s a step in the right direction.

[ ClearLite ArmorLite CFL Bulbs ] VIA [ Crave ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Though it will arrive at your home packed completely flat, this appropriately named Flat Lamp has no affiliation with a certain Swedish furniture and accessories store. Made of stainless steel and veneer polypropylene, the lamp can be converted from 2D to 3D in minutes, and the only thing you’ll need to add is electricity and a light bulb. It’s available in dark veneer, light veneer, red and white finishes from gSelect for $72.

[ Flat Lamp ] VIA [ Better Living Through Design ]

Article courtesy of John Beck, from The Processor.

It usually only takes a few weeks of starting my daily commute long before the meager winter sun makes an appearance until I start seriously considering tossing myself under a train. Fortunately, the Phillips Wake-up Light could be just the thing to brighten up those dingy December mornings. It’s a combined bedside lamp, alarm clock and digital radio which Phillips rather boldly claims will make waking up a “pleasant experience”.

To achieve this seriously tall order, the multi-talented lamp conspires to disturb your slumbers in a more agreeable manner by gradually illuminating your room and playing a choice of 4 “natural and pleasant wake-up sounds”, which all seems simply lovely.  It’s probably worth noting that said sounds aren’t all so terribly natural however; tweeting birds and jungle noises I can deal with, but wind chimes just remind me of living next to annoying hippies, and a “relaxing beep” sounds highly oxymoronical.

Also, it’ll set you back £130. Maybe I’ll just take my chances with Seasonal Affective Disorder.

[ Phillips ]

By Andrew Liszewski

With a price tag of just $10, the Kiran, created by D.light, is being billed as the world’s most affordable quality solar lamp. It uses highly efficient LEDs to produce about 5 times more light than a kerosene lantern and will run for about 8 hours on its battery when kept on its low setting, or about 4 hours when on its high setting.

A built-in solar panel will fully recharge the battery in about 8 hours (in full sunlight at 25 degrees celsius) or it can be plugged into AC and recharged in just 4 hours. The whole idea of the lamp is to provide a highly affordable and easy to use light source for developing countries and low-income families, and I guess as long as people can remember to recharge it in the daytime it could be a viable alternative.

[ Kiran Solar Lamp ] VIA [ designboom ]

By Chris Scott Barr

Have you ever bought a lamp with an annoyingly short power cord? I’ve had a couple that required the use of an extension cord, which always made me wonder why they skimped out on the extra wire. Well here’s one that I can guarantee will require a really long extension cord.

The coil lamp is nothing more than a pair of plastic shaping pieces and the piece that holds in your bulb. The rest of the lamp is composed entirely of an orange extension cord. The one supplied is 100 feet long, though they don’t say how much you’ll have left over to reach the wall. The lamp will set you back $150, or you can supply your own cord for $75, which sounds like a better deal. Then again, that’s still one expensive lamp.

[ CraightonBerman ] VIA [ CoolestGadgets ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I can understand that artificial lighting in a pumpkin is a lot safer than a burning candle, particularly if kids are involved, but the smell of scorched pumpkin lid is something that always kindles fond memories of my childhood. But if you prefer to play it safe, these remote control pumpkin lights from Williams Sonoma won’t torch your carved creations, and don’t even require you to go outside to turn them on.

Each light is powered by 3xAAA batteries which is good for about 100 hours of use, and the wireless remote allows you to turn them on and off, switch between steady and flickering light and adjust the brightness, all from a distance of about 20 feet away. A set of 2 with a remote will set you back $19.95, which isn’t too bad, even if they get destroyed when the neighborhood kids smash your pumpkin.

[ Pumpkin Lights with Remote Control ] VIA [ GadgetGrid ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Yes, they’re slightly more appropriate for Hallowe’en, but these glowing dismembered body parts lawn ornaments could be used for any holiday throughout the year. Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, Bah Mitzvah… Just dress them appropriately and I’m sure the neighbors won’t complain one bit when you’ve hidden a decorated Easter egg behind that foot sticking out of your front lawn. $16.98 from IWOOT for a set of 4.

[ Light-Up Body Parts ] VIA [ Nerd Approved ]

By Andrew Liszewski

It doesn’t look like it gives off that much light, and those sharp, pixelated edges might not be safe for kids, but Marcus Tremonto’s pixel bulb made from electroluminescent paper is certainly unique. You can’t buy one I’m afraid, but if you happen to find yourself passing by The Apartment at Ledbury Road gallery in London between now and October 5th, you can pop in and see it for yourself.

[ yatzer - New arrivals by Marcus Tremonto ] VIA [ Wired Gadget Lab ]

By Andrew Liszewski

At this point even I’m a little sick of the recent flood of LEGO themed electronics and gadgets, but how can anyone resist taking this minifig LED lantern on their next camping trip? The oversized minifig swings from the “easy carry handle” and his white shirt provides 360 degrees of lighting thanks to a set of 4 white LEDs inside. It’s powered by 4 x AA batteries which are included, and is available from Perpetual Kid for just $19.99.

[ LEGO Led Lantern ]