Oh! Gizmo

By Andrew Liszewski

If you’ve ever been worried about losing your luggage while traveling, the Trace Me luggage tracking system might appeal to you. However, if you’ve ever actually lost your luggage, or had an airline lose it for you, this will probably seem like a pretty good idea. The tags don’t use GPS or any kind of electronic tracking system, but instead feature a unique barcode and serial number that gets registered no the Immobilise database with your contact info. So in the event your luggage does go missing, a handling agent can either scan the barcode or enter the serial number which should provide them with your contact info. Once you’ve been identified, a text message is sent to your mobile phone letting you know that your bag has been located and what you should do next.

The tags appear to be pretty durable, and since your contact information is stored in an online database, you don’t need to have private information like your name, phone number and home address written somewhere on the bag itself. The tags run about $24 each, which is a one-time fee. So once they’re bought and registered on the website, they’re good for as long as the tags (or the company) last. While they might not stop your luggage from actually going missing, they’ll hopefully increase your odds of getting them back if they do. (At the moment the Immobilise website appears to be for UK residents only, but they do claim the service will soon be available to US residents as well.)

[ Trace Me Luggage Tracker ] VIA [ Shiny Shiny ]

By Andrew Liszewski

The next time you break into someone’s home or office and notice an adapter plugged into the wall that’s missing a cord, you might want to think about stealing that too. Because there’s a good chance it could be this fake AC adapter from Ajoka that’s recording your every move. Not surprisingly, the camera is actually powered by AC whenever the adapter is plugged into an outlet, but also features a lithium ion battery allowing it to record up to 3 hours of audio and video without an external power source.

The video and audio are recorded to a microSD card, and a 2GB card is capable of recording up to 66 hours of footage. Of course the video has a resolution of just 176×144 pixels at 15fps in the 3GP format, so unless the perp walks right up to the lens and look into it, there’s a good chance it will be hard to recognize anyone’s face.

[ Charger DVR ] VIA [ Chip Chick ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Until someone discovers an easy way to compromise fingerprint security scanners, they’ll be making their way into more and more devices that have typically required you to memorize a password or combination.

Take this run-of-the-mill safe for example. The traditional spinning combination lock or numeric keypad has been replaced with a considerably easier to use fingerprint reader. And like with any device that uses this means of security, a simple swipe of your digit will lock or unlock your valuables. Unfortunately I have no idea how many users this safe supports (probably just one), what kind of abuse it can survive (fire etc.), or how long the 4 AA batteries will remember your prints.

You can find it at Gadget Universe for $399.95 and because it weighs close to 30 lbs, you’ll have to add an extra $19.95 for shipping charges.

[ Fingerprint Safe Box ] VIA [ IT Rush ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Looking to keep an eye on your property, employees or baby sitter? While the ConnectVu Cam 3G is not exactly the most subtle solution to the problem (unless you can stuff it in a large teddy bear) it does allow you to monitor the video signal from a 3G cellphone. The camera itself features a 352×288 pixel CCD with viewing angles of 58° diagonal, 46° horizontal and 38° vertical. It’s actually designed to be tied into an existing alarm system, and when the alarm goes off, the camera will automatically call your cellphone (up to 5 numbers can be programmed) allowing you to monitor the situation in real time.

The camera also features infrared LEDs for use at night, and a small microphone for hearing what’s going on around it. The camera’s settings can be adjusted by simply sending it an SMS text message, and it features a USB connection for software updates. The internal battery is good for about 250 hours of standby time and about 4 hours for a continuous video call. The camera can also be connected to an external power source if you intend to use it for longer than that.

[ ConnectVu Cam 3G ] VIA [ MobileWhack ]

By Evan Ackerman

Flashlights are generally considered a bludgeoning weapon, so if you’re in a situation where you need to get a little bit stabby, traditional flashlights won’t make it easy. The K2 Porcupine tactical flashlight has an array of specially sharpened spikes that stick out of the front when a cover is twisted back, allowing the flashlight to transform from soft comforting glow to lethal weapon with a flick of the wrist. It has a 70 lumen Xenon bulb that should last about an hour, and costs $129.

Or, you could do what I do, and just duct tape a fork to a Zippo… It’s stabby and burny! Yay!

[ K2 Porcupine Light ] VIA [ RFJ ]

By Evan Ackerman

I used to play paintball… I had a totally badass setup which is now collecting dust in my basement. Seeing the EMT Paintball Sentry Turret is making my trigger finger itchy again, especially with the suite of add-ons that you can get to make this thing the terror of your backyard and/or workspace. The most basic version includes what appears to be a custom made double barreled paintball gun, sitting on top of a mechanized pitch and yaw mount (350 degree rotation and 90 degree tilt) and bolted to a big tripod. The markers are powered by CO2 and gravity fed from hoppers (200 rounds each) on top. A camera mounted next to the guns relays a picture along a 25 foot cable back to a monitor and remote control, which allows you to aim and fire the weapon from the safety of a bunker. More specs on all the sweet add-ons, after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

By Andrew Liszewski

If you’re carrying around launch codes, CIA dossiers or even a script for the funniest screwball comedy of all time, you’re probably in the market for some level of data encryption. Might I suggest the STARAY S-Series drive enclosures from RAIDON, which come in 3 varieties catering to all levels of paranoia. All of the enclosures allow you to setup both public and encrypted partitions on the drive, so you don’t necessarily have to deal with the security measures for files you’re not worried about.

However for the data you want protected, the S1 Series uses a software password that has to be entered on the computer once the drive has been connected. The S2 Series steps things up with a fingerprint scanner that requires you to swipe, before you can access the encrypted data. Finally, the S3 Series has a keypad running down the side that requires you to punch in a code to unlock your data. I’m not sure if the use of Roman Numerals on the buttons is the best approach, particularly if you failed that section in grade school. But you can always write over them with a Sharpie. That looks professional right?

[ RAIDON STARAY S Series Drive Enclosures ] VIA [ 7 Gadgets ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I’m not happy to admit that I’ve stayed in hotels where jamming a chair under the door knob at night wasn’t a bad idea, but I can’t say I would go as far as to travel with one of these in my suitcase. The Folding Door Guard has a forked head that securely wedges under a door knob and a non skid foot to prevent it from sliding out on carpeted or wood floors. While the leg is made from steel, I’m not sure if it will actually prevent a determined intruder from breaking in. However the door guard also has an adjustable motion sensor that will trigger a 120 decibel alarm which will probably serve to scare them off before they get in.

As you can see in the photo the door guard does fold up into a slightly smaller package, but I can’t see myself wasting the space in my suitcase or backpack by bringing it along.

You can find it at Solutions for $29.95.

[ Folding Door Guard ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I’m not sure how much smaller stun guns can get, but at 3.25 inches tall I think the Runt is the smallest you’ll find on the market today. While the compact size makes it easy to conceal in a purse or even wear as a pager, the device still packs enough punch to send any assailant reeling while you make your escape. And depending on how much of a point you want to make, the Runt comes in 350,000, 650,000 or 950,000 volt versions which are all powered by just 3 CR123A lithium batteries. There’s also a 950,000 volt rechargeable version with built-in retractable plugs that save you from having to carry a separate charger. On a single charge it’s capable of firing 300-500 times, which is good because the standard recharge time is about 12 hours.

The lithium battery powered Runts run $39.95, $49.95 and $59.95 respectively, while the rechargeable version is $69.95. And standard shipping is free unless you live in New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Illinois, New Jersey, Philadelphia, PA and a handful of other countries throughout the world where the guns can’t be shipped at all.

[ TBO-Tech - The Runt ] VIA [ Spy Review ]