As VoIP communications have begun to be more popular among consumers, even businesses saw a very good opportunity of saving some money on the phone bills and this is how VoIP conference phones have appeared.
And this is the type of device you're about to see as follows, namely the Freecom Internet Conference Phone launched back in the second half of 2006, a device that allows up to 5 participants to enjoy the advantages of VoIP conferencing.
Thus, this device connects to a computer via the USB port and allows users to take advantage of the VoIP services offered either by Skype or by any other voice-enabled IM client. However, since this is a conference phone (which is actually nothing more than a pimped-up speakerphone), it doesn't provide any significant control options, other than the volume control system, the rest of the operations being carried out by the associated software applications.
However, exactly because it's a conference phone, the Internet phone from Freecom provides superior audio features, by the echo cancellation technology and the full-duplex DSP system. Moreover, the device sports a very sensitive omni-directional microphone (-42 +/- 1.5db), which provides an overall range of around 5 meters, as well as a built-in stereo headphone port that allows the users to also make private conversations.
The device also incorporates one 4-watt central speaker and 2 laterally-positioned versions (2 W each), thus ensuring quite a good quality and powerful sound. It is available at various online retailers for around 60 Euro (82 US dollars), which is a little expensive, though, considering the fact that there are quite a lot of similar devices available on the market for lower price tags.
USB Internet Conference Phone for Skype
Waterproof Floating Phone
Do you like spending a lot of time at the pool, and that's why you've been searching for the best method of speaking on the phone while you swim, which will leave both you and your phone intact? Well, if you haven't come across some miraculous solution yet, you might want to give a chance to the device you're about to see as follows, namely the Waterproof Floating Phone presented by the people from Hammacher Schlemmer since the first half of 2007.
The first element that guarantees (at least on a theoretical level) the fact that this device will resist the destructive action of the pool is its very body, made from waterproof plastic and featuring some rubber sides, which ensure a better grip. Moreover, the floating phone sports some pretty big buttons, made also from rubber, which makes them quite usable even in the dark, not to mention water. Quite obviously, these waterproofing features make it rather bulky, as the device measures around 19.68 cm x 17.78 cm x 10.16 cm, at a weight of around 907 grams.
The phone also sports an LCD display, a 10-number memory and a caller ID function with a 30-number memory (nevertheless, one requires a Caller ID subscription from the telephone company in order to take full advantage of this feature). Moreover, its 20-channel autoscan ensures the handset delivers clear reception during calls and emergency numbers can be programmed and dialed at a touch of a button.
The device works with a rechargeable internal battery, housed in a specially designed waterproof compartment. The recharging base has a handset locator button and provides multiple mounting options (either desk- or wall-mounted). Moreover, the floating phone can even be used by persons with hearing disabilities, since it’s compatible with hearing aids.
The Waterproof Floating Phone retails for around 80 US dollars, which is actually quite an affordsable price to pay for a device that will ease outdoors communications, not to mention the fact that it will certainly save users some money spent on repairing the phones dropped accidentally in the pool.
Cool Symbio VoIP DECT Phone / Internet Radio
Both Internet-based telephony (VoIP) and Internet radio have become extremely popular over the past few years, and the same phenomenon has affected pretty much all of the external devices associated to this field. And that's exactly the reason why the people over at Thomson have unveiled back in the first half of 2008 the Symbio, a DECT phone which doubles as an Internet radio receiver.
First and foremost, what we're dealing with here is a VoIP phone, which allows users to carry out conversations at HD-level quality. Furthermore, it offers multi-line handling capability, SMS text messaging, phonebook synchronization, RSS data management and a whole lot more. And since we've mentioned the phonebook, it's also quite interesting to note the fact that the Symbio offers enough storage space for around 100 names, as well as a log for the last 50 incoming calls.
As mentioned earlier, the Symbio also doubles as an Internet radio. For this reason, the device has been equipped with 2 x 3 watt stereo speakers, but also with a digital broadcast receiver, which assures high-quality reception. Moreover, it offers access to a very wide choice of Internet radio stations, arranged by location (regional, national, international), category (Classical, Rock, Pop), etc.
Furthermore, the device also packs a rechargeable Li-Ion battery, which offers a functioning autonomy of around 6 hours. Moreover, the Symbio has also been equipped with a color screen (128x128 pixels resolution), which can be used for displaying various information, as for example the identity of the caller, the name of the song being played and the name of the artist, etc. Additionally, the device has also been equipped with an alarm clock and even supports Hi-Fi ringtones, a very cool feature, as far as most VoIP users are concerned.
Milk Gone Bad LED Lamp
Every now and then we all feel the need to behave like children again, whether we are only 20 or already 80 years old. Indifferent of our body's age, our spirit remains young, or at least intends to and from time to time manifests outbursts that can be identified in a trip around the world, changing our wardrobe, or modifying something in our home's design.
With the Milk Gone Bad lamp collection from AnAtomic Factory you can get in touch with you inner child again, and at the same time you can make your own offspring very happy, by stimulating their imagination. Looking like open milk cartons at first sight, the lamps transform into magic worlds of illustration each, when turned on.
These lamps have a hidden second nature, because, while they look as pure and white as milk when they are turned off, they depict a startling imaginary world of the mold when you switch them on. Each of the eight lamps within the collection is one piece of a series.
Floating somewhere between toys and furniture, the “Milk Gone Bad” lamps can make you feel revitalized and innocent as well as they can do that for a person decades younger. The milk cartons in disguise will give your home a bizarre aspect when they are not lit and they will transform the atmosphere into a fairy tale from the world of the mold once you need their light.
Their creators have been very careful to make them resemble to reality as much as possible, that they made them the standard size of a milk carton and the plastic that they are made of has a very soft texture, similar to the one of the cardboard used for the milk cartons. The lamps sell for approximately $120 and they can be purchased from all over the world.
Discovery Channel Satellite Lamp
Lamps come in all shapes and sizes nowadays, as the manufacturers try to come up with all sorts of new designs that will make their products more interesting for certain specific market segments. And one very peculiar lighting device of this type is the one you're about to see as follows, namely the Satellite Lamp, presented by the people over at the Discovery Channel shop since the second half of 2007, which borrows its shape and overall design from the first satellites mankind launched into space.
Although the vendors have built it to resemble the early satellites in the U.S. Vanguard satellite program, the truth of the matter is that it looks a lot more like the former Soviet Sputnik satellites, at least at first sight. Furthermore, this retro-satellite look is enhanced by the addition of 24 LED lights, which make it shine in the night as fireworks (as a customer's review puts it), something that would have certainly made even the original satellites a lot more attractive.
The main selling point this device has to offer is obviously represented by the 24 bright red, green and blue LED lights, but the device also provides some other interesting features, as for example the 8 display options, controlled via a realistic red “engage” switch. Unfortunately, the finishing touches are not exactly great, due to the fact that this thing is manufactured out of a relatively cheap-looking plastic, somewhere in China.
The device is not exactly very bulky, as far as lamps go, measuring just around 10.2 x 10.2 x 9.3 inches (25.9 cm x 25.9 cm x 23.6 cm), at a weight of around 2.05 pounds (929.864 grams), which means that it won't occupy too much space around the user's room or office (it can also work pretty well as a desktop lamp).
The Satellite Lamp from the Discovery Channel shop retails for around 40 US dollars, which is a pretty small price to pay for such a colorful item, which could always make quite an interesting gift for one's kids.
LED Blow On-Off Candles
Candles have been mankind’s primary source of light for hundreds of years, and are still used quite extensively in those parts of the world where electricity is still a rare and valuable commodity. However, as any open fire, candles are also relatively dangerous, because, if left unattended, they can easily cause major fires.
And this is exactly one of the reasons why the people over at ThinkGeek came up, back in the first half of 2006, with the LED Blow On-Off Candles, some illumination devices that employ the light emitting diodes’ technology in order to mimic the behavior of real candles, without any of the dangers associated with them.
Thus, the LED Blow On-Off Candles have quite a natural look, as the exterior design resembles quite closely that of real candle, especially due to the wax coating. Moreover, they can flicker, much in the same way like real candles, but, in their case, the flickering is controlled by a built-in microprocessor rather than the wind.
Another very interesting feature provided by these “pseudo-candles” is represented by their switch-on system. Thus, unlike ordinary candles, which simply blow out should the user blow towards them, the devices presented by ThinkGeek can also be switched on in a similar manner, after previously pressing the master on/off switch located on their bottom side.
The LED Blow On-Off Candles have a diameter of around 3 inches (7.62 cm), and are available in several height options, namely 4, 5 or 6 inches (10 cm, 12.7 cm and 15 cm respectively). Moreover, they’re not exactly power hungry, as they work with 2 AA batteries, which provide a functioning life of around 300 hours.
These very peculiar lighting devices presented by ThinkGeek retail for around 12-15 US dollars, depending on the model, which is actually a pretty good price to pay for such innovative and lifelike LED lamps.
Grip Bag Holder
One of the most serious problems we're all faced with whenever we go shopping is that of the plastic bags. Considering the fact that usually we're talking about quite a lot of bags, and the quality of the plastic is not exactly great, the sensation we feel in our limbs is not the most pleasant ever. However, things don’t always have to be like this, at least if the users decide to try out the device you’re about to see as follows, namely the Grip Bag Holder presented by Whatever Works since early in 2007.
This Grip Bag Holder is a very good solution for carrying out several heavy items at the same time, as it is capable of supporting loads of up to 22 kilos. The Grip Bag Holder is very easy to use and is manufactured out of a very tough plastic material (ABS), which ensures the fact that the device will be able to support the loads without breaking.
Moreover, the device addresses another important issue encountered when carrying around heavy bags. Thus, it sports a soft handle, thus eliminating the very unpleasant sensations mentioned earlier, but also an easy open thumb tab and a durable locking tab that safely secures the plastic bags. Moreover, it’s far from being bulky, as it measures just around 14 cm x 2.54 cm x 16.51 cm.
The Grip Bag Holder is available at quite a large number of online retailers for around 5-10 US dollars, which is actually quite a small price to pay for a device that might make shopping a lot easier (and more comfortable) for its owners. Not to mention the fact that it will actually allow you to buy even more stuff, this way making producers happier as well.
Excalibur Electronics Motorized Pool Lounger
The market of pool accessories has changed quite a lot during the past few years, as customers are tired of the same old things and constantly demanding new and improved products. And one such device is the Motorized Pool Lounger presented by the people from Excalibur Electronics back in the first half of 2006, an inflatable lounger that allows users to maneuver around their pool without paddling.
This is possible due to the fact that this very unusual item has been fitted with two electric Kort nozzles, also known as shrouded propellers or azimuth thrusters, which allow the users to move the lounger in any direction they might want, including 360 spins. Moreover, in order to assure a higher level of movement control, each of the said propellers is controlled by it's own joystick.
But don't be taken for it's toy-like aspect, as the Pool Lounger is quite a tough device, being manufactured out of a sturdy 0.35 mm PVC material, and supports weights of up to 113.39 kilos, which means that even the “bulkier” users will be able to float around in their pools.
The lounger sports a couple of large, comfortable arm-rests, as well as a cup holder, so that the owner can enjoy a cold one while moving from side of the pool to the other, which means that you'll practically get your own armchair that floats on water.
This very interesting pool accessory is inflated with the help of an air pump in just a few minutes, and each thruster requires 6 x D batteries in order to work. It measures 1.62 meters x 1.16 meters x 50.8 cm, weighs around 9.07 kilos, and is available for around 100-130 US dollars at various retailers, which seems to be quite an accessible price for such a potentially fun and relaxing device.
Sun and Soil Probe
If you are looking to keep your garden as healthy and green as possible, then here is the perfect device for you. The Sun and Soil Probe is a handy little device that takes scientific sun/soil information generated from a probe you insert into the soil. It's really useful especially for amateur gardeners.
You can do a lot with this probe as it helps monitor light, water, and more. Also, it helps you find the perfect spot for your plants, where they will receive just the right amount of light. And you know that the probe knows what it's talking about as it incorporates data from the American Gardening Association. If you are one of the people that think their tears might bring their dead plants back to life, then you definitely need a device like this.
The ingenious in-ground sensor incorporated in the Sun and Soil Probe, available from Frontgate, reads and analyzes growing conditions in specific spots inside your home or yard, including sunlight, temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and drainage. It even puts the same technology used on NASA's Mars mission to work in your own backyard for soil moisture measurements.
This probe is very easy to use too. Thus, after you take it out of the soil, you need to plug it into your computer and watch as it turns readings into recommendations, listing plants sure to flourish in your exact environment. This way, you don't have to “torture” certain plants, but you can find out what kind of plants will feel comfortable and happy in your yard.
You can even specify the desired bloom color or season, plant height, drought tolerance, deer resistance and other features, and you'll certainly be satisfied with the result, as the database contains 5,000+ plants. Also, besides deciding what types of plants go in the environment provided by the place you want to put the plants to, this probe can diagnose ailing plants, so that you can bring them back to health.
This Soil and Sun Probe is like having your own personal team of botanists on-call around the clock. It allows you to spend a lot less time in the garden, it goes with both PC and Mac, it's reusable and sells for approximately 70 US dollars.
MagnoGrip Magnetic Wristband
Many people have been put in a situation when they had to do some home improvements or some tinkering on their car's engine, and they really needed a certain instrument, but couldn't find it in the pile of junk just laying around, although they have held it in their hand just a few moments before. Well, it would seem that all of these problems will become history should the users decide to use the device you're going to see as follows, namely the MagnoGrip presented by ThinkGeek in March 2007.
MagnoGrip is nothing more than a huge magnetic wristband, which allows the user to attach a large number of metallic devices to it, from drilling heads to nuts, bolts, and even bigger tools. The MagnoGrip is manufactured out of a durable heavy duty canvas, industrial grade velcro and high-powered magnets that are strong enough to hold a hammer.
However, attaching a hammer to it might prove a little bit uncomfortable for its users, not to mention useless, since it's clear that they can't miss the hammer next to you. This action would actually be logic, only if taken for fun.
The device works perfectly on just about any type of hand, as it measures just around 8.9 cm (width) x 35.56 cm (lenght), and supports a maximum circumference of around 30.48 centimeters.
The MagnoGrip retails for around 15 US dollars, which is actually quite a fair price to pay for such a handy item to have around the house.
Nevertheless, the one piece of advice we must give to you is not to wear it while you're repairing/changing the components within a computing system, since the results might prove to be pretty unpleasant. Unless you want to lose all the data stored in your PC, it's better to wear some glasses in order to see all the pieces, instead of the wristband.
Spa 2 Go Inflatable Jacuzzi Tub
Spa 2 Go includes a hydro - massage system, can be very easily installed, as it inflates quite quickly, by connecting an attachment to the blower motor on the power pack (air pump included). With an ultra-comfortable cushioned bottom and side panels, it holds 950 liters of water, can host up to 4 people and also has a digital control panel to adjust the temperature, as well as 127 water jets.
The portable jacuzzi, which has an exterior diameter of 208 cm, a height of 71 cm and an interior diameter of 147 cm, plugs into any standard household outlet, and comes with a high-quality filtration system that removes the impurities from your spa and should be cleaned once a week in order to sustain maximum heated water flow, locking insular thermal cover and a power pack that attaches with no tools. The material the inflatable jacuzzi is made of is also very resilient, namely 20 gauge K80 vinyl, which is used in many inflatable kayaks and boats to withstand rips and tears.
The Spa 2 Go portable jacuzzi is available at various online retailers, including SmartHome, for around 900 US dollars, which is quite a high price but, after all, this can be considered to be a luxury item, and it’s quite a well-known fact that luxury items are never cheap.
Cool Water Motar
Summer is all about going to the pool and having fun by splashing people around (or at least it should be). And one of the devices that will actually allow users to take water-related hostilities to the next level is the Water Mortar, a “cannon” that's capable to render all enemies soaking wet.
The device is actually a shoulder mounted water balloon lobber that comes with 100 mini-water balloons, which the user can fill-up with water and then throw at their opponents, who really won't know what hit them, until, of course, after having been stuck to the ground by a powerful water "cannonball." The Mortar contains a small spring-loaded compartment into which the user has to pop the balloon (after previously filling it with water), then simply cock by using the loading lever and press the firing trigger.
The Water Mortar has a pretty “serious” look (it's painted in black and red), and would probably spread fear in the hearts of all the other people on the aquatic theater of war. Moreover, it sports a shoulder rest, so that the users will be able to use it for prolonged periods of time without feeling tired.
This “cannon” is also quite portable, since it measures just around 50 cm x 21.5 cm x 10 cm, so it can be used even by the 12-year olds that such a device is usually designed for. It also has a pretty serious range, of around 8 meters, which leaves room for some pretty successful hit and run operations.
The Water Mortar is available at various online retailers for around 20-22 US dollars, which seems to be quite a normal price for a device capable of turning a boring day by the pool into a very interesting and funny one.
BBQ Spatula with Thermometer
It’s quite common knowledge that each meat consumer around the world likes their steak cooked to a different degree, depending on the type of meat or their personal preferences. And if up until now most people were forced to use “visual” methods when trying to estimate the “status” of the steak, now there's a much more “scientific” method available out there, namely a neat little device called BBQ Spatula with Thermometer, presented by the folks over at Miles Kimball since the second half of 2006.
As the name reveals it, this device is actually a normal steak-handling tool fitted with a thermometer that can be used for measuring the temperature of each piece of steak on the barbecue. The BBQ Spatula also has a digital readout, and a lighted display for beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, which is indicating which of them are safely cooked at given temperatures. Moreover, it can be washed very easily and provides a similar level of functionality with other, less featured-packed devices available on the market.
Since its utilization is definitely not rocket science (all you have to do is poke the probe on the heel of the spatula into the meat that you are cooking, and you'll get a digital readout as well as a scale showing you the ideal safe-cooked internal temperatures for all sorts of meat) nobody will be able to pull off excuses for cooking steak wrongly, with the BBQ Spatula with Thermometer.
The BBQ Spatula with Thermometer measures 40 cm x 7.62 cm x 1.91 cm, works with 2 AAA batteries, is made out of stainless steel, and could prove to be quite an interesting choice for a barbecue tool, especially if the user is quite picky about his/her food. The device retails for 5-20 US dollars, and this is actually quite a small price to pay for a device that will allow users to cook their steaks or other meat products at exactly the desired temperature.
LuxuryLite Low Rise Cot Ultra-Portable Bed
One of the most unpleasant problems faced by most people who go camping or simply want to spend a nice afternoon out in the open is that of the ground, which can be cold or even moist and thus very uncomfortable, even when using blankets or neoprene sheets. That's the reason why the LuxuryLite company has launched back in the first half of 2007 a very interesting portable bed, dubbed Luxury Lite Low Rise Cot, which, besides solving the aforementioned problem, allows the users to rest in a lot more comfortable manner.
A very important advantage offered by this device is the fact that the Low Rise Cot is extremely portable, weighing just around 1.13 kilograms and measuring around 40.64 cm x 12.7 cm when folded. This is possible due to the fact that the cot features ultralight carbon fiber side poles, Easton aluminum truss tubes, high-modulus injection-molded nylon feet and composite laminated ripstop fabric that does not stretch or sag, even when wet. Moreover, the bottom surface of the fabric is a thick layer of laminated plastic, so no dirt or mud will stick to the fabric.
In order to provide the necessary support, the Low Rise Cot has been fitted with six Bow Trusses distributed along the full length that deliver variable tension to the fabric. Moreover, it has been designed in such a manner as to follow the natural contours of the human body, both on the length and side to side.
The portable bed is also quite easy to install, as it works more or less like a tent. Thus, all the users have to do is slide a pole into the sleeve along each side of the fabric cover and then clip on the Bow Trusses. According to the manufacturers, most users should get the job done in around 3 minutes or less.
The Low Rise Cot from LuxuryLite retails for around 220 US dollars, which is a relatively fair price to pay for such a versatile device that could prove to be quite useful in a large number of situations.