Stop wasting time and frustrating yourself searching for your keys when you can find them with a press of a button. The Smart Find Remote Control Key Locator can help you locate up to 4 of the things you misplace most often. Two color coded key ring receivers and two color coded slim receivers help you find anything you attach them to. The key ring receivers are obviously for keys, but the slim receivers are for other devices like a PDA, wallet, or anything you misplace often. When you press the color coded button on the transmitter the corresponding receiver will emit a loud 85-decibel alarm. As long as your lost keys or other items are within 60 feet of this transmitter you will hear a loud alarm going off. That’s where I think of alternative uses that could be amusing. Can you think of any other alternative uses?

Let’s say you only use 3 of the 4 receivers, well how about putting one under your lazy teenagers pillow while they sleep so that you can wake them before noon with a press of your color coded button? How about attaching or hiding a receiver to a valued possession like your laptop bag, or private journal, so when that unsuspecting someone tries to take off with it you can sound the alarm with a push of the button? I even considered attaching one to your pet, but seeing how they usually have great hearing it wouldn’t be very nice to set off the 85-decibel alarm too close to them.

If you are only interested in finding one set of keys, or just looking for a more economical gift, try the Smart Find Key Tracker. This one also sets off an 85-decibel alarm, but has a larger range of 80 feet compared to the 60 feet of the 4 receiver version.

Taged as: electronics, gadgets, gift idea

Posted by Sean in Gadgets
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This is a good gift for all those dashboard drummers who just can’t help but drum out a beat when ever and where ever the feeling hits. With music being stored and played from our own personal computers more now than ever this finger drum mousepad can be a fun little toy for everyone.

This electronic drumpad is a Hammacher exclusive that also serves as a mousepad. Although from the looks of it I’d recommend it for someone who has a wireless mouse. The finger drumming mousepad allows you to play eight different percussion sounds, including bass, snare, two rack toms, a floor tom, hi-hat, crash, and ride cymbals using only your fingers. This fun device requires 4 AAA batterires (the kind most new TV remote controls use) and you can record up to 30 of your own rhythms.

I like to tease, so I think it would be funny to get this for someone who asked for a drum set for their birthday/Christmas/etc. and you let them open this gift first. Then when all the gifts are opened you can bring them out to the garage where the real drum set is set up. It makes for a bigger surprise in the end. Plus when they can’t practice their real drums because of noise, this little finger drum set will keep them busy.

Taged as: activity, electronics, fun, gadgets, gift idea, Hammacher Schlemmer, kid friendly, music, unique

Posted by Sean in Kids, Fun, Gadgets
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Are your USB ports working for you? Usually we connect a boring printer, web cam, or mouse to these ports, but chances are you have a few ports not being utilized. Manufactures have taken advantage of the fact that USB can deliver power from your PC to a small device by creating fun toys that plug into our computers that don’t even involve the rest of the computer.

You can get a USB powered beverage cooler, a beverage warmer, or an Air Purifier and Clock. Add some fun into your work day with a USB powered missile launcher. If you like the missile launcher make sure to check out this Circus Canon Launcher as well.

For the ultimate in computer desk decor try a mini lava lamp or a 6 color cycling mini Christmas tree. A more useful USB powered item might be a personal fan, or a reading light with just enough light to brighten up your keyboard for all your midnight surfing. For added decor try a mini lamp complete with retro orange lamp shade.

If you don’t have any spare USB ports you can always plug in a USB hub that turns 1 port into more. How many more? It’s up to you, add 3, 4, or up to 7 more ports. 7 free USB ports would allow for quite the arsenal of missile launchers.

Bring these toys along for the ride in your car with a FirePod that converts your any 12V automotive DC power source (lighter) into a USB and Firewire port.

Taged as: electronics, fun, gadgets, gift idea, lighting, nerd, Think Geek, unique

Posted by Sean in Nerd, Unique, Fun, Gadgets
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I’m reminded of the time, during a lecture on IP addressing, a professor of mine was telling the class about how he taught his son to count using the binary system before he taught him to count using the decimal system. He said his son picked it up very easily and has remembered it ever since. These clocks and watches are made for people like that professor. I have to admit that although I wasn’t taught binary at a young age, I do know enough to be able to figure out the time on these clocks. I believe that if you don’t know how to read or write binary you can figure these clocks and watches out with some practice. If you need to brush up on your binary counting or just want some history, check out the Wiki on the binary numeral system.

The clock shown to the left is a simple binary clock that comes in a blue LED with silver front (shown at left), or a red LED with translucent/black front. There is also a dim button that allows you to adjust the brightness of the LED light output. Check out the product page for detailed instructions on how to read this clock. Once you feel comfortable enough with your binary reading skills you can take it outdoors with this handsome binary watch available in blue or red LEDs. Get ready to snicker in amusement at people’s faces when they ask what time it is and you brandish your watch to let them figure it out. If you are looking for a more sleek and stylish version of the binary watch I’d suggest this square shaped watch.

For those of you that want the cool look of the binary clock, but just can’t bring yourself to be a total nerd and learn to read binary there is the Tix LED Clock. It looks more like a piece of home decor rather than a clock because of it’s soft LED glow and no numbers. To tell the time you just have to add up the number of lit squares in each field (it’s easier than it sounds).

Taged as: electronics, gadgets, gift idea, nerd, Think Geek, unique

Posted by Sean in Nerd, Gadgets
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You’ve probably already heard of iRobot’s Roomba vacuum, but how about the new Roomba for Pets? It’s specially designed to better pick up all that fur, dander, litter, etc. that your loving pet leaves behind. This version comes with an Easy Clean Brush and Easy Clean Brush Tool so that when hair gets all bundled up in the cleaning brush you can remove it with ease.

The Roomba Discovery for Pets version comes with an advanced power system battery and charger to effectively clean multiple rooms in one charge and recharge your vacuuming robot in less than 3 hours. Standard features include dirt detect, a stair avoidance system, surface transitioning, and the efficient bag-less debris bin. This one also includes a standard remote that lets you control basic functions from across the room.

The best part about ordering from iRobot directly is that they offer a 30-day risk-free trial, 1 year warranty, and a 6 months no-interest payment plan as well. If you feel the Roomba vacuum isn’t dong a valuable service to you, you can return it back to them and they will give you all your money back. I say “all” because they will not only reimburse the purchase price of the robot, but the shipping costs it took to get to you and the shipping cost to get it back to them.

Along with the ever popular robot vacuum named Roomba they have the Scooba (scrubs your hard floors) and the Dirt Dog that can vacuum up screws, bolts, and heavy duty dirt off your shop floor.

Taged as: cleaning, electronics, gadgets, pets

Posted by Sean in Splurge, Household, Gadgets
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I don’t think a day goes by when I don’t wish I had the power to manipulate television. Blaring commercials, laugh tracks, reality TV… it’s enough to make you want to call your cable company and ask for a refund. In your own home you are able to change the channel or switch it off completely, but what about social settings? For example, at the bar when you’d rather be watching the Daily Show instead of the rebroadcast football game, or at the doctors office or laundromat where all they seem to play are soap operas and talk shows. These are situations where the teeny little Ninja Remote key chain comes in handy.

“Simply point the Ninja Remote at the intended target (a television set) and press the mute button for a few seconds - once the TV mutes the remote is now ready to assume full control of its victim. Innocent bystanders will be frozen with fear (or very animated with anger) as the volume and channel change magically in front of their eyes, seemingly controlled by some mysterious force.” Oh, the possibilities!

Unlike the earlier versions of this type of gadget, it comes on a key chain and is so darn small that you can have it between your thumb and forefingers, busy turning off every TV you see and freaking people out, while it’s nearly invisible inside your hand. I used to want the watch version of this universal remote, but at $9.99 and the size of 2 quarters, I’m going to have to get a Ninja instead.

Taged as: funny, gadgets, nerd, Think Geek

Posted by Lauren in Nerd, Gadgets
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In case you haven’t noticed lately there have been a lot of different stereo systems that allow the now universal iPod to connect so you can listen to your music on more than just the headphones included. You can identify them quickly by their clever names like iTower, iSphere, iPulse, iSoother, iSplash, need I go on? We’ve even talked about a couple; iPod Boombox Cooler, iPod Alarm Clock.

But they all lack the ultimate convenience of a wireless speaker system with good quality sound. Being able to have my speakers mounted on my walls, or at least spread apart on a desk or bookshelf, and have my iPod or MP3 player plugged into a device that’s close to where I am is more of what I’m looking for. Like most people I usually set my iPod on shuffle and leave it, but every once and a while I want to skip a certain song because I’m not in the mood for it. When the iPod is next to me I can easily reach over and skip the song without having to stop what I’m doing and transport myself to another room.

This wireless speaker system features the universal ZipConnect module that allows you to play music from any iPod, MP3, portable CD or satellite radio, basically any audio source with a headphone jack. This ZipConnect module is included for free with this device and charges your iPod while it’s playing.

This wireless speaker system allows you to plug your iPod or MP3 player directly into it’s wireless transmitter which then sends your music to the wireless receiver built into the powered subwoofer. The other speakers are connected to the subwoofer and can stand on their own, or mount onto a wall. The wireless signal can transmit up to 100 feet in open spaces, or about 60 feet if going through walls. Another feature I like is that the transmitter also has “RCA” jacks so you can plug in your current stereo, AM/FM tuner, computer or television to transmit to the wireless speakers if you so desire. I don’t like it when my electronics can’t be universal, which is why the simple addition of these “RCA” jacks is a great idea.

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Posted by Sean in Gadgets
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I’m not a GPS guru or anything, but I’ve always wondered about the personal tracking ability of GPS units and how well that can be implemented to be able to track your kids. When I was a teenager beepers (aka pagers) were the newest thing, and my friend had one so his parents could quickly get in touch with him if need be. This was before cell phones were so “affordable”. But even cell phones can’t give you the location of your child or the speed at which they are traveling in the car. Well at least not yet.

But we’ve now entered the age of Global Positioning Satellites (GPS), and Internet based applications. Now products like this Locate 1, Powered by MicroTRAKgps are available from Sharper Image. This device can locate your child within about 3 meters. In addition to being able to locate your child, or whatever you place this device on, this system can also tell you how fast they are going. I like this part because you can set alerts so that if your child drives over a certain speed limit, or goes out of a certain area you specify, you can be notified with a simple text message to your cell phone. Then you can call them and bust them in the act! Could you imagine getting a call from your parents 30 seconds after showing your friends that your Delorean can go 88mph like Marty McFly? Ouch. All of this fun busting information and settings are easily set and tracked via an Internet based system from MicroTRAKgps’ website. So as long as you have an Internet connection you can check the location and speed of your handy GPS tracking device and what ever it’s hidden in.

Other uses for this GPS device include things like calculating total miles driven, or alerting MicroTRAKgps of an emergency so they can notify the proper authorities. The device weighs no more than a regular cell phone, and is the size of a deck of cards so it can be easily hidden or carried without hassle. Battery life can last up to 5 days for extensive tracking.

COUPON: $15 OFF any $75 purchase! expires 8-31-06

Taged as: coupon, gadgets, Sharper Image

Posted by Sean in Kids, Gadgets
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With Labor Day weekend right around the corner, I had me a little brainstorm. Since we live within spitting distance from the beach, why not haul a cooler of water bottles down there and sell them to the touritsts for a fair, yet worthwhile, profit? Not 24 hours after the idea struck did I see these adorable light-weight coolers with ipod speakers from Cool Tunes. They’re too small for my water-peddling scheme, but they are the perfect size for you and your friends! Each holds 8 soda, beers, or other 12 oz. cans and is made from 100% insulated cotton. Two retro designs, Woody and Mod Floral, each come with AM/FM stereo and the ability to connect any iPod, CD, mini-disc, or MP3 player to it using a headphone jack. These ipod boomboxes have 2” loudspeakers that are waterproof so the ocean spray or splashes from the pool aren’t going to spoil the fun. I think this would make an ideal lunchbox since it’s convenient (lightweight, collapsable, portable size) and comes with built-in tunes. Or, if you can’t stand purses like me, it’s a good alternative to a regular purse or mini day-bag.

RELATED: ipod Alarm Clock, ipod Covers

Taged as: electronics, fun, gift idea, ipod, nerd, retro, Uncommon Goods

Posted by Lauren in Outdoors, Gadgets
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Let’s face it, most people have a few crumbs of food, strands of cat hair, or mysterious crust down in the deep trenches of their keyboards. Heck, some even have all three! Take it from me, it doesn’t always come out with a simple flip and shake of the keyboard. What should come standard with computers is this mini keyboard vacuum. This one is made available from Uncommon Goods and has four different attachments to help brush and suck out all the nastiness hidden in your keyboard crevices. At only 4 inches long and 3 inches wide this mini keyboard vacuum can fit easily on your busy desk. It uses 2 AA batteries and is made of frosted translucent plastic.

If you’d prefer a keyboard vacuum that sucks and blows (::snicker::) then I’d suggest the Shuttle Computer Cleaner from Stacks and Stacks.

Taged as: cleaning, gadgets, gift idea, nerd, Stacks and Stacks, Uncommon Goods

Posted by Sean in Nerd, Gadgets
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