Oh! Gizmo

By Andrew Liszewski

If you’ve never been to Las Vegas and Star Trek: The Experience at the Hilton, that photo I took at CES this year won’t make much sense to you. But if you ever had the chance to eat an over-priced novelty-themed meal at Quark’s bar, or experience the ‘transporter effect’ on the Star Trek ride, you might recognize that as the front entrance to Star Trek: The Experience, which is now boarded up since it was officially shut down last September thanks to a contract dispute.

But all is not lost. According to SCI FI Wire a new contract has been signed with CBS/Paramount that will see Star Trek: The Experience re-open in Vegas on May 8 to coincide with the release of the new Star Trek movie. (Thanks again, Mr. Abrams!) However, the new trek experience will actually be moved to the Neonopolis Center in downtown Las Vegas (close to Fremont street) and it will feature a new restaurant and retail shop at opening, with new Star Trek rides being planned for 2010.

So the original Star Trek: Experience at the Hilton is officially gone forever, but like with the movies, I think the franchise can definitely benefit from a fresh start.

[ SCI FI Wire - Confirmed: New contract to keep Star Trek The Experience alive in Vegas ]

By Andrew Liszewski

There’s no doubt about it, those ‘pillows’ they distribute on airplanes during long flights just don’t cut it if you’re in the need for some serious sleep recovery. I’m pretty sure the bags of peanuts they hand out (or used to) have more stuffing in them, so that’s why you need to start bringing your own. And what could be easier to travel with than this Take Me Anywhere suitcase pillow made by Etsy seller Olive. It comes complete with a carrying handle and a luggage tag that can be custom stitched with any destination at no additional charge. Sure, it would probably count as one of your carry-on items and sure, at $40 it’s an expensive alternative to something the airlines hand out for free, but anything that makes economy class more enjoyable is worth it in my opinion.

[ Etsy - Olive's Shop - Take Me Anywhere Suitcase Pillows ] VIA [ Cribcandy ]

By Luke Anderson

I haven’t done an excessive amount of flying in my life, but enough to discover that the seats aren’t very comfortable. It would be nice to fly First Class for once, but those seats are always out of my price range. So instead of paying big bucks for an upgrade, now you can buy a product that promises to give you the comforts of First Class, while still sitting in Coach.

Essentially this 1st Class Sleeper is a blow-up pillow that is supposed to give extra support for your lower back and shoulders while cradling your head and neck. It is only roughly the size of a fold-up umbrella when deflated, and you’ll need to bring your own hot air to fill it with. For $30, it might be worth trying if you do a lot of flying.

[ Skymall ] VIA [ RGS ]

By Andrew Liszewski

While it’s obviously just a concept at this time (and will probably forever remain that way) the Climbing UP suitcase designed by Woo Moonhyung tackles the issue of dragging your heavy luggage across uneven surfaces and even up stairs. Instead of using a single set of wheels or casters on the bottom, the Climbing UP suitcase features a set of free-wheeling rubber belt tracks that cover the entire body of the suitcase. The design not only allows you to easily pull a suitcase up a flight of stairs, but the continuous track means you can also pull the suitcase from the front or back. And since it’s not a motorized system, there’s minimal added weight or size. It’s a pretty clever idea which actually won Woo Moonhyung the 2008 red dot design concept award. So maybe the idea might actually become a reality some day.

[ red dot design award - Climbing UP Suitcase ] VIA [ I New Idea Homepage ]

By Luke Anderson

I’m generally plenty comfortable typing away on my laptop’s keyboard, however, rarely do I find myself writing anything at great length on it. I would imagine that after a while I would long for the full-size keys on my office keyboard. Since most keyboards are too large to fit in a laptop case, you don’t see too many people carrying them around. However, this new keyboard from Atek might just fit.

The keyboard is said to have 99 full-size keys, yet still be small and light enough to pack away in your laptop bag. The 3-foot USB cord conveniently wraps around the keyboard, underneath the protective cover. For $30 I’d say its a worthwhile investment for people that do a lot of typing on the road.

[ Atek ] VIA [ CrunchGear ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Like the metal plate x-ray messages I wrote about a few months ago, these ‘weapon suitcases’ designed by PinkWolf (I assume) are basically just another way to get yourself a one-way ticket to an airport’s holding cell room. The suitcases feature a faux weapon like a knife, a handgun and even an ax molded into the lid and are actually available for sale by mail order. And while I have no idea how much they cost, you’ll also need to factor in the price of the ticket for the flight you’re going to miss if you decide to bring the suitcase along on your next trip.

[ PinkWolf's Weapon Suitcases ] VIA [ NOTCOT ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Wow! Over the years I’ve traveled with my fair share of overweight suitcases, but I think the most I ever tipped the scales was around 60 lbs, and that was for a checked bag. I’m really not sure who would need to travel with 300 lbs worth of clothing and toiletries, but this carry-on suitcase’s external frame allows you to do just that. It’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum so not only can it bear all the weight inside the suitcase, but it can even be used as a portable seat if you don’t feel like standing while waiting in line.

The suitcase uses a set of removable zippered pouches to keep things organized and/or separated, and when empty it only weighs 8 3/4 pounds. Given its size you’d probably need to fill it with those lead-lined aprons the dentist makes you wear during x-rays to max out the weight restriction, but it sure would be entertaining to watch someone struggle to hoist a 300 lb carry-on into an overhead compartment. The carry-on is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $289.95.

[ The Aircraft Aluminum Frame Carry On ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I’m a rather easy-going and patient kind of guy, but if there’s one thing that can instantly drive me to Incredible Hulk-like levels of rage is when my ears don’t ‘pop’ after I’ve gotten off a plane. Normally the suggested yawning or swallowing is enough to solve the problem, but every once in a while there’s just nothing that works and I have no choice but to just wait it out and try and control the beast inside me. Until now that is.

This ear pressure equalizing device is basically nothing more than a small pump that creates a vacuum in the outer ear canal that gently pushes the eardrum back into its original position. You just stick the tube in your ear, push the yellow membrane and you’re done. Of course there’s always a safety concern with any device you’re supposed to stick in your ear canal, but the Ear Pressure Equalizer features a safety vent that prevents the build-up of too much pressure. And if you still don’t think it’s safe, keep in mind it was developed by Professor Burkhard Franz, founder of the renowned Tinnitus Research and Balance Clinic in Melbourne Australia. If you can’t trust a professor, who can you trust? The whole thing packs up into a package that’s smaller than most mobile phones and can be yours from Pro-Idee for an inexplicably expensive $60+.

[ Ear Pressure Equalizer ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Those giant luxury motorhomes (McMotorhomes instead of McMansions?) that come complete with fold-out balconies and retracting flat screen TVs are nice and all, but you’re pretty limited to where you can actually take one. So for true flexibility when it comes to your next ‘camping’ trip you might want to check out the Private Explorer.

It’s basically a two-seater single-engine aircraft that doubles as a miniature cottage. While it doesn’t have anywhere near the luxuries of a bus-sized motorhome, it does manage to include a bed, a dining table, a fridge, a stove, a toilet, a shower, a water pump, and a heater making it considerably more comfortable than your standard tent. And since the Private Explorer comes with the option of adding floats, instead of just visiting the lake, you can use it as your actual runway. Understandably the Private Explorer will set you back about $102,000 ($130,000 CDN) which is pretty much what a well-equipped motorhome would run you. Though I’m not sure which one would have the higher gas bill.

[ Private Explorer ] VIA [ Born Rich ]