From an innovation standpoint, Juice’s integration of drag and drop technology with Web-based research is a useful idea. The notion of dragging and dropping a word or phrase into another window that automatically conducts a multi-source Web search is attractive. But after downloading the Beta version, Juice’s service hurt more than it helped. The sidebar cluttered my browser, and the turning in my stomach eventually made me kick the interface to the curb. Perhaps Linkool International’s next release will not be as agitating.

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Nippon Telegraph and Telephone claims to have developed shoes that when used can charge small electronic devices. Hideomi Tenma, NTT spokesman, stated that their current prototype can generate 1.2 watts of power, enough to run an iPod. The shoe’s electricity is derived from the kinetic energy that people naturally produce when they are walking.

With each step, the water-filled shoes spin a small turbine that generates the power. NTT’s goal is for the generators to produce 3 watts of electricity, which is sufficient to run most cell phones. The Tokyo-based telecommunications company owns Docomo, which is among the largest mobile phone operators in Japan and presumably the first company that will market the device. NTT plans to integrate the device into their products by 2010.

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Italian police are experimenting with a joystick that is a sobriety test. Dee Dee uses neurological insights gleaned from robotics, as well as a simple laptop driving game, to judge whether or not a driver’s performance is impaired.

The origin of the Dee Dee joystick (photo), which tests neuro-psychomoto function, is in bio-robotics. As part of research for the production of a high-performance robot, developer Alberto Rovetta, professor at Politecnico di Milano (Milan Polytechnic), analyzed the relation between the brain and finger movements, which lead to the study of how finger movements reveal mental states.

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Widgets or gadgets, as they have come to be known for PCs, have become an easy and quick way for Web sites to attract traffic, but their rise has been accompanied with a new form of Internet spyware. Malicious widgets capitalize on the user’s assumption that all Google widgets are moderated, and some argue they are not. At the Black Hat Hacker conference in Las Vegas, consultants from SecTheory and Cenzic security companies demonstrated how a simple looking gadget could access personal information through an Internet web browser. Sites that encourage users to jazz up their pages appear to be the prime targets for such malicious gadgets.

But it doesn’t stop there. SecTheory and Cenzic believe that there are malicious widgets that steal information from other non-malicious widgets. Google discounts the SecTheory and Cenzic criticism. In a statement, Google retorts that the gadgets they distribute are regulated, and malicious gadgets are rarely found. When they are, the malicious widget is immediately blacklisted.

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Microsoft Tuesday unveiled a prototype computer, Sphere, at the Microsoft Research Faculty Summit 2008 in Redmond, Washington.

Sphere is composed of a large spherical screen atop an infrared projector. The projector projects images onto the screen, while at the same time allowing multi-touch manipulation of the images, so that it can be used by several users at once. Sphere uses a special algorithm to show images without distortion, as they would look on a flat screen.

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In an interview with the BBC, Steven Prentice, analyst for the information technology research and advisory firm Gartner, says that the mouse will largely be replaced with other means of interface within the next five years. The mouse’s place will be taken by technology developed for entertainment, video games, and computer access for the disabled.

“You’ve got Panasonic showing forward facing video in the home entertainment environment. Instead of using a conventional remote control you hold up your hand and it recognises you have done that,” Prentice says in the article.

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This week, Atelier reviews what is trendy on the web magazine of our great expert contributor. Ubergizmo.com is dedicated to consumer electronics news and reviews.

Spoon Scales for Weight Watchers

If you’re extremely meticulous about what goes into your mouth, then the Spoon Scales would be the perfect dining room gadget for you. This spoon features a built-in scale that will be able to detect the weight of anything (preferably food) between 0.1 to 300 grams, and is accurate to 1/10th of a gram. An integrated LCD display shows the current weight, and you can toggle switch to ounces if you aren’t too comfortable with the metric system. The Spoon Scale is made out of ABS plastic, while it’s handle uses stainless steel for a more classy approach. Pro-idee is selling the Spoon Scale for $35.

Earthquake Study Involves Laptop Accelerometers

Simologists at Stanford have found an innovative method to gather quake data - by using laptops equipped with accelerometers. This method saves resources for scientists by using your laptops that are deployed across a widespread area, especially in places such as SF and LA with plans to move into different zones later. Owners of a MacBook, iBook or Powerbook made after 2005 can join in this effort to inform people about quakes after it happens, or even functioning as a warning system. After all, every single micro-second counts, and the system is smart enough to tell the different between a real big earthquake compared to vibrations from a passing truck, a bump to a table, or even a minor earthquake. I think this will prove more useful than the SETI home project.

Sea Instrument Dive Computer

The Seat Instrument dive computer was recently launched by Danish watch designers Linde Werdelin, clipping onto the Biformeter watc and providing you with all the necessary information whenever you go diving. It will come in two versions - steel and gold, where the former is $3,000 while the latter is way out of reach at $46,000. Both versions are useless if you do not fork out $5,000 for the Biformeter in the first place. Other features include:

• Full color 220 x 176-pixel LCD screen
• 150 grams
• 128MB flash memory
• Internal temperature sensor, in-water sensor, light sensor
• Water-resistant to 1,000 meters
• Rechargeable Li-Ion battery
• USB charger

Walkie Talkie Watches

Keep in touch with a friend in the neighborhood with the Walkie Talkie watch, as this new model boasts a stunning range of up to 1.5 miles. Hey, at least you get to save on your monthly phone bill, right?Each purchase comes with an earpiece for discrete listening without having any busybodies eavesdrop on you. Features of these wrist walkie talkies include:

• 1.5 mile range
• Auto Squelch system - automatically cuts off weak transmissions
• Auto-off to save power
• Flex and Talk Operation
• Voice Operated Transmission (VOX)
• Digital volume control
• Backlight for LCD display
• 3.5mm jack socket for use with earphones

Gizoo is currently selling the Walkie Talkie Watches for £32.95 each.

F1/Carbon GMT Concept Watch

Things don’t get any more precise than Formula 1, and the concept F1/Carbon GMT watch is definitely a thing of beauty. Inspired by the world of F1, designer John Pszeniczny has decided to throw in a carbon fiber body, Swarovski crystals, rubber and metal into this timepiece that features 18 identical rubies while telling the time in all 18 cities on the 2008 F1 circuit. Other features include a built-in lap timer function and a stopwatch. I suppose if this was released, it will also be one of the fastest wallet emptiers in history, probably hitting $0 from $20,000 in the time you take to swipe your credit card.

Electric Motion Systems E+ Bike

Electric bikes seem to be getting the popular vote these days, and the new Electric Motion Systems E+ bike is another addition to a growing list. While DOT requirements state that a road-going electric bike ought to have its speed limit capped at 20 mph, the E+ can hit 30 mph when traveling off the beaten path. Without turning the pedals even once, the E+ is able to manage 20 miles on a single charge, whereas if you throw in some pedaling as well you can double the range. It won’t be cheap though as you will need to fork out at least $3,495, and you can choose from a cruiser or mountainbike frame. And to think that bicycles were once meant to be exercise machines…

Uno One-Wheeled Motorcycle

The Uno is an interesting mode of transport - it is a one wheeled-looking motorcycle in essence, and it looks as though only the foolhardy and brave will take this out for a spin.
The orange and grey coloured Uno made its first public appearance balanced on its two side-by-side wheels and its footpegs. Looking more like it should have been ridden by George Jetson as he pulled up to his space platform, it looked out of place amid the other custom creations in the building.
I wonder how much one of these costs. Probably an arm, a leg and both kidneys.

Man Builds own Solar-Electric Bike

Brent Hatch must’ve gotten sick and tired of paying ever higher prices for gas, driving him to create this DIY Solar Electric Bike from scratch. Apparently, his gas bill has surpassed the $700 mark (both he and his wife has seven children), causing him to purchase an 8-seater bicycle while affixing a bunch of roof-mounted solar panels to rev up an electric motor. You won’t go very fast with this puppy, but at least short commutes to and from school to pick up the young ‘uns will be much easier on the wallet. Hopefully the other kids play nice and won’t ridicule Brent’s offspring.

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I/O Concept Watch

Bad Breath Checker

Cold Seat Fends Off Summer Heat

Thanko USB Face Mask

Fujitsu Vein Scanner Comes To The US

Digital Cutting Board<
Most cutting boards are but plain colored rectangles, but the Digital Cutting Board from Nardo Design is worlds apart from what we have in the market today. It is equipped with a flexible LCD display that shows cooking instructions on it to help you achieve that perfect meal. In addition, it also allows you to read up on downloaded recipes which you have a personal interest in. Chromium handles on both ends complete the Digital Cutting Board, and it will be made out of environmentally-friendly components which do not pollute our world after disposal. Unfortunately, the Digital Cutting Board is but a concept at this point in time, so you’ll be better off with a flat panel TV in your kitchen for now.

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The LTK-2000 Therapy Station is one device where pressured executives would welcome, be it at home or at the office. This Korean gadget not only features 24 relaxing sounds for different categories (concentration, therapy for depression, etc), it also comes with a ring of bright blue LEDs that claim to provide your tired eyes with 5,000 lux of light therapy. Just in case the audio and visual combination aren’t effective enough, there is always the option to include a herbal aroma cartridge onto the top of the unit, letting your nose breathe in a soothing scent to relax those jangled nerves. An integrated anion generator rounds off the list of features. I don’t think the price tag is very relaxing though, as it retails for $395 each.

Keeping your treasured possessions safe can be quite a challenge these days, but thankfully skillful thieves aren’t exactly that common. The Biometric Vault Security Safe helps keep your belongings secure by using fingerprints as the method of authentication. It can store up to 50 fingerprints in its integrated flash memory, and has the backup of internal batteries just in case the A/C power goes off. Other features include a soft spring-loaded door mechanism and LCD screen as well, retailing for $499 a pop. It takes less than a second to verify your identification, although I would have liked to see one that works in tandem with an iris scan.

The Talking Caller ID Announce Station is one interesting device that ensures you don’t have to rush over to your house phone from the kitchen each time it rings. After all, it actually reads out the actual name of the caller, making it the perfect device for the vision impaired. Powered by a trio of AA batteries, the Talking Caller ID Announce Station comes with volume control and a mute button, meeting both FCC and ETL requirements. It functions with both corded or cordless telephones, although you will need to ensure that subscription to name-and-number Caller ID services are offered by your local telephone company. That’s an additional fee, of course, but the Talking Caller ID Announce Station retails for $39.99 each.

I guess it makes perfect sense that nobody would want to mow the lawn when it is raining, so the premise for a solar-powered lawnmower is a no-brainer. Husqvarna has rolled out its automatic electric solar-powered hybrid robotic lawn mower that claims to be the first of its kind in the world, offering a professionally cut lawn every time at a steep price - £2,000, to be exact. Well, I guess as long as the sun shines this piece of machinery will keep on going, but just how robust and tough are the insides? This lawnmower can clear 2,300 square meters of grass and is programmable to work only at certain times or days of the week. It has a battery life of approximately 40 minutes before a 40 minute charging time juices it up, but on a sunny day, its cutting time can be extended by another 50%.

The Pleo did not really take off as intended during the holiday season last year, but if you’re one of the few who picked it up, here’s some news for you. Its Life OS has just gotten an update, bringing the version number up to 1.0.2 that enables your robotic dinosaur to explore its surroundings even more, being more alert of its surroundings, and singing whenever it is in a presence of a group of people. You can download the Pleo 1.0.2 Life OS update here.

For folks who are heading towards London for a holiday soon, Coolgorilla has a solution for tourists - the London Travel Guide that was specially designed to be used in iPods, iPhones and other cell phones. It is available as a free download and comes packed with information on London like stunning video footage, roving maps and colorful facts about each tourist attraction. Just make sure that you don’t forget to pack a universal adapter just in case your iPod runs out of juice, lest you need to disturb one of the Bobbies there in order to find your way around. Coolgorilla is currently working on similar travel guides in other cities like Paris, Barcelona, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, targeting a release date of sometime later this year.

Everyone remembers the USB Humping Dog that caused quite a fair bit of guffaws when it was released - we have something less obscene now in the form of the USB Exercise Dog. While it doesn’t do much just like its predecessor, at least this time our plastic pooch’s abs are getting some love. I can bet my bottom dollar that sooner or later, somebody with a fair bit of DIY skills will come up with a version that carries some sort of flash memory just like how the USB Humping Dog was modified before.

Find all the sources, and discover more consumer electronics news and reviews at Ubergizmo.com.

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Each week, Atelier reviews what is trendy on the web magazine of our great expert contributor. Ubergizmo.com is dedicated to consumer electronics news and reviews.

 

Marijuana Vending Machine

Now this is a vending machine that you don’t see every day - it dispenses medical marijuana. Located in three spots throughout Los Angeles, it was created by Vincent Mehdisadeh, the owner of the Los Angeles Herbal Nutrition Center. Needless to say, these machines have already gotten the attention of federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents who are raring to find out more about these machines as to whether they violate any law(s). These machines can be accessed 24/7, while preserving one’s anonymity when attaining medically prescribed marijuana.

 

Hi-Gain Wireless-G Dish Adapter

Boost your home’s wireless signal with the Hi-Gain Wireless-G Dish Adapter today - this device might not be as small as you’d like it to be, but at the very least you can be sure of a strong signal no matter which part of the home you’re currently at. Of course, I don’t think this is recommended if you happen to live in one of those mansions featured on MTV’s "Cribs", but for the ordinary Joe, it ought to do more than enough to blanket your home with strong WiFi signals, allowing you to check up on the latest gadget news even if you’re in the loo. It supposedly offers a 300% increase in wireless signal and is hooked up to your desktop/notebook via USB. Are you willing to splash out $62 on this?

 

Wiimote Hacked To Control Curtains

Those who have spent a night at the Bellagio will know that curtains in there are remote controlled, but you don’t have to travel all the way to Las Vegas in order to experience this luxury. All you need is a little DIY knowledge, a Wiimote and you’re good to go. "The curtain control system is an existing system from Goelst and is called "G-Rail 6200". Normally it is controlled by infrared or wallswitches. However, it can also be controlled with a CAN bus. I used this CAN bus to interface with an old PC." Guess the Wii has more than one use, eh?

 

Yet Another Video Watch

Telling the time has gotten a technological boost with this offering from Chinavasion. It features the following specifications :

• 1.8" display
• 20fps video playback
• 2.5mm headphone jack (what, no 3.5mm?)
• Audio playback support
• Tells the time (duh)

Fancy picking up this rather tacky looking timepiece? It retails for $85.71 a pop, and don’t blame me if you suddenly find yourself unable to pick up any girl from the day of purchase.

 

Pet Mate Elite

The Pet Mate Elite prevents your cat from coming in and going out as it pleases - this technologically advanced flap allows you to control just which pet is able to come in to your home, even down to the exact minute. Eight RFID chips are attached to different pets, where the Pet Mate Elite will detect the corresponding RFID tag and compare it to the permission levels set by you before it grants/deny access. I wonder whether there is a Teenager Mate Elite that lets you set down ground rules in a much stricter manner without threats of being grounded. The Pet Mate Elite can be picked up for £99.95.

 

Disinfecting UV Scanner

Paranoid androids can pick up this Disinfecting UV Scanner that, according to the product description, "protects your family from colds, flu, and germs such as E. coli. Portable scanner instantly disinfects doorknobs, faucets, computer keyboards and mouse, phones. Just wave it over the item-kills 99.9% of germs in seconds. Great for travel and everyday use. Uses 4 AAA batteries (not included). Folds to just 4 1/2" long to fit in included carry pouch." $29.99 for your peace of mind, and unless you’re extremely subsceptible to diseases and pathogens, the Disinfecting UV Scanner sounds more like a novelty item than a necessary purchase.

 

MSI ECOlution Motherboard

Everyone knows that computer motherboards tend to generate a whole lot of heat, so why not harness all the heat generated to push coolers which will then keep the system cool for better performance? This sounds like a novel idea, where MSI has come up with the ECOlution motherboard in order to harness the power of heat, transforming it into kinetic energy that will then power the chipset’s cooler. I guess this is a pretty automatic solution, because when the motherboard is cooled down enough, the cooler won’t have any more kinetic energy from heat and stop functioning until it is hot enough inside again. Hopefully the accessory on the motherboard won’t generate too much noise.

 

Find all the sources, and discover more consumer electronics news and reviews at Ubergizmo.com.

 

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