Best Gadgets World

Even though I cringed with each pull on a $5 slot machine, I still like the idea of Cantor Gaming’s new eDeck handheld gambling device. Available for high rollers (i.e., those who wrap chewed gum in $50 bills to play trash-can basketball with), the mobile gaming unit taps into the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas and allows gamblers to play slots, blackjack, and other games from the High Limit Slot Salon.

Why would this appeal to someone like me, who now sticks to quarter slots? Sentimental reasons, really. First, my husband and I got married at the Venetian. Second, my parents go to Vegas three to four times a year (no joke) because my mom loves to gamble. Third, my best friend lives in Vegas. And fourth, it’s a pocketable device.

None of this has anything to do with the eDeck directly, I know, but something that combines technology with the Venetian and Vegas is just something I need to share.

Via CrunchGear.

As you may have heard, we had an earthquake here in Southern California on Tuesday, July 29th. Measuring a “mild” 5.4 on the Richter scale, it was enough for our house to shake for minutes, the water in the pool to wash over the sides, and to scare us out of our PJs. Seismologists have drilled into us Californians that there is a 99% chance that the big one will hit in the next 30 years, so the common thought that comes to mind is: “Is this it?”

URGENT NOTE: The Red Cross has just established a “Safe and Well” website for today’s earthquake so make sure to register, or if you can’t find a loved one, input that info under “Search” function. For the best information on what do do after an earthquake, check out this page on the Red Cross site.

Experts recommend that you be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least three days in case of a natural disaster. You need to store your household disaster kit in an easily accessible, yet safe location (i.e., where it’s least likely to have the house come down on it). We have our state-of-the-art EQ kit in a plastic garbage can with wheels so we can move it around - in our case, probably into the middle of the street.

How do you feel about looking like a sweat band-wearer straight out of the 80s? You’re okay with that? How about if we add in an awkward wire extending out of the forehead area? Don’t worry about looking cool. You’ll be asleep for most of the time. These are the Sleep Headphones, straight from the pages of Etsy.

The Sleep Headphones are made to fit comfortably around your head and ears while you sleep. Wearing a big set of muff headphones just doesn’t do the trick when your trying to pass out. But then again, listening to your significant other’s persistent snoring isn’t doing much for your sleeping habits either. The Sleep Headphones look like they could be worn all night without a hitch.

Totally custom honed for your sleeping pleasure, the Sleeping Headphones come shipped with a soothing audio CD and a pleasantly girly lavender-colored sachet. Used in correlation with some aroma therapy and maybe a nice glass of wine, nothing will be able to wake you up from your deep slumber.

It’s not exactly a budget product at $60 a pop, but if you compare the price to other premium headphones on the market, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. We’re not quite sure how good the sound quality is, but it should serve you well for your needs.

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There are many ways to get exercise, most involving treadmills. Astronauts use them to keep in shape while in space, veterinarians use them to rehab Kentucky Derby winners, and even former Olympic swimmers use them to maintain that finely honed swimming stroke. But what about the poor mountain climber? Sure, there are portable rock walls that kids learn to climb at summer camps and adults at county fairs, but they only go about 25 feet high. Challenging for the novice, but once you ring the bell, where’s the challenge? Thanks to the Treadwall, the challenge is not only there, it’s never ending.

Yes, it’s a rock wall climber and a treadmill all in one. But what makes it interesting is the speed is governed by the climber’s weight and power pulling up, meaning that beginners will learn at their own pace. But the pace can also be varied by loosening the resistance of the treadwall to the weight. So, the treadmill turns, the climber to have to climb grab and push up rather quickly or lose their balance and start over again. This not only improves the cardio vascular system, but also forces climbers to make fast decisions and scurry up the wall, thereby eliminating the fatigue factor of hanging on the side due to indecision. The incline can also vary merely by adjusting the angle or just climbing up other side, giving added degrees of difficulty.

Cost is about $10,000, so while you won’t have one in your living room soon, look for it to pop up in your Gym pretty soon.

Check out the cool video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMnw_JlWUZw

Hat Tip – The Giz

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There are many ways to get exercise, most involving treadmills. Astronauts use them to keep in shape while in space, veterinarians use them to rehab Kentucky Derby winners, and even former Olympic swimmers use them to maintain that finely honed swimming stroke. But what about the poor mountain climber? Sure, there are portable rock walls that kids learn to climb at summer camps and adults at county fairs, but they only go about 25 feet high. Challenging for the novice, but once you ring the bell, where’s the challenge? Thanks to the Treadwall, the challenge is not only there, it’s never ending.

Yes, it’s a rock wall climber and a treadmill all in one. But what makes it interesting is the speed is governed by the climber’s weight and power pulling up, meaning that beginners will learn at their own pace. But the pace can also be varied by loosening the resistance of the treadwall to the weight. So, the treadmill turns, the climber to have to climb grab and push up rather quickly or lose their balance and start over again. This not only improves the cardio vascular system, but also forces climbers to make fast decisions and scurry up the wall, thereby eliminating the fatigue factor of hanging on the side due to indecision. The incline can also vary merely by adjusting the angle or just climbing up other side, giving added degrees of difficulty.

Cost is about $10,000, so while you won’t have one in your living room soon, look for it to pop up in your Gym pretty soon.

Check out the cool video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMnw_JlWUZw

Hat Tip – The Giz

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DISH Network will be first to bring you* 1080p resolution HD content through broadcast means.  Say goodbye to the 720 garbage you’ve been forced to watch and bask in the 1080p you should have had all along.  Available tomorrow is “I am Legend” video on demand will be in full 1080p.

The asterisk after “you” above means you may not actually be “you”.  According to Electronista:

The upgrade in resolution isn’t available for all subscribers but will be a no-charge addition for anyone who owns an HD DVR capable of playing MPEG-4 video. A software upgrade will be pushed out at the same time as the 1080p service that enables playing the video format, though no mention is made of supporting the HD resolution for recording regular TV shows.

No word on how smooth the image will be or if it’s compression means we’ll be seeing chopped action.  Either way, it is a step in the right direction.

Read [Electronista]

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Scoop, feed, wipe, repeat. New parents are all too familiar with this constant cycle of baby feeding. It seems easy, just because it’s the only real option you have. Not too mention that having an open food jar near a curious infant is never a good idea. Get ready for a spill!

I know, I know. You’re probably saying to yourself, “Well, I’d like to see you try it, CG!” While we aren’t quite ready to take you up on that offer, we can at least provide an alternative to the same old, same old. The Boon Squirt Baby Food Dispensing Spoon is a practical eating utensil which can hold up to 3 oz. of the finest purée, feeding your baby one freshly squeezed spoonful at a time.

The Boon Squirt allows you to multi-task, since you only need one hand to feed your child using this spoon. The other hand can be flipping through a newspaper for all we care, as long as you watch out for where you’re thrusting that spoon. No poking out any eyes!

We imagine this makes feeding your child in public a much easier experience. At least you don’t need to lug around an extra heavy jar. And it’s large bulb shape makes it super easy to clean. You can grab your own Boon Squirt spoon for $7 from CSN Baby.

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Now here’s a mouse that will help you keep your precious data safe and sound - the Biometric Fingerprint Encrypted Mouse. This $116 peripheral comes with the following specifications and features :-

PC-Lock
Windows login and Screen Saver prevent the unauthorized user access the computer (only the registered fingerprint is accessible after successful verification!)

Web bank
The Web Bank can “remember” personal data (i.e. user names and passwords), once it’s been typed into a webpage form. It can also automatically access and enter this data for you in the future, with just a simply swipe of a registered finger. No worries about the hacker hook the password.

Virtual Disk
Virtual Disk can hide the confidential data partition (i.e.: you can install the important application programs onto virtual drive, so that nobody can use the programs, only the authorized user can see partition label and manipulate after virtual disk is activated and fingerprint verification is passed).

File encryption/decryption
File encryption/decryption by fingerprint for particularly important or confidential files (encrypted File/folder can not be copied).

You can store up to 10 fingerprint templates in this mouse, so choose carefully. Oh yeah, I’d look out for my hands even more vigilantly from now on lest somebody walks by and hacks it off to gain access to all my passwords stored in the PC.

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We first saw the UTStarcom TXT8010 hit the FCC back in mid-April using the codename of Elvis, since then it seemed to have disappeared, that is until now. The TXT8010 has resurfaced with Verizon and is now known as the Blitz.

The handset details are coming courtesy of a leaked Verizon Wireless Equipment Guide and what that means is we have some nice clean images, but lots of details are still missing.

The Blitz is a slider style phone that offers a full (albeit small looking) QWERTY keyboard, 1.3-megapixel webcam, stereo Bluetooth and a microSD card slot. It looks like the Blitz is headed for the prepaid market, and its expected to be launched at Wal-Mart on August 8 and Best Buy on September 28. No mention of pricing, however it does not look like a handset that is going to break the bank.

Via [Engadget Mobile]

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Samsung released some new additions to their Series 6 lineup of LCD HDTVs. Last week, the company went official with the release of their 2008 Holiday Showcase. Now, counting the latest three models, plus their previously announced Series 9, Series 8 and Series 7 units, Samsung has a total of twelve new HDTV offerings for the holiday season.

Samsung’s Series 6 consists of the 52-inch LN52A630, 46-inch LN46A630, and 40-inch LN40A630. These models have a Touch of Color bezel design, 1080p panel, 120Hz technology, three HDMI 1.3 ports, and a USB socket used for uploading photos. The Series 6 lineup is meant to cater to the price-conscious, while delivering to expectations on picture performance, and style. It is predicted that the models will be priced at $2,699.99, $2,099.99, and $1,699.99 respectively, and be available sometime next month.

Via [Yahoo! News]

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