2010 May 06 | NextGadgets.net | Cool Gadgets, New Gadgets, Latest Gadgets, Future Gadgets, Electronic Gadgets, Hi Tech Gadgets News

Archive for May 6th, 2010

EKON car uses the power of Emoticons

ekon interactive city coupe10 EKON car uses the power of Emoticons This isn’t the first time that we have posted about a concept car, and many of them sort of look the same.

For some reason, they all have this odd silver or gray color, and have lights in weird places, as if they existed in the world of Tron.

The EKON is definitely something very different as its main feature could change the very road as we know it. You see, it is the only car that I know that uses emoticons.

You see that red face on it? That is the car’s happy face. Yes, this is so you can signal to another driver that you are pleased with their performance. It beats the heck out of calling that “How’s my Driving” number and reporting positive feedback.

I’m not certain how much of the print you can see in the photo, but there are a whole catalog of emoticons that you can project on your car. For example, sadness, boredom, nervousness, surprise, or even some weird ones like “LOL” and other symbols.

Granted, I’m not certain how the user gets the Emoticon. Is there an array of buttons on the dash? That could be distracting. Maybe if you just text it in, but that is texting while driving.

Strike the Right Cord with the New 8 Bit Arcade Guitar

Ever heard of a guitar that closely resembles an arcade game? Well, with innovation creeping in, there is always something new that one would get to enjoy even in the world of music.

Almost everyone is aware that a guitar is a musical instrument to play music using fingers or a pick. It usually has six strings made of nylon or steel attached to its body, which is built in various types of woods. However, this 8 bit arcade based guitar is a unique instrument due to its peculiar use of buttons. Invented by Mike Davenport, this special guitar equipment uses the logic of Field Programmable Gate Array. This guitar will definitely garner a lot of speculation from the arcade gaming fans as it is kind of an enhancement of an arcade machine. Arcade fighters follow a system whereby they use buttons with a given direction for performing an action. Gaining motivation from this machine, Davenport decided to venture into making a highly innovative guitar.

Arcade Guitar Strike the Right Cord with the New 8 Bit Arcade Guitar

Each button on the guitar manages a certain string. Those in the bottom row function as anchor to create different kind of combinations. When you wish to play three different three-note chords, the toggle switch should be up. And with the toggle switch down, the combos will run through three different arpeggios.

The addition of a joystick at the front of the buttons allows you to change the pitch by pushing the joystick in the y-axis direction. It is strategically designed to manage the rate of LFO oscillator when moved in the x-axis direction. For those who are not aware of LFO concept, the LFO oscillator functions by adding the output wave with a low frequency sine wave. This gives rise to a wave which is an amplitude adjusted by the low frequency wave. The effect thus formed is called the tremolo effect.

Moreover, the rotary encoders modifies the settings of the guitar – for instance from sounds jagged to sine smooth. And if you ever wish to take a break and resume composing music later, you can use save banks. On the extreme left corner opposite the green buttons, there is another button which on hitting saves the current banks.

HP has new ENVY 14 and 17 notebooks

hp envy 17 HP has new ENVY 14 and 17 notebooks

HP, the world’s top computer maker, is back with a couple of new notebooks for those who are in the market and want to pick up something slightly different from the rest of the market. Coming in the form of the ENVY 14 and 17, both models are touted to deliver premium experiences that are able to satisfy the most demanding customers, bringing to the forefront an ideal balance of design and technology by merging the latest in manufacturing with artistic expression and world-class performance. To know more about the ENVY 14 and 17, why not head on to the extended post? Who knows, your wallet might just get that itchy feeling, ready and waiting for you to take out that credit card of yours to be swiped?

First of all, you can be sure that the new ENVY 14 and 17 will not come up short in terms of processing power, since they will both feature powerful Intel processors that won’t be found wanting when the situation calls for it, coupled with an ATI Mobility Radeon high-definition (HD) 5830 discrete graphics chipset which is more than suitable for gaming, videos and handling 3-D images without missing a beat. Love working in the dark, but have yet to truly master the keyboard? Well, fret not – you will be able to find that these models comes with a backlit keyboard complete with a slot-loading optical drive (do you prefer this or a standard tray?), an HP TrueVision HD webcam, a mini DisplayPort Connector and the latest in wireless and connectivity options – that means Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth thrown into the mix.

Not only that, the notebooks also come with Beats Audio, a unique, high-performance technology developed by HP and Beats by Dr. Dre for you to experience the optimal sound experience regardless of whether you’re playing audio via a pair of headphones or through its external speakers. The slim and light ENVY 14 sports a precision-crafted design with a 14.5″ diagonal HD Radiance display which is touted to be 59% brighter compared to rivals in its class, offering up to six hours of battery life with an optional WWAN/3G connection. As for the ENVY 17, it has up to 2TB of storage space, now how about that, and has ATI Eyefinity Technology for multiple external display support and an HP Triple Bass Reflex Subwoofer for outstanding sound.

Press Release

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ HP has new ENVY 14 and 17 notebooks copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Microsoft Communicator Mobile for Nokia smartphones

communicator mobile Microsoft Communicator Mobile for Nokia smartphones Nokia’s smartphone market share has taken quite a beating over the past couple of years or so, with the rise of the Apple iPhone as well as the introduction of newer players to the market including Android-powered handsets. Well, that doesn’t mean that Nokia does not have a commanding lead – the Finnish cellphone company has come up with some pretty neat devices over the past year, and this time aims to improve the productivity level of their devices with and alliance with Microsoft, resulting in the Microsoft Communicator Mobile. This new unified communications client will hook up directly with a company’s communications systems, helping streamline mobile collaboration. As long as you own a Nokia E72 or E52, you will be able to download the English version today from Nokia’s Ovi Store to get started right away.

Bosses will definitely find Communicator Mobile to be a useful tool, since it allows one to check on their colleagues’ availability, while being able to click and choose on communicating with them via the best method, ranging from IM to email, text to phone call. All names and status of colleagues will be embedded directly into the devices’ contacts application, letting you update your own presence (as well as that of your colleagues), starting and joining instant messaging sessions while making calls directly from the contact card. This helps increase one’s efficiency, since you know whether a colleague is occupied or available for a conversation concerning work.

While Communicator Mobile is available only for the Nokia E72 and E52 as at press time, we do have word that there are plans to support additional devices sometime down the road, including the Nokia E5. Meanwhile, Nokia is already working on optimizing direct access to email and other personal information with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync. In the future, you will find Communicator Mobile for Nokia pre-installed on select Nokia smartphones as well to get things up and running right out of the box.

Press Release

Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Microsoft Communicator Mobile for Nokia smartphones copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

QuickSnap Ice Tray Is a Thoughtful Innovation

Getting ice out of good old ubiquitous ice tray is no easy task and people employ different methods to release stubborn frozen ice cubes. Here is QuickSnap Ice Tray which comes with an easy mechanism to release the ice cubes in a jiffy. One must say this small innovation is a long due thoughtful one and it will help us save much time.

QuickSnap ice tray1 QuickSnap Ice Tray Is a Thoughtful Innovation

QuickSnap Ice Tray comes with release tabs at the back of it which when pressed make ice cubes slip out easily. In fact individual ice cubes can be removed independently because of this innovative mechanism and there is no need to struggle with entire ice tray. Some might find this silly but for someone impatient like me who struggles with ice tray by holding it under running water and twisting and turning it, this product design is a good thought indeed.

QuickSnap ice tray2 QuickSnap Ice Tray Is a Thoughtful Innovation

Sometimes we overlook something essential and kudos to designer Graeme Davis for creating this simple QuickSnap ice tray design. Check out this demo video below of QuickSnap Ice Tray and this product was designed for Joseph Joseph.

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HI TECH ICE TRAYS
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Power Bullet Charger

power bullet charger Power Bullet Charger Want to make sure that you have something to juice up your gizmos most of the time within easy reach, no matter whether you are on the road or at home? Surely you won’t be able to go wrong with the Power Bullet Charger, as this device comes with a connector that helps you hook up to your car’s cigarette lighter, not to mention a two-prong form factor on the opposite end that lets you hook it up to any wall power outlet anytime you’re in a building. Bear in mind that this $14.99 Power Bullet Charger works with USB-rechargeable devices only, featuring a couple of USB ports to juice two devices simultaneously.

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Power Bullet Charger copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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Broom Groomer for improved sweeping action

broom groomer Broom Groomer for improved sweeping action

If you do not have the ability to purchase a vacuum cleaner and still rely on good old hand power using a broom, why not settle for the most efficient broom possible? That is now available in the form of the Broom Groomer, where it comes with a row of rubber teeth protruding from the back end of the dust pan to clean the broom’s bristles when you’re done sweeping, doing away with dust bunnies for good. Apart from that, there is a built-in foot rest at the dustpan handle, letting you steady the dustpan for hands-free sweeping. The body of the Broom Groomer itself is made out of hard, durable plastic, featuring rubber accents on the handle grip, wall-hanging hole, bristle cleaning teeth, and front edge guard. It costs just $9.99 at the moment, making it a suitable Mother’s Day gift, perhaps?

Check out the Coolest Gadgets 2008 Gift Guides, Christmas shopping made easy.
[ Broom Groomer for improved sweeping action copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]