Oh! Gizmo

By Andrew Liszewski

I’ve recently begun installing more and more unofficial 3rd-party applications on my iPhone and for the inevitable day when I end up bricking it, I bought a pretty basic GSM phone to use as a backup. If you’re in the same situation, or are maybe looking for a phone for a technologically-challenged family member, the HandleEasy 326GSM from Doro might fit the bill.

While the phone has a slim design and is only about 1 1/2 times as tall as a credit card, it has a set of large easy-to-read buttons which will appeal to those who find they have to squint when using other handsets. The monochrome display matches the basic feel of the phone and it can be used to show caller IDs or scroll through a recent call log. There’s enough storage for about 50 numbers in the phonebook, and I assume the A, B, C and D buttons are used for speed dial. The handset also includes a built-in speakerphone, polyphonic ring tones, vibrating alert and supports the 900/DCS 1800 GSM bands.

Unfortunately the phone seems to be only available from the Doromobile online store for about $170, which is kind of expensive when you consider its lack of features.

[ Doro HandleEasy 326GSM ] VIA [ The Red Ferret Journal ]

By Andrew Liszewski

The Teleport 2.0 is an innocuous looking device which allows a telephone to be connected to a PC via USB. Using a Windows-only piece of software called Paliha-Teleport, the PC can then be used to not only record logs of incoming and outgoing calls but can also be used to record entire conversations as an audio file. There have been a few times when I’ve conducted telephone interviews and a device like this would have been extremely handy for recording the other person’s answers, instead of me having to furiously type away in the background.

And of course there’s the obvious spy-related uses as well, whether you’re trying to monitor your employees, kids or anyone else you think is out to get you. The Teleport 2.0 works with touch-tone or pulse dialing phones, can also be used to dial numbers stored in your PC’s phone book and is compatible with Russian and American caller ID standards. So whether you’re a KGB or CIA agent, this device should work for you.

It’s available on the Art. Lebedev Studio website for about $71.

[ Teleport 2.0 ] VIA [ Spy Review ]

By Andrew Liszewski

While getting rid of your landline at home in favor of only using a cellphone makes financial sense, you do lose out on other benefits like the ability to use novelty phones. Just like the hamburger phone seen in Juno has become quite popular, I’m sure this Dubble Bubble phone will ignite a consumer frenzy the same way Tickle-Me-Elmo did.

When the phone rings, circus music plays, lights flash and a gumball is released from the glass dome which then spirals down a chute to a dispenser. However if you don’t feeling like popping a fresh piece of gum in your mouth every time the phone rings, there is a button you can press which diverts the gumball to a spinning auger which carries it back up into the dome.

Unfortunately the phone has been discontinued but CustomPhones.com still has a limited stock available for $139 each.

[ Animated Dubble Bubble Gumball Telephone ] VIA [ Shiny Shiny ]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you’ve got a tight budget but dream of having a video phone, this hands-free calling kit might be an acceptable compromise. It easily clips onto any land line or mobile phone and besides adding hands-free speakerphone capabilities, it also includes a pair of animated lips that move in sync with the other person talking. All you need to do to complete the illusion is find a headshot of the person on the other end of the line, cut out their mouth and tape the photo over this thing. (And of course ignore the fact that Bill in accounting now has lips with a mirror finish. He’s such a character!) You’ll swear you’re living in the futuristic world of 1998!

The Gadgeter.com has it for about $18.

[ The Lips Hands Free Phone Kit ]

By Luke Anderson

No, not the Ghostbusters, at least not on this phone anyway. For those that have never had the pleasure of watching the old school TV show (from the 60’s), Batman would actually get calls on a red phone when he was needed. When you think about it, this method was far more convenient than watching the skies for the Bat Signal.

This Batphone has been crafted to be identical to the original. It features a bright red light in the middle of the phone that lights up and flashes when you receive a call. Just like the one off of TV, you won’t be able to call out. It’s a bit pricey at $112, but for any hardcore fan it will make an excellent collector’s item.

[ Red Hot Phones ] VIA [ SlipperyBrick ]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you’re a heavy Skype user this travel mouse will slightly reduce the number of laptop accessories you have to carry while away from home. It’s a pretty basic 800dpi optical mouse, with two buttons and a scroll wheel but it’s the Skype features that set it apart.

First off there’s a 128×64 pixel LCD display on top which can display caller ID and other info. The mouse also slides open to reveal a standard numeric keypad, allowing you to answer a call or dial a number without having to use the computer it’s connected to. Of course if you feel stupid holding the mouse to your head to answer a call, it also has a hands free speakerphone option. And besides not looking stupid, it also allows you to use the computer while talking to someone.

You can find the Skype Travel Mouse at Gadget-usb.com for $42.50.

[ Portable Skype Travel Mouse ]

By Andrew Liszewski

The Noisy Phone is designed for people who are hard of hearing, or are living in a college dorm where it’s a 24/7 party since its adjustable ringer can be set as loud as 83dB. For comparison, that’s about as loud as traffic at a busy intersection, but inside your home. And even if you don’t hear the ringer, the phone has a super bright red flasher that also indicates when there’s an incoming call.

What makes me curious though is that when you scroll down on the NoisyPhones.com website you’ll see the phone actually comes with a free copy of Jack Cagney’s Sentimental Journey Super 10 Track CD. Not only that, but to protect your privacy the phone will appear on your credit card statement as ‘Sentimental Records.’ Personally I would be more embarrassed about ordering that CD, than a phone that was a little on the loud side.

The Noisy Phone is available for about $144 but when you consider you’re also getting the musical stylings of “Gentleman” Jack Cagney, you’ll realize that’s a steal.

[ Noisy Phone ] VIA [ Tech Digest ]

By Luke Anderson

I can barely remember a time in my life when the Simpsons weren’t on the air. That’s not at all uncommon to hear, as the show has been running for nearly two decades. If you’ve been a dedicated fan all these years, why not check out this cool Homer Simpson Phone?

The phone features Homer napping in a rather comfortable-looking chair. However, once a call comes in, he instantly wakes up and begins spouting off one of six memorable catch phrases. With only six different phrases, it might get old fast. You can pick one up for $44.

[ Go Goods ] VIA [ Uber Review ]

By Andrew Liszewski

It’s no secret that I’m the type of person who takes very good care of their gadgets and while at times it might border on paranoia in the end it usually pays off when I get bored with the device and want to sell it for a decent return. It’s also no secret that while the iPhone was one of the most anticipated gadgets to come along since the invention of gadget blogs it’s also turned out to be one of the most fingerprint prone devices I’ve ever touched.

So even before I asked the salesperson at the Apple store if they had any iPhones in stock I first made sure they had screen protectors available since I had no intentions of even touching the phone until it was properly protected. While at the Apple Store I was also tempted to buy a protective case for the phone but being a fan of WaterField Designs I figured I would wait and see what they were cooking up instead.

Thankfully after only a brief wait the company released their iPhone Smart Case and iPhone Suede Jacket Case which I had the opportunity to take a look at. If you’ve been in the market for a case for your iPhone and haven’t been that impressed with what’s available at the Apple stores you can check out my full review of WaterField Designs’ offerings after the jump.

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