Premium Chromebook Pixel, A Touchscreen Laptop

Posted on March 14, 2013 by gadgets

The Chromebook Pixel looks very interesting. It would be much better if it would work with Ubuntu and had a much larger hard drive. This goes with Google’s desire for great internet connectivity at all times but that just ins’t true for the vast majority of notebook users – including me.

If someone would provide this same hardward (with a bigger hard drive) and that worked with Ubuntu I would get it (if I hadn’t just bought a MacBook Pro). But I would consider getting it when I am ready for a new computer.

I think Chrome OS makes sense for Google to invest in (even though it is not really a great model right now for most users). But I think Google is foolish in ignoring users that want a better notebook operating system.

A Pen That Prints in 3D While You Draw

Posted on February 20, 2013 by gadgets

The 3 Doodler, from Wobble Works presents the opportunity to print your own creations in 3D. 3Doodler is the world’s first and only 3D Printing Pen. Using ABS plastic (the material used by many 3D printers), 3Doodler draws in the air or on surfaces. It’s compact and easy to use, and requires no software or computers. You just plug it into a power socket and can start drawing anything within minutes.

Template allow the 3Doodler to print your very own artist-designed 3Doodles.

The Ink (i.e. ABS/PLA plastic): The 3Doodler uses 3mm ABS or PLA plastic as its “ink” – just like a 3D printer. Each 3Doodler backed on Kickstarter comes with at least one bag of plastic; each bag will contain ten 1ft strands of plastic; and each 1 ft strand produces approximately 11 ft of 3Doodling fun… yes, you read that right, a foot of plastic goes a very long way in the 3Doodler.

Wobble Works plans to offer plastic sold in strands (making it easy to switch colours and create different styles), but 3Doodler-compatible plastic is also available in 1kg spools from between $30 to $55 from a variety of sources. They are not mistreating customers like the old fashion printer companies do with broken by design print cartridges, $8,000 a gallon ink and the like.

As of right now (in the first 24 hours of launch) on Kickstarter they have $449,797 pledged (with an original goal of $30,000).

Apple MacBook Pro Retina 15″ via Amazon

Posted on January 25, 2013 by gadgets

I am planning on getting an Apple MacBook Pro Retnia with 15″ screen. I love my Macbook Air but want a bigger screen (also I need more ram and a bigger hard drive). You can purchase Apple MacBook’s via Amazon at a discount. You can even add extended Applecare coverage via Amazon.

The retina version obviously offers the retina screen resolution, which is awesome, but it also is much lighter than the old style MacBook pro with the integrated DVD drive. So I will also get an external mac superdrive (DVD drive) for the few DVD I need to watch.

If you want a portable laptop and don’t need the larger screen I think the Macbook Air is exceptional. Along with the iPhone, the Air, is one of the most awesome gadgets available.

Gadget to Hold Things In Place

Posted on December 31, 2012 by curiouscat

Nite Ize Gear Ties let you hold things in place using bendable wire coated in rubber. Available in 3″, 6″, 12″, 18″, 24″, and 32″ lengths in various colors.

I think the coolest advantage of these ties is using the rigid nature to hold things in place – such as holding your flashlight at the right angle while you reach into a small space with both your hands free.

Make Your Own Chalkboard Paint

Posted on December 2, 2012 by curiouscat

photo of colored chalkboard paint

How To Mix Chalkboard Paint in Any Color

Supplies: 1/2 cup acrylic paint (choose any color you like, or mix colors together to make the perfect shade!), 1 tablespoon unsanded grout (this can be purchased at most hardware/home improvement stores, we got ours at Home Depot), mixing cup or bowl, spoon, paint brush and an object or board you plan to paint on.
…
Once your chalkboard has fully dried be sure to slate the surface before using it for the first time. To slate a chalkboard lightly rub chalk along the surface and then lightly rub it off.

Very cool. I suppose paint might stretch the definition of a gadget but one of the nice things about having your own blog is you get to decide what fits. This is a pretty cool idea so I included it.

Universal Translator on the Way

Posted on November 11, 2012 by gadgets

Universal translators are a gadget I think will be great. We still are not there, but we keep getting closer. Microsoft, Google and Apple are doing a great deal of work on making this happen.

At the end of this webcast Microsoft demonstrates speaking in English and having that translated and then output in spoken Chinese.

KudoCase Provides Solar Charging for Your iPad

Posted on October 11, 2012 by curiouscat

In addition the KudoCase will help you locate your iPad. If you can’t find your iPad just whistle and it will set off an alarm in the KudoCase.

The KudoCase itself stores power so you can recharge directly from that battery without any light. You can also charge your iPhone via the USB slot on the case.

The device is fairly heavy – 1.7 pounds.

The concept is great. It seems like a product that could use some improvement (based on user reviews) with future versions but it very interesting.

Fast Hovercraft

Posted on August 24, 2012 by curiouscat

Futuristic transportation from aerofex.

Sony Student Design Workshop: Print Odor on Postcards

Posted on August 6, 2012 by curiouscat

photo of gadget to print odor on a postcard

Food for thought in innovation

Zhu Jingxuan, a junior in the Fashion & Art Design Institute of Donghua University, loves gourmet food and travel, which inspired her to invent a curious device she calls a food printer.

It’s a combination of camera, smell extractor and printer. During a trip, when people enjoy delicious and distinctive local food, they can use the device to take pictures and collect the aroma simultaneously and then print them postcard-style. Posting the cards to family and friends enables them to share a good eating experience visually and aromatically.

“I spent several months designing it,” said the 20-year-old student majoring in industry design. “What I completed was just an idea and draft sketch. Without the help of Sony’s designers, I could not have made the model.”

Zhu’s food printer concept design won the “most-fun” award of the sixth Sony Student Design Workshop. The annual design contest was launched by international electronics company Sony Corp in 2006 and aims to erect a platform for Chinese university students to undertake industry design, inspire their creative potential and support China’s innovations and inventions industry.

Very cool: both the gadget and Sony’s efforts to engage young minds to shape the engineers of the future. We need to encourage those that are going to give us our gadgets in the future.

Smart Trashcan

Posted on July 24, 2012 by curiouscat

You can improve your shot making by practicing or just get this handy gadget and let the trash can adjust to where you throw. An Asus Xtion Pro camera is placed on the to track the shots and more the trash can to the appropriate place.

Curious Cat Gadgets

Technology in human sized portions