Oh! Gizmo

By Evan Ackerman

When the gigantihugenormous Airbus A380 was still in the prototype and demonstration phase, there were all kinds of wild ideas about what manifestations opulence would get stuffed inside its belly. The interior of the production A380 has been toned down a bit, of course, but that hasn’t stopped Emirates Airlines from including sleeper berths, showers, lounge areas, and wet bars (I say “bars” because there are two on the plane). More pics from some lucky sod who probably spent more money on that flight than I’ve made in, uh, ever, after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

By Andrew Liszewski

Hm, what could make the whole experience of standing around a luggage carousel at the airport waiting for your bags to hopefully arrive intact worse? Oh I know, if every other person in the crowd has decided that this talking luggage locator tag is a great idea.

It comes with a remote you keep with you that triggers a set of 6 flashing LEDs on the tag, as well as a 30 second message you’ve prerecorded that will help you locate your bag up to 45 feet away. Exactly the type of thing I want to hear while standing around after a long, annoying flight. And it’s just $14.98 from Things You Never Knew Existed so when luggage handlers inevitably destroy it, you won’t feel so bad.

[ Luggage Locator ] VIA [ The Red Ferret Journal ]

By Evan Ackerman

If that magical coffee cup we posted about a couple weeks ago isn’t getting commercialized fast enough for you, here’s something that could take its place (at least until the future gets here) and throws in an extra feature to boot. It’s a USB powered drink warmer that also includes a drink mixer, and shockingly for a product from Brando, it’s not embarrassingly tacky looking.

The rechargeable warmer will keep your drink of choice at a toasty 40 degrees Celsius (that’s about 104 degrees Fahrenheit for you heathens), and a touch of a button starts a little stirry thing going that looks powerful enough to mix cream in coffee but not powerful enough to make a Margarita. You can pre-order the “USB Whirl Wind Warmer Cup” for 37 bucks, and it should get to you by mid December, which is plenty of time for you to try it, decide that it sucks, and then give it to someone at work you don’t like very much.

[ Brando ] VIA [ RFJ ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I find that headphones are more than sufficient for my audio needs while traveling, but if for some reason you feel the need to bring a desktop-like speaker with you then the Orbit USB from Altec Lansing should fit the bill. It’s powered by the USB connection, which usually doesn’t bode well when it comes to volume levels, but its size (it fits in the palm of a generously sized hand) and something Altec Lansing calls ‘audio alignment technology’ apparently dishes out “astonishing volume.” It’s also got a small pop-up stand on the bottom, and the 16-inch USB cable winds into the base for easy transport. $49.95 according to the Altec Lansing website.

[ Altec Lansing Orbit USB ] VIA [ Acquire ]

By Andrew Liszewski

While definitely slick looking, I think these new suitcases, that are a result of a partnership between McLaren and Samsonite, might actually venture a bit too far into overkill territory. The luxury bags, which start at $326 and will be available in the Fall or Winter, feature a high-end suspension system for the wheels which absorbs the impact of bumpy or uneven terrain to protect what’s inside the bag. It’s a clever idea and all, but until they develop a suspension system that protects your suitcase from baggage handlers, I’m not interested.

[ AME Info - Samsonite partners with McLaren ] VIA [ Born Rich ]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you feel the need to bring something like a humidifier with you when you travel, odds are you’re not a light packer. But the Air-O-Swiss Travel Humidifier is compact enough for even those who travel with just a backpack since it doesn’t have a built-in water tank. Instead, it uses a plastic water bottle which you simply cap with a special adapter and the stick into the device. Ultrasonic technology is then used to produce a micro-fine mist which is blown into the room where it evaporates, increasing the humidity. It also comes with a handy transcontinental AC adapter and exchangeable plugs allowing it to be used in any country, and there’s even an auto-shut-off for when the bottle runs dry in the middle of the night. $59.99 from Air-O-Swiss.

[ Air-O-Swiss Travel Humidifier ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Because of its small size and even smaller receiver, I typically recommend Logitech’s wireless VX Nano mouse for travelers not thrilled with their laptop’s touchpad. But it can be a bit pricey at times, so if you’d prefer to go with a more affordable corded model, the Elecom M-MK1UR features a handy rubber skirt that can be lifted allowing you to wind up and store the USB cable when not in use. It’s available for pre-order now from Geek Stuff 4 U in a variety of colors for about $41.

[ Elecom M-MK1UR Travel Mouse ] VIA [ Akihabara News ]

By Chris Scott Barr

As the old saying goes “when you gotta go, you gotta go.” Most of the time you are able to find a bathroom somewhere close, however, sometimes there isn’t one in sight. But on the rare occasion that you can no longer wait, and have nowhere to go, you can turn to these TravelJohn Disposable Urinals.

No, this isn’t something that you get excited about using, but I suppose it beats the alternative. For guys, we can usually find a tree or something to go behind (provided it’s not too public of a place), but girls have a much harder time. Either way, this thing would beat peeing your pants. Just do your business (number 1 only) in the pouch, and it will instantly turn into a gel. Then just toss it in the nearest trash can. You can get a box of 18 for $12.

[ Amazon ] VIA [ Dvice ]

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 ]