IBLAMENTATEK

In Pool Exercise Glider

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Sun, 27 May 2012 21:15:00 +0000

They say that swimming is more or less the complete form of exercise – it works out just about every major muscle in your body (depending on the stroke), lets you sweat it out without overheating (although you might end up with prune-like fingers and toes in the end), and also has virtually no impact on your joints at all. Enter the $1,400 In Pool Exercise Glider which will definitely be a worthy addition to your keep fit regime at home – assuming you have a swimming pool, that is. The In Pool Exercise Glider will use water’s natural buoyancy and resistance in order to deliver an effective low-impact workout which is easy on joints and muscles.

The In Pool Exercise Glider is recommended to rest in water that measures at least 3′ deep, where you will stand on its foot pads, gliding back and forth in a motion that is similar to an elliptical machine. You can also opt to increase the range of motion in order to build more muscle strength, while improving cardiovascular conditioning. Since the exercise is performed in water, you are able to maintain your balance far easier than when you are on land. As long as you are no heavier than 260 lbs., the In Pool Exercise Glider ought to hold.

Ringtones only Teenagers can Hear – and Maybe your Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Sat, 26 May 2012 21:15:00 +0000

Did you ever notice that just as you grow up, you realize you’re missing out on a whole bunch of neat stuff that our kids get to have? I’m not saying I don’t have my own Nintendo and that I don’t play XBox and I haven’t dabbled in some World of Warcraft, but damn, if I were a teenager today I would have the world by the… you know what.

Check this out, for several years teenagers have been able to receive calls and text messages late at night or in their classrooms and their parents and teachers have never had a clue. How is this possible? Quite simple really, humans have the ability to hear much better before the age of 20 and thereafter, we begin to lose our ability to hear higher frequency sounds. A certain high pitched sound was developed to keep kids from “gathering” at malls and shopping centers. So, teens started recording that sound on their cell phones to use as a ring tone. Now, when a teenager’s phone is ringing, only the kid, and probably most of his friends, can hear it.

So this information isn’t that new, of course its certainly the first I’ve heard of it, so in case you missed it too, I’m passing the info on to you. That, and the fact you can now buy, what is called the Mosquito Ringtone, which is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for only 99 cents and available at iTunes What? Did you say something? Is that my phone?

Power Hour USB Shotglass – Prepare to Party

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:15:00 +0000

My birthday is on Monday, so we’re celebrating on Saturday and I’ve been trying to plan something all week. I just cant seem to find the right venue to get myself all liquored up. I’m looking for a certain feel, I kinda want to party like I did in college… the kind of fun that you didn’t mind hurting from for a day or two after the fact… ah to be young again.

Well, I think I found just the party favor to enhance the evenings festivities and I don’t even have to leave the house, check out the Shot Glass USB, not only is it a shotglass, on a lanyard, so it is constantly at the ready and unable to be misplaced, thereby saving valuable drinking time, but it is also a 1 gigabyte USB, not loaded with spreadsheets or pictures of your last boring vacation to Florida… but (wait for it) …one minute drinking songs, with which, you play the Power Hour Drinking Game!

Here’s how to play, you simply gather up several of you’re closest friends (you know, the ones that wont write on your body with Sharpie markers and then post the pictures on Facebook) and then purchase your favorite beer, lastly, you start playing the one minute drinking music and everyone takes a shot, each time one of the songs end. 60 ounces in 60 minutes… let the games begin.

Okay we are not encouraging drunken debauchery here, we all know we have to drink responsibly, I did say I was staying home remember? but with songs like ” I’m Fine Occifer” and ” If you’re Wasted and You Know it” I think we all know where the evening is headed. You can get your USB Shotglass at powerhouralbum.com for around 30 bucks and please don’t miss the video and song samples, or just visit the artists webpage and proceed to ”drunk text” her at alispagnola.com by the way, wish me luck….

SuperTooth Crystal Bluetooth speakerphone

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:15:00 +0000

When it comes to driving, it makes perfect sense if you were to ensure that both of your hands remain on the wheel at all times – after all, talking on your smartphone, especially in an animated or heated conversation, might just cause you to lose that wee bit of additional concentration on the road, so much so that you might end up in an accident that nobody wants.

A minor scrape or knock is all right, but what happens when your one free hand is not enough to get the steering wheel in the direction of your choice to avoid that pedestrian? This is where hands-free car kits come in handy, and the SuperTooth Crystal Bluetooth speakerphone that will be available only in sleek black, might just help you out if you love talking on the phone while driving.

According to Yves Le Reun, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, “SuperTooth has a rich heritage in the Bluetooth speakerphone space, creating the first-ever speakerphone to be clipped onto a car’s sun visor in 2004 and evolving into a pioneer of stylish and user-friendly designs that give drivers the ability to talk on phones safely no matter what type of vehicle they’re driving. SuperTooth accounted for 45% market share in the category in 2011, with 6 million devices sold worldwide since 2004.”

Just in case you feel that the SuperTooth Crystal Bluetooth speakerphone looks familiar, that is because it first debuted at CES 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada, earlier this year, and among the features of the Crystal include a slim, sleek design, a durable magnetic clip that helps it attach to the sun visor, instant hands-free calling capability, automatic pairing and multi-point technology which allows you to hook up to a couple of phones simultaneously, a 20-hour battery life for hands-free conversation, and the ability to stream music directly from all Bluetooth A2DP-enabled phones. Not only that, you can also use it to announce turn-by-turn navigation from a Bluetooth A2DP-enabled smartphone.

The remaining battery level of the SuperTooth Crystal Bluetooth speakerphone will be shown on the screen of your iPhone, which is something that Android-powered devices are unable to do at the moment. Hopefully that will change with future versions of the software, but right now, if you want the SuperTooth Crystal Bluetooth speakerphone, you will need to cough up $69 for it.

Bracketron MetalDock Charging Dock for iPhone 4/4S

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:15:00 +0000

When it comes to iPhone charging docks, they are dime a dozen out there in the market. The thing is, just which model should you choose? Bracketron intends to persuade you to pick up the MetalDock Charging Dock for iPhone 4/4S that is said to merge aesthetics and function in a lightweight and portable design. The dock itself is able to hook up to just about any available USB port in order to juice up and synchronize your device whenever it is not in use. Not only that, you can opt to charge up your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S in either landscape or portrait modes, where rubberized feet are there in place in order to hold the dock securely where it is – leaving you with no worries whatsoever that it might just end up on the floor eventually.

This fast charging dock will also come with an embedded cable that measures 3 feet in length, leaving you with a simple and elegant manner to position your smartphone for easy viewing even when you are using alarm clock apps. Out later this June, the Bracketron MetalDock will retail for $34.95 a pop. Check out the other devices from Bracketron that was announced at CTIA 2012 right after the jump.

As for Bracketron’s highly anticipated GreenZero line, this collection of stylish and eco-friendly mobile device chargers and batteries will be made available for you to pick up later this May. For those who are not in the know, just what is GreenZero technology all about? It is said to be the most eco-friendly and efficient way to charge up your power hungry mobile devices, where the chargers are smart enough to detect the moment where your plugged in device is fully juiced up, shutting off power automatically so that the phenomenon known as “vampire drain” does not happen.

This will not only ensure the longevity of your device’s battery life, it will also limit top-off charging time. As an example, the Mushroom GreenZero is the most ergonomic charger of the range, where it will start charging right away when connected to a device with low battery levels as long as you press the “mushroom” button with your hand or foot. Once fully charged or unplugged, the charger will shut off automatically, paving the way for zero standby energy consumption. Going green is definitely in, and your devices too, would appreciate the conservation of their batteries in the long run.

85 Foot Inflatable Military Obstacle Course

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:14:00 +0000

You know for sure that being in the military is no walk in the park – you obviously need to be in tip top physical condition at all times, and it makes sense for you to spend plenty of time working out – whether at the gym, or at an obstacle course which sometimes might come in handy as you crawl through various obstacles which might just be presented in the field of war. Enter the $12,500 85 Foot Inflatable Military Obstacle Course – the name itself says it all – it is 85 feet in length, and will definitely challenge even the most seasoned legs and hands in the military.

Since it is inflatable, you can be sure that it will be able to be stowed away easily and in a jiffy, and you definitely do not need that much storage space once all the air within has been removed. A couple of portholes are there for you to jump through, and there is also a trio of “hedgehog” obstacles which will slow down your momentum if poorly navigated, hence increasing the difficulty of clearing the ensuing obstacle that comprises of a 16′-high rope swing.

There is far more than that, of course, and you would do well to make sure you are at your level best at all times if you were to navigate through this particular obstacle course within the shortest time possible. Good thing you need not exhaust yourself first before even starting with round one, as a quartet of air pumps that are powered by an AC outlet with 25′ cords will be able to inflate the course in just 10 minutes.

Mini Star Wars Arcade

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:14:00 +0000

Honey, I shrunk the Star Wars Arcade cabinet. Yes sir, no pesky kids will have to undergo the deadly rays of a shrinking gun, but instead, the art of miniaturization has been upped to a totally new galaxy, with this particular Star Wars Arcade cabinet that has been shrunk down in size all the way to just 12″. Not only that, despite being such a tiny replica, it will actuall work, thanks to the inclusion of an actual working control yoke, glowing coin slots so that you know where to place those hard earned coins of yours, as well as a 100% playable emulated version of the original game. This is one of the more wicked mods that I have seen so far when it comes to Star Wars merchandise, although your fingers will probably not appreciate you spending hours on end with this. Will your hands keel over in pain from cramps, or your eyes go first from squinting too much? After all, you do not have the ability to wield the Force for playing on such a tiny Yoda-sque cabinet.

Barnes & Noble NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight starts to ship

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:28:00 +0000

E-book readers certainly have their fair share of fans, although there is still quite a large segment of the population who have yet to endear themselves to these modern day marvels that will carry hundreds of books in the digital format without weighing a gram heavier than an empty e-book reader. Well, Barnes & Noble has certainly come some way with their NOOK brand, and their latest release would be the NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight.

The name itself gives the game away – the Barnes & Noble NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight which has started to ship ahead of its original schedule is touted to be the first E Ink Reader in the world with patent-pending lighting technology that will do away with problems in the bedroom late at night, especially when someone wants to settle down and read a good book, while the other prefers to sleep – with all the lights turned off.

According to William Lynch, Chief Executive Officer of Barnes & Noble, “Our new, patent-pending GlowLight technology coupled with the most advanced E Ink display available make this product the most versatile, high-utility Reader ever and the only device of its kind. It’s like having two Readers in one, with our breakthrough GlowLight technology making the device as exceptional for reading in the darkest bedroom as on the brightest beach, and all at the amazing value of just $139. We thank our millions of NOOK customers and are pleased to deliver NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight earlier than committed to those who pre-ordered our newest NOOK. For those who would like to give NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight as a gift for Mother’s Day, we strongly recommend pre-ordering the device now in stores or online as we will have very limited quantities based on the larger-than-expected order volume we’ve received so far.”

It is said that the GlowLight will be easy on your eyes, offering just the right amount of light for reading without disturbing anyone else around. This is also the first and only Reader designed to let E Ink customers which can be read in the dark as well as look equally amazing at the beach. The only thing is, you cannot bend the sides of the pages into a dog ear. Old habits, after all, do die hard.

The Iron iPod Speaker – Really?

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Sun, 20 May 2012 21:14:00 +0000

Obviously I spend a whole lot of time perusing the Internet looking for the latest and greatest stuff, okay, its not always the greatest, but for the most part its has some fun factor. I often find things and think to myself, why? and how did they get so far with an idea that they actually produced and sold it? I have a lot of great ideas, needless to say they’re not for sale anywhere. I’m certainly going to have to revisit that.

Case in point, check out the incredible Iron Alarm Clock iPod Speakers, This um, creative little alarm clock is shaped like a miniature iron. It has a built in radio and an alarm clock that can be connected to either your iPod, MP3, PC, tablet or notebook in order to play music. What time of night do you think this freakishly strange gadget idea was born?

I know we reported on the famous pig speakers and dancing dog speakers, but people actually like pigs and dogs, don’t they? Does anyone care for ironing? Well, at least this iron wont make you work, it will work for you. The Iron iPod Speaker acts as an alarm clock with a 12/24 hour format display, date display, an FM radio and a functional speaker for your iPod. Whats better then that?

It takes 2 AA batteries and comes in pink, orange or blue and you can get yours from the aptly named stupid.com for only around 24 buck. Do you think Mom would like one for Mothers Day?

Nest Thermostat – It Sees You when you’re Sleeping

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Sun, 20 May 2012 18:27:00 +0000

It doesn’t matter what season it is, I am either too hot or too cold. I don’t know what causes it but for some reason 72 degrees feels just right in the winter time, but come summer, its too darn hot. Of course the only reason we don’t just set the thermostat to whatever feels good at the moment is because its just so darn expensive, plus you need a full time person in charge of setting and changing the darn thing, so I am constantly in a t-shirt with a sweater at the ready.

Well, a new gadget, called The Nest is hoping to change all that for you. The Nest has a simple enough dial that allows you to select a comfortable temperature, but thats about the only thing traditional about it, because after around 7 days The Nest starts tuning your homes temperature all by itself. Its sensors know if you are up and about, if you are not it switches to night or away mode.

The Nest boasts incredibly simple installation, and after giving your Nest a name, it asks you a few setup questions such as preferred minimum and maximum temps, and your zip code. After the initial setup, that’s when your Nest learns how you live. Its easy to teach your Nest what you like by simply turning the dial up or down for different parts of the day. The better you teach your Nest, the better he will perform on his own.

Eventually the Nest will make a heating and cooling schedule for your home, and even displays a special “leaf” designation when you are actually saving energy. For unexpected changes there’s an associated app, and computer connectivity that allows you to change the temps from wherever you are. Perfect. The Nest runs about 250 bucks and professional installation is available. To check system compatibility or to buy one, visit nest.com

Athos Quad – is it the New Way to Go?

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Sat, 19 May 2012 21:14:00 +0000

Here at Coolest-Gadgets we have covered quite a few bicycle alternatives, some goofy, some sporty and some downright unbelievable, you’ll have to tell us what you think of the next one up, because I haven’t quite decided what to make of it myself. I have to say it looks awesome and relatively user friendly, so it could be a blast.

Check out the Athos Quad, it’s designers say “its a cycle inspired by BMX, Freestyle, Downhill and Motocross, and that Athos marries the intense stability and handling characteristics of a quad with the flexibility of a bicycle.” Finding its home on off road courses and rugged terrain the Athos Quad looks like a mud buddies new best friend. I guess its really a pedal powered ATV. Check out the video after the break.

The Athos will come in 3 different configurations (freestyle, downhill and cross-country) they have four wheel independent suspension, disc brakes both front and rear, traction enhancing differentials and all but the freestyle version have available air suspensions, LED lighting packages and utility racks. I have to say they do look cool.

When checking the company’s Facebook page it seems there’s a lot of interest surrounding this super bike, however the company is being pretty tight-lipped about pricing and availability. However, their recent rounds of the cycling circuit makes me think an announcement may be on its way soon.

Like them on Facebook, check their website for updated information, and watch a video of the Athos in action, then let us know what you think? Will Athos be the next big thing in cycling?

We-Watt and their WeBike

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Sat, 19 May 2012 18:27:00 +0000

If you find yourself losing against the battle of the bulge, then you might want to take certain steps to ensure that victory is at hand in the end. It is all right to lose a few battles to some steaks and ice cream here and there, but the war must be won ultimately. We-Watt from Belgium has an idea that might just help you burn some calories whenever you are working – and not only that, the kind of energy you expend will not be put to waste, but rather, can also help provide some much needed juice for the modern thirsty gadgets that we have all come to know and love. Known as the WeBike, this modern piece of furniture will come in an interesting formation of a cedar-clad table alongside a trio of pedaling stations.

This would definitely make the entire working and pedaling experience a whole lot more social, and as we all know, to exercise with your colleagues would definitely be incentive enough to see who can outdo one another, instead of flying solo. The WeBike is said to be debuting at a Brussels airport in due time, although it has already made its way to restaurants and a shopping mall in that part of the world. No idea on how much it will cost, but how much pedaling does one need to make in order to fully charge an iPhone?

The Device Charging Business Case

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Sat, 19 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Pause for a moment and think of the number of gadgets that you need to charge every single day. Most of us would already own a smartphone or a mobile phone, and in addition to that, many of us also have a notebook, netbook or tablet device. Others who still carry around separate portable media players like the iPod touch and iPod classic, too, will need to make sure that these devices are adequately powered before they head out to tackle another day. Instead of having to keep track of so many chargers and cables, how about relying on the handy $149.95 Device Charging Business Case?

The Device Charging Business Case is a typical looking business case that offers no-nonsense performance, charging up an iPhone, iPad, or any USB-powered mobile device within whenever you are on the go. This is made possible thanks to a 6,000 mAh battery within which can recharg an iPhone up to four times before requiring a charge itself. The battery will feature a 30-pin connector that will juice up Apple mobile devices and micro-, mini-, and standard USB ports for a slew of other devices from the Blackberry or Android camps, e-book readers, or Bluetooth headsets.

A quartet of zippered compartments provides adequate storage for you to stash away your iPad, while a padded sleeve makes sure your laptop (up to 15″ in size) will remain protected against slight knocks and drops, with another 8 pockets for you to spread out the gadget carrying goodness. It basically requires 3.5 hours to juice up its internal battery via a power outlet.

Samsung Omnia M runs off Windows Phone platform

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:14:00 +0000

When we talk about smartphones from Samsung, most of us would think of the Android operating system that is so prevalent among the major smartphone manufacturers, including the behemoth that we know of as Samsung. Well, they have their very own in house operating system as well known as the Bada OS, but Bada has not really taken off in a large way, and could be confined as a niche operating system in the end. Samsung, too, has dabbled in the world of the Windows Phone platforms but the thrust of their smartphone business had always been Android-centric.

Well, we are glad to say that with the Samsung Omnia M, the hegemony of the Android platform has been interrupted albeit for a while. Also going by the model number GT-I8350, the Samsung Omnia M is a Windows Phone-powered smartphone that is ideal for social and entertainment multi-taskers, and official word has it that the Omnia M will arrive in Europe first, before it makes its way to the rest of the world at specified times.

Just what does the Samsung Omnia M deliver upfront? It will, of course, feature top-notch multimedia capabilities as well as a wide array of social connectivity options, making the Omnia M ideal as a smartphone for non-stop entertainment, content sharing and the ability to keep in touch in whatever way that suits you. It will come in a stunning design that is pleasing to the eyes, making you think that the 1GHz processor inside works faster than it is, coupled with a vividly large 4” Super AMOLED display.

Featuring an ergonomic contoured casing which ensures the device will reside comfortably in your hand, the aforementioned expansive 4.0″ Super AMOLED display has reduced glare to deliver an incredible viewing experience, letting you view messaging, multimedia and Web content in brilliant color and clarity even if you are under bright light conditions, without sapping your battery life significantly.

Any takers for the Samsung Omnia M if you want to have a go at the Windows Mobile platform this time around?

Onion Goggles – Don’t Cry for your Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:26:00 +0000

Here at Coolest Gadgets we have reported on camera goggles, night vision goggles and even beer goggles, so today I thought I would introduce you to Onion Goggles, made specifically to help keep the tears away while preparing dinner.

I often wonder who cut up the first onion, had a horrendous tear jerking reaction and decided to eat the darn things anyway, but I guess I’m glad they did.

Your tears are caused by irratating compounds being released when the cells of the onion are damaged by the blade of your knife. The tears that follow are released when your body attempts to dilute the stinging chemical.

I’ve tried peeling my onions underwater, after they have been chilled or even holding my breath, the only thing that works? Buying frozen pre-chopped onion at the grocery store, but they don’t taste as good and they’re just too expensive!

Welcome Onion Goggles, made especially to combat this age old problem, these comfortably designed goggles fit snugly against your face and a soft foam seal presses around your peepers keeping out the offending fumes, and keeping your mascara intact. So if a box of tissue isn’t your idea of a cool kitchen gadget, Onion Goggles may be for you. Get yours from our friends at ThinkGeek.com for under 25 bucks

NEATGEAR’s Genie app – Printing, No Strings Attached

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

I use my iPad a lot. I do find that not being able to print from it easily is a bit of a pain. Same thing with my Macbook, I keep finding myself unplugging the printer from my desktop and plugging it into my laptop.. again, just not as convenient as I would like. I wondered to myself, should I just invest in one of those AirPrint printers… but my printer is still perfectly fine. What’s a girl to do?

Well, lucky for us, NETGEAR just announced the release of their new Genie App upgrade that enables printing from an Apple, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to any networked or USB printer. With this nifty NETGEAR Genie App upgrade, iOS device users are no longer restricted to AirPrint-compatible printers. The NETGEAR Genie App upgrade dramatically overcomes previous AirPrint compatibility limitations to give users the freedom to print to any USB or networked printer. Yipee!

The NETGEAR Genie, is available for PCs and MACs and provides what they like to call a “home network dashboard” that enables folks to monitor, connect, and control their home networks and also to diagnose and automatically fix network connectivity issues.

With this awesome upgrade the NETGEAR Genie App also renders any printer AirPrint-compatible, whether connected wirelessly to the home network, USB-connected to a PC, or connected through a USB port to a NETGEAR ReadySHARE print-capable router. While a PC or a Mac is on, the NETGEAR Genie App enables printing from iPad, iPhone and iPod touch devices on the same network.

The Windows OS and Mac OS NETGEAR Genie App upgrade is now available for download for free at netgear.com NETGEAR Genie is also available to download for iPad, iPhone, Android Smartphones and tablets from the Apple store.

The Power Bean – It’s got your Back

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Thu, 17 May 2012 21:14:00 +0000

Okay, so you have the latest and greatest Android phone on the market and it does all kinds of cool stuff, you use it for work and for fun, heck, you don’t know what you’d do without it. I love all the neat stuff our phones are capable of, but they all have two very important characteristics in common, they all go dead the same way, and at the same time, just when you need it the most!

You could buy a backup battery, and as practical as that seems I have very rarely seen anyone actually do it, or you can just buy Mili’s Power Bean, designed for any Android phone that uses a mini USB type charger, the Power Bean is very capable indeed, boasting right around, 2000mAh, which, for most battery capacities is just about one full charge.

It can only charge devices that use those little micro-USB’s to get their juice, like the HTC, BlackBerry, and Samsung. Unfortunately the Power Bean won’t work with any of your Apple iDevices. But for your Androids, the Bean’s built-in USB and micro USB cable simplifies charging, and storage. The unit also provides a unique power indicator display with 4 LED’s providing power level information.

So if an extra battery just isn’t your style or you’d just rather have yet another slick looking little high tech gizmo in your electronic arsenal maybe the Mili Power bean is for you, you can have one almost before your next charge runs out from Amazon.com for less than 70 bucks.

Floating Private Island

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:25:00 +0000

We have read of tycoons purchasing an entire island or archipelago outright with insane amounts of money, and this is something that only a few of us dare dream to actually achieve. Well, man on the street, it is time you start to think more positively with a “Can do!” attitude, and if I were to tell you that you can bring home your very own island for $329.95, what would you do? Don’t throw your head back in laughter just yet – the Floating Private Island from Hammacher is exactly what I am talking about, where it provides a place of respite for those who indulge in waterborne activities.

It is more than ideal as a lounge, swim raft, or launch pad, where it can hold up to three adults or five children on it. Constructed using durable tear- and abrasion-resistant 600-denier PVC-coated polyester that will cover its inflatable two-chambered, 26-gauge PVC bladder , a quartet of sturdy handles will make it a snap to board, tow, and even transport out of the water. There is a durable strap located in one corner that hooks to a towrope so that it can tow up to three people, while eight stainless steel mooring rings will enable you to connect several inflatable dock systems together.

BikeGuard – QR Codes for Bike Recovery, will it work?

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

I have a relatively inexpensive bicycle, my husband wants us to spend more money and get some really fancy ones. I think he forgets about my less is more theory on exercise. I just don’t think having a deluxe bike is going to change how I feel about getting out in the elements and working up a sweat, and anyway, when you have a nice bike, someone will just want to take it… well, there goes that excuse.

MyAssetTag.com, is introducing us to BikeGuard, a new (and free) bike registry and identification program. This service provides its customers with free QR Code asset tags so folks can track and identify their bicycles, and since a bike is lost or stolen about every seven seconds, BikeGuard may just be part of reducing the challenge of locating and recovering bicycles for both the bike owners, and the police.

Registering your bike with BikeGuard should greatly increase the likelihood that it will be returned to you if it is somehow recovered. Obviously registered bikes have a much greater chance of being returned to owners when lost or stolen, and these registries are used as an aid by police stations in order to identify and return stolen bicycles. Often times recovered bicycles are never returned to their owners and are auctioned, stockpiled or destroyed. BikeGuard aims to change that.

Registering is easy enough, users simply create a free account at www.myassettag.com and enter the details about their bikes like the make, model, and they can even upload a photo. That creates a personal bicycle registration page that displays the owner’s contact information and all the details of the registered bike.

Lastly, you get up to three free BikeGuard asset tags that contain a quick response (QR) code that when scanned with any smartphone, will direct the user to the owner’s bike registration page. Voila! Now you just have to hope that whoever found your bike wants to do the right thing.. easier said than done. No?

Lubricheck – Is It Okay NOT to Change Your Oil?

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:14:00 +0000

You know how ever since you first were learning to drive your dad told you that you needed to have the oil changed in your car about every 5000 miles? Remember how every time you didn’t do it (and that was a lot) you felt guilty and like you were ruining your car? Well, as it turns out you may have been on to something, the oil in your car isn’t always bad, and doesn’t always need changing at 5000 miles, but how can you know for sure?

Welcome Lubricheck, after all, why spend time feeling guilty or dodging your dad (not to mention wasting time and spending money you don’t have)on unnecessary oil changes, when now you can easily test your oil anytime, at your convenience. Lubricheck will tell you in less than a minute, the quality of your motor’s oil before you make a trip to the shop. You’ll know for sure whether you need to change your oil, or not.

I think saving the Earth from thousands of unnecessary oil changes (and the resulting oil disposals) is not only a money saving benefit to us, but makes pretty good ecological sense as well. Lubricheck is able to measure the acidity of your oil, (as the oil degrades, acidity increases). Acidic oil can ‘pit’ the metal surfaces inside your engine and in such a situation you would require an oil change. Lubricheck can also detect contaminants in your oil, like metal particles, water or coolant. Luricheck is not only a tool that helps you save on oil changes, it actually can give you insight as to the “health” of your car.

Lubricheck is soon to be available for under 40 bucks, so visit the website at lubricheck.com to learn more about Lubricheck and its associated record keeping apps (Lubritrack) and to be updated on its release date. Would you feel comfortable not changing your engines oil?

Frobo Pet Bowl

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:24:00 +0000

It goes without saying that many living things are made up of mostly water, and very few species are able to live in a hot and arid condition for long periods of time that span years without a single drop of water. As for our four legged friends, they too, need fresh water frequently, and considering that they sweat through their tongues, making sure there is an adequate supply of fresh water is all the more important. With the $29.99 Frobo Pet Bowl, you are able to ensure Fido has a refreshing drink at all times, as it is capable of chilling water for up to 8 hours.

You need not prepare ice cubes for your pooch, as some dogs like to chew on them ice cubes, and these tend to melt too fast as well. Why not rely on good old fashioned science to get the job done? The Frobo Pet Bowl requires you to put the freeze core in the freezer for a couple of hours. Wait until the color turns into blueish-white, which signals that you’re ready to place the core in the base, followed by filling it up with water.

BioMetal Fiber Walking Robot Inchworm

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:15:00 +0000

When it comes to the world of robotics, I am quite sure that deep down inside, many of us would like nothing better than a robotic assistant to help us around the home. Tony Stark has JARVIS, who has proved to be more than helpful in getting him out of a tight spot, and Data of Star Trek has certainly proven to be an invaluable ally in helping the crew of the Enterprise out. Well, since the majority of us cannot afford extremely expensive robots and androids, we will have to make do with more modest offerings like the $29.99 BioMetal Fiber Walking Robot Inchworm.

Talk about seeing some BioMetal muscle in action, where the BioMetal Fiber will enable this particular digital inchworm walk – one step at a time, just like a baby. The BioMetal Fiber will contract whenever electric current is added, making it function in the same way as that of a robot muscle fiber. Who wants to bet against such technology being expounded and used in the future for a real Terminator or to usher in a future robotic apocalypse?

Aquapod Soda Bottle Rocket Launcher

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:15:00 +0000

Soda can be said to be the lifeblood for many a hyperactive kid as well as adults, so it is no wonder that our landfills are getting more and more of those empty soda bottles. If you want to take up the responsibility of keeping our planet clean and green by recycling, then you might want to check out the $24.99 Aquapod Soda Bottle Rocket Launcher. It is basically a science experiment that you would do well to give it a go when outdoors – and not indoors. Using a clever combination of air and water, you are able to launch a 2 liter plastic soda bottle all the way up to 100 feet into the air.

Definitely a messy project to play around with when you are indoors, so it is highly not recommended to have “fun” this way unless you have a rather comprehensive insurance policy, that is. It is recommended that a bike pump with a pressure gauge is used so that you know just how much pressure has built up inside. The Aquapod comes with an emergency release at 60psi, so if you want to maximize the effect, just pump it up to just before that.

iHome iP4 Boombox

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:22:00 +0000

Who can remember the times when one carries boomboxes around? Those who lived through the era of the Sony Walkman – and I am talking about the cassette based Walkmans here, and none of the MP3 nonsense that this modern generation are used to. The £199.99 iHome iP4 Boombox will open up a bridge between the old and the new, as it boasts a design that harks from the era of boomboxes in the 1980s, although there is a dock to place your iOS-powered device. Some things, however, remain the same, as the iHome iP4 Boombox will be powered by half a dozen D batteries, which is rarely used these days.

Forget about the chrome and flashing lights that can be found in its ancestors, as these have been replaced by a stylish grey (or vibrant pink if you prefer) rubberized texture as well as an adjustable LCD equalizer. The magnetic remote control allows you to play, pause, skip tracks or adjust the volume from a distance, or alternatively, you can always rely on the iPhone’s touchscreen directly.

Plug Out Plug Organizers

noreply@blogger.com (Rafli Blog) — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:15:00 +0000

Do you agree that at times, wires and cables seem to have a mind of their own? Well, I certainly feel that we humans ought not to lose the fight against such minor stuff like wayward cables, and look towards ways to “combat” it with items like the $7.49 Plug Out Plug Organizers. It will definitely make your whole life more organized, at least from the stay-at-home aspect, as the adhesive, silicone strips will ensure that your plugs remain near the outlet for a greater degree of convenience, while doing away with the amount of wasted electricity due to the phenomenon known as “vampire draw”. Not only that, there is no longer the need for a power strip.

Should you not make use of an electrical item at the moment, just unplug it and you can sleep easy, knowing that you are already doing your small bit to save energy and be kind to the planet. These strips used in the Plug Out Plug Organizers will be made out of a stain-free adhesive, ensuring that no ugly marks will remain on your wall.