WebTuner Combines Traditional Pay TV And Internet Video In A Single Media Streamer

  Today's crop of set-top boxes do a great job of bringing internet video to people's living rooms, but requires you to make separate arrangements for traditional pay TV.  In fact, many folks don't even bother with the latter, depending strictly on online sources like Netflix to get their TV entertainment.  But if someone made a box that allowed both internet video and pay TV to co-exist, would you still watch TV the old way?  That's exactly what WebTuner is counting on.

  Unveiled at the 2014 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference this week, it's  a small box that gives users access to both traditional TV channels and their growing online competition from a single device.  Essentially, the device integrates old (live TV, on-demand) and new (all your favorite streaming services) alike, giving them a unified interface from which viewers can access both.

  WebTuner housed its computing hardware inside a small box that plugs directly into a wall outlet, with an HDMI and Ethernet port on the outer end.   To use, simply hook it up with an HDMI cable to the TV and connect it to your home network (either via WiFi or the Ethernet slot) -- done.  It comes with a two-sided remote that has traditional buttons on one side and a QWERTY keyboard on the other.  Like Amazon Fire TV, they're pimping a powerful search experience.  Unlike it, the search will encompass all the content, so a search for a movie title, for instance, will bring up all results it can find, whether it's on Netflix, on Showtime's regular programming, or on-demand with whatever cable provider is hooked into the service.

  While WebTuner is currently showing off their wares at the NAB conference, it's likely to be a long time before they actually hit the consumer market.  Chances are, they'll need to get a number of big media companies on board to make this work, but it's definitely going to be interesting to watch.

May 29, 2014 Read More +

This Mini Mobile Robotic Printer Is Actually Cute And Useful, Can Fit In A Backpack Pouch

  Portable printers have made working on the road a lot more convenient, letting you pull document printouts anytime the need for one arises.   And while the current crop of portable printers work well enough for mobile workers, this Mini Mobile Robotic Printer shrinks it down to an even more manageable size.

  Made by Israel-based Zuta Labs, it's an entirely fresh take on mobile printers.  Instead of a page-wide device that you feed paper into, it's like a mini-Roomba that passes over a sheet of paper laid out on a table.  Rather than clean every surface it  crosses like a robot vacuum would, however, it receives your digital documents over Bluetooth and prints a hardcopy directly on the paper.

  The Mini Mobile Robotic Printer is, basically, a tiny robot armed with a printhead and a set of wheels, allowing it to travel the entire area of the paper going from left to right and top to bottom.  Do note, you have to position it right on the upper left corner of the paper, just like you have to line up the paper properly when using a more conventional portable printer, but that's all the hassle you will need to put up with.  Printing speed is decent, too, with the device able to finish an entire letter-sized sheet in around 40 seconds.  All standard paper sizes are supported.

  Dimensions are 10 cm tall and 11.5 cm in diameter, with a weight of 300g, easily making it the most portable printer in the market.  It comes with a replaceable ink cartridge that can produce up to 1,000 pages before requiring a replacement, so unless you're printing a 100-page manual for a meeting of 20 people in an afternoon, it should last you for a while.  Rechargeable battery is only good for up to one hour of runtime, though.

  A Kickstarter campaign is currently running for the Mini Mobile Robotic Printer.  Pledges to reserve a unit starts at $180.

May 29, 2014 Read More +

Ion discover dj

                                                             

    

    The Discover DJ is flat in shape with multi colored surface. This Discover DJ comes in a variety of shades so that you can buy the Discover DJ according to your decor. The Discover DJ is a digital and portable edition compared to what professional DJs in reality use. On top of the Discover DJ is a pair of player discs. With the Discover DJ you can scratch like what DJs do. And in the middle of the Discover DJ are series of pins to where you can adjust the bass, tempo and the like. You may also connect the Discover DJ via USB to download more music that you can mix.

                                  
                                              

    A more detailed list of features of Discover DJ is which include everything you need to DJ with your computer. The Discover DJhas large touch-sensitive scratch wheels for natural scratch feel. The Discover DJ has cross fader which enables you to mix between songs. The Discover DJ can perfect your sound with Bass and Treble controls. The Discover DJ can automatically matches tempo from one song to the next. The Discover DJ can record and share your DJ performances. The Discover DJ has extended the mix by looping your favorite parts. The Discover DJ has plug-and-play USB connection included in it which requires no drivers or power adapter. The Discover DJ has easy-to-use Mix Vibes Cross LE DJ software included in it. The Discover DJ can perform with the music in your iTunes music library. Treat yourself or even your kid with Discover DJ to play DJ for fun or for professional purposes! Now, this Discover DJ product is available in markets! You can have the Discover DJ for only $99 if you buy it online, but I think the Discover DJ may cost more on retail.

July 07, 2013 Read More +

Hövding, An Airbag Helmet That Pops Out Of Your Collar

    Does wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle cramp your style?  Ditch the headgear and wear the Hövding, an airbag that pops out from your collar and protects your head during a crash.

    Originally designed by Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin as a university thesis project six years ago, the airbag is discreetly tucked into a bulky collar that you can wear around your neck like a fancy fashion accessory.  That way, you can hit the road on your bicycle without messing up your meticulously-styled hair and leaving it drenched in sweat.

    The Hövding consists of a helium-inflated airbag hidden underneath a removable collar (so you can use different designs to suit your threads).  Sensors, consisting of gyroscopes and accelerometers, are installed right on the assembly, which it uses to constantly monitor your movement.  A rechargeable battery sits onboard, which you can juice up via an integrated USB port.

    Once a crash is detected, it will deploy the cushy hood, which will wrap itself around your head to dull any resulting impact.   We're not exactly sure what conditions will set the bag to blow up, although they claim extensive testing has been done to eliminate false positives.  A black box installed in the airbag also records the last ten seconds of sensor information before impact, which can be used to further improve the system.

    No word on target availability for the Hövding, but they appear to be serious about bringing it to market, as they now have twelve people working full time on the product.

May 22, 2013 Read More +

Stone Island’s Heat Reactive Jacket Changes Color Depending On Temperature

    Want a jacket that makes you look like you're being possessed by an alien life form?  You're going to love this Heat Reactive Jacket, which gradually changes color depending on the temperature around you.

    In the cold, it looks like a regular bomber jacket in the most unassuming dark shade.  Once it feels the temperature rising, though, the exterior material slowly alters itself into a bright and vivid shade of green, allowing you to act like a radiation victim about to have a Hulk-like transformation.

    The Heat Reactive Jacket performs the magical metamorphosis by way of heat-sensitive liquid crystals that cover the cotton nylon canvas fabric.  Perfect for wearing in the rain, the garment features full waterproof qualities, a hooded neckline with visor,  a zip-up closure, snap-adjust cuffs and a drawstring bottom hem.  It's got a pair of pockets, too, so you can hide a spy camera in case you want to record all those weirded-out faces who thinks your body's being taken over by a scary alien (make sure to act the part).

    Created by Stone Island, the Heat Reactive Jacket is available in black and dark green.  Apparently, looking like you're a radiation victim isn't cheap -- it goes for a pricey $763.

May 19, 2013 Read More +

Helmet Predator 2 Turns You Into An Alien Sport Hunter

    I'm somewhat disappointed that the Helmet Predator 2 isn't actually DOT certified.  I mean, imagine this novelty headgear paired with your Dark Knight or Wolverine motorcycle suitwhile you streak down the highway.  Plenty wild, right?  Of course, you can always still put it on, ride your bike, and just behead any cop that gives you beef about the helmet.  I'm sure nothing wrong will happen after that.

    Made by Russian outfit NLO Moto, it's a costume replica of Predator headwear that's based on a certified IXS motorcycle helmet, so it can actually offer your noggin some protection.  It comes complete with alien dreads, so you can look just as menacing as those gnarly alien hunters who devote their existence to executing living species for sport.

    The Helmet Predator 2 is constructed from a combo of fiberglass, carbon fiber and polycarbonate, so it's a proper hard helmet that can protect you when battling puny humans and vicious aliens of any species.  It comes with a removable visor, as well as three bright LEDs installed at eye level that's powered by a pair of AAA batteries that install right on the helmet.

    While the stock helmet is awesome, the real fun starts at the optional upgrades.  Offerings include a laser beam (to make it look like you're aiming at your next victim), a smoke faceshield, graphics (there's a standard package of scars, engraving and symbols, as well as a more elaborate airbrush design), spearheads on the dreadlocks, canines (yep, they'll put scary fangs on the mouth area), and an all-carbon fiber shell.

    Want one?  The Helmet Predator 2 is available now, with prices starting at $780.

                                                                                                                     source: coolthings.com

May 19, 2013 Read More +

Rainshader Redesigns The Umbrella As A 'Giant Helmet'...???

    Umbrellas have needed a redesign for the longest time now.  During heavy rains, even thestrongest umbrellas just can't protect you with water rushing down from different angles.  We don't know if this is the redesign to finally fix that problem, but the Rainshader does seem like it might prove more useful for those situations.

    Shaped like a giant motorcycle helmet, the uniquely-designed umbrella offers equal rain protection from the top, back, and sides.  More than an umbrella, it's like walking with a portable tent on a stick, holding you inside its protective walls as the torrent of rain continues to pour heavily around it.

    Honestly, the Rainshader looks like it was designed more for novelty than function, making you look like you're carrying a giant costume headgear for your own amusement.  It isn't, though.  Instead, it's a genuine upgrade on the conventional umbrella, shielding you from the rain at more angles, limiting wind-chill (since you have more areas covered up), and saving you from the usual routine of poking other people walking next to you with the sticks along the edges.  Plus, the closed-up design makes it "virtually impossible to blow inside-out."

    Construction is 190T quality-grade polyester for the canopy, aluminum for the shaft, fiberglass for the ten-spoke ribs, and rubber for the handle.  It can also fold into a compact package like regular umbrellas and comes with a shoulder carrying case.

    The Rainshader is available in a variety of colors, priced at £24.99.

                                                                                                                       source: coolthings.com

May 19, 2013 Read More +